Restrictions on Trans Women’s Participation at Labour’s Women’s Conference

Transgender women will be barred from participating in the primary sessions of the upcoming Labour Women’s Conference scheduled for next year. This decision follows a legal assessment regarding the event’s operations after a Supreme Court ruling in April clarified that the definition of a woman is based on biological sex under equality laws.

As a result of this ruling, trans women will not be permitted to engage in formal activities, such as delivering speeches in the main hall or participating in policy discussions. However, they will have the opportunity to attend various fringe events that will be accessible to all individuals, irrespective of their sex.

The party believes that this new format provides the least restrictive approach to ensuring compliance with legal requirements while maintaining accessibility. Traditionally, the Women’s Conference occurs the day before the party’s annual gathering at the same location, but the event was canceled in 2025 following legal advice related to the Supreme Court’s decision.

Before the ruling, the Labour Party allowed individuals to self-identify as women, which enabled trans women to attend the conference and engage in initiatives like all-women shortlists. In light of the Supreme Court’s verdict, Labour initiated a thorough legal review concerning its women’s conference regulations, as confirmed by a party spokesperson.

The spokesperson added that the forthcoming 2026 event will proceed with the newly established attendance guidelines. This move illustrates the party’s dedication to tackling the issue of women’s under-representation while adhering to the law.

Simultaneously, the government is deliberating a fresh code of practice stemming from the Supreme Court ruling, aimed at providing guidance to public institutions and businesses on the application of the Equality Act. The Equality and Human Rights Commission has revised this code, which is currently awaiting governmental approval before being implemented.

Equalities minister Bridget Phillipson received the draft three months ago but has indicated her intention to take the necessary time to ensure its accuracy before making it public. Under the current leadership, the EHRC has urged the government to expedite approval of the guidance.

In comments to the media, outgoing EHRC head Baroness Falkner of Margravine expressed her strong belief in the legality of the guidance and suggested that the government’s hesitation may stem from fears regarding their MPs’ preferences for trans self-identification and inclusion in all societal aspects.

Baroness Falkner remarked that the delay has resulted in a