Amid the Brexit chaos, Scotland is a beacon of sense

Posted by Jim on April 13, 2019

An analysis piece from the Enniscorthy Guardian looks at how Scotland’s
approach to Brexit resonates in Ireland.

As the parliament in Westminster continues its descent into anarchy you
could be forgiven for thinking that British politics has reached a state
of such utter dysfunction that it may never recover.

Thank God then for Scotland which – in an increasingly lunatic world –
looks like it will emerge from the morass of Brexit with its dignity
intact.

There is no denying that those most aggressively seeking Scottish
independence have seized on Brexit as a powerful propaganda weapon to
advance their cause.

While that is certainly true, it does a disservice to Nicola Sturgeon
and her administration to suggest that advancing Scottish independence
is the only reason that they have so vigorously fought to stop Brexit.

Though a majority of Scots voted against independence in 2014, when it
came to the Brexit vote in 2016 the vast majority of Scottish voters –
62 per cent – said they wanted to stay in the EU.

Now as the UK prepares to drive off a cliff, in the most demented act of
political self harm witnessed in Europe for decades, our Scottish
neighbours are pleading with Europe not to abandon them in their hour of
need.

Debate in Westminster has become a tragic farce but in Europe sense,
logic and responsibility have generally prevailed in the face of British
irrationality.

A striking example of this came in the EU chamber last week when
Scottish National Party MEP Alyn Smith made an emotional rallying call
to the European Parliament.

In what he said could be his last ever speech to the European
Parliament, Smyth insisted that Scotland remains a European nation and
he begged the lawmakers in Strasbourg to leave the door open to
Scotland’s return in the event that Nicola Sturgeon and her party can
secure a vote for Scotland’s independence from the UK.

“We celebrate international solidarity, we celebrate freedom of
movement. If the European Union did not exist we would need to invent
something like it and Scotland would like to be part of it,” said Smyth
to applause in the chamber.

“Chers collègues, I’m not asking you to solve our domestic discussions.
I am asking you to leave a light on so we can find our way home,” he
added.

It was a powerful, articulate contribution to a debate that, in Britain,
has become more vicious and increasingly half-witted with every passing
day.

If there were more politicians like Mr Smyth in Westminster then Europe
might have been spared this abject mess.

The SNP’s fight for Scottish independence still has a long way to go but
recent polls have shown that more and more Scots believe Brexit will
make Scotland’s independence more likely.

Crucially 43 per cent of previously undecided Scots polled in the last
week say that Brexit had made up their minds and that they now back
independence.

Whatever about Westminster, there are interesting times ahead in
Holyrood.