One year on the SNP seek what they said they would not - a "Neverendum"

The SNP must stop issuing threats that a second independence referendum could be triggered by policy decisions made at Westminster.

The SNP has hinted that disagreements with the UK Government over defence policy, economic approach and the Scotland Bill would be enough to force people to vote on independence again.
Nicola Sturgeon even said the inability of new Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to become Prime Minister would be a sufficient change in circumstances.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said:
“Nicola Sturgeon has to realise that last year the people of Scotland were promised that the referendum was a once-in-a-generation event. But just this week we’ve been told that triggers could include a defence policy she doesn’t like, an economic plan she’s opposed to, a devolution settlement she disagrees with, or even a new Labour leader she doesn’t think can win.
In short, the trigger for another referendum for this Scottish Government is any day that ends in a ‘Y’. The fact is the SNP is just scratching around trying to find any excuse to get the referendum rematch it so desperately wants.”


The SNP in my view do not equal Scotland. They equal a single political party, with a significant public support. There are a wealth of views different to the SNP in Scotland, and the majority of  Scots support the Union.


This from the PM at Prime Ministers Questions this Wednesday in a lively exchange with the SNP:
"We said that we would introduce a Scotland Bill, and we introduced a Scotland Bill. We said that there would be unprecedented devolution on taxes, and there has been unprecedented devolution on taxes. We said that we would provide those welfare powers, and we have given those welfare powers. The question now for the SNP is this: when are you going to stop talking about processes and start telling us what taxes you are going to put up? What welfare changes are you going to make? Or, when it comes to talking about the issues, are you frit?"

Edinburgh agreement precludes another Scottish referendum for a generation

Last year we had an independence referendum that was legal, fair and decisive – and the people of Scotland voted decisively to keep our family of nations together and remain part of the United Kingdom.

Both Governments then signed the Edinburgh Agreement, which committed them to respect the outcome of the referendum. The Scottish Government's own White Paper made it clear that the referendum was a once in a generation event, and that commitment was repeated by Yes campaigners including the First Minister herself.

With serious concerns about the performance of Police Scotland, access to GPs and the attainment gap in Scottish schools, the SNP now needs to stop agitating for a second referendum and start saying what they plan to do with the powers they’ve got and the substantial powers which are on the way through the Scotland Bill, to improve the lives of the Scottish people.

Labour and the SNP = a destructive Coalition

Sir John  Major is right to warn of the consequences of such an unholy union in yesterdays papers:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/11452938/John-Major-It-is-shameful-that-Labour-hasnt-ruled-out-a-pact-with-the-SNP.html


For my part I think it would ensure the demise of the Union for sure. I was talking to Jim Murphy in Westminster on Wednesday and he assures me that the SNP will fade once it comes under scrutiny; but I will be going north to campaign in Scotland shortly both for the 2 Conservative candidates in the border region, and the Union generally.

Who would Labour do a deal with to get into Number 10? Labour / SNP Coalition seems most likely on all fronts

Mr Miliband has repeatedly refused to rule out a deal with the SNP amid an expected collapse of Labour’s support base in Scotland, and a lack of sufficient votes to get him into Number 10 Downing Street. I don't think the SNP rise will be as large as is presently trumpeted by Salmond but ...

Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP leader, has indicated that ignoring any attempt to balance the books, spending loads more that we do not have, changes to defence spending and a whole swathe of new powers for Scotland would be the party’s price for a deal.

More details on the story here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/11379600/English-voters-believe-Labour-SNP-coalition-will-destabilise-Britain.html

Sturgeon's SNP will tell us in rest of UK how we run our NHS -why we need English Votes for English issues

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/11360260/Nicola-Sturgeon-SNP-MPs-will-vote-on-English-only-matters.html

Cheaper Oil and Petrol is great for Northumberland - bad news for SNP / Scottish Independence / Salmond / Sturgeon etc

The crash in pump prices is giving the UK economy — already Europe’s strongest — a shot in the arm which will benefit every household in the land. … All this will give the Coalition Government, and the hard pressed taxpayer, a happy New Year as businesses take a boost, tax revenues flow and the deficit finally starts tumbling.

Yet the very basis for Mr Salmond’s reputation as a political prophet has been shattered by the crash in oil prices, which is literally tumbling by the day:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/11308952/Opec-Oil-plummets-after-Saudis-says-20-crude-is-possible.html

Tough to argue with this commentary. And remember Scotland's independence was meant to be secured on permanently high oil prices. The honest truth is that Alex Salmond has zero economic credibility.

Jim Murphy's win in Scotland is good news if like me you want to keep the Union

I am a Conservative, but I have friends and colleagues in different parties in the House of Commons.  There are also opposition politicians who you respect. Self evidently noone respects Ed Miliband, although as an individual he is ok. It is just that he is hopelessly out of his depth, deeply misguided in his views, and would bring disaster to this country, if he were PM, particularly with Ed Balls as Chancellor.

