SCOTLAND IN THE WORLD: Thread on this UnHerd piece by Henry Hill, which criticises the SNP for 'doing things' beyond the UK, thus making the UK Government 'look bad'. 1/7 https://twitter.com/unherd/status/1346528160368750593

2. Important to note that this is Scottish government activity, *not* SNP. They are not the same. The ScotGov has an External Affairs department which, though small, is professional, is getting strategically smarter, and is well aware of where its competence begins and ends.

3. The international activity irking Hill is termed 'para-diplomacy'. Most wealthy sub-sovereign nations have a strong para-diplomatic footprint, some far more extensive than Scotland's. Hill finds himself behind the curve on how contemporary international affairs is layered.

4. It wasn't an SNP government that pioneered Scotland's post-devolution para-diplomacy. First Minister Jack McConnell signed a co-operation agreement between Scotland & Malawi in 2005. This was the first major step in contemporary Scotland's para-diplomatic journey.

4. Scotland isn't a sovereign state but ScotGov shares with sovereign governments the challenge of building connections & establishing projects that enrich (in various ways) the nation. ScotGov has every right to look overseas to accomplish this task, just as other governments do

5. Hill rubbishes the ££ spent on Scottish para-diplomacy, belittles its success. But as the UK record amply attests, ill-spent cash & unmet plans are a hallmark of int'l affairs. In fact, ScotGov efforts to connect globally & build Scotland's 'brand' have been largely successful

6. Unionists & Yessers alike should recognise that Scottish para-diplomacy is now more important than ever. England's Brexit cut Scotland's extensive ties into the EU and beyond. It's critical that ScotGov has the capacity & ability to connect, sell, lobby, and compete overseas.

7. Finally, Henry Hill argues in this article that ScotGov's para-diplomacy is 'undermining Britain's global position'. It might be argued that UKGov is managing that just fine all by itself. /END