Keir Starmer will lose election campaign on day one over his trans rights position, Labour strategists warn | Politics News
Party strategists have warned that Sir Keir Starmer will lose the general election campaign “on day one” unless he changes his stance on transgender rights.
Advisors told Labor leadership since late 2021 to “handle” the issue and explain to voters that “self-identification is not going to happen”.
Sir Keir’s position has grown in recent days. At an event in Stoke-on-Trent on Thursday, he said: “I think if we think about what happened in Scotland, the lesson I take from that is if you’re going to make improvements way, you have to make public with you.
“And I think that’s a very important message, and I think that’s why it’s clear in Scotland that the situation should be reset.”
This is in contrast to a pledge two years ago to make a “self-declaration for transgender“.
Self-identification makes it easier for transgender people to change their legal gender, but critics say it could put women at risk by allowing predatory men access to space. for one gender.
A senior Labor source told Sky News they fear the Conservatives will weaponize the issue in the general election.
“If Keir was still asked at the time the election campaign started ‘what is a woman?’ then he was lost on the first day,” they said.
“Scotland is a warning to him. He needs to make his position much clearer.
“There are ways to improve the gender recognition process but self-identification is not going to happen under the Labor government.”
Please use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
Why is Scotland’s transgender bill blocked?
The source suggested that Sir Keir’s reluctance to explain his views could be due to fears he would upset young Labor members.
The source said: “Confrontation is against his instincts, but too many people don’t know our position on transgender issues today.
On Thursday, Transgender Rights Labor group released an email template for supporters to send to their local MP expressing their concerns about Sir Keir’s latest comments, which They say it “signifies an intention not to support” reform of the Gender Recognition Act (GRA).
Read more:
Starmer reveals how much tax he paid in the UK
Labor leaders promise Labor to halve violence against women and girls
It called on him to “commit to reforming” the GRA, “stick to his previous commitments to LGBTQ+ people and stand on the right side of history”.
“Transgender rights are not political football,” the letter added.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s controversial plan to reform gender recognition laws in Scotland has led to a split in her party.
The The bill was finally blocked by the UK governmentargues that it contradicts the GB-wide equality law.
The Labor Party has been approached for comment.
