Labour confirms it will allow self-identified trans women on all-women shortlists The Labour Party has confirmed to the i that it will not block self-identifying transgender women from standing on all women shortlists. […]

The Labour Party has confirmed to the i that it will not block self-identifying transgender women from standing on all women shortlists.

The party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) is set to issue a statement clarifying its position.

“At the NEC it was confirmed that all women shortlists are and always have been open to all women, which of course includes trans women,” said a Labour Party spokesperson.

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“The Party will consult with key stakeholders about the wording of this policy and will issue guidance.”

Anger within Labour

Labour has long had an informal policy of using all women shortlists in some constituencies to bolster the number of women in parliament.

If a snap election is called, Labour has announced it will present all women candidates in 46 of its 76 key seats.

But the move to include self-identifying women has drawn the ire of some within Labour who have set up a online fundraising campaign to block it legally.

“Comrades, we are a group of Labour women who want to ensure all-women shortlists (AWS) remain reserved for females and that women’s representation in the party increases,” reads the page.

“Trans representation must not happen at the expense of female candidates and we are furious that we are having to fight another battle for women’s representation.”

Labour is seeking to clarify its position and stem opposition by insisting it has always been its policy to include anyone identifying as female on all women shortlists.

The news emerged on the website Pink News.

‘Proving femaleness’

Speaking to The House Magazine shadow secretary for women and equalities Dawn Butler stated her support for including transgender women.

“If one of my team members came into the office and decided that James wanted to be called Jane and was now a woman, I would not say ‘prove it, what do you mean?’” she said.

“I would just accept where he is and his journey or where she is and her journey and that she is being her true authentic self.”

‘Vocal transphobes’

There are currently no openly transgender women in parliament.

But transgender woman Dr Heather Peto is on an all women shortlist in the Labour target seat of Rushcliffe.

She told Pink News that some Momentum and trade union activists had tried to prevent her from standing.

“It is just the vocal transphobes that are not supportive,” she said.

“I got messages sent to me saying they hoped the hormones I take cause me breast cancer and I die a horrible death.”