The Politics Thread

[bigden40]

But you've said it yourself, there were 2500 events, and the photos show either small groups or wide shots that do not allow for much genuine analysis. Unless, of course, you have spent lots of time scouring them.

The question on the figure though is a more pertinent one, The BBC (for all its faults) does publish its editorial guidelines. If you think they haven't followed them then you can complain. One does wonder just how they can be certain on the accuracy of the sources, or indeed their number.

I don't care much for the basis or means of the demonstration, but you seem to be very determined to show your dismissal of others directly and their actions.

I will leave you to the argument you started over nothing.  Enjoy.

[sparkus]

Fucked if I know, or care.  Is there a point there somewhere?

Other than the QAnon et al insurrection (which James Orr tells us in the UK we're too stupid to comprehend was cooked up by the lefty media) in Congress that time, when does the Right pull in similar numbers and levels of public support for demos?

[JontyR]

I will leave you to the argument you started over nothing.  Enjoy.

I'll leave you to the comfort of things which may be "nearly true".

[mills_and_bhuna]

Other than the QAnon et al insurrection (which James Orr tells us in the UK we're too stupid to comprehend was cooked up by the lefty media) in Congress that time, when does the Right pull in similar numbers and levels of public support for demos?

Bigden is closer to the truth here.
It's just a fake Democrat demonstration of how utterly out of touch most of the boomers are .
They certainly weren't antifa linked(as claimed by Trump) and there was a conspicuous absence of Palestine flags.
No sign of any anti-Netanyahu sentiment.
The fact that Hillary Clinton was in favour probably says it all.
Very few arrests and a great time had by all before they headed back for brunch.

[Blackpool Rock]

So Randy Andy has been in hot water for quite some time but kept batting the problems away but gradually as the pressure mounted his position had become slightly worse with every new revelation and the continued rejection / ostracization from the royal household and his family members

So when he voluntarily gave up the use of his royal titles last week he probably thought it would buy him another few years or probably hoped it would all go away however i'm sensing things have or are soon to reach a critical mass

The latest is that it's being questioned how he still affords to live in a 30 room royal lodge, the answer is that he only pays a peppercorn rent
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The value to the taxpayer is now being questioned and the fact that he put money up front to renovate the place is no longer seen as being good VFM

Everybody seems to want Andy gone and for the royal family his presence remains a dirty stain, Lizzy isn't around to hide behind any more and it's well known he was always her favourite so that no doubt still rankles with Charlie who is probably happy that he's now able to start putting the squeeze on.

Revenge as they say is a dish best eaten cold 

[sparkus]

So Randy Andy has been in hot water for quite some time but kept batting the problems away but gradually as the pressure mounted his position had become slightly worse with every new revelation and the continued rejection / ostracization from the royal household and his family members

So when he voluntarily gave up the use of his royal titles last week he probably thought it would buy him another few years or probably hoped it would all go away however i'm sensing things have or are soon to reach a critical mass

The latest is that it's being questioned how he still affords to live in a 30 room royal lodge, the answer is that he only pays a peppercorn rent
External Link/Members Only

The value to the taxpayer is now being questioned and the fact that he put money up front to renovate the place is no longer seen as being good VFM

Everybody seems to want Andy gone and for the royal family his presence remains a dirty stain, Lizzy isn't around to hide behind any more and it's well known he was always her favourite so that no doubt still rankles with Charlie who is probably happy that he's now able to start putting the squeeze on.

Revenge as they say is a dish best eaten cold 

NO KINGS

[Strawberry]

Right I'm going to ask here, because I've emailed the candidates ten days ago, no reply. Does anyone or can anyone find out if either of the two Labour deputy leader candidates support Nordic Model?

Deadline for voting is 23rd October, I have a vote to cast.

Don't shoot or judge me, at least I'm attempting participating in the democratic political system or whatever it could be called. 

