We asked all candidates the following questions, for which their replies are posted in full and our full justification for scoring how we did.
Pledge 1
To acknowledge wholeheartedly that fighting for LGBTIQA+ liberation goes hand in hand with fighting the climate crisis.
Each candidate replied:
Judy Maciejowska
Yes
Jon Nott
Yes, these struggles are interconnected. The people, corporations, and governments who prioritise private profit over tackling the climate crisis are the same ones who demonise, minoritise, and divide our communities through hate-fuelled rhetoric, discrimination, and violence.
I have long argued that “how we do things is as important as the goals we are trying to achieve” – we have to model the inclusive society we want to live in, just as much as we need to model ecologically sustainable behaviours (while recognising that individual behaviour change is only a precursor to the systemic changes required to tackle the interconnected crises we face).
For each candidate we scored them one point.
Pledge 2
To support and promote Green Party of England & Wales policy on LGBTIQA+ rights (including RR500 – RR539).
Each candidate replied:
Judy Maciejowska
I think it is the responsibility of LGBTIQ+ Greens to promote our policy, and I pledge through my role of Chair to support you in that endeavour
Jon Nott
Yes, human rights are universal and indivisible. Any attempt to privilege the rights of some groups over the rights of others risks undermining the rights of all.
For each candidate we scored them one point.
Pledge 3
To work with LGBTIQA+ Greens to deepen and extend the party’s support for and policies on LGBTIQA+ rights.
Each candidate replied:
Judy Maciejowska
I will support you in your endeavours, but also recognising that some rights might conflict with those of other minorities. So I pledge to work with the Equalities & Diversity Coordinator and all special interest and liberation groups to find a path that is acceptable to everybody.
Jon Nott
Yes, at a time when the LGBTIQA+ is under attack, it is more important than ever for the Green Party to live our principles and stand in solidarity.
We gave Jon one point, but gave Judy zero points. Jon’s answer is affirmative, and so is Judy’s, arguably, but we refute the idea that some rights “conflict with” “other minorities”.
Pledge 4
To work with LGBTIQA+ Greens to improve GPEW policy on trans healthcare (RR532-RR534) to provide fully funded and much-needed support to all trans people, to end segregated healthcare and to support appropriate healthcare for trans youth based on informed consent, Gillick competency and internationally recognised best practice.
Each candidate replied:
Judy Maciejowska
It is the role of the Policy Development Coordinator and Policy Development Committee to help LGBTIQA+ Greens to improve our policy. I will support that endeavour.
Jon Nott
I support the principles and policy set out in this pledge, but it is important to note that the Chair of the Executive has no formal role in the policy making process and it would be disingenuous of me to pledge to do more than use my votes to prioritise and pass these motions when they are proposed.
For each candidate we scored them one point.
Pledge 5
To support LGBTIQA+ Greens to make further gains in ensuring GPEW provides a welcoming, safe and nourishing environment for LGBTIQA+ members.
Each candidate replied:
Judy Maciejowska
Yes, always
Jon Nott
It was part of my platform when I was elected as Chair three years ago, and is part of my platform in this election, to work to ensure that the Party is inclusive and welcoming to all.
I, and the Party as a whole, have much work to do to in this area. I believe we are making progress, but there is a long way still to go.
Working with LGBTIQA+ Greens and the other liberation groups is a key part of that work.
For each candidate we scored them one point.
Pledge 6
In light of the recent Supreme Court ruling, to work with LGBTIQA+ Greens and wider queer society, organisations and allies to campaign to protect previously established trans rights and for any changes to legislation which might be needed to ensure this protection.
Each candidate replied:
Judy Maciejowska
It is the role of the Campaigns Coordinator and Campaigns Committee to work with LGBRIQA+ Greens on their campaigns. I will support their endeavour.
Jon Nott
Absolutely. To fail to stand in solidarity with the community at this time would be a failure to live up to my own values and the Party’s philosophical basis.
For each candidate we scored them one point.
Pledge 7
To fight for reform of the Gender Recognition Act to provide a kinder and less bureaucratic process for recognising trans people’s gender in law.
Each candidate replied:
Judy Maciejowska
I support LGBTIQA+ Greens’ fight for reform of the Act
Jon Nott
Yes.
For each candidate we scored them one point.
Pledge 8
To support efforts to increase the number of LGBTIQA+ candidates for election to internal positions and to public office.
Each candidate replied:
Judy Maciejowska
I support everybody’s right to stand for internal positions in the party, particularly those from minority groups. But I don’t necessarily support one minority group’s efforts over another.
Jon Nott
Yes. In the development of the process for developing and supporting potential candidates for the next General Election, I have consistently argued that inclusion needs to be woven in from the start rather than seen as afterthought.
It is essentially both on principle and for practical political reasons that our candidate pool for target seats reflects the communities we seek to serve.
Looking at the profile of our growing number of Councillors, I am confident that we are starting to make progress in relation to candidates for public office (though there is obviously still a long way to go).
There is much more work to be done in relation to internal roles, particularly the national governance bodies, and I re-commit to working with LGBTIQA+ Greens and other liberation bodies to work to improve that.
We gave Jon one point, but gave Judy zero points. Jon’s answer is affirmative, but with Judy’s answer, we feel this is a continuation of this mindset that somehow rights “conflict” and that rights for some can remove rights from others.
Pledge 9
To campaign for this government to bring forward a genuine ban on conversion therapy. Conversion therapy includes medical, psychiatric, psychological, religious, cultural or any other interventions that seek to change, “cure”, or suppress the sexual orientation and/or gender identity of a person. Any ban must protect all LGBTIQA+ people, which includes providing genuine protection for trans people.
Each candidate replied:
Judy Maciejowska
Conversion therapy is archaic, barbaric and cruel and should be banned. I will support the work of LGBTIQ+ Greens in this endeavour
Jon Nott
Absolutely. So-called “conversion therapy” is a form of abuse – it must be banned.
For each candidate we scored them one point.
Pledge 10
To stand in solidarity with LGBTIQA+ communities worldwide by working with international Green parties to oppose anti-LGBTIQA+ legislation and to promote global human rights and liberation.
Each candidate replied:
Judy Maciejowska
It is the role of the International Coordinator and the International Committee to work with LGBTIQA+ Greens and international Green Parties on this type of legislation. I will support that endeavour.
Jon Nott
Yes, it is one of the real strengths of the Green Party that we are part of a global movement and I am proud of the work we do with the European Green Party and the Global Greens to stand in solidarity and to promote universal human rights.
For each candidate we scored them one point.
Overall Scores
For each candidate we have either given them one or zero points for their answers to their questions, and their final scores and what we think for each candidate are below:
Judy Maciejowska
8/10
Judy’s answers were okay in general but we took issue to pledge answers that seemed to imply that rights for some might “conflict with” others. This is a common talking point for those who are transphobic or “gender critical”.
Jon Nott
10/10
Jon’s answers were affirmative for all ten pledges, and we’re happy to see that.
If you have any questions or concerns about the scores we provided on this page, please feel free to contact us. We’re always happy to listen to feedback for future pledges and hustings processes.