3 days ago
A large gulf has now developed between Yessers and the SNP
Firstly, the SNP for some years have stopped putting over their case for independence and are focused on the Union parties. When you are focused on the other parties, you fail to get your message across to the electorate and the media don't pick up on your cause. The result is a loss of MPs and MSPs, which can result in the loss of control of government.
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Secondly, Tuesday's article by James Dornan MSP left me wondering where he's been hiding, certainly these last few weeks but moreover during the last 11 years since the independence referendum in 2014 (Tell voters we will hold new indyref no matter what Westminster says, Jun 10).
Since September 18 2014, we've had three first ministers and six prime ministers. Each first minister has pleaded the case for a Section 30 order on numerous occasions without success. The SNP even went to the Supreme Court to try and get something done but the answer is always 'NO!' I'm afraid to tell James that although his intentions are good, they stand as much chance as the snowball in hell.
That doesn't mean that I disagree with the full article, or for that matter the sentiment of the piece. However, asking for a Section 30 is like watching a dog chase its tail. The only difference is that my dog usually catches his and it's much more fun to see. Yes, James, we need to put independence front and centre as you say in your article, and we've been telling the SNP that for some years now without success.
So, I'm asking on behalf of the electorate: why isn't it happening?
I also agree that the SNP should legislate for a second independence vote. But James, why wait until after the election and after a further request to the Prime Minister for a Section 30 has been refused? The best time to do it would be now, when there is about 54% support for it, as it would show us voters exactly where the SNP stand. Also, the petition from the Scottish Sovereignty Research Group for Scotland to be recognised as a non-self-governing country has been lodged with the United Nations. So what has the present SNP government to lose?
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At best the UN backs our claim. Then the worst that can happen is that Starmer says no and the UN overrules him and gives Scotland the power to hold a referendum anyway.
Starmer can't go to the English Supreme Court and argue that we can't hold one without his say so, as the union of parliaments didn't happen so he and England have no legal authority.
Above all that, if the Unionists get a majority at the next election then the first thing they would have to do is to revoke the referendum act, and by that time the UN may be telling Scotland how to proceed anyway.
If the legislation is there, then who are we in the indy movement going to back at the next Holyrood election? The ball is in your court, James.
Alexander Potts
Kilmarnock
FROM an enthusiastic supporter in Ireland, I offer this advice: work towards a majority of independence supporting seats at Holyrood, a majority of independence supporting local councils and a majority of Scottish Westminster seats. Then, having achieved that, go for UDI! Ye have nothing to lose and everything to gain!
Pádraig De Búrca
via
