Exciting news…
I’ve been chosen to pitch a book I’ve been attempting to write to a panel of professionals at
@BloodyScotland
!
Think Scottish politics meets Murder, She Wrote 🕵️♀️
Better get writing ✍️
Thank you for all your brilliant Pitch Perfect entries! So, without further ado, we'd like to introduce you to this year's cohort... Top L to bottom R: Alys Cummings, Pam Plumb, Ewan A. Dougall, Cara Scott-Morrison, Hannah Brown, Gordon Thompson, Anne Farquharson, Cheralyn Wilcox
Glasgow has become the UK's 'first feminist city' - ie the first city in the UK to adopt a feminist town planning approach after councillors backed a motion from Green Councillor
@cllrhollybruce
.
Excl interview with Holly before the motion passed:
💼Job news💼
Very excited to be joining the
@STVNews
team as a production journalist in Edinburgh starting on Halloween 🎃 with my new boss
@NicholaKane_
I've enjoyed being part of the politics team at
@TheScotsman
but looking forward to stepping into the broadcast world. 📽️
Exciting development for feminist town planners...
EXCL:
@cllrhollybruce
will set out a motion to embed a feminist town planning approach into planning policy - if passed, Glasgow would be the first city in the UK to adopt such an approach.
🍁Personal job news 🍁
After a great year with
@ScotlandTonight
and
@STVNews
I’m off to be a political reporter for
@ITVBorderRB
starting on Thursday!
I’ll mainly be based at the Scottish Parliament - so can’t wait to get back 👩💼
Pleased to say I'm starting a new role as a politics reporter for
@TheScotsman
from Monday onwards. It's been a pleasure to work in the best ever live team and this is definitely not goodbye as I'll still be covering breaking news - but this time it's purely political!
Fergus Ewing statement post suspension news:
"Am I to pretend that these promises were never made or to gull my constituents into thinking they have been treated fairly when they clearly have not? I choose to defend my constituents and Iet the cards fall as they will."
The much-awaited abortion care summit convened by
@NicolaSturgeon
is today in Edinburgh.
The aim? To establish what can be done with buffer zones as well as short term action to protect women from anti abortion protesters in Scotland.
I’ll be there with updates from midday.
An award-winning athlete and politics graduate,
@ellieokwilson
highlights how rape survivors like her are often given less support by universities than their perpetrators.
She’s calling for change on
@STVNews
Catch up on STV Player for the full report.
Anticipating the participation of Ebrahim Raisi, president of the Iranian Regime and known as ‘the butcher of Iran’, at Cop26, it’s heartbreaking to hear from Farzaneh Majidi who lost five family members in what she and the NCRI claims was a genocide involving the Iranian leader.
The UK Supreme Court has ruled the safe access zone bill is compatible with the convention rights of freedom expression and is within legislative competence. Huge news for Scotland’s progress with similar legislation.
My immediate reaction to this was to blame myself for posting on the thread because I had grown so used to the kind of behaviour that spawns from threads like this.
This is how ingrained into our society sexism is and an important footnote for anyone who disagrees.
A female journalist asks for permission to use a video on Twitter, and this is the kind of abhorrent, disgusting abuse she has to put up with. This needs to stop. Be better,
#bekind
.
UK parliament has a free vote on buffer zones in England and Wales between 5 and 6pm today. SNP MPs are set to abstain despite this affecting all clinics where Scottish women have to travel...
Plugging this story once more to show the impact:
EXCLUSIVE:
@MonicaLennon7
and women's groups across Scotland have called on
@NicolaSturgeon
to hold an 'emergency summit' as women's healthcare in the face of anti-abortion protests has reached a ‘critical point’.
Feminist Town Planning: “Women already understood the reality of safety in Glasgow. Actually undertaking the research allowed us to put data backing behind that.”
Thanks to
@elenasoper
@KimSomerside
@activistlawyer2
for chatting to me about this great project for
@scotonsunday
Hand in hand come
@NicolaSturgeon
and Susan Aitken as SNP hold on to the most votes by a single thread.
GLASGOW RESULTS
SNP: 37
LABOUR: 36
GREEN: 10
CONSERVATIVES: 2
Such an issue with Blackford not mentioning Chris Pincher’s victim- underpinning the recent resignation flood. We know why (Patrick Grady) but being unable to talk about sexual harassment just because you might be called a hypocrite? Not good.
