Category: Portobello

Seven new culture, heritage and infrastructure projects to benefit from Visitor Levy investment

Councillors have agreed to proceed with seven additional Visitor Levy-funded projects to protect and enhance heritage and cultural spaces across the city.

Following approval at Thursday’s Full Council meeting, transformative projects involving Leith Customs House, the Tron Kirk and the Portobello Kilns will be funded through the Levy’s Culture, Heritage and Events investment programme.

Meanwhile The Causey, Access to the Lost Shore and Edinburgh International Climbing Arena, City Centre Public Realm (including George Street and Princes Street), and developing a network of nature footpaths and walkways across the city will proceed under the Visitor Levy’s City Operations and Infrastructure programme.

Together, these projects are set to strengthen Edinburgh’s cultural offering, protect and revitalise nationally significant heritage buildings and public spaces, and improve access to natural and historic destinations across the city.

The seven projects were originally proposed at the special Visitor Levy budget meeting of the Council in February, where councillors agreed an overall funding package worth over £90 million over the next three years to sustain and enhance Edinburgh’s reputation as one of the most beautiful and enjoyable destinations in the world.

As with all of the other projects agreed under the Visitor Levy’s investment programmes, the proposals have been developed by Council officers, informed by feedback from public consultation and industry engagement, elected members and other stakeholders.

The independent Edinburgh Visitor Levy Advisory Forum has also been consulted and provided feedback on the projects.

Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “Our Visitor Levy is already beginning to strengthen the services and spaces that make our city so special and supporting these additional initiatives shows how we can continue to invest in projects that support a safer, more accessible and more welcoming Edinburgh for residents and visitors alike. 

“Feedback from our partners and community groups across Edinburgh has played a central part in shaping these new proposals. From restoring the Portobello Kilns to improving public transport access to the Lost Shore and EICA, we’re confident these investments in our culture and heritage will deliver lasting benefits, encouraging visitors to see more of Edinburgh beyond our city centre.

“The projects reflect our ambition that the levy is a city-wide fund and spending decisions must be taken with the whole city in mind. We’re making sure Edinburgh continues to thrive and that the Visitor Levy delivers visible improvements for everyone who lives and works here all year round.”

ADDITIONAL PROJECTS OVERVIEW

Leith Customs House

Funding will support the development phase of restoring Leith Customs House, Scotland’s oldest Custom House and a Category A‑listed building.

The investment will enable essential preparatory work to progress the building’s transformation into an accessible community and creative hub, including delivering a proof‑of‑concept exhibition and an economic impact assessment to support future funding.

Tron Kirk

Investment has been approved towards the major restoration of the Tron Kirk, a landmark 17th‑century building on the Royal Mile that has been on the Buildings at Risk Register since 2023.

The funding will support a coordinated programme delivered by the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, linking the restoration of the Tron Kirk with the redevelopment of Hunter Square.

The combined programme will repair and future‑proof the building, improve accessibility, protect vulnerable historic features and create new opportunities to develop local heritage skills and enhance visitor experiences.

Portobello Kilns

Investment has been approved to rebuild the 1906 Portobello Kiln, one of the last surviving industrial pottery kilns in Scotland and a key feature of the Portobello Conservation Area.

The project will restore the kiln to its original form alongside the previously conserved 1914 kiln, fulfilling the Council’s statutory obligations under scheduled monument consent and preventing further deterioration of this nationally significant heritage asset.

The project will be delivered in partnership with Portobello Heritage Trust and will be developed alongside wider proposed improvements to the Portobello Promenade through the Visitor Levy’s City Transformation Fund investment programme.

Nature Footpaths and Walkways

Funding has been approved to develop and improve nature footpaths and walkways across Edinburgh, encouraging visitors to explore destinations beyond the city centre such as the Pentland Hills, Cramond Foreshore and the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena at Ratho.

The investment will support with developing designs, community engagement and works to create accessible, inclusive routes that enhance biodiversity, improve visitor experiences and deliver benefits for local communities.

The Causey

The Causey will transform West Cross Causeway into a people‑first public square with wider pavements, traffic calming measures and segregated cycling routes. Once complete, it will host performances, markets, art installations and community events.

The first phase will deliver core infrastructure improvements, while the second phase will extend upgrades towards Nicolson Street to improve connections with the wider area and improve public spaces.

Lost Shore & EICA Bus Services

A new six‑month trial bus service is providing direct links between the city centre, Lost Shore, EICA and Ratho. The trial will gather data on who uses the service to inform future decisions on a permanent service.

