Establish a standardised timeframe for civil proceedings in child custody cases
- 8 Signatures
Over the past six years, extensive experience has revealed the immense challenges faced by courts in handling civil proceedings related to children's custody cases. Not only are courts under significant pressure, but they are often compelled to make decisions based on misleading or false information. This severely undermines the ability to ensure just and informed outcomes for the children involved.
To address this issue, I propose that proof hearings be made mandatory within 14 days of the initiation of any civil action. This provision would facilitate the timely presentation of evidence, enabling courts to make more accurate decisions while reducing opportunities for disinformation to distort proceedings.
Delays in the judicial process cause irreversible harm to children, often leading to their alienation over prolonged periods. False accusations are frequently withdrawn after years of litigation, yet the damage has already been done, leaving children with lifelong emotional scars.
Current penalties are too lenient and fail to reflect the severity of the crimes or the lasting trauma victims endure. Increased sentencing is necessary to properly address these heinous acts and their devastating impact on the victims. Domestic abuse victims often feel unheard, unsupported, and powerless to report their abusers due to the leniency in the current sentencing system.
This is not justice. Victims of domestic abuse consistently report feeling let down by the justice system. Many victims do not feel confident in the justice system, and that perpetrators are not held accountable for the trauma they cause. The Scottish Government has acknowledged this issue in its reports, highlighting that victims often do not feel protected or supported by the system. There is a growing sense of frustration and distrust in the justice system and a lack of regard for women's safety.
Introduce an energy strategy
- 209 Signatures
As windfarms march across Scotland, sending the energy south, we seem to think that wind is the only answer. We have started to look at other technologies such as solar, but again this is problematic as the solar farms in England take up precious agricultural land.
In March 2024, unable to walk or talk, I was diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder. We were handed a card with a website, https://neurosymptoms.org, and told I would receive a follow up appointment and "recover in the community". No treatments were offered, no support groups were recommended. My family and I were left to learn and accept a new way of life.
Since then, I've had to take long-term sick leave from work, attended several GP appointments and used ambulances where I have had to explain to them what FND was! My seizures and symptoms have been poorly and rudely handled. I am not alone in these experiences.
There are FND charities with helpful websites, however, nothing Scotland based. Most useful services are based in cities, however, this isn’t always accessible for those who use walking aids or wheelchairs, most of which have been self-purchased due to lack of NHS Scotland support.
In recent weeks, there has been a disturbing rise in incidents where children are being filmed or photographed in public spaces, such as playgrounds, parks, and even outside their schools, by unknown individuals. Parents and communities across the country are growing increasingly concerned about the safety and privacy of their children, yet current laws do little to prevent these invasive and unsettling actions.
We believe that children deserve protection from being filmed or photographed without consent in public spaces. That is why we are calling for new legislation to make it illegal for anyone to film or photograph minors in public settings without parental or guardian permission. This change is necessary to safeguard the well-being of our children.
By signing this petition, you are supporting a crucial step toward stronger protections for our children. Let’s stand together and demand action before more children become targets of unwanted surveillance and exploitation.
Victims have to incur great expense for lawyers to seek justice, whilst Police Scotland have access to an army of state lawyers at taxpayers cost. Recent BBC coverage of the Sheku Bayoh case and Angela Constance’s comments stating that legal aid will now be available to families involved in FAIs is too late, people have died and families are seeking justice. I believe that Legal Aid (no means testing) should be made available to all victims and families of medically confirmed "Death or Serious Injuries" not just those involved in FAIs.
Improve support for people trying to give up e-cigarettes and vaping
- 11 Signatures
The Scottish Government is keen to introduce an initiative aimed at young people who use e-cigarettes or vapes, this should be extended to EVERYONE who wishes to give these products up.
[There are 7 types of nicotine replacement therapy available, free on the NHS, to people in Scotland who want to give up smoking] (https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/stopping-smoking/how-to-stop/stop-smoking-medication/) However, there is little support or resources available to assist people trying to quit e-cigarettes or vaping. Those giving up have to purchase nicotine patches or other aids such as the "stress stick", which can become quite costly to the individual.
I have personally been a vaper for 13 years and am struggling to achieve my goal of being vape free.
BESS, especially at grid-scale, are a relatively new addition to the UK ecosystem. [Douglas Lumsden MSP noted in a parliamentary question one developer's view of a 'gold rush' of applications currently taking place] (https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/meeting-of-parliament-05-12-2024?meeting=16144&iob=137895#137895) which is supported by the number appearing on the Energy Consents Unit (ECU) portal (which only includes those above 49.9MW).
[The UK Government's Clean Power 2030 action plan] (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clean-power-2030-action-plan/clean-power-2030-action-plan-a-new-era-of-clean-electricity-main-report#electricity-networks-and-connections) describes the total UK need for BESS as 23-27GW capacity, with the current queue estimated to have as much as 80-100GW of capacity either under construction, consented or planned.
Recent BESS fires at Rothienorman in Scotland, East Tilbury in England, and Moss Landing in California pose real questions over the safety of the technology, particularly when in proximity to populated areas.
Some developers have in-house rules about proximity to communities, e.g. batteries must be at least 200m from residential properties. We are calling for guidelines that can add consistency to the consenting process.
I applied for a time extension from the SPSO believing I would get a reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act on account of my neurodivergence and was rejected. I am aware of similar issues and anxieties from my local autism community and local services, where I have established that this practice is quite common.
Many neurodivergent people struggle with executive functioning, including adhering to strict deadlines. The time restriction creates an unfair barrier to justice, preventing valid complaints from being heard. We are being excluded from the SPSO by design. Allowing additional time for us would promote accessibility, fairness, and equal treatment under the law.
The SPSO has no record of what types of disabilities are granted ‘exceptional circumstances’. I feel their policy is unreliable. I don’t think the service is transparent or understands the massive impact being ‘timed bar’ has on the neurodivergent community. My intention is to have a Scottish wide protection of inclusion to stop this practice.
Ban all non-essential single-use plastics
- Final Signatures: 32,062
I’m aiming to make Scotland the first country in the world to ban the usage of all single-use plastics for good; this would include items such a silage wrapping, disposable vapes, wet wipes, crisp packets, balloons, and single-use water bottles, which are all huge polluters. Visit my website Make Scotland Plastic Free for more information on my campaign so far.
Further information on the debate around single-use plastics and tackling plastic pollution can be found on the Friends of the Earth Scotland website.
The Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 set out the measures already in place, which would need to be strengthened.