Debate leaves Scottish Tory leader reeling after defence of rape clause
RUTH DAVIDSON, Scottish Tory leader, came under sustained attack last night (Tuesday 6 June) for her party’s stance on the two child policy and rape clause during the STV leaders’ debate ahead of Thursday’s UK General Election on June 8.
The leaders of Scotland’s parties discussed issues ranging from the prospect of a second independence referendum and Brexit to the economy and welfare powers.
Special focus was given by SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale and Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie and the audience on the UK Tory welfare policy that sees women with a third of subsequent child forced to declare if they had been raped to receive more tax credits.
Sturgeon said many people had been “appalled” by the policy, which she stated would cut £300 million from the welfare bill while the Tories in Westminister spend £380 million on tax cuts for the richest 15 per cent of citizens.
Davidson who has suffered criticism from women’s charities such as Engender, Scottish Women’s Aid and Rape Crisis Scotland as well as health professionals, replied: “This is about ensuring that people have had children in the very worst of circumstances get extra help.
“It is a written acknowledgement of horror. Once you write those words down you cannot take them back. They are in ink forever. At your most vulnerable, you are forced to admit that you are forever a victim.”
“This is about limiting child tax credits to the first two children, but it means that for example people who have been raped aren’t affected by that, it means they get to have that extra help.”
Davidson maintained her position that the Scottish Government had “enough powers” for a welfare system best suited for SCotland’s needs.
During the debate, Dugdale read out a second response from a woman whose letter she read out in a debate on the same topic in the Scottish Parliament a month ago. Holyrood had been in tears as Dugdale read the letter where the women described what the Tories’ welfare reforms had done to her life.
In response to Davidson’s comments stating the welfare non-consensual exception form was “just a form” where you have “to tick”, the letter read: “It is not just a form.
“This is about limiting child tax credits to the first two children, but it means that for example people who have been raped aren’t affected by that, it means they get to have that extra help.” Ruth Davidson
“It is a written acknowledgement of horror. Once you write those words down you cannot take them back. They are in ink forever. At your most vulnerable, you are forced to admit that you are forever a victim.”
“I spoke from a highly personal, subjective position, based on my values, beliefs and circumstances; I hope that in the future someone far braver than me will be able to speak publically about this and, in doing so, break down some of the many barriers we face. Unfortunately, I cannot be that person, but when she does come forward I will be willing her on from the shadows.”
Dugdale went to passionately state that the Tory party’s policies for women were “unfit for a civilised society”.
Voting in the UK General Election begins tomorrow (June 8)
Picture: CommonSpace
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