Rosie Duffield, the MP for Canterbury who resigned from the Labour Party in September 2023, has been a controversial figure for her views on trans rights. Over the years, her comments about the transgender community have drawn criticism from both inside and outside her party, leading to calls for the removal of the Labour whip.
Duffield, who was elected in 2017, has consistently voiced opposition to the inclusion of trans women in certain spaces and services designated for women. This stance has put her at odds with many of her Labour colleagues, LGBTQ+ rights groups, and her own constituents.
Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield quits Labour, slams Keir Starmer for ‘hypocrisy’
Duffield’s Early Controversial Comments
The controversy surrounding Duffield’s views on trans rights began in 2020 when she publicly supported a tweet by Piers Morgan, which criticised inclusive language for cervical screening guidelines. In response to CNN referring to those needing cervical screenings as “individuals with a cervix,” Morgan tweeted, “Do you mean women?” Duffield “liked” the tweet and later defended her stance, tweeting, “I’m a ‘transphobe’ for knowing that only women have a cervix?”
This initial incident sparked outrage, with many accusing Duffield of being insensitive to the experiences of trans people. Despite the backlash, Duffield continued to express similar views, arguing that trans women should not have access to single-sex spaces like domestic violence shelters, prisons, or women’s toilets.
Further Controversy and Criticism
In 2021, Duffield wrote a series of tweets where she referred to trans women as “male-bodied biological men.” She argued that trans women should not be allowed in spaces designated for women, such as women’s prisons and single-sex wards. These statements led to further criticism, with many accusing her of promoting harmful stereotypes about trans people.
Duffield’s relationship with the transgender community and her own party became increasingly strained. In 2022, she was reported to have said that comedian and political activist Eddie Izzard, a trans woman, was not a woman. Speaking at the Labour Women’s Declaration event, she allegedly told attendees, “I won’t lie. I won’t say a man is a woman. Eddie Izzard is not a woman.”
These comments were widely condemned, with many Labour members and LGBTQ+ organisations calling for her removal from the party.
Friendship with JK Rowling and Further Fallout
Duffield’s views on trans rights led to further controversy when she was criticised for her association with author JK Rowling, who has also faced accusations of anti-trans sentiment. After a senior aide to Labour leader Keir Starmer suggested Duffield should focus more on her constituency rather than spending time with Rowling, the author came to Duffield’s defence on social media, praising her as a dedicated MP.
In April 2022, Duffield attended a lunch with Rowling and other prominent figures who have been described as “gender critical.” The gathering sparked further criticism, particularly from LGBTQ+ groups and activists who accused Duffield of aligning with trans-exclusionary figures.
Internal Labour Tensions
Duffield’s stance on trans issues has caused tensions within the Labour Party. In 2021, Labour officials reportedly investigated her social media activity after her comments on transgender people led to resignations within her office. A staffer, who identified as LGBTQ+, resigned, citing Duffield’s views as the reason, calling them “overtly transphobic.”
Although some Labour MPs, including Jess Phillips and Wes Streeting, defended Duffield in the past, others have called for stronger action. Young Labour and other groups within the party have repeatedly urged Labour leadership to remove the whip from Duffield over her controversial statements.
Rosie Duffield’s views on trans rights have made her a divisive figure within both the Labour Party and her constituency. Despite ongoing criticism, Duffield has continued to defend her stance, maintaining that her views align with protecting women’s rights. As Duffield now sits as an independent MP following her resignation from Labour, her controversial views on trans rights remain a significant part of her political legacy.
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