by Rab Bruce’s Spider

There have been rumblings of discontent among SNP supporters for some time now, with many putting forward the view that Nicola Sturgeon’s only plan for independence involves politely asking for a Section 30 Order and, when that is refused, waiting a little while and then politely asking again, presumably ad infinitum. Others insist the "Wait and see" approach is the correct one, because too many Scots still won’t be convinced to vote for their nation becoming a normal country unless Brexit actually happens. Calling IndyRef2 and then discovering that Brexit has been cancelled would, this argument goes, seriously backfire.

Until now, I have been supportive of waiting to see whether Brexit happens, but whatever your position on that issue, the fact is that things have changed. The elevation of Boris Johnson to the post of Prime Minister, combined with the list of pro-Brexit allies he has appointed to his Cabinet, means we cannot wait much longer. Johnson has already made it perfectly clear that he wants to crash out of the EU on 31st October. Waiting to see if he actually sticks to his word is potentially disastrous for the cause of Scottish independence. If we wait until it has actually happened, we may find Holyrood no longer exists as a devolved Parliament. Where would that leave us? Brexit is no longer a hypothetical threat which may be removed if common sense prevails. The extremists have taken over, and if you check Umberto Eco’s list of points which indicate a fascist government holds power, you will see that the UK ticks an awful lot of the boxes.

So now the only thing that might delay Brexit is a General election. Whether that will happen remains in the balance, but even if it does, England is once again likely to vote for extreme right wing parties. Those who believe a Labour Government is possible and that this will solve things are, sadly, overlooking the fact that Labour is also a pro-Brexit Party. They may negotiate another extension, but they will not halt it. Scotland’s fate will be decided by the anti-EU faction in Westminster, and Brexit is now a near certainty.

So what, we must ask, is Nicola Sturgeon waiting for? Time is running out.