Fanny Dancing
Oh, wait, scratch everything.
Because this guy’s just wasting everybody’s time.
And the reason is this:
Because a vote of no confidence in the First Minister and a vote of no confidence in the Scottish Government are two entirely different things.
The first one carries no legal force whatsoever – it’s basically just a ticking off. The second, if lost, requires the First Minister to stand down by law, and if a replacement cannot be elected in 28 days the Parliament is dissolved and a general election called.
Douglas Ross has filed the former type, so even if Humza Yousaf loses it he doesn’t have to do a thing – he can just brazen it out and carry on. It’d be embarrassing and undignified, but that description also applies to his entire reign and he hasn’t resigned because of that either.
We have no idea why Ross has done it this way, but “He’s a custard-witted clown who can’t even run along a painted line properly” cannot be discounted as an explanation.
As our earlier article noted, the Greens certainly appeared to be signalling their willingness to bring down the government – they had no reason not to, not being in it any more – and the Unionist parties could all have been counted on, leaving (at most) only the vote of Ash Regan required to trigger an election.
(The wording of the motion, specifically the part about “failures in government”, may make it harder for the Greens to vote for it, since they were part of that government.)
If Yousaf DID resign voluntarily a general election would still be likely, because any replacement would still have to be voted in by the Parliament, which would be tricky – it’s hard to imagine the Greens voting for Kate Forbes, say. So he could justify clinging on to the party, by saying that it was the only way for them to stay in government, since they don’t have much hope of winning an election.
He’d get a shoeing in the media, of course, but that’s not exactly going to be a new experience for him (or any other SNP FM) – why would he be bothered?
So it really does look like Douglas Ross has fluffed his big moment and ensured that the SNP stay in power until 2026, albeit in a weak position, rather than attempt to get rid of them (with a high chance of success). His own supporters, and indeed the rest of the opposition and the unhappy people of Scotland, may be somewhat unimpressed.
Placing a decade of SNP fuckwittery to one side, it’s reassuring to know you can always count on a Tory to fluff it wide of the post.
FFS.Missed an open goal. Whit a feckin eejit.
Grandstanding! Ross knows the media is unlikely to differentiate between his first and second option.
If that’s the case can Sarwar not step up to the plate and do it right?
Up, brewery, piss…
If there was to be a new Holyrood election the Tories would be in serious trouble.
“So it really does look like Douglas Ross has fluffed his big moment and ensured that the SNP stay in power until 2026, albeit in a weak position, rather than attempt to get rid of them (with a high chance of success).”
Douglas “Fat Tory Bastard” Ross is most definitely a clown but the Tories are none too popular either so he may have been given his orders from his Southern puppet masters to avoid an election.
And it is perhaps better from their point of view for a humiliated, hapless, hopeless, Humza (and his SNP government colleagues) to limp along to his (and their) Holyrood electoral doom in a couple of years time
Anyone else can file a motion of no confidence in the government? Ms Regan for instance.
Maybe Scottish Labour will lodge a motion of no confidence in Scotgov.
Yep I know, it’s a long shot. Maybe, just mayyyybe
What if Ross didn’t fluff his big chance, what if Ross knows that the SNP are doing a terrible job in government (which they are) and that they are doing more damage to the indy cause and Scotland in general by being in Bute House.
I think the Scottish Tories know they couldn’t attain office in Scotland, nor would they want to, I mean just look at the state Scotland’s in right now. I also don’t believe for a minute that Ross doesn’t know that the SNP are not a party for Scottish independence anymore.
No in his eyes I assume it better to let the SNP limp on for two more years making many more mistakes in the process. In my opinion the Tory branch office in Scotland is a party of protest from the sidelines, bringing down this awful government would only help the indy cause and I think Ross knows this.
Present a “No Confidence” motion which allows all the MSPs to remain in situ and in receipt of salaries & expenses for another couple of years whilst seeming to be doing something to oppose the administration … for troughing MSPs of all parties, what’s not to like.
He’s either a complete idiot, or several of his MSPs have had a word saying that an election now when the Tories are facing electoral oblivion is perhaps not a good idea and their jobs/expenses come first.
Or a mix of both of course.
He couldn’t risk bringing the Government down & having a SE. Just in case Scots realised SNP1&2 brought all the Unionists back in on the list in 2021 & voted sensibly next time!
Ellie
Ignored says:
25 April, 2024 at 4:19 pm
Maybe Scottish Labour will lodge a motion of no confidence in Scotgov.
Aye. Good shout. Hadn’t occurred to me and why not?
Maybe only 2nd placers can do it?
Section 46 of the Scotland Act 1998 provides:
(1) If one of the following events occurs, the Parliament shall within the period allowed nominate one of its members for appointment as First Minister.
