Latest news with #ScottishIndependence
The National
03-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
68 independence banners delivered to activists across Scotland
Indepndence group Meidas Scotland revealed on social media that 68 banners, printed in Edinburgh, had been delivered to indepndence groups across Scotland after they received funding from a recent Crowdfunder and "a very generous contribution" from Scottish Independence Foundation (SIF). The large PVC banners feature several designs, including one showing Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak, and Keir Starmer labelled as "Tory", and Nigel Farage labelled as "worry". Another features an image of Keir Starmer, and states: "Getting rid of the Tories changed nothing. Next time let's get rid of Westminster". The project cost an estimated £2500, and all banners were free to the groups. In a post on Twitter/X, Medias Scoltland said: "A few weeks ago, we placed an order with Edinburgh Banners to make large Independence related banners supporting Yes groups throughout Scotland. "As of today, a total of 68 large PVC banners have found new homes right across Scotland, with the final 2 banners on their way to InverYESs this week. "The banners are fully funded by Meidas Scotland with donations from our recent Crowdfunder and a very generous contribution from Scottish Independence Foundation (SIF)." READ MORE: SNP talk about indy in the abstract, not as an urgent national goal The group also shared that artist Colin Dunn (IndyPosterBoy) and campaign organisation Believe in Scotland (BiS) assisted with the artwork. BiS also co-ordinated with groups under their umbrella, to boost the project and introduce new designs to the public. Meidas Scotland added: "This initiative brought together four separate groups to deliver an effective messaging campaign for Scottish Independence and we are grateful to all involved." The group has also requested that independence groups who have received their banner to post pictures.
Telegraph
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Why didn't SNP smell a rat over Iranian X accounts backing Scottish independence?
All sorts of people believe in Scottish independence. That's the claim often made by the SNP; it's seen as natural justice, they insist, and as such is viewed by supporters everywhere. After all, they've been getting hundreds of supportive messages – for the most part from attractive young people who included pictures of themselves on social media when they voiced their passion for breaking up Britain. They listed themselves not by name but sometimes described themselves as things such as an 'NHS Nurse' or a 'Glasgow socialist', often hundreds of times per week on platforms such as X, formerly Twitter. There were no half-measures, either, in their support for independence and they were usually happy, just like the most ardent of SNP supporters, to denounce England and the English. They said that England 'suppressed Scottish freedom' and that England was subsidised by Scotland. Just the sort of backing that the ambitious political party would crave on the route to what they'd hope was Scotland leaving the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. All great stuff, eh? Except for one thing – it was all baloney, complete rubbish and the work of a foreign state that clearly hates Britain and is determined to undermine a country it obviously sees as an enemy. And, furthermore, an enemy that deserves to be attacked relentlessly. That foreign state is Iran. The disclosure comes after US researchers last year identified a network of more than 80 X accounts linked to Iran which had posted more than 250,000 messages since late 2021. Internet blackout But the posts suddenly stopped at the same time on June 12 when a major Israeli air strike campaign crippled Iran's cyber infrastructure, causing an internet blackout that affected 95 per cent of national connectivity. Clemson University in South Carolina estimated that the campaign accounted for at least 4 per cent of discourse about Scottish independence on the website in early 2024, 'and likely more'. While it is great to have a laugh at the SNP's expense, this episode is a clear signal that the Iranian autocracy would stoop even to using phoney messages to undermine Britain. But more than that it begs several questions for the SNP to answer. Did they not smell a rat, or even several rats, at all of these social media messages singing the same song? Are they really a sophisticated party with enough 'nous' to suspect phonies in their midst, or are they also so wrapped up in their own propaganda that they believe everyone, everywhere, loves them? And will they now seek to track down the perpetrators of this fraud? After all, a handful of American students managed it. It was a pity that Angus Robertson was the minister who responded to questions on the issue yesterday. He was at his pompous worst when asked by the Tories' Murdo Fraser if his Government wasn't concerned that its central policy objective was being backed by a terrorist state. Instead of showing even a hint of humility, Mr Robertson warned his tormentor that he should be 'careful not to smear people' who believe in Scottish independence.
