Almost irrationally so
BBC Live on Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation.
One snippet:
Ms Sturgeon says she has found public opinions about her have become “barriers” to debate.
She says issues that are controversial “end up almost irrationally so” – though makes no specific reference to Scotland’s gender reforms.
That’s probably especially true when the issue itself is rooted in an irrational belief system.
Another:
Sky News touches on the row around transgender prisoners. The FM is asked whether this was the straw that broke the camel’s back. She is also asked – was it a failure of her leadership not to deliver independence?
Sturgeon says she will “leave other people to judge” her record and says “no, that issue wasn’t the final straw”.
“It’s not the case that this decision is because of short-term issues,” she insists. She does regret not being able to bring a “rational approach” to debates, but cites her track record of standing up for women’s rights and marginalised groups in society. Again, she avoids being drawn into questions about transgender issues.
Yes but “marginalised groups in society” can mean anything or nothing. Women are marginalised, and trans ideology is one of the forces that adds to that marginalization.
I think the SNP leadership, including Sturgeon, may finally have figured out how deep a fissure they are cutting, and have realized that it is starting to take them further away from their goals. A YouGov/Times poll on December 9 put support for independence at 47%, up from an October 4 finding with the same methodology of 43%. A January 26 version found that support had plunged to 40%. That takes another referendum well out of reach. Sturgeon appears to have realized her persona has become an obstacle. What remains to be seen is whether SNP leadership candidates believe that much of the persona is tied up in her dogmatic take on gender issues.
It is a pity that the sample size is a bit too small to make characterizations of what has happened to the women’s vote in particular. But I strongly suspect that they have internal polling that is more relevant than the Yes/No stuff of headlines that indicate that people are now less likely to cast their votes based on the independence matter, and ‘activation’ levels among women are way down. Scottish women may still want to get out of the UK and Tory rule, but are not exactly motivated to walk their neighbourhoods putting pamphlets in doors for an SNP that is running roughshod over their concerns.
I’m listening to Arty Morty et al. on a special live Mess.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwhPXrwPYQs
How can you bring a rational approach to debates when the only argument your side presents is NO DEBATE!?
By being the only rational person on the planet of course!
Oh, really? “Well, Yes,” it was. Liar.
Sturgeon herself has been a barrier to a debate over gender. Turns out having #nodebate and allowing trans lobbyists to get legislation passed without scrutiny is like fucking around and then finding out.
I was there too, tigger. I’d have said hi in the comments if I’d spied you.