The amount of Visitor Levy funding supporting the service will be reviewed following the trial stage, reflecting the results of the data showing the proportion of visitors using the service.

City Centre Public Realm (Princes Street / George Street)

Funding will support potential work on major public realm upgrades across Princes Street and George Street to create more accessible, attractive and pedestrian‑friendly streets.

A report on the overall project will be brought to the Transport and Environment Committee outlining the need for public realm investment within the city centre, including both Princes Street and George Street.

These projects sit alongside those previously agreed in February to be delivered over the next three years, including (but not limited to):

  • Ambitious projects to renew and restore principal areas of Edinburgh, including investments in our town centre high streets and £2m and £2.5m respectively towards transforming the city’s key coastal visitor attractions at Cramond foreshore and Portobello Promenade.
  • £5m to restore Leith Theatre and create a year round culture and live music space, expanding cultural opportunity beyond the city centre.
  • £3m towards transforming the iconic Old Royal High School into a world class, accessible national centre for music, shaped by community engagement and open to all.
  • £2.75m to create a Market Street Arts Hub, reinvigorating the City Art Centre and creating a new arts and learning destination at one of the city’s major visitor gateways.
  • £3.85m to speed up the setted streets renewal programme and £3m for new and upgraded public toilets to maintain Edinburgh’s streets, public spaces and public infrastructure to a world-class standard.
  • Funding to ensure the city’s streets and open spaces are cleaned and kept to a high standard, including a £100,000 per year upgrade and replacement programme for bins in high footfall areas, £500,000 per annum to expand work to tackle graffiti through extra support for private businesses and £1.3m on additional operations services for the city centre (waste, cleansing, patrols).
  • Investing in our premier parks across the city to create improved spaces where the highest footfall and impact on the environment is experienced – and increases to the parks repairs budgets, while doubling the number of park rangers across the city.
  • Programmes to green the city with additional investment in planting, such as floral gateways, to improve the look and feel of the city’s green spaces as well as the overall visitor experience

In accordance with the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act (2024), funds raised by the levy must be reinvested in local facilities and services substantially used by business and leisure visitors. All investment streams will be formally reviewed alongside the overall scheme in 2029.

Portobello High School marked a milestone anniversary

Celebratory lunch and launch of digital archive


Colin Hattersley Photography

Hundreds of former pupils, staff, partners and friends gathered at Portobello High School for a special anniversary lunch celebrating 150 years of the school at the heart of its community last week.

The event was just one of several ran throughout the year to mark the milestone and brought together generations of the Portobello community to reflect on the school’s rich history and celebrate the important role it continues to play in the area.

Guests enjoyed tours of the school and an extensive exhibition featuring photographs, documents and memorabilia from across the decades.

The celebration also included the launch of the school’s new digital archive, which will help preserve its history and make it accessible to former pupils and the wider community.

Former pupils and members of staff shared memories of their time at Portobello, while a special reflection remembered those who are sadly no longer with us.

Headteacher Greg McDowall said: “It was a wonderful occasion and a real privilege to welcome so many people back to Portobello.

“There was an incredible warmth throughout the day, with former pupils and staff reconnecting, sharing stories and celebrating everything the school has meant to the community over the past 150 years.

“Although we are enormously proud of our history, this celebration was also about looking ahead and ensuring that the legacy of Portobello High School continues for future generations.”

The school is encouraging former pupils, staff and members of the community to explore the Porty 150 digital archive on its website, where further photographs, memories and historical materials will continue to be added.

The archive was created by Ian Small, former pupil and former school dux and was awarded the MacIntyre prize by the school at the lunch for his hard work. 

A number of events will also be held in the coming months, providing further opportunities for people to visit the school, spend time exploring the archive and share their own memories of Portobello High School. you can find out more at the Porty 150 section of the school website. 

Greens and Labour win Edinburgh by-election seats

TOUGH NIGHT FOR SNP

The results of the Southside/Newington (Ward 15) and Portobello/Craigmillar (Ward 17) by-elections have been announced at Waverley Court.

Ruth Elliott (Scottish Labour Party) and Lorenzo Martinico (Scottish Greens) have been duly elected to serve in the City of Edinburgh Council for Ward 15 and Ward 17 respectively. Ruth Elliot received 2,153 votes, and Lorenzo Martinico (Scottish Greens) received 1,781 votes.

The new councillors were elected through the Single Transferable Vote system.

The turnout was poor – 6,741 votes (27.3%) in Ward 15 and 6,427 votes (22.9%) in Ward 17.

