The Liberal Democrats held a party conference where members voted to change existing rules regarding women-only spaces. This decision received support from party leader Sir Ed Davey. The motion, introduced by activists, calls for the repeal of gender guidance issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), which requires single-sex facilities to be used according to a person's birth sex, following a Supreme Court ruling in 2025.
The new proposal aims to create a code that is inclusive and ensures safe access to public facilities while protecting providers from legal risks. Additionally, it seeks to give Members of Parliament the authority to veto appointments to the EHRC, specifically targeting those perceived as skeptical of transgender rights.
Sir Ed Davey expressed his support for the motion, stating that he would vote in favor of it during the conference. He noted the need for clearer guidance that meets the expectations of businesses and the public. However, this stance has drawn criticism from women's rights activists within the party, including Dr. Zoe Hollowood, who argued that the motion undermines women's rights to single-sex spaces and contradicts commitments made in the party's 2024 manifesto.
Dr. Hollowood highlighted concerns that the motion serves as a means to erode protections for women, asserting that the existing guidance is clear and that the real issue lies with organizations seeking to create exceptions for transgender individuals in women-only spaces. The motion was proposed by Artie Khovanov, a policy officer for the LGBT Lib Dems, who previously criticized the EHRC guidance as a 'constitutional outrage.'