History time?

With the Scottish Parliament promoting its own Brexit Bill, once again we hear Scottish Nationalists utter the words “this reconvened Scottish Parliament”. Such inexactitude, and from a party that declares education to be their top priority. So let me offer them a brief history lesson.

When Scotland was an independent state and England a neighbouring one, neither Parliament concerned itself with the welfare of its citizens in the manner of our Scottish Parliament today. Women accused of being witches were still being burnt at the stake. Both concerned themselves with defence, foreign affairs, and the religion of the monarch, which the Scottish Parliament of today does not.

Another difference is that the Scottish Parliament pre1707 consisted of men with landed property. All other men could neither vote for it nor stand for it. And of course, neither could any woman, whatever her social status. So why associate ourselves with such a long-outdated institution, when we have the democratic parliament of today?

But, they argue, the Scottish Parliament adjourned. So did the English Parliament, a fact of which they seem unaware. That was back in 1707. Must be the longest adjournment in history. Fast forward to 1998 when the Scotland Act was passed. Its first line reads: “There shall be a Scottish Parliament.” It does not say: “The Scottish Parliament shall be reconvened.” Then there is the dilemma of what to do if it ever comes to pass that Scotland separates itself from the rest of the UK, and consequently its parliament deals with the full range of powers held by an independent state. What are the Scottish Nationalists going to call that achievement of their hopes and dreams? Re-reconvened?

MARIA FYFE Ascot Avenue, Glasgow