U.K. Tories vow to change law to define sex as biological

U.K. government Minister Kemi Badenoch said on June 3 that her Conservative party would amend the country’s equality law if they win next month’s general election so that biological sex alone would determine who could use single-sex spaces.

U.K. government Minister Kemi Badenoch said on June 3 that her Conservative party would amend the country's equality law if they win next month's general election so that biological sex alone would determine who could use single-sex spaces.

The Tories have sought to shore up their base since Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called the election two weeks ago, with the fringe right-wing Reform U.K. party threatening to eat into support.

Mr. Sunak has announced plans to bring back a form of national service for 18-year-olds and greater protection for pensioners' incomes if they are re-elected.

He has also been pushing the case for tough action on irregular migration and his party's record on defence and security.

On gender identity, which has sparked furious debate, particularly in Britain's right-wing media, Mr. Badenoch told LBC radio: "We want people to have privacy and dignity.

"This is about protecting those who are vulnerable, it is not about stopping trans people from having privacy and dignity," she said.

"That's why we have said you should have unisex toilets, a disabled toilet is an example of that, or where there are shared spaces, they should be on the basis of biological sex," Mr. Badenoch added.