Neale Hanvey and Kenny MacasKill have certainly caused Scots people to sit up and take notice. This one act of defiance against our English Imperial occupiers has sent shock waves through the political establishment. Scots exerting their rights inside the Westminster Parliament rock the very foundations of the English Establishment.
England is a feudal, class conscious society, so consequentially it has also spread to other parts of the union/English fiefdom. Those Scots that have bought into this tend to be the same people that are hardcore unionists and that are the most hate filled against their own nation of birth. It triggers cognitive dissonance in them. Scottish patriots cause them to question their own belief system.
At the time of the union, it is fair to suggest that almost all the Scottish proletariat were rioting against the Union being forced upon them. Over the decades and centuries more and more of our population succumbed to the English way of obedience, deference and submission to their ‘betters.’ We have allowed our language, our customs, our rebellious attitude to be squeezed out of us. The actions this week at Westminster awoke a lot of inner feelings within many of our nation. By the same token it triggered alarm bells in others.The English Establishment being the most affected. Stand by for a lot of anti Scottish bile in the coming days!
It raises ongoing questions as to how we should view and participate at Westminster in future. We can, of course, continue with the status quo, accepting being told no by the English dominated parliament and establishment. We already know by experience, no matter the question the answer is always the same, NO!
We can keep pretending to ourselves that eventually London will do the right thing by our nation. In my opinion that is foolhardy in the extreme. Westminster and the English Establishment boke at the very idea of any kind of reform. In their mindset everything about England is perfection and cannot be improved in any way. It is also why they get so angry when Scots, Irish or Welsh people do not show due deference to their superiority and infallibility. Step forward Speaker Hoyle!
Many battered, abused wives live daily with that same belief system regarding their cruel, brutal spouses, ‘he will change, deep down he really does love me, it is my fault, I make him angry.’ No matter what anyone tells them, no matter how many broken bones and bruises on their battered bodies, they cling to the hope that one day it will be Little House on the Prairie, instead of the Hammer House of Horrors! In political terms that is your average Unionist, the abused spouse that has had their will broken! for, ‘No he is a good man’ substitute with, ‘ We are Better Together!’
Another alternative is to take heed of the actions of the two Alba MPs this week and adopt a completely different attitude on how we interact with the English Parliament. If we behave as normal and participate as obedient, compliant elected regionalists that is exactly how we will be viewed and treated. Westminster will continue to say no and hold our nation back while stealing all of our resources to improve the lives of the English nation to the detriment of Scot’s lives.
Every day when our MPs sit in that chamber, we should disrupt, agitate, use their own Victorian customs and rules to ensure their Parliament cannot function. We give Anglo bigots a daily life of procedural hell! We filibuster in committee, on the floor of the house, in the tv studio. We demand divisions for absolutely everything and anything. We interrupt, we object,we make real and frivolous points of order. In effect we make such a nuisance of ourselves that they cannot wait to say Yes and get rid of us.
Believe me the English nation are so nostalgic that this ‘attack’ on THEIR Parliament their way of doing things will trigger inner feelings and demons in the English. The ordinary English public will become so incensed at these Scotch hooligans they will demand Scotchland is thrown out of England. Remember just as our people have been fed lies, so have the English. They have been told their taxes keep Scotland afloat. That Scotland is part of northern England.That Scotland contributes nothing, that it rains in Scotland every day, we can’t speak properly, we are aggressive, ungrateful, uncouth and we hate them too!
Then there is a third option. We can take a leaf out of the Senn Fein book and refuse to participate at all in the English Parliamentary circus. As things stand today the six occupied counties of Ireland are certainly going to have a border poll/referendum long before Scotland ever does. They also won’t be told it is illegal or that a generation is any longer than seven years! Therefore, it is perfectly correct to suggest abstention is more effective than participation at Westminster.
At the next and any subsequent UK General Elections we put up our candidates on a manifesto with one line only. The Plebiscite election option. Should we get a majority of Independence MPs eg. 30 or more irrespective of 50% of the votes cast, we declare that as our Declaration of Independence and begin secession negotiations immediately.
Should we fail to achieve 30 Independence MPs we send down X agitators or X abstainers. Either way we improve the cause of independence. We cannot continue with the status quo. We need to learn from the past. We have tried sending down ‘socialist’ Labour MPs. The English establishment sucked them in and eventually made them in their own image. Labour MPs can call themselves Socialist, however, they are neoliberal conservative and as socialist as Jacob Rees-Mogg!
We have tried sending down independence MPs. The English Establishment welcomed them in and have made them into their own image. That fact dawned on me when the SNP had one clown running for Speaker while the party was creating roles for Shadow Secretaries of State for Ireland and Wales. The rubicon had been crossed. They sit on Westminster committees and use all the English feudal deference terms, the Right Honourable Member opposite, Hear! Hear! , don’t clap very un-English! Bowing and scraping to the English customs and monarchial power. Oaths of loyalty and fielty! Begone with that nonsense. They can call themselves independence supporters, however, they have settled in now to the anglo parliamentary ways and by their participation they are as effective for independence as Ian Murray MP!
