It’s a difficult one – why rape and not other cases? On balance though, since the accuser/victim “benefits” from such protection in rape cases in particular I think it is also justified for the accused. It doesn’t stop people reporting on the case, and reporting the name once a verdict is reached, but it can stop lives of innocents being utterly ruined.

As you are aware from your work on the Equality Bill, for which you must be thanked, there is so very much that needs dealing with and far more than the our points you list.

“you cannot believe in Proportional Representation which always results in balanced parliaments – and then say – don’t like them – not doing it”. I agree with you, but this is a message that has clearly not reached many Lib Dem supporters. But more than that, I think some people have not yet grasped that this will be a more common situation under PR of any sort.

Hopefully, this coalition will control the excesses of any one party, but only time will tell.

May I offer you belated congratulations on both your re-election and your new and well deserved appointment. It is good to know that there is now a true friend of the Trans community in government.

Best Wishes for the future

However, that said, as a trans person, I am really glad that you are there Lynne. The only other option would have been an unrestrained Tory programme, written by The Daily Mail. You have an opportunity here – your area, whilst affected by the draconian cuts that are on their way – will not have its agenda ENTIRELY defined by budgetary issues as other departments may. There remains, irrespective of budgets, the opportunity to keep alive and develop some principles of dignity, fairness and respect to LGBT people. And such things do not cost millions, they simply take understanding and commitment in the face of bigotry.

I am however worried very much by Cameron’s interest in walking away from European human rights legislation, the UK version of which has helped underpin some of the basic rights trans people are beginning to get.

And despite the love-in which is currently going on, and which I understand, I do hope that you retain the understanding that there MAY come a point at which you have to resign, if the right wing agenda starts to dominate.

Wow. That’s a huge pledge.

Do you realise how many LGBT people across the world face persecution? Two places I’ve spent a lot of time are the Middle east and Africa. They are (almost uniformly) deeply homophobic places where society and state combine to make life intolerable (and potentially deadly) for anyone who dares to come out.

Do these people deserve our sympathy?

Of course.

Do these people deserve our help?

Yes. We should use whatever tools we have to try to twist the arm of their governments to respect their dignity and Human rights.

Should the millions of people suffering from such discrimination (and at risk of execution if they publicly come out) be granted indefinite asylum in our country if they were to apply?

No. Of course not. It’s utterly impractical. There’s simply far, far too many of them.

If we were to introduce such a policy in public, could you imagine for one moment the reaction of Yoweri Museveni, Yahya Jammeh and Ayatollah Khatemi?

Lynne, you have your heart in the right place, but this policy is bonkers.

Be realistic. You’re not in opposition any more.