Fears Rishi Sunak will renege on promise to clarify definition of biological sex

The original Sex Matters petition pointed towards a statutory instrument (s23 of the GRA). Is that wrong?

I also assume that to bring that risk down, they would need to consider the Scottish legislation first, win, then consult, then legislate? That is not enough time really at all.

No, the usual rule is primary legislation can only be challenged on a human rights basis.

But unless you are Suella Braverman, governments will look to resolve legal risk before putting legislation forward. I would say that the Government would have to consult to bring that risk down, and that process, and the resulting legislation could be challenged.

This is all academic as Sunak has run out of time

Surely primary legislation can't be judicially reviewed because it's going through Parliament.

@ResisterRex - it is very unlikely to be a statutory instrument given the complexity and that to put it beyond doubt, primary legislation would be needed. Even then I think the risk of judicial review is high.

The government is not going to touch it. They are doing everything short of it. A spot of revised guidance. A review. And goodness, a Westminster Hall debate.

These are all gestures of a government that does not want to legislate.

Really important legislation goes through at speed. This change to the Equality Act hasn't even seen a drafting lawyer.

My view, and not popular, is that all three parties are at the same point politically. Not one of them will touch it. They will all muddle through and won't change the law.

I'm so very sorry for your loss, TooBig.

@Alexandra2001 I am so sorry about your friend.

My friend died earlier this year from a known, treatable condition: Bi-polar disorder. She'd had it for over 20 years and was on meds. She had a breakdown but there was no bed for her. She, her family and her GP begged the MH team to admit her, but there were no beds. It became too much and she hanged herself.

Her cause of death will most likely be recorded as a Suicide, but it wasn't. She died because there was no bed for her. Because the Tories have destroyed the NHS.

What is hyperbolic about that post nothavingit?

Of course I'll be voting for a party that isn't the Tories. I'm a feminist. I see the damage they've done to women and the fact you can't believe a word that comes out of their lying mouths.

I don't know how anyone could vote for them unless they're very rich or very deluded.

Such hyperbole! How do you cope with divergence of view, or even practical reality?

You keep saying that the Tories have done awful things but the other main parties not only cheered them on but are more extreme and have shown no signs of rowing back whereas the Tories have made some positive moves in the right direction. Not far enough, that’s for sure, but they have never insulted and belittled GC women in the way the others have. So many of us are frustrated by having nobody to vote for, what about you? If the Tories are the worst are you going to vote for another party despite the dangers they pose?

Problem is even with a gov on board the civil service, police and nhs are way on board the train and will not obey the law as it is now never mind accepting a roll back.
I think we might end up waiting for the medical scandal when 30-40 year olds start dying even when they were happy with their medical transition and how dangerous and experimental this is. Ie that people see we do not have the medical technology to change sex in humans.

I’m not voting for Labour or Lib Dems. No chance they can sod off.

I hope for a debate and chance to hear parties without the ‘no one is talking about it’

Let me and others choose based on stated positions. If people vote for the gender option rather than sex based they can take ownership of how it pans out.

Would you prefer the Tories on this, even after all they've said and done to further the TRA agenda?

Would you prefer Labour / Lib Dem on this, even after all they’ve said?

Unless it's a statutory instrument:

www.parliament.uk/about/how/laws/secondary-legislation/

Thanks Arabella good spot! 🙌

On the GE issue I’d take anything that forces Starmer et al to show their hand, GE or not.

I couldn’t believe the deflection with insult from Drakeford

That’s the level of debate atm from Labour and we’ve all seen Ed Davey’s version

I don't hope for a change, mainly because of the track record of non-delivery of this government.

So I can call someone "deluded" if they think the Tories will protect women's rights and it isn't an insult?

You are a tory, thats pretty clear and nothing they do or say will change your vote, just be open with that?

Again, you're accusing someone of 'being a tory', as if that's a personal quality. You keep making it into a simplistic tribal morality issue. People can vote for different parties. No need to hide it or feel good or ashamed of who one votes for.

Ask and ye shall receive, SunnyEgg!

https://sex-matters.org/posts/events/webinar-on-the-westminster-hall-debate/

This Thursday. Two legal experts discussing.

I have never voted Tory in my life and I've voted in 13 general elections as well as numerous lical and regional elections.

But I don't trust Labour, the Lib Dems, the Greens or Plaid Cymru on women's rights as far as I could throw them.

And saying someone is "deluded" is not as insult like, say, calling someone an idiot. It means that that person believes something, in this case that the Labour party will act in a particular way, which evidence shows in so highly unlikely as to be virtually impossible.

Its not a accusation, its fact Cates has made many speeches on her beliefs, they are hardly centre right, i don't support anti abortionists, you do.

As i said earlier, i do not support Labour on timidity, i didn't think i had to say it again.

Yes throwing insults is not a great look is it? nor is your "tick" stuff.

You are a tory, thats pretty clear and nothing they do or say will change your vote, just be open with that?

For me, i will vote based on past performance and manifesto pledges, if Labour don't change and quick, my vote will go elsewhere.