Prime Minister Keir Starmer has described Reform UK's proposal to repeal the Equality Act as 'shocking' and 'un-British', warning it would undo decades of protection for women. In an interview with BBC Breakfast, Starmer argued the legislation is fundamental to British values, stating that the idea of women not being treated equally would send the country back to 'old days'.
Starmer emphasised that the Equality Act also safeguards individuals on grounds of race, recalling historical examples of landlords discriminating based on race. 'I believe passionately to be tolerant, compassionate and diverse is what it is to be British,' he said, challenging Reform UK to defend the proposition that women should be treated differently.
The comments follow the appointment of Suella Braverman as Reform UK's spokesperson for education, skills and equalities. Braverman, who defected to the party earlier this year, announced she would abolish her own brief and repeal the Equality Act on her first day in government.
In the same interview, Starmer addressed pressure on the Duke of York to cooperate with investigations into the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. The Prime Minister said anyone with relevant information, including Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, should 'come forward' to authorities, reiterating that 'nobody is above the law'.
Starmer also defended the government's decision to reverse planned postponements of local elections in 30 councils, following legal advice. The elections will now proceed in May as originally scheduled.