Campaigners welcome news of buffer zones passing in England and Wales, however, name the SNP MPs’ abstention on the vote an “utter disgrace”as women across Scotland have to travel to England for later abortions -
@backoffscotland
@BPAS1968
@MonicaLennon7
Delays to amending the gender recognition process in Scotland have "opened up a space for hateful discourse fuelled by misinformation", says
@elliebgomersall
chair of
@scotyounggreens
A
@scotonsunday
read and online via:
EXCLUSIVE: Scotland’s largest trade union body, STUC, is expected to back buffer zones at abortion clinics today.
The UCU will bring forward the motion in a bid to put pressure on the Scottish Government to implement the zones.
Suffragettes who were specially trained in jujutsu- what more could you want on a Sunday morning?? 🥷👩🏫
Very pleased my story on the Battle of Glasgow got a double page in
@scotonsunday
today ☺️
Big thanks to author Tony Wolf and
@natlibscot
#buyapaper
Here at
#COP26
this week and I’m keen to speak to young people and Glaswegians about their experiences of climate change and COP throughout the week. If this is you, please drop me a message/ email (in bio) and say hiya.
Went to an event where I was told, very aggressively, I could not question “a man of such stature” on issues like Scottish independence. His “stature” is exactly why I should be questioning him. No one should be so privileged as to avoid scrutiny.
Lethal Walk - drivers making illegal turns at the London Road junction 🚗 ❌I spoke with campaigners, the public and
@CllrScottArthur
about this problem and more issues on Leith Walk. First news package on
@STVNews
tonight 👀
.
@Ianblackford_MP
says it's amazing the PM survived until PMQs.
- "Easy to forget only ten days ago the PM was dreaming of a third term."
- Compares
@BorisJohnson
to the dead parrot in a second Monty Python reference.
- Asks PM to allow indyref2
I spoke to
@backoffscotland
for
@STVNews
who said the Supreme Court ruling on the NI buffer zones bill is a "green light" to proceed with the safe access zone bill in Scotland as "quickly as possible".
Confident, under
@NicolaSturgeon
leadership, this will be achieved.
Today was my last day working for the amazing team in Edinburgh for
@STVNews
as I go on to pastures new
@ScotlandTonight
Very much looking forward to joining my new team but super grateful for all the fab support from the team in the Capital.
Following certain claims, I spoke to experts about abortion care in Scotland.
Anyone undergoing a medical procedure has to provide 'informed consent' which relies on staff informing patients about the 'pros and cons'.
Hope this helps
@JohnMasonMSP
NEW: Scottish Government U-turns on approach to nationalising anti-abortion buffer zones
FM expressed support to “legislate nationally” in order to ensure a “consistency of approach”.
@backoffscotland
My first proper visit to the Witches’ Well in Edinburgh today. Sadly, it’s so small in comparison to the countless statues dedicated to men (and animals) in the city and elsewhere in Scotland. Be interesting to see whether a national monument will be erected
@witchesofscotl1
Our editorial led by
@SalmondSalmond
is clear: we need urgent action on abortion issues in Scotland.
I explore the “deep-rooted” misogyny behind the anti-abortion protests in this week’s
@scotonsunday
as women’s autonomy is neglected.
Thank you to every voice in this article.
.
@scottishgreens
will debate cutting ties with the Green Party of England and Wales at their party conference in October.
A motion was submitted by
@rainbowgreens
highlighting 'transphobia' concerns.
Super excited to announce that I'll be working full time as a local democracy reporter (beginning late July) for the
@FFP
🥳
Can't wait to get started! I'll be there for three months reporting on local democracy and other stories around the area.
I am not a football fan (I bet you are shocked) but saying fans 'tend to prefer to walk back' as you announce no rail replacement services after a major football match just strikes fear in me for a minister who says she wants to enhance women's safety.
EXCLUSIVE: ‘I travelled to England at 16 for an abortion…this can’t be the norm’ - this woman’s traumatic experience highlights the worrying gap in abortion healthcare in Scotland. 🧵
Jamie Shuttleworth was one of the loveliest people I have ever met.
In the brief time I knew him, he was so supportive, kind, helpful and funny.
I told him I presented a local radio show and the next week he sent me this video of him dancing away to it.
A true, caring gem.
Feminist town planning centres the needs and perspectives of women in decisions around infrastructure and design of public spaces. Changes to the city’s infrastructure could include wider pavements to accommodate buggies, more lighting in parks, and safer active travel routes.
"The chief executive of Raith Rovers looked me straight in the eye and said, ‘The club has no interest in Goodwillie whatsoever. I agree with you, we shouldn’t sign someone like that.’
