Council votes against motion to safeguard women's single-sex spaces despite Supreme Court ruling

Darlington Borough Council has voted down a proposal from Conservative and Reform councillors seeking to establish single-sex facilities across council-run buildings and services. The vote, which took place on Thursday, saw Labour and Green Party members act in unison to oppose the measure. The proposal had requested the council to safeguard women's "privacy, dignity and safety" in facilities such as toilets and changing rooms. However, campaigners condemned the initiative as "anti-trans and discriminatory". TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Council members were warned that approving the opposition's request could expose transgender community members to "increased risk of harm". Labour and Green councillors pledged their commitment to defending the area's LGBTQ+ community through their rejection of the measure. The Eastbourne councillor Jonathan Dulston called for the authority to apply recent Supreme Court decisions, arguing local policies should conform to how the Equality Act 2010 legally defines sex. In April 2025, the Supreme Court determined this definition should rest on biological sex. Dulston said: "Women and girls should be able to use toilets, changing rooms, and care services with privacy, dignity, and safety. "That's not controversial, that's just the basics for what the vast majority of people in Darlington should expect." Reform councillor Michael Walker backed the proposal, recommending the formation of a specialist group comprising councillors, stakeholders and legal experts to examine all council provision. Responding to criticism, Dulston continued: "There is no councillor in this chamber who has done more for the LGBT community than me." Labour councillor Libby McCollom, who holds the cabinet position for stronger communities, delivered sharp criticism of the proposal. She accused Dulston and Walker of promoting a "cruel and harmful narrative" that portrays transgender and non-binary individuals as threatening to women. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS: Murder investigation launched after teenager dies in Leeds France foils bomb terror plot on Bank of America in Paris as suspect arrested New scout hut opens after community raises £280,000 to replace building destroyed by flooding McCollom said: "The cruel and harmful narrative pedalled by Cllrs Dulston and Walker in this motion frames transgender and non-binary people as a danger to women. "There is no evidence that this is true. "I am really thankful to Cllr Dulston for showing that the nasty party is still alive and well in the Conservative group." The Darlington For Justice campaign group had organised a petition opposing the motion, which attracted more than 500 signatures before the council meeting. Another councillor remarked that the proposal belonged in the 17th century. Matthew Snedker, who leads the Green Party on the council, welcomed the outcome of Thursday's vote. He expressed pride in the councillors' collective stance. Snedker stated: "I'm really proud that we have pulled together and held the line against a Reform Trojan horse motion." He went on to promise quality policies for the town's residents, saying the council would "deliver a really great set of rules and policies, which means we will do the best by people in Darlington". The Green leader concluded: "Every person in this town deserves the best. We will work to that and protect you." Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

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