Why Ian Murray needs to work with Nicola Sturgeon– Helen Martin

AS I featured in this column before, Ian Murray is a good MP, by which I refer to his service and help to local people in Edinburgh South.

His constituency involves the poor to the ludicrously rich, of every nationality and religion or background. On local issues he works hard and sends out monthly newsletter e-mails, and certainly held regular surgeries pre-coronavirus. He regards constituents respectfully as his “employers”.

Unfortunately, he is now the only Labour MP in Scotland, the Shadow Scottish Secretary and is now suffering from what he describes as “online abuse”, which may well be the case.

He is, of course, committed to the Union. Much of what he puts out therefore is criticism of the Scottish Government and the SNP. That’s how party politics works.

On the other hand, Nicola Sturgeon has been widely regarded (even outwith Scotland) as a hard-working First Minister who provides almost daily reports on the virus, lockdown, plans, and admits everyone will have made mistakes in early days, while handling an unknown virus. Polls now put independence supporters above 50 per cent.

Party politics, as she admits, has to be put to one side during this dominating challenge to save lives.

Crucially, she doesn’t slag off the UK Government right now, as she might during normal times or an election. In many ways, they have to work together. It’s SNP voters and campaigners who are “abusive” to him.

I think it would be helpful, as Shadow Scottish Secretary, if he and she tried to work together right now too, and he temporarily shelved unionism and slagging, just as she, working for everyone in Scotland on this, doesn’t drone on about independence.

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