Scottish Labour U-turns on Gender Reform, Faces Union Backlash

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has faced backlash for a recent U-turn on the party's support for the Gender Recognition Reform Bill, just before the party's conference in Glasgow. The party, which previously backed the legislation aimed at simplifying transgender identification, has now shifted its stance, stating it supports single-sex spaces based on biological sex. This decision has drawn criticism from the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) and prompted accusations of pandering to right-wing culture wars. Additionally, Sarwar's leadership has been questioned following another reversal on the party's position regarding the Internal Market Act, which he had opposed in the past. Critics argue these changes undermine Scottish Labour's credibility and highlight a troubling trend of inconsistency in their policies. As the conference approaches, Sarwar's leadership and strategy in handling sensitive issues have come under intense scrutiny.