I am watching events at Westminster with the same keen interests as most of you reading this blog.
Like you I have no idea what is going to happen next or what will be the final outcome of Brexit.
I do know that my nation has been ignored, disrespected, discounted and generally very badly treated.
The hackles on the back of my neck are now almost rigid caused by the amount of times Scotland has been insulted at Westminster.
The choreographed departures from the chamber and constant heckling of SNP MPs are both ignorant and symptomatic of the corruption and lack of respect at the heart of ‘British Democracy.’
The London Government has decided that the referendum mandate of Scottish voters is to be ignored.
Westminster Unionists have decided to abuse and ignore the legally elected SNP MPs at Westminster.
The biggest disgrace is the collaboration in all this by the 13 Tory MPs elected to represent Scottish constituencies.
Not only have they joined in this Anglo-British fascistic behaviour towards SNP MPs they have completely abandoned their electors.
They have represented the votes and wishes of the English and Welsh voters while totally disregarding the Scottish voters and their will.
They have attempted to justify this by suggesting that the Referendum was a UK wide vote, thereby giving them a green light to betray their Scottish constituencies wishes.
They forget this same justification when it comes to respecting the decisions of the Scottish electorate in a UK wide General Election.
They disrespect Scotland by ignoring and trying to shut out the SNP MPs at Westminster.
Meanwhile, the 7 Labour MPs from Scottish Constituencies sit silently, allowing their nation to be ignored, trashed and insulted.
Not one of them has found the principals or courage to call out the disgusting behaviour from the Tory benches.
Every insult aimed at the SNP MPs is also directed at the people of Scotland.
The SLABBERS sit like cowards, too afraid to speak up for democracy and decency.
Their inaction is because they hope that it somehow damages the SNP and makes their positions safer at the Westminster trough.
The insults to their nation or their own voters just does not cross their selfish cowardly minds.
We Scots are fortunate to have some of the most intelligent, gifted, resilient and brave MPs in the chamber.
Daily they take the abuse and open hatred directed towards their benches and our nation.
Every single time they fight back and speak up on behalf of all Scots not just the ones that voted them into office.
They represent all of our communities and all of our people to the best of their abilities.
The Unionist MPs sent from Scotland only ever represent themselves,their narrow world view and their London Parties.
What we do know that as Brexit stumbles along, the end game approaches.
It is likely that by hook or crook England and Wales will get their Brexit.
I happen to think it is only right and democratic that their votes and desire for Brexit are honoured.
Unlike Unionist MPs I also of course, believe the Scottish votes and desires should be honoured.
The English, Welsh and Northern Irish majority at Westminster are unwilling to respect the Scottish voters and results.
The one and only election they ever recognise is the 2014 referendum result.
All votes in Scotland after this have to be ignored, as if they did not happen.
Had The Tories agreed to keep Scotland in the SM & CU I think it unlikely we would now be on the verge of seeking to secede from the Union.
Ironically they would also not be having any problems with their DUP mates.
I believe we would not have had a single material change to name had they accepted the SNP proposal back in 2016.
We are, of course, where we are, the big question is, what happens next?
Yesterday on Twitter I posted one scenario and sought opinions.
As expected this proved very contentious with many Independence supporters.
What was evident it was not actually doing a deal that was the problem, it was being able to trust the Tories to honour any such agreement.
Considering in particular the way this present government behaves that is a very understandable and fair position to take.
The other side of the argument says, if not this way, then how?
Not so many people offered suggestions, many just made unsubstantiated statements like,’ The Scottish people are sovereign!’
They are indeed, however as far as the Anglo-Brit majority are concerned the Westminster Parliament is sovereign and the constitution is a reserved matter.
Some people suggested simple UDI.
That is one that needs to be ignored completely, it is a no goer and will never be deployed by our government in Scotland.
The reason being because we do believe the Scottish people are sovereign and their will must be a part of however we eventually secede.
Others just roll out this, ‘dissolve the union’ mantra.
Nobody has ever explained what that actually entails beyond being a catchy social media hashtag, it is just words.
The most popular and till now most likely and sensible response to the dilemma of Scotland in the union is, legal redress.
I personally believe that our right to hold a referendum and have it recognised will come from the courts, not Westminster.
I have listened to Nicola and other SNP luminaries talk about the ‘Gold Standard’ Referendum and the Section 30 order.
I agree in an ideal world with a decent democratic partner in the Union of UK this should be an automatic.
Unfortunately, for Scottish independence aspirations the UK is not a democracy in the true sense or a union of equals.
The reality, denied by many House-Jocks is this, Scotland is viewed as an English possession, a colony of Westminster.
They are happy to accept a few token Uncle Jock MPs that can always be outvoted.
They enjoyed when those MPs were members of the London based political parties.
Scottish MPs were tolerated as long as they did not ever dare question Mother England’s right to dictate to the Scottish people.
The 24 House-Jock MPs down there just now are accepted because they are obedient, compliant and docile.
They pose no threat to the English hegemony over Scotland.
The SNP MPs are a different kettle of fish and a danger to England’s ability to rape the wealth and resources of Scotland.
