WHAT a week it’s been for Labour. The “unimportant” and “not electorally significant” sex and gender issue has hit headlines almost every day — not due to a manufactured “culture war,” but because Labour’s manifesto proposals are confusing and contradictory — much like the comments from Keir Starmer and several shadow frontbenchers. 

The muddle of Labour’s policy-making on sex and gender (and the obvious vein of sexism towards women) has been exposed during this election like never before. Labour Women’s Declaration (LWD) has for years warned the party about the risks, including our unheeded calls to ensure policies reflect the evidence.

JK Rowling’s recent intervention — stating Labour had “abandoned” women and she (a former significant donor) would “struggle” to support the party — reflects the anger and disappointment many Labour women feel towards a party that continues to ignore, dismiss and undermine them. (Labour offered to meet Rowling to address her concerns — she said they should meet grassroots women’s groups first).