Keir Starmer has finally spoken out following the Supreme Court’s explosive ruling on gender identity and he hasn’t held back. In a statement that’s already dividing opinion, Starmer declared: “A woman is an adult female.”
The comment marks a major shift for Starmer, who had previously dodged giving a clear answer on one of the most hot-button issues in British politics. But after weeks of growing pressure and public debate, the Labour leader has taken a firm stance — one that aligns with the Supreme Court’s decision to prioritise biological sex in law.
The court ruled that legal sex, especially in relation to public boards and single-sex services, must be based on biology — not gender identity. This effectively limits the reach of the 2004 Gender Recognition Act, which had allowed people to change their legal sex on documents like birth certificates and passports.
Starmer’s remarks have triggered a wave of reaction both inside and outside his party. While some Labour MPs support the decision, leaked WhatsApp messages show others scrambling to find ways to “circumvent” the court’s ruling.
Women’s rights campaigners welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision, warning that ignoring biological sex in areas like healthcare, prisons, and sports puts women at risk. “You can’t change biological sex — and pretending otherwise leads to dangerous policies,” one campaigner said.
Critics of the ruling, however, say it threatens the rights of trans people and risks rolling back progress. Protests have already taken place, with more expected in the coming weeks.
But Starmer’s message is clear and for the first time, unmistakable: “A woman is a woman.”
