We’ve never been able to actually confirm the oft-cited “quote” from Margaret Thatcher suggesting that the SNP winning a majority of Scottish seats at a UK election would constitute a mandate for independence, but here’s a verified more recent one from a then-serving Conservative PM.
“[John] Major has made it clear that a majority of SNP MPs after an election would serve as a mandate to begin negotiations for separation. There are no plans to hold a referendum”, said former Thatcher minister and party chairman Norman Tebbit a few months before the 1997 election.
It was a position the Tories held right up to 2010 – the last election at which the SNP didn’t win a majority of Scottish seats, at which point the goalposts magically shifted. Now, of course, the rule is that a majority of MPs doesn’t count, but you also can’t have a referendum.
Scotland is a prisoner without hope of parole. Time for a breakout.
We couldn’t help but raise a quizzical eyebrow at this assertion from SNP MP Pete Wishart in today’s Sunday National.
It was said in the specific context of securing a second indyref in 2020, and since such a referendum has NOT in fact been secured – and looks extremely unlikely to be – we wondered which other definition of “success” might be being used to justify the claim.
The 2010s end in a matter of hours, and everyone and their genderfluid dog is writing retrospectives of the 10 years just past. This site, which came into existence in the second year of the decade, has very little interest in following suit – we’ve always been about the future.
But a cursory glance over the shoulder does reveal one immediately striking fact that’s worthy of passing note.
We got blocked by LBC’s James O’Brien today for very gently and politely challenging him over this tweet:
And while this site most assuredly carries no torch for Jeremy Corbyn, it’s a reframing of reality that merits a bit of investigation for what it tells us about the UK media.
Young Lochinvar on The quality of mercy: “Yahweh help the Is Rye Ale Ees if the I rans find the downed US pilot first. It’s a Vietnam…” Apr 5, 03:53
James on The quality of mercy: “Well, that’s “Phil” shot down in flames….. But Adrian’s working through the holidays….” Apr 4, 23:57
Confused on The quality of mercy: “since we seem to be regressing to “ropey old shite, debunked n-teenth times … ” – let’s put an old…” Apr 4, 23:32
Confused on The quality of mercy: “quite right, my fellow Scot. if the scotch were left alone with excess revenue from copious oil, gas, wind and…” Apr 4, 23:29
Phil on The quality of mercy: “Time, no- long overdue, to face some facts. This site, brilliant as it is, suffers from some fundamental flaws: first,…” Apr 4, 23:01
robertkknight on The quality of mercy: “The SNP are about as interested in independence as a vegetarian is in a mouthful of steak tartare. Fuck ’em.…” Apr 4, 22:13
Lorncal on The quality of mercy: “‘Wokism’ and the hard left are the real problem and they will follow into an independent Scotland unless they are…” Apr 4, 21:06
factchecker on The quality of mercy: “Professor, you must try harder to throw off the colonial yoke. You of all people should show a good example.…” Apr 4, 19:30
Geri on The quality of mercy: “The Fascism is strong in you, Areswipe. You don’t get to choose anything. You don’t even have a vote here.…” Apr 4, 18:59
Geri on The quality of mercy: “Very true. Start with overhauling the school curriculum. That’s where the mindset starts along with dumbing down critical thinking. People…” Apr 4, 18:52
Aidan on The quality of mercy: “There’s no leave for us James, the British state has made countering a towering separatist intellect like yourself a number…” Apr 4, 18:50
Aidan on The quality of mercy: “That’s right Geri, next time the “march” will be a swim from Leith to Kirkcaldy.” Apr 4, 18:44
Young Lochinvar on The quality of mercy: “Beggars Keep your sexual proclivities tae yersel “old boy”..” Apr 4, 18:40
Young Lochinvar on The quality of mercy: “Beggars And why exactly would I be on benefits? A bit of “othering” mixed up with “projecting” from you there…” Apr 4, 18:36
James on The quality of mercy: “Aren’t you lot on leave this weekend, “old boy”?” Apr 4, 18:35
Geri on The quality of mercy: “Areswipe, Can you not comprehend plain English? They make the route as difficult & as annoying as possible in the…” Apr 4, 18:09
Mark Beggan on The quality of mercy: “Four legs good two legs bad.” Apr 4, 17:49
Aidan on The quality of mercy: “I’m surprised the colonial authorities let it take place at all Alf. They must have your number marked though!” Apr 4, 17:45
Alf Baird on The quality of mercy: ““Scotland’s ethnocultural footprint is still large compared to other peoples” Indeed and it may well be that oor Scottish ethnicity…” Apr 4, 17:16
TURABDIN on The quality of mercy: “It also needs the intellectual capacity to effect such change. And there is the nub of the matter. So many…” Apr 4, 17:07
Alf Baird on The quality of mercy: ““It was blustery and chilly as fuck in Scotland” In addition, the route of this march was 2-3 times longer…” Apr 4, 16:57
Cynicus on The quality of mercy: “I know. I was trying to add a little humorous value!” Apr 4, 16:53
Dan on The quality of mercy: ““Yet fewer than two out of every thousand of them could be arsed with getting a bus or train to…” Apr 4, 16:30
Alf Baird on The quality of mercy: ““Scotland needs regime change” Decolonisation means a lot more than just ‘regime change’; it demands the complete transformation of colonial…” Apr 4, 16:24
agentx on The quality of mercy: “The reason I posted the link was to show that the march actually was reported by the BBC.” Apr 4, 16:17
Fearghas MacFhionnlaigh on The quality of mercy: “Apologies. Correct spelling of host’s surname: FINKIELKRAUT” Apr 4, 14:53
Fearghas MacFhionnlaigh on The quality of mercy: “In relation to HANNAH ARENDT’s leaving of Germany for refuge in France in 1933, this radio podcast discusses questions of…” Apr 4, 14:39
