Independent Media | Campaigning Journalism
Nicola Sturgeon takes down a Daily Mail ‘political hack’ with just 10 words
Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon has taken down the Daily Mail‘s self-described “political hack” Andrew Pierce. On 7 October, Pierce called Sturgeon “another member of the political elite who think they know better than the people”. His accusation came after Sturgeon confirmed SNP MPs would vote in favour of a People’s Vote if given the opportunity in the House of Commons. It didn’t end well for Pierce.
In fact, Sturgeon shut him down in just 10 words:
The people I serve voted 62% to remain the EU. https://t.co/sbLoyUI3mM
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) October 7, 2018
It appears Sturgeon isn’t taking any prisoners.
Indeed, the Scottish electorate voted 62% to remain in the EU in the 2016 referendum.
Nicola Sturgeon and a People’s Vote
Sturgeon announced her support for a People’s Vote on The Andrew Marr Show on 7 October.
The first minister of Scotland and leader of the SNP spoke ahead of her party conference being held in Glasgow between 7 and 9 October.
Pressure group People’s Vote UK took to Twitter after the interview. It said the campaign for a vote on the final Brexit deal had “momentum”:
BREAKING: Nicola Sturgeon say that SNP MPs will vote for a #PeoplesVote if there is a vote in Parliament – this is absolutely huge news – please RT so everybody knows that all the momentum is with our campaign for a #PeoplesVote on the Brexit deal: pic.twitter.com/5cxC7OIIf1
— People's Vote UK (@peoplesvote_uk) October 7, 2018
As reported by the BBC, Sturgeon claimed the UK was heading towards a “cobbled together” exit deal from the EU which would be “almost as unacceptable as no deal at all”. Any deal agreed between the UK and EU will go to a vote in Westminster. It will also need to be ratified by the other 27 EU member states.
Sturgeon said:
In those circumstances, sensible MPs of all parties should come together to look at the alternative…
No doubt calls for a second referendum would grow in those circumstances, and I’ve said before we wouldn’t stand in the way of a second referendum. I think SNP MPs would undoubtedly vote for that proposition.
The reaction
Sturgeon’s takedown of Pierce attracted a lot of reaction on Twitter, including some tongue-in-cheek digs.
One potential ‘Brexit refugee’ might want to move to Scotland:
I’m coming to live in Scotland if Brexit happens as will thousands of other Brexit refugees who no longer recognise the country they live in. I hope you will let me in!
— patsy wilkes (@patsywilkes2) October 7, 2018
But Mr Malky intervened and shared a handy diagram:
Not so fast
First you have to pass the citizenship test pic.twitter.com/VSoasTdoP6— Mr Malky (@MrMalky) October 7, 2018
Another voter believed the SNP and other “Indy parties” will deliver independence for Scotland:
And thank you for standing up for us! I also have faith that the SNP and other Indy parties will lead us to independence, free from corrupt Westminster. And while I believe in full EU membership, I understand if an indy Scotland aims for something inbetween. Indy first.
— Erik Kristiansen????????? (@ErikInEdinburgh) October 7, 2018
An English businessman said he wanted to move his business to Scotland if it remains in the EU:
A Scotland in the EU will make me ask for Scottish nationality and move my business upnorth even if it means ditching an English passport
— The Epicurean liberal ? (@thiemacquet) October 7, 2018
And one voter said she’d joined the SNP after Sturgeon’s announcement:
Just became a SNP member after this mornings confirmation – Nicola you are the closest thing we have to a progressive leader, been watching for a long time, now utterly convinced and backing you all the way – give my child her future back!
— Nadida de Coco (@Nadidadecoco) October 7, 2018
An English Remain voter would back Scottish independence after moving to Scotland:
Voted Remain while still living in ??????? ✅
Would vote for Independence now living in ???????✅
Happy at having a political leader who displays common sense and integrity when the current political climate is full of the venal, the self-interested and the stupid ✅✅✅
— Alyson#NHSLove? (@Valeria_Watt) October 7, 2018
And one voter who was against Scottish independence in 2014 now backs the campaign:
To all those people saying that Scotland voted to stay in the UK, I was one of the no voters. I was at the AUOB march in Edinburgh yesterday and I will be voting Yes at the next Indy ref, I know a lot of other no voters who have changed their minds and will also be voting Yes
— Susan Kyle (@kizzymutt) October 7, 2018
So Sturgeon has enthused those who back Scotland remaining in the EU. She’s also given optimism to those who back a People’s Vote.
As for Pierce, it looks like the Scottish first minister has given him his heid tae play wi.
Get Involved!
– Join The Canary, so we can keep holding the powerful to account.
– Follow the People’s Vote campaign on Twitter
Featured image via: Darth Small/YouTube
We need your help ...
The coronavirus pandemic is changing our world, fast. And we will do all we can to keep bringing you news and analysis throughout. But we are worried about maintaining enough income to pay our staff and minimal overheads.
Now, more than ever, we need a vibrant, independent media that holds the government to account and calls it out when it puts vested economic interests above human lives. We need a media that shows solidarity with the people most affected by the crisis – and one that can help to build a world based on collaboration and compassion.
We have been fighting against an establishment that is trying to shut us down. And like most independent media, we don’t have the deep pockets of investors to call on to bail us out.
Can you help by chipping in a few pounds each month?
Support us 