UK MP Suggests Straitjacket for Those Identifying as Llamas During Health Debate
Comments made by Reform UK MP Lee Anderson raise questions about identity and health care amid discussions on gender self-identification.
In a recent session of the House of Commons, Reform UK Member of Parliament (MP) Lee Anderson posed a provocative question regarding individuals identifying as animals, specifically llamas.
During the discussion surrounding health matters, Anderson referenced comments made by newly appointed health minister Ashley Dalton, who previously expressed support for gender self-identification.
Anderson questioned what should happen if a person identifying as a llama were to become ill.
"If I have a family member who presents as a llama, suddenly becomes ill in the middle of the night, do they send for a doctor, a vet, or a straitjacket?" he asked during health queries in Parliament.
In response, Health Secretary Wes Streeting affirmed Dalton’s approach of treating all individuals with dignity and respect.
He stated, "(Ms Dalton), the minister for public health, believes in treating every human being with the dignity and respect they deserve.
Even the honourable gentleman."
The exchange follows past social media remarks by Dalton, in which she advocated for gender self-identification and suggested that individuals should be treated with dignity, regardless of their identity claims.
In a now-deleted Twitter post, Dalton had answered a question about whether someone identifying as a llama should be taken seriously, implying that they should be treated with respect.
Following Anderson's remarks, Downing Street sought to clarify the government's stance.
The Prime Minister’s spokesperson remarked, "I can’t speak to comments made by people prior to being in Government," when addressing Dalton’s past social media activity.
Furthermore, the spokesperson confirmed that the government's position remains that single-sex spaces will be protected, countering suggestions that Dalton's views reflected current policy.
Dalton is succeeding Andrew Gwynne, who left the Government after derogatory remarks he made in a WhatsApp group surfaced.
Additionally, during the same parliamentary session, Independent MP Rosie Duffield raised concerns regarding the NHS and its policy on changing facilities for nursing staff based on biological sex.
Health minister Karin Smyth answered, stating, "No," regarding the expectation for biologically female nursing staff to change in front of their biologically male colleagues if they identify as female.
During the discussion surrounding health matters, Anderson referenced comments made by newly appointed health minister Ashley Dalton, who previously expressed support for gender self-identification.
Anderson questioned what should happen if a person identifying as a llama were to become ill.
"If I have a family member who presents as a llama, suddenly becomes ill in the middle of the night, do they send for a doctor, a vet, or a straitjacket?" he asked during health queries in Parliament.
In response, Health Secretary Wes Streeting affirmed Dalton’s approach of treating all individuals with dignity and respect.
He stated, "(Ms Dalton), the minister for public health, believes in treating every human being with the dignity and respect they deserve.
Even the honourable gentleman."
The exchange follows past social media remarks by Dalton, in which she advocated for gender self-identification and suggested that individuals should be treated with dignity, regardless of their identity claims.
In a now-deleted Twitter post, Dalton had answered a question about whether someone identifying as a llama should be taken seriously, implying that they should be treated with respect.
Following Anderson's remarks, Downing Street sought to clarify the government's stance.
The Prime Minister’s spokesperson remarked, "I can’t speak to comments made by people prior to being in Government," when addressing Dalton’s past social media activity.
Furthermore, the spokesperson confirmed that the government's position remains that single-sex spaces will be protected, countering suggestions that Dalton's views reflected current policy.
Dalton is succeeding Andrew Gwynne, who left the Government after derogatory remarks he made in a WhatsApp group surfaced.
Additionally, during the same parliamentary session, Independent MP Rosie Duffield raised concerns regarding the NHS and its policy on changing facilities for nursing staff based on biological sex.
Health minister Karin Smyth answered, stating, "No," regarding the expectation for biologically female nursing staff to change in front of their biologically male colleagues if they identify as female.
