The Attack Of The Purity Police
One week out from a general election, the SNP are busy purging the “problematic”, as seen in this footage captured by a terrified bystander tonight somewhere in Fife.
The latest victim of the Waffen YSI, the party’s ultra-pious “woke” youth battalion, is Denise Findlay, a recently-elected member of the party’s Conduct Committee. She was targeted because she’s a gender-critical feminist opposed to the transgender cult which exerts a wildly disproportionate influence in the SNP upper echelons, supported enthusiastically by the First Minister.
She follows on the heels of Kirkcaldy & Cowdenbeath candidate Neale Hanvey, who last week was suspended from the party – without even a hearing – on a ludicrously trumped-up charge of “anti-Semitism” dredged up by SNP woke youth, namely that three-and-a-half years ago he shared an article (written by someone else) about billionaire financier George Soros and money-laundering, which at no point mentioned either Israel or Jewish people, even obliquely.
This led to the extraordinary farce of the SNP leader not only withdrawing all support and party funds, but publicly ordering party members not to campaign for Hanvey, in the near-certain knowledge that this would gift the seat to a Unionist party (it’s currently held, by fewer than 300 votes, by hapless Labour idiot and shadow Scottish Secretary, Lesley Laird).
Hanvey, like Findlay, was brought down not by political opponents or the media but by members of his own party, as punishment for signing the SNP Women’s Pledge.
This entirely innocuous document, which has been signed by over 3000 people, asserts the commitment to a number of uncontroversial women’s rights.
But it’s regarded with absolutely toxic fury by transgender activists within the party, who view anything other than complete and unquestioning submission to the claim that “transwomen are women” to be a thoughtcrime meriting instant expulsion.
Having failed to drive out candidates and officebearers for the crime of disputing whether women have penises or not, the trans faction changed tack last week and began scouring the social media history of “offenders” for content which could be misrepresented as “anti-Semitic”, since anti-Semitism is an issue which enjoys more widespread public traction, and Hanvey and Findlay are the first to be victimised.
(The tactic was likely inspired by last year’s Labour-driven witch-hunt against SNP member, former journalist and blogger Gareth “Grouse Beater” Wardell, although that case had no connection to the trans issue.)
Findlay’s tweets concerned the disputed definition of anti-Semitism which says that likening any actions of the Israeli state to actions of Nazi Germany automatically equates to hatred of the Jews, no matter how directly valid the comparison might be in any given situation.
This site has no intention of wading into the politics of the Middle East, but it is not controversial to note that some of Israel’s actions against the Palestinian people have been widely condemned worldwide for human-rights abuses on a massive and grave scale. It cannot be acceptable to simply forbid the observation of facts as intrinsically constituting anti-Semitic bigotry, because that gives one state alone a free pass to crimes against humanity.
But in any event, those attacking the likes of Neale Hanvey and Denise Findlay care absolutely nothing about Jewish people. Their sole goal is to use spurious allegations of anti-Semitism as a tool to purge the SNP of “wrongthinkers” – and in Findlay’s specific case to remove from the party’s Conduct Committee someone who might have blocked similar attacks by the Woke Thought Police on other “undesirables”.
This is the SNP’s own Night Of The Long Knives, but with more colourful handles.
(Naturally Wings itself has also been on the receiving end of these smears, but since we answer to nobody but our readers they have no effect.)
(We’ve also been the subject today of a lengthy renewed diatribe from the extreme trans fundamentalist currently ironically occupying the office of SNP Women’s Convener, Rhiannon Spear, who lambasted this site’s hundreds of thousands of readers – around a quarter of the SNP’s total vote in the 2017 election – as a slavish “cult” fit only to be condemned and shunned by all right-thinking nationalists.)
These activities would have been bad enough at any time. To undertake them days before perhaps the most crucial general election in living memory, sabotaging the party’s own prospects (Hanvey was suspended well after the deadline for replacing candidates, so there’s now no official SNP representative on the ballot) and very likely increasing the number of Unionist seats, is unforgivable narcissistic destructiveness.
We can only assume that the Woko Haram Misogyny Juniors in the party looked at the havoc a manufactured anti-Semitism crisis has wreaked in Labour and decided “Hey, what we really need is a piece of THAT super-fun action. Denunciations a-go-go!“
All of it is taking place with the tacit (and sometimes explicit) approval of the First Minister. This site can no longer stand by silently and watch the Yes movement be destroyed by infiltrators and entryists who have hijacked the SNP as a vehicle to undemocratically force through their own massively unpopular agenda, with no interest in the party’s primary goal.
(Many have openly said they’d rather not vote at all than vote for SNP candidates who believe in single-sex rights for women. Others, astonishingly, have expressed a wish to go to Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath and actively campaign for Labour.)
So we’ll say what we’ve felt for quite a while now but bitten our tongue on in the name of the movement: regardless of the outcome of next week’s election, Nicola Sturgeon needs to stand down, and the sooner the better. In this site’s view, there is no chance whatsoever of independence being achieved under her leadership, and to be honest it’s been some time since we’ve believed she was even trying.
The woke-infested SNP is a trainwreck. It’s time to get it back on the track.
Sturgeon resign ?
When Scotland on eve of independence.
The mask has slipped!
I so hope you’re wrong.
The comments following this article are going to be very juicy. I wonder how many SNP MPs/MSPs will read it or Wings regularly?
Sadly I have to agree with you Stu. The SNP are being destro yed from within its own ranks and seem unwilling or unable to deal with the problem.
Remember when we were going to shake up British politics?t
I never thought that meant what is happening now.
When the pafty thinks jt is above its members then it is in trouble. Forgeting your core support in favour of a minority grouping is never a good way to go.
That favouratism also comes at the price of womens rights, and none of the women in my life support it at all.
I will vote SNP for now, but there will have to be some coordinatsd plan to get things back on track within the party, before I vote for them in future.
Do they really feel these isxues create no anger?
Oh dear oh dear.
She’s not perfect, who is?
But at this point in time, it is absolute madness to be calling for her to stand down?
This has been on the cards for a long time.Expect hell to pay from the faithful and woke on an unprecedented level tho, no hammers required,no signature LOL
I know Denise, we campaigned together for the same group here in Dundee in IndyRef1. She also very kindly gave me lifts home on more than one occasion. Saving me from the bus.
She is intelligent, warm and friendly, so to see and hear people who do not know her attack her like this is absolutely awful. Especially by young people who were too young to campaign back then so have no idea what it was like or how we were received by people in the community.
vote for snp cancelled after 25/30 yrs.
Actually Stu, I have a question for you. What would replacing Nicola Sturgeon achieve and who should be party leader?
Vote SNP. People are dying under Tory Rule.
Nothing else matters.
can’t disagree with any of this post, rev
the timing of these activities is truly suspect
its like custers’ last stand
the infiltraters at their most effective
thankfully the general public are outside this bubble
the next 7 days will be even more interesting
god only knows who’s really pulling the strings tho
SNP majority on 12 dec, then one almighty purge
You’re a true indy supporter, Stu.
I saw this retweeted on the WOS Twitter page this afternoon…
“Ricky Gervais
?Verified account @rickygervais
23h23 hours ago
Ricky Gervais Retweeted
It’s disgusting that a qualified gynaecologist can refuse to check a lady’s cock for ovarian cancer. What if her bollocks are pregnant? She could lose the baby. I’m outraged.”
It struck me enough to mention to my boss, “See all this furore about gender self-ID?” He said, “What?”
He didn’t see gender self-ID as a major ‘thing’. He, and my other workmate who was present, both opined that there are three genders: male, female and transgender.
It’s up to members of the SNP to get rid of this preoccupation with self-ID before it destroys the party.
As far as I’m aware, a consultation is ongoing. As the Rev points out, this witch-hunt in the days before the most important general election for decades would appear to be, ultimately, suicidal.
It would seem that independence is not the priority of those targetting the likes of Hanvey and Findlay. Have the members of the SNP, who do not believe in the party’s raison d’etre, become members to pursue their own agenda, which relegates the fight for independence?
“The management” of the party have to get a grip!
Is MI5 now running this site . . BYE
I never thought I’d say this but NS should go. She’s never going to stand up to those TRAs and as long as they pull the strings, independence isn’t going to happen.
It really is heartbreaking to read this knowing that you agree with every word of it, I also believe that there is no chance of Independence being delivered under Nicola, there are those in the party who I strongly believe can see the damage being done but like most of us have probably been biting their tongues at least until this election is over, things must change at the start of next year and change drastically or else we can kiss goodbye to Independence for the foreseeable future. I will vote SNP in this election simply because as bad as things are within the party they are still the only credible option for Scotland and also because I find it difficult to let go of the hope but I honestly believe this will be the last election they will win unless radical changes are made.
The SNP get my vote at this election but with great reluctance. The alternative for me is Douglas Red Red Card Ross who is a particularly odious Yoon.
I for one wont be surprised if they end up with less seats than last time just for their obvious failure to actively promote Indy alone as they endeavor to be a Stop Brexit Party.
I question again if the Thought Police now controlling the upper echelons of the SNP are not Brit State Agents such is the damage they are doing.
I agree with you about the “woke” influence in the SNP, but at the same time trans gender does represent a problem that cannot just be wished away, and needs resolution acceptable to all.
At the same time, the manner of its pursuit by its zealots is unacceptable and needs to be faced down. Nicola has argued in one of the debates she has been involved in – so many it’s hard to say which – that she supports the rights of trans people but at the same time has been a feminist all of her life. In short, right now, she is trying to ride two horses and we all know where that lands you.
However, it is hard to see how this issue has much relevance for independence, and indeed how much traction it has for the wider Scottish populace – the man/ woman on the Easterhouse bus? With regard to Hanvey there is a sort of moral panic – and indeed an over-heated sense of political correctness – about anti-semitism that has largely focused on the Labour. The chance to suggest that there are significant others in other parties – and up here particularly the SNP – is one that was too good to miss. If that had not been the case, I wonder if it could have been used against Hanvey? The origins of the anti-semite campaign against Labour are many – some outside the party, some within looking to get at Corbyn. Sadly while the pic you present of Shulamit Alami would be my view as well, the fact is that it is an argument that has considerable traction and used effectively by the Israeli govt. We are where we are.
Stewart I have my gripes with the FM – I have had for the last five or six years about how for much of that time she has almost apologetic about independence – but for her to resign over this is too much of an over-reaction. Lets get Thursday week over before anything else. Then lance this particular boil. Too late now.
I’ve said it before. A number of the higher echelons of the SNP are happy to be a big fish in a small pond and are feart of the repercussions of independence when folk will then have a wider choice of parties to vote for.
I’d include NS in this group.
This brings us back to a problem that I’ve mentioned before here. It came down to a basic choice of voting SNP or one of the other parties. If you, like me, strongly desire Scottish independence, there is NO CHOICE in Scotland. You are forced to vote SNP.
Again, as I’ve said umpteen times here and elsewhere, Sturgeon is a charlatan and has cost Scotland it’s best shot of independence with her crusade against Brexit. If there was a choice, there is no way on Earth that I would have voted SNP with her as leader.
There was an article in the Grauniad a day or two ago where readers were offered to submit a question to the SNP. I asked a pretty hard question, so I expect it to be body swerved but if for some reason, it is selected to be answered, I’ll be broadcasting my question and their answer as far and wide as I can.
Because Sturgeon deserves it.
Well
That’s definitely your church door in Wittenberg moment.
Is this the time to put this link here instead of the previous thread?
link to twitter.com
I do hope this site has been hacked. Timing? “One week out from a general election….” is how this article begins in rightly condemning the purge, then goes on to commit the same folly.
I’ve been struggling for a very long time with Nicola’s leadership but like you have kept reasonably quiet until something like this occurs.
I voted for Denise because something needs to shift in the Nat Exec, but she’s been got rid of, so when people say fight from within to change, I’ll say this, we’ve been trying but no one is listening.
I really feel for Denise, she’s been telling loads of people in recent weeks who’ve had enough,, to hang on in there and this is her reward.
There are dangerous toxic, racist, people in the SNP and despite not covering up any of their nastiness, they get a free pass because they’re part of the woke brigade.
So for those saying people like me are plants etc,you’re looking in the wrong place.
Stu
I respect your right to express your views about the SNP and Nicola Sturgeon.
As you know, I have had a lot to say about the SNP and Nicola too. I have also had to suffer abuse as a result of the criticisms I have made.
However, I think the time to discuss these matters is BEFORE and AFTER the election.
This election is for Westminster; it has NOTHING to do with the SNP’s Holyrood policies.
For now, I have only one thing to say about the SNP:
Please, Vote SNP.
Completely agree.
I was at a meeting the other with 9 other people round the table, all grown up professionals living in Scotland. Not a single one had heard about self-ID. Every single one was horrified when it was explained to them. None knew it was now the “establishment position” in the NHS, councils and public services. They thought it was a wind up.
The SNP are finished if they proceed with this deeply unpopular lunacy.
Go on Stu, tell us, what did Alex tell you after the interview?
Must have been something significant to have such an impact?
Pointing kut the simple truth comes at a price Stu. Youve actually been warning about this for a few months now and have lost many followers because of it. However, what is true is true. The party has been infilfrated. Some cannot stomach that thought and wil! abandon Wings to keep their ilusions alive.
The warning signs have been there but ignored by many but pointed out by you.
We should focus on achieving indy
,.
That much is true, but it is more difficult when those who are our figurehead in that endeavour have lost their way .
However it belongs to us not any party.We will follow whoever provides a clear route.
I don’t live in Scotland now (or even the UK) but, if I did, I would still vote for the SNP in this general election (albeit holding my nose while doing so).
The SNP has gone far too left-wing for my liking now.
