British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak drew the wrath of the Labor opposition on Wednesday in Parliament for making a remark deemed
"insensitive"
about transgender people, while the mother of a transgender teenager murdered last year was present in the audience.
“Public sector wages, tuition fees, childcare, second referendums, the definition of a woman – although to be fair on this point it's only a 99% turnaround "
said Rishi Sunak, listing a long list of what he believes are Labor leader Keir Starmer's changes in position.
Since a 2021 television show during which he was hesitant when asked whether a woman could have a penis, Keir Starmer has become the target of the Conservatives, whose right wing is particularly mobilized against progressive activism.
The Labor leader has since claimed that
“99.9%”
of women don’t have penises.
Great emotion last year in the United Kingdom
Rishi Sunak discusses his main opponent's positions on gender almost every week in Parliament when the two leaders cross swords during the Prime Minister's Questions session.
But on Wednesday, this attack launched in the House of Commons on the day the mother of a young transgender woman, Brianna Ghey, who was murdered last year by two teenagers, came to Parliament, caused Labor to react.
“Shameful
,” replied Keir Starmer, while MP Liz Twist asked Rishi Sunak if he intended to
“apologize (...) for this insensitive comment”
.
The murder of the 16-year-old girl caused great emotion last year in the United Kingdom.
Two teenagers were sentenced last week to life imprisonment, an exceptional punishment for minors.
Rishi Sunak then assured that he shared
“the country’s horror at this despicable and cowardly murder”
.
At the end of Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, he addressed Brianna's mother, saying her daughter's death was a
"shocking and unspeakable tragedy
. "
His spokesperson shortly afterwards defended the Prime Minister's comments to journalists, saying that it was a
“legitimate”
criticism of Keir Starmer's
“turnarounds”
.
“We do not believe the country wants or deserves a prime minister who views minorities as punching bags
,” said a Labor spokeswoman.