Helen Belcher
@helenbelcherobe.bsky.social
Former Lib Dem parliamentary candidate, current Lib Dem councillor, head of TransActual, Leveson witness, former company founder, looking for a quieter life.
Reposted by Helen Belcher
When I asked Nigel Farage's spokesman last week, he flatly denied that his boss had ever racially abused anyone.
Now Farage is only saying he never did so in a "hurtful way".
Does he think there's a non-hurtful way to racially abuse someone?
Now Farage is only saying he never did so in a "hurtful way".
Does he think there's a non-hurtful way to racially abuse someone?
November 24, 2025 at 8:21 PM
When I asked Nigel Farage's spokesman last week, he flatly denied that his boss had ever racially abused anyone.
Now Farage is only saying he never did so in a "hurtful way".
Does he think there's a non-hurtful way to racially abuse someone?
Now Farage is only saying he never did so in a "hurtful way".
Does he think there's a non-hurtful way to racially abuse someone?
Reposted by Helen Belcher
“Building the evidence” sounds very similar to something that RFKjr said RE: acetaminophen and autism.
That time, Wes Streeting said that people should trust doctors over politicians.
Only as long as they’re saying things you haven’t found a reason to disagree with, I guess.
That time, Wes Streeting said that people should trust doctors over politicians.
Only as long as they’re saying things you haven’t found a reason to disagree with, I guess.
November 24, 2025 at 2:18 PM
“Building the evidence” sounds very similar to something that RFKjr said RE: acetaminophen and autism.
That time, Wes Streeting said that people should trust doctors over politicians.
Only as long as they’re saying things you haven’t found a reason to disagree with, I guess.
That time, Wes Streeting said that people should trust doctors over politicians.
Only as long as they’re saying things you haven’t found a reason to disagree with, I guess.
Reposted by Helen Belcher
Here's a seven-point peace plan:
November 23, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Here's a seven-point peace plan:
Reposted by Helen Belcher
"Reform would be worse" is both entirely correct and entirely irrelevant until polling day 2029. What matters right now is that Labour's approach is morally repugnant on its own terms, *and is empowering Reform*. As things stand today, its not Labour or Reform. Its Labour *then* Reform.
While it feels like I'm repeatedly slamming my head against a brick wall repeating this massively simple concept. Saying "Reform would be worse" doesn't make what Labour is doing better. Labour is now the most anti-immigration, anti-any marginalised group, government we have seen in decades. 1/
Very long thread: As with many of Labour's anti-immigration policies, this isn't new. British police have been stationed in other countries for this purpose for a long time
It does however show how Labour is pushing more on anti-immigration than previous governments. 1/
www.lbc.co.uk/article/shab...
It does however show how Labour is pushing more on anti-immigration than previous governments. 1/
www.lbc.co.uk/article/shab...
November 22, 2025 at 10:03 AM
"Reform would be worse" is both entirely correct and entirely irrelevant until polling day 2029. What matters right now is that Labour's approach is morally repugnant on its own terms, *and is empowering Reform*. As things stand today, its not Labour or Reform. Its Labour *then* Reform.
Reposted by Helen Belcher
“Trump now takes Putin’s side. Europe must choose again: appeasement or our values, imperialism or freedom”
November 22, 2025 at 9:09 AM
“Trump now takes Putin’s side. Europe must choose again: appeasement or our values, imperialism or freedom”
Reposted by Helen Belcher
Key info on the puberty blocker trial available at: transactual.org.uk/the-pathways...
Read thread to find out what the protocol says at a glance and to read a summary of our statement.
Full statement at: transactual.org.uk/blog/2025/11...
#BlockerTrial #NHS #DHSC #Trans #Nonbinary #TransRights
Read thread to find out what the protocol says at a glance and to read a summary of our statement.
Full statement at: transactual.org.uk/blog/2025/11...
#BlockerTrial #NHS #DHSC #Trans #Nonbinary #TransRights
November 22, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Key info on the puberty blocker trial available at: transactual.org.uk/the-pathways...
Read thread to find out what the protocol says at a glance and to read a summary of our statement.
Full statement at: transactual.org.uk/blog/2025/11...
#BlockerTrial #NHS #DHSC #Trans #Nonbinary #TransRights
Read thread to find out what the protocol says at a glance and to read a summary of our statement.
Full statement at: transactual.org.uk/blog/2025/11...
#BlockerTrial #NHS #DHSC #Trans #Nonbinary #TransRights
Coming late to this particular party but another, very possibly intended, consequence of such a "do you look right" policy would be to make the cost of being visibly or openly trans way too high for most people. So that's trans people who go on to the media or get engaged with campaigns.
