[Cherie]

Labour has become embroiled in a fresh row over trans rights after activists put forward a biological man to be the women's officer for an LGBT+ group.

The Trans Rights Alliance, a newly formed organisation seeking to change Labour's approach to gender issues, has put forward a number of candidates for election on July 19.

One of them includes Steph Richards - a transgender woman in possession of a gender recognition certificate - who is standing for women's officer.

However, a gender critical group within the party, Labour LGB, said the move breaks party rules by 'putting a man forward to be a women's officer'.

Sharing the list of candidates, the group posted on X: 'Many people say that trans ideology is a men's rights movement.

'The "Trans Alliance" (seeking to take over the once-great LGBT+ Labour) has set out to prove this.

'Also breaking party rules by putting a man forward to be Women's Officer.'

However, Ms Richards has pushed back at claims she does not have a right to stand for the position.

She told Labour List: 'I am legally female, other than in regards to the Equality Act and the Equality Act does not apply to the position within LGBT+ Labour so I am thoroughly within my legal right and my moral right to be able to stand.'

The row is the latest example of how Labour has been torn apart by the trans rights issue following a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court earlier this year.

Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of 'flip-flopping' on the judgement which determined that the word sex in the Equality Act does not refer to gender identity.

The Labour leader, who now says he accepts the Supreme Court ruling, previously said he believed that trans women were women.

It comes after Labour decided to scrap its women's conference rather than face legal challenges and protests if it continued to admit transgender women.

Background papers said there was a 'significant risk of legal challenge to the event as it currently operates' and warned: 'There may be protests and heightened security risks to staff and attendees should the event go ahead.'

A Labour Party spokesman said: 'Labour must ensure all party procedures comply with the Supreme Court's clear ruling.

'Labour is clear that everyone in our society deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.'

That ain't happening is it? Why do we never seen transmen put forward for male roles mmm

[Oliver_W]

Why not have a women's officer, and a transwomen's officer? Let people stay in their lanes.

When it comes to addressing women's issues, I'm not sure a transwoman would have much insight.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Oliver_W

Why not have a women's officer, and a transwomen's officer? Let people stay in their lanes.

When it comes to addressing women's issues, I'm not sure a transwoman would have much insight.

Exactly, each would have their own specific areas of knowledge and experience

[Crimson Dynamo]

The Trans Rights Alliance, a newly formed organisation seeking to change Labour's approach to gender issues

Is the actual problem

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Oliver_W

Why not have a women's officer, and a transwomen's officer? Let people stay in their lanes.

When it comes to addressing women's issues, I'm not sure a transwoman would have much insight.

Far too logical, Starmer needs to get a grip of his party he is loosing control

[bots]

there are in this position now because they were so disingenuous in the past. Now the legal position has been clarified they simply don't have an out

[Vicky.]

Again..this happened a couple years back with Lily Madigan

Agree the answer is womens officer and trans woman's officer..

[Crimson Dynamo]

Held to ransom for a £6 slice of A4 paper

[Cherie]

Former Labour MP Rosie Duffield has revealed "Labour's women problem" was a key factor in her decision to leave the party.

The Canterbury MP, who resigned from Labour in September 2024, explained her departure came after years of conflict over her gender-critical views.

Her comments come as LGBT+ Labour faces criticism for allowing Steph Richards, a transgender woman, to stand for women's officer at the group's annual meeting on July 19.

The Trans Rights Alliance has nominated Richards as part of their slate of candidates for the committee.


Discussing this on GB News, Duffield said: "Steph has form. They turn up most weeks to the Women and Equalities Select Committee, which I sit on Tuesday or Wednesday.

"I don’t know, perhaps they don’t have a job. Here we go again with a man, a biological man, attempting to stand as a women’s officer, not a trans officer, a women’s officer. And both Lesbian Labour and LGBT Labour are very unhappy about this."

Martin Daubney: "So, Rosie Duffield, the law seemed to state the obvious. Science has always stated the obvious. You’ve previously said you believe Sir Keir Starmer has a woman problem. Do you think he still does?"

Rosie Duffield: "I mean, I think the Labour Party traditionally has got a bit of a women problem.

"I mean, all the resignations we’ve seen since Keir Starmer’s latest government are from women. And we all talk about the lads and the sort of male culture. So, yeah, it’s largely perceived that we do have a bit of a women’s issue."

Martin said: "And yet we’re still at a position where a biological man with a piece of paper that says they’re a woman seems to trump reality. It trumps the Supreme Court and it trumps science. Will this ever change?"

She said: "I’d like to think that the Supreme Court has made a difference legally, and I think there are some groups considering legal action.

"If the Labour Party doesn’t redress this, and they should do, because it was made very clear that women’s positions and women’s spaces are not anything to do with those certificates.

"They’re for biological women for those purposes, and that includes women’s officers. There are lots of other roles, I’m sure, that Steph could occupy, but not women’s officer."

Martin later said: "And Rosie, do you feel liberated now to be no longer a part of the Labour Party? When you see stories like this, do you think, thank goodness I’m gone?"

She responded: "Yes, I really do, because it’s just a weight off my shoulders. It’s not directly my problem anymore.

"It’s annoying, but there are lots of other people left who have got to sort this out. And until it is all sorted out, I wouldn’t dream of re-joining the Labour Party."