Several major unions, including Unison, Usdaw, Aslef and the Musicians' Union, will boycott this year’s Labour Women’s Conference after Labour decided to limit main-hall access to biological women. The change follows a Supreme Court ruling and EHRC guidance interpreting 'woman' in equalities law as biological sex. Labour says the measure balances legal compliance with promoting women's participation, while unions argue it conflicts with long-standing trans-inclusion policies.
Major Unions to Boycott Labour Women's Conference After Ban On Trans Women
Trans rights groups protest against the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman in equalities law [PA Media]
Several major trade unions have announced they will boycott this year’s Labour Women’s Conference in protest at the party’s decision to bar trans women from attending main-hall sessions.
Background
The Labour Women’s Conference, held on the eve of the party’s annual conference, is designed to boost women’s participation in policy-making and party life. Historically, Labour allowed self-identification so trans women could attend the event and benefit from positive-action measures such as all-women shortlists.
Legal Changes And Party Guidance
Changes followed a unanimous Supreme Court ruling in April last year that interpreted equalities law as defining a woman by biological sex. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) then issued guidance, approved by ministers, which said that a trans woman is a biological male who identifies as a woman and should not use single-sex spaces reserved for biological women.
Acting on that guidance, Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) advised that references to 'woman' or 'women' at party events should be interpreted by biological sex. Labour says restricting the main hall to biological women is the least restrictive option to comply with the law while keeping fringe events open to all attendees.
Union Response
Four unions — Unison, Usdaw, Aslef and the Musicians' Union — have confirmed they will not send delegations to the main conference in Liverpool. Many Labour-affiliated unions, which help fund the party, have long-standing trans-inclusion policies and some are actively campaigning for legal change to recognise gender identity.
A Unison spokesperson said the union 'disagreed with how the law was being interpreted to exclude trans people' and noted that 'Unison's policy is that trans women are women, trans men are men and non-binary identities are valid.'
What Will Change At This Year's Conference
Under the arrangements, key elements of the Labour Women’s Conference — including votes, keynote speeches and policy debates in the main session — will be restricted to biological women. Fringe events, workshops and other side meetings will remain open to all attendees.
Political And Practical Implications
The decision has heightened tensions between Labour's leadership and affiliated unions. Union boycotts could reduce representation at the conference and intensify pressure on ministers and lawmakers over the interpretation of equalities law. Labour says the measures aim to protect opportunities for biological women in the party while ensuring legal compliance.
What To Watch: whether more unions join the boycott, any legal challenges or changes to guidance from the EHRC, and the broader political fallout within Labour over gender and inclusion policy.
Help us improve.
