A NEW Unionist party has been set up in Scotland with the primary aim of abolishing the nation’s devolved Parliament.
The organisation was launched this month by a former Better Together campaigner who has become frustrated by what he perceives to be the Tories’ “weak opposition” to the SNP.
John Mortimer – who also established the failed British Unionist party ahead of the 2016 Holyrood election – insists it is entirely legitimate to campaign against devolution despite almost three quarters of Scots backing it in the 1997 referendum.
The new leader of the Abolish the Scottish Parliament party told the Daily Record: "I'm very critical of the devolution process as I believe it has endangered the Union and weakened the bonds that tie the United Kingdom together. Holyrood has become the SNP's chief platform to push for a referendum.
"Not a single voter under the age of 40 was eligible to vote in the 1997 referendum. The idea that it's undemocratic to express an opinion on devolution is nonsense.
"We're going through a democratic channel, standing in a parliamentary election, and putting our views to the electorate.
"It's entirely appropriate for devolution to be judged, 20 years on, on its track record."
The party is the latest splinter Unionist organisation to be created. George Galloway has launched his Alliance for Unity party, which he says has one single aim: “to get the SNP out”.
In June, a new media body was created vowing to be “a new anti-nationalist media for Scotland”. The Majority says on its website that it wants to expose Scottish nationalism “as it is … ugly, misinformed and bigoted”. Yesterday, a post from its social media account announced it would be burning copies of The National.
READ MORE: Unionist group plans to 'burn The National' in bizarre tweet
Mortimer says the establishment of new Unionist bodies is the result of frustration with traditional Unionist parties.
He explained: "The Scottish Conservatives have been weak opposition to the SNP on a number of levels. We are in particular opposed to their support for devolution.
"The Tories have legislated extensively for more devolution while in government in London. The biggest single transfer of powers was the 2016 Scotland Act, carried out by the Conservatives.
"We cater specifically to Unionists who are anti-devolution. That counts for a sizable proportion of the Unionist vote. We're offering something different."
The SNP dismissed the Abolish the Scottish Parliament party’s chances at next year’s election.
A party source told the Record: "It's beyond absurd that the conclusion these hardened Unionists have drawn from successive polls showing a majority support for independence is to scrap Holyrood all together.
"But that's the kind of division and anti-democractic rhetoric that Boris Johnson's Tory party is trying to stoke up.
"I hope the candidates for this new party are saving their pennies, as they won't be winning any of their deposits back next May."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel