United Kingdom

The British government blocked a Scottish law that makes it easier for trans people to have their gender legally recognised. The Gender Recognition Reform Bill, passed by the Scottish Parliament in December 2022, made it possible for people over the age of 16 to change their gender on official documents by self-declaration, removing the requirement for a medical diagnosis. For the first time since devolution in 1999, the British government used its power to block the law, arguing that the law risks undermining UK-wide equality legislation. Kemi Badenoch, British Minister for Women and Equalities, stated that the law threatens to make it easier for predatory men to gain access to spaces intended for women. Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s leader, called the move a Conservative party challenge to Scottish democracy, while also “weaponizing a stigmatised, vulnerable, often marginalised group.” 

Gender Equality LGBTQIA+ Rights

The Electoral Commission, election officials, local authorities and civil society organizations have voiced concerns over the Elections Act, as passed by Parliament in April 2022. Requiring voters to show photographic identification before being allowed to vote in parliamentary, local and certain other elections, the Act will apply to the local elections scheduled for May 2023. The list of acceptable forms of voter ID was published in secondary legislation this month and faced criticism for disproportionately approving forms of ID held by older people vis-a-vis younger generations. For those who do not hold an approved ID, a Voter Authority Certificate will be made available, although arrangements for this will not be finalized until January 2023 at the earliest. In private correspondence with the Government, it was also revealed this month that the Electoral Commission described the voter ID timeline as neither “workable” nor “secure” and warned that it has the potential to disenfranchise parts of the electorate, particularly those already marginalized. Its potential to polarize and affect trust in the electoral process has additionally been raised.

Social Group Equality Elections Electoral Management Body Disenfranchisement

Rishi Sunak has become the fifth Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in six years following a cursory Conservative Party leadership contest. His predecessor Liz Truss resigned following the continuing fallout from the ‘mini-budget’ in September, making her the shortest-serving Prime Minister of the United Kingdom with a term of 45 days. Sunak has become the first UK Prime Minister of colour, and also the wealthiest, with him and his wife possessing double the wealth of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla.

Social Group Equality Resignation Liz Truss Executive branch Rishi Sunak

After winning the Conservative Party leadership contest, Liz Truss succeeded Boris Johnson to become the fourth Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in six years. Johnson had announced his resignation in July 2022 following a set of scandals within the governing party, including ‘partygate’ – in which the now former Prime Minister was fined for breaking lockdown rules. Truss has faced an unstable start to her premiership, as the announcement of the ‘mini-budget’ led to turmoil in the financial markets, with the pound falling to an all-time low against the dollar and the Bank of England launching a £65 billion bailout for pension funds.

Liz Truss Boris Johnson Executive branch