I AM a supporter of Scotland remaining within the United Kingdom, until the day we vote for independence.
But I write to implore the Scottish Conservatives to resist any temptation to sever ties with the UK Conservative Party. Our nation’s representation and influence within the UK Government are vital for ensuring that Scotland’s interests are recognised and addressed at the highest levels of political decision-making.
Just as I beg Scottish Labour to stay part of UK Labour.
The notion of a split Scottish Conservative Party fills me with incredulity. For as long as Scotland remains a part of the United Kingdom, it is essential that we elect MPs from Labour, LibDems, and the Conservatives who can secure roles in the UK government, potentially even as Prime Minister or Foreign Secretary. The idea of Scottish MPs in these pivotal positions ensures that Scotland’s voice is heard and considered in critical budgetary, policy, and political decisions.
We must not allow Scotland to fall into the same predicament as Northern Ireland, where the absence of Northern Ireland MPs in significant government roles has led to a situation where the Northern Ireland Secretary is never an MP from Northern Ireland. This scenario is both humiliating and counterproductive, as it deprives the region of direct representation and influence in governmental affairs.
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Having Scottish MPs in the UK Government is not just a matter of pride but a strategic necessity. It increases the likelihood that decisions made at Westminster will favour Scotland, reflecting our unique needs and perspectives. The prospect of splitting from the UK Conservatives threatens to undermine this vital representation.
A separate Scottish Conservative Party would, in essence, mean that Scotland has no voice at all in a UK Conservative-led government. It is a self-defeating move. What purpose would a distinct Scottish Conservative Party serve if its primary function remains supporting the UK Conservatives? Every vote cast for a Scottish Conservative candidate would still contribute to the overall success of the UK Conservatives, so why create a divide that weakens our position?
If, on the other hand, the idea is to create a Scottish Conservative Party that does not support the UK Conservatives, then it simply fragments the right-wing vote, akin to the myriad of smaller parties such as Reform.
This fragmentation serves only to dilute our influence and leaves Scotland politically marginalised.
I urge both Scottish Labour and Scottish Conservatives to stay integrated within their respective United Kingdom parties. Our ability to influence UK government policies and decisions relies on our representation within these larger political frameworks. Splintering off into separate entities will only diminish Scotland’s voice and power within the UK.
Let us remain united and focused on ensuring that Scotland continues to have a strong, influential presence in the United Kingdom government. For as long as we are part of the United Kingdom, we must elect MPs who can champion our interests at the heart of British politics. Only by staying within the UK parties can we guarantee that Scotland’s voice is not only heard but heeded.
We did not benefit from Scotland being represented almost totally by SNP MPs in Westminster. It simply meant our voice was not heard in the UK parties.
Joey Vimsante
Scotland
RICHARD Walker (The National, July 12) always provides an informative and welcome common-sense perspective on events.
Two particular lines stood out to me last week: “The pursuit of independence requires a vibrant, imaginative movement of which the SNP should be a significant and engaged part” and “important for the SNP is the positive steps they can take in running the country and in laying the groundwork for a refreshed independence movement”.
These comments bring into focus the two major challenges for the SNP of “pursuing independence and running the country”, which Richard assesses “cannot be properly handled by the same figurehead and the same team”.
In addition to various groups such as Believe in Scotland, Common Weal and Salvo and fellow independence parties the SNP should work more closely with, there is now a pool of capable ex-MPs who could be given active roles in bringing all these groups and parties together. All the while, they could positively inform the public of the many benefits already available to the people of Scotland (but not available elsewhere in the UK) through the actions of the Scottish Government.
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Although in the General Election only one in five people voted for Labour, the Labour Party in Scotland were successful in picking up seats, with the overwhelming assistance of the BBC and the rest of the UK mainstream media, by conflating Holyrood and Westminster governance while avoiding comparisons with the performance of the Labour government in Wales.
According to Wes Streeting with regard to the NHS, “all roads lead to Westminster” and the fact is that in devolved areas such as the NHS and education, within the confines of Westminster Government funding, the SNP Scottish Government has performed considerably better than the Labour Welsh Government.
That said, if we do now have a “Rebuttal Unit”, there seemed to be no evidence of its contributions during the General Election and so it does not inspire confidence that there is yet the creativity and drive necessary to combat the incessant anti-SNP pro-Union anti-Scottish Government propaganda of the UK media. This must change.
The other fundamental change necessary is the apparent belief among some that there is a “magic-bullet strategy” for achieving independence. This seems particularly prevalent among those of a Labour disposition who have come to support the SNP but are frustrated that progress towards self-determination has not happened faster.
While we all wish the contrary, if there was a straightforward legal route to independence other than another referendum, we should be assured that sharp legal minds, such as Andrew Tickell, would have found that route.
The stark fact is that we all have to seek to positively engage with others if we wish to convince a sustained majority that independence is the only solution to reversing Scotland’s chronic under-investment in our economy and our people and to building a confident and egalitarian nation.
Stan Grodynski
Longniddry
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