The way the
@covidinquiryuk
have treated Alister Jack today has been in stark contrast to how Nicola Sturgeon was treated yesterday.
Jack has been allowed to make political points.
Jack has got away with deleting all of his Whatsapp messages with little more than a mention.
In the last 24 hours I have been called the following by vocal, largely anonymous, supporters of
@jk_rowling
.
- Nonce
- Fairy
- Poof
- Peado
- Asshole
- Predator
The excessive use of abusive language for merely standing up against transphobia is really quite disturbing.
The complete refusal by
@UKLabour
to critically assess the Cass Review and it's near total rejection of all research and evidence available to them is quite staggering.
This is indeed a watershed moment and unfortunately it is trans people who are yet again being let down.
The Cass Review must be a watershed moment for the NHS’s gender identity services.
My response for
@UKLabour
underlining our support for the Cass Review’s evidence-led recommendations and our determination to put children’s health and wellbeing above the political fray 👇🏻
Suella Braverman stating that she is speaking for the "British public". I can assure you she isn't speaking for me or the majority in Scotland with her hateful rhetoric towards vulnerable people.
#SuellaBravermanOut
Well Lord Offord just told a massive fib on
#bbcqt
.
He said that Scotland gets the biggest amount of public spending per head in UK.
This is false. Northern Ireland has highest public spending per head in UK and has done for well over a decade.
Carol Malone saying
#Spain
must let
#Brits
into the country without any checks inspite of
#Brexit
. YOU VOTED FOR THIS. The usual rules have been removed by voting to Leave...why is that difficult to understand?
#jeremyvine
Despite the personal involvement in this horrendous conflict,
@HumzaYousaf
remains head and shoulders above all other leaders in the UK in his response to the Hamas/Israel conflict.
#BBCLauraK
Watching
@RealStephenKerr
talking glowingly about the Union when the Scottish Government are currently spending £770m to mitigate against the huge damages being inflicted on Scottish people by Westminster. Scotland needs independence.
#bbcdn
Watching
#ThePapers
on BBC News & James Rampton stating issue of Scottish Independence needs to be "tackled" with a "softly softly approach" so as to "not antagonise SNP people" completely misses the point that Independence is much bigger than just the SNP.
#indyref2
This part of Alister Jack's interview confuses me most.
Iceland's scheme includes glass and with a population of only 370,000 vs Scotland's 5.5million, a significantly smaller market, yet French wines are available to buy there.
Iceland's scheme has been in place since 1989.
This makes me incredibly emotional. I grew up on Arran and came out as gay at 17. The homophobia I experienced in doing so was enormous. I left in 2013 and rarely go back.
To see a pride parade through the village I grew up in is heartwarming. Well done to all involved.
💷 David Phillips from the think tank
@TheIFS
says Scotland’s economy is performing better than most of the UK.
✅ Higher growth than the UK average
✅ Broad-based economy
✅ Well-educated workforce
A testament to
@theSNP
’s record in government: pro-growth and anti-poverty.
It's astounding that
@BBCScotlandNews
are allowing Glenn Campbell to continue to spout misinformation about what the
#GRRBill
does and does not do.
To be completely clear the
#GRRBill
changes nothing in the Equality Act 2010 and as such has no impact on single sex spaces.
Just to be completely clear to
@_KateForbes
being gay is not a choice.
If I could choose my sexuality I wouldn't necessarily have chosen to be a gay teenager and deal with the enormous hurt that involved. Conversion Therapy is torture nothing else.
Your views are dangerous.
I've long found
@jackiebmsp
intolerable but this is absolutely ridiculous.
Under no circumstances should the Cass Review be implemented in full in Scotland.
@scotgov
must resist these calls as the review does significantly more damage to trans kids.
The findings of the Cass Review must be implemented in Scotland.
This is important for staff, the young people with gender dysphoria & their families.
The SNP Gov’t must be transparent & give a statement about implementation of the Cass review & the use of puberty blockers.
I hope
@parkrunUK
stand their ground against this barrage of nonsense. Parkrun is a fun, non-competitive run. It is not elite sport. It is for everyone and as such removing the course records (which were just for fun) makes the point of the runs clearer.