"Next thing I know, she’s negotiating his transfer."
@valmcdermid
A list of how 40 Days for Life has defined abortion, a legal right here in the UK:
- "sin"
-"murder"
- "scourge"
-"convenient"
How women are defined:
- "vessels"
More than two-thirds of Scots supported the introduction of buffer zones, according to a recent
Savanta ComRes poll.
EXCLUSIVE:
@jasonleitch
and
@DrGregorSmith
have said there is "no evidence" informed consent is not sought by abortion providers following claims made by SNP MSP John Mason.
@MonicaLennon7
Abortion Service Safe Access Zones bill brought forward by
@GillianMacMSP
has been passed in the Scottish parliament.
Vote:
Yes: 118
No: 1
No abstentions
My page two in today’s paper focuses on the fear of Scotland becoming the Texas of the UK over anti-abortion protests.
Thanks to
@GJIrwin
@Gemma_clark14
and
@backoffscotland
for chatting to me about this.
Many women are tired, angry, heartbroken and scared.
Men, we can hear your silence loud and clear and it’s killing us.
My first opinion piece for
@TheScotsman
on women’s safety being an issue men need to fix.
Three centuries after the horrific treatment of women and others under the Witchcraft Act in Scotland, an apology could finally be granted in 2022.
Positive news from the
@witchesofscotl1
campaign and
@NatalieDon_
- great to see it getting coverage!
He harks back to the "old SNP", saying: "The SNP I joined would never have asked me, or indeed any other elected politician, to choose between loyalty to Party and loyalty to constituents... in the old SNP it was always expected that country and constituency would come first. "
Following the response,
@MonicaLennon7
has called on the SNP to "properly reprimand"
@JohnMasonMSP
The Labour MSP told
@TheScotsman
: “Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP cannot allow John Mason to spout this baseless nonsense. He should be properly reprimanded by his party.”
As the dust settles on the latest abortion care summit, women and campaigners voice their frustration over ‘lack of action’ around the implementation of buffer zones. Scot Gov has not yet given a timescale on when these zones could be put in place.
Last day as the LDR for the
@FFP
under the watch of
@FifeFreePressEd
- great team of reporters there who have been so supportive!
Next week, I'll start my role as a live reporter for
@TheScotsman
with new boss
@josephcawthorn
. Can't wait to join the team! 🥳✨
Scenes on Kenmure Street today after crowds gather round to stop police and UK border agency allegedly attempting to deport two men who, bystanders claims, are Indian brothers.
One protestor is currently under police van.
“Refugees are weegies” and “let them go”- some chants.
Had yet another encounter which emphasised how much we need feminist town planning. Helped out a mum who was trying to dismantle a pram in a narrow train aisle whilst looking after a baby. “I can see why people don’t do this” she told me.
“The poorest in our society have been affected the most”
Got drenched on my run this morning and was so grateful I had the warmth of a home to come back to. Imagine not having that.
Big thanks to
@CouperSave
and
@SaveWhiteinch
for chatting to me for
@scotonsunday
#LibrariesSoS
TW: sexual assault
If I’m correct, these are the same men who were questioning why rape is “wrong”.
My heart goes out to those impacted.
Can we expect emergency legislation to stop these people tormenting women and those accessing clinics right now
@MareeToddMSP
@NicolaSturgeon
?
"We will shout loudly about all our libraries bring and why they must always be protected."
Having grown up as a wee dweeb who sought comfort in the sanctuary of a library, I love this from
@SalmondSalmond
and
@scotonsunday
Read more here 👇
“I was already in floods of tears in the car…and I just remember looking at this image of a dead baby.”
Very grateful to all the women who spoke to me about their experiences of abortion and the protests for
@scotonsunday
A reminder: SNP MPs voted before on English and NI abortion legislation and EVEL was scrapped over a year ago.
@joannaccherry
also spoke during the Public Order Bill debate yesterday saying protest law affects ppl traveling from Scotland to England to protest.
Campaigners welcome news of buffer zones passing in England and Wales, however, name the SNP MPs’ abstention on the vote an “utter disgrace”as women across Scotland have to travel to England for later abortions -
@backoffscotland
@BPAS1968
@MonicaLennon7
The study by researchers at Edinburgh Napier University aims to shed a light on the 150 condemned ‘witches’ recorded on the Survey of Scottish Witchcraft as being folk healers and midwives.
