After Tuesday’s outburst, came the silence. (Rosie Duffield)
Domestic abuse is about control and power and silencing someone. It can take many forms. A text. A glance. A threat disguised as a promise. The idea is to manipulate you; to paralyse you.
I have lived through an abusive relationship and have spoken about it in Parliament. I was reminded of making that speech earlier this week — the daily trauma that inspired it, how hard it was to make and, afterwards, the overwhelming support of my colleagues. That was the Labour Party I joined.
On Tuesday, when two of those colleagues traded that sympathy for aggression, shouting down women in the Chamber, it felt like a very different Labour Party. I was defending the need to protect vulnerable women in single-sex spaces, and had just criticised Scotland’s Gender Reform Bill, when Ben Bradshaw yelled his disapproval at me. Sitting nearby, Lloyd Russell-Moyle went puce — perhaps less surprising — and started to heckle every woman who spoke of their similar concerns. Later, when Miriam Cates, a Conservative MP and friend, spoke of her concerns around safeguarding, he accused her of being a bigot before crossing over to the Tory side of the Chamber to sit on the side benches, very close to her, staring as if to intimidate her.
“I recognise that I failed to control [my] passion”, was how he later “apologised”. In other words, he had done nothing wrong. It wasn’t his fault; it was ours for daring to disagree with him. “Look what you made me do,” as my ex-partner would say when I had caused him to explode — perhaps by doing or wearing something he didn’t entirely like or voicing an opinion he didn’t want to hear.
After Tuesday’s outburst, came the silence. Not from Russell-Moyle, but from Keir Starmer’s office. It’s a cycle I’ve come to know well. First, speak up in defence of women’s sex-based rights. And then, face the consequences. Alone.
The only message I’ve had from the Party since the debate was from the Deputy Whips’ office yesterday — I was chastised for not attending a routine Statutory Instruments Committee sitting because… I was busy being shouted down by two Labour MPs and completely forgot. To be fair, Emily Thornberry, shadow Attorney General, did come out and say that the debate wasn’t “Labour’s finest hour”, before clarifying that this was because it distracted from “the most vulnerable in society, who are trans people”. Keir, meanwhile, said nothing. It was as if I didn’t exist — but, then, perhaps the Leader’s Office wishes I didn’t.
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SubscribeThe author should absolutely be celebrated. She has overcome extremely challenging circumstances. A working class woman, an abusive relationship and she manages to steal a seat for Labour.
I’m not sure I’ll ever understand the deference, and attention paid to the trans movement. At the very most, they represent 0.5% of the population. If you squint really hard, their fanatical supporters maybe bring this total to 10%.
Treat them with respect of course, but why bend the knee? Their actual influence on an election campaign is negligible. I just don’t get it.
Ultimately, Labour no longer represents the working class. Neither do the Tories. Duffield, like most people in Britain, are on the outside looking in.
This seems to me to be the main point. In the article she says, ‘I should have been the perfect Labour MP. I was a single mum. I was on benefits, which topped up my salary as a Teaching Assistant.’ I have to wonder what exactly about the modern Labour party made her think this. The modern Labour Party is identity obsessed and the ideas of ‘progress’ stem from there. What Rosie is talking about here is all a bit passe.
In fairness to Labour it is confronting the problems of demographic change that bedevil all parties. We don’t have a working class any more, or at least not in any sense of that term that my grandparents would have understood. What we have is a ‘coping class’ or a ‘precarious class.’ What would help these people – secure work, a reduction of wage arbitrage from foreign coolie labour, not having to hand over half their take-home to a BTL landlord and such like.
Identitarian thinking is Labour’s equivalent of Conservative euroscepticism – a gruesome form of displacement activity that acts as a substitute for hard thought about coping class interests and how to go about actively helping them. Identity politics, like euroscepticism, has the triple advantage of being free, social media friendly and open-ended. Terrible for our politics of course.
As admirable as this article and Ms Duffield are it is hard for me to avoid the faint suspicion that she looked at the Labour Party and simply saw what she wanted to see.
Excellent post. I think the working class has changed, but it’s still a massive cohort. It would include traditional blue collar workers, small business owners and employees, and all the non-management people in the service industry.
As for policy, reducing housing costs and promoting home ownership would be top of the list. Reducing energy costs should be a priority as well. Britain and all of Europe have the highest energy costs in the world. It’s a huge drag on industry. Some of this is lack of resources, but a lot of it is self inflicted as well.
Possibly Rosie tinted spectacles?
Good point. Neither Labour nor Tory will change to meet their voters’ concerns. Labour has pursued identity politics precisely because it sees no future or interest in a working class voter base. It is more than displacement activity though, it is the main activity.
Excellent post. I think the working class has changed, but it’s still a massive cohort. It would include traditional blue collar workers, small business owners and employees, and all the non-management people in the service industry.
As for policy, reducing housing costs and promoting home ownership would be top of the list. Reducing energy costs should be a priority as well. Britain and all of Europe have the highest energy costs in the world. It’s a huge drag on industry. Some of this is lack of resources, but a lot of it is self inflicted as well.
Possibly Rosie tinted spectacles?
Good point. Neither Labour nor Tory will change to meet their voters’ concerns. Labour has pursued identity politics precisely because it sees no future or interest in a working class voter base. It is more than displacement activity though, it is the main activity.
Yes, most of the contemporary Labour Party is pretty grim, as we saw in the recent debate.
It isn’t people with actually diagnosed dysphoria that are the problem, it’s the, often elite, kids who consider themselves trans or non binary. I think 30% of Cambridge undergraduates do so.
What’s in it for them? Suddenly they go from being privileged white, most often male and upper class to bring the “most discriminated group in history”.
There’s no penalty for this either, no need for surgery as there’s no actual dysphoria
– although the odd transwoman will wear a wig.
This is the real gaslighting of history – upper class men in dresses are not the oppressed group in history that they claim to be, far from it.
It’s kinda creepy to see some of the most privileged people in the history of the world perform the mental gymnastics necessary to claim victimhood.
Still, I would think trans people and their most ardent supporters would highly concentrated geographically – university towns, the urban centres of the largest cities. Any electoral power should be concentrated in only a few areas.
“upper class men in dresses are not the oppressed group in history that they claim to be,”
Replace “men” in that sentence with “women” and that sentence still holds true.
And the tactics and ideologies followed by both groups are ironically similar.
Those opposing the trans lobby are being shouted down and cancelled exactly the same way as feminists do with someone suggesting men and women are different, and there may be biological reasons men earn more in sports, or do better in tech or maths.
Yes the Enlightenment ‘blank slate’ idea has now reached a point where group differences (not all – who criticises the success of black athletes？）are put down to discrimination, which in the modern West is at an all time low (some groups, eg progressive whites, even showing out-group preference).
Yes the Enlightenment ‘blank slate’ idea has now reached a point where group differences (not all – who criticises the success of black athletes？）are put down to discrimination, which in the modern West is at an all time low (some groups, eg progressive whites, even showing out-group preference).
Thanks. You short comment is the simplest and most accurate analysis of the
newtrans identity activism dynamicsReally, it’s pretty clever. In the Allyship narrative you can either be an Ally, fighting for the Oppressed Peoples against the White Oppressors. Or you can be an Oppressed People.
And why not be an Oppressed People du jour and have a bit of fun while you are at Uni? Time enough after you graduate to become a Noble Ally.
It’s kinda creepy to see some of the most privileged people in the history of the world perform the mental gymnastics necessary to claim victimhood.
Still, I would think trans people and their most ardent supporters would highly concentrated geographically – university towns, the urban centres of the largest cities. Any electoral power should be concentrated in only a few areas.
“upper class men in dresses are not the oppressed group in history that they claim to be,”
Replace “men” in that sentence with “women” and that sentence still holds true.
And the tactics and ideologies followed by both groups are ironically similar.
Those opposing the trans lobby are being shouted down and cancelled exactly the same way as feminists do with someone suggesting men and women are different, and there may be biological reasons men earn more in sports, or do better in tech or maths.
Thanks. You short comment is the simplest and most accurate analysis of the
newtrans identity activism dynamicsReally, it’s pretty clever. In the Allyship narrative you can either be an Ally, fighting for the Oppressed Peoples against the White Oppressors. Or you can be an Oppressed People.
And why not be an Oppressed People du jour and have a bit of fun while you are at Uni? Time enough after you graduate to become a Noble Ally.
The author has clearly not learned all of the lessons she needed to learn from her past experiences of abusive relationships. This article and all her speeches are the equivalent of an abused partner thinking that if they just express themselves well enough, that their abuser will apologise and stop abusing them. This never works.
The hardest lesson when recovering from dysfunctional and abusive relationships is accepting responsibility for sustaining the abusive relationships. I’ve had to learn this lesson, and it’s one that is hard to learn when stuffed full of left wing and feminist ideas of victimhood, because they claim this is blaming the victim and view personal responsibility as a right wing concept.
The individuals in labour who are treating her with contempt, whether they be male or female, are not going to turn around and suddenly be good people, she has to leave labour rather than wait for them to kick her if she is to have any hope of overcoming this hurdle in her recovery from abusive relationships. She is enabling their abuse of not only her, but of many others, and by remaining a labour MP she is actually contributing to their political power to inflict their toxic ideas on the entire populace.
