The Labour Party has announced that only “biological women” will be permitted to participate in its annual women’s conference scheduled for 2026. This decision means that trans women will be excluded from engaging in the conference’s formal proceedings, including voting, policy discussions, and listening to speeches in the main hall. However, fringe events during the conference will remain accessible to all genders.
The ruling follows a Supreme Court decision earlier this year, which clarified that references to women in the Equality Act pertain to biological sex. The Labour Party stated that this approach represents the least restrictive option that complies with the law. The women’s conference had been cancelled this year due to concerns over potential legal challenges stemming from this Supreme Court ruling.
A spokesperson for the Labour Party commented, “National women’s conference will be held in 2026 after a comprehensive legal review. This reflects our commitment to addressing the underrepresentation of women in the party and compliance with the law.”
While the decision aims to align with legal standards, it has ignited significant backlash from within the party. The group Labour for Trans Rights condemned the ban as “exclusionary” and urged the national executive committee to reconsider. A spokesperson for the group expressed disappointment, stating, “It’s terrible that trans women will be excluded from the main business of women’s conference, even if they’re able to access the fringe. Trans members are being cut out of the democratic processes of the Labour Party when many have given years of service, knocking doors and standing as candidates.”
In contrast, the Labour Women’s Declaration welcomed the party’s decision, although it suggested that a two-day format for the conference would have been preferable to the proposed one-day event. A spokesperson remarked, “As Labour Government ministers have repeatedly stated, organisations should not wait for the EHRC (Equalities and Human Rights Commission) guidance and should take legal advice and implement the Supreme Court ruling immediately. All organisations and Government departments should now follow suit.”
The controversy surrounding the ban highlights ongoing divisions within the Labour Party regarding the inclusion of trans individuals in women’s spaces. As the party navigates these complexities, the upcoming women’s conference in Liverpool will serve as a critical platform for broader discussions about gender, representation, and inclusivity.
