Mark Irvine - Blogger, Campaigner, Organiser

Constituents in Glasgow Pollok seem unfazed by Humza Yousaf's resignation - some are unaware he's the local MSP which is not that surprising as he lives on the other side of Scotland in the leafy suburb of Broughty Ferry, Dundee.

NEW: One of Humza Yousaf’s most senior ministers could be lined up to replace him as he fights for his political career this week. Factions have begun to form, with phones buzzing as different factions take the temperature after a frenzied weekend https://t.co/Oul3kpU6rz — Alasdair Clark (@alasdair_clark) April 28, 2024

The Kelvin Hall Putsch. The funniest thing you’ll read today. The inside story of the Greens in meltdown as rebels demand leaders go | The Herald https://t.co/FlmriJnIjy — Brian Spilei (@BrianSpanner1) April 28, 2024 Apparently the Scottish Greens are in a full scale civil war as grassroots members demand that Harvie, Slater and Greer are held to account over their farcical alliance with the SNP. "There’s demands for co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater to go. There’s calls for every Green MSP to be 'de-selected' for 'selling out the party’s values'. There’s accusations of gaslighting and bullying cliques at the top of the party creating a toxic culture of fear and intimidation." What a hoot!

Will Humza Yousaf's final address as First Minister be the usual bluster about Indy and how the SNP are the greatest thing since sliced bread - or will he reflect on the huge part he played in his own downfall?   

Jenny Gilruth, who is gathering support to be Scotland’s next First Minister, can’t tell a BBC QT audience whether a double rapist is a man or a woman. This is why Sturgeon fell, why Yousaf is about to. These are not ‘progressive’ values - it’s a denial of science and contempt… https://t.co/01gHqzGrCz — Susan Dalgety (@DalgetySusan) April 29, 2024 Susan Dalgety hits the nail on the head with her comments on Humza Yousaf and Nicola Sturgeon - there is nothing remotely 'progressive' about pretending men can self-identify and magically declare themselves to be women.  

“Progressive” 🚩🚩🚩 “Lurch to the right” 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/LjF4gw2TUB — Sister Suffragette KPSS 🦖❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 (@sisterousier) April 27, 2024 The insufferable Greens think it's fine to denounce anyone who disagrees with them as right-wing and/or transphobic, but the vast majority of Scots are fed up with their focus on identity politics and nonsense about self-ID.  It's not in the least 'progressive' to pretend that men can transform themselves into women by the power of their imaginations.     

A man tried to enter the women’s division and the American Longboard Association said nope. 👍🏼 pic.twitter.com/7ZZNLtgsQ3 — Taylor Silverman (@tmsilverman) April 27, 2024 How refreshing! A chap from the American Longboard Association (ALA) says 'men are men' and 'women are women' before making a stand in favour of sporting values and fair competition in surfing.

Euan McColm assesses Humza Yousaf's prospects going forward into the New Year. "His party might be in the depths of crisis, the independence movement might be fracturing, but Yousaf sticks to the line that everything’s going to work out just fine. He stands, like a cop in front of an exploding firework factory, insisting there’s nothing to see here."  Seems to me Humza is as deluded as the Black Knight in Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

  Gillian Bowditch conjures up a powerful image of Humza Yousaf being the architect of his own downfall by holding on to the hand grenade while throwing the safety pin away.  "Yousaf has thrown the pin and held on to the hand grenade. He is a man who plays Russian roulette with all six barrels loaded. Nothing in his premiership will become him like the leaving of it. Because leave it he must." Telling and very funny. Hopefully Humza the Hapless has bungled his own demise https://t.co/Ebqs3xtehA — Frenchgranny (@frenchgranny) April 28, 2024  

I loved the hilarious post of the Greens denouncing Humza Yousaf with a kazoo playing 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' in the background. But it seemed a tad unfair to such a great song, so here's my favourite version from the wonderful Eva Cassidy.

