The SNP civil war has returned to the offices of Holyrood and nationalist infighting is only getting more toxic. Veteran politician Fergus Ewing was last night disciplined after months of vocally criticising his party’s policies — and voting against the government during junior minister Lorna Slater’s confidence motion.
Although his punishment has been dished up, the drama isn’t over yet for the Inverness and Nairn MSP. Today he informed reporters that he is still considering whether he will rejoin the SNP after his suspension ends…
Could Ewing stand as an independent? Would he defect to Alba, the pro-independence party lead by former first minister Alex Salmond? Ewing has refused to comment on this, sniping at the reporter who dared ask: ‘Come on… Any serious questions?’ The Alba party haven’t managed to be quite as discreet, however. Mr S understands that the SNP’s rivals would happily welcome Ewing into their ranks, while their general secretary told Steerpike:
Members of parliament like Fergus Ewing who fearlessly refuse to blunt their critical faculties should be welcomed with open arms to any party that puts Scotland and independence first.
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