Tory Conference, how to alienate a comminity

Last week as the Tory Conference in Manchester. Funny how they come to the North West, one of the areas of failed promises of "levelling up" on the week they cut the Universal Credit £20 per week boost when the Pandemic is still going on. That is the equivalent of a weeks worth of food for many families up here. (I am from the North West England).

Speech

Carrie Johnson, the PM's wife, made a speech at a side event organized by Stonewall, the biggest LGBT charity in the UK and one that is steadfast in its support for Transgender Rights (Read the LGB Section below). She said a lot of good things. The PM needs to learn a few things though, actions speak louder than words.

LGB Alliance

First thing they did was invite the Anti-Trans organisation, the LGB Alliance. This organisation is supported by people who are homophobic, transphobic and neo-nazies. They want to erase the "T" out of "LGBT". Most LGBT people do not support them in the slightest as was witnessed in the recent London Pride event where one of there supporters was made not welcome in the event.

LGBT Conservative's

Also they put the LGBT Conservative's in "Section 28" of the conference. This could not be more offensive to the entire LGBT community. The Tories, under there so called "Iron Lady" leader, Margaret Thatcher, who was only popular thanks to the Falklands War, introduced an Anti LGBT bill that passed into law in 1998. It was called Section 28.

What was Section 28?

• Section 28 of the Local Government Act was enacted in May 1988

• It was brought in to "prohibit the promotion of homosexuality by local authorities"

• That's local councils - the organisations responsible for things like social care, rubbish collection and schools

• The law was partly inspired by a 1983 story book called Jenny Lives with Eric and Martin, which aimed to give children information about different types of family relationships

• Tory Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher said at the time: "Children who need to be taught to respect traditional moral values are being taught that they have an inalienable right to be gay. All of those children are being cheated of a sound start in life."

• There were mass protests by LGBT+ campaigners

• The law was stopped in Scotland in 2000 and in the rest of the United Kingdom in 2003.

Conclusion

The difference between this and the recent Labour conference is remarkable. Annelise Dodds speech on the main floor where she said "Trans Rights are Human Rights" and Angela Rayner, the Deputy leader, stead fast support for the LGBT community compared to to the virtual signalling of the Tories, like Liz Truss standing in front of the LGBT Conservative's stand for a photo shoot even though it is well documented she is Anti LGBT is remarkable. This is the reason why I am now a proud member of the Labour Party.