Goodbye to a dream
For the last twenty years, I have supported the Scottish National Party, for one reason alone; its commitment to Scottish Independence, and the real prospect that it might be achieved.
I was disappointed by the outcome of the referendum. I believed at the time and still do, that the game was rigged by Westminster and its unlikely allies, the mainstream media, but 55% to 45%% is a pretty convincing margin.
I was disappointed when Alex Salmond chucked it; I thought he had more staying power. Nevertheless I went with his successor, given her declared determination to keep fighting for the Scottish passport that I crave, even if her policies are rather too left-wing for my centrist taste.
Until today, when I woke to read, in big headline type, that she is prepared, if the numbers stack up, to do a deal that will put Labour in power.
I may be Scottish first, but I’m British second. Therefore I cannot give my vote to anyone who is prepared to instal the untrustworthy Corbyn as Prime Minister, the unpleasant Marxist McDonnell as Chancellor, and the frankly laughable Abbott as Home Secretary. That trio of Orwellian clowns? No thank you very much, Nicola!
To prevent that calamity I’m prepared to give up on my lifelong ambition. On June 8 I will be doing something I never thought I’d do again.
Quintin Jardine's blog 
Dear Quintin: Whatever you or I think of Corbyn and co., it is clear they have gained some support in England because people feel they oppose a headless and cruel Tory government that, if it gets an even bigger majority, is set to make austerity harsher. Plus the Tory backbenchers I have met at Westminster are bent on having no deal with Europe of any kind, which will be an economic disaster for Scotland. A vote for the SNP in this Westminster election is first and foremost about having a bloc of MPs who put Scottish interests first and who have proven to be an effective opposition to the Tories. Any tactical deal with Labour would be on our terms – incidentally, we said the same thing at the 2015 General Election. I for one retain my faith in an independent Scotland because I think it would be more socially just and because small nations work better. But this election is not about independence, even if the Tories pretend it is in order to avoid discussing the danger of a hard Brexit. This election in Scotland is about holding the Tory government to account and getting a mandate to demand Scotland has a seat at the Brexit negotiations. A vote for anyone other than the SNP only makes it easier for Theresa May to ignore Scotland. George Kerevan, SNP candidate for East Lothian.
George, my postal vote just arrived. Until this morning you had it, as you did last time, when, for only the second time in my life, I voted for the winner in East Lothian. I’m sorry I can’t stay with you, even though I don’t agree with your rhetoric and your description of a government that was handed the most heavily poisoned chalice in the modern history of British politics with no option but to make it work. I don’t see how you can do a deal with Corbyn on your terms when he isn’t interested in doing a deal with you. All I see is Nicola saying unequivocally that she’d put him in power. All I can do is follow my conscience, and be honest about it.
Rather harsh Quintin but I vote for policies and not people and if your looking at people the poison dwarf leading the SNP is more interested in being Queen of Scots than the Scottish people
I’m surprised, you obviously watched a different interview than I did and I would be very disappointed if you are being taken in by the media
I don’t have a long track record of being taken in. And I’m NEVER led by the media. My decision is based on what the lady said. She would put Corbyn in Downing Street. End. Of. Story.
If only people would listen to you.
I would not trust Jeremy Corbyn with my pocket money, let alone negotiate on this countries behalf at the negotiating table in Brussels.