Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has said he supports a party conference motion to replace current guidance on single-sex spaces, deepening an internal dispute over transgender rights and women’s protections. The motion challenges Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance requiring facilities such as toilets, changing rooms and hospital wards to be allocated according to biological sex, following a 2025 Supreme Court ruling.

The proposal argues that the guidance is discriminatory and impractical, and calls for a new code that protects trans people, helps organisations comply with the law and keeps public facilities accessible. Women’s rights campaigners say the motion could remove safeguards for women-only spaces, while its supporters argue the existing guidance lacks clarity and creates legal difficulties for businesses and service providers. The motion was introduced by LGBT Lib Dem activist Artie Khovanov and also proposes a cross-party review of trans rights legislation.