Outrage as MSP insists he’ll only represent nationalists
A NATIONALIST MSP has been urged to ‘give up politics for good’ after saying he will not represent constituents opposed to Scottish independence.
John Mason sparked fury with a tweet in which he said he would ‘not be speaking up for constituents’ who did not share his views on the constitution and tax.
The MSP told his more than 9,300 followers yesterday that he was ‘happy to represent’ others.
Mr Mason was embroiled in a row over Orange marches in Glasgow and his support for restricting them. In a debate with social media users, Mr Mason said it was his job to ‘speak up for those who are suffering from multiple Orange marches’.
Asked who speaks for those who support the event, Mr Mason said: ‘I guess the Orange Order speaks for you. They have quite a loud voice.’
Another Twitter user then asked: ‘So you don’t speak on behalf of folk who support Orange Orders, is what you’re saying then, John Mason MSP?’
In his response, Mr Mason, pictured, said: ‘I am happy to represent every constituent on issues like housing and to discuss all sorts of issues... However, I will not be speaking up for constituents who want lower taxes, Orange marches, keeping Scotland in the UK, etc.’
His comments met a furious backlash online with many urging him to quit his job.
Others said his job was to ‘represent all your constituents irrespective of whether you share their views or not’.
The Scottish Conservatives said Mr Mason should quit for good if he feels unable to represent voters in his Glasgow Shettleston constituency.
Tory MSP Annie Wells said: ‘John Mason is now so far gone that he openly admits to dismissing thousands of his own constituents. As such, they are being democratically denied representation, something that is blatantly unacceptable. He should give up politics for good.
‘I thought all MSPs accept they have a moral duty to assist all people, regardless of their political views.’
A spokesman for the SNP said: ‘Of course John Mason listens to and represents all of his constituents.’