"What's happening in Gaza is a Holocaust and what's being designed by the Israel government is the final solution to the Palestinian problem. As a Holocaust survivor my reaction is not in my name."
Holocaust Survivor Stephen Kapos
CC: LBC @Lewis_Goodall@hasanthehun
#Lajna Glasgow North hosted an Eid Celebration on Saturday💫🧁 Thanks to all who joined us to learn about the Islamic Eid festivals, enjoying traditional dishes, trying on bangles & scarves, and many fun activities! We loved having you, sharing the spirit and joy of Eid together
Why does Israel deem it to be ok to do this to anyone else?
Their experience in the second world war should mean 'Never Again!'
#humanities#extermination
BREAKING :
The UN accuses Israel of committing EXTERMINATION in Gaza.
EXTERMINATION.
Repeat it. Spread it. Let the world know.
“Israel is responsible for extermination, murder, using starvation as a method of war..”
—The UN Human Rights Council
Fed up with Party politics? Vote for an Independent candidate who will listen and advocate for you.
Elspeth Kerr — Glasgow Region — Scottish Parliament 2026 https://t.co/3w56it3UPG
Edinburgh Castle lit up tonight for Long Covid Awareness Day.
A huge thank you to the Castle team and Helen at Long Covid Kids for helping shine a light on Long Covid.
#LongCovidAwarenessDay#LitForLongCovid
Statement forwarded to @indyscotnews by @LeanneTervit#Holyrood2026
"My name is Leanne Tervit. I’m a full-time unpaid carer who grew up in Woodmill Crescent, Dunfermline. I donated a kidney to save my mum, who has had three transplants, and I live on £540 a month in Universal Credit. It’s a 24/7 job with no holidays, no sick pay, and no pension, but it saves the country a fortune in care costs.
Back in June, I decided I wanted to stand as an independent candidate in the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections. I grew up in an area of high deprivation where many people don’t vote anymore – they feel no party has ever given them hope or changed their lives. I thought, maybe someone like me could make a difference. Working class voices are almost non existent in politics, and I wanted to try.
Then I hit the wall....
I asked the Electoral Commission if I could crowdfund for a campaign. Leaflets, travel, and the deposit, just like every other candidate does. They said they couldn’t advise on benefits and sent me to the DWP. What followed was months of emails and calls. At first, DWP officials told me any money raised would count as capital and be taken off my benefits. Later, they changed it to “we’ll decide after the fact” – meaning I’d have to risk losing my only income on a decision that might come too late.
No one can take that chance of looking their sole income.
I’m effectively barred from standing. And so are 3.1 million other people on Universal Credit. Even when lawyers (Balfour + Manson) offered to investigate for £3,000, the DWP said I couldn’t crowdfund the legal fees either – the same money would be deducted.
People keep suggesting workarounds: “Just get someone else to hold the money,” or “Find an election agent to manage a separate account.” But the very fact that we have to find complicated workarounds proves how unequal and unfair the system is. Why should people on benefits have to jump through extra hoops that wealthier candidates never face? And in deprived areas like the one I grew up in, it’s not that simple. Who do you ask to take on the legal and financial responsibility of being your election agent or handling campaign funds? Most people are struggling themselves – they can’t risk their own finances or credit rating. Trust is hard when everyone’s just trying to survive. These “solutions” only work if you already have a network of financially secure friends or family. For many of us, that network doesn’t exist.
Since then, I’ve contacted Inclusion Scotland, the Scottish Legal Aid Board, the Scottish Human Rights Commission, the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and more. I’ve submitted dozens of Freedom of Information requests. I’ve spoken to the Equality Advisory Service. And I got my MP, Graeme Downie, to ask a written question in Parliament.
The answers have been shocking. The DWP has admitted in writing that:
• They have never carried out any equality impact assessment on how the £6,000 capital rule affects people’s ability to stand for election or fundraise for candidacy.
• They have never considered adding “verified election expenses” or “political donations” to the list of disregarded capital.
• They keep no records of how many claimants have had benefits cut because of campaign donations.
• There is no specific guidance for caseworkers on political crowdfunding.
The Electoral Commission has admitted they have never assessed how benefits rules affect equal access to standing for election, and they have never even spoken to DWP or HMRC about why tax-free political donations count as capital for UC claimants.
The Ministry of Justice has admitted they hold no assessments on whether these rules breach human rights obligations under ICCPR Article 25 or ECHR Protocol 1 Article 3 – the right to free elections and equal access to public office.
In other words: for 12 years, a rule that acts as a wealth test on democracy has existed without anyone in government ever checking its impact, counting its victims, or considering a fix. This isn’t a mistake. It’s deliberate exclusion. It disproportionately hits disabled people, carers, women, anyone on low or part time wages – the groups most likely to be on Universal Credit. It’s indirect discrimination. It breaches the Public Sector Equality Duty. And it turns our “free elections” into elections for those who can afford them.
My local papers – The Courier and Dunfermline Press – have run my story. My MP has now written directly to the Minister asking for urgent change. But I’m not stopping. This rule must be wiped out. Elections should be open to anyone, regardless of how much money they have or whether they’re on benefits. I’m just one carer from Dunfermline.
But I’m not letting this go. If you believe democracy is for all of us, not just the privileged few, please share my story.
Contact your MP.
Demand an end to this discrimination against the poor."
"I think we so often forget to, or shy away from, talking about domestic abuse when it comes to young women specifically..."
@glasgowgirlsclb have worked with Scots writer Len Pennie and 30 young women to produce an anti-sexism billboard campaign across the city.
@MhairiHunter So Charles is going to fund Andrew from his pocket instead of the public purse.
My question is where did Charles get his money?
That's right! The public purse!
What a farce!
@AngusBMacNeil The last 2 Scottish Parliament elections have been touted as mandates for Independence.
And still we are asking the UK Govt to grant the section 30 order!
What gives?