So rather than give females their fair sports results from parkrun - where it would be very easy to add course records for transmen & transwomen, they have removed from public view all records. Not the places or records, they will still be sent all the same! Now men are annoyed (
I am absolutely baffled by Alister Jack's logic around the Deposit Return Scheme. A lot of companies, especially drinks companies, are used to operating internationally and complying with the differing laws in each country they operate in. This is just nonsense from UK Govt.
This is an absolutely abhorrent way to treat human beings.
The High Court has ruled in favour of first deportation flight to
#Rwanda
despite the UN warning that UK Government's plan is unlawful under international refugee law.
#NotInMyName
It's beyond baffling to me that people are still defending
@Keir_Starmer
's continued adoption of Tory Policies.
We are continually told by the likes of
@AnasSarwar
that a vote for
@UKLabour
is a vote for change.
I don't see much changing. Does anyone else?
It is interesting that Douglas Ross is deeply upset about being interrupted.
Yet when the Tories filibustered their way towards Christmas and when they repeatedly raise non-points of order to purely delay and disrupt Parliament they had zero issue.
Last couple of days to vote in
@theSNP
leadership election.
It is clear that if we want to continue a progressive agenda in
#Scotland
, protect minorities and remain a country where all are welcome, there is only one choice.
Vote 1 for
@HumzaYousaf
.
#HumzaForScotland
🥀 I find it really disappointing that Stirling's new Labour MP Chris Kane has used one of his first votes to vote against removing thousands of children from poverty.
Perhaps this shouldn't have came as a surprise as he has always cosied up to the Tories as council leader.
It's absolutely astounding the axe Tories continue to wield on Scottish devolution.
1st, they went after Children's Rights.
Then they went after Trans Rights.
Now they're going after DRS which will harm our ability to improve the environment.
Union of equals? I don't think.
"Your grief is my grief."
A powerful image as
@ScotGovFM
@HumzaYousaf
took time to speak with, and comfort, the mother and family of Glasgow born Bernard Cowan who was killed this weekend in Israel.
Stephen Kerr says that his constituency has significant flooding issues then goes on to talk about Brechin and Angus.
Kerr is a MSP for Central Scotland not Brechin and Angus - where he is a candidate for MP at next General Election.
Absolute nonsense.
Seeing protesters outside
#Sandyford
Clinic is awful. They do incredible work with often very vulnerable people.
It was crucially important for me as I came to terms with my sexuality as one of few places I could be frank & open about being gay. Protests would put me off.
Unsurprising to see this deeply troubling group welcomed with open arms at Tory Conference.
To be absolutely clear LGB Alliance do not speak for me. As a gay man & proud member of LGBTQ+ community I stand with my trans friends against groups like this.
#TransRightsAreHumanRights
We are in Birmingham for the Conservative Party Conference, having frank conversations, dispelling myths and raising awareness of our aims with attendees. If you're there, do feel free to come by our stall for a chat 👋
#ConservativePartyconference2022
It's absolutely no surprise that Stephen Kerr appears to be the source of this absolute nonsense.
The Tories have a huge Islamophobia problem and this is manifesting itself at every level of their party. This is simply the latest iteration. Shame on the Telegraph for publishing.
🧵I don't usually respond to smears against me or my family, but this story is so outrageous it requires a response.
Most of my political life, I've battled insinuations from sections of the media desperate to link me to terrorism despite campaigning my whole life against it.
Utterly revolting and bizarre speech from Ash Regan wanting transpeople, particularly transwomen, eradicated from public life.
I am very glad that she is no longer in
@theSNP
and was roundly dismissed by the membership in the leadership contest in favour of a pro-LGBTQ+ leader.
Absolutely smashed it
@Emma_Roddick
!
"Saying horrible things in a polite tone" is exactly what has happened in this debate in
@ScotParl
.
Meanwhile on social media and in emails & letters it has allowed many to be brazenly bigoted, hateful and downright transphobic.
#GRRBill
Ash Regan says she is resigning because of a deviation from the SNP's 2021 manifesto commitments. Yet says she resigned on GRR out of principle.
GRR was a 2021 SNP Manifesto commitment.
Messaging all over the place as usual from Ash.