I wish her every bit of luck in this process, I am not unsympathetic to how hard it is to break the ingrained behaviours that lead people into cycles of abusive relationships, but I will not pretend that feminism doesn’t contribute to women failing to overcome this final hurdle in their recovery from abuse, because I’ve lived it.
Susie Gilchrist
Hold on a second! Putting Rosie Duffy and Andrew Bridgen in the same box is both ridiculous and insulting! Bridgen is an anti vaxxer ( sort of ok with that) who compared the vaccine rollout to the genocide of the holocaust which is both anti reason and anti Semitic; Rosie Duffield is a woman who knows the difference between a p***s and a cervix, who has suffered the controlling oppression of domestic abuse, and has consistently had the courage to stand up and be counted. Somebody earlier in these comments had the temerity to suggest that victims of domestic abuse were ‘conniving’ with their abusers by not ‘accepting responsibility’. These attitudes are exactly why we need the Rosie Duffields of this world. And I’m not even a labour voter!! But I am a middle class woman (aged 75 is you’re interested!). By the way, ‘upper class women’ – whatever they are these days – couldn’t give a monkeys **** about the whole trans debate.
Susie Gilchrist
Hold on a second! Putting Rosie Duffy and Andrew Bridgen in the same box is both ridiculous and insulting! Bridgen is an anti vaxxer ( sort of ok with that) who compared the vaccine rollout to the genocide of the holocaust which is both anti reason and anti Semitic; Rosie Duffield is a woman who knows the difference between a p***s and a cervix, who has suffered the controlling oppression of domestic abuse, and has consistently had the courage to stand up and be counted. Somebody earlier in these comments had the temerity to suggest that victims of domestic abuse were ‘conniving’ with their abusers by not ‘accepting responsibility’. These attitudes are exactly why we need the Rosie Duffields of this world. And I’m not even a labour voter!! But I am a middle class woman (aged 75 is you’re interested!). By the way, ‘upper class women’ – whatever they are these days – couldn’t give a monkeys **** about the whole trans debate.
Trans ideology is American and a key plank of modern US foreign policy. Western countries who do not bend the knee to the hegemon will pay the price, as the likes of Poland are now experiencing. In the long run it’s unlikely the UK will be able to escape the adoption of these new American norms.
Yes, it is right here:
https://www.americanprogress.org/article/transforming-u-s-foreign-policy-ensure-dignity-rights-lgbti-people/
LGBQT issues have been equated with human rights violations. which means that the sexual ideologues in charge have a new pretext with which to invade other countries.
That acronym is made up of the powerful few (QT) and those who have been conscripted to the cause without their consent or active engagement (LGB). Every time you use the full acronym you affirm the forced amalgamation. Have you heard of those who have seceded (LGB Alliance, for example)?
I agree. I’m not clear why they ever got put together. Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual refers to who a person is sexually attracted to. ‘Trans’ is something else altogether.
They got together because they were an ideological alliance against traditional modes of existence.
They got together because they were an ideological alliance against traditional modes of existence.
It’s a good point. What you describe is “forced teaming” and some lesbians and gay men have had enough of it.
I agree. I’m not clear why they ever got put together. Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual refers to who a person is sexually attracted to. ‘Trans’ is something else altogether.
It’s a good point. What you describe is “forced teaming” and some lesbians and gay men have had enough of it.
That acronym is made up of the powerful few (QT) and those who have been conscripted to the cause without their consent or active engagement (LGB). Every time you use the full acronym you affirm the forced amalgamation. Have you heard of those who have seceded (LGB Alliance, for example)?
Yes, it is right here:
https://www.americanprogress.org/article/transforming-u-s-foreign-policy-ensure-dignity-rights-lgbti-people/
LGBQT issues have been equated with human rights violations. which means that the sexual ideologues in charge have a new pretext with which to invade other countries.
People may recall quite a few football hooligans and general mis-wired thugs from the heavier youth tribes ( skins, bikers etc) ended up in hunt saboteurs, SWP and even “peace camps”, usually via their girlfriends. In some cases it was the saving of them – the scraps with the cops, security or the country set were a thrill but it did turn some fighters into thinkers. In other cases they were not up for change and i expect their paramours would gladly have swapped them for an undercover cop once Mr Poo and Mr Fan got together. I think Bradshaw and especially Moyle come from this mold but are a weaker cast and should in theory know better. Only when you realise you can’t control someone elses behaviour can you accept that “look what you made me do” is not only an excuse, it’s a pretty lame one too.
It’s like the deference paid to the Black Lives Matter thugtards, or the so-called “Palestinian” splodeydopes and other adherents of the viciously, murderously misogynist “Religion of Peace”, or the squawking animals of “gangsta” rap. Women’s rights are very low priority for leftards.
Islam, black “grievances” and black “culture”, and tranny power are ways of putting the genie of women’s liberation back in the bottle, which Labour want to do, lest the more intelligent women become Conservative. Thatcher would have been on Duffield’s side.
The trans movement seeks to defy science. This is why they are supported. So that logic, evidence and argument can be trumped by feelings on any other issue.
I do so agree, but own daughter thinks all of those things of me as well, that I am transphobic, etc. Very sad .
That’s awful Alison. Can you have nuanced conversation with her? Maybe discuss the difference between respecting the rights of trans people, as opposed to having trans ideology imposed on others.
I heard a good comment the other day. If a trans person (adult of course) is not willing to go all the way and get it cut off, why should they be allowed in a girls washroom.
This doesn’t address issues like trans people competing in female sports, but it’s a reasonable middle ground we should all support.
That’s awful Alison. Can you have nuanced conversation with her? Maybe discuss the difference between respecting the rights of trans people, as opposed to having trans ideology imposed on others.
I heard a good comment the other day. If a trans person (adult of course) is not willing to go all the way and get it cut off, why should they be allowed in a girls washroom.
This doesn’t address issues like trans people competing in female sports, but it’s a reasonable middle ground we should all support.
Nobody seems to remember that Starmer led the Crown Prosecution Service when:
thousands of girls were raped and sexually abused by Pakistani origin men and the police did nothing;the “Operation Midland” case when Leon Brittan et al were accused of paedophilia by one Carl Beech whose allegations were believed without any investigation by the police; andJimmy Savile was eventually accused and convicted of abusing 72 boys and girls and raping 8 in 2016
Starmer “apologised” for Savile, but subsequently considered that he had not needed to. Yet as head of the Crown Prosecution Service, Starmer surely would have set the scene. He has also “apologised” of course for the Corbyn anti semitism years, but he now leads the Labour Party. He is the problem.
Unfortunately treating them with respect has got us into a terrible mess, so I think we have to start treating them with disrespect.
This seems to me to be the main point. In the article she says, ‘I should have been the perfect Labour MP. I was a single mum. I was on benefits, which topped up my salary as a Teaching Assistant.’ I have to wonder what exactly about the modern Labour party made her think this. The modern Labour Party is identity obsessed and the ideas of ‘progress’ stem from there. What Rosie is talking about here is all a bit passe.
In fairness to Labour it is confronting the problems of demographic change that bedevil all parties. We don’t have a working class any more, or at least not in any sense of that term that my grandparents would have understood. What we have is a ‘coping class’ or a ‘precarious class.’ What would help these people – secure work, a reduction of wage arbitrage from foreign coolie labour, not having to hand over half their take-home to a BTL landlord and such like.
Identitarian thinking is Labour’s equivalent of Conservative euroscepticism – a gruesome form of displacement activity that acts as a substitute for hard thought about coping class interests and how to go about actively helping them. Identity politics, like euroscepticism, has the triple advantage of being free, social media friendly and open-ended. Terrible for our politics of course.
As admirable as this article and Ms Duffield are it is hard for me to avoid the faint suspicion that she looked at the Labour Party and simply saw what she wanted to see.
Yes, most of the contemporary Labour Party is pretty grim, as we saw in the recent debate.
It isn’t people with actually diagnosed dysphoria that are the problem, it’s the, often elite, kids who consider themselves trans or non binary. I think 30% of Cambridge undergraduates do so.
What’s in it for them? Suddenly they go from being privileged white, most often male and upper class to bring the “most discriminated group in history”.
There’s no penalty for this either, no need for surgery as there’s no actual dysphoria
– although the odd transwoman will wear a wig.
This is the real gaslighting of history – upper class men in dresses are not the oppressed group in history that they claim to be, far from it.
The author has clearly not learned all of the lessons she needed to learn from her past experiences of abusive relationships. This article and all her speeches are the equivalent of an abused partner thinking that if they just express themselves well enough, that their abuser will apologise and stop abusing them. This never works.
The hardest lesson when recovering from dysfunctional and abusive relationships is accepting responsibility for sustaining the abusive relationships. I’ve had to learn this lesson, and it’s one that is hard to learn when stuffed full of left wing and feminist ideas of victimhood, because they claim this is blaming the victim and view personal responsibility as a right wing concept.
The individuals in labour who are treating her with contempt, whether they be male or female, are not going to turn around and suddenly be good people, she has to leave labour rather than wait for them to kick her if she is to have any hope of overcoming this hurdle in her recovery from abusive relationships. She is enabling their abuse of not only her, but of many others, and by remaining a labour MP she is actually contributing to their political power to inflict their toxic ideas on the entire populace.
