Hertfordshire

12 constituencies; 6/60 candidates in Hertfordshire replied to our emails.

Hitchin – 0/5 candidates responded

North East Hertfordshire – 2/5 candidates responded

Nikki Da Costa, Conservative, 4/4 Yes responses: 

Nikki began “I fully support these pledges.” and explained “Exploration of identity is a completely natural process during childhood and adolescence, and the Cass Review – painstakingly carried out – makes clear how little we know, and the risks when society adopts an unquestioning approach and overlook children’s complex needs, particularly if children are then ushered on to a medicalised pathway. It’s important that schools reflect on and adopt the guidance you set out. Many courageous women and parents have spoken up, setting an example to us all. That encouraged me to use my profile to publicly speak out about the risks when MPs fail to understand the complexity, leading to gender-questioning children being ushered on to a medicalised pathway, with lifelong consequences for their health, when there is often a lot more going on (autism, other mental health issues, same-sex attraction). And as you know the fact that so many girls are in gender distress should be a cause for deep questioning. Why are so many distressed by their own bodies? Is there something else going on? Those standing for parliament must have the courage to ask questions. If MPs are silent, there will be silence within government.”

Steve Adelantado, Reform, 0/4 Yes responses: 

Steve explained, “As a long standing matter of policy, we will ban Transgender ideology in Primary and Secondary schools. Furthermore. There are 2 sexes, and 2 genders. It is a dangerous safeguarding issue to confuse children by suggesting otherwise. Schools must have single sex facilities.”

Stevenage – 0/5 candidates responded

Hertford & Stortford – 0/5 candidates responded

Welwyn Hatfield- 0/5 candidates responded

Broxbourne – 0/5 candidates responded

Hertsmere – 0/5 candidates responded

 South West Hertfordshire – 0/5 candidates responded

Watford – 1/5 candidates responded

Keith Steers, Reform, 0/4 Yes responses: 

He wrote, “I thought it necessary to reply not using your Yes. No. or I don’t know responses.

Now I will speak my mind on this subject. It may not be or maybe what you want to hear. 

I believe very strongly that children are the future and need to be protected and guided in their younger years. 

As a child I had the freedom that is now taken away from our children today. mainly because of main stream media and social media. I could go out and play. not be concerned about my image. how I was seen by others. How I fitted into the crowd. 

I have spent my adult life in working to give children opportunities to grow. I spent 9 years training as a Vicar. I opened the largest church youth club in the district for un churched children and they travelled miles to attend. every Wednesday up to 250 children graced the Church building. supported by our local police that came every week to build a repour with the children to mutually gain respect. I also ran the Christian group Alpha. (Trained at Holy Brompton. London). During this time, I was also a School Governor. I then moved in to Scouting. A beaver Leader for 10 years then a further 4 years as the Group Scout Leader. with 240 children in my Group. Giving children opportunities to succeed in Life. Skills to equip them in later life. after leaving Scouting. I joint the ambulance service as a frontline rapid responder. (all these are in a volunteer capacity) 

During my time here. I saw a steady rise In youth mental health. attempted suicides, overdoses. lack of support in the community, and the system. and for this I believe that both social media, society and the education system has to take some of the blame.

Now I believe as I have three children of my own and a grand-daughter. That Parents have a major role in teaching their children about subjects such as Sex education. Yes the basics should be covered in Schools. (The Basics). If as a parent they wish to discuss with their children gender identification that’s a parents role and not that of the state. Schools are there to educate children academically and to nurture each Childs unique gift. as every child has one, but its often not discovered in School. I strongly believe that the national curriculum needs an overhaul. a refresher. One of my child was under SEN.  

I believe. Every child should leave school knowing how to read and write. Writing is an art in itself. Every child should have a manual craft opportunity. (woodwork, Metalwork, engineering, food economics). Every child should be equipped with knowledge off how to invest, How to budget. How to get on the property ladder, How to strive forward to their goals and achieve and not be herded into a cultural box. I would go so far as to say children should be taught 1st Aid as part of the curriculum to encourage those interested in getting into nursing and general practitioners / consultants. for which this country seriously lacks. I would also like to see sign language taught along side other foreign languages.   

