It’s been a momentous political week. A week in which two letters were written and delivered that will shape the future political landscape of Scotland, the UK and Europe.
Having formally endorsed their respective positions on Brexit, Nicola Sturgeon and Theresa May now appear to be stuck in the political equivalent of the irresistible force paradox. Or, in other words, what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?
To posit the current political predicament this way of course, is to presume Ms Sturgeon’s desire for another Scottish independence referendum is indeed unstoppable and Ms May’s determination to prevent it is an immovable position.
Reading the full text of the First Minister’s letter asking for a Section 30 order to allow Holyrood to legislate for another Scottish independence referendum, one cannot help being struck by the seemingly irreconcilable political positions and paths the two leaders are embarked upon.
In tone, Ms Sturgeon’s letter was polite, courteous and conciliatory, but reading between the lines there was undoubtedly a certain steely determination not to give any ground.
From Mrs May’s perspective it’s much the same story given the Prime Minister’s commitment to her “beloved union” is certainly beyond dispute. She is not a Tory who flirts with the idea of letting Scotland loose.
In such a stand-off lies a real danger. Should it continue the chances of bitterness and acrimony increase and a solution to the impasse becomes even more remote.
Language will be crucial in all of this. It was simply unhelpful when UK Government sources the other day described Ms Sturgeon’s situation as akin to a cat who has climbed a tall tree and got stuck and their task is to find ways to help her down.
Apart from being an inaccurate assessment of Ms Sturgeon’s position, it only stands to rile the SNP and makes negotiations over this crucial issue all the more difficult.
Ms Sturgeon is right when she observes in her letter that there is no rational reason for the UK Government to stand in the way of the will of the Scottish people over Brexit and a referendum.
That the Scottish Parliament has voted for the right to hold another independence referendum in 2018-19 has only underlined that position.
In the House of Commons on Wednesday Mrs May said that when she sits around the Brexit negotiating table in the months ahead she will represent every person in the United Kingdom.
She described her fierce determination to get the right deal for every single person in the country and that our shared values, interest and ambitions can bring us together.
Right now that sense of solidarity she speaks of is at best wishful thinking and at worst bunkum. Where Mrs May is right is that deals need to be done but not just with Europe. Scotland’s needs must be addressed fully and directly. It is in everyone’s interests for this to happen, Scotland, the UK, Europe and the democratic process itself all serve to benefit.
Now is not the time for acrimonious and pointless political point scoring, but for level-headed negotiations between the Scottish and UK governments. Perhaps it’s just as well the Easter recess is now upon us. It gives both sides a chance to step back and consider the best way forward.
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