On Saturday, National Student Pride convened UK politicians to discuss the challenges facing LGBTQ+ students.
Hosted by Natasha Devon MBE (Columnist and LBC Presenter), the panel featured Zack Polanski, Co-Leader of the Green Party; Baroness Lynne Featherstone, Liberal Democrat Member of the House of Lords; Nickie Aiken, Conservative MP for City of Westminster; and Ashley Dalton, Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities and Labour MP for West Lancashire.
Queer Question Time addressed student inquiries, discussing issues such as transphobic crimes, self-identification of gender, financial constraints, and student activism.
At the start of the panel, Conservative MP Nickie Aiken labeled the present «political discourse [as] rock bottom», deeming Rishi Sunak’s recent jest on Labour’s gender stance during Prime Minister’s Question Time as «unfortunate.» Ashley Dalton added, «It was not very respectful of the prime minister to crack a transphobic joke».
When discussing anti-trans rhetoric, Lynne Featherstone emphasised the importance of personal connections, stating that «once you know and love someone, all the negativity disappears». Zack Polanski supported this by affirming that «Trans men are men, trans women are women, and non-binary identities are valid».
When asked about Self-ID, Ashley Dalton spoke of transforming the Gender Recognition Act, with a consultation to enable it to become «simpler and more inclusive». Referring to the Party dropping the pledge to introduce self ID, the Labour MP commented on the need for a culture change to take further, longer term steps; «as a first step the wider community wasn’t quite ready…without some form of legal process».
During a later panel discussion, Zack Polanski remarked that trans individuals «seek self ID» and «wish to use the restroom without disturbance”, underscoring the issue with Ashley Dalton supporting «a leader involved in transphobia».
Discussing Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting’s comment in 2022, «men have penises, women have vaginas», Ashley Dalton commented, «most women have a vagina, some trans men have a vagina, most men have a penis some trans women have a penis». Notably, the conversation about self identification moved away from policy and legislation, and towards genitalia, despite comments from Ashley Dalton; «we need to stop being obsessed with what other people have in their pants».
The conversation also covered other topical issues that students face, including the cost of living crisis and getting on the property ladder. Green Party Co-Leader, Zack Polanski, spoke about the ever-growing wealth inequality, commenting that «we have a prime minister who is out of touch».
An explosive debate broke out between Conservative and Labour MPs, Nickie Aiken and Ashley Dalton, around their positions on housing within the City of Westminster. Aiken referred to the scheme that she set up to help young people get on the property ladder by buying intermediate properties, which was since «scrapped» by the Labour council, whilst Dalton spoke to Labour’s national policy. Lynne Featherstone added on the current student housing crisis; «my partner and I bought our first flat for £27,000…but if you haven’t got parents that can help you, you’re completely stuffed».
To close the panel, politicians gave their suggestions for what students can do to make their voices louder. Lynne Featherstone commented, «badger the people who have aged to keep us on track». Nickie Aiken, «join a political party… Do it with respect, listen to all sides of the argument… Have your voice heard and shout it loud».
Zack Polanski warned, «If you’re not at the table you’re on the menu», while Ashley Dalton encouraged students to get» involved with student politics, decisions are being made in your university that impact you, you should have a voice in those issues». Lynne Featherstone spoke of her time campaigning against the closure of the art course at Oxford Brookes.
»campaigning is the most thrilling thing especially when you win» whilst Natasha Devon closed with the importance of elevating nuance in these conversations.
