Sturgeon Accuses UK Ministers Of Exploiting Transgender Community As A Political Weapon
Nicola Sturgeon accuses UK ministers of exploiting transgender people as a "political weapon" and has cautioned the British government against obstructing gender laws enacted by the Scottish parliament.
Author:Suleman ShahReviewer:Han JuJan 18, 202317K Shares655.2K Views
Nicola Sturgeon accuses UK ministers of exploiting transgenderpeople as a "political weapon" and has cautioned the British government against obstructing gender laws enacted by the Scottish parliament.
The first minister of Scotland said that blocking the reforms would create a "very, very slippery slope" and encourage the British government to do the same in other sectors.
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Blocking Gender Recognition Reform Bill
Although No. 10 officials claimed the prime minister had not yet completely reviewed the legal advice, it is widely believed that British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak would oppose the gender recognition change bill citing provisions of the Scotland Act 1998.
On Monday, ministers will discuss the best strategy for implementing the new law, with a decision anticipated by that night.
Concerns have been raised about the decision's effect on devolution, and the discussion over trans rights, which raged for most of 2022 in the Scottish Parliament until the Bill was approved by MSPs in December, has been rekindled as a result.
By this coming Wednesday, Sunak will either approve or veto the bill that would allow transgender people to self-identify, making it easier for them to obtain official gender recognition certificates by, among other things, shortening the waiting period, eliminating the need for a medical diagnosis, and lowering the minimum age from 18 to 16.
The United Kingdom may reject the measure using section 35 of the statute, but Sunak also has the option of sending the bill to the Supreme Court.
“„No grounds to challenge this legislation” and that it did not affect the operation of the Equality Act.- Nicola Sturgeon
Nicola Sturgeon Stance On The Bill
Although there have been significant protests from certain MSPs and some Scottish activists, the measure was approved by a wide cross-party majority of the Scottish parliament.
“„If there is a decision to challenge, in my view, it will be quite simply a political decision and I think it will be using trans people – already one of the most vulnerable, stigmatised groups in our society – as a political weapon. And I think that will be unconscionable and indefensible and really quite disgraceful.- Nicola Sturgeon
A majority of Labour MSPs supported the bill, although two resigned to vote against it, and on Sunday, Labour leader Keir Starmer expressed worry about several aspects of the bill, particularly the lowering of the minimum age to 16.
Sturgeon claimed she wasn't the only one to ask whether Keir Starmer would stand for anything against the Tory onslaught.
“„On this particular issue, this is legislation that was scrutinised and voted for by Keir Starmer’s own party in the Scottish parliament, so if he backed any move by the government to block this he would be showing utter contempt for his own Scottish party as well as the Scottish parliament.- Nicola Sturgeon
Concerns have been voiced by senior cabinet individuals, including Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch, concerning the measure and its potential effects on the Equalities Act of 2010. Last week, Sunak went to Scotland and, during dinner with Sturgeon, he said there were worries about the measure.
“„Obviously this is a very sensitive area and I know there were very robust debates and exchanges on it as the bill was passing in Scotland.- Rishi Sunak,British prime minister
“„There may be impacts across the UK that we need to be aware of and understand the impact of them, and that’s what we’re doing, and once the government has received final advice it will set out next steps.- Rishi Sunak,British prime minister
Final Words
A majority of Labour MSPs supported the bill, although two resigned to vote against it, and on Sunday, Labour leader Keir Starmer expressed worry about several aspects of the bill, particularly the lowering of the minimum age to 16.
Ms. Sturgeon and other proponents of the law have characterized the ruling as an assault on devolution, while the UK Government has emphasized that Section 35 is a component of the statute that established the Scottish Parliament.
Suleman Shah
Author
Suleman Shah is a researcher and freelance writer. As a researcher, he has worked with MNS University of Agriculture, Multan (Pakistan) and Texas A & M University (USA). He regularly writes science articles and blogs for science news website immersse.com and open access publishers OA Publishing London and Scientific Times. He loves to keep himself updated on scientific developments and convert these developments into everyday language to update the readers about the developments in the scientific era. His primary research focus is Plant sciences, and he contributed to this field by publishing his research in scientific journals and presenting his work at many Conferences.
Shah graduated from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (Pakistan) and started his professional carrier with Jaffer Agro Services and later with the Agriculture Department of the Government of Pakistan. His research interest compelled and attracted him to proceed with his carrier in Plant sciences research. So, he started his Ph.D. in Soil Science at MNS University of Agriculture Multan (Pakistan). Later, he started working as a visiting scholar with Texas A&M University (USA).
Shah’s experience with big Open Excess publishers like Springers, Frontiers, MDPI, etc., testified to his belief in Open Access as a barrier-removing mechanism between researchers and the readers of their research. Shah believes that Open Access is revolutionizing the publication process and benefitting research in all fields.
Han Ju
Reviewer
Hello! I'm Han Ju, the heart behind World Wide Journals. My life is a unique tapestry woven from the threads of news, spirituality, and science, enriched by melodies from my guitar. Raised amidst tales of the ancient and the arcane, I developed a keen eye for the stories that truly matter. Through my work, I seek to bridge the seen with the unseen, marrying the rigor of science with the depth of spirituality.
Each article at World Wide Journals is a piece of this ongoing quest, blending analysis with personal reflection. Whether exploring quantum frontiers or strumming chords under the stars, my aim is to inspire and provoke thought, inviting you into a world where every discovery is a note in the grand symphony of existence.
Welcome aboard this journey of insight and exploration, where curiosity leads and music guides.
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