Tony Blair has launched a scathing attack on those advocating an independent Scotland, comparing them to Ukip as a movement that seeks to pin the blame for the problems of the world on someone else.
Tony Blair has launched a scathing attack on those advocating an independent Scotland, comparing them to the UK Independence Party as a movement that seeks to pin the blame for the problems of the world on someone else.
Blair, himself a Scot by birth and who, as prime minister, oversaw the establishment of the devolved institutions across the UK, spoke yesterday to the National Association of Pension Funds conference.
Asked for his views on the UK’s place in Europe, he made comparisons between the SNP and Ukip, telling the audience:
“I feel about Britain separating out from Europe in the way that I feel about – frankly since I’m here in Edinburgh – Scotland separating from the UK. The problem with this [is that]people, whether it is Ukip or the Scottish National Party, have the idea that the cause of our problems is someone else, and the cure is separating ourselves out from that someone else. It is not like that – neither the cause nor the cure.
“The fact is that the world is ever more interconnected. To disconnect yourself, either Scotland from the UK or Britain from Europe, is just not sensible, because many of the challenges we are going to have to face together. We are going to have to get solutions together.”
Declaring that Scotland remaining in the union went with the “grain of history”, Blair continued:
“I think ultimately, for Scotland, being part of the UK is in Scottish interests, it is in English interests, it is in the interests of the UK as a whole, because it goes with the grain of history.
“When you have got the single biggest commercial market on your doorstep, why on earth would you separate yourself off from that – however frustrating it is?
“You should be in there to try and win the battles, build the alliances and make the thing work because you can be sure the future is in being part of something bigger and not retreating into something smaller.”
SNP MSP Christina McKelvie responded by making what amounts to a tenuous connection between the Iraq War and Scottish Independence.
She explained:
“The 10th anniversary of Tony Blair’s invasion of Iraq on false pretences is a compelling illustration of the need for Scotland’s parliament to have the full powers of independence.
“Scotland needs a parliament with the ability to speak with our own voice in the world, get rid of nuclear weapons and build a fair society and strong economy. The more often Tory Blair argues for ‘No’, the stronger the ‘Yes’ vote will become.”
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38 Responses to “Tony Blair compares SNP to Ukip”
Tim Gee
This is ridiculous. I don’t like the SNP’s energy policy but that doesn’t make them UKIP style bigots! Then again Tony Blair isn’t the most trusted man in the world, it’s likely that every time he open his mouth on this issue he strengthens the independence cause
Adam Ramsay
HAHAHA. Oh, this is serious. I assume you are reporting this to point out what an idiot Blair is?
Patrick Brennan
Who cares what this ex-Prime Minister(failed in Iraq) writes about devolution for Scotland?
Lewis
Also, while UKIP do indeed want to pull out from the ‘biggest single market on their doorstep’, the SNP entirely support EU membership.
Tom
A man who placed spin over conviction, alliance with Bush over British security interests, personal political gain in Europe over national sovereignty, and ultimately created a public sector spending spree built of credit which lead to the ongoing recession, he should keep his mouth firmly shut.