[puntingking]

Right I'm going to ask here, because I've emailed the candidates ten days ago, no reply. Does anyone or can anyone find out if either of the two Labour deputy leader candidates support Nordic Model?

Deadline for voting is 23rd October, I have a vote to cast.

Don't shoot or judge me, at least I'm attempting participating in the democratic political system or whatever it could be called. 

Both Lucy Powell and Bridget Phillipson are the two candidates in the 2025 Labour deputy leadership election, and neither have stated support for the Nordic Model on prostitution. While neither candidate has publicly backed the model, the issue has created division within the party.


Lucy Powell: According to reporting, Powell has not voiced support for the Nordic Model. Her campaign has focused on addressing voter disillusionment and offering an "independent voice".

Bridget Phillipson: Phillipson, as the government's preferred candidate, has emphasized party unity and continuity. Like Powell, she has not publicly advocated for the Nordic Model, despite the issue being a point of internal party debate



While neither candidate explicitly supports the Nordic Model, the broader issue of prostitution policy is a point of contention within the Labour Party and has featured in debates in the UK parliament.

It is unlikely the Labour government will introduce the Nordic model for sex work within the next five years. While the issue has been debated by some Labour MPs, the official party position does not support the Nordic model, and there is significant internal division on the matter.


Factors making the Nordic model unlikely
Internal party division: The Labour Party is deeply split on the issue, with strong voices on both sides. Some Labour MPs, including shadow ministers, have previously supported amendments favouring the Nordic model, while others advocate for the full decriminalisation of sex work, backed by sex worker groups and human rights organisations.
Concerns over sex worker safety: Sex worker organisations, such as the English Collective of Prostitutes (ECP) and Decrim Now, have actively campaigned against the Nordic model, citing evidence from other countries showing it increases danger for sex workers. They argue that criminalising clients pushes sex work further underground, making it harder to report violence and exploitation.

Evidence from other jurisdictions: Opponents of the Nordic model can point to reviews in countries where it has been implemented, such as Northern Ireland, suggesting that the model is failing to protect sex workers.



Given the political pressure and internal debate, the government may be inclined to pursue measures that focus on tackling sexual exploitation and trafficking. However, without a clear consensus or manifesto promise, a dramatic overhaul of the UK's current laws on prostitution is improbable. Any future legislation would need to navigate the sharp disagreements between those who see prostitution as inherently exploitative and those who advocate for the human rights and safety of sex workers.


 

[puntingking]

Several Labour MPs have been vocal proponents of the Nordic model:

Diana Johnson: The Labour MP for Hull North has consistently championed the Nordic model. She sponsored a Sexual Exploitation Bill in 2020 and tabled amendments to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill in 2021 to criminalize clients and third parties.

Jess Phillips: As the current Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Phillips has expressed a desire for "change in this space" and has spoken out against sexual exploitation in parliamentary debates.

Stella Creasy: In 2020, the Labour MP co-signed Diana Johnson's bill to introduce the Nordic model.

Sarah Champion: A known supporter of tackling sexual exploitation, she has participated in debates calling for the government to adopt the Nordic model.

Rosie Duffield: She also co-signed Johnson's 2020 bill in support of the Nordic model.

Tonia Antoniazzi: In 2025, she put forward amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill that proposed a Nordic model approach. She has stated that "prostitution is violence against women"

[puntingking]

The Nordic model enjoys support from a significant cross-section of MPs who believe it is the best way to address the harms of prostitution and sex trafficking by targeting demand. However, their efforts face strong opposition from others in Parliament, as well as from sex worker advocacy groups, which argue that such legislation makes sex workers less safe by driving the industry underground.

[Strawberry]

Both Lucy Powell and Bridget Phillipson are the two candidates in the 2025 Labour deputy leadership election, and neither have stated support for the Nordic Model on prostitution. While neither candidate has publicly backed the model, the issue has created division within the party.


