Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Party has been accused of a 'profound betrayal' of women after it emerged the party has quietly abandoned a key pledge to reform the Equality Act.
The controversial U-turn, which has ignited fury among leading women's rights organisations, means Labour will no longer seek to explicitly define 'sex' as biological sex in the landmark legislation. This change was a central recommendation for clarifying and strengthening protections for women and girls in single-sex spaces.
A Promise Discarded
Labour's 2019 manifesto, under former leader Jeremy Corbyn, had committed to updating the Act. The current leadership had repeatedly signalled its intention to follow through, with Shadow Women and Equalities Secretary Anneliese Dodds having previously voiced support for the clarification.
However, a spokesperson for the Labour leader this week confirmed the reform 'is not something we're doing anymore'. The sudden reversal suggests a significant shift in policy and has left campaigners feeling sidelined.
Backlash from the Front Line
The decision has provoked a fierce backlash from major charities and advocacy groups. Labour Women's Declaration, a group representing thousands of female party members, stated the move 'shatters any hope that the Labour Party is on the side of women'.
They were joined by Sex Matters and Keep Prisons Single Sex, who collectively condemned the party for 'putting election calculations ahead of women's rights, safety and dignity'. The groups argue that without a clear biological definition of sex, the integrity of single-sex spaces like domestic violence refuges, rape crisis centres, and hospital wards is undermined.
The Single-Sex Spaces Dilemma
At the heart of the issue is the conflict between gender identity and sex-based rights. The current Equality Act allows for the exclusion of transgender people from single-sex spaces if it is a 'proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim'.
Campaigners for reform argue this legal test is too vague, placing an unfair burden on service providers and potentially risking women's safety. They believe an explicit biological definition of sex would provide much-needed legal clarity and reinforce women's protected characteristics.
Election Strategy or Principle?
Political analysts suggest Starmer's reversal is a strategic attempt to avoid a damaging culture war in the run-up to the general election. By dropping the reform, the leadership likely hopes to sidestep contentious debates and focus on core issues like the economy and the NHS.
Yet, for many within its own ranks and the wider movement, this is seen as a cowardly abandonment of principle. One anonymous shadow minister conceded the issue is 'incredibly difficult', highlighting the deep internal divisions it causes.
As the election nears, Labour finds itself walking a tightrope, risking the alienation of a segment of its traditional base in pursuit of a broader, and less controversial, appeal.
