David, in Brighton, in 2026

@davidbtn2.bsky.social

4891 Followers 3008 Following

Welsh, Brightonian, London librarian, writer (actively looking for a literary agent) and Queerguru contributor. The G & Q in LGBTQ+ (he/him) 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 IG: davidbtn2

A photo of 8 seagulls sat on a wall facing out to sea. In the background is a large stage on a beach for a music concert
In Britain I call them the ‘Lanyard Class.’ Without having any intellectual or artistic substance, the Lanyard Class always wears the ‘Lanyard.’ It is the status symbol of the Civil Service. From rug chewing office dwellers to primary school teachers, the Lanyard is the face of modern Britain. It is a liberal fetishcit says “I’m righteous” and “I’m anti-fascist.” But they must be seen to be righteous. Liberalism works on its performative gestures. Liberalism envelopes the entire personas of these people. They can be identified long before they speak, long before they produce the departmental jargon, long before they invoke “stakeholders,” “frameworks,” or “best practice.” They announce themselves semiotically. Around the neck hangs the sign of office: the Lanyard. The Lanyard, in itself, is an absurd object. It is merely a strip of fabric carrying a plastic card granting access to a building of mediocre architectural quality somewhere in Westminster, Croydon, Salford, or Canary Wharf. Yet its symbolic function is disproportionate to its material value. The Lanyard is not worn because it is useful. It is worn because it signifies membership within a bureaucratic order. It is an insignia of procedural authority.
Photo of a young man dragging a huge black fishing net into the sea, waves crashing behind.
Dear David, Thank you for getting in touch about this and for sharing your concerns with me. I am grateful to you for raising this and I understand the anxiety and uncertainty that this has caused for many people. It is of course the case that Labour’s Equalities Act continues to guarantee protection for trans people against harassment and intimidation, but I entirely understand why you and many people in our local community are concerned at the potential implications of the new guidance, particularly around how it may affect trans, non-binary and LGBTQ+ people in their day-to-day lives. I am particularly concerned about the potential impact on trans people’s mental health and wider social inclusion and diversity. I have raised this previously in the House of Commons and I plan to meet with Trans+ Solidarity Alliance and to discuss this with the Equalities Minister. Please be assured that I will continue to engage with those affected and seek do everything I can to ensure that trans people are treated with dignity and respect. Thank you very much for writing to me about this. Kind Regards, Chris Ward MP Member of Parliament for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven