Latest news with #PatrickHarvie
Scotsman
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Holyrood body admits causing 'upset' amid calls to U-turn on its trans toilet policy
This comes as pressure grows for the Scottish Government to update its official guidance on single-sex spaces. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A Holyrood body admits people will be 'upset' and 'anxious' about its ban on trans women using the parliament's female toilets. Last month the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) ruled that single-sex spaces such as toilets and changing rooms must be interpreted by biological sex only, meaning trans people would not be allowed to use the facilities of their acquired gender. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This comes after the UK Supreme Court ruled that the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010 refers to biological sex. The Scottish Parliament. Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie has now called for the SPCB to rescind this decision. He said: 'In previous discussions in this chamber and in a letter to me, the SPCB says it remains committed to an inclusive environment and its intention is that everyone should feel welcome and included in Holyrood. 'But this demonstrates the opposite - this makes trans people feel significantly less welcome at parliament. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The decision is described as one that brings confidence and dignity to everyone, but it will exclude and segregate trans people in the heart of Scotland's democracy.' He added the toilet ban is already having a 'negative impact' on trans and gender non-conforming members of staff. Mr Harvie added: 'Surely it is time for the SPCB to think again and rescind this unclear, unfair position?' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Jackson Carlaw MSP, who was speaking on behalf of the SPCB, said the body cannot debate the rights and wrongs of the Supreme Court judgement. He said: 'It is our job to ensure we are implementing the law as communicated to us. 'Let me acknowledge on behalf of the body that for some this has proved upsetting and has caused anxiety.' Mr Carlaw added: 'It is our responsibility as a service provider and employer to recognise the judgement had immediate legal effect. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We took urgent steps to review this for facilities in Holyrood in line with the Equality and Human Rights Commission statement on the Equality Act 2010 and our need to comply with it.' Jackson Carlaw MSP. Pam Gosal MSP warned the parliament would have risked using taxpayers' cash to foot expensive legal bills if it had not made this decision. She said: 'Let's be clear, we are talking about the UK Supreme Court. 'The law is the law, and nobody is above it.' The Scottish Government has come under increasing pressure to update its guidance to public bodies on single-sex spaces following the court judgement. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Earlier this week the campaign group Sex Matters sent a legal letter to Scottish ministers threatening to take them back to court if it does not update its guidance. The government says it is waiting for official guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission before updating its guidance. Earlier this week Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth also said she was not concerned about schools having to make their own decisions on single-sex spaces.
Daily Record
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
The SNP Government must choose between greedy companies or the people on Flamingo Land at Loch Lomond
There have been a few times in our decade-long campaign to save Loch Lomond where I've held my breath and thought it was probably all over. Moments where I wondered if we could actually save this world-famous location from being destroyed by Flamingo Land's daft mega-resort. But time after time our people-powered campaign has held off this greedy company. We have - so far - stopped them from exploiting Scotland's natural heritage for their own profit. Over 155,000 of us lodged objections, making their mega-resort the most unpopular planning application in Scottish history. We were joined by experts like the Woodland Trust and the Government's own environment watchdog, SEPA. Last September we won, persuading the National Park's board to unanimously reject this destructive application. But then, in a move Ebeneezer Scrooge would be proud of, they lodged an appeal right before Christmas. And astonishingly, the Government official tasked with considering it decided to grant them permission, overturning the Park board's democratic decision and disregarding the overwhelming weight of evidence that the mega-resort would do huge damage. We couldn't let it end there though. For almost ten years the largely working-class community in Balloch has fought a David and Goliath struggle against this greedy developer. Our campaign to save Loch Lomond wasn't going to be defeated at the last minute on the whim of a single government official. In just two weeks over 50,000 of us wrote to the Planning Minister to demand that he recalled the decision. Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie raised it in Parliament, challenging the First Minister to step in. Our supporters across the country contacted MSPs of all parties but especially the SNP, calling on them to support our efforts. And just like that, on the eve of losing a vote in Parliament, the Scottish Government u-turned and recalled the decision. This is far from over, but Ministers themselves will now have the final say, not officials. That's how it should be for a development this big at the gateway to Loch Lomond. Decisions of national importance must be taken by elected MSPs. Government Ministers should not hide behind their officials. Loch Lomond i s the crown jewel of Scotland's natural environment. It's world famous for a reason. The gateway to the loch shouldn't be stuck behind traffic jams and resort gates. Both the environment itself and the community in Balloch deserve to be protected. From the flood risk and loss of ancient woodland to the extra 250+ cars per hour on already gridlocked local roads at peak times, the reasons to reject this application and end this saga are overwhelming. The Scottish Government has a choice. They can decide whether Scotland's national parks are just another 'investment opportunity' for greedy companies who would cause huge damage for a quick profit. Or they can finally side with the Scottish Greens, environmental experts, the residents of Balloch and 155,000 people across Scotland, end this saga, and save Loch Lomond.
