Scottish politics / Scottish independence

No surprise here insofar that it took a simple question 6 weeks to answer.

If the SNP think scurrying to the British States 'Supreme' Court is going to give the green light to Scottish Independence, they haven't got much in their political locker.

However, the National question won't go away....

news.stv.tv/politics/supreme-court-rules-against-second-scottish-independence-referendum

A clear logical argument although tactically the SNP seem to be running out of options....however, the need for a long strategy is essential.

They only have to look to Ireland but they won't.

Considering New Labour want to copper fasten the 'idiocy'of Brexit, the next election should be seen as a referendum on both.

However, the British State and it's two extreme right wing parties,  New Labour and the Tories know how to provaricate.

Again, look to Ireland.

Bernard Ponsonby.


news.stv.tv/politics/bernard-ponsonby-after-indyref2-ruling-are-the-scottish-parliaments-powers-fit-for-purpose

This could end as a spectacular own goal for the SNP. It also displays the absolute futility of not arguing for a radical socialist agenda.

As in Ireland, it doesn't take a genius to understand that when it comes to democratic deficits the default position of the British State is 'veto'.

It seems that the SNP forgoes the lessons of Ireland from a position of moral snobbery.

Ignore Ireland at your peril SNP.

If you read Bernard Ponsonby's article, he states using the next British General Election as a de facto referendum on Independence is a 'risky' strategy as in order to win it they would need at least 50% of the vote to make it a majority.

It seems to me that they've reached an impasse. The time to do this would have been in 2015 after they gave Labour a total drubbing. This then would have gathered steam post Brexit.

Taking the British government to court was a predictable tactic with a predictable result. There's no way the British government would allow a second vote given that the Independence and Unionist arguments are so polarised and allowing a referendum is a 'reserved matter'.

Also basing a campaign purely on Independence leaves them open to attack from other parties including New Labour who will be focusing on the'cost of living crisis'.

The Irish analogy is an important one. When Sinn Fein won the Northern Elections earlier this year  their manifesto was based on positive change and opposition to the 'Cost of Living crisis-no mention of a United Ireland or the bigger Republican objective.

It worked perfectly for them. The DUP were made to look redundant as the only 'argument' they had was the re-impostion of the Unionist veto dressed up in the guise of the 'Northern Ireland Protocol'. 

This infuriated liberal unionists who jumped ship to the Alliance Party. A constituency which Sinn Fein has it sights on.

SF are well versed in the political school of hard knocks and play the long game.

In 25 years they've went from a minor political party within the nationalist community to the major force in Irish politics on the verge of taking power in the South and latterly the North.

As for a War of Independence in Scotland?

I had a wee chuckle at that one. It only exists in the history books.

In conservative media circles this is being bandied about. 

Sturgeon is a capable leader. It's the politics. I don't like Swinney and Blackford, they lack a certain dynamic.

Mhari Black would be my choice. Working class, socialist and a brilliant orator.

However, they lack the political experience of SF politicians like Conor Murphy, Mary Lou MacDonald,Gerry Kelly, Pearse Doherty and Michelle O'Neill.

All very formidable people.

No surprise - I'd vote the same way if I still lived there

Stephen Flynn in the british parliament this afternoon.