Thread by @Womans_Place_UK

Introduction by @rebelyarns. It's important and necessary for feminists to discuss strategy. Where better than FiLiA. #WPUKFiLiA.

We are making a space for respectful disagreement. It's a skill to be able to disagree well - let's not waste the opportunity. #WPUKFiLiA

Pragna Patel introduced. She's talking about the circumstances we find ourselves in #WPUKFiLiA. The rise of the far and religious right.

Added to this is the complexity of identity politics that has gripped those on the so-called left. The logic of that politics also divisive #WPUKFiLiA

Where should feminism position itself in this context? We need to make a political home of our own. #WPUKFiLiA

This is what we did with @SBSisters - against the neglect of struggle against sexism of the anti-racist movement and against racism in the women's movement. While also building solidarity with movements for social justice. #WPUKFiLiA

How do we navigate - Pragna giving an example of sex selective abortion. The use of the issue by the anti-abortion right to limit abortion by the backdoor.

It was clear that criminalisation of sex selective abortion was also used by anti-immigrant forces. Appropriating the language of feminism #WPUKFiLiA.

This is why we need autonomous feminist movement. We must be amongst the first to defend not only women's rights but also democratic rights. #WPUKFiLiA.

Now showing short film clip by @shesrightyoukno about the network of Council for National Policy organisations.

Film discusses the politics Heritage Foundation, Concerned Women of America, Alliance for Defending Freedom, Independent Women's Forum - the full film will be available on @shesrightyoukno and @Womans_Place_UK channels.

ADF-UK is already organising to oppose buffer zones around abortion clinics in the UK #WPUKFiLiA

Independent Women's Forum (a CNP organisation) uses feminist language to oppose gun control. #WPUKFiLiA

IWF has always opposed Title IX, but now is in coalition with Save Women's Sports and some feminist organisations. But do we have the same objections? #WPUKFiLiA

Audience invited to talk to each other about how they navigated pincer movement of 'rock and hard place' #WPUKFiLiA

Now introducing @PHSevern - a teacher, trade unionist and socialist, and founding member of @Womans_Place_UK

Women have been at the heart of trade unionism from the origins - matchmakers, chainmakers, Dagenham. This is our movement #WPUKFiLiA #FiLiA2022

If the structures are not working for us, we need to change them. In the NEU we set up informal women's networks - to bring women together and to put pressure on the policy and structures #WPUKFiLiA #FiLiA2022

For example, we campaigned for women to have a bigger role in speaking and also on leadership bodies. There is an expectation that delegations are 50% women. #FiLiA2022 #WPUKFiLiA

This is our movement, if we walk away we concede that we were always visitors. We are certainly not. Policy is not either wholly won or lost, it is for us to fight for. #WPUKFiLiA #FiLiA2022

Audience now invited to have conversation amongst themselves about situations where they have had to organise against hostility or being pushed out of campaigns or organisations in their own lives #WPUKFiLiA #FiLiA2022

Introducing Ali Ceesay - a community activist and feminist, @Womans_Place_UK events organiser, member of Brighton Women's Liberation Collective.

I am not an ‘academic’, I am a single mum, a survivor, living, like so many of us, with ongoing abuse. I juggle paid work with the unpaid work of motherhood. And, like so many, every part of my life is made smaller and more difficult under the diminishing welfare state.

As the panel have explained, we find ourselves in a tricky spot. When the institutionalized left betrays us and the right sends us to the food bank what do we do?

What is the feminist response?

#WPUKFiLiA #FiLiA2022

We do what women have done for hundreds of years- we take it into our own hands. 
We think about the changes we want and then we organise, we collectivise and we strategise - we get to work. 
We organise in a way that leaves no woman behind. 
#WPUKFiLiA #FiLiA2022

Talking movingly about the solidarity work in supporting migrant women in Calais. #WPUKFiLiA #FiLiA2022

Talking now about the efficacy of organising in Brighton. The importance of autonomous women's liberation organising. #WPUKFiLiA #FiLiA2022

Contributions from the audience. Including @JoBrew6 @ClaireShrugged and many others.

@OHaraMaureen9 stating that @WDI_UK do not work with the right.

@GappyTales asking about how Brighton Sisters Salon organise - Ali Ceesay will address this in closing.

Panellists now wrapping up. Ali Ceesay - it's not enough to anti-racist, we have to be explicitly so. We are a political movement so need clear lines. Answers @GappyTales question about self-organisation.

Philipa Harvey gives example of how the attack on @FiLiA_charity within NEU actually had effect of creating pushback and opening eyes of many more to the brilliant work of FiLiA. #WPUKFiLiA #FiLiA2022

Katherine Acosta addressing the sneakiness of the far and religious right, how they launder themselves and present themselves in feminist clothes.

Pragna Patel wrapping up. There is no alliance with the right that does not leave women behind. Sometimes the way the left behaves is like the right! We (feminists) have to be the custodians of the left! #WPUKFiLiA #FiLiA2022