The already strained relationship between London and Edinburgh is put to the next test. On Monday evening, Scotland Minister Alister Jack announced that the British government would block a Scottish judicial reform that had only been decided in December. After “thorough consideration” he would resort to a rule with which he could prevent the text of the law from receiving the approval of the king and thus from entering into force, said Jack.
The Scottish Parliament passed the law on December 22nd. Among other things, it stipulates that a medical report will no longer be required for a change in the gender entry in the future. The minimum age for an application should be lowered from 18 to 16 years. The length of time that a trans person must have lived in their new gender role should only be three months instead of two years.
Sturgeon: ‘Frontal Assault’ on Scottish Parliament
He “didn’t make the decision easy for himself,” said Jack now. Trans people deserve “respect, support and understanding”. His decision was based on the legal consequences of the law. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government is concerned that the Scottish Regional Government’s plan breaches UK equality rules.
Jack’s announcement met with strong opposition from Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon. She wrote on Twitter of a “frontal attack on our democratically elected Scottish Parliament and its ability to make its own decisions”. The Scottish Government will “defend” the law and the Scottish Parliament, she added, criticizing the “veto from Westminister”. Sturgeon had previously warned London of a blockade. The leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) accused the central government of using trans people as a “political weapon”.
Fierce debate in Scotland
The law was also not without controversy in the Scottish Parliament. The vote was preceded by a long and lively debate. Finally, it was adopted by a majority of 86 votes to 39. The Gender Recognition Reform Bill was considered the most controversial legislative project since the Scottish regional parliament was founded almost 24 years ago.
The dispute did not spare Sturgeon’s own party either. Supporters and opponents of the bill had demonstrated before and in the Scottish regional parliament in Edinburgh before the vote. Among the critics was Harry Potter author JK Rowling. One fear was that men could take advantage of the simplified regulations to invade areas reserved for women, such as women’s changing rooms and toilets, for sexual motives.
Used Blockade for the first time
In any case, the fact that the British government is now using the possibility of a blockade is a historical precedent. London is thus risking a legal and political tug of war with Edinburgh, which is likely to further strain already strained relations. In November, the UK Supreme Court rejected Scotland’s request for a new vote on secession from the UK.
