Holyrood pantomime distracts from real issues
Politics in Scotland this week has been entirely dominated by the ongoing enquiry into what is being dubbed as Salmond vs Sturgeon in a he-said-she said battle of the heavyweights. On Thursday (19 March 2021) it was announced that the Committee investigating the Salmond Inquiry was due to vote, by five to four, in favour of finding that Sturgeon misled Parliament. Calls for Sturgeon’s resignation have been growing louder from all corners, although this still seems unlikely. Sturgeon will be expected to resign, but only if the Committee finds that Sturgeon ‘knowingly’ misled the parliamentary committee.
Tory ‘Integrated Review’ pushes Britain closer to nuclear war
This week in Parliament, Boris Johnson published the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy, described widely as the largest review of its kind since the end of the Cold War. Its publication comes after a string of related announcements, and an inflated defence budget last year.
Anti-Women violence rooted in Capitalism, says CP
In the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard, Carol Stavris told the Communist Party’s executive at the weekend that violence against women has “deep roots in the capitalist system of exploitation”. “The position is made worse by inequality, poverty, sexist stereotyping, the commodification of women’s bodies, loss of crucial public services and inadequate support for women and children suffering abuse”, the CP Women’s Organiser declared.
Police violence mars Sarah Everard vigil
Last night (13 March 2021), hundreds gathered to remember the life of Sarah Everard and to call for changes to keep women safe in our society. The cancellation of the vigil couldn’t stop hundreds from gathering to express their emotions in the aftermath of Sarah Everard’s murder. The night ended in violence as police crushed flowers and dragged women kicking and screaming from the vigil. Previously, the Metropolitan police had refused to allow the event to go ahead, stoking rising tensions across Britain. Tensions had started as soon as it was revealed that a serving officer had been charged with Everard’s abduction and murder.
Tory Anti-Protests Bill threatens democratic rights
Civil liberties campaigners have warned that the controversial Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, contains proposals are set to restrict demonstrations, threatening the right to protest. Buried deep in the 300-page document, proposals would grant, by law, further powers to police officers and the Home Secretary to clamp down on protests. Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) have since published its ideas for the future of policing demonstrations.
Holyrood passes controversial Hate Crime Bill
MSPs have passed what has been described as “Scotland’s most controversial piece of legislation”. The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill was passed on Thursday (11 March 2021) by 82 votes to 32, with 4 abstentions after a marathon debate of amendments on Wednesday. The legislation seeks to consolidate existing law and extends protection for some vulnerable groups with a new offence of “stirring up hatred”. Concerns have been raised about the potential impact on freedom of speech, with opponents arguing that the full implications of the proposed law have not been thought through. While supporting the principle of protecting people from prejudice, they argue that the definition of “‘stirring up hatred” is too vague and open to interpretation.
CP: fight women’s and racial oppression
The Communist Party has issued the March edition of its news sheet Unity! focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tory budget, International Women’s Day 2021, anti-racism and the Party’s new Housing Charter.
#AbolishTheMonarchy trends on Twitter after Sussex’s interview with Oprah
Following revelations in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s interview with American Oprah Winfrey, that an unnamed member of the Royal Family had expressed concern of the colour of Meghan’s child prior to his birth, thousands took to Twitter demanding Britain became a Republic. Markle, who starred in American legal drama Suits, expressed concern about the racial bigotries held in the Royal Family. Saying that the harassment from them and the right wing tabloids made her “suicidal”.
Deliveroo’s ‘Thank You Fund’ PR stunt
Deliveroo riders are set to receive up to £10,000 from a £16m ‘thank you fund’ this year, however, it’s unknown when exactly pay outs are set to occur. Only a quarter of riders will receive any money. Only riders that have worked with Deliveroo for at least a year and have completed 2,000 orders will receive money from the rider fund.
Nurses in England prepared to strike over ‘pitiful’ 1% pay rise
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) announced yesterday (4 March 2021) that it’s members would be preparing for potential strike action over the pay rise announced in the UK budget, which they describe as ‘pitiful’. The RCN announced it was preparing a £35 million strike fund in advance of potential industrial action in England. Healthcare pay is devolved, hence the inclusion of England only. Although, workers in Scotland and Wales are preparing similar actions related to equally dismal pay rises.
