Professor Richard Murphy: Unionists are 'killing the thing they supposedly cherish'

Murphy, a professor of practice in international political economy at City University London and a tax reform campaigner, wrote that the former chancellor’s Evening Standard column on the issue was an “absolute clanger”.

Writing for his Tax Research UK blog the professor argued the comments would only drive support for independence.

READ MORE: Scottish independence: George Osborne has 'simple' plan to stop referendum

There have now been 19 consecutive polls showing majority support for leaving the Union, while the SNP are on track to gain a majority at the May Scottish Parliament election.

The First Minister has said the party is committed to a legal referendum in the early part of the next parliament if a majority is secured.

In his column, former Tory minister Osborne acknowledged independence support has reached record highs. He argued that pushing the “virtues of the Union” – by putting Union flags on UK projects or opening new offices in Scotland – would make “little difference”.

Instead, Osborne said, there is another “simple” plan to stop the Yes side winning the next vote. “Refuse to hold a referendum,” he wrote. “It’s the only sure way you won’t lose one.”

He went on: “There’s a risk that the Scottish Government holds its own plebiscite — but that won’t be legal, and the courts will stop the arms of the Scottish state, like the police and civil service taking part.

“Ask the jailed Catalonian leaders how their illegal poll worked out. The only way you can have legal path to independence is through a referendum that is voted for by the House of Commons.

“So don’t vote for one. Whatever the provocation. Just say no, Boris, and save yourself a long anxious night in Downing Street.”

The column caused widespread anger, with Scotland’s Constitution Secretary commenting that it “belongs more in the old-style Soviet Stalin era Pravda than it does any current UK publication”.

READ MORE: Westminster veto on indyref2 will lead to independence, former Tory adviser says

“The arrogance of failed Tory Ministers – past and present – knows no bounds,” Michael Russell told The National.

On the Unionist side there was discomfort too, with former Scottish Tory communications chief Andy Maciver warning continually rejecting indyref2 will just lead to independence.

Commenting on the section of the article where Osborne says Northern Ireland’s exit from the Union is inevitable but Scotland is a “different matter” – saying “its history is our history” and “contribution to the world … is our contribution”, Murphy (below) asked where he should start.

“That it's the colonialist's lament? That it's cultural appropriation? That it's deeply patronising?” he asked. “Or that it reveals that Scotland's opinion does not matter, and only London's does? The list could go on, and on, and on.” 

On Osborne’s proposals, he adds: “In other words, hold the people of Scotland in contempt whilst claiming them to quite literally be 'ours'.

“Such staggering attitudes can only drive the demand for independence.

“I am certain that this Union is dead, and deservedly so in the face of such attitudes. The so-called Unionists are killing the very thing they supposedly cherish.”