Western Isles independent election, Angus MacNeil, has labelled John Swinney's “panic”
visit to the Na h-Eileanan an Iar constituency as a "distress visit."
Mr MacNeil said the SNP leader should take a step back and think about independence rather than merely his party's “failing island campaign.”
But John Swinney dismissed the ex-SNP politician’s claims, insisting the most “reliable”
way to achieve independence and protect Scotland’s interests is to vote SNP in the
UK general election early next month.
The prospect of two pro-independence candidates is expected to split the vote hand
the contest to Labour’s candidate.
According to Angus MacNeil, “everyone in Lewis knows that this is a two horse race between myself and Labour. I'd have thought that John Swinney would have better places to go than campaign against an independence candidate who has every chance of winning.
"Everyone I have spoken to in Lewis and Harris knows that the SNP will come third, perhaps Swinney is trying to make sure it is not a bad third.
“The ultimate effects of his actions means that he is helping to hand Labour victory, I will of course resist that.
“In my years I know the SNP vote to be in the main an independence vote. But at this election the SNP is a brand name without the main ingredients. Hopefully my victory can help all focus on a better future for Scotland and the islands.”
John Swinney said: “I want to make sure that everybody that wants independence and everybody that wants the interest of Scotland to be protected realises that the best and the most reliable way to do that is to vote for the Scottish National Party and our candidate Susan Thompson.
“That's what I'm here to do to make sure that I encourage people to support us in this campaign and to vote for us in the election.”
He added: “Angus Brendan made his decision to leave the SNP. That's his choice. We've got a candidate, Susan Thompson. I'm here to support her and I'm looking forward very much to the visits that we take forward to do exactly that.”
However, Angus MacNeil maintains John Swinney is leading a campaign which is “clueless on independence.”
“My victory would obviously spur that along and make sure the SNP leadership doesn't again engage in such cluelessness.
“Their campaign is in dire straits in the islands due to daft SNP policies, such as Highly Protected Marine Areas, the GRR, the deposit return scheme, the ban on wood burning stoves in new houses.
"This election in Na h-Eileanan an Iar can keep independence on track and hopefully
be a shot in the arm for the SNP to get serious again and to stop indulging in the
silly and the daft as they have done for the last few years. I am with the SNP in
the majority of their policies, minus the silly and the daft.
"I hope the SNP can learn and go and fight Labour or the Tories in other seats rather
than coming and fighting the independence supporting candidate in Na h-Eileanan an
Iar. His trip is a wasted trip, filling up deck space on hard pressed ferries. Helping
Labour is not the best way for John Swinney to spend his time."
MacNeil brands Swinney’s Western Isles visit an 'SNP distress call'
17 June 2024