Kemi Badenoch has said that “changing your clothes doesn’t change who you are” as she set out the Tories’ pledge to change the Equality Act so that sex is defined only as someone’s biological sex.
But the women and equalities minister could not say what what kind of paperwork people would need to show to use single-sex spaces under the plans.
The Conservatives say the change will make it simpler for service providers for women and girls, such as those running sessions for domestic abuse victims, to prevent biological males from taking part.
Labour said it would not amend the Equality Act if elected and that the Tories’ attempt to stoke a culture war was a “distraction” from issues voters care about, such as the cost-of-living crisis.
The Cabinet minister told Sky News on Monday: “It is re-emphasising what should be the status quo.
“We have seen quite a lot of changes in terms of terminology in the law. Sex and gender we used interchangeably, now we don’t do that, so what we’re doing is making sure people understand what the law says. We have seen a lot of problems with people misinterpreting the law.”
The Tories want to change the Act to apply to biological sex, and say those who are biologically male but identify as female should be barred from using single-sex spaces.
Ms Badenoch could not answer questions on whether someone’s original birth certificate – or one amended after a legally-recognised gender change – would define biological sex in such cases.
“What is happening at the moment is that people come to the centres and they are visibly of a different sex. You don’t always need your birth certificate when you’re going to the toilet and so on and so forth.”
She continued: “This is not a paperwork issue. This is a practical issue.”
Rishi Sunak’s party says the proposed change to the law will not remove the existing and continuing protections against discrimination on the basis of gender reassignment provided by the Equality Act.
Speaking to LBC radio, Ms Badenoch said: “Changing your clothes doesn’t change who you are, we want people who are trans to be protected as well, people who want to change their clothes should not be able to exploit the scenarios we have prepared and the laws we have put in place to protect those people who are genuine transgender people, those who suffer gender dysphoria.
“Just putting on a different set of clothes does not make you transgender.”
The Liberal Democrats criticised the Tory policy as a “cynical distraction from their failings on so many issues”.
Deputy leader Daisy Cooper said she did not believe there was a demand or a need to “unpick” the Act.
He has been attempting to shift perceptions of Labour’s defence stance following the party’s time under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, a long-standing critic of Nato and Trident.
In a speech at the Fusilier Museum in Bury on Monday, the party leader said a “new age of insecurity” has begun, with the rumble of war in Europe as Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine.
He said he was “absolutely committed to peace” but that “for peace, you have to be prepared to fight” and signalled that he would be prepared to use nuclear weapons if needed.
“Nobody who aspires to be prime minister would set out the circumstances in which it would be used. That would be irresponsible, but it is there as part of a vital part of our defence, so of course we would have to be prepared to use it,” he said.
Sir Keir has reaffirmed his commitment to a “nuclear deterrent triple lock” as well as his ambition to increase defence spending to 2.5% of gross domestic product (GDP), a measure of the size of the economy.
Mr Sunak has made clear he wants to meet the 2.5% target by 2030 although Labour has so far declined to outline its timeline, only noting it would do so when economic conditions allow.
Sir Keir insisted his whole shadow cabinet is behind him on nuclear weapons when challenged over previous opposition from some of his front bench, including his deputy Angela Rayner and shadow foreign secretary David Lammy.
He criticised the Tories for questioning Labour’s commitment to national security, saying he did not believe it should be a “party political issue.”
“With my changed Labour Party, national security will always come first,” Sir Keir said.
The Labour leader is meeting forces veterans and a group of his party’s candidates when he campaigns in the North West of England.
He will be hoping to avoid questions on Diane Abbott, after she announced that she will be standing for the party in Hackney North and Stoke Newington.
The lack of clarity over whether the veteran left-winger would be allowed to stand for the party after she had the whip reinstated last week dominated the Labour campaign, despite their efforts to stay on message.
The Liberal Democrats are meanwhile seeking to prevent damage closer to home, as they call for new protections for rivers and coastlines to end “environmental vandalism”.
The party has announced an expansion of marine protected areas and a new Blue Flag status for rivers will be included in its General Election manifesto.