The draft EHRC Code of Practice, as reported in the Times, now admits that there is no way to enforce the anti-trans bathroom ban other than based on policing the appearance and gender presentation of all service users.
#EHRC #TransRights #ScrapTheBathroomBan #Trans #Nonbinary #EqualityAct
#EHRC #TransRights #ScrapTheBathroomBan #Trans #Nonbinary #EqualityAct
November 21, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Coming late to this particular party but another, very possibly intended, consequence of such a "do you look right" policy would be to make the cost of being visibly or openly trans way too high for most people. So that's trans people who go on to the media or get engaged with campaigns.
Another interesting thread
1/🧵 The good people of the Cabinet Office has found a copy of the Department for Education and Employment’s drafting instructions* for the Sex Discrimination (Gender Reassignment) Regulations 1999.
* the Parly Counsel does vetting only in this case, so the instructions is to DfEE’s in-house lawyers
* the Parly Counsel does vetting only in this case, so the instructions is to DfEE’s in-house lawyers
Sex Discrimination Gender Reassignment Regulations 1999 Drafting Instructions - a Freedom of Information request to Government Equalities Office
Please send me copies of the Sex Discrimination Gender Reassignment Regulations 1999’s Drafting Instructions given to the Parliamentary Counsel. If you can’t locate all versions, send me any one of th...
www.whatdotheyknow.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Another interesting thread
Reposted by Helen Belcher
"Trans people could be asked about whether they should be accessing single-sex services based on their physical appearance."
No. not "trans people". ANYONE. This moral panic leads inexorably to the policing of women based on their appearance deemed to be "unfeminine".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
No. not "trans people". ANYONE. This moral panic leads inexorably to the policing of women based on their appearance deemed to be "unfeminine".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Trans people could be barred from services based on appearance
The new code of practice on access to single-sex services cannot gain legal force until it gets sign-off from ministers.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 3:36 PM
"Trans people could be asked about whether they should be accessing single-sex services based on their physical appearance."
No. not "trans people". ANYONE. This moral panic leads inexorably to the policing of women based on their appearance deemed to be "unfeminine".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
No. not "trans people". ANYONE. This moral panic leads inexorably to the policing of women based on their appearance deemed to be "unfeminine".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Helen Belcher
How many older journalists and papers look back at their role whipping up hatred against gay people like me in the 80's and 90's with pride and a sense they did right? Very few. So what do *you*, today's journos and papers, think your prospects are after re-running same campaign against trans folk?
November 20, 2025 at 11:27 PM
How many older journalists and papers look back at their role whipping up hatred against gay people like me in the 80's and 90's with pride and a sense they did right? Very few. So what do *you*, today's journos and papers, think your prospects are after re-running same campaign against trans folk?
Reposted by Helen Belcher
Not much to say about Trans Day of Remembrance anymore besides “try loving and celebrating us while we are alive”
November 20, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Not much to say about Trans Day of Remembrance anymore besides “try loving and celebrating us while we are alive”
Reposted by Helen Belcher
Discworld QOTD, from Feet of Clay, for Trans Day of Remembrance
November 20, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Discworld QOTD, from Feet of Clay, for Trans Day of Remembrance
Reposted by Helen Belcher
More than a few British-born people I know are finding Britain a less attractive place to *STAY* because of this sort of thing.
Yesterday the UK Home Secretary said in a TV interview, and I quote: "We want to make the UK a less attractive place for people to come." Job well done on that score, I'd say.
I don’t know what to say anymore other than to remind those in power that refugees are human beings with equal rights who, along with their children, deserve a safe, stable & integrated life in their communities and that what they’re breaking now with this performative cruelty can’t be fixed later.
November 19, 2025 at 9:22 AM
More than a few British-born people I know are finding Britain a less attractive place to *STAY* because of this sort of thing.
Reposted by Helen Belcher
Is it a threat to free speech when the President of the United States threatens to yank the broadcast license of a channel whose reporters are asking him challenging questions?
I ask because I feel like there used to be tons of pundits worried about free speech. Where'd they go?
I ask because I feel like there used to be tons of pundits worried about free speech. Where'd they go?
Trump in response to an Epstein question: "ABC, your company, your crappy company is one of the perpetrators. I think the license should be taken away from ABC because your news is so fake and so wrong. And we have a great commissioner, a chairman, who should take a look at that."
November 18, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Is it a threat to free speech when the President of the United States threatens to yank the broadcast license of a channel whose reporters are asking him challenging questions?
I ask because I feel like there used to be tons of pundits worried about free speech. Where'd they go?
I ask because I feel like there used to be tons of pundits worried about free speech. Where'd they go?