Lucy Powell: According to reporting, Powell has not voiced support for the Nordic Model. Her campaign has focused on addressing voter disillusionment and offering an "independent voice".

Bridget Phillipson: Phillipson, as the government's preferred candidate, has emphasized party unity and continuity. Like Powell, she has not publicly advocated for the Nordic Model, despite the issue being a point of internal party debate



While neither candidate explicitly supports the Nordic Model, the broader issue of prostitution policy is a point of contention within the Labour Party and has featured in debates in the UK parliament.

It is unlikely the Labour government will introduce the Nordic model for sex work within the next five years. While the issue has been debated by some Labour MPs, the official party position does not support the Nordic model, and there is significant internal division on the matter.


Factors making the Nordic model unlikely
Internal party division: The Labour Party is deeply split on the issue, with strong voices on both sides. Some Labour MPs, including shadow ministers, have previously supported amendments favouring the Nordic model, while others advocate for the full decriminalisation of sex work, backed by sex worker groups and human rights organisations.
Concerns over sex worker safety: Sex worker organisations, such as the English Collective of Prostitutes (ECP) and Decrim Now, have actively campaigned against the Nordic model, citing evidence from other countries showing it increases danger for sex workers. They argue that criminalising clients pushes sex work further underground, making it harder to report violence and exploitation.

Evidence from other jurisdictions: Opponents of the Nordic model can point to reviews in countries where it has been implemented, such as Northern Ireland, suggesting that the model is failing to protect sex workers.



Given the political pressure and internal debate, the government may be inclined to pursue measures that focus on tackling sexual exploitation and trafficking. However, without a clear consensus or manifesto promise, a dramatic overhaul of the UK's current laws on prostitution is improbable. Any future legislation would need to navigate the sharp disagreements between those who see prostitution as inherently exploitative and those who advocate for the human rights and safety of sex workers.


 

Thank you I am reasonably aware of the party position on NM, I just do not want to vote for anyone who does support NM. I struggled to find any information about each candidate's position and their candidate statements are, well, just waffle about how dedicated each is to the party. If they are both safeish regards NM, I have heard something about one that may mean I vote for the other.

I will cast my vote tomorrow.

[DastardlyDick]

given the current state of the Labour Party in the polls, I would guess they'll both want to do concentrate on things that will provide a boost in their popularity, rather than niche issues like prostitution. 

[puntingking]

Thank you

I will cast my vote tomorrow.

 

[WARSZAWA16]

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[Blackpool Rock]

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Well this 1 in 1 out looks to be working well as 1 is back in again, wonder how they will score his return (and presumably extradition back out) 

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[bigden40]

So Jess Phillips, resign or not?

[puntingking]

So Jess Phillips, resign or not?

it should be up to the victims of the grooming gangs. if they say she has to go, then she should go.

Who would replace her though? 

[petermisc]

It looks like West. Midlands Police made the right decision regarding Maccabi Tel Aviv. The Israeli Police cancelled their local derby after rioting broke out in the Stadium yesterday.
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It has been interesting how those claiming the Aston Villa decision was evidence of antisemitism have been studiously turning a blind eye to this.  I just wish that some of the interviewers had challenged them more.

[bigden40]

it should be up to the victims of the grooming gangs. if they say she has to go, then she should go.

Who would replace her though? 

I don’t think it matters who would replace her, that’s Starmer's issue. She has always been a completely inappropriate choice for the Safeguarding portfolio. 

[scutty brown]

So Jess Phillips, resign or not?

Can someone explain what she's supposed to have done wrong? This is something that seems to have passed me by completely

[bigden40]

Can someone explain what she's supposed to have done wrong? This is something that seems to have passed me by completely

Notwithstanding her prior form in relation to denying an Oldham council request for a grooming gang public enquiry, she is being criticised for forcing a number of people to resign from the grooming gang enquiry because she been pushing for its remit to be broadened to downplay the racial and religious element involved in these gangs.  She then lied about this publicly saying they were “laser focussed on grooming gangs” whilst her email and other communications prove otherwise.

