James Murray MP, the UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has apparently dropped his stated belief that “trans women are women.” This shift came out while Murray was on the morning broadcast round of Monday, June 1st.
The cabinet minister claimed his view has changed because he has “thought about this question“ and stated:
I have changed what I would say. I wouldn’t say that phrase anymore.
The Supreme Court has obviously ruled very clearly that biological sex is what matters… when it comes to the Equality Act and determining the importance of single sex spaces…
I believe that single-sex spaces should be protected on the basis of sex, on the basis of biological sex, whilst at the same time believing in dignity for trans people. Single sex spaces within the [National Health Service] need to be protected on the basis of sex.
The statement follows in the steps of Murray’s Labour predecessor Wes Streeting, who was viewed as something of a ‘trans ally’ until an NHS clinical trial using so-called puberty blocker drugs on children was paused under his watch. Streeting resigned as health secretary in a bid to win the leadership of the Labour Party.
The breakdown of consensus on the Labour front benches—following years of awkward questioning about whether a woman can have a penis—could indicate that the government is recognising biological reality and the need for women’s single-sex spaces. However, it is more likely that it is finally deferring to the Court thanks to its legalistic mindset.