One of Eds mistakes as Labour leader is to demote the intelligent and pragmatic Labour politicians: the sacking of John Healey MP, and the demotion of Jim Murphy MP were serious errors. It only further undermines Labour credibility - not least amongst their despairing MPs. In the Coalition we look in amazemement at the demotion of such people and the promotion of "Yes Men and Women" by Miliband. In the North East Phil Wilson is probably the best Labour MP, yet he is not promoted, and then several genuinely average performers are. My Labour MP mates all can see it. Yet nothing is done.

What really undermines Labour is the idea that business is the enemy, not the creator of jobs. The Miliband attitude to entrepreneurs dismays me. 

This last 18 months I have been to Scotland repeatedly to battle for the Union with the SNP. We succeeded and, although you would not know it to hear the SNP, they lost by 10% points. There is no doubt that Jim Murphy made a real difference in that battle. He is likeable and articulate. On Wednesday morning we played together in the midfield against the Soldiers Charities team in the same House of Commons football team. He is now the Scottish labour leader.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-30461687

For my part I am torn: I know that if the SNP take lots of Labour seats in Scotland it lessens the awful prospect of Miliband becoming Prime Minister, but it will also enhance the likelihood of Scottish separation and the breakup of the UK. I am confident that the Scottish Conservative Party will win more seats in Scotland at the General Eelection in May, but I recognise that to stop the SNP you need a strong Labour party in Scotland. And the win for Jim Murphy is a good thing. I wish him well. His biggest problem is his own leader Ed Miliband, who is a complete liability, whether here in England or in Scotland.

Catch a Salmond once, throw it back, then catch it again

So Alex Salmond wants to return to Westminster. Despite having lost the Referendum by a significant margin he is putting himself forward for the Gordon seat. This is no shoe in for the ageing former SNP leader, as many of the papers have made clear: 
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/scottish-politics/11278658/Watch-out-Westminster-Alex-Salmond-wants-back-in.html
However, if he wins, the House of Commons will, I am sure welcome him back.

SNP struggling to accept they lost the referendum

Alex Massie writes well on how to hear the SNP talk you would have thought they had won the referendum:
http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/2014/10/i-vow-to-thee-my-scotland-a-small-number-of-earthly-things/

On Wednesday I raised this exact point in Scottish Questions in the Commons: when discussing the Smith Commission and the Joint Committee that is meeting:
Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con):

Surely the key question for the Committee to take to the Scottish National party of Government is that no means no?

Minister David Mundell MP:

I certainly hope that it is now clear that the decisive result of the referendum is respected and that we move forward on behalf of all of Scotland to deliver the new devolved Scotland that everyone wants to see.

One can but hope.

The Devolution Journey of powers and finance to Scotland and the North East takes a big step today

Today in the House of Commons, MPs will debate the consequences of the Scottish devolution settlement agreed during the Scottish Referendum.
Along with those promises are the subsequent demands that England be treated equally. Within hours of the No vote being announced, David Cameron appeared in Downing Street to insist that English MPs alone should vote on English-only legislation. Now that the principle has been so firmly enunciated, there is no going back on it, just as there can be no retreat from what has been promised to Scotland. Where Labour are on this is still hard to see but I have met no one who does not agree it is mad to have devolution to the Scots but their MPs continue to vote on matters affecting Hexham and Halifax.

Indeed, the doctrine of English votes for English laws could well be reinforced in Parliament before Christmas, though in an ideal world Scots MPs would simply excuse themselves from voting on matters that did not concern them without being told to. All that is needed is a simple change in Parliamentary Standing Order 39 to make it clear that when designated English-only legislation is before the House then Scottish MPs would not be allowed to vote on it.
However, the House has acted swiftly and changed the government timetable so that the Scottish debate can get started and there is an airing of opinions as to the way ahead from lunchtime today.  The debate is from 1-7pm.

The Scottish Referendum just got closer but the positive case for the Union is still strong

I have made many trips north of the border these last 18 months debating the Scottish Referendum, urging the Scots to say "No thanks", and making the positive case both for the Union and the fact that we, who live in the Rest of The UK, want the Scots to stay. Most recently I was in Hawick [with a team of 14 like minded southern based locals keen to help make the case for the Union] but before that I was in everywhere from Aberdeen to Argyll, Dumfries to Perthshire and many places in between.
As always close to election people worry, but it was ever thus, and you just have to keep campaigning, keep making the case, and worry not too much about the media. I will be going back north of the border in the last few days to help Better Together team get out the vote. In reality, like all elections this will be a numbers game and turnout on the day is key. If any of my constituents south of the Border want to do more then they can contact me and I will direct them as to where we are helping or they can contact Better Together direct  - their website is here: http://bettertogether.net/blog/entry/no-borders-between-our-young-people-and-opportunity

The crucial day will be 17th and 18th September. Any locals wanting to help on the 18th should get mark it out in their diary.

