Olivia Bailey elected Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee

[IwantToRetire]

The Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, has announced that Olivia Bailey MP has been elected Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee.

She takes up her position as Chair with immediate effect and is elected to serve until the end of the Parliament.

Three candidates were nominated for the role of Chair, triggering an election between:

Olivia Bailey
Anneliese Dodds
Preet Kaur Gill
Read their supporting statements.

https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/328/women-and-equalities-committee/news/217887/olivia-bailey-elected-chair-of-the-women-and-equalities-committee/

Local Reading paper news story
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/reading-mp-appointed-chair-equalities-040000826.html

Well a TRA for sure.

Can you elaborate? This was her a few months ago

"I want to take the time to acknowledge that the Government have laid the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s updated draft code of practice before Parliament. As hon. Members will know, the updated draft code reflects the Supreme Court’s judgment that, in the Equality Act 2010, “sex” means biological sex, and that there remain protections for trans people against discrimination, harassment or victimisation on the basis of gender reassignment. The judgment does not remove those legal protections for trans people, nor does it remove the legal framework, outside the Equality Act, that allows them to be recognised as being of their acquired gender. We firmly believe that it is possible to lawfully protect single-sex spaces, while also ensuring that trans people can access the services that they need and retain protections against discrimination and harassment. I understand the stress and anxiety that this process has caused for many, and my priority is for us to move forward together, with compassion for all who continue to be impacted. The fundamental principle is that everyone, including trans people, deserves to live their life with dignity, safety and respect."

https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-06-04/debates/B0291FDD-5034-4DCF-992A-31453F301069/PrideMonth

Seems pretty clear on supporting single-sex spaces.

Fair comment i googled her.

If she said that - hallelujah!
finally some common sense and fairness.
i never expected something so sensible

Well on another level, it is also reassuring as it would be quite disturbing to think that as she is part of as what are known as Labour power couples with another woman, that she though TWAW.

I wonder if the vote had just been down to Committee Members if she would have been voted in.

Although if you read her supporting statement (link in OP) it is very neutral.

Thankfully.

The footage of the committee whining on about problems with the law and the delays to the EHRC Guidance were just embarrassing. They sorely needed someone objective and able to balance rights

She is very keen on the Conversion Practices bill though.

https://www.terftimes.com/p/cock-ayed-committee/

It sounds like classic fence sitting flimflam, and who's this we she refers to.

"We firmly believe that it is possible to lawfully protect single-sex spaces,,,,"

Anyone is better than Dodds. I’ll take it.

Labour have a new strategy (or maybe an old one that has become obvious). It's a slight of hand and hidden actions. Watch out of lots of word salad and any if's, perhaps's, maybe's. Moving forward is also a catch all, meant to make you feel backward if you find 'inclusive' uncomfortable. I wait with interest.

Bailey winning is not great. The political climate is shifting though.

The Greens doubling down on attacking women's rights is an interesting contrast with the current byelection underway. At the moment Green and Lib Dem women members are appealing from support from Bridget Phillipson and Labour against sexism in their parties.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5524462-sexismother-issues-in-the-green-party-england-wales-discussion-thread-3?page=29&

She is a longtime LGBTI+ activist who has spoken on behalf on trans rights many times before. She's a TRA at heart but she knows that the tides have turned so she has to pretend to be support the FWS ruling (for the sake of her career).