SNP MPs left humiliated by brutal takedown as Commons erupts in laughter
SNP MPs were told to “start polishing up” their CVs in a brutal jibe by the Scottish Secretary in the House of Commons today.
Alister Jack said the nationalist party was imploding ahead of the general election following Humza Yousaf’s humiliating resignation.
Speaking during Scotland questions, Mr Jack said: “We absolutely do not fear an election, whether it is a Holyrood election or a general election. As I watch the nationalists implode again, I say bring it on.
“I hear them say bring it on from a sedentary position, bring it on, yes bring it on. And chaps over there and chapesses start polishing up your CV.”
Mr Jack’s comments prompted laughter in the Commons while some SNP MPs shouted “bring it on”.
Alister Jack
This came in response to Labour’s shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray, who argued that Scotland is “trapped between two chaotic and failing governments”.
He said: “We’ve had three prime ministers and we’ll have had three first ministers in as many years.
“With neither Government wanting to let the people decide, can the Secretary of State tell the House who he thinks is more scared of a general election – the Tories or the SNP?”
Opening the session on Wednesday, Mr Jack said Scotland’s outgoing First Minister Mr Yousaf had been dealt a “rotten hand”.
He said: “We have seen calamitous events again in Scotland this week, however I would like to wish Humza Yousaf very well for the future.
“I always found him a very decent man to work with and there was no doubt that he was dealt a rotten hand.
“And while I don’t want to dwell unduly on the private grief of the members of the SNP benches, I’ll say this: I very much hope that whoever becomes first minister will work with us on the issues that really matter for the people in Scotland like public services and our economy, and will not continue to obsess with independence.”
It comes after a chaotic week in Scottish politics, with the collapse of the Bute House Agreement between the SNP and the Greens sparking a chain of events which led to Mr Yousaf quitting.
The Scottish Government survived a vote of no confidence earlier today with the motion defeated by 70 votes to 58.