Lucy Powell MP urges Parliamentary vote on single-sex space guidance
– 2 min read
Labour MP Lucy Powell has called for a parliamentary vote on controversial guidance governing single-sex spaces, following a landmark Supreme Court ruling earlier this year that defined the legal term "woman" as based on biological sex.
Speaking at a fringe event during the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, Powel - who is vying to become Labour’s next deputy leader - emphasised the need for a “robust and transparent parliamentary conversation” on the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) guidance. The guidance, currently under review by Education Secretary and Women and Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson, is expected to advise that venues offering single-sex facilities may exclude transgender individuals, even those with gender recognition certificates or who have undergone gender reassignment surgery.
Powell acknowledged that the party had “got some of the language not right” around the issue and stressed her commitment to both women's rights and trans inclusion. “I’m a woman, I’m a feminist and I see absolutely no contradiction in being a woman and also supporting the trans community to feel included and to have their rights as well,” she said.
Proper scrutiny, proper democracy, and proper human rights considerations are key to fixing this mess. Trans+ Solidarity Alliance
Reacting to Powell's intervention ahead of today's deputy leadership hustings, Trans+ Solidarity Alliance founder Jude Guaitamacchi said:“Waving through a trans bathroom ban would be Labour’s legacy on LGBTQ+ rights for a generation of voters, and would cause trans people in Britain devastating harm.
"It’s not right, it’s not workable, and it’s not democratic. “Fundamental rights shouldn’t be taken away behind closed doors. Lucy Powell speaks for many Labour MPs and members in saying that Parliament needs a say and that the EHRC has got this wrong. Proper scrutiny, proper democracy, and proper human rights considerations are key to fixing this mess.”
Her intervention signals that trans rights could become a central issue in the deputy leadership race, especially as her opponent, Phillipson, holds the equalities brief. The EHRC guidance has drawn negative reactions from LGBTQ+ organisations and businesses with Stonewall and over 650 firms criticising it as “confusing” and “unworkable”.
Powell’s stance also reflects broader tensions within Labour over gender identity and single-sex spaces. The debate has already led to high-profile resignations, such as MP Rosie Duffield leaving the party to sit as an independent over disagreements with Labour’s position on the issue.