(2) The events are—
(a) the holding of a poll at a general election,
(b) the First Minister tendering his resignation to Her Majesty,
(c) the office of First Minister becoming vacant (otherwise than in consequence of his so tendering his resignation),
(d) the First Minister ceasing to be a member of Parliament otherwise than by virtue of a dissolution.
(3) The period allowed is the period of 28 days which begins with the day on which the event in question occurs; but—
(a) if another of those events occurs within the period allowed, that period shall be extended (subject to paragraph (b)) so that it ends with the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which that other event occurred, and
(b) the period shall end if the Parliament passes a resolution under section 3(1)(a) or when Her Majesty appoints a person as First Minister.
It is certainly arguable that a VONC in the FM falls within s46(2)(c) although I accept it is not clear cut. You might also expect such a vote to trigger a resignation but, who knows?
It is the absence of a FM that can trigger an extraordinary election under s3, albeit there is the 28 day period in which an alternative could be sought.
“Grandstanding! Ross knows the media is unlikely to differentiate between his first and second option.”
Doesn’t matter what the media does. *Humza Yousaf* is fully entitled to differentiate.
“It is certainly arguable that a VONC in the FM falls within s46(2)(c)”
No, that just means if he dies or gets kidnapped by ISIS or something.
“He’s either a complete idiot, or several of his MSPs have had a word saying that an election now when the Tories are facing electoral oblivion is perhaps not a good idea and their jobs/expenses come first.”
That’s certainly POSSIBLE. But in that case why isn’t Sarwar doing it?
“Anyone else can file a motion of no confidence in the government? Ms Regan for instance”
Yes, any MSP can.
It is all political posturing to give the illusion of democracy and fair representation. Isn’t it?
Just like Westminster, the entire Holyrood appears to be operating as a block, as you would expect to see in a colony, not in a democracy.
This has become even more obvious with the 60 to 0 vote of the Victims, Witnesses and Justice (Scotland) Bill. Not a single one of the MSPs voted against. Not one.
After that, it is no longer believable that the political parties present in Holyrood are independent from each other or representing the interests of the Scottish people.
@ Rev: “why isn’t Sarwar doing it?”
Hutcheson Grammar old boys network?
Spirit of the age; It is the job of serving politicians to let you down.
Rev, thank you for the polite response to my last hopelessly naïve comment.
doesn’t this look like a wizard wheeze to tarnish the SNP without risk to job, and without upstaging Sunak?
Mr Ross doesn’t march to your band, Rev. Much better for the Conservatives to have a skewered Humza stagger on whilst Branchform grinds away. The forlorn state of the SNP will worsen and with it the Independence movement.
Now Ms Regan could of course move the motion you want couldn’t she? Oh but wait. She already said she will vote to keep the SNP in.
Frankly Ross has played the best hand – for his party.
I did wonder why Ross would want an election, given his party’s own unpopularity. Perhaps this is just right wing virtue signaling.
As much fun as an election would be, Alba needs time to market a recognisable brand with pronounced slogans that make it stand out.
With the Greens gone, I could live with the SNP for a couple of years, as long as the woke are sidelined.
That English Tory Gash Ross just guaranteed Useless Yousef will survive. Couldn’t he just have shut up or gone back to running the line. He is good at keeping his flag doon when the Huns are offside.
I think not bringing the government down works for the tories.
They can humiliate humza non stop and the BBC will up the messaging making the tories less toxic at the uk election
Unsurprised that the Tories have saved Humza the arch devolutionist.
It is payback for the last 10 years when Sturgeon and her cabal (including Humza) saved the Union. Repeatedly.
Still it gives Alba a bit longer to make the breakthrough that Scotland desperately needs.
This isn’t a mistake. He’s giving SNP rebels and leadership challengers a chance to stick the knife into Humza without going nuclear and collapsing the government. Faced with terrible polls the thought of getting rid of useless and replacing him with Kate with a couple of years to run might be very tempting.
It could turn around their fortunes.
English tory? He’s a Scottish tory.
Ok the vote isn’t enforceable, but another factor in whether he wins or loses the vote will be turn out.
With the expectation that Ash Regan’s vote will decide the outcome that over looks the possibility that some MSP’s will be “ill” on the day of the vote or perhaps could be busy “helping police with inquiries”
Hmm. Either Ross has been extremely stupid – or rather clever. I’m leaning toward the latter, because actually, the SNP have been, and would remain to be, VERY useful idiots to the Tories (and indeed Unionists generally).
Why give up a good thing?
