Speeches by Whittome.

“Very briefly, just going back to third spaces in the NHS, obviously availability of side rooms is very limited. Would a trans person whose care is delayed while finding an available third space side room for them be able to claim gender reassignment discrimination?”

“Answer the question about the Minister, please.”

“It strikes me that these are the same stereotypes that women have been trying to escape. You have not stated where in the Supreme Court judgment this is required, and that is because it is not actually in the judgment; it is purely a product of the EHRC, is it not? Do you agree with the Minister who told the House last…”

“Let me finish, please. Specifically on the elements of physique, physical appearance, what is it specifically: is it height, build, hairy legs, face shape?”

“That already happens on a case-by-case basis, though, and has done for many decades.”

“Your code suggests that employees of a business should enforce restrictions based on evidence such as, “The individual’s physique or physical appearance, behaviour or concerns raised by other service users.” Can you please define specific elements of physique, physical appearance and behaviour that you would suggest ar…”

“Going specifically back to the risks that the OEO impact assessment highlights, do you not think that is incredibly serious? This is a group that is already at disproportionate risk of violence and sexual assaults, which is now being put at increased risk because of the actions of a body that is supposed to stand up fo…”

“The OEO’s impact assessment says that trans people could face a disproportionate risk of violence and sexual assault as a result of this code. What is your reaction to that?”

“T4. We all know that social care is in crisis, with huge staff shortages, unmet needs and councils’ finances being pushed to the brink, so it is disappointing that the King’s Speech did not contain anything on social care. Given that the full Casey review is not expected until 2028 and that implementation is estimated …”

“The EHRC code of practice fails everyone. It effectively pushes trans people out of public life, it subjects all women to gender policing based on stereotypes, and it does not provide clarity to organisations that want to be trans-inclusive. For example, a charity that wants to put on a women’s coffee morning that is o…”

“I thank my hon. Friend for his intervention. It would probably be best not to have a candid discussion about this in the Chamber. Yes, the King’s Speech provides headings, but I am afraid that is all they are—they are hints at what we need; they are not the sum of it. It is not that the change has been promised but I d…”

“I agree with every word that the hon. Member for Honiton and Sidmouth (Richard Foord) has just said about first past the post and proportional representation. It is Labour party policy, and it unites the left and the right of the Labour party. I think it is probably one of the few things that my hon. Friend the Member …”

“First, it is important that in all of this we are centring Epstein’s victims, who have so often been forgotten. Their courageous campaign for justice and accountability continues and we must all do all we can to support it. I have heard the argument that this is all a distraction from the real issues that we should be …”

“I have a few questions on socioeconomic background. Louise, to what extent do you think socioeconomic diversity and inclusion is being left behind in debates about EDI?”

“Why are you sceptical about conventional social mobility initiatives? You have spoken about how they focus too much on the perceived deficits of individuals, rather than the structures that exclude people. Are there any more effective alternatives?”

“I have a question for you, Peter: are your members working in the public sector concerned about the additional burdens associated with implementing the socioeconomic duty? What are the practical considerations for HR departments?”

“In your view, would enacting the Equality Act socioeconomic duty be effective in promoting equality, diversity and the inclusion of people from working-class backgrounds?”

“Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I had no idea I was expected to wind up.”

“I beg to move, That this House has considered LGBT+ History Month. I thank the Backbench Business Committee for approving this debate. I am pleased that it has become a regular fixture of the calendar in the world’s gayest Parliament. I also thank my hon. Friend the Member for Jarrow and Gateshead East (Kate Osborne), …”

“I completely agree with my hon. Friend and I congratulate her on all her work on this since we were elected together in 2019. She is absolutely right and I commend the Government for their work in this area. At the same time, we must acknowledge that many in our community continue to suffer, both here and around the wo…”