Starmer says he is proud of Labour record on women’s rights after JK Rowling criticism

Keir Starmer expressed his pride in Labour's track record on women's rights in response to JK Rowling's concerns about the party's stance on transgender rights.

Starmer expressed to journalists on Saturday that he felt a sense of pride in the achievements of previous Labour administrations, noting the significant impact they had on improving the lives of women.

In a recent article in the Times, Rowling, who used to be a member and supporter of the Labour party, expressed her difficulty in voting for them while they continue to disregard and insult women who are fighting to protect their rights.

She mentioned that she had a negative view of Starmer's personality and asserted that he showed disregard and disrespect towards women's issues regarding sex-based rights.

She mentioned that she was thinking about backing an independent candidate in her area who is running to make changes to the Equality Act.

When questioned about Rowling's remarks, the leader of the Labour party stated that while he respects her, he highlighted the many years of significant legislation passed by Labour in government that has greatly improved women's rights and had a real impact.

He stated: "The struggle continues. The obstacles persist. We must continue to advance women's rights. That's why the values outlined in a manifesto are crucial."

Regarding transgender rights, he stated that a Labour administration would aim for a "reset moment" to unite the country and ensure that all discussions are conducted in a polite manner.

Starmer agreed with Tony Blair's recent comments about the biological definitions of women and men during a BBC Question Time debate on Thursday. Blair stated that a woman is identified biologically by having a vagina, while a man is identified by having a penis.

The leader of the Labour Party had spoken out against Rosie Duffield, a candidate for Labour, for stating that only females possess a cervix. In 2021, he expressed disapproval of her statements, calling them "inappropriate" and "wrong."

On Saturday, Starmer was asked if he would apologize to Duffield. He replied that it's crucial to respect all opinions and treat everyone with dignity in politics. He mentioned being proud of the progress made by the Labour party in government regarding women's rights, but acknowledged that the fight for women's rights continues and more progress is needed in the country.

Earlier this week, Duffield announced that she will not be participating in the public debate events in Canterbury, where she is running for re-election. She explained that she has been dealing with ongoing harassment, negativity, and misunderstandings online. This has greatly impacted her feelings of safety and overall emotional state. Duffield also mentioned that she has had to invest resources in personal security as a result of the abuse she has been facing.

Rowling criticized Starmer for not standing by Duffield, stating in the Times: "It appears Rosie has not received any help from Starmer in dealing with the threats and harassment, some of which have come from members of the Labour party. This has had a serious and noticeable effect on her well-being."

During the debate on Thursday, Starmer gave off the impression that Rosie's words were seen as unkind, toxic, and hardline, even though similar words spoken by Tony Blair had been considered reasonable.

She added, "As progressive women, our concern is not only ensuring that transgender individuals have the same rights as everyone else and can express themselves freely in terms of how they present and identify."

This is about women and girls being able to set their own limits. It's about having the freedom to speak up and acknowledge what is true.