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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Yvette Cooper new Health Secretary; Bridget Phillipson remains as Minister for Women and Equalities

13 replies

IwantToRetire · Yesterday 01:19

Yvette Cooper has been appointed health secretary by new prime minister Andy Burnham

She replaces James Murray, who held the role for just over two months

Cooper previously served as foreign secretary and home secretary under Sir Keir Starmer

From https://www.digitalhealth.net/2026/07/pm-burnham-appoints-yvette-cooper-as-health-secretary/

Secretary of State for Education

IN: Lucy Powell - OUT: Bridget Phillipson ( she remains in Cabinet as Minister for Women and Equalities)

Full list of changes at https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/andy-burnham-cabinet-in-and-out-appointments-and-sackings-b1290632.html

Andy Burnham’s Cabinet: Full list of who's in and who's out

All the winners and losers in Andy Burnham’s first Cabinet

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/andy-burnham-cabinet-in-and-out-appointments-and-sackings-b1290632.html

OP posts:
IrnBruAndDietCoke · Yesterday 01:39

I know Yvette was tipped as a favourite to get a cabinet role according to the BBC, but it really surprised me, as I haven’t heard anything of her since Gordon Brown was ejected from the premises. What has she actually done in politics in the last 16 years and what will she bring to the health secretary role?! Or is it supposed to fill us with confidence that Andy’s doing the Westminster equivalent of “reboot from last known good configuration (of the Labour party)” *whether that’s as good as he thinks it is is another matter entirely.

IwantToRetire · Yesterday 02:34

According to AI:

Yvette Cooper fully supports the indefinite ban on the routine prescription of puberty blockers and other medical transitioning treatments for underage children outside of strictly regulated clinical trials.

As a senior member of the Labour government, her position aligns with the official party policy dictated by the findings of the landmark Cass Review.

Key Pillars of Her Position

Endorsement of the Cass Review: Following the publication of the independent review by pediatrician Dr Hilary Cass, Cooper stated that the government would implement its recommendations in full. The review concluded that the medical evidence supporting the use of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for children with gender dysphoria was remarkably weak.

Support for Indefinite Restrictions: Cooper backs the government’s policy—formally advanced by Health Secretary Wes Streeting—to maintain an indefinite ban on both NHS and private prescriptions of puberty blockers for individuals under the age of 18.

Prioritising Evidence-Based Care: Cooper has publicly argued that medical treatment for vulnerable children must always be grounded in robust clinical safety rather than political debate. She supports restricting access to these medications exclusively within highly monitored scientific environments, such as the Pathways clinical trial, to gather proper data on long-term health risks.

Also:

Yvette Cooper supports the provision of strictly biological, women-only changing rooms and facilities for NHS staff and nurses, in line with the landmark Supreme Court ruling.

As part of the Labour Cabinet, Cooper endorses the government’s statutory code of practice, which mandates that single-sex spaces in the NHS must be designated based entirely on biological sex rather than gender identity.

Key Alignment with Current Government Policy

Enforcement of the Supreme Court Decision: Following the Supreme Court's ruling clarifying that "sex" and "woman" in the Equality Act 2010 refer strictly to biological sex, Cooper supports the implementation of the updated Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) guidance. This guidance explicitly bars trans women (biological males) from female-only changing rooms and toilets.]

Workplace Mandate for NHS Staff: In May 2026, the government finalized and approved the national code of practice. Cooper backs this mandate, which requires NHS trusts to divide staff changing rooms and facilities on a biological basis to protect women's privacy, safety, and dignity.

Alternative Provisions for Transgender Staff: Under the policy Cooper supports, the NHS must provide separate, self-contained, gender-neutral or mixed-sex facilities for transgender employees, rather than allowing access to biological female-only spaces.

--
Cant say I can remember her ever saying anything about supporting women only provision.

Have just remembered that years ago, when Labour was going through getting rid of whoever was leading the party at that time, that she would be a much better leader than any of the men proposed. Let alone that it was always assumed she would stand aside for her husband the terrible Ed Balls.

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Ereshkigalangcleg · Yesterday 02:38

Corbyn won that challenge. Burnham lost the same one. I’m not a fan of Yvette Cooper, her ridiculous husband or trans rights activist son, but she’s more competent than many of the class of 24.

IwantToRetire · Yesterday 02:59

Ereshkigalangcleg · Yesterday 02:38

Corbyn won that challenge. Burnham lost the same one. I’m not a fan of Yvette Cooper, her ridiculous husband or trans rights activist son, but she’s more competent than many of the class of 24.

Was it that long ago? Not even sure that the issue of trans rights came up at that time.

But clearly remember thinking she seemed (by public presentation) far better than any of the men.

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Ereshkigalangcleg · Yesterday 03:56

No you’re right in that no one in the serious wing of the Labour Party was interested in “trans rights” then (2015) and the Cooper/Balls son was presumably a young teenager.

