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Joan McAlpine Accused Of 'Political Racism' For Calling Non-SNP Politicians 'Anti-Scottish'

Scotland

First Posted: 12/01/12 23:24 GMT Updated: 13/01/12 16:11 GMT

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A member of the Scottish Parliament has been accused of "political racism" after she appeared to claim anyone who opposed the SNP's timetable for a independence referendum was "anti-Scottish".

Speaking in the Parliament on Thursday, SNP MSP Joan McAlpine said she made "no apology" for saying that the Lib Dems, the Labour Party and the Conservatives were "anti-Scottish in coming together to defy the will of the Scottish people, the democratic mandate the Scottish people gave us to hold the referendum at a time of our choosing".

First minister Alex Salmond has said he wants to hold a referendum in the Autumn of 2014. However the British government has said it would prefer to see any poll be held sooner.

McAlpine's comments were challenged in the chamber by Tory and Labour MSPs. Neil Findlay (Lab) said she was an "utter disgrace" for suggesting that Scots who wanted to remain part of the UK were not patriotic.

McAlpine, who is a parliamentary aide to Salmond, responded that she was addressing her comments not to members of the public but "to the Labour party, the Conservative party and the Liberal Democrats ... who, thank goodness, do not represent the people of Scotland".

This caused Jackson Carlaw (Con) to accuse McAlpine of "political racism" by implying people who belonged for a different political party than the SNP did not love their country.

"The claim by the SNP that there is some additional moral authority or additional pride or additional birthright to speak on behalf of the people of Scotland because they vote SNP is offensive," he said.

"If you spoke against somebody who was gay, you would be homophobic. If you speak against somebody who was black, you would be racist. If you say people are anti-Scottish because they belong to a different political party, that is a form of political racism."

Appearing on the BBC's Question Time programme on Thursday evening, SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon said: "Nobody who believes Scotland should stay in the UK is anti-Scottish."

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A member of the Scottish Parliament has been accused of "political racism" after she appeared to claim anyone who opposed the SNP's timetable for a independence referendum was "anti-Scottish". Spea...
A member of the Scottish Parliament has been accused of "political racism" after she appeared to claim anyone who opposed the SNP's timetable for a independence referendum was "anti-Scottish". Spea...
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Trenchfoot
76 Fans
11:32 PM on 01/16/2012
The Scots, throughout their great history have always been, rightly, resistant to being dictated to. How come they can now accept the dictation of these SNP people? What are they letting themselves in for I wonder?
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st michael
43 Fans
02:41 PM on 01/16/2012
every time i see a picture of alex he is getting bigger he must be eating and drinking his way to power.
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MarkEMacLachlan
85 Fans
 
08:20 PM on 01/13/2012
Serious question, can someone please tell me what 'political racism' actually is?
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Allyb999
50 Fans
02:00 PM on 01/14/2012
Its a sound bite purely made up to attract attention.
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west lothian questioner
285 Fans
03:07 PM on 01/14/2012
Its a term invented on the hoof by Jackson C. to try to deflect from the fact that, in essence, Joan McA. was pretty much on the money with what she said.
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Colsco1
2 Fans
 
11:31 PM on 01/22/2012
Sorry WLQ I can't agree with the idea that Joan McA was "on the money"... She emulates everything that is wrong with the SNP. Scotland wants to be independant in their heart but realistically in their minds most Scots want to remain part of the UK
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rod the brit
3 Fans
04:10 PM on 01/13/2012
Can anybody out there explain to me what independence means. I assume that if scotland vote
to exit the uk,which is their right, and take their place in the eu as a individual state is that not, there you have it now its gone, The powers that be running the Eu will not be happy untill it is one state then the arguments put forward re scotland and england will look like nothing. As for the vast majority
in the uk the only difference will be. less say in our lives as the seat of our masters might as well be on the moon. so england scotland stop slagging each other off we are all a mixture of races anyway
good look scotland
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Uill57
0 Fans
03:59 PM on 01/13/2012
Would seem the Cameron and Clegg's coalition government has succeed in using the referendum on Scottish independence as a diversionary tactic from the bad news like welfare cuts, means testing the disabled and youth unemployment.

Most Scots are not interested in when the referendum is held, whether it be in two years or twenty years, most would like the politicians we elected to the Edinburgh Parliament get on with governing Scotland.

If there has to be a referendum, a rigged 'yes - no' vote won't solve anything, it did not do so in 1979 and it won't do so now... we will end up having another one, an another one.

