By Rab Bruce’s Spider

The most interesting aspect of the SNP’s announcement that their Westminster MPs will vote on the issue of the Fox Hunting law in England and Wales is that the Scottish media, who did their best to ignore the savaging of the proposed amendments to the Scotland Bill, are making such a fuss about it. This is, of course, because the Scotland Bill fiasco showed the UK Parliament in a bad light and would have added ammunition to the SNP if widely disseminated, while a change of mind on the part of the SNP can be used as a big stick to beat them with. That’s your Scottish media, folks.

As for the decision itself, I wrote several weeks ago that I thought, on balance, the SNP should abstain because it was an England & Wales case and breaking their self-imposed rule on such matters would provide a stimulus for EVEL, the Tory flagship policy of English Votes for English Laws (and never mind the Welsh who just have to go along with those laws). I haven’t necessarily changed my mind on that and I do fear some of the potential consequences of this decision. Having said that, I’m not going to criticise the SNP for this particular decision because there are arguments both ways and they’ve made a very difficult decision in a bold manner.

Unionists are, predictably, pointing fingers and wailing about abandoned principles and perfidious Scots. Those are odd comments coming from supporters of a Tory Government which can’t abandon its principles because, at heart, it doesn’t have any except protection of Tory power.

There are several justifications being put forwards by the SNP to explain their change of mind. Two reasons strike me as being quite powerful. First, blood sports are barbaric and cruel and have no place in a civilised society. From that point of view, the decision is morally justifiable.

Secondly, the SNP campaigned on a policy of promoting progressive ideas in Westminster for the benefit of all UK citizens. OK, that promise was made when they thought there was a real chance of a hung Parliament but, if they were serious about it, repeal of Fox Hunting legislation is surely something on which they can demonstrate the promise wasn’t merely empty rhetoric, especially when the majority of English voters are against repeal in any case. The SNP have been bombarded by requests from voters all across the UK, asking them to vote against the Tories on Fox Hunting, so there is clear public support for their decision.

One reason I am not convinced by is the claim that keeping the current English law is desirable because the Scottish law, which is less rigorous, is likely to be amended to bring it into line with the current English law. That’s a red herring because there are plenty of other areas, such as drink driving, where the Scottish laws are at variance with English laws.

So, there is some justification for the decision but, whatever you think about it, this is a game changer. It creates a precedent for the SNP and leaves them open to accusations of hypocrisy from the Tories, as well as providing justification for the vigorous progression of EVEL. They know this, of course, and the big question is what they hope to achieve by taking this stance. The main thing is that it is a clear statement of intent to oppose the Tories where possible. Whether it will result in an even bigger backlash from the Tories (if that’s possible bearing in mind the Scotland Bill and the Budget) remains to be seen. Perhaps that is what the SNP are seeking to do; to make such a nuisance of themselves that, just as happened with Irish MPs a hundred years ago, Westminster will become so fed up of them that it will eventually concede Home Rule. If that’s the aim, it’s a risky strategy and it could well backfire. Let’s hope not because one thing we’ve seen recently is that Labour are inept as an Opposition Party and it is going to be up to the SNP to stand up to the Tories. In that regard, let’s hope that this is just the first of many issues where the SNP can make a difference. If they succeed in blocking the Tories’ plans it will be a small victory but a victory none the less. It’s just a shame Labour don’t have the guts to stand alongside the SNP on even more important issues like the Benefits cuts announced in the Budget.