Latest news with #EuropeanRainbowIndex
The National
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Performative politics of many on the left is pushing people away
Take, for instance, a comment posted by Ruby Davies in response to your article 'Jimmy Carr shows 'should be cancelled' over secret pro-Israel party'. Here we had a comedian doing a paid gig, likely booked through an agent and probably unaware of the crowd dynamics that night. Ruby, in a fervour, likens him to individuals who entertained some of history's most heinous figures, such as Hitler or Pol Pot. This comparison isn't just excessive; it borders on delusional. It's not a quest for justice; it becomes a performative act devoid of real substance. READ MORE: First aid trucks enter Gaza after Israeli blockade lifted On the other side of the spectrum, we had politicians like Maria Eagle in the same venue boasting shamelessly about British military involvement in Israel's assault on Gaza. Did Ruby direct her outrage towards them? No, and that's telling. Confronting those in real positions of power takes courage, while chastising a comedian is a safer bet that garners attention and clicks. Regrettably, this tendency to misplace focus is emblematic of a wider issue. Take Stonewall's recent response to the UK's drop in the European Rainbow Index, which evaluates the legal and policy conditions for LGBT+ people across Europe. In their announcement, they unequivocally lumped the UK in with countries like Hungary and Georgia. This comparison is fundamentally flawed. In those nations, LGBT+ individuals face violent mobs, bans on education, and systemic silence enforced by the government. Here in the UK, while challenges remain, we are not at that level of crisis – and when individuals exaggerate these situations, they do not come off as courageous; they appear disconnected from reality. READ MORE: Israel 'will take control of all of Gaza', Benjamin Netanyahu says A striking example is Deborah Frances-White's appearance on the show Triggernometry. She faced a direct and polite question, yet her demeanour shifted dramatically. Rather than engaging in a constructive dialogue, she appeared as though she was under attack. Watching That interaction was painfully awkward; it encapsulated a troubling trend within too much of the left today – a fragility, defensiveness, and an inclination to interpret even neutral inquiries as hostile. This 'Fragile Left' mentality, where every critique is treated as an assault, is pushing people away. It's no wonder many are growing frustrated and tuning out entirely. The truth is that Most working-class individuals don't engage with this discourse. They are not active participants in the Twitter battlegrounds or immersed in endless online threads debating who is associated with whom. Instead, they live in the real world, juggling a myriad of responsibilities – bills to pay, children to raise, lengthy shifts, and the overarching stress of daily life. When everyday people observe those on the left melting down over a comedian's offhand joke at a dinner event, they don't interpret that as activism; they think, 'This crowd has completely lost the plot.' READ MORE: Labour 'breaking promise to reset devolution', John Swinney says If the working class feel marginalised, they are inclined to support anyone who doesn't talk down to them – even if that means rallying behind individuals like Farage. They don't see themselves reflected in the current leftist narrative, not out of love for right-wing populism, but rather because there is a desperate need for the left to reassess and recalibrate its approach. While Ruby may believe she is championing a righteous cause, her actions, and those like hers, are not drawing people in – they're alienating them. It is essential that we initiate genuine conversations about these dynamics. If we fail to unite and understand the real challenges facing our communities, the individuals and groups opposing our values will continue to thrive by default, leaving us further estranged from the very people we seek to uplift. James Murphy Bute SCOTLAND needs to concentrate on some canny voting next year. As much as we might disagree with the SNP government, inespecial where independence is concerned, we need to make sure it – or a combination of independence parties – gets the majority necessary to continue governing Scotland. We cannot afford to let Farage and his business team get anywhere near to entering Holyrood, regardless of what we might think about his only concern where immigration is concerned. READ MORE: Kenny MacAskill: Scotland can't survive Keir Starmer's migration crackdown Immigration is a fact of life for Scotland, as the country needs and welcomes immigrants to contribute to our public and NHS services. This has always been the situation before Johnson and his ridiculous Brexit plan, which has almost ruined the the UK economy. Voting for Reform UK on the single premise of immigration will not help a Scottish Government if it results in Farage becoming the leading opposition in Holyrood. Better it is/was with the Tories in that position. In North East Fife we do not have an SNP candidate as yet, although I understand one is being considered by the SNP election people. However, it is a strong LibDem constituency, so I will have to give it a well-considered 1 and 2 selection. Certainly not a Farage vote if his party is on the list. Please consider the next five years of government in Scotland, how we vote for what we can and will achieve as a sovereign nation responsible for effecting our independence. There is a way forward already in motion, via Salvo, that will help us achieve that without any unnecessary contacts or input with the UK/English parliament. Alan Magnus-Bennett Fife
