Political party responses to the Cass Review

[RedToothBrush]

I've seen a number of comments from various Labour sources and from the PM.

But utter silence from the Lib Dems, Greens & SNP.

Can anyone direct me to their statements?

And now I'm getting replies from MSPs on emails I sent months ago. This is a different Labour MSP. Seems like the dam has burst.

Thank you for your email on this important matter.

Scottish Labour is clear that transwomen prisoners with a history of violence should not be transferred to the female prison estate.

The review of the Scottish Government’s 2014 policy on the housing of trans prisoners went on for far too long and took over 4 years to complete.

Scottish Labour repeatedly called for the pace of the review to be increased and for guarantees that it would be done in consultation with women who have experience of the Scottish prison estate.

While it is welcome that this review has finally concluded, Scottish Labour have concerns that the new guidance does not contain robust enough safeguards and lacks clarity.

Female prisoners are a vulnerable group, who have often been subjected to violence and sexual abuse, including rape.

The specific needs and vulnerabilities of this prisoner cohort is one of the key reasons for the separation of the male and female prison estates and the safety of women prisoners must be protected.

This policy is currently before the Criminal Justice Committee of the Scottish Parliament, and Scottish Labour will continue to press the Scottish Government to provide clarity and reassurance on this issue.

Excellent!

Ash is Alba not SNP and they are on the ball with gender critical policies.

They will only run in handful of seats though.

In regards to the SNP -

www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/04/12/snp-accused-of-allowing-trans-activists-to-infiltrate-scott/#comment

Oh my god, these people are doubling down. Fucking unbelievable.

Thank you for sharing the responses.

Seems a good idea to contact all representatives to ask for their considered positions, especially in Scotland.

https://www.writetothem.com/

It’s the Greens - it’s not unbelievable at all. They’re wired to the fucking moon.

https://archive.ph/ThHCH

'After the Cass Review was published, the Scottish Greens said they would ‘oppose any moves to increase the age of accessing gender-affirming care to 25’. Chapman is their equalities spokesperson.'

https://www.newstatesman.com/podcasts/2024/04/how-will-the-gender-care-report-affect-politics

https://greens.scot/news/trans-rights-are-human-rights

Here's the Scottish Greens' official statement.

'The party will oppose any moves to increase the age of accessing gender affirming care to 25, following the publication of the Cass Report.
Maggie Chapman MSP said: “Trans rights are human rights, and we must ensure trans people are able to access the care they need in a timely and compassionate manner. It is clear that gender affirming care plays a vital role in supporting and protecting trans people, and we would oppose any moves to increase the minimum age to 25 to receive such care.
“With waiting times still up to five and a half years, it’s clear a lot of work remains. I’m glad the Cass Report acknowledges that this situation is completely unacceptable, and we’ll continue to work with the Scottish Government and Gender Identity Services to bring those times down to acceptable levels.'

Urgh. Predictable.

Another prediction is that the SNP under pressure will launch their own Scoattishy Cass review that will find that gender affirming care is absolutely fine. 🙈

Had anyone seen anything from the Lib Dems?

Tory gender enthusiasts have been as bad as anyone else on this.

Well there’s this, Rainbow

Not from the Conservatives per se, and this article from KB is fairly even-handed in criticism of institutional capture across all parties:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/148061a7-bcea-46c7-84e6-be6ee29d7ce2?shareToken=2f582f76ec269e6e20578142389f9472

This is intriguing.

x.com/shahrarali/status/1780288889409741003?s=46&t=AjtjSItRj-kgZwRzL-pdyQ

The Green Party seem to have released a sensible statement on cass and then taken it straight back down again. 🤔

Just found this:

https://www.libdems.org.uk/news/article/initial-statement-on-the-cass-review

"We share the widespread disappointment at the review's lack of evidence and perpetuation of harmful stereotypes. As always, we stand with young, trans, and autistic individuals, and women in defending their autonomy. Please see our full initial statement below.

Initial Statement on the Cass Review:

"We are very disappointed by the lack of evidence leading to a conclusion which infantilises autistic people and is undeniable transphobia towards young adults and people.

The Gillick competency saves lives and should be protected, not just for trans people but all people. Everyone has medical rights which should be protected.

LGBT+ Liberal Democrats will continue to stand with trans people, young people, autistic people and women to defend their right to bodily and medical autonomy.

LGBT+ Liberal Democrats Executive Committee"

I mean, that's barely coherent.

I've seen that Arabella. Apparently it's not the official Lib Dem statement.

It says it is! It's on their website?

Here's a sort of round up of some responses from Labour people:

https://labourlist.org/2024/04/trans-gender-policy-stance-cass-review-report-labour/

This from Meghan Gallagher of the Scottish Conservatives:

https://twitter.com/MGallacherMSP/status/1779795051452764428

'The silence from the Scottish Government over the Cass Review recommendations is deafening. That’s why I’ve written to Caroline Lamb, Chief Exec of NHS Lanarkshire to seek clarity on their position.'

It's signed the lgbtq+ executive committee though?

Well, as I said, it's barely coherent.

@ArabellaScott

x.com/millihill/status/1780600089226203327?s=46&t=AjtjSItRj-kgZwRzL-pdyQ

Apparently the title was changed and now the Lib Dem statement has been deleted.

The Greens also seem to be having an internal battle

x.com/alisonclareteal/status/1780535092844097757?s=46&t=AjtjSItRj-kgZwRzL-pdyQ

The reasonable statement that they put out yesterday was only up briefly before some demanded it was taken down.

x.com/alisonclareteal/status/1780535092844097757?s=46&t=AjtjSItRj-kgZwRzL-pdyQ

Gosh. I can only imagine what tussles are going on behind the scenes.

Archived libdem statement.

https://archive.ph/FgyBN

I think we need to archive any statements coming out about now!