…By Henry George for TDPel Media.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack addressed the Scottish Conservatives’ conference via video, while junior Scotland Office minister John Lamont appeared on stage to explain why his boss could not be there.
Lamont told delegates that Jack was “standing guard” over the Stone of Scone in London to ensure nationalists do not steal it again.
The stone was transported from its usual home in Edinburgh Castle to London earlier this week for use in the coronation of the King next weekend.
The stone will be placed in the Coronation Chair for the enthronement before being returned to Scotland afterwards.
Jack stated he could not be in Glasgow for the Scottish Conservatives’ conference because he had “an important job elsewhere helping to prepare for the coronation of His Majesty the King”.
In a video address, he attacked the SNP, claiming that the ruling party “are not a serious party of government, they are simply a campaign organisation for independence”.
He accused the SNP-Green administration of being “totally incompetent”.
The UK government believes in the system of two governments and wants to strengthen Scotland’s place in the UK.
On the other hand, the SNP-Green coalition opposes devolution and wants to end it and take Scotland out of the UK.
Jack claimed that the SNP and Greens use “their position in government not to focus on people’s priorities, but to promote separatism”.
He accused Scottish Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Secretary Angus Robertson of using his visits abroad to promote Scottish independence with foreign governments and dignitaries, calling him “Air Miles Angus”.
Mhairi Black, SNP Westminster deputy leader, criticised the Tories’ record of damaging the UK economy and making millions of Scots poorer.
She claimed that voting for the SNP is the best way to beat the Tories in Scotland at the next election and the only way to get rid of Westminster Tory governments for good with independence.
The Stone of Scone is of great symbolic significance to Scottish nationalists as it is believed to have been used in the coronation of Scottish kings for centuries.
In 1950, it was taken from Westminster Abbey by a group of four students who wanted to return it to Scotland.
The stone was eventually recovered and returned to Westminster, but it was later returned to Scotland and placed in Edinburgh Castle in 1996.