There’s also been issues with the consultation process and her appointment of senior people from institutions that were responsible for major failings. 

[puntingking]

I don’t think it matters who would replace her, that’s Starmer's issue. She has always been a completely inappropriate choice for the Safeguarding portfolio.

I don't like her for the support she gives to the Nordic model approach. 

[puntingking]

Can someone explain what she's supposed to have done wrong? This is something that seems to have passed me by completely

I don't know what she has done wrong either. But if the victims of the grooming gangs don't want her to lead the inquiry then for once (about time) the victims voices should be heard.

[bigden40]

I don't like her for the support she gives to the Nordic model approach. 

That too. 

And she’s also on the wrong side of the tranny issue as the minister responsible for safeguarding and violence against women and girls

[DastardlyDick]

it should be up to the victims of the grooming gangs. if they say she has to go, then she should go.

Who would replace her though? 

Trouble is, there is a similar number of victims who have said they want her to stay, and won't work with anyone else 
I can understand why they don't want people with a Police or social services background,  but I can't help thinking that it's approaching the "nose/face" stage now.

[pbrown355]

The "inclusive" men and up to 12yo girls fun run in Tower Hamlets had me annoyed. Seems it had lots of others annoyed too.
Then there was a defence of it posted by a muslim lady from Tower Hamlets who said muslim women didn't need protecting and could make their own choices. Her stupidity made me far more angry than the initial situation.
You did not make your own choices, you were not allowed to enter. Your defence suggests muslim women don't need protecting. What if a non-muslim woman had wanted to enter. And finally.....this is the UK. I don't care if you think it's correct in muslim practice to ban over 12yo females from athletic pursuits, it's misogynistic and probably illegal. (I think it is but I'm not a lawyer)
Rant over

[puntingking]

The "inclusive" men and up to 12yo girls fun run in Tower Hamlets had me annoyed. Seems it had lots of others annoyed too.
Then there was a defence of it posted by a muslim lady from Tower Hamlets who said muslim women didn't need protecting and could make their own choices. Her stupidity made me far more angry than the initial situation.
You did not make your own choices, you were not allowed to enter. Your defence suggests muslim women don't need protecting. What if a non-muslim woman had wanted to enter. And finally.....this is the UK. I don't care if you think it's correct in muslim practice to ban over 12yo females from athletic pursuits, it's misogynistic and probably illegal. (I think it is but I'm not a lawyer)
Rant over

It  is not illegal though.
Same way, it is not illegal for women only gyms 

Trouble is, in our culture there are alot of women only stuff going on and less of the man only stuff.
In those countries they have it their way, which we have imported their ideals.
But in our country, it is mostly the opposite.

A club near me allows woman to enter for free before 11pm.   

Toca social in Greenwich has woman play for free on Wednesday evenings. 

There is a council gym near me which has discount access for ladies and teenage girls. 

Lets not fight over inequality unless you are going to speak up about all inequality. 

[Charliehutton]

it should be up to the victims of the grooming gangs. if they say she has to go, then she should go.

Who would replace her though? 

Somebody European, or American, perhaps, they can't be British. The whole state, local and national government, the police, social services, and to their eternal shame the mainstream media, turned away from the stench of this appalling scandal. Nobody in the British establishment can be trusted not to want to hush the whole thing up.

[bigden40]

Somebody European, or American, perhaps, they can't be British. The whole state, local and national government, the police, social services, and to their eternal shame the mainstream media, turned away from the stench of this appalling scandal. Nobody in the British establishment can be trusted not to want to hush the whole thing up.

In terms of the enquiry someone like Maggie Oliver should have a senior role. Watch one of her long form interviews, its eye opening.

[puntingking]

Maggie Oliver should lead the whole thing. 

[chrishornx]

it should be up to the victims of the grooming gangs. if they say she has to go, then she should go.

not without  valid justification.

what's she done wrong? And what of those that are demanding she stays?

