Mhairi Black Breaks Ties with the SNP: A Bold Stand on Trans Rights and Palestine

Mhairi Black, the former SNP MP and once a prominent figure in Scottish politics, has officially announced her departure from the Scottish National Party (SNP), driven by deep disagreements over the party’s strategies regarding trans rights and the Palestinian issue. She candidly expressed her frustrations in an interview, stating that there have been “too many times” where she could not align herself with key decisions of the party, highlighting its capitulation on matters crucial to her.

Catapulted into political fame at age 20 as the youngest MP since 1832, Black garnered attention by defeating Labour’s Douglas Alexander in 2015—a pivotal election for the SNP following the Scottish independence referendum. Her career has been tumultuous, marked by social media abuse and mental health struggles, leading her to step down before the last general election. Despite her earlier assertions of distancing herself from party politics, her values surrounding independence remain intact, although she feels the SNP must evolve.

In her criticisms, Black reflected on the party’s lackluster approach to LGBT rights, particularly concerning trans rights, and expressed disappointment over Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes’s influence within the party, especially given Forbes’ socially conservative stance. Black’s discontent crystallized with the SNP’s handling of the proposed gender recognition legislation, which was blocked by the UK government.

First Minister John Swinney has expressed regret over her decision, emphasizing the party’s commitment to both LGBT rights and the plight of the Palestinian people, reaffirming a united vision for a fairer Scotland. Black, however, is not resigned to the shadows; she is preparing to showcase her one-woman show at the Edinburgh Fringe, indicating a shift from the political arena to the performing arts—a move that summarizes both her departure and her ever-evolving journey in public life.