Labour MP Nadia Whittome this afternoon compared the treatment of trans people in the UK to “Putin’s Russia”. Speaking at a fringe event at the party’s conference in Liverpool, Whittome discussed the Supreme Court ruling earlier this year which decreed that the word “woman” within the Equality Act refers to biological sex rather than gender identity. She claimed that “just a few years ago, the idea that trans people could effectively be banned from spaces that they used, without issue, for many years was something that you’d have expected from Trump’s America or Putin’s Russia, not the UK — yet here we are.”

The comments were made at a “trans solidarity rally” sponsored by a campaign group within the party, Labour for Trans Rights. Whittome spoke alongside other Labour MPs including Emily Thornberry, Dawn Butler and Yuan Yang, and described the present moment as “a terrifying time for the trans community in this country”.

She added that “transphobia in our society is nothing new”, and that “trans people have long faced harassment, persecution and violence”. As well as citing “years of relentless attacks from the Right-wing media and politicians”, she said that the current “rollback” of trans rights is “happening under a Labour government” rather than the Tories or Reform UK. The Nottingham East MP suggested that “the rhetoric and decisions of [Labour] ministers have been extremely damaging and concerning for trans people.”

Thornberry similarly criticised her party colleagues, stating that “socialists and feminists think it’s just fine” to “marginalise trans people”, and adding that “women and trans people have something to worry about. And what we have to worry about, together, is cis men.” The former shadow foreign secretary also stated: “I’m just here to give my full attention [and] to express my love and support.” She described trans people as “the most marginalised, those who are most likely to be assaulted, who are most likely to have a mental health problem”.

Earlier this year, Whittome said she was “appalled by [her] party’s stance on trans rights, and separately wrote an article labelling the Supreme Court ruling “dangerous”. In standing up to Labour policies, she argued today for “ensuring that trans people of all ages have access to the healthcare that they need”, adding that “this is the kind of vision that can bring together the kind of coalition that we need to see off the threat of Reform at the next election”. Butler, speaking after her, said: “I don’t care which bathroom you use, so long as you flush afterwards.”