This is dreadful
The Woke Brigade aim is to take control for their own agenda
They achieve this by making rational SNP members give up in disgust or expel them
Have raised this at local branch and will continue to do so again and again
The purpose of the SNP is Independence
We cannot bow to this
We must reclaim the SNP, I think the Greens are too far gone
Not giving up
Better to lance this boil now than in middle of IndyRef -whenever that happens
Much food for thought here.
Totally agree this new rabble need to stop tainting the SNP and thus the Independence movement.
Although not totally agreeing Ms Sturgeon should go, I believe she needs to be more forthright about this matter – maybe she is but as usual has mny irons in the fire and is being more dept than we think.
Not only have we this election to address as Independistas but hovering in the background is lso Mr. Salmond’s day in court which the media and the other Britnats will be salivating at.
So let the SNP consider how the public and the rest of the Independence movement will view these matters, so they do not spoil our opportunity of Independence, in hopefully, the near future.
Has the Jack Deeth character been suspended yet? If not, why not?
This whole episode stinks and all I can do at the moment is hold my nose and vote snp next week. If this carries on there will defiantly be a unionist FM at the next Holyrood elections. The msm are sitting on this till then and will let loose with all they have as it will have a bigger impact and greater ramifications for the drive towards independence.
Now, I have to ask myself is the most popular pro Indy blog calling for this on the eve of a GE helpful ? I don’t agree with the leadership on everything, but I’m pretty sure we are closer than ever to the goal.
Rest assured Stu, the woke folk will not determine our country’s future. They are pawns, It is abundantly clear that the TRAs are being used to close down freedom of speech, but they won’t be getting any benefit from that in the long run. The victors will be else where.
If you want Scottish independence the only, only party you can vote for is the SNP. Attacking the SNP at this point with only a few days left to the election would make me wonder of the true commitment to the ’cause’. We all need to come together against the foe or we are all going to suffer the consequences of a facist Tory government.
Anyone know anything about Professor Philips of the IFS as he does not like the SNP ideas for an Independent Scotland. Apparently austerity would be even worse than under the Tories ? Papers throwing muck as usual, bit like here of late.
So vote SNP as there is no, no other option for your country and it’s people and future.
Haha, fucking hell. Time to take bets on where Nicola will end up. Some Carbon Capture gig (chicken licken the climate’s falling in!) or a ‘charity’ for angry afro wimmin’s literature.
Aye, let’s just blow up the SNP and defenestrate the First Minister on the eve of possibly the most important general election in decades. You’ve lost it completely Your Reverence.
Trans shite, or Indpendence, what has this place become?
Yep, freedom of speech is something we Scots have to learn does not belong to us.
My granny’s arse!
I will bite my tongue, hold my nose, keep my card and vote SNP.
After the GE, very soon after the GE the gloves will be off.
There are 3 ‘genders’ He, She and it. The rest is goblydygook alphabet soup.
When “Wings on the List” was first suggested, I was sceptical. I still am. However, things have moved on. Has the time come for a pro-independence party in Scotland around which believers in independence can coalesce? Even from 3,000 miles away, I think it has.
To be honest, I think the SNP lost its way after the referendum. Membership mushroomed as the hangers-on decided that the SNP was a better fit for their agenda than a fringe party (including Labour). How many of those signing up then can truly subscribe to the Aims of the SNP?
Suspending a GE candidate with an excellent chance of winning without following party procedure for something at least one other elected SNP member has also done (and not been suspended for) is unbelievably self-destructive. That the FM has taken it upon herself to castigate local SNP members for continuing to support Neale Hanvey is incredible.
1. It keeps a story damaging to the SNP alive alive, not something one does during a general election.
2. At the point of Nicola Sturgeon’s condemnation for local SNP members it had been the Yes Hub, not the local SNP, whose members had collectively decided to continue to support Hanvey. Yes, many of them are SNP members but the Yes Hub is not subject to SNP orders.
3. The Green candidate has zero chance of winning Kirkcaldy. The fight is between Hanvey and Lesley Laird. If you want an MP who supports independence in your own constituency, it makes no sense to go campaign for someone in another constituency.
4. What is more important to Sturgeon at this point – an independent Scotland or the SNP? It is likely that a proper investigation into Hanvey’s social media activity will conclude that he is not guilty of anti-Semitism but should more carefully weigh his words when commenting on the conflict in the Middle East. By then he may well have lost. Then they’ll have sacrificed a seat on the altar of trans privilege activism.
If it wasnt for this Wings Blog and Rev Stu’s tweets, many Indy supporters wouldnt know anything about the trans debate. That is why people like Rhiannon Spears want people to stop following Wings. Most people outside the Internet arent aware how toxic this is in the SNP or how involved Nicola Sturgeon is in the Trans ideology and decisions being made to throw people like Denise and Neale under a bus.
If i may answer Dan Watt above, the only sensible leader of SNP is Joanna Cherry and the leader should be at Westminster to tackle Boris government on a daily basis. As for a First Minister, it should be Joan McAlpine but frankly anyone would be better than Nicola right now. If Alex hadnt stepped down after Indyref we wouldnt be in this situation now. Nicola is a weak leader and poor judge of character for allowing the Woke Entryists to take over the SNP
@Ian Foulds
Although not totally agreeing Ms Sturgeon should go, I believe she needs to be more forthright about this matter
She has she goes on their marches supporting the Woke nutters to the hilt.
it’s no coincidence that the newly elected 13 scots tory MPs took a jolly to jerusalem courtesy of FoI
it’s no coincidence that if corbyn ever gets the upper hand, he is attacked as AS
so who funds the wokes
love to see that exposee
Remember how Labour in Scotland insisted only a vote for them could deliver us from Tory control
I keep hearing echoes of that in the insistence that only a vote for SNP can deliver independence
The problem is the SNP has us over a bigger barrel because they are right.
The question is how long can you keep voting for them while holding your nose.
Ironically the answer is as long as it takes.
Cos the SNP will cease to be relevant if independence is achieved
Or it becomes clear their heart is no longer up for the fight
At that political point, all the transcultists will be left floundering like fish in a drying-up pond
[…] Wings Over Scotland The Attack Of The Purity Police One week out from a general election, the SNP are busy purging the “problematic”, […]
The Rev is the problem is he ?
Did the Rev try to get Joanna Cherry deselected ?
Did the Rev trawl thrkugh twitter accounts to have SNP activists and candidates expelled?
Did the Rev try to push through the GRA without consultation?
Did the Rev write twedts from the likes of . Mhairi Hunter calling you all cultists and shedp.
No he dudnt. Those all happened within the SNP itself.
We want him to report truth dont we? Or is it only palatable truth you want?
Vote SNP for now.
I heartily agree Stu.
I am a scientist and I am utterly shocked at the number of wokenats who deny science and claim that gender = sex.
It does not!
I am a woman. I am an adult human female. I rejected the “accepted” female stereotype years ago. I like wearing sweaters and jeans. I don’t like skirts or high heels. I have not been born in the wrong body. I am the mother of two sons.
We are a sexually dimorphic species just like almost every other species on the planet.
I fought for my sex based rights and I will not let these woke nats anywhere near them. Some of them would argue that because I like trousers that I should have been transitioned. Well I hope that some of them read this. They are so wrong.
@ Bob Mack
Agreed 100%.
…bad enough at any time. To undertake them days before a crucial general election…This applies to Wings. Wings cannot deliver Independence, the SNP and only the SNP can, with all worms within. Give me some notice of your next crowdfunder Stu, cos it’s going to the SNP instead.
Sliding this agenda in, so that it’s accepted without full consideration, attatching it to a successful movement, so that it parasitises energy and momentum, is the strategy.
Have we not got enough of a fight without allowing this bickerfest to gain traction.
Cancelled my membership today. I no longer recognise the SNP.
What the hell is going on?
I let my membership fall after the bollox of Grouse Beaters kangaroo court justice and having just received a St Andrew’s Day card from Nicola was open to rejoin.
No chance now.
Turning into the Judaen Peoples’ Front factionalisation just like the other left wing socialist movements. Possibly engineered by outside sources.
Will still support them for Indie but immediately afterwards Nicola should leave allowing others to do the nuts and bolts of negotiating the split.
@fillofficer
so who funds the wokes
A small group of extremely wealthy individuals with their own personal motives.
That’s Denise Findlay just fallen victim to the entryists. Anti Semitic being the spurious reason.
I appreciate your opinion Stu.
I think the SNP is a good party and will get my support until after Indy. Once we have Independence I will still vote for them but only if the do not legally implement this self id nonsense. There are only two sexes. That’s it. If you feel male and female does not fit you, fine, your choice but keep it to yourself.
Let’s give those Tory bastards a good bashing (metaphorically writing of course)
We can sort out all sexual orientation rights or wrongs after 13\12\19.
A lot of us are soaked to the fekin skin after delivering for SNP candidates today . We have no money to post the lit, like the Tory, labour and libdem folks….get a grip folks and get on message.
“CmonIndy says:
4 December, 2019 at 8:00 pm
…bad enough at any time. To undertake them days before a crucial general election…This applies to Wings. Wings cannot deliver Independence, the SNP and only the SNP can, with all worms within.”
It is not only the SNP that can deliver independence. In fact, I would argue that, if a majority of the party does not prioritize independence, it is not the proper delivery vehicle. The SNP seems to have forgotten that it is independence first. One might argue that another vehicle for independence would delay it. I would disagree. I think a party that prioritizes independence will bring it closer than we are today.
I’ll still be voting SNP this time, though a thank you note from Hanvey arrived at the same time as a notice that my SNP sub had expired.
The trans agenda, the cowardice concerning Michelle Thomson and the fact that the SNP who, along with the rest of Scotland, have been excluded from the Brexit process from day one persisting with the stop brexit message is all a bit dispiriting.
The latter point is rather undermined by our leading euro mp jumping onto the westminster life raft with unseemly haste.
Get the party started Stu. Single issue, continually developing manifesto. Fight every GE as a defacto plebiscite until we’re free.
Anything touched by the woke brigade dies. Either the SNP throws these lunatics out, or they’ll kill the party. There’s no accommodation possible and somebody in the SNP is going to have to…ahem…man up and take a stand.
Scotland’s future on the line, SNP riding high in the polls and all you’re interested in from Bath is sniping from the sidelines about transgender and SNP bad.
It reminds me of the day Labour’s Ian Austin MP came out against Corbyn and Labour a couple weeks ago.
You
Hi Stu – you have some points to make here – not about the trans issues (I won’t bite) but about this ‘woke’ stuff> The woke stuff should be your target not Trans and certainly not Nicola. Nicola WILL deliver independence but only if enough people vote for it. How about a change of tack – how about you encourage people to support independence parties at the ballot box? You used to do that at one time.
We need to stand tall, and hold on till the next indyref hopefully next year. The woke brigade won’t matter a jot if we can just keep it together till the indyref.
Sure they will cost us a few seats here and there, however at present thers no other party capable of delivering a independent Scotland.
We knew that there would be infiltrators within the SNP attempting to sabotage the indy dream and we must expect some collateral damage. I just hope Sturgeon et al can hold it together long enough to attain our goal.
As for the woke brigade fuck them even if they are SNP in nature the goal is independence.
I shot the IDF
But I did not gas their ancestors
Oh no, oh
As a 70yr old I was just remarking to friends that Scotland in a football sense has a extraordinary capacity to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. I hope I am wrong but I sense de ja vu yet again.
For me, NS is still currently the absolute best chance we have of achieving independence. Everyone and their grannie has an opinion on the best way to progress this, but only a few people have all the pieces of the puzzle. I have seen nothing to impress upon me that anyone could be doing a better job, in the toughest possible conditions.
I can understand the impatience of many in these harrowing times…and I appreciate that the internal issues in the SNP have been escalated to flashpoint with apparently little consideration for those involved. However harsh, and however much empathy and admiration I have for those who have taken the hit, this week is not the week to sort it out. I will stand by and support those who have been harshly done to, but the greater good means momentum must be maintained.
I’m not taking too many positives from the state of the SNP nor Wings’ choice to deal with this at this moment. I’m puzzled also by how Alex Salmond seems to be somewhere just out of shot, but since that’s sub judice it’s obviously difficult to thresh that out here or elsewhere.
I’m certainly not throwing my toys out the pram on this. Independence is going to happen if we will it. When Rev suggested a Wings party earlier this year, I thought it was pretty unlikely to come about. I hope he’s now working hard behind the scenes to make it a reality. I can’t see indy ref happening next year and the SNP will be in a bit of a mess by 2021.
It’s extremely painful, after 31 years in the SNP, to agree with every word in this article. I start to understand how difficult it was for Labour people to realise they’d been taken for mugs by the Labour Party, all those years
I only disagree on the timing. it needs said. But not now
If things don’t change, and the Wings Party comes about, I guess you might have my vote.
independence is receding by years, maybe decades. Hey ho
Your timing is impecable Stu , just as Nicola has battled her way through countless debates and stood head and shoulders above the rest with a good chance of returning more SNP MP’S ,you decide to berate her at every turn to get her vote down .Who are you ,part of the 77 brigade and now have to show your true colours now that Indy looks as if it’s within winning distance , have you been a fraud all along
On the 12th vote SNP.
Then in Indyref2 vote Yes.
Then in newly independent Scotland vote for the party that best represents your aspirations for Indy Scotland.
Simple really.
Before I make up my mind, can we have sight of the email or letter from Nicola Sturgeon or from her husband expelling anyone from the party for supporting Palestine.
As for the candidate in Cowdenbeath, I have great sympathy but in these days of political correctness, imagine what the other parties would have made of it, especially given the Corbyn attacks on anti semitism.
I’m told Nicola Sturgeon has told SNP members in Fife not to vote for the candidate. I’ve done a Google search but can find nothing to prove this. Is their a letter or email that can back this up please.
