Keir Starmer refuses to rule out copying Nicola Sturgeon’s gender self-ID plan if he gets into No10
SIR Keir Starmer yesterday refused to rule out copying Nicola Sturgeon’s gender self-ID plan in England if he gets into No10.
The Labour chief insisted it was “not a priority” but declined to say whether he would echo the controversial Scottish bid to make it easier for people to change their legal sex.
It came as Sir Keir swerved trying deep-fried Mars Bar on a trip to Scotland – in a bid to avoid an Ed Miliband-style bacon sandwich meltdown.
Critics of the planned SNP law say it would allow predators to take advantage of the looser rules to gain access to female-only spaces like changing rooms or prisons.
Rishi Sunak has halted the Scots bid and pushed SNP chiefs to change it.
Labour is split over the trans policy, with some fearing a voter backlash if they pursue it in England.
Asked by The Sun for a Yes/No answer on whether he’d introduce self-ID for England if he gets into No10, Sir Keir said: “It’s not a priority for the Labour Party.
“I’ve made absolutely clear what my priorities are, the five missions that I set out.
“We will inherit a very badly damaged United Kingdom, a badly damaged economy, public services absolutely on their knees, if not on their face, and living standards that have been at best stagnant for well over a decade here in Scotland, and across the United Kingdom.
“So I’m very clear what my priorities are going into government.” But his aides cut off further questions about whether he would push ahead with the policy.
The fallout from the SNP gender move – and male-bodied trans rapist Isla Bryson initially being sent to a women’s nick – is widely credited with Ms Sturgeon’s decision to quit last month.
The Scottish Bill aimed to allow anyone aged 16 or over to change sex on their birth certificate in a six-month process, simply by signing a legal declaration.
Sir Keir also claimed the SNP was “falling apart” following Sturgeon’s shock resignation – and insisted only Labour could bring real change.
But he said he wouldn’t make the mistake of scoffing a deep fried Mars Bar on camera – in a nod to Ed Miliband’s infamous bacon roll incident in 2015.
He said: “The first day I became Labour leader, I was given very good advice, which is: Never eat on camera. And I’m not going to break that advice today.”