How the SNP came to lose the room
The long letter...
MANY supporters of independence have voted for, and will continue to vote for, the SNP, not because they are wedded to their policies or like the way the party is run, and certainly not because they exude an air of decisive focus on the ultimate common goal of independence.
A significant number of people vote SNP because there is no alternative (no secret there). Ideally, we need two pro-independence parties vying for control of the Scottish Parliament but we haven’t.
The SNP have a responsibility to take a pragmatic political approach, rooted in centre-left policies that have generally reflected the ideology Scotland has favoured from way before the SNP were formed in 1934. A few left and rightwing firebrands do no harm providing they are kept in check by strong leadership.
But what do we have? Nicola Sturgeon was an outstanding politician who was either badly advised or whose otherwise good judgement was lacking in some areas.
The Alex Salmond case wasn’t the first time she let her emotions rule her head but it was perceived by many, including me, as a weird “populist” opportunist alignment to the “me too” movement. Sturgeon repeatedly stabbed her former “friend” and mentor in the back while claiming she found the whole episode “upsetting”.
But as a “leader” she had to be strong and it was her duty to see it through. He was, of course, cleared. Then there were the excruciating sessions in the Scottish Parliament where Sturgeon repeatedly couldn’t bring herself to call a male rapist a man. This alienates SNP voters and, as a result, undermines momentum towards an independent Scotland. I have a lot of time for Nicola but she needs to cut down on the amount of Woke-abix she has for breakfast.
And what of Humza Yousaf? His choice of breakfast cereal is also occasionally questionable.
Anyone who listens to him regularly at
First Minister’s Questions will be in no doubt he is 100% committed to achieving independence but his judgment is sometimes emotion-led.
When pressed on why sex wasn’t a protected characteristic in the Hate Crime and Public Order Bill, he justifiably argued that it was decided that the 51% of Scotland’s population who are women deserve a bespoke Act for them alone and that it was coming soon. So far so good – until he then stated that it would include trans women, who were already included in the hate crime bill, so more lost votes and yet another dent in the cause.
Where does all this affect our goal of achieving independence? I am afraid that as things stand, we have not a snowball’s chance in hell. Independence events should focus on independence and how we can achieve it.
The Chain of Freedom event was “gatecrashed” by a large number of people with Palestinian flags. I suspect even at that early stage of the Gaza conflict most would agree with their views but people had planned for the event and travelled the length and breadth of Scotland and there was a demonstration that afternoon for Gaza in Glasgow.
Humza Yousaf has taken a brave stand in support of Gaza, and I, and most of the Scottish population I suspect back him, but there will be others who don’t.
Then there are the All Under One Banner marches, where invited “speakers” seem more concerned with promoting their left-wing political views, which have never resonated with the majority of Scottish voters. The aim should be to appeal to as many of the No cohort as possible. The organisers should focus on this, not their own agendas or quest for celebrity.
THERE is a large but hopefully diminishing number of Unionists who adopt their position because of family and peer pressures. We won’t convert any of these voters by shouting “Not my King” and worse, at independence events.
Are we keeping the monarchy? Remaining as a Commonwealth country? Having our own currency from day one? etc etc. “I don’t know,” most people will reply when asked. But don’t worry here’s a clear and concise leaflet with the answers – except there isn’t.
So, what is needed to extricate the Yes movement from an ever-increasing shambles? Simply, strong leadership, a clear vision and a plan formulated with input from all interested parties. That requires discipline, maturity and focus. I am sorry to say I don’t see any of that right now.
Robert Mackay Burns via email