COUNCILLOR Paula O’Rourke has assured readers of Clifton Voice that she remains committed to serving and representing them despite her decision to quit the Green group at City Hall.
Cllr O’Rourke said she felt she had to step away because she disagreed with some Green councillors who had staged walkouts and displayed signs when gender critical comments were made by members of the public at council meetings.
Her fellow ward councillor Jerome Thomas did not take part in the actions.
Cllr O’Rourke said she did not “deny, diminish, or question the validity of transgender identities” but wanted to uphold the right of those with gender-critical beliefs to express their views to their elected representatives.
In a statement explaining her decision further, she said: “I am taking this step to defend free speech, to uphold the democratic process, and to reaffirm that councillors must be able to hear from all citizens—not only those whose views are comfortable or convenient.
“Councillors, unlike private citizens, do not have a right to be protected from offence. We are elected precisely to listen to those we represent, including when what we hear is difficult.
She said the debate around sex and gender had become “reductive, binary and hostile”.
“I reject the notion that one must stand in one camp or the other. We can, and must, hold two principles at once: that trans people deserve full equality and respect, and that women who fear the erosion of their rights deserve to be heard—not caricatured, dismissed, or shouted down.
“I remain committed to environmental justice, to social fairness, and I am grateful for the support I have had over the years, but I cannot continue within a group that chooses symbolic protest over democratic responsibility.
“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.”
In response, the Green group said: “We would like to thank Cllr O’Rourke for her time representing the people of Clifton for the Green Party, and are disappointed that she has chosen to see out the rest of her term as an independent.
=“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.”