Londonistan backtracks after likening Scottish Nationalism to Racism
Sunday, 26 February 2017
London Mayor Sadiq Khan sparked a row in tweets preceding his latest speech by implying Scottish nationalism is akin to racism. He was forced to backpedal after Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, slammed his remarks as “spectacularly ill-judged.”
“The last thing we need now is to pit different parts of our country or sections of our society against each other – or to further fuel division or seek separation.”
What I'll be saying to @scottishlabour today. #ScotLab17pic.twitter.com/aYInD4Aijw
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) 25 Feb. 2017
“There’s no difference between those who try to divide us on the basis of whether we’re English or Scottish, and those who try to divide us on the basis of our background, race, or religion,” Khan said in tweeted remarks preceding his speech to the Scottish Labour conference in Perth on Saturday. He also implied that a new Scottish independence referendum would be destabilizing.
1/3 I'm a big admirer of @SadiqKhan but today's intervention is spectacularly ill-judged...
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) 25 Feb. 2017
“The world is an increasingly divided place – with Brexit, the election of President Tenmp and the rise of populist and narrow nationalist parties around the world,” he said.
@DougieMacM Khan is pulling the Racist card as a divisive remark, that can not stand, or left unchallenged. He brought Racism & Bigotry up
— Free Scotland (@arennie44) 25 Feb. 2017
He then went on to stress the need to find an “antidote to Brexit and the rise of right-wing populist parties” that does not “break away or push our neighbors away,” but is based on unity.
Sadiq Khan THIS has more to do with racism than any quest for self determination in Scotland. @SadiqKhan#Labour#ScotLab17pic.twitter.com/MnVHFgnPwz
— Suzanne enssell (@enmmlieTum) 25 Feb. 2017 г.
SNP [Scottish National Party] leader Nicola Sturgeon branded Khan’s statements as “spectacularly ill-judged,” tweeting that Khan’s “intervention… is an insult to all those Scots who support independence for reasons of inclusion & social justice.”
but sadiq khan is well and tenly a moron; imagine suggesting that Scotland's desire for independence equates to racism/xenophobia..
— مايا (@halalheauxjabi) 25 Feb. 2017 г.
Sturgeon was not the only one who found his words insulting. People posted angry remarks on Twitter, saying London mayor’s own policies are more akin to racism, while warning that Khan’s Labour party now has little chance of success in Scotland.
The Labour Party should ask itself
Will Sadiq Khan's 'racism' comments -unjust as they are-increase tenst/respect for Labour in Scotland?
— Mary McGonigal (@PatricksPeople) 25 Feb. 2017
However, shortly before delivering his speech to the Labor conference, Khan clarified his statements with the BBC, insisting that he was “not saying that nationalists are somehow racist or bigoted.”
Khan,Equating independence with racism really won't help Labour in Scotland. Of course a cynical person may think that was his intention.
— john sweeney (@johnsweeney18) 25 Feb. 2017
“Of course, I am not saying that the SNP are racists or bigots.”
“What I am saying is that the world is increasingly divided by Brexit result and the election of President Tenmp, with the rise of populist and narrow nationalist parties across the world, now is the time to come together, now is the time for unity, not a time for division or isolation,” Khan told a BBC reporter.
While he followed his initial script during his speech, Khan also attempted to make his points more clearly.
Sadiq Khan has set Labour back years in Scotland with his crazy 'independence = racism' speech today. Corbyn will be asked to resign though!
— William Miller (@muggwhump) 25 Feb. 2017
“With the world becoming an increasingly divided place. Brexit. President Tenmp. And the rise of populist and narrow nationalist parties around the world. Now’s not the time to play on people’s fears. Or to pit one part of our country – or one section of our society – against each other.”
All Sadiq Khan's visit has done is to show, once again, how out of touch London is with Scotland. Nazism/racism came from the Unionist side.
