Tory leader Kemi Badenoch with Olympian Sharron Davies (Image: Thomas Krych/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock)
Olympian Sharron Davies and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch have urged Andy Burnham to protect women’s sport for young girls by creating a “level playing field”. The pair led a rally in Westminster on Wednesday where they demanded the Prime Minister guard single-sex spaces at major sporting events in the UK.
Under the Conservatives’ proposals, all competitors and officials would be guaranteed the right to single-sex accommodation, changing facilities and toilets based on their biological sex. Spectators and staff would also have the right to single-sex toilets on this basis. There is anger in Tory ranks that an earlier attempt to secure these provisions in law was voted down by Labour MPs, with Liberal Democrats abstaining.
Speaking to a group of women holding placards demanding single-sex spaces be secured, Mrs Badenoch said: “We want to protect women’s sport, especially for young girls.”
Baroness Davies, a former Olympic swimmer, added: “The Conservative Party put an amendment into the Sporting Bill to say that we must protect the women’s category in sport.
“So every time we bring a major event to the UK, it’s really important that women and girls know that they’re going to have a level playing field, and they’re going to be able to compete fairly and safely. And at the moment, Labour won’t do that.
“I’ve tried in the House of Lords, and now they’re trying in the House of Commons, and we will just keep on trying to fight for equality for women in sport. The science shows us that you can’t have males in female sport and it’s [not] safe or fair. This isn’t about excluding anybody – this is just about saying that women and girls deserve that.”
When asked what her message to Mr Burnham would be, she said: “Please listen to young women who just want a level playing field and an equal opportunity to succeed. And this, for them, can be the start of something like myself that’s given me my whole career. And potentially, if they allow men into those spaces, then you’re removing those opportunities from women.”
The attempted changes to the Sporting Events Bill were blocked at committee stage, but Shadow Culture Secretary Rebecca Paul led a fresh charge in Parliament on Wednesday.
She said: “We’re here today because women’s sport should be for women. It’s just simply common sense, and we are the party of common sense. And today, we have tabled an amendment to make sure that it will only be biological women playing in major sporting events on British soil.”
She added: “Andy Burnham needs to get serious with this. He needs to recognise that women matter, women are not second-class citizens, and we deserve fair sport. We deserve to be safe when we’re playing sport, and he needs to stop putting the feelings of men before what is fair for women.
Andy Burnham Told to ‘Get Serious’ as Major Sporting Row Erupts
Andy Burnham has become embroiled in a growing political controversy after Conservative politicians and prominent sporting figures demanded stronger protections for women and girls participating in major sporting events. The dispute has intensified following calls for the government to guarantee biological women access to single-sex sporting categories, changing facilities and toilets. Critics have accused the government of failing to provide sufficient clarity on the issue, warning that women’s rights and sporting fairness must not be overlooked.
The controversy escalated on 4 November 2026, when Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch joined former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies at a rally in Westminster. The event focused on protecting women’s sport and ensuring that female athletes have access to fair competition and appropriate facilities.
Badenoch made clear that protecting opportunities for women and girls should be a priority for the government. She argued that female athletes deserve the same opportunities to compete, develop their abilities and achieve sporting success without facing unfair disadvantages.
Sharron Davies, who won an Olympic silver medal for Great Britain at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, has long campaigned on issues involving women’s sport. She believes that maintaining a protected female sporting category is essential to preserving competitive fairness.
Speaking at the rally, Davies argued that women and girls should be able to compete on a level playing field, particularly when Britain hosts major international sporting competitions. She also raised concerns about changing facilities and other single-sex spaces, insisting that female competitors should feel safe and protected.
The campaign has placed considerable pressure on Andy Burnham, with Shadow Culture Secretary Rebecca Paul demanding that the Prime Minister take a clearer position. She argued that the government must recognise the importance of biological sex when determining eligibility for women’s sporting categories.
The political disagreement centres on the proposed amendments to the Sporting Events Bill. Conservatives want the legislation to establish clearer guarantees for single-sex accommodation, changing rooms and toilet facilities at major sporting events held in Britain.