That scene from “Downfall” is absolutely brilliant, how it conveys the utter meltdown of a society as it prepared for a second total surrender in the space of 30 years.
I do realise Brexit is going to be bad, but is there anything comparable in British history to what the Germans endured in two world wars?
SNP and NS shall prevail in GE2019 and pursue hotly all avenues towards securing another indyref asapp. Inshallah.
“Now is not the time.”
First comment, “Scotland on the eve of independence” , really? When the majority of their candidates are too scared to have the word in their election leaflets. Don’t want to scare the horses now, eh? Fuck that. I’ll still likely vote for Margaret Ferrier but if I lived a mile away on the other side of Hamilton there is no chance I’d vote for Angela Crawley. She’s another one, did you read her Twitter conversation yesterday? She’s got a real problem with the Women’s Pledge. A lesbian who doesn’t want to stand up for women. That’s where we are.
Love them or loathe them. (I’m a member but have problems with some issues, like anyone who’s a member of any political party.) But at the moment the SNP are the only game in town.
Just before the most important GE for decades is NOT the time to start pissing into the tent.
It’s your blog Stu, you can write what you want but you’re playing into the hands of the yoons.
I’m out of here.
I’m sorry to have to say this but is Independence worth winning if it means having to kowtow to the woke brigade backed by the SNP who will not listen to ordinary women? let alone their allies like me.
As a long time reader of this blog (though not a supporter of independence).
I have always been impressed by the Rev’s laser like dissection of news articles.
It now seems that the laser beam is being turned on the higher echelons of the party.
The problem is that there was no serious post -mortem analysis in 2014 as to why YES lost.
Save the perfunctory “vow” and “lies”, which just papers over the cracks.
In fact its completely conceited to think that no mistakes were made on the YES side, and why spite of all, an overwhelming turnout decided Scotland’s fate.
The SNP may well be going into the GE with the most propitious signs of victory.
It will be to no avail if the engine overheats a mile before the finish line.
Keep the heid folks.
Nevertheless, after the election time to start snarling at the wokes.
Why aren’t more men standing up for their womenfolk in all this trans (lack of) debate, or, as they wont be affected by transw in their public loos and changing rooms, do they not care?
I’m reminded of a New Year’s party in my house when I was @9yrs (in the 50s). One of the men there had stumbled, drunkenly, from the loo, and had forgotten to zip his fly. I think the only one who noticed was my dad, who was a 6ft 4in muscley docker, and took great objection to this, so much so that, whilst hurling very swerry abuse (my dad didn’t usually allow swearing when women + kids were present) at said guy, chased him back to his flat brandishing a bread knife and threatening to cut off his balls!
I can only imagine the repercussions if my dad was waiting for my mum outside a changing room when a big hairy man in a frock tried walking in. There would definitely be blood and guts on the carpet and the transwoman might indeed achieve their self -id non male status. Thankfully neither parent is still with us, which is a blessing as my mum would probably be on permanent tenterhooks of my dad being arrested, as would I.
No, I’m not advocating violence against anyone, but I do think that a huge trans contingent are doing more to harm themselves than anyone else with this self id nonsense. Go on, have the courage of your ‘feels’ men and get the chop-op. Sorted.
Anyway, I’m away to self id as a princess, and see if I can claim an income from the crown estate. Fingers crossed eh.
Glad to see that Neale Hanvey reached his crowdfunder target with ease and hope the good folk of Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath vote for him.
Joanna Cherry also reached her target easily. I’d vote for her as leader in a heartbeat, but fear I might not get the chance. She’s already had fake bullying charges brought against her (dismissed), had her Wikipedia page hacked and is regularly attacked on social media. And this is not coming from Unionists.
With gender-critical members leaving the party, I fear it’s only a matter of time before she’s ousted. Hope I’m wrong.
I have myself commented on the similarities between the actions of the Israeli state and the actions of the Nazi German state. I am an SNP member. My father was Jewish. Ok SNP, expel me…
I think what needs to be done is for someone to ask the FM directly and unambiguously what her views are. I would wait till after the election, but this bunch of weirdos and nutters need to be excised from the party. The vast majority disagree with their perverted agenda. Alyn Smith also has questions to answer.
Stu why dont you set up another website called Wings over Waxed Balls or whatever it is you are so interested in, and hand this one over to someone who is dedicated to Independence. Also your twitter feed is virtually unreadable these days due to all this shite clogging it up.
I’d be interested to see your page stats for the last few months, theres fewer hits from me for a start and Ive been an avid lurker since 2014.
Very glad I didnt contribute anything this year. Ive thought for a while you were losing the plot.
It’s perfectly acceptable to criticise the actions of the state of Israel. You can call them stupid, you can call them racist, you can call them dangerous and you can call them counter productive. That’s all fine. But if one of the accepted definitions of anti-semitism is calling them Nazi then don’t call them Nazi.
You and I don’t get to define what constitutes anti-semitism any more than a player on a football pitch gets to define what constitutes a foul. If you don’t like it, tough. And remember, not all Israelis are Jews and not all Jews are Israelis, but comparing any of them with the Nazis is always anti-semitic.
As for the trans issue, take part in the consultation if you can, go to party meetings, argue and vote if you can, and spread the word. In politics, if you sit at home and do nothing then you let the other people win. Get out there, argue, and vote, every chance you get.
All you’ve got to write about is this seriously??
This sort of shite is going on at the BBC website –
link to bbc.co.uk
Plenty for you go at there
The Wokus Dei are most likely unionist infiltrators working to defeat independence and destroy the SNP from within. Why else choose this moment to start purging winning candidates.
Yes the party should have reined them in. Yes they should be aware of the devious manipulation of state players in bringing down the leadership. Alex Salmond is only the latest example. I have no doubt their sights are trained on Nicola Sturgeon too. She is by far the most competent and respected politician in the UK. We would be mad to get rid of her.
So I intend to vote SNP until the Indyref2 next year and then vote YES. After that, we can deal with the Wokerati. Nothng will annoy the Wokerati more than voting SNP and YES.
Just watched the C4 hatchet job. Wow. Nice set up. They even managed to leave the impression that the ordinary members campaigning for Neale are anti-semitic – bear in mind the word ‘allegations’ always accompanied references to Neale and Denise, so they weren’t actionable statements. They implied C4 discovered all of this, but that seems not the case.
I’m inclined to trust Campbell on all of this more than the SNP but at this point I don’t really need to take sides.
I suspect, people will look back at the Michelle Thompson treatment by the party as the tipping point. It was where those with conscience acquiesced for expediency and this moment showed a perfect blueprint for elements to purge those who didn’t align with their own personal interests.
Ach, we’re all just willing arseholes pushing our way up the mountain that is Indy.
At the start of our Indy endeavours we were all at the bottom of hill spread out around the large circumference, so there was plenty room for the reek from all the other arseholes to disperse.
Now that we are near the top, the circumference is much smaller, so we’re just going to have to put up with the closer proximity and increased stench of those arseholes around us for a wee bit longer.
Once we are Indy we can get on with floating all our polices in front of the electorate and they’ll decide what matters most.
FYI I’m going to stand on a platform of legislating that all loaves of bread in an Indy Scotland must be sized so their slices fit properly in a fucking toaster, and more importantly for health and safety reasons, a toasty machine.
I’ll not accept our future generations should have to tolerate part toasted bread, or third degree burns from magma-like molten cheese leaking from improperly sealed toasties…
I reckon I’ve got this so in the bag. You may all bow down to your new leader now… lol
It is very, very easy, when a person immerses themselves in selective viewpoints on social media, to develop a distorted perception of how important a specific problem really might be. I see all the rubbish on twitter about gender, and I see the same people getting all worked up about it.
Folk should, genuinely take a step back from it.
I now do believe that the SNP has been infiltrated, not by so-called ‘woke’ activists, but rather by people pretending to be ‘woke’ activists. It is a unionist means to an end. Make no msitake, they have been waiting for a ‘weakness’ for a very long time, ALL the London parties, utterly despise the SNP. I mean, they really, totally, totally despise the SNP. THIS gender rubbish is their chance. The Loony left (unionists) now have a tool to destroy the SNP from within, and the leadership has let it happen.
Just imagine the conniving gits in London finding the SNP rock solid and invincible, but then, suddenly out of nowhere, comes a chink in the armour. A handful of gender nutters, getting many, many people angry – and it must be said, a leader, who is either oblivious to what is going on, or actually, naively approves of it.
I think the SNP leadership really, really, rather urgently needs to get a grip on the loonies. That is the first point.
The second point, and I do genuinely say it with the greatest respect, Rev STU should stop letting folk use him (and they quite obviously are), via this gender business. At last, the unionists have found a way to stop him attacking them. Look at the effect it has had. Getting played, big time.
As a gay man, I agree wholeheartedly that this gender rubbish is nasty and exceptionally divisive, and it does nothing but damage the very hard won rights of gay and lesbian folk. The newly started LGB alliance cannot get going too soon. I am angry as hell about all this LGBTQQQaa+ or whatever nonsense, where every tom, dick and harry has jumped on the bandwagon, claiming they are some kind of ‘gender’ fluid, or somesuch cr*p. It’s baloney, is a complete denial of hard facts and science, is based upon supposition and ridiculous unfounded assertions and has sweet f*** all to do with gay rights.
I must admit, I am really torn right now, but then I remember, that is EXACTLY what these unionist infiltrators WANT us to think.
So, despite it all I’ll vote SNP and encourage others to do so. After the election, however, the FM either needs to get these folk out the party, and start standing up for gay, lesbian and women’s (actual REAL biological women) rights, or step aside. Thier is NOTHING, and I do mean NOTHING progressivei n what these gender pushing groups are trying to sell.
As for the antisemitism cr*p, all I’ll say, is that criticising the state of Isreal for its utterly barbaric treatment, abuse and wanton murder of palestinian men women and children, is NOT antisemitism. Those who do speak out about Isreali abuse of palestinians, should be applauded, not condemned.
SNP are the only show in town as regards independence and a properly functioning government in Scotland.
However we do appear to have been infiltrated as we near the possibility of independence.
Is the infiltration the work of the security services?
I fully expected some scandal to be generated by the Regime as we advanced, I thought “something” would be found on the computer of a senior party member or some other easy to arrange scandal.
The WOKE folk I suppose do the job even better, look at the division which has been caused we should all be alert to this.
The party leadership does stand to be criticised as they have permitted these nutters into areas of influence within the SNP. The leadership should also be alert to the danger from mischief from the regime.
In the near future a change will be required at the top of the party.
Here’s the problem many of us who are card carrying members myself included do not turn up at branch meetings and support the more sane members and ensure that nuttersdo not get el into potentially powerful posts.
Following the GE and hopefully indiref there needs to be a taking of stock some robust action by the real members is required to save the party.
For now vote SNP.
Don’t friggin care. And NS should resign? Utter shite. Folks, regardless what you read here just keep voting SNP until we have Independence. Everything else is irrelevant.
I don’t understand why you couldn’t have waited a week before writing this Rev. We have got a G.E. coming up you know.
Wee Alex 8.48
Here’s the National reporting on Nicola Sturgeon telling activists in Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath to campaign elsewhere.
link to archive.is
And to think the First Minister could tweet this in 2014.
“Today’s Telegraph names the 132 Palestinian children killed by Israeli forces since 7 July. This has to stop.”
Can’t wait for those resignation calls!!!!!!
link to twitter.com
Please scroll by if you think post too long…cause it is.Sorry
I remember the days when one could give an honest unbiased opinion…a measured,well thought out argument and one reliant very much on facts… via knowledge you held/learnt or sometimes via personal experience….an opinion given via a well presented non confrontational discussion… and those ‘other’ people who held an opposing view to you would debate and argue their point with as much passion whilst highlighting why they saw your opinion was wrong….not via name calling or labelling you but through the strengths of their argument…..those were the days indeed.
Sometimes just sometimes either party may even concede… if…and only if they were presented with a good enough argument or evidence that supported and strengthened the opponent’s argument…or agree to disagree
End of.
NOW
We are sadly regressing back to the Dark Ages via this digital age into a society infiltrated by sneaky tell tales….tactical orchestrated witch hunts from those with dubious intentions…mostly self serving..and where our digital footprint is being used as a weapon of proof of the clear ‘evidence’ of ‘guilt’ that must ultimately result in our public exposure for the obvious ‘Dark’ allegiances we must hold…with our own words used against us with no testimony afforded to us to clear our names.
This ‘offence’ is being perceived, mainly by those who appoint themselves judges of all things noble,the saviours against ‘phobic’ and ‘anti’ of all things in society deemed unacceptable and punishable by expulsion from decent society ……says no one really but THEM….they who scroll through the digital history of those they seek to target…..
The context of the supposed evidence is superfluous of course…perception is king…. as tis presented by these self appointed ‘noble in cause’ band of offence seekers…… and dependent on what affiliation the media who find themselves in receipt of this information has….. then it becomes akin to a public hanging …where only the removal of the offender from public life is perceived as justice…though the offender taints those he/she associates with….obvs…after all tis the media here….so tis natural to tarnish the offender’s political party also.
Political parties THINK this is a winning argument when they can weaponise words that have been used/said in the past/present by those in opposing political parties….if one can highlight words used as being in any way phobic or anti against some within society then they will captalise on this …not because they hold opposing views but because it is then a political weapon to use against their opponents….and allows them to win a battle and perhaps , they think, the war
So anti-Semitic..homophobic, transphobic etc etc…on what evidence and who is accusing ?
The war of words indeed…some said in haste…some said in anger…some said in honesty but with no malice intended…but it seems words matter…and words in a statement via a historical tweet , public meeting or a one to one conversation is suddenly overwhelming evidence that one is offensive and therefore unworthy because those who judge morality have presented their victim that they have carefully chosen to target as ‘phobic’ or ‘anti’ something.
