JK Rowling accuses Starmer of trans insincerity after Labour MP snub
JK Rowling has accused Sir Keir Starmer of being insincere on trans issues after the snubbing of a pro-women’s rights Labour MP.
Rosie Duffield was not invited to Sir Keir Starmer’s election launch event in Kent on Thursday despite being the only elected Labour MP in the county.
The MP for Canterbury has frustrated many in her party over her stance on women’s rights, including saying that only women have a cervix and that trans women are not women.
She has been vilified among her peers for supporting the right of women to single-sex spaces such as toilets, changing rooms and rape crisis centres.
It is believed Ms Duffield only found out about the event on X, formerly Twitter, after people messaged her to ask why she was not there.
Responding to a tweet in which this was highlighted, Rowling posted a picture of a Labour advertisement featuring its leader alongside quotes attributed to him saying: “The phrase ‘only women have a cervix’ is something that shouldn’t be said. It is not right.”
The Harry Potter author and vocal defender of women’s rights wrote: “It’s hard not to conclude that in spite of recent attempts at back-pedalling, Keir Starmer’s view on what Rosie Duffield and women in general are allowed to say about their own bodies hasn’t changed since 2021.”
Sir Keir launched his election campaign at Gillingham Football Club, in the constituency of Gillingham and Rainham. The seat is currently held by Rehman Chishti, a Conservative, with a majority of more than 15,000.
The Labour leader was joined by Angela Rayner, his deputy; Naushabah Khan, the party’s local candidate; and several councillors from the area.
No Labour leader had made an official visit to Kent since Ms Duffield was elected in a shock 2017 victory.
However, Sir Keir has travelled to the county on numerous occasions recently, although Ms Duffield claims that he has never pre-warned her.
This is despite her being the only elected Labour MP in Kent, compared with 12 Conservatives.
Rowling has been a vocal critic of politicians and celebrities, including those who starred in the Harry Potter films, for their views on the trans debate.
Earlier this month, Daniel Radcliffe said that he will continue to support the rights of LGBTQ people, despite criticism from Rowling.
The actor, who starred in eight of the Harry Potter films, was speaking after a critical report into the healthcare of children taking puberty blockers was published in April.
Following the publication of the Cass Review, Rowling said that she would not forgive the franchise’s stars, also including Emma Watson, even if they apologised to her over their stance on trans issues.
Radcliffe responded by telling The Atlantic: “I will continue to support the rights of all LGBTQ people, and have no further comment than that.”
Sir Keir Starmer was contacted for comment.
