Yes chief: Don’t use Ukraine to argue in Scots indy debate
ONE of the leaders of the 2014 Yes campaign has said it is “not wise” for politicians on both sides of the constitutional divide and experts to “exploit” the war in Ukraine to make points about the independence debate
Dennis Canavan, the former Labour MSP and MP, criticised the defence analyst Dr Jonathan Eyal, who last week told The Herald that Vladmir Putin would be “delighted” if the vote took place next year.
Mr Eyal, associate director of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), said it was his view that the Russian president would welcome a referendum in 2023 as it would distract the attention of the UK, a founding member of Nato, from foreign policy issues.
The RUSI expert gave his view in response to a claim by the SNP MSP Rona Mackay who said delaying Indyref2 would be “grist to the Kremlin’s mill” and allow Mr Putin to have a ‘”veto on Scottish democracy”.
Nicola Sturgeon was on Thursday accused of making a “tasteless” link between the plight of Ukrainians fighting Russia’s invasion and the campaign for Scottish independence.
Tory shadow cabinet secretary for the constitution, external affairs and culture Donald Cameron said the First Minister had used “wholly inappropriate” language in a New Statesman article published that day.
But Mr Canavan, the former chair of Yes Scotland, the main organisation campaigning for a Yes vote in 2014, cautioned those supporting independence or those opposed to use the situation in Ukraine for their own arguments.
He added that Mr Eyal was speculating.
“How on Earth does Jonathan Eyal know that Putin would be ‘delighted’ for Indyref2 to go ahead next year? Does he have a hotline to the Putin mindset?
“Jonathan Eyal is indulging in idle speculation which is unworthy of an academic. We are heading into very dangerous territory if we allow the timing of a democratic referendum to be determined by what a deranged despot may or may not be thinking,” he said.
“I do not think it would be wise for politicians to try to exploit the situation in Ukraine to further their own arguments for or against Scottish Independence.
“I have no doubt that there are Unionist politicians who may be tempted to use the horrific conflict in Ukraine as an excuse for postponing Indyref2.”
He added: “All politicians, of whatever complexion, should be using everything in their power to work, hope and pray for an early, peaceful solution.”