Latest news with #UnspunLiveattheFringe
The National
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Kate Forbes faces ban from Edinburgh arts venue over trans views
Summerhall Arts issued an apology for the 'oversight' of letting the Deputy First Minister speak at an event last week due to her past comments according to The Daily Mail, including against Scotland's gender reforms. She is a member of the Free Church of Scotland and said she would not have backed same-sex marriage if she had been an MSP at the time of the 2014 vote. Forbes also previously said she would not have backed the Scottish Government's Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill had she not been on maternity leave. READ MORE: John Swinney interview: The FM on indyref2, Israel, energy and more Forbes had appeared on August 7 as part of the Herald's Unspun Live at the Fringe – which saw a number of politicians and commentators take to the stage. The venue's management said they will now develop 'robust, proactive inclusion and wellbeing policies that would prevent this oversight in our bookings process happening again'. Gender critical campaigners have hit out at the move, suggesting it may be illegal – citing the Stand comedy club, which was forced to reinstate a show featuring ex-SNP MP Joanna Cherry at the Fringe two years ago. The venue had initially planned to cancel her show because of her trans views before then U-turning when threatened with legal action. Responding, Kate Forbes said: 'As I stated at the event, I fervently believe in freedom of speech. Any effort to 'cancel' people, especially politicians, undermines democracy. 'Many people attended The Herald event and it is important that we could freely discuss and debate matters in a respectful manner. 'I respect and acknowledge the fact that in a liberal democracy there are people who will agree with me and others who will disagree with me. 'That is all the more reason to create events where the audience and journalists can question politicians openly, as The Herald did.' A source at Summerhall Arts told The Daily Mail: 'This event was booked as a series of longform interviews prior to the guest list being confirmed. "Summerhall Arts' primary concern is the safety and wellbeing of the artists and performers we work with, and going forward we will be developing robust, proactive inclusion and wellbeing policies that would prevent this oversight in our bookings process happening again. "Summerhall Arts issued a communication to all artists making them aware of the event."
The National
2 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Kate Forbes may be banned from Scottish arts venue over trans views
Summerhall Arts issued an apology for the 'oversight' of letting the Deputy First Minister speak at an event last week due to her past comments according to The Daily Mail, including against Scotland's gender reforms. She is a member of the Free Church of Scotland and said she would not have backed same-sex marriage if she had been an MSP at the time of the 2014 vote. Forbes also previously said she would not have backed the Scottish Government's Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill had she not been on maternity leave. READ MORE: John Swinney interview: The FM on indyref2, Israel, energy and more Forbes had appeared on August 7 as part of the Herald's Unspun Live at the Fringe – which saw a number of politicians and commentators take to the stage. The venue's management said they will now develop 'robust, proactive inclusion and wellbeing policies that would prevent this oversight in our bookings process happening again'. Gender critical campaigners have hit out at the move, suggesting it may be illegal – citing the Stand comedy club, which was forced to reinstate a show featuring ex-SNP MP Joanna Cherry at the Fringe two years ago. The venue had initially planned to cancel her show because of her trans views before then u-turning when threatened with legal action. Resounding, Kate Forbes said: 'As I stated at the event, I fervently believe in freedom of speech. Any effort to 'cancel' people, especially politicians, undermines democracy. 'Many people attended the Herald event and it is important that we could freely discuss and debate matters in a respectful manner. 'I respect and acknowledge the fact that in a liberal democracy there are people who will agree with me and others who will disagree with me. 'That is all the more reason to create events where the audience and journalists can question politicians openly, as the Herald did.'
The Herald Scotland
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
WATCH: The Herald's Unspun Live takes over the Fringe
With a Holyrood election just a year away, it was the perfect chance to go beyond the headlines and hear directly from the people shaping the future of Scotland. Unspun Live took over the Dissection Room in Edinburgh's Summerhall to speak to Professor Sir John Curtice, First Minister John Swinney, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, and Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes. Watch each interview below. Monday 4th – Professor Sir John Curtice Day one of The Herald's Unspun Live at the Fringe kicked off with psephological insight and analysis from the UK's leading pollster Professor Sir John Curtice who is joined by award-winning writer and Herald columnist Kevin McKenna and political correspondent Hannah Brown. Predictions for Holyrood 2026 are made as the guests paint a picture of the current landscape of Scottish Politics. Tuesday 5th – John Swinney On day two of The Herald Unspun Live at the Fringe, Brian Taylor interviews First Minister John Swinney. They discuss independence, Gaza, Donald Trump's visit to Scotland, caring responsibilities in public office and much more. Wednesday 6th – Anas Sarwar Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar opens up to The Herald editor Catherine Salmond about his relationship with Keir Starmer, fatherhood, his parents and what Donald Dewar would think of the current Scottish Parliament on day three of The Herald's special Unspun Live at the Fringe series. Thursday 7th – Kate Forbes Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes sits down with Herald political editor Andrew Learmonth to discuss her reasons for stepping down at the next Holyrood election, what it's like being a woman on the frontline of Scottish politics, and the perception that she's against certain groups on day four of The Herald's special Unspun Live at the Fringe series.