Daily Mail
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Harvie's last hurrah? Even Frank Sinatra's farewell didn't drag on this long
Thursday was Patrick Harvie's final First Minister's Questions as Scottish Green co-leader. He's standing down to spend more time with anyone but Ross Greer. A sneer in search of a personality, Harvie has never contributed much in the way of wit but he makes up for it with pique. I'm an aficionado of parliamentary spite and Harvie has always had it in plentiful supply. Perhaps he kept some in reserve for his final showstopper, for he used his allotted two questions to spit venom at John Swinney. Harvie reckoned Swinney's anti far-Right summit was little more than a talking shop and only confirmed 'a real sense of drift from the first minister'. Moreover, Swinney lacked 'ambition and leadership', and Harvie 'genuinely struggled to think of a single signature policy that he has delivered in his year in the job'. There speaks a man who clearly missed the Short Life Working Group on Economic and Social Opportunities for Gaelic. He began rhyming off Swinney's sins, such as watering down rental controls, U-turning on a new national park, and failing to make progress on human rights. By now the little cabbage was getting so steamed he was at risk of wilting. He was banging on so much that Presiding Officer Alison Johnson finally stepped in and told him to clamp it. Even Sinatra's farewell tour didn't last this long. Aware that he no longer needed to humour the prickliest cactus this side of the Mississippi, Swinney let him have it: 'I appreciate that this is his last First Minister's question time as co-convener of the Green Party, so saying all that to me might have been his last hurrah.' The First Minister didn't fare as well up against Russell Findlay. The Scottish Tory leader gets a gold star for a splendid piece of work on thuggery in schools and the SNP's 49-page guidelines on excluding violent pupils, which he branded 'tedious, hand-wringing nonsense'. Swinney protested that he was 'listening to the teaching profession', just as he had 'throughout my time as education secretary'. We can only hope for his sake that he wasn't listening too closely. As I recall, the consensus among teachers at the time was made up mostly of words you couldn't repeat in a classroom. This allowed Findlay to have some fun, by reading aloud some highlights. When pupils become violent, the document said, teachers should give them 'a laminated paper with a set of bullet points that tell them to think about their behaviour'. When a wee toerag is engaging in 'unsafe behaviour', educators are advised to start 'a conversation to jointly problem solve with the child'. Disruptive pupils, meanwhile, 'should be allowed to leave class two minutes early'. Personally, I think classroom chairs should be replaced with ejector seats and teachers handed a remote control. The First Minister accused Findlay of 'a failure to address the mechanisms and interventions that are required to solve a difficult issue'. Another reason to consider my idea. We'd hire engineers to make sure the ejector seats had really good mechanisms. The fresh guidance, Swinney said, was intended to 'de-escalate situations' and 'address the underlying causes'. And he was against too many exclusions because those pupils would be 'out on the streets and, potentially, able to become involved in criminal activity'. That's how Ronnie Biggs got started, you know. Teacher put him out of class for talking once and next thing you know he was robbing trains. Later in the afternoon, minister Ivan McKee was sent out to announce plans to save £1billion a year in waste, in what is being nicknamed 'McDoge' after Elon Musk's venture during the early months of the second Trump administration. Given that the task of reining in government misspending proved too much for a man who puts rockets in space, I'm not holding out hope that Ivan McKee will do much better.
