Steph Paton
@stephpaton.bsky.social
Glasgow left journo writing about politics, LGBTQ+ liberation and environmentalism. Columnist for @ScotNational. They/Them 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
Pinned
Steph Paton
@stephpaton.bsky.social
· Nov 21
If we're doing reintroductions: Hello! My name is Steph, formerly @stephenpaton134 on Twitter.
I'm a Scottish journalist and filmmaker. They/them on the streets, also in the sheets.
I write about politics from the Left, LGBTQ+ liberation, environmentalism and the state of British foreign policy.
I'm a Scottish journalist and filmmaker. They/them on the streets, also in the sheets.
I write about politics from the Left, LGBTQ+ liberation, environmentalism and the state of British foreign policy.
Reposted by Steph Paton
EXCLUSIVE: Anti-trans activists are negatively impacting scientific research by pushing for 'the existence of trans people to be an impossibility' in data gathering, according to a new study
Anti-trans 'data vandalism' is damaging scientific research, study finds
www.thenational.scot
January 21, 2026 at 2:55 PM
EXCLUSIVE: Anti-trans activists are negatively impacting scientific research by pushing for 'the existence of trans people to be an impossibility' in data gathering, according to a new study
Reposted by Steph Paton
NEW: A majority of UK voters back kicking the American troops out of the country should Donald Trump make a military move on Greenland
🔗 www.thenational.scot/news/2...
🔗 www.thenational.scot/news/2...
January 21, 2026 at 12:34 PM
NEW: A majority of UK voters back kicking the American troops out of the country should Donald Trump make a military move on Greenland
🔗 www.thenational.scot/news/2...
🔗 www.thenational.scot/news/2...
Reposted by Steph Paton
NEW: Scottish Labour insist they've not paid for bots to boost social engagement, but the experts we spoke to aren't having it. Their verdict 👇
"Something seems a bit off"
"Not particularly organic"
"Co-orindated, inauthentic behaviour"
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
"Something seems a bit off"
"Not particularly organic"
"Co-orindated, inauthentic behaviour"
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
Scottish Labour deny 'fake bots' on Anas Sarwar's Instagram. But what do experts say?
IT’S an election year, and Scotland’s politicians will be crossing fingers, counting shamrock leaves, and wishing on lucky stars for one thing…
www.thenational.scot
January 20, 2026 at 11:31 AM
NEW: Scottish Labour insist they've not paid for bots to boost social engagement, but the experts we spoke to aren't having it. Their verdict 👇
"Something seems a bit off"
"Not particularly organic"
"Co-orindated, inauthentic behaviour"
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
"Something seems a bit off"
"Not particularly organic"
"Co-orindated, inauthentic behaviour"
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
Reposted by Steph Paton
👉NEW -- Trade Secretary accused of ‘egregious’ rules breach over Israel links
by Martin Williams
Exclusive: Minister responsible for arms exports to Israel failed to declare ‘membership’ of pro-Israel lobby group
www.declassifieduk.org/trade-secret...
by Martin Williams
Exclusive: Minister responsible for arms exports to Israel failed to declare ‘membership’ of pro-Israel lobby group
www.declassifieduk.org/trade-secret...
Trade Secretary accused of ‘egregious’ rules breach over Israel links
Exclusive: Minister responsible for arms exports to Israel failed to declare ‘membership’ of pro-Israel lobby group
www.declassifieduk.org
January 20, 2026 at 11:02 AM
👉NEW -- Trade Secretary accused of ‘egregious’ rules breach over Israel links
by Martin Williams
Exclusive: Minister responsible for arms exports to Israel failed to declare ‘membership’ of pro-Israel lobby group
www.declassifieduk.org/trade-secret...
by Martin Williams
Exclusive: Minister responsible for arms exports to Israel failed to declare ‘membership’ of pro-Israel lobby group
www.declassifieduk.org/trade-secret...
Not every day the Home Secretary will just casually advocate for totalitarian levels of mass surveillance on the public.
Actually, wait, Labour does have a weird habit of doing this...
Actually, wait, Labour does have a weird habit of doing this...
Shabana Mahmood here, and the vibes are not getting better.
January 20, 2026 at 10:45 AM
Not every day the Home Secretary will just casually advocate for totalitarian levels of mass surveillance on the public.
Actually, wait, Labour does have a weird habit of doing this...
Actually, wait, Labour does have a weird habit of doing this...
Delusional on an international scale.
New Labour grandee opening an opinion piece in The Guardian with a flagrant, brazen, unequivocal lie
January 20, 2026 at 10:23 AM
Delusional on an international scale.
Incredible to hear US House Speaker Mike Johnson tell the UK Parliament about the greatness of free speech while the US violently punishes free speech in America - and while the UK jails activists for taking action on Palestine.
January 20, 2026 at 10:03 AM
Incredible to hear US House Speaker Mike Johnson tell the UK Parliament about the greatness of free speech while the US violently punishes free speech in America - and while the UK jails activists for taking action on Palestine.
