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MurrayBlackburnMackenzie

@mbmpolicy.bsky.social
442 followers 174 following 25 posts

Edinburgh-based policy analysis collective, with a background in policy-making, research & communications. www.murrayblackburnmackenzie.org

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MurrayBlackburnMackenzie @mbmpolicy.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
NEW BLOG: We suggest that decisions made at the STUC this week should be seen as a watershed moment in the history of women in the trades union movement in Scotland, and prompt wider scrutiny of how effectively the STUC listens to women. murrayblackburnmackenzie.org/2025/05/01/g...
murrayblackburnmackenzie.org
Giving women a voice: the Supreme Court and the STUC - Murray Blackburn Mackenzie
Introduction The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) was founded in 1897. Its stated purpose is to co-ordinate, develop and articulate the views and policies of the Trade Union Movement in Scotland....
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MurrayBlackburnMackenzie @mbmpolicy.bsky.social · 23/02/2025
Earlier today, at the Scottish Labour conference, the Prime Minister was asked about the Sandie Peggie case and the Equality Act 2010 by journalist Catriona Stewart. This is our response to those comments.
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MurrayBlackburnMackenzie @mbmpolicy.bsky.social · 23/02/2025
In the event of the court finding in the SG's favour, we asked them whether Scottish Labour – and their colleagues in the UK Government – would commit to clarifying the Equality Act 2010 so that acquisition of a GRC does not alter someone’s sex for the purposes of that Act.
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MurrayBlackburnMackenzie @mbmpolicy.bsky.social · 23/02/2025
We reminded them that lawyers for the Scottish Goverment were in the UK Supreme Court just a few months ago arguing that men with GRCs should count as women under the Equality Act 2010 Act. (A ruling is expected imminently.) We highlighted the potential consequences of a win for the SG.
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MurrayBlackburnMackenzie @mbmpolicy.bsky.social · 23/02/2025
On Friday, along with Scottish Lesbians, Women's Rights Network Scotland and Women Won't Wheesht, we wrote to Anas Sarwar and Jackie Baillie regarding Scottish Labour's change of heart regarding their support of the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill. t.co/e05V7z5pBL
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MurrayBlackburnMackenzie @mbmpolicy.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
Our comments were picked up in an article in today's Telegraph. www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
telegraph.co.uk
Scottish Labour admit they should not have backed SNP trans self-ID
Anas Sarwar accused of performing ‘desperate’ about-turn by Conservatives after he told podcast he had ‘deep regret’ over voting for Bill
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MurrayBlackburnMackenzie @mbmpolicy.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
Our response to yesterday's comments by the Scottish Labour leadership on the Gender Recognition Reform Bill and the Sandie Peggie case.
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MurrayBlackburnMackenzie @mbmpolicy.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
The letter was picked up in an article in today's Courier. www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/politics/...
thecourier.co.uk
SNP blocks NHS Fife tribunal being discussed in Holyrood over 'danger' it could jeopardise case
The Holyrood clash came as gender critical campaigners wrote to health chief Neil Gray demanding action over changing room policies.
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MurrayBlackburnMackenzie @mbmpolicy.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
We joined Sex Matters, For Women Scotland and Fair Play For Women to write to Neil Gray, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, calling on him to uphold the right of NHS Scotland staff to have access to single sex changing rooms at work. t.co/jksh0Cwosu
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MurrayBlackburnMackenzie @mbmpolicy.bsky.social · 19/01/2025
We think there now needs to be a clear joint statement by the two organisations, on the exact scope of the review.
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MurrayBlackburnMackenzie @mbmpolicy.bsky.social · 19/01/2025
The analysis is covered in today’s Herald, showing what appears to be contradictory responses from Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority. t.co/0DxG5Upy7T .
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MurrayBlackburnMackenzie @mbmpolicy.bsky.social · 19/01/2025
NEW: Our latest blog looks at recent developments on the Police Scotland review of sex and gender, which no longer appears to be “wide-ranging” or “fulsome”, as previously stated, but instead limited to data recording. murrayblackburnmackenzie.org/2025/01/16/p...
murrayblackburnmackenzie.org
Police Scotland review of sex and gender: what’s the story? - Murray Blackburn Mackenzie
Introduction This blog traces how Police Scotland appears to be quietly retreating from a promise made to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), and indirectly, through the SPA, to the Scottish Parliame...
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MurrayBlackburnMackenzie @mbmpolicy.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
We also seek clarification about the implications of this adjudication in other contexts, such as the reporting of employment tribunals and criminal cases, and the weight that IPSO gives to a Gender Recognition Certificate.
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MurrayBlackburnMackenzie @mbmpolicy.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
We draw its attention to research we have previously shared with it about the level of public confusion over language in this area, and to recent interventions by human rights experts on the need for clear language in relation to a person’s sex. murrayblackburnmackenzie.org/2023/08/07/c...