That buffoon Douglas Ross’s inability to score when there’s an open goal in front of him is wasted in Holyrood. Talent like that belongs in the Scotland squad’s centre forward.
BTW for Captain Caveman @ 17:75, the words “Douglas Ross” and “clever” are mutually exclusive.
I’m with Republic @ 4:21. Tories are gonna lose big either way, Sarwar doesn’t want to alienate soft SNP voters to the labour cause (whatever the fuck that is and ever was), but everyone benefits from a shitty clowncar of an SNP debacle to roll further over the grave of the cause of credible independence.
dasBlimp, it doesn’t matter if that cretin Douglas Ross is a Scottish or English Tory. Or even a North British one. He’s still a Tory.
Yousaf will offer Regan a position in Government.
Might be deliberate. I’m sure the tories know the SNP is being destroyed from inside.
Captain Caveman @ 5:17
Interesting analysis.
That means that if labour decides it doesn’t want to try and lead government in Scotland AND UK by the end of the year that it must be following English Tory policy too..
So Reagan will be voting that she has confidence in useless.Good luck with that Alba.
Well spotted Stu.
Then Dross does nt want Useless gone as it continues the unionist cabal for 2 more years.
Guess Dross is as unsure of regaining his seat as most SNP MSPs.
“Anyone else can file a motion of no confidence in the government? Ms Regan for instance”
“Yes, any MSP can.”
As Ms Regan is well aware of the insidious deliberate destruction and division the reviled Scum Nonce Party has inflicted on the independence movement that she proclaims to be part of, WHY wouldn’t she file such a motion,especially now she knows it is likely it would be supported at least by the unionist parties, it would allow ALBA to gain some notoriety and publicity and ANNOUNCE to the independence movement that THEY are the REAL independence party
It would also regain Ms Regan some credibility after her FAILURE and cowardice to lodge a legal challenge against the poisoned and alleged fraudulent vote for leadership of the snp
If she had put forward a motion of no confidence in the SG previously it more than likely would have failed but given the acrimonious parting of the greens from govt instituted by Useless it may garner their votes
Stuart Campbell has proposed on more than one occasion supported and encouraged by none other than Alex Salmond leader of ALBA that IF Humza resigned as FM and collapsed the SG an election would have to be called which could then constitute a PLEBISCITE ELECTION where ALL the independence supporting parties state that their manifesto is a independence VOTE
THIS may not be the ideal time but it is the ideal opportunity to FORCE the snp and its membership to the table where they will be TOLD what to do,if they refuse they are finished and their betrayal will be visible for ALL to see
If Ash Regan DOES NOTHING it will highlight that her independence credentials are based on her continued salary extraction
It hardly matters, as I see it. Every piece of major legislation, especially where it relates to spending, is essentially going to be an opportunity to bring down this charade of a government — I’m assuming that failure to win parliamentary support for major legislation would be tantamount to losing a vote of confidence.
But I don’t see how a FM could continue if he, rather than his government, lost the confidence of parliament. That doesn’t make sense… how could he possibly continue?
We definitely aren’t in Kansas anymore…
How the SNP have been dummies when it comes to Scottish politics and how to maintain control in Holyrood. When it comes to the 2026 Holyrood election no unionist party will ever work with the SNP in order to allow them to be in power again south of the border will never allow it. When the SNP held the referendum in 2014 and obtained power in Holyrood in 2021 the party should have realized that this was Scotland best and only chance to become Independent. When England had to give the SNP the Section 30 before 2014 the powers in Westminster then decided it wouldn’t be given again nor would they ever allow the SNP to take control of Holyrood, but Sturgeon was a very short sighted person and Humza is no better. Even now with greens being expelled the SNP has all but shot themselves straight in the forehead, but wait this is not all doom and gloom for the SNP because if they adopt the Super majority and allow Alba to take the regional and the SNP take constituency votes by telling there supporters to vote SNP 1 Alba 2 and Alba votes SNP and so on for other Indy parties control in Holyrood can be maintained on a Indy ticket.
This is what should happen but it won’t and the SNP as a party will most certainly become irrelevant in politics.
“Either Ross has been extremely stupid – or rather clever”
I think neither. I think he has done as he was told by his handlers in London.
Let’s imagine for a moment the scenario where he files a VONC on the government and Ms Regan on behalf of ALBA would only agree to maintain the SNP government in power in exchange for full commitment and full cooperation from the SNP to facilitate an anti-union supermajority in Holyrood after the 2026 election. This would pretty much guarantee the ejection of the unelected Lord Advocate from the executive cabinet so this supermajority can bring forward into Holyrood a referendum bill without interference from the crown, for example.
What would be the consequences of that for the union?
