Lib Dem Women

@libdemwomen.bsky.social

The Lib Dem’s only official group representing the interests of women and girls inside the party.

@libdemwomen.bsky.social

Lib Dem Women has written to Reform UK to express our disgust at the recent incident involving a woman who faced violence for exercising her democratic right to protest at Reform UK conference. Read our letter below 👇

Nigel Farage MP & Robert Jenrick MP Reform UK Head Office Millbank Tower 21-24 Millbank London SW1P 4QP Dear Mr Farage and Mr Jenrick, 8th September 2026 Liberal Democrat Women are writing to express our deep concern and disgust at the way the recent incident involving a woman exercising her democratic right to protest has been discussed and treated by members of Reform UK. Whatever one’s political views, there can be no justification for violence or intimidation towards someone exercising their democratic right to protest. The woman involved did not, as far as we understand, physically harm or touch anyone. She expressed her views and used words that some people clearly found unwelcome. That does not justify violence. We are particularly concerned by comments made by Robert Jenrick on television yesterday which appeared to trivialise the seriousness of what had happened. Being older does not make violence, intimidation or the fear caused by such behaviour any less serious. We are equally concerned by the subsequent public response, including Nigel Farage’s use of the word “boring” over and over again on stage when referring to the incident. Turning an incident involving violence against a woman into a source of humour or entertainment is deeply troubling. Political disagreement should never become an excuse for dehumanising or humiliating those who disagree with us. Nor should violence against women become something to laugh about, minimise or use as political entertainment. This is particularly important at a time when women and girls continue to face misogyny, intimidation and abuse, including increasingly online. Political leaders have a responsibility to set the standard for public discourse and to make clear that violence and intimidation are unacceptable, whoever the target may be. It is therefore deeply disappointing to see an incident involving a woman being attacked treated in a manner that appears to make light of what happened, while Reform UK simultaneously presents itself as a party committed to protecting women. Protecting women must mean protecting women even when we disagree with them. It must mean defending their right to participate in public and political life without fear of intimidation or violence. Women must not be expected to surrender their democratic rights because their words may be unpopular or unwelcome. Liberal Democrat Women will continue to stand up for women’s right to participate fully in our democracy, for respectful political debate and for a society in which violence against women is never treated as a joke. We ask both of you to reflect on the message being sent by the comments and responses surrounding this incident, and to make clear that violence, intimidation and the trivialisation of violence against women have no place in our political debate. Yours sincerely, Donna Harris Chair Liberal Democrat Women
@aldtu.bsky.socialReposted by @libdemwomen.bsky.social

Retired women get a third less pension than men – an income gap of more than £7,000 a year
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Women approaching retirement have built up half the workplace pension of men on average and are more likely to have no pension wealth at all
@marisharay.bsky.social @libdemwomen.bsky.social