Four unions boycott Labour Women Conference over trans ban

Four major trade unions affiliated with the Labour Party have announced a boycott of the party's upcoming National Women's Conference in protest of its decision to exclude transgender women from formal proceedings. The unions-Unison, Aslef, Usdaw, and the Musicians Union-confirmed they will not send delegations to the conference, which is scheduled for September 26, 2026, in Liverpool.

The boycott follows a vote by Labour's National Executive Committee in December 2025 to bar trans women from participating in the conference's core activities, including main hall speeches and policy debates. Under the new rules, trans women may still attend fringe events open to all attendees. A Labour Party spokesperson stated the policy reflects the party's commitment to addressing the underrepresentation of women and ensuring compliance with the law.

The unions, which are among Labour's most significant financial backers, said the exclusion contradicts their own policies on transgender inclusion. A Unison spokesperson explained that the party's restrictions run counter to the union's policy on trans equality. Unison, representing over 1.3 million public service workers, has donated tens of...