Liberal Democrats Criticised Over “Trans-Exclusionary” Election Rule Change

The Liberal Democrats have faced a backlash from within their own ranks after adopting new internal election rules that define gender quotas according to biological sex at birth, rather than gender identity.

The rule change, announced at the end of October, follows a recent Supreme Court ruling that stated “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 refers to biological sex rather than lived gender. Party officials said the move was made to bring internal processes in line with the court’s clarification of the law.

However, many members — including those from the party’s LGBT+ Liberal Democrats group — have condemned the decision as “explicitly trans-exclusionary”. They argue that it undermines the Liberal Democrats’ long-standing commitment to equality and inclusion.

“This is not about legal compliance, it’s about principle,” one activist said. “Trans women are women, and trans men are men. We should not be excluding our own members from representation under the guise of following the law.”

The change means that future party elections will apply quotas for “men” and “women” based on biological sex rather than gender identity. At least five trans or non-binary members who had been preparing to stand for internal posts could now be affected by the ruling.

Senior figures have also criticised the timing of the change, which was introduced just before internal nominations opened. “This feels rushed, unnecessary and out of step with the party’s values,” one local chair said.

Party officials defended the decision, saying it was necessary to provide “clarity and legal consistency” following the Supreme Court’s interpretation. They added that the Liberal Democrats remain committed to LGBT+ inclusion through other structures and representation goals.

The controversy adds to growing tensions across UK politics as parties and institutions adjust to the court’s definition of sex in law — a move that has sparked widespread debate about the rights and recognition of transgender people in public life.