Crikey. ALBA women rising broadcast.

[ArabellaScott]

Actually jaw dropped at this.

I'm not going to vote for them, because I no longer want independence, but it's bloody amazing to see women's rights and needs set out so clearly.

I know no one cares about this but the idea of voting for a party headed by Salmond because it is championing women’s rights is laughable.

Ahmed-Sheikh , the ex - solicitor who failed to appreciate you don't use client's money to prop up your failing business, is facing another Law Society investigation into her conduct

And then there's their economic expert who thinks it's appropriate to call Sturgeon a bitch.

I agree with absolutely everything in the video.

It is, however, worth noting that women's rights don't actually appear to be the main priority for this party.

Alba’s stated aims:
National Independence for Scotland as an immediate necessity, and overwhelming priority, achieved by democratic means through a vote of people resident in Scotland.
The promotion of all Scottish interests, and the building of an economically successful and socially-just independent country, through the pursuit of a social-democratic programme.
The acceptance by the Scottish people of a written constitution for the newly independent country; defending the rights, liberties and equality of all citizens before the law.

The 'only us' comment is completely accurate, unfortunately. Unless there's another party in Scotland standing up unequivocally for women's rights?

What is the Tories’ stance on this? I’m genuinely not sure, but I agree they haven’t said anything as clear as the Alba video (it’s just insane that hearing politicians actually say “sex-based rights” makes me gasp in a sort-of “are they allowed to say that?” way).

And Scottish Labour seemed to say something positive last week on this, but then they also have individual candidates whose contribution to the debate is to retweet KKK memes, so it doesn’t really wash.

Oh, politics is generally cynical as fuck, I agree! I don't trust any political messages more than about ten minutes into the future, sadly.

These things needed saying, out loud, clearly. The vast majority of people would agree with them, I would think. It's like the gap in scientific evidence, showing that there are only two sexes - up until recently nobody had even thought to question such an obvious truth.

But here we are.

One or two Tories have distinguished themselves by talking very openly and sensibly on the matter, Midsomer. But on the whole, I don't really count 'women's rights' as a central Tory policy.

Did that Labour candidate not get bumped after the KKK/feminists meme?

ForWomenScotland have done a brief precis of the major parties' stands on women's rights:

forwomen.scot/election-2021-guide/

is, however, worth noting that women's rights don't actually appear to be the main priority for this party

The fact the leader is Salmond might tell you that. Of course it isn't their priority. Their reasons for existing are

1. A home for Salmond's ego.
2. To annoy Sturgeon.
3. Playing the second vote system to get separatist MSPs which the SNP might not get.

Good that a party is speaking up but they will be supporting an SNP government to get independence and the SNP will hand our rights away woth the support of labour, the greens and lib dems. So even if I didn't think independence would be an absolute disaster...

The 'only us' comment is completely accurate, unfortunately. Unless there's another party in Scotland standing up unequivocally for women's rights?

In what way are my rights being protected if Scotland is turned into an isolated economic basket by separatism?

It's a great video and very sad that the only party saying this is a tiny niche one which will get no seats. Why won't other parties say things like this - it really shouldn't be controversial.

Yes, Tibtom, agreed. Independence is a hugely terrifying gamble that I'm not willing to vote for.

a tiny niche one which will get no seats

I think they're on track to get about 8, last time I checked. Will see if I can find a poll.

Here we go: www.scotsman.com/news/politics/scottish-election-2021-alex-salmonds-party-on-track-to-win-eight-seats-poll-suggests-3215409

That's a good script. Useful.

Envious! I'm a Scot but I live in England. I won't have a vote in any independence referendum (didn't have in the last one) so have to watch with interest from the sidelines there. If I did live in Scotland, though, I'd be voting for Alba. There won't be independence without another referendum, so these elections coming up are not so important for that issue, surely.

Down in London, as far as I know, we haven't got a single party or candidate with a similar open and honest statement about the importance of women's rights. We're going backwards.

Might have something to do with the bizarre voting system. Vote for Greens in the 1st ballot and you'll get your least favourite auntie winning a teapot in four years time, or something.

Yes, it has been explained to me.

More than once.

The acceptance by the Scottish people of a written constitution for the newly independent country; defending the rights, liberties and equality of all citizens before the law.

