Renowned author JK Rowling has expressed strong disapproval of the Labour Party’s position on women’s rights, particularly in relation to transgender issues. In a recent opinion piece for The Times, Rowling voiced her concerns about the party’s approach under Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership, stating she would “struggle to vote” for him due to her “poor opinion” of his character.
The “Harry Potter” creator, once a significant donor to Labour, now finds herself at odds with the party’s current direction. She criticized what she perceives as Labour’s “dismissive and often offensive” attitude towards women’s concerns, suggesting that the party has strayed from its historical commitment to women’s rights.
Rowling’s critique comes in the wake of Sir Keir Starmer’s recent statements on transgender rights during a televised election special. The Labour leader’s comments, which appeared to align more closely with former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s views, have sparked debate within the party and beyond.
The author highlighted the case of Labour MP Rosie Duffield, who has faced criticism for her statements on biological sex. Rowling wrote,
“The impression given by Starmer at Thursday’s debate was that there had been something unkind, something toxic, something hard line in Rosie’s words, even though almost identical words had sounded perfectly reasonable when spoken by Tony Blair.”
Addressing the broader issue, the writer emphasized,
“For left-leaning women like us this isn’t, and never has been, about trans people enjoying the rights of every other citizen and being free to present and identify however they wish. This is about the right of women and girls to assert their boundaries. It’s about freedom of speech and observable truth.”
In response to Rowling’s comments, Sir Keir Starmer defended his party’s record, stating,
“I would point out the long track record Labour has in government of passing really important legislation that has enhanced the rights of women.”
However, this has not assuaged Rowling’s concerns about the party’s current stance on gender issues.
“As long as Labour remains dismissive and often offensive towards women fighting to retain the rights their foremothers thought were won for all time, I’ll struggle to support them.”
A Labour spokesperson also addressed the controversy, saying,
“Sex and gender are different, as Labour’s Equality Act makes clear. That’s why we have consistently said that we will not introduce self ID and that we will protect single sex spaces for biological women.”
Overall, the Labour Party maintains that the Act already protects single-sex spaces for biological women and has also promised to give clearer guidance on the issue if elected.