Olly Alexander calls out ‘spineless’ Labour government over anti-trans rhetoric

Pop icon Olly Alexander has called out Keir Starmer’s Labour government over its “cowardice” on the rights of transgender people in the UK.

The 35-year-old former Years & Years frontman took aim at UK leadership’s “spinelessness” while discussing his upcoming benefit concert Transmission Live.

Featuring performances from over 24 artists, the London concert, hosted by Alexander and Mighty Hoopla, is set to take place at the OVO Arena in Wembley on Wednesday (11 March).

The fundraiser, which will raise money for Not A Phase and Good Law Project, plans to push back against the rising transphobia that has swept across the UK through a “night of solidarity for a lifetime of change.”

It comes in response to the UK Supreme Court’s controversial ruling on FWS v Scottish Ministers, which determined the 2010 Equality Act’s definition of a woman referred to biological sex only. The government is currently considering whether to implement legislation based on this ruling, which campaigners fear could result in a blanket ban on trans people using public facilities.

Speaking to The Guardian, Alexander said Labour “cowardice” was responsible for the number of anti-trans actions the party had taken since rising to power, including delaying a trans-inclusive conversion therapy ban and restricting life-saving puberty blockers for trans youngsters.

“I’d say it was cowardice,” he said. “For a Labour government to be so scared to have a line on this just shows the spinelessness of our leadership.”

‘Transphobia is the cousin of homophobia, which is the cousin of misogyny’

The performer went on to compare Starmer’s Labour to the Thatcher government of the 1980s, which was notoriously anti-LGBTQ+.

“Some of the things that are said about trans people are literally lifted from what was said about gay men back in the 80s,” he said. “Those messages have been used against queer people throughout history. I see transphobia as the cousin of homophobia, which is the cousin of misogyny. I think we’re all in this together.”

The prime minister’s record on LGBTQ+ rights has been widely criticised by the community and human rights campaigners. In April last year, following the Supreme Court’s sex ruling, Starmer said he no longer believed that trans women are women.

Health secretary Wes Streeting made that same statement on multiple occasions, first saying it in 2024 during an interview with The Sun.

Alexander says he’s increasingly worried about rising anti-trans rhetoric in mainstream media, adding that he hopes the concert will be a “beacon” for the community.

“I’m hoping that this is a beacon that will say: ‘Well, actually, there are lots of people who love and support trans people, and we’re not going to be quiet either’,” he said.

Echoing this sentiment, Not A Phase founder Dani St James said she hopes the night will be a moment of progress for all the trans people facing hardship.

“it’s basically a super sped-up Royal Variety Performance, but with me and Olly double-kissing them and not Charles shaking their hands,” she said.

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