Labour bars trans women at main women's conference

Transgender women will be barred from the main hall at Labour's women's conference next year and will also be denied voting rights, Labour has said.

- NICOLE WOOTTON-CANE

The party has ruled trans women will only be able to attend fringe events in what is seen to be a bid to adhere to the Supreme Court's ruling on the legal definition of a woman.

The decision means trans women will not be allowed to vote on policy debates, motions and national women's committee elections, nor will they be allowed to hear speeches and discussions in the main conference hall. It is understood they will still be able to attend an evening reception, fringe events, and exhibition spaces.

Alternative proposals were reportedly also considered, including scrapping the conference altogether. But the cancellation of the women's conference this year sparked outrage from both transinclusive and gender-critical campaigners.