While the United States violates and abuses the human rights of its citizens, and threatens the UK with economic blackmail - Labour has still let fascist supporting House Speaker Mike Johnson to address the UK Parliament today.
January 20, 2026 at 9:56 AM
While the United States violates and abuses the human rights of its citizens, and threatens the UK with economic blackmail - Labour has still let fascist supporting House Speaker Mike Johnson to address the UK Parliament today.
Reposted by Steph Paton
Want to join us?
linktr.ee/BASH_BACK
From the press and want to get into contact? cryptpad.disroot.org/form/#/2/for...
linktr.ee/BASH_BACK
From the press and want to get into contact? cryptpad.disroot.org/form/#/2/for...
January 18, 2026 at 10:12 PM
Want to join us?
linktr.ee/BASH_BACK
From the press and want to get into contact? cryptpad.disroot.org/form/#/2/for...
linktr.ee/BASH_BACK
From the press and want to get into contact? cryptpad.disroot.org/form/#/2/for...
Reposted by Steph Paton
I legit had to look to see if this was The Onion or something. Imagine, this headline is a real thing rofl
January 19, 2026 at 11:56 AM
I legit had to look to see if this was The Onion or something. Imagine, this headline is a real thing rofl
Reposted by Steph Paton
I’m playing both sides by doing nothing, this is grown up politics. Nothing is more serious in politics than nothing is what I always say. I stand for Nothing, Nothing is what you get. Thank you
-KS
-KS
January 19, 2026 at 10:55 AM
I’m playing both sides by doing nothing, this is grown up politics. Nothing is more serious in politics than nothing is what I always say. I stand for Nothing, Nothing is what you get. Thank you
-KS
-KS
Reposted by Steph Paton
If you can believe it, Scottish Labour politicians once criticised the SNP for taking money from Stagecoach founder Brian Souter, over funding an anti-LGBT campaign.
Now here come the transphobic owners of McGills to fund Scottish Labour.
History rhymes, huh.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2577380...
Now here come the transphobic owners of McGills to fund Scottish Labour.
History rhymes, huh.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2577380...
'SNP gender ideology has stopped them fixing real issues like economy and transport'
Billionaire Scottish bus firm brothers the Easdales explain why they've donated a six-figure sum to Scottish Labour
www.heraldscotland.com
January 18, 2026 at 10:50 PM
If you can believe it, Scottish Labour politicians once criticised the SNP for taking money from Stagecoach founder Brian Souter, over funding an anti-LGBT campaign.
Now here come the transphobic owners of McGills to fund Scottish Labour.
History rhymes, huh.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2577380...
Now here come the transphobic owners of McGills to fund Scottish Labour.
History rhymes, huh.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2577380...
With Tony Blair also involved, it seems there's plenty space for war criminals on the 'peace board'...
Russia says President Putin has been invited to join Trump’s Board of Peace for Gaza.
Astonishing to invite one of history’s most egregious warmongers on to a peace board. The international rules are already in the bin.
Astonishing to invite one of history’s most egregious warmongers on to a peace board. The international rules are already in the bin.
January 19, 2026 at 10:28 AM
With Tony Blair also involved, it seems there's plenty space for war criminals on the 'peace board'...
The jist of Keir Starmer's press statement on Trump's Greenland threats: it isn't in the country's interest to do anything about Trump.
January 19, 2026 at 9:51 AM
The jist of Keir Starmer's press statement on Trump's Greenland threats: it isn't in the country's interest to do anything about Trump.
Reposted by Steph Paton
I feel like America plotting to annex Greenland while masked state goons terrorise their own communities at will should encourage British press and politicians to reflect on what happens when you act like "far right" is an unfair slur rather than a necessary descriptor of a real political position.
January 19, 2026 at 8:26 AM
I feel like America plotting to annex Greenland while masked state goons terrorise their own communities at will should encourage British press and politicians to reflect on what happens when you act like "far right" is an unfair slur rather than a necessary descriptor of a real political position.
More than that, the SNP stalled self-ID for years, until the Scottish Greens joined the government.
They delayed reforming the legislation, ignored public consultations in support of it, and failed to defend it properly while trans people were targeted.
And still, that's too much for transphobes.
They delayed reforming the legislation, ignored public consultations in support of it, and failed to defend it properly while trans people were targeted.
And still, that's too much for transphobes.
It needs saying clearly, by the SNP’s opponents as well as by its supporters, that this is conspiratorial nonsense.
Whatever your views on trans and gender issues, the SNP did not go “all-in” on them. They have not been the government’s main legislative focus. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2577380...
Whatever your views on trans and gender issues, the SNP did not go “all-in” on them. They have not been the government’s main legislative focus. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2577380...
January 18, 2026 at 11:49 PM
More than that, the SNP stalled self-ID for years, until the Scottish Greens joined the government.
They delayed reforming the legislation, ignored public consultations in support of it, and failed to defend it properly while trans people were targeted.
And still, that's too much for transphobes.
