Lucy Powell has called for MPs to vote on guidance governing single sex spaces following this year’s landmark Supreme Court ruling on biological sex.
Ms Powell, who is standing against Bridget Phillipson in the contest to replace Angela Rayner as Labour deputy leader, told members the party had got some of its language around Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) guidance “not right”.
Sky News understands this means Ms Powell would like to see MPs vote on the guidance.
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The Manchester Central MP, who was sacked as Commons leader in Sir Keir Starmer’s reshuffle, said she felt “really strongly” that there needed to be a “robust and transparent parliamentary conversation” about the guidance issued by the commission following the Supreme Court ruling that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex.
Addressing members on the Monday evening of Labour’s conference in Liverpool, Ms Powell said she would be continuing to “support the trans community which I represent in my constituency very well and have done for a long time”.
“I’m a woman, I’m a feminist and I see absolutely no contradiction in being a woman and also supporting the trans community to feel included and to have their rights as well,” she said.
“That is something I will strongly support as deputy leader in all the ways that I can and I’m happy to work with you on that.”
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Her comments suggest the debate around transgender rights could play a more prominent role in the deputy leadership race, given Ms Phillipson serves as the women and equalities minister, as well as education secretary.
The debate has proved fractious and controversial within Labour, with prominent MP Rosie Duffield quitting the party to sit as an independent in part over Sir Keir’s stance on the issue.
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The EHRC, the body responsible for equality and non-discrimination laws, is understood to have sent its guidance to Ms Phillipson, who is currently reviewing it and will decide whether to approve it.
The guidance is expected to say that venues offering single-sex facilities will have to exclude transgender people, including if they have a gender recognition certificate or have undergone gender reassignment surgery.
It has been welcomed by some women’s rights groups and campaigners, but others, including Stonewall and some businesses, have criticised the guidance as “confusing” and “unworkable”.
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Speaking on Monday, Ms Powell said: “I think we have got some of the language not right on this and particularly around some of the guidance that is coming forward.
“I really strongly feel that we need a robust and transparent parliamentary conversation about that because when we are looking at applying the law as parliamentarians, we should have a say in that and that is something I will be pushing for as well.”
Sir Keir welcomed the “real clarity” of the Supreme Court ruling when it was delivered in April, and said it allowed “those that have got to draw up guidance to be really clear about what that guidance should say”.
Ms Phillipson also told the Commons the judgment brought “clarity and confidence for women”, but added that the government would “support the rights of women and trans people, now and always”.
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Elsewhere at an event with members, Ms Powell argued there needed to be a “cultural reset” in Downing Street following a series of political and policy mishaps.
“We need a cultural reset here, and that’s one of the things that members have been asking me about. We seem to be relying on a smaller and smaller group of people who have a similar view of the world, and I don’t think that’s healthy or strong. Having me as deputy leader can help with that cultural reset we need.”
Ms Powell also argued her status as a backbencher gave her an advantage in the contest.
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She said she “profoundly disagreed” with Ms Phillipson’s claim that it was a “risk” to have someone outside the cabinet as deputy leader.
“The deputy leader is elected by members. I don’t think the first hurdle is that you have to be anointed by the leader. The deputy leader is a party role not a government role.
“I think it’s a value added proposition that I’m putting on the table right now.”
