Latest news with #SafeAccessZonesAct
Scotsman
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
Ross Greer pledges to 'take on the super rich' as he launches Scottish Green leadership bid
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... Ross Greer pledged to "take on the super rich" as he launched his bid to become the new co-leader of the Scottish Greens. Mr Greer, who was elected as an MSP at the age of 21 in 2016, said he would fight to fix a system "rigged" by the wealthiest. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He also advocated universal free bus travel in Scotland - a move he admitted would initially cost a "substantial" sum. Ross Greer | PA Mr Greer has long been seen as a potential successor to Patrick Harvie, who announced he was standing down as the Greens' co-leader earlier this year. Under the party's rules, co-leaders serve two-year terms and one of them has to be a woman. Lorna Slater, the current co-leader with Mr Harvie, has said she will run again. She is being challenged by Gillian Mackay, the MSP for the Central Scotland region. Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay introduced the Safe Access Zones Act. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire Mr Greer, who was raised in Bearsden, was one of the architects of the Bute House Agreement between the SNP and the Greens, which collapsed in April last year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He said he would be "absolutely willing" to work with John Swinney's SNP after the Holyrood election next year, "if we are going to deliver policies that make Scotland a greener and a fairer place". Greer defends record At a leadership launch event in Glasgow, the 31-year-old defended his track record following criticism from those within the Greens who are pushing for a more radical approach. "The only person in the history of devolution who has done more to redistribute wealth and tax the super rich than me is Patrick Harvie, and it's me and Patrick that this particular grouping seem to be criticising," Mr Greer said. The West Scotland MSP said his party needed to "take on the super rich", adding: "It is the extremely wealthy who need to pay for the kind of transformation that we need in our society." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Asked what this might mean in practice, he said: "One of the first examples is simply ending the tax breaks that the super rich already have under devolution. There are Tory MSPs in Parliament who are some of Scotland's biggest landowners and who get tax breaks for their shooting estates - tax breaks that are designed for small businesses." Mr Greer said Scotland's income tax system "is already by far the most progressive in the UK because of the Scottish Greens", adding: "This year alone we're raising about £1.7 billion more than we otherwise would if it wasn't for the income tax changes secured first by Patrick Harvie and then by myself as the Scottish Greens' finance spokespeople. "There is a little bit more progress that we could make on income tax - there's always a bit more that you could raise. You can always make the system a little bit more progressive. "But what we really need to do now in Scotland is pivot towards taxing the wealth of the extremely wealthy, particularly in relation to property. Some of the richest people in this country pay very little income tax because that's not how they arrange their finances. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "That's why we need to look at wealth taxation in particular, and also emissions-related taxes. We need to tax big polluters." Free bus travel for all Mr Greer said half of Scotland's population can already travel on the bus for free, at a cost to the public purse of about £400 million a year. "So if you were to make it universal for everybody, immediately, day one, that would be another £400m,' he said. "In practice it's not going to cost that, though, because part of the costs of that scheme are obviously administering it to check - are you under 22? Are you over 60? Are you disabled? "If we make it universal, we take the admin costs out of the process. But it's also something that we would be phasing in over a couple of years.'
The National
19-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
The dangers of imported American culture wars
The US anti-abortion movement is more emboldened than it has been in years, largely due to Trump removing nearly all protections for abortion providers. He has instructed federal prosecutors to limit enforcement of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (Face), which was introduced in response to violence against abortion clinics and staff, including the murder of doctors. In January, Trump also chose to pardon 23 anti-abortion activists who had been jailed for invading and blockading abortion clinics under the Face Act. READ MORE: Anas Sarwar urged to whip Scottish Labour MPs against welfare cuts The chilling events of the weekend should give us pause for thought here in Scotland. The hard-won Safe Access Zones Act, which keeps anti-abortion protesters 200 metres away from hospitals providing abortion services, came about in direct response to the importation of US-style clinic protests. Although many of the protesters were locals, they were recruited and organised by Texan anti-abortion organisation 40 Days for Life. I first witnessed the protests while living near the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, and the unmistakably US overtones – the signs, the fanaticism – made my blood run cold. Abortion rights in Scotland are under attack with the help of US dollars. When anti-abortion activist Rose Docherty flouted the new buffer zone legislation, she was swiftly lionised by the Alliance Defending Freedom – an American legal advocacy group categorised as an extremist homophobic hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Centre. She was framed as a persecuted victim of state overreach, rather than someone deliberately undermining public health protections. An even more disturbing example came when JD Vance grossly misrepresented Scotland's buffer zone laws, which led to a surge in abuse directed at MSP Gillian Mackay. Mackay, who spearheaded the buffer zones bill, was called a 'baby killer', received emails suggesting her abusers knew her home address, and was even sent rape threats – all while she was pregnant. The recent events in America are existentially terrifying, threatening our sense of freedom, peace, and democracy. It would be a grave mistake to assume that such extremism cannot reach our shores. It already has. Attempts to undermine our laws and the will of our parliament are not theoretical – they are happening right now. Yet, watching so many Americans take to the streets in defence of the freedoms they cherish gives me hope. I have faith in them – and I have faith in us.
