The UK Supreme Court’s ruling on the legal definitions of “women” and “sex” appears to have driven a wedge between the two co-leaders of the Green Party.

Adrian Ramsay has come under fire for avoiding a firm answer when asked whether he believed trans women are women, after the court’s decision that the legal definition of women refers to “biological women” and that “sex” refers to “biological sex.”

The verdict, handed down by the UK’s top court last week, has caused significant concern for LGBTQ+ groups because of the potential implications for the rights of trans people, such as access to single-sex spaces.

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer did nothing to allay those concerns after it was confirmed that, in the face of the ruling, he no longer believed trans women are women.

Asked to clarify his position on Radio 4’s Today programme on Wednesday (23 April), Ramsay said the court’s decision provided “some clarity in terms of the Equality Act”.

Pressed on whether he believed trans women were women, he only replied: “The important thing here is not to get hung up in divisions, in definitions.

“Last week’s ruling has highlighted the potential for some services to be provided based on sex. The question is how do we ensure that both women and trans people have access to the services they need, in a way that meets their needs and preserves their dignity.”

Members of his party who hold anti-trans views shouldn’t be expelled and have “the right to express that view”, he added.

Which way will the Greens go?

Ramsay’s reluctance to give a straight answer to the question appears to stand in contrast to fellow co-leader Carla Denyer, who has often voiced her support for the trans community.

In the House of Commons on Wednesday (23 April), she urged equalities minister Bridget Phillipson to “make a commitment to uphold trans people’s fundamental rights, including the right to privacy”.

Denyer went on to write on X/Twitter: “All of us, whether we’re trans or not, deserve dignity and respect, and the freedom to go about our daily lives without fear of abuse or harassment. [The government] had urgent [questions] to answer about how it will ensure those rights for trans people. Sadly, I didn’t get those answers yesterday.”

The apparent divide between Denyer and Ramsay has caused consternation over where the Green Party, which has a history of in-fighting over trans rights issues, stands on the legal ruling.

Writing on Bluesky, sociologist and influencer Natacha Kennedy said the party “urgently needs new leadership,” while others called on the Greens to “expel people for transphobia“.

Meanwhile, trans journalist India Willoughby condemned Ramsay’s comments.

“Really disappointed, Carla, at this time in history, when we need friends, that Green co-leaders can’t unambiguously say trans women are women,” she wrote on social media.

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