I AM irritated by continuing reference in most of the media that the UK has “ruled out” granting Section 30. No UK political figure of any significant status has “ruled out” the granting of one, and constant repetition of this inaccuracy in the media does not change this.
“Now is not the time” is not a “no” and neither is Jeremy Corbyn’s evasive statement, “not in the early period of an Labour administration” (following John McDonnell’s concession that Labour would not block one). Boris Johnson’s latest suggestion that it was a “once in a generation” event and that “ I think we should stick to that” are inaccurate and meaningless. An evasion, in fact, like all the rest.
The UN’s Charter is unambiguous on the inalienable right of self-determination of all peoples. The UK is an original signatory on that document which is ius cogens. Clarification of that Charter in the 1960s reinforces the point “without interference”.
The Scottish Claim of Right of 1989 reinforces the sovereignty of the Scottish people and their right to choose how they are governed, and this passed through Westminster unopposed on July 4 last year. Even the Smith Commission made the point that the devolution settlement does not prevent Scotland moving to independence if that is established as the majority desire of the sovereign Scottish people.
A UK government trying to block an independence referendum for Scotland would be acting illegitimately, illegally, unconstitutionally and anti-democratically and, following recent events in law, with little chance of sustaining that position.
With the Electoral Commission presently considering the precise wording (and any other methods of undermining an inevitable referendum) and with the Institute for Government (IFG) now confirming that a referendum is a right that cannot be denied to Scotland, can we get on with preparing for our battle next year?
Dave McEwan Hill, Dalinlongart, Argyll.
CONGRATULATIONS to Marianne Taylor for her article “So Labour can save Scotland? Don’t make me laugh” (The Herald, October 21). In referring to the ignorance of London colleagues about Scottish life and politics, she brings to mind another fine journalist, Alan Little, who in a recent documentary about the fifth anniversary of the independence referendum made exactly the same point.
Many Scots have become frustrated with the UK media in general (with the exception of the Herald and the National) for the lack of accuracy in reporting the independence movement and the SNP. She makes the further point that Labour Party members appear to exhibit ignorance of the devolution settlement and the current state of Scottish politics, and that those who promote the Corbyn factor to save Scottish politics are pretty wide of the mark.
It is refreshing to hear a Scottish journalist talk about the principle of self-determination in the discussion about independence in contrast to the English media cliches about “separatism” and “narrow nationalism”. The most recent expressions of Scottish constitutional politics find Nicola Sturgeon, Ian Blackford and Joanna Cherry and other SNP MPs expressing concerns about Scotland’s position on Europe being ignored in Westminster debates. It is significant that there is little commentary in the media as a whole about the rude and arrogant treatment of the SNP MPs and the failure of the Johnson Government to take account of Scotland’s support for staying in Europe.
Cherry, and Jolyon Maugham QC of the Good Law Project, have made strenuous efforts through the Scottish courts to ensure that the Johnson Government obeys the law and that the UK does not face a disastrous no-deal Brexit that would damage its economy for decades.
This generosity of spirit is what in the end will take Scotland towards independence, and an independent Scotland will welcome those who offer their support.
Maggie Chetty, Glasgow
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