August 25 for Round 2 of Darling v Salmond debate - live for all UK on BBC

Round 2 of the Darling v Salmond debate will take place on Monday August 25 – details still to be decided. The debate will be on BBC and available nationwide – and that means the UK not just Scotland: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28722263

There is no doubt that Darling won the first debate, and that Salmond seems ever more desperate. His argument on the pound is unravelling. If he wants independence then he can have it – provided the Scottish people agree. But with independence comes a different currency. It is that simple. Last week’s suggestion by the SNP that Scotland is more predisposed towards ‘social justice’ than other parts of Britain is frankly absurd, and embarrassing. I hope to continue our campaign to maintain the Union and that ultimately Scotland will say “No thanks”.

Is an independent Scotland entitled to keep the Pound as is?

If Salmond wants independence then he can have it – provided the Scottish people agree. But with independence comes a different type of currency. It is that simple. We debated this at length in the House of Commons – see the debate here: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?id=2014-02-12a.292.1&s=%28scottish+currency%29+speaker%3A24962#g302.2

The key section of the debate is as follows:
- "On what basis would Scotland get to keep the pound? Would it be used informally, just as some Latin American countries, Greece and Montenegro use other currencies?
- Why should the Bank of England take notice of Scotland in setting monetary policy?
- Why should the Governor travel to Edinburgh and be interrogated by Scottish MPs in such an event?
- After independence, surely the Governor would owe his appointment entirely to a rest-of-UK appointment system?
- At that stage, would the First Minister come to London seeking an audience to negotiate?
- when one goes through Mark Carney’s speech and looks at the currency options, it would seem that the SNP proposes to keep the pound as part of a formal sterling currency union agreed with the rest of the UK. However, the SNP seems not to have contemplated the fact that that would involve giving up huge amounts, as Mark Carney made very clear, as well as requiring the agreement of all other parties. The SNP seeks independence but would require and accept greater control by a third party."
Many more details on the debate in parliament at the link above.

It's the Darling V Salmond debate tonight but only in Scotland / online

It is debate time tonight at 8pm live on STV. For the non Scots based you can still watch online. I shall be watching. No one underestimates Alex Salmond but I simply do not believe he has answer to the many arguments in favour of the union = the best of both worlds.
On the economic, military, European, healthcare, banking and pensions issues I believe that the SNP are unable to prove to the Scottish people that they would be better off alone. More importantly I believe that the message is getting through to the Scots that we who are south of the border are genuine in our desire for them to stay. We are better together, and having beaten everyone from Napoleon to Hitler together, I want this wonderful United Kingdom to remain and thrive individually and collectively.

Do debates matter? Ask Texas governor Rick Perry, who was a much-fancied contender in the 2011 race for the Republican nomination before he bombed spectacularly on air in a live pre White HouseTV debate. He withdrew from the race shortly afterwards. Similarly in the first US presidential TV debate in 1960, Republican nominee Richard Nixon famously lost out on the presidency after many thought he appeared sweaty and shifty next to a polished and confident John F Kennedy.
At the last general election I remember very well the packed debates in Hexham abbey, which definitely made a difference to the many who were there. On any interpretation this is the biggest debate in Scottish history.

Fuller details of the debate and the implications / stakes here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28607002

If anyone wants to come on our bus to help save the union on Saturday August 30 please email me on guy.opperman.mp@parliament.uk
I shall be going north in the morning from Newcastle and Hexham and have privately rented a bus to take everyone, but obviously need to know numbers if at all possible. We shall be going to Jedburgh, Galashiels and across the Borders area persuading Scots who have a postal vote (which land on their doorstep around that day) that we are better together. If you want to come in your own car, and can carry others, then also please let me know. This is a cross party trip, so all are welcome - I have already campaigned with many liberals and labour politicians in Scotland, and in Westminster, on this issue. The state of our country is at stake.

Tuesday August 5 for the Salmond v Darling TV Debate

Alex Salmond will go head-to-head with Alistair Darling in a televised debate on Scottish independence, STV has confirmed. Broadcaster STV said a debate between Scotland's First Minister and Mr Darling, who leads the pro-Union Better Together campaign would take place on August 5. This I will want to see - we are Better Together.
Update:
Bizarrely it has been announced that Scottish TV will not show this debate in the rest of the UK. So the rest of us can not be involved or informed. This gets stranger by the minute.

