Labour believes everyone is of equal worth and entitled to respect. Our vision is of an equal, inclusive society where there is opportunity for every citizen regardless of gender, disability, sexual orientation, age, race, religion or belief.

Labour is the party of equality. From challenging disability discrimination, to tackling the pay gap and racism and introducing the Human Rights Act, Labour has been at the forefront of change. We have done more than any government in history to support opportunity for all. We should be proud of our record, but we recognise that there is more to do to attack prejudice and ensure that every one of our citizens is treated equally.

Key achievements

• Introduced the National Minimum Wage – two thirds of the beneficiaries are women and it has played a part in narrowing the pay gap.
• Established the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to act as a strong, independent champion to tackle discrimination and promote equality for all.
• Significantly extended legislation to improve protection against disability discrimination in employment, and to improve access for disabled people to goods, services, facilities and premises.
• Widened and strengthened the Race Relations Act to include a positive duty on public bodies to promote good race relations and legislated for aggravated sentences for racially motivated crimes.
• Through the introduction of civil partnerships, Labour has for the first time given legal recognition to same-sex partners. Gay couples now have the same inheritance, pension and next-of-kin rights as married couples.

Winning the fight for Britain's future:

• We are committed to delivering a cultural change to ensure equality for all; including continued action to tackle the gender pay and opportunities gap and reducing the chances of being out of work if you are disabled or from an ethnic minority background.
• A new Equality Act will promote fairness and equality of opportunity; tackle disadvantage and discrimination; and modernise and strengthen our law to make it fit for the challenges that our society faces today and in the future.
• Defend and enhance human rights: ensure that our common sense human rights legislation is properly understood and applied; combat myths and misreporting of the Human Rights Act; and consider further steps including a British Bill of Rights and Duties and a written constitution.
• Work through the Office for Disability Issues, established by Labour, to ensure cross Government action to achieve substantive equality for disabled people by 2025.
• Empowering black and ethnic minority women to build cohesion within their communities and as a bridge between communities.