There are now two Tory parties in Scotland. There is the Vichy clique at Holyrood, relishing the patronage of devolution, untrammelled by responsibilities to constituents since they are List MSPs, anxious to court the good opinion of their opponents and indifferent to the views of Conservative voters. The second Tory Party outnumbers them 100 to one. It is composed of area chairmen, constituency activists and voters. It has no influence and is disregarded
Gerald Warner has fair let rip in yesterday’s Scotland on Sunday and rightly so.
His argument that the Scottish Conservative hierarchy are doing Salmond’s work for him, especially regarding the subject of full fiscal autonomy ("fighting independence by demanding more independence") certainly holds water in my opinion:
Osborne needs, very quickly, to close his mind – and his mouth – on the topic of full fiscal autonomy. The Scottish Tories are doing Alex Salmond's work for him; and now the UK party is endorsing this collaboration. The Vichy Tories at Holyrood were quick to follow up this advantage, spinning to the media that "It is encouraging that George is allowing the Calman Commission the breathing space to come up with the unthinkable, such as giving Scotland more revenue-raising powers".
Yes, that’s from the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party ("– as it still calls itself, in flagrant defiance of the Trade Descriptions Act"). The strange (or actually not that strange, it happens all the time when a political party forgets its raison d’etre) is that their compromise and surrender has actually lost, not gained, them votes, nearly a hundred and sixty thousand in just over 10 years- so, even from a purely selfish party-political point of view, it’s been a disasterous policy. I think I’ve probably said it before, but without the full-square 100% protection of the Union as their base policy, then what exactly is the point of the Scottish Conservative party?
14 comments:
The Tories are slow but surely rehabilitating themselves with the Scottish electorate, an electorate that unanimously seeks more powers. Should the Tories wish to comit political suicide then they will heed this idiotic advice.
I always find reading Warner a fascinating experience. Extremely high on intellect etc.
However he is - shall we say - a bit nuts. Praising Franco is just the beginning of it. One Scottish Tory blogger once wrote that some of Warner's biggest enemies were within his own party as they find his "The map with the pink bits on it" sort of rhetoric scaring off the voters and giving the impression that the Scottish Tories have learned nothing.
Neither of you has addressed what I consider his most important point, the drop in support for the Conservatives in Scotland.
They were the only main party to campaign against the devolved parliament; 614,000 agreed with them. They fought the 1997 General election on a strictly "no devolution" platform; they garnered 493,069. Since then the party’s hierarcy have become more and more pro-devolution, result? At last, May’s election they “gained” 334,743 votes. So why exactly have their voters deserted them since 1998? Can’t blame Maggie still surely?
If they continuing "rehabilitating" themselves at this rate, they'll be out of business within a decade.
Tony,
"an electorate that unanimously seeks more powers"
A slight exaggeration, perhaps?
Only a slight wan lol!
O'Neill
No-one would be happier than me if they put clear blue water between themselves and the Scottish electorate. A bit like the way reactionary Rangers fans have between themselves and Scotland.
Bring it on I say ;¬)
A bit like the way reactionary Rangers fans have between themselves and Scotland.
Can't rememeber the last time I saw two hundred beered-up Scottish tories running amok in Manchester, so a rather strange comparison.
Back to the main point, there is a proportion of the Scottish electorate disenfranchised because of the actions of the Tory hierarchy- those in the grassroots need to make sure Goldie and Co hear their voices and then the fightback can begin.
The Scottish Tory Party should just split into the pro and anti devolution camps if they are going to squabble about it big time.
The antis can be led by Bill "Biggles" Walker who is the party vice-chairman who probably is the most prominent anti-devolution voice in the party.
Oh, the further turmoil of the party of Montrose and Claverhouse.
>>Can't rememeber the last time I saw two hundred beered-up Scottish tories running amok in Manchester, so a rather strange comparison.<<
Nah it's just that you aren't on the ball. Remember the recent booing of the English/British anthems/songs sung by Norn Iron fans at Hampden by Scotland fans? Well as a result what was an undelying process is now coming to fruition in the open air. Rangers fans(and players) are coming out against their nation. I guess that hating Taigs and "Rule Brittania" is far more important than any love they may have for their country.
