'Silenced' Horsham councillor suspended by Lib Dems after Equality Act dispute

[IwantToRetire]

Sam Bateman, who represents Billlingshurst, said she had been 'silenced' over a motion she hoped to table regarding the Equality Act and the legal definition of a woman.

The motion she asked to table was submitted before the conference and recognised the Supreme Court's clarification of the Equality Act and proposed a number of actions for the council to undertake.

They included ensuring that single-sex spaces, services and facilities were preserved and maintained; that staff training be updated in that regard; and that equality monitoring captured sex, sexual orientation and gender reassignment as 'separate and distinct' characteristics.

Ms Bateman said: "Rather than allowing the motion to be heard by council, the liberal group of councillors demanded silence. I could not do this and asked for the motion to be heard anyway."

She added: "Demanding silence on this was a red line.

A council spokesman said the motion was considered in accordance with the procedures set out in the council Constitution.

But it was not accepted, particularly because it was seen as 'frivolous, offensive, vexatious or out of order' and 'has the effect of increasing expenditure of the council'.

Not the full article just some extracts from https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/politics/council/silenced-horsham-councillor-suspended-by-lib-dems-after-equality-act-dispute-9273541

The " effect of increasing expenditure" bit is idiotic.
Just voting to continue any Council service in its present form will do that, because of inflation.

I guess it’s a catch all way of avoiding anything awkward. I hope they use it when someone requests a progress pride flag crossing or whatever as well.

Why can't the LibDems understand that women need single sex spaces for dignity, privacy and safety? Disgraceful behaviour. I hope someone sues the local authority soon.

They don't understand it and nationally they accept donations from a wealthy man whose son now identifies as his daughter: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/lib-dems-stance-trans-issues-donation-jzrkbpqvk

I can't seem to archive link The Times any more... sorry.

The second fact hasn't necessarily caused the first fact. But it is interesting how it appears they changed their stance on the Supreme Court ruling after accepting this money.

Disgraceful numpties. Anyway, whatever they’re doing isn’t getting them support nationally.

Appalling from lib dem

They are no longer a credible party

A council spokesman said the motion was considered in accordance with the procedures set out in the council Constitution. But it was not accepted, particularly because it was seen as 'frivolous, offensive, vexatious or out of order'
Frivolous!!?? The Lib Dems think Women's Rights are frivolous?

Women’s rights and obeying the law. Both too frivolous to spend time discussing.

Who is the man?

That’s what happened with the “Women’s” Equality Party.

The 'left' (identified as only, their actual actions and policies seem to have sod all to do with actual left politics and positions) has just gone openly anti women.

With thanks to another Mumsnetter who will remain anonymous, here’s an archive

https://archive.ph/HS09J

The donor is Simon Ruddick - he’s also donated to Labour before.

More on Simon Ruddick

https://giveout.org/simon-ruddick-an-allys-journey-supporting-trans-communities/

‘frivolous, offensive, vexatious or out of order'

Safeguarding is none of these things.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/meet-the-couple-on-a-mission-to-improve-ladies-loos-in-british-t/

I found this from 2016. No idea if there is any connection with the current controversies about London theatre toilets. But another interesting coincidence.

Very!