The Anglo-Brit ruling elite received a huge fright in 2014.
They will (IMHO) never again agree willingly to any kind of Scottish Independence Referendum.
That leaves only a few options, acceptance of status quo and never again asking the people of Scotland their opinion.
Abandoning democracy and resorting to other means of struggle be that civil disobedience or by force of arms.
Neither of those options are likely to be acceptable to the Scottish people.
That leaves the legal route as the most likely and most sensible likelihood.
I envisage that when the necessary steps on the Referendum Bill are carried out at Holyrood a request to HM Gov for a Section 30 will follow.
This will be arrogantly rejected out of hand or indeed just ignored.
Shortly after this the Scottish Government will take an action to the Court of Session.
No matter the outcome of this it will no doubt be appealed to the Supreme Court in London.
Subject to that outcome it could very well be heard in the European Courts.
I am not a lawyer nor do I have any special knowledge to make a definite statement on the outcome.
I do however believe our case is just and democratic and cannot see how any court could or would deny us the right as an ancient nation to seek self-determination.
The United Nations state this quite clearly.
Self-determination
All peoples have the right to self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development. UNPO’s Members are indigenous peoples, minorities, unrecognised States and occupied territories that have joined together to promote their right to self-determination, while also defending their political, social and cultural rights and preserving their environments.
https://unpo.org/article/4957
The European Court also recognises and supports Self-determination of nations.
.https://www.dcu.ie/sites/default/files/law_and_government/levrat.pdf
We have seen how tiny Ireland with the backing of the EU has brought the lawless UK to heel.
We have watched as the bluster and bullying of Westminster has been humbled by Brussels pragmatism and respect for law and democracy
Right is on our side and I truly believe so is the law of the land, Europe and the World.
Westminster may think they are above the law, they are not!
Buckle up folks it is going to be a bumpy ride before we finally achieve our goal.
Totally agree, Roddy. The legal route is the only way to go until such times as all legal remedies have been exhausted. UDI and Dissolution are understandably attractive in the face of all the frustration and anger over Westminster’s arrogance, but without solid majority support they’re doomed to failure from the start.
I have to reiterate my faith in the Scottish Government, who have access to the finest legal brains and experience.Hopefully, at 68, my 50 years of voting for and promoting Independence will be rewarded while I can still enjoy! Keep up the stalwart work, with you all the way…Saor Alba!
How many of us will be left by then though?
That’s what troubles me. We are up against forces so self interested, arrogant and evil that they can never be considered reasonable or rational actors.
It’s been seven years, I’m tired.
7 years? Personally I have been doing this for 51 years and I still have enough in the tank to keep going. We are closer now than ever, one or two more pushes and the games a bogey!
Well, I can’t argue with that perspective!
I hope you’re right on this.
So do I !
Excellent post BB!
Thank you
Totally agree with you assessment. The section 30request will be dismissed out of hand but we must keep up the current momentum. We must have a cast iron plan B and that will be through the courts.
Thank you BB. Looking at the replies, I’ve been at this game for much longer than most. I to have grown weary at times. I’ve been disheartened by the lack of info from the SNP, but can understand their reluctance to give information to people who would use it for their own ends. The business in WM today has been interesting, and if it wasn’t for my utter dislike of Reese Mogg and his patronising attitude, mostly it was enlightening. Having lived outside Scotland for many years, in many of Britain’s colony,s and was aware many years ago what was happening to us. It’s taken a long time for Scots to be aware what’s been done.Living at a distance as you do, can lead to an objective view and is a benefit to all who follow you. Thank you for your excellent work.
Thank you for your kind words I appreciate them very much.
As above. Oops!
You might want to consider ICJ as a relevant court. Consider what they recently said about Catalonia:-
https://www.icj.org/spain-conviction-of-catalonian-leaders-violates-human-rights/
I expect the Catalan case to go all the way up the court chain.
And I think you are right: I think that would also apply to the denial of a Section 30 order.
Moreover, having watched how the EU goes about things I would suggest this might very well be how it plays out. The EU in general does not do it by violence, conflict or confrontation. They do it by rule of law.
This appears in your article: “many just made unsubstantiated statements like,’ The Scottish people are sovereign!’”
It appears you may have made a factual error by saying “unsubstantiated”.
Sovereignty of the Scottish people has already been accepted by the Westminster Parliament, where it was unopposed.
https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2018-07-04/debates/18070455000001/ClaimOfRightForScotland
“That this House endorses the principles of the Claim of Right for Scotland, agreed by the Scottish Constitutional Convention in 1989 and by the Scottish Parliament in 2012, and therefore acknowledges the sovereign right of the Scottish people to determine the form of government best suited to their needs.”
https://youtu.be/YXCU00rYZqA?t=10772
So if Bojo tries to block a S30 order, he will be acting against a decision of the Westminster Parliament and might be having a chat with the Supreme Court. Again.
The very next sentence reads,
‘They are indeed, however as far as the Anglo-Brit majority are concerned the Westminster Parliament is sovereign and the constitution is a reserved matter.’
So ,no I have not, imho made a ‘factual mistake’I went on to clarify