Mhairi Black quits SNP over party’s stance on trans rights and Palestine

Former SNP MP Mhairi Black has resigned her party membership, citing disagreement over its positions on trans rights and Palestine.

Elected at 20 years old in 2015, Black became the youngest MP since the 1832 Reform Act when she won Paisley and Renfrewshire South, unseating Labour’s Douglas Alexander. She retained her seat in 2017 and 2019 before stepping down prior to last year’s general election, blaming safety concerns, online abuse and erratic hours for her decision.

Black, who served as the SNP’s deputy leader in Westminster, told The Herald Newspaper she has “Basically, for a long time, I’ve not agreed with quite a few decisions that have been made.”

Black said she was “still just as pro independence, absolutely” but claimed the party’s “capitulation on LGBT rights, trans rights in particular” had been an issue for her.

An SNP spokesperson said: “The SNP is the largest political party in Scotland, united under John Swinney’s vision of creating a better, fairer Scotland for everyone.

“After a year of disappointment and let-downs from the UK Labour Government, it’s clear that real change will never come from Westminster and that independence is essential for a better future.”