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.”
38 Responses to “Tony Blair compares SNP to Ukip”
Newsbot9
Yes, keep talking about the minor knock which happened after Thatcher’s evisceration of the funds.
Newsbot9
The SNP might one day get back into the EU. You’re trying to leave. Be honest.
Battleaxe
Ah! another Thatcher basher? But perhaps your aim is off http://www.heraldscotland.com/comment/letters/mrs-thatcher-is-not-solely-to-blame-for-pensions-fall.15762732 Lets face it the the three main partys’ are all the same that is why UKIP are on the up!
Newsbot9
No, I’m quite on target. Read what I typed again – what Brown did was abuse of a corpse. That article is massively biased.
“largely in response to Inland Revenue pressure to stop companies trying to use them as tax-free reserves”
i.e. Deliberately preventing them from building up the assets they needed. Yes, this WILL hit tax revenue. That’s NECESSARY.
Even the article admits that the slumps did more damage that Brown, and QE has done several trillion.
The current returns on most pensions amount to a scam. Time to force all companies to offer decent pensions.
And no, it’s up because old men want back a past age.
Battleaxe
Pensions rely on the market place and with the recent slump, the pension funds don’t need governments dipping their fingers in the struggling pot.
I would suggest that UKIP has a good cross section of members, but I agree in that I perceive little interest would be had from brain washed youngsters. UKIP a refreshing change from the LIB/LAB/Con Libertarian Left nonsense we have to put up with in this country.
PS
They are on Question Time tonight if you are interested?