Christmas is traditionally a time of peace and reconciliation. There are so many areas of conflict in our world that could benefit from this that I hope I will be forgiven for choosing to write about one that is close to home but very important to readers of the National. Last weekend in the Sunday National, my fellow nationalist, comrade and feminist sister, Ruth Wishart, wrote an impassioned plea for an end to what she called the uncivil war within the Yes movement. I agree with much of what Ruth said but the reality is that there can be no peace and reconciliation without an honest appraisal and acknowledgement of what has led to the conflict and a commitment to address some of the underlying problems. 

As Omicron gallops across the UK I have had to sit out events in Westminster, having tested positive last week. It’s been a strange dislocating experience, being ill alone in central London. Particularly so, as I missed my girlfriend’s birthday celebrations and it’s a reminder of how much the company of our loved ones matters, especially at this time of year. Whilst I don’t count Dominic Raab among their number, I was particularly frustrated to miss the chance to question him when he finally announced the consultation on his plans to “reform’ the Human Rights Act (HRA) in the House of Commons on Tuesday. 

It has certainly been one of the most shocking weeks we have had at Westminster for a while. As the revelations of illegal parties at Number 10 last Christmas came hard and fast, the callous Nationality and Borders Bill was voted through to the delight of Priti Patel. There were also a number of twists and turns in the ongoing quest to find out just what the Tories have planned for the Human Rights Act (HRA) and whether the UK will continue as a member of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).  As I explained in my column last week, Westminster’s Joint Committee on Human Rights has concluded that the Nationality and Borders Bill which passed the Commons this week breaches the UK’s obligations under the ECHR as well as International Refugee and Maritime Conventions to which the UK is also signed up. 

Amidst all the usual shouting and mayhem at PMQs this week there was a truly chilling moment when Boris Johnson nodded enthusiastically as one of his more swivel eyed backbenchers demanded the UK’s withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Andrew Rosindell urged the PM to take the UK out of the ECHR as the only way to let us pass the laws necessary “to stop the endless waves of illegal migrants crossing the English Channel”. He also asked the PM to get rid of the Human Rights Act and bring in a British Bill of Rights. Although the PM declined to agree to either, confining himself to a “review of the human rights system” and songs of praise for the ghastly Nationality and Borders Bill, it was noticeable that during Rosindell’s diatribe the PM was nodding.