Scottish Nationalism
Two • Scottish by-elections, at Motherwell and for the Scottish Universities, have resulted in defeats of National Government candi- dates. The return of Sir John Boyd Orr is rather a triumph of personality than a pointer to the state of political opinion. But at Motherwell the position is different. For the first time a Scottish Nationalist—Dr. McIntyre—has won a seat in Parliament. Mother- well, it is true, has never been regarded as a safe seat for any political party ; but the poll certainly indicates that many people from all parties, including probably the Communists, who are comparatively flourishing in this constituency, have given their vote for Scottish Nationalism. This movement has been making steady progress for many years, and has been strengthened recently by the attitude of the Government on many specifically Scottish issues—in general, housing, and in particular the claims on behalf of Prestwick Airport and the projected road-bridge over the Forth. Scottish Nationalism is not comparable to the old Irish Nationalism, and is not due to any desire for separation, but for devolution such that Scottish people can give that attention to their own affairs for which West- minister has not the time nor—it is sometimes felt—the inclination. Sir John Orr did not stand as a Nationalist, but as an Independent, but he, too, expressed the opinion that some measure of self-govern- ment is necessary to allow Scotland to get on with the job urgently required to ensure the- welfare of the people. Much more thought ought to be given to this growing movement. But nothing could do more to discredit it in the eyes of serious men than the foolish posturing of the new MotherWell Member • at Westminster on Tuesday.
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