GLASGOW'S Unionists are in meltdown after the SNP's John Mason said he won’t “speak up” for constituents who want to keep Scotland in the UK.
The outspoken MSP for Glasgow East made the comments on Twitter in a conversation about reducing the number of Republican and Orange marches in his constituency.
Someone by the name deanomac54 asked Mason: “Who the fuck are you to say which lodge can parade to a church service and who can't!”
The SNP man replied: ”No-one said I was making a decision on this. The council makes the decisions on individual marches and the Parliament decides if we need to tighten up the laws.
No one said I was making a decision on this. The Council makes the decisions on individual marches and the Parliament decides if we need to tighten up the laws.
— John Mason (@JohnMasonMSP) January 13, 2020
My job is to speak up for those who are suffering from multiple Orange marches.
“My job is to speak up for those who are suffering from multiple Orange marches.
When bill52052367 then said that he quite liked the marches and asked who spoke for him, Mason retorted: “I guess the Orange Order speaks for you. They have quite a loud voice.”
That prompted dippiecookie to ask: “So you don't speak on behalf of folk who support orange orders then is what you're saying then?
Mason replied: “I am happy to represent every constituent on issues like housing and to discuss all sorts of issues with constituents. However, I will not be speaking up for constituents who want lower taxes, Orange marches, keeping Scotland in the UK, etc.”
He later added: “If you are a constituent and have any local or personal issue, I am more than happy to help.
“How you voted in the referendum or election is irrelevant. However, if you are asking me to support nuclear weapons, then I am afraid I cannot represent you on that.”
The Scottish Tories accused Mason of neglecting his “moral duty” to represent voters with diverse views.
Thomas Kerr, the leader of the Tory group on Glasgow City Council, said he had been shocked by the MSP’s comments.
He tweeted: “John Mason tweets very rarely shock me anymore but this one is ludicrous.
John Mason tweets very rarely shock me anymore but this one is ludicrous.
— Cllr Thomas Kerr 🏴🇬🇧 (@CllrTKerr) January 15, 2020
As the MSP for Shettleston you have a duty to represent all your constituents no matter their views, religion or differences.
As a local Councillor I may not always agree with people but I always listen. https://t.co/NHBsTZ7bXu
“As the MSP for Shettleston you have a duty to represent all your constituents no matter their views, religion or differences.
“As a local councillor I may not always agree with people but I always listen.”
Glasgow Labour councillor Malcolm Cunning added: “This is a disgraceful tweet from John Mason. It's a central tenet of being an MP, MSP or Cllr that you represent and work on behalf of all your constituents.
“This is the politics of division and a recipe for the Balkanisation of our communities.”
Glasgow Tory MSP Annie Wells said Mason was “a disgrace”.
She said: “John Mason is now so far gone that he openly admits to dismissing thousands of his own constituents.
“As such, they are being democratically denied representation, something that is blatantly unacceptable.“If Mr Mason does not want to help such a large chunk of his constituents, he should give up politics for good.
“I thought all MSPs accept they have a moral duty to assist all people, regardless of their political views. It’s shocking that an SNP MSP admits this isn’t the case.”
An SNP spokesperson said: "Of course John Mason listens to and represents all of his constituents.
“But just as we wouldn’t expect a Tory like Annie Wells to support progressive taxation or independence – even in Yes voting Glasgow – it’s not surprising that John Mason isn’t a cheerleader for tax cuts for the rich or staying in the UK."
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