Don't call us 'nutters', say Greens as 'inclusive terminology guidance' that includes banning 'mothers and fathers' is blasted by Rowling

Published: 08:12 EDT, 1 October 2026 | Updated: 08:39 EDT, 1 October 2026 The Green Party has been criticised after apparently producing a list of unacceptable words and phrases that includes 'mother and father'.An 'inclusive terminology guidance' document for members suggests people use 'parents and carers' instead to avoid upsetting people who do not fit gender norms.It also suggests people avoid other gendered terminology like policewoman or chairman.It also advises caution around the use of Bame (Black and minority ethnic) to describe non-white people, instead suggesting 'global majority'.But despite being a pro-trans party it also suggests people avoid using 'transsexual' and 'homosexual', because they don't include 'non-binary' people.The document, seen by The Spectator, says 'it's OK to make mistakes from time to time.'But it also warns that 'repeated or deliberate behaviour may be considered harassment, which is unlawful'. The list also includes a prohibition on using the word 'nutter' and other terms pejorative to those with mental health problems, including 'lunatic'.Harry Potter author and women's rights campaigner JK Rowling said: 'Speaking as the elderly mother of three youngsters, who hasn't had a sex change and knows many homosexuals, it is my able-bodied and sexually-preferred opinion that the Greens are turning into total nutters.' An 'inclusive terminology guidance' document from Zack Polanski's party suggests people use 'parents and carers' instead to avoid upsetting people who do not fit gender norms Ms Rowling said: 'It is my able-bodied and sexually-preferred opinion that the Greens are turning into total nutters'A Green Party spokesman said: 'This is an existing and standard equalities training document, similar to those found in other organisations that also take equalities seriously. It is a guide and nothing else.' On Sunday the party was accused of encouraging its members to act like the East German Stasi, as they were told to police their friends' jokes and report banter to officials.Diversity training seen by The Mail on Sunday reveals the party's efforts to crack down on jokes between friends, even when those being mocked are 'absolutely fine'.Members were also instructed to audit the race of their closest friends and create more diverse social groups to tackle so-called 'affinity bias'.Green activists received the training this summer, delivered by a party official who suggested that in the event of overhearing a joke they feel uncomfortable with, they should document 'what happened, including dates, times, locations' to ensure there was a record of the incident. This could then be passed on to party officials to be used in the event of a complaint, though they were told this detailed note-taking 'shouldn't replace immediate action'.The diversity, equity and inclusion training used an example of one Green activist entering a meeting, and seeing people making 'derogatory jokes' about the nationality of a Polish person also in the room.It was outlined that the Green Party's code of conduct says 'these kinds of jokes are not okay,' though the official giving the talk insisted she was 'not here to be the joke police'.A number of responses to the scene were suggested, including speaking to a colleague and to 'use our reasoning' to work out 'why is that joke funny'.