Floisme · Yesterday 07:53

I was completely unaware of trans activism in 2015 but the following year the Women and Equalities Committee published that report recommending self ID so there was clearly a hell of a lot going on that I didn't know about.

napody · Yesterday 08:15

IwantToRetire · Yesterday 02:34

According to AI:

Yvette Cooper fully supports the indefinite ban on the routine prescription of puberty blockers and other medical transitioning treatments for underage children outside of strictly regulated clinical trials.

As a senior member of the Labour government, her position aligns with the official party policy dictated by the findings of the landmark Cass Review.

Key Pillars of Her Position

Endorsement of the Cass Review: Following the publication of the independent review by pediatrician Dr Hilary Cass, Cooper stated that the government would implement its recommendations in full. The review concluded that the medical evidence supporting the use of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for children with gender dysphoria was remarkably weak.

Support for Indefinite Restrictions: Cooper backs the government’s policy—formally advanced by Health Secretary Wes Streeting—to maintain an indefinite ban on both NHS and private prescriptions of puberty blockers for individuals under the age of 18.

Prioritising Evidence-Based Care: Cooper has publicly argued that medical treatment for vulnerable children must always be grounded in robust clinical safety rather than political debate. She supports restricting access to these medications exclusively within highly monitored scientific environments, such as the Pathways clinical trial, to gather proper data on long-term health risks.

Also:

Yvette Cooper supports the provision of strictly biological, women-only changing rooms and facilities for NHS staff and nurses, in line with the landmark Supreme Court ruling.

As part of the Labour Cabinet, Cooper endorses the government’s statutory code of practice, which mandates that single-sex spaces in the NHS must be designated based entirely on biological sex rather than gender identity.

Key Alignment with Current Government Policy

Enforcement of the Supreme Court Decision: Following the Supreme Court's ruling clarifying that "sex" and "woman" in the Equality Act 2010 refer strictly to biological sex, Cooper supports the implementation of the updated Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) guidance. This guidance explicitly bars trans women (biological males) from female-only changing rooms and toilets.]

Workplace Mandate for NHS Staff: In May 2026, the government finalized and approved the national code of practice. Cooper backs this mandate, which requires NHS trusts to divide staff changing rooms and facilities on a biological basis to protect women's privacy, safety, and dignity.

Alternative Provisions for Transgender Staff: Under the policy Cooper supports, the NHS must provide separate, self-contained, gender-neutral or mixed-sex facilities for transgender employees, rather than allowing access to biological female-only spaces.

--
Cant say I can remember her ever saying anything about supporting women only provision.

Have just remembered that years ago, when Labour was going through getting rid of whoever was leading the party at that time, that she would be a much better leader than any of the men proposed. Let alone that it was always assumed she would stand aside for her husband the terrible Ed Balls.

Edited

Can you follow the links given and verify anything?
When I asked google AI about Lucy Powell (returning Ed sec) it insisted she was in strong support of single sex spaces and opposed self ID. Following the links IT GAVE ME (telegraph, sky and pink news!) were the headlines about her calling for an MP vote on implementing the EHRC guidance.

I have always thought Yvette is intelligent and competent. I hope she'll be clear on this, but sadly I can't see her being as clear as Wes (weaselly as I find him in other ways!).

napody · Yesterday 08:36

Ugh I meant Lucy Powell returning to cabinet, not returning to the Ed sec post. Bad news I feel....

Also (off FWR topic) absolutely all the talk about education has been on apprenticeships and further Ed. Early years hasn't been a priority since new Labour.

IwantToRetire · Yesterday 17:02

napody · Yesterday 08:15

Can you follow the links given and verify anything?
When I asked google AI about Lucy Powell (returning Ed sec) it insisted she was in strong support of single sex spaces and opposed self ID. Following the links IT GAVE ME (telegraph, sky and pink news!) were the headlines about her calling for an MP vote on implementing the EHRC guidance.

I have always thought Yvette is intelligent and competent. I hope she'll be clear on this, but sadly I can't see her being as clear as Wes (weaselly as I find him in other ways!).

I could have at the time. But it was late.

I am not saying AI is correct, and as usual there are those on FWR who can qualify bland AI.

What struck me was that as far as I am aware she has not been public either way about her views.

Whether because of her son or to keep a low profile on a contested issue within the Labour Party I dont know.

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IwantToRetire · Yesterday 17:06

I saw some comments of a Facebook page about how Phillipson is now the first full time Minister for Women. Although I cant find any news stories about it.

I think previously it has always been which ever MP is Minister for X and also minister for women.

If this is true is this a good thing. Or will it make not difference. If you take the totality of women's issues, from violence, equal pay, through to sex based rights.

OP posts:
Ereshkigalangcleg · Yesterday 18:13

I suspect Bridget thought she would be moved from W&E and I imagine she thought the silver lining would be not having to deal with the fallout from laying the EHRC code.

AlexandraLeaving · Yesterday 18:30

Ereshkigalangcleg · Yesterday 18:13

I suspect Bridget thought she would be moved from W&E and I imagine she thought the silver lining would be not having to deal with the fallout from laying the EHRC code.

sad times

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