Today, Anneliese Dodds, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities, has pledged in a Guardian article that ‘Labour will lead on reform of transgender rights.’
At first glance, you could be fooled into thinking this is a positive intervention. For starters, Dodds has rowed back on the policy of self-ID, perhaps after seeing the chaotic collapse of the policy under the SNP in Scotland. Labour will also maintain the need for a diagnosis of ‘gender dysphoria’ before someone can obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate. Dodds says that the party will not seek to remove same-sex exemptions permitted under the Equality Act 2010 either.
But when you dig beneath the surface, it becomes clear that the Labour party will still push a regressive and divisive ideology should they get into power. And by attempting to back both horses, they risk alienating everyone.
When you dig beneath the surface, it becomes clear that the Labour party will still push a regressive and divisive ideology should they get into power
In terms of the specific proposals, Labour would abolish the safeguard of having a panel of independent and anonymous doctors make decisions about Gender Recognition Certificates.
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