A left-wing Labour party might consider repealing government guidance that requires schools to teach children that there are only two biological sexes, but given the Conservative government’s failure to turn the policy into law this guidance could easily be overturned.
Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson Said If Labour is elected, as is widely expected, it will review guidance from Rishi Sunak’s government instructing educators to refrain from teaching far-left gender ideology as fact.
This includes theories that people are born in the wrong body, that people change their gender identity or live in new gender grey zones such as “non-binary”. The guidance also instructs teachers to make it clear to students that there are only two genders: male and female.
But given that the Conservatives have refused to codify such a position into law, leaving it only in technically voluntary guidance, there will be few obstacles for the next government to issue new guidance.
Mr Phillipson was asked multiple times by the BBC on Sunday whether a Labour government would reverse the guidance and refused to give a definitive answer, but suggested changes were possible.
“Many aspects of the draft (guidelines) contained good, easy-to-understand principles, but I think other elements are too partisan and loaded with unnecessary language, making it difficult for schools to comply,” she said, adding that Labour would “consult” on the issue before making a final decision.
But the nominee for next Secretary of Education said “there are transgender people in society and their existence should be acknowledged” and argued the issue has become a “political ball”.
“This can be a bit of a strange conversation at times. Trans people exist and they have a right to be recognised. Many trans people are vulnerable and deserve support.
“Alongside this, we need to ensure schools have clear guidance on how to most effectively support children and young people who are in distress or experiencing health problems.”
JK Rowling says left-wing Labour party has ‘failed women’https://t.co/hvOHz73rDD
—Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) June 22, 2024
Current Education Secretary Gillian Keegan Said Ms Phillipson’s comments “confirm the Labour government’s willingness to politicise children’s lives by scrapping guidelines on gender-questioning children and effectively allowing contentious gender ideas to be taught in the classroom.”
Labour’s gender messaging has been somewhat confused under leader Sir Keir Starmer, who has sought to present himself as a more moderate leader than his predecessor, the socialist Jeremy Corbyn.
at first”99.9 percentStarmer first put forward the idea that women don’t have penises, but later came to the position that women are “adult women”.
The increasingly aware Capital Region party suggested in May that it would pave the way for easier gender self-identification, but backtracked on the plan last month.
However, as another turning point, Guardian report Labour said on Monday it would seek to “modernise” the process for legal gender change, including removing the need for multiple doctors’ signatures and drastically reducing the requirement that individuals prove they have been living as the opposite sex for two years.
While the change is likely to win support from the party’s base in liberal cities such as London, Labour has faced criticism from Britain’s feminist left, including J.K. Rowling.
of Harry potter The writer spoke out against the Conservatives at the weekend, saying she now “struggles” to vote for Labour despite being a long-time Labour supporter, and accusing the party of “abandoning women” by embracing transgender ideas.
Labour plans to simplify legal process for gender change, but critics warn of self-ID loopholes https://t.co/PjYbhe4c9u
—Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) May 20, 2024
