Conservatives call for "respect" at council meetings amid trans-rights protests
The last two meetings of full council have seen angry exchanges between women’s rights campaigners and leaders of the Greens
Conservatives are calling for respect and courtesy at Bristol City Council meetings after some members of the ruling Green group walked out and held up pro-trans placards in protest at gender-critical statements from the public gallery.
The last two meetings of full council have seen angry exchanges between women’s rights campaigners and leaders of the Greens.
In September, several councillors walked out of the chamber after finding the public comments “offensive”, while last month they held up placards and pride flags as the speakers gave their views opposing the local authority’s transgender policies, an act branded as “intimidating”.
The feud led to former Green group leader Cllr Paula O’Rourke resigning from the party, saying she could no longer support her colleagues.
She said at the time: “Such behaviour is not harmless.
“Walking out is a refusal of democratic duty.
“Holding placards in the face of members of the public is intimidating.
“It risks deterring citizens — particularly women — from ever raising concerns with their elected representatives again.
“The chilling effect is real, and it is corrosive.
“My hope is that by standing apart, I can help to restore a more honest, plural and respectful political culture — one in which we face disagreement, rather than flee from it.”
Now those sentiments have been echoed in a motion tabled by Cllr Jonathan Hucker (Conservative, Stockwood) to full council on Tuesday, December 9.
It asks the council to “reaffirm its commitment to the principles of open dialogue, civic respect, and representative impartiality”.
The motion, which is unlikely to be debated because of time constraints, said: “Council notes with concern that recent meetings have seen conduct by some members during the public forum segment that may be perceived as partial or demonstrative in response to certain contributions from members of the public.
“While individuals may feel compelled to express solidarity or dissent in the face of views they find challenging or uncomfortable, Council believes that elected representatives have a duty to uphold the integrity of democratic discourse by listening respectfully and impartially to all constituents — regardless of personal agreement.
“Such impartiality is not only a cornerstone of representative democracy but also essential to maintaining public trust, encouraging civic participation, and safeguarding freedom of expression within our institutions.”
It calls on Bristol City Council leader Cllr Tony Dyer (Green, Southville) to “remind all members of the importance of modelling respectful engagement, defending the right to be heard, and ensuring that this chamber remains a space where diverse voices can be expressed without fear of dismissal or disruption”.
Last month, a Green Party spokesperson said: “While we agree that members of the public have every right to make statements to their elected representatives, we also believe that councillors have every right to feel safe in their place of work.
“Expressing a point of view does not mean ignoring the impact words have on people.
“Local politicians everywhere cannot be expected to stay in a room if they feel under attack for their very existence or for the existence of their colleagues.
“The Green Party stands firmly in support of trans people and will continue to fight for all those most marginalised in our community.”