Mark Dolan: SNP comments show an independent Scotland would be poorer, more woke and less safe

Just in case you thought an independent Scotland couldn't be a worse idea, the leader of the SNP in the Commons, Nicola Sturgeon's bag carrier in chief Ian Blackford has doubled down on the SNP's policy of scrapping Trident, Britain's nuclear weapons programme.

Never one to read the room, as Russian tanks roll into Ukraine, and with Vladimir Putin dangling the threat of nuclear Armageddon over the West, the tweed-loving Mr Blackford is spinning quite the yarn.

This fan of rough Highland fabrics, should have you itching and sweating with his words.

His timing couldn’t be worse and this renewed commitment to weaken his country's defences, couldn't be more tone deaf.

Welcome to the SNP.

Proof if you needed it, that an independent Scotland would be poorer, more woke, and with this announcement, less safe.

More woke? How so? Well new legislation being drafted in Hollyrood includes lowering of the age at which people can change their gender from 18 to 16.

This takes no account for the psychological and physical impact of transitioning too young, and the irreversible damage done, if they change their mind further down the line.

Don’t forget that Scotland is a country where now children as young as four can change their name and pronouns, without the permission of mum and dad.

The influence of the family in Scotland is being diminished, in favour of an all encompassing state. Mother Sturgeon knows best.

Soon free speech will be a pipe dream north of the border too, with the only offensive thing that you'll be allowed to hear, is a badly played set of bagpipes outside Edinburgh Castle.

Scotland’s so-called Hate Crime Bill bans what it deems dangerous speech. What’s dangerous speech when it’s at home and who the hell decides?

Not only will this affect the freedom of Scots to debate issues and have opinions, it inevitably means a crackdown on Scotland's great art forms as well.

Comedians for example could be censored, cancelled or even prosecuted for a harsh joke. I hated Jimmy Carr’s gag about the Romany Gypsy community.

It was deeply offensive but I defend his right to make it.

Poor old Jimmy Carr would likely be staring at the walls of a Scottish prison cell, for basically doing the kind of edgy comedy he is known for.

That said, Jimmy would do fine it prison, he’s quite a pretty boy.

How much of the genius Billy Connolly's comedy would stand up to the harsh scrutiny of Scotland censorious bureaucrats? As crime rages in Scotland’s great cities, the Thought Police are hard at work.

I think people outside of Scotland don’t realise the extent to which this great country has fallen under the iron grip of the SNP.

In my view we’ve seen a land grab of Scotland’s culture, economy and society by the SNP, from which this great country will pay a big price.

Particularly if they go it alone. Why bother with elections once Scotland departs the union? Mother Sturgeon knows what’s best for you.

I've received so many emails this programme from viewers north of the border saying “I’m a Scot, get me out of here”.

It's a jungle up there, and what the SNP is doing to this amazing country, with a poor record on health, education and drug deaths is like a Bushtucker Trial to which there is no end.

Mother Sturgeon’s Covid policies involved, once again, an overbearing state – with more lockdowns, vaccine passports and more mask mandates than their neighbours in England, but with similar if not worse outcomes.

The pandemic was the perfect opportunity for Nicola Sturgeon to flex her muscles and demonstrate her own party's colossal appetite for state control.

Boris Johnson has, in my view, been Scotland’s unlikely best friend.

England’s lighter touch approach to the pandemic, particularly since the 19th of July and over Christmas has shown the way for the whole of the UK.

England’s approach since the summer - very similar to that of Sweden - has doubtless forced Sturgeon to ease up on some of her more Draconian measures.

England with its success in lifting restrictions early has embarrassed Scotland into doing the same.

Another example of England making Scotland better, just as Scotland makes England better too. That's the magic of the United Kingdom, one of the most successful and coherent political unions in history.

We all make each other better Wales, Northern Ireland, England and Scotland. Four magnificent nations, all punching above their weight, and far better together, than apart.

Surely Vladimir Putin’s appalling war on the Ukrainian people, is further proof that unity and coming together is the way to go.

Ian Blackford speaking out against nuclear weapons at exactly the time when Vladimir Putin sadly threatens to use them, has got to be the worst take ever.

So an independent Scotland would be less safe and more woke. But poorer? How so? The furlough scheme, which has saved thousands of businesses and millions of jobs, could never have been as generous in an independent Scotland.

Strong economy though it has, there is no way that an independent Scotland would have the borrowing power enjoyed by the UK.

I do acknowledge that Mrs Sturgeon is a highly effective politician and many people in Scotland vote for her and will continue to do so.

But I can only say to the good people of Scotland, a country I love and where I lived happily for four years, think twice before going to bed with Mrs Sturgeon.

You might just wake up the next day and wonder what you were drinking, at which point it’s too late. You’ll be stuck with the old dear.