Page 4 | Written statement at 2.30pm today: First Anniversary of the FWS v SM ruling

Forresty · 2026-04-14T09:56:42+00:00

Just pointing this out, separate from any threads it may have been mentioned on, so people not involved on those threads can be aware. Does anyone know where/when it will be published?

WiseWomanOfPutney · 14/04/2026 17:23

Raquelos · 14/04/2026 16:39

I suspect that the government problem isn't so much with activist backbenchers, although they certainly exist, as it is with the almost entirely captured unions.

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🎯

OpheliaWitchoftheWoods · 14/04/2026 17:12

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

OpheliaWitchoftheWoods · 14/04/2026 17:10

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This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Imdunfer · 14/04/2026 17:07

Forresty · 14/04/2026 11:35

Here it is:

Statement

This government has always supported the protection of single-sex spaces based on biological sex. The Supreme Court’s ruling last year brought clarity for women and service providers such as hospitals and refuges, and made clear that protections for trans people remain in the Equality Act.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is the independent equality regulator and ensures compliance with the Equality Act 2010. Their Code of Practice on Services, Public Functions and Associations covers all nine protected characteristics and the steps service providers should take to comply with the law. We share the EHRC’s commitment to ensuring duty bearers have accurate and up-to-date guidance on the Equality Act 2010 including in the light of the recent Court rulings.

We are grateful to the EHRC for their work on the updated draft Code following engagement and further legal analysis. The EHRC is rightly focussed on ensuring the updated Code is robust, accessible and ensures duty bearers can be confident that it is a clear and accurate explanation of the law.

The government received the updated draft on 13 April. The Code will apply across Great Britain and as we are currently in the pre-election period for the devolved administrations, we are unable to make further announcements on this matter at this time. However, we are taking urgent action to meet our intention of laying the Code in May and as soon as practicable after the election period, for Parliamentary scrutiny.

We are getting it right, showing leadership by implementing the clarity the Supreme Court ruling delivers.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2026-04-14/hcws1509

Edited

Well the first sentence is a downright lie.

BettyBooper · 14/04/2026 16:54

MissGendering · 14/04/2026 13:37

India is dropping self ID, too.

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I read that as Willoughby and was like, WHAT??! No Way!!!

And then I was 'oh... '. Mmhmmm.

🤣

ItsCoolForCats · 14/04/2026 16:52

Marie Goldman did seem to be a bit of a lone voice. She was a great time playing the TRA bingo card. Ed Davey was at it last night as well on the Ian Dale show on LBC (something about toxicity, needing to take the heat out of the debate blah blah...)

Where were the other TRA MPs?

RapidOnsetGenderCritic · 14/04/2026 16:51

GreyskySexRealistsky · 14/04/2026 15:52

"We have been working tirelessly on giving this matter the attention it needs"

I don't tend to get very tired when I don't actually do any work. Possibly MPs are the same.

Kinsters · 14/04/2026 16:45

Raquelos · 14/04/2026 16:39

I suspect that the government problem isn't so much with activist backbenchers, although they certainly exist, as it is with the almost entirely captured unions.

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Good point, I'd forgotten about them. They're involved in nominating the Labour party leader, aren't they? Yes that makes a lot of sense that they are a massive sticking point. Not very democratic 🤔

Raquelos · 14/04/2026 16:39

Kinsters · 14/04/2026 16:29

@RockaLock I didn't watch the whole thing but I think this was very encouraging. Lots of great GC points were made and there were barely any TRA voices. Where were they all? The governments feet dragging suggests they must be a substantial presence but that was not in evidence at this debate. The only other debate I can recall watching on this issue was the one where Layla Moran made her "soul seeing" comment which according to Google was back in (I can't quite believe it!) 2018. This debate, or what I saw, was worlds ahead of that one. And I remember at the time back in 2018 thinking "wow how great that they're having this debate, fab progress".

I suspect that the government problem isn't so much with activist backbenchers, although they certainly exist, as it is with the almost entirely captured unions.

Kinsters · 14/04/2026 16:29

@RockaLock I didn't watch the whole thing but I think this was very encouraging. Lots of great GC points were made and there were barely any TRA voices. Where were they all? The governments feet dragging suggests they must be a substantial presence but that was not in evidence at this debate. The only other debate I can recall watching on this issue was the one where Layla Moran made her "soul seeing" comment which according to Google was back in (I can't quite believe it!) 2018. This debate, or what I saw, was worlds ahead of that one. And I remember at the time back in 2018 thinking "wow how great that they're having this debate, fab progress".

womendeserveequalhumanrights · 14/04/2026 16:21

PrettyDamnCosmic · 14/04/2026 16:09

Here is an article by Julie Bindel about this entitled "Why I despise Olivia Bailey MP"

juliebindel.substack.com/p/why-i-despise-olivia-bailey-mp

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Thank you. I thought I had the measure of Dolores Umbridge Olivia Bailey after that MN thread but seems her hateful conduct towards women and their rights goes back for years.

It's an act of extreme Umbridgian sadism to impose such a woman on the populace as an alleged 'Equalities Minister'

GreyskySexRealistsky · 14/04/2026 16:21

RockaLock · 14/04/2026 16:17

Thank you so much for the commentary - I’ve just finished work and read through it all.

