Today at the SNP party conference Nicola Sturgeon presented herself as some sort of Pollyanna-style uniter.
Despite being one of the most divisive policies in recent political history, Scottish independence, she laughably insisted, would bring the nations of the United Kingdom closer together.
What sparked this wave of niceties from the nastiest political leader in Britain?
This revealing moment on the BBC yesterday when Scheming Sturgeon unwittingly showed her true colours:
“If the question to me is: would I prefer a Labour government over a Tory government. I detest the Tories and everything they stand for, so it’s not difficult to answer that question.”
Scotland's First Minister and Scottish National Party (SNP) Leader Nicola Sturgeon speaks during the Scottish National Party (SNP) Annual National Conference in Aberdeen, Scotland, Britain October 10, 2022.
Russell Cheyne
And she wonders why Liz Truss hasn’t picked up the phone.
Of course, if such a phrase had been uttered by someone on the right there would be overwhelming outrage about extremism sweeping British politics, but, as ever, the Be Kind left don’t give a damn if hatred is being expressed about anyone with whom they disagree.
It was left to Scottish Tories to rightly point out just how dangerous such rhetoric is.
Scottish MP Russell Findlay said: “I fear the day when they incite nationalist violence.”
Donald Cameron, the Scottish Tories’ Shadow Constitution Secretary, added:
“Nicola Sturgeon should be more careful and respectful in the language she uses. Responsible politicians should be able to disagree without resorting to inflammatory language about hating their opponents. By saying she detests the Conservatives and everything we stand for, she is, by inference, insulting the 630,000- plus Scots who voted for us at last year’s Scottish Parliament elections.”
Ruth Davidson, the former Scottish Tory leader, tweeted: “With Nicola Sturgeon’s ‘detest the Tories’ line earlier, there is clearly a rhetoric-raising strategy this SNP conference in order to other and traduce a quarter of the Scottish voting population.”
As usual, though, what Sturgeon is really doing is doing a masterful job of distracting from the real issues at hand.
Like the fact a majority of Scots are opposed to her plans to hold a second referendum on independence next year.
Like the fact Sturgeon is being called out by JK Rowling for being a “destroyer of women’s rights” over her self ID plan.
And like the fact she crumbles at the slightest hint at media scrutiny about her delusional plans, like the moment Peter Smith of ITV News riled her by pointing out her rank hypocrisy over independence and then embarrassed her by exposing her complete inability to name an expert who supported independence.
How incredible to finally see Sturgeon receive the sort of challenges from the MSM that has been lacking for many years.
For the past two years, I have implored others to ask Sturgeon about post-independence monetary policy. Peter actually did it.
So let’s just be clear, there is no plan.
Sturgeon’s vision of a financially independent Scotland is nothing more than a mirage.
But, as she told the conference today, she doesn’t care as long as she stays in power.
That desire to stay in power with no credible plan for delivering independence is why all she can do is spread anti-Tory hate and hope Scots are happy to put aside what a terrible job the SNP have done of governing.
As The Spectator’s Editor Fraser Nelson wrote: “How many politicians say they actually 'detest' their rivals? Why invoke hatred as a motivating political force? And isn’t it hard to do so if you pose as an inclusive, warm, smiling party?”