Even worse, if Mr Salmond enters Holyrood and gets a position of influence where he can force the lid up and uncover all the nasty shenanigans of his fake criminal case, what do you think is going to happen to all those actors in the UK civil service, quangos, press, crown office, police, etc who colluded to suppress information from the Scottish people and to bring forward the criminal case against Mr Salmond on fake charges? And more importantly, how far up in the British establishment hierarchy of power do the ramifications of this case go?
I think Ross (doing as he was told) took the option that is more likely to avoid such scenario. It is better for the union to keep a wounded and unelectable SNP in power, seemingly at odds with Alba, than to create the opportunity for SNP and Alba to join forces and bring forward an anti-union supermajority in 2026, with the real possibility of Mr Salmond taking back a seat, at a time support for independence is hoovering around 50%.
It is also safer for the actors involved in Mr Salmond’s fake criminal case if he is not anywhere near the levers of power.
I do not think it is their party branches’ interests what Ross’ or Sarwar’s handlers are looking at when deciding not to file a VONC on the Scottish government. Personally, I think it is the survival of the union and the crown what they are looking at. Ross and Sarwar are nothing but useful idiots.
The very last thing the powers that be want is to have Mr Salmond back in Holyrood in some position of influence from where he can hold them to ransom.
“Alba MSP Ash Regan. She is writing to him to discuss possible terms for her support which are likely to include prioritising independence and women’s rights.” (BBC Glen Campbell)
If a vote of confidence is lost, the honourable thing to do would be for a FM to resign. Pronto. It would be a very bad look for him to try and hang on, but I certainly wouldn’t put it past him.
Wee Dug is just getting the boot in. Westminster is obliged to keep the Scottish parliament from falling down, which is very likely when the other big shit hits the fan.
The downward spiral of the whole Industry of Indy Carrot has begun.
It’s bla bla from her and it’s bla bla from him.
The next election will not be Indy it will be The kick the shit out of those bastards vote.
“ Even worse, if Mr Salmond enters Holyrood and gets a position of influence where he can force the lid up and uncover all the nasty shenanigans of his fake criminal case, what do you think is going to happen to all those actors in the UK civil service, quangos, press, crown office, police, etc who colluded to suppress information from the Scottish people and to bring forward the criminal case against Mr Salmond on fake charges?”
Nothing.
awkward westie
Ignored
says:
25 April, 2024 at 5:15 pm
Ok the vote isn’t enforceable, but another factor in whether he wins or loses the vote will be turn out.
With the expectation that Ash Regan’s vote will decide the outcome that over looks the possibility that some MSP’s will be “ill” on the day of the vote or perhaps could be busy “helping police with inquiries”
Yousaf has continued on the Sturgeon path. If she is arrested that might stop? She may not control him but something looks as if it is exerting sufficient pressure to stop him from straying from the wrong path.
Hopefully her arrest is imminent.
I think you are being a wee bit unfair to wee Dougie here (OK, so he’s an easy target). Tactically, giving Yousless a demonstrative kicking while leaving the SNP on life-support until at least the General Election is actually a smart move. The SNats are stuck with Humza because who can they replace him with who will get enough votes in Holyrood to be elected FM? Win or lose the VoNC he’ll limp on as a lame duck until the GE where the SNP will be rightly gutted, lose 20+ MPs and their position as second opposition party at Westminster and all the short-money that goes with it. They’ll then be effectively bankrupt, with insufficient funds to fight a Holyrood election so soon after the General Election. Looking at the long game Ross might have played a blinder.
I don’t agree that Ross has fluffed it. He’s a Unionist politician, and his priority is always going to be positioning his party for the coming Westminster election, not an early Holyrood election. Ditto for Sarwar, I suspect.
It’s certainly been a momentous day. Some of the statements from either side have sounded quite hateful to me, I hope somebody has been taking note and getting the complaints in.
But so far, nobody has asked the big question – the question that surely should be front and foremost in the attention of every caring Scot this evening:
How does Beth feel about how things have turned out?
The avalanche of shit that has now reached critical mass and is now carrying everybody away before it was started just for Beth.
“We did it for you, Beth.”
Yup, fits easily on the gravestone of the SNP.
Is it just me?
A vote by some members of the club to declare no confidence in other members of the club , seems terribly, terribly, Briddish Establishment… the illusion of accountability when it’s really just a game to them.
Personally, I find Round 793 of the people vs the Scotland Act tedious and nauseating beyond endurance.
I don’t care that Ash Regan might hold the casting vote. I’d rather she started the rebellion.
I would much rather be ringside for Round 1 of the Scotland Act vs Scottish Constitutional Sovereignty, and a modern Convention of the Estates impeaching the whole Holyrood misadventure, and ridding our Nation of these invasive and calamitous Westminster doctrines which are not compatible with the Community of the Realm being sovereign.
