Eric Walker, a 100-year-old D-Day veteran and long-standing member of the Green Party, has been suspended following comments he made about transgender individuals in a private Facebook group. Walker, who has been with the party for five decades, outlined what he believed were five distinct categories of trans women, including those who genuinely feel they are in the wrong body and others who, he suggested, might identify as female to gain advantages in women’s sports.
In his remarks, Walker expressed concerns about individuals he described as “males in sports who never come first” and young people who, after researching trans issues online, become convinced they should transition. He also mentioned individuals with severe mental health issues and “mavericks” who might identify as female for disruptive purposes.
The Green Party suspended Walker in January 2024, citing his comments as transphobic and noting his threat to disclose the names of party members involved in disciplinary actions. Walker has appealed the suspension, asserting his right to free speech and emphasizing that his comments were made in a private forum. He also highlighted his past involvement in creating a film sympathetic to transgender issues in 1978, underscoring his claim that he is not transphobic.
This incident has sparked a broader discussion within the Green Party about internal governance and the influence of specific groups on party policies. Walker criticized a small faction within the party for exerting disproportionate control over key committees and policy decisions.
As of now, the Green Party has not provided specific comments on Walker’s case but has indicated that it is reviewing its disciplinary procedures, including the use of “no-fault suspensions.”
Walker’s suspension highlights the ongoing tensions within political parties and society at large regarding discussions on gender identity, free speech, and the boundaries of acceptable discourse.