“It was a distinct privilege to be elected in 2016 on an independence platform; riding the wave of optimism that the 2014 Independence referendum ignited across Scotland. And it has been an honour to serve the people of Scotland as an MSP and a Minister. Sadly, it has become
So the Tories rage about the First Minister promoting Scotland on a work trip to Washington DC whilst two Tory MSPs swan off to Spain to get spend time in a pub before going to a football match....while Parliament is sitting.
Double standards at its absolute finest.
You're part of the problem
@wesstreeting
.
Apologising to those who demonise & deliberately harm trans people is a disgraceful approach.
Labour are in a right mess around this & not one of you can explain why self-ID works successfully in numerous countries but not here.
Compare how this was handled vs that of
@HumzaYousaf
and the interruption to his speech.
@Keir_Starmer
fails to take the time to speak to them and fails to engage in any way. Floundering until security deal with the two young people protesting.
BREAKING
Two young people, on stage during Keir Starmer's speech, have been forcibly removed after unveiling a 'No more U-turns' banner and interrupting his speech. They shouted "No more U-turns" as they were led away.
Just had a meeting with charities working with Ukrainian Refugees affected by collapse of Scottish Government’s super-sponsor scheme. Their assessment is that it’s a total bin-fire.
SNP ministers were desperate for positive press for helping, but humiliatingly underprepared.
Well, the Alba Party are tearing themselves to pieces because their Women's Convener wasn't transphobic enough for them.
For a party whose sole focus is independence, they spend a lot of energy having a go at one of the most marginalised groups in society.
@elliot_gc
Out of curiosity what flag or banner do you suggest is used by those in support of Scottish independence?
Also, did you think the use of the Union Jack at Labour conference last week was potentially weaponising a flag?
So we are publicising and endorsing bigotry now?
Unfortunately women and girls do have to be fearful of predatory and abusive men. However, JK Rowling does not target them - she targets the most vulnerable in society.
#TransRightsAreHumanRights
🔺EXCLUSIVE J.K. Rowling, writing in The Sunday Times Scotland, warns Nicola Sturgeon and other MSPs that blame “will rest squarely” with them if any woman or girl suffers sexual harassment/violence due to Scottish government’s new gender recognition law
Interesting to see focus of potential leadership bids of Kate Forbes & Mairi McAllan.
There is little age difference between them yet talk focused on Mairi being "too young" is not reciprocal for Kate.
For me, where they stand on social issues are more important than age.
I mean there's a wee thing called Democracy (there's a reference to it in your name). Scotland have voted for parties with delivery of
#indyref2
in their manifestos to be in Govt. So this just looks like the SNP Govt delivering on the promises they made to the electorate.
How in the middle of a cost of living crisis, a pandemic and a refugee crisis, can the SNP government justify this spending?
This eyewatering cash spent on their pipe dream certainly amounts to a catastrophic mismanagement of public funds.
I realise my view may be controversial however I am largely ok with John Swinney's Cabinet.
Forbes, who I disagree with vehemently on social issues, has been added. The rest all have a track record of being in Government delivering progressive policies.
I'll wait & see.
1.15am and
@ScotParl
has just completed a marathon nearly 12 hours of debate on amendments to the Gender Recognition Reform Bill. Well done to all MSPs that voted this through largely unscathed.
Tomorrow,
#GRRBill
is likely to pass, making the lives of Scots trans people easier.
This is utterly disgusting. Can't hide their hatred of trans people and their lack of care for their wellbeing.
Even if they don't agree - which clearly they do not - the lack of respect is shameful.
@AnasSarwar
You don't actually answer his question though. You simply shift attention.
Why are you sanctioning coalitions, whether formal or otherwise, with the Tories across Scotland's councils?
I am incredibly proud to be part of bringing a LGBTQ+ Pride event to Stirling for the very first time later this year.
We have just launched our crowdfunder and it would be fantastic if folk were able to donate or share as widely as they can.
Great video. Biggest thing for me that
#independence
brings is the ability to hold our Government to account.
At present, with our votes only a fraction of the UK total, we have no leverage to remove a UK Govt we don't agree with, leaving us powerless to their whims.
