While the other leadership candidates, Emily Thornberry, Lisa Nandy and Keir Starmer, have also spoken out in support of transgender rights, Long-Bailey has shown herself to be better-versed on the issues at stake for trans people. She is also the only MP in the running to have spoken publicly in support of changing the Gender Recognition Act.

When asked whether self-declaration, also called self-identification, should become law, she made the point that “self-IDing is the first step” many trans people take in their transition. Allowing trans people to obtain a GRC through the same process only makes sense – which is why six countries including Ireland, Norway and Argentina have implemented it, without incident or backlash.

She then said that yes, “it should be the law”.

Such a positive and affirmative statement from a prominent politician is much-needed in the current hostile media environment. While there were the usual comments from transphobic trolls, LGBTQ+ people on Twitter welcomed the public display of support.

The gender and identity reporter at prominent LGBTQ+ news outlet Pink News checked with their followers whether this was in fact “the firmest and most unequivocal support for trans rights from a Labour leadership hopeful so far”.

Rebecca Long-Bailey voices a powerful statement of support for transgender women