Wednesday 24 October 2012

Take The High Road

The resignation of John Finnie and Jean Urquhart from the SNP, which they rightly recognise as now in favour of nuclear weapons since it is now in favour of NATO membership, should spur Labour yet further to declaring that it will reassert fiscal responsibility and national sovereignty by cancelling Britain's payments for the dubious privilege of hosting American nuclear weapons over which we have not the slightest control, and by withdrawing, thereby possibly destroying, a dangerously interventionist and expansionist military alliance which has served no good purpose since its (wildly overestimated) enemy collapsed a generation ago.

Furthermore, the collapse of the Lib Dems, to be followed by that of the SNP once there is a No vote to independence several months before the next General Election, was always a good opportunity for Labour in the North of Scotland if its played its cards right. The resignation of two Highlands and Islands MSPs from the SNP on a point of principle has just greatly strengthened Labour's hand. Labour will need to work hard if it wants to sell itself as the voice of the Highlands and Islands (or of the West Country, or of Mid Wales, among other places). Well, then. Get on with it.

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