Yesterday’s decision by the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party to indefinitely postpone its National Women’s Conference and to potentially ban trans women from officer roles and party shortlists pending review is a condemnable act that shows truly just how far Keir Starmer’s party has gone down the right-wing rabbit hole. This is being justified on the basis of advice stating that “Pending a wider review, all positive action measures relating to women in the party’s rules and procedures shall be interpreted on the basis of biological sex at birth”.
This move from the Labour leadership in reaction to the Supreme Court ruling will not ‘clarify’ anything. Rather it gives the green light to the increasing transphobia being pushed by reactionary forces in society. As a statement released in advance of the NEC meeting from Labour for Trans Rights pointed out, “There are no trans or gender non-conforming MPs, and our community is underrepresented, both in the Labour Party and across devolved and local governments.”
This move is clearly based on the government’s strategy of trying to rescue itself from the freefall in public opinion by adopting the reactionary (and failed) strategy of trying to ‘out-Reform’ Reform UK.
This is at a time when, far from somehow infringing on the rights of others (a transphobic dog whistle in even the best of times), trans people are still some of the most vulnerable people in UK society — experiencing violence at rates twice that of cis people. Surveys repeatedly find the majority of trans people also experience discrimination and harassment at work, in housing and other social spheres.
This decision has negative implications — not only for trans people, but the entire working class. It further illustrates how this government is willing to throw anyone and everyone under the bus, as it has already done with migrants, pensioners and public sector workers. It points towards the frightening reality that the government is willing to carry out much deeper attacks on the Gender Recognition Act of 2004. As well, it is another attack aimed at sowing division among the working class in order to benefit the capitalists.
The labour and trade union movement was founded on the principle that ‘an injury to one is an injury to all’. To see Labour today attack sections of the working class under the banner of the culture wars means it is not worthy of its name.
Clearly, workers cannot tie their interests to that of this government. The working class must take its own road. In addition to strong statements, workers’ organisations like the trade unions should launch a bold campaign of non-compliance with the Supreme Court ruling on a broad scale. The British Medical Association has taken a welcome first step in condemning the ruling as ‘scientifically illiterate’, but more action needs to be taken.
Trade unions, campaigners, activists, and all working people should join the efforts to construct a new left party based on struggle. This must include standing for a programme that fights for liberation for all through socialism. A new party is needed to fight not just Reform and the Tories, but a Labour Party seeking to mimic them.
