WHOEVER is the next Tory leader and PM will by deliberate choice or force of circumstances lead the UK to a no-deal Brexit. In that event I am sure there are still sufficient Tories with enough sense to vote against the recognised disaster of no-deal and bring down the new government.
With Corbyn, the so-called opposition leader, having sat on the fence so long he has gone numb and senseless (was he ever other?) I cannot see there being a People’s Vote that includes the Remain option.
A defeated government has 14 days to form a new government that can pass a motion of confidence. The two main parties are so politically constipated I doubt they could pass even a confidence motion so there will be a General Election.
Polling is currently predicting that in a snap GE Farage’s Brexit Party will take from 214 to 286 seats.
Not quite a majority, in practice that needs 320 seats, but seriously haemorrhaging Tory support. Since a YouGov poll has elicited that Tories put keeping out Jeremy Corbyn and party survival as their top priorities, way above preserving the precious Union or the economy or peace in Ireland, I can see a Johnson/Hunt coalition agreement with Farage.
If they negotiate not to stand candidates against each other in selected constituencies the result would be a far-right coalition with an enormous majority – and Farage as PM.
What a threat to Scotland! Independence is normal. It’s time for Scotland to be normal.
Murray Dunan
Auchterarder
WESTMINSTER, the House of Lords and all the trappings of a lost empire is still being run by an elite sociological group of wealthy individuals who still think England is the centre of an Empire.
Boris Johnson is the very epitome of this class attitude. Looking down upon these poor “natives” who fail to realise how lost they are without Westminster’s guiding hand.
Scottish independence would help to bring an end to this “we are better than the rest” attitude by resetting the political dynamic of these islands by injecting a much needed dose of reality into English politics.
These elites have the very same attitude when dealing with us Scots. They think by wearing a “see you jimmy” hat and drinking Irn-Bru, they are relating to Scottish culture. They simply do not have a clue.
Mark Harper
Dysart
I READ on the BBC News app today that Jeremy Hunt is quoted as saying, “I will never allow the Union to be broken up as prime minister”.
READ MORE: Jeremy Hunt claims he is the prime minister 'Nicola Sturgeon least wants’
It would be interesting to hear what right he thinks he has to deny self-determination to the people of Scotland should they wish to pursue it. Does he believe democracy does not extend to our particular part of the old Empire? It would be a more persuasive argument if he espoused some particular policy that would encourage the Scottish electorate to actually believe they are a valued part of the Union, rather than telling us we’re staying whether we like it or not. This is the sort of attitude that led to violence in so many former colonies before they were reluctantly allowed to go their own ways. It is disheartening that the fact Scotland will never resort to force in its quest for freedom acts against it in this day and age.
Cameron Crawford
Rothesay
WE continually hear about the survey of Conservative Party members that tells us 63% have said they would rather see Scotland leave the UK than lose their dream of Brexit. One could be disgruntled about this and say that Scotland voted by 62% against Brexit and that is being ignored.
But then we must remember the Tories’ love of democracy and that 52% (17.4 million) against 48% (16.1m) won the case for them. Then again, doing the sums, 63% of 160,000 Tory members is 100,800, whereas 62% of 5.4m Scots is 3,348,000. Is it the case that we actually have a democracy for the rich and a democracy for the rest?
READ MORE: A quarter of Tory members in the UK back Scottish independence
Some of the papers also seem to be misquoting Hunt’s reply to the question of the Union. I did not hear him mention a preference against Brexit when he said he would defend the Union. Did you? I have also been trying to remember if I have ever known anyone called Boris and I can only think of Boris Karloff which reminds me of Sturgeon’s reference to a Horror story.
And if I am being indulged just a little more, isn’t Ruth Davidson very quiet at the moment?
Pity her two proteges have been voted out. Recently she has been very keen on attainment gaps and as I watched Royal Ascot last week I couldn’t help thinking that shows a blatant attainment gap she could get her teeth into.
Robert Johnston
Airdrie
ANGERED but not surprised to read the report in Saturday’s edition (UK minister refuses to give evidence on drugs policy, June 22). This referred to Westminster’s Home Office minister, Victoria Atkins, declining to give evidence on UK drugs policy before Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Committee.
READ MORE: SNP MP slams UK minister after refusing to give evidence on drugs policy
How many times have our fellow Scots read in newspapers or heard and seen on television and radio the sad and shocking statistics on drug-related deaths in our country and been left with the impression that this is yet another example of bad Holyrood governance, Holyrood responsible for Westminster policy?
The National article ended with the statement: “The minister is not offering any dates for her appearance.” This from a Home Office spokesperson.
Contempt and arrogance? This says it all!
M Murray
East Kilbride
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