I wish her every bit of luck in this process, I am not unsympathetic to how hard it is to break the ingrained behaviours that lead people into cycles of abusive relationships, but I will not pretend that feminism doesn’t contribute to women failing to overcome this final hurdle in their recovery from abuse, because I’ve lived it.
Trans ideology is American and a key plank of modern US foreign policy. Western countries who do not bend the knee to the hegemon will pay the price, as the likes of Poland are now experiencing. In the long run it’s unlikely the UK will be able to escape the adoption of these new American norms.
People may recall quite a few football hooligans and general mis-wired thugs from the heavier youth tribes ( skins, bikers etc) ended up in hunt saboteurs, SWP and even “peace camps”, usually via their girlfriends. In some cases it was the saving of them – the scraps with the cops, security or the country set were a thrill but it did turn some fighters into thinkers. In other cases they were not up for change and i expect their paramours would gladly have swapped them for an undercover cop once Mr Poo and Mr Fan got together. I think Bradshaw and especially Moyle come from this mold but are a weaker cast and should in theory know better. Only when you realise you can’t control someone elses behaviour can you accept that “look what you made me do” is not only an excuse, it’s a pretty lame one too.
It’s like the deference paid to the Black Lives Matter thugtards, or the so-called “Palestinian” splodeydopes and other adherents of the viciously, murderously misogynist “Religion of Peace”, or the squawking animals of “gangsta” rap. Women’s rights are very low priority for leftards.
Islam, black “grievances” and black “culture”, and tranny power are ways of putting the genie of women’s liberation back in the bottle, which Labour want to do, lest the more intelligent women become Conservative. Thatcher would have been on Duffield’s side.
The trans movement seeks to defy science. This is why they are supported. So that logic, evidence and argument can be trumped by feelings on any other issue.
I do so agree, but own daughter thinks all of those things of me as well, that I am transphobic, etc. Very sad .
Nobody seems to remember that Starmer led the Crown Prosecution Service when:
thousands of girls were raped and sexually abused by Pakistani origin men and the police did nothing;the “Operation Midland” case when Leon Brittan et al were accused of paedophilia by one Carl Beech whose allegations were believed without any investigation by the police; andJimmy Savile was eventually accused and convicted of abusing 72 boys and girls and raping 8 in 2016
Starmer “apologised” for Savile, but subsequently considered that he had not needed to. Yet as head of the Crown Prosecution Service, Starmer surely would have set the scene. He has also “apologised” of course for the Corbyn anti semitism years, but he now leads the Labour Party. He is the problem.
Unfortunately treating them with respect has got us into a terrible mess, so I think we have to start treating them with disrespect.
The author should absolutely be celebrated. She has overcome extremely challenging circumstances. A working class woman, an abusive relationship and she manages to steal a seat for Labour.
I’m not sure I’ll ever understand the deference, and attention paid to the trans movement. At the very most, they represent 0.5% of the population. If you squint really hard, their fanatical supporters maybe bring this total to 10%.
Treat them with respect of course, but why bend the knee? Their actual influence on an election campaign is negligible. I just don’t get it.
Ultimately, Labour no longer represents the working class. Neither do the Tories. Duffield, like most people in Britain, are on the outside looking in.
Time to become an independent then. For me Labour became toxic when Gordon Brown unmasked himself with his “some bigot” remark. Jess Philips did her bit when she guffawed at the idea that men too have legitimate concerns (high suicide rates for example). Then came Thornberry’s sneer, Starmer’s fatuous pandering to the criminal BLM and now this Russell character… God help us!
I am a great admirer of Rosie D. She is one of the very few people in our political landscape right now who are prepared to declare the Emperor naked. People I used to think were intelligent thinking beings have caved in to emotional blackmail. When a group takes a position of full victimhood, makes a lot of noise about its minority status and ‘vulnerability’, attacks any opposition as ‘hate-speech’ and then hijacks the words ‘be kind’ to its own cause, it becomes fiendishly difficult to voice any disagreement without the group claiming that you’re judgmental, prejudiced, unkind. Add to this a grim self-righteousness & refusal to face evidence and then come the final triumphant hammer blows ‘transphobic’ & ‘bigoted’. No debate, no intelligent conversation, no opposition brooked. And you the transgressor will be ostracised even by your own side, who will close ranks against you. You are tainted by wrongthink.
People in the public eye, especially politicians, want to feel that they are perceived as thoughtful, considerate, generous and yes, kind. So they find themselves unable to contradict an aggressive and often vicious self-styled minority group, even if they have to deny objective reality to do so. It used to be called ‘virtue-signalling’ but now that phrase has been kicked into touch, along with ‘politically correct’, as outdated. But if you look at the actual meaning, it’s perfectly apt. People want to be seen to be doing good. Not sticking it to people who are being ‘stigmatised’. It looks bad.
So putting your head above the parapet – in this case, to protect the rights of women to remain a sex class of their own – means taking blows aimed directly to the idea of your own decency, and not many people of any sector of society are prepared to do that. Let alone politicians or celebrities.
But she’s a brave fool for thinking the Labour ideology will change to support women. You leave an abusive relationship.
Brilliant post.
But she’s a brave fool for thinking the Labour ideology will change to support women. You leave an abusive relationship.
Brilliant post.
I am a great admirer of Rosie D. She is one of the very few people in our political landscape right now who are prepared to declare the Emperor naked. People I used to think were intelligent thinking beings have caved in to emotional blackmail. When a group takes a position of full victimhood, makes a lot of noise about its minority status and ‘vulnerability’, attacks any opposition as ‘hate-speech’ and then hijacks the words ‘be kind’ to its own cause, it becomes fiendishly difficult to voice any disagreement without the group claiming that you’re judgmental, prejudiced, unkind. Add to this a grim self-righteousness & refusal to face evidence and then come the final triumphant hammer blows ‘transphobic’ & ‘bigoted’. No debate, no intelligent conversation, no opposition brooked. And you the transgressor will be ostracised even by your own side, who will close ranks against you. You are tainted by wrongthink.
People in the public eye, especially politicians, want to feel that they are perceived as thoughtful, considerate, generous and yes, kind. So they find themselves unable to contradict an aggressive and often vicious self-styled minority group, even if they have to deny objective reality to do so. It used to be called ‘virtue-signalling’ but now that phrase has been kicked into touch, along with ‘politically correct’, as outdated. But if you look at the actual meaning, it’s perfectly apt. People want to be seen to be doing good. Not sticking it to people who are being ‘stigmatised’. It looks bad.
So putting your head above the parapet – in this case, to protect the rights of women to remain a sex class of their own – means taking blows aimed directly to the idea of your own decency, and not many people of any sector of society are prepared to do that. Let alone politicians or celebrities.
Time to become an independent then. For me Labour became toxic when Gordon Brown unmasked himself with his “some bigot” remark. Jess Philips did her bit when she guffawed at the idea that men too have legitimate concerns (high suicide rates for example). Then came Thornberry’s sneer, Starmer’s fatuous pandering to the criminal BLM and now this Russell character… God help us!
Thank you for this RD. You’re an inspiration so please stay and fight. Many believe the balance on this will swing back. The moderate Left and Centre is much more where you are, and much more where this Country is. As we know the difficulty in these times is those at either end of the spectrum tend to get more oxygen and the volume they then generate distorts our senses, but only for a while.
We can be kind and understanding to our trans colleagues/friends/neighbours etc and allow them to live as freely and as fufiling a life they choose as possible. But there are some things we must protect and lines that cannot be crossed.
“Yes please stay” (in this pointless fight that you’ll lose) – yup that’s what the abuser would say too.
“Yes please stay” (in this pointless fight that you’ll lose) – yup that’s what the abuser would say too.
Thank you for this RD. You’re an inspiration so please stay and fight. Many believe the balance on this will swing back. The moderate Left and Centre is much more where you are, and much more where this Country is. As we know the difficulty in these times is those at either end of the spectrum tend to get more oxygen and the volume they then generate distorts our senses, but only for a while.
We can be kind and understanding to our trans colleagues/friends/neighbours etc and allow them to live as freely and as fufiling a life they choose as possible. But there are some things we must protect and lines that cannot be crossed.
Trans people are not the most vulnerable people in society. The children of the poor are, just as they were in the nineteenth century.
Thank goodness someone has had the nous to say this, and it is absolutely true and overlooked. A particularly vulnerable group therein are the children taken into and kept in care, who are too highly represented in the criminal justice and mental health systems, and insufficiently represented in higher education.
Moreover it’s not ‘the trans’ that is at the heart of the vulnerability, but mental health issues. Confusing the two is actually derogatory to trans people! For example – black people face a fair amount of negative bias, but few would call them ‘vulnerable’ – and those that did would soon be corrected.
Trans activists claim they are the victim of genocide, when really the number of trannies murdered in England in a given year is one or zero (ironically the digits for binary code). That gives them a lower murder rate than Canada. They are in reality a privileged minority.
Thank goodness someone has had the nous to say this, and it is absolutely true and overlooked. A particularly vulnerable group therein are the children taken into and kept in care, who are too highly represented in the criminal justice and mental health systems, and insufficiently represented in higher education.
Moreover it’s not ‘the trans’ that is at the heart of the vulnerability, but mental health issues. Confusing the two is actually derogatory to trans people! For example – black people face a fair amount of negative bias, but few would call them ‘vulnerable’ – and those that did would soon be corrected.
