I understood that champagne at the Conservative Conference was at a minimum this year as a result of the cuts to spending and last year’s shenanigans but surely Prime Minister Cameron had had one too many when he came out with this quote:
“I will be on that campaign if they ever have the courage to call that referendum on the future of the United Kingdom but it doesn’t look like they do right now does it.”
Perhaps this bravado stemmed from a frustration at his party’s poor, majority-denying performance north of the border at the May election but let’s just pick apart the things that are wrong with the above shall we.
1 – The SNP does not have the power to simply ‘call’ an independence referendum. With Scottish Conservative support at any point over the past 3.5 years there could have been a plebiscite but that support has, sadly, not been forthcoming.
2 – The use of the word ‘courage’ suggests that Prime Minister Cameron is actively spoiling for this contest, a consideration that First Minister Salmond will reflect on with lip-smacking relish. In an error that helped to bring down Wendy Alexander’s short tenure as leader of the Labour group in the Scottish Parliament, Cameron should be choosing his words more carefully on this constitutional issue. Loose lips sink ships after all. Or,alternatively, now that the Scottish Tories are in favour of a coalition are they soon going to come out as pro-referendum to pick up for tactical SNP support?
3 – This is, once again, a breach of the promise to treat the Scottish Government with respect. Looking past the man’s remarkable ignorance of how the parliamentary process works north of the border, a playground-style taunt is not how leaders should behave to one another.
Of all the posturing and positioning and strategising that can drag on on any political issue, sometimes it is a simple blurting out of a line that loosens the most intractable of positions.
Cameron has queried the SNP’s courage. The SNP, it is safe to say, will leave the Prime Minister in no doubt as to how much courage it possesses on this subject and where will that leave the UK Government, a body that has the power to hold an independence referendum?
Game on?
#1 by Malc on October 5, 2010 - 8:48 am
I’m more sceptical than you seem to be Jeff. I don’t think this is a hugely important development, certainly on points one and two.
On point three, however, you may have a case. I think this comment points to a distinct lack of respect for the (small I) independence of the Scottish Parliament as a devolved institution. However, it is a party conference comment, and I suspect we will see similar “fighting talk” from the First Minister when then SNP conference convenes in the coming week.
#2 by Jeff on October 5, 2010 - 12:38 pm
You may be right Malc, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the SNP were already working out how they could use Cameron’s comment to further the chances of independence and also compromise the Scottish Tories.
It wasn’t quite “Bring it on” from the Prime Minister, but I maintain that it wasn’t so far away….
#3 by glynbeddau on October 5, 2010 - 12:24 pm
Perhaps you can clear something up for me. I understood Salmon and the SNP cancelled putting forward a referendum bill. Because it couldn’t get a majority due to the three Unionist Party’s (including the Tories) opposition. This leads to the questions.
Doesn’t he know how the Scottish parliament works?
Does he know the views of the Scottish Conservative party?
Is he trying to dictate Tory policy in the Scottish Parliament.?
Since there is going to be a referendum for more powers in Wales. Does he support a Yes or no Campaign? (his Governor General sorry Welsh Secretary says she will be neutral. Though it appears most of her AM will back a yes vote.
Therefore will he (Cameron) be neutral in a vote on Scottish Independence.
#4 by Jeff on October 5, 2010 - 12:37 pm
To answer your questions:
Doesn’t he know how the Scottish parliament works?
Assuming “he” is David Cameron then it seems he lacks a fairly basic understanding as to how the SNP could “call” a referendum.
Does he know the views of the Scottish Conservative party?
Well, I’m assuming he’d be campaigning against a No vote in a referendum but I agree that he’s now needlessly compromised Goldie’s opposition to holding one.
Is he trying to dictate Tory policy in the Scottish Parliament.?
I wouldn’t go that far. Cameron was probably speaking unguardedly at a Fringe event. It is telling what his thoughts are on the matter but I don’t think the Scottish Tories will be reconsidering their position in the near term.
Will he (Cameron) be neutral in a vote on Scottish Independence?
Given that Cameron said he has the Union Jack through his body like a stick of rock (or words to that effect), I think it’s safe to say he won’t be neutral in any referendum that may happen when he is PM.
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#5 by glynbeddau on October 5, 2010 - 3:01 pm
Sorry of course by “he” Imeant cameron
#6 by Jeff on October 5, 2010 - 4:03 pm
John McTernan has a good article in the Daily Telegraph largely on the above, though he moves on to focus on the legality of an independence referendum.