LAST Saturday, the London Branch of the SNP marched in support of the People’s Vote.
It was an overwhelmingly positive experience. Other marchers were generally favourably impressed that the SNP had bothered to be there and our piper was a big hit (especially his duet with the leader of a group of drummers!)
So it was incredibly disappointing and frustrating to return home and find that Nicola Sturgeon was being criticised for speaking at the event, having her photo taken with Alastair Campbell and being more interested in saving England from itself than in promoting Scottish independence.
Now, to be fair, I agree with some of the points being raised. It is frustrating that the SNP has not been more assertive in promoting the pro-independence message over the last few years, especially during the 2017 election where we had nothing to inspire our potential voters.
But, seen from London, the criticisms appear parochial and small minded. They’re not made from inside a Scottish bubble but instead from inside a pro-independence bubble. They completely miss the point that the politics of Scottish independence extend well beyond the independence movement.
And we saw exactly the same reaction to the Growth Commission. While George Kerevan and Common Weal’s Robin McAlpine had credible alternatives, most of the criticism seemed to miss the point that the report wasn’t aimed at SNP members or the independence movement. We’re already committed to an independent Scotland. The report was really aimed at No voters and, from that perspective, it was a success.
Historian Tom Devine thought that it could have tipped support for independence over the line in 2004, Oxford’s John Kay thought that it was more credible than the 2014 White Paper and that its “competence” could lead to a Yes win.
The Fraser of Allander Institute liked it and said that it was a challenge to other parties. In short, it took the wind out of a lot of Unionist sails.
The same applies to Nicola Sturgeon’s involvement in the People’s Vote march. This was not aimed at committed independence supporters but at soft No voters, England and Europe.
Sturgeon has said herself that, sometimes, you just have to do what is right. And is seems to me that what she is doing is exactly right. She is consolidating an image of steadiness, of leadership and of someone who can be trusted not only to act in Scotland’s interests but to be a good neighbour and potential ally too.
One must only compare and contrast her actions to the desperate and inflexible Theresa May or to Jeremy Corbyn.
Her words and actions on the People’s Vote have almost certainly persuaded some No voters that she can be trusted to run their country.
They will also have gained European and even English support, which may well be influential in any future independence campaign.
And please, get over Alastair Campbell – the speakers at the rally included David Lammy, Sandy Toksvig, Tom Watson, Sadiq Khan, Caroline Lucas, Vince Cable, Anna Soubry, Dominic Grieve and the Chair of the BMA. Not supporters of Scottish independence by any means, but all sincere opponents of Brexit. I don’t hear any criticism of them for attending and there shouldn’t be of Nicola Sturgeon.
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Callum Baird, Editor of The National
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