BLAIR AS EU PRESIDENT: DIVISIVE AND DAMAGING

SNP MEP COMMENTS ON REMARKS BY KINNOCK

SNP MEP and party president Ian Hudghton has warned that, by putting Tony Blair forward for the job of European President, the UK Government risked ‘dividing and damaging’ the EU institutions.

Commenting, Mr Hudghton said:

"If Mrs Kinnock's comments were accurate, then the UK Government is, in my view, making a huge mistake by nominating Tony Blair for this job.

"He will never be able to escape his reputation as a warmonger, nor his role in the illegal invasion of Iraq. That alone should disqualify him from a position like this, which, if created, needs to be occupied by a unifying figure. Putting forward Tony Blair for this job would be divisive and damaging for the EU institutions.

"As this post has not actually been created yet, it's more than a little presumptuous for Mrs Kinnock to be making these remarks. The SNP is opposed to the Lisbon Treaty and want the Scottish people to get a chance to have their say in a referendum.

"It is unacceptable for the UK Government to push this treaty and its reforms forward without a referendum and then start handing out jobs before it's been approved in other EU countries.

"This was a shambolic announcement of a bad decision and reflects very badly on both Mrs Kinnock and the Prime Minister himself."

POLL SHOWS REFERENDUM THERE “TO BE WON”

POLL SHOWS REFERENDUM THERE “TO BE WON”

Commenting on the latest opinion poll by TNS System Three published in the Herald which shows the number of people supporting or open to negotiating with the UK Government so that Scotland becomes an independent state at 36% in favour, while 25% are undecided and only 39% -compared to 50% in August 2007, currently opposed Angus Roberston MP, SNP Business Convener said;

“This is a very encouraging poll, which confirms that support for independence and equality for Scotland is extremely strong. The 15-point gap in the summer of 2007 is now only 3 points, with an increasing number of people positive about Scotland's potential as an independent nation.

"As this week's European elections show, voters want a strong SNP voice to speak up for Scotland and they are increasingly putting their trust in the SNP. With increased powers for the Scottish Parliament, we could do even more.

“The SNP Government will bring forward a bill for a referendum in 2010 with a full debate on Scotland's constitutional future, and challenge the London parties not to stand in the way of the people’s right to choose Scotland’s future. This poll shows that support for independence is high
enough and strong enough for that referendum to be won.”

SNP MEP and Party President Ian Hudghton, who topped the European ballot in Scotland added;

“This poll adds to recent polling showing that when people are asked if they want Scotland to be a member of the EU in our own right – as opposed to being represented by the UK government – the answer is positive. Voters want Scotland to have a strong independent voice in Europe, a result emphasised with the SNP’s electoral success this week.”