UNIONISTS are always keen to paint independence supporters as crazed nationalists who are no different to the likes of Nigel Farage or Tommy Robinson.
Yessers can stand in front of them and calmly state that the desire for Scottish independence is firmly rooted in a positive, outward-looking politics - and the anti-EU, anti-immigration beliefs held by the likes of Boris Johnson, Priti Patel or Farage are the kind of ideas Scots are keen to get away from.
But will they listen? No. Will they continue to paint us as nasty fanatics anyway? Of course!
This is actually quite disturbing. Scottish nationalism is just the same as every other nationalism across the globe. Nasty, divisive, scapegoating of the perceived other and singling out one particular political viewpoint as not being welcome. https://t.co/vclEkPX5qU
— Dean Lockhart MSP (@DeanLockhartMSP) November 3, 2019
Speaking at The National's #indyref2020 Rally for Independence on Saturday, the First Minister told the 20,000 people gathered in George Square: "The Scotland we seek is open, welcoming, diverse and inclusive and no Tory is ever going to be allowed to change that.
"And down that Boris Johnson path lies a future where Boris Johnson has his strings pulled by Donald Trump. Make no mistake, if we accept for our country that future, our NHS, workers’ rights, environmental standards, all of that is on the line – that is not the Scotland that we want."
Tory MSP Dean Lockhart decided to repost the video on Twitter, and added his own commentary.
"This is actually quite disturbing," he wrote. "Scottish nationalism is just the same as every other nationalism across the globe. Nasty, divisive, scapegoating of the perceived other and singling out one particular political viewpoint as not being welcome."
Uhh ... were we watching the same thing there Dean?
Exactly what about wanting to protect workers' rights, environmental standards and be welcoming and diverse is "disturbing"?
Of course the MSP was mocked on social media, with his post being retweeted 325 times but drawing 631 replies.
One Twitter user wrote back: "If you are disturbed, it means good people are doing something right."
If you are disturbed, it means good people are doing something right.
— JackElphinstone (@JackElphinstone) November 3, 2019
Another posted to say it was the Tory Party who carried out disturbing actions.
I simply want statehood for Scotland, with our own seat at the UN, and membership of the EU
— Johnny Lately (@LatelyJohnny) November 3, 2019
There is NOTHING nasty or divisive about this
Nor am I "scapegoating of the perceived other", or singling out viewpoints as "not being welcome"
It is YOUR party that does precisely this
Nice try, Dean. Better luck next time.
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