Reform UK’s proposed Women and Motherhood Protection Act has come under fierce criticism from political opponents, with one Labour MP comparing the plans to the dystopian world depicted in The Handmaid’s Tale.
The party, led by Nigel Farage, unveiled a policy document promising to “strengthen women’s rights, protect motherhood and restore equality before the law”. Reform argues that the current Equality Act does not provide sufficient protection and claims that sex-based rights have been diminished.
The document states that “Reform UK will be the most pro-woman and pro-mother government in modern British history”, while proposing measures including safeguarding existing maternity rights and extending the time limit for pregnancy and maternity-related unfair dismissal claims to 12 months.
Reform UK’s Motherhood Policy Faces Labour Backlash
The party says its proposed legislation would make Britain “one of the best countries in the world to become a mother”.
However, Labour MP Stella Creasy, who has campaigned on issues surrounding the “motherhood penalty”, dismissed the proposals.
She told reporters, “Reform reveal they think only women have responsibility for bringing up children.
“This is a charter for bringing in the Handmaid’s Tale, not equality in the home or the workplace – reinforcing the motherhood penalty and not ending it.”
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The Handmaid’s Tale is a dystopian novel and television drama centred on a society where fertile women are compelled to bear children.
Creasy continued, “That’s why we need to align with Europe in giving all parents rights to paid parental leave so that no parent is left holding the baby.
“If Reform are serious about helping end discrimination, they should back my amendment to do that instead of failing to even mention the responsibilities of dads and second parents.”
Labour Minister And Conservatives Challenge Reform Proposals
Women and Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson also criticised the policy announcement.
She said, “Nigel Farage has spent years arguing women don’t need the protections and rights we fought for.
“From their leader praising Andrew Tate, to running a self-professed sexist as a candidate, Reform prove time and again they have a problem with women.”
The comments referenced Reform’s candidate in the upcoming Makerfield by-election, Robert Kenyon, whose previously posted social media remarks attracted scrutiny. Kenyon had written, “I’m sexist, sorry but I am.”
Phillipson added, “Tearing up the Equality Act on day one just to replace it with something weaker is a complete waste of time and money.
“It was a Labour government that put women’s rights into law, and a Labour government now that is safeguarding and strengthening them.”
Equality Act Debate Intensifies As Opposition Parties Respond
The Conservatives also criticised Reform’s proposals, with shadow equalities minister Claire Coutinho questioning the party’s approach.
She said, “Reform care so little about women’s rights they said they’d scrap the Equality Act without even realising that it protects pregnant women from being sacked.
“Their prisons adviser believes men should be put in women’s prisons. And today’s plans would leave women who say biological sex is real completely exposed to being harassed and hounded out of their jobs.
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“Kemi Badenoch is the only political leader who has consistently stood up for women’s rights and under her leadership the Conservatives will fight for their protections at every opportunity.”
The exchange marks the latest political dispute over women’s rights, maternity protections and the future of equality legislation, as Reform UK seeks to promote its proposed Women and Motherhood Protection Act ahead of future elections.
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