murrayblackburnmackenzie.org
Clarity matters: how placating lobbyists obscures public understanding of sex and gender - Murray Blackburn Mackenzie
This blog describes the results of polling we commissioned to test how well people understand what the terms ‘transgender woman’ and ‘trans woman’ tell them about a person’s sex. The findings show tha...
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MurrayBlackburnMackenzie @mbmpolicy.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
We have written today to IPSO, following its ruling against The Spectator. murrayblackburnmackenzie.org/2024/12/10/t...
murrayblackburnmackenzie.org
The importance of clear and accurate language: questions for IPSO - Murray Blackburn Mackenzie
We have written today to the Chief Executive of the Independent Press Standards Organisation, following its ruling that the use of the phrase “a man who claims to be a woman” in this Spectator article...
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MurrayBlackburnMackenzie @mbmpolicy.bsky.social · 30/11/2024
Lucy is quoted in this article by Hannah Barnes on the arguments made by the Scottish Government in the For Women Scotland case, and the negative consequences for women. www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024...
newstatesman.com
The Scottish government is ignoring women’s rights
A hearing at the Supreme Court exposed just how flawed its position on gender recognition is.
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MurrayBlackburnMackenzie @mbmpolicy.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
We are quoted in this article in today's Scottish Express. www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politic...
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MurrayBlackburnMackenzie @mbmpolicy.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
NEW: We consider the resistance of the Scottish Government and Equality and Human Rights Commission to publishing their written submissions to the UK Supreme Court in the case brought by For Women Scotland, and the steps taken to bring about publication. murrayblackburnmackenzie.org/2024/11/21/f...
murrayblackburnmackenzie.org
For Women Scotland vs the Scottish Ministers: making the arguments transparent - Murray Blackburn Mackenzie
Introduction Next week the case of For Women Scotland vs the Scottish Ministers will be heard in the UK Supreme Court. It will decide the definitions of ‘sex’, ‘woman’ and ‘man’ in the Equality Act 20...
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MurrayBlackburnMackenzie @mbmpolicy.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
The Scottish Government has now published its submission, which can be accessed here. www.gov.scot/publications...
gov.scot
For Women Scotland Ltd (Appellant) v The Scottish Ministers (Respondent): supreme court hearing – statement of case
Statement of Case for the Scottish Ministers and Lord Advocate to the Supreme Court regarding the For Women Scotland Ltd (Appellant) v The Scottish Ministers (Respondent) hearing.
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MurrayBlackburnMackenzie @mbmpolicy.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
We are expecting a response from the Equality and Human Rights Commission's lawyers by lunchtime. Amnesty UK's lawyers have already responded, simply repeating that they intend to publish in due course
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MurrayBlackburnMackenzie @mbmpolicy.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
We are pleased that the Scottish Government has confirmed to us this morning that it will be publishing its Statement of Case lodged with the Supreme Court. Their lawyers have advised us that SG hopes to put this on its website today and will confirm the position with us as soon as they can.
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MurrayBlackburnMackenzie @mbmpolicy.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
NEW: Our briefing note about For Women Scotland vs the Scottish Ministers, which will be heard in the UK Supreme Court next week, on 26-27 November. murrayblackburnmackenzie.org/2024/11/19/b...
murrayblackburnmackenzie.org
Briefing note: For Women Scotland vs the Scottish Ministers, UK Supreme Court, 26-27 November 2024 - Murray Blackburn Mackenzie
This briefing can be downloaded as a pdf here. What will the Supreme Court consider? Who counts as a woman? The Court will need to decide whether acquiring a GRC: What is the current legal position? T...
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MurrayBlackburnMackenzie @mbmpolicy.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
As described here, the submissions from For Women Scotland, Sex Matters, Scottish Lesbians, the Lesbian project and LGB Alliance have already been published. murrayblackburnmackenzie.org/2024/11/14/f...
murrayblackburnmackenzie.org
For Women Scotland at the UK Supreme Court: who are the interveners? - Murray Blackburn Mackenzie
Introduction Later this month – on 26 and 27 November – justices at the UK Supreme Court will hear the case of For Women Scotland versus the Scottish Ministers. The case is an appeal, following a ruli...
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MurrayBlackburnMackenzie @mbmpolicy.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
We have written today to the Scottish Government, EHRC and Amnesty UK, giving notice that we intend to lodge an application with the UK Supreme Court for disclosure of all unpublished submissions in the For Women Scotland appeal case, due to be heard on 26/27 November and asking if they object.
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MurrayBlackburnMackenzie @mbmpolicy.bsky.social · 16/11/2024
murrayblackburnmackenzie.org/2024/11/14/f...
murrayblackburnmackenzie.org
For Women Scotland at the UK Supreme Court: who are the interveners? - Murray Blackburn Mackenzie
Introduction Later this month – on 26 and 27 November – justices at the UK Supreme Court will hear the case of For Women Scotland versus the Scottish Ministers. The case is an appeal, following a ruli...
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