AN international newspaper has run a scathing leader on Boris Johnson’s approach to the Union, accusing him of putting “party above country”.
The Economist article declares the Union is “weaker than at any point in living memory” and lays much of the blame at the feet of the “careless” Tory leader. It is not supportive of Scottish independence, but sympathises somewhat with Scots wanting to leave the Union.
In the piece, titled “From United Kingdom to Untied Kingdom”, the writer discusses the “many” causes of the weakened Union. “Brexit is the most important,” it says. “Political leaders in London, Edinburgh and Belfast have put their country at risk by the way they have managed Britain’s departure from the European Union.”
READ MORE: Scottish independence 'inevitable' as Yes parties on course for majority
The Tory leader has done this “carelessly” with his hard Brexit, it says. “The Scots never wanted to leave the EU and are inclined to seek a future outside the UK,” it adds, noting support for Yes has increased over the last year.
Meanwhile Nicola Sturgeon done it “determinedly” by standing up for Scotland’s place in the EU, it says. The newspaper notes polls are looking positive for her party ahead of the May election.
“If the Scots, Northern Irish or even the Welsh choose to go their own way, they should be allowed to do so—but only once it is clearly their settled will,” it says.
The Economist article goes on to make its position clear – calling breaking up a state a “painful process” and insisting the UK nations can work well together. However, they are also clear in their distrust for Johnson.
“The fact that the survival of the Union is now in Mr Johnson’s unreliable hands will bring no comfort to anybody who hopes it has a future,” it says.
The writer goes on to criticise the UK Government’s obsession with “plastering” the Union flag everywhere, failure to use “non-English figures” in government, and Johnson’s “lying”.
READ MORE: What independence supporters have learned from a busy week of Holyrood polling
In its conclusion, the article notes Johnson’s “single most important task” now is to maintain the Union. “If he fails, he will go down in history not as the man who freed the United Kingdom, but as the man who destroyed it,” they say.
The article comes after a number of polls this week showed pro-independence parties are set to win a majority at the upcoming election.
One Panelbase study suggested the SNP, Greens and Alba would achieve 78 seats together, representing a pro-Yes majority of 27 seats.
Other studies have shown the SNP could gain a majority while a large Greens boost could see Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater double their current number of MSPs.
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