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 Policy Development Co-Ordinator candidate replied:
Anne Gayfer
I don’t see working to support any marginalised groups as being mutually exclusive to working to combat climate change. I do see that if together we do not make huge effort to keep the planet a liveable place, this will more severely and first impact on those without acknowledged rights. This is clearly unfair and dangerous in many different ways. We are heading towards an existential crisis and the best way to tackle it is to embrace diversity, for it is stronger than looking at the problem through one perspective AND will lead to a fairer outcome.
Hannah Tucker McLennan (Late Submission)
Yes, without question. Both require dismantling oppressive systems and redistributing power. I see this as proactive, not reactive, work.
We gave Anne one point for her answer.
Each Policy Development Committee candidate replied:
Dr Husam Alharahsheh
No Response
✅ Joshua Alston
I support this – the core principle is that there is no climate justice without social justice. In other words we need to ensure that we are leaving a liveable world to future generations, and we need to ensure that it is a good one.
✅ Martin Blake
It’s integral to our conviction that there’s no climate justice without social and economic justice.
✅ Ray Harding
Indeed it does
Roger Mann
No Response
Francesco Piscitelli
No Response
✅ Matthew Spoors
I acknowledge. Without accepting and celebrating the diversity of mankind we cannot fully appreciate the way our environment supports and nurtures all of us.
Fer’ha Syed
No Response
Pledge 2
To support and promote Green Party of England & Wales policy on LGBTIQA+ rights (including RR500 – RR539).
Each Policy Development Co-Ordinator candidate replied:
Anne Gayfer
I can agree to do this and furthermore I do follow these principles in my life. I have LGBTQIA+ friends. I have stood up for trans people in my community, at work, housed a homeless trans woman. I will advocate for LGBTQIA+ or any other marginalised person providing it’s an appropriate response from me.
Hannah Tucker McLennan (Late Submission)
Yes. Those policies need improving too, and LGBTQIA+ Greens should be at the centre of that process.
We gave Anne one point for her answer.\
Each Policy Development Committee candidate replied:
Dr Husam Alharahsheh
No Response
✅ Joshua Alston
I fully support these policies
✅ Martin Blake
I can support it but obviously being a member of Policy Development Committee would not of itself give me authority to promote it, other than as an ordinary member.
✅ Ray Harding
Goes without question
Roger Mann
No Response
Francesco Piscitelli
No Response
✅ Matthew Spoors
I support the rights of all people. The rights of LGBTIQA+ are inalienable.
Fer’ha Syed
No Response
Pledge 3
To work with LGBTIQA+ Greens to deepen and extend the party’s support for and policies on LGBTIQA+ rights.
Each Policy Development Co-Ordinator candidate replied:
Anne Gayfer
I think this question is better addressed to the Development Coordinator. I do not wish to encroach on their territory. However, on GPEx I would support such moves, as long as they weren’t to the detriment of other marginalised groups.
Hannah Tucker McLennan (Late Submission)
Yes. Liberation groups need to be considered, consulted, and active participants in policy creation, much earlier in the process and in a more effective way. Especially where policy directly affects them.
We gave Anne zero points for her answer. We refute the idea that being supportive of and providing policies for LGBTIQA+ people are potentially at the detriment of other marginalised groups.
Each Policy Development Committee candidate replied:
Dr Husam Alharahsheh
No Response
✅ Joshua Alston
I support this. One of the core reasons I want to be on PDC is to deepen the links between liberation and the policy process. Too often there has been a seperation between the two, with liberation groups active in governance and campaigning spheres and policy groups staying resolutely in policy. This needs to change. Drawing these connections should support liberation groups including LGBTIQA+ Greens to use their lived experiences to develop policy, and enable people involved in policy devleopment more broadly to draw on liberation groups’ lived experience. Based on the principle ‘nothing about us without us’, I will work to ensure that LGBTQIA+ Greens are aware of any policy which is directly about their community, and work with them to ensure as full a consultation as possible.
✅ Martin Blake
Yes
✅ Ray Harding
Absolutely
Roger Mann
No Response
Francesco Piscitelli
No Response
✅ Matthew Spoors
I will work closely with all and any Greens so that our policies and practices embody and promote the rights of the LGBTIQA+ community.
Fer’ha Syed
No 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 Policy Development Co-Ordinator candidate replied:
Anne Gayfer
I support the revision of these policy chapters; in fact I have been pushing to get this done ever since I was elected, but as part of the wider RR chapter. In PDC we have to focus our effort on helping policy working groups with Voting Papers. Assuming the Enabling Motion passes at this conference, the trans healthcare section will receive the priority support of PDC if I am elected.
Hannah Tucker McLennen (Late Submission)
Yes. LGBTIQA+ Greens relevance and involvement in policy is not limited to the Rights and Responsibilities chapter. We have a healthcare policy coming to conference, and there’s much more we can do to embed LGBTIQA+ liberation and care into our policies.
