Labour has been captured by woke extremists who do not know what a woman is, Esther McVey warned.
The Common Sense Minister said recent referendums show how out of touch many politicians are with the public.
Ms McVey revealed she is inundated with messages from voters frustrated with politically correct “clap trap”.
Voters in Ireland earlier this month overwhelmingly rejected plans to change the wording of the constitution on the definition of families and the role of women in the home.
Ms McVey said the result showed the public was “not prepared to be browbeaten” by the woke establishment.
Writing in the Daily Express, Ms McVey said: “The Brexit referendum showed how out of touch the political class often is with the public they claim to represent, this referendum in Ireland has shown that again with bells on.
“And yet still, the only UK Party leader standing firm against this woke obsession is Rishi Sunak, who – unlike Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer – seems to be the only one of them who can say what a woman is and is not afraid to say how important biological sex is.
“The Labour Party seems to have been completely captured by the woke extremists.”
Sir Keir last week again refused to define what a woman is, saying the trans debate must be treated with respect.
Ms McVey added: “Recognising physical differences between the sexes should not be controversial. It is a scientific fact. Championing women and the family too should not be causing such hostility and opprobrium.
“Mercifully we are still a nation with common sense and have some brave souls prepared to speak out.
“Let’s hope the referendum result in Ireland brings about a retreat of the woke extremists in the UK as well.”