The National
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
UK ranked second-worst in western Europe for LGBT+ laws
Despite coming in first place in 2015, Britain has slipped further down the index every year since and is now ranked as the second worst country in western Europe and Scandinavia for LGBT+ legal protections, with a score of only 46%. Beating only Italy in the ranking, the UK fell six places this year as a result of the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding transgender people and the Labour Government's subsequent response. READ MORE: Graham Linehan pleads not guilty to harassment of transgender woman Rebecca Don Kennedy, CEO of the Equality Network, said: 'It is shameful that having been ranked best in Europe for LGBT+ laws ten years ago, we have fallen so far. 'For our treatment of trans people, after the Supreme Court ruling we are now known as one of the worst countries in the whole of Europe. 'The UK must do better.' ILGA-Europe — the international human rights group behind the index rankings — noted that, while hate crime law in Scotland improved with the introduction of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, it had little effect on the UK's overall score. Don Kennedy added: 'Scotland, when analysed separately, has in the past been considered progressive and a beacon of LGBTI+ equality and human rights. 'That seems to be quickly deteriorating – we ask the Scottish Government to act now and do everything they can to improve the lives of LGBTI+ people in Scotland and to not submit to growing anti-LGBGI+ narratives both globally and right here in Scotland. 'We call on the Scottish Government to lead, and to fight for a future Scotland that cares.' READ MORE: Keir Starmer 'completely rejects' comparisons with Enoch Powell The top five countries on the index — Malta, Belgium, Iceland, Denmark and Spain — almost double Britain's score, with theirs ranging from 78% to 89%. The European transgender rights network (TGEU) said: 'Previously a frontrunner on equality, the UK now has a Supreme Court, Prime Minister, and equality body singing from the same hymn sheet as anti-trans campaigners. 'The UK Supreme Court's decision, which defined a 'woman' for the anti-discrimination law, has severely undermined legal certainty for trans people.' You can click here for the full European Rainbow Index.
The National
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
UK ranked second worst in western Europe for LGBT+ laws
Despite coming in first place in 2015, Britain has slipped further down the index every year since and is now ranked as the second worst country in western Europe and Scandinavia for LGBT+ legal protections, with a score of only 46%. Beating only Italy in the ranking, the UK fell seven places this year as a result of the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding transgender people and the Labour Government's subsequent response. READ MORE: Graham Linehan pleads not guilty to harassment of transgender woman Rebecca Don Kennedy, CEO of the Equality Network, said: 'It is shameful that having been ranked best in Europe for LGBT+ laws ten years ago, we have fallen so far. 'For our treatment of trans people, after the Supreme Court ruling we are now known as one of the worst countries in the whole of Europe. 'The UK must do better.' ILGA-Europe — the international human rights group behind the index rankings — noted that, while hate crime law in Scotland improved with the introduction of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, it had little effect on the UK's overall score. Don Kennedy added: 'Scotland, when analysed separately, has in the past been considered progressive and a beacon of LGBTI+ equality and human rights. 'That seems to be quickly deteriorating – we ask the Scottish Government to act now and do everything they can to improve the lives of LGBTI+ people in Scotland and to not submit to growing anti-LGBGI+ narratives both globally and right here in Scotland. 'We call on the Scottish Government to lead, and to fight for a future Scotland that cares.' READ MORE: Keir Starmer 'completely rejects' comparisons with Enoch Powell The top five countries on the index — Malta, Belgium, Iceland, Denmark and Spain — almost double Britain's score, with theirs ranging from 78% to 89%. The European transgender rights network (TGEU) said: 'Previously a frontrunner on equality, the UK now has a Supreme Court, Prime Minister, and equality body singing from the same hymn sheet as anti-trans campaigners. 'The UK Supreme Court's decision, which defined a 'woman' for the anti-discrimination law, has severely undermined legal certainty for trans people.' You can click here for the full European Rainbow Index.
