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On further reflection, I agree. It’s not for this counsellor to judge how her colleagues stand up against fascism.

Her stepping down is the right thing to do.

I’m familiar, yes. That’s why I said I’m torn about this.

There are different ways of showing intolerance of fascist rhetoric. I’m saying that while I support the motives of the counsellors who have walked out, I also empathise with this counsellor who stepped down because of her convictions regarding her duty as an elected official.

I’m really torn about this. I want the Greens to gain more places. I also support Green Party councellors in defending their values in a personal capacity.

But elected leaders are meant to represent, and by extension, listen to all of their constituents. Even those with morally repugnant views. Counsellors walking out of public meetings when someone raises anti-trans talking points is fundamentally incompatible with the democratic framework they were elected within.

Now, personally, I value doing The Right Thing (ie. not giving space to fascist rhetoric) over obeying the rules of the framework, but I empathise with this counsellor’s decision. Tactics like this will alienate a lot of potential voters, and if we want the Greens in a place of power to be able to enact systemic change we need to be winning people over, not pushing them away.

That’s not to say we should tolerate fascist rhetoric. There are other ways to push back against it than walking out.