Telegraph
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Farage hits back at former Irish leader's claim he would destroy the UK
Nigel Farage has dismissed claims by Leo Varadkar that he would destroy the UK if he becomes prime minister. The former Irish taoiseach predicted that the push for a united Ireland would take 'centre stage' if the Reform UK leader was to win a future general election. Mr Varadkar told BBC Northern Ireland that a Farage government would 'double down on Brexit', which would bolster Irish unity and Scottish independence. He said it was possible that England's 'volatile politics' could mean Mr Farage would become prime minister after elections in either four or nine years. Mr Farage hit back at the claims by Mr Varadkar, who was Ireland's prime minister during the Brexit negotiations, during which time he became a bogeyman for Brexiteers and unionists. 'I have heard all of this before,' said Mr Farage. 'They said that a vote for Brexit would end the Union. It didn't and nor will the Reform government.' Labour views Reform as its main rival in a future UK parliamentary election, which must take place by 2029, after the latter took hundreds of seats in local elections this year. Last week, a poll said that Mr Farage could win an outright majority and become prime minister if an election was held tomorrow. Mr Varadkar praised Sir Keir Starmer for his reset in relations with Dublin and Brussels since becoming Prime Minister. The former Fine Gael leader played a key role in agreeing the withdrawal agreement, which created the Irish Sea border between Britain and Northern Ireland 'Prime Minister Starmer might be re-elected for a second term. It's equally possible, not probable but possible, that Nigel Farage could be prime minister of the UK in four years' time, or in nine years' time,' he said. He added that Mr Farage and his supporters believed that Brexit 'had not been done properly' and would roll back the reset. 'What you'd see is an attempt to rescind many of the things that Prime Minister Starmer and his Government have done [and this would] bring the United Kingdom even further away from the European Union,' Mr Varadkar said. He added he hoped Mr Farage would not become prime minister but said it 'would change the picture in terms of attitudes towards independence in Scotland'. 'I think it would change the views of some people in the middle ground in Northern Ireland [towards Irish unity],' he added. 'It isn't just because a Right-wing nationalist government in London would want to bring the UK and Northern Ireland away from Europe. It is other things as well,' said Mr Varadkar. He added that Reform-run councils in England were 'preventing people from flying Pride or progress flags'. 'I don't think most people in Northern Ireland would like that,' he told the BBC. The Belfast or Good Friday Agreement states that the secretary of state for Northern Ireland must call a referendum if it 'appears likely' a majority wants a united Ireland. A border poll must also be held in the Republic. While polls show large support for reunification, they also consistently show a majority in favour of remaining part of the UK in Northern Ireland. Mr Varadkar has become an outspoken advocate for Irish unity since he resigned as taoiseach last year because of his low popularity ratings. His successor Simon Harris and coalition partner Micheál Martin, the leader of Fianna Fail, went on to overturn a commanding Sinn Fein lead in the polls to stay in power after elections last year.
Telegraph
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
SNP veteran quits party amid rebellion against leader
John Swinney, the Scottish First Minister, has been dealt a blow to his leadership after an SNP veteran quit the party. Fergus Ewing, who has represented the Inverness and Nairn constituency since 1999, will stand as an independent candidate at next year's Holyrood elections. The 67-year-old accused the SNP of having 'deserted many of the people whose causes we used to champion' amid rumours of a wider revolt. SNP rebels are said to be plotting to oust Mr Swinney following the party's disastrous defeat at the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election. That contest saw Scottish Labour take the seat from the SNP, while Nigel Farage's Reform UK came third. The rebels are also reportedly concerned that Mr Swinney has failed to advance the cause for Scottish independence, and have not ruled out a leadership challenge at the party's October conference. On Friday, opposition politicians claimed Mr Ewing's decision was a hammer blow to Mr Swinney's credibility. 'It speaks volumes about John Swinney and the SNP's appalling failures in government that even nationalist royalty is prepared to twist the knife in this way,' said Edward Mountain, the Conservative Highlands and Islands MSP. 'By standing as an independent, Fergus Ewing has made it clear he simply cannot defend his party's record to voters while out on the campaign trail.' Mr Ewing said he had taken the decision to abandon the SNP 'because I love the people of Inverness and Nairn and the people of Scotland more than my party, which I have been in for more than half a century'. He had been increasingly at odds with the SNP over gender recognition reform and net zero, also raising issues over the deposit return scheme and marine protected areas. Mr Ewing said Holyrood was more fractious and tribal than ever before and accused the SNP of having 'lost its way'. He also said devolution was 'letting Scotland's people down'. He added: 'Too much power rests unchecked in the hands of party leaders, free to choose candidates who will slavishly support them, rather than stand up for the people who sent them to Holyrood. Choosing the pliant over the talented.' 'Faithful servant' Mr Ewing first hinted in March that he could stand as an independent at next year's election. At the time, Mr Swinney said that he was sorry to learn of the possibility, describing him as a 'faithful servant' of his constituents who had contributed much to the Scottish Parliament. Mr Ewing is the son of Winnie Ewing, whose 1967 by-election victory in Hamilton was a historic breakthrough for the SNP, and is the brother of Annabelle Ewing, the Cowdenbeath MSP. He was first elected to the Scottish Parliament when it was re-established in 1999 and held a ministerial portfolio for 14 years in the governments of both Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon. Mr Ewing added: 'It's time for Holyrood to live up to the high expectations people rightly held for it, when my mother, Winnie, reconvened our own Parliament in 1999. It came of age some years ago – surely now it's time for it to grow up.'
