{Is this a threat? Or an incentive to vote Yes?} A SCOTTISH Labour MP has suggested he would stand down if the country backs independence in this months referendum. Losing an MP north of the Border would deal a blow to Ed Milibands hopes of winning next years general election. But Thomas Docherty, the MP for Dunfermline & West Fife, blamed Alex Salmond as he predicted a Yes vote would lead to months of nasty, political bloodshed between Edinburgh and Westminster - and suggested he would not be a part of it. Mr Docherty, Labours shadow leader of the House of Commons, criticised the First Ministers threat to walk away from UK national debt if London did not agree to a currency union with an independent Scotland - and accused the SNP leader making any potential negotiations more fraught with his stance on that and other issues. Mr Docherty said that in the event of a Yes vote: My initial standpoint - without having talked to my wife about this - is I dont envisage standing for Westminster in 2015 for what would be nine months of political bloodshed. I have no appetite for the negotiations, which are going to be horrible. He predicted that any talks had been made more difficult by the First Ministers appearance in a televised debate with No leader Alistair Darling last month, in which he again threatened to renege on any share of national debt. The comments will be seen as a blow to the First Ministers calls for a cross-party Team Scotland to come together to help hammer out the details of any separation. Liberal Democrat Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael recently appeared to suggest he could stand down from the Coalition at Westminster in order to argue for the best deal for Scotland. A spokesman for First Minister Alex Salmond: We look forward to an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK having a warm relationship as a partnership of equals. Following a Yes vote, we will be bringing together Scotlands best talents to negotiate the best possible deal for Scotland. Mr Docherty won his Fife seat in 2010 with a majority of 5,470, or 11.2 per cent. Comments Paul Cochrane, Paisley Democracy is great when youre winning Thomas...imagine being upset at nasty disputes when the baying hordes of Westminster taunt and heckle each other across the House daily - when they can be bothered turning up! Joseph Tierney, Gloucester My initial standpoint - without having talked to my wife about this - is I dont envisage standing for Westminster in 2015 for what would be nine months of political bloodshed. I have no appetite for the negotiations, which are going to be horrible. Dont bother your missus, mate, shes got too much going on in the kitchen to advise you on how to progress your parliamentary career, Eat your cereal will be her response not doubt. Although you might want to ask the poor saps that voted for you what they think! Is petulance a perquisite character trait for a successful Labour MP? Along with, Jim -Ahm Nae Feart But Stop Shouting At Me - Murphy, blubbin is noo de rigueur for the UK Nationalist Labour Party. Brian D Finch, Maryhill Scots Labour MP could quit if Yes wins If we get independence, he will become redundant. Well, more redundant than he already is... Gordon Keane, glasgow How foolish of this MP to make such an announcement now. And if it so happens it’s “No”, having said he will go otherwise, why does he expect anyone in his group to want him to bother staying? If this is his intentions now, then he should have the grace to go now. Blaming Alex Salmond is no good excuse! How does he know how a YES vote will turn out between Scotland and Westminster? Apart from the fact Cameron himself might have to resign, no doubt Gideon hoping he does, so he can replace him, the main losers will be Labour. That’s where the real turmoil will be. (The Lib Demers are already heading for wipe out). But the traditional Labour support will not forget the likes of Darling addressing tory conferences, etc. Or Lamont telling everyone they ain’t programmed to think for themselves, or Curran going round telling us we are better together, while her constituents see nothing other than zero hour contracts or min wage jobs for 4 hours a week. And Labour MPs not bothering to defeat the Bedroom Tax the one good opportunity they had. Labour in Scotland had a brilliant chance here for change had they supported YES. This debate could have and should have been a positive case to rebuild this nation. Instead, they threw it all away. Westminster simply couldn’t be let go of. That wasn’t Alex Salmond’s fault, it was Labour’s. Labour have tried to achieve a “No” vote thru fear and intimidation. Much like how Russia used to tell the soviet satellite states “do what you’re told or else”. That won’t be forgotten either. Labour in Scotland has sided with the Westminster Establishment once too often. Not just in this Referendum but in supporting the tories across too many policies into the bargain. They will pay dearly at the polls Phil Lawrence, Estonia • Labour reject the principle of democracy. Again. Allan Wright Never heard of him. Probably just jumping before hes pushed. Peter Piper, Ayrshire When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
Posted on: Wed, 03 Sep 2014 10:52:05 +0000
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