A LibDem councillor in Horsham has been suspended from her group and now sits as an independent after trying to table a motion backing the Supreme Court’s ruling that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex. What’s going on with the LibDems…
Sam Bateman, who represents Billingshurst, submitted a motion asking the council to protect single-sex spaces, update staff training and record sex and gender reassignment as separate characteristics in equality monitoring. The council rejected it, calling it “frivolous, offensive, vexatious or out of order” and claiming it would increase council spending…
Bateman alleges her LibDem colleagues “demanded silence”:
“Silence is never a neutral act. Demanding silence disrespected my beliefs and sent the message that attacks on women’s rights can continue.”
She then stopped paying her group tithes. LibDem group leader Martin Boffey says she “seriously breached” group rules twice and will stay suspended “until such time as she is fully committed to following group rules.” Does that include opposing the Supreme Court?
This comes after LibDem members at their Brighton conference voted for a motion calling rules protecting single-sex spaces “discriminatory and unworkable”. Bateman remains a party member. For now…
Kemi Badenoch at the 1922-ConHome bash last night:
“I did praise [Burnham] for his stamina, it was amazing. All I had to do was sit back and lie there. I didn’t have to do anything at all…”