Canon Wright attacks insulting Downing St diktat

Published on Wednesday 15 February 2012 01:10

One of the architects of devolution has branded it “insulting” the Westminster government should be “dictating” what questions go on the ballot paper.

Canon Kenyon Wright, a leading figure in the Scottish Constitutional Convention, insisted the Scottish Government should not be cowed in the power struggle over the referendum.

“The idea the Scottish Government has somehow to go cap in hand to London for permission to consult the Scottish people seems to me to be totally unaccpetable,” he said.

“What’s more unacceptable is that London can dictate what question or questions or how many questions should be on asked – that’s insulting.”

A multi-option referendum could be more decisive than a straight “yes or no” which could “disenfranchise” many Scots, according to the cleric, who wants to see a third option on more powers included.

With Prime Minister David Cameron due in Scotland for talks tomorrow, Canon Wright believes the Tory leader has taken a back-seat to avoid a Margaret Thatcher-style backlash from the 1997 vote.

“The day before the referendum Maggie Thatcher came up to Scotland and the headline in one newspaper was ‘Here’s another reason to say yes’ – with a picture of her,” he said.

“Cameron has realised it would be counterproductive for him to take the lead in this.”

SCOTT MACNAB

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Aucthtermuchty

Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 07:59 PM

i agree with you Jofrad the way I see it , Scotland voted labour like everyone else in 1997 and we had 13 years with Blair and Brown , they ltried to eliminate poverty and have left us all indebted . the Books must be balanced and Cameron has the unlucky job of dishing out the cuts and the bad medicine Meanwhile a group Scots are saying we dont wnat to be getting cuts as well , we want to go it alone and fend for ourselves . It does not strike me as very loyal , if you benefitted form the labour Boom years , you should stay around until the bill is paid .

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jofradd

Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 06:45 PM

While Scotland is part of the UK it has no right to demand different terms than the rest of the country to remain a part it. What it does have is the right to leave the UK. Yes or No it's for Scotland to decide.

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allymax

Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 03:32 PM

Dear-o-dear Peter58, you do yourself an 'in-jury' by incorrect word-citing, and un-contextual quoting; seeing as you're a lawyer shouldn't you have used the word 'allege', instead of 'aver'? Or, in context to your sentence, your word should have been 'infer'; why? Because one cannot 'attempt' to aver; your sentence contextual premise is wrong for your word usage of 'aver'. To aver something, it is a statement of fact; to be believed, or not. No-one can 'attempt' to aver a statement of fact, you divvy! ..............Moreover, in Philippians 2.3, Paul is addressing the Church of Philipi, and the excellent 'fellowship' Working & Witnessing there; it appears to me Civic Scotland ARE an excellent fellowship, Working & Witnessing for the society and nation of Scotland. ........Oh dear Peter58, you are a divvy!

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peter58

Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:49 PM

I listened intently to the good Canon on Radio Scotland as he pedalled his propaganda and attempted to aver that effectively Scotland alone had the right not only to decide upon a referendum but also to impose embargos and limits on the extent to which any other political party, faction or individual could attempt to influence such matters. There is no need to await the outcome of any "Civic Scotland" consultation - the good Canon believes outright that he is such a body in persona. Might I remind him that Phillipians 2:3 might bring him some insight into his posturing.

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allymax

Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 03:38 AM

Canon Wright, I agree with you that Cameron is trying to limit his damaging 'presence' in Scotland to a minimum. However, I know, deep-down, in my soul, that Calamity Cameron will still let his hair-brain self indulge his never-ending calamitous status; I actually look forward to them now; they're a really good laugh. allymax.

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