In a recent session of Prime Minister’s Questions in the UK House of Commons, Conservative MP Philip Davies stirred controversy by making an anti-transgender joke. The session primarily revolved around discussions about challenges in the UK’s prison system and schools, with Labour leader Keir Starmer criticizing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. During this debate, Philip Davies, representing Shipley in West Yorkshire, unexpectedly injected a comment about misgendering into his question regarding inmates assaulting prison officers.
Davies stated, “It’s vitally important that we retain, recruit, and protect our prison officers. So, will the prime minister agree to stop any prisoner who assaults a prison officer from being released early from jail? This simple measure will be very popular with prison officers, it will be very popular with the public, and it might even find favor with the parties opposite who normally think that the only people who should be in prison are [those] who misgender people.”
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His comment elicited laughter from fellow MPs, but it also raised concerns about insensitivity towards transgender issues within the Conservative Party. This incident is not the first of its kind, as there have been previous instances of Conservative MPs making anti-trans remarks. In June, exclusive footage revealed Rishi Sunak mocking transgender individuals and making jokes about “women having penises.” Similarly, Suella Braverman, another Conservative MP, launched an anti-trans attack on Starmer during a House of Commons session a month later.
These incidents highlight an ongoing issue within the Conservative Party, where some members have engaged in derogatory and offensive remarks about transgender individuals. While reactions to Philip Davies’ comment were mixed, it underscores the importance of addressing such language and promoting inclusivity in political discourse.