Vote of No Confidence? I’m yawning so hard I’ll get cramp in my jaw.
Rise up. Impeach the whole Assembly, sack the lot of them, and build a Constitutional Assembly wholly outside the reach and jurisdiction of Westminster. Get rid of it all; lock, stock and rotten barrel. The whole system is designed to leave the government of our nation mired in confusion and acrimonious stalemate. Take our lead from Alexander the Great, just cut through the impenetrable knot, and be done with the layers of sophistry.
Do the unpredictable. Take control of our destiny. Step outside the sandbox.
Mia @18:01
Let’s not forget that if Mr Salmond were to return to Holyrood, he would only pursue justice for himself on a part-time basis. He would, most likely, devote the majority of his time to wild and crazy ideas such as administrative and legislative competence and rebuilding trust between people and their parliament.
Custard-witted clown or not (love it) I doubt this is a miss. I think the Tories will have decided to focus on just the one election this year (each requires quite different messaging) with the sweetener that they can humiliate the SNP with this kind of stunt for another couple of years. Maybe one minister VONC a month would be a good wheeze.
Maybe, just maybe, the Tories have read that a dissolved Holyrood combined with a replacement for Humza with an interest in independence, could result in a defacto referendum SE.
That’s enough news for this week. I’m going to be gutted if anybody important gets arrested before the middle of next week.
The current news needs a few days to become old news first.
Storm in a teacup springs to mind, anyone who thinks that a unionist party won’t be in office in Scotland when the dust settles over this debacle is kidding themselves on.
So what the puppet Yousaf bites the bullet and resigns as FM, there’s a whole line of puppets within the SNP just waiting to be appointed the next obedient minion, such as Kate Forbes, who worked hand-in-glove with the Tories Michael Gove to force freeports on Scots.
This farce is in reality just a unionist musical chairs event, to see who will be sitting in the FM’s seat when the music stops.
BBC presenting the position as Humza is about to lose his power.
Real political jeopardy
It us always interesting to watch how the BBC want you to think
They just cant stop manipulating tge message
So, if HY goes, then the next in line is the current DFM.
Think about it…..
Now panic.
Wee Dougie isn’t the brightest star in the rather faint constellation that is the Scottish Conservative Party, but I agree that he knows what he doing this time. Better to further humiliate & cripple Humza, but have the SNP shitshow staggering from cock-up to fiasco & back again for a few months more, than to precipitate an election which probably won’t go well for the Tories.
However I can’t see any reason for Labour to hold back – except they only have 22 MSPs so would need to co-opt 3 more from other parties before they could lodge a MONC. Anyway it would make sense to see what happens with the Tory motion before starting the next pile in.
Good to see the back of the Greens. The trans silliness was one thing, the Hate Crime shite is still worrying (but probably won’t survive first contact with the courts) but, FFS, threatening to take away our wood-burners?!?!
Finally, I’ve been quite impressed by Fergus Ewing’s appearances today – the sort of affable reasonable Nat that an old Tory could possibly imagine voting for. Maybe.
I don’t fathom how they terminated a contract like that, surely the legal thing to do would be to petition the greens for a section 31 and then have a legal, recognised vote on it.
– this idea you can tear up agreements/contracts/treaties that “just aren’t working for you anymore”, is dangerous.
from now till after the next election, expect the SNP to be all – independence, independence, independence, end the union, grr … dat london and da tories … (shakes fist)
and the greens – rent controls, landlords, environmental pollution
and I think a lot of twitter/social media accounts might get deleted, like a student, going for his first job interview.
it is amazing to think such people once wielded so much power, when they never won a real vote on anything, getting in, by the backdoor (ooh, matron!) via a kind of sympathy, all shall have prizes, wooden spoon, list seat, offered by our wacky PR system … it’s wacky (yes, I used the same word twice and no one can stop me); what sort of groupthink do their meetings exhibit? – that they are the vanguard, thought leaders, progressing Scotland into the next level of civilisation … when they are in fact, to the man on the street – a bunch of weirdo pervy cunts, no one likes …
this “no vote can be wasted” idea is a bit dangerous, it – historical curiosity – once allowed a marginal german “workers party” to gain a seat in the reichstag; no, you can never have too much representation and diversity of ideas.
Media news tonight was fun – they decided to canvas “the man on the street”, but the street was Byres Road, and then the bohemian central Edinbuggers – both sides of the debate, eh?
I am curious as to how the doggers and the bella crowd will process this … obviously it can’t be “wings was right all along and first to say it”, so there must be some other explanation for it all.