Is it fair to say that it was quite an encouraging debate on the whole? It seemed like there were a lot of different voices criticising the delay and speaking up on behalf of women, and generally pointing out the ridiculousness of it all.

Yes, there were a lot speaking up for women.
Many used very no-nonsense, cut-the-crap language - I was surprised (in a good way). We've got so used to waffle and word salad when it comes to this subject, it's really great to hear people speak clearly and say what they mean.
I thought Claire Coutinho in particular spoke really well.

Original poster

Forresty · 14/04/2026 16:20

RockaLock · 14/04/2026 16:17

Thank you so much for the commentary - I’ve just finished work and read through it all.

Is it fair to say that it was quite an encouraging debate on the whole? It seemed like there were a lot of different voices criticising the delay and speaking up on behalf of women, and generally pointing out the ridiculousness of it all.

Is it fair to say that it was quite an encouraging debate on the whole?

Do you know what - just thinking about it - this debate would not have been allowed to take place just a few years ago. Back in the days of literally #nodebate.

So, yes, that is positive in and of itself! Even without the actual submissions.

OP posts:

MarieDeGournay · 14/04/2026 16:20

womendeserveequalhumanrights · 14/04/2026 16:16

Parliamentlive.tv - Westminster Hall - you need to click on the 2.30pm option to see the debate we're discussing here. Currently watching instead of doing housework.

See, this is what happens when you give them the vote- they start neglecting their wifely duties to watch Parliament Live TV😁

RockaLock · 14/04/2026 16:17

Thank you so much for the commentary - I’ve just finished work and read through it all.

Is it fair to say that it was quite an encouraging debate on the whole? It seemed like there were a lot of different voices criticising the delay and speaking up on behalf of women, and generally pointing out the ridiculousness of it all.

womendeserveequalhumanrights · 14/04/2026 16:16

Parliamentlive.tv - Westminster Hall - you need to click on the 2.30pm option to see the debate we're discussing here. Currently watching instead of doing housework.

Gymnopedie · 14/04/2026 16:10

TheNoWord · 14/04/2026 13:40

Bridget Phillipson orders single-sex spaces guidance to be ‘toned down’

https://www.thetimes.com/article/2a74d8d4-8e81-48d7-b616-64f6dd1f3c8e?shareToken=fa46e3ce6d9422ec0d2d2caa63773a42

If you go on that article there is a poll (yes/no) on whether you agree that single sex spaces should be more inclusive. Currently 91% no. It's not a scientific poll and it's only the Times, but a few more 'no' clicks wouldn't hurt if anyone has a few seconds. I'm sure the Times will make an article about it.

PrettyDamnCosmic · 14/04/2026 16:09

TheNoWord · 14/04/2026 15:48

Olivia Bailey was responsible for the no-platforming of Julie Bindel when she was with the NUS.
(Another Labour MP who has never had a real job).

Here is an article by Julie Bindel about this entitled "Why I despise Olivia Bailey MP"

juliebindel.substack.com/p/why-i-despise-olivia-bailey-mp

TheNoWord · 14/04/2026 16:08

Don’t forget, if anyone missed the debate you can go to Parliament TV and choose Westminster Hall, today’s date and 2.30pm to watch it all.

There can often be a delay in transcription of WH debates but it will pop up on Hansard soonish (and at least you can see who said what).

Original poster

Forresty · 14/04/2026 16:06

Just plopping on to my own thread, many thanks to those keeping us abreast see what I did there of the debate, will read the thread later.

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Original poster

Forresty · 14/04/2026 16:04

SylvanMoon · 14/04/2026 15:51

The May elections are local elections, not Parliamentary, so Phillipson is not in any danger of losing her seat between now and then.

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Oh god thank you, I just knew I would get it wrong somehow 😆

So, two of my points survive - Phillipson may be reshuffled, or may fancy herself as Labour leader again. Or both.

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womendeserveequalhumanrights · 14/04/2026 16:03

TheNoWord · 14/04/2026 15:45

The final word will go to Olivia Bailey, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities).

She was shit on GMB a few days ago, so expect more waffling.

This Olivia Bailey?

Page 4 | Minister for Children and Families, Olivia Bailey wants to hear from you | Mumsnet

She was shit on Mumsnet, totally ignored all the good points made on this thread, and one of the posters on this thread claimed she invited Mridul Wadhwa to a roundtable with her. MW of course of famous 'reframe your trauma' abuse of women wanting single sex rape counselling.

murasaki · 14/04/2026 16:03

MissGendering · 14/04/2026 16:02

In future I will bloody well turn on predictive text when transcribing.

You did a brilliant job.

MissGendering · 14/04/2026 16:02

In future I will bloody well turn on predictive text when transcribing.

MissGendering · 14/04/2026 16:01

Apologies that I don't know people's names - and I only refered to the Scottish lady as lesbian because that's how she was describing herself!

Good contributions from several.ministers. Very notable only one MP there on the TRA boat, and she had no fecking clue at all about what she was talking about.