Trans activists claim they are the victim of genocide, when really the number of trannies murdered in England in a given year is one or zero (ironically the digits for binary code). That gives them a lower murder rate than Canada. They are in reality a privileged minority.
Trans people are not the most vulnerable people in society. The children of the poor are, just as they were in the nineteenth century.
Begs the question: Why do you stay? If Labour was a man – what would you tell yourself?
It’s a very good point, but i suspect this article may well presage such an outcome, whoever makes the first move.
Bravo, Rosie.
Ya. I would think the party whip won’t be thrilled with this development.
Conceivably they might wnat to administer a large number of lashes.
Conceivably they might wnat to administer a large number of lashes.
Ya. I would think the party whip won’t be thrilled with this development.
That he was an abuser who made you feel worthless but that his actions – or non-actions – did not define your life or your future.
The question for her is the same as for me – where should she go?
?? Well obviously not the Labour Party.
What’s wrong with going independent as an MP? She’s clearly got the support of her constituents, and it seems that her views aren’t represented by her current party or any others, so what is her being part of a larger party actually doing for her besides subjecting her to a lot of grief and abuse?
Well, she describes herself as Left Wing _ and an independent left-winger will not survive.
Forty thousand plus students in her constituency maybe?
The number of students doesn’t actually matter that much, students in different universities have different levels of political activity, and Canterbury is far less politically extreme than other places.
For example, Brighton has a similar number of students, but an overall population of nearly twice the size of Canterbury, yet is very different politically because the overall populace is filled with political activists and students who go to Brighton go in part because of the city’s reputation for political activism.
Plus, there is no reason to believe that the students have simply voted labour without looking in to anything about their candidates at all. I have no doubt that other left leaning parties will have made every effort to target that student population to try and turn the votes their way, including claiming that RD is transphobic and probably citing the labour members who disavow her too, yet the students have chosen to vote for her in spite of that.
Students tend to be pro-trans though.
The number of students doesn’t actually matter that much, students in different universities have different levels of political activity, and Canterbury is far less politically extreme than other places.
For example, Brighton has a similar number of students, but an overall population of nearly twice the size of Canterbury, yet is very different politically because the overall populace is filled with political activists and students who go to Brighton go in part because of the city’s reputation for political activism.
Plus, there is no reason to believe that the students have simply voted labour without looking in to anything about their candidates at all. I have no doubt that other left leaning parties will have made every effort to target that student population to try and turn the votes their way, including claiming that RD is transphobic and probably citing the labour members who disavow her too, yet the students have chosen to vote for her in spite of that.
Students tend to be pro-trans though.
Well, she describes herself as Left Wing _ and an independent left-winger will not survive.
Forty thousand plus students in her constituency maybe?
?? Well obviously not the Labour Party.
What’s wrong with going independent as an MP? She’s clearly got the support of her constituents, and it seems that her views aren’t represented by her current party or any others, so what is her being part of a larger party actually doing for her besides subjecting her to a lot of grief and abuse?
Learned helplessness is something that keeps a lot of people in dysfunctional and abusive relationships. They worry about losing their homes, losing their children, losing their jobs, etc. Ultimately, nothing is more important than the safety and dignity of individuals and children stuck in abusive situations, and most of these worries turn out to be blown out of proportion due to the damage being in such a situation does to self esteem and self worth.
The same is true of being an MP who remains tied to a dysfunctional and abusive party. Of course going independent is challenging in a number of ways, but I’d argue that her personal dignity and safety is more important, and that by staying in the labour party, she is only enabling their toxic ideas to not only affect her, but granting them more power to inflict these ideas on many more women.
She is brave. I hope she recognises the awful bigger truth that a toxic malevolent mania has captured the Labour Party – and a majority of other politicos of all parties. Trans is just the current flashpoint in a far bigger War. We must recognise that tge UK is in thrall to an Equality Cult. The British State is the Wuhan Lab, unleashing the virus of CRT and a hierarchy of Victimhood into our laws and body politic since 2010 This is why it cannot be stopped. It has spread and mutated to all cultural and artistic life, suffocating, cancelling crushing any form of dissent. It is a pyscho-mania. And it is in you – ALL of us. Think – how alarmed everyone now is in expressing ANY form of possible non equal ‘discrimination’. This is why the rich are despised. Welfarism cherished. Kids are stopped from having losers in egg races. Women soccer plays get same pay as men. All young girls say they are bi rather than be discriminatory in their sex preference. Why the top students are banned from top unis and banks allow 3rd class degrees. On and on it rolls. It is the dominant political force of our Age! Recognise it – so we can move on from the trans firefight to try and stop our social legal cultural and political values being monstered and lost by the anti discriminatory mania. Call it MAD. And fight the Madness.
It’s a very good point, but i suspect this article may well presage such an outcome, whoever makes the first move.
Bravo, Rosie.
That he was an abuser who made you feel worthless but that his actions – or non-actions – did not define your life or your future.
The question for her is the same as for me – where should she go?
Learned helplessness is something that keeps a lot of people in dysfunctional and abusive relationships. They worry about losing their homes, losing their children, losing their jobs, etc. Ultimately, nothing is more important than the safety and dignity of individuals and children stuck in abusive situations, and most of these worries turn out to be blown out of proportion due to the damage being in such a situation does to self esteem and self worth.
The same is true of being an MP who remains tied to a dysfunctional and abusive party. Of course going independent is challenging in a number of ways, but I’d argue that her personal dignity and safety is more important, and that by staying in the labour party, she is only enabling their toxic ideas to not only affect her, but granting them more power to inflict these ideas on many more women.
She is brave. I hope she recognises the awful bigger truth that a toxic malevolent mania has captured the Labour Party – and a majority of other politicos of all parties. Trans is just the current flashpoint in a far bigger War. We must recognise that tge UK is in thrall to an Equality Cult. The British State is the Wuhan Lab, unleashing the virus of CRT and a hierarchy of Victimhood into our laws and body politic since 2010 This is why it cannot be stopped. It has spread and mutated to all cultural and artistic life, suffocating, cancelling crushing any form of dissent. It is a pyscho-mania. And it is in you – ALL of us. Think – how alarmed everyone now is in expressing ANY form of possible non equal ‘discrimination’. This is why the rich are despised. Welfarism cherished. Kids are stopped from having losers in egg races. Women soccer plays get same pay as men. All young girls say they are bi rather than be discriminatory in their sex preference. Why the top students are banned from top unis and banks allow 3rd class degrees. On and on it rolls. It is the dominant political force of our Age! Recognise it – so we can move on from the trans firefight to try and stop our social legal cultural and political values being monstered and lost by the anti discriminatory mania. Call it MAD. And fight the Madness.
Begs the question: Why do you stay? If Labour was a man – what would you tell yourself?
Well put, and Duffield has my sympathy. However if she remains in the Labour party from now on then she will lose that sympathy.. The Labour party now stands for rich entitled illiberal metropolitan “liberals” – very controlling, very nasty and vicious people indeed. Duffield must stand as an independent -and good luck to her.
And as for the fools who subscribe to “gender self-identification”, they will end up being shown up to be gullible dupes, since the entire belief system is based on a fundamental lie.
Well put, and Duffield has my sympathy. However if she remains in the Labour party from now on then she will lose that sympathy.. The Labour party now stands for rich entitled illiberal metropolitan “liberals” – very controlling, very nasty and vicious people indeed. Duffield must stand as an independent -and good luck to her.
And as for the fools who subscribe to “gender self-identification”, they will end up being shown up to be gullible dupes, since the entire belief system is based on a fundamental lie.
What an amazing article from an amazing woman. Even as a Conservative I’m happy that there are still MPs of this quality and moral courage, whichever party they represent, even if we might disagree on some other issues.
What an amazing article from an amazing woman. Even as a Conservative I’m happy that there are still MPs of this quality and moral courage, whichever party they represent, even if we might disagree on some other issues.
Labour always end up dropping support for one group (the working man, feminists, the gays) for the next ‘worthy’ victim group to come along. It’s what they do to appear as if they still have any political relevance.
I’m expecting the Muslim groups to start complaining that they have been thrown over for the ‘Trans’.
Literally no chance Labour ditch the ummah for the theybies.
Literally no chance Labour ditch the ummah for the theybies.
Labour always end up dropping support for one group (the working man, feminists, the gays) for the next ‘worthy’ victim group to come along. It’s what they do to appear as if they still have any political relevance.
I’m expecting the Muslim groups to start complaining that they have been thrown over for the ‘Trans’.
Bravo Rosie for speaking up! However I hope you stay as you are a beacon for common sense and no doubt represent those Labour MPs who are otherwise too self-serving and weak to ‘own up’ to feeling much the same. The Labour Party is lost in my opinion, lead by a weak man who dances not only to the Unions’ tune but now can’t work out the difference between the sexes – had you been a transgender woman you would have had his full support Shame on those MPs who sat back and abandoned you. A Roman Ampitheatre comes to mind! If you were a transgender woman you would have had your fellow MP’s – enthusiastically led by Keir – at your feet. ‘They know not what they do’…..
Bravo Rosie for speaking up! However I hope you stay as you are a beacon for common sense and no doubt represent those Labour MPs who are otherwise too self-serving and weak to ‘own up’ to feeling much the same. The Labour Party is lost in my opinion, lead by a weak man who dances not only to the Unions’ tune but now can’t work out the difference between the sexes – had you been a transgender woman you would have had his full support Shame on those MPs who sat back and abandoned you. A Roman Ampitheatre comes to mind! If you were a transgender woman you would have had your fellow MP’s – enthusiastically led by Keir – at your feet. ‘They know not what they do’…..