#IndyRef
🏴 Scotland's future is up to all people who live in Scotland, not politicians at Westminster.
📺 What is the independence debate really about? Cut through the noise and share our latest film.
The Progress flag represents the highly contested view that people, including children, can change their sex.
I disagree with that view.
Yet the Progress flag is flown on government buildings, by the police, NHS & armed forces.
It’s a symbol of our failure as Conservatives.
59% or Scots see immigration as positive with only 18% seeing immigration as negative.
Majority agree migrants have positive impact on economy (56%), bring new ideas &boost innovation (52%), bring new people to areas which need them (58%), & enrich Scottish cultural life (60%).
It still is, along with the TQ+. You can be a Furry and LGBTQ+ because there's a person inside the costume.
You can also be an ally of LGBTQ+ people without being LGBTQ+. Fantastic to see 50,000 people in attendance at
#GlasgowPride
today. Sorry a few folk dressed up upsets you.
@MhairiHunter
My dad has been a Tory voter for 45 years but switched in 2021 to SNP as felt Nicola Sturgeon was a good leader and felt the Tories were standing for the "wrong things now". I nearly had heart failure when he told me how he voted!
"If we focus on the practicalities we won't win."
So that means that even Rishi Sunak can see the impractical nature of devolution and the issues being caused by remaining within the UK. Scotland is being held back and
#indyref2
is only way to resolve that.
#YouYesYet
When my grandparents emigrated here they emigrated to the United Kingdom.
That’s because it represented a set of values and ideas, and it’s those values and ideas that are precious and that form the bond of the Union.
#Ready4Rishi
This is utter cowardice from
@AnasSarwar
.
Being forced to abandon his principles and those of "
@ScottishLabour
" to ensure his boss
@Keir_Starmer
gains power.
The LGBTQ+ Community and our allies are watching and we are distinctly unimpressed.
NEW: slight change on Scot Lab gender policy?
Anas Sarwar - who voted for Scottish bill - told me “we perhaps should have been harder in terms of (support) being conditional on the amendments that we put forward on that legislation”
Refused to say he’d back the bill again
What is it with
@BBCNews
That they consistently manage to ignore what is happening in Scotland and no mention on
@BBCScotlandNews
. There were large protests in both Glasgow and Edinburgh today and smaller ones in other cities.
It is completely clear that Alister Jack's reasoning for invoking Section 35 of the Scotland Act has nothing to do with safeguarding women and children and everything to do with Tory ideology and bigotry.
#GRRBill
Pam you were a strong voice in this debate. However, the Scottish Government have worked cross party to get the bill through in the Scottish Parliament. Amendments from across the Chamber were voted through, including your own. This is a very disappointing response.
3. It’s high time both govs got round the table, acted like grown ups & sorted this out.
Every moment they waste playing games, trans people look on in despair as their lives are used as a political football, & everyone can see two govs incapable of governing. It is intolerable.
@PompeySteph
I disagree Steph. I haven't seen any attacks on individual MPs. I have however seen many calling out Wes Streeting. Attacks aren't correct but calling out individuals in positions of power is completely legitimate.
Love a wee visit to
@NtlMuseumsScot
National Museum of Scotland. Lovely to see it busy and full of noise, excitement and laughter! Oh and the obligatory windy trip to the Roof Terrace!
"We want you to win" is not a phrase that anybody should be uttering during this horrendous episode in Gaza and Israel.
NOBODY is winning in this.
In fact, humanity is a massive loser in this situation.
@RishiSunak
your rhetoric is seriously disturbing - you must rethink.
Ben Bradley still trying to defend Boris Johnson's horrendous lying, hypocrisy and lawbreaking around
#partygate
. Typical Tory smug behaviour on display and continuously hiding behind Ukraine is disgusting.
#PoliticsLive
I'm not convinced Keir Starmer has any understanding of Scottish politics. Labour sold their souls to save the Union. A Union that at least 50% of the population have no interest in saving.
If people move away from the SNP I highly doubt it will be to Labour at this stage.
I am so sorry
@IndiaWilloughby
has to sit and listen to this disgusting rhetoric coming out of
@Ella_M_Whelan
.
It is also very notable that it appears to only be men in the audience applauding Ella's comments.