There are your choices :- 1. Status quo and no change and certainly no independence. 2. Disobedience and disruption. 3. Abstenionism .
You choose, it has to be one of them!
The ejection of, and manner of the ejection of Messrs Hanvey and MacAskill from the Commons this week has sent a very powerful message.
No one who watched the video of the ejection could fail to notice the reactions of the Speaker and the English MPs. Hate and loathing raged out every pore against these two individuals who stood up to say it was not for England to say no to Scots right to have a referendum, or for that matter a plebiscite and a claim of right.
And thereby it was clear that Scots rights to decide was a dagger into the heart of the English establishment who hitherto have maintained the line that it is for them to decide and not the people of Scotland. And the exposure of this English fiction that English MPs have rights over Scotland and it’s people is what caused the absolute outpouring of hatred against these two Scots.
With his face contorted in hate and fury the Speaker was barely able control himself as the English MPs bayed and brayed like mad rabid dogs. This was an animal house for all the world to see. And the cause of that hatred, the absolute recognition that Scots have the right to decide their future.
This as an incident in chamber was a seminal moment.
At a stroke it revealed publicly the utter hatred England has for the Scots people. They hate us but love our resources and that was on view for all the world to see.
But secondly the rage, anger and hate also showed publicly the thing that they truly fear which is the Scottish people’s right to choose. That these two MPs stood up say this the reactions of utter rage reinforced absolutely that they know it.
And thirdly, the Commons reaction this week has ignited political sentiment in Scotland. Ordinary Scots now know that their right to choose is their right to choose. Not England’s right to say you have no right to choose, we tell you what you can and cannot do.
The starting gun has now been fired and we now know it is our right, and our right alone to decide. And England knows it too.
Well said.
England has no parliament. While it is true they usurped the state parliament it is not legally theirs. It is a binary parliament housing the governments of Scotland and England as equals. As England does not have a parliament, theirs having been abolished in 1707, and there is no article nor clause transferring English parliamentary sovereignty onto the parliament of GB they have no authority over the parliament of GB.
Legally, NI and Wales come under England in terms of the treaty which is why they do not have to sit there. Scotland however does unless it either suspends or terminates the treaty. Scotland’s representatives should point blank refuse to adhere to English parliamentary conventions. They are not laws. They should also fully assert Scotland’s sovereign authority at all times. No playing nice. The English establishment had a meltdown at just 2 representatives of the sovereign nation state of Scotland asserting Scotland’s sovereign authority. Imagine what would happen with 3, 4 or more! The English government has been issued a Letter of Notice, Alba and others are promoting the CoR and reconvening the estates. Add these to the Scottish civil rights movement and all other initiatives including the disruption of the state Parliament through assertion of Scots sovereignty and behaving as England’s equal. Scots MPs should take their seats directly opposite the English government not at the back of the chamber.
No that’s a strategy.
I would suggest forwarding to the FM but I’m sure it would just be dismissed as ‘gesture politics’.
Disobedience & Disruption for me all day long, as Gayle says it’s our parliament we need to be there so let’s make our presence felt the Alba way, this is the way to go, bring that house of horrors to it’s knees, actions speak louder than words Neale & Kenny proved that on Wednesday it get’s people talking gets them motivated gets them onside
From my own perspective, I’d prefer my MP to follow the Senn Féin model of parliamentary participation – Abstention. It doesn’t matter how you cut it, they only votes they are ever going to win are those that are either of little consequence or are beneficial to England. They will be more effective working for their constituents and Independence without the distraction of sitting in the chamber to be denigrated at every opportunity.
Why not a ‘twin track’ strategy? Some do not return after summer recess, others disrupt. Salaries are still paid for those not present (yes, Sinn Fein MPs did receive pay though not taking their seats as far as I know, and they could actually have helped corbyn form a govt in 2019 but they would not betray their principle of not acknowledging Westminster). From now on DRoss & co must be referred to a ‘Viceroy’ after Penny Mor-dumb’s reference to NI, Wales and Scotland as territories
I hear that only Angus Brendan MacNeill opposed the expulsion of the 2 Alba Members of the Westminster Assembly.
Does anyone know if Joanna Cherry and Philippa Whitford were present?
They were and remained silent.
Are they all under Sturgeon’s whip? That’s incredible – but at least the islander said “No”.
Thanks, Roddy for another superb piece.
Abbie from @ScotNational asked Nicola Sturgeon if she will consider a boycott of WM after Alba walkout. ‘No – people have elected SNP MPs to do a job at WM & they do it well.’
