Lecture Notes: Keir Starmer's Position on Transgender Women

Key Context

• Speaker: Jennifer McKiernan, Henry Zeffman
• Date: April 22, 2025
• Topic: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's stance on transgender women

Main Points

Recent Developments

• Supreme Court Ruling: Last week, the UK Supreme Court ruled that a woman is defined by biological sex under equalities law.
• Keir Starmer's Position: Following the ruling, Starmer's spokesman confirmed that Sir Keir does not believe transgender women are women.

Past Statements

• March 2022: As opposition leader, Sir Keir stated to The Times that a woman is a female adult, and included trans women in this definition.
• 2023 Positions:
  • Told The Sunday Times that for "99.9%" of women "of course they haven't got a penis".
  • Told BBC Radio 5 Live "a woman is an adult female".
  • Agreed with Rosie Duffield that "only women have a cervix".

Current Government Stance

• Single-Sex Spaces: Government maintains that single-sex spaces are protected in law, and transgender women can be excluded if deemed "proportionate".
• Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC): Transgender women with a GRC can still be excluded from women-only spaces.
• Dignity and Respect: Prime Minister suggests transgender women should be treated with dignity and respect, despite legal definitions.

Reactions and Political Implications

• Kemi Badenoch's Criticism: Accused the Labour government of a U-turn following the Supreme Court judgment, saying the government needed the court to dictate its stance.
• Labour Party Unity: Some unease within the party over the government's stance, despite commitments in the Labour manifesto supporting trans rights.

Government Actions

• Guidance Clarity: Sir Keir expressed the need for "much-needed clarity" and proper guidance post-judgment.
• Education Secretary's Remarks: Bridget Phillipson supports the clarity the ruling provides and emphasizes single-sex space protection based on biological sex.

Additional Information

• Labour's Manifesto Promises:
  • To introduce a "trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices".
  • To "modernise, simplify, and reform" gender recognition law.
• Continued Debate: Despite current policies, potential policy backtracking may heighten tensions within the Labour Party.

Summary

The UK Supreme Court's recent ruling has led to a significant political shift in the government's stance on the definition of women under equalities law. Prime Minister Keir Starmer aligns with the court's ruling, emphasizing the biological definition while maintaining a stance for dignity and respect towards transgender women. This position has sparked criticism from political opponents and internal debate within the Labour Party.