In a recent council meeting in Renfrewshire, SNP Councillor Robert Innes, whose spouse is the Children’s Minister, ignited controversy with his dismissive comments regarding the critical debate on trans rights and access to changing facilities. This uproar followed a landmark Supreme Court ruling that defined “woman” strictly in terms of biological sex under equalities law, siding with the campaign group For Women Scotland against the SNP Government’s poorly considered legislation concerning gender representation on public boards.

Labour Councillor Alison Ann-Dowling attempted to rectify the situation by proposing a motion endorsing the court’s decision. She called for a thorough review of local authority policies and training materials to comply with the ruling. Innes, however, brazenly dismissed concerns regarding the safety of women and girls in public facilities, stating, “If you are obsessed with, or focused on caring about, somebody else’s genitalia in a changing room, then you’re the weirdo, not the person who is trying to get changed.” Such remarks clearly show a troubling disregard for genuine concerns surrounding safeguarding, shifting the focus away from the real issues at hand.

Innes went on to express misplaced empathy, arguing that “it’s the abusers that should be the concern and the focus here, not the people in the toilet.” His rhetoric aligns disturbingly with the SNP’s ethos, which seems increasingly out of touch with the public sentiment surrounding safeguarding women’s rights. By referencing former SNP MP Mhairi Black, who linked concern over trans issues to “a proven gateway into fascism,” Innes is not only attempting to deflect valid worries but also risks marginalizing those who simply seek to protect vulnerable groups.

Councillor Ann-Dowling rightfully condemned Innes’ remarks as offensive, noting that they represent a failure to engage constructively with safeguarding needs. She criticized his lack of respect for the principles of single-sex spaces necessary for the safety and privacy of women and girls, demanding an apology for his dismissive comments.

In the wake of the court ruling, the SNP Government announced it would await guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission before reconsidering its current protocols. This cautious approach reveals a lack of decisive leadership on issues critical to community safety.

As Councillor Innes remains silent on the chorus of calls for apology and retraction, the division within the community only deepens. The ongoing discord illustrates a pressing need for clarity and respect in addressing rights and safeguarding concerns, and it underscores the urgent call for alternative voices in politics that center on the safety and dignity of all citizens. The growing popularity of political movements advocating for a return to common sense and accountability in policy-making is a clear sign that many are weary of the current government’s negligence in these vital areas.

Source: Noah Wire Services