Only SNP MPs will stand up for Scotland in the commons - Angus Robertson

There are few people less influential in the House of Commons than surplus MPs in a big majority governing party, says Angus Robertson

Having witnessed the House of Commons as an MP for 16 years and as SNP Westminster leader for a decade, I have seen how the place works under both Labour and Conservative governments with varying majorities – or lack thereof. What has always been clear is that, in whatever form the government takes, there are few people less influential in the House of Commons than the group of surplus MPs in a big majority governing party.

Unfortunately, and without passing judgement on the talents of individuals, that’s what Scottish Labour MPs would become. It wouldn’t matter how loudly a Scottish Labour MP will shout about an issue or for Scotland, should the UK Labour leadership disagree or simply be uninterested, the MP can simply be ignored.

Then there is the politics behind it. The sad fact is that many MPs in big majority parties do not think it is in their interests to stick their heads above the parapet.

Look at it objectively: would a Labour MP as part of a large majority party really want to make themselves unpopular with colleagues by shouting about their disagreement with government policy? Or by asking for more money? Or by just being a pain to senior ministers because they are relentless in their pursuit of Scotland’s interests in every and all discussions to take place in Parliament?

Unfortunately, MPs – and particularly those newer to the Commons – think it is more beneficial to them to curry favour by going along with the party line. After all, that might just lead them to higher office.

But, the fact is, with Labour’s ditching of their £28 billion climate investment; refusal to scrap the two-child benefit cap; lifting of the banker bonuses cap; binning one of Keir Starmer’s leadership bid policies to deliver free university tuition; u-turning on freedom of movement; cowardice in their embrace of Brexit; and signing up to £18bn worth of cuts and austerity, there is a clear and urgent need for voices of opposition to these Red Tory policies.

Only SNP politicians can deliver strong voices of opposition. You can be sure that SNP MPs will stand up against underwhelming or damaging government policy. You can bet SNP MPs will be demanding Scotland’s fair share of public money. You can bet SNP MPs will relentlessly pursue Scotland’s interests in every and all discussions to take place in Parliament.

These are hugely serious times, with great challenges ahead of us. With John Swinney’s stable leadership in Holyrood and a loud and clear voice arguing Scotland’s corner in Westminster, the SNP offers Scotland the hope of a better future.

If people in Scotland want to make sure that Scotland’s interests are put first, if they want to oppose austerity, end Brexit madness, and tackle the cost-of-living crisis, if they want to ensure that decisions about Scotland are made in Scotland, for Scotland, then they’ve got to vote SNP.