Latest news with #Women'sConference
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Labour postpones women's conference after Supreme Court ruling
The Labour Party has postponed its annual Women's Conference in the wake of advice following last month's ruling on the legal definition of a woman. Last month, the Supreme Court ruled that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex. Up until the ruling, Labour had allowed people to self-identify as a woman, so trans women could attend the event and also take part in "positive action" measures such as all-women shortlists. The decision has been condemned by trans rights advocates as an "attempt to isolate trans people" and by gender critical activists as "a kneejerk reaction". People could be asked to prove biological sex under new EHRC code Labour Women's Conference is traditionally held the day before the main conference and brings together hundreds of women from Labour's activist base, including MPs, councillors, and supporters for a day of discussion and policy-making. A leaked advice paper to Labour's governing body, the National Executive Committee (NEC), recommended delaying the conference because the "only legally defensible alternative" would be to restrict attendance to biological women. The paper set out how "there is a significant risk of legal challenge to the event as it currently operates" and "there may be protests, direct action and heightened security risks" if it goes ahead on 27 September. That could carry a "political risk" of overshadowing the party's showcase autumn conference which begins the following day on 28 September. On Tuesday night, the party's NEC voted to delay the conference, pending a wider review of positive action measures. The NEC also decided to postpone the elections to the National Labour Women's Committee, which are normally held at the conference, and to extend the terms of those currently serving. Labour moved away from using all-women shortlists at the last general election. The leaked paper also advised the party to issue guidance to make clear that all-women shortlists can only apply to "applicants who were biologically female at birth". A Labour Party spokesperson said the party must make sure all its procedures "comply with the Supreme Court's clear ruling". "Labour is clear that everyone in our society deserves to be treated with dignity and respect," he said. "The party will work closely with individuals and local parties to implement the necessary changes with sensitivity and care." Ministers will consider the Equality and Human Rights Commission's code of practice, which it has just put out for consultation. The decision was condemned by Georgia Meadows, who was speaking as LGBT+ Labour's trans officer. "It is a blatant attack on trans rights and is seemingly an attempt to isolate trans people even further within the Labour Party and the Labour movement more widely," they said. The Labour Women's Declaration group, which backs "sex-based rights", said cancelling the conference would be a "knee-jerk reaction". A spokesperson told the LabourList website: "We are shocked that hundreds of women in the Labour Party might be prevented from meeting at conference because the NEC would prefer to disadvantage all women rather than to exclude the very small number of trans-identified men who may wish to attend the women's conference." Starmer does not believe trans women are women, No 10 says 'Life for our community is a living hell after court ruling' Sign up for our Politics Essential newsletter to read top political analysis, gain insight from across the UK and stay up to speed with the big moments. It'll be delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Yahoo
DC police hold Women's Conference, traffic to see impacts
WASHINGTON () — This week, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is set to host its Women's Conference for the second year, and drivers in the area may see traffic impacts. To commemorate Women's History Month, the conference will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Northwest from Tuesday, March 4, through Thursday, March 6. The free event is open to anyone interested in networking, exchanging ideas, sharing experiences and fostering development. Participants will also interactive workshops, panel discussions and motivational speakers. Road closures announced for joint session of Congress As a result of the conference, D.C. police said drivers in the area may see impacts to traffic. Police noted that the following street will be posted as Emergency No Parking on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. West side of 7th Street between Allen Y. Lew Place and M Street, NW Anyone who parks along the street during these times will be ticketed and towed. For more updated traffic information, click To register for the conference, click Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
