A gender critical political party in Scotland?

[Pimmsnlemonade]

www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/scotland/wings-party-is-bound-to-ruffle-snp-feathers-gtlwcmtrv

Extracts:

A couple of weeks ago I interviewed Scotland’s most controversial internet blogger and it caused a bit of a stir. Stuart Campbell, of Wings Over Scotland, revealed he was in talks to set up his own political party to fight the next Holyrood election. The reaction among SNP folk of my acquaintance was near panic.

From Nicola Sturgeon’s point of view, a Wings party spells dissent and rebellion within her own ranks. For some time now I have been writing about three hairline fractures in the SNP. A Wings party would be a crowbar jammed into each of these, opening them up into deep and politically hazardous crevices.

You may be familiar with these three fractures. First, impatience with the SNP’s cautious approach to a new referendum on independence. Second, a caustic disagreement over the Scottish government’s plans for new transgender rights. And third, an emerging split between those who are fully supportive of Ms Sturgeon and those increasingly drawn to her predecessor, Alex Salmond.

These are causing convulsions within the SNP, with the transgender issue proving to be particularly disfiguring. And on each of these Mr Campbell and Ms Sturgeon are on opposing sides of the argument. If the Wings party goes ahead, as now seems likely, Yes supporters will be faced with a choice between two pro-independence parties with very different views on what an independent Scotland looks like and how to achieve it.

Wings will never have enough clout to win power.

I am not willing to compromise on independence to vote for another party, as far as I am concerned the trans stuff is less important. I think it is important to try and have gender critical voices within the SNP instead.

Wings isn't interested in winning power. He's interested in getting more pro-indy MSPs into Holyrood, if we're not already independent by election time 2021.

The way the list system works means the more successful SNP are at constituency level, the fewer list MSPs they get. (Would apply to any other party also.) Around 950,000 votes gained the SNP 4 list seats last time round, a similar number of votes produced over 40 Unionist MSPs, including the invaluable likes of Annie Wells. Stu's party would stand only on the list, so if those who voted SNP for constituency then voted Wings on the list, they could achieve an estimated 15-20 pro-indy seats.

Any and all other policies are yet to be decided, including whether the Wings Party happens at all. But yes, standing up for women's rights when the other two pro-indy parties are shoving us under a bus would be a vote winner for me.

Interesting, I didn't fully understand the way the list voting was counted. I'll keep an eye on what is happening.

What Hirples said.

wingsoverscotland.com/running-the-numbers/

As independence looks increasingly possible (post a no-deal Brexit) he's quite likely to become increasingly important in Scottish politics. Interesting times, eh?

Any group that supports the woman-abusing liar Salmond is no freind of women.

Salmond is a dick, it's true. I have my reservations about Wings, too. But this is politics; there's very few involved in it I'd trust as far as I could throw.

Scottish independence would be a financial disaster, even according to the SNP’s own figures published yesterday. Biggest deficit in the EU, (7.9%) losing the £1660 per person subsidy from the U.K. etc.
It’s more important to fight to keep the Union than to vote for the numpty who runs Wings, (who doesn’t even live in Scotland, he stays in Bath) in the deluded belief that he will do anything to support women.

If what is being referenced is the GERS data, here is an economical analysis of it and how Scotland compares to the rest of the UK.

www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2019/08/21/the-gers-data-is-ludicrous-scotland-does-not-generate-60-of-the-uks-net-fiscal-deficit/

www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2019/08/21/putting-scotlands-deficit-according-to-gers-in-context-and-explaining-why-this-nonsense-happens/

According to GERS, Scotland is responsible for about 60% of the UK deficit (with 8% of the population), and spends 5.7% of our GDP on defence. (Most countries aim for 2%) Umm?

Although GERS is issued by the Scottish Government, the numbers come from the Treasury in London. The report is riddled with estimations because hard data is not available, and in any case can only purport to show how our economy fares under UK rule. An independent Scotland would have different spending priorities - we wouldn't be paying our "share" of Trident, the renovations of the Houses of Parliament, HS2 etc. GERS can say nothing about that.

Self ID is a big issue for a lot of women in Scotland, and the current "alternative" pro-indy party, the Greens, support it. So many of us can't vote for them on the list, and would welcome a woman-supporting option.

But of course if you're a Unionist, you wouldn't be voting for him anyway.

But of course if you're a Unionist, you wouldn't be voting for him anyway.

I disagree. Independence will come down to a referendum vote. So i will vote for the party that knows what a woman is and puts the safety and dignity of women and children first.

Someone in the comments questioned whether one really should say that the transgender issue was proving to be particularly disfiguring...

That apart, I have not read enough of the surrounding data to come to a conclusion on this.

Hirples the 60% figure is clearly nonsense as the earlier links showed
Lots of snp voters are finding out with horror about the snp’s quiet plans to reform the GRA and would welcome a gender critical party to vote for. Personally I would vote for any party who was gender critical regardless of the their stance on independence

Scottish independence would be a financial disaster, even according to the SNP’s own figures published yesterday. Biggest deficit in the EU, (7.9%) losing the £1660 per person subsidy from the U.K. etc
It’s more important to fight to keep the Union than to vote for the numpty who runs Wings, (who doesn’t even live in Scotland, he stays in Bath) in the deluded belief that he will do anything to support women

That bears shouting from the rooftops. I sincerely hope his intervention splits the separatist vote.

That's interesting, FormerMediocreMale, I like your stance. And yes, Kilbranan, it's obvious GERS figures are nonsense. They really have pushed it too far this year!