Green Women’s Declaration at the Green Party Conference
At least 17 signatories of the Green Women’s Declaration (GWD) have been suspended or expelled from the Green Party in recent months, so GWD supporters went to the Green Party Conference to speak to members about discrimination against women in the Party. We stood outside with the ‘Greens in Exile’, a group of members who have been suspended or expelled for speaking about the rise of authoritarianism in the Party.At least 17 signatories of the Green Women’s Declaration (GWD) have been suspended or expelled from the Green Party in recent months, so GWD supporters went to the Green Party Conference to speak to members about discrimination against women in the Party. We stood outside with the ‘Greens in Exile’, a group of members who have been suspended or expelled for speaking about the rise of authoritarianism in the Party.
We had lots of discussions with members, most of which were positive. Many members were oblivious of the problems in the disciplinary system, and a disturbing number had no idea that the Party has been found guilty of discrimination against Shahrar Ali due to his Gender Critical beliefs. This is not altogether surprising because the Party has downplayed the fact that it lost in court, choosing instead to spin it as a failure of a minor procedure.
Most people were friendly, a few quietly told us that they supported us but did not want to be seen engaging with us for fear of being targeted and bullied themselves, and a handful were hostile.
Among our MPs, leaders and peers, Adrian Ramsay had a long conversation with us and said that there was to be a review of the complaints system. Ellie Chowns scuttled past looking frightened and declined to speak to us, Sian Berry and Zack Polanski (deputy leader) seemed to be using a different entrance to the venue, as they hardly ever appeared, and Carla Denyer did not attend Conference. Jenny Jones came and talked openly with GWD supporters, was friendly and quite willing to be photographed with us, whilst Natalie Bennett refused to acknowledge us at all.
We handed out several hundred GWD leaflets, spoke to reporters and on the Saturday, Dawn Furness gave a live interview to the Women’s Declaration International, the inspiration for the GWD.
During the Conference it was revealed that the Green Party Regional Council had made the idiotic decision to suspend the Green Party health spokesperson, Dr. Pallavi Devulapalli, for remarks she made during a hustings in June. Dr. Devulapalli is a respected GP and Green Party councillor. She is thoughtful and measured in her comments, but she angered the TIQA+ Greens because she signed the GWD and supports the Cass review, a motion about which was on the Conference agenda.
The news about Dr. Devulapalli hit the headlines and became a talking point at Conference. On the Sunday afternoon, GWD printed a statement from Dr. Devulapalli to give out to members. You can read that statement here.
The GWD supporters attending the conference felt it had been tiring but uplifting and very worthwhile. We will be watching to see if the review of complaints promised by Adrian Ramsay brings any changes for the better.