The declaration was made in the early hours of this morning (Friday 4 September) by Depute Returning Officer for the City of Edinburgh, Chris Highcock.

Depute Returning Officer for the City of Edinburgh, Chris Highcock, said: “I would like to welcome Councillors Elliot and Martinico into their new roles and wish them all the best as they begin serving their wards.

“My thanks goes to everyone who took part in these by-elections, alongside our elections team and council colleagues, who have been working hard behind the scenes over the last few months.”

SCOTTISH GREENS HAIL HISTORIC BY-ELECTION WIN

Portobello housing campaigner Lorenzo Martinico has made history by becoming the first Scottish Green to win a council by-election in the City of Edinburgh. 

Lorenzo is a local housing campaigner and was previously a postdoctoral researcher at Edinburgh University, specialising in computer security and digital privacy.

Reacting to the result, Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer MSP said: “This is a truly historic day for Edinburgh and the Scottish Greens. For the first time ever our capital has elected a Scottish Green councillor at a by-election, showing the failing Labour administration that Edinburgh demands better.

“By electing Lorenzo, voters in Portobello/Craigmillar have demanded radical change in Scotland’s capital. Just a few months ago, Greens won our first ever Holyrood constituency here in the heart of the city. This result confirms that we are fighting to win next May’s council elections in Edinburgh.”

“I know that Lorenzo will make a huge difference for the people of Portobello/Craigmillar. He will push to deliver urgently needed rent controls, tackle the climate emergency, and build a more affordable Edinburgh.”

Edinburgh Green Group co-convenor and fellow Portobello/Craigmillar councillor, Cllr Alys Mumford said: “Portobello-Craigmillar is now the first ward in Edinburgh to be represented by two Green Councillors, and residents there will benefit hugely from Lorenzo being their new local Councillor.

Alys added: “We’d like to congratulate Lorenzo on his election and also pay tribute to Isabella, who narrowly missed out on securing our second by-election win in Southside/Newington, but whose vote share increase reflects a growing desire for change.

“Green volunteers and activists ran a fantastic campaign across both wards and the results show that our message of hope is resonating with the people of Edinburgh.”

Lorenzo Martinico, the newly-elected Green councillor for Portobello/Craigmillar, said: “I am really honoured that my neighbours in Portobello/Craigmillar have chosen me to represent them as their councillor.

“I would like to thank the hundreds of Scottish Greens volunteers and supporters who have spent the last two months campaigning for us, securing our first by-election wins in the city. 

“It’s been an honour to be part of such a positive and energetic campaign. When I first moved to Edinburgh, I could never have imagined I would be elected as a councillor.

“There are thousands of people like me who weren’t born here but have chosen to make Edinburgh their home – I hope my election gives them a bit of hope, at a time when some in our community feel unsafe because of how they sound when they speak, because of the colour of their skin or their religion.

“I am looking forward to working to make a difference for the people of Portobello/Craigmillar.”

The by-elections were initiated by the resignation of two SNP city councillors who were elected as MSPs in May’s Scottish Parliament elections. Another two city councillors – Green Kayleigh Kinross‑O’Neill and Lib-Dem Sanne Dijstra Downie – also became MSPs in the Holyrood elections but both decided to stay on as councillors, carrying out dual roles until next May’s council elections.

Full details of the by-election results are available on the Council website.

Council by-elections this Thursday

By-elections in Southside/Newington (Ward 15) and Portobello/Craigmillar (Ward 17) take place this Thursday (3 September).

We’re urging residents in these wards to remember their polling cards and to cast their votes.

Residents in these wards who are aged 16 or over and have registered to vote can participate in Thursday’s by-elections.

One new councillor will be elected for each ward. The current electorate for Ward 15 is 24,666 and for Ward 17 it’s 28,062.

Returning Officer for Edinburgh, Paul Lawrence said: “With these by-elections fast approaching, I encourage residents in these wards to take this opportunity to have their say on Thursday. Please remember your polling cards and check your polling place. These new councillors will represent your communities on issues affecting your local area and Edinburgh as a whole.

“Our elections pages provide useful information on how the Single Transferable Vote system works – you can rank candidates in order of preference, choosing as many or few as you’d like.

“If you’re voting by post, please return your completed ballot as soon as possible to make sure your vote is counted.

Please check your polling place as this may have changed since the last time you voted. If you bring your polling card to vote this will help us and speed up the process, but this isn’t mandatory.

A full list of the candidates standing in both wards is available on the Council’s website.

