OVER the last couple of weeks, a lot of people have been again asking what is going to happen about the granting of a Section 30 Order, and the Unionists saying that it was a “once-in-a-lifetime/generation” promise. The Unionists may have made that promise but the people of Scotland never did, and neither did the Scottish Parliament. I’m sure the minutes can prove that.
Furthermore, from the Prime Minister’s rantings and dummy-throwing on Wednesday at the Dispatch Box, it is clear he hasn’t learnt anything from his two court defeats or his seven straight defeats in the Commons, with regards to government and rights.
READ MORE: Supreme Court ruling does not protect parliamentary sovereignty
My interpretation of the Supreme Court ruling is that the Prime Minister is largely unable to grant a Section 30 Order without Parliament’s approval. Which would mean that if asked, Parliament must debate it and can decide to approve a Section 30 Order against the Prime Minister’s wish if it so decides.
The Scottish people shouldn’t need reminding that it was a Scottish Conservative MP who drew up the Human Rights Charter when a member of Churchill’s government. That charter lays down certain criteria for elections, in that a country has to hold, by secret ballot, elections at regular intervals to appoint the government of their choosing. The proviso being that they are no more than five years apart. As an independence referendum is for the people of Scotland to appoint the government of our choosing, and the last one was in 2014, which was five years ago, there is nothing to prevent us having another if we want. I’m sure the High Court and, if required, the Supreme Court would uphold this if it went to them, or is the Westminster government looking for another humiliating defeat in court?
Alexander Potts
Kilmarnock
I SEE that the latest Tory party slogan braying out loud at the conference in Manchester is “Get Brexit Done”. Maybe it is not quite so devoid of meaning as “Brexit Means Brexit”, but it runs it pretty close. This childish call to action implies that Brexit is something like having the front of your house painted, or finishing the washing up. Doubtless it invites applause from all those Leave voters who absolutely knew what they were voting for, but who will soon – assuming it will be “done” by October 31 – be furious to discover that it will take years to set up a new trade relationship with the EU and to finalise new deals with the rest of the world. Get Brexit Done? Leave voters will have been truly been done!
Arthur F Jones
Dumbarton
I DID it again, I tuned in to the Conservative party conference briefly on Sunday. On this occasion what impressed me was the lacklustre level of applause for the speakers. I immediately thought that they could benefit from hiring in the Strictly Come Dancing audience. Those who, at the drop of a hat, can provide uproar and cheering to order without even opening their mouths while clapping at the same time. And they can stop instantly to allow for special moments.
READ MORE: Scottish Conservatives to back No-Deal in Brexit U-turn
And the analogy struck me. We had already seen Amber Rudd’s quickstep out of government. Mr Carlaw’s choice was the Viennese Waltz, where you swirl around and around and reversing is part of the dance. No doubt the delegates can look forward to the jive from Mr Rees-Mogg, and who would want to miss Michael Gove’s Paso Doble? Then on Wednesday comes Mr Johnson and his American Smooth with a hint of The Twist. But the highlight will come when he reads his second letter again and treats everyone to the Brexit Sidestep.
The big question on everyone’s lips is “will they be back next week?”. To crown it all the conference might end with everyone linking arms and in unison saying “Keeeep lying”.
Robert Johnston
Airdrie
READ MORE: No-Deal Brexit: Jackson Carlaw quotes illustrate his Brexit U-turn
SO Jackson Carlaw fancies his chances as leader of the Scottish branch of the Tory party? For the first time in his Holyrood career he been able to speak to his conference people in front of television cameras without being kicked into touch by Nicola Sturgeon. He has also managed a half-page spread photograph of himself in The National. Fame at last beckons! All this, so long as he subjects himself to the leadership of his Westminster boss Boris Johnson. Whereas he once believed in the EU Remain camp, he now chooses to do or die and follow Johnson over the Brexit cliff into oblivion. Because that is surely where the UK is going, taking Scotland with it. And so surely, as day follows night, Jackson Carlaw will take his Scottish Tories with him into oblivion rather than the political fame he craves.
Alan Magnus-Bennett
Fife
I MUST say I was heartened by the piece in the Sunday National by Gerry Hassan, “No quick fix for crisis gripping UK democracy” (September 29).
He wrote “The struggle inside Parliament could represent the dying embers of the ancient regime with its hidebound Westminster traditions and veneration of past precedents.” He wrote that this could morph into something more reactionary or progressive, democratic or authoritarian.
He comments that the government attempt to not implement the Benn Act outlawing a No-Deal Brexit was and is at present about England, and reminiscent of how it worked before the Treaty of Union. I think the way they refer to Henry VIII means they have not moved on; mind you he had six wives, Boris has had two with a few mistresses thrown in, or out as the case might be.
Mr Hassan concludes that the forces of populism and reaction must be continually defeated. Boris Johnson and the Tories just ignore democracy and the rule of law; they have embarrassed the Queen by their nefarious acts.
God help Scotland.
Jim Lynch
Edinburgh
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