Protesters threaten to detrail Labour women's conference after the party banned trans women from being delegates
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By CLAIRE ELLICOTT WHITEHALL EDITOR
Published: | Updated:
Protesters are threatening to derail Labour’s women’s conference after the party banned trans women from being delegates.
Politicians, unionists and activists from across Britain plan to boycott the event in Liverpool, which takes place on Saturday, on the eve of the main conference, in a backlash against the decision.
Labour barred trans women from being delegates at the conference in the wake of last year’s Supreme Court ruling on biological sex.
Unions who fund the party including Unison, Aslef, Usdaw and the Musicians’ Union have already said they will boycott the event in protest.
On Friday it emerged they will be joined by the Communication Workers Union and several of the other 11 unions affiliated to Labour.
They say the ban conflicts with their stance on trans inclusion. But their absence is a headache for Labour which depends on their donations.
Party members from across the country will also descend on Liverpool to hold a major demonstration outside the venue.
Activists will distribute leaflets to the party faithful with pictures of Andy Burnham and complaints from trans women who have been blocked.
Trans rights groups protest in London against the Supreme Court ruling that only biological women are recognised under Britain's Equality Act
The protests are being supported by Liverpool’s Trade Union Council (LTUC), which co-ordinates union bodies across the city.
Its secretary Margaret McAdam said: ‘As allies, we fully oppose Labour’s decision to exclude trans women from Labour’s Women’s Conference and support the protests against this shocking decision.’
LTUC is said to be ‘widely’ asking supporters to attend the demonstration, alongside others they are organising over the weekend.
There are also reports that groups of Labour members will arrive early for the main conference to protest during the women’s event.
The leader of one group from Harlow, Essex, councillor James Griggs, said: ‘I am appalled and dismayed [by the ban].
'To create this level of division I find extraordinary, unaccountable and just dreadful.’
Reports suggest other councillors will attend the protest and at least one MP could join them.
Labour cancelled its women’s conference last year after legal advice following the Supreme Court ruling that ‘woman’ meant those born female.
Prior to that ruling, Labour allowed people who self-identified as women, including trans women, to attend.
In December last year, the party’s National Executive Committee voted to ban trans women from taking part in formal proceedings at the women’s conference, including main hall speeches and policy debates.
The ruling also means that Labour’s all-women shortlists can only include people who were born female.
Trans women will still be able to attend fringe events, which will be open to everyone regardless of their sex or gender.
A Labour spokesman said: ‘Labour is committed to advancing women in politics and to providing opportunities for members to network, debate and contribute.
‘Labour’s Women’s Conference reflects our wider commitment to addressing the under-representation of women in the party – and our compliance with the law.’
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