Scottish MPs must not succumb to ‘Westminsteritis’

If the new Scottish MPs are to deliver anything at Westminster, it will require a great deal of political muscle and skill.

I would also recommend bridge-building, particularly with other opposition MPs.

It will require courage and tenacity to challenge the Westminster system instead of being sucked into it.

I had never even visited the House of Commons before taking my seat and at first I found it rather daunting. Much of the protocol, pomp and ceremony is designed to overawe or even intimidate the newcomer but MPs must speak out fearlessly for the people they represent.

Of course, our new MPs can expect vociferous opposition and even verbal abuse.

In the past, I have seen far too many Scottish MPs crawling to the Westminster establishment to get ministerial preferment followed by a seat in the House of Lords. That is unlikely to be a career path for the new intake from Scotland but I would advise them to be aware of succumbing to a disease called Westminsteritis.

It is a condition whereby the afflicted persons live in a cocoon-like environment with little if any contact with the outside world. The best antidote to this is: “Never forget whence ye came”.

Dennis Canavan is a former Labour MP and independent MSP. He was a leading light in the Yes campaign.