Members quit Southend Labour amid transphobia row

A motion to Southend West Labour Party called for action against transphobia after a rise in crimes in the borough.

However, the call was voted down, with a councillor claiming it “excluded women’s rights”.

The party has now been accused of holding transphobic views, with councillor Jennifer Beck threatening to resign if the motion was backed. 

The debate took place at the Southend Labour West meeting on Saturday. 

Some members have now scrapped their Labour membership amid the controversy.

Dan Turpin, the former chair of Southend Pride, revealed how he’s no longer a party member.

He added: “I’m extremely disappointed. This was the tipping point for me. 

“The councillors who voted against the motion all attended Pride, and that’s the irony of it.”

The motion also sought to investigate and remove members from the party who were found to be transphobic.

This was voted down by the Southend West party.

Jennifer Beck, Labour councillor for Victoria ward, said in the meeting the tabled motion “excluded women’s rights”.

She later claimed her phrase was a “rhetorical question” and was a “debating technique”.

She declined to comment any further when contacted by the Echo over the issues raised.

Mr Turpin said he has become disillusioned with Labour.

He added: “These views aren’t representative of the whole party, thankfully.

"I’m not really shocked this has all happened. 

“I’ve had a few run ins with a few of the councillors about my views on transgender rights.”

The current chair of Southend Pride, Sam Adams, who submitted the motion to Southend West Labour over transphobia, added: “It’s so obvious it was transphobic.

“I was very disappointed with the outcome and I thought it would have passed through. 

“Southend Labour in the majority are transgender inclusive, and have supported us on Pride before.”

Ian Gilbert, Labour leader of Southend Council, was contacted repeatedly by the Echo for comment but did not respond to the calls.