The UK Labor party is divided over laws regarding puberty blockers. The new Health Secretary Wes Streeting is standing firm despite calls from backbenchers to overturn the law.

Puberty blockers were outlawed after the Cass Review determined not enough data or research had been conducted to know the full effects of these medications.

Streeting said he was ‘treading cautiously’ because the long-term impact on young people taking the drugs is unclear.

He wrote: ‘We don’t yet know the risks of stopping pubertal hormones at this critical life stage.

‘That is the basis upon which I am making decisions. I am treading cautiously because the safety of children must come first. Some of the public statements being made are highly irresponsible.

‘I know there’s lots of fear and anxiety. I am determined to improve the quality of, and access to, care for trans people. The decisions I am taking will always be based on evidence, rather than politics or political pressure.’

It emerged on Friday that Mr Streeting wants to make permanent the emergency ban on private prescriptions of puberty blockers for gender-questioning children which was brought in by the Conservatives in May.

The laws surrounding experimental treatments on children should not be a left or right issue. There should be no bowing down to activists because they are on the ‘same side’ politically. 

Despite pressure from within his own party, Mr Streeting is conducting himself like a responsible elected member, by seeking evidence before making drastic decisions that can irrevocably harm a child for life.

If only Australian politicians would take a leaf out of his book.