Is now the time to challenge councils on why they are still breaking the law?

[Shedmistress]

People often talk about the Blob. For this they mean that slow moving 'computer says no' aspect of the people that run the institutions, councils, agencies, HR departments etc etc etc.

But because of the Forstarter Ruling, and the Supreme Court ruling, it is now possible to use these to start clearing out the activists, by using Gross Misconduct if they fail to uphold the law.

The Labour Party does not NEED to issue guidance to do this, so if for example a new set of elected people is in charge of an area or council or any other 'elected by the people' group, and the group, area, council whatever are still not upholding the law, now and in the coming months would be a good time to remind them of their duties and the risks they are taking by failing to uphold the law.

But the Blob will also be the gatekeepers to them getting complaints which could trigger reviews and identify the risks.

Also, Labour run areas might also be having a wake up call on what people really want, and it isn't more men in female spaces and activities.

I wonder if it now time to start identifying areas where councils are, in writing, breaking the law, along with the person who is now in charge and holding that 'risk', and devise a key bullet point list of what laws are being broken, using wording that is short and to the point, that can be sent to the person now in charge in order to start things moving?

Needless to say, I don't personally care if people did lose their jobs because they put women and girls in danger, but the ideal would be to just get them to stick to the law. This would have to be the underlying 'resolution' to the complaint.

And the more people that write in personally to complain with examples of where they have encountered the 'when ideology meets reality' aspect, the better.

Anyway I slept in this morning and this was my thought upon waking. I don't even live in the UK any more, but most of my female family members do so I am still very invested in how it resolves this.

This would be a great way of new management showing they CAN DO THINGS.

Whether they run any local leisure centres, and what rules for changing rooms they have?

Thanks @PoliticalTerfery Just checked and there are a few including a swimming pool (with inclusive policies) and a gym which has "Ladies only sessions - strictly women only". I will email to ask for clarification.

I think it might be time to stop playing nice and start launching legal challenges in the courts.

@EmpressaurusKitty & @WittyLimeBiscuit Have looked at my own council's responses to the WRN's FOI requests and they are utterly infuriating, and not just the usual waiting on the EHRC guidance.

Examples of infuriation:

Q: On 28th May 2025 WRN asks about Equality Impact Assessments, "particularly with regard to policies that affect women and sex-based rights".
A: "All the EQIA that have gone to cabinet do not have any regard to policies that affect women and sex-based rights".

Q: On 28th July 2025 WRN asks again about EQIA, asking for details of staff training, internal/external, etc, to ensure in line with the Equality Act.
A: "We have a [sic] EDI Specialist and they* looks at EQIA and advises staff on this."

*My italics - it's a they/them in charge of EDI. And a captured FOI Officer.

Further delving has revealed that my council also has a policy on Violence against Women and Girls.

"The Council resolves:
· To ensure XXX Council continues to do everything in its power to build a city free from misogyny and VAWG.
· To create a VAWG Taskforce. It is vital that women’s and girl’s voices are heard. The Council will create a process that proactively listens to women’s voices across the city. This task force will be open to include and involve all women and self identifying women Councillors.
· To become a White Ribbon Accredited Organisation."

Then I looked up whiteribbon.org.uk, and it looks as if it's on board the trans wagon. Anyone know for sure?

Infuriating is putting it politely.