The UK’s Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer has stated that gender self-identification “is not the right way forward”.
During an appearance on Nicky Campbell’s BBC Radio 5 Live show, Sir Keir clarified his position by saying that, in his view, “a woman is an adult female, so let’s clear that one up”.
He added: “We don’t think that self-identification is the right way forward. We’ve reflected on what happened in Scotland.”
Scottish Labour has backed gender self-identification.
Sir Keir stated that a self-identification system, which permits transgender individuals to legally identify as their chosen gender without the need for a medical diagnosis, is not an “appropriate” path to follow.
“We’ve set out that we want to modernise the process, get rid of some of the indignities in the process, keep it a medical process,” he said.
“We’ve always said, I’ve continued to say … when we completed our policy forum, [it] allowed us to be clear that there should be safe places, safe spaces, for women, particularly in relation to violence against women and girls.”
Sir Keir’s statements follow a Labour Party decision not to proceed with plans to implement a self-ID system for transgender individuals.
Labour MP and Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities Anneliese Dodds argued in favour of a medical diagnosis requirement, stating that it would maintain the credibility of gender-ID applications and instil confidence in the official system.
Scottish Labour said earlier that it remains committed to the “de-medicalisation” of the process for trans-people to obtain legal recognition in their preferred gender.
MSP Paul O’Kane, the Scottish Labour party’s social justice spokesman, said: “Labour is committed to modernising and reforming the outdated and intrusive Gender Recognition Act, as well as ensuring exemptions in the Equality Act are upheld.
“Scottish Labour continues to support the de-medicalisation of the process in Scotland.”
🚨 BREAKING: Keir Starmer personally confirms that Labour has abandoned its commitment to trans rights, stating that "a woman is an adult female".
He also ruled out self-ID for trans people. pic.twitter.com/DDd9VmrlwD
— Stats for Lefties 🍉🏳️⚧️ (@LeftieStats) July 26, 2023