HOWEVER
Who decides what the public will be offended by and whether they will care enough to change their opinion or vote ?
Who decides what is offensive via ‘phobic’ or ‘anti’ ?
Who decides who will be targeted and for what motivation ?
I am intelligent enough to distinguish what I think is clearly a ‘phobic’ statement and what is ‘anti’….. as I am sure most people can also ascertain….and I have heard many of those within the media and prospective candidates and their supporters at this GE campaign speak, write and believe disgusting hate against those in our society who they judge to be unfit….because they are different, foreign or whose beliefs and lifestyles are the opposite of their own ( i.e. religious, sexuality and political).
SO
If those who judge do it with a purely agenda driven intention then eventually they themselves will find they too will be judged and the outcome will be that many will see the ‘Cry wolf’ tactics they have deployed to achieve selfish goals will not be shared …..by the many and only the few will agree with them…now and in the future.
I vote SNP and currently I am also a member…but my vote and membership is not guaranteed forever should the party pander to those with ulterior objectives and in that I know I am not alone….so they, the SNP, need to tread carefully and a house needs badly cleaned out I think….better sooner than later….the enemy within cannot be sustained long term within the party just because they, the enemy within, have but ONE objective and ONE objective only…independence is bigger than that ONE objective…and it is NOT up for negotiation irrespective of how much any small faction try to dictate their issue as more important.
Because within the YES movement, as it should also be within the SNP, independence is the ultimate goal we all want to achieve…those who are trying to muddy the waters by introducing faux outrage within the YES movement and SNP for their agenda well perhaps they are not as committed to independence as those of us who have fought so hard for years to achieve it.
They may be seen as the pious ‘Woke’ brigade but I prefer to think tis people like me who ‘Woke’ up to this kind of underhanded subversive behaviour a long time ago….I have seen many an organisation being ‘taken over’ by a few who only joined to promote their own interests….never ends well especially for those who thought they could pull the wool over the eyes of the organisation they had infiltrated…I am pro Trans ( people who are post operative and considering transitioning fully) and totally against Self ID which I believe is for some self indulgent and self serving for totally dubious reasons…I also abhor whistle blowers who do this NOT for the greater good but for selfish and bitter reasons…
Finally I hate it when decent people are (unfairly) outed by those whose supposed ‘decency’ is only dependent on them getting their own way and who do this via suppressing the voices and opinions of those who disagree with them….that is an alignment I cannot be at one with….irrespective of their gender or who or what they self ID as !
I’ve resided in the back seats for the past five years. The sense of grief in 2014 was only eclipsed by the loss of my dog a few years earlier. I still read Wings daily, sometimes with avid interest and occasionaly with a bit of confusion.
Today is one of those later junctures. I’m not ‘up’ on the internal SNP machinations. I’m not anti-trans, or homophobic, or anti-semitic. The truth is, I’m really not that interested. I’d go as far as to say, I simply don’t care, not because I’m heartless, but because I can’t empathise and I have no experience with these worlds. I don’t know any trans people, or Jews, or Muslims. I know a few gay people and have come a long way from my (homophobic) upbringing.
Anyway, the point of my uncommon interjection today is that this is obviously something Stu feels strongly about. It’s his blog and it’s absolutely his right to express his views. I can neither agree or disagree with them, as it’s not my bag.
SNP will have my vote because I have no real choice. It’s either the Boris chump known as Andrew Bowie, or the ‘lets try here for a seat’ candidate, Fergus Mutch. I didin’t vote for Fergus to be my PPC, but that’s internal party politics for you.
Stu, I see your passion on this subject. Like most things political, I’m sure you’re probably right. However, Nicola impresses me wherever she goes, so regardless of her particular stand on whatever nonsense this trans-guff is about, I really don’t give a stuff and it doesn’t make me wish for a new leader. The only (future) viable option I see on that subject is Joanna Cherry, but I’m sure she would have some views I wouldn’t care to join-in with if she were in Nicola’s spotlight.
We are where we are, and so is Nicola Sturgeon. Let’s all move forward with the same goal. We can start the bun fights after the Independence hangover!
Morven M @ 9-06pm
I totally concur Morven.
This lady QC MP SNP has more than proven her capability and ability to withstand attack…be it in house…or on-line.
I fully support Joanne in every respect and hope she starts to shout ‘a bit louder’ than she already does (and that’s pretty loud!!!)
p.s. Stuart…..I concur about the self-id…..but gonnae reign back on attacking the SNP….its my party…..and our ONLY hope for further progress.
I live in an adjacent constituency to Neale Hanvey, I’m not a SNP member but campaign and support them to the best of my ability.
I was very sad to hear and see a good prospective MP being victimised by idiots. I’ve been asked by many voters in the Kirkcaldy Cowdenbeath voters what they should do, my answer is support your candidate in every way possible including by
voting.
when he wins the seat he can then tell the SNP to gtf when they want him back.
Try asking 100 people if they have heard of Geoge Soros, 99 no chance,the final one won’t even know he is jewish.
I’ve been bumping my gums about him for years due to his fingers in so many pies of countries.
Try calling me antisemetic!
As I have being saying for some time now , NS is not interested in independence , in fact she is terrified at the logistics involved in leaving the UK.
She has done nothing to further the independence case other than react to events.
I agree with Stu that after the GE she needs to be replaced with someone with passion and a strategy for she is devoid of both.
Little over a week till voting day but as they say a week’s a long time in politics so I’m not sure now is a good time to call for Nicola to stand down.
I saw her this week on a radio interview and she was asked how as a lifelong feminist can she fully support self id and to be honest she was struggling to square the circle so I’m not sure Nicolas’s come off the fence on this subject yet.
Nonetheless after the 12th something has to be done to purge this infestation in the party or independence could be over
Interesting these people who say they don’t care about this.
Can you not take on board that this specific issue may have cost a very winnable seat here in Fife?
If only independence counts, then its a specific issue that should be concerning you.
This is what Leeze, a supporter of Alyn Smith, wrote on Twitter:
“I’ll be taking names and making sure they never get back in. Findlay was a prime instigator pushing the women pledge, they were warned that the party won’t stay quiet for long. Patience wins the race.”
She certainly talks as if she is a member of the SNP, yet she has made blatantly racist comments on Twitter in the past. Some strange double standards going on here.
This from the Herald
“A MEMBER of the SNP who helped oversee party discipline has quit the party after it emerged she had compared Israel to the Nazis.”
That is NOT what she said, that is a lie she did not compare Israel to the Nazis
Well you’ve attracted them all Stu now ask them for money
You couldn’t hold it back could you and now you’ve blown it
Well you had a good run
One thousand percent agree with this.
If we are to save the yes movement she has to go and many of us have been uneasy for a while about what is happening.
I am incandescent with rage at this whole episode and watching in disbelief as these woke eejits are seemingly supported by the upper echelons of the SNP.
It’s got to stop…
Mike Cassidy, thanks for link to newspaper article. It didn’t have to be said.
The SNP has not covered itself in glory over recent events.
It needs to sort itself out, once this election is out of the way, otherwise they risk losing long standing, hard working members.
Let’s hope Salmond is back in the driving seat soon.
“Nicola Sturgeon needs to stand down, and the sooner the better”.
So melodramatic from deepest Englandshire. Go down one Rev.
Muscleguy – please convey my heartfelt support of Denise to her if you, or anyone else is in touch with her. I see she follows me on twitter, but, although I have a twit account, I’ve never tweeted, I just needed it to be able to vote in polls and see replies. I’m sure if I did tweet in this febrile faux anti-semitism – wokus dei atmosphere I’d probably have been booted off by now and/or arrested.
We need more folk like Denise in SNP and less of the wee emperor’s new clothes brigade. Narcissistic fantasists that they are.
I will hold my nose and vote SNP this time and YES always, but STU – we really need you to start your party as I need somewhere to place my x for a party that stands up for women as well as Scotland.
Have been lurking for a while, sadly as an SNP member i cannot argue against what Stu is saying although I still think that Sturgeon is a very good FM. Not too sure about the timing off this article. However its in the public domain now so my tuppence worth is that Sturgeon has said many times that Corbyn has shown no leadership in the Anti semantic debate in the Labour Party. Its time for Sturgeon to show some leadership and take action against those who are intent on destroying the SNP from within.
Entitled to your opinion Stuart, but I’m entitled to mine too, which is that this is really unhelpful timing to say this, a week before a crucial election.
The more things change the more they stay the same.
Back when the SNP were little more than a voice in the wilderness that was Thatcher’s Scotland, the cabal at the top of the then Youth Wing the YSN, was playing a similar game on behalf of their sponsors.
Anyone who was more Nationalist than Socialist was by their warped logic, at best a tartan-tory and quite possibly a full-blown neo-nazi (not being able to lay a glove on the genuine right-wing bogeymen in Westminster, they felt the need to invent
internal enemies they could vanquish and suppress by usurping control of the party machine).
Here’s hoping there are enough “Fundies” left to stage our own version of the October Revolution once the Yoons have been dealt with.
Deja Vous?
Back when the SNP were little more than a voice in the wilderness that was Thatcher’s Scotland, the cabal at the top of the then Youth Wing the YSN, was playing a similar game on behalf of their sponsors.
Anyone who was more Nationalist than Socialist was by their warped logic, at best a tartan-tory and quite possibly a full-blown neo-nazi (not being able to lay a glove on the genuine right-wing bogeymen in Westminster, they felt the need to invent
internal enemies they could vanquish and suppress by usurping control of the party machine).
Here’s hoping there are enough “Fundies” left to stage our own version of the October Revolution once the Yoons have been dealt with.
Get on with wings party in case we are still in the uk
If snp don’t get a good result in the ge Nicola is toast
She seems to be doing ok and at a time like this there is no excuse for candidates to be going off message and getting involved in external issues like Israel. If snp supporters did trigger it they need to be dealt with
We are either all on one side or none
It has struck me that Israel supporters and transgender activist share a very similar fault. They both use conflation of ideas as a central thrust to their justifications, to make people uneasy. Israel with conflation of Judaism and Zionism (colonialism), transgender lobby with their melding of sex and gender.
@ Dr Jim – Stu has been a critic of the lunatic idea that men can become women since c. 2010. I didn’t know anything about this insidious and covert campaign to make “women” non existent until I read Stu’s twitter.
Once you read the mountain of research, reports, committee minutes, consultation documents and articles you understand what a monstrous and misogynistic movement this is. This ideological poison has spread throughout the UK, through the prison service, police, NHS, education and voluntary organisations, NGOs, Local Authorities and private clubs, theatres, shopping malls and restaurants.
How this happened in secret, without the public’s consent is a matter of grave concern. I have no doubt that there will be judicial reviews being launched in the near future.
None of this is the fault of the SNP or Nicola Sturgeon. It is the unionist parties who legislated for this and who proudly promote it. There are some outstanding SNP MPs and MSPs speaking out against going further down this track. But Nicola Sturgeon isn’t one of them. They deserve our support.
The media would be better employed investigating this rather than hounding decent, honest and compassionate candidates standing for election. But the media are just as compromised and complicit as the UK establishment politicians they serve. They will attack honest citizens while protecting the devious manipulators.
So let’s not blame the messenger. The fault lies with the politicians, and all of us if we allow this to happen.
Weird!
My first comment did not post and I was given a message saying “it looks like you have already said that”.
I edited and re-submitted.
Then both more or less identical comments show up???
Thomas Dunlop
link to youtube.com
There is much conjecture in the ether that Alex Salmond’s trial will be the end of Nicola’s leadership and if that happens, I hope Joanna Cherry gets voted in as the new SNP leader. She’ll deffo get my vote.
These folk being unceremoniously booted out of SNP are good people – maybe a wee gold mine for WOS party candidates?
Stu – you’ll still get my financial support if you require, as you are the only one with a reach that’s been standing up for women throughout all this hullabullo.
My worry for our new Scotland is that before we open the gate the “carpet baggers” will be in. I think we see them through and bolting the door shut here. If the SNP were to collapse, they’d join some other party to further their own cause. Why oh why is this being done now. I’m not sure I want to be part of a Scotland that lets activists take the lead. If they succeed, what’s next?
I watched the Irishman by Scorsese last night, this is like it!
This is not my vision. And I don’t think Wings is anything but a truth teller, backed up by evidence. I don’t always agree with the site or the subscribers but I will fight for their right to be heard. Politicians lie all the time, and somehow we have to be civil back! Double standards or what? Stu has done as much as anyone to further the cause.
My blog from a year ago. Change is fine but it needs to be consensual. Forcing people to think differently takes time and persuasion. Attacking the Rev is counterproductive and divisive. In his posts, he is always at pains to advise Wings readers the views he expresses are his own.
Many of the young activists he refers to are pursuing their own agenda and it is not independence.
Nicola needs to pause and think carefully about the future of the SNP.
If the Party is to continue to attract Scots to the cause of independence it needs to abandon the pursuit of party members who hold dear to their hearts views which might not compliment the leaders of the SNP.
The time to take forward single issue matters such as transgender rights is after independence has been achieved
I was concerned about this issue wat the time I wrote to my blog a year ago. My pleas fell on deaf ears. So sad.
link to caltonjock.com
@Dr Jim
He’a still worth every penny I donated. When he asks, i’ll donate again.
Haven’t been on here for a couple of weeks (except to see the cartoons!). Same old recent irrelevant drek. The best commenters havs also absented themselves and been replaced by Yoons or aliens, aided by the Rev’s personal nervous breakdown.
The infil("Tractor" - Ed)s (see what I did there?) will abandon the site when the daily traffic drops to double figures, then the sanity and the sane will return, maybe.
See ya then. Its been a blast.
Oh yeh….vote SNP.
@Capella
I picked up a “Know your prostate” leaflet at the doctors the other day. It was produced by prostatecanceruk.org
It contains the following section:
Who has a prostate?
