So who should I vote for?

[mdavza]

I live in Scotland and I'm trying to decide which party to vote for. I'm particularly looking at their record for women's rights and plans for women.

Although the Scottish Tories are led by a woman, our issues don't seem to feature highly on the agenda.

Scottish Labour has a Manifesto for Women but the document is weak and general. An insult, basically. But they have loads of female MSP's, and Trish Godman has introduced that bill for the criminalisation of buying sex in Scotland.

SNP - only one female candidate, although I like Alex Salmond and he did appear on here. Still to read his live webchat.
So what do you think?

[GORGEOUSX]

Probably best if you leave the voting to people who are concentrating on issues that really matter.

[K999]

Stewie...what is your MSPs track record? What did he vote on?

[toddlerwrangler]

[K999]

Thanks Toddlewrangler....am trying to keep a low profile...

Interested to hear the views on this thread....

[K999]

Yes

[K999]

Is this proposed bill they consulted on just prior to dissolution??

[laInfanta]

Don't you think you matter, GORGEOUSX? That's sad.

[K999]

Is this issue in their Manifesto?

[K999]

If it's not in their Manifesto I would presume it's not a high priority. Introducing something just prior to dissolution makes me think it's just electioneering??

[K999]

Perhaps. But it's not legislation till it's on the statute books. We will have to wait and see what the election brings!

[K999]

Interesting. The feminist issues you mention, ie, wrap around care, NHS..what makes them "feminist" issues?

[garlicbutter]

I've made up my mind to vote for women in my local elections next month - the only female candidates I'm curently aware of are Green: not my usual vote but I'm keen to put my theory into practice!

K999: not speaking for SGM but I'd say they are feminist issues because women are at the sharp end of everything to do with social care, health & education. When support gets cut, it's more often a woman who has to pick up the slack. Makes it harder to build econimic independence & restricts choice.

[mdavza]

I have a good MSP for my area - she's a woman and I've contacted her about some stuff. Just don't know if she'll respond now that they're dissolved?

I also noticed that the MSP's I've looked up have been in their positions for at least ten years. One thing I'd like to know is what they're doing about violence against women, and Trish G's proposal seems like a good way to start.

[garlicbutter]

SGM, I had to look up Trish Goodman's bill on the criminalisation of sex purchasing as I didn't think it could quite be what you wrote!
... I know there's a strong puritan element in Scotland, but that might be going too far ...

[aliceliddell]

Scottish Socialist Party now free of Sheridan and has a good policy on prostitution, gender equality and things to make that work eg childcare,refuges, etc also a good few bolshie women. Could be worse....