I suggest there should be a third option on the ballot paper one that reflects the wishes of most Scots... a Parliament that can get on with the task of governing Scotland creating jobs...
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septic calling
36 Fans
03:19 PM on 01/13/2012
Strange isnt it, the BNP are pilloried for being racist bigots by all and yet and if we had an mirror party of the SNP called the ENP, that too would be classed as offensive and racist. So why do we have to put up with the offensive nationalist parties of Scotalnd and Wales, whose rhetoric is every bit as offensive as Nick Griffins? It beggars belief that Blair unleashed this snake of nationalism, just to garner votes. The problem with all naytional socialists is that they belive by having a slight majority, they have a mandate for an oligarchy! Come on Dave, call their bluff and hold a referendum next year!
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Allyb999
50 Fans
02:07 PM on 01/14/2012
SNP is not anti English, it is pro Scottish. Having a maority voted in by the people of Scotland means they have the right to follow the pre election promises they made ( very rare thing for any political party to do, just ask the Cons and Lib Dems ). Yet you want a minority government to dictate terms to a Nation that certainly did not vote them into power. As for the referendum, surely the timing should be down to the government of the country involved, because we are a democratic Union or then again maybe we are not.
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septic calling
36 Fans
02:30 PM on 01/14/2012
The SNP is as odious as the BNP, their politics differ in only one way, the BNP want to keep the Union whole. Only 38% of the elegible voters in Scotalnd voted for the SNP so that doesnt give them a strong mandtae to dictate to anyone and that is what they are doing. Their rhetoric is driven by pure hate and bigotry...it will bankrupt the Scottish quicker than the banks collapsing. However, the right to a referendum is down the the elected Government, not an assembly and therefore it is Camerons decision to make!
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west lothian questioner
285 Fans
03:30 PM on 01/14/2012
If a party named the English National Party was founded with the same basic aims as the SNP only substituting the word England for Scotland in all its policies then it would hopefully be a fully and openly democratic party in the same mold. Bigotry and hate play no part in SNP policy. Dave has already given up the idea of dictating terms and dates to Holyrood after being handed his a*se on a plate. He may push through some legislation to make any referendum result binding on the UK's part, but that really won't prevent the result being what the result will be The democratic expression of the wishes of Scottish voters will be upheld whether that happens or not, international law gurantees that with the full backing of UN concords which the UK is fully signed up to.
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septic calling
36 Fans
04:41 PM on 01/14/2012
And lets get it done now, rather than when it suits the SNP..be very clear, the exchequer raises £35 billion in revenue from Scotland, and Scotland spends £78 billion. Just who picks up the tab? I would say, let the rest of us in the Union vote ina referendim to see if we want Scotalnd, it may be sobering for the Scits to see that we are sick of their whinging! But yes, let the Scots have their way, and if it is no, we will never hear the end of it from the seperatists "it was rigged, it was a ifx" and all of the rest, until they get another! How long will Alba survive without money?
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thereiver
49 Fans
02:30 PM on 01/13/2012
i personally feel that the vote should be asap. but that it should only be after all the issues have been decided, i want to know are we in the EU or out, if we have to apply are we to go to the Euro which will have a huge impact on those who live in the borders. Many work in England and live in Scotland they will be paid in Sterling and have to convert to the euro. they will need pounds for shopping in England and euro for at home.
will Scotland be legally required to take on Billions of Debt re the national debt and all the debt re Scottish banks. will we still get free medical care at a hospital in England ( in several areas the main Hospital is over the Border , or will we be charged . will car insurance cover both countries or do we need special cross border cover. who actually owns the oil. i know both sides are making claims but it may need a court decision.
a lot of these areas may be covered by current laws and conditions across europe and some in particular regarding the situation relating to the two Ireland's but no one from any party is explaining any of these issues.
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Allyb999
50 Fans
02:09 PM on 01/14/2012
You want the referendum rushed but then in the next sentence have loads of questions to be answered. Makes no sense to rush into the referendum till we all have the facts.
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thereiver
49 Fans
06:44 PM on 01/14/2012
the point i made was for it to be asap but only after all the points had been laid out discussed and explained. that could take 12 months it could take 5 years, wither way only when every issue is covered. at the moment both parties are for their own reasons trying to impose dates that suit them
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thereiver
49 Fans
02:30 PM on 01/13/2012
its very interesting how this MSP claims that her party has a mandate even tough her party had only 44% of the vote, yet they complain that the Government ( as an elected national Government) which achieved just under 60% has no say. at that election her party got 19% of the votes so 81% were against their plans.. As all three other parties are opposed and represent a higher number and percentage of voters her argument does not hold any water.
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kohl
64 Fans
02:26 PM on 01/13/2012
The more spouting the SNP make the more I am convinced that they are "Made" for the EU. They fit the bill in every way. The Scottish people deserve better.
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Allyb999
50 Fans
02:11 PM on 01/14/2012
We chose the SNP as our ruling party and to be honest would rather have them than the CON/LIBs.
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Colsco1
2 Fans
 
