Tavish Scott: The referendum game is missing one team
AMIDST meetings in London this week, an hour became clear. I beetled up Whitehall to Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery.
Normally gallery visits include children, for whom art is considered mind-improving, broadening and to involve the deepening of the experience of growing up – or if you are 11, crushingly boring. “That is a Rembrandt and isn’t it wonderful?” is met with a look of complete indifference, or something rather worse leading to a parental reprimand of one variety or another.
All these thoughts flocked through my mind as I enjoyed, somewhat guiltily, the pleasures of looking at extraordinary 300-year-old pieces of art in my own time and without the clarion call of “C’m on Dad” at every pause.
I alighted on Canaletto’s work of Venetian city scenes. The detail is exquisite, as the scale of Venice and its canals are beautifully shaded with sunlight and shadow. Such painters were master craftsmen. Passing through the cavernous interior of the National Gallery created time to ponder from afar the comings and goings of the referendum, as we are assuredly into an hour by hour, day by day, year by year battle for the future of Scotland. Or at least one side of this battle knows that. I am not so convinced by the other.
Whatever I think of the Nationalists, and in particular their language, I accept their right to put the separation case. They are doing it every minute of every day, whether the medium is newspapers, broadcasters or Twitter. There is nothing wrong with that. It is what they are there to do. No other reason exists in politics if you are a Nationalist than to separate Scotland from the rest of the UK. They believe in this goal and are making the case.
Yet on the other side there is a desperate need to say why Scotland is better, stronger and more united as part of the UK.
The Prime Minister seems engaged on Scotland’s future once in a blue moon. Yet Scotland is a leading player in the UK and in many ways is the powerhouse of the UK. But so far I do not discern a credible, united and punchy campaign. The referendum pitch only has one team on it.
Which takes me back to Murrayfield last Saturday. I would rather look back, because looking forward to the Millennium Stadium this weekend leaves this Scottish Rugby fan a tad weak at the knees after the Welsh performance in Dublin. In a cheerful, drown your sorrows, post-match gathering, many people said get on with it. Make the case. Get the pro-Scotland in the UK side on the pitch and let battle commence. They wanted the case made from within Scotland.
That case is helped by interventions from the Welsh and Northern Irish first ministers, who have done a rather better job than the current occupant of Number 10. But there can be no more weeks of only one side with the ball with an open goal to shoot at. It is game time.
• Tavish Scott is Liberal Democrat MSP for Shetland
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There are 12 comments to this article
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mighty shed
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 10:48 PMThe problem, Tavish, is that the Lib Dems are contorting themselves into obscurity in this debate. Pro federalism, yet choosing to argue against the federalist option (devo max) being on the ballot paper. Supposedly pro home rule, yet seemingly choosing to argue against greater home rule. Why not pick up the ball (rugger or otherwise) and run with it, instead of trying to hide behind your Tory partner goalposts?
quertycat
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 07:13 PM"Yet on the other side there is a desperate need to say why Scotland is better, stronger and more united as part of the UK." Well then, on you go. What's stopping you? Oh yes, you find it so important that you prefer to fill your space with inane witterings about weans and art galleries.
Tiny
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 02:27 PMThe case for the Unionist so overwhelming thar the bold Tavish spends half the article relating his experiences in a art gallery rather than make the positive case. The remainder of the article is a plea for someone else to make a positive case for the union. So we are still waiting amid all the scare stories,articles about all the things Scotland can't do etc etc. More and more people are asking why can't we do these things and more and more are discovering that the answer is Westminster. Unionists had better hope that the rabid anti Scottish media down south don't print their English edition in Scotland or that a disgruntled BBC employee doesn't reveal how all news coverage and current affairs programmer in Scotland are censored from London. Sacking BBC employees as they are at the moment may not be the cleverest move they have ever made.
