SNP manifesto pledges LGBTI envoy and devolved equality

The Scottish National Party has launched its manifesto pledging its commitment to establish a special LGBTI rights envoy, protect the human rights act and devolve power over equality to Scotland. 

Its manifesto pledged support for the plan to create a special envoy for the promotion of LGBTI rights: “SNP MPs will also make the case for the establishment of a special envoy – a diplomatic post within the Foreign Office – to promote the rights of LGBTI people throughout the word [sic], as an integral part of UK foreign policy.”

Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, already pledged her support the move, initially suggested by Ed Miliband, in February, which was rejected by the current Tory dominated government.

The manifesto also pledges commitment to “promoting equality and protecting human rights”, including equal gender representation on public boards, and have “powers over equalities devolved.”

The SNP also state it “will seek to maintain the protections provided by the Equality Act 2010 and will ask the government to engage with key stakeholders on potential improvements.

The party “will also support calls to establish a Race Committee to advise the work of the Equality and Human Rights Commission.”

The SNP also pledged its opposition to any attempts (committed to by the Conservatives) to scrap the Human Rights Act or withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights that have been protecting LGBTI rights in the UK and instigating legislative reforms towards equality; “Given the central place of human rights in Scotland’s constitutional settlement, and their importance at the heart of our politics, we will oppose scrapping the Human Rights Act or withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights.”

In addition the manifesto also says “Scotland should have the opportunity to establish its own constitutional framework, including human rights, equalities and the place of local government. The Scottish Parliament should also have the ability to directly represent its interests on devolved matters in the EU and internationally.”

The manifesto further opposes withdrawing from the European Union and pledges safeguarding Scotland’s place in Europe, a policy that has been previously stressed as beneficial towards LGBTI rights.