Men
Trans Women*
Non-binary people who were assigned male at birth**
Some intersex people***
* A trans woman is someone who was assigned male at birth but identifies as a woman. Trans women can develop prostate problems, even if they have taken hormones. The prostate is not removed during genital reconstructive surgery.
** A non-binary person may not identify as a man or a woman.
*** An intersex person may have both male and female sexual characteristics and so might have a prostate.
There is little sign of Joe or Colin Alexander tonight. Wonder why – probably too busy banking their cheques from GCHQ for a job well done. They have sown the seeds of disruption on this blog for some time now and many of you have taken up the baton and ran with it. The SNP hierarchy are far from perfect. Their treatment of Neale Hanvey, Denise Findlay, Grousebeater and probably a few others has been reprehensible on the basis of what I know, the timing of the transgender debate is mind blowingly stupid, and their penchant for being PC in the face of media lies rather than standing up and kicking them where it hurts, is almost too much to bear. However, they are the only game in town and, for the time being, we need to close ranks and concentrate on maximising the SNP votes next week.
For god’s sake stop giving the unionists encouragement by this incessant bickering. There is time enough for recriminations later and to hopefully sort out this self destructive cancer at the heart of the SNP before the indyref2 campaign proper starts. Maybe the SNP need to weed out a few individuals at the root of some of this nonsense and bring in some fresh faces with a bit of drive. Maybe we do need a new leader. But lets leave this for now and concentrate on what is happening in 8 days time.
It’s true that nobody really knows who is on whose side, but the changes in Mr Campbell’s position do seem to indicate he is not an Indy supporter any more.
It is unforgivable to choose THIS PARTICULAR moment to attack the SNP and it’s leader. For God’s sake we are only a short while from an election that has many vulnerable seats, and a former leading Indy blogger comes out with this??
All those poor Scottish bastards out in all weathers trying to gain Indy and one ‘Fame-seeking’ reprobate from Bath sinks the boot in ( from the comfort of his own supporters subsidised abode in England!).
Sorry but my money will never go south to you ever again. Traitor.
I believe I can agree with Stu and still be an active member of the SNP. But I look forward to being able to give my regional vote to the ‘Wings Party’ in 2021 though I think Wings should become an acronym for something – how about a competition for a 5 word phrase that equals WINGS.
Traitor.
No way, since when was ‘("Tractor" - Ed)’ free from censorship?
Ah, a capital letter.
The SNP is the only party I’ve ever joined and that was in retirement. I wish to make some protest but short of leaving. For there are individuals, starting with Joanna C, who need and deserve our support.
I wonder if voting at the Conference is part of the problem. When ordinary members can’t afford to attend, whether due to time, cash, or distance.
I feel we need a way of raising a row before the activists have taken over totally.
Indie ref next year or Nicola has to go would be quite happy with Cherry as leader or someone with a bit more of an aggressive combatative nature.
For those who are not concerned.
The individual who has apparently replaced Denise Findlay on the SNP Members Conduct Committee.
“The pledge was drafted with input from the group’s L,G,B & T officers to ensure it is representative across identity and orientation strands. We have come so far as a country, and as a Party in inclusivity but sadly, we still have work to do. Like all signatories of the pledge, I stand steadfast in my commitment to progress and party policy such as the proposed GRA reforms, Hate Crime Bill etc.”
link to facebook.com
Does any insider know whether this committee was the arbiter of whether one of its own could stay in the party?
And who shoud replace her?
Whether you agree with the Rev calling for the FM to stand down or not (I personally have said since 2016 that she won’t deliver independence and stand by that) the facts are staring us in the face, not least the fact Alyn Smith is hellbent on parachuting himself into a WM seat. Is this the sign of a party preparing to fight an independence referendum in less than a year’s time? Can any of you honestly say, with full conviction, that I am wrong to assert the SNP leadership have given more consideration to another five years at WM than they have about winning, or even advancing, the timeline for independence?
IMHO it is the next FM who will make or break independence, but I hope with everything I have, that the present Sturgeon and Murrell dynasty haven’t blown it for us.
I never thought that by posting on here would I feel guilty by association of collusion.
Has the Duke of Hamilton returned from the dead?
Having campaigned for weeks to expose unionist lies (remember that Stu?) I can confirm this shite has zero traction with the voters.
The omens for an SNP win in D&G are good and the campaign is going great guns.
So cheerio. I’m wasting no more time and energy here. The Rubicon has been crossed and Wings is now in a very strange land.
I don’t know whether this controversy is conspiracy or cock up but I do know that this appears to be more of an issue in the SNP than any other party and I’d like to know why. I also know that if voters don’t vote SNP it will be taken as living proof that Scots don’t actually care about independence after all and chances are it will give Boris Johnson to do whatever he likes.
Yep, theres a bad smell about this place, not a penny more from me. Sad.
Thanks for an interesting post backed up, as usual, by links, Rev.
I think the message is coming through loud and clear, Stu. Keep your eyes on the prize. Agree that it would be good if NS could do the same. She is distressingly, bewilderingly incompetent. But now is not the time for a stooshie.
99% of people are not even aware of all of the WOKE furore, let alone interested. It is a social media storm in a teacup.
For now, get back to what you do best: exposing Unionist lies and providing ammunition for the activists of the movement.
Hail Alba.
Potter – ‘If you only like the truth when it’s a truth you like, you don’t like the truth.’ Pinned tweet on Stu’s WOS tl.
SNP are the only party that will get us Scottish Independence
There are always policies that SNP have that some of us are against
Self ID of gender is an example
When you choose to vote for a political party you do so because they represent more of what you want than the other party’s do
You might not like the leader
You might hate some of their policies
WOS is right to report what is happening
WOS is wrong to say a new leader is required because it’s playing into the hands of those who are against Scottish independence and is likely to cause more damage than SsNP decision to withdraw support for two candidates
WOS is a great journalistic investigator but a crap decision maker this is just another poor decision by WOS like the decision to go to court about a comment by K Dugdale
WOSs should stick to journalism and leave the politics to SNP who will no doubt have information about the two candidates that WOS do not have
@ Dan – yes, it’s absolutely ridiculous that the medical profession is obliged to kowtow to the idiocy. Even worse, is the possibility that doctors are ignorant of biology.
But once the general public become aware of what is going on there will be one almighty backlash and then sanity will be restored.
I hope!
Somewhere in the heart of darkness there are those laughing uproariously at their success in concocting a means to split the left and have those who might endanger their hegemony, fight one another.
Wiser heads might have been able to forestall this schism but after all, the elite have always been able to instigate dissent and thus fragment their opposition again and again. Century after century, decade after decade they have been able to rely on threatening movements blowing themselves apart.
Welcome to the past. We are doomed to repeat it.
Civil war, what civil war?
Sturgeon is not expected by many to be in role post the Salmond trail, so this is just the start of the Salmodista vs Murrellist struggle. Rev, Cherry, macalpine and maybe salmond against the old guard. Nicholson and Smith are two loyalist that hint that this election is about consolidation of power more than advancing Indy.
But re AS, if you don’t want to be accused of it, don’t use AS tropes and generally accepted AS stereotypes. Whether you believe them or not, it just leaves you open to attack.
@ Simon Curran – in fact, the Labour Party, the Liberal Democrats and, especially, the Greens, are far more compromised than the SNP. It was a Labour Government which passed the GRA 2004 and adopted it into the Scottish Government via a Sewell convention.
The difference is that the SNP is a party in government now and hence the vitriol surrounding them.
The Tories were backing GRA reform until very recently when they quietly tiptoed away from it. Liz Truss cancelled their plans, just in time to step away from the mess .
They’re just lucky aren’t they.
@Heart of Galloway
The sheep in the SNP are the problem in allowing this shit to become mainstream not those who have been warning on this for ages. So well done to your apathy and Dr Jim I will not condemn women into oblivion just for your own righteous egos.
The SNP hasn’t had a LEADER since AS resigned what we have is a debater who reaped past rewards for her and hubbies place on the world stage, whilst saying Scotland should be independent for the next ten years.
If you only like the truth when it’s a truth you like, you don’t like the truth.
Pinned tweet from rev
Luckily, in D&G I have an SNP candidate, Richard Arkless – the former MP for the constituency – that I can vote for without having to grit my teeth.
I agree with many people commenting here
I visit WOS because it supports Scottish independence
Not to listen to personal opinions about self ID gender recognition
WOS has a thing about gender self ID and a thing about gay people continually discussing and arguing these subjects more than anything else recently
I was really surprised at the court case against K Dugdale
What a complete waste of money
Other people’s money
But this report is shocking
From a site that claims to support Scottish indepndence ?
You are not supporting Scottish independence with this clumsy report
Have you ever thought to yourself that DsNP might know more about what is going on with these two candidates than you do ?
Most people are happy to trust the Scottish government and the law to make good decisions and good workable laws about self ID gender rwecognition
WOS is obsessed with it and there have not even been any final d3cisions made about it yet
WOS has lost its way
Or maybe found its way
You can’t claim to have Scottish independence ask your top priority and then issue a report like this a week before elections
@Heart of Galloway
I’d agree that the wider electorate are generally unaware of this Self ID matter at this time.
In fact I do wonder what this woke crowd think will happen when the wider small c conservative Scottish electorate gets wind of it. They must be in a total bubble if they they believe they could visit my local area and think there would be much support for their agenda.
However the old saying forewarned is forearmed comes to mind: Prior knowledge of possible dangers or problems gives one a tactical advantage.
As an aside, both Cameron Archibald and Jack Deeth attended The Gathering in Stirling for YES groups and activists a year or so back.
Both seemed like nice enough young lads. Neither came across as particularly hardline or over confident in the albeit brief time I saw and spoke with them.
I had been aware of Cameron for a while previous and thought he might be one to watch for the future as what he posted seemed pretty sane and measured.
However, I’m really surprised how both these individuals have developed quite so rapidly in just over a year to be quite so confident and outspoken against folk with a great deal more lived life experience and academic study behind them.
Looks like some in that group have way too much time to trawl internet looking for stuff they can use, as opposed to the real hard graft so many folk have to put in just to earn a living and get by, so if you happen to read this lads, I think it may be an idea to reel it in a bit, the phrase check yourselves before you wreck yourselves comes to mind.
You think the FM should go a week before the election do you?
What has happened to this blog,it appears since you met AS over a glass of milk your head has been turned….go on spill…..
Hey all you crazies who claim to know the future
Give it a rest
You don’t know that N Sturgeon won’t get us an indyref
You don’t know that SNP won’t get us independence
You don’t know that N Sturgeon won’t be leader by next year
Capella ..give it a rest too
You also are obsessed about self ID gender recognition
No decision hands been made yet
And yet you go on and on and on about how you are against self ID
Know what ?
We come here to talk about Scottish independence
Not your fears and obsessions
There is no civil war in the SNP. There is a small group of woke activists, most likely MI5 plants, determined to destroy the SNP and the Independence movement.
Let’s spoil their plans. Let’s vote SNP, and Neale Hanvey in Kirkcaldy, at every opportunity and vote YES when the time comes.
Eye on the ball, please!
In all 50 pages of the SNP manifesto I can find nothing on this gender matter. There is no commitment to any legislation on the subject. interviews Nicola has proclaimed herself a staunch advocate for women’s rights. She has also said that individuals experiencing gender identity crises should be treated with compassion and fairness – only that.
“In all 50 pages of the SNP manifesto I can find nothing on this gender matter. There is no commitment to any legislation on the subject.”
Fucking hell, are you an idiot? Both Nicola Sturgeon and Shirley-Anne Somerville have EXPLICITLY stated in the last few days that they’re committed to bringing the legislation forward within weeks. It’s not in the manifesto because it’s Holyrood legislation, nothing to do with a Westminster election.
@Dan,
Is that the (yes)Jack Deeth who is ta!king of going to canvas for Labour at the Kirca!dy election rather than the former SNP candidate or indeed for any other SNP candidate ?
This is a great message to read after spending hours pounding the streets in rain, wind, and freezing cold helping to get an SNP success at the next election – in one week from now.
It’s time people realise just how lucky we are to have a leader of the calibre of Nicola Sturgeon.
We could be led by a ‘Richard Leonard’ or worse still a ‘Boris Johnson’ but no – we have one of the finest politicians in Britain today leading the only party that can deliver independence for Scotland. How lucky is that!!!
Gender issues are happening – fact.
All parties will have to come to some sort of accepted understanding of this whole issue that works for everyone- it is NOT an SNP specific issue so stop trying to make this a rod to break the ranks, especially one week before the GE that is the most critical in our lifetime.
Are any of the other Scottish OR UK parties discussing this? NO
If Nicola did not dismiss Hanvey the SNP would be embroiled in exactly the same, never-ending vitriol which is being aimed at the Labour Party and it’s anti-semitism.
Corbyn is not anti-semitic; Nicola is a feminist, we have to think longer term and get Independence first.
Nicola is a feminist, she and Joanna Cherry have signed the Woman’s pledge – for which they are being persecuted – yet by even trying to navigate some way through this issue they seem to be getting it from both sides. Things are far from settled so everyone involved needs to take a step back and get the real business done – VOTE SNP next week or the outcome will be a nightmare.
A vote for the SNP is the ONLY way to stop the Tories and help to set up Indy which we all want.
Everything changes once we are independent – technically the SNP won’t even exist then so we can create the country we want, but we have to get through the next 7 days and most importantly, we have to vote for the SNP next week or no-one will get anything we want.
VOTE SNP ON DECEMBER 12TH.
Capella @ 10.14
Well said…
I can’t believe how many are so keen to
” shoot the messenger ”
Even IF 🙂 the Rev turned out to be, 00W, a sleeper agent of the BrItish State (I know) it doesn’t make what is happening within the SNP any less true.
