MICHAEL Russell has warned Yes supporters that they are up against a deeply unscrupulous regime under Boris Johnson as the SNP bid to make progress on achieving independence.
The former constitutional affairs secretary urged people to take heed of his experience in the Brexit talks with the Conservative government to say the next step towards independence must be completely robust.
Russell, now SNP president, described how during the EU talks the Westminster regime moved from incompetent under Theresa May to one that was unpleasant and lied under Johnson. He said lies were told by “not very nice people” he was involved in talks with.
“Brexit was a hell of a shock to the system. Grappling with and engaging with people who appeared to think was a good idea was difficult,” he told The National’s Roadshow last night.
READ MORE: WATCH: The National Roadshow with Michael Russell - in full
“You were dealing with people...in the May government who hadn’t a clue what they had got themselves into and had no idea how to take this forward. And it just was a mess...There was one meeting when we arrived and there was no room. They had forgotten to book a room and there was nowhere in the House of Commons.”
He added: “Those were the good days. It got worse as then the ideologues took over and they were unpleasant. They were just absolutely determined to do it ... and they weren’t particularly nice people. I look back with some fondness to the days of David Davis as at least you could have a conversation with them. By the last year you were just dealing with people who it didn’t matter what was said.”
Russell then cited the wish for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to stay in Erasmus with the UK Government appearing to agree to do so.
However, behind those countries’ backs the UK Government was negotiating to leave the education scheme.
“Right through to the end everybody was saying ‘we’re going to keep hold of Erasmus’. At the same time [the UK chief negotiator] David Frost (below) was negotiating it away,” he explained.
“I don’t think he had ever any intention of signing on to it. Ideologically he was fixated with getting rid of everything. And it was that type of thing you were putting up with.”
Russell continued: “From my position I don’t think we could ever do business with them [the Conservative government]. I think we are in a position where the only reasonable and feasible step is independence and we have to find a way of securing that.
“But I also recognise that they will be desperate to stop that happening. So we had better be very determined and absolutely principled and we have got to get it right.
“Because if we don’t get it right they will take advantage of everything we get wrong. And that’s what annoys me sometimes about some of the rhetoric I hear. They don’t know what people are up against and we really have to get this right.”
Russell was also asked about a police probe over claims £600,000 raised by Yessers for an indyref2 campaign had gone missing. The SNP president said the money was not missing. He said: “That money is available for campaigning for independence. It is accounted for and it will be spent on independence ... As far as I am concerned there is no missing money.”
The 45-minute Roadshow was hosted by The National’s editor Callum Baird. He said: “We hope those who tuned in enjoyed their night with The National and Michael Russell.
“We’re really grateful to Michael for joining us, and have plans for many more events like it.
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“National Roadshows are a great chance to connect with our readers, so I’m glad we got to put some of your great questions to him.”
The National launched online National Roadshow events after the pandemic prevented us from getting on the road like we used to.
We kicked those off on August 4, when Baird hosted columnists David Pratt, Kevin McKenna and Lesley Riddoch for a discussion on “What now for independence?” Hundreds of viewers tuned in live, and a recording of that debate is available on our YouTube channel.
The National has plans for more online events – readers should keep an eye on the paper and our website for information.
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