As young adults they will in their own time discover themselves. They may well find themselves attracted to the same sex. and they will explore in their own time. Society today accepts same sex relationships, and so they should. There is no longer a stigma attached. and there are organizations readily available for open discussion on these subjects and to give guidance and support and if someone finds themselves in this mindset they will normally know who they can talk to. Schools are not parents. They are guardians of our children. Parents should have a clear full picture of what their children are being taught in the class room. No exceptions. Educational equipment within the reformed national curriculum should be free, as long as the materials are not just representative and therefore used by a small sector following an Ideology. 

As a party we do not support the Gender Ideology in a School environment.”

Hemel Hempstead – 0/5 candidates responded

Harpenden – 1/5 candidates responded

Victoria Collins, Liberal Democrat, 0/4 Yes responses: 

She wrote, “Whilst I cannot commit to those pledges, I feel it is important to say exactly where I do stand on those questions.

Liberal Democrats seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community. We champion the freedom, dignity and well-being of every individual, and we reject all forms of prejudice and discrimination.

We are committed to tackling violence by men against women and girls, which is far too prevalent in our society. We have been campaigning hard for misogyny to be made a hate crime; for the Government to ratify the Istanbul Convention and uphold internationally-agreed standards for preventing violence against women and supporting survivors; to improve age-appropriate sex and relationship education in schools; and to ensure better training and more resources for police, prosecutors and judges – so survivors are listened to and supported, criminals are punished, and victims get justice.

We are also committed to fighting for both gender equality and equality for all LGBT+ people. For most people, their gender matches their physical sex at birth, but there is a relatively small number of people – up to 1% of the population – for whom that is not the case, and I believe we must respect their identities too. Liberal Democrats believe we must ensure the safety, dignity and wellbeing of all people. We are committed to upholding women’s rights and trans rights, and do not believe that the two are in conflict.

In relation to the Cass Review Final Report: When it comes to children and young people, our focus should always be on ensuring their wellbeing and preventing harm. But the Cass Review has shown that for years, young people have been let down. Liberal Democrats agree that young people are being let down by low standards of care, waiting lists are far too long, and this whole debate has become too toxic. Clearly, change is needed to ensure that every young person gets the high quality healthcare they deserve. 

We fully support the NHS’ decision to move towards a regional model for gender healthcare services. As Cass says, it’s right that young people who are questioning their gender receive compassionate, holistic and individualised support as quickly as possible. As a party, we share this priority. When it comes to the implementation of the Cass Review, Liberal Democrats will keep pushing so every young person has access to high-quality healthcare, and that their best interests are always the top priority.

In relation to the Gender Questioning Children Guidance for Schools: Where a child is questioning their gender, decisions about how to ensure their safety and wellbeing should be taken by parents, children and teachers together.

In relation to RSE Review 2024 as statutory guidance: This Government is letting our children down by turning sex education into a culture war. Age appropriate sex and relationship education, including about consent, is vital to give children the knowledge and information they need to form healthy, happy relationships. Schools should be working with parents to help make sure they know how to keep their children safe. Delaying explicit discussions of sexual acts until Year 9, when children are aged 13, will mean that many children will get information elsewhere, including online. The children’s commissioner for England has warned of a “shocking” increase in sexually transmitted diseases among the young because “we’re not actually teaching our kids what they need to hear”.

St Albans – 2/5 candidates responded

Simon Grover, Green, 0/4 Yes responses: Simon said, “Thank you very much for contacting me about safeguarding children. Since the General Election campaign began, I have received hundreds of emails asking me to pledge my support or give my views on a wide range of subjects. 

I am spending as much time as I can campaigning in St Albans and in the Greens’ target constituencies to try and get Green MPs elected. On top of my full time job and work as a local councillor in St Albans, this currently leaves me very little time.  As a result, please forgive me if I am not able to respond to your email in detail. Please be assured that I do read all the emails I get and will sign pledges where I am able to do so. I have already signed many of them. You can see what I and the Green Party are standing for, in our 2024 manifesto.

John Leroy Dowdle, Reform, 4/4 Yes responses: John said, 

“Put simply: Yes, to all.

Reform UK policy is to oppose the spreading of “woke” ideology, including the neo-Marxian approach which claims that all reality is just relative.

There are only two sexes within humankind, just as in most other species on planet Earth.

Spreading the myth meme of gender and gender identity which can be switched at will is totally stupid and completely ridiculous.”