Looking at the current misogynistic policies of the various parties, can you just imagine what a constitution written by them will do to women's rights?

Great to see, Arabella, thank you. I'm a Scot living abroad (albeit very recently, and explicitly because Scotland can't protect its people from the ravages of Brexit) and I don't have a vote in this upcoming election, because of not being normally resident in Scotland - so if that bothers anyone, please stop reading now.

I'd absolutely be voting Alba on the regional/"List" vote if I had a vote, and relieved to be able to do so. The person who is the top of the Glasgow list, Michelle Fearns, is someone I know and trust. I'd be far more upset about the choices on the constituency list: a "nice guy" (Bob Doris) who has stood up for women again and again but still voted for the HCB and bullshit sexist Representation on Boards act, or vile misogynist and homophobe Kieran O'Neill, who attacked Alba candidate Margaret Lynch for standing up for women and pretends to support LGBT+ people while actively denigrating them.

This is not a good election for any women, and I am going to support - and ask my family and friends in Scotland to support - the party that recognises this and might be able to push others to recognise this. And that is Alba. I really do not care about Scottish independence one way or the other in this election; the polls show it's a non-starter for the moment.

Can't wait to see how this plays out

Eurgh that’s ducking horrendous. No woman who has real interest in woman’s rights would have anything to do with a party headed up by salmond. I actually feel soiled having watched it and thinking of him rubbing his wee fat Lecherous hands at his latest plan to take advantage of women for his own aims.

Amazing video, whatever the political situation. Fortunately for me, that's not an election I have to vote in. I'm having enough trouble with my own area.

Entirely as an aside, and of course entirely irrelevant, but Tasmina looks incredible in that colour and her hair is extraordinarily wonderful. Wow. She reminds me a little of Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman, which probably accounts for it

@RJnomore1

Eurgh that’s ducking horrendous. No woman who has real interest in woman’s rights would have anything to do with a party headed up by salmond. I actually feel soiled having watched it and thinking of him rubbing his wee fat Lecherous hands at his latest plan to take advantage of women for his own aims.

I'm going to ask you to explain/justify yourself, before asking for MN to delete your post. Can you?

It's a shame they didn't set up a women's rights party instead of tagging on to Alba who are a dubious bunch. I get that its all about Indy and Alba might get some seats but the women's rights issue is barely registering with most voters who just think Alba is about Salmond. The video is ok but the problem is if you don't know what the debate is about you won't understand what the threat is and what the other parties are saying. You'd just think they were stating the obvious and being token female cheerleaders for Salmond.

Yes I can.

The alba party is entirely about salmond a ego.

He’s admitted himself that he has behaved inappropriately towards women.

His behaviour towards Nicola sturgeon when she refused to the toe the line he said has been nothing short of appalling - and I am no fan of hers.

This party is his latest attempt at clinging to power and he will use any means he can do so.

I’m not surprised at a reaction to try to silence me. Rock on.

@malloo

It's a shame they didn't set up a women's rights party instead of tagging on to Alba who are a dubious bunch. I get that its all about Indy and Alba might get some seats but the women's rights issue is barely registering with most voters who just think Alba is about Salmond. The video is ok but the problem is if you don't know what the debate is about you won't understand what the threat is and what the other parties are saying. You'd just think they were stating the obvious and being token female cheerleaders for Salmond.

Agree, sort of, possibly - but I'm watching this from abroad, and I have to say that the way that Alba has received coverage is very different from what any other party could have done. ISP, for example, did exactly the same thing, and they got no international coverage and no help.

My fear, though, is that the way this is playing out - the international press is covering Salmond and therefore Alba, but the UK press is not - is going to make it look like Scots don't want independence. From an international perspective, when people understand how the hybrid Scottish voting system works, SNP 1 Alba 2 makes total sense. It is going to bite Scotland on the arse if people ignore this while also not putting forth a coherent alternative pro-independence proposal.

No woman who has real interest in woman’s rights would have anything to do with a party headed up by salmond.

I mean, this is a "No true Scotsman" logical fallacy. So much of deciding who to vote for involves thinking of the long game and holding your nose in the short term. It's nigh on impossible to find a candidate who agrees with you 100%.