Chair pledge responses

Liz did not reply. Ewan scored 8. Ashley and Benjamin scored 8. Adrian scored 7.5.

We asked the four candidates for chair to back our eight LGBTIQA+ pledges. Adrian submitted a written response.  Liz did not reply. A committee of volunteers scored the written responses. We have scored:

  • Ashley Routh and Benjamin Smith - 8 points
  • Adrian Spurrell - 7.5 points
  • Ewan Jones - 8 points
  • Liz Reason - no reply
See the rest of the pledges

Pledge one - responses

We ask you to commit to: Campaign with the LGBTIQA+ Greens to protect trans rights in the Equality Act and fight for reform of the Gender Recognition Act. For a kinder and less bureaucratic process for recognising trans people’s gender

Ashley Routh and Benjamin Smith - 1

Adrian Spurrell - 1

Ewan Jones - 1

Liz Reason - no reply

Ashley Routh & Benjamin Smith

Ashley and Ben unequivocally backed this pledge

Adrian Spurrell

Adrian wrote:

"I absolutely support protecting trans rights. Our society is often cruel in its dealing with trans people and hard won rights mustn’t be given away. I am not fully aware of the GRA’s text, but am fully supportive of the need for compassionate, supportive and straightforward processes for all people who are transitioning or questioning their gender."

We scored this one point

Ewan Jones

Ewan unequivocally backed this pledge

Pledge two - responses

Recognise non binary identities are valid and promise to ensure they are recognised in internal processes and in wider society

Ashley Routh and Benjamin Smith - 1

Adrian Spurrell - 1

Ewan Jones - 1

Liz Reason - no reply

Ashley Routh & Benjamin Smith

Ashley and Ben unequivocally backed this pledge

Adrian Spurrell

Adrian wrote:

"I do recognise that non-binary identities exist and am fully supportive that no one should be disadvantaged as a result of their gender in either the party or wider society."

We scored this one point

Ewan Jones

Ewan unequivocally backed this pledge

Pledge three - responses

Supporting reserved places on the Green Party Council for LGBTIQA+ people

Ashley Routh and Benjamin Smith - 1

Adrian Spurrell - 1

Ewan Jones - 1

Liz Reason - no reply

Ashley Routh & Benjamin Smith

Ashley and Ben unequivocally backed this pledge

Adrian Spurrell

Adrian wrote:

"Yes I agree and this what I am currently leading on, to get implemented."

We scored this one point

Ewan Jones

Ewan wrote:

"Qualified, not related to LGBTIQA+ Greens, but as I do not fully support the new Green Party Council structure, which I fear to be low on real Power (this will reside in the new Board), and hence risks becoming a diverting 'talking shop', and competitor to Conference."

"I also feel it to be the responsibility of the Chair of GPEx is to maximise the Green Party’s external impact by making the structure that we have work as well as possible, not waste excessive GPEx energies Campaigning for any particular ’to be’ internal structure. This remains the responsibility of the Holistic Review Transition Team to deliver."

We scored this one point.

Pledge four - responses

Supporting efforts to get more LGBTIQA+ people elected to be Councillors and more

Ashley Routh and Benjamin Smith - 1

Adrian Spurrell - 0.5

Ewan Jones - 1

Liz Reason - no reply

Ashley Routh & Benjamin Smith

Ashley and Ben unequivocally backed this pledge

Adrian Spurrell

Adrian wrote:

"Ideally our councillors and parliamentarians would reflect the diversity of the population at large and I will be pushing to ensure that we have more councillors and parliamentarians and that in that regard we represent the communities we serve."

"I would hope that LGBTIQA+ Greens would help me in this as they are best placed to offer support."

We scored this half a point. We'd like to have a clearer affirmative response on how.

Ewan Jones

Ewan unequivocally backed this pledge

Pledge five - responses

Supporting gender affirming healthcare for trans youth rejecting ideological interference with current practice

Ashley Routh and Benjamin Smith - 1

Adrian Spurrell - 1

Ewan Jones - 1

Liz Reason - no reply

Ashley Routh & Benjamin Smith

Ashley and Ben unequivocally backed this pledge

Adrian Spurrell

Adrian wrote:

"I’m afraid I am not fully aware of the nuance of this question. As I stated earlier, I believe that we should have in place a well-funded and robust social support structure for all young people and that this service would include compassionate, informed and professional support for trans youths as well."

"LGBTIQA+ healthcare should be evidence based and prioritise the wellbeing of the person over ideologies."

We scored this one point

Ewan Jones

Ewan unequivocally backed this pledge

Pledge six - responses

Agree to press for full implementation of the government's LGBT+ Action plan including legislating a ban on conversion therapy

Ashley Routh and Benjamin Smith - 1

Adrian Spurrell - 1

Ewan Jones - 1

Liz Reason - no reply

Ashley Routh & Benjamin Smith

Ashley and Ben unequivocally backed this pledge

Adrian Spurrell

Adrian wrote:

"I am not fully aware of the government’s LGBT+ action plan is so can’t comment on that, however, I am fully supportive of a ban on conversion therapy; and would support the implementation of the governments’ action plan if that is what is felt best by the LGBTIQA+ community."

We scored this one point

Ewan Jones

Ewan unequivocally backed this pledge

Pledge seven - responses

Calling for proper funding for trans healthcare in the NHS to reduce 3 year+ waiting lists

Ashley Routh and Benjamin Smith - 1

Adrian Spurrell - 1

Ewan Jones - 1

Liz Reason - no reply

Ashley Routh & Benjamin Smith

Ashley and Ben unequivocally backed this pledge

Adrian Spurrell

Adrian wrote:

"Yes, trans health needs proper investment to ensure that there is a robust and accessible service across the country, with shorter waiting lists."

We scored this one point

Ewan Jones

Ewan unequivocally backed this pledge

Pledge eight - responses

Supporting LGBT+ inclusive schools in line with the new Relationship and Sex Education curriculum due to roll out from September

Ashley Routh and Benjamin Smith - 1

Adrian Spurrell - 1

Ewan Jones - 1

Liz Reason - no reply

Ashley Routh & Benjamin Smith

Ashley and Ben unequivocally backed this pledge

Adrian Spurrell

Adrian wrote:

"I’m fortunate enough that my children went to a school that was supportive of LGBTIQA+ students and all schools should provide this level of support and an inclusive curriculum."

We scored this one point

Ewan Jones

Ewan unequivocally backed this pledge