NEWLY-ELECTED MPs are heading to London to take their place on Westminster benches. The SNP is no different and its MPs are meeting to elect a new group leader, brought about by Angus Robertson’s defeat. But it’s not just time for a new chief, but time for a change in SNP Parliamentary tactics. This is an opportunity to consider what the SNP wants to achieve at Westminster and how best to pursue it. Angus Robertson has been rightly lauded for his parliamentary skills during his tenure in office. His probing of Theresa May at Prime Ministers Questions was incisive and caused her considerable difficulties, more indeed than Jeremy Corbyn.
His potential successors are themselves all able individuals. Whoever is successful will be capable inheritors of his legacy. But we must ask what the purpose of the SNP group at Westminster is. For sure there are some tasks that all elected representatives irrespective of political allegiance carry out. Being an assiduous constituency representative is expected of all, even if some do it better than others and a few can be lamentable failures.
However, Westminster is predicated on a two-party system. There’s the Government and the opposition. Not just the seating arrangements with benches facing each other but the entire system is based on that. Of course third parties are returned but they’re an add-on to the established structure. Oppositions can also be replaced just like governments, as Labour did with the Liberals early last century. Moreover, both recent and past elections have seen arrangements and even coalitions involving minority parties. David Cameron’s Tories formed an alliance with the Liberal Democrats, who are still paying the price for what many regarded as treachery on the part of Nick Clegg.Nick Clegg’s treachery in the eyes of many.
Now, Theresa May is seeking an arrangement with the DUP, from a province she was previously fast distancing herself from. It can only be hoped that the new administration won’t march to the beat of the lambeg drum.
However, the raison d’etre of the SNP isn’t to go into government in London but to achieve independence for Scotland. That puts it in a vastly different position to most other third parties elected there.
It was boasted during the last Parliament, when the SNP group numbered 56, that it was the real opposition. How could that be? Neither numerically nor in political intention was it possible.
Frequently they sat in their entirety in chamber with few others present. For what purpose? A few viewers on Parliament TV when they could have been working in their constituencies building the base of the party.
There is of course another nationalist grouping besides the SNP and Plaid Cymru – Sinn Fein. But it refuses to either take the oath of office or participate and has done for nearly a century.It isn’t going to change now. A publicity visit isn’t attendance, whatever the wishes or fears of metropolitan commentators.
That position, though, would be untenable in Scotland, where the electorate expect their representatives to take part. What’s up for consideration, however, is the extent of that participation, especially post-English Votes for English Laws or (Evel). That restricts MPs of any party representing non-English constituencies from participation on English-only legislation – arguably insulting, if not demeaning, in a non-federal system.
There is, though, an Irish example that offers a solution: the Irish Parliamentary Party. They were the original nationalist representatives under Charles Stewart Parnell and others, who sought Home Rule peacefully. They practised obstructionism. They forged alliances when it suited and sought to disrupt when it mattered. But, they weren’t there on a daily basis or ever sought to become the opposition. They went to advance Irish interests.
Questioning the Prime Minister incisively should continue for the SNP. Alison Thewliss was excellent in her dogged pursuit of the so-called rape clause as was Eilidh Whiteford, in ensuring the implementation of the Istanbul Convention. That also should be maintained.
But, the principal role of the SNP is to maximise and protect Scottish interests, as well as pursue Scottish independence. It’s not about aspiring to be the real opposition or being loyal parliamentarians. Ironically, though depleted in numbers Parliamentary arithmetic is now to its advantage. That doesn’t interfere with the using their status as MPs. Parnell was an outstanding parliamentary orator. Parliamentary work was done. But, their task was to maximise Irish interests, not contribute to Westminsters majesty.
It’s an attitude of mind, as much as physical location. When it can be used to promote Scottish interests then go to London, otherwise build the base in Scotland. Its time for SNP in Westminster to maximise Scottish interests, not become settled as a loyal opposition in an institution stacked against it.
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