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:
Peter Allen
I acknowledge this wholeheartedly.
Thomas Atkin-Withers
Yes, Climate Justice, Economic Justice and Social Justice go hand in hand, and liberation for the LGBTIQA+ Community is no exception. The same powers putting profit before the environment are happily dividing our society, and we must fight against them on all fronts.
Fesl Reza-Khan
No Response
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:
Peter Allen
I support and would promote the above policy
Thomas Atkin-Withers
Yes, the Green Party has the most ambitious policy on LGBTIQA+ Rights, and I wholeheartedly support them, and oppose attempts to weaken or remove them.
Fesl Reza-Khan
No Response
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:
Peter Allen
I would do the above
Thomas Atkin-Withers
Yes, the principle of ‘Nothing about us without us’ is vital, and I pledge to work with groups like the LGBTIQA+ Greens and Feminist Greens to support stronger policies on LGBTIQA+ Rights
Fesl Reza-Khan
No Response
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:
Peter Allen
I would do the above
Thomas Atkin-Withers
Yes, the segregation of Trans healthcare from the rest of the NHS makes no sense for anyone, and instead needs unifying, either with GP led care or where needed with specialist care like endocrinology. We also need to make sure that fertility and reproductive care is available to all, including LGBTIQA+ people, and that gender affirming surgery is available on the NHS for all. Finally, Gillick Competency must be protected like our lives depend on it, because they do.
Fesl Reza-Khan
No Response
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:
Peter Allen
I hope that the GPEW is already a welcoming, safe and nourishing environment for LGBTIQA+ members and that it will continue to be so. I would work with LGBTIQA + Greens to address any concerns that they have.
Thomas Atkin-Withers
Yes, there have been huge issues within our party in maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for Queer members. I’ve consistently fought against this at the local, regional and national level, and pledge to support the LGBTIQA+ Greens in their work to continue to be intolerant of intolerance.
Fesl Reza-Khan
No Response
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:
Peter Allen
I would do the above and support Carla Denver’s recent statement in the issue, in which she said that she would work closely with human rights and LGBTIQA+ groups to understand the consequences of the ruling, and would support changes in legislation if needed to protect the human rights of all.
Thomas Atkin-Withers
The ruling by the supreme court is a travesty. I pledge to support the LGBTIQA+ Greens and queer society generally to make sure that new legislation is brought to protect the rights of people under the Trans umbrella
Fesl Reza-Khan
No Response
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:
Peter Allen
I would
Thomas Atkin-Withers
Yes, The GRA needs urgent reform to bring about self-identification for Trans+ people, which has been brought in without issues in countries like Germany and Canada. We also need to make sure there are reforms to allow an X marker and the legal recognition of Non-Binary identities
Fesl Reza-Khan
No Response
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:
Peter Allen
I would support such efforts
Thomas Atkin-Withers
Yes, We’ve got amazing queer people in positions of power within our party, like Carla and Zack, but elsewhere we come across as stale, pale, straight and male. We need a more diverse lot of candidates, both internally and externally.
Fesl Reza-Khan
No Response
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:
Peter Allen
I would campaign for the above.
Thomas Atkin-Withers
Yes, A ban on conversion therapy must include trans people, until all of us are safe, none of us are. The ban must be comprehensive and include all attempts to convert LGBTIQA+ People, including by religious groups.
Fesl Reza-Khan
No Response
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:
Peter Allen
I would support the above as a priority if elected as International Co-ordinator
Thomas Atkin-Withers
Yes, for the last 3 years I’ve been the International Officer for the LGBTIQA+ Greens, and this has been the focus of my work. Anti-LGBTIQA+ legislation is creeping back into the zeitgeist across the world, including in the US and EU. Hatred doesn’t end at borders, and neither can we.
Fesl Reza-Khan
No Response
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:
Peter Allen
10/10
Peter’s responses are affirmative, but lack detail. This is fine, we didn’t ask for detail specifically, what matters is that he has committed to the pledges we have asked.
Thomas Atkin-Withers
10/10
Thomas’ answers indicate that they know a lot about our LGBTIQA+ policies in the Rights and Responsibilities part of our policies, and that they will seek to push for liberation.
Fesl Reza-Khan
0/10
We didn’t receive pledge responses from Fesl.
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.