THERE are some who will disagree with what I will write, but surely even the strongest Labour, LibDem or even Tory must feel some sense of, at the very least, uncomfortableness around the sleaze of Partygate. Not to mention all the other provocative 10 Downing Street happenings during the entire time of its present occupancy.
Matt Hancock kissing in full view of CCTV cameras. Allegra Stratton’s mock the press conference. Dominic Cummings testing his ability to see clearly whilst driving on the public highway. Extraordinary amounts of money spent on decorations for the flat at number 11. Liz Truss spending half a million pounds to fly her 14-person team to Australia – even at £3000 return per person, that would have been only £42,000.
READ MORE: Alister Jack accused of being 'in hiding' over Boris Johnson's partygate
There are currently 359 Conservative MPs in the Westminster Parliament, 86 of those women. To trigger a leadership contest, 54 of these have to send a letter to Sir Graham Brady saying that they no longer have confidence in Boris Johnson.
Yet, despite the Metropolitan Police announcement on an investigation into Partygate, and Sue Gray’s report, there are not 54 people in the parliamentary Conservative group of MPs who are willing to write letters. It makes me wonder what sort of hold Johnson’s whips have on those 359 nine MPs – what a back catalogue that must be! Or are they all expecting Johnson to make good on whatever wild promise he has made to them, or just the terror of losing such a vast salary? These people have a huge effect on all our Scottish lives.
In all that group, commentators suggest the frontrunners to replace Boris Johnson would be Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss ... out of 359! That is the choice?
WATCH: Line of Duty cast turn tables on Cressida Dick over Partygate
By wonderful contrast, here in our Scottish politics, we know that on the night before it was found that Nicola Sturgeon had not broken the Ministerial Code, she spoke with John Swinney and said he should be prepared to take over as First Minister should things not go well.
I think we are extremely fortunate to have Nicola Sturgeon as our First Minister. She has a proper command of what it takes to be a leader. I want her to stay on as First Minister for many years to come. If things had gone wrong though, we all know that John Swinney would have had no difficulty in stepping up, and doing a fine job. Indeed there are many in the upper ranks of the SNP who could take on, and make great success of, the role.
I am sure too that if a First Minister of Scotland were to do a fraction of the things that have been reported from the London Parliament, our MSPs would not be quiet about it.
READ MORE: David Mundell breaks his silence over Boris Johnson's partygate scandal
Nicola Sturgeon has information at hand to respond to questions, and she does, frequently providing context, and often in much more detail than maybe the questioner was expecting. In contrast, Johnson usually dismisses questions by saying that people are not interested in the answer but they are interested in something else, at which point he blurts out his soundbite of the day.
We have a lot to be thankful for in Scotland, but the dead weight of London rule is a shoddy encumbrance upon our nation and the high values that most of us aspire to.
As the next referendum comes, economics will come up as the “most important” of issues during debates. I hope people will see beyond that: Scotland is rich and capable, the economics will take care of themselves, numbers are the easy bit. For me it is independence for a better life for our population. That does not mean money, it is decent living, compassion, and kindness, a different set of values and code of conduct to live by. It is about being able to shout out loud, and clear, that we are proud, and happy, to be independent Scots who have so much to offer and so much more to be thankful for.
Cher Bonfis
via email
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