A LABOUR peer has been left red-faced after an ill-informed attempt to score points over the Scottish Government’s Cabinet reshuffle.
Andrew Adonis, who served in the Blair and Brown governments, took to Twitter to try and poke fun at Nicola Sturgeon over one of her appointments.
“Nicola Sturgeon has just appointed a Foreign Secretary,” he wrote. “What is he going to do?”
Indeed, Angus Robertson was yesterday given the position of Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture. He takes over from Mike Russell, who had a similar brief as Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs.
You’d think Adonis, one of the architects behind the People’s Vote, might have a better understanding of why Scotland may want to nurture its links with Europe in particular in the face of an isolationist Brexiteer government. But never mind.
Interestingly enough for Adonis, the SNP are not the first party at Holyrood to appoint somebody to a role with a focus on looking outside of Scotland.
Under former Labour first minister Henry McLeish, Jack McConnell – one of Adonis’s colleagues in the Lords – served as Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs between 2000 and 2001. (But he wouldn’t want to mention that – it wouldn’t fit the narrative.)
And of course regardless of Cabinet positions, Scotland has always worked with other countries on all kinds of issues. There is no rule that says you have to go through the UK’s Foreign Office every single time you want to talk to somebody from overseas (yet).
READ MORE: Lesley Riddoch: Why we needs friends across Europe in the quest for independence
Thankfully many independence supporters stepped up to explain in simple terms exactly what Roberson’s role will include, although of course he could have gone to Google like anyone else.
“Talk and make arrangements with other countries where Scotland has interests including the EU, like all such Scottish ministers have done for 20 years. Can't rely on Westminster and you should have known about this. Do pay attention Andrew,” Newsnet.Scot responded.
Talk and make arrangements with other countries where Scotland has interests including the EU, like all such Scottish ministers have done for 20 years. Can't rely on Westminster and you should have known about this. Do pay attention Andrew
— Newsnet.Scot (@NewsnetScotland) May 19, 2021
“The Scottish government has relations with Europe, the Irish government through the British Irish Council, the government of California and Scotland have a climate deal, and Scotland works with New Zealand on certain issues. That's just at the top of my head,” said @gaeltwice.
@LassieLmr added: “And the Nordic Council are considering whether to invite Scotland to join them. There is Scotland House in Brussels & Scotgov Office in Ottowa & Washington DC.”
“Try & repair some of the damage @GOVUK has done to Scotland's reputation abroad,” Bill Cruickshank responded concisely.
READ MORE: Scotland deserves observer status on Nordic Council, Finnish MP tells SNP
JR Tomlin posted a video of Mike Russell speaking at the SNP conference last year. “Be in doubt,” he said in response to a letter from Michael Gove. “We will speak to whom we wish about what we wish whenever we wish, no matter your view of the matter.”
Visit London. https://t.co/9pALz5yMoN
— Stewart McDonald MP (@StewartMcDonald) May 19, 2021
SNP MP Stewart McDonald had a short but sweet answer as Adonis racked his brain for answers on just what a Scottish Foreign Secretary could possibly do. “Visit London,” he told the peer.
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