Sir Keir Starmer says Reform UK plan to scrap Equality Act is 'anti-British'

Sir Keir Starmer strongly opposes Reform UK's plan to repeal the Equality Act 2010. He says it's 'shocking' and goes against British values, potentially removing protections for women and others.
By Newsroom | Politics, UK Law |

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has stated that Reform UK's commitment to repeal the Equality Act is "shocking" and goes against core British values. Starmer argued that the Act, enacted in 2010, provides decades of protection and is fundamental to the nation's identity as a tolerant, compassionate, and diverse society. Reform UK's position, he contends, risks returning to an era where certain groups, particularly women, were not treated equally.

Background and Timeline

The debate was ignited by Reform UK's stated intention to repeal the Equality Act 2010. This Act establishes legal protections against discrimination based on several characteristics:

Starmer says Reform UK plans to repeal Equality Act 'shocking' - 1

  • Gender

  • Sexuality

  • Race

  • Religion

  • Disability

Sir Keir Starmer, in interviews with the BBC, articulated his strong opposition to this pledge. He characterized the plan as a move that would "rip up" fundamental aspects of British identity and values.

The Equality Act 2010 is presented as a cornerstone of current UK anti-discrimination law.

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Starmer's Concerns

In statements made during interviews, Sir Keir Starmer outlined his reasoning for finding Reform UK's proposal unacceptable:

  • Erosion of Protections: He emphasized that the Act has provided "decades of protection" that ensure fairness for individuals based on their gender, race, and other protected characteristics.

  • Reversal of Progress: Starmer expressed concern that repealing the Act could lead to a regression to past societal norms, where women, for instance, were not treated equally. He stated, "I shudder to think what women think of anyone who wants to rip up that proposition."

  • Undermining National Values: The Prime Minister linked the Equality Act to what he considers core British values of tolerance, compassion, and diversity. He believes the repeal would directly contradict these principles, describing it as "anti-British."

  • Historical Context: Starmer alluded to historical examples of discrimination, such as landlords displaying signs excluding people of certain races from their properties, suggesting that repealing the Act could open the door to such practices again.

Reform UK's Response

Reform UK has publicly stated its intention to repeal the Equality Act.

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  • Robert Jenrick, Reform UK's Treasury spokesman, has disputed Starmer's claims. Jenrick stated that he does not believe anyone has benefited from the Act and dismissed Starmer's assertion that repealing it would roll back protections as "complete nonsense."

  • A Reform UK statement also indicated that scrapping the Act would mean getting rid of "the pernicious, divisive notion of protected characteristics."

Reform UK's stance is framed as a rejection of "protected characteristics" and a belief that the Equality Act has not yielded benefits.

Broader Context and Allusions

The discussion around Reform UK's pledge has occurred within a wider political landscape. The articles mention:

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  • Other Political Statements: Sir Keir Starmer has made other political comments, including labeling Reform UK leader Nigel Farage as "spineless" over handling of racism claims and calling the plan to repeal the Equality Act "shocking."

  • Trade Union Congress (TUC) Warning: The TUC had previously warned that scrapping the Equality Act could "legalise discrimination against a worker if they are a woman, disabled, black, pregnant or gay."

  • Other Political Matters: Starmer also commented on unrelated political issues, such as the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and the government's decision to reinstate local elections after a planned postponement.

Expert Analysis and Societal Impact

The potential implications of repealing the Equality Act have been highlighted by various sources.

  • TUC Warning: The Trades Union Congress issued a stark warning, suggesting that repealing the Act could permit discrimination against vulnerable workers, including those who are women, disabled, Black, pregnant, or gay. This suggests a profound societal impact on worker rights.

  • Starmer's Perspective: The Prime Minister's repeated use of phrases like "I shudder to think" and his invocation of "who we are as a country" indicate a belief that the Act is deeply intertwined with the nation's moral fabric and its commitment to equal treatment.

  • Reform UK's Counter-Argument: Reform UK's dismissal of the Act's benefits and their critique of "protected characteristics" implies a different philosophy regarding individual rights and state intervention.

The debate centers on whether the Equality Act is a vital safeguard of fundamental rights or an impediment to societal progress, with differing interpretations of its benefits and drawbacks.

Conclusion and Implications

Sir Keir Starmer's strong denunciation of Reform UK's plan to repeal the Equality Act positions the Labour party as a defender of current anti-discrimination laws. His statements frame the Act as essential to British values and a crucial protection against historical inequalities.

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Reform UK, however, appears to view the Act differently, suggesting its repeal would not harm society and potentially arguing against the concept of "protected characteristics."

The core of the disagreement lies in fundamental beliefs about equality, rights, and the role of legislation in shaping societal norms. The effectiveness and reach of the Equality Act, and the potential consequences of its repeal, remain central to this political contention.

Sources:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Sir Keir Starmer call Reform UK's plan to repeal the Equality Act 'shocking'?
Sir Keir Starmer said that Reform UK's plan to repeal the Equality Act 2010 is 'shocking' because he believes it protects people from discrimination and is part of British values. He thinks removing it could take away important rights.
Q: What is the Equality Act 2010 and why is it important?
The Equality Act 2010 is a law in the UK that protects people from unfair treatment. It stops discrimination based on things like gender, race, religion, disability, and sexuality. Starmer says it has provided protections for many years.
Q: What does Reform UK say about repealing the Equality Act?
Reform UK has said they want to repeal the Equality Act. Their Treasury spokesman, Robert Jenrick, called Starmer's concerns 'complete nonsense' and said he doesn't think anyone has benefited from the Act. They want to get rid of the idea of 'protected characteristics'.
Q: What are Sir Keir Starmer's main worries if the Equality Act is repealed?
Starmer worries that repealing the Act could lead to a time when women and other groups are not treated equally. He thinks it would go against British values of being tolerant and diverse, and could allow old types of discrimination to return.
Q: What warning did the TUC give about repealing the Equality Act?
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) warned that if the Equality Act is scrapped, it could allow employers to legally discriminate against workers who are women, disabled, Black, pregnant, or gay. This could make it harder for these groups to be treated fairly at work.