The Conservative Party has instructed all Tory council leaders to swiftly implement new rules safeguarding single-sex spaces. This directive follows warnings from left-wing councils that they intend to disregard guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).
Kemi Badenoch's party has criticized Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Green councils for reportedly refusing to adhere to the EHRC's guidance, stating that the Conservatives are committed to "protecting the rights of women and girls."
The EHRC's Code of Practice, which came into effect this week, is based on a Supreme Court ruling from April of the previous year. The ruling established that the legal definition of a woman is determined by biological sex.
According to the code, organizations providing public services, including the NHS, shops, gyms, councils, government departments, police, prisons, hotels, and restaurants, are now legally required to enforce single-sex spaces based on biological sex rather than gender identity.
A letter has been dispatched to all Conservative council leaders and group leaders, calling for "rapid compliance" with these new regulations. The Conservative Party asserts that its stance is in line with the law and emphasizes the protection of women's and girls' rights.