Former Olympic swimmer and prominent women's rights campaigner Sharron Davies has officially taken her seat in the House of Lords as a life peer. The silver medallist, known for her vocal criticism of transgender athletes competing in women's sport, was nominated for the peerage by Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch.
A Ceremonial Introduction
Baroness Davies of Devonport, taking her title from an area of Plymouth where she was born, wore the traditional scarlet robes during the swearing-in ceremony yesterday. In the historic chamber, she formally pledged her allegiance to King Charles III, marking her formal entry into the upper house of Parliament.
Distinguished Supporters
The ceremony was supported by two notable figures: Paralympic champion and independent crossbencher Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, and Conservative peer Lord Young of Acton, who serves as director of the Free Speech Union. Their presence underscored the significance of her appointment within sporting and political circles.
A Storied Sporting Career
Lady Davies' international swimming career spanned an impressive three decades, beginning when she represented Britain at just 11 years old. She was selected for the 1976 Montreal Olympics at the age of 13, demonstrating exceptional talent from a young age. The twice Commonwealth champion retired in 1994 after breaking more than 200 British records, cementing her legacy as one of Britain's most accomplished swimmers.
Post-Sporting Endeavours
Following her retirement from competitive swimming, Davies enjoyed a successful television career and currently serves as director of the Women's Sports Union. This organisation is dedicated to championing fair and safe sporting opportunities for women and girls across the country.
Controversial Stance on Transgender Athletes
Baroness Davies has been a prominent and sometimes controversial figure in the debate surrounding transgender athletes in women's sport. In April 2024, she claimed that 'hundreds of males are stealing from females in sport' following a trans cyclist winning a bronze medal in a race in the United States, describing the situation as 'disgusting sexism'.
She has spoken openly about facing significant backlash for her views, stating she had been 'cancelled' for her stance on transgender women competing in sport and faced both financial and reputational ruin in 2019. Despite this, she remains steadfast in her position.
Bringing 'Common Sense' to the Lords
The new peer has vowed to bring what she describes as 'common sense' to the House of Lords and has committed to pushing for initiatives to get more girls involved in sport. In an interview with the Daily Mail in December, she expressed concern about declining participation, noting: 'We used to lose girls at 14, now it's at 11. We have to find ways of getting them back.'
She suggested practical solutions, stating: 'If it's because they don't want to do muddy cross country, we need to look at bringing in Zumba teachers and hairdryers in changing rooms.' Her approach emphasises adapting to modern preferences to encourage sustained participation.
Relationship with Kemi Badenoch
Baroness Davies spoke warmly of her nominator, Kemi Badenoch, recalling how they first connected. 'I first got to know her when she was Equalities Minister and what struck me was how hard she was working behind the scenes,' she said. 'She always had time to listen to me. I'd speak to her maybe twice or three times a month and she always took my call.'
Future Influence as a Peer
Regarding her new role, Baroness Davies indicated she intends to use her position to hold accountable those she believes have been avoiding difficult conversations about women's sport. 'I will be able to go after the people who have been avoiding,' she stated. 'Those who don't want to look into my eyes and say "Yes, we are letting women in sport down" won't be able to simply ignore me.'
Her appointment adds a significant voice to debates surrounding sports policy, equality, and women's rights within Parliament's upper chamber, promising to bring both her sporting expertise and campaigning zeal to legislative discussions.
