Again, Leah, this is a very clear article, casting light on the efforts being made by the Scottish Government on issues of little importance to the great majority of the Scottish people, while they show little interest in important matters such as our full UN Human Rights entitlement, which we are been robbed of by the UK establishment. If they gave this issue just 10% of the consideration and time they spent on sex definition, they would be supporting our petition and encouraging others to support the Scottish People's full Human Rights, instead of hiding from the issue.
As a matter of practical politics, if the Scottish government picks a fight with the UK government it should do so over an issue where there is overwhelmingly high support for the Scottish government's position. For example, over energy prices, as 99% of Scots think they should be lower.
We live in strange times for sure. As for who or what pushed the GRA into the fore at the Scottish parliament? Who sets the agenda? So called advisers? Colonial EngGovs' appointed civil servants operating at their expensive large newly built offices in the centre of Scotland's capital city? Right next to the city of Edinburgh council made up of a coalition of England HQ'd BritNat parties to boot. Sigh.
We can only guess...but the tactics succeeded in alienating the voters, and even SNP members and supporters. It also cost me a couple of indy friends sadly.
I worry about the current leadership...where are they taking Scotland. The SNP are a good effective party of government on (devolved) policy, but Scotland is in great peril while shackled to the country next door, it's going to take some strong noisy, clever leadership and definite serious action, to extract Scotland from the so called UK, but, we are up against it with thousands of English civil servants operating in Scotland, and their masters in London pulling out all the stops to stop Scotland retaking their sovereignty. Yikes.
I see no evidence that the SNP is good or effective in any way that is of benefit to Scotland. They co-operate, and want to be seen to co-operate, with our colonial masters in Westminster.
Spot on in your analysis again, Leah. This was an absurd, divisive and diversionary issue on which to waste political capital. It is as though the SNP leadership lost sight of the goal of independence. It shows a lack of competence and political acumen. The ICPR gives us a direct route to get closer to independence.
If a man chooses to be a woman then he can only look like a woman. The feminine brain works differently to a masculine brain. As does the inner sanctum of male and female bodily functions.
I think the whole trans debate has damaged the situation that trans women are now in. Previously they were allowed discrete use of female spaces as they were never seen as a threat. However now, after all the posturing and dick waving of some men who claimed to be women and insisted on being treated as such despite their very partial transformation in having both breasts and a penis.
Now trans women are much more likely to be challenged when doing that, which is sad and helps no-one.
It was all completely unnecessary and contrary to what should have been the core aim of the SNP.
You can bet your boots on the cost of this process will be plastered on the headlines of every unionist rag and added to the 'Scotland Bad' list to gaslight us into thinking we can't manage ourselves. The old adage of picking your battles has never proved truer.
I watched John Swinney's press conference the other day when he announced his government's priorities for the next 12 months up to the 2026 election. Independence was not mentioned until right near the end and that was because a journalist brought the subject up. It says a lot about where the drive for independence lies on the 'to do' list 😞
Spot on with your questions Leah tho trans issues are a real problem for some people however small the number. Interesting session on ‘our independent blockchain voting platform’ at SSRG conference next month. Harks back to early days of ‘electronic democracy’ and a tongue in cheek article about a voting station in every pub in Scotland. On the serious side, it was about using technology to support citizen engagement. So many more options on the table now.
Why ever did the Scottish Government think we needed The Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018 to address the historical underrepresentation of women in public life, particularly on public boards.
The Act aimed to ensure that public bodies, colleges, and universities were/are actively seeking and attracting diverse talent, including women, to ensure they are represented in decision-making roles.
There are better ways of nudging towards this laudable aim than by legislating.
I think this ruling is terrible news for trans people. I’m sick and tired of the endless transphobia from so many parts of the political spectrum. Sorry Leah, but this court decision is a disaster and must be fought back against. Trans rights are human rights! 🏳️⚧️
1) The rights of trans people are already protected in the Equality Act 2010. The issue is why should one group's rights come at the expense of the rights of half of humanity, women? There's a reason women felt angry at this legislative overreach.
2) Why did the Scottish administration waste so much time and money on an issue that affects a tiny proportion of people when they should be focusing on the liberation of their nation?
Again, Leah, this is a very clear article, casting light on the efforts being made by the Scottish Government on issues of little importance to the great majority of the Scottish people, while they show little interest in important matters such as our full UN Human Rights entitlement, which we are been robbed of by the UK establishment. If they gave this issue just 10% of the consideration and time they spent on sex definition, they would be supporting our petition and encouraging others to support the Scottish People's full Human Rights, instead of hiding from the issue.
