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Yes!

Yes :)

I've been a fervent Yes supporter despite being a member of another party. Been on the AUOB marches, spoken at Indy events.

However, I don't want to be part of the SNP vision for an independent Scotland. The contempt for women's rights, the poor governance within the party, the outrageous nonsense that comes out of SNP elected members' Twitter accounts, the lack of focus on business (who the fuck is going to create the wealth they are so keen to spend?!). Geez - I could go on. With a few exceptions, the SNP is a shitshower. There is no opposition.

I'm more and more convinced that, crap as it is, we are safer staying under Westminster rule. It's been a heart-breaking realisation, but that's where I am.

Yes

Yes absolutely. But there needs to be some better, more capable people in charge to negotiate our exit. We also need to make it much less easy for corruption to happen, not just trust government to be open and accountable because they say that’s what they are doing. Some kind of second chamber, for instance, might have stopped the horrific HCB. More scrutiny needed!

ASmallMove

Here's part of the bill:

9A Protection of freedom of expression For the purposes of section 3(2), behaviour or material is not to be taken to be threatening or abusive solely on the basis that it involves or includes— (a) discussion or criticism of matters relating to— 15 (i) age, (ii) disability, (iii) sexual orientation, (iv) transgender identity, (v) variations in sex characteristics, 20 (b) discussion or criticism relating to, or expressions of antipathy, dislike, ridicule or insult towards— (i) religion, whether religions generally or a particular religion, (ii) religious beliefs or practices, whether religious beliefs or practices generally or a particular religious belief or practice, 25 (iii) the position of not holding religious beliefs, whether religious beliefs generally or a particular religious belief, (c) proselytising, or (d) urging of persons to cease practising their religions.

Humza Yousaf also said when summing up the debate that expressing a belief, even if it's offensive to some (for example saying that 'sex is immutable') would not be a crime.

I was worried about this bill but those two factors have given me some reassurance. I'm still worried about how it will be policed though and whether there might be malicious reportings. I can't remember who but someone pointed out in the debate that the important thing will be the policing and there needs to be firm guidance and consensus on that. I think that's probably right.
I wrote to my MSP about this bill before it was passed expressing my concerns and I'll be writing more letters emphasising that point.
On the question of independence, at the moment, I am a yes.

Yes - sooner the better

Yes. More than ever based on Boris' decision today to plough more cash into nuclear weapons. Unbelievable that this can be seen to be a priority.

Please. The sooner the better.

yes

@ASmallMovie

Can't forgive the SNP for the hate crime bill. In my own home, if I argued strongly (which I do) to protect the sex-based rights of girls and women, and single sex spaces in refuges, prisons and hospitals, I could be accused and charged with hate crime. We are the only country in Western Europe in which this is the case. I'm surprised there is not more outrage from women - the only group not protected by the bill - about this absolute assault on our freedom of speech.

I don't think you could. You'd need to do a lot more than argue strongly.

'intent to cause harm' could easily be justified by emotional distress to someone that disagreed with your views.

Unless you have more specifics in the bill where words cannot alone add up to intending to cause harm?

@florafoxtrot

Yes. More than ever based on Boris' decision today to plough more cash into nuclear weapons. Unbelievable that this can be seen to be a priority.

The nuclear submarine base at Faslane is a significant problem for England if Scotland leaves the UK. My understanding is that there's no other deep-sea harbour suitable. It rather undermines the ambitions of the newly diminished nation, which seems to have set itself on a course of maximal self-harm

@happygolurkey

ASmallMove

Here's part of the bill:

9A Protection of freedom of expression For the purposes of section 3(2), behaviour or material is not to be taken to be threatening or abusive solely on the basis that it involves or includes— (a) discussion or criticism of matters relating to— 15 (i) age, (ii) disability, (iii) sexual orientation, (iv) transgender identity, (v) variations in sex characteristics, 20 (b) discussion or criticism relating to, or expressions of antipathy, dislike, ridicule or insult towards— (i) religion, whether religions generally or a particular religion, (ii) religious beliefs or practices, whether religious beliefs or practices generally or a particular religious belief or practice, 25 (iii) the position of not holding religious beliefs, whether religious beliefs generally or a particular religious belief, (c) proselytising, or (d) urging of persons to cease practising their religions.

Humza Yousaf also said when summing up the debate that expressing a belief, even if it's offensive to some (for example saying that 'sex is immutable') would not be a crime.

I was worried about this bill but those two factors have given me some reassurance. I'm still worried about how it will be policed though and whether there might be malicious reportings. I can't remember who but someone pointed out in the debate that the important thing will be the policing and there needs to be firm guidance and consensus on that. I think that's probably right.
I wrote to my MSP about this bill before it was passed expressing my concerns and I'll be writing more letters emphasising that point.
On the question of independence, at the moment, I am a yes.

Thanks, yes - we debate such issues in educational settings ( very strongly at times) and will continue to do so.

For example , the children have debated the introduction of shared toilets in some new build schools. The law specifies free speech and there's a clear difference between debate and stating a point of view (as strongly as one wishes) and stirring up hatred . Hatred normally consists of threats which cause an emotional toll on the victim .

Harm = emotional toll on the victim. Yes, that is very much in the eye of the beholder and the fact that someone in a household context with few witnesses can allege this doesn't reassure me.

I can see it might protect you in a school setting.

But many laws are in the eye of the beholder. Incite racial hatred anyone?

This is no different. People spew race filled bile all the time and aren't arrested.

I think the hardcore trans activists are more likely to be organised in creating targeted pile ons of folk they want to shut down (such as Joan McAlpine straight after the stage 3 HCB debate- lots of them on Twitter gloating about it).

@anon444877

Harm = emotional toll on the victim. Yes, that is very much in the eye of the beholder and the fact that someone in a household context with few witnesses can allege this doesn't reassure me.

I can see it might protect you in a school setting.

Well, anyone can make up anything. That's always been the case. Will need to agree to disagree.

I'm just catching up with the news- Johnson's increasing the number of nuclear warheads? WTAF. How much is that costing? Not even a week since he declared there was no funding for a decent pay rise for NHS staff.

Yep. He's going full on billy big baws. Trump style.

New Union Jack bedecked briefing room ✅
More ridiculously expensive people killing machines ✅
New shitty law that removes the right of protest ✅

What a disgusting waste of money.

I was just reading up on the new law regarding travellers ( who were also cited by Douglas Ross as being his number one concern if he were to be PM for a day). Shudder.

How anyone can vote for this shower of bigots is beyond me.

Omg I'd forgotten about that. Actually horrific.

Love this quote and it's so relevant at the moment.

David Davis the other night. He was able to lie in Westminster as parliamentary privilege means MPs can say what they like without the risk of being taken to court. The UK Government's lies will continue.

We have to keep going. ❤