Thank you to all my constituents who have written to me about the Gender Recognition Act and proposals to roll back rights for trans people. When the Gender Recognition Act (GRA) consultation was initiated two years ago, Penny Mordaunt, the then Minister for Women and Equalities, was clear that the starting point for the consultation would be that ‘trans women are women’. This was absolutely right.

Trans people face huge obstacles in having their gender identity properly recognised. The process for those wishing to transition is long arduous, and at times very demeaning. It’s in urgent need of reform – it doesn’t even acknowledge the existence of people who identify as non-binary. We need to move to a system that has at its centre what should be a basic right – the right to be recognised by society for who you really are.

I’m dismayed to see comments from Liz Truss, the current Minister for Women and Equalities, which suggest that the government has u-turned on its previous position to recognise the rights of trans people. I’ve written to her in the strongest terms to ask that she clarify her views and reaffirm her commitment to the original terms and scope of the GRA consultation. You can read my letter below.

Thanks again for all who have contacted me on this important issue. I’ll continue to fight for the principle of self-identification and for much needed reform to the way that our political, legal and medical institutions treat trans people.

Olivia Blake MP