I've been critical about how the SNP handled the general election campaign and was pleased to read Alex Porter's excellent assessments, here and here.
He too supports Scottish independence and is unafraid, unlike many, to be clear as to where the problems lie.
The SNP has had chances in the past year to push ahead with an independence agenda but failed. The result? The vacuous, policy-devoid labour party won the general election by some miles.
Only recently I suggested if the SNP prefer the politics of devolution then they could at least be honest with the electorate. We deserve to know.
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If the SNP won independence for Scotland they would then have to decide on what kind of politicians they really wanted to be.
I suspect the allure of devolution giving them a hand on the levers of power suits them better than full independence. Look at how much posturing Salmond did after the UK election - trying to hold the balance of power with 6 MPs
The SNP's campaign with the 'we are resisting the Westminster cuts' and the PPB of some twat walking up a mountain, 'high fiving' some of his mates and finally getting to the top to shout "Scotland" was cringing and crass to say the least. Why are the SNP afraid of the independence message. It is as if they are trying to creep into putting it to the Scottish people. And another thing, will Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon stop nodding their heads when they are making a point in a speech as if they are head butting someone. It looks bloody stupid.
Shug, the SNP is not and has never proposed full independence; if they had, or did, I'd be out there knocking on doors for them.
What they're proposing is continued subjugation to Europe, but without the Westminster layer.
Given that 70% of our laws now come from the EU (figure given by the EU, themselves, and qualified by saying "nearer 100% with Lisbon), what on earth is the point?
Independence? I'm all for it; Salmond is not.
I've read Alex's blog and agree with most of the points he raised but not necessarily the tactics he advocates.
Sure the SNP could have done better and part of that would equate to finally laying on the table the facts and arguments for and even against Scotland's position as an independent nation in a world facing crises.
Better the Devil you know is the cower of the pessimist grounded in the mindset of submissive fear.
It's an attitude that has been nurtured well by Labour in Scotland and has had the occasional sprinkling of Lib/Dem desperation as a top-up. So rather than biting the hand that's trying to save you, why not do something constructive to help.
I call it the Six Pact. In the last election only one in six eligible voters voted for the SNP. So all we need is for everyone who did vote for the SNP to try and swing six of the disenfranchised or disillusioned to the cause?
It's do-able and considering Westminster can repeal the devolution arrangement at any time, it would strengthen the hold of democracy in Scotland far more than any political infighting ever will.
To be fair Shug, I don't think Salmond's actions after the election were posturing. I think he firmly believed he had the answer to the SNP being included in Westminster.
It was a badly thought out and badly enacted decision.
I think they need to employ a PR person who isn't stuck in a timewarp DL.
My thoughts exactly Weekend Yachtsman.
It seems that the SNP suddenly go in a shell when the word independence is mentioned RA. Rather than be the aggressors they've become the defenders.
That's why the unionists can run all over them. They need to be proud of what they stand for.
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