Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has appeared to shift his position on transgender rights following the Supreme Court’s ruling clarifying that the term “woman” under the Equality Act refers to a biological female.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the landmark decision, Sir Keir stated: “A woman is an adult female, and the court has made that absolutely clear.” This marks a stark departure from his earlier stance in March 2022, when he claimed that “trans women are women” and asserted that this was also reflected in law.
When questioned on Tuesday by ITV West Country about whether he still held that view, the Prime Minister said: “I think the Supreme Court has answered that question.” Pressed further, he reaffirmed: “A woman is an adult female, and the court has made that absolutely clear.”
The ruling, issued on 16 April, concluded that references to “sex” in the 2010 Equality Act refer specifically to biological sex. This effectively allows organisations to exclude transgender women from single-sex spaces where it is deemed proportionate, even if they possess a Gender Recognition Certificate.
Downing Street later confirmed that the Prime Minister’s position had indeed shifted. A spokesperson said, “The court judgment has made clear that when looking at the Equality Act, a woman is a biological woman.”
Asked whether Sir Keir still believed that transgender women were women, the official replied: “No.”
Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson echoed the Prime Minister’s support for the ruling. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, she said: “The court has provided much-needed clarity. Services should be accessed on the basis of biological sex, and that includes toilets and changing facilities.”
She added, however, that businesses should continue to ensure dignity for all, suggesting many may opt for unisex provisions: “Many businesses already provide separate, private cubicles or gender-neutral toilets, and that approach can ensure all customers feel safe.”
Pressed by Good Morning Britain about what toilets transgender women should use in pubs, Ms Phillipson responded: “We don’t routinely police toilets, and it’s up to each business to make appropriate arrangements. But trans people, like everyone else, deserve dignity and respect.”
The ruling has sparked divisions within Labour ranks. Reports from The Mail on Sunday indicated that senior Labour MPs, including Sir Chris Bryant and Dame Angela Eagle, have raised concerns in internal party discussions about the broader implications of the judgment and the role of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).
Nevertheless, Ms Phillipson maintained the Government’s line: “I speak for the Government on this matter, and I can be crystal clear—we welcome the ruling. We will ensure that the EHRC works with us to bring forward statutory guidance so that providers have absolute clarity going forward.”
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The fallout from the decision has been felt across the political landscape and beyond. Trans advocacy group TransActual has sent an open letter to the Prime Minister seeking clarification on his stance and questioning the practical relevance of Gender Recognition Certificates following the ruling. The group also raised concerns about what protections now remain for trans individuals in public spaces.
Meanwhile, demonstrations erupted across the country over the weekend, with statues in Parliament Square defaced during a trans rights protest. Ms Phillipson condemned the actions, calling them “completely unacceptable” and urging for respectful discourse.
Despite the Government’s assurance of dignity and fairness for all protected groups, Starmer’s apparent U-turn has raised fresh concerns within the LGBTQ+ community about the future of trans rights in Britain.
As political leaders attempt to navigate a contentious and emotional issue, the question now remains whether clarity in law will bring consensus—or deepen division.