As a matter of practical politics, if the Scottish government picks a fight with the UK government it should do so over an issue where there is overwhelmingly high support for the Scottish government's position. For example, over energy prices, as 99% of Scots think they should be lower.
Spot on.
Great article Leah.
We live in strange times for sure. As for who or what pushed the GRA into the fore at the Scottish parliament? Who sets the agenda? So called advisers? Colonial EngGovs' appointed civil servants operating at their expensive large newly built offices in the centre of Scotland's capital city? Right next to the city of Edinburgh council made up of a coalition of England HQ'd BritNat parties to boot. Sigh.
We can only guess...but the tactics succeeded in alienating the voters, and even SNP members and supporters. It also cost me a couple of indy friends sadly.
I worry about the current leadership...where are they taking Scotland. The SNP are a good effective party of government on (devolved) policy, but Scotland is in great peril while shackled to the country next door, it's going to take some strong noisy, clever leadership and definite serious action, to extract Scotland from the so called UK, but, we are up against it with thousands of English civil servants operating in Scotland, and their masters in London pulling out all the stops to stop Scotland retaking their sovereignty. Yikes.
I see no evidence that the SNP is good or effective in any way that is of benefit to Scotland. They co-operate, and want to be seen to co-operate, with our colonial masters in Westminster.
Spot on in your analysis again, Leah. This was an absurd, divisive and diversionary issue on which to waste political capital. It is as though the SNP leadership lost sight of the goal of independence. It shows a lack of competence and political acumen. The ICPR gives us a direct route to get closer to independence.
What would it cost to support UN route even if they though it might go nowhere answer nothing.
This might indicate more than Nicola was compromised. Certainly Swinney's redactor pen compromises him and we know Robertsons problem.
Some sanity at last
If a man chooses to be a woman then he can only look like a woman. The feminine brain works differently to a masculine brain. As does the inner sanctum of male and female bodily functions.
I think the whole trans debate has damaged the situation that trans women are now in. Previously they were allowed discrete use of female spaces as they were never seen as a threat. However now, after all the posturing and dick waving of some men who claimed to be women and insisted on being treated as such despite their very partial transformation in having both breasts and a penis.
Now trans women are much more likely to be challenged when doing that, which is sad and helps no-one.
It was all completely unnecessary and contrary to what should have been the core aim of the SNP.
The answer to your main question is we will never know. Another question for the SNP government, why won't it sign the ICCPR into Scots Law?
You can bet your boots on the cost of this process will be plastered on the headlines of every unionist rag and added to the 'Scotland Bad' list to gaslight us into thinking we can't manage ourselves. The old adage of picking your battles has never proved truer.
I watched John Swinney's press conference the other day when he announced his government's priorities for the next 12 months up to the 2026 election. Independence was not mentioned until right near the end and that was because a journalist brought the subject up. It says a lot about where the drive for independence lies on the 'to do' list 😞
Spot on with your questions Leah tho trans issues are a real problem for some people however small the number. Interesting session on ‘our independent blockchain voting platform’ at SSRG conference next month. Harks back to early days of ‘electronic democracy’ and a tongue in cheek article about a voting station in every pub in Scotland. On the serious side, it was about using technology to support citizen engagement. So many more options on the table now.
Why ever did the Scottish Government think we needed The Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018 to address the historical underrepresentation of women in public life, particularly on public boards.
The Act aimed to ensure that public bodies, colleges, and universities were/are actively seeking and attracting diverse talent, including women, to ensure they are represented in decision-making roles.
There are better ways of nudging towards this laudable aim than by legislating.
Supreme Court 1 (an own goal)
Devolved Government 0
I think this ruling is terrible news for trans people. I’m sick and tired of the endless transphobia from so many parts of the political spectrum. Sorry Leah, but this court decision is a disaster and must be fought back against. Trans rights are human rights! 🏳️⚧️
Two points.
1) The rights of trans people are already protected in the Equality Act 2010. The issue is why should one group's rights come at the expense of the rights of half of humanity, women? There's a reason women felt angry at this legislative overreach.
2) Why did the Scottish administration waste so much time and money on an issue that affects a tiny proportion of people when they should be focusing on the liberation of their nation?
Exactly
Because they wanted to protect a people that are always under attack from the media?