– the oil companies? Or the trumpian alt-right which has infiltrated Scotland, maybe rushian poutin-bots on the internet spewing misinformation … because it can’t be the greens were too radical, but not radical enough, and popular displeasure with them down to the delays in implementing – cock snipping and the woke-stasi; I expect smalltown boy to write just this, but bloated by a factor of 1000.
I was actually more hoping for Nikki to get huckled by Inspector McKnacker, but that would be overload on an already full meal.
@L.U.T.B says:25 April, 2024 at 7:11 pm
“threatening to take away our wood-burners?!?!”
They are scary things to people who have nothing up top but dead wood.
Breeks @6:31pm
No, it’s not just you.
“Rise up. Impeach the whole Assembly, sack the lot of them, and build a Constitutional Assembly wholly outside the reach and jurisdiction of Westminster. Get rid of it all; lock, stock and rotten barrel. The whole system is designed to leave the government of our nation mired in confusion and acrimonious stalemate. …Do the unpredictable. Take control of our destiny. Step outside the sandbox”
Aye, and I think there might be a few folk here agree with you.
Lots of good and informative articles here: Salvo
“We have no idea why Ross has done it this way,”
indeed. It IS possible that stupidity is the reason BUT it is also possible that he was instructed by someone higher up in his food chain to do so which would beg the question of strategic reason.
Any idea anyone?
If you think about it, the last thing Douglas Ross wants is to swap out an incompetent leader with someone more competent – or even someone who is quite competent like Kate Forbes – who could give SNP voters hope that they could look forward to competent government after the next election.
A damaged Humza in place at the next election is far better for Ross.
“Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t.”
Quite competent like Kate Forbes…you crack me up.
A comment in the Spectator suggests that Ross reckons he can get a motion of no confidence against Useless, but isn’t so sure about a motion against the Nonce Party.
That picture of Ross in the article sums him up perfectly, he is used to that position. Just ask his fellow cheating football official and fellow *Rangers supporter John Beaton.
COME ON ASH REGAN, CALL IT, DO SCOTLAND A MASSIVE FAVOUR AND PUT THAT LOT OVER THE BARREL. OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS. 😉
Fergus ewing on the 9 said he will support useless
DUH
I can’t think of a government that I have had less confidence in.
They fill me with dread.
Not a word of a lie.
Dread versus confidence.
Was it the jabs or the large hadron collider that made this world scale shit show? It’s fucking embarrassing.
Colonise Mars, fuck me do you want to ruin that too
Reading the BTL over at WGD, Yousaf has pulled a strategic masterstroke, the SNP will go from strength to strength after this, and Indy is closer than ever.
I won’t repeat what some posters are saying about Regan as it all seems a smidge hateful.
I don’t know how to reconcile these points of view with what I read here. I doubt anybody does.
Confused says on 25 April 2024 at 7:41 pm:
“this idea you can tear up agreements/contracts/treaties that “just aren’t working for you anymore”, is dangerous.”
Works for Westminster, they’ve been doing it for decades.
Not often I quote more than a sentence but RoS nailed it with this, every word;
“Storm in a teacup springs to mind, anyone who thinks that a unionist party won’t be in office in Scotland when the dust settles over this debacle is kidding themselves on.
So what the puppet Yousaf bites the bullet and resigns as FM, there’s a whole line of puppets within the SNP just waiting to be appointed the next obedient minion, such as Kate Forbes, who worked hand-in-glove with the Tories Michael Gove to force freeports on Scots.
This farce is in reality just a unionist musical chairs event, to see who will be sitting in the FM’s seat when the music stops.”
Whatever happens, the colonial parliament will come out of it with a colonial government, headed by a colonial governor who understands and accepts the responsibilities bestowed upon him by his colonial masters in colonial London…
What’s really going on, though? Why do this and why now?
It feels like Humza is scuttling the fleet. Maybe he figures his party would have a better chance of surviving the trials ahead if it was in opposition.
That’s the real story, of course, and the plot remains the same — the SNP is going to get dragged backwards through the mud in the next few months, regardless of what happened today.
Rumour that useless steps down tomorrow
Neil grey takes over
Mmmmmm
Point of interest in this episode is that Harvie ( I noticed that Slater never got much of a chance to talk in the joint interview they gave) kept painting the Greens as a true progressive party and that Yousaf is at the mercy of the right wing of the SNP. This idea of a right wing faction in the SNP has been picked up by the usual suspects in the MSM (Herald and Guardian I’m looking at you)
It’s hard to say whether the Greens are trying to position themselves to allow a coalition between them and the Labour/Lib Dems or just mud raking.