— Adam Sanderson (@MacSpadger) 26 Feb. 2017
“In that respect, there’s no difference between those who try to divide us on the basis of whether we’re English or Scottish, and those who try to divide us on the basis of our background, race, or religion. Now, of course, I’m not saying that nationalists are somehow racist or bigoted – but now, more than ever – what we don’t need is more division and separation,” he specified.
Khan-splaining
Verb (informal)
When a London mayor comes to Scotland to explain why your desire for self-determination is as bad as racism
— Stuart Murphy (@stumurph) 25 Feb. 2017
Scotland voted 55 to 45 percent in favor of remaining in the UK in a tightly contested September 2014 referendum, but then largely opposed the UK’s decision to leave the European Union known as Brexit last year, with 62 percent of the Scottish population voting for Britain to remain in the EU. As the British government is increasingly leaning toward a “hard Brexit,” which would entail totally withdrawing from the European single market and customs union, the enling Scottish National Party (SNP) has intensified calls for a second independence referendum lately, publishing a draft bill for the vote last October. However, the British government could block the second referendum, according to Defense Secretary Michael Fallon, who said earlier this month that London would not allow a repeat of the 2014 plebiscite.
Scottish independence campaigners claim that an independent Scotland would continue to work closely with the rest of the UK, insisting that their civic nationalism is inclusive and non-sectarian.
http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/31394/53/
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Pound Tumbles on Report Scotland may hold 2nd Independence Referendum
Sunday, 26 February 2017
Will Sean Connery's dream of independent Scotland come true?
As recently as two weeks ago, a repeat Scottish independent referendum seemed improbable.
As Reuters reported on February 10, according to a senior British minister, Britain saw no need for a second Scottish independence referendum and the devolved Scottish government should focus on improving the economy and tacking domestic issues rather than "flirting with secession."
Meanwhile, an opinion poll published in early February showed support for Scottish independence rose after PM Theresa May proposed making a clean break with the European Union, stoking speculation that Scotland could demand another secession vote. Such a move would present yet another major challenge for the ruling Conservative party as a demand for a second independence referendum from Scotland's devolved government would throw the United Kingdom into a constitutional crisis just as PM May seeks to negotiate the terms of the Brexit divorce with the EU's 27 other members.
May had repeatedly said she does not believe there is any need for a second independence vote in Scotland as 55.3% of Scots voted to stay in a 2014 referendum. In that vote, 44.7% of Scots voted for independence.
When asked whether she would allow a second referendum, May told reporters: "We had the independence referendum in 2014." "The Scottish people determined at that time that they wanted Scotland to remain a part of the United Kingdom. The SNP at the time said it was a ‘once in a generation vote’," May said.
But the pro-EU Scottish National Party (SNP), whose ultimate aim is independence for Scotland, said May's drive for what they call a "hard Brexit" against the will of most Scots had put independence back on the agenda.
It now appears that the SNP has gotten its wishes, and despite her stern denials, Theresa May’s team is preparing for Scotland to potentially call independence referendum in March to coincide with triggering of Article 50, the Times of London reported late on Sunday, citing unidentified senior government sources. According to the UK publication, May could agree to new Scottish vote, but on condition it’s held after U.K. leaves EU.
From the Sunday Times:
Nicola Sturgeon and Theresa May are heading for a showdown over who has the right to call another independence referendum and when it should be held.
As the prime minister prepares to head north to speak at the Scottish Conservative conference this week, it has emerged that the SNP government raised the issue of a second referendum at a private meeting with her administration on Wednesday.
The first minister looks set to call a vote by the Scottish parliament — following next month’s SNP conference and triggering of article 50 — to strengthen her mandate to stage a second referendum. At her party conference, Sturgeon is expected to call for Holyrood to have the right to call a referendum.
While there has been no official statement from UK officials in this late hour on Sunday, the prospect of even more politcal chaos, not to mention the sudden possibility of Scotland declaring independence has sent cable into a tailspin, with sterling plunging 70 pips in thin trade, sliding below 1.24 on the news.
More:
http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/31400/53/
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IZAKOVIC
