Sunday, May 6, 2018

Does the Sunday Herald really think the SNP should campaign to let another country decide our constitutional future again?

Naming no names, but it's been bitterly disappointing to see a small number of people on the pro-indy side making negative comments about yesterday's historic march.  Here's what I don't understand: I can see the logic (albeit I don't necessarily agree with it) of avoiding marches during election campaign periods when there's canvassing work to be done.  I can see the logic (albeit I don't necessarily agree with it) of saying there were dangers attached to the protest outside the BBC just before the 2014 referendum.  But what exactly was the problem with yesterday?  There is no election on the immediate horizon, and the march was simply making the positive case for independence.  It created visibility, excitement (lots of passers-by stopped to take photos) and a sense of momentum.  I can't see any downside, unless you're seriously worrying about the annoyance factor of a few minutes of traffic delays on a Saturday afternoon, which is getting into the realms of the ridiculous in a country that is well-used to coping with the minor disruption caused by Orange walks.

I'd have to conclude that the negativity in some quarters boils down to a cringe factor - a feeling that the pro-independence movement, uniquely among the political movements of the world, can only succeed by apologising for its existence and getting back into its box in case anyone finds the sight of it too irritating.  Good luck in trying to win people over to a massive constitutional change in that manner.

Meanwhile, the Sunday Herald seems to think the only significance of the march is that a couple of dozen Union Jack-waving counter-protestors turned up to shout at the tens of thousands of pro-indy marchers.  You'd be tempted to conclude that anyone could sabotage a march or rally of absolutely any size by just rounding up a handful of mates - although in practice I doubt if you'd get the same publicity for your stunt if the march or rally was about any other subject.  This appears to be an indy-specific phenomenon.

Despite being a pro-independence paper, the Sunday Herald are also now taking an official editorial position that Nicola Sturgeon should change policy and campaign for a second UK-wide referendum on EU membership.  As Dr Philippa Whitford pointed out, it would be a bit odd for the SNP to do that unless there was the slightest prospect of Labour and the Liberal Democrats agreeing to a referendum in which a 'double mandate' is required - meaning departure from the EU couldn't happen unless Scotland itself voted Leave.  Without that safeguard (and it's clearly a non-starter as far as the unionist parties are concerned), the SNP would be backing a referendum that would deny this country its right to self-determination, and thus breach the party's raison d'etre.  It's completely unthinkable.  And in any case, even with the SNP's support, a second EU vote still wouldn't happen anyway because of the realities of parliamentary arithmetic at Westminster.  The SNP would effectively be sending a message to the public that "we don't really need an independence referendum, because there's another way of staying in the EU", when we all know perfectly well that isn't true, and that an independence referendum is the only available way to preserve EU membership (or indeed even single market membership).  Why on earth would we try to sabotage our own lifeboat?

I would also note that it's rather disingenuous for the Sunday Herald editorial to claim that they're not asking Ms Sturgeon to make a choice between a second indyref and a second EU referendum, given that the thrust of Paul Hutcheon's front page piece is that the latter has to be "prioritised" over the former.  This, let's face it, is a newspaper that now seems to want the push for independence to be put firmly on the backburner to make way for an utterly doomed UK-wide campaign to cancel Brexit.  I hope (and this time am reasonably confident) that the SNP leadership will give short shrift to that idea.

37 comments:

  1. I would assume that the new angle of reporting being espoused in the Sunday Herald has something to do with the appointment of the new News Editor. It certainly put me off purchasing the paper in future.

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  2. I've cancelled my online subscription. Just too aggravating to bother with.

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  3. Last time I bought it was today. It is not worth supporting something when you have lost confidence in its output.

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  4. Despite being a pro-independence paper, the Sunday Herald are also now taking an official editorial position that Nicola Sturgeon should change policy and campaign for a second UK-wide referendum on EU membership.

    Not anymore it is pro indie.

    the Herald group can go an above their dying rag into a cardboard coffin and put a blowtorch to it.

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    1. That was me above.

      Wanted my password and I cannae find it right noo

      Bugger (le Panda)

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    2. Indeed le Panda, Bugger the Herald view! And I agree 100% with James.