Scotsman
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
Gillian Mackay launches bid to become co-leader of the Scottish Greens
Gillian Mackay says she has shown she has the ability to deliver on her campaigns. 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... Gillian Mackay has officially launched her bid to replace Patrick Harvie as leader of the Scottish Greens. Last month Mr Harvie announced he would be resigning as co-leader of the party after 17 years in charge. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Since becoming an MSP for Central Scotland in 2021, Ms Mackay has pushed through legislation to ban anti-abortion protests outside healthcare critics and campaigned to get football matches free-to-air on the television. Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay introduced the Safe Access Zones Act. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire | Jane Barlow/Press Association She has also been a loud critic of the closure of the Grangemouth oil refinery, resulting in hundreds of job losses in the region she represents. Ms Mackay announced her intention to run outside the People's Palace in Glasgow on Friday. She said: 'Over the last four years, I've shown that I can deliver on many of the campaigns that I decide to take up and bring people together behind them, from safe access zones to rolling back the decision to cut school buses in North Lanarkshire. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'There are loads of other examples as well and I hope that people can see that I can get things done and bring people together.' The Scottish Greens elect two co-leaders every two years, meaning those holding the top jobs have to fight to keep their positions every second year. Lorna Slater, who is co-leader of the party alongside Mr Harvie, is also due to run again for the leadership this summer. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad At least one co-leader must be a woman. However, the contest is open to all party members and the winner does not have to be an elected parliamentarian. Since Mr Harvie announced his resignation, there has been media speculation that Ms Mackay and ally Ross Greer MSP would run on a joint ticket to become the two party leaders. While candidates are allowed to stand as a duo, they are still voted on individually.
The Independent
20-02-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
US anti-abortion group planning series of protests outside Scottish hospital
A US anti-abortion group is planning a series of protests outside a hospital in Scotland despite a law banning such demonstrations. According to its website, 40 Days For Life will hold 'vigils' outside the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow from March 5 until April 13. A law passed last year by the Scottish Parliament outlawed anti-abortion activists from protesting within 200 metres of abortion clinics. On Wednesday, a 74-year-old woman became the first person to be arrested under the legislation. Hardgate Road, just outside the hospital, had been a frequent target for anti-abortion protesters before the Safe Access Zones Act was passed by MSPs. Despite Wednesday's arrest, the 40 Days For Life group still has the area marked as part of its global campaign to protest against abortion, which includes hundreds of locations around the world. The group, which began in Texas, describes itself as 'an internationally co-ordinated 40-day campaign that aims to end abortion locally through prayer and fasting, community outreach, and a peaceful all-day vigil in front of abortion businesses'. Police Scotland said it would respond 'proportionately' to any protests outside abortion clinics in Scotland. Superintendent Christopher Stewart said: 'Every incident is unique and officers will respond proportionately to reports of anyone breaching the legislation by engaging with them, explaining the law and encouraging compliance before moving to enforcement if necessary.' Gillian Mackay MSP, who brought forward the buffer zones legislation, warned the group against further demonstrations. 'I urge 40 Days and anyone else who is planning to protest in a safe access zone to think again, as they will be stopped and there will be consequences,' she said. 'The protests that have taken place outside Queen Elizabeth and other hospitals have been utterly shameful and have no place in a modern or progressive Scotland. That is why I introduced my Act, and why they are now illegal. 'These zones were introduced to stop the intimidation and obstruction of people accessing abortion services, including the shameful scenes of protest groups waving graphic banners and in some cases using megaphones and loudspeakers to abuse service users and staff. 'We know the awful impact that these protests have had. Some of the testimonies from women who have had to endure them have been heartbreaking. Why would anyone want to add to that hurt by spreading even more fear and anxiety?' The development comes days after US Vice-President JD Vance criticised Scotland's buffer zones. Speaking at a security conference in Munich, Donald Trump's deputy said: 'Just a few months ago the Scottish Government began distributing letters to citizens whose houses lay within so-called safe access zones, warning them that even private prayer within their own homes may amount to breaking the law. 'The Government urged readers to report any fellow citizens suspected guilty of thought crime. In Britain and across Europe, free speech, I fear, is in retreat.' First Minister John Swinney dismissed his comments, saying: 'JD Vance is just wrong and that issue was extensively discussed during the passage of the Bill. On the letter issued to households, his claims were wrong about that letter as well, and no such point was put to residents whatsoever on private prayer.' Ms Mackay added: 'With JD Vance and his extreme supporters spreading toxic misinformation about Scotland, it is vital that we stand up for reproductive rights and against those who are working to undermine them. 'Abortion rights are human rights, and I know that the people of Scotland stand firmly against the anti-choice protests of US-backed campaign groups like 40 Days.'