They delayed reforming the legislation, ignored public consultations in support of it, and failed to defend it properly while trans people were targeted.
And still, that's too much for transphobes.
If you can believe it, Scottish Labour politicians once criticised the SNP for taking money from Stagecoach founder Brian Souter, over funding an anti-LGBT campaign.
Now here come the transphobic owners of McGills to fund Scottish Labour.
History rhymes, huh.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2577380...
Now here come the transphobic owners of McGills to fund Scottish Labour.
History rhymes, huh.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2577380...
'SNP gender ideology has stopped them fixing real issues like economy and transport'
Billionaire Scottish bus firm brothers the Easdales explain why they've donated a six-figure sum to Scottish Labour
www.heraldscotland.com
January 18, 2026 at 10:50 PM
If you can believe it, Scottish Labour politicians once criticised the SNP for taking money from Stagecoach founder Brian Souter, over funding an anti-LGBT campaign.
Now here come the transphobic owners of McGills to fund Scottish Labour.
History rhymes, huh.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2577380...
Now here come the transphobic owners of McGills to fund Scottish Labour.
History rhymes, huh.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2577380...
Reposted by Steph Paton
Oh fuck all the way off with this horseshit.
For political reasons, Gavin Newsom won't utter the "g-word," but he's clear that that's exactly what is going down in Gaza. www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
'Not a big fan of Bibi': Gavin Newsom says no genocide in Gaza but bashes Israel's conduct
In a Conversation With Ben Shapiro, the Presumed 2028 Democratic Frontrunner Affirmed Hamas as a Terrorist Group, but Said Attacks on Civilians in Gaza 'Weren't Just Collateral,' and Revealed That in ...
www.haaretz.com
January 18, 2026 at 10:24 PM
Oh fuck all the way off with this horseshit.
Forget the wants of the membership. If you want to influence Scottish Labour's policies, you'll need cash in hand.
January 17, 2026 at 1:26 PM
Forget the wants of the membership. If you want to influence Scottish Labour's policies, you'll need cash in hand.
Reposted by Steph Paton
I can't trust politicians who are anti-trans. Not because I'm "only searching for perfection" which is what centrists will be accusing me of for the rest of my life, it's because if you're not pro-trans you'll be garbage on lots of other issues too. Being anti-trans NEVER exists in a vacuum.
January 17, 2026 at 9:42 AM
I can't trust politicians who are anti-trans. Not because I'm "only searching for perfection" which is what centrists will be accusing me of for the rest of my life, it's because if you're not pro-trans you'll be garbage on lots of other issues too. Being anti-trans NEVER exists in a vacuum.
Genuine embarrassment for Scottish Labour
www.thenational.scot/news/2577248...
www.thenational.scot/news/2577248...
Scottish Labour deny 'paying for bots' after odd activity on Anas Sarwar's Instagram
SCOTTISH Labour have categorically denied using fake online bots to boost party leader Anas Sarwar’s presence on social media
www.thenational.scot
January 16, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Genuine embarrassment for Scottish Labour
www.thenational.scot/news/2577248...
www.thenational.scot/news/2577248...
Reposted by Steph Paton
A big problem with the current situation in America is that the authorities that are creating the situation are in doing so creating a situation where if they lose power and back down, they might end up having to face consequences they're unwilling to accept
From that point there is only escalation
From that point there is only escalation
January 16, 2026 at 3:12 PM
A big problem with the current situation in America is that the authorities that are creating the situation are in doing so creating a situation where if they lose power and back down, they might end up having to face consequences they're unwilling to accept
From that point there is only escalation
From that point there is only escalation
Reposted by Steph Paton
A firm that runs Scotland’s prisoner transfer service is co-owned by a US corporation providing Donald Trump with bounty hunters for his mass deportation initiative.
www.theferret.scot/scotlands-pr...
www.theferret.scot/scotlands-pr...
January 16, 2026 at 1:59 PM
A firm that runs Scotland’s prisoner transfer service is co-owned by a US corporation providing Donald Trump with bounty hunters for his mass deportation initiative.
www.theferret.scot/scotlands-pr...
www.theferret.scot/scotlands-pr...
Vote Farage if you want an MP who'll say whatever he's paid to.
Nigel Farage ‘tricked into paying tribute to Ian Watkins’
Nigel Farage ‘tricked into paying tribute to Ian Watkins’
It cost £98 for The Reform UK leader to film the clip on his Cameo account
metro.co.uk
January 16, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Vote Farage if you want an MP who'll say whatever he's paid to.
Reposted by Steph Paton
Jenrick defection probably the dumbest thing he could have done. He could have been the top race science guy in the tory party, but now he's going to be a run-of-the-mill race science guy who needs to impress guys who believe a secret sect of Brown people control the traffic lights
January 15, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Jenrick defection probably the dumbest thing he could have done. He could have been the top race science guy in the tory party, but now he's going to be a run-of-the-mill race science guy who needs to impress guys who believe a secret sect of Brown people control the traffic lights