[Adoniron]

it should be up to the victims of the grooming gangs. if they say she has to go, then she should go.

Who would replace her though? 

Yet other survivors say she should stay and they will leave the committee if she goes, so how do you solve that?

[bigden40]

Caerphilly by-election showing that Labour are completely cooked.

Governments losing by-elections is not unusual but to be third with 11% of the vote in a seat that they’ve never lost is shocking.

If they can’t be competitive in Welsh Labour heartlands they are absolutely fucked.

[sparkus]

Caerphilly by-election showing that Labour are completely cooked.

Governments losing by-elections is not unusual but to be third with 11% of the vote in a seat that they’ve never lost is shocking.

If they can’t be competitive in Welsh Labour heartlands they are absolutely fucked.

After 25 years of being in charge there I think people are entitled to want someone else to have a go.  A lot of people who'd normally vote Labour voted for Plaid Cymru this time, possibly to keep Reform out.

50 per cent for a by-election to the Welsh Assembly is probably higher than usual, on telly last night they said the genuine contest was causing people who'd not normally vote to turn out.

Next year we'll have a UK government with an evaporated mandate and possibly Plaid Cymru, the SNP and Sinn Fein in charge of their bits of the country.  United Kingdom my arse.

[bigden40]

After 25 years of being in charge there I think people are entitled to want someone else to have a go.  A lot of people who'd normally vote Labour voted for Plaid Cymru this time, possibly to keep Reform out.

50 per cent for a by-election to the Welsh Assembly is probably higher than usual, on telly last night they said the genuine contest was causing people who'd not normally vote to turn out.

Next year we'll have a UK government with an evaporated mandate and possibly Plaid Cymru, the SNP and Sinn Fein in charge of their bits of the country.  United Kingdom my arse.

There’s tactical voting and there’s going from 46% of vote to 11%.

Scotland is one of the few places where Labour may actually gain a little.  People are more sick of SNP than they are of Labour.

[puntingking]

Yet other survivors say she should stay and they will leave the committee if she goes, so how do you solve that?

maybe a vote  on the matter

[pbrown355]

It  is not illegal though.
Same way, it is not illegal for women only gyms 

Trouble is, in our culture there are alot of women only stuff going on and less of the man only stuff.
In those countries they have it their way, which we have imported their ideals.
But in our country, it is mostly the opposite.

A club near me allows woman to enter for free before 11pm.   

Toca social in Greenwich has woman play for free on Wednesday evenings. 

There is a council gym near me which has discount access for ladies and teenage girls. 

Lets not fight over inequality unless you are going to speak up about all inequality. 

Happy to speak up about all inequality. I posted about this particular one because it annoyed me at that time. Other inequalities annoy me as well but they are for another time.

[bigden40]

It  is not illegal though.
Same way, it is not illegal for women only gyms 

Trouble is, in our culture there are alot of women only stuff going on and less of the man only stuff.
In those countries they have it their way, which we have imported their ideals.
But in our country, it is mostly the opposite.

A club near me allows woman to enter for free before 11pm.   

Toca social in Greenwich has woman play for free on Wednesday evenings. 

There is a council gym near me which has discount access for ladies and teenage girls. 

Lets not fight over inequality unless you are going to speak up about all inequality. 

Commercial organisations are allowed to make commercial decisions.  If those gyms and clubs have an issue with low female participation it may be good for business to have a promotion that encourages them to come at quiet times.  Longer term they may get more female members, and business as a result.  Is that discrimination?  Maybe only the council gym example if it is a discount at all times vs men.

[DastardlyDick]

It  is not illegal though.
Same way, it is not illegal for women only gyms 

Trouble is, in our culture there are alot of women only stuff going on and less of the man only stuff.
In those countries they have it their way, which we have imported their ideals.
But in our country, it is mostly the opposite.

A club near me allows woman to enter for free before 11pm.   

