Starmer refuses to punish Labour MPs ‘plotting against trans ruling, The Reason Will Shock You
Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer has chosen not to discipline two of his ministers who were reportedly planning to push back against a recent Supreme Court decision. The ruling stated that, legally, only people born female are considered women, which would prevent trans women from using women-only facilities or competing in women’s sports.
Dame Angela Eagle, the minister responsible for border security, said in leaked WhatsApp messages that the official guidance expected after the ruling could have serious negative effects on the transgender community. She is organizing a meeting with other Labour MPs to discuss how to respond and potentially meet with the government’s equality minister to protect trans rights.
In those messages, sent Thursday, Culture Minister Sir Chris Bryant also appeared to criticize Baroness Falkner, who leads the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The EHRC is the organization expected to release the updated guidelines. Earlier that day, Baroness Falkner had said the Court’s decision made it clear that women-only services must be based on biological sex, not gender identity.
When Labour MP Steve Race commented that Baroness Falkner’s statement was “pretty appalling,” Sir Chris agreed, though neither clarified exactly what they found offensive.
Downing Street responded by saying the ministers were not undermining the Court’s decision, so no action would be taken against them. While the government expressed support for the ruling, Sir Keir Starmer has stayed silent both on the ruling and on recent protests, including one where activists vandalized statues in Parliament Square. One of those statues was of Millicent Fawcett, a historic women’s rights campaigner, which was defaced with graffiti in protest of the decision.
Dame Angela, speaking to a group of LGBT+ Labour MPs, said the ruling itself might not be as damaging as feared, but the upcoming guidance from the EHRC could be. She expressed concern that some public bodies might already be overreacting, referencing British Transport Police’s temporary policy that male officers will now handle strip searches of trans women.
She urged her colleagues to stick to Labour’s promises made during the election, including the commitment to protect people’s freedom to explore their sexual orientation and gender identity. Another MP in the group said it was upsetting that some institutions appeared to be ignoring parts of the ruling that also protect trans people under the Equality Act. Dame Angela responded by saying it’s time to organize and act.
Labour MPs supported the idea of quickly arranging a meeting with the equality minister once Parliament returns from its Easter break.
Baroness Falkner, meanwhile, praised the Court’s ruling, saying it brings clarity for public services, and insisted that women-only facilities must only be used by those born female. She said services like the NHS could now face consequences if they don’t follow the new rules.
Last year, Falkner survived efforts to remove her from her position due to her strong defense of women’s rights. Some critics had accused her of being hostile toward trans people, which she denied.
Mims Davies, the shadow minister for women and equalities, criticized Labour’s approach. She accused them of saying one thing in public while doing the opposite behind closed doors. She defended Baroness Falkner as a brave woman facing abuse for standing up for women’s rights, and said the Prime Minister needs to publicly support the EHRC’s upcoming guidance.
Helen Joyce, who works with the women’s rights group Sex Matters, reminded Labour that they had promised to defend single-sex spaces. She said the Supreme Court’s decision helps them keep that promise and respects the careful balance of rights set out in the Equality Act. She also pointed out that Sir Chris Bryant, who is involved in new legislation about how sex and gender are recorded in government data, will play a key role in ensuring the law is followed.
