Thread by @ShahrarAli

Heartbreaking to hear @RosieDuffield1 speak with such authority, dignity & insight into:
a) being target of online vitriol & abuse #cancelculture
b) failure of @UKLabour to allow debate on women's spaces
c) inability of @Keir_Starmer to meet with her.
This must change! #r4today

I feel your pain @RosieDuffield1 #solidarity 💚

Mental straightjacket of no debate probably as damaging, corrosive & oppressive to political culture, especially when pushed by spineless party leaders like @Keir_Starmer @EdwardJDavey, as it is detrimental to protection of women's sex-based rights & safeguarding of children.

Replay here bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0… 1.49hr mark. Short summary follows of main points:
Why not going to party conference: "The levels of vitriol are pretty horrible and I don't feel I wanted to go through that, to be honest."

Would it be helpful if @Keir_Starmer were to talk to you personally about it?

"Yeah, that would be good. Lots of women have been asking to meet with Starmer in groups, or one to one about this issue."

"Obviously, he's incredibly busy but it would be good just to clarify our position as a party and discuss how we go forward on this issue. I think it's really necessary that we talk about this subject."

Is it clear to you what Labour's policy is now - "No" (anticipates question) - on the question whether or not biological females have the right to have spaces where biological males cannot go?

"We pledged to uphold the 2010 Equality Act which does provide for protected spaces in certain circumstances such as women's prisons, women's domestic violence refuges and it wasn't even specific the Equality Act, just in places where it's deemed necessary."

"Of course, that's open to interpretation but I would have thought at very least that implies domestic violence settings, you know, everyone has the right to be protected and if biological females need and want spaces which are just for them, there we are, we have the 2010 EA."

On threats: "Women have every right to be able to voice their opinions. This is a cross-party issue, all women in public life, not just politicians, but anyone who puts their head above the parapet - just get abuse for the way we look, what we say, & it always turns to violence."