Reform UK Faces Internal Turmoil Over Transgender Prison Policy

Reform UK is experiencing significant internal conflict regarding its stance on the imprisonment of transgender women in female facilities. The situation escalated when the party’s new justice adviser, Vanessa Frake, publicly opposed a blanket ban on transgender women in women’s prisons. This controversy has drawn comparisons to Nigel Farage‘s leadership style and former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, particularly concerning their approaches to contentious social issues.

Frake, a former prison governor, stated on Monday that some transgender individuals should indeed be housed in women’s prisons. Her remarks sparked backlash within Reform UK, as several party members expressed discontent with Farage’s endorsement of Frake’s position. This discontent has led to fears of a potential revolt, particularly among party figures in Scotland.

The issue gained further attention following a public critique from author JK Rowling, who criticized Reform UK for its support of housing men in women’s prisons. Rowling referenced a recent ruling from the Supreme Court, which concluded that the definitions of “woman” and “sex” in the 2010 Equality Act are based on biological factors. This ruling was viewed by many as a reinforcement of traditional definitions, prompting Rowling to declare it a “victory for common sense.”

In an attempt to clarify his position, Farage took to social media on Tuesday, asserting, “I have never supported men in women’s prisons.” His comments came in the wake of the Supreme Court’s April ruling, which underscored the biological basis of gender identity in legal contexts.

Contrastingly, Ann Widdecombe, a former Conservative MP and once Reform UK’s spokesperson for immigration and justice, maintained that the party’s policy allows for certain transgender women, specifically those who have undergone significant surgical transition, to be placed in women’s prisons. This statement has only intensified the tensions within the party, especially in Scotland, where discussions around trans rights are particularly heated.

The debate was reignited in 2022 after the case of a transgender rapist initially placed in a female prison. Adam Graham, who now identifies as Isla Bryson, was later moved to a male facility following public outcry. Sturgeon, known for her strong advocacy for transgender rights, refrained from labeling Bryson as male or female, opting instead to refer to the individual solely as a rapist.

Sturgeon’s administration faced criticism for proposed legislation that would simplify the process for biological men to change their gender, allowing them access to single-sex spaces through a mere declaration.

Recently, Sarah Pochin, a Reform UK representative, tweeted that under a Reform UK government, “a biological man will never be sent to a women’s prison.” In response, Rael Braverman, husband of Conservative MP Suella Braverman, condemned the statement as “too late,” likening it to Sturgeon’s entanglement with similar issues.

Braverman expressed his frustration, stating, “Deary me…this is reminding me of Sturgeon’s nightmare on the trans issue. We won’t, we might, we could, perhaps, if, maybe, we should…but we won’t.” His comments reflect a growing dissatisfaction with the party’s handling of transgender policy and the perception of indecisiveness among its leadership.

In Scotland, Claire Mackie-Brown, the party’s spokeswoman, reiterated Reform UK’s commitment to traditional definitions of gender, stating, “We stand for common sense: only biological women belong in female prisons and women’s spaces – no ifs, or buts.” This statement underscores the party’s position as it navigates the complexities of public opinion and internal dissent on a highly sensitive issue.

As Reform UK grapples with these challenges, the future of its leadership and policy direction remains uncertain, illustrating the ongoing tensions surrounding gender identity and the rights of transgender individuals within the criminal justice system.