The recent UK Supreme Court ruling that redefined the legal meaning of “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 is sending ripples through communities and institutions across the country, with North Wales and the Labour Party both experiencing the fallout in distinct but interconnected ways. The April 2025 decision, which clarified that “sex” refers to biological sex at birth, has ignited a wave of concern among trans people, prompted a spike in activism within the Labour Party, and raised urgent questions about the future of inclusion, equality, and political engagement in Britain.
In North Wales, the repercussions of the ruling were front and center at a recent meeting of the North Wales Police and Crime Panel, held at Conwy’s Coed Pella headquarters. According to reporting from The Leader, panel member Councillor Steve Copple delivered a stark message: trans people in the region are feeling increasingly vulnerable. “Following the Supreme Court ruling on gender identity, the trans community groups are feeling vulnerable,” Cllr Copple told the panel. “Concerns have been raised by these groups that they are feeling targeted because of this ruling.”
While the legal protections for trans people against harassment and discrimination remain in place, the decision has cast a shadow of uncertainty over shared single-sex spaces and the interpretation of equality law. For many, the change is more than just legal semantics—it is a shift that touches on daily life, personal safety, and social acceptance.
At the same meeting, the panel reviewed troubling new data: hate crime in North Wales has risen by 4.3% over the past year, with 1,168 incidents reported, up from 1,026 the previous year. The majority—64%—were racial hate crimes. Notably, there has not yet been an increase in trans-related hate crime, but Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin emphasized that these figures reflect the period before the Supreme Court’s April ruling. “So far there has been no increase in trans-related hate crime and incidents since the ruling,” Dunbobbin said in his report, “but I continue to monitor the situation, as do the force – who continue to link in with community groups to understand tensions.”
Cllr Copple offered a nuanced perspective on the rise in reported hate crime. “There is an increase in hate crime, but as such that is actually a good thing in a weird way because it is being reported as opposed to being hidden,” he explained. “So yes, it is on the way up, but we know the size of the animal, so that is quite important.” He highlighted ongoing efforts to address the problem at its roots, including engagement with schools and the implementation of “mini-police initiatives” to foster awareness and responsibility among children.
Yet the sense of vulnerability among trans people remains acute. Cllr Copple noted that police officers themselves are seeking specific Home Office guidance on how to handle matters arising from the Supreme Court’s interpretation, signaling a broader need for clarity and support within law enforcement. “There are more general concerns by police officers that they need specific Home Office guidance on dealing with such matters in the future,” he said. The Police and Crime Commissioner has also focused on increasing representation from minority groups, with work ongoing to ensure that policing reflects the diversity of the communities it serves.
Amid these challenges, there have been moments of affirmation and solidarity. The Police and Crime Commissioner attended a “highly successful” children’s Pride Day at Flint High School, where young people were encouraged to express their views and learn about inclusion. Such initiatives, while modest, offer a glimmer of hope for building understanding and resilience in the face of uncertainty.
But the impact of the Supreme Court ruling is not confined to North Wales. It has reverberated through the corridors of power and activism at the national level, most notably within the Labour Party. According to Pride in Labour, a grassroots LGBTQ+ network within the party, the ruling prompted Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to cancel its annual Women’s Conference. Legal advice given to the NEC made it clear: under the new interpretation, the conference could only legally admit those assigned female at birth, effectively excluding trans women from participation.
Rather than proceed with an event that would exclude trans members, the NEC chose to cancel the conference entirely. This decision, announced in the run-up to the Labour Party’s main conference in Liverpool, has sparked outrage and mobilized activists across the party. “This is a cowardly and authoritarian move,” said Avery Greatorex, Co-Chair of Pride in Labour. “Cancelling the Women’s Conference is an attack on women—especially trans women—who are already scapegoated and marginalised. Labour’s leadership is afraid of its own members and has chosen to shut them out rather than stand up for inclusion and democracy.”
In response, Pride in Labour has organized a protest dubbed “Conference Cancelled, Democracy Denied,” scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 3:30pm outside the Wheel of Liverpool. The demonstration is set to coincide with the main Labour Party Conference and is expected to draw support from LGBT+ Labour, Labour for Trans Rights, trade unionists, and progressive party members. Organizers are demanding not only the reinstatement of the Women’s Conference, but that it be explicitly inclusive of trans and non-binary people.
The cancellation comes amid broader controversy over proposed changes to Labour’s all-women shortlists, which the NEC now suggests should apply only to “biological females.” Critics argue this marks a significant rollback from Labour’s previous commitments to trans-inclusive policies, and signals a retreat from the party’s values of equality and democratic engagement. “It must be reinstated, and it must be trans and non-binary inclusive,” Pride in Labour stated in a call to action shared on social media.
The tension within Labour reflects a wider national debate over the meaning of sex and gender in law and society. Supporters of the Supreme Court ruling argue that it provides much-needed legal clarity and protects women’s spaces, while opponents warn that it risks erasing hard-won advances in trans rights and inclusion. Within the party, these divisions are playing out in real time, as grassroots activists push back against what they see as a top-down retreat from progressive principles.
Back in North Wales, the police and community leaders are grappling with how to navigate these shifting legal and social landscapes. The call for specific Home Office guidance underscores the complexity of the issues at stake, and the need for institutions to adapt quickly to changing laws while maintaining the trust and safety of all citizens. The ongoing engagement with support groups and community organizations is a testament to the resilience and resourcefulness of those most affected.
As the protest in Liverpool approaches and North Wales continues to monitor the situation on the ground, one thing is clear: the debate over sex, gender, and equality in Britain is far from settled. For trans people and their allies, the coming weeks and months will be a test of solidarity, resolve, and the nation’s commitment to genuine inclusion.
