JK Rowling has criticised the Labour Party for its stance on transgender rights.
In an article for the Times, the Harry Potter author revealed her struggle to support Sir Keir Starmer, stating she has a "poor opinion" of his character. She further accused Labour under Starmer’s leadership of a “dismissive and often offensive” approach to women's concerns.
Responding to Rowling's criticism, Sir Keir Starmer said, "I do respect her and I would point out the long track record Labour has in government of passing really important legislation that has enhanced the rights of women." He acknowledged that challenges remain and emphasised "further progress" outlined in Labour's election manifesto.
Rowling’s comments were prompted by Sir Keir’s apparent shift on transgender rights during the BBC Question Time election special. In previous statements, he had said "99.9% of women" do not have a penis and criticised Labour MP Rosie Duffield for asserting that "only women have a cervix." However, on Thursday, he aligned with former Labour leader Sir Tony Blair, stating "biologically, a woman is with a vagina and a man is with a penis."
In her Times article, Rowling argued, "The impression given by Starmer at Thursday's debate was that there had been something unkind, something toxic, something hard line in Rosie's words, even though almost identical words had sounded perfectly reasonable when spoken by Tony Blair." She emphasised that her concerns are about women's rights to assert their boundaries, freedom of speech, and observable truth.
Rowling, a former Labour donor who gave £1m to the party in 2008, has recently been critical of its stance on gender issues. "As long as Labour remains dismissive and often offensive towards women fighting to retain the rights their foremothers thought were won for all time, I'll struggle to support them," she wrote.
Additionally, Rowling accused Sir Keir of failing to support Rosie Duffield amidst threats and abuse, "some of which has originated from within the Labour Party itself."
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