THE Scottish Conservatives have expressed outrage after a recently elected Labour MSP called for the abolition of the monarchy.
Mercedes Villalba, who has represented the North East Scotland region since the May election, made the comments last week in response to news that the Queen had lobbied the Scottish Government for an exemption to a new climate law.
A Guardian investigation revealed that following lobbying from the monarch’s lawyers, the Heat Networks Bill was changed so that companies and public authorities could not make a compulsory purchase of her land in order to build a renewable energy pipeline if required.
The newspaper revealed that the Queen has vetted at least 67 pieces of Scottish law since devolution was implemented.
READ MORE: MPs urged to change law allowing Queen to vet Scottish legislation
Despite the story provoking anger among the public, the Scottish Government says it will not publish details on the lobbying as it could potentially undermine the monarch’s “appearance of political neutrality”.
Villalba was one of the many Scots expressing concern that the head of the royal family was able to lobby for an exemption to a key piece of environmental legislation.
She wrote that the monarchy’s “appearance” of neutrality was indeed an appearance, adding: “It's time we recognised the political role of the monarchy which serves its own self-interest at the cost of ordinary people, and now planet. Why not simply abolish the monarchy and all their archane [sic] nonsense?”
The Scottish Conservatives accused the MSP of taking an “extreme” and “radical” position – despite there being fairly widespread support for abolition in Scotland.
A survey commissioned by Sky News earlier this year found that 39% of Scots would back keeping the monarchy after independence, while 39% supported the creation of a republic.
Donald Cameron (below), the Scottish Tories’ constitution spokesperson, fumed: “We already knew this Labour MSP was in favour of another referendum but now it’s emerged that she wants to break apart the traditions of the United Kingdom entirely.
“This statement shows how far Labour have moved away from the patriotic, pro-UK stance they once held.
“Calling for the abolition of the monarchy is a more extreme position than even Nicola Sturgeon is willing to take.
“Labour should distance themselves from these kind of radical ideas to break up the fabric of our country.”
Villalba has indeed suggested supporting a second Scottish independence referendum, tweeting earlier this year: "If we're truly not content with the status quo, hadn't we better call for a referendum to put our alternative to the people?"
She is not the only Labour MSP to do so – Monica Lennon, who ran against Anas Sarwar for the Scottish Labour leadership position, said this year that if there was a pro-independence majority at the 2021 election then indyref2 would need to be accepted by her party.
She warned that support for independence would only continue to grow if Labour are seen to side with Boris Johnson.
Scottish Labour have been contacted for comment.
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