The Herald Scotland
06-08-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
'Introvert Starmer doesn't dominate Scottish Labour'
Mr Sarwar said the Prime Minister's body language was "more relaxed" in Scotland compared to the rest of the UK. "If you compare body language and approach, so he has been leader of the Labour Party for five years, if you compare visits to Scotland five years ago compared to four years ago, I think you will see a significant shift in terms of confidence and comfort. 'We're different personalities. I am much more conversational, out there, a bit more extrovert. I think it's safe to say he is a bit more introverted in that sense. 'I'm in charge in Scotland – of course I am. 'What's really interesting is if you actually compare his body language to when he is in Scotland, compared to when he is in the UK, he's actually more relaxed in Scotland than he is in other parts of the UK. Read more: 'We've built up a rapport and probably push him to be a bit more extroverted than perhaps in other parts of the UK.' Mr Sarwar said he spoke with the Prime Minister "at least two to three times per month". Herald editor Catherine Salmond asked Mr Sarwar whether he dreaded the Prime Minister's trips to Scotland. Unpopular policies such as the two-child benefit cap and cuts to the winter fuel payment have caused internal unrest within the party. 'No,' he said, adding it was 'absolutely' beneficial to his Scottish Labour leadership. He said the prime minister 'enjoyed' being in Scotland. But he said: 'We aren't dominated. I do what I want to do, when I want to do and how I want to do it. I lead the Scottish Labour Party . I want to be First Minister and I want to lead the Scottish Government.' He said there was an 'obsession' the dynamic between UK and Scottish Labour. Day three of @heraldscotland's Unspun Live at the Fringe at Summerhall. Anas Sarwar's our guest tonight. @SalmondSalmond quizzing him on Gaza and Starmer. — Andrew Learmonth (@andrewlearmonth) August 6, 2025 Throughout the hour-long grilling, Mr Sarwar emphasised his ambition to become Scotland's next first minister, and the first from Labour since Jack McConnell in 2007. 'I'm putting my heart, soul, energy and time into winning the election next year. We have done a huge amount of work to change the Scottish Labour Party in the last four years. 'I look around and I see endless potential and opportunity in Scotland. What a difference it would make it there was an FM with a can do attitude, rather than a can't do attitude.' He added he 'fundamentally believes' he would be a better first minister than John Swinney. The Scottish Labour leader was full of praise for the Prime Minister, however he admitted Sir Keir's handling of the crisis in Gaza was "challenging" in the beginning. The Prime Minister told LBC in October 2023 that Israel had the "right" to withhold water from Gaza. Meanwhile Mr Sarwar had been supportive of calls for an immediate ceasefire. Asked whether the Prime Minister had handled the crisis well, he replied: 'Look, the opening part was difficult.' The Prime Minister's LBC interview 'caused a lot of upset'. Mr Sarwar said: 'I have always been of the view that cutting off the electricity, water, food, is a breach of international humanitarian law.' He added: 'The early part was of course challenging and he himself accepts that what he said in the LBC wasn't right. It was wrong. But I don't think enough people recognise things. One is that there are probably more people that think we in the UK have the influence to stop Benjamin Netanyahu than we do.' Mr Sarwar also ruled out forming a coalition with any other party in Holyrood, but accepted the election would be a close call between Labour and the SNP and ultimately returning a minority government. Earlier this week, Professor Sir John Curtice gave his prediction on Holyrood 2026 at Unspun Live at the Fringe, telling political correspondent Hannah Brown it would be "most extremely unlikely" for the SNP to win a majority next year.
The National
05-08-2025
- Politics
- The National
John Curtice gives verdict on John Swinney's indyref2 plan
Last week, the First Minister put forward his plans for Scottish independence, saying getting a second referendum could only be achieved if the SNP win a majority in Holyrood. They are the only party to ever win a majority in the Scottish Parliament, a feat achieved under Alex Salmond in 2011. But the leading pollster poured cold water over the prospect, saying at The Herald's Unspun Live at the Fringe that it is "most extremely unlikely" the SNP will do so at the Holyrood election next year. "What is [John Swinney] doing? He is saying to people: if you want independence, vote [SNP]. Do not vote for Alba, do not vote for the Greens,' Curtice said. READ MORE: Which MPs have received the most donations and from whom? See the full list "[John Swinney] does not want there to be a fragmented list vote. He wants people to vote for the SNP. The challenge facing the SNP — the thing that has not changed in Scottish politics despite the turbulence of the last two and a half years — is support for independence. We are still around 50/50 on the independence question.' He added: "Although you hear a lot of talk of people not being concerned about independence anymore, just tell that to most unionist voters. Most unionist voters are deeply concerned about independence. "Very few people now are willing to vote for the SNP if they are opposed to independence. That is in complete contrast to the position in 2011." When asked about how he believes the 2026 elections will play out, Curtice said it would be "child's play" for Reform UK to win at least 10 seats. "I think Kemi Badenoch is becoming more effective, but it is very much a work in progress. The problem the Tories face is that Reform are not just taking voters, they are taking donors, they are taking people,' he added. "It is very difficult to see any outcome other than the SNP still providing government. What remains highly uncertain is how strong it will be. It could be as low as 45 seats. I think the maximum at the moment is 55 seats. "But 55 seats — you have only got to find one party to make a deal. With 45 you have got to find two, and that becomes much more difficult. "I think at the moment it is a race between Reform and Labour over who comes second, and unless the popularity of the Labour government improves, Labour may find themselves in much the same position as they are at the moment."
