This is Northumberland Calling 20.1.23

The devolution evolution edition

This is Northumberland Calling 20.1.23

The devolution evolution edition

As predicted, the UK government has blocked the Scottish Gender Reform bill on constitutional grounds. Cue much wailing and gnashing of teeth by the Scottish National Party. This one will go all the way up to the Supreme Court. It is the first time the UK government used its powers under the Devolution Act to block a bill as it would adversely affect other parts of the UK. Currently the SNP do not have a good track record with their judicial reviews (aka they normally lose) You can read the detailed reasons why the government acted : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statement-of-reasons-related-to-the-use-of-section-35-of-the-scotland-act-1998

Partly as a sop to the LGBT+ lobby, the government on the same day announced that they would bringing forward a draft bill to ban trans conversion therapy. Kemi Badenoch is taking the unusual step of writing to MPs to explain why she thinks the bill has to be carefully construct as not to criminalize parents or religious organizations. Badenoch will be the Minister responsible for piloting the legislation through and appeared less than impressed. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/01/17/trans-conversion-therapy-ban-could-turn-parents-criminals/

The reason for doing announcement had to do with the Conservatives seeking to block an amendment tabled by Conservative  trans supporter Alicia Kearns.  I suspect Badenoch was really  not impressed. https://conservativehome.com/2023/01/18/the-trans-conversion-therapy-ban-can-we-hear-from-badenoch-please/

The Free Speech Union is currently doing a write to your MP campaign about the potential conflict between free speech and the proposed ban. This is the link to the template letter: https://freespeechunion.org/take-action/

Former Labour Leader contender Lisa Nandy is at odds with Labour leader Sir Kier  Starmer because she believes  people as young as 13 should be able to transition. It also emerged on Thursday that four Labour MPs (including the male MP who behaved vilely towards Rosie Duffield when she gave her speech supporting the government on the S 35) attended a rally with a violent sex offender who happens to be trans. And Labour wonders why they are losing women? https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/01/19/labours-lisa-nandy-suggests-13-year-olds-should-able-change/

Meanwhile in Scotland, a transgender woman is on trial for ‘raping  two women with her penis’ according to the Times. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/trans-woman-denies-rape-as-trial-begins-in-glasgow-lpj9v57vd

 Despite the Interim Cass Report telling schools not  to socially transition without expressed authority from a medical profession. Some schools persist in doing this, including informing Social Services when parents ask them to desist. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-11646881/I-asked-daughters-teachers-not-call-boy-reported-social-services.html

Aberdeen City Council recently had a survey in primary schools asking children aged  7 – 9 if they were transgender. The question was not optional. Parents were less than impressed. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11656145/Nicola-Sturgeons-SNP-plans-ask-children-male-female-transgender-survey.html

  One bad apple in the form of Wayne Cozens who murder Sara Everard was bad enough, but it appears the Metropolitan Police force may have over 1000. The latest one known in the force as B*****d Dave was convicted of 49 charges including 24 rapes on Monday. The Met is now urgently reviewing its vetting procedure. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/01/17/david-carrick-sacked-met-police/

As a direct consequence, an unimpressed Suella Braverman has ordered that every police force do a background check of its officers and staff to see how widespread the problem of corruption is. Vetting standards are to be strengthen but they are unclear if officers slipped through prior to the 2017 strengthening.  Vetting currently covers employment history, financial vulnerability such as debts or bankruptcy, past allegations, cautions and convictions even if there was no formal outcome, checks on relatives and associates who may pose a risk and social media use to ensure the reputation of the police service. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/01/18/heck-national-database-david-carrick/

This feature article in today’s Telegraph details some of the harassment female police officers have experienced. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/01/19/grim-reality-woman-police-force/

 Because King Charles can not afford to be seen to be personally benefitting from green levies, he has handed over the profits of 6 wind farms to the nation, rather than keeping the profits within the Crown estate. The deal is worth approx. £1 billion ($1.21 billion US) a year for ten years. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2023/01/19/king-charles-hand-back-millions-wind-farm-profits-nation/

This has NetFlix true crime documentary written all over it – aristocratic young woman with newborn baby goes missing along with the boyfriend, a convicted rapist deported from America after abandoning and setting rental car alight. One can only  hope for a happy ending but… https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/01/18/boyfriend-runaway-aristocrat-who-vanished-newborn-baby-convicted/

The Daily Mail has the latest update of the man who raped a woman in Florida when he was 14, threatening her with a pair gardening shears. Sentenced to 40 years for his crimes, he served 2 decades and was deported. Friends of the young woman remain very concerned for her whereabouts. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11655511/Sex-offender-missing-new-mother-kept-neighbour-hostage-sexually-assaulted-aged-14.html

My revisions are with my editor. I have also done my author note and dedication so things are moving on with that book. Next step (fingers crossed) the copy edits. I have started the next Viking.