WITH the re-emergence of some Project Fear classics on social media after a poll showed support for independence at 52%, it's felt a little like we've travelled back in time.
Always feeling more comfortable in the past, the Tories have joined in on the action by resurrecting one of their old campaign ads.
In it, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is tucked into the pocket of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Corbyn and Sturgeon will do a back room deal to ignore two referendums.
— Conservatives (@Conservatives) August 7, 2019
Politicians don’t get to choose which public votes they respect.
Like if you agree 👇 pic.twitter.com/mINvcndLri
If you think you recognise the advert, it's because it was also used for Ed Miliband in 2015.
Nicola Sturgeon is "offering to help make Ed Miliband Prime Minister". Here's why. #VoteConservative to stop it. pic.twitter.com/81VHikQoLW
— Conservatives (@Conservatives) April 20, 2015
We must admit, despite this being from the Tories, there are three reasons we find this advert hilarious.
Firstly, Corbyn seems to have earned his spot in the ad by virtue of having the gall to – through shadow chancellor John McDonnell – say they wouldn't attempt to stand in the way of a Scottish independence referendum.
That, apparently, means he is entirely in the pocket of the First Minister. It's honest of the Tories to acknowledge how much they hate anyone even vaguely suggesting they'll respect another country's democratic right.
Secondly, the Tories have tweaked their attack very slightly since 2015. While Corbyn's face is photoshopped on to the same shirt (compared the wrinkles on the sleeves), they've undone his top button and generally made his collar a little messier.
It's a pity the Tories don't care about this level of detail when it comes to a plan for Brexit, isn't it?
They seem to be suggesting that Corbyn is scruffier than Miliband, here, which is a bold move for the party that promised "strong and stable" government to voters who chose Theresa May over Ed. We know how that went.
And thirdly, it does a great job bringing to mind how weak Boris Johnson's majority is.
We're sure that Sturgeon would respect mini-Corbyn's desire to go independent, if he so wishes.
We're not so sure the DUP's Arlene Foster will be letting Boris Johnson out of her pocket that easily, and they're very much setting themselves up for that graphic to be made...
Got a story for The Jouker? Let us know by emailing jouker@thenational.scot
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel