All killings are heartbreaking. They should not be downplayed for the sake of political gain. As a parent, I can empathize with the pain that Esther Ghey has gone through.
Starmer’s decision to connect his lack of clarity on issues of sex and gender to the grieving individual was disgraceful. (1/2)
As the Minister for Women and Equalities, I have made efforts to calm the discussion on LGBT issues, while also expressing our beliefs and principles.
The actions of Keir Starmer today demonstrate that Labour is willing to exploit this matter for their own gain.
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11:53 AM) The figure has been questioned by experts (see 1:44 PM) and even Hunt is now less adamant about defending it.
During an interview with ITV’s Robert Peston, Hunt was asked about the perceived implausibility of the £13 billion figure due to assumptions regarding subsidies for affluent families. In response, Hunt stated that even if the amount is not double the £6 billion, it still constitutes a significant portion of the £28 billion total spending.
Rishi Sunak cracked a joke in Parliament today that targeted transgender individuals. The comment was shared on X.
Due to a severe headache, I was unable to attend Parliament today. However, I have now caught up on the Prime Minister’s Questions.
The discussion surrounding trans-related topics can become intense on the extremes. As elected officials, it is our responsibility to diffuse tensions and concentrate on finding practical solutions, all while treating all parties involved with dignity. With the recent rise in transphobic incidents, the importance of respect in these discussions is even greater.
It was disheartening to hear jokes being made at the expense of the transgender community. Our words in the House of Representatives have a significant impact on our society, and it is important for us all to be mindful of this.
Keir Starmer frequently flip-flopping and the Prime Minister emphasized his respect for Esther Ghey, whose daughter Brianna was killed in a assault partially driven by transphobia. Hunt stated:
Sunak’s statement was that Labour and Sir Keir Starmer struggle to make decisions on crucial matters such as trans rights and the economy, often changing their stance. He emphasized that a party vying for governance must have a clear stance on these issues in order to avoid regression.
Mason confronted Hunt about Sunak’s use of a comment about transgender individuals as a political tactic in front of a mourning mother. Hunt’s response was:
Chris, you know that’s not how it happened. What he meant was that Keir Starmer is indecisive about major current issues.
In the midst of PMQs, Sunak stated that he observed nearly 30 instances of Starmer reversing his stance in the past year, including issues such as pensions, planning, peerages, public sector pay, tuition fees, childcare, and second referendums. He also mentioned Starmer’s previous statement in an interview where he claimed that 99.9% of women do not possess a penis, acknowledging that this may have been the only issue where Starmer did not completely backtrack.
During interviews, representatives from certain media sources would frequently ask Labour party members if a person of female gender could possess male genitalia. This issue often posed difficulty for MPs such as Starmer in providing a response that would satisfy transgender activists without inviting ridicule from conservative groups.
Tory politicians were typically not posed the same query as they were willing to decline – despite the fact that this is technically incorrect. As Starmer hinted, a gender recognition statute that has been active for two decades permits individuals to alter their gender without undergoing surgery.
surveys asking Conservative party members which cabinet ministers they admire the most, and she is currently favourite to be the next Tory leader. There are two reasons for this, both of which are perfectly illustrated by her intervention in the row about Rishi Sunak’s anti-trans jibe today. (See 3.25pm.)
She holds conservative beliefs, especially regarding race and gender, which align with those of Tory members, and is unafraid to express them. Additionally, she enjoys engaging in debates about her views with her adversaries. No one in the Conservative party can provoke the left quite like she can, except possibly for Michael Gove and Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, who appear to value manners. Badenoch, on the other hand, does not.
The blog now features a headline discussing Badenoch’s involvement, but a more precise one could be: “Badenoch reacts to fire by grabbing a can of petrol and throwing.” While she claims to want to ease tensions on LGBT issues, her remarks do not have a calming effect.
There are four additional points that should be mentioned.
Badenoch seems to be protecting Sunak without explicitly doing so. By shifting the focus to Keir Starmer’s remarks instead of Sunak’s, she is providing him with political protection. However, she does not state that Sunak’s joke was appropriate, and her remarks about the importance of being tactful and understanding suggest that she would not have made such a crude joke.
Tory supporters may appreciate the assertion that Labour is the one using the issue as a weapon, even though this is not actually accurate. Starmer does not seem particularly eager to discuss trans issues and in the past, Labour downplayed their change of stance on self-identification under the Gender Recognition Act. In reality, it is the Tory politicians who are capitalizing on this topic. Just before becoming deputy chair of the Tory party last year, Lee Anderson stated that the party should focus on a combination of culture wars and discussions about trans rights in the next election.
