KEITH Brown has called for the party to consider the seemingly popular public demand to withdraw its MPs from Westminster that now appears so often in the media.
For many years, no matter how hard they have tried, the Unionists have failed to get the SNP out of either parliament.
Perhaps this is a last-ditch coordinated attempt by the Unionists to silence the SNP because of the increased international support the party has gained by its constant position on the Gaza crisis.
READ MORE: Keith Brown: It’s time to re-examine case for withdrawing from Westminster
The Speaker appeared to have colluded with Labour, assisted by the Tories, to thwart a vote on the SNP’s opposition-day motion by overturning long-established conventional parliamentary procedure designed to give minor parties the opportunity to have their business debated and voted on in Westminster.
Consequently a reappraisal is required to assess how SNP MPs will in future simultaneously pursue the interests of their constituents and challenge policies imposed by the Westminster duopoly.
Anybody advocating that the SNP should walk out of Westminster en masse permanently because SNP MPs and the people of Scotland are treated with contempt has obviously no concept of how much worse the situation would become if the SNP were not in Westminster.
John Jamieson
South Queensferry
DESPITE strong support for such action in the comment sections of thenational.scot, I don’t understand a strategy of withdrawing SNP MPs from Westminster, I really don’t.
Why would we voluntarily remove our limited voice from that place? In a fit of pique over Starmer’s new best friend Hoyle? In protest? And then what? A grand gesture, soon forgotten as the media moves on, and then ... silence! Sinn Fein, silence. Virtually never referred to apart from on election day.
READ MORE: Shona Robison: 'Debate to be had' about SNP MPs role at Westminster
Flynn, for one, has frequently commanded commentary for his PMQs effectiveness. His succinct, terse and sharp questions often break through the Unionist media wall. When else do the SNP get coverage in these outlets? “Baaad” or not.
Does it move the needle towards independence? Probably not, but until the SNP in general get their act together they serve as a repeated irritant and reminder that a significant proportion of the Scottish electorate want out; want something different.
Should the SNP not secure third-place status in the next General Election (with Tory defections to the LibDems their prospects must realistically be boosted), our voice will be all but silenced anyway. That prospect is, I believe, to be feared.
If we leave now we will only be represented by the spin of Murray, Jack and D Ross. Why would we willingly facilitate such a feeding frenzy for their comrades in the Unionist media?
I Easton
Glasgow
THINGS are being said now about withdrawing our MPs from Westminster. I would suggest that rather than do this our members treat the archaic talking shop with the contempt it has shown to them. Clap when approval is merited – the Speaker hates that, tell him I tae away an bile his heid. When a minister tells lies, call him what he is: a liar. The place is a menagerie, treat it as such. No apologies should be given. If they exclude our members, so what? As elected representatives they have to be let back in to continue the fun.
READ MORE: Meet Salvo - the Scottish 'liberation movement' hoping to revolutionise Yes
It is long past time the SNP stopped playing by the rules, showed smeddum, stuck their necks out, took risks. Light a fire under the people of Scotland. The loyal North British Provincials would be apoplectic. There are not that many of such jellyfish, and their fulminating would serve to amuse.
We mun heize aff oor dowps gin we want Lunnon oot o’ here.
R Mill Irving
Gifford, East Lothian
WITH the possibility of another penny off National Insurance “to help the poorest workers”, one has to ask what use that will be. The majority of poorest workers earn less than the threshold to begin even paying income tax, so that this will make only a tiny difference to that pittance, while the highest earners will benefit hugely.
Typical Tory ploy to make their rich friends and voters that bit richer and confuse the gullible into believing they care about poverty.
P Davidson
Falkirk
IT seems as if the Tories, Labour and even the media are all building up George Galloway’s return to the House of Commons. They seemed concerned that his experience and knowledge of the rules of this place will result in him causing more trouble for their tame MPs.
READ MORE: George Galloway sworn in as MP to deathly silence in Commons
I’ve one concern – if one solitary MP can cause so much upset then what the hell have the 40-plus SNP MPs been doing? They seem happy to abide by the parliamentary rules and not ruffle any feathers, and as a result are trampled on as they were in their last opposition-day debate. Maybe it’s not the number of MPs that’s important but the fight within each MP that counts?
Alex Beckett
Paisley
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