Labour leader Keir Starmer has aligned with former Prime Minister Tony Blair on the clear biological distinction between men and women, stating that a woman has a vagina and a man has a penis. This represents a notable shift in Starmer’s stance and follows controversies over transgender issues within the party.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has aligned with former Prime Minister Tony Blair on the definition of biological sex, stating that a woman has a vagina and a man has a penis. This stance represents a shift in Starmer’s position, as he previously mentioned that “99.9% of women” do not have a penis. The comments were made during a general election campaign visit to Basingstoke on June 18, 2024.
Tony Blair recently declared in an interview with Holyrood magazine that politics is muddled over gender identity and emphasized a clear biological distinction between men and women. Starmer endorsed Blair’s comments, acknowledging their accuracy and clarity.
Starmer’s remarks follow previous controversies surrounding his views on transgender issues. In 2021, he criticized Labour MP Rosie Duffield for stating “only women have a cervix,” a comment he now concedes is biologically correct.
The debate intensified after Lord Michael Cashman, a Labour peer, called Duffield “frit or lazy” on social media for not attending local hustings due to safety concerns stemming from her stance on women’s rights. Starmer deemed Cashman’s comments “particularly inappropriate” resulting in the peer’s suspension from the Labour whip.
Duffield, who is seeking re-election in Canterbury, expressed disappointment over the personal nature of Cashman’s remarks, noting he doesn’t know her. Starmer reaffirmed his commitment to protecting single-sex spaces for women and girls, emphasizing their importance in various contexts, including sports and violence refuges.