We asked all three 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:
Dan Johnston
Yes – the climate crisis and its causes are entangled with the fight for liberation for all people. LGBTIQA+ liberation must be at the heart of our climate action.
Jonathan Kent
Yes
Laura Manston
YES. Social justice, including LGBTIQA liberation, is intrinsically linked to climate justice.
For each candidate we scored them one point. Every answer was affirmative and went into various amounts of detail, but quantifying answers was optional – what matters here is the affirmative response.
Pledge 2
To support and promote Green Party of England & Wales policy on LGBTIQA+ rights (including RR500 – RR539).
Each candidate replied:
Dan Johnston
Yes – I support current Green Party policies on LGBTIQA+ rights and will ensure that I apply this support in our communications.
Jonathan Kent
Yes
Laura Manston
YES. I recently challenged my County Council Leader’s attempt to remove a book called “The Autistic Trans Guide to Life” from libraries.
For each candidate we scored them one point. Every answer was affirmative and went into various amounts of detail, but quantifying answers was optional – what matters here is the affirmative response.
Pledge 3
To work with LGBTIQA+ Greens to deepen and extend the party’s support for and policies on LGBTIQA+ rights.
Each candidate replied:
Dan Johnston
Yes – I would like to have an open line of communication with the chairs and/or press officers of all liberation groups, including LGBTIQA+ greens, to deliver communications that are truly representative and supportive.
Jonathan Kent
Yes
Laura Manston
YES. As Co Chair of Kent Greens, I created a committee role for a permanent LGBTIQA representative.
For each candidate we scored them one point. Every answer was affirmative and went into various amounts of detail, but quantifying answers was optional – what matters here is the affirmative response.
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:
Dan Johnston
Yes – as we all know trans rights are under constant attack in Britain not only from the right, but from Keir Starmer’s Labour Party. The Green Party must lead the way in protecting trans rights and I will use my position on GPEX to help make that happen.
Jonathan Kent
Yes
Laura Manston
YES. I sit on the Housing and Health Committee as a District Councillor and have served on the Community Wellbeing Board of the LGA so healthcare policy is important to me and trans-inclusive healthcare is an essential part of that.
For each candidate we scored them one point. Every answer was affirmative and went into various amounts of detail, but quantifying answers was optional – what matters here is the affirmative response.
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:
Dan Johnston
Yes – absolutely. I will maintain contact with LGBTIQA+ Greens to support this goal however I can. Messaging is clearly important in providing a safe and welcoming environment, and that will be a huge part of my role.
Jonathan Kent
Yes
Laura Manston
YES. Our party must offer a safe space for those who have been left out of and forgotten by so many other parts of society.
For each candidate we scored them one point. Every answer was affirmative and went into various amounts of detail, but quantifying answers was optional – what matters here is the affirmative response.
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:
Dan Johnston
Yes – the recent Supreme Court Ruling was devastating, and a very political act in my opinion. We absolutely must work to enshrine stronger rights and protections for trans people in law to negate the impact of the ruling as soon as possible.
Jonathan Kent
Yes
Laura Manston
YES. Collaboration is key to creating and protecting the best policy.
For each candidate we scored them one point. Every answer was affirmative and went into various amounts of detail, but quantifying answers was optional – what matters here is the affirmative response.
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:
Dan Johnston
Yes – the current process causes harm to trans people, and there is literally no downside to making the process easier, despite what the noisiest opponents will say.
Jonathan Kent
Yes
Laura Manston
YES. It’s shocking that this antiquated view of gender still exists in our legislation.
For each candidate we scored them one point. Every answer was affirmative and went into various amounts of detail, but quantifying answers was optional – what matters here is the affirmative response.
Pledge 8
To support efforts to increase the number of LGBTIQA+ candidates for election to internal positions and to public office.
Each candidate replied:
Dan Johnston
Yes – we cannot possibly hope to bring about a fairer society if our elected representatives, internal or external, do not accurately reflect and represent the society we live in. LGBTIQA+ people’s lived experiences are crucial to building our movement.
Jonathan Kent
Yes
Laura Manston
YES. Lived experience is vital for us to create a more representative cohort of leaders.
For each candidate we scored them one point. Every answer was affirmative and went into various amounts of detail, but quantifying answers was optional – what matters here is the affirmative response.
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:
Dan Johnston
Yes – I 100% support this and will include it in any future external comms plan.
Jonathan Kent
Support
Laura Manston
YES. These inhumane practices must be ended as soon as possible.
For each candidate we scored them one point. Every answer was affirmative and went into various amounts of detail, but quantifying answers was optional – what matters here is the affirmative response.
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:
Dan Johnston
Yes – nobody is safe until everybody is safe, we must work to support and increase LGBTIQA+ rights around the world.
Jonathan Kent
Absolutely
Laura Manston
YES. We are all part of a global society and progressive change must know no boundaries.
For each candidate we scored them one point. Every answer was affirmative and went into various amounts of detail, but quantifying answers was optional – what matters here is the affirmative response.
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:
Dan Johnston
10/10
We think Dan’s responses to our pledges were well thought out and it seems that Dan has a good idea of the challenges that face LGBTIQA+ people in modern day Britain.
Jonathan Kent
10/10
While Jonathan didn’t quantify his answers, this was not required, so we sadly can’t go into too much detail or think too deeply about the answers he’s provided, however he did still score perfectly.
Laura Manston
10/10
Laura’s responses were very well thought out and it seems that Laura has explicitly been on the forefront of standing up for the rights of LGBTIQA+ people, especially with her time on Kent County Council.
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.