Toca social in Greenwich has woman play for free on Wednesday evenings. 

There is a council gym near me which has discount access for ladies and teenage girls. 

Lets not fight over inequality unless you are going to speak up about all inequality. 

The "women free" thing is a bit of a ploy to attract men hoping to "pull" - the more women in a club, the better chance they have (in their minds) of getting a shag.
Council run places are always trying to improve their diversity "score", usually so the manager can get promotion to a better paid job "while I worked here, I did this" .

[puntingking]

Commercial organisations are allowed to make commercial decisions.  If those gyms and clubs have an issue with low female participation it may be good for business to have a promotion that encourages them to come at quiet times.  Longer term they may get more female members, and business as a result.  Is that discrimination?  Maybe only the council gym example if it is a discount at all times vs men.

But stuff that is filled with females doesn't encourage male participants. It does not work the other way.
For example - Yoga classes are filled with female participants. I have just looked at whether men get discounts/free for yoga classes and they don't exist.

There have been men only places such as working mens clubs who tradiotionally only allowed men in but due to peer pressure and pressure from the society they had to (not through choice) back down and allow both genders in.


Google AI:
men-only clubs exist, primarily in the form of traditional gentlemen's clubs, although their numbers have dwindled as many have opened their doors to women. Examples include the Beefsteak Club, Boodle's, White's, and the Garrick Club, which remains a prominent example with a star-studded membership despite ongoing controversy. Some clubs have voted to retain their men-only status, while others, like the Savile Club, have recently voted against admitting women,

This happens mostly due to societal pressures rather through choice.

 

ps - excuse my poor spelling.

[puntingking]

Council run places are always trying to improve their diversity "score", usually so the manager can get promotion to a better paid job "while I worked here, I did this" .

I agree.
But the council gyms do not let men do free yoga or discounted yoga.
But allows women discounted or free hours to their gyms.

I also read a study a few months back that found that women are actually more confident going to the gym solo then men who are just starting out attending gym. 
I will look to see if I can find the study later. 

[puntingking]

I think it is more to do with the fact that men want to be seen being "thoughtful" to the opposite gender whereas women don't really care. 

[JontyR]

I agree.
But the council gyms do not let men do free yoga or discounted yoga.
But allows women discounted or free hours to their gyms.

I also read a study a few months back that found that women are actually more confident going to the gym solo then men who are just starting out attending gym. 
I will look to see if I can find the study later. 

HAve you thought about contacting your councillor and asking if there is any reason behind it? IF it is just because they are women then that's more than shit.

If it is because it has been identifed that there is an issue relating to women's health, about afordability to women, maximising use of facilities during times when the gym is quiet, response to customer surveys relating to the perception of facilities usage or any other myriad reasons then I'm quite at east with it.

Just claiming that you are a poor, marginalised discriminated individual based on a marketing poster makes you sound like a whiny snowflake.

[JontyR]

There’s tactical voting and there’s going from 46% of vote to 11%.

Scotland is one of the few places where Labour may actually gain a little.  People are more sick of SNP than they are of Labour.

There is a bit of both going on though isn't there? There is no way you can dress this up as a positive result for labour, but one would have expected a real rush to reform - and one would expect for reform to throw a lot of resource at this.

The response to Reform is divisive, it has always been the same with Farage who will have very strong positive and negative popularity figures.

There are other things which are difficult to analyse, by-elections are often campaigned for differently and get different results - even in Thatcher's heyday there were some massive swings in byelections often to the benefit of the Lib / SDP alliance, this is also a Senedd election rather than a Westminster one and the key issues may be local. Also the Senedd elections have a lower voting age, it'd be interesting to see which way the youngsters voted and what the turnout was like amongst them.

There were council by-elections recently. Reform made no showing whatsoever in the gentrified Birmingham ward of Moseley. I'm not getting any vibes that the Tories are seeing any upswing at the ballot box.

