UNDETERRED by a disastrous visit north of the Border earlier this week, Theresa May has sent an incredibly patronising St Andrew's Day message to Scotland.
The reaction from Scots was one of anger.
"Scotland has a special place in our United Kingdom," Theresa May says in the clip posted on the Prime Minister's Twitter. Does "special" mean that the will of our Parliament can simply be ignored?
WATCH: SNP MP calls on May to explain The National's press conference ban
She continues: "I'm proud of what the UK Government is delivering for Scotland. Support for North Sea oil and gas, help for communities through our City Deals investment programme, and negotiating a Brexit deal that is good for the whole United Kingdom, including Scotland."
"I want to wish everybody a happy #StAndrewsDay. The contribution that Scots make to our economy and cultural life help make the UK the vibrant union of nations that it is today." – PM @Theresa_May pic.twitter.com/Kwe5y1425G
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) November 30, 2018
Yes, May really singled out "support for North Sea oil and gas" as something the UK is proud of.
We found out earlier this year that the UK Government missed a chance to establish a wealth fund based around North Sea oil which would today be worth more than £500 billion. Is this their idea of support?
Then we have the "City Deals". These would be the same city deals that the Scottish Parliament is constantly having to push the UK to deliver on.
Perhaps most egregious of all, though, is that final line. "Negotiating a Brexit deal that is good for the whole United Kingdom, including Scotland." It really is an incredible level of audacity.
Brexit is expected to have a hugely negative impact on Remain-voting Scotland, as has been made clear many times. Beyond that, this is her St Andrew's Day message to a nation whose voice her government has sought to sideline and silence in this debate.
We could go on, but the responses on social media have been so on-point that we'd rather highlight some of those.
1
Theresa May is the sort of friend who’d send you an Xmas card saying you must catch up while refusing to acknowledge that she killed and ate your cat when you were on holiday that time. https://t.co/TR26Lk0Dt7
— Tiernan Douieb (@TiernanDouieb) November 30, 2018
3
Woman who’s spent two and a half years ignoring Scotland in “I love Scotland” shock. #StAndrewsDayhttps://t.co/FXxFJnBbBN
— David Schneider (@davidschneider) November 30, 2018
2
You were in Scotland for 3hrs in a factory in Bridge of Weir. The locals didn't even know you were even there! https://t.co/AgwIqsR9tl
— ScotsVsAusterity (@ScotIndyDebate) November 30, 2018
4
Shame on this vile woman
— Ron Dickinson (@ron_dickinson) November 30, 2018
Scotland ignored & treated with contempt through the entire #Brexit process & she visits one tiny corner of Scotland a Tory donor's factory to patronise us on St Andrew's Day
Her "precious union" is a state & 3 colonies; it won't last#DissolveTheUnion https://t.co/eKCe5T9GFC
5
Who are those people and what did she threaten them with? #StAndrewsDay https://t.co/E5qxRZtsJq
— Eleanor R (@that_wild_wolf) November 30, 2018
6
Scotland: "It's #StAndrewsDay! I hope we get a video message from Wagner, I hope we get a video message from Wagner, I hope we get a video message from Wa-"
— Ross 'Teddy' Craig (@RossTeddyCraig) November 30, 2018
Theresa May: "I want to wish-"
Scotland: 🙁 https://t.co/sxtJlrDTb2
7
Hard to think of a more patronising few lines in all honesty. Well done. https://t.co/yoCTxDeSxE
— Michael Martin (@tfMichael1892) November 30, 2018
8
Typical vacuous shallow Tweet from the woman who's totally ignored Referendum wish of the Scots & refuses to engage in any meaningful debate with them!! https://t.co/HUAFTS9Zq1
— Dave Towers #FBPE (@DaveTowers10) November 30, 2018
9
any Scots out there who buy this 'delivery' - not sure what exactly she's supposed to be delivering, seems that hasn't been agreed yet.......at least nothing's been put in writing https://t.co/O6N4YF2Vh7
— Sue Lane (@sulaAlice) November 30, 2018
10
"A Brexit deal that is good for the whole United Kingdom including Scotland"
— John Deans (@jjbillyd) November 30, 2018
It's legitimate for PM to say that the UK must brexit as a whole. But to say that a culturally, financially and socially impoverishing Brexit is GOOD for a country that voted against it? That's a lie. https://t.co/IAret0o8LG
11
Dont Patronise us. We are not zipped up the back Contribution? is that what you call £200B + &I'm betting that isn't all of it either Without our money you'd be sniffling beggars #dissolvingtheunion https://t.co/wyXDZEUIYK
— Velvet Tory Saboteur McBot (@VeIvetRose) November 30, 2018
12
I must admit you have extreme but misplaced courage posting this tweet
— Tony O'Brien (@Chanctonman) November 30, 2018
Your treatment of Scotland has been crass, inconsistent, unfair and downright incompetent. I say this as a London born Brit who fully expects a terrific nation to vote for independence...I do not blame them https://t.co/aC7VfdMPHJ
13
Oh how condescending. How about giving Nicola Sturgeon a place in your TV debate? You and your government have done nothing but dismiss Scotland and help undermine, no , destroy the union. https://t.co/bgZPCrzXiw
— Mike Bowen (@milquetoastable) November 30, 2018
14
Ok. Does anyone have footage of Theresa May not acting/reading a script/lying through her teeth? For comparison purposes! In particular I want to find out if that weird head movement and the monotonous, lifeless voice, are there when she's "herself". https://t.co/9Bw0YWSiA1
— Virginie #FBPE (@NenioGB) November 30, 2018
15
Cheap words 😑
— Jamie S (@jimthevic) November 30, 2018
Things you won't do:
•fulfill the promises of the 2014 Independence Referendum
•honour our decision in the 2016 Brexit Referendum
•allow Scottish MPs to discuss Devolution of EU powers to return to Holyrood
16
Yet you deny Scotland’s political views, refuse to talk to its people, it’s press and its politicians. Bit hypocritical much! #DissolveTheUnion
— Graham Robertson (@GGrahambute) November 30, 2018
17
So why don’t you treat Scotland with the respect that is due to it?
— Katharine Parker 🇪🇺🇬🇧 #FBPE (@EuropeanPenguin) November 30, 2018
18
"Scotland - it's got a leather factory."
— John Deans (@jjbillyd) November 30, 2018
There were more than a few with unpublishable language, too...
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