A recent Supreme Court ruling has set a precedent that women are defined by their biological sex under equalities law, sparking controversy over trans women’s inclusion on all-women shortlists. The Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is expected to provide updated guidance on the issue.
Currently, some parties, including Labour, have used all-women shortlists since the mid-1990s to increase female representation. However, a Supreme Court ruling now suggests that trans women cannot be included on these lists, while trans men can.
The EHRC has previously acknowledged the anomaly of allowing trans women access to all-women shortlists but not trans men. The commission will need to clarify its stance on this issue, which is likely to impact efforts to increase female representation in politics.
Labour suspended its use of all-women shortlists for the 2024 general election due to an increased number of female MPs. However, with women now making up 47% of Labour’s parliamentary party, the discussion about reinstating all-women shortlists may resume.
The SNP and other parties have used all-women shortlists in the past but are no longer doing so due to a lack of under-represented women. The use of such lists is not part of any party policy for the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Green Party, or Reform UK.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62g7007kxko