Several of Labour’s biggest trade union backers will boycott the party’s women’s conference this year in protest at the exclusion of trans women from formal proceedings.
Unison, Aslef, Usdaw and the Musicians’ Union have confirmed they will not send delegations to Labour Women’s Conference in Liverpool in September, arguing that the policy conflicts with their longstanding support for trans inclusion.
The dispute centres on a decision by Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to bar trans women from taking part in the conference’s official business, including speeches, policy debates and voting. Trans women will still be able to attend fringe events, which remain open to all regardless of sex or gender identity.
The move follows legal advice received by the party after last year’s Supreme Court ruling on the definition of "woman" under the Equality Act. Labour subsequently cancelled its 2025 women’s conference while it considered the implications of the judgment.
Before the ruling, Labour had allowed all members who identified as women, including trans women, to participate in the event.
The boycott represents a significant challenge for the party, with the unions involved among Labour’s largest financial supporters.
Unison, which represents more than 1.3 million workers and has donated tens of millions of pounds to Labour over the past quarter-century, said it would not attend because the restrictions run contrary to its policies on trans equality.
A spokesperson said: “The union’s decided against sending a delegation to Labour women’s conference this year.
“This is because the party’s restrictions on access run counter to UNISON’s policy on trans equality.”
Usdaw, which represents more than 360,000 workers in retail, distribution and manufacturing, has taken the same position. A spokesperson said: “The union’s decided against sending a delegation to Labour women’s conference this year.
“This is because the party has excluded trans women, which runs counter to Usdaw’s policy on trans equality.”
Train drivers’ union Aslef and the Musicians’ Union have also confirmed they will not participate in the conference. The Musicians’ Union said its decision reflected a “long-standing position of trans inclusion”.
The move has been welcomed by trans rights campaigners, who argue that trans women have long played an active role within Labour’s structures and should not be excluded from democratic participation.
Labour for Trans Rights said it was “extremely disappointed” by the policy “For decades, trans women members have had a home in Labour’s structures, and it’s not acceptable that they’re being so blatantly excluded,” the group said.
“The trade union movement, including the Labour-affiliated unions, have been incredible allies to the trans community. We hope that they’ll continue to use their influence in the Party to shift the new government towards a far more inclusive position.”
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