Labour’s new deputy leader Lucy Powell says EHRC’s single-sex spaces draft is ‘not right’ as she backs trans-rights
"I see absolutely no contradiction in being a woman and also supporting the trans community," says Powell
By Aaron Sugg
Lucy Powell, the newly elected deputy leader of the Labour Party, has said the Equality and Human Rights draft guidance on single-sex spaces is “not right”, emphasising that women’s rights and trans rights can coexist.
On 25 October 2025, Powell was elected into her role, succeeding Angela Rayner following her resignation on 5 September 2025.
Competing for the title against women and equalities minister Bridget Phillipson, Powell won the Labour Party deputy leadership election with 87,407 votes against Phillipson’s 73,536.
It’s a huge privilege to have been elected Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. Thank you to all Party members and supporters who put their trust in me. pic.twitter.com/XVGFxNEJhw
— Lucy Powell MP (@LucyMPowell) October 25, 2025
Powell used her campaign as a platform to criticise the EHRC guidance on transgender issues, calling for MPs to vote.
“Robust and transparent parliamentary conversation” – Lucy Powell urging MPs to vote on single-sex spaces draft
This comes in light of the April UK Supreme Court ruling that defines women by their “biological sex” rather than their identity, a bill drafted by the EHRC.
During her campaign, she said the draft’s language around the EHRC guidance is “not right”, and said she felt “really strongly” that there needed to be a “robust and transparent parliamentary conversation.”
Addressing party members in September, Powell said, if elected, she would continue to “support the trans community which I represent in my constituency very well and have done for a long time.”
“I’m a woman, I’m a feminist and I see absolutely no contradiction” – Powell on women’s rights and trans rights coexisting
“I’m a woman, I’m a feminist and I see absolutely no contradiction in being a woman and also supporting the trans community to feel included and to have their rights as well,” she said.
“That is something I will strongly support as deputy leader in all the ways that I can and I’m happy to work with you on that.”
Thank you – I will read your letter. Rest assured I take these matters – and transphobia – very seriously. I will let you know how I intend to respond and keep you updated.
— Lucy Powell MP (@LucyMPowell) September 10, 2021
Her comments are likely to reignite discussion within the party about how to manage gender equality and the protection of women-only services, sparking debate around the language used in the proposed bathroom ban.
Her opponent held views reflecting stricter interpretations of the ruling. Speaking in Parliament after the April judgment, Phillipson said the government was “working to protect single-sex spaces based on biological sex.”
“We need a Parliament which properly reflects the country we serve” – Powell on equality and diversity in government
As well as the trans community, Powell has publicly affirmed support for wider LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion in government.
When Labour was appointed to office in 2024, the former government minister said in parliament: “This Parliament is our most diverse ever, in large part down to the huge number of Labour MPs who were elected. Our first women’s conference under a Labour Government in 15 years is a moment to celebrate.”
She added: “But we can’t rest on our laurels. If we are to restore trust in politics, we need a Parliament which properly reflects the country we serve.”