3) Badenoch’s critics will likely scoff at her statement that she has attempted to diffuse the tension surrounding LGBT issues. She is perceived as the minister responsible for the government’s trans guidance for schools which labels “gender identity ideology” as a “disputed belief”. As noted by Archie Bland, this goes against the established stance of organizations such as the World Health Organization, the UK census, the law, the NHS, and the government. Activists have argued that this guidance will reverse years of progress in creating inclusive and non-discriminatory school environments.
However, it is improbable that any of these criticisms will deter similar actions from increasing Badenoch’s favor with Tory supporters. Within an hour of the tweets being posted, betting company Coral released a statement announcing that they had reduced the odds to 2-1 (previously 7-2) on Kemi Badenoch becoming the next leader of the Conservative Party due to an influx of new bets placed in her favor this afternoon.
Keir Starmer shared this on X regarding his discussion with Esther Ghey. He emphasizes that Brianna is her daughter.
Today, I had the opportunity to meet Esther Ghey. She is the mother of Brianna, who tragically lost her life last year.
I am incredibly impressed by her courage and resilience in the midst of overwhelming sorrow, as she advocates for preventing any other parent from experiencing what she did.
Labour will work with campaigners and parents like Esther to ensure our children and young people have the mental health support they need. It’s what Brianna and her family deserve.
Nicola Sturgeon, the ex-prime minister of Scotland, has asserted that had Esther Ghey not been present in parliament today, Rishi Sunak’s derogatory comment towards the transgender community would not have been met with opposition from MPs. She shared this on X.
Sunak’s actions were truly awful. However, we shouldn’t deceive ourselves – if Brianna’s mother hadn’t been present today, no one (including Keir Starmer) would have shown any concern. It’s not sufficient to speak out against transphobia only when the mother of a murdered transgender girl might be present. It must be addressed at all times.
Kemi Badenoch, who holds the positions of business secretary and minister for women and equality, released a statement regarding X, stating that it was unacceptable for Keir Starmer to politicize the murder of Brianna Ghey.
She stated that she made efforts to ease tensions regarding the trans issue and that it was the Labour party that was using it as a political weapon.
Every murder is a tragedy. None should be trivialised by political point-scoring. As a mother, I can imagine the trauma that Esther Ghey has endured.
Starmer’s decision to connect his own lack of clarity on the topic of sex and gender directly to her grief was disgraceful. (1/2)
As the Minister for Women and Equalities, I have worked hard to reduce tension in discussions about LGBT topics while remaining firm in our beliefs and values.
Keir Starmer’s actions today demonstrate that the Labour party is willing to exploit this matter for their own benefit. (2/2)
She claims that she is resigning because her spouse, Alex Aiken, who is the executive director for the Government Communication Service, has accepted a position overseas.
Aiken won the majority in the Cities of London and Westminster with a margin of 3,953 votes in the previous election.
Based on this compilation from the House of Commons library, she is the 55th member of the Conservative Party to announce their resignation – or 58th if those who were originally elected as Conservatives but are now sitting as independents are counted.
The plan for dental recovery in England.
Rishi Sunak should issue an apology for his derogatory comment towards the transgender community. She expressed her shock and dismay upon hearing Sunak’s remarks during LGBT history month, especially on a day when Brianna Ghey’s mother was present in parliament. The joke made across the chamber was deemed transphobic.
She went on:
As elected officials, we are here to better the lives of others, correct? However, with the trans community being targeted by individuals in this setting, as well as in other settings and by the media, it is our responsibility to consider our words and how we address these matters when discussing the trans and non-binary community.
I am confident that [the deputy speaker] will provide guidance on how we can ensure the prime minister issues an apology.
Deputy Speaker Dame Eleanor Laing stated that it is not her responsibility to demand a different statement from Rishi Sunak.
She credited Esther Ghey and expressed, “In the face of a tragedy, it is important to offer sympathy and understanding rather than use it for political gain.”
Rishi Sunak should offer an apology for his derogatory remark about the transgender community during PMQs. In a statement, it is stated that degrading comments made by individuals in positions of authority “have the potential to cause harm.”
According to a survey conducted by Ipsos for Scotland’s STV, the SNP is currently leading by seven points in a Westminster election with 39%, compared to 32% for Labour. In the constituency vote for Holyrood, the SNP is ahead by nine points at 39%. The survey also found that the SNP remains the most trusted party in areas such as health, education, and addressing the cost of living.
