Thread by @WeAreFairCop

About to start our webinar with @SafeSchools_UK in next 10 minutes!

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Opening remarks from Harry Miller - we are resisters! We want protection for children, police to uphold the law and teachers and councils to have good guidance not #GenderWoowoo - so good synergy with @SafeSchools_UK

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Asking Harry - what’s been the most significant event recently that shows the tide is turning? we decided we needed to go after those in power - Jenga warfare. If we could win one significant battle would give us the energy to go on and win more. The fight is political.

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It’s a political battle - and one we can win. Not surprised to see the withdrawal. We have given them a bloody nose - by knowing our facts and knowing our law. Big problem is separating guidance from law.

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Ask Harry if any updates to the Supreme Court hearing - still waiting! Hoping to hear soon. Really looking forward to it!

Question - its expensive to use the laws to challenge this - is there a more sustainable way? Harry - can’t see another way, wish there was.

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Harry Miller - when we lose democracy it won’t be via tanks, we will barely notice. It will still say democracy on the tin, but the contents won’t be democratic. That’s what we have noticed. Ideological influence and no debate - akin to blasphemy laws. #Jenga

And now @SafeSchools_UK - a little over a year since we formed. Have been challenging Oxfordshires guidance for a long time. We want to lobby and provide a voice for safeguarding in all diversity and inclusivity polices. Want a voice at senior level. And to encourage grass roots!

It has been difficult as people were hitting brick walls. We have given a structure, template letters, 10 Red Flags document which has been proving popular and is letting people know what to look out for.

We followed very detailed consultation with Oxford and can understand everyone’s frustration. The only next step was to challenge it legally - there is no other option for us, in terms of actually getting real change at top level. But people also need to make lots of noise!

We need lots of people challenging schools to say we are not happy with what’s happening. It’s all there for you on the website - we have Get involved section of website. Template letter that lists councils who have withdrawn guidance.

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You are welcome to use our pre action protocol. We have a real opportunity to go back to local authorities and start ball rolling again.

Leicester have just confirmed they have withdrawn!!!

The hard work is only just starting. We need to keep up the momentum.

we want to say a big thank you to Wendy @SResisters who has been a powerhouse!

We need to keep the pressure up.

Raise the question about the Gov guidance in 2019 - @SafeSchools_UK think there is political willingness to look now at how that guidance has been captured. This has to go to the top.

Question - do we need to JR the DoE?

Harry - these things are expensive! You need £100-150K if going through with JR. That’s why we need Jenga warfare. Hopefully we win and we take the energy and lessons learned from individual JRs and apply methodically to other organisations.

Harry - I enjoy these battles as we are dealing with sensible people in High Court judges. We need to draw back to rationality and reason and we will triumph.

We come back to fact that parents must find out what is going on in their schools and challenge - that parents feel confident to challenge. We will list 10 worst offenders! #Jenga

There is a lot of work to undo. There are so many organisations out there providing RSE education who shouldn’t be. People have been afraid to challenge as they don’t want to be accused of bigotry. Gas lighting. we want to give parents the confidence.

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Harry - we need to show Stonewall for what they are. An ideologically driven political group. Fine. Let them do that. What we are bothered about is that organisations who are supposed to be NOT political have bought into a political organisation!

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Schools shouldn’t be aligning with any political ideology or any political view point. We need to show schools what Stonewall is about. There should be no pride in being a Stonewall ally. Schools should not be dictated to by ANY political ideology.

Have Stonewall admitted they have got the law wrong. Harry Miller - yes. They know what they are doing. It’s straightforward manipulation and capitalising on other people’s ignorance.

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Stonewall refusing to fund any lesbian rights groups. Business model of monopoly supply of workplace training adds a professional and financial incentive to keep going along with bandwagon. It’s a racket.

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We are rightly questioned about the need for legal cases - they are expensive. But what are the other options? we hit brick walls. That is why we have to do this legally. No other option left for us now.

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But atmosphere is changing - people understand we are worried about safeguarding. The public for the most part are with us. Two pronged approach. But we can’t do it with the legal challenge.

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We would have liked to fight Oxford in court. We need legal precedent. But there will be another opportunity. Lots of councils out there who won’t give in quite so readily. Will be vigilant and carry on. #Jenga

If anyone out there wants to make a legal challenge - contact @SafeSchools_UK and we can help.

Dealing with criticisms of the religious and political affiliations of the lawyer helping - Harry Miller - he’s a good lawyer and a does a good job. His religion is his business.

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We are non political and non religious - we are focused on safeguarding. If our lawyer can work with us and support us that’s great. It’s a deeply unpleasant attack on a man for his religious belief. This is a protected characteristic.

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Is there a value on pressing a pause button on RSE? Supposed to start in September but schools in disarray. Creates a window of opportunity for Stonewall to offer tailor made resource packs. Do we need a bigger push? Until parents have been consulted and proper training.

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Excellent meeting! Thanks to our speakers and to all the participants. Some very useful suggestions and comments.

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