James Murray on R4 just now - TWANW

[FlossieF]

New health secretary asked if he thinks TWAW- said he has changed his mind about this (as per Wes S) and supports single sex spaces on the basis of biological sex. As well he should, but still good to hear.

He actually said that?
On the radio where people could hear him?

<awaits meltdowns>

Yep !
Let me just go and check Bluesky and see how many hissy fits there are.

It's a bit early!

Reddit have noticed. https://www.reddit.com/r/transgenderUK/comments/1ttkqyh/new_health_secretary/

At the end of normal questioning about Murray's new job, Justin Webb said that Wes Streeting had been TWAW but then changed his mind, and Murray had also been TWAW so where did he stand now?

Murray said "I wouldn't say that phrase any more." Then he talked about the SC judgment. "I believe that single sex spaces should be protected on the basis of sex, biological sex".

What was noteworthy is that this was stated plainly without any sign of embarrassment and little in the way of qualification.

There's a couple of "why does the BBC let Justin Webb ask these things?" but the rest will probably not even have heard it, they'll get their news from Reddit.

I know. Was a straightforward reply. Said the usual stuff about ensuring trans people are treated with dignity and respect, of course.

It's not brave to say it now.

He's a lying coward.

I heard it, amazing and very clear. It was short and direct. Good old Justin

I suspect he still believes TWAW but he cares more about his climbing the ladder.

I'm relieved to hear it. Thanks, @FlossieF.

It's a low bar but it's an important bar.

I love it when politicians have the integrity to hear arguments and change their mind and stand up and say they've done so. Grown-up in the room!

Not brave as such, & I don’t know enough about him to proclaim him a lying coward. But as others have said, the lack of wriggling and obfuscating was a good sign of the times.

He pretended he was a staunch trans ally for years and then stopped pretending as soon as he got a big job promotion.

He didn't hear arguments all of a sudden and bravely change his mind.

If we can’t accept someone in such an important position changing their mind, or saying they have, what do we want? To me, it was a massive moment

😂😂

Another one pleased he's finally grown up. As Health secretary he'd be dangerous denying reality.

Nobody, absolutely nobody, believes TWAW. It's just a thought-stopping cliche to signal your tribe. That it is now becoming common, amongst our unethical politicians, to tell the truth, on this matter at least, means it must now be more expedient to tell the truth and not play along with the fantasy.

And that makes it noteworthy!

This is how I see things.

Brave or not, it is reassuring to hear the new Health Secretary understands his responsibilities following the Supreme Court ruling. The proof will be in how quickly all those illegal, discriminatory local NHS policies are corrected to bring them in line with the law (as it always was).

Agree. He was prepared for the question and almost seemed reprieved to be able to give a straightforward answer - I’ve given the issue a lot of thought and I’ve changed my mind.

You're right of course. That golden bridge and all that.

But it's very hard to be gracious after all the enraging ridiculous TWAW nonsense in recent years that politicians like him have used to do so much damage to women and chlldren. .

That this is unusual is a step in the right direction but omg the pain to get here!

Agree. We need people in positions of power and influence to be saying this, even if we're inclined to dislike them or distrust their motives. I hope this is a considered statement and he's prepared to back it up with action to support the Supreme Court ruling.