Green politician quits party to 'protect free speech'

Councillor Paula O'Rourke will still serve the Clifton ward as an independent

Bristol's former leader of the Green Party has resigned as she believes some of her colleagues' actions have "undermined the democratic process".

Councillor Paula O'Rourke announced on Wednesday she was resigning from the party after other Green councillors walked out of Bristol City Council meeting attended by women's rights campaigners who felt some of the council's language "erases" women.

Councillor O'Rourke said: "I've taken this step because I feel that I need to protect free speech."

A Green Party spokesperson said 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".

A number of Green councillors walked out of a meeting in September and November, refusing to listen to some women's rights campaigners.

The debate centred on discussions around the use of single-sex toilets in the city and language used in maternity units.

Councillor O'Rourke said she believed "the democratic process has been undermined" when councillors walked out, and "all Bristolians deserved to be listened to by their elected members".

"As an elected representative, you need to be resilient, there needs to be a certain amount of stoicism, you need to listen to everybody," she added, describing the walkouts as "intimidating" for members of the public.

Councillor O'Rourke is keen to stress that her decision has nothing to do with her views on trans rights.

"I don't in any way diminish or deny transgender identities," she said, "I think that transgender people should live open and dignified lives.

"But I also believe that people with gender-critical views should be able to come to the council chamber and make their points. Both rights exist and they should be able to coexist."

She added that she will now serve as an independent councillor, aiming to "facilitate, lead, and move the debate forward".

The Green Party thanked councillor O'Rourke for her time and said they were "disappointed" that she had stepped down.

"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," a spokesperson said.

"Expressing a point of view does not mean ignoring the impact words have on people."