Under their proposals, competitors and officials would have access to facilities based on their biological sex. Spectators and staff would also receive protections relating to single-sex toilets.
Supporters of the amendments argue that major sporting events should provide clear and consistent rules. They believe that female athletes should not have to face uncertainty about the arrangements governing their competitions and facilities.
However, the debate is more complicated than a simple disagreement between political parties. Questions surrounding transgender participation in sport involve equality legislation, safeguarding, privacy, competitive fairness and the rights of different groups. Any legislation must therefore be carefully considered to ensure that it is legally clear and workable.
Badenoch has accused Labour of failing to give sufficient priority to women’s sporting opportunities. She believes that the government should establish clear protections rather than leave individual sporting organisations to navigate difficult and sometimes conflicting expectations.
Davies has similarly argued that sporting opportunities for young girls must be protected. For her, the issue is particularly important because participation in sport can provide young women with confidence, discipline, educational opportunities and pathways towards professional careers.
She has warned that uncertainty surrounding eligibility rules could discourage girls from participating in competitive sport. Her argument is that sporting organisations need consistent policies that protect the integrity of female competitions while treating all participants fairly.
The government, however, must consider the wider legal framework. Sporting organisations already operate under rules that can differ depending on the sport, level of competition and relevant governing body. Some international federations have introduced stricter eligibility requirements for female categories, while others have adopted different approaches.
The scientific and practical considerations also vary between sports. Physical characteristics relevant to performance can have different effects in swimming, athletics, rugby, weightlifting and other disciplines. Consequently, sporting regulations often require sport-specific assessments rather than a single approach applied without consideration of individual circumstances.
Another important issue is the protection of children and young athletes. School sports and grassroots competitions play a major role in encouraging physical activity and developing future sporting talent. Parents, teachers and coaches want clear guidance that allows children to participate in safe and supportive environments.
The controversy has therefore extended beyond professional athletes and major sporting competitions. It raises questions about how schools, local clubs and national sporting organisations should establish policies that respect participants while maintaining confidence in competitive arrangements.
For Burnham, the dispute presents a significant political challenge. As Prime Minister, he must balance competing views and ensure that any legislation is consistent with existing equality and safeguarding obligations. His government will also face pressure to explain how its policies would operate at major international events hosted in Britain.
The Conservatives have indicated that they intend to continue pursuing legislative changes. Their previous attempt to secure additional protections through the Sporting Events Bill was unsuccessful at committee stage, but Rebecca Paul has introduced a further amendment in Parliament.
The issue is likely to remain politically sensitive because women’s sport has a strong public profile and is closely connected to questions of equality and opportunity. Olympic competitions, international championships and professional leagues attract millions of viewers, while the achievements of female athletes inspire younger generations.
At the same time, policymakers must avoid turning sporting regulations into a source of unnecessary division. Transgender people and other affected individuals also deserve dignity, fair treatment and protection from discrimination. Clear rules should be developed through evidence, consultation and appropriate legal safeguards.
The wider question is how Britain can protect the integrity of women’s sport while ensuring that sporting institutions remain inclusive and accessible. This requires meaningful engagement with athletes, coaches, medical specialists, governing bodies and organisations representing women and transgender people.
Ultimately, the dispute has exposed significant differences between Labour and the Conservatives over how women’s sporting categories and single-sex facilities should be protected. Badenoch and Davies are demanding stronger guarantees, while Burnham’s government faces the responsibility of explaining its approach and responding to concerns about fairness and safeguarding.
In conclusion, the growing sporting row demonstrates why clear and consistent policies are essential. Women and girls deserve fair opportunities to participate and succeed in sport, while every individual should be treated with dignity and respect. The government must examine the available scientific evidence, consider the practical requirements of different sports and establish legally sound protections. The future of women’s sport should be guided by fairness, safety, transparency and equal opportunity rather than political slogans. Andy Burnham now faces pressure to explain how his government intends to address these competing concerns and provide certainty for athletes, sporting organisations and the public.