Liberal Democrats to vote on changing gender-based quotas after Supreme Court ruling

Liberal Democrat delegates at the party's annual conference in Bournemouth are due to vote on Saturday on an amendment that would prevent transgender members from occupying roles reserved for "women" on federal bodies, after legal advice suggested current diversity rules may breach the Equality Act 2010.

The proposal, put forward by campaign group Liberal Voice for Women (LVW), would amend the party's existing quota rules so that at least 40% of positions on federal bodies must be held by "men" and "women" rather than by people who "self-identify" as men or women. LVW has commissioned a King's Counsel who, it says, concluded the party's current language leaves it open to unlawful discrimination under the Supreme Court's April ruling that the words "woman" and "sex" in the Equality Act refer to biological sex.

LVW chairwoman Dr. Zoe Hollowood said the party "cannot continue to be derailed by a vocal and extremist group" that she said dominates conference proceedings. She urged members to back the amendment to align party rules with the law, saying, "No political party is above the law. Ed Davey has made it clear that the Lib Dems believe in the rule of law and that we accept the Supreme Court ruling." The group's motion also cites guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), which it says makes clear organisations must amend policies in light of the court's decision and not wait for further guidance.

Under the Liberal Democrats' current internal rules, at least 40% of roles on federal bodies must go to people who "self-identify as men or non-binary people, and self-identify as women or non-binary people respectively." LVW and supporters argue that, as drafted, such rules could allow a slate composed entirely of transgender women — legal males who identify as women — to fill all positions reserved for women, leaving biological women unrepresented.

The party leadership acknowledged the Supreme Court ruling earlier this year but has sought to balance that with a stated commitment to transgender inclusion. Party leader Sir Ed Davey said the party accepted the court's decision while reiterating his personal view that "a trans woman is a woman." Those tensions reflect wider divisions within the party over trans rights.

The EHRC has been working on updated practical guidance following the Supreme Court judgment. It shared an updated code of practice earlier this month with women and equalities minister Bridget Phillipson; ministers must consider the draft and, once approved, the government is required to lay it before Parliament for 40 days before it can be brought into force. Campaigners for changing party rules cite the commission's instruction that organisations should act now to bring policies into compliance.

Internal polling and recent surveys show a divergence between the party membership and its leadership on aspects of transgender policy. A YouGov poll of members cited by LVW found 61% believe the law should remain as written, 17% think current rules on gender change are too demanding and 14% want the process made harder. The survey also indicated fewer than one in four members support prescribing puberty blockers or hormone treatment to people under 18. The party's women and equalities spokeswoman, Lisa Smart, earlier described interim EHRC guidance as "crackers" during a Commons speech.

If delegates approve the amendment, the party would be obliged to change its federal body quotas to refer explicitly to "men" and "women," which supporters say would align internal rules with the Supreme Court interpretation of the Equality Act. Opponents of the amendment argue such a change could exclude transgender women from spaces and roles and deepen internal divisions, but the conference vote will determine whether the Liberal Democrats modify their diversity rules in response to legal advice and the wider regulatory process.