Nicola Sturgeon Reacts As UK Blocks Gender Reform Bill
Nicola Sturgeon has
condemned the UK government’s attempt to block gender reform legislation as a “full-frontal
attack” on Scottish democracy.
Rishi Sunak’s
government has decided to issue a section 35 order – a power afforded by the
Scotland Act which allows Westminster to overturn devolved legislation
passed by the Scottish Parliament – to stop the Gender Recognition Reform
(Scotland) Act from becoming law in Scotland.
Image Credit: Pixabay
Campaigners who
lobbied for the bill said the move was “unacceptable” and would “unlock
constitutional strife.”
In a tweet, the First
Minister said: ”This is a full-frontal attack on our democratically
elected Scottish Parliament and its ability to make its own decisions on
devolved matters.
“@scotgov will
defend the legislation & stand up for Scotland’s Parliament. If this Westminster
veto succeeds, it will be first of many.”
Earlier, she said it
would be ”outrageous” for the UK government to deploy a section 35
order and that the Scottish Government would “vigorously” defend the
legislation, according to The National.
Social Justice
Secretary Shona Robison, who sponsored the Gender Reform Bill as it moved
through Holyrood, also described the move as “outrageous.”
She said: “This is a
procedure that has never been used under nearly 25 years of devolution and is
contrary to a bill that was overwhelmingly passed by the Scottish Parliament by
members of all parties.
“This is a dark day
for trans rights and a dark day for democracy in the UK.
“As the First
Minister said, this is a political decision that is more in keeping with UK government’s
contempt for devolution and the Scottish Parliament.
“We have always been
clear that the bill does not impact on the Equality Act. The UK government had
multiple opportunities to comment during the extensive consultation on the bill
and during its passage and we are confident that the legislation as passed is
within legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament.
“We will examine the
reasons which the UK government give for their order once we have them, but
take whatever steps we can to ensure that the democratic will of the Scottish
Parliament is not frustrated.”
The Scottish Greens has also denounced the move by the
UK government as a ”dark day for our devolution settlement, for democracy,
and for trans rights.”
Maggie Chapman MSP, the Green party’s
equality spokesperson, said: “It sets a very alarming new precedent that
should concern everyone who believes in devolution and wants the Scottish
Parliament to exist.
“Only one month ago,
MSPs voted overwhelmingly for Gender Recognition Reform. It was a proud day for
equality, and for our Parliament.
“To see a reactionary
Tory government trying to block or overturn it is nothing short of outrageous,
and we will resist them every step of the way.
“The reality is that
this is one of the most scrutinized Acts in the history of the Scottish
Parliament, and came after two public consultations and years of debate.
“What message does it
send when Downing Street is prepared to ignore this in order to pursue its
toxic culture wars and distract from its many failings?”
She added: “The
last few months have been particularly distressing for a lot of trans people,
who have had to bear the brunt of some of the most despicable political attacks
in recent memory.
“The delays are yet
another harsh reminder that, as long as we remain in the UK, we can be
obstructed by a discriminatory, anti-trans, and increasingly authoritarian
government in Downing Street.
“We will always stand
by our trans siblings, and will do all that we can to deliver the vital step
for equality that was promised.”
Scottish Labour politician
Monica Lennon described the UK government’s move to block Scotland’s gender
reforms as “shameful.”
In a post on Twitter,
the MSP said the decision was “made for cynical political reasons,” adding, “A
bad day for democracy, devolution, and for human rights.
“Anyone thinking
the Tories care about women’s rights or the interests of LGBTQ people
is deluding themselves.”
Vic Valentine,
manager of Scottish Trans, a Scottish charity that lobbied for the reforms, said:
“The bill as passed would introduce a simpler and fairer way for trans men and
women to be legally recognized as who they truly are, allowing them to live
with the dignity we all deserve.
“It was passed by the
Scottish Parliament by 86 votes to 39, with the overwhelming support of
the SNP, Labour, the Greens, and the Lib Dems.
“That followed years
of consultation, and lengthy Parliamentary consideration, and debate. The bill
covers matters that are devolved to the Scottish Parliament, and its
consequences were considered by MSPs in great detail.”
Beth Douglas, a queer
activist from Glasgow who has campaigned to reform the gender recognition act
for the past seven years, said: “For the UK government to seek to block the
Scottish democratic process in this way, simply because they disagree with the
welcome decision the Scottish Parliament has made to improve trans people’s
lives, is unacceptable.
“We fully expect the
Scottish Government to challenge this in the courts.”
“To put it simply the
Tories are attacking devolution in the name of intolerance.”
“The real reason the
UK government has decided to block Scotland’s gender recognition reform bill
with a section 35 order is not because it would affect reserved matters.
Instead, it’s because, just like previous countries, it would show their concerns
to be entirely false & strengthen the case to introduce Self ID in the rest
of the UK.
“The Conservative party
had a choice honoring the devolution settlement or keeping a manufactured culture
war alive. They choose the culture war.”
LGBTQ+ charity
Stonewall said in a statement: “We are saddened that the Prime Minister has
decided to block the implementation of the Scottish Gender Recognition Reform
Bill, through an order under Section 35 of the Scotland Act, for the first time
in the history of devolution.
“This is a piece of
legislation that simply seeks to make the process for legally recognizing a
trans man or trans women’s gender more respectful and straightforward.
“Scotland’s bill
aligns it with leading international practice endorsed by the United Nations
and adopted by 30 countries, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland,
and most of the United States of America.”
“The UK government
should be focused on developing and implementing a strategy that improves the
lives of all LGBTQ+ people, including trans people, not causing them more harm,”
Stonewall added.
Stonewall also said
the move will undermine the devolution settlement and ”unlock
constitutional and diplomatic strife.”
Read related
myGwork articles here:
UK government Blocks
Scotland’s New Gender Recognition Law
Stonewall Slams
Attempts To Block Scotland’s Gender Reforms Bill
Gender Recognition
Reform Bill: Theresa May Disappointed Scotland Changes Not Considered For
England
Scottish Gender
Recognition Reform Bill Passes First Stage
Keep
up to date with the latest myGnews
Sign up to myGwork
________
LGBTQ+
professionals, LGBTQ+ Graduates, LGBTQ+ professional network, LGBTQ+
professional events, LGBTQ+ networking events, LGBTQ+ Recruitment, LGBTQ+
Friendly organizations, LGBTQ+ Friendly companies, LGBTQ+ jobs