Further information on voting in Ward 15 and Ward 17, including accessibility information and spoken ballot papers are also on the Council’s website.

Polling places will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 3 September.

Polling Places (Ward 15):

  • Nelson Hall Community Centre (New for 2026)
  • Blackford and Grange Parish Church Centre
  • St. Catherine’s Argyle Church
  • Newington Trinity Church
  • Reid Memorial Church Hall
  • 75th Braid Scouts’ Millar Hall
  • Cameron House Community Education Centre

Polling Places (Ward 17):

  • Portobello Library (New for 2026)
  • Branch Out Together
  • St Mark’s Episcopal Church (New for 2026)
  • Bingham Community Centre
  • St Martins Parish Church
  • Craigmillar Library
  • Hays Business Centre
  • Newcraighall Leith Victoria FC

The by-elections will use the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system, where voters rank candidates in order of preference, rather than using a single cross. Voters can rank as many or as few candidates as they like.

The electronic count will take place at Waverley Court, starting at the close of poll at 10pm on September 3. 

“IS EDINBURGH  POLITICS AS LEFT AS IT THINKS IT IS?”

 The Communist Party of Britain’s (CPB) candidates in Edinburgh’s two by-elections have called out political opinion in the city.

The party is standing candidates Richard Shillcock (Southside/Newington ward) and Peter Olech (Portobello/Craigmillar ward) in the September 3rd council by-elections.

The Communist candidates note Edinburgh’s reputation for liberal politics. Many voters—particularly young ones—across Labour, Greens and the SNP see themselves as voting for a much better, new kind of Scotland.

But Communists are presenting crucially different policies to what is on offer from the other parties.

Communists say particular policies of Edinburgh’s established parties might sound good in isolation but they are overshadowed by the liberal commitment to rejoining the EU and/or to Scottish “independence”.

The EU. Rejoining the EU means accepting the EU’s foundational principles of the free movement of capital, goods and services, and its restrictions on state funding of industry.

Communists say we need to trade extensively with Europe but we need to be able to control the movement of capital and we need to be able to direct state-led investment if working people are ever to own and control a rebuilt productive economy.

“Independence”. Similarly, we need to control our own currency. A separate Scotland, in or out of the EU, means losing our central bank. Greece’s debt crisis had its roots in adopting the euro and losing its central bank.

Communists say the Scottish people have the right to decide whether to secede from the UK, but that better prospects for working people lie in strengthening working class organisation across Britain to win deeper and deeper federal autonomy in which working people own and control the productive economy.

Housing. Few idealistic voters would say “just let the market sort out housing”. But that is exactly what is happening when other parties’ housing policy is for a mix of measures like “affordable housing” at the expense of council housing. Communists say only large-scale, permanent investment in council housing, owned and run by the local authority, can solve the housing problem.

Women’s rights. Communists say that we need to urgently implement the Supreme Court ruling on sex in the Equality Act 2010. Local government should fully uphold women’s rights and protections under the Act, including the right to single-sex services. The Scottish Government should enforce the Act.

Violence against women. Liberal activists have been arguing that prostitution is “sex work”, that it is a mutually consensual transaction, that it can be empowering and that it should be decriminalised and destigmatised.

Communists say prostitution is not work. A woman’s body is not a workplace. Prostitution is unique sexual exploitation, reflecting class and sex inequalities. We need to support women to exit prostitution, with zero tolerance towards the sexual exploitation of women by men. 

Caring for each other. There is strong liberal support—in the Greens, LibDems and SNP—favouring assisted dying.

Communists stand with disabled activists in opposing assisted dying. It cannot be made safe. It will disproportionately endanger disabled people. Communists call for adequate funding for end-of-life care.

The local by-elections were triggered following the resignation of two local SNP councillors who were recently elected as MSPs to Holyrood. 

The Communist Party urges voters across Southside/Newington and Portobello/Craigmillar to use their ballot papers to vote for the policies they believe in—ones that will defend and extend the rights and the quality of life of working people.

Exhibition: Changing Tides

CHANGING TIDES

By Polly Thelwall

197 Portobello High St, 

September 5th/6th and 12th/13th 10am-6pm,  

Private Viewing Thursday 10th September 6-8pm, Venue 31 Artwalk 4.

Polly Thelwall is a British painter and sculptor whose practice centres on small-scale casting, modelling, stitching, papier-mâché, found natural objects and paint.