11:36 PM on 01/22/2012
Sorry I did not choose the SNP as the ruling party unfortunately thats what democracy is about and we have been landed with Alex & Co .... dont think that the con/libs will be much better however better to be at the table collectively than as a minor country in the Eurozone that we would be.
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george the patriot
0 Fans
02:08 PM on 01/13/2012
I for one are completely in favour of an independent Scotland. I am sick and tired of having to rely on the Westminster Parliament in respect of any and all fiscal decisions as well as defence, Judiciary,
and Tax considerations. Will Independence prove to be a diffiicult road..this may well be the case,
however I am willing to take this road as I believe to stand on our own and prove to ourselves and the world that we have come of age as a nation and have earned the right to stand as equals with England and not as a growing child who only wants to leave home and plough there own way in the world. After all growing up is very rarely achieved without some pain.
IN SHORT WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE MASTERS IN OUR OWN HOME
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HisScaliness
90 Fans
02:34 PM on 01/13/2012
Indeed you have that right, and no-one can gainsay you.

How would Alex Salmond have bailed out RBS?
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west lothian questioner
285 Fans
03:12 PM on 01/14/2012
RBS was and remains an internationally owned company playing the City of London's arcane games by the rules laid down by Westminster. Scotland's share of the bail out has presumably been met from the disproportuionate share of the UK's tax take donates by Scots. When the UK government's shares in the bank are sold back to the private sector we all have to hope the Gideon manages to do a better deal than he did with Northern Rock. I'm sure nobody In England, Wales or N. Ireland would want them to be sold at another loss. Be sure that Scots would too.
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paddy h
0 Fans
01:34 PM on 01/13/2012
patriotism is still the last refuge of a scoundrel
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west lothian questioner
285 Fans
03:13 PM on 01/14/2012
And independence is the normal state of countries all around the globe. Its about time Scotland rejoined normality. As Winnie Ewing famously put it... "Stop the world! Scotland wants to get on!"
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sherpaC
0 Fans
01:34 PM on 01/13/2012
Salmond should fire her right now. After spending years trying to get into a position where we can have a serious debate about the possibility of independence and persuading the electrorate that the SNP is indeed a serious political party, up pops Joan and drags us all back to the petty Nats 'its oor oil' syndrome of the 70s and 80s. Get rid of her before she does any lasting damage.
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Alex Gallagher
0 Fans
03:52 PM on 01/13/2012
GHe could fire her, but he can't fire the attitude, common to too many nationalists, that if you're not with them you're a traitor.
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lastpost
see biography
440 Fans
12:39 PM on 01/13/2012
"If you say people are anti-Scottish because they belong to a different political party, that is a form of political racism."
Maybe. But political persuasion is something one can do something about. On Question Time last night, one politician rounded on another. For delaying the referendum on Scottish devolution until 2014. Unfortunately, there was no one present to pose the query. Quite. But how long are you politicians intending to put off that referendum relating to the EU?
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pfhhpm
0 Fans
12:29 PM on 01/13/2012
The possible break up of the United Kingdom must not be the subject of a referendum of any minority section. If there must be a referendum, then all UK citizens must be allowed to participate. Personally, I am not in favour of Scottish separation but I think that my Scottish friends might be surprised how much support this SNP programme has in the rest of the country!
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Allyb999
50 Fans
12:46 PM on 01/13/2012
Minority section ??? do you mean the people of Scotland? No people of Scotland should be the only ones deciding if the want to leave the Union or stay. Going by your reckoning if the UK wants a referendum on leaving the EU, then every member state of the EU should be included in the referendum too?
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pfhhpm
0 Fans
05:01 PM on 01/13/2012
The Scottish population IS a "minority" section of the UK community. Just a mathematical term and not intended to be derogatory!
The UK is a sovereign state, which the EU most certainly is not - I think that makes a big difference - we should compare like with like.
I hope that (whatever the scope of any referendum) that the UK remains intact, as (except on the rugby field, where I am distinctly Welsh) I value the unity of this small island.
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