Weekly Round-Up

Scotland, Conversion Therapy, Children and Rude Parliamentarians

Hello everyone,

Please find below the Weekly Round-Up, in what has been a rollercoaster of a week.

As always, please comment below or send me an email if you have any big news to share.

1.     Scotland and Gender Recognition

After weeks of speculation and uncertainty, the UK government finally took the brave and highly re-assuring step to block the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill from gaining Royal Assent and ultimately being passed into law.

They have utilised Section 35 of the Scotland Act 1998 (for the very first time, I might add), on the basis that the Scottish legislation would have a negative impact on the rest of the UK, particularly as it pertains to obligations under the Equality Act 2010.

I use the word ‘brave’ because this will undoubtedly cause significant friction between Westminster and Scotland, which has been building over recent years. It provides another stick for Nicola Sturgeon to try to beat Rishi Sunak with, in her quest for independence. However, the UK government firmly chose child welfare and women’s rights over ideology on this occasion.