More power to you, Rosie, and your voice of cool sanity.
More power to you, Rosie, and your voice of cool sanity.
LRM crossed over and stared at her? After she’d explained how frightening it can be for a woman when a man does that? Something very dark has been unleashed by the State declaring that woman do not objectively exist, in Law.
I think Rosie knows, like anyone who has observed LRM, that he is about as threatening as a lettuce leaf.
I think Rosie knows, like anyone who has observed LRM, that he is about as threatening as a lettuce leaf.
LRM crossed over and stared at her? After she’d explained how frightening it can be for a woman when a man does that? Something very dark has been unleashed by the State declaring that woman do not objectively exist, in Law.
Thank you so much for your courage, Rosie. I can’t imagine how hard this is for you, but I’m so glad you’re standing firm. As a father of three daughters, I’m so grateful to you.
Thank you so much for your courage, Rosie. I can’t imagine how hard this is for you, but I’m so glad you’re standing firm. As a father of three daughters, I’m so grateful to you.
I know there’s no point in being logical on this trans thing but let’s try it one more time.
We need to exclude transwomen from women’s spaces not because transwomen are predators but because predators will find it easier to locate their prey if they pose as trans.
Got that, Russell-Moyle? Not difficult, is it?
You are completely wrong. We do NOT need to exclude trans identifying men (TIM, sometimes known as transwomen or gender dysphoric men) from women’s spaces because predators…. but because TIM are men NOT women and so should not be in women’s spaces. Just as TIF should not be allowed in men’s spaces.
We disagree as to the reasoning but we agree they should be excluded.
We disagree as to the reasoning but we agree they should be excluded.
And what have the Romans ever done for us. LOB a film way ahead of its time!
You are completely wrong. We do NOT need to exclude trans identifying men (TIM, sometimes known as transwomen or gender dysphoric men) from women’s spaces because predators…. but because TIM are men NOT women and so should not be in women’s spaces. Just as TIF should not be allowed in men’s spaces.
And what have the Romans ever done for us. LOB a film way ahead of its time!
I know there’s no point in being logical on this trans thing but let’s try it one more time.
We need to exclude transwomen from women’s spaces not because transwomen are predators but because predators will find it easier to locate their prey if they pose as trans.
Got that, Russell-Moyle? Not difficult, is it?
Amazing, all of the chattering classes, fall over themselves when closet queen Philip Schofield ‘came out’ anticipating he was about to be outed. Applauding his bravery, but when people like Rosie Duffield and JK Rowling et al dissect the hysteria about ‘trans’ persons in a logical and not unkind manner. God help us, the fury.. and the threats of violence and death seem to be accepted without comment. Rosie Duffield is an anathema to the Left, Labour don’t deserve her.
Amazing, all of the chattering classes, fall over themselves when closet queen Philip Schofield ‘came out’ anticipating he was about to be outed. Applauding his bravery, but when people like Rosie Duffield and JK Rowling et al dissect the hysteria about ‘trans’ persons in a logical and not unkind manner. God help us, the fury.. and the threats of violence and death seem to be accepted without comment. Rosie Duffield is an anathema to the Left, Labour don’t deserve her.
I’m starting to detect the outline of Rishi Sunak’s plan.
It starts with delivering his 5 pledges this year (inflation halved, growth back, debt/GDP down, NHS waiting lists falling, boats stopped).
Then he says: I’m that rare thing, a politician who does what he promises.
Then they will contrast that with Starmer who flip-flops every two mins – he is for instance, trying to look both ways on this trans issue. I suspect the Tories will look for issues like the SNP’s GR bill where it is hard for Sir Keir to hold the line. You saw it at PMQs this week when Sunak accused Starmer of not only being in favour of free movement of people but also free movement of principles.
Not a bad strategy. I think it stands a reasonable chance of success.
From an economic point of view, I can’t see a difference between the two main parties. The battleground will be on cultural issues, which is long over due. However, I’m not convinced by the Tories, as it currently stands they’re not getting my vote.
I don’t think anyone is convinced by them! I think Sunak is trying to persuade the country that he delivers what he promises and then hopes the electorate will give him a hearing come the election. And I think Starmer is making it easy for him. Though for Sunak to execute this plan will require a lot of skill and luck.
I agree about cultural issues being the focus of the next election and that this is long over due. It should play into the Tories hands – most normal people have no time for the wokerati, the open borders crowd or the eco-loons.
But the Conservative Party’s capacity to disappoint knows no bounds.
I don’t think anyone is convinced by them! I think Sunak is trying to persuade the country that he delivers what he promises and then hopes the electorate will give him a hearing come the election. And I think Starmer is making it easy for him. Though for Sunak to execute this plan will require a lot of skill and luck.
I agree about cultural issues being the focus of the next election and that this is long over due. It should play into the Tories hands – most normal people have no time for the wokerati, the open borders crowd or the eco-loons.
But the Conservative Party’s capacity to disappoint knows no bounds.
From an economic point of view, I can’t see a difference between the two main parties. The battleground will be on cultural issues, which is long over due. However, I’m not convinced by the Tories, as it currently stands they’re not getting my vote.
I’m starting to detect the outline of Rishi Sunak’s plan.
It starts with delivering his 5 pledges this year (inflation halved, growth back, debt/GDP down, NHS waiting lists falling, boats stopped).
Then he says: I’m that rare thing, a politician who does what he promises.
Then they will contrast that with Starmer who flip-flops every two mins – he is for instance, trying to look both ways on this trans issue. I suspect the Tories will look for issues like the SNP’s GR bill where it is hard for Sir Keir to hold the line. You saw it at PMQs this week when Sunak accused Starmer of not only being in favour of free movement of people but also free movement of principles.
Not a bad strategy. I think it stands a reasonable chance of success.
My heart went out to Rosie reading this. I wonder though whether the world has got harsher – seems to me the finger jabbing male misogyny has always been there, just bubbling away beneath the surface in some quarters (not, I hasten to add, in all men. By any means). What we used to call an ‘unreconstructed male’. But what surprises me is the willingness of women to collude with it, finger-jabbing their own perfectly manicured nails at their fellow females as they do their damndest to remove any progress we’ve made over the last century or so in the name of women’s rights.
My heart went out to Rosie reading this. I wonder though whether the world has got harsher – seems to me the finger jabbing male misogyny has always been there, just bubbling away beneath the surface in some quarters (not, I hasten to add, in all men. By any means). What we used to call an ‘unreconstructed male’. But what surprises me is the willingness of women to collude with it, finger-jabbing their own perfectly manicured nails at their fellow females as they do their damndest to remove any progress we’ve made over the last century or so in the name of women’s rights.
Brava, Rosie!
Brava, Rosie!
Thank you for your article.
Clearly, for Labour women are the new Jews, but it seems they attract less sympathy.
I wish someone explained to me why “trans” people are the most marginalised in society and how declaring one’s sex on a whim is going to improve that.
Anyway, my issue is who to vote for at the next election. Being in Scotland I have Sarwar and now that he has shown his (?) true colours labour is a no go. SNP, lib Dems and greens were never in the running, so I am stuck the the Tory party, and is the Tories are not great south of the border, north of it are even worse.
Marginalised how exactly? Nobody actually explains that.
Anyway, my comparison is within the Labour party.
As in hold no positions of influence in society. I think it is right that they are marginalised (they have a mental illness that needs care) but this doesn’t mean we can’t be nicer to them.
In what way is one not “nice” to them? Considering there are so few, it is hardly likely can can hold a “position of influence in society”
Hold no positions of influence in society?! They dictate terms to MPs, the police, the state broadcaster, the NHS, our educational institutions, museums and galleries, the security services…
On fairness mora than “trans” people the problem is the trans “allies”.
On fairness mora than “trans” people the problem is the trans “allies”.
In what way is one not “nice” to them? Considering there are so few, it is hardly likely can can hold a “position of influence in society”
Hold no positions of influence in society?! They dictate terms to MPs, the police, the state broadcaster, the NHS, our educational institutions, museums and galleries, the security services…
As in hold no positions of influence in society. I think it is right that they are marginalised (they have a mental illness that needs care) but this doesn’t mean we can’t be nicer to them.
Jews didn’t attract sympathy until millions were exterminated. Get real.
I am talking about the relationship the Labour party has/had with Jews.
Fair enough then.
Fair enough then.
I am talking about the relationship the Labour party has/had with Jews.
Marginalised how exactly? Nobody actually explains that.
Anyway, my comparison is within the Labour party.
Jews didn’t attract sympathy until millions were exterminated. Get real.
Thank you for your article.
Clearly, for Labour women are the new Jews, but it seems they attract less sympathy.
I wish someone explained to me why “trans” people are the most marginalised in society and how declaring one’s sex on a whim is going to improve that.
Anyway, my issue is who to vote for at the next election. Being in Scotland I have Sarwar and now that he has shown his (?) true colours labour is a no go. SNP, lib Dems and greens were never in the running, so I am stuck the the Tory party, and is the Tories are not great south of the border, north of it are even worse.
Russell-Moyle has the peculiar distinction of making Richard Burgon look almost capable.
