I write this as a serial and vocal complainer about much of what the Parliamentary Party does. I have been such for many years. Way back in the neolithic era I won awards for blogging my complaints. So it’s only fair that when the Parliamentary Party knocks something out of the park I be equally vocal with my praise.
Firstly, on Sunday, Ed Davey, our leader and Marie Goldman, our Equalities Spokes, sent this letter to Bridget Phillipson. The consensus among the exec of LGBT+LDs was “well, we might have worded a couple of things differently, but mostly, it’s really good”. We weren’t really surprised at Marie’s name being on it, because she’s been consistently great in the equalities role from day one, but Ed putting his name to it was a very welcome surprise.
Then yesterday’s debate on the EHRC New Section 28, I’m sorry, services guidance happened in parliament. And our MPs were MAGNIFICENT.
It’s worth reading the whole thing in Hansard, for exactly how great they all were (and how awful the non-responses from the Labour minister were), but I want to do a roll call. First up was Marvellous Marie, who pointed out how unworkable the guidance was, and asked the minister to consider new legislation.
Then came my fellow Yorkshirer Tom Gordon, who was appalled by the Tory response.
Then, Honorary President of LGBT+ LDs Queen CJ admonished the minister for her non-adherence to the spirit of the Equality Act.
Then, Layla Moran asked the minister to consider what would be the consequences if her assertions that this document provides protections for trans and non-binary folks were wrong.
Then, Josh Babarinde, our Party President, not only made the point that this code does nothing to protect women and girls, but also gave a shout out to LGBT+LDs and Lib Dem Women.
Then, Vikki Slade pointed out the lack of respect for human rights of trans and non-binary people.
Then, Charlotte Cane asked “Will the Minister consider changing the law so that the Equality Act lives up to its name?”.
And then Mike Martin asked for a vote on the code itself.
All eight of those contributions made points that were powerful, related, built on each other, but were not the same point. As a person who chairs debates at conference, I was honestly extremely impressed at how structured and persuasive it was, and ending with that one-two punch of calls for new legislation and a vote on the guidance was, to use internet parlance, Chef’s Kiss.
And then this morning I awoke to discover that Marvellous Marie is co-sponsor of, and several of our MPs including our Chief Whip have signed, this EDM calling for the guidance to be struck down.
So, on behalf of the exec of LGBT+LDs, I just want to say to the Parliamentary Party, in general, and Marie Goldman in particular: thank you.
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU. This means so much to us in Plus, and to the LGBTQIA+ community in general. Thank you for standing up for us. We won’t forget.
* Jennie Rigg is from Yorkshire and is a member of the Federal Conference Committee and an exec member (and former chair) of LGBT+ Lib Dems. You can find her on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/rigg.lgbt
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19 Comments
O Lord, it’s been so long since I wrote for this site that my author profile still says to follow me on Xitter. I’ve not posted there in YEARS. I’m rigg.lgbt on Bluesky though: https://bsky.app/profile/rigg.lgbt
I’m so glad that the parliamentary party are on this and firing; great work from all concerned
Exactly what I would’ve written! An amazing, and proud moment 🧡
Couldn’t have said it better myself @Jennie Rigg, I was really happy with our MPs, they stood up for our values and I could really get used to this feeling.
Sorry, Jennie – when I made up your new byline I didn’t think about the evil hellsite which has now vanished from your profile. Have put bluesky in your byline.
Spot on, Jennie! I think we have a long fight ahead of ourselves, and it’s not as if this is the only front that that fight is opening up on at the moment, but the contributions from our MPs have been very welcome.
You’re the bestest, Caron 🧡
Truly wild to read reports of the debate and feel pleased with what we did! As someone openly unhappy with the leadership after May’s locals, this is better, more like this please!
I see that two Liberal Democrat MPs initially signed the Early Day Motion but later withdrew their names.
Do we know why the Party is not united on this Early Day Motion?
I hope Jennie is not offended if I see this as a wonderfully balanced piece!
I can’t recall a time I’ve ever been offended by you, lovely Geoff, but I am quite forgetful.
Kira: I don’t know. The flippant answer is “we’re lib dems, we’re not 100% united on anything”. The hopeful answer is that sometimes that happens as a result of technical problems. The depressing answer is they’re using it to officially abstain, like walking through both lobbies. I really hope it’s not that last one.
Excellent piece, Jennie. As Tim says, reports of civil war on this seem to consist largely of a single person complaining loudly in rightwing media, so do not really deserve oxygen.
As for Kira’s question about the two withdrawn signatures, I see from their posts that Plus is going to make enquiries to see if there are concerns that can be allayed there, though I remember that in the past, technical issues were blamed rather than actual opposition to the motion.
I see from the Hansard report that the “Minister for Equalities” made more or less the same non-response to every question. How do MPs manage to refrain from throwing things when all they get is stonewalling? Well done by our MPs – and some of the Labour MPs too.
MPs absolutely brilliant. I believe two withdrawals a technical issue.
The replies from the minister seem to consist of little more than stonewalling repetition. Frustrating.
Marie Goldman is a powerhouse. She has a great analytical brain. We should be making even more use of her. We have such talented MPs but we do need to be making the most them.
It’s been slightly odd & nostalgic – this sense of pride and belonging. Very grateful to all those MPs, and to Ed & Josh for leading from the [united] front, on what has become a wedge / bellwether issue.
Thanks Jennie – excellent post, reminding us of our liberal credentials. Do write for us again!
Charlotte Cane “Will the Minister consider changing the law so that the Equality Act lives up to its name?” is a valid contribution. Things have moved on since it was created in the noughties, leading to its implemation in 2010. A good thrashing out of the issues in parliament is the better way to progress.
In my view, sorry to say, the other contributions are meaningless.