Page 171 of The Unlikely Pair

“Words do matter. When comments from a candidate trying to become elected to this House undermine these principles, it is our duty to confront them.” Toby’s gaze doesn’t waver from mine. “Does the leader of the opposition agree that by failing to unequivocally denounce such comments, we risk eroding the very foundations of our inclusive society? And will he, today, make a clear choice to defend these foundations by rejecting the words of David Grantham? I feel it appropriate to remind the leader of the opposition about Martin Luther King’s famous quote, ‘Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.’”

I rise again to my feet, my legs shaky.

This is Toby.

He will challenge me. Always.

He makes me into a better version of myself.

Which is part of what love should be.

I walk the few steps to the despatch box. I take a deep breath, my hands gripping the despatch box as though it’s the only thing keeping me upright.

I look down at the notes prepared by my aides, notes designed to placate, to minimize the cost of David Grantham’s comments to people who disagree with them, but to not alienate those voters who subscribe to his particular brand of hate.

It’s politics. It’s what my ancestors engaged in within the House of Lords. It’s what my grandfather, father, and I have all engaged in since we joined the House of Commons.

But I can’t help remembering the discussions Toby and I had in the wilderness. About how leadership came about and the very basics of what it means to be a leader. To make the decisions to find food and shelter. To protect your people from being attacked by wolves.

David Grantham is a wolf.

Everyone is looking at me expectantly. I need to start speaking. I try to draw my thoughts together into something coherent, but I feel like I’m back in the blizzard, lost with no sense of direction.

“Thank you for your question,” I say slowly while my mind continues to swirl.

I could battle with the board and the party to get them to see sense regarding the David Grantham issue, but where would that leave me? Still the leader of a party where there are factions that agree with David Grantham, with party members who wish to appease the voters who cling to prejudice and fear rather than embrace the values of equality and respect.

Still in a party where I can’t ever be the leader and in a relationship with a man.

Is my desire to fulfill my family legacy more important than being true to myself?

“I agree with the Honourable Member. Words do matter,” I say.

I look up at Toby now, sitting on the government bench, and I remember that this is how I survived the snowstorm. By following Toby. By letting him guide me when I needed him to.

“I just talked about how democracy thrives on diverse opinions and vigorous debate. We can disagree on how much tax people should pay and how big a role the state should play in managing our economy. We can disagree on the best way to fund our healthcare system or the most effective strategies for combating climate change. We can disagree on the most equitable way to distribute the wealth and resources of our nation.

“But the Honourable Member is right. We should never disagree on the fundamental fact that every member of our society, regardless of the color of their skin, their gender, the god they worship, or the person they choose to love, deserves dignity and respect.

“I have expressed to the Party Chair my complete and utter disdain for David Grantham’s comments because theydomatter. His comments matter politically because if we leave them unchallenged, it sends a message to LGBTQ+ people that we’re prepared to see someone who despises them elected to Parliament. And that matters not only to people here but to people around the world because the United Kingdom should be a shining light to other countries, demonstrating that our diversity is our strength and pride.”

I feel my voice wavering with emotion, and I let it. I let the raw emotion pour out of me in every tremor of my voice. Because if I’m not going to get emotional about this, then what is the point of having emotions?

“David Grantham’s comments also matter to me morally because while I understand politics involve compromise, thereare some things I am never prepared to compromise on. And one of those things is the right of every member of our society to live a life where they are respected, able to live authentically and openly, without having to hide or deny who they are.”

I take a deep breath.

“But most of all, his comments matter to me on the deepest, personal level—” I stare across the parliamentary Chamber to the government benches.

Toby’s beautiful eyes stare back at me, and I have never said any words with the same clear enunciation as I say my next ones.

“Because I am in love with a man. And my love for him will never be wrong.”

Silence.

The silence seems to echo around the Commons Chamber before a wave of audible reactions, gasps, and exclamations crest and break against the walls of the room.

I stand firm at the despatch box, my shoulders squared and my head held high.