Susan Dalgety

Susan Dalgety reflects on her similarities with Madonna, including their shared generation, connection to Malawi and commitment to feminism. She argues that both women have experienced the sexism, misogyny and ageism directed at outspoken older women, contrasting Madonna’s criticism with the more favourable treatment of older male performers such as Mick Jagger. The column concludes with advice for women of all ages: trust their instincts, build supportive female friendships, listen to older women and reject social pressure over ageing, appearance and behaviour.

Scottish Labour's leadership contest follows Anas Sarwar's move to the House of Lords and a UK government role, but the party is portrayed as deeply diminished and divided. Susan Dalgety favors Michael Marra over Monica Lennon and argues that Jackie Baillie should eventually give way to a younger Westminster-based deputy. She contends that Scottish Labour's future depends less on its internal contest than on Prime Minister Andy Burnham's ability to create a stronger, more decentralized United Kingdom. A successful devolved settlement, she argues, could revive Labour in Scotland while offering an alternative to the SNP's nationalism and centralization.

Recounting a dangerous pregnancy 50 years ago, the author argues that Scotland’s maternity services remain in crisis, with recent reviews revealing widespread systemic failures including understaffing, poor training, and cultural problems. Persistent inequities such as long travel distances for rural women and high rates of maternal and infant deaths underscore concerns about inadequate prioritisation of women’s health. The scrapping of a dedicated women’s health minister by First Minister John Swinney is criticised as emblematic of government indifference, prompting warnings from healthcare leaders and advocacy groups. Maternal health is presented as a measure of societal equality, with Scotland still falling short in treating women as full citizens.

Labour women confronted Andy Burnham over a persistent culture of misogyny and demanded greater female representation in senior government roles. Despite achieving near gender parity in Parliament, Labour has never elected a female leader, a failure attributed to structural sexism and reluctance among women to challenge for power. Kemi Badenoch criticised Labour women for relying on quotas rather than contesting leadership positions, and although her dismissal of quotas is rejected, her call for women to assert themselves is acknowledged. The piece concludes that while quotas remain necessary, Labour’s next generation of women must actively pursue leadership rather than wait for structural change.