Question Time this evening is politician free - all about Scottish Independence

At 22:35 tonight BBC is bringing ‘Question Time’ from Inverness, featuring a panel with no politicians – instead there will be campaigners from both sides of the Scottish independence debate

Trying to show the Scots we want them to stay - more action by Better Together on the border

Anne Marie Trevelyan, the Conservative candidate for Berwick on Tweed, and Rory Stewart, MP for Penrith and the Borders, are both passionate Unionists and are both doing what they can to make the Scots stay.
On Saturday July 19th Anne Marie is leading the Border Union Rally along the Scottish Border from Carter Bar to Kirk Yetholm: Full details of what will be an amazing day out and a great hike here:
 http://www.borderunionrally.com/

Similarly my colleague in the House of Commons, Rory Stewart MP is behind the project to create a Cairn on the border at Gretna, starting on Sunday July 20: as he writes:

"Right on the border, in a field at Gretna, we are inviting families from Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland to bring stones and build a great cairn. Stone cairns have been built in Northern England and Scotland for millennia, to celebrate a sense of shared space. Together we hope to construct a striking and lasting testimony to the Union.
We will begin the project on Sunday July 20th and continue every day thereafter, for the following eight weeks and hopefully beyond. We would always love to hear from anyone who is coming, but we also want people to feel they can just turn up and make their mark."
For my part I will be campaigning in Scotland repeatedly between now and September 18.
I urge locals to get behind both projects. The simple question is this: what are you doing to save the Union?

Better Together embraces all parties to keep Scotland as part of the UK

This photo was taken as part of the latest campaigning trip to Aberdeenshire, Fife and Perthshire: it was taken by a key Labour activist, and features councillors from several different parties, and myself - as we came together to make the case for the Union. I was in the village of Dunning and we canvassed all the village finding 80% in favour of the Union. What was noticeable was the cross party goodwill on a very important subject. If you want the ultimate embrace of alternative parties then look no further than the impassioned and eloquent plea of George Galloway MP at the recent Spectator dinner: extracts from  the speech I set out below:

  

‘We are people together on a small piece of rock with three hundred years of common history, and that’s what they want to break up. This is the first time ever that people in a small country, where everyone speaks the same language are being asked to break up, and break up on the basis that they don’t have a currency to use. There will be no pound.’

‘The difference is we have come together temporarily at a moment of national peril. The nationalists on the other hand are permanently together for they have only one purpose, to persuade you that Brian Souter, the gay-baiting billionaire, funder of their campaign, is someone more worthy of looking up to than J.K.Rowling.

“I am tired of being called a quisling, or a traitor…I’ll go wherever I like in these islands or anywhere else and speak my mind. There’ll be havoc if you vote yes in September, havoc in Edinburgh and throughout the land, and you’ll break the hearts of many others too. Who wants to mortgage their, and their children’s future on a finite resource that will soon be finished and the price of which is simply incalculable?’

‘They want you to re-fight a battle seven hundred years ago between two French speaking Kings with Scottish people on both sides. I prefer to remember a rather more recent battle…If we had not stood, but capitulated, like others had done before us, we’d be having this meeting this evening in German, if we were going to have it at all.’

Bless JK Rowling - she believes we are Better Together!

Author JK Rowling has made a £1m donation to help fund the campaign against Scottish independence.

The writer of the Harry Potter books, who lives in Edinburgh, has publicly backed the Better Together campaign.
Explaining her decision on her website, Ms Rowling said there was a "denial of risks" within the "Yes" campaign.

She also said there was a "fringe of nationalists who like to demonise anyone who is not blindly and unquestionably pro-independence".
She added: "My hesitance at embracing independence has nothing to do with lack of belief in Scotland's remarkable people or its achievements. The simple truth is that Scotland is subject to the same 21st century pressures as the rest of the world. It must compete in the same global markets, defend itself from the same threats and navigate what still feels like a fragile economic recovery."

"The more I listen to the 'Yes' campaign, the more I worry about its minimisation and even denial of risks. Whenever the big issues are raised - our heavy reliance on oil revenue if we become independent, what currency we'll use, whether we'll get back into the EU - reasonable questions are drowned out by accusations of 'scaremongering'".

Full story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27793967

Better Together - dozens of Scots I spoke to last week agree but only 100 days to go

Both sides in the Scottish independence debate are marking the milestone of 100 days to go until the referendum. It is increasingly clear that Salmond and the nationalists are running out of time. The voters I met last week agreed we are better together - about which I will blog in detail over the next few days. 

The referendum will be held on 18 September, with voters asked the Yes/No question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"

Opinion polls show a decent majority favour the Better Together pro union campaign but we still have many people still to make up their minds either way. Last week it was clear that neither America nor Europe want Scotland to go independent. More details here: http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/tomgallagher/100275242/why-europe-and-america-dont-want-an-independent-scotland-run-by-shape-shifting-alex-salmond/