Tories to amend Equality Act to protect biological sex

The Tories have continued their habit of making a big election pledge at 10:30 p.m every weekend. Last time, it was the reintroduction of national service; this week it is their plans to overhaul the Equality Act. Yes, that’s right, after 14 years in government, the Conservatives have finally decided that it might be worth taking a look at one of the most contentious pieces of legislation which Labour passed in its dying days of office. Better late than never eh…

The Tories claim that if they are re-elected they will amend the Equality Act in order to make clear that the protected characteristic of sex is ‘biological sex’. This change aims to make it simpler for service providers for women and girls to prevent biological males from taking part – such as those running sessions for domestic abuse victims. In the words of the Conservatives’ press release:

More than a decade has passed since the last Labour government passed the Equality Act.