Why are senior SNP politicians so relaxed about appearing on RT (Russia Today)?
It isn’t hard to imagine how Russian President Vladimir Putin is feeling right now. His ally in Ukraine has been kicked out and as a consequence the country is expected to gravitate away from the Russian orbit and into the arms of the EU.
Until now Putin has been using Russian money to anchor Armenia, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Ukraine in a Russian-led bloc. However the jewel in the crown, Ukraine, now appears on the verge of breaking away from the Moscow line.
To say that Putin is displeased would be the understatement of the year. He is most likely indignant.
But Putin has been taking a two-pronged approach to the advancement of Russian interests. On the one hand this has involved the projection of power in places like Eastern Europe and Syria; but it has also meant undermining the West’s resolve in the face of unscrupulous Russian advancement.
Anyone who has ever tuned in to RT (Russia Today), the Kremlin’s propaganda channel, will understand perfectly well what I am talking about. RT is engaged in a wholesale misinformation campaign aimed at bolstering the prestige of the Russian Federation and discrediting enemies of the Russian state at home and abroad.
As I have previously written, Western commentators who appear on RT are unwittingly giving succour to a homophobic autocracy which behaves in a far more undemocratic and demagogic manner than our own government could ever dream.
That being so, one can understand RT’s enthusiasm for Scottish independence: the break-up of the United Kingdom would undeniably be in the Russian national interest. Russia fears the projection of Western power; and Britain is far greater than the sum of its parts when it comes to an international presence. Divide and conquer is not simply a worn-out cliché.
What is surprising is that the Scottish Nationalists are so keen to dance to the former KGB man’s tune. Why else would senior SNP figures choose so repeatedly appear on RT?
Here, for example, is Scottish first minister and SNP leader Alex Salmond doing a set piece interview with RT just last year (at a time when Putin was ramping up his government’s anti-gay rhetoric):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ4zFqIvq5s
As well as Salmond, Scottish health secretary Alex Neil, justice secretary Kenny MacAskill, external affairs minister Humza Yousaf, and Pete Wishart MP have all appeared on RT.
In a stunning piece of irony, Humza Yousaf likes to make a lot of noise about the UK’s human rights record. According to Yousaf, Scotland needs independence in order to expunge itself from the abuses perpetrated by the UK government. And yet he is happy to appear on RT!
Pete Wishart MP appears to think along similar lines. “With Independence, Scotland can make its own mark on the world, including the upholding of human rights,” he said in a recent interview.
What he did not disclose is that he has appeared on RT and – even worse – Press TV, the media wing of the Iranian theocracy.
The hypocrisy is breath-taking.
As Eric Lee recently noted, when RT describes itself as ‘news with an edge’ it literally means the edge of a Russian bayonet. The stories RT focuses on are “invariably ones in which the West, and in particular the USA, comes out looking bad”. When RT turns its attention closer to home the progressive mask drops, and is replaced by “the strident tone of late-Stalinist Soviet propaganda”.
In appearing on RT, the SNP are unwittingly endorsing the loathsome regime propaganda which appears alongside agreeable anti-coalition programming. They are also bolstering the foreign policy agenda of a government that is whipping up a tidal wave of prejudice against gay people and propping up Syrian dictator Bashar al Assad.
Russia is quite clearly lobbying for Scottish independence. The question is, why are the SNP so relaxed about dancing to the Kremlin’s tune?
A Yes Scotland staffer watching RT at their HQ
81 Responses to “Why are the SNP so relaxed about dancing to the Kremlin’s tune?”
Kryten2k35
What do you mean “no”? The UK is a union of four countries. If Scotland left, it would be three.
You ARE employing straw man tactics. You replace someone’s argument with something else, argue it, then claim victory. Your red herring has been successful in detracting the topic away, now we’re debating whatever bullshit you’re putting out there. Calling you thick is impolite, sure, but the manner in which you conduct yourself is just obscene. You’d like to think you’re being noble and well spoken, but you’re simply spreading SNP dogma.
Your arguments are laced and you are bias. I only came here to take umbrage with your fallacy that a Scottish person voting no is voting against Scottish self determination. The referendum IS Scotland’s right to self determination. Voting no is that individual utilising their right to an opinion and a right to a say. You, and the SNP lines, that say that someone voting no is someone being unpatriotic is argumentum ad antiquitatem, an argument of antiquity… and it’s, funnily enough, an antiquated point.
Either way, we’re done. Enjoy your ignorance.
Bill Cruickshank
I repeat Wales and Ireland were not countries at the time the UK was formed by The Treaty of Union between England and Scotland, they had been subjugated by England and subsumed into England’s Empire.
The referendum provides an opportunity for Scots to decide whether they wish to continue to be governed by London or complete the journey started by Devolution and govern themselves. Quite simple really.
I have to say, I find the use of the word “obscene” to describe my conduct in our discussions quite extraordinary. It seems that I may have upset you and if that is the case, I apologise, that was never my intention.
dougthedug
Nothing there to engage with Alec.
Here’s a sample of your output.
“insofar as the great many of the weighty members of the SNP are aware of a land beyond Berwick”
“or five year old who’s been caught doing summat disreputable, and now is bleating about others being “just as bad”.”
“You’re mental.”
“It makes you look like a racist nutjob”
“In his plodding golf club mind,”
“his Deputy, Fish-heid NicMoonface”
Alec
Cool, you can cut ‘n paste.
Yeah, like you never have said Bliar. Or laced your comments about pro-Union supporters being in hock with the oppressors denying Scotland any self-determination. And I’m the Queen of Sheba. Could you be any more po-faced?
Like the boxer who runs away squealing when someone throws a punch in his direction, so have you shown yourself both unsuited for the rough-and-tumble of Internet discussion boards and more than prepared to dole it out himself.
People disagree with you. Deal with it. People respond to you in with the same tenor – and often a lot milder that you – than you address them. A boo-hoo-hoo!
As dishonest as I consider Bill Cruikshank to be, I still will respond to his comments because, you see, I have an argument to hand. I’m not here to beg and plead and simper that others meet me half way on summat whilst not giving an inch in return.
You don’t have a serious answer to the objection to these mediocrities of the SNP making use of the appalling Russia Today or revolting PressTV, do you? My guess is that this is because you have a plodding golf club mind and, Insofar you are aware of a land beyond Berwick have become rather starstruck by the trappings of political power displayed by the likes of Fish-heid NicMoonface.
Now, when called out on your complete ignorance and/or total insouciance towards the dreadful organizations – including racist nutjobs – like a five year old who’s been caught doing something disreputable, you now are bleating others being just as bad.
You’re mental. Do you have any principles?
~alec
dougthedug
Q.E.D