Irish Times
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
A Nigel Farage-led UK goverment could herald a united Ireland
The election of Reform Party leader, Nigel Farage , as British prime minister after the next Westminster election would accelerate support for Irish unification and Scottish independence, former taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said. Speaking on the BBC's The View programme, shown on BBC Northern Ireland on Thursday night, Mr Varadkar praised British prime minister Keir Starmer 's attitudes towards Ireland since his election last year. 'Prime minister Starmer might be re-elected for a second term. It's equally possible – not probable – but possible, that Nigel Farage could be prime minister of the UK in four years' time, or in nine years' time,' said Mr Varadkar. 'That would change the picture,' he said, and change opinions about Irish unification among 'some people in the middle ground in Northern Ireland if in Westminster we had an English nationalist government'. READ MORE Mr Farage's party won hundreds of seats across England and Wales in May's local elections and frequently leads national opinion polls ahead of Labour and the Conservatives. Even the possibility of a Reform-led government in London strongly supports his contention that the Irish Government should be planning for Irish unification, even if it offered no view on when a referendum should be held, Mr Varadkar said. 'It makes sense to do a bit of horizon scanning, to do a bit of scenario planning, to think about some of those issues, even if it's a just-in-case,' he said. A Farage-led administration would 'double down on Brexit' because those who supported the UK's exit from the EU believed 'it wasn't done properly', the former Fine Gael leader and taoiseach said. 'What you'd see is an attempt to rescind many of the things that prime minister Starmer and his government have done to bring the United Kingdom even further away from the European Union,' he said. [ Explainer: what is Keir Starmer's Brexit reset deal? Opens in new window ] Mr Varadkar said he believed a Farage-led UK government would put Irish unification 'centre stage'. 'And it isn't just because a right-wing nationalist government in London would want to bring the UK and Northern Ireland away from Europe,' he said. Many conservative and populist attitudes pushed by Reform on social issues, such as gay rights, would not be liked by a majority of people in Northern Ireland, from both traditions, he said. '[They] have a liberal and European outlook, and if that's the kind of government they had in London versus a government in Dublin that was very different, it might make them more likely to vote yes to unification,' he said. Mr Varadkar said he hoped a Farage-led government would not happen, 'but I'm saying it could, and we should think about that'. If Farage succeeds, it will be because of English voters showing 'scant regard' for opinions in Northern Ireland and Scotland, he said. 'We've seen that happen before, and we saw it happen with Brexit. Could it happen in four to nine years? It could.' [ Rory Stewart: Britons' view of Ireland has gone from 'patronising superiority to complete ignorance' Opens in new window ] Since he stepped down as taoiseach, Mr Varadkar has repeatedly supported Irish unification, though he told the BBC programme that he had not begun planning for unity during his time in power because he was trying to secure an EU/UK deal. Unification is 'not inevitable' and must be worked towards, he said, but there are 'a lot of factors that would suggest that we're on that trajectory', especially recent polling showing that a majority of young people in Northern Ireland favour it, he said. 'I think that will carry through, and that's why I think it's something that we should plan for,' he said. 'I think it's something that shouldn't just be an aspiration; it's something that should be an objective of the Irish Government, and of Irish society.'
