Latest news with #LocalGovernmentAct1988
The National
4 days ago
- Business
- The National
John Swinney to consider imposing state boycott on Israel
Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer has written to the First Minister demanding that he adopt the principles of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign, which aims to put pressure on the Israeli economy in the mould of the anti-apartheid boycott of South Africa. A Scottish Government spokesperson said ministers would 'consider' the proposal, which would see official guidance issued to businesses urging them to end trade with Israel, as was done with Russia in 2022. Greer's letter to John Swinney welcomed the First Minister's acknowledgement that 'there is a genocide in Palestine', but the MSP said he disagreed with the assertion that he was 'trying to do everything I possibly can do to make sure that we apply the pressure' on Israel. Before setting out a raft of measures to implement the BDS campaigns' demands, Greer (below) said: 'As we both know and have previously discussed, there is much more which the Scottish Government can be doing to put pressure on Israel to end its genocide in Palestine.' (Image: Gordon Terris) He called for the Scottish Government to scrap part of the Local Government Act 1988 to allow councils to bar companies from winning contracts if they participated in the illegal occupation of Palestinian territory. Greer suggested this could be achieved through an amendment to the Community Wealth Building Bill. As well as issuing guidance to businesses recommending that they halt trade with Israel, Greer suggested that the Scottish Government should stop funding arms companies which have supplied Israel during the genocide and 'all other companies directly complicit in the occupation'. READ MORE: David Lammy contradicted as UK 'shares Gaza spy plane data with Israel' Pension funds should also be encouraged to divest from companies 'complicit in Israel's apartheid regime', Greer added. Finally, he suggested imposing financial penalties on 'complicit companies' through the Scottish Government's powers to impose surcharges on non-domestic rates. Speaking to The National, Greer said: 'Unfortunately the First Minister's claim that he is doing everything possible for Palestine just isn't true. Most foreign policy powers lie with Westminster, but there are still meaningful actions the Scottish Government could take, yet hasn't. (Image: AP) 'John Swinney now rightly recognises what is happening as a genocide. Those words must be matched with action, but we've seen very little of that from his government. Taxpayers' money is still being handed to companies who the United Nations has identified as being directly complicit in Israel's campaign of ethnic cleansing. 'The worst crime against humanity of our time is being inflicted on the Palestinian people right in front of our eyes. 'Scotland has a moral responsibility to act. The same approach helped end apartheid in South Africa. Now we must show that solidarity with the people of Palestine.' A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'The Scottish Government has repeatedly called for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and an urgent increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza. The Scottish Government will continue to press the UK Government to recognise a sovereign Palestinian state, as part of a two-state solution to secure lasting peace in the region. 'Ministers will consider and reply to Mr Greer's letter.'
Scotsman
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
The 'difficult' fight by Scotland's LGBT+ community to repeal section 28 remembered, 25 years on
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... LGBT+ communities have been "strengthened" by their experience of section 28, it has been claimed, as Scotland marked 25 years since the law was repealed. Section 28 was part of the Local Government Act 1988, introduced by Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It stated councils could not 'intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality', or 'promote the teaching in any maintained school the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship'. Scotland had only legalised gay sex eight years before section 28 was introduced - 13 years after it was decriminalised in England and Wales. The law was repealed on June 21, 2000, making it one of the first major pieces of legislation in the newly-devolved Scottish Parliament. England and Wales were to follow suit three years later. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scottish Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie was an LGBT+ youth worker in Glasgow at the time and campaigned in support of the repeal. He said he still finds his memories of the fight 'difficult', particularly when he thinks back on the 'horrible, nasty' media coverage at the time. Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie. | Jane Barlow/Press Associaton 'My memories of the repeal campaign are still quite difficult in some ways,' he said. 'None of us expected this would be the biggest issue in the Scottish Parliament. 'In the early days of devolution, there were anxieties about what the Scottish Parliament would do with human rights. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'There was still a strong story that Scotland was more socially conservative and more religious than other parts of the UK. Now that story of Scotland was not true, but it still held power in people's minds. 'When we realised the first Scottish Executive was going to repeal this, there was initially a lot of optimism and happiness. But suddenly we realised what a horrible, nasty, homophobic campaign was run against us by the media.' Mr Harvie told The Scotsman it was a 'frightening experience' for him to grow up queer in the west of Scotland, describing schools at the time as 'not a safe place'. Some of the loudest voices in the 'Keep the Clause' campaign were Cardinal Thomas Winning, head of the Scottish Roman Catholic Church, and bus tycoon Brian Souter. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Sir Brian Souter (left) and Jack Irvine from the 'Keep the Clause' campaign. | David Cheskin/Press Association Mr Harvie said: 'Cardinal Winning compared us to Nazis, which is astonishing now. But we survived it - some people say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and our community has been strengthened by this experience. 'It didn't feel like it at the time - it felt like an attack. But it has strengthened us. 'On some level, if it hadn't been for Brian Souter I would never have got into politics, so perhaps I am his greatest legacy.' Mr Harvie was planning to spend the 25th anniversary, which was marked on Saturday, reflecting on his time campaigning and giving evidence in the old Scottish Parliament building. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad First Minister Donald Dewar and Communities Minister Wendy Alexander, pictured immediately before Mr Dewar speaks on repealing section 28. | Ben Curtis/Press Association He said he hoped the anniversary could be used to highlight increasing levels of transphobia across Scotland. Mr Harvie said: 'I will remember being on the front bench of the temporary chamber before I was an MSP and giving evidence on the Ethical Standards and Public Life Act that repealed section 28. 'It genuinely felt like this new parliament had doors open and was willing to participate, and that is when we see Parliament at its best.' The Glasgow MSP added: 'Up until the last few years we have consistently seen Parliament vote in favour of LGBT+ equality and rights so it is painful to see that unravel with the growth of transphobia and prejudice against inclusive education.
