MIRROR
Keir Starmer said he had ‘concerns’ over Scotland’s reforms to the law for trans people, but did not say if he would block the law as PM, adding he did not want it to be a ‘toxic political football’
Keir Starmer today said he has “concerns” over Scotland’s gender recognition reforms, because he believes 16 is too young for someone to change their legal gender.
But he refused to say if he would overrule the new law if he was Prime Minister – as Rishi Sunak could decide to do this week.
The SNP government in Scotland passed legislation last month which will allow trans people to obtain a gender recognition certificate without the need for a medical diagnosis.
The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill also lowers the minimum age for applicants from 18 to 16.
And it drops the time required for an applicant to live in their acquired gender from two years to three months – six for those aged 16 and 17 – but with a three-month reflection period.
Rishi Sunak has voiced concerns about the law. In a constitutional clash, he could use a Section 35 order this week to block it from gaining Royal Assent.
He would not be pinned down on specifics, adding the issue has become a ‘toxic political football’.
But he did confirm “I don’t think you are” old enough at 16 to change your legal gender – a key plank of the Scottish government’s new law.
Mr Starmer the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: “I have concerns about the provision in Scotland, in particular the age reduction to 16 and in particular the rejection of our amendment in relation to the Equalities Act.
“But across the whole of the area, I think we should modernise the law.
“I think we need a respectful debate that recognises the different arguments that are being made.
