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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Herald Scotland: Holyrood accused of rushing through and trying to 'shut down debate' on gender reforms

10 replies

ResisterRex · 03/11/2022 16:26

This is worth reading in full. Towards the end it says: "Once amendments have been considered, the entire parliament will hear stage three of the legislation, which is likely to take place before the Christmas recess."

www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23098928.holyrood-accused-rushing-trying-shut-debate-gender-reforms/

MSPs now have until Tuesday to table amendments to the bill at stage two, which will be considered by Holyrood’s Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee.
But Conservative MSP Rachael Hamilton, who has already officially tabled amendments to the legislation, has claimed the scrutiny of the proposals is being rushed through.

Ms Hamilton has been accused of attempting to be "divisive" by the Scottish Greens.
Raising a point of order with presiding officer Alison Johnstone in Holyrood, Ms Hamilton said: “Ahead of Tuesday’s meeting of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee, members were informed that the deadline for amendments at stage two of the gender recognition bill would be just two weeks after the stage one vote.
“We were told that there would just be two sittings to consider the amendments – that’s unacceptable presiding officer.
“It is far too little time and I’m concerned by the quality of information that I was given by the convener when I questioned the decision on Tuesday.”
She added: “This looks like an attempt to limit or even shut down debate on a very complex and contentious bill.
“Rushing this legislation is wrong, when fundamental issues of women’s rights and trans rights are at stake.

“Can I ask you, presiding officer, what steps are available to members who wish to prevent this bill being rushed through with very little debate? What action can you personally take to ensure that the timetable for the rest of the bill is not limited?
“Do you agree that a topic as sensitive as this, the Scottish Parliament should seek to protect and enhance its reputation by scrutinizing legislation properly for as long as is necessary.”
Ms Johnstone told Ms Hamilton that the issue was “a matter for the parliamentary bureau”.

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ResisterRex · 03/11/2022 16:27

Murdo Fraser MSP tweeted the above article, saying:

"That SNP approach to the GRR Bill explained:
(Before Stage 1): Yes we know this is controversial & there are lots of concerns, vote it through & we will take time to get it right with amendments at later stages
(After Stage 1): Right let’s rush this through as quickly as possible"
twitter.com/murdo_fraser/status/1588200713762623489?s=46&t=c6FiRBmWlDrctZkKtR0ELg

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334bu · 03/11/2022 16:47

Thanks for links.

Igneococcus · 04/11/2022 07:16

There is also this in the Times today about the pact with the Greens being behind that there is a whip on this vote:

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/6804a94c-5bd0-11ed-962f-53da0c787308?shareToken=f9e59003df296a59011591b2a74dbc24

I so wish there was an actual green option in Scotland, not that bunch of feckers.

334bu · 04/11/2022 07:24

Thank you for share tokens.

ResisterRex · 04/11/2022 07:25

From that Times article:

"Pringle said the nationalists’ manifesto commitment was “relatively broad-brush” and did not commit to self-ID or lowering the age of transitioning. Writing in The Courier, he said he thought the wording was deliberately vague “to pave the way for a compromise on the issue” but that was “clearly not” the case.

He said that if all parties removed their whipping operations it would give the greatest chance of the public having confidence in the legislation if passed."

And...

"The SNP declined to comment."

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Igneococcus · 04/11/2022 07:39

The SNP almost always declines to comment. It's a sentence in many Times articles.

Live4weekend · 04/11/2022 08:01

When I voted for Devolution, it was so that Scots could get more control over their lives, not less. Whipping the MSPs on this vote is abhorrent.

They are letting an extremist political party control things.

Igneococcus · 06/11/2022 07:41

Sunday Times today "Gender recognition reform: SNP rebels force Sturgeon to back off":

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/70844000-5d2e-11ed-9a48-54549b73e939?shareToken=e1c82b55176545b9827a76abad182514

ResisterRex · 06/11/2022 07:55

And this:

SNP colleagues round on each other as trans row in Scotland deepens

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/207b2726-5d52-11ed-9a48-54549b73e939?shareToken=168caab7818153ca124f028253422c0e

Bad time to be out of the country for Sturgeon

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ResisterRex · 06/11/2022 09:10

This comment piece is also worth reading:

www.holyrood.com/editors-column/view,if-the-snp-courage-convictions-free-vote-on-gender-reform

"MSPs can’t just abdicate responsibility for good law and place the onus on outside agencies or individuals to then take up the cudgels and challenge their poor decisions. That’s not how our democracy should work
...
Where is the challenge, the robust scrutiny? MSPs aren’t commentators, or bystanders. They are elected to be our representatives, to lead us and to make good law that protects and upholds all that we perceive to be right and just. That is their fundamental duty and not one to be farmed out."

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