THREAD: Some ask why Tories, Labour & Lib Dems won't join George Galloway's All4Unity 'alliance'. I ask: why in the name of the wee man would pro-Union parties dance to the tune of an obscure outfit with huge questions hanging over its supposed 'Unionism'? https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/salmond-and-galloway-are-the-worst-of-both-worlds

Why should Douglas Ross, leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, team up with someone who advocates a United Ireland? How would it help Ross fight a party which wants to remove one country from the UK to align himself with someone who wants to remove another?

Why should Anas Sarwar, a key Labour player in the Better Together campaign, team up with some who said he wouldn't join Better Together ‘because it’s a Unionist campaign, because it flies the Union Jack. I hate the Union Jack’?

Why should Willie Rennie, who opposes #indyref2, team up with someone who said Westminster denying Holyrood #indyref2 would be 'a democratic monstrosity'?

I’m not shocked there are people who would like to see George Galloway become the face of the Union. I’m shocked these people have names other than ‘Nicola’ and ‘Peter’.

I know some are unhappy with my scrutiny of All4Unity. In some cases, that unhappiness is being expressed in personal vitriol. Fair enough, but I am doing nothing more than interrogating the claims, policies and strategy of a political party that is making big promises to voters.

Anyone who follows my writing knows I’ve been highly critical of the pro-Union parties and Downing Street’s response to separatism. I argued for direct spending (which we’re now getting), for restricting Holyrood’s interference in reserved matters, for a new Act of Union.

I have nothing to gain here. Quite apart from pissing off a chunk of my regular readers, as a parliamentary sketchwriter I should want as many of this lot as possible to make it to Holyrood. It would do my pocketbook no end of good.

I'm applying to All4Unity not 1% of the scrutiny I've applied to the SNP on separation, Labour on antisemitism or the Tories on the Union. That they struggle with a few questions from me doesn't bode well for them if they get to Holyrood, where the 24/7 SNP attack machine awaits.

The fundamental question for All4Unity: What would they do to stop #indyref2 (those of them who want to stop it)?

'They'll fight!' How so?

'By taking on Sturgeon!' And doing what?

'They'll be a real opposition!' What would they do that the pro-Union parties haven't tried?

I believe All4Unity is a mistake both as an electoral strategy and as a potential representative of the pro-Union position. It would be easier to keep my head down or even to go along with it. I can't do that. Win or lose, they're bad news. I will go on making that case.