“A NEW Unionist project.”
That was the threat – sorry, explanation from former Tony Blair adviser John McTernan of what’s to come under Keir Starmer after some bizarre flag-dressing in his victory speech.
As Starmer nailed his colours to the mast on a new era for Britain, etc, etc, it was impossible not to notice a selection of saltires being waved behind him.
Among the many Union Jacks was a blatant number of Scottish flags – far more visible than any Welsh dragons.
In fact, so blatant was it that Martin Geissler, covering the election for BBC Scotland, immediately put it to Tony Blair’s former adviser John McTernan in the aftermath of the speech.
Geissler said: “John McTernan, I’ll tell you one thing I noticed there. These audiences, this scene-dressing, human scene-dressing, is not done by chance.
“And the crowds there, lots of Union Jacks, but a lot of Scotland flags – and a Welsh flag, the first one I’ve saw – very, very cleverly positioned.”
Political correspondent Brian Taylor described it as “conscious choreography”.
Responding to Geissler, McTernan said: “One Nation Party – we want to be the party of the United Kingdom.”
Geissler pressed him: “But do you know what, that wasn’t the message. It was 'here’s Scotland. This is a message we’re sending now'.”
After saying that the route for a Labour government runs through Scotland, McTernan (above) went on: “[Starmer] will be back. He will be back often. Angela Rayner will be back.
“And I think Great British Energy will be the powerhouse of a new Unionist project.”
So, readers, you can draw your own conclusions. A top Labour spinner saying the Scotland-based Great British Energy will be the powerhouse of a new Unionist project, as Starmer stuffs saltires behind him in his speech.
Meanwhile, former Scotland in Union chief Pamela Nash and Better Together stalwart Blair McDougall will be sitting on Starmer's benches.
When Starmer and Rayner are "back", will they be bringing some bolt-cutters and Saltire balaclavas, or will this heist be more in the open?