His election speech was a hoot
I find that almost impossible to believe.
His election speech was a hoot
I find that almost impossible to believe.
Russell-Moyle has the peculiar distinction of making Richard Burgon look almost capable.
Rosie _ I sympathize, but only up to a point. Labour has a women problem, a race problem, an anti-semitism problem, a political economy problem, a globalism problem, an iconoclasm problem, an anti-western problem and a very bad case of temporal dysphoria (1940s on the health system, 1970s viz unions, 1917 on utopian collectivism and 2023 vis America race/gender identity politics….. Just leave and join the SDP. A much better outfit all round
Will the SDP put forward a full raft of candidates? I doubt it.
I live in South Cambridgeshire and I am resigned to spoiling my ballot paper.
The SDP may be better but they are still wrong. Their policy is “Transgender individuals wishing to change their legal sex should be allowed to do so.” while at the same time “We support segregation by biological sex in sport,.prisons and women’s refuges”.
So they say that men can become women but not real women. Ridiculous.
The real answer is, of course and as everyone knew until about 2004, that men cannot be women and vv. Gender Recognition Certificates and all that rubbish are just illogical, unscientific, ridiculous and creepy.
Your logic is flawed. The question is not whether some men can become women – I agree they cannot. The question is whether we should change our access criteria so that some in some cases some men can come where previously only women were allowed. When women were first given access to universities, that does not mean that they became men, did it? On that logic the SDP policy makes perfect sense. It is a bit of a compromise, but what would you expect of the radical centre?
Your logic is flawed. The question is not whether some men can become women – I agree they cannot. The question is whether we should change our access criteria so that some in some cases some men can come where previously only women were allowed. When women were first given access to universities, that does not mean that they became men, did it? On that logic the SDP policy makes perfect sense. It is a bit of a compromise, but what would you expect of the radical centre?
Will the SDP put forward a full raft of candidates? I doubt it.
I live in South Cambridgeshire and I am resigned to spoiling my ballot paper.
The SDP may be better but they are still wrong. Their policy is “Transgender individuals wishing to change their legal sex should be allowed to do so.” while at the same time “We support segregation by biological sex in sport,.prisons and women’s refuges”.
So they say that men can become women but not real women. Ridiculous.
The real answer is, of course and as everyone knew until about 2004, that men cannot be women and vv. Gender Recognition Certificates and all that rubbish are just illogical, unscientific, ridiculous and creepy.
Rosie _ I sympathize, but only up to a point. Labour has a women problem, a race problem, an anti-semitism problem, a political economy problem, a globalism problem, an iconoclasm problem, an anti-western problem and a very bad case of temporal dysphoria (1940s on the health system, 1970s viz unions, 1917 on utopian collectivism and 2023 vis America race/gender identity politics….. Just leave and join the SDP. A much better outfit all round
Writing such an article requires courage and strength of character. For that, you should earn the respect of your constituents (and mine, if it matters).
Writing such an article requires courage and strength of character. For that, you should earn the respect of your constituents (and mine, if it matters).
Remember that this is the same Russell Lloyd-Moyles who maniacally barricaded himself in an empty first class train carriage after he got a positive covid test, panicking and terrified he might be seen (including by himself) to kill someone. He’s a cultist, a weak-minded, unthinking, rigid ideologue, an ingroup bully terrified of being cast out; and most dangerously of all he is a man ripe for manipulation – as he clearly has been. There is absolutely no way he should be anywhere near any kind of public office and one can only hope that people in Brighton see sense and vote him out.
The same could actually be said of the MP for Holborn and St Pancras, and many others on both sides of the house – including those Tories who have turned on Andrew Brigden for doing his job and standing up for his constituents in the face of overwhelming corporate power.
Those MPs with any integrity left should follow the fine examples set by both Duffield and Brigden and speak up, and say what they really think. At very least, even if they don’t fully agree with them, they should vigorously defend their right to say what they think. Their cowardly silence is deafening and it is suffocating British liberal democracy. They will regret it when the mob turns on them, too, as inevitably it will.
“At very least, even if they don’t fully agree with them, they should vigorously defend their right to say what they think.”
Thus my attitude towards Bridgen’s case.
“At very least, even if they don’t fully agree with them, they should vigorously defend their right to say what they think.”
Thus my attitude towards Bridgen’s case.
Remember that this is the same Russell Lloyd-Moyles who maniacally barricaded himself in an empty first class train carriage after he got a positive covid test, panicking and terrified he might be seen (including by himself) to kill someone. He’s a cultist, a weak-minded, unthinking, rigid ideologue, an ingroup bully terrified of being cast out; and most dangerously of all he is a man ripe for manipulation – as he clearly has been. There is absolutely no way he should be anywhere near any kind of public office and one can only hope that people in Brighton see sense and vote him out.
The same could actually be said of the MP for Holborn and St Pancras, and many others on both sides of the house – including those Tories who have turned on Andrew Brigden for doing his job and standing up for his constituents in the face of overwhelming corporate power.
Those MPs with any integrity left should follow the fine examples set by both Duffield and Brigden and speak up, and say what they really think. At very least, even if they don’t fully agree with them, they should vigorously defend their right to say what they think. Their cowardly silence is deafening and it is suffocating British liberal democracy. They will regret it when the mob turns on them, too, as inevitably it will.
Excellent, thoughtful article by Rosie Duffield MP. I really hope she is re-elected in Canterbury – we need her.
Excellent, thoughtful article by Rosie Duffield MP. I really hope she is re-elected in Canterbury – we need her.
Kellie-Jay Keen summed it up perfectly: “The Conservatives can be sexist; Labour is misogynistic.”
Kellie-Jay Keen summed it up perfectly: “The Conservatives can be sexist; Labour is misogynistic.”
Of course he didn’t. Just as he said nothing about the Rotherham Rapists from the Religion of Peace. Women are always second class citizens for Labour. Third, or fourth class perhaps. Way behind BAMEs or trannies.
Lefties don’t like uppity women. They tried to put us down using the Noble Savage card. We’re supposed to respect “Palestinians” and other murderous thugs who rape women and little girls (as their “Prophet” did) and then honour kill the victims for their crimes. We’re supposed to respect vile, vicious woman-hating “gangsta” rap because dey iz black innit. But this didn’t entirely work, especially when the Tories got a whole load of BAME dames in the highest offices of state. So they moved on to the trans-twaddle – any woman who doesn’t want her little girl to be flashed at or worse by a fully grown man in a frock is “transphobic”.
Rosie Duffield should ditch the Labour misogynists and hypocrites. They have ditched her.
Of course he didn’t. Just as he said nothing about the Rotherham Rapists from the Religion of Peace. Women are always second class citizens for Labour. Third, or fourth class perhaps. Way behind BAMEs or trannies.
Lefties don’t like uppity women. They tried to put us down using the Noble Savage card. We’re supposed to respect “Palestinians” and other murderous thugs who rape women and little girls (as their “Prophet” did) and then honour kill the victims for their crimes. We’re supposed to respect vile, vicious woman-hating “gangsta” rap because dey iz black innit. But this didn’t entirely work, especially when the Tories got a whole load of BAME dames in the highest offices of state. So they moved on to the trans-twaddle – any woman who doesn’t want her little girl to be flashed at or worse by a fully grown man in a frock is “transphobic”.
Rosie Duffield should ditch the Labour misogynists and hypocrites. They have ditched her.
Rosie’s point only seems to be that, like the SDP, trans identifying men (who like to call themselves transwomen or just women) should not be allowed in some/most women only spaces
True, but they should not be allowed or supported in any of this rubbish that they are women in any sense. They are men and should not be allowed into any women only spaces.
The philosophical problem that progressives and more traditional liberals have is that women are posited to be the same as men (when it comes to abilities, expected outcomes, taking part in traditional male activities etc.) but not the same as men (when it comes to protection, female-only spaces etc.). The trans lobby taps into this incoherence and further advances the Blank Slate idea that the liberal elite publically endorses (ie that you can be anything you want to be).
The philosophical problem that progressives and more traditional liberals have is that women are posited to be the same as men (when it comes to abilities, expected outcomes, taking part in traditional male activities etc.) but not the same as men (when it comes to protection, female-only spaces etc.). The trans lobby taps into this incoherence and further advances the Blank Slate idea that the liberal elite publically endorses (ie that you can be anything you want to be).
Rosie’s point only seems to be that, like the SDP, trans identifying men (who like to call themselves transwomen or just women) should not be allowed in some/most women only spaces
True, but they should not be allowed or supported in any of this rubbish that they are women in any sense. They are men and should not be allowed into any women only spaces.
“I am not going to join the Conservatives, or the Lib Dems or the Greens.”
This is why parties or politicians can act the way they do: because a sufficient percentage of voters will stick with them no matter what.
Not joining other parties could be because none of them represent the ideological orientation of the voter, so what’s the point?
Not joining other parties could be because none of them represent the ideological orientation of the voter, so what’s the point?
“I am not going to join the Conservatives, or the Lib Dems or the Greens.”
This is why parties or politicians can act the way they do: because a sufficient percentage of voters will stick with them no matter what.
“Women are a material reality and men attack them for it ”
I think you will find it’s “progressive ” upper class women who are the pillar of the trans movement.
Labour is after all supported much more by women than men. And something like 3/4th of college educated 20-30 year old women vote labour. A group that will savagely attack you if you suggest that there is not really any r*pe culture at universities, but happily support the party of Rochdale and Rotherham.
