The Conservatives invited Women and Equalities Secretary Bridget Phillipson to visit Piddington, Oxfordshire, after she accused the Conservatives and Reform UK of politicising violence against women and girls (VAWG), particularly in debates about immigration. Phillipson rejected the invitation, arguing that it focused too narrowly on immigration rather than addressing violence against women across all communities.

Shadow equalities secretary Joy Morrissey proposed that Phillipson meet local women concerned about the planned arrival of 1,256 male migrants at a nearby camp, as well as victims of grooming gangs. The dispute follows Phillipson’s description of VAWG as a “national emergency”, noting that a woman is killed by a current or former partner every five days, while the Conservatives said politicians should work together on the issue.