TWO headlines on the same page in yesterday’s National, “First Minister says election now imperative” and “Former Prime Minister Johnson tipped to make a comeback bid”, show just how critical it is that the UK holds a General Election now. The fact that the possibility of a comeback by the recently departed prime minister even exists shows how near the Tories are to putting on the straw that will break the democratic camel’s back.
As the UK does not have a formal written constitution, currently a sub-committee of the Tory party’s 1922 Committee sets the rules on how the prime minister is elected each time there is a vacancy, presumably based on the basis ofwhat is in the best interests of retaining control by the Conservative Party.
The people chose David Cameron, Theresa May and Boris Johnson and in all three cases, the will of the people was overturned by the 1922 Committee forcing all three to resign mid-term. In each case, they were replaced with someone chosen by the party not the people.
The final insult was reducing the electorate to spectators in a phoney prime ministerial election while the Tory party fought it out among themselves before imposing and rapidly deposing Liz Truss.
How much further are the Tories prepared to go to remain in power? They brought in and repealed the Fixed-term Parliaments Act. They are placing more and more onerous restrictions on voting at General Elections and on holding demonstrations and strikes.
Ministers are about to rewrite 50 years of UK law, mainly by means of statutory instruments with few debates in Parliament, to remove all traces of the period spent in the EU and facilitate government interference in court proceedings in the UK. This is in addition to legislation that has already been passed overriding the authority of the devolved parliaments with respect to internal trading and levelling up.
Last but far from least, the universally respected independent Electoral Commission is to be brought under ministerial control.
The people of England have to stand by while the supremacy of Parliament in England is being refashioned into the supremacy of the Tory party in the UK. The people of Scotland can and must exert their sovereignty now before it is usurped forever.
John Jamieson
South Queensferry
READ MORE: Wee Ginger Dug: The sickness of the British political system is terminal
As the UK descends into a pit of poverty and political farce, Scotland’s First Minister is calling for a General Election. If this were to happen are we to assume this will be an independence plebiscite in Scotland? Will every SNP, Green or Alba vote count as a Yes vote in a referendum by any other name? If so, I worry and wonder if a potential three-week campaign will be long enough to lead to a majority for Yes.
If a soon-to-be-held General Election is not to act as a plebiscite are we to rely on the Supreme Court case, the outcome of which is far from certain? Even if the Supreme Court does decide a referendum can be held next year, the UK Government, Labour or Tory, will clearly then legislate to prevent it. Presumably, that would imply the plebiscite could not happen until perhaps 2027.
Can Scotland afford to wait that long? Who will make this “once in a lifetime” decision? Surely not the First Minister without reference to the SNP membership.
Glenda Burns
Glasgow
We have been controlled by a Tory government since 2010. The quality of life has not improved during that time – it has deteriorated. I did not think things could get any worse than with Boris Johnson, a habitual liar, as prime minister, but then we got someone in post who seemed to be a total incompetent.
For me, the only remedy is a General Election, but it seems such an event is unlikely at present because it would result in many of the current crop of Tory MPs losing their seats. Perhaps the experience of unemployment would acquaint them with the difficulties now facing many of their constituents.
Of course, independence would be the best solution for Scotland, but I doubt they will allow that to happen. We only have to ask ourselves why they don’t want us to leave – we keep them afloat. Too wee? Absolutely not.
Monica Wells
Deskford, Moray
As the Chancellor seeks savings, an idea suddenly occurred to me. His task could be made easier by letting Scotland leave the United Kingdom.
After all, the amount of financial support and largesse, Unionist politicians constantly say is gifted to Scotland via the Barnett formula etc could be cut at the stroke of a pen. Or maybe the UK Treasury still need Scotland’s non-existent gas and oil to support the failing English economy. It depends on whose truth or spin one believes.
Surely after this latest illustration of how the UK is run, there can’t be anyone left in Scotland who still wants to be part of this incompetent and inept failing system. Personally, I want Scotland to be independent and free of the continuing shower of numpties that we have thrust upon us after every UK election.
I Archibald
Edinburgh
Thank you to Kevin McKenna for his exceptionally well-written article on the current Tory cult of contempt. At the age of 64, I have seen my fair share of political cultures over the years but none that seemed so desperate to recreate Dickensian Britain as the current crop of Tories.
Their rapacious desire for money, only money, makes them, entirely unfit to lead a 21st-century democracy. When I discuss it with my friends, we are collectively aghast at what is going on. I pray for an independent Scotland to finally be rid of this detestable political party.
Nicoll Fletcher
via email
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