But I’m also not sure if they chose not to reply out of fear of some political misstep, or if maybe they were simply oblivious to the request for comment. Who knows.

It's definitely the former. Look at Labour leadership. They don't call it terf island for nothing

"Silence will not save you."

Because essentially the question is, 'Do you believe in human rights, science, and health care?'

If they don't believes trans women are women, then they don't believe in human rights for trans people, don't believe in the science that says being trans is a real biological thing, and don't believe in treating gender dysphoria with health care that's proven to be incredibly effective.