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Holyrood had no choice but to follow law on trans toilet ban
In response, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) advised public bodies to review policies relating to single-sex spaces. That prompted parliament to redesignate several existing toilets and changing rooms as gender-neutral, and restrict single-sex facilities to sex. READ MORE Scottish Green co-convenor Patrick Harvie raised the matter during questions to the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Bureau (SPCB), the cross-party group responsible for the running of Holyrood. He accused the SPCB of promoting an 'exclusionary and segregating' policy and said the decision made the body's stated intention 'that everyone should feel welcome and included at Holyrood' appear 'nonsense'. Mr Harvie cited letters from the Equality Network and Scottish Trans, which warned that the change would make trans people feel significantly less welcome at the Parliament. 'They go on to say we cannot understand why this decision has been described as one that will bring confidence, privacy and dignity to everyone. It will not do so for trans people. It will exclude us and segregate us in the heart of Scotland's democracy,' he said. He added that concerns raised by staff in the Scottish Greens' parliamentary group — including the negative impact on trans and gender non-conforming people and the 'violation of privacy and dignity' — had not been addressed. Patrick Harvie raised the ban in SPCB questions (Image: PA) Scottish Conservative MSP Jackson Carlaw, speaking on behalf of the SPCB, said the ruling had 'immediate legal effect' and that the corporate body had a legal obligation to act without delay. "The corporate body is an executive body with legal responsibilities and the personal liability of the members who sit on it. Our job, even though we are politicians, is not to debate the politics of an issue, but to ensure that we are implementing the law as the law is communicated to us." He added: 'It is our responsibility to fulfil the legal obligations as an employer, service provider, workplace provider, and as an organisation subject to the public sector equality duty." Pressed by Mr Harvie, he said the interim position was taken on legal advice and that a broader consultation — including with trade unions and equality organisations — had now been approved. 'We announced the interim stance. We agreed to conduct a consultation, and together with officials the corporate body has been considering its approach,' he said. Labour MSP Mercedes Villalba told the chamber that Parliament staff unions had not been consulted and described assurances to the contrary as 'categorically untrue'. She called for 'meaningful consultation' going forward. READ MORE Tory MSP Pam Gosal welcomed the SPCB's actions, pointing to warnings from the campaign group Sex Matters that legal challenges could follow if public bodies fail to comply with the court's interpretation. 'Sex Matters have warned that they will come after organisations refusing to follow the ruling — that will once again leave the taxpayers footing the bill,' she said. 'Therefore, will the Parliament commit to implementing the interim update issued by the EHRC on the protection of single-sex spaces?' Mr Carlaw reiterated that the SPCB had acted 'on the advice that we receive' and would continue to prioritise inclusion through its upcoming Inclusive Parliament Review.
Glasgow Times
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Green councillor makes a pitch for Glasgow seat at Holyrood
Seonad Hoy, Green councillor for Hillhead, is challenging for a top slot on the party's list for the Glasgow Region. The Greens have had one MSP elected for Glasgow since 2003, when Patrick Harvie was first returned. READ NEXT:Peter Krykant was brave enough to take risks because he wanted to save lives The Party has been hopeful of getting two at the elections since but has narrowly lost out and is targeting more than one in next year's Scottish Parliament election. Nominations for the list have now opened and the 40 year-old Mum of two is declaring her intention and wants to be the first Green female MSP for Glasgow. Hoy was elected to the council in a by-election in March last year, leaving her job with social landlord Wheatley Goup. She said: 'I've been enjoying the work on the council. I feel I have something different to offer. 'I have real-world experience from working in the social housing sector. She said she has a 'deep understanding ' of the issue relevant because 'we have a housing emergency in Glasgow' The councillor added: 'I feel well placed at a national level to ensure housing gets the investment it requires. 'There's such a big demand for social housing with people trapped in temporary accommodation, including thousands of children. It's not good enough.' She also said she would be a 'local champion' for local authority funding looking to reform taxation for a fairer system. Hoy said: 'The current council tax is regressive. People who can't afford it paying more than they should be.' READ NEXT: 'We're a big men's shed' says Apprentice Boys of Derry First of all, candidates for the Greens are selected for the regional list and then from that ,the constituency candidates are chosen to contest the first past the post seats, of which there are eight in Glasgow. Hoy said: 'I would like to feature on the regional list for Glasgow. I hope we will elect more than one MSP in Glasgow.' To have the best chance of Holyrood she would need the top spot, occupied by Patrick Harvie for the last 20 years. She said: 'Patrick has been inspirational,' but added, 'There's strong competition among the Green politicians in the city.' The single mum with two young kids has identified areas of concern that need priority. She added: 'We have a high rate of child poverty. We need a strong focus on children. Our children are going to be picking up the pieces.' She said she joined the party just after the independence referendum, adding: 'I've always been political and passionate about independence, I've always been concerned about climate change.' While her aim is top of the list she added: 'Regardless of whether I'm on the list, we will be working to elect as many Greens as possible. We should be electing at least two in Glasgow.'