South Wales Argus
18-06-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Tougher sentences for criminals who abuse LGBT people ‘vital step forward'
Jacob Collier called for new aggravated offences as part of the Government's Crime and Policing Bill, as he warned many LGBT+ people 'don't feel safe in reporting hate'. More than 100 cross-party MPs backed the proposed amendment, originally put forward by Rachel Taylor, which would create the new offences if violent crimes are motivated by hostility towards a person's sexuality, transgender identity or disability. Home Office minister Dame Diana Johnson has vowed to broaden the framework for aggravated offences. Mr Collier said: 'I know what it means to think twice how you walk down the street, to pause before holding somebody's hand, to wonder whether that shout from across the road is something you can ignore or something you can't afford to. 'And I know that I'm not alone in that. 'I've spoken to my constituents and people from far beyond who tell me that they don't feel safe in reporting hate when it happens. They don't believe that they'll be taken seriously and there's a profound failure of trust, and one that we in this House have a duty to repair.' The Burton and Uttoxeter MP also told the Commons: 'I think it's also fitting that we are introducing this amendment in Pride Month, and in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling which has caused so much anguish amongst the trans community.' He said the move 'represents a vital step forward in the protection of some of the most marginalised people within our society' and added: 'Too many victims still believe that the system is not on their side and this new clause gives us the opportunity to change that. It gives police and prosecutors a clear route to charge and convict offenders in a way that truly reflects the nature of these crimes.' Mr Collier said the proposed change was 'about dignity, about recognising that whether you're a trans teenager being punched in the park, a gay couple being spat on on the Tube, or a disabled man being harassed on his way to work, all people deserve the full protection of the law'. Aggravated offences would also offer 'vital protection for disabled people, who often remain far too invisible in the public conversation around hate crime', he added. The law already provides for aggravated offences, if they are motivated by hostility towards a victim's race or religious group membership. 'That discrepancy cannot be right. We cannot as a society say that some forms of hatred are more evil than others,' Ms Taylor told the Commons. The Labour MP for North Warwickshire and Bedworth added she was 'at university when section 28 was introduced', part of the Local Government Act 1988 which banned town halls from promoting or teaching 'the acceptability of' homosexuality in schools. 'I remember it vividly, it was more than the law, it was an attack on the right of people like me to live openly,' she said. 'It stigmatised lesbians, gays and bisexual people, it pushed us out of public life. 'I got into politics to fight that cruel law and everything it represented.' Ms Taylor said her amendment would be 'an important step forward for equal rights'. Marie Tidball, the Labour MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge who also backed the amendment, said the proposal 'would foster respect and equality for all by ensuring justice for disabled victims of hate crime'. Responding to the debate, Dame Diana branded these crimes 'disgraceful', and said the increase in hate crime towards transgender people 'cannot be tolerated'. On the proposed new clause, Dame Diana said: 'The Government supports this change, as set out in our manifesto last year. 'And I can confirm to the House that we will bring forward a suitable Government amendment to give effect to this commitment in the Lords at committee stage.'
