Labor refuses to back Tory pledge to protect single-sex spaces

Mr Healy said there was «no need» to amend the Equality Act; Photo: Geoff Pugh for The Telegraph -4223678de837.html?direct=true&id=bc72b371-0215-4d99-b27b-4223678de837&template=articleRendererHTML' class='tmg-particle Sticky-nav wrp-bc72b371-0215-4d99-b27b-4223678de837' title= General Election Data — business-type='editorial' loading='eager' scrolling='no' Frameborder='0'allow='web-share' style='width: 100%; min-width: 100%; border: none; position: relative; display: block; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;'>

Labor has refused to back a Conservative election pledge to protect single-sex spaces by changing the Equality Act.

John Healey, the shadow defense secretary, said legislation already existed to provide the necessary safeguards for biological women.

Rishi Sunak announced on Monday that the Tory manifesto will include a commitment to rewrite the Equality Act to bring clarity. that sex refers to “biological sex.”

This will ensure that trans women — those born male — will be legally banned from places such as women's prisons and domestic violence facilities, even if they have a gender recognition certificate.

But when asked about the proposals, Mr Healy told Times Radio: “We don't want to amend the law, there's no need for that. Incidentally, this legislation was the Labor Act 2010, which the Tories opposed, but it already provides protection for same-sex spaces for biological women.

“There is already a definition of a woman, but sex and gender are different things. What is needed is clearer guidance for service providers, from the NHS to sports organizations and prisons, on what same-sex exceptions should be, and the best way to do this is through guidance rather than primary legislation.

“The government had 14 years to do this, but it didn’t do it. Frankly, it's a distraction from an election campaign in which most people want to hear why cost of living pressures are so high, what the Tories are going to do and what Labor are going to do to try to help. make life more affordable and Britain a better place.”

Labor has hardened its stance in the transgender debate and last year withdrew support for plans that would allow 16-year-olds to change gender without a medical certificate.

But Sir Keir Starmer's party remains committed to doing so. It is easier for people to change their gender and the Conservatives hope to make the issue a major dividing line ahead of polling day on July 4.

Responding to Mr Healey's remarks, Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch said: “Under Labour, biological males will access to women-only spaces is allowed.

“Labour believes protecting women is a “distraction.” This is not surprising: Keir Starmer has turned a corner on what a woman is, he has long campaigned for the introduction of gender self-identification, and today he refuses to support our commitment to rewrite the Equality Act to make it clear that sex means “biological sex.” '.

“While Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives have a clear plan to protect women and girls, it is clear that Keir Starmer and the Labor Party will not stand up for women.”