“Women are a material reality and men attack them for it ”
I think you will find it’s “progressive ” upper class women who are the pillar of the trans movement.
Labour is after all supported much more by women than men. And something like 3/4th of college educated 20-30 year old women vote labour. A group that will savagely attack you if you suggest that there is not really any r*pe culture at universities, but happily support the party of Rochdale and Rotherham.
“Lloyd Russell-Moyle went puce — perhaps less surprising — and started to heckle every woman who spoke of their similar concerns. Later, when Miriam Cates, a Conservative MP and friend, spoke of her concerns around safeguarding, he accused her of being a bigot before crossing over to the Tory side of the Chamber to sit on the side benches, very close to her, staring as if to intimidate her.”
God, living in Brighton really does a number on people. My sympathy for the author. No parliamentarian should be shouted down.
To be fair, the village idiot of Kemp Town isn’t a good representation of the overall populace of Brighton, but the options in Brighton politics are all so dire that it is little wonder that this rude aggressive and moronic individual clings on to power.
To be fair, the village idiot of Kemp Town isn’t a good representation of the overall populace of Brighton, but the options in Brighton politics are all so dire that it is little wonder that this rude aggressive and moronic individual clings on to power.
“Lloyd Russell-Moyle went puce — perhaps less surprising — and started to heckle every woman who spoke of their similar concerns. Later, when Miriam Cates, a Conservative MP and friend, spoke of her concerns around safeguarding, he accused her of being a bigot before crossing over to the Tory side of the Chamber to sit on the side benches, very close to her, staring as if to intimidate her.”
God, living in Brighton really does a number on people. My sympathy for the author. No parliamentarian should be shouted down.
Well done Rosie. Your selfless support for women and children is appreciated by many of us, of all political parties. This isn’t a left/right argument it is a wrong/right issue of protecting all our children from harmful influences, defending women’s hard won rights and recognising this dangerous ideology which threatens our society. I am sorry that you face such vile abuse and intimidation but believe me you are not alone in this debate.
Well done Rosie. Your selfless support for women and children is appreciated by many of us, of all political parties. This isn’t a left/right argument it is a wrong/right issue of protecting all our children from harmful influences, defending women’s hard won rights and recognising this dangerous ideology which threatens our society. I am sorry that you face such vile abuse and intimidation but believe me you are not alone in this debate.
The “original” trans people (ie trans before they were hyjacked by activists) were quite happy to go live a quiet life and most people allowed them to do so. Now, the great majority of today’s trans are just trouble making activist wierdoes. They should be ignored. People such as Ben Bradshaw and Lloyd Russell-Moyle should be thrown out of parliament and publically disgraced and humiliated.
The “original” trans people (ie trans before they were hyjacked by activists) were quite happy to go live a quiet life and most people allowed them to do so. Now, the great majority of today’s trans are just trouble making activist wierdoes. They should be ignored. People such as Ben Bradshaw and Lloyd Russell-Moyle should be thrown out of parliament and publically disgraced and humiliated.
Thank you, I shall share your article with family and friends.
Thank you, I shall share your article with family and friends.
Outstanding, Rosie is a brave and admirable MP. She describes herself as a progressive but thankfully she is of a different order to some of our progressive cousins across the Atlantic.
Outstanding, Rosie is a brave and admirable MP. She describes herself as a progressive but thankfully she is of a different order to some of our progressive cousins across the Atlantic.
The whole point is that Labour has, once and for all abandoned the working class (which is still predominantly white) in order to pursue a self-defined journey which becomes ever more “progressive” (note that “the Left” as formerly defined, and as generally understood by the electorate as a whole has little or nothing to do with “progress”).
This means that Labour lives in constant fear of being outflanked from “the left” as THEY define it. As each successive idea is implanted, it gains traction (because those on this mad rat-race dare not oppose it, they depend upon the Party for patronage and advancement) only for those adhering to be attacked in turn as the NEXT vitriolic chorus begins shrieking from the distance.
The only way to oppose these forces is to decide to do so. Labour ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT do this, since that would involve questioning the infallibility of ideology.
The whole point is that Labour has, once and for all abandoned the working class (which is still predominantly white) in order to pursue a self-defined journey which becomes ever more “progressive” (note that “the Left” as formerly defined, and as generally understood by the electorate as a whole has little or nothing to do with “progress”).
This means that Labour lives in constant fear of being outflanked from “the left” as THEY define it. As each successive idea is implanted, it gains traction (because those on this mad rat-race dare not oppose it, they depend upon the Party for patronage and advancement) only for those adhering to be attacked in turn as the NEXT vitriolic chorus begins shrieking from the distance.
The only way to oppose these forces is to decide to do so. Labour ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT do this, since that would involve questioning the infallibility of ideology.
“Many of us (ie Labour MPs) know that self-identifying as a woman does not make a person a biological woman who shares our lived experience. But for obvious reasons, these views are not voiced outside of closed rooms or private and secret WhatsApp groups”.
The reasons aren’t obvious. Nor should they be. You, Rosie, are making the self evidejt point that a woman is an adult female human. She has had the “lived experience” no man can have. No amount of surgery nor hormone therapy will change an individual’s chromosomal make-up one iota. What the trans movement is about, at heart, is mental illness. Some young women (it is now overwhelmingly women) are distressed as they experience puberty and are confused and disturbed by their experiences. They are being encouraged to think that there is a medical/surgical solution to their problems. There isn’t. Those that wish to impose on everyone the warped notion that there are over 70 genders and that people can “transition” between biological sexes at will, are the authoritarians. The lunatics must not be allowed to run the asylum.
“Many of us (ie Labour MPs) know that self-identifying as a woman does not make a person a biological woman who shares our lived experience. But for obvious reasons, these views are not voiced outside of closed rooms or private and secret WhatsApp groups”.
The reasons aren’t obvious. Nor should they be. You, Rosie, are making the self evidejt point that a woman is an adult female human. She has had the “lived experience” no man can have. No amount of surgery nor hormone therapy will change an individual’s chromosomal make-up one iota. What the trans movement is about, at heart, is mental illness. Some young women (it is now overwhelmingly women) are distressed as they experience puberty and are confused and disturbed by their experiences. They are being encouraged to think that there is a medical/surgical solution to their problems. There isn’t. Those that wish to impose on everyone the warped notion that there are over 70 genders and that people can “transition” between biological sexes at will, are the authoritarians. The lunatics must not be allowed to run the asylum.
I felt like I was in an abusive relationship when Westminster politicians practically all advocated for lockdowns and held us under house arrest for the best part of two years. Rosie Duccield was one such politician and was found to have broken the rules imposed on the rest of us.
Duffield could leave the Labour Party….
A good point, well made.
A good point, well made.
I felt like I was in an abusive relationship when Westminster politicians practically all advocated for lockdowns and held us under house arrest for the best part of two years. Rosie Duccield was one such politician and was found to have broken the rules imposed on the rest of us.
Duffield could leave the Labour Party….
Good balanced article. No wonder the author doesn’t fit with the wokies. She’s the “wrong type of feminist”. I’m afraid the issues-based feminism of the last century has been pushed aside by rampant, cultish, pseudo-religion identitarianism.
Good balanced article. No wonder the author doesn’t fit with the wokies. She’s the “wrong type of feminist”. I’m afraid the issues-based feminism of the last century has been pushed aside by rampant, cultish, pseudo-religion identitarianism.
I would walk over hot coals sooner than vote Labour.
BUT
I would vote for Rosie Duffield if I lived in that constituency. Because independence of mind, wherever is shows itself, must be protected at all costs.
I would walk over hot coals sooner than vote Labour.
BUT
I would vote for Rosie Duffield if I lived in that constituency. Because independence of mind, wherever is shows itself, must be protected at all costs.
Great article, beautifully written.
Great article, beautifully written.
Thank you for your courage. Now Start a new political party.
Is there no existing party that would meet Rosie’s journey? What about the SDP? Just asking on behalf of a friend.
Is there no existing party that would meet Rosie’s journey? What about the SDP? Just asking on behalf of a friend.
Thank you for your courage. Now Start a new political party.
I suspect all our current political debate is just a lot of hot air and exchanges of insults, as well a complete waste of time. For a declining nation, confronted with both climate change and multiple competing injustices galore, not to be putting all its energies into reimagining a better future for itself is beyoud parody,
I suspect all our current political debate is just a lot of hot air and exchanges of insults, as well a complete waste of time. For a declining nation, confronted with both climate change and multiple competing injustices galore, not to be putting all its energies into reimagining a better future for itself is beyoud parody,
What a heroine!
What a heroine!
Thank you Rosie Duffield.
Please carry on boldly.
Thank you Rosie Duffield.
Please carry on boldly.
A courageous lady with common sense, both rare qualities today and sorely needed.
A courageous lady with common sense, both rare qualities today and sorely needed.
I am in awe of anyone who dares to speak up in this day and age. The risks are enormous.
The fact that women’s positions in society are under threat because they need safe spaces from time to time(as basic requirement for everybody) is beyond words. It shows a genuine lack of respect for women who play such a pivotal role in everyone’s lives. Many women have shown themselves worthy of their station once they reached the heights that were previously denied them and so we have proof that gender equality is not only just, but beneficial to society.
