Green Party faces backlash at annual conference over trans rights debate

The Green Party is facing significant internal conflict regarding its stance on trans rights, leading to accusations of exiling members with gender-critical views. Long-serving members claim that the party's governance has been overtaken by 'gender ideologues,' resulting in an abused complaints system. A protest group, Greens In Exile, has emerged, highlighting the tensions between suspended members and party officials, which they argue is damaging the party's recent electoral successes. The controversy intensified following a court ruling that found the party discriminated against former deputy leader Dr. Shahrar Ali due to his gender-critical beliefs. Dr. Ali's removal from his spokesperson role was deemed 'procedurally unfair' as the party failed to demonstrate any breaches of conduct. This ruling has prompted more members facing disciplinary actions to consider legal recourse. Emma Bateman, a long-time member who received a no-fault suspension, expressed concerns about the lack of open discussion on contentious issues within the party. She emphasized that if fundamental beliefs, such as the distinction between men and women, cannot be openly discussed, the party's credibility on other issues, like climate change, may suffer. The Green Party has acknowledged the need for a review of its processes to ensure fairness and robustness in handling complaints. A spokesperson reiterated the party's commitment to allowing diverse views to coexist, indicating a potential shift in how internal disputes are managed moving forward.