      Also, why would the English Brexiters listen to the SNP? If the SNP joined the LibDems, and the Labour rump, I suspect that would have a negative effect on the chances of getting a second referendum.

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  5. Haggerty is showing her true colours. She is a unionist Labour Party supporter. She piggybacked on Indy for personal a publicity purposes. I don't doubt she wants to remain in the EU, but that is in conflict with Corbyn et al. When it comes down to it, the only thing Haggerty is interested in is Haggerty, end of.

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  6. The way the Sunday Herald is progressing reminds me dismally of the battles I had in the old "Left" of the Labour/Socialist parties in the 1970s. Rather fight petty battles to "win" their "argument" rather than stay united and take on the real enemy.

    It seems the Herald has been taken over by Independent-but-on-my-terms-only small minded individuals, but out as the wider movement just wants Independence and not some pre-determined state.

    With "friends" like these, ........

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  7. No disagreements from me on either point in this blog post. I think some people have got a big knee-jerky about marches. Bizarre behaviour from the SH. maybe they're trying to broaden their appeal? Risky.

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  8. It's a simple fact that it's not up to the Sunday Herald or a small number of pro-ins commentariat to decide what the Yes/Indy folk will do, and they won't be paying any attention to either.
    What that will do is give the Unionist media a bit of something to try to spin.

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  9. I reckon most Orange people are working class and Labour voters. They carry out their traditions whatever that is, however to watch over thirty thousand flag wavers is onerous and MI5 needs to keep a watch on such fanatics. In my view people who trash the will of the people are just old fashioned dangerous fascists.

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    1. Forgot to say nat sis with PleaseBuggerMeFather flags makes us sick.

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    2. Impersonator by the look of that pale looking mob they have had anus arrangement with the Father.

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    3. State of this and its need for immediate professional help.

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  10. The Nat sis do want to be run from Brussels otherwise they would not wish to remain in the corrupt EU.

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    1. They do and we all no it. Nat sis desparate to stay in EU so they get run by Belgies with specs like Diedrie Barlow.

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    2. Poor nat si loser impersonator. Your knickerless is reduced to ratlin the spoons with Hector and the Band doon the local in Irvine.

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    3. Anyone wishing to contact GWC2 is advised to e-mail him on CretinsDirect.com Fast service is guaranteed.

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    4. Anyone wishing to contact Anonymous should bring their spoons to the local in Irvine .

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    5. State of this.

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  11. I think it's a completely bonkers decision for the Sunday Herald to alienate their core readership, but hey. The impression is that sales aren't as important as approval from the right people, even if the right people are in a pretty small bubble, or so it seems to me.

    It's a real shame, but they're doing it to themselves.

    I'm not even going to waste time on the idea of a majority of voters in England madly rushing to get behind the SNP. Where do you even start with that?

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    1. Giving the English and all UK voters a vote in any future Jock referendum could achieve what you say and you may win.

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    2. State of this and its impotent rage.

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    3. Are you called Valerie Nickerless?

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    4. Unfortunately, you're wrong. Every study on the subject finds that people in England are much keener on Scotland staying in the Union than people in Scotland themselves are.

      https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/scottish-independence/scottish-independence-english-people-overwhelmingly-want-scotland-to-stay-in-the-uk-9679439.html

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    5. Of course trolly is wrong. It's a constant on a par with death and taxes...

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    6. "Jock referendum".

      State of this wee forelock-tugger.

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    7. Indeed. The cringe is strong in trolly.

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  12. Dear, your obsession is showing.

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  13. Won't be buying it again especially after watching Paul Hutcheon on Sunday Politics. Really very disappointing. We must however remember that we got to 45% of the vote without the aid of any national newspaper. Their loss, I suggest.
    JED.

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  14. Just saw the coverage in the Canary and it was more accurate and enthusiastic about the march than the Sunday Herald. Worth having a look at.

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    1. Canary? Aye, You're chirpy the day. Whit in the name o the wee man is the canary?

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  15. If it looks like a Yoon and acts like a Yoon it's a Yoon the Sunday Herald is now firmly back in Yoon mode if it ever left it of course!

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  16. Glad I don't buy the Sunday Herald any more. It seems it's determined to delay Scotland's independence. Its "now's not the time" stance is deliberately depressing.

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  17. Cancelled my order immediately.

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