I’m so sorry I can’t be with you tonight, but I’m very definitely there in spirit. As I’ve already said publicly, I’m immensely proud to be counted among the women in this book. Many of my fellow contributors had already risked their livelihoods and reputations before I spoke out and their courage remains my inspiration. Our opponents in the battle to protect women’s rights tend to operate on the divide and conquer principle. Every woman speaking out in the current climate will be familiar with the attempts to cast her as a lone outcast voice, or at best, part of an eccentric fringe of society. But we know differently. And speaking personally, I have the letters and emails to prove it. This book is the best evidence so far of the breadth of women’s solidarity and the effectiveness of grassroots action. No matter the threats and abuse, I’ve never regretted outing myself as gender critical. My fellow contributors and I have all been through trial by fire and emerged stronger and more united. Truly, we are the witches they can’t burn. The Campaign for Women’s Sex-Based Rights has always been and always will be one of the causes of my life. May the women who wouldn’t wheesht continue to stand as an example to our daughters and a warning to misogynists everywhere of what happens when you piss off Scottish women. May we never hod. Thank you very much.

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