She grew up on the Atlantic North Coast of Northern Ireland, an environment where raw landscape and weather formed an early sensibility for the meeting point between the human body and the natural world. Alongside her sculptural work, she maintains an active practice of drawing, sketching and painting.

Over the last 55 years she has been growing and developing her artistic career from childhood drawing and plasticine modelling through studying sculpture at Edinburgh college of Art in the 90s, and on, now, to her current broad and mature practice. 

During that time, she sketched, drew, painted and sculpted, honing her practice in the landscapes of Scotland, especially the waters of the landscape: sea, streams, lochs and rivers. 

The artist was invited by the owners of 197 Portobello High Street basement to consider putting in a proposal to Artwalk Weekends. This exhibition is on the theme ‘shift and flow’.

This installation represents a first site specific sculptural work of a large piece involving many smaller elements. It is also the first time the artist has used sound she recorded as part of the work.

The basement happens to be well supplied with excellent audio equipment strengthening the collaboration between the venue owners and the artist

Thelwall works intuitively and experimentally, navigating the threshold where human experience and the more-than-human world intersect. Her process invites the soft, scarred animal of the body to speak alongside the mind, often inclined to assume its own perfection. Through an internal and external alchemical process, she allows these dualities to interact, transform and reconfigure. Opening herself to the unknown, she creates conditions for unexpected forms, ideas and emotional registers to emerge.

Thelwall’s practice is ultimately an exploration of transformation: material, emotional and perceptual. Through making, she seeks to articulate the subtle, shifting relationship between body, landscape and imagination, allowing new forms of understanding to surface.

Polly Thelwall said: “This has been an opportunity to sit with the ephemeral. Each time in rising and lower tides, the creatures will be different, the beach will be different, the specific drops of water will be different, the conditions will be different etc.”’

This Art Walk Weekend, centred around the shift and flow of the intertidal zone, comes at a moment when we have been grappling with forest fires and warming seas.

 It is a time that needs space to evolve new ways like the one created by this artist who works in transformation, opening a gap for us to find our own answers.

Polly Thelwall’s relationship with the sea began as a baby living by the sea on the Atlantic coast of Northern Ireland. A childhood in and out of the water grew into a long-term love of waters and wild swimming.

The artist also volunteers in Marine conservancy, helping by cleaning oysters for repopulating the Forth and as a litter picker. As a means of exploring this passion Polly Thelwall participated in a SailBritain Sailing residency in Scotland in 2019. This led to a first cast in the landscape of a water pattern on a beach, which was later used to create part of a sculpture.

Greens call for lifeguarding on Portobello Beach

Green Councillors are proposing that Edinburgh Council should pursue a lifeguard station on Portobello beach, along with a suite of other measures aimed at enhancing the safety of people using the water.  

The motion, discussed at a meeting of the Council yesterday, also asked for beach safety and hygiene to form part of the ongoing Portobello Promenade regeneration project which will see improvements to the beachfront.  

Green Councillor for Portobello/Craigmillar, Alys Mumford, who brought the motion, said: “The last time Portobello Beach had a safety audit was almost a decade ago.

“In that time, we have seen visitor numbers explode and with it, increased potential for danger as we see more people using the water to swim, sail, and enjoy everything the water has to offer. Edinburgh currently has no lifeguarded beaches, and from conversations with the RNLI, it seems clear that there might be a case for Portobello to be the place to host lifeguards for the city.  

“Portobello beach is one of Edinburgh’s jewels, but issues around safety and water quality mean it isn’t able to be enjoyed equally by everyone. This is an issue that is raised with me repeatedly by residents and visitors alike, and I hope this motion goes some way towards making progress.” 

The motion also highlights the concerns about sewage incidences impacting on the water and the beach.

Lorenzo Martinico, Scottish Green Party Candidate in the upcoming by-election in Portobello/Craigmillar, has pledged to do more to inform residents about water quality, and endorsed the motion from Cllr Mumford.

Lorenzo Martinico said: “Part of the problem is our ancient sewage system, which the council can’t upgrade on its own without government funding, but in the short-term, we need to make sure that people know when it isn’t safe to go in.

“Currently we have two electronic noticeboards, but they are not necessarily in the places where people are going to go into the water – and even if you do remember to check, SEPA doesn’t test the water often enough for them to be accurate.” 

Council By-elections: Communists urge voters to choose principles over ‘political tinkering’

The Communist Party of Britain is calling on voters in the upcoming City of Edinburgh Council by-elections to reject “political tinkering” and “vote for principles” to fix the city’s deepest problems.

