ARE we at present witnessing a sudden movement of serving and previous MP and MEP politicians who now see their political futures in the Holyrood Parliament? If so what are their underlying reasons? Is it to further their future careers and political ambitions, is it pursuit of power and leadership or perhaps their presence in Holyrood may in fact accelerate independence? Has Holyrood become more attractive than Westminster? As the door closes on SNP nominations for MSP seats in the constituencies for the 2021 election those wishing to be considered will need to make their intentions known, some have already done so with all the attendant publicity. Of course ultimately it’s in the hands of the SNP membership whether their nominations are successful or not. Already seven SNP vacancies have been identified through proposed retirements. Add to that retirements from other party MSPs and of course contesting seats at the election itself, then its clear that the membership of Holyrood 2021 will have considerable personnel changes. Many will be “new blood” changes but possibly for the first time many will be highly experienced, high-profile politicians with Westminster and Europe experience.

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Are these politicians “seeing the writing on the wall”. What exactly are they seeing? Let me speculate. The inclusion of a not insubstantial number of these politicians can only enhance our majority in Holyrood both in seats and percentage of votes. This will change the dynamic of the SNP at Holyrood and the level of debate in the chamber. The party will look, sound and act like a party ready for independence and strike panic among the much diminished opposition parties. Human nature being what it is possible resentment may materialize within the “indigenous” SNP MSPs.

Rightly or wrongly many voters and members have seen the Westminster cadre as “a cut above” their Holyrood colleagues. Such generalisation needs to be set aside. It is my view that in post-2021 Holyrood, the Scottish Parliament will be of a quality never seen before, where big hitters will challenge Westminster at every turn. It is clear that our Westminster MPs prior to Boris Johnsons General Election success in 2019, were the real opposition and though ignored, did make their presence felt. Since then I am afraid our 48 MPs presence has had little impact and with up to 10 years of Tory rule it seems pointless to fight independence from the corridors of Westminster.The real battleground has shifted to Holyrood. The assault on devolution and our parliamentary future has already started. Its from Holyrood that Scottish independence will be played out. The electorate will warm to this sea change in its MSP membership. Not to be overly controversial I believe the level of debate will be enhanced: greater respect for our MSPs in a UK context, Westminster more likely to take notice of its actions and perhaps leadership succession planning could be addressed. I have little doubt that releasing a number of our most able politicians from the preoccupation of a pointless Westminster, will undoubtedly move the focus for independence to a post-election Holyrood.

I do not suggest however that their inclusion is a free for all. Their number and where these nominees stand should be done with party agreement so their talents can be maximized. Other political parties may have to react to retirements but as they support the Union and are presently minor parties in Holyrood attracting , big hitters maybe less likely, perhaps Jo Swinson is the exception!

The likelihood of the arrival of serving MPs and previous MEPs and MPs in Holyrood in 2021 is of itself not a criticism of the quality of MSPs presently there. Its more the increasing pointlessness of having senior, highly-experienced, respected and publicly-recognised SNP politicians sitting in Westminster, achieving little, other than being seen as a disaffected lobby group of no importance. It’s time to bring them home to participate in what I believe will be the watershed Holyrood election and the 2021 drive to final independence for our country under the leadership of Nicola Sturgeon our indomitable First Minister.

Dan Wood

Kirriemuir

IN Saturday’s edition Mhairi Black, the doughty fecter from Paisley, reckons that “what we want is to exercise our democratic will and not be told when and where to do it” (Why Boris Johnson will be first and last ‘Minister for the Union’, March 7). It’s true that Mhairi isn’t known for her tendency of stating the bleeding obvious but maybe she and her Westminster colleagues need to take off the saltire-tinted specs and look around them. Even before the David Cameron era of English Votes for English Laws which was followed quickly by Teresa May and her mantra of “our precious Union”, (code for we need to be united because we need your resources) and the latest incarnation of BoJo Boris and his empty pretensions to be Minister for the Union what we’ve witnessed over the period is the clearly and increasingly focussed self interest of the BritNats.

READ MORE: Why Boris Johnson will be first and last ‘Minister for the Union’

Yes Mhairi we’re desperate to exercise our democratic will with any one of several mandates and it’s all very well parodying a PM straight out of central casting at Gilbert and Sullivan Productions, the real question is why are the SNP dragging their feet on the issue? I really do fear that too many of our representatives living in the Westminster bubble have difficulty seeing the end of their nose because they really need to acquaint themselves with the Act of Union Bill, the core purposes of which are “to provide a strong and effective union between the peoples of the constituent nations and parts.” With a first reading in the House of Lords 18 months ago the man behind the plan is Baron Bob Rogers of Blakemere in the county of Herefordshire and of Lisvane and an accomplished Westminster operator.

Having spent a lifetime developing his skills as clerk to all sorts of Westminster committees and elevated to the peerage by David Cameron, he’s obviously a very accomplished operator in the ways and means of Wastemonster. Just a thought but Henry the VIII Powers have faded from the headlines, however, with an excuse like the coronavirus there’s little doubt the original requirement for the Bill for the constituent parts of the UK to agree in a referendum can be very readily fixed. It’s all very well for Mhairi to pronounce on the impending death of the Union but that won’t happen by merely spectating, we need to contribute to it’s demise.

Iain Bruce

Nairn

I AM disappointed that Mhairi Black is encouraging the use of “Boris”. The growing use of “Boris” this and “Boris” that puts into the background “Conservative Party”, “Parliament”, “Government”, “Prime Minister”. Not only does it give a cosy aura to this man but also reinforces the quasi-dictatorship that he is forging.

Douglas Howkins

Broughty Ferry