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Trying to figure out WTF is going on

A paltry offering

Peter A Bell

May 9

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John Swinney is now quite open about the fact that he is using independence as an electioneering device. Which would be OK, I suppose, if we had any reason to believe he also sees it as an urgent objective.

Of course, he is not alone in this. Other nominally pro-independence parties may make more effort to conceal the fact, but with an election on the horizon, they're all looking for ways to brighten their prospects and talking about independence is certainly one of those ways.

This is unfortunate. Very unfortunate! Independence is entirely a constitutional issue and not rightly a party-political issue. When independence is used as an electioneering device, this makes it a party-political issue. A question about the human rights of a people and the fate of a nation is thus reduced to a slogan-and-soundbite squabble over which party is 'best for independence'.

The reality is that none of them are any good for Scotland's cause. They are all bad. Reducing the constitutional issue to a party-political issue means that while a party might win, Scotland's cause can't.

John Swinney wants us to believe that restoring Scotland's independence is just a matter of voting for the SNP and only the SNP because only the SNP can restore Scotland's independence. There is a lot of truth in this. But if it is true that only the SNP can restore independence it is also true that we have no rational reason to believe the SNP will restore independence.

John Swinney wants us to give the SNP an overwhelming victory in the 2026 election. But what is he offering in return? What is he undertaking to do with yet another mandate? All he is offering is the possibility that we might get another referendum. He doesn't say when or anything about what kind of referendum he has in mind. And he is not undertaking to do anything. Which is as good as undertaking to do nothing. He does not specify what action he will take using the power of the mandate he demands of us. He's very clear about wanting us all to vote for the SNP. But after that it all gets a bit vague and tenuous.

This is obviously good enough for the party loyalists. It may even be good enough for others. But it sure as hell is not good enough for me. Why would I settle for so little when so much is at stake?

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