Unions to boycott Labour women's conference after a trans ban, with several affiliates saying the party's rules conflict with their equality policies.
Several major unions are set to boycott the Labour women’s conference after the party barred trans women from the main session. The dispute has put the Labour women's conference at the center of a broader fight over how the party is applying new equalities rules.
The annual gathering is normally held on the eve of Labour’s main conference in September and is designed to bring more women into policy discussions. It usually draws hundreds of women from Labour’s activist base, including MPs, councillors and supporters. This year’s event in Liverpool will allow trans women to attend fringe meetings, but not the main hall, where votes, keynote speeches and policy debates are due to take place.
Labour says the restriction is meant to balance access with legal compliance after the Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling last year that, under equalities law, a woman is defined by biological sex. After that ruling, Labour cancelled last year’s women’s conference while it waited for guidance from the equalities watchdog. That guidance, issued by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission and approved by ministers, said a trans woman is a biological male who identifies as a woman and should not use single-sex spaces.
On that basis, Labour’s National Executive Committee agreed that references to “woman” and “women” must be interpreted by biological sex. A leaked advice paper at the time had argued that the “only legally defensible alternative” would be to limit attendance to biological women. The party has now done just that for the main conference session, even while keeping fringe events open.
“Unions to boycott Labour women's conference after a trans ban, with several affiliates saying the party's rules conflict with their equality policies.”
So far, Unison, Usdaw, Aslef and the Musicians’ Union have confirmed they will not send delegations, according to the earlier reports first carried by the Metro. More unions could follow, since most Labour-affiliated unions have long-standing trans inclusion policies that clash with the party’s current approach. The BBC understands that the issue may trigger a wider boycott if more unions decide to stand with those already staying away.
Unison said it disagreed with the interpretation of the law that excludes trans people. The union said it would not send a delegation because Labour’s restrictions on access run against its policy on trans equality. It also said its position is that trans women are women, trans men are men and non-binary identities are valid, and that it is campaigning for a change in the law to match that view.
Labour said it remains committed to advancing women in politics and giving members opportunities to network, debate and contribute. The party said its women’s conference reflects that aim, along with inclusion and compliance with the law. The row now exposes a deeper problem for Labour: it is trying to follow the legal ruling while holding together unions that fund the party and expect their equality commitments to be respected.
What happens next will show whether Labour can keep its union base onside while enforcing the new rules around single-sex events. For American readers, the dispute is a reminder that battles over sex, law and access to public spaces are shaping politics far beyond the United States too.
Frequently asked questions
Why are unions boycotting Labour’s women’s conference?
They object to Labour’s decision to bar trans women from the main conference session. Unison said the restriction conflicts with its trans equality policy.
What parts of the conference can trans women attend?
Labour says trans women can attend fringe meetings. They are not allowed into the main hall, where votes, keynote speeches and policy debates will happen.
What legal basis does Labour give for the restriction?
Labour says it is following a Supreme Court ruling and guidance from the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, both of which treat woman as defined by biological sex under equalities law.
Which unions have said they will not send delegations?
Unison, Usdaw, Aslef and the Musicians’ Union have confirmed they will boycott the event, according to the article.
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