Is it just ME?

Or is the new spelling of wom*n offensive?

THE former home secretary, Amber Rudd, was ‘ no platformed’ last week, just half an hour before she was due to speak to an Oxford University society called UNWomen.

In a statement, the society said ‘Following a majority vote in committee, tonight’s event with speaker Amber Rudd has been cancelled. We are deeply sorry for all and any hurt caused to our members and other wom*n and non-binary people in Oxford over this event.’

The whole thing is wrong on so many levels. Firstly, whatever you think of her politics, Rudd has many unique insights to offer on women and Westminster.

Second, it is bad manners to disinvite someone half an hour before they are due to speak at an event for which they will have spent time preparing.

But what really niggles me is that wretched asterisk in the word ‘women’. Quite

Don’t you dare try to reclassify me, a woman, as anything else!

apart from the fact I have no idea how to pronounce it, I don’t want my gender rebranded. If you want to identify as a non-binary fish, be my guest. But don’t you dare try to reclassify me — a woman — as anything else.

It’s bad enough that so many women’s rights are slowly being eroded by the politically correct in the name of trans rights, in our sports, safe spaces and even our unique biology. Now we can’t even call ourselves women.

Trans people have every right to our respect, our understanding and our protection. Of course they must be allowed to express their true identity, unencumbered by prejudice. But that identity can’t come at the expense of others.

When you call me, or any other female, a wom*n, you are denying us the essence of who we are. And we’ve had quite enough of that over the years, thank you. Be whomever you want to be. But leave us women alone.