Nicola wants the status quo for sure!
I’ve said this since before the 2014 Referendum, but sooner or later, Independence comes down to sovereignty.
Had Holyrood seized the initiative, (or more properly, finished what the SNP under Salmond had started), and taken command of Holyrood as a Red Sovereignty Institution, then Holyrood could have been the mechanism to end the Union. That power was there for the taking.
However following year after year of Sturgeon’s constitutional illiteracy, idiotic concessions and craven capitulation over Brexit, Holyrood and the First Minister herself, are far too submissive and obsequious to now ever make the case for the Claim of Right and Scotland’s Constitutional Sovereignty. What Scot in their right mind would trust them?
Holyrood, through it’s actions and complicity, has put itself on the same plane of existence as the UK Supreme Court; constitutionally unsound, and rudely exposed as a UK colonial bridgehead established inside the perimeter of the Sovereign Realm of Scotland.
As always, I still believe the issue of Scottish Independence will come down to sovereignty, and the battle between Westminster and Scotland to command that sovereignty. Through their actions, Kenny MacAskill and Neale Hanvey with the fullest backing of ALBA, have started that Constitutional battle for control; the “end-game” for Scottish Independence.
And what is Scotland’s First Minister doing as the first blows landed? Turning her the artillery upon Scotland’s own, while demanding accolades for some banal, Mickey Mouse “Independence Paper” that’s far too dumb and dull, and constitutionally inept to even see it’s own shortcomings.
Nicola’s Bible is the Unionist Rule Book. It has no chapters on SALVO, The Claim of Right, Scotland’s popular sovereignty, or the Community of the Realm. These concepts are heresies to Nicola Sturgeon, the UK’s Colonial Administrator in Scotland.
That’s why you’re reading GERS every year.
That’s why the BBC isn’t run out of Scotland.
That’s why Nationalists can be framed, stitched up, smeared or sent to jail.
That’s why the UK Civil Service writes Sturgeon’s material.
That’s why Scotland is banging UK war drums in Ukraine.
That’s why Holyrood is NeoLiberal.
That’s why Holyrood capitulated to Brexit.
That’s why Holyrood allows Westminster to re-write Legislation retrospectively.
That’s why Sturgeon is protected by the UK Media.
That’s why Sturgeon can dismiss scrutiny and lie through her teeth with impunity.
That’s why Scotland’s resources are for sale to the highest bidder.
That’s why Stuart Ballantyne can’t get an answer to his Ferry questions.
That’s why the SNP is steamrollering GRA and Self-ID through scrutiny.
That’s why you won’t see Nicola Sturgeon at a YES march.
That’s why the SNP will turn it’s back on the YES Movement.
That’s why the SNP will gerrymander it’s NEC and party constitution.
That’s why Joanna Cherry’s Constitutional watersheds were ignored.
That’s why Martin Keating’s couldn’t have his questions answered.
That’s why your still reading the Growth Commission and keeping the £.
That’s why your still waiting for progress in land reform.
That’s why we don’t have a Supermajority in Holyrood.
That’s why ALBA’s fiercest critic is the SNP.
That’s why eight years have passed with NOBODY working on Scottish Independence.
Do you see it yet SNP people? Do you still not smell anything?
I say it again, Nicola Sturgeon’s Bible is the Unionist Rule Book.
@Breeks
“That’s why Scotland’s resources are for sale to the highest bidder.” In the case of our seabed acreage, I think you mean the “lowest bidder”. That said, the remainder of your comprehensive list is absolutely bang-on! Unfortunately.
We send out agitators. Not abstentionists. Yet. We need to make their government impossible. Thing is. We can say this all we wont but the current SNP would, what with their regionalist and thimus unionist world view, see that as giving up the notion of power they think they have. They wont swing that way. Colonialsed as they are.
An excellent piece of writing that doesn’t shy away from our differing national characters resultant from our collective self perception. As you phrase it, “ the English way of obedience, deference and submission to their ‘betters.’”.
Thank you for your kind words.
I suppose it was unfair of me to find Hoyle’s performance highly amusing since, unlike their previous Speaker, he’s not one of the brightest. But it was his hatred, born of fear, which made me collapse with laughter. Watch the video minus sound to appreciate the poor man’s incredibly unstable state of mind. The obvious explanation? They FEAR life in England WITHOUT Scottish assets. Forget whisky and renewables – to exist at all, they need our WATER!! Who can live without water? – not even the Brits!
I did the same Jan ie…..watched Hoyle’s quasi-epileptic * performance * with the sound off , and had the same reaction as you – hilarity . At one point I though he was going to eat those papers he was furiously waving about or had mistook it for his glasses and was about about to wear them . The whole shebang was paradigmatic of the HoC/WM ……costume theatre with pretensions of tradition soaked gravitas enacted by bit-players a court jesters ; about as serious and worthy of being taken seriously as XMas panto .