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
US anti-abortion group planning series of protests outside Scottish hospital
A US anti-abortion group is planning a series of protests outside a hospital in Scotland despite a law banning such demonstrations. According to its website, 40 Days For Life will hold 'vigils' outside the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow from March 5 until April 13. A law passed last year by the Scottish Parliament outlawed anti-abortion activists from protesting within 200 metres of abortion clinics. On Wednesday, a 74-year-old woman became the first person to be arrested under the legislation. The protests that have taken place in Glasgow today have been utterly shameful. I am grateful to Police Scotland for acting quickly. Everybody deserves access to healthcare without harassment. That is why I introduced my Act, and why these disgraceful protests are now illegal. — Gillian Mackay MSP (@GillianMacMSP) February 19, 2025 Hardgate Road, just outside the hospital, had been a frequent target for anti-abortion protesters before the Safe Access Zones Act was passed by MSPs. Despite Wednesday's arrest, the 40 Days For Life group still has the area marked as part of its global campaign to protest against abortion, which includes hundreds of locations around the world. The group, which began in Texas, describes itself as 'an internationally co-ordinated 40-day campaign that aims to end abortion locally through prayer and fasting, community outreach, and a peaceful all-day vigil in front of abortion businesses'. Gillian Mackay MSP, who brought forward the buffer zones legislation, warned the group against further demonstrations. 'I urge 40 Days and anyone else who is planning to protest in a safe access zone to think again, as they will be stopped and there will be consequences,' she said. 'The protests that have taken place outside Queen Elizabeth and other hospitals have been utterly shameful and have no place in a modern or progressive Scotland. That is why I introduced my Act, and why they are now illegal. 'These zones were introduced to stop the intimidation and obstruction of people accessing abortion services, including the shameful scenes of protest groups waving graphic banners and in some cases using megaphones and loudspeakers to abuse service users and staff. 'We know the awful impact that these protests have had. Some of the testimonies from women who have had to endure them have been heartbreaking. Why would anyone want to add to that hurt by spreading even more fear and anxiety?' The development comes days after US Vice-President JD Vance criticised Scotland's buffer zones. Speaking at a security conference in Munich, Donald Trump's deputy said: 'Just a few months ago the Scottish Government began distributing letters to citizens whose houses lay within so-called safe access zones, warning them that even private prayer within their own homes may amount to breaking the law. 'The Government urged readers to report any fellow citizens suspected guilty of thought crime. In Britain and across Europe, free speech, I fear, is in retreat.' First Minister John Swinney dismissed his comments, saying: 'JD Vance is just wrong and that issue was extensively discussed during the passage of the Bill. On the letter issued to households, his claims were wrong about that letter as well, and no such point was put to residents whatsoever on private prayer.' Ms Mackay added: 'With JD Vance and his extreme supporters spreading toxic misinformation about Scotland, it is vital that we stand up for reproductive rights and against those who are working to undermine them. 'Abortion rights are human rights, and I know that the people of Scotland stand firmly against the anti-choice protests of US-backed campaign groups like 40 Days.'
