Holyrood approves visit by 'fascist'

Parliament refuses to ban Belgian delegation

THE Scottish Parliament has sanctioned a visit from one of the leaders of an extremist far-right party in Belgium that advocates repatriation for immigrants who do not attempt to learn Flemish.

George Reid, the presiding officer, stepped into a political row by giving his blessing to the visit despite Foreign Office concerns that it will be used for extremist propaganda purposes.

 http://www.theherald.co.uk/election99/archive/18-8-19103-0-9-33.html

George reid as well as being the preciding officer of the scots parliament.
is also a very senior member of the scottish national party,His views on this
show exactly whats wrong with the pro independance people in scotland and why the snp are in such a mess,Are the snp supporting this belgian party because they want an independent flemish state in belgium?.
And to think some leading socialists in scotland are discusing an electoral pack with the snp for the next westminster elections ,what madness and a betrayal of the scots people that would be.
The good people in the snp should stamp down hard on george reid for this.

It seems that Margo cannot read. While I don't wish to promote any political party, the article psoted cleary states that the SNP are AGAINST the visit. If you aren't pro-independence then you are assumedly pro-union which puts you in bed with a lot of people who are much worse than the SNP. Maybe this is some kind of leftie/anarchist revionism... hey the British Empire was GOOD! It was anti-independence after all... duisg duisg oinsich! And after that, learn to read Margo.

The Vlaams Blok is a consistently nationalist party, and racism and nationalism are never far removed, and the SNP is not so far removed from the Blok as they suggest.

The BNP is not a secessionist party, they already have a Britain. The Blok and the SNP share the desire to split up an existing state, UK / Belgium, and found a new one. The point is in both cases it will be an ethnically based state, and from there you arrive at anti-immigrant hostility. 'Scotland for the Scots' and mass immigration just don't fit together.

So perhaps the problem is that the Vlaams Blok says things that the SNP would prefer to keep to themselves, for the time being at least.

No one can seriously compare the SNP, a left of centre nationalist (as in national freedom) party with various fascist, right-wing parties in Europe. To condemn all 'nationalists' as fascist is to condemn many parties and movements which have fought and still fight against imperialism - usually of ex or current superpowers such as England, France, Spain and the US. I certainly support the nationalism that declares Scotland for the Scots of all different backgrounds (inlcuding those of Asian, Polish, Jewish, Italian and English origin)- all of whom are represented in the pro-national freedom parties represented in the Scots Parliament - the SSP, Greens and SNP. The ideologies of these parties have more in common with the Sandanistas, Zapatistas, ANC etc.

The 'home nations' were the first to be incorporated into England's empire and have suffered the same symptoms of imperialism as many other indigenous peoples. Clearance, famine, 'natives' used as cannon fodder, destruction of culture and languages, descendents now living in slums with high rates of alcoholism. Compare the Gaelic Scots or Irish with the Aborginies, Maoris, Samis, various African nations and first Nation Americans.

Sulian Stone Eagle, the MicMaq chief from Nova Scotia, recognised this on a visit to Scotland to support the campaigns against the M77 Bypass and Harris superquarry. On an impromptu stop in Easterhouse he saw people living in conditions "that we wouldn't keep dogs in".

I don't necessarily support the SNP, but they and certainly most of their supporters are not fascists. I've met many so-called 'anarchists' who have been racist, have raped and abused partners/ other women but I don't tar them all with the same brush. Duisg!

"th" alleges that the SNP wants to set up an ethnically based state.
Wrong, wrong wrong. Couldn't be more wrong. Get a clue, read the SNP manifesto. The SNP may have its faults but one thing it IS is racially and ethnically inclusive. Many members are from ethnic minorities; many members were not born in Scotland. Check out groups such as Asian Scots for Independence and New Scots For Independence.