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Wednesday, 07 March 2007 |
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Next Wednesday will see the long awaited and much touted 'debate' on the replacement of Trident amid fears that any decision has already been taken exposing the Parliament as a toothless talking shop. Much of which will suit those MPs wishing to be seen to oppose Trident's renewal, whilst at the same time comfortable in the knowledge that no one is going to listen to them. Fierce Criticism has been levied at Tony Blair by the Defence committee and members of his own party for stifling any chance of real debate and for setting out his support before the debate has begun. Yet with recent reports of a secret deal for the 'Son of Star Wars' being struck between Bush and Blair people are beginning to wonder when they'll next receive a good dose of Déjà vu.
If the British Public and Westminster have no say in what's going to happen where does all this leave Scotland?
Put simply in a very bad situation. The Scottish Parliament, the institution set up to amongst other things put the views of Scotland forward, has rapidly become a lap dog for London Labour policy, conveniently rolling over in support of Trident despite the huge opposition towards Trident and its presence on Scottish soil. The Labour/Liberal Executive has had ample opportunity to make our voice heard but has consistently failed to stand up to Westminster to make the vocal opposition to Trident of the Scottish people known.
Scottish Labour has declared itself to be in favour of anything that is decided at Westminster, a tacit approval of Trident. The Liberal Democrats have said they think a decision needn't be taken so soon a tacit admission that they don't want to answer the principal question.
Even in the face of the recent Defence Committee's discovery, after much questioning, that the real cost of Trident would be more to the tune of £110 billion rather than the £20 billion touted by Blair et al Scottish Labour and Liberal politicians refuse to come out of the Chief Whips closet to openly oppose Trident as a recent motion tabled by Sandra White calls for.
Commenting on her motion Sandra said, "The cowardice and attitude of many of these MSPs is astonishing. They're afraid to act with their conscience because their parties will disown them like happened to Malcolm Chisholm, when despite a pledge by the First Minister that they'd have a free vote on Trident he was ousted after voting against it and they won't agree or support with anything the SNP say because they're still stuck in the confrontational politics we see down south"
Sandra believes that the Scottish people have had enough of this immature and damaging way of governing. She thinks that the people of Scotland want the parties to work together for the better of Scotland rather than actively seeking conflict and disagreement.
So where does this leave us with regards to opposing the 'Son of Star Wars'? Put simply in a very very bad situation.
"Before we know it we'll be in the same situation and I dread to think what will happen if they decide to site this dreadful Son of Star Wars in Scotland if past experience is anything to go by"
"I've asked other MSP's to support me in getting a commitment from the Executive that they oppose the Son of Star Wars and I sincerely hope that they will put aside party politics at least this one time to ensure that this project gets a clear no from the Scottish people and Parliament."
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