Today's Herald publishes an article by Iain MacWhirter entitled 'Why SNP believes we are the people... wherever we're from'.
The subheading is - 'What's the difference between the SNP and the BNP?'
Apart from praising Iain's daring in tackling the subject of race and immigration, this extract from his last paragraph sums up my thoughts on the matter.
We must stop allowing the BNP to dictate the terms of the debate on national identity. Racism and ethnic chauvinism in all their forms are repellent and inexcusable. But this is not the same as love of country or celebration of community identity. The SNP is not racist, and never will be, because it does not have, at its root, any concept of national or ethnic superiority.
Source: Herald
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14 comments:
I've enjoyed reading Iain Macwhirter's blog over the last few months. Not only does he have an appealing writing style, but he seems to write by and large a good deal of common sense.
I'm not quite sure what his politics are. He seems to deal blows to all side, and occasionally praises them too.
He's always worth a read.
He's a pleasure to read Tris because he holds no bias and has the intelligence to view a subject from all angles and not just the left and right.
Newsmen like Mr. MacWhirter is what Scotland SORELY needs. I have been distressed to see the amount of bias in reporting in Scotland. Not that it doesn't go on everywhere. We in the US get our share of it (maybe more than our share) but there are also some unbiased news sources out there for us.
What I have noticed with concern is that in Scotland almost all news sources are seriously biased. It is only due to the innate good sense of the Scots that they see past it and often do not vote as the newspapers and BBC tell them to.
I have also seen how often the Scots underestimate themselves.
I don't think anyone in their right mind could compare the SNP and the BNP SR. At least the issue of immigration and identity is beginning to be discussed at last and MacWhirter strikes me as a man of integrity.
Indeed he is GV, he's been around the Scottish and UK politics scene for many years.
Jeanne. It's certainly true that the newpapers are biased, but you make a good point that people aren't too swayed by them.
In my home town of Dundee the local press, which has massive coverage through morning, evening and a national Sunday paper, is massively Conservative, however, the Dundonians have historically consistently voted Labour Councils, the exception being at present where, by a tiny majority there is an SNP council, and back in the mid 1970s when, lo and behold, there was a Tory Council. The rest of the time the local press has been shouting to an empty hall.
Hello Jeanne, yes we have a poor media in Scotland. The BBC are possibly the worst with regard to politics and that dreadful Glen Campbell - the least said the better.
It will take another generation before Scots stop underestimating themselves I think, but hey it may happen sooner. Let's be positive.
Tris, D C Thomson isn't quite as bad as it used to be.
I can remember when they refused to publish ANY press release from the SNP.
Yes Mr Campbell has become a new word in the lexion - the expression "Glencambly" has been developed by bloggers on the BBC politics website run by Brian Taylor. The expression identifies some-one who, despite proof, continues to churn out a line that they want to put over(usually anti SNP).
Meantime, could the reason for Iain's clear headed thinking be associated with his long walks in the fresh air of the Pentland Hills above Edinburgh?
I must add that I go there quite a lot - but it doen't seem to work for me! LOL -)
Oh yes, I know they are not as bad as they used to be SR. Word has it at one time that if a Tory councillor made a grammatical error it was to be corrected, and if a Labour man made a slip it had to be left as was....
Still, like I say it made no difference to the Dundee folk who went on buying the Courier, the Tele and the Sporting Post and voted Labour or SNP.
Aye you're right Tris. These Dundonians are a strange, thrawn lot.
Dram, I've noticed that on Brian's site. I only read it these days as I've lost my password and they can't find it. :(
Jings you're taking me back to another life speaking about walking in the Pentlands. I used to do that too when Edinburgh was a bonny city and you could drive a car in it too. Remember then?
Aye, we are SR, aren't we?
Tris, there are worse places let me assure you.
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