Your Executive Officers have written to local MPs calling for support for Early Day Motion 240, which challenges the EHRC’s draft Equality Act Code of Practice. With concerns about its potential impact on transgender and non-binary people, we’re encouraging students to make their voices heard and contact their MPs.
Following the recent release of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) draft Code of Practice for the Equality Act 2010, your Executive Officer Team has written a letter which has been sent to the following Members of Parliament, requesting that they support Early Day Motion 240, raised by Nadia Whittome MP. This motion seeks for the draft Code of Practice to be disapproved:
- Jonathan Davies MP, Member of Parliament for Mid Derbyshire
- Linsey Farnsworth MP, Member of Parliament for Amber Valley
- Natalie Fleet MP, Member of Parliament for Bolsover
- Louise Jones MP, Member of Parliament for North East Derbyshire
- Jon Pearce MP, Member of Parliament for High Peak
- Toby Perkins MP, Member of Parliament for Chesterfield
- Adam Thompson MP, Member of Parliament for Erewash
- John Whitby MP, Member of Parliament for Derbyshire Dales
- Baggy Shanker MP, Member of Parliament for Derby South
- Catherine Atkinson MP, Member of Parliament for Derby North
We have not contacted Samantha Niblett MP, Member of Parliament for South Derbyshire, as she has already signed this Early Day Motion. However, we intend to email her to thank her for her support of the motion.
There is no set number of signatures required for an Early Day Motion to be debated. However, it is exceedingly rare for an Early Day Motion to receive over 200 signatures; typically, only 7 or 8 motions exceed this number in a parliamentary session. The more Members of Parliament who sign this motion, the greater the likelihood that this issue will be further debated, scrutinised in Parliament, and potentially lead to the draft being withdrawn.
Your Executive Officer Team has sent this letter because the new draft Code of Practice for the Equality Act 2010 is highly concerning. In particular, it raises issues around how businesses and organisations are advised to allow transgender and non-binary individuals to access services. It may also make it more difficult for individuals whose appearance does not align with the gender they were assigned at birth to access certain spaces and services, increasing the risk of “gender policing”. Gender policing refers to instances where individuals are questioned or challenged based on their appearance and asked to justify their gender.
Another key concern within the guidance is the recommendation that transgender and non-binary individuals use “third spaces”. These are typically gender-neutral or accessible toilets. However, not all organisations have the capacity or resources to provide gender-neutral facilities. In cases where they do not, individuals may be forced to use accessible toilets, which risks infringing on the rights of disabled people and may place different protected characteristic groups in conflict. Additionally, this may risk outing transgender and non-binary individuals when using certain facilities.
As your Executive Officer Team, we believe that all students at the University of Derby, regardless of their gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic, should feel safe, respected, and valued. We want every student to know that they are welcome here, and we are proud of the diversity within our university community. As your University of Derby Union of Students, we stand firmly against discrimination, intimidation, and exclusion in all forms, and remain committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for everyone.
A copy of the letter sent to the above MPs is available for you to view here.
In addition, if you are concerned about this issue and would like to contact your Member of Parliament, a template is provided below which you can use to email them. Here is a link to the Find your MP webpage, where you can enter your postcode to identify your constituency MP. It is important that you include your address in your email, as this helps confirm that you are a constituent and makes a response more likely.
Template Email to MPs:
Subject: Request to Support EDM 240 on Draft Code of Practice
Dear [MP’s Name and MP’s Title],
I am writing as a constituent in [your postcode/constituency] to express concern about the draft Code of Practice on Services, Public Functions and Associations, and to ask you to support Early Day Motion 240 (tabled 1 June 2026).
I am concerned that the draft Code could increase risks for transgender and non-binary people, including exclusion from essential services and increased harassment. The government’s own Equality Impact Assessment highlights risk such as violence, “double exclusion” from services, and practical challenges where no alternative spaces exist.
The suggestion that decisions could be made based on physical appearance is also troubling, as it may lead to the policing of gender presentation and affect many people beyond the trans community.
Overall, I believe this guidance risks undermining protections under the Equality Act 2010 and could create confusion and harm for both individuals and service providers.
I urge you to:
- Support EDM 240 and call for the withdrawal of this draft Code
- Advocate for proper scrutiny and revision
- Protect the rights and dignity of trans, non-binary, and LGBT+ people
I would appreciate a response outlining your position.
Thank you for your time.
Kind regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]