Stephen Harte

Bloody Europeans….would not even leave us in peace to bully and harass trans people!

We need to take back control so we can go for minorities as we see fit, based solely on what bigoted millionaires and Daily Mail want us to do. That’s true British democracy.

#sarcasm #TransRightsAreHumanRights

The Council of Europe has warned that the UK gov’s treatment of trans people may breach human rights law.

This must be a wake up call.

We’ve seen an increase in hostility towards trans in recent years.

Everyone deserves dignity, safety, & respect - that includes trans people.

You are, of course, free to criticise what Neil stands for in his own right but, “independence” issues aside, I suspect you’ll find Neil likely is closer to your thoughts than you’d think - certainly on equalities issues. Those of us who are cross party allies on this subject need to keep close.

Catriona…please don’t misunderstand me. All politicians must be up for criticism and I have my own views on the MP to whom you refer. Neil is his own man and you doe him and yourself a disservice by a petty and unsubstantiated comment that the MP is somehow his “boss”.

Please feel free to criticise anyone (that’s what politics are all about after all) but it’s petty and reflects poorly on you to go down this “his boss” route. Neil is his own man….as you probably know. Petty snide comments don’t help the debate for anyone.

“His boss”? 🙄

Interesting….while Fergis’ combination of nationalism, nepotism and social conservatism would never be my cup of tea, you’d have thought that highland voters would be more open to electing an “independent” candidate that in other places. Neil, the Lib Dem candidate, is energetic and hardworking.

Robert Jenrick criticised for saying people shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ should be arrested Tory leadership candidate’s comments around far-right protests described as nasty, divisive and ignorant

Jenrick is absurdly incoherent on principles of free expression because he wants immediate arrests for "Allahu Akbar" (God is Great) while turning up to court to defend shouting "Fuck Islam" while burning a Quran

www.theguardian.com/politics/art...

Will the SNP hold Inverness & Nairn against Fergus Ewing standing as an independent and the growing confidence of the Scottish Lib Dems who did well winning the WM equivalent last year? Who knows how that one will pan out.

Did I see a post on here earlier this week where an academic had translated the 2021 Holyrood votes to the new boundaries or did I imagine it? Does anyone have the link?

Disgraced former Conservative MPs William Wragg and Peter Bone should start a consultancy called Wragg & Bone

THIS.
And if this includes you, you've been taken for a mug.

Alba didn’t even manage to get any of their councillors (defectors from the SNP) re-elected at the last council elections even with multi member wards and STV.

Mere details.

A better answer: replace stamp duty with a smarter tax, that's fairer, doesn't discourage people from moving, and can't be avoided.

I'll be writing more about that at the weekend.

These is time to submit an emergency motion to Scottish conference in a Week or so.

Edinburgh Evening News. Lib Dems on track for one of 'best ever results' in Edinburgh at next year's Holyrood elections, says Ed Davey. Read the full story below.

At the next election, there is everything to play for in Edinburgh.

Council by-elections show that support for Labour, the SNP and the Conservatives is collapsing because they have all let you down.

Scotland deserves better - and with the Liberal Democrats, you can vote for it.

17-year-old trans girl's suicide over NHS wait times was preventable says coroner A 17-year-old trans girl's death by suicide over NHS wait times could have been prevented with swift intervention, a coroner has ruled.

17-year-old trans girl’s suicide over NHS wait times was preventable, coroner rules

Well said Wendy

This is so true

The war is Gaza has gone on two years too long. I welcome this ceasefire of course but it’s hard to celebrate after we’ve had such misery and destruction. In this war we’ve seen the worst of humanity. In its aftermath I hope we see the best.

My Venn diagram was real

We welcome the prospect of a ceasefire. The people of Gaza and the hostages and their families have suffered far too much already.

The UK must now redouble efforts to ensure Gaza is flooded with aid and that pressure is maintained for a just peace based on the conditions for a two-state solution.

As engagement with political parties continues to slump (across all parties), to be a party activist at all (especially as a young person) makes you “odd” by definition.

We're still doing "Critics say" as opposed to "It is clear to anyone paying attention"?

After a horrible 12 months in Israel and Palestine, we need some good news.

If we have surviving hostages released that is to be celebrated - the poor souls will have been in captivity for a year in dreadful conditions.

If the monstrous and likely illegal Israeli actions against the people of Gaza stop, that too is a cause for joy.

I am pessimistic about the Gaza Peace Plan - but really hopeful that I am wrong in that pessimism. In the current world climate, I’m almost pre-programmed for pessimism!

With Trump/Netanyahu on one side and Hamas on the other - bad faith actors are everywhere. I trust neither side.

CW: protester being struck in the head by a pepper ball

Footage I took earlier of the moment Reverend David Black, a regular protester outside of the Broadview Detention Center, was shot in the head with a pepper ball by ICE agents on the roof of the facility.

This is a lie.

There are many criticisms you might sensibly and truthfully make of the Sentencing Council and the Sentencing Guidelines. I’ve been making them for years.

But this is an outright lie. Pure fabrication. A fraud on the public.