No one seems to have noticed HE didn’t choose the timing of these expulsions.
If the election is being used as a cover to get rid of people something needed said,and the members are being ignored.
I’d be perfectly happy for Nicola to take a firm hand with these people and become the first leader of an Independent Scotland.
But if she won’t step up she has to step aside.
There are many ordinary members who have been biting their tongue ( up to and including having some questions over the election processes for the position of the woman’s convenor) and trying to slow down this push from the “science deniers” using the party’s own framework.
They have kept it an SNP thing and the Woman’s pledge was a part of that effort
They,as you probably know are getting no where…. ( my memory may be wrong but the girl who was pushed out today might,have been the main rival for the Woman’s Convener position?… I’m trying to confirm it…..)
I don’t know why Nicola has got into this position?
What convinced her to get behind this ideology?
Can she distance herself from it?
Either way there is a large part of her party who want this Gender thing examined more closely and not just waived on through.
As for Indy….
Why have only we to wait till after Independence to address it?
Why are the GRA supporting faction not willing to reciprocate,they are ment to be Indy supporters too!
They must know it’s controversial and could damage Nicola.
Why are they doing this to her!
They bring less Indy votes to the table than Stuart Campbell!
They don’t seem to feel the need to let the election pass!
They don’t seem to think it’s bad timing to push negative stories about senior SNP people and call for their job’s.
And the Rev is not the one almost gifting Lesley Laird a seat….
So…
Your absolutely right Capella it’s no the messenger we should be focused on here…
It’s the message…
And anyone,absolutely,anyone who doesn’t want to see…. Trans Woman ARE Woman…
enshrined in Scotland’s Constitution needs to speak up..
Which is why as I’ve said before,I think we need a Wings Party going forward even if the referendum is next year.
@ Terry Callachan – I wish I had a shilling for every time some bloke told me to shut up.
No.
“Findlay’s tweets concerned the disputed definition of anti-Semitism which says that likening any actions of the Israeli state to actions of Nazi Germany automatically equates to hatred of the Jews, no matter how directly valid the comparison might be in any given situation.”
That is what she tweeted, but it isn’t actually the full story. That in itself could be regarded as an argument for free speech. But apparently what she also tweeted previously was this:
“Israel with its treatment of Palestinians and latest apartheid laws is Nazi. It is not anti-Semitic to call Israel a Nazi state.” (19 July 2018)
and this:
“Israel’s action against Palestine are definitely Nazi – This is all about surprising perfectly justified criticism of Israel” (23 July)
and this:
“Israel’s behaviour towards Palestinians Is Nazi. It’s the truth call it what it is Nazi” (2 Aug)
People should be given the full story to make our minds up.
My personal opnion is that ignorance is no excuse, and only someone who is totally ignorant of the Nazis and has never visited a concentration – extermination – camp, would use such a comparison.
Dr Jim at 9:49pm
I have only been reading this blog for a few months but have been a nationalist since the 70’s.
Stu’s “sin” is promoting his personal views in tandem with the promotion of Independence.
A result of which has caused the exit of more than a few SNP loyalist posters, many of whom were obsessed with a bonkers and extremely divisive crusade to weed out alleged fifth columnists, (more imagined than real) none of whom ever penned as much as a sentence in favour of the Status Quo.
As a newcomer, I found the atmosphere here to be poisonous in the extreme and to be honest I now find it refreshing to see that at least some nationalists feel sufficient confidence in the movement to call “shite”, when that is exactly what the “Leadership” is advocating.
For twenty-five years the footsoldiers have allowed themselves to be blackmailed into behaving like spineless nodding dogs by a de-facto dictatorship in the guise of “Party Unity”, terrified of reading “SNP Split” headlines in tomorrow’s paper.
Twenty-five years where the leadership have ceaselessly promoted pet agendas that have little or nothing to do with Independence.
@Bob Mack
Aye, same lad.
Sturgeon getting a lot of flak on here. Time to post this again.
Let me just say that I love Nicola Sturgeon.
I love Nicola Sturgeon because she doesn’t put me in fear of my life with plans to introduce a US style NHS. I get a very expensive drug that keeps me alive. My US relative says if I stayed in the US I would either bankrupt or dead.
I love Nicola Sturgeon because she is not going to take away my European citizenship, with all it’s many benefits.
I love Nicola Sturgeon because she is not going to take away my human rights.
I love Nicola Sturgeon because she is not going to take away my employment rights.
I love Nicola Sturgeon because she doesn’t have my neighbour fear being dragged from her home a 5:30 in the morning and put in detention before being deported to a country she hasn’t been in for 20 years, losing the business she has built up whist here.
I love Nicola Sturgeon because she isn’t stripping powers from my country’s parliament.
I love Nicola Sturgeon because she doesn’t maintain a nuclear deterrent that I’ve lived within 10 miles of for most of my life. She wants them to take it away. I want them to take it away.
I love Nicola Sturgeon because she doesn’t want to give away my personal sovereign property of about £200K in oil and gas reserves to a bunch of near fascists in another country, for nothing.
I love Nicola Sturgeon because she doesn’t starve sport in my country of investment, thus ensuring failure. Like tennis in Scotland getting 1% of U.K. funding despite supplying 99% of the success. Or Rangers football club getting much less U.K. television funding than Burnley (no offence) despite being the 18th most supported club in the world.
I love Nicola Sturgeon because she doesn’t have the state broadcaster wipe my country’s existence,and that of its party of government, off the map, whilst pumping out anti Scottish propaganda designed to undermine confidence in my country. The result is young people so drained of their self belief that they can throw away a 3 goal lead with 20 minutes to go in a World Cup finals.
I love Nicola Sturgeon because she doesn’t systemically seek to close down my country’s economy. Like closing Longannet with a vital 20% generation capacity, whilst subsidising similar generators in England. Or paying companies to move their fish processing to Grimsby, the Brexit fishing hub. Don’t start me on the banks. Or the Post Offices.
I love Nicola Sturgeon because her response to dissatisfaction in Scotland isn’t to create a regiment of trolls with the objective to undermine democracy in the nation, with every technological tool available. Throwing in their psyops wobblers, creating doubts, undermining leaders, encouraging extremism and creating dissent. The actual embodiment of the rottenness of the “precious union”.
These are just some of the reasons why I love Nicola Sturgeon.
Nothing has happened to change my opinion.
I will not be deflected by a created crisis. I will not vote to give my land and my children’s land to a near fascist regime in another country for nothing. That is just plain unethical.
I will be voting SNP.
Sassenach…1035….
I agree with you
What a daft time to come away with this report
WOS obsessed with self ID gender reecognition
There are a number of people on here who treat self ID gender recognition with more importance than Scottish independence
There has never been a hope in hells chance of SNP self ID gender recognition policy sinking the campaign for Scottish independence
Never ever ever
It’s small fry compared to austerity , losing our NHS , mass unemployment , mass housing deprivation
All these things and more will be controlled by us in Scotland once we get Scottish independence
Self ID can be voted in voted out voted in changed changed changed by any of the political party’s that exist in an independent Scotland
Scottish independence needs total focus on what is to be gained by having the control and power to decide things in your own country the power to decide and change and improve over and over forever
And what do we get ? A week before an election ?
This conceited self important drivel about getting rid of Nicola Sturgeon the one person above all else who has outperformed and outflanked the whole britnattery battalion
over the last few weeks
When did the phrase “Pro-Palestinian” get replaced with “Anti-Semetic” by the media, anyone know?
Capella…thick as two short planks with your blinkers on
Get over yourself
Nobody’s interested
I agree with Black Donald. Some folk are getting side tracked from the main aim of independence .
Too many people dont think twice before posting stuff on twitter.
Everyone has their own vision of independence but none of that will come about if we fight among ourselves
Stu Campbell has lost the plot. Calling for the leader of the SNP to resign, one week before a General Election. I call on Stu Campbell to resign. Stu, you’ve gone from being an asset to independence to a hinderance. Time to give up. The vast majority of people don’t care about your current obsession with trans rights.
Dadsarmy…1135…Good points
So many people talk of the Nazi regime but don’t really have enough knowledge to put it in context
75 yrs have passed and yet Britain’s obsession with WWll continues
It was in fact Russsia that sacrificed most to stop the nazis
Comparing Israelis with nazis is common but factually incorrect
Sure what the Israelis do to Palestinians and other Arabs is dreadfully cruel
But it’s not nearly as bad as what the nazis did
And let’s remember it wasn’t just Jews the nazis treated that way it was gay people Roma people and dark skinned people too
A lazy SNP candidate spouting off on twitter or Facebook and caught out because once it’s on there it’s there forever
These two SsNP candidates ought to have known better
Support withdrawn from them because they’ve done something they know they should not have done
Aldo macb…1153…well said
The problem is
There isn’t another website for discussion as open as this one
This has become a gender self ID opposition website
Dan @ 11.24
I agree the the bulk of the Scottish electorate are pretty much unaware of the GRA and it’s implications.
Your right that it won’t sit well with small c Conservative Scotland.
That’s why I suspect this faction want it pushed through on the down low.
It was female SNP members who caught it and delayed it.
And it’s the supporters of it that are trying every trick in the book to push it through,before Indy Ref two.
Mibbi it’s out in the mainstream is where it needs to be?
Indy is all about the people of Scotland deciding things for themselves… Aye…
So it has to be asked…
Why can’t the supporters of GRA reform help to get Indy first and then put their case before the people of Scotland.
We might be small c Conservative but we’re also pretty fair minded.
Why don’t they prioritise Indy and lobby an Independent Scottish Government for their proposal.
Why have we to either shut up or remain ignorant of the issue?
Where have we heard that before…
And just as an aside …. It’s easy for Nicola to say she’s absolutely a feminist if she believes Trans Women ARE Women.
There’s is no contradiction…..
Newsnight tonight, Wed, Matlis interviewed Dr. Sarah Wollaston on the Lib Dems manifesto position on this topic. No stats discussed, only conjecture on the likely impacts and effects / threats.
Meanwhile, back on the meanstreets, respect To Meg, (11:34pm) and others padding the hoof canvassing in all weather.
Capella….. Don’t rise to it 🙂
@ Liz G – don’t worry! 🙂
@TJenny
WTF you on about?I work in the NHS, come home, speak to my family, go to the fitba, go to the pub….. A total of 0 people have mentioned Trans stuff. Sick of petty never-ending bickering over an non issue. This used to be a place of information and hope,not any more. Oh ,clue is in there.
link to yougov.co.uk
Lordy, Lordy!
First – it appears that the rule is now “guilty until proven innocent “. Due process before execution (politically) seems to be a thing of the past.
Second – all this gender alphabet soup baffles me!
Third – too much self-indulgence and not enough eyes-on-the-prize focus on the first priority – which, don’t forget, makes our dreams of a better place possible. Your better place may not be the same as mine, but that is a matter for After!
Fourth – timing of this sucks (and I mean all of it, from the witch hunt and suspensions right through to the revs response).
Fifth – these ultra woke (I hate that effing word) / PC people may back Indy, but they have a queer way of showing it. If I was feeling charitable I might say their priorities were skewed, but since I’m not I’ll say they are as bad in their way as Boris, Rees Mog and Trump. They are narcissistic, hubristic and don’t care who they trample and betray to fulfil their narrow cliquish fantasies.
Finally, and most importantly, vote SNP next week, or for the rest of your days you will live with the shame that you betrayed your country and your fellow man (I use the term loosely and, of course, inclusively) in a fit of pique.
@ Terry callachan at 11.48
Shame on you.
You’re not interested so nobody’s interested?
How very arrogant.
The only reason this is a supposedly ‘crucial’ election is because the SNP have spent the last three years squandering mandates and refusing to push for indy. Who cares whether they get all the seats in Scotland at this pointless charade of an election or not? Whatever the outcome, the answer to the craven indyref ‘request’ will still be “GIRFUY Jocks”.
The SNP have already lost indy. They lost it when they failed to push for indyref2 before the first Brexit deadline and showed the unionist opposition they have no balls (which probably explains why they’re so into the campaign to deregulate single sex spaces).
All you morons blaming the Rev for pointing all this out are shooting the messenger, rather than training your rightful anger on the gender cultists who’ve made the SNP completely unelectable for women like myself. I can move abroad and get a new nationality – eventually. But I can never stop being a woman. Sex is far more fundamental than nationality – which is precisely why this issue has been chosen to destroy the SNP from within. On Sturgeon’s watch.
Her party. Her monumental failure. Her fault. Even if she goes now, the damage has already been done and our chance at ever being a normal country has been destroyed for at least another few decades.
So save your anger for where it’s deserved. It isnae Rev Stu that’s been taking your votes for a ride and ripping the pish out of the electorate since 2016. It’s Nicola Sturgeon.
If you don’t vote SNP in my opinion along with many other folks then you don’t really want Scottish Independence. Plain and simple, Independence first and if you must argue then argue after we have won. Trying to destroy the SNP before this extremely important election seems strange especially when we could be so close to finally achieving our desired aim. Makes you wonder the direction some folk on here really want for Scotland ?
Very sad and disturbing to read this piece and comments..,,,,,
Interesting reading comments. In better days you could think that that was the real reason for the article, not to be taken seriously for itself, just one week before a General Election that could see the SNP with anywhere between 25 if people try to kill it off, and 55 seats if people stand behind it, even if they do hold their nose and use smelling salts.
This is almost certainly the last chance for the SNP to come up with Indy Ref 2 before the Holyrood Elections, and if they betray their promises THEN IS THE TIME TO KICK THEM INTO TOUCH.
Meanwhile the more wind in their sails, the more chance there is for Indy Ref 2 and Independence, and a YES vote.
