As the next general election approaches, Keir Starmer’s Labour Party is aggressively targeting “middle-ground” voters to reclaim those lost in the previous election. However, their approach has raised alarm bells among activists and MPs, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. Labour’s newfound emphasis on culture wars, at the expense of LGBTQ+ voters, has fueled concerns and disheartened its own members.
A Shift on Gender Recognition Reform
Recently, Labour’s shadow women and equalities minister, Anneliese Dodds, outlined the party’s updated position on gender recognition reform in The Guardian. In a noteworthy departure from the party’s previous support for demedicalization and streamlining of the gender recognition process, Dodds emphasized the need to protect “biological women” from “predators” by limiting access to certain spaces for trans women. This policy shift, endorsed by Keir Starmer, has put self-identification off the table, with the party now asserting that “a woman is an adult female.”
Mixed Reactions Among MPs
The change in LGBTQ+ policies has not been uniformly embraced among Labour MPs. Some express mounting frustration with the party’s adoption of “gender-critical” talking points, believing it to be an ineffective election strategy. One Labour MP, representing a red-wall constituency, argues that this shift misunderstands the North, where voters prioritize issues like healthcare, climate crisis, and job security over “gender-critical” concerns.
Trust Erosion and Transphobia Within Labour
LGBTQ+ activists and campaigners have also voiced their dismay. Alexis Chilvers, spokesperson for Labour for Trans Rights, highlights the party’s erosion of trust and lack of commitment to even the most basic trans rights. Trust between the LGBTQ+ community and Labour has been severely damaged, and activists call for introspection and a reassessment of the party’s stance.
The Search for Hope Amid Tory Attacks
While some activists see potential in Anneliese Dodds as a proponent for LGBTQ+ rights, others urge Labour to go further and address transphobia within its ranks. Jayne Ozanne, an anti-conversion therapy campaigner, acknowledges Dodds’ efforts but emphasizes the need for more engagement and understanding from the party. Despite the challenges, many hope that Labour’s policies can be shaped and improved, offering a more viable alternative than the divisive wedge politics pursued by the Tories.