The recent guidelines on transgender policies in schools in England were viewed as a disappointment by Kemi Badenoch, who serves as both the Minister for Women and Equalities and the Business Secretary. It was reported that she had been advocating for a stricter approach, possibly even prohibiting social transitioning. However, this would require a modification to equality laws, and the eventual recommendations appeared to align more with the beliefs of Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, who holds more progressive views.
Badenoch has written an article for the Daily Mail in response to the subject. She appears to be defending the guidance, but in her article, she goes beyond its content and states that it is “harmful” for teachers to suggest that individuals can be born in the wrong body. She also raises doubts about the appropriateness of discussing trans children. She states:
It is harmful to teach children that they can be born in the “wrong” body. Teachers and caregivers should remember that a child’s deviation from traditional gender stereotypes does not automatically warrant medical or social transition. Although adults have the option to legally change their sex, a child’s legal sex will always align with their biological sex.
We should be cautious of individuals who speak casually about “trans children.”
Although the article expresses Badenoch’s opinions, her choice to make it public could also be motivated by her desire to counter critiques of the guidance, which was approved by both Badenoch and Keegan, from conservative Tories. Yesterday, Liz Truss, a former Prime Minister, stated that the guidance does not adequately safeguard children. Additionally, Suella Braverman, a former Home Secretary, suggested that social transitioning in schools should be prohibited. She shared these statements on X.
Initially, it is worrisome that the instructions still allow for social transitioning to occur in educational institutions. Every child is born as their true self and the concept of gender should not be promoted in schools.
This critical flaw must be resolved to eliminate any uncertainty.
Second, it is disappointing that schools will still be obliged to address gender-questioning children by their preferred pronouns in some circumstances. This should be totally prohibited.
Finally and in a broader sense, there is too much room for individual schools and teachers to use their own judgement. With numerous exceptions and limitations, the guidance can be interpreted in various ways, making it vulnerable to exploitation and manipulation.
It is anticipated that Badenoch and Braverman will be the top contenders from the conservative party in the upcoming leadership race.
My colleague, Archie Bland, has provided a thorough analysis of the guidance. You can read it here.
3.14pm.)
All major political parties in Northern Ireland rejected the act, which grants immunity from prosecution to individuals who committed crimes during the Troubles, such as murder, in exchange for cooperation with the newly established Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).
Amnesty International UK’s deputy director for Northern Ireland, Grainne Teggart, expressed:
The Irish government is taking appropriate action to support victims, uphold the rule of law, and protect human rights. It is crucial that victims have access to truth, reparations, and justice. This is an important issue for victims not just in Ireland, but also globally as they may also face potential impunity from their respective governments.
The British government persistently pushed for this law that protects individuals who commit severe human rights abuses from facing consequences. It is crucial for the Irish government to take a stance on this matter.
According to PA Media, there were conflicts in Northern Ireland known as the Troubles.
During an interview with the BBC over the weekend, the individual stated that she continuously refuted any involvement with PPE Medpro in order to shield her family from media scrutiny. She also stated, “That is not a criminal act.”
However, various media companies faced expenses in dealing with the demands of legal representatives representing Mone, who were threatening to take legal action for defamation. One of these companies, the New European, plans to take legal action next year in order to recoup the money they were forced to spend due to Mone’s false statements.
The editor-in-chief of the paper, Matt Kelly, stated:
We had to pay thousands of pounds for legal fees to address her false threats. We are seeking a refund.
Additionally, our goal is to create a preventive measure for wealthy individuals who may attempt to deceive and hinder truthful journalism. We anticipate Mone’s court appearance in the upcoming year.
Kelly is collaborating with the Good Law Project, a group that utilizes legal action to uphold good governance standards, in preparation for the upcoming case against Mone. They have consulted with solicitors and counsel and anticipate the trial to commence in the beginning of next year.
Jolyon Maugham KC, the founder of the Good Law Project, stated:
The law should not be used as a means for the wealthy to intimidate and silence those who are less fortunate. Our goal is to increase consequences for those who commit such severe violations.
The National Crime Agency is currently looking into Mone for potential involvement in the awarding of PPE Medpro Covid contracts. Despite repeated denials of any wrongdoing, Mone stated in a BBC interview that she believes she is being unfairly blamed.
Typically, Wellingborough is considered a secure Conservative constituency. The Labour party has not been victorious in an election there since 2001.
According to Sunder Katwala, leader of British Futures thinktank, the Labour party has only managed to overturn a majority of that size in a byelection on three occasions in the past. However, all three of those byelections occurred within the last year, making it reasonable to believe that Labour can achieve a similar victory again.
