Norfolk

9 constituencies; 10/44 candidates in Norfolk replied to our emails.

Broadland & Fakenham – 1/5 candidates replied.

Iain Simpson, Reform, 2/4 Yes responses – he replied, “Apologies but I don’t reply to emails that ask me to pledge support for X or Y as I get thousands of them and usually dozens of each of the same kind with identical wording.

Very happy to have a nuanced discussion on my thoughts on the matter but Labour candidates are not allowed to sign up to external pledges in the way that you’re asking me to do.”

Eric Philip Ashwell Master, Reform, 2/4 Yes responses – he wrote “I hope this assist you

The Cass Review Final Report 2024 in full- Don’t Know

My thoughts – I have no experience of knowing anyone who has wanted to change gender but I understand that as a child grows into a young person they may find they identify more with the opposite sex to that they were born with. There is nothing wrong in this and everyone has the right to seek help and guidance in understanding how they are feeling regarding this subject. As a 62 year old I personally find it hard to understand but I do believe that when you are born you are either biological male or female. When archaeologists dig up skeleton remains they identify them as male or female not as a male but we think they were really a female. As the review seems to believe our current understanding of the long term health impacts of hormone interventions is limited and needs to better understood my belief is hormone treatment should be put to one side for the moment until a better understanding is reached and as the review suggested the care offered is safe and effective.

The Gender Questioning Children Guidance for Schools as of December 2023- Agree

My thoughts – Again I do not have children of school age so my thoughts should be taken as those from a certain age. This Guidance to my mind is based on a common sense approach. I agree teachers should never be the person to bring up gender identity with a child and just because a child asks for certain pronoun to be used does not mean this has to be agreed on by the school and a discussion needs to take place between the child, parent and school. Regardless of gender I agree children of the opposite biological sex should not be allowed to share a room overnight or changing facilities with each other.

The Relationships and Sex Education Review 2024 as statutory guidance-Don’t Know

My thoughts – As children get older they do need to be taught facts around sex education and relationships. I believe this should be taught in school alongside parents understanding what is being taught and reinforced at home. Respect should also be taught and it be made clear that no bullying or harassment of others who do not have the same ideals as themselves will not be tolerated

Full safeguarding of all children as per Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024-Agree

My Thought– Having looked at this document it is clear this is aimed at the people who care for children and what they must do to achieve these aims. I could not find anywhere within this document that referred to children who have gender identity issues but consider this would come under mental health. I belief this document is important and should be followed to keep all children safe even if the size of the document makes this task seem quite large undertaking.”

Great Yarmouth – 1/5 candidates replied.

Rupert Lowe, Reform, 0/4 Yes responses – Rupert said, “I’m entirely against any indoctrination of children with this nonsense. There are boys and there are girls. THAT’s it.

We must not POISON children’s minds with this divisive ideology. Fully, fully, fully supportive of any efforts to push back on this.”

North Norfolk – 1/5 candidates replied.

Steffan Aquarone, Liberal Democrat, 0/4 Yes responses – Steffan replied with, “Apologies for the delay in response- I’m sure you understand, I have received many pledge messages since the start of the GE announcement.

In short, my views are that I do recognise a difference between sex and gender, and understand the importance of sex as a protected characteristic. That doesn’t mean that I don’t recognise the persecution and suffering of trans people, and want to do all I can to ease it.

Of course I believe in full safeguarding of all children.

Hope this helps clarify my stance.”

Mid Norfolk – 1/4 candidates replied.

Kabeer Kher, Reform, 4/4 Yes responses – He wrote, “I absolutely support all of the 4 points below.

Children under the age of 18 are far too young to make life changing decisions about their gender. Many of them are actually questioning their sexuality and end up being encouraged to change their gender instead. Most of them later regret their decision.

In my view the Transgender Cult has been misled by pharmaceutical companies aiming to make profits from expensive gender reassignment therapies.

Thankfully our independent NHS have made some small steps to slowing this trend but much more needs to be done.

I have a young daughter who is 12 years old and the last thing I want is a loophole that allows young boys to gain access to her changing rooms via a simple self identification process. 

I hope that clarifies my position for you.”

South West Norfolk – 3/5 candidates replied.

Liz Truss, Conservatives, 4/4 Yes responses – Liz said, “Thank you for contacting me about your 4 pledges on child safeguarding. Sorry about the delay in responding to you.

1. I fully support the Cass Review Final Report and believe its findings should be considered and implemented by Parliament as soon as possible. I met with Dr Hilary Cass before the publication of the Final Report to discuss her work and what can be done to change the law to better protect women and children.

2. I believe the Gender Questioning Children Guidance for Schools was a positive step forward by the Government. However, I supported going further. Guidance that is not reinforced by a change in the law is often exploited by activists and does not do enough to protect children.

3. I fully support the 2024 Review into the Relationships and Sex Education statutory guidance. Alongside my Conservative colleagues in Parliament, I have previously raised concerns about the presence of ideological or age-inappropriate content being taught in schools to young children.

4. I fully support the Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024 statutory guidance.

Given the increasing influence of trans activists and their lobbying organisations such as Stonewall and Mermaids, MPs must strongly stand up for women’s rights and safeguarding of children.

I introduced the Health and Equality Acts (Amendment) Bill in December 2023 to protect single sex spaces, ban under 18s from accessing hormone treatment, and prevent social transitioning in schools.

This was blocked in Parliament when the Labour Party filibustered my Bill. Labour MPs are scared of debating these important issues, and women’s and children’s rights will be eroded if they get their way. I fully support the work of organisations such as Protect and Teach in standing up to this extreme ideology.”

Terry Jermy, Labour, 0/4 Yes responses – Terry said, “Having not read the Cass Review personally, I do not feel in a position to answer your questions. It has only recently been published and with everything else going on I have not had time to independently read it which I would like to do before confirming my own views.”

Toby McKenzie, Reform, 0/4 Yes responses – He replied, “I have worked as a designated Safeguarding Officer in education but for adults and teenagers post school. At school, boys and girls are who they are biologically – end of. After school it is up to them how they are perceived BUT within that people have a freedom to not agree with individuals i.e. gender pronouns etc. No children should be given medication to stop their natural biological growth – for me this is a Safeguarding issue in itself. Again, after school it is up to people what they decide to do with their bodies. Sex education should have a full review and as a qualified teacher myself (not currently teaching) I fully welcome that. Our children need to be left alone with minimal sex education practice. Of course, full Safeguarding for all, we have a duty of care. Critical Race Theory/use of the word “white privilege” also banned immediately.

Whether they exactly fit, this is where I stand.”

North West Norfolk – 0/5 candidates replied

South Norfolk – 1/5 candidates replied.

Poppy Simister-Thomas, Conservative, 4/4 Yes responses – Poppy responded with, “I am supportive of all of the points you list.”

Norwich North – 0/5 candidates replied.

Norwich South – 1/5 candidates replied.

David Simister-Thomas, Conservative, 3/4 Yes responses – he wrote, “I am happy to pledge to 2-4. The only reason I am hesitating on 1 is that there are some points of detail in the Cass Report around implementation in the NHS where I’d want to do further research and seek further views on whether these are the most effective ways to achieve the goals set out. But I am supportive of the Report as a whole and would seek to support its implementation.”