christelijk_recht
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 12:53 PMTavish Scott wrote: "Yet on the other side there is a desperate need to say why Scotland is better, stronger and more united as part of the UK." ................................................................................................................................ Precisely, dear boy, and you have squandered yet another opportunity to articulate that case. Can I ask you directly, Tavish: What is that positive case for Scotland remaining in the Union? .................................................................................................................... A simple question that all pols seem to agree needs answering, but one that none have actually answered - including you, old fruit. ............................................................................................................................. This whole dancing monkey show we are subjected to daily, of accusations, defamatory articles and charges against Salmond and the Government, the often ludicrous scare stories, that went so far as to threaten our five year olds. with the loss of their beloved pandas, "Sunshine" and "Sweetie", if their mummies and daddies voted for independence - all of that inconsequential carnival barking is an irrelevance in the face of a convincing argument that is the articulation of a POSITIVE case for the Union. ............................................................................................................................ Have you considered, Tavish, that the reason you have been demonstrably unable to do so, is because there isn't one? If you cannot make the case, how do you know there is one to make? ...................................................................................................................... The truth is, of course that you do not know. And this brings us to the reality, and the real question you and every other Scot should ask themselves - If there are no known substantive positive case to staying in the Union (and remember, if you cannot make that positive case then you do NOT know one exists), then am I content to live indefinitely with what we have now - the status quo? ...................................................................................................................... You and others will no doubt promise constitutional jam tomorrow, but all of you have already had 100 years to deliver such change and you have not done so. The SNP are ready to make that change, NOW. So, what and whom shall I believe, Tavish; your vague promises of future change or Alex Salmond's actions in the here and now?
buzzer
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 10:07 AMTavish you has the chance to join in a coalition with the most popular Scottish Government to date but because of the referendum question you declined. Now you are on the periphary of Scottish politics. I neither care or are interested in your pathetic blinkered unionist views and you the narrow minded Brit nationalist. Have a nice day
Wee Archie GemmiII
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 10:05 AM"there is a desperate need to say why Scotland is better, stronger and more united as part of the UK. " So who's stopping you, Tavish? Let's hear it.
Buggerlugs
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 08:41 AMI just wish the Liberal Democrats would return to their roots in Scotland. Be Liberal and Democratic, not the Labour or Tory poodles that you have become. You are, I think, still for Home Rule but, during this period of auction the Party has missed the chance to influence the real debate. The boat has sailed and Home Rule is no longer a tenable as a policy. An independent Scottish Liberal Party might just save your Party's history and principles but, it will have to be in an independent Scotland before you wake up that?
douglas-home rule
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 08:20 AMThe Nationalists putting the separatist case. That will be the British Nationalists putting the case to keep Scotland "separated" from the rest of the World, then. Yup, and they are doing it from our colonial newspapers, broadcasters and twitter. Every minute of every day!
Family guy
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 07:50 AMTavish - yes a thoughtful suggestion that the argument for the Union is put forward. Yet Tavish, I could not help noticing you didn't put one forward. Why is that? Because there isn't one? I like you Tavish, you are a decent bloke and I know you read these blogs. But please man, get rid of the lib dem poison and go independent. You'll still get voted in as MSP and will leave you far more flexible in your approach to politics.
glassbenmhor
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 06:32 AMAye Tavish, these comments can be hurtful, none of us wish or intend to stick the knife in, it's just the whole issue is so crystal clear and in truth it's not about England, no it's about Westmonster we have all had our guts full and will take no more. The people most disenfranchised are areas in the North of England, that's why you heard three cheers from all of us over Simon Hughes's comments about English Parliament, and all so apt as the palace of Westminster slowly slides into the Thames! Oh by the way try taking the lad to the National Portrait Gallery i'm sure he'll find it more interesting with the historical you can show him Lord Stair! But just take a thought quietly for a moment and concider returning to a heart on yer sleve old fashioned Liberal, by god you'll sleep better.
allymax
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 04:25 AMTavish; Fae Canaletto, tae Canna-count, your kid probably would've done better! Canaletto's work is 18th century.------------------------------- But seriously, stick tae politics, ye canna write neither!------------------- No, but seriously; a' cannae remember whit yer point was; wiz it aboot independence, or rugby?------------------------------------------------- Nah, but seriously; how's the Lib-Dems doing?---------------------------- OK, so the last one was below the belt; huv ye ever thought o' voting wi' a'body else? Vote for independence Tavish, you know it makes sense.------------------------------------------------------------------------ BTW, I also took my youngest son to that museum (while my daughters were playing on the big trampolines outside), when it had the Dali exhibition on; my son said it was fantastic; he was only 15. My daughters had great fun too.
Proud Doonhamer
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 01:12 AMAs I am older than some here, I remember a party that supported Home Rule, advocated for more powers to Scotland and were appalled at any suggestion of adopting Tory policies. Then someone offered up a few perks, and they forgot all that. Tavish, do you remember them? It starts with an "L" and NO, despite obvious similarities, it is not Labour. Do you need more time? Let me give you a big hint.... TURN AROUND AND LOOK IN THE MIRROR!
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