Scottish Conservatives Promise to Repeal Hate Crime Act in Manifesto
Tories have announced their intention to replace a contentious law with new legislation, citing it as an ‘attack on free speech.’
In their manifesto, the Scottish Conservatives have promised to eliminate a controversial hate crime law.
The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, put into effect on April 1, has faced criticism from advocates of free speech, labeling it as “dangerous.”
‘Attack on Free Speech’
According to the party, “Humza Yousaf’s Hate Crime Act, which had the backing of Labour and the Liberal Democrats, is an assault on free speech.”
“The Act is impractical, burdensome on police resources, and has led to frivolous allegations,” they added.
The SNP-led Scottish Government defends the act, introduced by a former justice secretary and first minister, as an update to hate crime legislation for the modern era, defining hate crime as behavior that is criminal and prejudiced.
“Stirring up hatred offenses” encompass characteristics such as age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity, and variants in sex characteristics, prompting concerns about potential conflicts with expressing subjective beliefs.
Net Zero Transition
During an address in Edinburgh, backed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the party vowed support for new oil licenses while aligning with net zero policies like decarbonization.
Mentioning, “The Conservative Government under my leadership will consistently support Scotland’s North Sea oil and gas sector,” affirmed Mr. Sunak.
Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer forecasted the continued presence of oil and gas until the 2050s, although back in 2023 at the World Economic Forum, he disclosed a future Labour government would cease investment in new British oil and gas fields.
Scottish Conservatives committed to legislating “to ensure annual licensing rounds for oil and gas production from our North Sea.”
Remaining widely independent from Russian fuel at the war onset compared to some European counterparts, Britain is stated in the manifesto.
The manifesto maintains a windfall tax on oil companies until 2028-2029 and endorses renewables while forestalling potential blackouts with new gas-powered stations.
The party expressed readiness to capitalize on opportunities through the net zero transition.
By 2027, a new import carbon pricing mechanism is proposed to regulate carbon prices of imported goods from countries with lower or no carbon pricing, such as iron, steel, aluminum, ceramics, and cement, to align with UK-produced goods.
Scottish Liberal Democrats’ justice spokesperson MSP Liam McArthur emphasized their firm support for robust action against hate crime perpetrators.
He stressed, “Hate crime cannot be tolerated, and our legislation should uphold this stance.”
Mr. McArthur asserted that the Scottish Liberal Democrats are dedicated to safeguarding fundamental freedom of expression and insisted on explicit protection of this right in the legislation.
Recognizing the confusion and concerns arising from the lack of clarity on the Act’s implementation, he called for the Scottish Government and Police Scotland to address any remaining anxieties.
The Epoch Times reached out to Humza Yousaf and Scottish Labour for comments.
This report contains contributions from PA Media.
