Liz Truss vows to protect women and young people from 'extreme woke ideology' with 'common sense' Bill in Parliament

Liz Truss today vows to protect women and young people by tackling the 'extreme woke ideology' that prioritises gender identity above biological sex.

The former prime minister is introducing a draft law to Parliament that she says would mark a 'significant victory for common sense' as well as the wellbeing of children and women's rights.

Under her plan, transgender women would not be allowed into female-only spaces such as changing rooms and toilets, schools would be banned from letting pupils identify as the opposite sex, and under-18s would be prevented from taking puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones.

Writing in the Mail, Ms Truss says her Bill is 'badly needed' because currently there is not enough protection for women and young people.

As Equalities Minister, she blocked plans that would have allowed anyone to 'self-ID' as the opposite sex.

Her Health and Equality Acts (Amendment) Bill is one of 20 Private Members' Bills being formally presented to the Commons today.

It has been backed by senior Tories, including former home secretary Dame Priti Patel, former health minister Jackie Doyle-Price and Caroline Johnson, who is a consultant paediatrician as well as an MP.

However Private Members' Bills become law only if the Government supports them and finds time to vote them through.

Ms Truss's move comes amid a split in the Tory party over the divisive issue of gender ideology.

Many on the Right are urging the Government to ban so-called social transitioning in schools but long-awaited gender guidance for teachers, which may be published next week, is expected to include only a 'presumption against' it.

Prominent backbenchers will today challenge Education Secretary Gillian Keegan on the spread of gender ideology in schools when she appears before the Education Select Committee.

Yet ten Conservative MPs are also backing a Labour MP's Private Members' Bill proposing a ban on conversion therapy for gay or transgender people.

They are urging action after the Government dropped a plan to outlaw forcing people to change their sexuality or gender identity, amid fears it would criminalise parents, doctors and teachers for talking to young people who are questioning their gender identity.