VOTE SNP ON DECEMBER 12TH
VOTE SNP ON DECEMBER 12TH
VOTE SNP ON DECEMBER 12TH
VOTE SNP ON DECEMBER 12TH
VOTE SNP ON DECEMBER 12TH
VOTE SNP ON DECEMBER 12TH
VOTE SNP ON DECEMBER 12TH
you get the message, but not in the article.
Not the first time Stu has steered off the course of independence to highlight his issue with trans folks. Calling on the first minister to stand down a week before a crucial election- what on Earth are you smoking??
Have you even made the case for voting SNP in this election? Each Tory/unionist seat won undermines the case for Indy further. You’re an influential figure with enough intelligence to make a great argument for voting yellow and beating the Tories, which could easily make a difference in the marginal seats. Yet all you’re currently doing is stoking dissent. WTF man???
Terry callachan 11.08pm
very good
We all heard politics is a dirty business,but in the last 5
to ten years we can see just how dirty.
The people must be kept down at all costs.
The use of anti semitic accusations is absolutely disgusting.
The gender ID thing is a new creation,a new weapon.
But if i have to go to the polls in the future indy ref
dressed as a rabi wearing a mini skirt so be it…
and i’ll be voting yes.
Hairy Jack says – “…a load of defeatist drivel”
It is not Nicola Sturgeon or the SNP that will “win” independence it is the People of Scotland who will claim it.
And the ONLY way that can happen is by voting for independence at EVERY opportunity – And if we do and the Man from Westminster says NO.
It is up to US to say GIRFUY we are having it NOW – Regardless of what the Woman from Holtrood’s take on the matter is.
P.S
When we win ah’ll put ma kilt back oan mind!!
Capella, Liz G + Crazycat – with you all the way. Why are we the ones being told to shut up, by mostly men it seems?
Those who want this to be swept under the carpet as they think it’s toxic, that’s because it is toxic, to women.
It seems that the biggest issue against trans women is the threat of predators and abusers taking advantage?
Surely part of the solution is only giving access to female-only spaces AFTER the operation ?
At least they are committed then!
Sport is still problematic, but in most cases it would seem to alleviate most concerns.
It’s unfortunate, but clever if an extremist trans mob are using alleged anti-semitism as a weapon, but it’s understandable why the party has to look squeaky clean on that issue, regardless of any double standards.
It’s not a handful of angry shemales running the media.
Sturgeon is most likely looking at the big picture, rather than scheming with them. I do think she should punt this trans stuff into the long grass, but independence is the priority and she is the best we have. She comes across as agreeable, reasonable and likeable to a lot of voters who were previously anti-independence, and that’s a huge positive.
I joined the SNP because they said their aim was independence.
For some time now I have the feeling that is no longer the case.
12th I’ll hold my nose and vote SNP.
Stu, if you get the Wings party up and running it will be the last time I vote SNP.
Unless of course someone in the SNP gets a grip. But I believe it’s already to late.
Well said! We have to make a stand against the canker of the thought police. They have already made serious inrodes into the Labour Party, successfully removing Corbyn’s obvious successor for example, and now are successfully removing candidates from marginal seats in the SNP.
(The true Liberal response is, yes of course everyone has the right to define their own sexuality and for this to be respected – but this respect has to be extended to all and alas, human sexuality is not a simple binary choice but a spectrum)
Anyway I’ve now signed the pledge and hope others will do so too. Keep up the good work and we’ll have a free Scotland for all shades soon.
When an entity or person knows that they are the only game in town, that’s a license for them to do as they please. Liberties are taken. As we see.
I smell’t merde when the massive rise in SNP membership happened, & haven’t changed my mind since. Carpet bagging heaven.
I’ll be voting SNP next week, as per, but only because I don’t have any realistic alternative.
Re NS. The call’s yours to make Stu, but a couple of weeks delay might have been prudent.
link to news.gov.scot
There’s so much incorrect shite flying around, you’d expect a media fact-checking blog to do some research and tell the truth about it.
“The Government’s proposals to reform the Act will not affect that position.“
@ dadsdarmy – unfortunately, while it is true that the door will remain locked, the keys will be handed out to all and sundry on demand. That isn’t safeguarding women and girls.
I’m in my seventies. In all my life I’ve only ever met one person whom I took to be a Trans person.
Dressed like a woman and talked like a man. To be honest I felt awkward in dealing with them. I felt out of my comfort zone. I coped by dealing with them in a professional manner. I tried to be normal and friendly. In conversation it turned out the person was going for their operation. The person was quiet spoken and subdued.
When they had gone, my overwhelming feeling was one of compassion and concern for a fellow human being going through a difficult time. I remembered my feelings in September 2014 when I felt I had lost my own identity. It must be doubly hard for a trans person dealing with their own identity crisis. I wished I had been friendlier. It must be very hard for them.
I would also say that there is no way this quiet person would ever be a threat to anyone.
Given my own experience, I feel the extremism on Twitter etc. in this area just jars, and seems not wholly genuine. There seems to be absolute hysteria from some people about this tiny minority. It only appeared when the SNP started to act in this area. I believe it is being used by unethical individuals as a means to undermine the SNP and its leadership. It seems to be succeeding to some extent.
Based on my own limited experience, I think the SNP are strategically correct on this. I want these people helped. The SNP tried to do something, it caused a lot of (orchestrated?) and genuine concern, and they have put it out for review. Tactical modifications are required.
I think there needs to be more compassion and respect on both sides. And some give and take.
I don’t think it’s proper for someone with a male skeleton and a 10% inbuilt performance advantage to enter competitive women’s sports where prize money and medals are involved. I think Men Identifying as women should respect women’s rights and excuse themselves. Drugs and hormones don’t change skeletal structure. Mutually accepted casual sport is fine.
Similarly with toilets. I think the answer might be to make Disabled toilets into M/F Toilets for all sexes and disabled people. The concerns of women need to be respected by all.
This is not an issue for this election. It is not mentioned in the SNP manifesto.
I have only had one encounter with a Trans person in 70 years. It cannot be a major concern to me.
This is not an issue to end support for the SNP over. Other parties may also address this issue. The SNP position is still subject to modification. Everything may yet turn out fine. This may not be the case with other parties.
I think people who are ending support for the SNP over this are letting themselves be played by extreme propaganda.
Giving your country away over a concern with the still under review rights of a tiny minority, makes no sense.
This post by the Rev would have been fine in two weeks time, not now.
@dadsarmy
“including where a trans person has legal recognition” are the keywords that could cause problems – if a man can easily become legally identified as female sex merely by ‘identifying’ as female gender.
If someone really thinks they are a woman, they can get the operation, the fake tits installed and so on.
At least that weeds out the dangerous ones.
Onwards @ 1.08
That’s all we’re saying…. That’s all we’ve ever said.
Trans Woman are Not a threat to women ( they really don’t need to be required to have ” the op “)…. But the law that their (apparent) advocates are pushing for is.
It can and it will give legal cover to actual predators.
T Jenny @ 1.02
Exactly T.Jenny,not just to shut up but also that this is a non issue.
The tone seems to be why is the Rev bringing it up?
And not why are the opponents of it being purged right now?
It’s not as if the SNP on what ever level,don’t know the Rev is around and is unlikely to miss it.
They knew fine well that Wings would notice and that some SNP supporters would have to choose to silently comply or look like they criticised their party.
As I keep sayn…. The “Why Now” question is not for Wings,that’s a misdirection, it’s for the people behind this party purge…..Let’s look at them!
Neale Hanvey did very well at the hustings on Tuesday btw. Lesley Laird just couldn’t shake off the persona of a grand politician. Too general, too grandiose, too many empty promises and slogans. It was a hostile crowd for her and she had a tough time.
There was an honest and frank discussion of the accusations and Hanvey gave excellent answers to the questions he was asked. I was with people who had intended to vote SNP but who were put off by the anti-semitism allegations and Hanvey being suspended from the party. After the hustings, they told me that they would vote for him on the strength of his performance.
He came across as passionate about independence, genuine and knowledgeable and will in my opinion be an asset to the constituency if he wins.
Most importantly for me, he is willing to listen to our concerns about the ongoing, devastating consequences of policies adopted across the public and private sector in Scotland within the last ten years. These policies are already harming women and girls and Hanvey was willing to listen to the effect enshrining the basis for these policies in Scottish law will have on our existing rights under the Equality Act.
FWIW, I was a lifelong Green Party voter, but no longer after they adopted a motion at conference that requires women to adhere to their quasi-religious transgender ideology and so agree to cede their legal protections under the Equality Act or else be barred from party membership.
Even if that hadn’t been the case, it saddens me to say that I would have struggled to support Scott Rutherford. He seemed to me to embody identity politics. And it does not fill me with confidence to watch a GE candidate happily insult other politicians as “rotten to the core”. Not their politics or policies but the people themselves. In my opinion, he was also ageist and misogynist by implying we’re all too old, too ignorant and too unenlightened to get why eroding women’s rights in aid of a men’s rights movement is the right thing to do. The crowd unsurprisingly did not take to him, despite 16% undecideds he picked up no additional votes at the end.
I realise that many Scots continue to be unaware of the issue, but we are facing the most sustained and gravest attack on women’s rights in 50 years. The FM is fully on-board with this and the SNP leadership was ghosting Hanvey before the anti-semitism story broke BECAUSE he spoke up in support of women’s rights. Anyone who thinks this is about anti-semitism is woefully naive.
@Capella
What the ScotGov is supposed to be doing is publishing the Bill before the end of this year, and putting IT out to consulation. Then there is a concrete Bill for people to make comments on. With any luck the whole thing will be delayed to beyond the next Holyrood Election. If the SNP betray their promise of Indy Ref 2 before then, they’re out.
Whether people will vote for them or not if there IS any Indy Ref 2, who knows? It would depend on their Independence manifesto – or their devolution one. Indy Ref 2 would no longer be an issue because it would have been held.
Oh, this is MAD: mutually-assured (self) destruction.
Woke-ists seeking to excommunicate anyone from the SNP who doesn’t agree with their agenda, right at the time of an election, when they should instead be expending 100% of their efforts out on the streets seeking to get the precious vote out.
Stu, with equally-inappropriate timing, calling for the resignation of NS without any evidence whatever that she is in fact instrumental in this side-issue. Nicola has achieved the enviable position of getting traction with the undecided and he would dump her right before a vote and replace her by exactly whom? It’s childish toy-throwing.
It’s not as if we’re already so dominant among ordinary voters that we can afford to waste this precious opportunity. Thankfully this particular issue – which is important in the longer run, I don’t deny it – is currently unknown and immaterial to the wider voting public, and hopefully it will remain obscure and irrelevant to them through the coming week, whatever the keyboard warriors may think. The issue is not on the critical path, so there is still time to sort this out, not least in terms of dealing with highly-uncomradely behaviour from a bunch of minority woke obsessives.
First things first. Keep the heid and don’t lose perspective. This will have to be sorted out, but now is absolutely the wrong time. On both sides. If you waste this precious opportunity to make crucial progress toward our prime objective, you won’t be forgotten and you won’t be forgiven.
@onwards
But it says that EVEN if legally recognised:
“The Equality Act already allows trans people to be excluded, … including where a trans person has legal recognition. ”
So it doesn’t matter for that even if it’s way easier to be legally recognised – they would STILL be able to be excluded.
@RJS
As far as anti-Semitism is concerned, whether real or imagined, look at the damage it has done to Labour – and Corbyn himeslf.
The SNP high-heidyins have absolutely no choice, nil, zero, zilch, nada, BUT to be totally ruthless on anyone of theirs stupid enough to be anywhere near the edge. Specially just 7 days before the election which could be on the way to Indy.
We, the non-aligned, could do it if we wanted. Pass, quite frankly, I’m trying to keep my eye on the ball.
dadsarmy @ 01:40:
As it very wisely should be. But that alone won’t sort the problem of relentless back-stabbing within the ranks of the SNP. These woke-ites are on a monomaniacal mission, and to hell with the consequences. If they won’t relent even during an election, whenever will they? To that extend Stu is correct in identifying the very real longer-term danger they (re)present.
@RJS
“To that extend Stu is correct in identifying the very real longer-term danger they (re)present.”
Not 7 days before the day of the General Election.
And with membership of the SNP having quintupled from 25,500 in 2014 to 125,000, it’s hardly suprising there are some bad apples, and some total opportunists out for their own agenda, and just altching on the the rising star (SNP).
It has been said the SNP hasn’t coped with the increase of membership and normally that would be a grievous criticism.
I suspect their eyes and efforts have been elsewhere. Or hope so.
dadsarmy @ 01:54,
Yes, I know. We’ve seen it before with Michelle Thomson, for example. It’s cold and clinical, and rather heartless for the faithful who have judged to have strayed even a millimetre over the line. But it’s about survival in a very hostile environment.
Especially galling and unwelcome though if the targeting is coming from within the SNP itself. That is a very troubling prospect. With “friends” like them, who needs enemies? In the medium term, we need these minority extremists to be
neutered=errm= neutralised.dadsarmy @ 02:13:
Oh, agreed. Absolutely. A crass and puzzling misjudgement. I can’t begin to fathom the mentality behind that, though it seems to be a feeling that is also bubbling up elsewhere. Due to a lot of pent-up frustration from glacial progress, probably.
JK over at SGP has a far more mature response, though alas he also couldn’t resist another unnecessary personal aspersion directed at Stu.
Just when we really need grown-ups, we have reversion to childhood.
With one outstanding exception, of course.
And to those castigating Stu for breaking this story now – we are meant to ignore this purging of supporters of women’s rights. That’s why it is being done now. So that we will silence our dissent lest we damage SNP chances at the election.
Those engaged in the purge however have no such qualms about damaging the SNP and the independence movement. They have but one goal and that is enforcing compliance with their ideology and enshrining it in Scottish law.