According to Savanta, a polling firm, their MRP model predicts that Labour may have a chance of winning. MRP, a type of polling that uses demographic data to estimate voting patterns, suggests that Wellingborough could potentially vote Labour in the next election.
According to Britain Elects, the New Statesman’s Britain Predicts model predicts that Wellingborough will vote for Labour.
Labour Together, a think tank associated with the Labour party, has stated that a close victory would have negative consequences for Rishi Sunak. According to Josh Williams, the think tank’s director of strategy, this would be a disastrous outcome.
The town of Wellingborough has a significant Conservative majority of more than 18,000 and was a strong supporter of Brexit. If the Labour party is able to secure a win in Wellingborough, it will be a noteworthy achievement.
However, this is a significant condition. The 18% shift that Labour would require is greater than the current national polling. Recently, Labour has managed to overturn some substantial majorities.
A significant shift towards Labour, even if it results in the Tories barely winning, will further prove that the country is prepared for a change.
The reduction of budget due to the handling of the economy by the Conservative government in Westminster.
In an interview with PA Media, Drakeford, who is standing down as first minister early next year, said he was “optimistic” for Labour’s prospects in Wales at the general election
When asked about the potential impact of the draft budget on his party’s electoral standing, he responded:
I believe individuals in Wales will comprehend the circumstances in which the budget is determined.
We have had to find £1.3bn in our budget compared to the budget that was set for us by the Tories. That is the point I think we keep trying to explain to people.
During his tenure as chancellor of the exchequer, Rishi Sunak allocated a budget for us through the comprehensive spending review. However, the current value of this budget is £1.3bn lower than when it was originally set.
The challenge we are currently experiencing is a direct consequence of the way the Tories have handled the economy and the effects of inflation. As a result, I believe there is a general understanding in Wales of who is responsible for this situation.
Drakeford also said that, after stepping down, he would not accept a seat in the House of Lords as an unelected peer. He said:
If I were ever approached, I would not seek to join an unelected House of Lords. I firmly believe that this is not a suitable way to govern in a democratic society.
Kemi Badenoch, the minister for women and equalities and business secretary, was disappointed by the transgender guidelines for schools in England as they did not align with her push for a ban on social transitioning. However, implementing this would require a change in equality law. The final proposals appeared to be more in line with the views of Gillian Keegan, the more progressive education secretary.
Badenoch’s response to the issue was to publish an article in the Daily Mail. She claims to be defending the guidance, but her article goes beyond its content by suggesting that it is “harmful” for teachers to acknowledge that individuals may be born in a body that does not align with their gender identity. She also raises doubts about the appropriateness of discussing transgender children.
It is damaging to instruct children that they might have been born in the incorrect body. Educators and caregivers must be reminded that a child’s non-conformity to traditional gender roles does not warrant pushing them towards medical or social transitioning. While laws exist allowing adults to legally change their gender, a child’s legal gender always aligns with their biological gender.
Therefore, it is important to be cautious of individuals who casually discuss “trans children”.
Although Badenoch’s opinions are represented in the article, her choice to release it could also be motivated by her attempt to address backlash against the guidelines, which were co-authored by both Badenoch and Keegan, from conservative members of the party. On X, Liz Truss, a former Prime Minister, criticized the guidelines for not adequately safeguarding children while Suella Braverman, a former Home Secretary, advocated for a ban on social transitioning in schools.
I am concerned that the guidance allows for social transitioning in schools. Every child is born with their own body and gender identity should not be promoted in schools.
This significant vulnerability must be resolved to eliminate any uncertainty.
Furthermore, it is disheartening that schools may still be required to use a child’s preferred pronouns in certain situations, even if they are questioning their gender. This should be completely forbidden.
Finally, in a broader sense, there is excessive leeway given to individual schools and teachers. Due to numerous exceptions and conditions, the instructions can be interpreted in various ways and easily taken advantage of through loopholes.
In the upcoming Conservative party leadership competition, Badenoch and Braverman are anticipated to be the top contenders from the political right.
My coworker Archie Bland provides a thorough explanation of the guidelines, which can be found here.
A Treasury official in the Times disclosed that, during the summer of 2020 when the government was exploring options to stimulate the economy, they contemplated distributing pre-paid debit cards to individuals.
Dan York-Smith, currently serving as the director general for tax and welfare at the Treasury, was previously in charge of the strategy, planning, and budget group during the Covid period. In his witness statement, he talks about the plan. Another idea that was looked into was distributing vouchers for certain retail industries.
