Listening to several political podcasts from assorted British commentators this week, there seems to be a consensus that the #SNP's #GazaCeasefire motion was primarily a cynical ploy to embarrass #Labour.
This seems to me to be
a. Lazy;
b. Cynical;
c. Woefully ill-informed about Scotland;
d. Wrong.
Even ignoring the fact that the leader of the SNP's wife is #Palestinian, sympathy for the Palestinian cause on the left in Scotland is very widespread.
@simon_brooke
Sympathy for Palatine is widespread everywhere except in the media.
Promoting the idea that it was a SNP ploy to embarrass labour is just another way of trying to distract from the fact that the majority of people side with Palestine.
@simon_brooke I noticed that, too. It's a weird one. Where does that settled narrative come from? I dont expect them to reflect the world from a Scottish perspective, but it would be reasonable to expect some recognition that Scotland has a perspective that is different to their own. They can't seem to comprehend the fact that their perspective is not the only one possible.
@simon_brooke the fact that The Newsagents, Pod save the UK and The Rest is Politics all immediately jump to exactly the same conclusion, tells a story I don't think any of them would be comfortable about admitting.
@CloudyMrs@simon_brooke I think that often, the ignorance or dismissing of a "Scottish viewpoint" comes from a Unionist tactic to deny that there is a Scottish identity, as such. They paint Britain as a single, homogenous country, thus implying that dividing off parts of it via independence or reunification is pointless at best, damaging at worst.
Politicians will do this consciously, and the London media generally just accept it by osmosis.
@simon_brooke The podcasts would seem to be echoing the British media (which is comprehensively Unionist) #bias against the #SNP.
It's remarkable that the SNP has so little support from the media, even within Scotland, and yet they are nonetheless projected to remain the party with the most seats. Imagine what the SNP could achieve if the media reflected public opinion? Independence, that's what.
@simon_brooke client journalism is not a Tory exclusive and with sunaks ship sinking fast we're going to see all the usual suspects repeating the talking points of the starmerist leadership machine.
@MadeyeTheCarnaptious@piglet@simon_brooke
That seemed to be more about trying to influence Labour than support it. Although simply acknowledging that they are worth trying to influence, supports the narrative that Labour will be the next government.
@simon_brooke Correct on all counts. I do not totally discount that the SNP knew their motion would put Starmer in a bind since their last motion on this caused several Labour resignations, but the fact remains that he could have introduced his own Motion on any Labour Opposition Day. He didn’t. It is not the SNP’s fault that he waited until forced into action.
As you say, the British media is woefully ill-informed on Scotland.
@RabBrucesSpider1@simon_brooke I'm not saying there is no community involvement outside of #Orkney, but when you have weekly vigils for an immediate ceasefire at the same time as you have political initiatives that are saying the same, you have to ask yourself, where does democracy appear to be functioning these days?
The Scottish Government run by the SNP/Green coalition seems to be doing what they can. The SNP seem to reflect the values expressed on the street.
@MadeyeTheCarnaptious@simon_brooke well said & very true First Minister was one of first world leaders to condemn collective punishment of civilians in Gaza
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