We gave Anne one point for her answer.
Each Policy Development Committee candidate replied:
Dr Husam Alharahsheh
No Response
✅ Joshua Alston
I support this. As attacks on LGBTIQA+ rights escalate one of the frontiers of this fight is healthcare. We need to be at the forefront on ensuring that existing healthcare is protected. We also need to go further. Anybody who knows a fair number of trans people will be familiar with horror stories about being denied gender-affirming care, long waitlists, and poor medical practice. Receiving gender affirming care should be as easy and access should be extended.
✅ Martin Blake
There are several questions in one here. It’s a field in which I’m prepared to be guided by those within the Party with relevant knowledge and experience, which in all honesty I don’t have, so I think that’s a yes!
✅ Ray Harding
Yes
Roger Mann
No Response
Francesco Piscitelli
No Response
✅ Matthew Spoors
Policy must reflect the needs of those of any identification so that their mental and physical health is supported. Where best practice is identified, it should be followed.
Fer’ha Syed
No 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 Policy Development Co-Ordinator candidate replied:
Anne Gayfer
See above
Hannah Tucker McLennan (Late Submission)
Yes. I will do everything I can in my role. Including investing in better support for working group facilitation, centring lived experience, and ensuring complaints and conflicts are handled with care, transparency and accountability.
We gave Anne one point for her answer.
Each Policy Development Committee candidate replied:
Dr Husam Alharahsheh
Response
✅ Joshua Alston
I support this. I am proud of my record of supporting LGBTIQA+ rights within the party. The principle guiding this has been one of basic solidarity: no-one can be fully safe until we are all safe. This has included appearing on a panel discussing the relationships between antisemitism, Islamophobia and queerphobia. While chair of Jewish Greens I was also active on the issue of spokespeople, engaging with members of GPEx to ensure that the spokespeople we picked were appropiate and that actions were taken in a prominent case where a spokesperson made repeated transphobic statements. This resulted in a lengthy document calling for a spokespersons dismissal and setting out methodically breaches of the code of conduct. This work was cited as influential in changing the decision making of the GPEx in the legal case Ali vs Reason: https://tribunaltweets.substack.com/p/shahrar-ali-v-green-party I am proud that my actions (along with many others making similar arguments) made GPEW a safer place for trans and non-binary people in the party.
✅ Martin Blake
Hopefully this is implicit in all the answers I’ve given above.
✅ Ray Harding
Yes, inclusivity is a key feature of the Green Party
Roger Mann
No Response
Francesco Piscitelli
No Response
✅ Matthew Spoors
Acceptance and kindness should always be ingrained in our work together. Our codes of conduct, training and guidelines should explicitly enhance how we work together so that all new Greens feel welcomed and safe.
Fer’ha Syed
No 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 Policy Development Co-Ordinator candidate replied:
Anne Gayfer
As a general principle, I would not consider identifying in any way should be a reason to make certain rights of any other group not available to all or to diminsh rights that already exist. That would clealry be unfair.
Hannah Tucker McLennen (Late Submission)
Yes. I’ll stand with LGBTIQA+ Greens and queer communities to resist any rollback of rights and ensure we push forward, not backwards.
We gave Anne zero points for her answer. We refute any idea that rights for a group of people may diminish rights for another group.
Each Policy Development Committee candidate replied:
Dr Husam Alharahsheh
No Response
✅ Joshua Alston
I support this On PDC, one of my core roles will be to bring outside expertise to the policy development process. This will include working with organisations which are devleoping policy to support LGBTIQA+ rights, and helping to bring them in to inform the relevant policy processes.
✅ Martin Blake
Indeed. As I read it, the Supreme Court ruling is actually more limited than some are trying to make out (for their own partisan reasons), but clearly a change to legislation is needed to overturn its effect.
✅ Ray Harding
Yes
Roger Mann
No Response
Francesco Piscitelli
No Response
✅ Matthew Spoors
It is essential to uphold the rights of trans people. We must all campaign together to ensure these rights are embedded in law.
Fer’ha Syed
No 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 Policy Development Co-Ordinator candidate replied:
Anne Gayfer
I think that if that if individuals are affected or impacted by their gender not being adequately recognised in law, then why wouldn’t anyone support it? I can’t see any disadvantage and potentially much advantage.
Hannah Tucker McLennan (Late Submission)
Yes. I support a demedicalised, accessible, and self-determined process based on dignity and human rights. We must replace the current bureaucratic system with one that affirms and empowers trans people.
We gave Anne one point for her answer.
Each Policy Development Committee candidate replied:
Dr Husam Alharahsheh
No Response
✅ Joshua Alston
I support this.
