Bendy Wendy and Gordon

Is the Union under greater threat because of the Prime Minister’s dithering?

Let me start by stating that I am firmly in favour of preserving the Union between Scotland and England and Wales, it provides more benefits for us all than separatism would provide for either. However, as we watch the Labour Party leaders losing their way this week it is worth considering whether their unseemly little tiff is actually enhancing the prospects for the union or paying undue favours to the SNP.

I am no great fan of the devolutionary processes that we have seen so far, the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly will ultimately serve to promote the cause of the Nationalism that they were created to appease, real devolution involves empowering many people in much smaller units, even smaller than our local councils - but that’s for another day.

Both the Labour Party and the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party lost seats and representation north of the border simply because they took the electorate for granted for too many years, and by failing to see and react to the Nationalist threat they inadvertently created the void that was all too easy to fill. Traditional Labour votes deserted to the SNP and the core Tory vote slipped to the Liberal Democrats or was dissipated and depleted in boundary reviews. Yet all the while Alex Salmond was demonstrating a cool and cunning head, and positioning his party to take advantage in the first elections for the Scottish Parliament.

It is with this background in mind that Labour’s leader in Scotland “Bendy” Wendy Hamilton has attempted to force the issue of a referendum over Scottish independence, you need to understand that she does not support separation and neither does Gordon Brown. Scottish Independence is the ultimate aim of Salmond’s Nationalists, as is his desire to stage a referendum, unfortunately this can only be facilitated through Westminster. The prospect of the SNP actually operating a stable and healthy economy in Scotland surely scares the pants off the Labour Party, and a few years of prosperity before any such referendum would suit the SNP nicely. Hence, I think, Wendy’s desire to force the issue and bring the boil to a head.

If she could persuade Gordon Brown that a referendum on separation should be held as soon as practical, then the possibility of Scots voting to destroy the Union would be much reduced, the SNP need to play a longer game. Besides the sister of “wee” Douglas Hamilton probably sees sense in NOT allowing a referendum campaign to be fought at a time, in a place, and on a battleground of Alex Salmond’s choosing. So, why did Brown not see the political sense in agreeing with her stance? Because he felt left out of the Scottish loop? Hardly, they are all the closest of friends

More likely because the Calman Commission is still deliberating over further powers for Scotland’s Parliament, another review in progress, therefore he was unable to make a tactical decision. For three days Wendy Alexander went unsupported by the Prime Minister as he dithered towards PMQ’s on Wednesday. His lack of acumen on this issue left him wide open to attack from David Cameron and left Wendy Alexander looking as though she was hung out to dry. Fortunately for her she retained the support of her colleagues in the Scottish Parliament, where Annabel Goldie, the Conservative leader , is also struggling to find a tactical and moral stance on the referendum issue.

Meanwhile Salmond can afford to sit back and watch as Bendy Wendy and Gordon try to get back on speaking terms, the Conservatives and Labour Party try to find a comfortable position to occupy when the fight comes, and the SNP continues to govern the Scottish Executive on the largesse of English money - why shouldn’t Salmond be happy?

The danger comes somewhere in 2010 when Salmond decides to force the issue of Scottish separatism, all parties north of the border need to have their battle plans well prepared and rehearsed by then, and if Labour cannot find co-ordination under Brown’s indecisive and dithering leadership there could be a real danger of the SNP marching onwards towards their cherished goal.

The whole issue of the referendum, Bendy Wendy, Alex and Gordon was discussed by the BBC’s John Piennar in his podcast yesterday, it’s an interesting few minutes, well worth a listen. (Mind you having heard Wendy Hamilton’s screeching tones I find it hard to understand what it is that Mr. Eugenides finds so “fragrant” about her.)

Click the arrow on the right to play the podcast.

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