Nicola Sturgeon’s “meet and greet” event has been brutally snubbed by some Scots who have decided to put the money for this to better use – and donate it to some of her arch rivals. The Scottish Daily Express reports, ex-First Minister’s decision to charge £75 for these tickets ahead of her show at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall has been widely mocked and criticised because she is still an active MSP.
The former SNP leader was thrilled to confirm she would be taking to the stage in October for an interview and audience Q&A. The event will occur just a couple months after the release of her book, Frankly, which she claims will be an “honest” account of her career as a politician.
But a grassroots campaign has formed to reject the chance to meet and speak to her in person, and instead donate this money to campaign group For Women Scotland, who are battling for women’s rights north of the border. The feminist group is currently locked in a costly court fight with the Scottish Government about the definition of a woman.
Numerous social media users have claimed that they are donating the £75 cost of seeing Ms Sturgeon live to For Women Scotland instead.
The group was slated as “bigots” by Ms Sturgeon because they stood up against her controversial gender reforms which could have eroded the rights of females and ended safe single-sex spaces.
The craze was sparked by Regina Erich on X as she responded to an article asking whether she would pay £75 for a meet and greet with Ms Sturgeon. She wrote: “No, we would not. My hubby and I have found a better place for the equivalent of 2 tickets and donated £75 each to For Women Scotland @ForWomenScot and Women’s Rights Network.”
Famed British sailor Tracy Edwards MBE also confirmed she had donated £75 to the group. In 1989 she skippered the first all-female crew in the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race, becoming the first woman to receive the Yachtsman of the Year Trophy.
At least four other X users all claimed that they had also donated to For Women Scotland. Scotland Matters campaigner Allan Sutherland also did so along with his wife, confirming in a letter to the Scotsman: “Sorry Nicola Sturgeon, rather than pay £75 for the tremendous honour of “meeting and greeting” you in October at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh we’ve found a more deserving cause.
“We’ve donated the amount to two of the organisations that did so much to wreck your dangerous gender policies – and your career, For Women Scotland and the UK-wide Women’s Rights Network. Have a great night!” The initiative was even supported by Scottish Tory MSP Tess White who wrote: “Can’t think of a better use for the £75 Nicola Sturgeon “meet and greet” than this Thank you @ReginaErich.”
For Women Scotland thanked their supporters for all the donations. They wrote: “We are so grateful to all the people who have followed Regina’s example. Quite emotional! We also know that this is a lot for many, so we are just as touched by all the donations we have received today. Thank you. And thank you to Regina xxx”
Ms Sturgeon was previously criticised by Glasgow Scottish Tory MSP Annie Wells for her ticket sales. She said: “This is some shameless self-promotion from Nicola Sturgeon. Asking hard-pressed punters to shell out this sort of cash for a meet and greet is something you’d expect from top musicians or Hollywood film stars.
“It is clear the First Minister is already embracing her new lifestyle rather than taking up issues on behalf of her constituents in Glasgow Southside who, in case she has forgotten, she still has the privilege of representing for another year in Holyrood.”