If only the Tories would come out so openly now. Least we will have clear lines of battle, and post independence we can re-create the auld ten pound Pom initiative. All those who wish to emigrate to England rather than live in a free Scotland will have their fare paid for.
Don't let the door hit yir erse oan the wiy oot!
Oh god please bring Bill Walker out of the cupboard, I can't think of a better advert for independence. I remember him on 1997 election night in Bells sport centre in Perth. He was prattling away, noting all the famous Scots tories who had so far been booted, regaling to anyone who would listen that he would probably now be Scots Secretary! He was then ushered in by one of his aides to look at the ballot box sampling and the colour drained from his face... The rest, and unionists of his like, is history.
"Biggles" is certainly a colourful character. He took over as chief Scots Tory eccentric after the late (and many ways great) Nicky Fairbairn achieved his aim of drinking himself to death.
Buried with full military honours by the Gordon Highlanders in a coffin draped in the Saltire (he is deposited in a vault at his castle), he is a missed character on the Scottish political scene.
It was suggested once that if he had lived he would have been in the Scottish Parliament (which he vermently opposed creating - indeed he wanted the Scottish Secretary post scrapped saying Scotland was just a jumped up Cornwall - I think he had just recieved a large delivery of Smirnoff that day) he would have taken part in the first opening ceremony in head to toe in tartan and wearing a giant Saltire cape.
Tony,
Something Salmond said in September:
I believe that everyone in this country is a real Scot.
And for once I believe he's right. You may not like their politics, football club, but they've been born in exactly the same country as you and (according to Mr salmond) have the same right to call themselves Scottish. And all that talk of ten quid emigration bribes for unworthy Scots- isn't it all a bit 70-ish, the SNP Public Relations Department would have kittens if they ever read that!!!
Tut tut pal. I did not say that they were "unworthy Scots" whatever that means. I have many Rangers supporting friends, aquaintances and even relations. In the words of one of these aquaintances they are nuthin but "Traiterous arseholes". The plethora of England flags and football tops at Ibrox these last 10 years or so sticks in the craw of many Rangers fans.
Now if someone is not loyal to their country, indeed wishes to remain loyal to another. Wouldn't it be courteous to help them fulfill their desires? I reckon it would and 10 pounds is such a small price to pay to get rid of so much bitterness, bile and hatred that affects Scottish society. Of which it must be said these guys are the root and branch cause.
As for Salmonds words, I'm sure they were aimed at our newer migranrs who are flocking to Nationalisms banner. Or even those like myself, partly descended from Irish immigrants who are currently subject to vile racist abuse by Rangers fans, exorting us to go home because "The famine is over".
You have been strangely quiet on this issue O'neill.
As for Salmonds words, I'm sure they were aimed at our newer migranrs who are flocking to Nationalisms banner.
He didn't differentiate, he just said Scots. Re the 10 pound bonus, get the independence first and as long as their is no compulsion involved, then you could certainly put it to the vote;)
Re the famine song and Rangers, there's certain things I don't bother with on here because I don't think they takes the debate forward, the Old Firm is one. I've mentioned it in passing on a comment thread before; I don't support Rangers, but if I were to give them advice it would be that they need to take a long, hard look at where they are going- same with the NI support a decade ago- their true enemy lies within, not in the media or anywhere else.
I am glad to say that this scheme probably won't cost us too much, although there is a chance that some might want to move over with you guys. Could we go halfers?
I get where you are coming from re-Rangers.
Rangers and everything about them was based on anti-Catholic bigotry for perhaps a hundred years. That seems to have changed at the top over the past twenty years, but they have been lacking in trying to implement change downwards. As a result we still have confusion at Ibrox on match days. Flute music and songs exorting their followers if we go to Dublin, to follow on. Playing music that allowed add-ons like F*** the Pope and the Vatican, or F*** the Pope and the IRA. Football players singning autographs with the add on FTP, meaning F*** the Pope. Having Orange and Northern Ireland days. Believe me I could produce reams and reams of this stuff.
The upshot is that Rangers are having to change because UEFA have forced them to. So whilst I agree with you on the enemy within, this enemy has not been challenged with any vigour.
Post a Comment