Given that portraying the part of the SNP that is against the loony policies that the Greens have been allowed to execute through the BHA as ‘right wing’, it’s hard to see this as working considering these views are no different from a large part of the Scottish electorate.
If Labour has any sense, they would keep the toxic Greens as far away from themselves as possible.
“I think you are being a wee bit unfair to wee Dougie here (OK, so he’s an easy target). Tactically, giving Yousless a demonstrative kicking while leaving the SNP on life-support until at least the General Election is actually a smart move. The SNats are stuck with Humza because who can they replace him with who will get enough votes in Holyrood to be elected FM? Win or lose the VoNC he’ll limp on as a lame duck until the GE where the SNP will be rightly gutted, lose 20+ MPs and their position as second opposition party at Westminster and all the short-money that goes with it. They’ll then be effectively bankrupt, with insufficient funds to fight a Holyrood election so soon after the General Election. Looking at the long game Ross might have played a blinder.”
But how is that any better than just getting rid of him now?
The SNP can’t afford an unscheduled election, this is a chance to properly ruin them. All the other stuff will happen anyway. So why leave them in power for two more years and let them off the election hook? Where’s the win there?
Hatey McHateface says: 25 April, 2024 at 9:28 pm
What’s the saying to describe the WGD posters? See no evil, no hear evil, speak no evil?
The best thing for independence is for unionists to get back in for a few years.
The country has been living on borrowing and bullshit for the last few years, and none of the parties have a significant committment to do anything about it.
They are all tied to the climate emergency, diversity, safe and effective vaccines, colonial guilt, Russian threat, import the third world, pronouns in bios nonsense. So better to have the other side nominally in control of the collapse.
Regan will need to file the motion of no confidence in the Scottish Government.
Astonishing update. I’ve just wasted an hour watching that on the television. I should have read Wings Over Scotland First.
Douglas Ross – what an absolute imbecile. The truth is our crooked politicians are all in bed with each other. They enjoy a jolly up behind closed doors. It’s an act.
We’ve been cheated again.
Very rarely I comment on here
I gave ash the comment on the doubt when she jumped ship , but if she supports useless then my alba membership will be quickly dropped
Rev. Stuart Campbell
Ignored
says:
25 April, 2024 at 10:06 pm
“I think you are being a wee bit…
True. I had forgot they were close to financial collapse.
The line about the Greens “performance in Government.”
You don’t make mistakes like that – he’s done that deliberately.
The deep state in action.
Yousaf will still be False Minister this time next week. Taxes will still be going up. Ferries won’t be sailing. Grangemouth will still be closing. And the colonial administrators will be giving our country away until there’s nothing left by 2026.
Shocking. Sickening.
Regan must file a vote of no confidence in the Scottish Government. She must. She must do it tomorrow morning. Douglas Ross has screwed us.
Time to screw the unionists. Let’s see how they vote for a vote of no confidence in the Government.
I bet they vote to keep the SNP in power. I bet they do. They are in bed with each other. All the jolly boys and girls. It’s an act.
dasBlimp
Ignored
says:
25 April, 2024 at 5:13 pm
Iain More
Ignored says:
25 April, 2024 at 5:03 pm
That English Tory Gash Ross just guaranteed Useless Yousef will survive. Couldn’t he just have shut up or gone back to running the line. He is good at keeping his flag doon when the Huns are offside.
English tory? He’s a Scottish tory.
======================================================================================================================================
There nae difference atween those two diseased creatures in my eyes. Quit calling the Quislings like Ross Scots. There is nae Scots DNA left in them.
If Ash Regan really has a chance here, to end this, then she has to do it. You just can’t forgo it.
If she doesn’t… then she is Sturgeon.
All parties won’t have a budget to fight two elections in Scotland this year. WM priority for the Tory’s and Labour
it was the bigger boys, bit of tidying up, war time government required, strength through unity etc
I wonder if Humza will hoist a white flag of surrender and resign – but he doesn’t like that colour does he?
“Honey, we’re going back to Dundee. Don’t forget to pack the Bute House chandelier for my brother in law!”
Bute House will be ransacked in the morning!
I thought Fergus Ewing said tonight on TV that a vote of no confidence in the Govt (as opposed to First Minister) required a 2/3 majority of MSPs to agree rather than just a majority of 1?
Mia says:
“I think Ross (doing as he was told) took the option that is more likely to avoid such scenario. It is better for the union to keep a wounded and unelectable SNP in power…”
Yes Mia, precisely, that is exactly what I alluded to in my earlier post. Look, it’s immaterial whether Ross himself – or far more likely his senior Tory HQ line managers – came up with this apparent strategy. The point is, someone has game planned this, looked further than merely one move ahead, and likely determined that the SNP – most especially Yousless himself – is far too useful to completely bin off. Far better have him even more emasculated than he is now, limping from one crisis to the next – until eventually, when most people in Scotland think “SNP” (and by extension, independence), they get a tiny bit of sick in their mouth.
