Hello all — apologies for the subbing error left in ("Headline" above Harry's piece). My bad! No excuse but I'm overdue a holiday and flagging somewhat.
Oct 27, 2022·edited Oct 27, 2022Liked by Dan Hayes
I’m a Sheffield Green Party member and one of the issues not reflected in the article is that Alison stepped down as a councillor this year and was very scathing about the party in the local press. Some members also feel that she was dishonest in her nomination paperwork, because she did not disclose any conflicts with party policy (we have trans inclusive policy which she frequently, publicly opposes).
Her comment that “she had had the odd conversation online or on the phone with some of the dissidents about trans issues, but nothing much — and definitely nothing heated — before the graphics appeared” does not reflect the reality of the last three years. It has been incredibly heated and stressful, most of the Sheffield Green Party Executive Committee resigned in 2020 because of the breakdown in relationships and the regional party has had to intervene.
We no longer have a Green Party student society, a Young Greens group or a LGBTQIA+ group in Sheffield. The involvement of young women in the party has dropped significantly. We are struggling to motivate activists. This year we lost a council seat and failed to win a target seat in Walkley, where Eddie Izzard campaigned for Labour. Speaking out against Alison’s candidacy isn’t a foolish manoeuvre, it’s a desperate attempt to sustain and save the local party.
Thanks for your comment Rebecca. I don't really want to get into a debate about the rights and wrongs of this issue in the comments section as the piece was more about the row's political implications for the local party. However, I will say it was somewhat difficult for us to get the full story as the five councillors who tweeted the statement wouldn't speak to us. Thanks again.
Oct 27, 2022·edited Oct 27, 2022Liked by Dan Hayes
I appreciate that. I’m sure councillors will have their own reasons for not wanting to respond at present, but there were dozens of SGP members, including trans members, who shared the statement about withdrawing their support from local candidates who discriminate against trans people.
I’m sorry but there is a limit to the number of people we can speak to for a story. Harry spoke to Alison herself as well as people who don’t support her. He also tried unsuccessfully to speak to all five councillors who sent the tweet as well as the national party. That strikes me as a textbook example of thorough, responsible journalism.
No need to apologise, I subscribed to The Tribune because I enjoy your articles and the work of the journalists who you collaborate with. As someone who is directly involved in and impacted by the article’s subject matter, I’m just sharing my perspective.
A great shame that many people of good will can’t acknowledge that there are issues on which other people of good will can have opposing views. This too often leads to personal attacks. In this situation those arguing should focus on the issues rather than the people. This will do real harm to the Green Party and to the case for dealing with the climate emergency.
Thanks for your comment John. It has become a very polarised debate, which, if you will forgive me, I don't really want to get too much into in the comment section. Thanks for reading. Dan.
What an excellent post regarding Alison Teal and Sheffield Green Party.Sensitively handled and objective and all the better for the local insights.Well done Tribune.
In exactly what way or ways do transgender rights constitute a Green issue? None, as far as I can see.
Anyway, it's time somebody stopped pussyfooting around the trans debate. I am opposed to discrimination against trans people in the fields of housing, employment, healthcare, education and social rights. I want trans people to be able to live openly as trans people. But a man can't turn into a woman, and vice versa. Asking me to believe that people can literally change sex takes the claims to another level, and it's a step too far.
I believe in tolerance and kindness. But being kind to people who are compos mentis doesn't require us to foster their delusions, in fact, the reverse is true.
Moreover, the louder the trans lobby gets and the more people they shoot down and ostracise for disagreeing with them, the less sure of their ground I believe them to be.
Hello all — apologies for the subbing error left in ("Headline" above Harry's piece). My bad! No excuse but I'm overdue a holiday and flagging somewhat.
I’m a Sheffield Green Party member and one of the issues not reflected in the article is that Alison stepped down as a councillor this year and was very scathing about the party in the local press. Some members also feel that she was dishonest in her nomination paperwork, because she did not disclose any conflicts with party policy (we have trans inclusive policy which she frequently, publicly opposes).
Her comment that “she had had the odd conversation online or on the phone with some of the dissidents about trans issues, but nothing much — and definitely nothing heated — before the graphics appeared” does not reflect the reality of the last three years. It has been incredibly heated and stressful, most of the Sheffield Green Party Executive Committee resigned in 2020 because of the breakdown in relationships and the regional party has had to intervene.
We no longer have a Green Party student society, a Young Greens group or a LGBTQIA+ group in Sheffield. The involvement of young women in the party has dropped significantly. We are struggling to motivate activists. This year we lost a council seat and failed to win a target seat in Walkley, where Eddie Izzard campaigned for Labour. Speaking out against Alison’s candidacy isn’t a foolish manoeuvre, it’s a desperate attempt to sustain and save the local party.
Thanks for your comment Rebecca. I don't really want to get into a debate about the rights and wrongs of this issue in the comments section as the piece was more about the row's political implications for the local party. However, I will say it was somewhat difficult for us to get the full story as the five councillors who tweeted the statement wouldn't speak to us. Thanks again.
I appreciate that. I’m sure councillors will have their own reasons for not wanting to respond at present, but there were dozens of SGP members, including trans members, who shared the statement about withdrawing their support from local candidates who discriminate against trans people.
I’m sorry but there is a limit to the number of people we can speak to for a story. Harry spoke to Alison herself as well as people who don’t support her. He also tried unsuccessfully to speak to all five councillors who sent the tweet as well as the national party. That strikes me as a textbook example of thorough, responsible journalism.
No need to apologise, I subscribed to The Tribune because I enjoy your articles and the work of the journalists who you collaborate with. As someone who is directly involved in and impacted by the article’s subject matter, I’m just sharing my perspective.
A great shame that many people of good will can’t acknowledge that there are issues on which other people of good will can have opposing views. This too often leads to personal attacks. In this situation those arguing should focus on the issues rather than the people. This will do real harm to the Green Party and to the case for dealing with the climate emergency.
Thanks for your comment John. It has become a very polarised debate, which, if you will forgive me, I don't really want to get too much into in the comment section. Thanks for reading. Dan.
What an excellent post regarding Alison Teal and Sheffield Green Party.Sensitively handled and objective and all the better for the local insights.Well done Tribune.
Thanks Ron 🙏 Harry is a great writer and we're very lucky he's able to do the occasional piece for us. He also makes me realise I need to up my game!
Great reporting Harry 👌👌
Such a sad state of affairs. I admire Alison Teal alot, she has integrity, after reading her stance on the trans debate she gets my vote!
In exactly what way or ways do transgender rights constitute a Green issue? None, as far as I can see.
Anyway, it's time somebody stopped pussyfooting around the trans debate. I am opposed to discrimination against trans people in the fields of housing, employment, healthcare, education and social rights. I want trans people to be able to live openly as trans people. But a man can't turn into a woman, and vice versa. Asking me to believe that people can literally change sex takes the claims to another level, and it's a step too far.
I believe in tolerance and kindness. But being kind to people who are compos mentis doesn't require us to foster their delusions, in fact, the reverse is true.
Moreover, the louder the trans lobby gets and the more people they shoot down and ostracise for disagreeing with them, the less sure of their ground I believe them to be.
There. I've said it.