Andy Wightman has resigned from the Scottish Greens

[cremuel]

Because of the intolerance around sex and gender issues. Not too much of a surprise - I think he’s always been pretty gender critical but fighting to keep his mouth shut because he feels he has really important work to do. But the Scottish Greens make it more or less impossible to be in the party if you don’t cheerlead every single accepted view. His loss is a real blow to Scottish politics. I’m so angry with the SGP for chasing him out.

That shows some really integrity on his part. I've always liked him, and I feel really sad for him that the Greens have chosen to move away from their core purpose alienating him and an awful lot of members.

Bloody hell:

""On Thursday last week it was made clear to me that if (as I was minded to), I voted for amendment 28 to the Forensic Medical Services (Victims of Sexual Offences) (Scotland) Bill, I would face complaints and disciplinary action leading to possible suspension, deselection or expulsion."

www.heraldscotland.com/news/18955044.andy-wightman-msp-resigns-scottish-greens-trans-stance/

Crikey. Is this the first male to lose their job over it?

Oh, cross posted with you itsall

[quote SunsetBeetch]Bloody hell:

""On Thursday last week it was made clear to me that if (as I was minded to), I voted for amendment 28 to the Forensic Medical Services (Victims of Sexual Offences) (Scotland) Bill, I would face complaints and disciplinary action leading to possible suspension, deselection or expulsion."

www.heraldscotland.com/news/18955044.andy-wightman-msp-resigns-scottish-greens-trans-stance/[/quote]
I thought his speech in Parliament on that day was very odd. Hopefully his resignation will trigger some reflection in the Greens, he was their only well-known person apart from Harvie.

It’s not going to be good publicity for the SGP. He’s one of their most high-profile and popular MSPs. Most people are not going to believe he’s just a mindless bigot. I really hope he manages to continue in politics.

Harvie's statement not addressing Andy Wightman's concerns at all - glad he at least remembers what the Greens core issues are meant to be though

Just saw this. Really hope it does trigger some reflection in the Greens about this. I am a possible Green voter but I can't countenance it currently because of Patrick Harvie's utterances.

@ArabellaScott

Crikey. Is this the first male to lose their job over it?

I think a male Labour party member has resigned too. His name escapes me at the moment.

Crikey. Is this the first male to lose their job over it?

I don't think it's the same kind of situation where women have lost their job due to harassment. Andy has obviously wrestled with this (remember his mealy apology for attending the Edinburgh meeting?) and has made this decision himself because the party is not compatible with his beliefs.

But bloody well done for saying exactly why he's left. How long until he's called transphobic? Probably has already..

I'm a fan of Andy Wightman, his work on housing, tenants' rights and especially the impact of short-term lets has been fantastic. Always felt he was a politician with integrity and was disappointed when he voted against the Lamont amendment. I think he's done the right thing and this is a great loss to the Scottish Greens but I have no sympathy for them. They brought it on themselves.

I was so confused and disappointed by his speech - this might sound like a daft question but why speak at all then?

Did Monica Lennon do so under duress?

Just saw this. Really hope it does trigger some reflection in the Greens about this.

From what I’ve seen so far on social media, and what I know of the Greens, this won’t trigger any reflection at all in the Greens as a party (maybe in some individuals). He’s now been outed as a transphobe and all-round hateful individual, so all his hugely valuable contributions count for nothing and it’s a triumph for SGP that they have ousted him from his ranks. Hoping for reflection is very optimistic ...

He’s getting a lot of lectures on SM about how sad it is that he didn’t do his research otherwise he would know that LGB Alliance and any other organisation or individual who doesn’t exactly repeat the SGP view of trans issues is funded by far right US hate groups. Even though his meticulous research into uncovering questionable motives in funding is something he has made his reputation on. Aghhh, am feeling angry!

That's a shame he is the best MSP the SGP has. As mentioned by a pp his work on short term let's was excellent. Such a rarity in Scottish politics now to get effective cross party support on important issues, most things get buried under independence and the polarisation it brings.

He only seems to be getting that from Greens and the woke, the vast majority of comments I have seen have been very supportive.

Really hopes he stands as an Indy next year, he would be a real loss to the Scottish Parliament.

A lib dem MSP Alex Cole Hamilton tweeted that it takes guts to do this - and is now getting the wrath of the TRA's.

With the PR system in the Scottish Parliament he could possibly be elected as an independent. I hope he chooses to stand.

Well at last. About time

@cremuel

He’s getting a lot of lectures on SM about how sad it is that he didn’t do his research otherwise he would know that LGB Alliance and any other organisation or individual who doesn’t exactly repeat the SGP view of trans issues is funded by far right US hate groups. Even though his meticulous research into uncovering questionable motives in funding is something he has made his reputation on. Aghhh, am feeling angry!

Yes. But he's also getting a lot of supportive comments.

twitter.com/andywightman/status/1339933494231904257?s=20

This is an interesting and potentially very important development

@Grellbunt

This is an interesting and potentially very important development

I'm hoping it'll make the news. If anyone tries to call him a transphobe that really will make people notice the issue.

Idiots. They've lost their best MSP. Who has an excellent reputation and a strong personal following.

Good for him. I did think he sounded like he was struggling with what he was having to say when he spoke against Johann Lamont

I'm hoping it'll make the news. If anyone tries to call him a transphobe that really will make people notice the issue.

Already being reported on the Herald, National and Scotsman sites.