British Tories Challenge ‘Wokeism’ on Gender

The British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, asserted at the Conservative Party Conference that individuals cannot freely choose their gender. His remarks, echoing sentiments expressed by other senior Tory leaders during the event, emphasized the party’s stance against transgenderism. Sunak, in his closing speech, declared, “A man is a man, and a woman is a woman. And that’s just common sense,” garnering applause from the audience.

Tories Strategize Against ‘Wokeism’ for Election

With the upcoming election in mind, the Tories, in power for 13 years, appear set to contrast their position on transgender rights with that of the Labour Party. Home Secretary Suella Braverman accused the opposition of promoting “woke” ideas, including “gender ideology, white privilege, [and] anti-British history.” This framing is seen as a strategic move for the election campaign.

Tory leaders, including Health Secretary Steve Barclay and Science Secretary Michelle Donelan, spoke against what they termed the “creep of wokeism.” Plans were outlined to recognize different biological needs and protect women’s rights in the National Health Service, potentially leading to restrictions on transgender women in women-only wards.

While some Tories expressed confidence in their stance aligning with public opinion, there were cautionary voices within the party regarding potential overemphasis on the issue. Notably, Sunak’s previous statements on womanhood had been less definitive, and the party had previously blocked a gender self-recognition bill in Scotland.

These developments suggest that the Tories are positioning themselves against “wokeism” as a key campaign theme, differing from the Labour Party’s approach. However, internal caution regarding the strategy’s potential impact has been voiced within the party.