SNP MP shouted '˜Happy Independence Day' at London tourists

AN SNP MP has revealed he shouted '˜Happy Independence Day' at tourists visiting London as he made his way to Westminster.

Inverclyde MP Ronnie Cowan. Picture: Facebook/Ronnie Cowan MP

Ronnie Cowan, the SNP member for Inverclyde, posted on Facebook that he had ‘positively marched the last 400 yards’ to the main gate of Westminster, on the day that Scotland would have officially become independent in the event of a Yes vote in the 2014 referendum.

Mr Cowan, who defeated Labour’s Iain McKenzie at the 2015 General Election, wrote: “So this should have been our day.

“The day that Scotland became independent. The day we stood shoulder to shoulder with all other nations as equals.

“The first day in the dawning of a new constructive, collaborative and mutually beneficial relationship with the remaining nations of the United Kingdom. But instead it is just Thursday.”

The Inverclyde MP went on to describe his morning routine - ‘I choose my music, put in my ear plugs and walk the ten minutes at a brisk pace from my flat to the main gate’ - but revealed that he had been ‘downbeat’ on his way to Parliament.

He added: “I noticed my pace was slower. My body language was more downbeat. I stopped outside Millbank and fumbled in my pocket to retrieve my iPod. This day should be different.

“I selected Freedom Come All Ye and positively marched the last 400 yards, shouting at random bemused tourists ‘Happy Independence Day’.”

Mr Cowan signed off his Facebook post with: “Today the 24th of March is just another Thursday but who knows what it shall become in the years to come.

“Independence has been postponed not cancelled. Scotland forever.”

Meanwhile, Conservative MPs have suggested that March 24 should be known as Unity Day, and made a national public holiday.

MP for Fylde Mark Menzies said to the speaker John Bercow in a Commons speech: “I’m sure you will agree with me that we represent the greatest country on Earth and it’s a privilege to do so and may we thank in that debate the 55 per cent of the people of Scotland who had the good sense to stay with the United Kingdom, to reject budget cuts and penury.”