South Wales Guardian
18-06-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Tougher sentences for criminals who abuse LGBT people ‘vital step forward'
Jacob Collier called for new aggravated offences as part of the Government's Crime and Policing Bill, as he warned many LGBT+ people 'don't feel safe in reporting hate'. More than 100 cross-party MPs backed the proposed amendment, originally put forward by Rachel Taylor, which would create the new offences if violent crimes are motivated by hostility toward's a person's sexuality, transgender identity or disability. Mr Collier said: 'I know what it means to think twice how you walk down the street, to pause before holding somebody's hand, to wonder whether that shout from across the road is something you can ignore or something you can't afford to. 'And I know that I'm not alone in that. 'I've spoken to my constituents and people from far beyond who tell me that they don't feel safe in reporting hate when it happens. They don't believe that they'll be taken seriously and there's a profound failure of trust, and one that we in this House have a duty to repair.' The Burton and Uttoxeter MP also told the Commons: 'I think it's also fitting that we are introducing this amendment in Pride Month, and in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling which has caused so much anguish amongst the trans community.' He said the move 'represents a vital step forward in the protection of some of the most marginalised people within our society' and added: 'Too many victims still believe that the system is not on their side and this new clause gives us the opportunity to change that. It gives police and prosecutors a clear route to charge and convict offenders in a way that truly reflects the nature of these crimes.' Mr Collier said the proposed change was 'about dignity, about recognising that whether you're a trans teenager being punched in the park, a gay couple being spat on on the Tube, or a disabled man being harassed on his way to work, all people deserve the full protection of the law'. Aggravated offences would also offer 'vital protection for disabled people, who often remain far too invisible in the public conversation around hate crime', he added. The law already provides for aggravated offences, if they are motivated by hostility towards a victim's race or religious group membership. 'That discrepancy cannot be right. We cannot as a society say that some forms of hatred are more evil than others,' Ms Taylor told the Commons. The Labour MP for North Warwickshire and Bedworth added she was 'at university when section 28 was introduced', part of the Local Government Act 1988 which banned town halls from promoting or teaching 'the acceptability of' homosexuality in schools. 'I remember it vividly, it was more than the law, it was an attack on the right of people like me to live openly,' she said. 'It stigmatised lesbians, gays and bisexual people, it pushed us out of public life. 'I got into politics to fight that cruel law and everything it represented.' Ms Taylor said her amendment would be 'an important step forward for equal rights'. Marie Tidball, the Labour MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge who also backed the amendment, said the proposal 'would foster respect and equality for all by ensuring justice for disabled victims of hate crime'.
North Wales Chronicle
18-06-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Tougher sentences for criminals who abuse LGBT people ‘vital step forward'
Jacob Collier called for new aggravated offences as part of the Government's Crime and Policing Bill, as he warned many LGBT+ people 'don't feel safe in reporting hate'. More than 100 cross-party MPs backed the proposed amendment, originally put forward by Rachel Taylor, which would create the new offences if violent crimes are motivated by hostility toward's a person's sexuality, transgender identity or disability. Mr Collier said: 'I know what it means to think twice how you walk down the street, to pause before holding somebody's hand, to wonder whether that shout from across the road is something you can ignore or something you can't afford to. 'And I know that I'm not alone in that. 'I've spoken to my constituents and people from far beyond who tell me that they don't feel safe in reporting hate when it happens. They don't believe that they'll be taken seriously and there's a profound failure of trust, and one that we in this House have a duty to repair.' The Burton and Uttoxeter MP also told the Commons: 'I think it's also fitting that we are introducing this amendment in Pride Month, and in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling which has caused so much anguish amongst the trans community.' He said the move 'represents a vital step forward in the protection of some of the most marginalised people within our society' and added: 'Too many victims still believe that the system is not on their side and this new clause gives us the opportunity to change that. It gives police and prosecutors a clear route to charge and convict offenders in a way that truly reflects the nature of these crimes.' Mr Collier said the proposed change was 'about dignity, about recognising that whether you're a trans teenager being punched in the park, a gay couple being spat on on the Tube, or a disabled man being harassed on his way to work, all people deserve the full protection of the law'. Aggravated offences would also offer 'vital protection for disabled people, who often remain far too invisible in the public conversation around hate crime', he added. The law already provides for aggravated offences, if they are motivated by hostility towards a victim's race or religious group membership. 'That discrepancy cannot be right. We cannot as a society say that some forms of hatred are more evil than others,' Ms Taylor told the Commons. The Labour MP for North Warwickshire and Bedworth added she was 'at university when section 28 was introduced', part of the Local Government Act 1988 which banned town halls from promoting or teaching 'the acceptability of' homosexuality in schools. 'I remember it vividly, it was more than the law, it was an attack on the right of people like me to live openly,' she said. 'It stigmatised lesbians, gays and bisexual people, it pushed us out of public life. 'I got into politics to fight that cruel law and everything it represented.' Ms Taylor said her amendment would be 'an important step forward for equal rights'. Marie Tidball, the Labour MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge who also backed the amendment, said the proposal 'would foster respect and equality for all by ensuring justice for disabled victims of hate crime'.