I reckon that pretty much all parties have a softer vote than at any other time that I can remember.

[lostandfound]

Caerphilly by-election showing that Labour are completely cooked.

Governments losing by-elections is not unusual but to be third with 11% of the vote in a seat that they’ve never lost is shocking.

If they can’t be competitive in Welsh Labour heartlands they are absolutely fucked.

Pandemic (debts) & Ukraine (cost of living) have put politics into crisis across Europe including the UK.

Often manifests as blame somebody else (like whoever's in power / was in power before) and tax somebody else (like 'the rich').

There isn't a fix for the underlying problems so this will continue for the foreseeable IMO.

If Plaid get into power they will continue the devolved nation trend of getting into trouble because of living beyond their means and enacting policies they can't afford and blaming someone else (Westminster) for the shortfall.

[sparkus]

There’s tactical voting and there’s going from 46% of vote to 11%.

Scotland is one of the few places where Labour may actually gain a little.  People are more sick of SNP than they are of Labour.

The PR system will save them.  No Alex Salmond to split the vote this time.

The unionist vote has drifted back from the Tories to Labour.  Labour don't have any viable partners to govern with.

Labour themselves are seen as a Westminster party and know this but they can't assert much independence from London.

The Tories peaked with Ruth Davidson and benefited from anti-Labour sentiment but younger voters won't ever back them and the older demographic is torn between them and Reform.

I suppose it's interesting that the Tories in England are openly talking of reviewing devolution alongside the ECHR and Equality Act because they're not content to see three quarters of the nations run along deeply social democratic lines and the different systems during COVID frustrated the fuck out of them.  Then again, who cares?

[mills_and_bhuna]

The PR system will save them.  No Alex Salmond to split the vote this time.

The unionist vote has drifted back from the Tories to Labour.  Labour don't have any viable partners to govern with.

Labour themselves are seen as a Westminster party and know this but they can't assert much independence from London.

The Tories peaked with Ruth Davidson and benefited from anti-Labour sentiment but younger voters won't ever back them and the older demographic is torn between them and Reform.

I suppose it's interesting that the Tories in England are openly talking of reviewing devolution alongside the ECHR and Equality Act because they're not content to see three quarters of the nations run along deeply social democratic lines and the different systems during COVID frustrated the fuck out of them.  Then again, who cares?

I'm not sure how things are going to play out up here because there's a long time before the next elections.
I dare say Reform will get votes and that will translate into seats.
I think that's maybe a good thing in the sense that their rhetoric will have to be exposed to the cold light of reality.
I don't sense much real support compared to down south but I'm sure they are out there amongst the Murdoch press readers and the pub politicians.

[mills_and_bhuna]

I think it is more to do with the fact that men want to be seen being "thoughtful" to the opposite gender whereas women don't really care. 

*world's smallest violin plays mournfully in background* I've seen generalisation in my time but this is truly up there .....

[pbrown355]

Commercial organisations are allowed to make commercial decisions.  If those gyms and clubs have an issue with low female participation it may be good for business to have a promotion that encourages them to come at quiet times.  Longer term they may get more female members, and business as a result.  Is that discrimination?  Maybe only the council gym example if it is a discount at all times vs men.

There are a number of organisations who are allowed, in certain circumstances, to have unequal arrangements, but "because we're misogynistic" doesn't come over as a good one.

[webpunter]

I agree.
But the council gyms do not let men do free yoga or discounted yoga.
But allows women discounted or free hours to their gyms.

I also read a study a few months back that found that women are actually more confident going to the gym solo then men who are just starting out attending gym. 
I will look to see if I can find the study later. 

This occupying your mind, oh dear 
You go study
I'm not sure which is worse:
1/ you going on about the potential inequitable treatment of men [suggests **** all else better to do] or
2/ you actually doing yoga
1 is sad fucker material &
2 is giving a very good impression of batting
As @JR mentioned contact your councillor, he or she will be overjoyed