Johnson’s visit north of the Border
BORIS JOHNSON’S visit to Scotland proved to be a big talking point in the weekend’s opinion pages. Here’s what columnists had to say on the merit of the prime minister’s trip north of the Border.
The Times
Gillian Bowditch argued Mr Johnson should take a leaf out of Princess Anne’s book when it comes to wooing Scots.
She wrote: “Surprise victories – Brexit and an 80-seat majority in the 2019 General Election – along with a Churchillian belief in his own rhetoric, may have convinced Johnson he is the man to save the Union. But in the event of his Canute-like stance against a second referendum being swept away by a resurgent Scottish National Party after the Holyrood election next year, he may find the battle tougher than he imagines.”
She added: “It is not easy for a particular type of English leader to make Scotland a natural habitat. The hypocrisy-o-meter is trigger-sensitive here. But Johnson could do worse than take a leaf out of Princess Anne’s book. The no-nonsense royal is the closest thing the family gets to a Scottish member. Practical and forthright, she has immersed herself in
Scottish interests, such as rugby and lighthouses — as unprincessy as they come. In fact, she is integrally involved with about 40 Scottish organisations and has been for many years. It is this below-the-radar, dogged, unglamorous practical work on behalf of her Scottish interests which has made her accepted, and even loved, north of the border.
“Boris plays to the gallery; Nicola preaches to the converted. The majority of the Scottish electorate falls into neither camp. If the Union is to be retained, these are the voters who need wooing.”
Scotland on Sunday
Dani Garavelli claimed Scottish nationalists cannot rely on the Prime Minister’s lack of understanding about Scotland to boost their cause.
She wrote: “Just in case anyone should accuse Boris Johnson of not doing enough to further the cause of Scottish independence, he decided to venture north last week. With the latest poll showing support for Yes at 54 per cent – a record high – he set himself a challenge: could he bump it up to 55%? It’s too early to tell how successful he was. But you have to hand it to him: he gave it his best shot. A speech about the “mighty Union”, references to the munificence of the Treasury, a photograph with some crabs
– all while another 50+ Covid deaths were being announced in England. That ought to have done the trick.”
She added: “Some hardliners want the SNP to present a majority at next year’s election as a mandate to begin negotiations without a referendum. Or for the Scottish Government to take legal action to establish the Scottish Parliament’s right to legislate for a referendum on independence without a Section 30 order. Already, it appears some of those within the AFI may oppose Sturgeon on a second referendum and back one of the ‘Plan Bs’.
“Up to a point, disagreement within movements is healthy. But Sturgeon has worked hard to earn the trust and goodwill of other EU countries, and the progress she has made should not be squandered. Nor should those who want independence rely on Johnson’s knack for alienating Scottish voters, while they engage in internecine fighting.
His tenure will not last forever.
And a Labour government led by Keir Starmer might not be such a great recruiting sergeant for the cause.”
Mail on Sunday
Former Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson claimed Nicola Sturgeon’s response to the visit made her look small.
She wrote: “Nicola Sturgeon’s fingers were tapping away at her phone early on Thursday. Before half of Scots had had their Weetabix, she was retweeting a cartoon of herself and Boris Johnson, suggesting his visit to Scotland helped the pro-independence cause.”
She added: “The outpouring of vitriol on social media from independence supporters, ranging from insults to threatened boycotts, was as petty as it was embarrassing, and SNP leaders should think about whether this is a message they want to encourage by their silence.
“All Ms Sturgeon had to do on Thursday was say: ‘I welcome the Prime Minister’s visit. Despite our political differences, I will always work with the UK Government in Scotland’s interests as we seek to recover.’ But that was beyond her. She made herself – and the country – look small.”