I HATE continually writing in a pessimistic manner, but again I want to issue a word of caution if not an actual warning. I’ve been mulling over the 11-point plan issued by the SNP as their “road map” to independence (This is the SNP’s road to referendum in full, January 23). It’s a good plan. But I see a couple of weaknesses, or at best a situation that is not covered.
The plan is based upon the outcome of the election for Holyrood in May. Let’s suppose there isn’t an election in May. Suppose Boris uses the majority that he has in the House of Commons to pass a bill over-ruling the Scotland Act and disbands Holyrood after it adjourns in preparation for the anticipated May election. However unlikely it seems, it is a possibility. The Scotland Act is not sacrosanct! The continued existence of Holyrood is not guaranteed in law.
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You’ve got to remember that this man is ruthless at getting his own way. He has already shown that he is prepared to disregard international laws and treaties. He has already shown complete disregard for Scotland in many of his actions. He has already laid the groundwork for a Westminster government operating in Scotland. Plans have already been made public of his intention to bypass Holyrood and fund Scottish councils and other areas with money that should be devolved to Holyrood and he has ignored objections in this respect from our elected Holyrood government.
There are other small “danger signs”. Why is it that the full-page adverts concerning the coronavirus that appear in your paper, and no doubt in all the Unionist papers that I don’t read, have “UK Government Scotland”, under the Scottish Coat of Arms, in the top left corner of the page; and have “NHS Scotland” in the top right corner? Is not this just another indication of his intent to take over all the devolved issues? After all, NHS Scotland is devolved, and always has been separate from the rest of NHS UK. But here he is obviously maintaining that he is speaking for NHS Scotland, which is actually out of his jurisdiction since it is reserved to Scotland and not to Westminster.
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But the Tories only want to hang on to Scotland for what they can get out of us. Look at what they have sold off already. All our public utilities – gas, water, electric etc – plus the Post Office, the telephones and the railways. It is notable that foreign countries are now reaping the profits from these instead of Scotland.
Consider also how much of Scotland’s oil now goes to foreign countries for them to refine and sell on for massive profits while Scotland gets a mere pittance from it. Norway will make an estimated £25 billion from the oil it is extracting in the Moray Firth. Scotland will receive £480 million. That’s only 1/50th of what Norway will get, – and it’s Scotland’s oil! Our NHS is about all the Tories have got left to sell, so it’s likely that will be next.
I truly believe that Holyrood MUST introduce legislation now to the effect that in the event of the UK selling off any more of Scotland’s assets, then an independent Scotland will over-rule any such sale and will re-nationalise those assets without compensation. They should make that clear to any of the American medical companies who may want to take it over. They must also make clear that the industrial courts, where the companies legislate on behalf of other companies and decide damages, will not be recognised. That way they will be warned in advance and should have no recourse to law regarding it. That might just frighten them off.
Of course, I may be wrong. Maybe Johnson a really decent person who cares about the rules and regulations the Scottish Government makes regarding Covid; and maybe he regards coming to Scotland “to save the Union” as essential travel. Then again, maybe not! I just hope the SNP’s plan is not too late.
Charlie Kerr
Glenrothes
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