A convention of over 600 Scottish Orangemen
held in Glasgow on Saturday 14th June pledged to face down
any threat to the political integrity of the United Kingdom.
Scottish Grand Master, Ian Wilson, told delegates that "the
Union of 1707 has been good for Scotland and remains in our
best interest." He went on to say that it was time for
the Orange Order "to replace rhetoric with action if
we are truly to be worthy of our inheritance and defend the
things we believe in."
Wilson admitted to a grudging admiration for First Minister
Alex Salmond who he called "a smart operator". "To
see him perform you'd never guess he is First Minister of
Scotland thanks to just 24% of the electorate, or that he
heads a minority administration that is outgunned by the collective
strength of the unionist parties."
Wendy Alexander received a stinging rebuke from Wilson, who
said she would have to be "a whole lot more impressive
and convincing than she has been to date if the Scottish Labour
Party is ever to regain its pre-eminence in Scottish politics."
The lodge convention was also addressed by the Grand Masters
of the Order in England and Ireland. Following the meeting,
Orange leaders held further talks on their intentions to mobilise
the membership throughout the UK to argue the case for the
Union.
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