Today marks a year since the Kenmure Street protest. Looking back on the action people took for their neighbours makes me proud to call Glasgow my home ❤️
“The word witch can be replaced with the word woman” ||
Great chatting to
@healandharrow
and
@Nighneag
for
@TheScotsman
about their new project which will focus on stories around women accused of witchcraft in Scotland.
@witchesofscotl1
EXCL: The number of women travelling from Scotland to England to receive abortion care has more than doubled in the past year, according to figures from
@BPAS1968
seen exclusively by
@STVNews
Great to discuss the topic of abortion care live tonight with
@RealMacKaySTV
Surely, there should be significant concern from the SNP and
@NicolaSturgeon
on Mason coming out with these claims.
@DrGregorSmith
said “there is no evidence to suggest” doctors and staff don’t seek informed consent.
Would also be keen to see these ‘divisive’ Shettleston numbers
Literally the day after Roe is overturned and we’ve got
@JohnMasonMSP
stating that:
- Women in Scotland are being pressured into abortions
- Clinics are giving limited information on the ‘pros and cons’ of abortion
This is untrue and dangerous rhetoric.
I had the pleasure of exploring lessons that can be learned from
@womenslibrary
and other libraries when it comes to feminist town planning for the
@scotonsunday
support our libraries campaign.
Findings: women and books = iconic duo. 📚
A bill to implement anti-abortion protest buffer zones outside hospitals and clinics across Scotland to “protect women from harassment” has been launched by
@GillianMacMSP
@backoffscotland
EXCLUSIVE: Scottish Government will host a second abortion summit at the end of this month to discuss action at local authority level to protect women harassed by anti-abortion protesters outside clinics.
@backoffscotland
@MonicaLennon7
@MareeToddMSP
Introducing the safe access zone bill at stage one,
@GillianMacMSP
tells MSPs of one woman who was shouted at and followed by two men as she tried to access abortion services.
The MSP thanks groups such as
@backoffscotland
for their help in getting the bill to this stage.
“Given misogyny in the modern day, I hope other parties will see that this is a positive thing.” -
@NatalieDon_
Women seeking a pardon for those persecuted as ‘witches’ have been invited to speak at Parliament.
@witchesofscotl1
@madisonmitchel1
The first ever female editor of The Herald and how lucky are they to have it be Catherine? A great manager but primarily a friend, I will truly miss Catherine but this is such an achievement for women in the industry.
I am delighted to announce I will soon be taking over as editor of
@heraldscotland
. It is an absolute honour and I am eager to meet my new team and get to work.
Two children (aged 10 and 12) from Germany abseiling off the squinty bridge in Glasgow during
#COP26
They originally had a sign saying Humanity is Failing.
On
@PaisleyFM
tonight, I’m presenting an ‘alternative’ Burns Night where I’m talking about the lives of great Scottish women. Of course there are too many to name but it’s fun to celebrate Scottish culture through great women for once! Tune in from 6-8pm.🏴 🥃
“It is an insult to each and every survivor of rape or sexual violence, and it sends a ruinous message to impressionable boys and young men that they can behave and act however they like...” ||
Important piece from
@MartynMcL
for
@TheScotsman
A great week doing work experience! Thrilled to have this published on page 3 of
@TheScotsman
and
@edinburghpaper
.
Looking forward to what next week has in store ✨
Getting told off for taking a picture of the Finnieston Crane was an interesting experience but I’ll accept it for the free travel pass- be nice if everyone else in Glasgow could have access to it.
#cop26
“There’s people out in the street who have no idea what this is about.”
Pleasure to speak to Kate from
@2050ClimateGrp
on how
#COP26
is affecting young people across Scotland and the world.
"As someone who has been through clinic harassment, I would be really interested to know who would want to sign up to this, who would want to speak to them as I know I wouldn’t.
"The safeguarding there is really dangerous."
@backoffscotland
@DrPamLowe
I was already uncomfortable in a room filled with people triple my age and making condescending comments to me. Lovely people were met too but I can’t help but think the perception of young women in Scottish politics needs to change.
Abortion in the
@theSNP
manifesto today. States all women “should” have access to timely and safe care. Right now, all Scottish health boards can’t provide abortions over the 20 week gestation period. The legal limit is 24 weeks and Scottish women have to travel to England.
EXCL:A resolution has been submitted to the SNP party conference outlining calls for the Scottish Government to make creating specialist late-term abortion services a “priority”.
Huge congrats to
@backoffscotland
and
@GillianMacMSP
. I’ve worked with Lucy and Alice from the campaign on stories across this year and their intelligence and determination has always shone through. Movements like this are vital in ensuring women’s voices are heard.