The Labour Party betrays Scotland

Politics in Scotland is effectively a two-horse race between The Labour Party and the SNP. However, rarely has the level of conflict between two parties been so fierce. At stake is the question of who is acting in who's interests.

The SNP proposes full sovereign Independence for Scotland, and believe that anything less is a shabby compromise. History has shown that Westminster will do its utmost to thwart Scottish aspirations for Home Rule.

The Labour Party (in pact with the Liberal Democrats) is proposing Devolution for Scotland. An Assembly in Edinburgh, but with no control over the economy, defence, oil revenues or foreign policy. This option is considered a halfway house between the status quo and Independence. Some believe it will strengthen the Union of the UK, others are certain it will eventually lead to Independence.

What is not in doubt are the problems associated with Devolution. History has not been kind to Scottish demands for any measure of Home Rule. In the last 100 years there have been 34 Home Rule Bills presented to Westminster, all have failed, mostly due to the greater number of English MPs voting against.

Labour's role in the past has been questionable, and has changed many times - from supporting Home Rule to opposing it. Currently they support it. However, the cynical would notice that Labour are only avid supporters of devolution, whenever support for the SNP and Independence are rising. The last time there was a Labour Govt (1974-1979), Labour promised that Home Rule would be "along in a tick". In fact it was a Labour MP (George Cunningham) who sabotaged the entire process by introducing an unprecedented amendment requiring at least 40% of the electorate (not just those that turned out to vote) to support the proposals. Labour betrayed Scotland because it did not seek to keep its own MPs in check.

The following Scottish Labour MPs are only some of those who actually campaigned against Labour's Devolution Bill in 1979. Perhaps they should be asked why they have changed their minds, and if they humbly apologise to Scotland for betraying her trust in 1979. Despite a majority of Scots who voted voting for Home Rule, it did not reach the required 40% and the Bill fell. Labour stood accused of betraying Scotland and subsequently lost the next election.

In the following elections 1983, 1987 and 1992, Labour again promised "vote for us and Home Rule will be along in a tick". Scottish people did vote for Labour, but due to England overwhelmingly voting Conservative, Labour failed to deliver its promises. The SNP had urged people all along that to vote Labour would mean having to rely on how England voted. Whereas a straight SNP majority, relying totally on Scottish votes, would have ensured Independence.

Scotland was conned in 1979 by Labour's Devolution Bill, and any bitterness between the SNP and Labour had its roots in that sorry time.

With a General Election due in the next 18 months, once again, Labour are promising that devolution "will be along in a tick". Labour's anti-devolutionists in 1979 are apparently now pro-devolution, but, there are still many dissenters within their ranks.

Now, the Labour Party has been abandoning its socialist principles to win over Tory voters in the South of England. Even Tory MPs have defected to New Labour. Yet this is the same Labour Party that attempts to convince Scottish voters it is a socialist party. Labour only wants Scotland for its votes, to win power in London, and will do anything to try and get there. Promising devolution is just another part of that strategy.

Can they be trusted given their treacherous past record ?
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