#QuestionTime
@Emma_Roddick
Weird choice to silence the areas first out parliamentarian in favour of allowing a straight male speak. Surely they could have accommodated both of you at the very least?
@Skipinnish
Having grown up on island with Scotland's first No Take Zone, it has not been detrimental to island's economy, community or people. It has however improved fish stocks & regenerated the seabed. As long as HPMAs are in right places they can be beneficial to fishers & communities.
Kate's faith is not the issue.
Issue is that she is allowing her faith to guide her policy position rather than looking outward. Her view on many social issues don't align with majority in Scotland.
Contrast this with
@HumzaYousaf
who has not let his faith guide his position.
“I think there has been far more scrutiny of my faith as a result of being a Christian”
SNP leadership candidate Kate Forbes says that “people of faith have the right to occupy high office”
#BBCLauraK
Main take aways for me from the
@cabaretagainst
rally were;
1. The enormous positivity & feeling of community
@cabaretagainst
.
2.
#LetWomenSpeak
supporters deliberately walking amongst the
@cabaretagainst
with bodycams. For why?
3. The generational divide between two rallies.
The appointment of
@KemiBadenoch
as Women and Equalities Minister is an enormous step backwards for women's rights, LGBTQ+ rights and abortion rights.
Her record of voting and her rhetoric around transpeople and buffer zones leave a lot to be desired. Very worrying choice.
@CllrScottArthur
She may have been professional but she was also a vile transphobe contributing little for a number of years bar fuel to stoke the culture wars.
Congratulations
@HumzaYousaf
on winning
@theSNP
leadership.
Looking forward to continuing to strive for a more progressive and inclusive
#Scotland
.
As my Granny just said, "Doesn't matter where you're from Scotland is your home."
I'm a huge Eurovision fan and normally I'd be settling down to watch tonight's semi-final.
However, as millions face imminent risk of death in Rafah, I cannot in good conscience watch a song contest that has failed to remove Israel from the competition.
#BoycottEurovision2024
A debate about equality in the Scottish Parliament and Meghan Gallacher chooses to attack trans people as per usual.
The Tories' attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people is utterly abhorrent.
We exist, get over it.
So
@Rachael2Win
manages to waste yet another hour lodging nonsense that was swiftly and rightly refused by the Presiding Officer then
@JeremyRBalfour
has the nerve to complain about Portfolio Questions being delayed. Do the Tories realise we can all see this pathetic behaviour?
This couldn't be more disappointing.
Starmer has repeatedly u-turned on important policies for LGBTQ+ people including self-id, Gender Recognition Reform and conversion therapy ban.
He is no friend of the LGBTQ+ community.
Tonight was the LGBT+ History Month reception for Labour Members of Parliament & the House of Lords held in partnership with Emerald Life.
CEO of
@SchoolsOUTUK
Professor Emeritus
@suesanders03
was delighted to attend & talk about this year's theme.
#UnderTheScope
#LGBTplusHM
Just dropped off stuff that I'd collected from folk in the village to go to
#Ukraine
. Bridge of Allan Church had a constant stream of people with donations, street was mobbed and the volume of donations was unbelievable. I wish it wasn't needed but the generosity is heartwarming.
Hardly an "exclusive interview" when
@joannacherry
has been "cancelled" to the extent of being interviewed by yourselves, Times Radio & the BBC.
She has a platform. I dont agree with her views on gender and I find her framing of why her show has been cancelled disingenuous.
In an exclusive interview with us this morning,
@joannaccherry
has confirmed that she would like
@StandComedyClub
to reconsider the cancellation of her Fringe appearance in August - which she says is discriminatory
This is the view of the majority of cis women in the UK when it comes to trans rights. The vocal minority of "gender critical" individuals (oddly a lot of whom are male) is not the true voice of women.
Parkrun is facing a backlash over its decision to scrap all-time records after a row over transgender athletes taking female records.
Sky's
@mattuthompson
has been speaking to runners in Clapham this morning to get their reaction
📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602
Independence support has more than doubled in the last 10 years.
It is clear that Scotland & England are on different paths. It is time for
#indyref2
.
We will always have strong links with RoUK but we need independence to truly thrive.
#YouYesYet