Thread by @fairplaywomen

Liberal Democrat Party requires parliamentary candidate to apologise and seek mentoring after calling women 'terfs' /1
fairplayforwomen.com/liberal-democr…

On 2 December 2020 the Liberal Democrats held an official complaints hearing after receiving multiple reports from members of the public about the unacceptable behaviour of one of their prospective parliamentary candidates (PPC) on social media /2

They ruled that a tweet posted by Dan Schmeising, their parliamentary candidate for Cardiff South and Penarth, during the run-up to the 2019 General Election brought the party into disrepute.

"Save yourself the stress and just block them mate, TERFs aren’t worth the hassle”. /3

The Panel imposed sanctions, including an apology. They also endorsed a recommendation that the Party should consider training for men in their 20s and 30s to educate them on the use of misogynistic language. /4

While they agreed is "appropriate not to be drawn into debate with those, like racists, whose views are abhorrent to right-thinking people, the panel *did not agree* that discussion about the interaction of trans rights ... can be characterised in the same way" /5

The content of the apology was set by the panel.

"I should not have used language capable of suggesting that views held by women who do not accept that trans women should in all circumstances and for all purposes be treated as women should not be heard". /6

It is also required that to continue as an approved parliamentary candidate for the Lib Dems, he should seek mentoring from an experienced candidate. To “enable him to improve his political judgment and willingness to engage appropriately with those with whom he disagrees”. /7

Last year we found 21 parliamentary candidates, including 9 Lib Dems, standing in the 2019 General Election who have labelled women as ‘terfs’ or ‘transphobes’ simply for not accepting that transwomen should be treated as women in all circumstances /8 fairplayforwomen.com/pcc/

Mr Schmeising is another example of a parliamentary candidate who thought it was acceptable to dismiss women’s opposing views in this way.

Only on this occasion he was reported to the Party by members of the public for his behaviour and found in breach of Party standards /9

This is not the first time a Lib Dem representative has been found to be in breach of Party standards for failing to treat members of the public with respect on this issue /10
fairplayforwomen.com/liberal-democr…

It is not acceptable to insult and dismiss women who hold the view that sex-based rights matter …. and thankfully it appears that the Liberal Democrat Party agrees /11

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