Women's rights campaigners have expressed 'gravely disappointing' sentiments after six Greater Manchester MPs signed an Early Day Motion (EDM) rejecting the updated Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) code on single-sex spaces. The motion, tabled by Labour MP Nadia Whittome and moved by Labour MP Stella Creasy, has garnered nearly 160 signatures.
MPs Who Signed the Motion
The six Greater Manchester MPs who signed the EDM are Labour MPs Afzal Khan, Rebecca Long-Bailey, and Navendu Mishra; Green Party MP Hannah Spencer; and Liberal Democrat MPs Lisa Smart and Tom Morrison. Whittome, MP for Nottingham East, claimed the updated code 'fails everyone' and 'effectively pushes trans people out of public life.'
Helen Joyce, director of advocacy at sex-based rights charity Sex Matters, criticised the MPs, stating: 'The early day motion to reject the EHRC code of practice is nothing more than hot air and is based on a significant misrepresentation of the law, so it is gravely disappointing to see six Manchester MPs signing it.' She added that the EHRC is a regulator providing advice, and even if Parliament rejected the code, the law would remain unchanged.
Campaigners' Response
The Women's Rights Network (WRN) reported that female constituents across Greater Manchester expressed concerns that their MPs showed 'callous disregard' for women's spaces. A WRN spokesperson said: 'MPs signing the EDM are misguided on equality law. The code is guidance ensuring organisations can follow the law and not discriminate against women.' They noted that three of the MPs are from the Labour Party, whose 2024 manifesto pledged to support the Equality Act's single-sex exemptions.
The EDM was prompted by the Supreme Court's ruling that 'woman' under the Equality Act 2010 refers to biological sex in certain legal contexts. The draft code advises organisations on implementing this ruling. Although the motion has cross-party support, it is unlikely to stop the guidance, as no government vote is scheduled. The statutory scrutiny period ends in July.
MPs' Defences
Rebecca Long-Bailey, MP for Salford, told the Manchester Evening News she supported the EDM due to constituent concerns about the impact on trans people and LGBTQ+ communities. She said: 'I do not accept that standing up for the rights and dignity of trans people weakens protections for women.' She urged public bodies to act lawfully and compassionately.
Hannah Spencer, Green MP for Gorton and Denton, wrote to equalities minister Bridget Philipson in early June, calling the guidance 'not fit for purpose.' She stated on Instagram: 'Trans people are facing increasing hostility and political scapegoating. I fundamentally believe we should be working to build a society that is more inclusive, not less.'
Lisa Smart, Lib Dem MP for Hazel Grove, said: 'The new Code of Practice must be workable and inclusive. Unfortunately, it does not pass this test.' Tom Morrison, Lib Dem MP for Cheadle, added that the code creates confusion and risks expensive legal cases.
Internal Labour Criticism
Labour backbencher Jonathan Hinder, a leading figure in the Blue Labour group, rebuked colleagues for attacking the guidance. He told BBC's Newsnight that the Labour Party should focus on national problems rather than being 'obsessed with certain middle-class hobby horses' such as 'trans rights.' He warned: 'If we don’t sort it out this summer, acknowledge the challenge and actually confront it head on, then we’re going to die.'