Politics? Rough old game. Not all the players here are as wet behind the ears as Yousless, or Ross for that matter.
Ross has done it right because no SNP MSP would vote no confidence in the government (aka “ themselves”), but some will likely vote no confidence in Yousaf and he will most likely resign.
In fact, that is probably what he has been told tonight and why he is now “considering his position” (what position?)
Also, Ash will support the no confidence vote; Alex wants a crack at this now – not in 2 years time.
Alex Salmond is saying in various interviews easily found on YouTube etc. that if he loses the No Confidence vote Humza will have to resign as First Minister. Does that mean Alex S has got it wrong as well?
It would be a very unusual mistake on his part. He was always very up-to-date and exact in his knowledge of parliamentary rules and procedures. And he always knew how to exploit these to the full, in order to gain the maximum benefit to his Party and its cause.
Stoker/ confused
Excellent point.
I was thinking SNP must be trying to get Ross to deliver the greens the (defacto) ref promised in their Contract – but beginning to look like another of these special cabinet meetings later today would be more than enough to empower Humza with the authority to tear up the treaty of union, & reclaim our standard security (the BOE presumably), by lunchtime
🙂
A chap on the tv said that no confidence in the government required a two thirds majority, whilst just a straight majority for a minister or first minister. Is that right?
Alex Salmond is also saying a few other interesting things.
First, he is praising Ash R very highly, and affirming that she will be writing a letter to Humza Yusef. This, says Salmond, will include what he needs to commit himself to in order to have any chance of gaining her support when it comes to the No Confidence motion.
Second, at the same time, Alex S is also insisting that Ash R will decide for herself what these points will be. He thereby makes it clear that he is in no way her puppet-master: he has every confidence in her, that she will highlight the right issues, but she will choose them and the letter she writes will be absolutely her own.
Third, among the issues which Salmond is sure will be included are the following. The Number One issue will be for the SNP to make independence its top priority again, not just by paying lip service to it but in reality. Other issues include prioritising making the A9 safe, dropping all prospective legislation that jeopardises the rights of women and girls, not putting into question the principle and practice of trial by jury, getting away from identity politics and getting back to the things that really matter to people, like education and the health service, and so on.
He also notes that if Humza resigns, the SNP has 28 days in which to agree on a new prospective First Minister, who would then need to be approved by the Scottish parliament in order to be able to take office. He does not say so explicitly, but the clear implication is that the SNP would have to pick someone who, besides having unanimous support from the SNP’s own MSPs, would be agreeable to Ash R. That, in turn, means someone who would accede to all her demands.
For my own part, I wonder if there might not even be a revolt within the SNP. That is, when the No Confidence motion comes up, I wonder if even some SNP members might not support Humza. That might seem far-fetched, but he has surely antagonized some within his own ranks, so it might just turn out to be pay-back time.
On the other hand, in order to pre-empt that outcome, and to evade the No Confidence vote altogether, thereby preventing it from bringing the internal disarray within the SNP into the open, it may just be that Humza will voluntarily announce his resignation at his press conference called for what is now later today, Friday.
In fact, it might just be the case that SNP MSPs, especially any who have already decided they would not support him in a No Confidence vote – for instance by absenting themselves from it – have already told him it’s the end of the road for him as Party Leader and First Minister. They will have already discerned that under his leadership the SNP, already holed below the waterline before he took over, is sinking even faster than foreseen and has no hope of remaining afloat in the long-term. They need a change of leadership now, in view of this year’s GE but even, although it is still a comparatively long way off, even in view of the next Holyrood election as well.
We will see…
Whatever way it pans out, it does look very likely that the independence agenda will be back in the foreground very soon…
It does seem strange that Liz Lloyd is getting a lot of air time now that thinks look like they’re turning pear shaped. I wonder which part of the establishment she’s working for now?
Like a lot of posters here, you validate the ‘no true scotsman’ fallacy. Google it.
“. I wonder which part of the establishment she’s working for now?”
The part she always worked for…
“A chap on the tv said that no confidence in the government required a two thirds majority, whilst just a straight majority for a minister or first minister. Is that right?”
No, it’s absolute horseshit. Who was this idiot?
“I thought Fergus Ewing said tonight on TV that a vote of no confidence in the Govt (as opposed to First Minister) required a 2/3 majority of MSPs to agree rather than just a majority of 1?”
I’d be very surprised if he did, because that’s total bollocks.