“There is a debate in this election campaign about the legitimacy of a large contingent of SNP MPs voting for what they believe in in the Westminster Parliament,” said Mr Salmond.
“This disquiet now includes the reincarnation of former Prime Minister, John Major, the man who let us remember rather carelessly mislaid every single Tory seat in Scotland. His position is fundamentally undemocratic.
“A key vote from the past tells us why he is wrong about the future.
“In November 2004, the SNP had five MPs in the Westminster Parliament. Tony Blair had a majority of 160.
“However, in proposing to introduce top-up fees for English students, he strained loyalty to the limit as he had specifically ruled it out in the 2001 manifesto. It was his Nick Clegg moment.
“In any case, we took the decision to intervene in what seemed an English only mater because we thought the policy could impact on the competitive position of Scotish universities.
“And so we voted with the Labour rebels and the opposition and indeed the majority will of English MPs - and the overwhelming view of the English people. It was a close run thing for the Prime Minister, and his policy was carried by a mere five votes.
“Significantly, it was carried on the back of the vote of Scotish Labour MPs who imposed it on England safe in the knowledge that it did not have an immediate impact on their own constituents.
“I suspect there are many students, and former students, in England today who dearly wish that vote had turned out differently - that instead of five MPs that day, the SNP had had the numbers that really matered.
“And that is why we should dwell on practical experience and dismiss as unenlightened self-interest the rhetoric emanating from the Westminster parties.
“These are the same people who only last year said that Scotland should play a full part in the United Kingdom - of course when David Cameron said that he meant us to have our usual bit part, not the possible big part that is emerging from this election debate.
“What these Westminster parties fear - and what many people in England would welcome - is not just the size of the SNP, but the majority for progressive politics that would come from it.”
Mr Salmond made his remarks during a ceremony at The University of Glasgow where he was conferred an Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University.
The Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, Professor Anton Muscatelli said:
May 2015 15
“The decision by Senate to confer the Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University on Alex Salmond continues the long tradition at Glasgow of recognising major contributions to public life from across the political spectrum. Previous recipients of honorary degrees have included Donald Dewar, Sir Menzies Campbell, Charles Kennedy and George Younger.
“Tis disquiet now includes the reincarnation of former Prime Minister, John Major, the man who let us remember rather carelessly mislaid every single Tory seat in Scotland. His position is fundamentally undemocratic
: Alex Salmond.
“All political observers recognise that Alex Salmond is a dominant figure in Scotish politics. In a parliamentary career that spans almost three decades, he was twice leader of the SNP, and the longest serving First Minister of Scotland from 2007-2014. Higher Education was a key part of his programme for government and in spite of challenging economic circumstances his government supported the global ambition of Scotland’s universities whilst encouraging access from all who had talent and ambition to learn.
“Mr. Salmond led Scotland during what was arguably the most important period of constitutional debate in the last three-hundred years, leading to the 2014 Independence Referendum. He stood down as First Minister and SNP leader in the aſtermath of the Referendum, but in seeking to return to Westminster at the forthcoming General Election he continues to play an important role in British politics.”
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