✅ Martin Blake
Yes, I agree with that.
✅ Ray Harding
Yes, this is much needed
Roger Mann
No Response
Francesco Piscitelli
No Response
✅ Matthew Spoors
Any legislation must be developed with the voice of those affected at its heart.
Fer’ha Syed
No Response
Pledge 8
To support efforts to increase the number of LGBTIQA+ candidates for election to internal positions and to public office.
Each Policy Development Co-Ordinator candidate replied:
Anne Gayfer
I think this question is better addressed to the Elections Coordinator. I do not wish to encroach on their territory. However, on GPEx I would support such moves, as long as they weren’t to the detriment of other marginalised groups.
Hannah Tucker McLennan (Late Submission)
Yes. Representation matters, and so does retention. I will advocate for any structural and cultural changes needed to support more LGBTIQA+ people into roles and make those spaces safer and more equitable to stay in.
We gave Anne zero points for her answer. We refute the idea that supporting rights for LGBTIQA+ people would be to the detriment to other marginalised groups.
Each Policy Development Committee candidate replied:
Dr Husam Alharahsheh
No Response
✅ Joshua Alston
I support this.
✅ Martin Blake
Obviously we don’t always know if candidates define themselves as LGBTIQA+ unless they choose to make that part of their promotion. But if there are specific barriers which prevent them from putting themselves forward, I’d support addressing those.
✅ Ray Harding
Yes
Roger Mann
No Response
Francesco Piscitelli
No Response
✅ Matthew Spoors
It is essential to ensure the provision of accessible and well promote opportunities which encourage and enable LGBTIQA + Greens to bring their talents and gifts to our team.
Fer’ha Syed
No 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 Policy Development Co-Ordinator candidate replied:
Anne Gayfer
I think this question is better addressed to the Campaigns Coordinator. I do not wish to encroach on their territory. However, on GPEx I would support such moves, as long as they weren’t to the detriment of other marginalised groups.
Hannah Tucker McLennan (Late Submission)
Yes. This must include all forms of conversion practices and should explicitly protect trans and non-binary people. We need clear legislation that recognises and prevents this abuse in all it’s forms.
We gave Anne zero points for her answer. We refute the idea that supporting rights for LGBTIQA+ people would be to the detriment to other marginalised groups.
Each Policy Development Committee candidate replied:
Dr Husam Alharahsheh
No Response
✅ Joshua Alston
I support this
✅ Martin Blake
Conversion therapy is horrendous and should have no place in any modern society, so definitely yes!
✅ Ray Harding
Absolutely conversion therapy is appaling
Roger Mann
No Response
Francesco Piscitelli
No Response
✅ Matthew Spoors
I will campaign and lobby the government to ban conversion therapy and also to continue to put education pathways in place to ensure our future generations understand the importance of acceptance and kindness for those of us on the journey of self discovery.
Fer’ha Syed
No 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 Policy Development Co-Ordinator candidate replied:
Anne Gayfer
I think this question is better addressed to the International Coordinator. I do not wish to encroach on their territory. However, on GPEx I would support such moves, as long as they weren’t to the detriment of other marginalised groups.
Hannah Tucker-McLennan (Late Submission)
Yes. Queer liberation is global, and must centre lived experience and anti-colonial solidarity. I’ll support action that challenges oppressive laws and narratives, and strengthen international links led by those most affected.
We gave Anne zero points for her answer. We refute the idea that supporting rights for LGBTIQA+ people would be to the detriment to other marginalised groups.
Each Policy Development Committee candidate replied:
Dr Husam Alharahsheh
No Response
✅ Joshua Alston
I support this. As a member of PDC, I will reach out to global Green Parties to ensure that our policies are focussed on supporting LGBTIQA+ globally, and help distribute best practice and ensure that we are all wokring together.
✅ Martin Blake
We’re a global party, so definitely yes.
✅ Ray Harding
Yes indeed
Roger Mann
No Response
Francesco Piscitelli
No Response
✅ Matthew Spoors
I will stand together.
Fer’ha Syed
No 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:
Policy Development Co-Ordinator candidates:
Anne Gayfer
5/10
Anne’s responses were a perfect “down the middle” kinda response. She felt the need to mention that rights for some might mean less rights for others – and that very much caught our attention.
Hannah Tucker McLennan (Late Submission)
10/10
Better late than never from Hannah – we liked their answers as they were all affirmative and clearly demonstrate a level of solidarity with us.
Policy Development Committee:
Dr Husam Alharahsheh
0/10
Joshua Alston
10/10
Martin Blake
10/10
Ray Harding
10/10
Roger Mann
0/10
Francesco Piscitelli
0/10
Matthew Spoors
10/10
Fer’ha Syed
0/10
The candidates for the Policy Development Committee either didn’t respond, or responded positively to our pledges.
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.