And I am sick and tired of men telling me that independence must come first. No. An attack as the one currently underway on the rights of over half the population of this country is not some fringe issue. It is not trivial, unimportant or subordinate to independence. This is not about some poor suffering souls just wanting to pee in peace.
And no, there will not need to be compromise. Not for manly men who merely claim a female soul, not for feminine men with fake boobs and a wig who have their penis inverted or chopped off. Why don’t you compromise so these men feel safe with all the other men? Why don’t you accommodate them?
A man without a penis is not a woman. Woman is not a feeling in a man’s head. We are actual, real human beings distinct and separate from men. We are a whole sex class, a whole political category to ourselves. With our own needs and our own rights.
Women as females currently have the right – in language and in law – to define ourselves in a category of our own, separately from males (however they identify). With our own sovereign spaces, services and sports and our own language to name our bodies and our lives and with other legal set asides necessary for our safety, dignity and privacy and to overcome the disadvantages we suffer for being born female in a male-dominated world.
I will not give up this right and all that follows on from it. Neither will any of my fellow campaigners. It took your foremothers hundreds of years to gain these protections, we’ve had most of them for less than 50 years and we won’t yield, we can’t yield and look our daughters and granddaughters in the eye with a clear conscience.
You underestimate the anger of women about this issue at your peril. Without women there will be no independence campaign. Not that Women for Independence are making any public statements about this as an organisation but I have lost count of how many members have told me that this is the first time they have encountered a political issue more important to them than independence and if they had to make a decision between independence and defending our rights, they will choose the latter. It is existential for us. Not fearmongering, not propagandising, not bigoted, not right-wing.
Just women who know why we need these rights. Many who fought for them 30, 40 years ago. And I am happy to meet anyone to explain this in painstaking, minute detail with the evidence showing what we are talking about and why. I haven’t dedicated the last two years of my life to this fight for no reason.
We are as a class of course well used to being told to fight for other aims first, that there’s always time to fight for women’s rights later. Labour’s been doing this to us for over a hundred years. Hardly surprising that independence supporters are doing the same now.
Enough. I don’t want an independent Scotland where my rights have been eroded. Neither do thousands of women in Scotland now meeting and organising to stand up for our rights. We might have to do so in private for fear of losing our jobs, reputations or our safety. But more and more of us don’t give a fuck anymore and stand up in public, too.
Purging Findlay and Hanvey is meant to scare politicians off in a desperate, revealing move, because more and more politicians and people are waking up to the danger. But this will merely shed sunlight on the totalitarian nature of those advocating for transgender ideology and legislation.
Dad’s army @ 2.13
Why not…. If there is a damaging serious purge of members going on under the cover of the election?
How much more power could these people gain in the next week?
And how threatened are others going to be about staying in line going forward?
Calling for Nicolas job is a clear message and highlights the stark choice I suspect is in front of her.
If she wants her place ( I think and hope that she does ) in Scotland’s History, as the leader who took us back to being an Independent Country,then she needs to understand that she needs to deal with this faction.
I’ll not risk independence to keep her in her job and neither will many other’s.
It’s not the nuts and bolts of the GRA that will do damage to Indy it’s the perception of it in the public’s mind.
And it’s advocates are not prepared to wait for Indy to have the debate.
The promoters of this don’t care about Independence,this is a drive across Western Democracies…. But there is no other Country where the backlash could cost it it’s freedom.
Scotland needs a leader prepared to put the brakes on it till after Indy…. No a political blogger to shut up about it!
It’s no Wings speaking out that could cost us our Country.
It’s Nicola keeping silent…
Nah – I’ll not wait until after independence before challenging this regressive self ID policy.
To those SNP members / voters who are critical of self ID:
Mhairi Hunter calls you ‘trash’
Mhairi Black / Rhiannon Spears calls you ‘Jeremy Hunts’
Alyn Smith’s hangers-on call you ‘TERFs’
A whole bunch of SNPers will not sign the Women’s pledge. And neither Nicola Sturgeon or Fiona Robertson will engage with grassroots women’s groups on this issue. Not to mention the woke SNP contingent who actively try to get gender critical SNP figures deselected and now this anti-semitic ruse coming from their own ranks! Frankly, the SNP are fucking up independence all by themselves!
Those who say Stu is side-tracked with the GRA debate completely misunderstand how legislative changes to the GRA that will enable self-ID will impact on society:
– It means women as a defined sex category (including our protective sex-based rights) will be completely erased. Biological men will have access to women’s prisons, refuges, sport, changing areas, toilets and more.
– Gender critical people including academics, scientists and ordinary people will be silenced from debating and discussing this issue.
– The biological sciences will be trumped by gender theory.
– We will go down the track of Canada’s C-16 Bill and have enforced compelled speech regarding people’s preferred pronouns.
– We will adopt a ‘gender affirming’ policy to enable adolescents to transition putting them on a path of puberty blockers, hormones and surgery; with no accompanying psychological / psychiatric support to attempt to treat the dysphoria.
– We will enable trans activists to threaten women with violence verbally and physically, in person and online.
– Saying ‘trans women are men’ or ‘woman: adult human female’ will be classed as hate speech and you may get a visit from the police.
Does this all seem a bit far fetched? Well this is already happening by stealth and the legislation has not even been passed yet. Organisations are falling over themselves to change their policies to enable self-ID including: police, prisons, NHS, schools, women’s services and more.
Independence is the main goal for the YES movement, but based on these last few years, I just don’t see it as the main goal for the SNP. If this policy capture by the wokerati continues, then we definitely need a new independence political party and soon.
Maren @ 02:36:
No, of course not. Not at all, this is facile. It’s about timing, not merit.
Nothing is going to be sorted within the next week, whatever. But there is an election coming along in a week’s time. Why damage our cause in that? Whose and what purpose would that serve, exactly..?
I do not think anyone loses anything by the timing if all this gets a good airing in nine days time and not just now.
How many trans-gender people are there in Scotland?
Anybody know? I, personally, know of none.
Rather than hearing ‘trans women are women’ mantra, it would be a lot easier if Trans people were simply proud to be Trans. The same as Gay pride.
Confusing sex and gender is the part of the problem.
@Maren
“An attack as the one currently underway on the rights of over half the population of this country is . . .”
… NOT being done by the Scottish Government CURRENTLY. And nor is it being planned to do – not without a further consultation once the proposed Bill has been published.
A few extremists yes.
see here: link to wingsoverscotland.com
So far this is hot fearty air – THERE IS NO BILL BEEN PUBLISHED YET
@Craig Murray says:
I do not think anyone loses anything by the timing if all this gets a good airing in nine days time and not just now.
yes, some common sense needed
Robert J Sutherland @2:56
It’s not Stu damaging the cause. He writes a blog read by a few hundred thousand independence supporters. Many who may agree with him and yet still vote SNP as the only credible option.
But thanks to those behind the purge “SNP anti-semitism problem” is now a front page story in print, television, radio and online media. By now most voters in the country have seen the story but not any of the background (because the decidedly anti-SNP media was always going to run with this).
If anything, by exploring the background Stu highlighted that there continue to be dedicated SNP members and officials even if there’s a minority of extremists damaging the cause. And he may have netted Neale Hanvey some decisive votes to take the seat.
If “most popular indy blogger demands Sturgeons resignation” pushes the “SNP anti-semitism” story off the front pages and the news headlines you may well be proven right. But I wouldn’t hold my breath.
“and the legislation has not even been passed yet”
The *proposed* legislation hasn’t even been PUBLISHED yet
Unless you can provide a link on the Scotgov website?
Well?
For what it’s worth, I don’t think Nicola would have thrown Neale Hanvey under the bus if it was a Tory marginal seat.
She had to look at the bigger picture.
It’s harsh, but whether that seat goes Labour or SNP won’t make much difference in a hung parliament.
It is what it is.
@Liz g “If there is a damaging serious purge of members going on under the cover of the election?”
Two?
One who apologised for “anti-Semitism” and got all our support, and one who actually said Israel=Nazi in 3 tweets a year earlier but didn’t tell us about them so we could make our own minds up?
Any more? Are we talking thousands here? Tens of thousands of members? 124,900 members all being chased out by the unArbroath 100?
Maren, Liz g + Scozzie – sooo well said.
I can’t help but wonder if any and all complaints to FM and cab mins are being filtered out by the woke folk in her office admin. She may well be unaware of the strength of feeling on the self – id issue. If not unaware, she needs to state that self id is not on the cards, then set about reeling in the trans extremists in the admin.
Dadsarmy @3.21pm
If you’re referring to my comment….
That’s exactly my point. The proposed legislation has not yet been published or passed and we already have organisations redefining their policies to enable self ID.
It seems bizarre to me that so many institutions are changing policies and procedures when self ID is not yet enshrined in law.
Israel – is a murderous, illegitimate, gangster-terrorist state – it is not a country like others, it is more like the global HQ of a crime syndicate; a fortress, nuclear armed, which does not extradite, even to their main benefactor (-and vassal), America. They terrorise their neighbours for fun, and it is no coincidence that every country around them is in flames, or wrecked in some manner.
Jews around the world, mostly – mostly, and by which I mean overwhelmingly, support Israel by default, whatever it does. There are some prominant and notable jewish anti-zionists – but they get called “self hating jews”. Jews, for the most part, around the world, act as a zionist lobby in every country they reside in – and they are very effective and sophisticated, especially as they lobby across the spectrum; conservative friends of israel, labour friends of israel, libdem friends of israel – they cover all bases. They often, falsely, get accused of “dual loyalty” but this is wrong, their loyalty is exclusive – to Israel.
One clever thing that the zionist jews have done recently is to -seize the dictionary- they now control the definition of “antisemitism”. In the old days an antisemite was “someone who hated jews” (simply for their jewishness) now it is “someone the jews hate”.
– and of course, the above characterisation of Israel is now “anti-semitic” because criticism of israel has now been added to the definition.
I don’t like defending Labour or Corbyn but the anti-semitism charge against them is bullshit. Seriously – what this means is – you have angered the jews, or caught them at something –
“anti-semitism” gets thrown like a squid squirting ink.
The best dismantlers of this rubbish are, conveniently, jewish themselves, the best being Norman Finkelstein and his “The Holocaust Industry” about the use and abuse of antisemitism; there is also Gilad Atzmon and James Petras.
Finkelstein also made his name by exposing a literary fraud, a sophisticated operation which tried to claim “the palestinians did not exist” (- joan peters); Ken Livingstone should have defended himself to that kangaroo court by turning up with a copy of Lenni Brenners “51 documents : zionist collaboration with the nazis”.
Truth is, the Labour Party has always been heavily occupied by zionists, going way back – when Ernest Bevin was trying to sort out palestine back in the mandate, his own backbenchers would attack him. The trouble with Corbyn is that he treats the israelis and the palestinians, equally – and that itself is “anti-semitic”; he also refuses to bend the knee appropriately as all western political leaders do – visits to auschwitz, yad vashem, the wailing wall – and no cosy meetings with the rabbis, the chabad etc. He will not meet them and that infuriates them.
– this is a good strategy, by the way; if you meet the jewish lobbyists/rabbis/whoever – they WILL want something; and it can go two ways – you refuse it, and they make you an implacable enemy, “amalek” or – you give them what they want – THEN THEY ASK FOR SOMETHING ELSE; this is called “the ratchet” and it is a game you cannot win. If they offer you something – and you take it, then they now own you, and you will be forced to do a service, and contrariwise, if you refuse the offer – you are amalek. The jews either make you their pawn, or their enemy.
If Labour do not have the wit to defend themselve with copious evidence, already existing, written by jews – that is their lookout; the way the british jews go on you would think that – gas chambers and new railway lines were part of the labour manifesto.
– this is all well and good for the purpose of discussion among, mostly anonymous forum users.
There is no rule that says : everyone must have an opinion (and the “right” one at that) on everything
Anyone in the public eye, esp. nationalist politician – should never talk about jews, israel, the zionist lobby, historical events politicised for effect, ww2, etc – and never talk about the holocaust other than in the most general terms
mass murder is bad, mkay
we must never repeat the evils of history
– then STFU, for your own sake; any infringement or idle curiosity about events could land you in big trouble.
If you never say anything, then they have no ammunition.
When israel inevitably commits another war crime – condemn israel, better still, the israeli leadership
If you fall for the same trick, over and over – then your enemies will keep using it.
dadsarmy @3:12am
I am engaged in fighting this on the frontlines. The bill is due to be published immediately following the General Election, we expect in an attempt to minimise media exposure and escape public notice as much as possible while everyone is busy with the aftermath of the election. The Scottish Government has refused any input from any of the grassroots groups it had promised to engage with back in June and we will once again have debates damaging to the Scottish Government in parliament and negative press because of this refusal.
There will also have to be a judicial review on a related issue, which will cause major headaches and embarrassment for the Scottish Government as the Named Person one did. Only worse. Again they could have engaged with us but chose not to.
If the Scottish Government come to their senses on this, if they have any sense of fairness at all, they will publish in the New Year. We are honestly hoping they will, but given their track record on this so far, it seems a forlorn hope.
And to be clear, I’m not talking about theory, this isn’t conjecture. We understand precisely the legal implications and real life consequences which is why we are fighting this. We have read the reports from other countries who have implemented these policies with the predictable, bitter failures in safeguarding and other harmful results.
There’s not a chance in hell I would have done and risked what I have this year if the threat to our rights wasn’t real and the damage caused by now not already providing us with reams of evidence going forward. All we got from the Scottish Government have been broken promises.
However, I’d be happy to tell you about the work of about a dozen new grassroots women’s rights groups dedicating enormous efforts to this issue in Scotland and about all the myriad ways this is already causing real suffering among women and girls.
But do you honestly think countless women across the UK would spend countless unpaid hours doing all this work for no reason?