The Green Group on Bath and North East Somerset Council has spoken out strongly against the direction of national politics this week, following Prime Minister’s Questions on Thursday, where the Opposition used all six of its opportunities to ask about the definition and status of women. This comes at a time when Parliament could have focused on the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the ongoing war in Ukraine, or the deepening cost-of-living crisis affecting millions of people across the UK.
Instead, parliamentary time was used to pressure the Labour Government into adopting a narrower stance on gender. In response, the Prime Minister made a deeply concerning intervention, announcing a return to a trans-exclusionary definition of “woman” and asserting that “biological sex is a reality” and “the law must reflect that.”
The Green Group recognises that the Government has legal authority in matters of policy and law. However, the group questions the intent and impact of this announcement. Rather than providing clarity, it fuels confusion, division, and harm — particularly for trans and non-binary people, who already face significant discrimination and marginalisation.
There is no ambiguity in our position: trans rights are human rights. The dignity, safety, and identity of trans and non-binary individuals are not up for debate. The Green Party of England and Wales supports a self-identification process for gender recognition and stands firmly in solidarity with the trans community.
The Prime Minister’s actions are not just inconsistent with his past public support for LGBTQ+ rights — such as marching at Pride — they are actively harmful. In the wake of the tragic murder of Brianna Ghey, this shift in tone and policy feels especially regressive. It is unacceptable to use minority communities as tools in political culture wars.
These distractions do nothing to improve people’s lives. On the contrary, they heighten fear and exclusion — particularly for LGBTQIA+ people — at a time when compassion and unity are urgently needed.
Democratic institutions exist to protect and empower people, not to deny them their rights or identities. It is a betrayal of democratic principles to weaponise identity in pursuit of political advantage, especially when urgent real-world crises are being ignored.
Politics should be about expanding freedoms, protecting the vulnerable, and ensuring that everyone can live safely, freely, and authentically.
Locally, the Greens are calling on Bath and North East Somerset Council to lead with courage and compassion. We are asking what is being done to ensure our area remains safe, inclusive, and welcoming — especially for those now facing increased national hostility. The Council has a responsibility to be clear: human dignity and equality are non-negotiable.
The Green Group reaffirms its full support for trans and non-binary people, and its commitment to building a fairer, kinder, and more inclusive society — here in Bath and North East Somerset, and across the UK.