Men were dragged kicking and screaming along for the ride which was a mistake. I guess that the women at the time were so sick of the slow progress. But it does explain why men (some pretending, some using for their own sick agenda, some genuine) in dresses seem to garner more support and women in dresses. Maybe it is time for men to step up and and walk (not run) the rest of the way, side by side, with women to real long lasting gender equality. No quotas, just respect.
When men and women stand eye to eye as equals, we are all at our best and the sky is the limit.
I am in awe of anyone who dares to speak up in this day and age. The risks are enormous.
The fact that women’s positions in society are under threat because they need safe spaces from time to time(as basic requirement for everybody) is beyond words. It shows a genuine lack of respect for women who play such a pivotal role in everyone’s lives. Many women have shown themselves worthy of their station once they reached the heights that were previously denied them and so we have proof that gender equality is not only just, but beneficial to society.
Men were dragged kicking and screaming along for the ride which was a mistake. I guess that the women at the time were so sick of the slow progress. But it does explain why men (some pretending, some using for their own sick agenda, some genuine) in dresses seem to garner more support and women in dresses. Maybe it is time for men to step up and and walk (not run) the rest of the way, side by side, with women to real long lasting gender equality. No quotas, just respect.
When men and women stand eye to eye as equals, we are all at our best and the sky is the limit.
My comment has disappeared, only 5 minutes after posting.
That’s it, free speech gone.
So it’s goodbye Unherd, goodbye to my contribution.
I know. It is annoying indeed.
I can see it higher up the chat?
I know. It is annoying indeed.
I can see it higher up the chat?
My comment has disappeared, only 5 minutes after posting.
That’s it, free speech gone.
So it’s goodbye Unherd, goodbye to my contribution.
Jeez Rosie you are brave, but you’re a fool.
Try prioritising your idealistic goals. Ask yourself, which party is the least likely to progress the position of women in society? It’s Labour – it’s the ultimate patriarchy, because socialism was invented by blokes who humour the ‘ladies’ and don’t want to give up power, so they centralise it in male led cliques and cabals. You can’t overturn that, full stop…
If your top priority is to progress the position of women in society then the only system that will do this – it’s built into it – is capitalism. So you should be in the Tory party – then you can pursue your lower priorities from a position of female empowerment, because the Tories don’t mind putting strong women in charge.
Jeez Rosie you are brave, but you’re a fool.
Try prioritising your idealistic goals. Ask yourself, which party is the least likely to progress the position of women in society? It’s Labour – it’s the ultimate patriarchy, because socialism was invented by blokes who humour the ‘ladies’ and don’t want to give up power, so they centralise it in male led cliques and cabals. You can’t overturn that, full stop…
If your top priority is to progress the position of women in society then the only system that will do this – it’s built into it – is capitalism. So you should be in the Tory party – then you can pursue your lower priorities from a position of female empowerment, because the Tories don’t mind putting strong women in charge.
And another thing! Cross dressers – Eddie Izzard, Grayson Perry – never were and never will be a problem!
Men like Perry who wear “women’s cl aren’t a problem (even if Stonewall says they fall under the trans umbrella). However, Izzard is. He claims that he is an actual woman – and uses women’s toilets etc accordingly.
Men like Perry who wear “women’s cl aren’t a problem (even if Stonewall says they fall under the trans umbrella). However, Izzard is. He claims that he is an actual woman – and uses women’s toilets etc accordingly.
And another thing! Cross dressers – Eddie Izzard, Grayson Perry – never were and never will be a problem!
“Not sitting on the front bench, however, is a single MP who believes that biological sex can’t be erased at the stroke of a pen.”
With the utmost respect, Ms Duffield, you’re wrong about this. There is not a single living person on this planet who sincerely believes that people can change sex.
I think you’re wrong.
All they do is change the definition.
I think you’re wrong.
All they do is change the definition.
“Not sitting on the front bench, however, is a single MP who believes that biological sex can’t be erased at the stroke of a pen.”
With the utmost respect, Ms Duffield, you’re wrong about this. There is not a single living person on this planet who sincerely believes that people can change sex.
Please carry on Rosie. You are speaking for the many women who are increasingly horrified at the erasure of safe women only spaces and their rights to protection from intimidation by aggressive activism and have nowhere to turn.
The basic structure of Parliament with a Government and an Opposition serves to instil in us the belief that conflict is the best way to resolve issues. PMQ’s provides behaviour that would not be tolerated in a primary school.
The majority of issues that arise in politics can be resolved by a spectrum of solutions. It should be the responsibility of all MP’s (and Lords for God’s sake) to settle on the optimum choice according to the country’s needs.
re name it The l***a Party?
re name it The l***a Party?
Where is the line that the MP would draw though? When Scottish Labour are going along with the SNP bill and her front bench colleagues are giving her the cold shoulder it shouldn’t be a matter of sticking the course no matter what. I really respected the MPs who resigned over the anti-semitism affair but in the end even this lady was fighting (and boasts about winning) for a potential Jeremy Corbyn-led government in 2019. That isn’t principled. She is now accusing her own party of cowardice when that was her own action when confronted with a much more clear-cut issue (racism). I am not glad that she finds herself in this situation but there is currently only one major party standing up for women’s rights and that is the Conservatove party which she has such an aversion to. All the left parties have gone over the cliff and the other right wing parties (sans Farage) are pygmies who will never get a single MP. It leads me to conclude she doesn’t really care that much about the issue at hand while she stays in the Labour party which is only going to get more and more anti-woman.
Where is the line that the MP would draw though? When Scottish Labour are going along with the SNP bill and her front bench colleagues are giving her the cold shoulder it shouldn’t be a matter of sticking the course no matter what. I really respected the MPs who resigned over the anti-semitism affair but in the end even this lady was fighting (and boasts about winning) for a potential Jeremy Corbyn-led government in 2019. That isn’t principled. She is now accusing her own party of cowardice when that was her own action when confronted with a much more clear-cut issue (racism). I am not glad that she finds herself in this situation but there is currently only one major party standing up for women’s rights and that is the Conservatove party which she has such an aversion to. All the left parties have gone over the cliff and the other right wing parties (sans Farage) are pygmies who will never get a single MP. It leads me to conclude she doesn’t really care that much about the issue at hand while she stays in the Labour party which is only going to get more and more anti-woman.
I am disappointed that Duffield allowed herself to be part of the “anti-semitism” nonsense which was used to get rid of Corbyn, but on the issue of women in the party, she deserves 100% support.
The anti-Semitic streak in the Fake Labour Party is obvious to anyone with eyes to see.
The anti-Semitic streak in the Fake Labour Party is obvious to anyone with eyes to see.
I am disappointed that Duffield allowed herself to be part of the “anti-semitism” nonsense which was used to get rid of Corbyn, but on the issue of women in the party, she deserves 100% support.
As a woman with broadly pro-trans sympathies, I really object when gender critical women attempt to portray the gender critical viewpoint as the ‘female’ point of view. This is simply not the case — women are not a monolith and do not all have the same political/social views just because they are women. Added to this that polling consistently suggests that women are on average more rather than less liberal than men on this issue – this is the case with the polling on the latest Scottish reforms for example see eg https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-60214574 (63% of women vs 49% of men think it should be easier to obtain a GRC). And you’ll find plenty of pro-trans feminist arguments by women.
People with different viewpoints should of course argue their case, but I find it underhand when it is suggested that one viewpoint is treated as the official view of women (or any other group), particularly when there is zero evidence to support this.
You have my utmost sympathies for being downvoted. Your post is very knowledgeable. The commenters here have a herd-like mentality on any GC/trans article.
It has been obvious for years that the highest support for transgenderism has come from millennial/Gen Z, college-educated women, the demographic group most likely to identify as feminist. It stands to reason, given the higher empathy of women.
What percentage of this group has daughters ?
What percentage of this group has daughters ?
Someone from the other side. Interesting,
So what is your take on you or your daughter sharing a dressing room or (God forbid) a prison with a transwoman proudly parading her male genitals? Or competing in some sport against a 6’2″ heavily boned and muscled transwoman? Or a refuge for violence victims with someone visibly male?
You have my utmost sympathies for being downvoted. Your post is very knowledgeable. The commenters here have a herd-like mentality on any GC/trans article.
It has been obvious for years that the highest support for transgenderism has come from millennial/Gen Z, college-educated women, the demographic group most likely to identify as feminist. It stands to reason, given the higher empathy of women.
Someone from the other side. Interesting,
So what is your take on you or your daughter sharing a dressing room or (God forbid) a prison with a transwoman proudly parading her male genitals? Or competing in some sport against a 6’2″ heavily boned and muscled transwoman? Or a refuge for violence victims with someone visibly male?
As a woman with broadly pro-trans sympathies, I really object when gender critical women attempt to portray the gender critical viewpoint as the ‘female’ point of view. This is simply not the case — women are not a monolith and do not all have the same political/social views just because they are women. Added to this that polling consistently suggests that women are on average more rather than less liberal than men on this issue – this is the case with the polling on the latest Scottish reforms for example see eg https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-60214574 (63% of women vs 49% of men think it should be easier to obtain a GRC). And you’ll find plenty of pro-trans feminist arguments by women.
People with different viewpoints should of course argue their case, but I find it underhand when it is suggested that one viewpoint is treated as the official view of women (or any other group), particularly when there is zero evidence to support this.