On Sunday morning I sat down to watch a bit of TV and practically choked on my cornflakes.
I was watching the Andrew Marr show and Prime Minister David Cameron was evidently outraged by the suggestion that a group of SNP MPs would have the gall to influence Westminster politics.
In that one interview, he showed everything that is wrong with establishment politics
The Tory leader thinks a minority Labour administration working with the SNP would be calamitous for Britain.
Clearly, the polls are making him feel rather rattled and old Project Fear rhetoric is being dusted off and rolled out again for this election. Indeed, we have had a week of it.
In his interview, he said: “This would be the first time in our history that a group of nationalists from one part of our country would be involved in altering the direction of our country and I think that is a frightening prospect.”
Hold on a minute. Those pesky Scots thinking they can play an active part in how they are governed? No, that’s not on.
Remember, folks, we shouldn’t get above ourselves. We should do as we are told and sit at the back of the class.
Suggesting the SNP has no right to influence Westminster politics, in which they are set to represent Scotland in record numbers, is the polar opposite of democracy.
However, that’s David Cameron’s version of democracy, where the number of people in Scotland using foodbanks rose by two-thirds in the last year, according to a new report by the Trussell Trust.
If anyone needs an indicator of the damage Tory austerity cuts are causing, this is it.
The Tory tirade of abuse continued this week when discussing the possibility of Nicola Sturgeon’s party playing a role in Westminster decision making.
In the Telegraph, Boris Johnson said “you wouldn’t get Herod to run a baby farm, would you?”.
Then a former Tory Prime Minister was dispensed to dish out some more. Sir John Major called the SNP “a real and present danger to our future”.
The SNP is a real and present danger to a Tory future, more like. That’s why they are becoming completely hysterical and using language which is offensive to not just people in Scotland but across the UK.
The increasingly desperate and offensive language used by the Tories and some of the right-wing press in recent days is an affront to democracy.
The Daily Mail’s front page on Tuesday called Nicola Sturgeon “the most dangerous woman in Britain”.
But as the saying goes, don’t get mad, get even.
Let’s change the game, rewrite the rule book and switch this out of date two party system and Westminster establishment that is way past its sell-by date.
We can have better politics. Scotland can, should and must have a say in how our country is run. And while we are at it, why not push for progressive policies that will benefit not just Scotland but everyone in the UK?
The Tories want to continue with austerity, undermining public services and pushing more people into poverty.
That’s why every time a politician like David Cameron, Boris Johnson or John Major opens their mouth, the SNP support increases literally.
Having sat in SNP HQ on days when David Cameron and co visit Scotland, the membership phone lines ring off the hook. People hate being patronised.
Described as the anti-austerity goddesses in one newspaper, the SNP’s Nicola Sturgeon, Plaid Cymru’s Leanne Wood and the Greens’ Natalie Bennett are making their mark and pushing for social democracy throughout our islands.
They will, if in the position to do so, build alliances with others of a like mind.
Watching them hug at the end of last TV debate was like seeing a reset button hit on UK politics.
I was at the SNP manifesto launch this week and Nicola Sturgeon was clearly using the opportunity to relay this progressive politics message to the whole of the UK, not just Scots voters.
She also reiterated her pledge that more anti-Tory MPs than Tory MPs at the election means that we can lock David Cameron out of Downing Street.
That’s why they resorting to such vile language their jobs are on the line and they will do anything to put their narrow interest before ordinary people.
David Cameron says Ed Miliband may be weak but you, Prime Minister, would be far worse.
At least an SNP block at Westminster will help keep a Labour Prime Minister honest.
SNP MPs at Westminster could support a future Labour government in things that are progressive in a Labour manifesto, issues such as social equality or increasing wages but stand up to things that are not, such as NHS privatisation, more austerity and Trident.
That’s a mature proposition and what people would expect a real, progressive alternative to the same old system and Labour/Tory cuts consensus which has been hitting Scots really hard.
Dare I say it it really could be the best of both worlds.