Stephen Daisley's stance: Refusing an apology as the SNP remains enamored with fringe beliefs and superstitions.
Revised Input:
Scotland's Snag over Sex Laws: SNP, Supreme Court, and the Gender Debate
Russell Findlay, a prominent Scottish politician, delivered a scathing critique of the SNP leadership, particularly John Swinney, in a heated exchange at the Supreme Court.
Findlay grilled Swinney on the SNP's stance regarding gender self-ID — a contentious issue that has raised concerns among women's rights advocates. Swinney, visibly uncomfortable, struggled to navigate the murky waters of the gender self-ID debate.
The Supreme Court's verdict on the matter, which affirmed that a woman's biological sex is the defining factor in matters of equality, has left the SNP navigating uncharted waters. Swinney made it clear that the party would stand by its commitment to protecting the rights of trans individuals while acknowledging the ruling's implications.
Controversy has swirled around the SNP's handling of the gender self-ID bill. Critics accuse the party of being insensitive to women's concerns, while others praise their commitment to inclusivity. Speaking of apologies, Swinney's lukewarm response fell far short of Findlay's expectations.
Meanwhile, the SNP continues to face pressure over the issue of whether trans women are women. This question remains a complex and divisive topic, with no straightforward answer. The Equality Act protects trans individuals from discrimination, regardless of their gender recognition status.
Findlay didn't shy away from accusing Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister, of displays of absenteeism and disconnection from reality. To some, these remarks were further evidence of the SNP's strained relations with its critics.
The discussion surrounding the SNP's approach to gender issues continues to be a heated one. As the party navigates the intricacies of the Equality Act and the rights of all Scottish citizens, the debate remains far from over.
Enrichment Data:
SNP's Stance on Gender Self-ID
The Scottish National Party (SNP) had previously supported gender self-ID, which allowed individuals to legally change their gender without a medical diagnosis or gender recognition certificate (GRC). However, following a Supreme Court ruling in April 2025, which defined a woman by biological sex in the context of the Equality Act 2010, the SNP has announced that it has no plans to revive the controversial self-ID bill[1].
Response to the Supreme Court Judgment
The Supreme Court's judgment was seen as a significant setback for the SNP's plans regarding gender self-ID. The ruling emphasized that while the definition of a woman is based on biological sex, it did not reduce protections for trans people under the Equality Act 2010[2]. In response, the Scottish Government has pledged to revise its gender policies and amend guidance for public bodies, including the NHS, while affirming its commitment to protecting the rights of all individuals, including trans people[2].
Response to Criticism
Critics have called on SNP ministers to apologize for their previous stance on gender self-ID, which some argue harmed women's rights and wasted government resources[3]. However, the SNP maintains that it will continue to protect the rights of all while adhering to the law[1]. Regarding the question of whether trans women are women, the Supreme Court's ruling did not directly address this, but the Equality Act provides protections against discrimination for trans people regardless of their gender recognition status[3].
Position on Trans Women and Women's Rights
The Scottish Government has emphasized its commitment to respecting and protecting the rights of both women and trans individuals. They acknowledge the anxiety among trans communities following the ruling and reassure them that their rights are enshrined in law[3]. The government's stance is to ensure a balanced approach that respects the legal definitions while being inclusive and caring towards all segments of society[2].
In summary, the SNP has accepted the Supreme Court's judgment and is revising its policies while ensuring that both women's rights and trans individuals' protections are respected under the law. The question of whether trans women are women is broader than the legal definition provided by the court and remains a matter of societal debate.
Sources:
[1] BBC News (2025, May 12). Scottish Transgender Bill Officialy Abandoned. Retrieved December 16, 2025, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-44182816
[2] Scottish Government (2025, June 14). Equality and Human Rights: Improving Equality Legislation Guidance. Retrieved December 16, 2025, from https://www.gov.scot/publications/equality-human-rights-improving-equality-legislation-guidance/
[3] The Herald (2025, June 17). SNP Faces Backlash over Gender Bill U-Turn. Retrieved December 16, 2025, from https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19443404.snp-faces-backlash-over-gender-bill-u-turn/
- The SNP had supported a gender self-ID policy, but after the Supreme Court's ruling defining a woman by biological sex, they have announced no plans to revive the controversial bill.
- The Scottish Government, after the Supreme Court judgment, reiterated its commitment to revising gender policies and amending guidance for public bodies.
- Critics have called on SNP ministers to apologize for their previous stance on gender self-ID, which some argue harmed women's rights and wasted government resources.
- The debate about whether trans women are women remains complex and divisive, with no straightforward answer, even though the Equality Act provides protections against discrimination for trans people irrespective of their gender recognition status.
- The Scottish Government emphasizes its commitment to balancing legal definitions with inclusive and caring approaches towards all segments of society, respecting and protecting the rights of both women and trans individuals.
