Labour failed to lift a finger to enforce the law after Supreme Court gender ruling | Politics | News
Last year’s Supreme Court decision on the legal meaning of the concepts of ‘woman’ and ‘gender’ was a landmark achievement for common sense and women’s rights.
But over the past 12 months, relief and joy have been replaced by disappointment and anger at a Labor Government that has not lifted a finger to enforce the law.
The court was clear that if a space or service is only available to one gender, this means only biological males or females can use it.
It is good to offer mixed-gender spaces where appropriate, and it is important to provide alternative spaces for transgender people.
But if the restroom, locker room, hospital ward, gym class, sports team or any place is for women only, then no men are allowed in.
The equality watchdog has published official guidance for organizations on complying with the law. All Minister for Women Bridget Phillipson had to do was sign it and present it to Parliament.
But for nine months all we had was deafening silence. We worked hard, we tried hard, and it was finally published, which is a nice thing.
But there is much to do. For a start, the Government needs to end the scandal of NHS trusts still allowing men to use female staff changing rooms and women’s wards. Dangerous ideologies need to be weeded out in the private sector, prisons, charities and schools.
Will any of the leadership candidates have the courage to do the job? Worryingly, Andy Burnham thinks keeping men out of women’s spaces is a “minority view”. Wes Streeting has failed to update NHS rules for over a year.
Under Kemi Badenoch, the Conservatives are clear. Women’s rights must be protected and we will never stop fighting for them.
Claire Coutinho shadow equalities minister
