Dumbing-down
the world’s literary
masterpieces
The Cafe 2
A problem of etiquette
Why should Alex Salmond
be caressed with a feather
duster by Paxo?
The Cafe 3
Fitzpatrick takes on Hill
We’re enjoying the
deep darkness, and the
light from the stars
Alistair R Brownlie
The brigands have taken over
The Cafe 2
I was struck by the following piece in Brian Fitzpatrick’s contribution to the Scottish Review (31 January):
‘There is no one claiming that there would be any obstacles raised were a majority of the MPs from Scots constituencies (whom we elect, mandate and might remove) to decide they wished to withdraw and rework the terms of the union.’
Really? Or ‘that’ll be the day’ as Buddy Holly and John Wayne opined in the middle of last century. It is pretty clear to everybody, including huge tranches of the faltering Labour Party, that if the SNP asked you if you wanted a cup of tea, ‘Scottish’ Labour would tie itself in knots to find some sinister conspiracy in the question.
What if they decided to withdraw and declare Scotland independent? I assume that would be as acceptable (of course it is in the eyes of the whole world except perhaps Scotland’s unionists – that’s what the Irish Westminster parliamentarians did in 1919).
In fact, as the sovereignty in Scotland resides with the people I would argue that the limitations on the duly elected Scottish Parliament are entirely voluntary and that it could assume whatever powers it sees fit on behalf of that sovereign people up to and including independence. (subsequent to electing a majority in support of it at a Scottish election at which this had been a manifesto committment put in front to the people.)
David Hill
SR Forum
A series of articles debating the issues around the referendum
Today: Ronnie Smith
Could we be moving in Scotland towards a one-party state?
Click here
Introducing to the
Scottish public, the
one and only Devo Max…
Bob Smith
The Cafe
Kenneth Roy’s comments (26 January) on the poor response by the party leaders to the independence question, including his views on Alex Salmond’s comments when introducing it, bring back statements which were made at the time of the formation of the parliament that it would take a generation before the parliament would truly emerge as a solid foundation of Scottish society, with the country’s best politicians acting in a manner which would underpin envy aspect of that society. If the referendum produces a vote in favour of independence, we can wait no longer for that emergence to happen.
While there are very few people who would argue seriously that the parliament is a failure so far as it goes at present and who would disagree with the proposition that it helps to create a sense of national identity for Scotland, if indeed, that is seen to be important, for so long as it remains tied to the party political system, the parliament is always going to be subject to the petty squabbling and point scoring which seems to be the modus operandi of today’s politicians at every level.
Given that a yes vote, by definition, leaves the SNP as a party without a principal policy to hold it together, there would be a real opportunity to break the party system once and for all, to create a legislative body where the people of the country who care passionately about what happens but who are deeply uncomfortable with following a party line all the time, are given the chance to create a fair society without vested interests and one in which party political dogma would have no place.
Those elected to power would have the opportunity to apply their experience gathered in various walks of life to make a real difference to society. The current breed of graduates in politics whose only work experience is in the party office would have no influence over aspects of the real world in which they have never worked and in which theory very often bears no resemblance to reality.
That opportunity was available when the parliament was first formed but was not taken as the whole process was hijacked by the self interest of the political parties. In the years since, during the time when minority government was in place, a pragmatism emerged which enabled progress to be made on many fronts. By reducing the influence of the party system, that pragmatism could be taken to a new level and Scotland could emerge as an international model of a fair society and a truly democratic country.
Ron Cole
