UK Government Blocks Scotland's Gender Recognition Reform Bill
The UK Government used Section 35 of the Scotland Act 1998 to block Scotland's Gender Recognition Reform Bill — the first time this constitutional power had ever been used. The bill, which passed the Scottish Parliament 86-39 in December 2022, would have lowered the minimum age for legal gender change to 16 and removed the requirement for a medical diagnosis. The UK Government argued it would adversely affect the Equality Act 2010. A court challenge by the Scottish Government was dismissed in December 2023.
Impact & Significance
The unprecedented use of Section 35 intensified the constitutional debate between Westminster and Holyrood, while demonstrating the UK Government's determination to resist gender self-ID provisions.
Reference Record
- Date
- 17 January 2023
- Era
- 2020-present
- Sources
- 2
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