SAS clan calls for new fight to save the Union

Anthony Butcher · 03-01-2007, 10:26 PM

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main...4/nunion04.xml

Quote:

A new political party is being set up by a member of one of Scotland's most historic families to try to halt the growing bandwagon towards a referendum on the break-up of the United Kingdom.

Archie Stirling, a millionaire landowner, is due to unveil the cross-party movement next month in time to take part in the May elections for the Scottish Parliament.

The move comes at a time of growing alarm in Downing Street that the Scottish National Party may sweep to victory with a pledge to hold a referendum on independence.

Polls have shown that the Nationalists have a significant lead over Labour in the race to form the next government in Edinburgh. Gordon Brown fears that his first 100 days as Prime Minister could be overshadowed by a victorious SNP commitment to a referendum.

Mr Stirling, 63, a colourful character who was formerly married to the actress Dame Diana Rigg, is refusing to give any details of the party until next month's launch but confirmed that the working title was the Scottish Voice.

"We have been planning this for months in great secrecy, clearly not as much secrecy as I had hoped," he said last night. "This is vitally important. I would loath the Union to break-up."

The Daily Telegraph has obtained a copy of a seven-page confidential statement by Scottish Voice which puts the defence of the Union, and raising the quality of the Holyrood parliament, at the heart of its campaign. The statement lists the "failures" of devolution.

"Two-thirds of 14-year-olds fail national reading standards and half fail writing standards," it says. "One in four Scots working for the public sector. A crime committed every 78 seconds. The highest infant mortality in the western world. A £20 billion subsidy from England to keep us afloat. We anticipated excellence. We have been offered only ineptitude."

The document states: "Most Scots would like to improve government from Holyrood and keep the Union strong. The history of the Union is one of advantage to Scotland. Scottish culture is distinct from English culture, not hostile to it."

A steering committee will be announced next month of leading figures who, like Mr Stirling, have never been involved in politics.

Mr Stirling, a businessman, said: "I believe in the Union which is good for Scotland and good for England. But I also believe we need members of the Scottish Parliament who have a proven track record in running a business or organisation.

"The principles will recognise Scotland's nationhood, commitment to the Union, and innate potential of the Scottish people."

mkpdavies · 03-01-2007, 10:28 PM

I hope they expose the SNPs EU treachery.

Britannist · 04-01-2007, 02:58 AM

So do I.

I have no time for the europhile Scottish so-called Nationalists (SNP) or the even more europhile LIberal Dims at all.

I hope that the SNP euro-nationalists do not win minority or majority control of the Scottish Parliament/Executive.

mkpdavies · 04-01-2007, 06:23 AM

Mind I do have to wonder.

Just as Labour et al are about to be giving a kicking by "Others", a new party arrives on the scene, probably well backed and that will run an SNP splitting campaign right at the most convienient moment.

I may hate the SNP with a passion fo being such two faced treacherous scum, but then Labour are just as bad if not worse.

It wouldn't suprise me if the LibLabCon-sensus had pulled a few strings with their business buddies to make this happen.

Britannist · 04-01-2007, 06:27 AM

There is even talk of a possible Conservative-Labour coalition on the Scottish Executive (after the May 2007 Scottish Parliamentary Election) to keep the Scottish so-called Nationalists out.

Some in Scottish Labour are, apparently, quite keen to get shot of the Liberal Dims (their present coalition partner in the Scottish Parliament).

I've no time for Blair/Brown's Lie-bour Party - but I can understand them wanting to be rid of the Dim Libs.

freedom & democracy 4 · 04-01-2007, 09:38 AM

I could'nt care less if Scotland broke away, but when it comes to the Europhile SNP they can rot in hell! But its a no win situation. SNP lose, then the other eurohile party labour wins.

03-01-2007, 10:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 30,604	I hope they expose the SNPs EU treachery. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

04-01-2007, 02:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
Britannist Uber Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: London Posts: 22,896	Vile SNP So do I. I have no time for the europhile Scottish so-called Nationalists (SNP) or the even more europhile LIberal Dims at all. I hope that the SNP euro-nationalists do not win minority or majority control of the Scottish Parliament/Executive.

04-01-2007, 06:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 30,604	Mind I do have to wonder. Just as Labour et al are about to be giving a kicking by "Others", a new party arrives on the scene, probably well backed and that will run an SNP splitting campaign right at the most convienient moment. I may hate the SNP with a passion fo being such two faced treacherous scum, but then Labour are just as bad if not worse. It wouldn't suprise me if the LibLabCon-sensus had pulled a few strings with their business buddies to make this happen. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

04-01-2007, 06:27 AM	#5 (permalink)
Britannist Uber Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: London Posts: 22,896	LabCon coalition in Scot. Parl. rumoured There is even talk of a possible Conservative-Labour coalition on the Scottish Executive (after the May 2007 Scottish Parliamentary Election) to keep the Scottish so-called Nationalists out. Some in Scottish Labour are, apparently, quite keen to get shot of the Liberal Dims (their present coalition partner in the Scottish Parliament). I've no time for Blair/Brown's Lie-bour Party - but I can understand them wanting to be rid of the Dim Libs.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

04-01-2007, 09:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
freedom & democracy 4 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Emsworth, full of the EU's Polish imports! Posts: 209	I could'nt care less if Scotland broke away, but when it comes to the Europhile SNP they can rot in hell! But its a no win situation. SNP lose, then the other eurohile party labour wins.