What was your take on Theresa May’s Brexit speech? — Issa, Glasgow
I’VE broken up with women over the phone in a more sensitive manner than the Prime Minister displayed on Tuesday. The aim of Theresa May’s speech appeared to be telling the 48 per cent who voted Remain across the UK, and 62 per cent of Scotland, to eat excrement and like it. In the most patronising of words, Scotland was told it will amount to no more than a consultee of the Conservative Government.
Meanwhile, the opinions of our elected MPs are to be disregarded, as May stated we will be leaving the single market irrespective of a parliamentary vote on the matter. We appear to have “taken back control” of our democracy... only for our democratic voices to be ignored.
There was no mention of the fabled additional funding for the NHS in the PM’s speech. Instead, Theresa treated us to revisionist waffle about Britain’s “internationalist history”; a spin that felt akin to calling cannibals connoisseurs.
As desperate as May is to maintain some level of warmth towards the outside world, I cannot help thinking that the lady doth global too much. She might claim that she wants the UK to be a “magnet for international talent”, however she does so whilst praying on an illogical fear of immigrants to win votes.
Moreover, should the EU fail to play ball on Brexit, Theresa’s fallback plan appears to be to turn the UK into a race-to-bottom tax haven. It seems the Tories wish to replace tax-paying foreigners with tax-avoiding foreigners.
The Prime Minister might have talked the talk about giving more powers to the Scottish Parliament post-Brexit, but there’s no reason to believe she’ll walk the walk. Remember the last time a PM made promises about devolved powers for Scotland after a referendum? If I recall, all we really ended up with was control over our road signs.
Such lies have become commonplace over the last two years. In fact, being told that voting No in 2014 would guarantee our membership of the EU is a lie big enough to justify a second Scottish independence referendum! Especially, now that our parliament has voted 86 to 36 in favour of retaining Scotland’s place in the single market.
Frankly, I’ve been on drunken nights out with more viable planning and care than the Tories have put into leaving the EU. They have no road map, no projections of financial implications and zero concern for Northern Ireland and Scotland. The SNP would never have been able to get away with such negligent behaviour in 2014.
This seems extremely unfair given that the White Paper for Scottish independence was roundly mocked by the right-wing media, even though it was far more comprehensive than May’s Brexit strategy. Unionists are telling us to blindly accept the Prime Minister’s reckless plan to leave the EU, when they scoffed at our comparatively wide-ranging blueprint for Scottish independence.
Ironically, some of the arguments outlined within the SNP’s White Paper have, to some degree, been validated by May’s own Brexit speech. For example, if the UK/Ireland Common Travel Area is to be maintained, there’s no logical reason why an independent Scotland couldn’t be part of a similar arrangement.
Yes, there are lessons to be learned regarding post-independence currency. I remember when not being able to use the pound was a threat, not a solution! However, Scotland’s White Paper was clearly better thought out than anything the Tories have come up with for Brexit.
We should now build on the 2014 White Paper’s foundations and create the most complete argument for Scottish independence yet. IndyRef2 is our last shot at getting this right. Public support, timing and campaign planning are all critical; still, the pitch itself – the White Paper – could be the most important.
Why do so many Tory list MSPs not acknowledge their party on their Facebook page? — @Dickybeau
IT is true that various Tory list MSPs neglect to acknowledge their party affiliation on social media. The reasons for this, you ask? Well, there are likely a few, and the reasons that will be given by Tories will invariably be misleading. So, you are right to ask me this question, comrade.
The etymology of the term ‘Tory’ is indeed fascinating, but for now we will focus on the word ‘Conservative’, often stylised as ‘Scottish Conservative’ in our homeland for humorous effect. A Conservative in Scotland is someone who believes in helping those who already have the means to help themselves. In direct contrast to those who seek to create a fairer society for all, the Conservative in Scottish society is a small, ornery sort who usually conducts his or her affairs quietly, perhaps knowing that they cannot be as upfront with their xenophobia and outdated fundamentalist Christian ballyhoo in this oh-so-PC age.
Consequently, Scottish Conservatives who nevertheless wish to promote themselves in a political capacity, find themselves in a difficult position: how do I sell my snake oil without labelling it as snake oil? The answer, it seems, is to wear the clothes of an independent politician, unshackled by the trappings of categorisation.
However, with the Scottish people becoming ever more engaged in political matters, the modern Conservative now finds itself struggling to maintain the mask of political neutrality. As Scotland continues to discover the true extent of Tory disdain for Scotland, the term ‘Conservative’ edges further towards being a curse word in the Scottish lexicon. And with good reason.
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