HAILEY DIXON – The Telegraph
Labour leader’s vow to update rules on gender self-identification emerges in wake of controversial changes passed by Scottish Parliament
HAILEY DIXON – 23 DECEMBER 2022 – THE TELEGRAPH
Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to change the law to allow trans people to self-declare their gender, The Telegraph can reveal.
The Labour leader has said he will “update” the Gender Recognition Act (GRA) if elected, despite warnings that doing so would impact women’s rights and could enable predatory men to access single-sex spaces.
Sir Keir’s commitment could mean legislation in the UK mirrors changes passed by the Scottish Parliament on Thursday, which allow people as young as 16 to change their legal gender by signing a declaration.
Rishi Sunak has already said he thinks it is “completely reasonable” for the Government to consider blocking the SNP’s changes.
Labour MSPs were whipped to vote in favour of the Gender Recognition Bill, but that prompted a split in the party as some refused to support the change.
The Telegraph can reveal that Sir Keir has promised the LGBT community that he would take similar action on the GRA in England and Wales if elected.
In a message to Pink News for Pride last year, he said his priority was “forming the next government so we can introduce legislation and change society so that, whoever you are, you can lead a happy and fulfilled life. We are committed to updating the GRA to introduce self-declaration for trans people”.
Sir Keir has remained silent on the controversy in Scotland and has so far refused to comment on whether he would back plans to veto the Bill in Westminster.
Asked by The Telegraph about the leader’s comments to Pink News, Labour confirmed that he stood by plans to reform the GRA.
A party spokesman said: “All political parties agree that the process needs modernising. A future Labour government will consult on what that looks like, while upholding the Equality Act and maintaining single-sex spaces.
“Labour has a strong and proud record of standing up for women’s rights. Our commitment to them is unrelenting.”…