The local by-elections take place on Thursday, September 3, 2026. The Communist Party is standing two candidates: Peter Olech in Portobello/Craigmillar and Richard Shillcock in Southside/Newington.

The candidates argue that while other parties try to manage a failing system, only the Communist Party offers a real alternative to more budget cuts and privatisation. 

They believe the only way to truly fix these issues is through permanent public ownership in three key areas:

Fixing the Housing and Homelessness Crisis: Other parties suggest market options like “affordable” rents or small planning changes. The Communists say private developers need a shortage of homes to keep their profits and share prices high. They argue the housing crisis will never be solved by the private market, calling instead for large-scale, permanent council housing built and run entirely by the local council.

Ending Council Cuts and Outsourcing: To handle tight budgets, other parties propose changing funding formulas or adding new local taxes on working people. The Communists argue that the wealthiest should pay, and public money must stay under public control. They want to end cuts and outsourcing, demanding that all public services be delivered directly by council workers with strong unions and good apprenticeship programmes.

Bringing Back Real Local Democracy: Other parties avoid the big issues or suggest moving paperwork between different levels of government. The Communists say shifting decisions around does not change who holds the real economic power. They argue that only public ownership gives communities true control over housing, energy, jobs, land, and food distribution.

“The other parties agree on the problems we face, but their policies only tinker at the edges,” said candidate Richard Shillcock. 

“We are asking voters to reject political games and on Thursday 3 September to vote for the socialist principles needed to transform local government.”

The Communist Party of Britain campaigns for a socialist society that puts working-class interests, public ownership, and democratic control of local services first.

The local by-elections were triggered following the resignation of two local SNP councillors who were recently elected as MSPs to Holyrood. 

The Communist Party urges voters across Southside/Newington and Portobello/Craigmillar to use their first vote and their numbered preference votes to opt for the policies they believe in—ones that will defend and extend the rights and the quality of life of working people.

Sign up for Big Forth Cleanup

Big Forth Cleanup! 28th, 29th,30th August

We’re calling on people all around the Firth of Forth coastline to join us and this is a special callout to folk in East Lothian who might be interested in organising or joining a beach clean along our coastline!

We already have a few beach cleans taking place in east Lothian, but we’d love to see even more communities getting involved!

When you register your beach clean, you’ll have the opportunity to add it to the Big Forth Cleanup map. You’ll also receive lots of useful information, including:

♻️ Top tips for beach cleaning

📍 Information to help you plan your event

🗑️ Guidance on waste disposal from your local authority

Every clean makes a difference, so why not get involved and help us make an even bigger impact along the East Lothian coastline?

👉 Register your beach clean and get involved! https://balancedhorizon.org/big-forth-cleanup/

Have questions? Email us at bfc@balancedhorizon.org

Communist candidates condemn city council and ask: What is a feminist vote?

The Communist Party of Britain (CPB) has spoken out on  women’s rights and opportunities in its campaign for the September 3rd City of  Edinburgh Council by-elections. They ask ‘What is a feminist vote?’, ‘How do  council policies affect women and girls?’  

They condemn the City of Edinburgh Council for opposing the updated Equality and  Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Code of Practice on single-sex spaces, and for  failing to implement it.  

The party is standing candidates Richard Shillcock (Southside/Newington ward)  and Peter Olech (Portobello/Craigmillar ward). They are offering distinct feminist  policies within a socialist alternative to the mainstream parties.  

They say the lives of girls and women in Scotland are under attack—from the widening gap  between rich and poor, from cuts and underfunding and from an epidemic of male violence.  

Women’s lives.

We need to rebuild women’s ‘social wage’ by investing in public  services that lift the load from women in childcare and social care, and by  increasing bargaining power and raising wages for the women who work in them.  

Women’s rights.

We need to urgently implement the Supreme Court ruling on the  definition of sex in the Equality Act 2010. Edinburgh City Council must fully uphold  women’s rights and protections under the Act, including the right to single-sex  services. The Scottish Government should require all public bodies to fully  implement the Act.  

Violence against women.

We need to strengthen domestic abuse and sexual  assault services for women and children, with secure long term investment in  prevention. We need to support women to exit prostitution, with zero tolerance  towards the sexual exploitation of women by men.  

The local by-elections were triggered following the resignation of two local SNP  councillors who were recently elected as MSPs to Holyrood.

The Communist Party urges voters across Southside/Newington and Portobello/ Craigmillar to use their first vote and their numbered preference votes to opt for the  policies they believe in—ones that will defend and extend the rights and the quality  of life of working people.