Boris Johnson just stated that biology dictates what is a man / woman

[NoWordForFluffy]

Just now on PMQs.

Has he ever come out and said that before?

Jesus. First time I've felt anything vaguely approaching admiration for Johnson. The most appalling people are on the side of sanity with this issue

What was the context? (I mean I don't disagree but ...)

And I will vote for the Tories for this reason. I put rationality above nearly everything else because it affects everything else.

I've heard Boris Johnson say lots of things and it is great that he is saying, what we know to be correct, out loud. When is says trans women are not women and it is clear in law then I will believe the Tories are on board with this.

We must not forget that men are still being put in women's prisons, welcomed into women's refuges, more transwomen are being seen in top level women's sport etc. It is not good enough to say 'the exemption in the EA is there for this because it's not clear enough and organisations are scared to use it. Until I see some concrete action and policy on this I will remain sceptical. BJ will say anything to get votes and remember Labour are being hammered on this.

Good

Got to say, though I also think this is true, it is not at all helpful to have boris saying it too cos (a) him saying something has no bearing whatsoever on whether he actually believes it or not, and (2) is he saying this cos he’s hideously conservative and wants women to stay in their place, as opposed to thinking women can and should do or think whatever they like, with their only thing in common their biology?

Here's a screenshot

If only Labour could have read the room on this, we'd have a proper opposition.

I'm glad he's said this because whatever you think of him he is the most important person in the country. Up til know it's just been JK Rowling and some unknown feminists who've dared to say it.

I loathe the man with a passion & I know full well he’s only commenting like this because he knows Labour are making themselves look like tits on this issue

It’s purely electoral politics

How can Labour not see they are loading up the ammunition and firing a gun in their own face over this? Absolute idiots

Oh god. I mean, he's right of course, but it's so obvious that he is cynically using this as a wedge issue, the way the US Republicans have over abortion for decades.

The cultural divides rabbit hole can't, in the long run, lead anywhere good for UK politics. The Republicans use this stuff as a way to get people to vote against their own interests. What a fucking mess everything is.

Oh bloody hell. Bloody Labour party. I so don't want to vote Tory but I'm inching towards it.

Ah, comments already describing his answer is designed to "dogwhistle 'gender critical' feminists".

@Andrew - could you clarify, please? It looks like Richardson is asking about girls' mental health, while Johnson answers with something that's about trans women and/or designed to dogwhistle 'gender critical' feminists.

To think I passionately supported The Guardian for years, as well as the Labour Party.

@tabbycatstripy me too! I genuinely don’t think there’s another option other than conservative, but I would vote for them anyway.

Of course Boris knows what a woman is, he's had enough of them!

We live in tragic times if that statement is one of hope and makes a headline.

How the hell did we get to this point?

How depressing to be faced with a choice between the Conservatives with all the shambles that they've inflicted on the country and a Labour party arguing that male born rapists should be in women's prisons, that men magically become women by uttering magic words, that women's sport must include born males and completely ignoring the tragedy of what's happening to so many vulnerable children.

What a bloody shitshow

You can see the full question and answer here

Rewind about 25 mins

'Of course Boris knows what a woman is, he's had enough of them!'

Boris has no trouble locating the women.

@CanIPleaseHaveOne

We live in tragic times if that statement is one of hope and makes a headline.

How the hell did we get to this point?

It’s madness. But if the tide doesn’t turn we’ll be even more stuffed.

Thank-you Angela Richardson for asking the question and getting Boris to agree meeting with you

Urgh I’m glad it’s be said….but I wish it was someone else saying it.

So you're all decrying the Labour MPs for saying TWAW, men have cervixes, etc, BoJo gives the answer you are looking for and your STILL not happy
What exactly the f**k is it that you all actually want?

'BoJo gives the answer you are looking for and your STILL not happy
What exactly the f**k is it that you all actually want?'

Policies that match this correct statement that biology is 'overwhelmingly important'.

@MrsOvertonsWindow

How depressing to be faced with a choice between the Conservatives with all the shambles that they've inflicted on the country and a Labour party arguing that male born rapists should be in women's prisons, that men magically become women by uttering magic words, that women's sport must include born males and completely ignoring the tragedy of what's happening to so many vulnerable children.

What a bloody shitshow

Couldn't agree more. But what really grinds my gears is that I don't believe the Labour Party actually believe the nonsense they're spreading - they're just too cowardly (or too scared of being attacked on twitter) to state the truth!!!