Excellent piece BB
Disruption then destruction of the union. Ripping up the Westminster rulebook in the most public of ways possible so that even the anti-Scottish media cannot hide the fact that the so-called united kingdom is rotten to the core and deserves to be ripped apart.
There is another option as I have been mentioning on the twitter – if indeed we are “granted” a referendum, and thats changing the question from merely a yes and no.
We have seen that a democratically given mandate, in Holyrood, can be denied in Westminster – proving many say that it is no parliament, in any sense of the word, just like the act of union itself being “voluntary”.
Thats why I suggest we have that referendum with a new question, yes for Independence means dissolving the treaty, or no means dissolving Holyrood as a colonial administration.
Its my belief that will add these mythical soft noes, to hard yessers.
And dare I say it convert even a few unionists, on the removal of mitigation of their win/win unionism. I suspect also, all those unionist politicians in Holyrood itself, staring at P45s would see them if not campaign for a YES, then at the very least lay down tools.
Interesting point I hadn’t thought of. I think devolution as a blame proxy which very much suits the tories.
I’m not surprised at the anger of the London establishment, however the anger of certain SNP politicians is very enlightening. Of course, they have been upstaged, embarrassed by people who actually want independence. Imagine if it happens again. Will anyone stand with them? Or who will remain seated?….
https://youtu.be/E-LJerr2EXc
The message is clear there’s is no Democracy in Westminster for Scots. We cannot have a referendum because English Unionists parties dem us to be a chattel , a subservient people helled hostage , colonised and exploited for the colonial masters fiscal gain. We must not give their circus any legitimacy or creedence with our participation in their farce ,withdraw our MPs and fight a plebiscite Election. We must assert our sovereignty our claim of right and dissolve this corupt rotten Union.
Can I tune in tomorrow for my Sunday “prism fix” Roddy? Surely the suitcase can’t be packed yet after our two heroes got kicked out of Parliament?
I am sorry to tell you however Techie is on holiday.😭😭
Where to start – firstly with continued congratulations to Neale and Kenny for making a stand for Scotland, which is what the SNP should have been doing for the past eight years. Disgraceful that the SNP MPs didn’t (a) walk out with them and (b) chose not to vote against them being suspended, but we’re watching you all drink the Unionist Kool Aid, never forget that.
Secondly Nicola doesn’t want to rock the good ship Union – for whatever reason, and you good patriots probably know better than me, she just does not want to upset any of her glorious leaders. “Asking WM for a referendum” “Asking the Supreme Court” “Don’t disrupt WM” “Don’t talk about independence” “Wheesht for Indy” “Be nice on social media” “Be kind” etc etc etc
She is under some sort of delusion that major constitutional change can occur without people getting upset – but we need to stop asking for what is ours BY RIGHT. Fine Nicola, you asked Johnson, he said no. Well we tried to be nice, now we are taking what is rightfully ours – stand aside. Oh sorry, FM….. stand aside PLEASE.
Whether she is not up to the job and never has been, or was the next big thing but was compromised early doors, or grew up as the only Yoon in Dreghorn, or let the dizzy power go to her heid or…… who knows but I know this hen. Your eight year probation period is up for review and the Yes movement are no’ minded tae renew yer mandate. However there are 1700 vacancies on Skye which desperately need filling so why no’ chuck yer soup pot in Feorlan’s horse box & jog on up tae the Misty Isle, dae somethin’ useful.
There is no democracy for us in this place so why give it credence with our participation. Withdraw our MPs and Dissolve the Union.
I am all for antagonise and disruption every single day and sitting , BUT the snp craven cowards as we have witnessed have sided with the establishment unionists in an attempt to SHAME and SILENCE the ALBA mp’s
SNP COLLABORATORS KNOW that we see you and your despicable siding with our oppressors rather than supporting REAL INDEPENDENCE representatives , such a parcel of rogues and cowards in a nation
I haven’t been here long enough to formulate a response to today’s lengthy letter in the Herald defending the Union but it might be useful if one of you guys on here did that rather than talking to each other? Just saying. Thank you
One of the reasons we are not yet independent is people sitting on their lazy fat arses waiting on everyone else doing the heavy lifting. Why dont you react to it?
Because my expertise is somewhat narrow (see my contribution to Wee Alba Blue Book( and I do not feel confident enough to tackle that guy’s whole argument yet. By the way my ass is rather flat and masculine; not fat. And I understand the motivation of people who are still hurt bu SNP betrayal etc, something si.ilsr happened to me in British CND which has airbrushed me out of history. But the cause; whether nuclear free or
an independent Scotland preferably both is bigger than all of us, and I just think the vitriol and energy should be more usefully channelled into engaging with people outside of our comfort zones. Unfortunately the letters I have written to scotsman and herald have not been published.