Yousaf’s advisors claim that these results challenge the prevailing belief in Scotland that Labour is on track to defeat the SNP in the upcoming general election, following their strong victory over the SNP in the Rutherglen byelection last October.
Some surveys show that Labour is in a closer race with the SNP for a Westminster vote. A recent Panelbase poll had Labour leading by three points, while Redfield & Wilton’s results have shown Labour leading by two points or tied with the SNP.
According to Anas Sarwar, the leader of Scottish Labour, the results indicate that the party is at or near 35% in general election voting. This percentage is seen as a crucial threshold by Labour, as it could potentially lead to a significant number of SNP seats being in contention for Labour.
Ipsos’s polling method is considered by some to be more precise compared to other polls conducted by companies like YouGov, Panelbase, Survation, and Redfield & Wilton. These companies typically use online panels of registered individuals who may receive incentives to participate. In contrast, Ipsos contacts voters directly through phone calls, potentially reaching a broader and more diverse group of people.
The current Ipsos survey shows concerning results for the SNP, as it indicates a growing level of support for Labour. In May 2023, the SNP had a 12-point advantage in a Westminster election, but this decreased to 10 points by November of that year. Similarly, in the Holyrood vote, the SNP’s lead has gone down from 14 points in May to 12 points in November.
Trust ratings for the SNP have also been affected, with a decrease of five to six points in regards to the NHS, schools, and economy since May 2022. On the other hand, Labour has seen an increase of seven points in all three areas.
The statement made at 11:53pm was deemed absurd and incorrect by a representative.
This cost estimation is ridiculous and based on false assumptions. They have used the cost of someone else’s policy, not Labour’s.
Nick Macpherson, who served as permanent secretary at the Treasury from 2005 to 2016, appears to share the same opinion. According to a post on X, he stated:
In the next 9 months, we will have to endure numerous evaluations of Opposition policy by the “official Treasury.” These costings have historically lacked credibility, regardless of which party is in control. The assumptions are often influenced by political advisors. #unreliablecosting
The spokesperson stated that Labour was receptive to the idea of prohibiting access to social media on mobile devices.
Rishi Sunak faced criticism for his derogatory comments towards the transgender community. Here are several instances:
From Anneliese Dodds, the shadow secretary for women and equalities
Rishi Sunak has a history of using LGBT+ individuals as the subject of hurtful jokes.
However, cracking jokes about transgender individuals in the presence of Brianna Ghey’s mother is a despicable and disgraceful act.
We need to improve upon this. The Prime Minister should offer a prompt apology.
:
The deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, Daisy Cooper, stated that…
Disturbing events during #PMQs as Sunak mocks transgender individuals (“what defines a woman”) in the presence of Esther Ghey, mother of Brianna Ghey, who is observing from the House of Commons gallery.
The Prime Minister has disgraced his position and the Parliament. Members of Parliament are justified in demanding an apology.
, “The U.S. has
Caroline Lucas, a Green Party member of parliament, stated that the United States possesses…
Despite Brianna Ghey’s mother being present in the audience, the Prime Minister cannot resist using a divisive tactic to fuel the culture war. Is there any low point he won’t reach?
From Labour’s Ben Bradshaw
Disgusting man, Rishi Sunak, making transphobic slurs at PMQs with Brianna Ghey’s mother in the gallery & dodging the chance to apologise. Brilliant & genuinely furious response from @Keir_Starmer
From Labour’s Matt Western
During the past week, we were appalled by statements made by three Conservative Councillors regarding SEND children. And now, we are also hearing the Prime Minister making derogatory remarks about transgender individuals while Brianna Ghey’s mother is present in the audience.
people in society
It is extremely alarming. Both on a national and local level, they are singling out individuals who are among the most susceptible in society.
:
According to Sarah Champion of the Labour party:
?
During Prime Minister’s Questions, Rishi made a joke about transgender individuals in the presence of Brianna Ghey’s mother, who was also in Parliament. To make matters worse, it seemed to be pre-planned. What is the issue with these individuals?
From Labour’s Zarah Sultana
It is disheartening to hear Rishi Sunak make a discriminatory comment about transgender individuals in the House of Commons, especially in the presence of Brianna Ghey’s mother in the audience.
The tragic killing of Brianna, driven by hatred towards transgender individuals, should serve as a lesson for politicians to stop promoting such animosity.
Source: theguardian.com
