Keir Starmer has finally filled the women and equalities brief in his government with Bridget Phillipson and Anneliese Dodds. Phillipson is the minister for women and equalities, along with her role as Secretary of State for Education. Dodds is minister of state for women and equalities, and has also been appointed a minister of state in the Foreign Office.
Starmer is trying to underline that this is a government with bags of experience even after 14 years of Labour in opposition
This is an interesting move given how thorny this policy area has become in the past few years. Dodds is well-known within the Labour party for being much more in favour of reform of gender recognition processes – something gender critical feminists are concerned about.
Phillipson also gave interviews during the election which attracted criticism from some campaigners because she said transgender women who still had penises could use female toilets. These appointments are, though, in line with the policy in the party’s manifesto on gender.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in