There is no doubt that politics can be a tough environment at the best of times. The conversation can be divisive, disagreements are often heartfelt, and harsh words are often launched from one side of the political divide to the other. Given the important role politics has to play in shaping all our lives, this is perhaps unsurprising, and I certainly would not want to see a world where politicians do not argue passionately in favour of views they sincerely hold.
But sometimes, we see political rhetoric reach a whole new level of divisiveness. Sometimes, politician’s words cross the line from passionate disagreement to outright vitriol.
This is precisely what we saw this past weekend at the SNP’s party conference in Aberdeen, where Nicola Sturgeon exclaimed ‘I detest the Tories and everything they stand for’. This from someone who, in 2017, stated she would make her political arguments ‘not just with passion and conviction, but with courtesy, empathy and respect’. Seemingly, in the five years since then, concepts such as courtesy, empathy and respect have somewhat gone out of fashion to Nicola Sturgeon.
To be clear, from someone in as influential a position as the First Minister, this is dangerous rhetoric to be spinning. The political sphere should be well above these types of comments, and so should the likes of Nicola Sturgeon.
But let’s also be clear about the implication of these words. By condemning the ‘Tories’ like this, Sturgeon is effectively dismissing around a quarter of the Scottish electorate who voted for the Scottish Conservatives in the last Scottish Elections. She is dismissing people who exist in all walks of life, come from all backgrounds, and who exist in communities the whole length and breadth of Scotland.
Sturgeon has since had several opportunities to retract these comments, but has completely failed to do so. Even when explicitly asked about these comments, Sturgeon refused to apologise and even said she didn’t regret her choice of words.
Fundamentally, it is the First Minister’s job to represent all communities in Scotland – not just the ones which agree with her. But as with everything else she does, any aspect of her job which doesn’t further her obsession with a second independence referendum is of no interest to her.
You can only imagine the reaction from her side if someone from the Scottish Conservatives claimed to detest Scottish nationalists and all that they stand for. Yet Sturgeon is able to come out with comments such as this and receive barely a word of condemnation from all those on her side who claim to value respectful political debate.
Let me be clear – toxic rhetoric like this will only breed more toxic rhetoric from others. If the public see such disrespectful comments from politicians, why would they be any more respectful when dealing with politicians themselves? There is an increasing problem with the political debate in this country, but at least now we know where this comes from: as with many things, the fish rots from the head.