Official LGBTQ+ wing of Scottish National Party criticises Scottish Labour manifesto ahead of Holyrood election

Out for Independence, the official LGBTQ+ wing of the Scottish National Party, has said it will highlight what it describes as “serious risks” to queer communities under Scottish Labour’s plans, following the publication of the party’s manifesto.

The group said it would use the final weeks of the campaign ahead of the Scottish Parliament election on 7 May to draw attention to Labour policies which it argues would negatively impact LGBTQ+ people if implemented.

In a series of social media posts, Out for Independence criticised proposals in the manifesto relating to single‑sex spaces, conversion practices, asylum policy and Labour’s wider political positioning.

The group said Scottish Labour’s manifesto commits the party to enforcing single‑sex spaces in areas including NHS wards, schools, sport and “everyday life”, based on sex assigned at birth. Out for Independence argues that such policies would place trans people at risk, forcing trans women into men’s spaces and trans men into women’s spaces. The campaign group said Scottish courts have repeatedly indicated that such an approach is not required by equality law or by the recent Supreme Court ruling.

The group also said the manifesto suggests that only Westminster has the power to ban so‑called conversion practices, despite long‑standing calls from campaigners for action in Scotland. Out for Independence pointed to criticism of the UK Labour government’s failure to introduce a ban at UK level and said it believed there was no clear indication that a Scottish Labour government would be able or willing to act independently on the issue.

Concerns were also raised about Labour figures at UK level, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting, over his past engagement with the Bayswater Support Group, about which investigative journalists have reported links to views widely criticised by LGBTQ+ organisations. Out for Independence said Labour should make its position on such groups unequivocally clear.

The campaign group further criticised proposed UK asylum reforms outlined by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, arguing that changes could put LGBTQ+ refugees at risk of being returned to countries where they may face persecution. Out for Independence said Scottish Labour should distance itself from any policies that could endanger queer asylum seekers.

Finally, the group pointed to reports suggesting senior Scottish Labour figures believe the party may need support from Reform UK to secure Anas Sarwar as First Minister, arguing this raised further concerns among LGBTQ+ voters.

“All of these positions are a matter of public record,” Out for Independence said, adding that it would continue to scrutinise party manifestos and political alliances in the run‑up to polling day.

Scottish Labour has previously stated that it is committed to equality, inclusion and protecting LGBTQ+ people from discrimination. The party has not responded directly to Out for Independence’s latest intervention.

Voters across Scotland go to the polls on 7 May to elect the next Scottish Parliament.