Humza Yousaf's plea for his political opponents to save his First Ministerial skin made me laugh, but here's the original "We come in peace, shoot to kill" line - from the hilarious Star Trekkin' video by The Firm. Star Trekkin' Star Trekkin' across the universe, On the Starship Enterprise under Captain Kirk. Star Trekkin' across the universe, Boldly going forward 'cause we can't find reverse. Lt. Uhura, report. There's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow; there's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, Jim. Analysis, Mr. Spock. It's life, Jim, but not as we know it, not as we know it, not as we know it; it's life, Jim, but not as we know it, not as we know it, Captain. There's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow; there's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, Jim. Star Trekkin' across the universe, On the Starship Enterprise under Captain Kirk. Star Trekki

The only letter I want from Humza Yousaf is his resignation. Here’s my response to Humza Yousaf’s humiliating bid to remain in power. His time in office must be over 👇 pic.twitter.com/MSFMC8ho6i — Douglas Ross MP MSP (@Douglas4Moray) April 27, 2024 Humza Yousaf writes a nice 'let's be friends' letter to the Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross - just days after calling for the SNP to create a "Tory-free Scotland". How embarrassing!  

Who else agrees 'Let's Work Together' by Canned Heat should be Humza Yousaf's theme song as he struggles to avoid a vote of no confidence in the Scottish Parliament? The only fly in the ointment is the following line which might upset the Greens and a few in his own party - as there's no mention of non-women or transwomen!  "Because together we will stand, every boy, girl, woman and a man"

🤔😬🤓 https://t.co/wDNrXNvxrz pic.twitter.com/bRyM1x5ei0 — mole at the counter (@moleatthedoor) April 26, 2024 Mole at the Counter and Lucy Hunter Blackburn combine to expose the cynicism of Humza Yousaf's appeal for his political rivals to save the failing SNP government and his disastrous reign as First Minister. "I've sneered at you/called you names/misrepresented you and now I'm asking you what *you* can do to prop me up in government."  

Sturgeon was meant to appear in front Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Committee on Monday. She called off, saying she was ‘no longer available’, yet here she is in London …👇 https://t.co/rIdJqs3rV0 pic.twitter.com/3qH6vFICqR — Aviemore (@Fyrishsunset) April 27, 2024 Nicola Sturgeon pulled out of a planned meeting with the Scottish Affairs Committee in Westminster on Monday, but managed to find the time to attend DIVA awards in London last night.  Not a good look for Sturgeon or the SNP. 

Lots of excellent commentary today on the farcical ending to the cosy SNP/Green at Holyrood, but to a man and woman everyone agrees Humza brought this on himself.

Done. pic.twitter.com/m1rdmeBX1E — Innocent Bystander (@supertolerant) April 25, 2024 Very funny! Some wag has posted a video of the Greens denouncing Humza Yousaf with 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' being played in the background - on a Kazoo.  

  Team Yousaf is sending out signals that their man plans to fight and not go quietly, but will Humza really 'do a Boris' and be dragged kicking and screaming from office - has Humza no pride or integrity? 

Men : Always tuck your penis when wearing a satin dress. https://t.co/hAcI6o4bo6 — ''Femalism''🟥 🟩⬜🟪 (@ilovepreserves) April 26, 2024 Important fashion advice for men who self-identify as women and like to dress up in women's clothes. 

How strange that Hamas apologists should be so queasy about rape and October - when the same men clearly murdered Israeli lots of innocent civilians - men, women and children - in cold blood! Are they suggesting all the Israeli hostages kidnapped themselves? @MarinaMedvin pic.twitter.com/KVkqJPe3oN — Mark Irvine (@Mark1957) April 25, 2024 You've got to wonder if apologists for Hamas believe these cowardly men were taking Shani Louk for a nice drive - and that all the completely innocent Israeli hostages actually kidnapped themselves.

I joined the Free Speech Union recently. Regular newsletters contain lots of useful information as well as details of how to get involved in FSU campaign events. Here's an example and link - https://freespeechunion.org In Today’s Newsletter Edinburgh Speakeasy: Thirty Days of Hate Crime Law The human cost of cancel culture Cambridge in free-speech row over researcher’s ‘race realism’ blog A postcard from down under Science under pressure: restoring public confidence King’s College London bars staff from promotion unless they support pro-trans diversity policy Is it time to get over the rainbow? Tickets now available Free speech issues at stake in BACP ethical framework review Latest episode of the FSU’s weekly podcast is out now UK-Government funded ‘disinformation tracker’ labels gender critical beliefs “anti-trans” Finnish politician’s ‘hate speech’ case for expressing Christian beliefs appealed to Supreme Court Support for Stonewall crumbles after Cass Review The FSU is hiring!