Last year’s Supreme Court ruling on the meaning of ‘woman’ and ‘sex’ in law was a landmark win for common sense and women’s rights.
But in the 12 months since, relief and joy have been replaced by frustration and anger at a Labour Government that has failed to lift a finger to enforce the law.
The court was clear that when a space or a service is provided for just one sex, that means only biological men or women can use it.
It is fine to offer mixed-sex spaces where appropriate, and it is important to provide alternative spaces for transgender people.
But when a toilet, changing room, hospital ward, gym class, sports team or anything else is women only, then no men are allowed.
The equality watchdog has issued official guidance for organisations on complying with the law. All the Minister for Women, Bridget Phillipson, had to do was sign it off and submit it to Parliament.
But all we got for nine months was deafening silence. We have pushed and pushed, and finally it has been published, and that is welcome.
However, there is so much left to do. For a start, the Government needs to end the scandal of NHS trusts still allowing men to use the female staff changing rooms and women’s wards. Within the private sector, prisons, charities and schools, dangerous ideology must be weeded out.
Will any of the leadership contenders have the courage to do this work? Worryingly, Andy Burnham thinks keeping men out of women’s spaces is a “minority view”. Wes Streeting failed to update NHS rules for over a year.
Under Kemi Badenoch, the Conservatives are clear. Women’s rights must be protected, and we will never stop fighting for them.
Claire Coutinho is the shadow equalities minister