Written statement at 2.30pm today: First Anniversary of the FWS v SM ruling

I know it's harsh to pick on an individual, even an anonymous one, but this makes no sense, does it? Some days, it's the not making sense that bothers me the most.....

Janey (a pseudonym) still nips into a ..... ladies’ loo. “I just have to get on with my life,” she says. ......She had one unpleasant incident when a service user challenged her. She was worried about her manager’s reaction, who didn’t know she was transgender, but she found her to be supportive.

How can both sentences be true, unless the manager has never met 'Janey'?

I think the Guardian article is a good illustration of the progress that has been made in the last year. There is at least an attempt now to present the issues from "the other side". And it was great to see Susan Smith quoted (alongside a lovely photo) talking about rape crisis centres (not toilets!), as well as Fiona Macdonald talking about how much unions have failed women.

And it struck me too that there are only 60 sisterhood groups, whilst the vast majority of them are probably just waiting for all the fuss to die down. And I wonder how long those 60 groups will last? We know many tw don't like being a side act.

Interesting point that as this issue relates to existing law why is it subject to purdah. I do have to keep reminding myself "this is the law". Like Scottish Labour having it in their manifesto they're essentially saying "if elected, we will enforce the law". Which makes one wonder why they haven't been doing that already. I don't have much time for the Tories on this issue either. They are the ones who oversaw the rollout of this whole debacle and would have introduced self ID if they could!

As an aside the WI TRA handmaiden Melissa Green is quoted handwringing about how ghastly it is that the WI will be biological women only in future. She boasted that "There are now more than 60 groups taking part in the Sisterhood Initiative, trans-inclusive meetings created outside formal WI membership." Just 60 Sisterhood groups isn't so impressive given that there are about 7,000 WI groups in the UK.

Also in the Times:
https://www.thetimes.com/article/85a40a53-f3bf-49b6-bd93-bc002dd51eef?shareToken=c49d5790ae2860c77e6a8034bc1b1178&ver=article

In the Times:
https://www.thetimes.com/article/dc6935c1-f36e-482c-9663-ff1f51ed53c2?shareToken=04df23b202fdaf676065ff701557a77c&ver=article

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/apr/15/how-scotland-landmark-ruling-single-sex-spaces-changed-lives

The guardian getting involved too. I don't think the article is that bad really but the following sentence is quite galling:

"Those who championed the judgment are frustrated at the slow pace of change, while those impacted by it are still trying to make sense of what it really means for their day-to-day lives."

Do they think this ruling doesn't affect women? It impacts us all.

Labour's shameful betrayal of women: Single-sex space ruling is STILL being ignored by hundreds of public bodies... because ministers let them | Daily Mail Online

Sonia Sodha in The Times:
https://www.thetimes.com/article/de344ce6-0c24-4be2-97a2-e4e3be9fb8ec?shareToken=2826e01db5c7fe404a99863849860d47&ver=article

“FWS director Susan Smith told the Press Association they had been “a little nervous” amid concerns about it having been toned down, but – while they were not given specifics of the changes that had been made – they understood this included adding more examples for service providers on how to implement the updated code.

She told PA: “I don’t think the guidance can be watered down in the sense that whatever the EHRC comes up with has to adhere closely to the Supreme Court’s ruling.”

Thinking rationally, there’s been so much stonewall unicorn shite spread everywhere, the guidelines have to really spell out examples for a wide ranges of service providers.

Apart from anything, to really close those loopholes that are allowing males to accessing female spaces.

Single sex spaces are essentially safeguarding guidelines.

Thanks for that. It is currently 89% no 😕

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/campaigners-bridget-phillipson-smith-equality-and-human-rights-commission-b1278802.html

I couldn't see any Green Party MP at yesterday's debate. I don't know whether that is significant or not. I thought that, given the imminent elections, they might take the opportunity to signal to their 'trans siblings'.

Hannah Spencer didn't mention them at all in her maiden speech

Just watched yesterday’s debate and was struck by a distinct Webberly vibe from that LibDem TRA. Smirking, patronising tone to deliver emotive garbage. Do you think they all go through the same presentation training?

on a more serious note, it’s a shame no one intervened to address her specious argument that men need to prove they are using women’s toilets to get a GRC when we all know they just need a gas bill in their lady name

I agree the environment and climate change are important. I'm an ex Greem member. Unfortunately these issues no longer feature much in so called Green politics.

Hansard text for debate:

https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2026-04-14/debates/32FECBA0-3E6D-4546-ADF1-865FA6311589/%E2%80%9CForWomenScotland%E2%80%9DCourtRulingFirstAnniversary

Final comment:

Carla Lockhart

I thank all hon. Members for their participation. I want to thank the Minister, but she completely avoided the question about Northern Ireland, so I want her to write to me on that to ensure Northern Ireland women are protected in the same way as women in England, Scotland and Wales.

I especially thank the hon. Member for Canterbury (Rosie Duffield) for her efforts. She has often faced significant backlash, and yet she continues with courage. The Government need to realise that we are not going away until we see the change that every biological woman deserves. In Upper Bann and right across this United Kingdom, they deserve protection. We simply want the Government to reflect what the Supreme Court clarified: that “women” in the Equality Act refers to biological sex. It should not need law or clarity. It is time that this wokeness and ideology was kicked into touch. A woman is an adult human female, and women across the UK deserve to be protected. I thank everyone for their time today.

Question put and agreed to.

Resolved,

That this House has considered the first anniversary of the For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers ruling.

For those who prefer to read rather than watch (and know who is speaking!) here is yesterday’s WH debate:

https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2026-04-14/debates/32FECBA0-3E6D-4546-ADF1-865FA6311589/“ForWomenScotland”CourtRulingFirstAnniversary

TA MPs also mostly ducked out of the puberty blockers debate. Previously they attended such things to voice crazy opinions. This change is significant.

Two elements 1 - on some level I think they feel they can't justify their opinions and are ashamed. They don't want to be confronted by the reality of what they think. They can't argue it out.

2 - They are using behind the scenes lobbying to try to get what they want.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5507422-puberty-blocker-debate-in-uk-parliament-just-about-to-start

Helen belcher happened

Almost £1.6 million in donations from Ferring Pharmaceuticals (manufacturers of puberty blockers) is perhaps what happened to the LibDems.

I know! I've never voted for a party other than the Lib Dems. I didn't vote in the last two general elections and I don't know who I would vote for in the next one. The place I'm registered to vote it's between conservatives and lib dem. They're all awful choice. I would vote green were it not for the gender batshittery because I do think the climate emergency is hugely important.

What happened to the Libdems?! 😭