J.K. Rowling has publicly criticized the Labour Party for its stance on transgender rights, accusing it of “abandoning” women. Writing in The Times, the Harry Potter author expressed her discontent with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, stating she has a “poor opinion” of his character and struggles to support him. Rowling, a former Labour donor, condemned the party’s approach to women’s concerns as “dismissive and often offensive.”
Rowling’s Criticism of Labour’s Leadership
Rowling’s comments come after Sir Keir Starmer’s recent interview where he appeared to shift his position on transgender rights. Last year, Starmer remarked that “99.9% of women” do not have a penis, and in 2021, he criticized Labour MP Rosie Duffield for saying “only women have a cervix.” However, in a recent debate, Starmer agreed with former Labour leader Sir Tony Blair, stating, “biologically, a woman is with a vagina and a man is with a penis.”
Rowling found Starmer’s remarks during the debate problematic, suggesting that Starmer implied Duffield’s comments were unkind and toxic, despite similar statements from Tony Blair being deemed reasonable.
The Right to Assert Boundaries
In her article, Rowling emphasized that her criticism is not about denying transgender people their rights but about protecting women’s rights to assert their boundaries, freedom of speech, and observable truth. She highlighted that this issue concerns the right of women and girls to define their spaces and rights, a sentiment she believes Labour under Starmer has disregarded.
Labour’s Response to Rowling
Responding to Rowling’s criticism, Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged her contributions and pointed to Labour’s historical achievements in advancing women’s rights. He also noted that “these challenges are never over” and that Labour’s election manifesto outlines plans for further progress.
A Labour spokesperson reiterated that sex and gender are distinct, as per Labour’s Equality Act, and affirmed the party’s commitment to not introducing self-ID while protecting single-sex spaces for biological women.
The Political Context and Reactions
The debate over sex and gender definitions has significant political implications. While Labour maintains that the Equality Act already safeguards single-sex spaces, the Conservatives propose amending the act to strictly apply to biological sex. This difference highlights the ongoing contention between the parties on this sensitive issue.
Rowling’s Continued Advocacy
Rowling has been vocal about her stance on gender issues, donating £1 million to Labour in 2008 but becoming increasingly critical of its current direction. She also accused Starmer of failing to support Rosie Duffield, who has faced threats and abuse, including from within the Labour Party. Last week, Duffield revealed that she had spent £2,000 on bodyguards due to constant trolling during her re-election campaign.
Labour peer Lord Cashman was suspended for calling Duffield “frit or lazy” for withdrawing from election hustings, an action he later apologized for. Additionally, an internet troll received a suspended jail sentence for threatening Rowling and Duffield online.
J.K. Rowling’s critique of Labour over transgender rights underscores a significant and ongoing debate within the party. As Labour navigates this complex issue, the perspectives of prominent voices like Rowling continue to influence public discourse and political strategies.