Oliver Mundell’s resignation tonight from the Scottish Tory front bench over the @ScotParl vote for anti #COVID-19 travel restrictions is an opportunistic and dangerous piece of politicking which could put lives at risk.
The travel ban is to PROTECT people, by stopping folk bringing virus from high to low prevalence areas - whether Glasgow in level 4 or England in lockdown - Cumbria on the border with Dumfriesshire has high rates see here newsandstar.co.uk/news/18879534.…
Exceptions to the travel ban mean people in Dumfriesshire can still make journeys to England (or other parts of Scotland) for many reasons eg work, essential shopping, care for the vulnerable, hospital and more - see some of the exceptions here 👇
It’s important local people know about these exemptions - Oliver Mundell’s gesture politics risks misleading his constituents, causing unnecessary alarm or even encourage some to ignore the travel ban altogether - putting lives in danger
By making public health all about the Scotland-England border, he plays to an ultra unionist base on the right of his party, for whom British nationalism trumps public health. Are Scottish Tories ranking their list candidates for next year’s election by any chance?
We all hate the loss of freedom and economic damage of lockdowns across UK but most people living near the Border are more concerned about saving lives than obsessing about Constitution and will see Oliver’s antics as immature and reckless.

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More from @JoanMcAlpine

30 Oct
We live in such a polarised world that I doubt the people who signed this had an opportunity to actually hear alternative arguments from the very many survivors who support the @nordicmodelnow such as @RachelRMoran
It would be good if they had the opportunity to hear of the harm caused to abused women with little economic power in places where there is state sanctioned commercial sexual exploitation as @bindelj has written powerfully here google.com/amp/s/amp.theg…
Those who campaign for the decriminalisation of commercial sexual exploitation need to know that in practise it means the state giving a thumbs up to pimps. Everywhere this has happened it has led to MORE prostitution, violence and trafficking see here feministcurrent.com/2015/10/20/chr…
Read 8 tweets
29 Oct
Very important statement @ScotParl today from @RichardLochhead on future of @EUErasmusPlus and @EU_H2020 in Scotland post Brexit
The concerns he outlined today were similar to those revealed in the extensive enquiry by @SP_European into @EUErasmusPlus - you can read more about our report here
Shockingly despite the best efforts of @scotgov and @RichardLochhead the UK Treasury refuses to commit post Brexit to Erasmus+ which brought in €90 mill from 2014-19. Scotland punches above its weight and secures more Erasmus funds than other UK nations
Read 6 tweets
20 Oct
Very sad to receive news tonight that 5 people have died after the outbreak of Covid-19 at Charnwood Lodge care home in Dumfries. My thoughts are with their loved ones at what is a heart-breaking time.
I asked for an update on Charnwood Lodge from @DGNHS just this morning and was told an update would be released soon, but this not the update I hoped for. @DGNHS have praised the charity who run the facility and their staff for their dedication and steps to control the outbreak
All care home staff are routinely tested now and there is appropriate distribution of PPE - but this virus is so infectious. I am contacting the health and social care partnership for more details of the outbreak and will share this when I can.
Read 4 tweets
11 Oct
Had a very good experience this week of @DGNHS when my partner needed a test . Extensive mobile testing across the region details here nhsdg.co.uk/testing/
He took a drive in test at 3.30pm yesterday in Thornhill, Dumfriesshire very helpful staff thanks - and got the negative result back by text and email before 9am this morning. Very impressive turnaround
Only issue would be that the tests still need booked through the UK test website here nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coro… which tried to send us to Whitehaven, Cumbria, a 2 hour drive unless you are a seagull and can glide across the Solway Firth
Read 6 tweets
24 Jan
Hi @FinlayMcF - sharing a picture of me with a target painted round my head & encouraging others to pile on is irresponsible. Are you aware some women targetted by trans activists, eg @selina_todd now require security guards to attend work? This kind of thing doesnt help.
In fact most people in this pic of @AllianceLGB are gay, 3 are trans. The Pink News article you share is nothing to do with me. But I can see immediately the headline is misleading. @joannaccherry got an apology & settlement from this publication so I’d urge caution.
The person quoted in the PN article is a gay man @TwisterFilm who at 19 lead the Gay Society at Glasgow Uni and campaigned to have it meet in the then deeply homophobic student union. I supported his campaign. He faced physical hostility. Hardly the bigot you and PN suggest!
Read 6 tweets
30 Oct 19
A number of people on here have drawn my attention to this @TheSun story about #census2021 “Scots face 'baffling' list of 21 sexualities to choose from including gynephilic and skoliosexual” thescottishsun.co.uk/news/4894324/s…
While many people will find the @TheSun story amusing, it relates to a serious issue already raised by @SP_European with @NatRecordsScot who are responsible for census questions in 2021 and who are offering 21 answers in the “sexual orientation” question
When @ScotParl unanimously agreed to a bill asking voluntary questions on sexual orientation, there was no suggestion of “asexual” & “skoliosexual”. This expansion of the definition could undermine the understanding of, and protections for, gay & bi people.
Read 8 tweets

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