Patrick Harvie finally got back to me about arranging a meeting to discuss the Gender Recognition Reform Bill.
Seems like Pat's only prepared to be respectful and meet with people who already agree with him - but what a rude, out-of-touch, arrogant man!
Imagine a politician refusing to meet one of his constituents for attending a peaceful demonstration in support of women's rights.
I'll share my response to the Glasgow regional list MSP when I get round to replying to him in the next day or so.
Dear Mr Irvine,
Given that you attended the recent anti-trans protest and have misrepresented the proposals in the current Gender Recognition Reform Bill by claiming that they pose a threat to women's rights, I do not believe that any purpose will be served by meeting with you.
Clearly you disagree with the Bill, which will remove barriers to gender recognition which trans people have faced since the original GRA was passed. I strongly support the Bill, as did the cross party committee which held extensive evidence sessions as part of the stage 1 scrutiny process (with the exception of the Conservative members, which comes as little surprise).
I deeply regret the harm being caused by the current wave of transphobia which has taken hold in much of the UK's media and in some parts of the political spectrum, and I am committed to standing against it. Passing this Bill, which was promised by all five parties in Parliament in 2016 and which has been delayed too often and too long, will be an important step in countering this prejudice.
I've had to chase up Patrick Harvie's office about meeting up to discuss potential changes to the Gender Recognition Act which is pretty disappointing.
Kim (Long) is Patrick's Community Engagement Manager and acted previously as a local Glasgow Green councillor.
Dear Patrick/Kim
Consultation on Potential Changes to the Gender Recognition Act
I refer to my letter dated 5 October 2022.
The opportunity to meet at the Scottish Parliament has obviously now passed, but no one has come back to me about arranging a meeting in Glasgow.
I would be grateful if you could suggest some likely dates between now and the end of October?
Patrick Harvie's office responded to my request tomeet up while I'm through in Edinburgh today, but said he is too busy with Tenants Protection legislation.
On checking the Parliament's business agenda it appears this legislation is not due to be debated until later today, so I've asked if Patrick can squeeze something in beforehand - or arrange a meeting in Glasgow.
Dear Kim
Many thanks for your quick response to my letter regarding my request to meet with Patrick Harvie tomorrow (Thursday) while I'm at the Scottish Parliament for the protest in support of women's rights.
I note from the Parliament's business agenda that the debate on Tenants' Protection legislation does not start until after 2pm - so I would be happy to meet with Patrick any time between 10.30am and 1pm, or even between 1pm and 2pm if Patrick could shave 10 minutes off his lunch break.
Would this be any good?
If not, can you suggest a couple of dates and times when Patrick will be free to meet up back in Glasgow?
Many thanks
Mark Irvine
Glasgow, MSPs and Women's Rights ()
So there's been a mixed bag of responses to my letter asking to meet with Glasgow's MSPs while I'm in Edinburgh tomorrow at the protest in support of women's rights.
Patrick Harvie's office says he's busy with other ministerial duties, but Holyrood's business agenda confirms these are in the afternoon - so I'm going back for another try.
Paul Sweeney's office says he is busy with various activities, but has my number and will meet me outside if he can.
Sandesh Gulhane's office says he's not in Edinburgh on Thursday morning, but will make him aware of my email
The rest - Pam Duncan-Glancy, Annie Wells, Anas Sarwar, Pauline McNeil and my constituency MSP Kaukab Stewart - have failed to respond, so far at least.
But there's still plenty of time so let's hope they get in touch.
Scottish Parliament - Women's Rights and Single Sex Spaces (October 04, 2022)
I've written to all Glasgow MSPs regarding Thursday's protest and demonstration at the Scottish Parliament in support of women's to single sex spaces.
The letter below is addressed to Patrick Harvie, but the full list of MSPs includes:
Kaukab Stewart (my constituency MSP)
Pauline McNeil
Anas Sarwar
Annie Wells
Paul Sweeney
Pam Duncan-Glancy
Sandesh Gulhane
So let's see who responds and what they have to say for themselves.
Dear Patrick Harvie
Scottish Parliament - Protest and Demonstration - 11am Thursday 6th October 2022
I will be attending the Thursday's protest and demonstration at the Scottish Parliament in support of women's rights to single sex spaces, in sport and other areas of public life.
I would be grateful if you, as one of my Glasgow regional list MSPs, could take some time out from your schedule to meet with me to discuss the threat posed to women's rights by the policy of self-ID and men self-declaring themselves to be women.
I would be happy to meet with you inside or outside the Scottish Parliament building and can be contacted via the following mobile number - xxxxx xxxxxx.
I look forward to hearing from you in advance of Thursday.
Consultation on Potential Changes to the Gender Recognition Act
Thank you for your very belated response to my letter dated 19 November 2021.
While I am familiar with the old saying 'a week is a long time in politics' I do feel that taking 10 months to respond to a local constituent is rather excessive, particularly when your Glasgow MSP office is supported generously with public funds.
I also note your response fails to address any of the points raised in my original correspondence or, for example, the more recent and disturbing evidence from the independent Cass Review which raises serious questions about the efficacy of placing vulnerable children/young adults on to an 'affirmative pathway' to irreversible medical and/or surgical treatment.
For the record, I take the view that it is impossible for men or women to change their sex - because a person's sex is embedded in every cell in a human body.
I disagree strongly with the absurd policy of self-identification and believe that a man self-identifying as a woman is akin to a white person self-identifying as a black person - or vice versa.
Hugh Fearnley Whitingstall is one of my favourite - and endearingly bonkers - TV chefs. The River Cottage chef has a some imaginative ideas for adding seagulls to the national diet - including a recipe for Kentucky Fried Seagull - would you believe. Here's what HFW has to say on the subjecy - I think I'll contact Hugh - and ask if he'll join the TAPAS campaign. "Vermin with wings? Chicken of the sea? Or just an opportunity missed?" "First and foremost, before we all go on a mad seagull killing frenzy. In the U.K it is against the law to kill seagulls or interfere with their nests under the countryside and wildlife act. Some Councils are allowed to cull them however, and usually do this by either poisoning or shooting them. How to catch your seagull. Remember this is against the law in the U.K. I don't want the Men in Blue knocking at the door because someone said that Foodimum told them it was okay to catch and eat seagulls. It isn't... P
Hi. https://t.co/yuA2cY109e — Brian Spusk (@BrianSpanner1) December 16, 2022 Brian Spanner (aka Brian Spusk) shares a tweet from the SNP's chief executive and husband of SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon) criticising secretive party donations. What a complete hoot - these hypocrites have no shame! Peter Murrell @PeterMurrell "Anonymous political donations supposed to be a thing of the past. Yet Scottish Tories pocketed £319,000 from secretive trust with no fixed address or known current trustees. @Conservatives legally responsible for checking true identity of donors before accepting cash. #DarkMoney "
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