London Trans+ Pride asks Socialist Workers Party not to attend 2026 march

London Trans+ Pride has asked the Socialist Workers Party to call off its plans to attend the 2026 march, following what it described as “dehumanising” interactions last year.

Just days ahead of London Trans+ Pride 2026 on 25 July, organisers have issued an open letter addressed to the Socialist Workers Party after it failed to respond to their direct messages.

“We have contacted them many times, over many months and in several ways, to communicate the following message. However, we’ve had no response,” the organisation wrote on Instagram.

“We are asking the Socialist Workers Party not to attend London Trans+ Pride 2026” – organisers issue an open letter

“After many years of being on the receiving end of a very difficult and hostile organising style, we are asking the Socialist Workers Party not to attend London Trans+ Pride 2026 or have any presence at our march.”

London Trans+ Pride explained: “Last year, the SWP interacted with our team members in a way that was disruptive, disrespectful and dehumanising.”

The organisation stressed that the “wellbeing” of its members and the trans community is its utmost priority. “Their safety is integral, and we won’t be bullied into complicity.”

“We are concerned by some of the practices of the SWP” – London Trans+ Pride on the organisation’s policies

On a note of wider discomfort, London Trans+ Pride added: “We are concerned by some of the practices of the SWP, as we believe organisations should be survivor-centred and committed to community accountability.”

“We are not willing to compromise on these values. SWP, please do not attend our march. Allyship towards the Trans+ community looks like active listening.”

According to the official SWP website, the political group says that “fighting for liberation is central to the SWP’s politics.”

What does SWP stand for?

Outlining who they stand up against, they explain: “Sexism, racism, LGBT+ phobia, and other forms of oppression are endemic in the system and blight millions of people’s lives.”

This is not the first time a political group has been asked not to attend Pride events in the UK as a representative of their party.

In 2025, several Pride organisers restricted political party participation in marches across the nation following disputes about how politicians engage with certain parts of the community, particularly the trans community.

Pride in London, alongside major events in Birmingham, Brighton and Manchester, have all implemented restrictions on political parties amid ongoing debates around the rights of trans people.

“We have never been disruptive, disrespectful or dehumanising to the organisers and we’re confused as to why they’ve said that” – a SWP spokesman

A SWP spokesman told Attitude: “Trans+ Pride is a massively important event, and it’s great how big it has been for the last few years. All credit to London Trans+ Pride for organising such a brilliant march.

“We have never been disruptive, disrespectful or dehumanising to the organisers and we’re confused as to why they’ve said that. Our members, including trans+ people, go on the march each year to stand united the avalanche of transphobia.

“We’re proud that when too many organisations are silent, or duck the question, the SWP is 100% for trans+ rights and is part of the movement fighting for them in our workplaces and communities. 

“At a time when the far right are a danger to trans+ people, and when the British state is attacking our right to exist, we hope this year’s trans+ pride is one of the biggest yet.”