I WISH to comment on the spectacle which took place in Westminster on Tuesday.
The SNP had been able, through the Speaker of the House, to introduce an emergency debate on the Brexit Withdrawal Bill.
In essence the debate related to a vote of no confidence in the government, body-swerved by Labour, and calls for the vote cancelled by the Prime Minister to be held before the Christmas recess. A plea by the SNP that all opposition parties unite in pursuance of the vote of confidence was an essential part of the delivery by Ian Blackford, leader of the SNP in Westminster, followed by a number of SNP MPs.
In my opinion, the reaction to the debate on the Tory benches was an absolute disgrace, and the total absence of the Prime Minister and hundreds of Tory MPs was absolutely deplorable. Worst of all were the antics of the Tories from Scotland. It was clear from the start that their agenda had little to do with the debate agreed by the Speaker of the Commons, and their behaviour was that to be found in a child’s playroom. Nat-bashing was their order of the day, punctuated with personal insults shouted across the chamber. Their mantra was, as usual, “no to indyref2” and nothing to do with the reasons why this emergency debate was agreed.
We need to emphasise these were Tory MPs representing Scottish constituencies which all voted Remain, yet these MPs in an arrogant way followed their party line fully supporting Brexit with great gusto, showing little regard for Scotland’s position.
All of Scotland’s local authorities and constituencies voted for Remain (present support stands at 70% for Remain in Scotland!) . Unfortunately, yet not surprisingly, the handful of other Tories in the chamber, including the Brexit Secretary and the few front-benchers, in reply to Ian Blackford simply provided sarcasm and derision. Little was seen or heard from the official opposition, not surprisingly as only a handful of Labour MPs were present. The SNP were in fact doing their job.
What can be deduced from this spectacle? Let me summarise. It is quite clear that the SNP presence in Westminster means absolutely nothing. Whether we have 56 MPs, 35 MPs or two or three MPs we will not be heard under any circumstance. As the largest democratically elected party in Scotland you would think this would be recognised, but in fact we are marginalised at every turn in Westminster.
Our voice will never be heard in “that place”. Westminster can never properly represent the interests of Scotland. It does not and never will recognise the nations of this so-called United Kingdom. The UK is presently England and no other country. Stop kidding ourselves that this will ever change. It’s a state of mind in politicians and in the people of “England’s green and pleasant land”.
It will always be like this unless we become once again a free and independent sovereign nation. As Ian Blackford is told “get back to Skye” from the Tory benches with no sanction, how long are we as a nation prepared to countenance such behaviour before we free ourselves and gain our respect through independence?
Dan Wood
Kirriemir
GROUPS and counter groups up and down the land are in a fix. Business organisations are either for or agin Theresa May’s plan, but which one? The crisis issues are mirrored in the Cabinet.
At the same time the PM is claiming “business organisations” are supporting the deal. Not so! Especially after the immigration policies post-Brexit have been revealed.
As a desperate afterthought the PM is rushing in a panic to talk to the devolved governments, exhorting them that it is their duty to support her! Having been traduced and ignored since she became PM, it is too late to expect Edinburgh and Cardiff to be receptive. Not even a bung in line with the one offered to the DUP would be sufficient.
Mirroring Nicholas Soames’s outburst to Ian Blackford in the Commons, perhaps Theresa May could be told to go back to London and think again.
John Edgar
Kilmaurs
IN making his squalid and malevolent remark to Ian Blackford (a better man than he is), Nicholas Soames, who has form in this area, has yet again exposed his true character and in so doing has not only encapsulated the entire and ongoing attitude of the Tories to the SNP, he has undeniably brought Parliament into disrepute.
Although he reportedly does impressions of Percy Edwards, it would be wrong and inadequate to dismiss him as a pompous ass. In reality he is a repellent thug.
Joe Cowan
Balmedie
MANY people are up in arms because of the SNP pushing for the softest possible Brexit and helping out Little England. I suggest we look beyond Brexit to an independent Scotland with no hard border with England. If the UK crashes out of the EU and we subsequently campaign on indyref2 then the Unionist Project Fear drivers will have a field day threatening to close the border with an independent Scotland. Bank on it!
This threat would be thwarted if the UK is in a trade deal with the EU and Scotland chose a similar or closer relationship with the EU. A hard border with England may not cause anxiety to readers of The National, but it would not help the undecided to vote for indy.
James Addison
Finechty
NICOLA has to stop wearing her Supergirl costume in trying to save England from Brexit, and put on her kilt.
June Dunn
Scone
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