Rishi Sunak sparks gender debate with 'a man is a man, a woman is a woman' comment

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's recent remarks on gender have ignited a heated debate.

During his address at the Conservative Party conference, he shared his perspective on gender identities, asserting that the public should not feel compelled to believe that individuals can freely choose their gender.

He stated, "A man is a man, a woman is a woman; that's just common sense."

What happened

• Rishi Sunak delivered his speech at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, addressing the Tory party.
• He discussed matters related to gender and education, advocating for parents' right to be informed about what children are taught regarding relationships in schools.
• Sunak emphasized the importance of hospitals providing patients with information on gender-related issues.
• He criticised what he perceived as a lack of common sense in the public sector, favoring values over "virtue signaling."
• Sunak's remarks on gender identity stirred controversy as he argued against pressuring individuals to accept a multitude of gender identities.

Sunak's statement faced criticism from netizens, with people expressing their opinions on various platforms, including X (formerly known as Twitter).

The Prime Minister also outlined significant changes for the country, including stricter penalties for specific crimes and a proposal for an annual increase in the legal age for purchasing cigarettes to discourage teenage smoking.