However, both suggestions were rejected and the Treasury ultimately chose to implement the “eat out to help out” (EOTHO) program for subsidizing restaurants. York-Smith explains:
The initial choice, specifically the allocation of prepaid debit cards, posed considerable obstacles and potential hazards. For instance, enrolling every adult in the UK would have been extremely difficult to accomplish within the given timeframe. Even if it could be accomplished, there would have been significant risks involved in distributing tens of millions of cards through the mail as part of a heavily promoted and advertised program, such as theft, fraud, and loss. This same risk applied to the mailing out of vouchers as well. Additionally, a large customer support team would have been necessary, but one did not exist. The shortened timeline of the program magnified the importance of these challenges.
York-Smith verifies that there was no dedicated evaluation of the potential impact of the EOTHO scheme on the transmission of Covid-19. However, he notes that the Treasury proceeded with the implementation in light of thorough decisions made by the government regarding the safe removal of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs).
The commencement of the three-day strike by junior doctors in England today is deemed as “highly regrettable” by the concerned individual.
It is unfortunate that at this specific moment, when the NHS will face increased strain during the holiday season and colder temperatures, the doctors have chosen to withdraw from the negotiations.
Stride stated that the request for a 35% salary increase by junior doctors was not feasible and that they were in a unique position compared to other public sector groups who have already agreed upon pay agreements.
Drawing parallels between the administration of Covid vaccines and the Holocaust.
Now they’ve split. In a statement posted on X, Bridgen says he has resigned from the party because of a “difference of direction”. He wants to focus on his anti-vaccine campaigning.
Bridgen said:
This morning, I have come to the difficult choice of stepping down from the Reclaim political party. I want to express my gratitude to Laurence and the entire team at Reclaim for their unwavering support over the past nine months.
Due to a divergence in the party’s direction, I have made the decision to step away. However, I remain a staunch supporter of the Reclaim party’s principles and objectives and wish them success in their future pursuits.
I am faced with a critical choice as the general election approaches in the first half of next year. My priority must be the well-being of North West Leicestershire, rather than any political affiliation. I will persist in advocating for the residents of this constituency and striving to deliver what is in their best interest.
Since I was first elected in 2010, I have continuously advocated against HS2. I have played a leading role in revealing issues such as the concealment of modern day slavery in Leicester and the Post Office Horizon scandal, which was discussed in Parliament yesterday.
I have been advocating for individuals who have experienced harm from vaccines and revealing the concerning concealment of patterns of increased deaths both nationally and worldwide.
The Covid inquiry has released numerous new evidence on its website. It will take some time for journalists to thoroughly review them. Due to the Commons being in recess and a decrease in other political news, there is now more opportunity to examine them.
The most notable narrative thus far is from Penny Mordaunt’s testimony. Mordaunt, currently the leader of the House of Commons, recounts how a string of WhatsApp messages exchanged with Boris Johnson vanished from her phone. Additionally, she mentions that Johnson’s former chief of staff disregarded 14 of her attempts to schedule a meeting to address the issue. Peter Walker has covered this story.
Johnson stated during the investigation earlier this month that he was unaware of the reason for the disappearance of thousands of his WhatsApp messages. However, he also claimed that he did not deliberately delete them. Mordaunt’s account may raise doubts regarding the accuracy of Johnson’s explanation.
Gavin Williamson, the former education secretary, is one of the MPs who submitted a statement for the second phase of the investigation, which focuses on governance. However, he did not testify in person. His statement has been released and includes his criticism of Johnson for hastily closing schools in January 2021. Williamson claims it was a “rushed decision.”
In December 2020, the Prime Minister initially considered my advice regarding the decision to close schools in January 2021. With this in mind, I collaborated with Matt Hancock, the health secretary, to develop thorough plans for the return to school. Headteachers and DfE officials also worked throughout the Christmas period to facilitate this. However, I believe that on the final decision to close schools on January 4th, 2021, the PM did not fully consider my advice or prioritize the well-being of children.
I deemed this choice to be incorrect for two reasons. First, we had witnessed the negative effects, particularly on underprivileged children, of not having schools open and operating as normal. I was worried that imposing another round of restrictions would hinder children’s educational recovery and progress even more. Second, I felt it was entirely unnecessary. Even though there were extremely high rates of Covid-19 in several cities and towns in the north, schools in these areas were able to remain open during this time. While this may have been extremely difficult on a national level, I believed it was the right thing to do because keeping children in school was highly beneficial for them. I still hold the belief that the decision did not adequately consider the interests and well-being of children. In my opinion, the choice to close schools in January 2021 was unwarranted. It was a hasty decision, made without prioritizing the well-being of children.
Throughout the day, I will share additional information from the Covid documents.
In other news, Westminster is relatively quiet, however, junior doctors in England are currently on strike, the Scottish parliament is in session, and the government has received positive updates on inflation, which is being reported by Julia Kollewe on her business live blog.
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Source: theguardian.com
