Jamie Hepburn, SNP MSP for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, quit his role as Minister for Parliamentary Business in John Swinney’s Holyrood cabinet on 19 September after Douglas Ross accused him of grabbing him hard on the shoulder and swearing at him. Ross alleged that Hepburn “physically and verbally assaulted” him over an argument stemming from Ross’s call for a summit on aggressive seagulls.
Hepburn admitted that his behaviour “fell well short” of standards he expected from himself and that he used some “choice words”, but denied aggressively grabbing the Conservative MSP, claiming he only “put his hand on his shoulder”.
First Minister John Swinney said he accepted Jamie Hepburn’s resignation with “much personal regret”.
Call for calm
The details in this case are neither here nor there, however. Did Jamie Hepburn resign? Did he apologise? What were the “choice” words used? None of this matters in the grand scheme of things. What really matters, is that we don’t lose our heads in politics – full stop.
The politics of today is very different from the politics of the recent past when I first became active in 2014. There is far more vitriol at front doors, far more abuse online and far more assault ranging from disagreements between ordinary citizens, to fights at the top as seen with what happened between Jamie Hepburn and Douglas Ross.
We cannot allow Scottish politics to fall down the slippery slope of aggression and violence. Where will that slope end? Nowhere nice, that’s for sure.
Political conduct must be a role model of diplomacy and decorum
Politicians in Holyrood have a duty to the nation they serve, a duty to carry out the will of those who elected them, and a duty to stand up for their constituents at all times. More so, they must set an example. For if the standard bearers of political life set a tone of aggression, what example does that set for ordinary voters? Will they become disillusioned fighting between themselves? Or will they come to believe that physical violence is an acceptable way to solve political disputes?
Holyrood is a shining example of modern democracy in the United Kingdom, one which touches not only the four corners of Britain with its brilliance, but the world as well. Yet, incidents like this will do nothing to inspire confidence in Scottish politics. The Scottish Parliament and Government are futuristic in their ways of working, regardless of party allegiances.
So, for the sake of Scotland’s future generations, let’s not allow ourselves to lose our heads and become personal in politics. Instead, politicians should solve their political differences with diplomacy and decorum.
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