The Labour Party has announced that transgender women will be excluded from the main hall and denied voting rights at its National Women's Conference in 2026. The decision, following a comprehensive legal review, is seen as an effort to align with the Supreme Court's interpretation of the legal definition of a woman.
Details of the Exclusion and Legal Context
The ruling means trans women will not be permitted to vote on policy debates, motions, or elections for the national women's committee. They will also be barred from hearing speeches and discussions in the primary conference hall. According to reports, they will still have access to an evening reception, fringe events, and exhibition spaces associated with the conference.
This move comes in the wake of the Supreme Court's landmark ruling in April, which clarified that the words "woman" and "sex" within the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex. The party cancelled its women's conference this year due to risks of protests and legal challenges stemming from this judgment.
Reactions and Wider Organisational Shifts
The decision has sparked strong reactions from across the spectrum. A spokesperson for the Labour for Trans Rights group described the exclusion as "terrible," stating that trans members are being "cut out of the democratic processes of the Labour Party." Conversely, a spokesperson for the gender-critical Labour Women's Declaration group welcomed the party's move to "follow the law" but argued it should go further by excluding trans women from all single-sex workshops.
This development occurs amidst a lack of clear, updated government guidance on single-sex spaces. Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson has stated she is taking time to "get it right," while the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has urged her to expedite the process, warning that some organisations are currently using unlawful practices. The relevant statutory code has not been updated since 2011.
Broader Implications for UK Organisations
Labour's decision reflects a broader trend of organisations reassessing their policies. The Women's Institute has announced it will ban trans women from joining from April next year, citing the Supreme Court ruling as leaving it with "no other choice." Similarly, Girlguiding revealed this week that it would ban trans girls from joining its groups.
A Labour Party spokesperson told LabourList: "National Women’s Conference will be held in 2026 after a comprehensive legal review. This reflects our commitment to addressing the underrepresentation of women in the Party and compliance with the law."
