SNP accused of using pandemic to agitate for independence
Pro-union campaigners have accused the SNP of using the coronavirus pandemic to agitate for independence.
It comes after senior Nationalist MPS Kenny Macaskill and Joanna Cherry suggested that the difference in approach on the Covid-19 pandemic north and south of the Border could build the case for independence.
Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union said: “Most will be in despair at the behaviour by these senior SNP politicians.
“They should be completely focussed on the needs of their constituents during this public health emergency, but instead are using it as an opportunity to talk up their campaign to leave the UK.
“These politicians may have ‘one goal’ of dividing the people of Scotland, but it would be far better if they were working with colleagues across the political spectrum to ensure that the country comes through this crisis together.”
Mr Macaskill, the former justice secretary, used his Scotsman column yesterday to suggest that the “the road to independence is open” as a result of Covid-19 divergences between the UK and Scottish governments.
Mr Macaskill suggested the current crisis could give the SNP the opportunity to pursue a “more radical agenda that’s wanted by the wider membership”.
He claimed as Scots emerge from the epidemic, they will be looking for a “better way” forward than as part of the UK.
Ms Cherry also indicated to day that the UK government’s handling of the Covid-19 crisis “builds the case for independence”.
She said while the Scottish Government must “maintain its entire focus on the Covid crisis”, there is nothing to stop the SNP “party machine facilitating debate on policy and strategy, except perhaps that meetings, assemblies and conference are not safe at present”.
Writing in the National newspaper, Ms Cherry said she has contacted the SNP’S national secretary “suggesting that the party take these debates online”.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack has argued Scotland has benefited from the “financial strength” of the UK Treasury during the Covid-19 crisis.
He said: “We’re a very powerful economic machine in the UK and I know it is a bit of a unionist message, and I am not shying away from that, I am not embarrassed to say it.
“But because Scotland is part of the United Kingdom we have benefited enormously from that financial strength of the Treasury.”