Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, is facing criticism from prominent figures, including J.K. Rowling, over his stance on women's rights. The controversy began when Starmer stated that 99% of women do not have a penis, which many perceived as dismissive. Rowling accused Starmer of having a 'dismissive and offensive' attitude towards female MPs and suggested that Labour has turned its back on women. Starmer defended his record, stating he is proud of Labour's commitment to women's rights. The criticism highlights a growing dissatisfaction among Labour supporters, particularly women, regarding the party's approach to gender issues. This follows a question from an audience member about Rosie Duffield's views and comments made by Starmer on Thursday evening. Rowling also expressed doubts about voting for Labour in the upcoming UK election.
On @skynews with @TrevorPTweets 1. It should be easy for Starmer to say he agrees with Rosie Duffield the qu of how you define a woman is important for single sex services 2. Labour is wrong Equality Act doesn’t need clarification to protect single-sex services spaces & sports https://t.co/AGCn1e08Ha
Starmer and Blair: the vagina monologues. Or why the Labour leader will only listen to a man when it comes to women’s rights. https://t.co/QjyjU6fQdW
👇well said @matthewsyed. Reasons to be careful… Like JK Rowling I’ve been staunch Labour, but fear they’ll bend the knee to the mob https://t.co/yhu32QAwzX
'She (JK Rowling) has become a powerhouse now' @CareyMarx @PaulCoxComedy @LewisSchaffer Starmer hits back after JK Rowling accuses Labour of 'abandoning' women | The i https://t.co/vvUwXRpmjb
'It's an attack by a friend of the party on Sir Keir Starmer and his leadership and it is going to sting.' Political journalist and commentator, Theo Usherwood, on JK Rowling's comments that the Labour party has 'dismissed women'. https://t.co/7zolbDikb4
This 👇 I have fought for the rights of women for the whole of my Parliamentary career. JK Rowling and lifelong Labour supporters like Matthew Syed are worried about a Labour Government. They are right to be https://t.co/6ZwbZtVVqy
Like JK Rowling I’ve been staunch Labour, but fear they’ll bend the knee to the mob https://t.co/ilQzCuX5oe
The Harry Potter author accused Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer of "dismissive and offensive" attitude to women MPs. https://t.co/TTl9uCTYZU
.@jk_rowling has suggested the Labour Party has "turned its back" on women. She's not wrong 👇 https://t.co/eRkEYav5SF
Starmer says he is proud of Labour record on women’s rights after JK Rowling criticism https://t.co/66WyZp5mDV
J.K. Rowling "Will Struggle To Vote For Labor Party In UK Election After Its Treatment Of Female MPs" https://t.co/pG6rVEPHcK
🧵I agree with J K Rowling. Keir Starmer’s equivocation on women’s rights is pathetic. It is a clear sign of what’s to come and women should think very carefully when they are casting their votes. 1/2 https://t.co/ymhnO7Afsl
Maybe Labour is indifferent to JK Rowling's criticism, but today's headlines could have been avoided if Stamer had changed the awful tone not policy of what he said on Thurs eve. The dismissiveness is why many Labour-supporting women are angry with him. https://t.co/bv1oj46CBD
Although I’m glad to hear @BBCRadio4 covering @jk_rowling piece in The Times where she speaks about the abandonment of feminists by @UKLabour - she isnt “outspoken” she’s merely speaking about women’s rights. She also details her deep concern that @Keir_Starmer only listened to… https://t.co/6bJvDi7re6
I agree with JKR. Starmer said 99% of women don’t have a penis. Not to be trusted: JK Rowling: Labour has turned its back on women https://t.co/1TvorQOidP
'One audience member asked Sir Keir Starmer: 'Three years ago you criticised your MP Rosie Duffield for saying only women have a cervix. What do you believe now and how do we know you will stick to your views?' ✍️ Steerpike