Reposted by Helen Belcher
Trans Awareness Week
Danger - Conversion Therapist at work
Every line of this is wrong.
No-one ‘identifies as trans’. They might identify as as male or female and that might differ from their birth sex. More rarely, they may identify with a more complex identity - non-binary, gender-fluid etc.
Danger - Conversion Therapist at work
Every line of this is wrong.
No-one ‘identifies as trans’. They might identify as as male or female and that might differ from their birth sex. More rarely, they may identify with a more complex identity - non-binary, gender-fluid etc.
November 18, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Trans Awareness Week
Danger - Conversion Therapist at work
Every line of this is wrong.
No-one ‘identifies as trans’. They might identify as as male or female and that might differ from their birth sex. More rarely, they may identify with a more complex identity - non-binary, gender-fluid etc.
Danger - Conversion Therapist at work
Every line of this is wrong.
No-one ‘identifies as trans’. They might identify as as male or female and that might differ from their birth sex. More rarely, they may identify with a more complex identity - non-binary, gender-fluid etc.
Reposted by Helen Belcher
Councillors no longer to be allowed to decide applications for 150 homes+ This is infantilising of elected representatives and spells the end of meaningful local planning…
November 18, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Councillors no longer to be allowed to decide applications for 150 homes+ This is infantilising of elected representatives and spells the end of meaningful local planning…
Reposted by Helen Belcher
Simultaneously "they" are only sending "fighting age" men, of course 🙄🙄🙄
Schrödinger's refugee families.
Schrödinger's refugee families.
BBC News: "the government believe refugees are deliberately bringing their children to avoid deportation"
As opposed to doing what with their children??
As opposed to doing what with their children??
November 18, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Simultaneously "they" are only sending "fighting age" men, of course 🙄🙄🙄
Schrödinger's refugee families.
Schrödinger's refugee families.
Reposted by Helen Belcher
Ikea Xmas 🎄
November 17, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Ikea Xmas 🎄
And then you add in the arrogance of power...
Green MP Carla Denyer accuses Shabana Mahmood of trying to "out Reform Reform" and says "toxic racist narratives and the scapegoating of migrants" are to blame for "tearing our country apart" not migrants.
Mahmood: "I couldn't care less what any other political party has to say about these matters"
Mahmood: "I couldn't care less what any other political party has to say about these matters"
November 17, 2025 at 9:37 PM
And then you add in the arrogance of power...
Sheesh. The more you delve into this inhumane policy, the more inhumane it gets.
Lots of Labour MPs asking Mahmood tonight to rule out child detention. She won’t rule it out. That’s because forced removals of families will mean children in detention for periods.
Home Office ruling out deportation of lone minors but the changes will certainly mean more detention of children.
Home Office ruling out deportation of lone minors but the changes will certainly mean more detention of children.
November 17, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Sheesh. The more you delve into this inhumane policy, the more inhumane it gets.
Reposted by Helen Belcher
How have Labour watched the Tories spend 2-3 years parroting Farage then lose an election badly and conclude a similar strategy is the best course of action?
I. Really. Genuinely. Do Not. Get. It.
I. Really. Genuinely. Do Not. Get. It.
Just another of those days when I hate this government
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Asylum system in UK ‘out of control’ and dividing country, home secretary says
Shabana Mahmood to unveil new proposals modelled on Denmark’s controversial system
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:50 PM
How have Labour watched the Tories spend 2-3 years parroting Farage then lose an election badly and conclude a similar strategy is the best course of action?
I. Really. Genuinely. Do Not. Get. It.
I. Really. Genuinely. Do Not. Get. It.
Reposted by Helen Belcher
On top of which it is er… challenging to look at this figure and believe that the UK has a larger asylum seeker challenge than its European peers.
UK government says claims rising here and falling across Europe. Technically true for Germany & France, not Italy or Spain
November 17, 2025 at 8:21 AM
On top of which it is er… challenging to look at this figure and believe that the UK has a larger asylum seeker challenge than its European peers.
Reposted by Helen Belcher
Nothing you can do can appease them. The further right you go, the further right they push you.
But this was Farage's plan, so it must be popular.... surely....
November 17, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Nothing you can do can appease them. The further right you go, the further right they push you.
November 16, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Reposted by Helen Belcher
You are not going to be able to pull together the anti-Reform coalition if voters don't see you are meaningfully different to Reform.
Mad reaction from the government given an increasing threat on the left.
Mad reaction from the government given an increasing threat on the left.
November 16, 2025 at 9:06 PM
You are not going to be able to pull together the anti-Reform coalition if voters don't see you are meaningfully different to Reform.
Mad reaction from the government given an increasing threat on the left.
Mad reaction from the government given an increasing threat on the left.