Wings Over Scotland

Thanks, Chris. I’m still feline great.
🙂

Spot on Chris. I love the calm serenity on his face!

Who’s purring now?

Just because you outnumber me slightly and I am not wearing my “I-am-a-carnivore” badge is no reason to believe that you are safe.

Wings over Parliament!

Well done Chris, and thankyou for your ‘toons. Always the highlight of Sat mornings.

Nice to see the cat amongst the pigeons.

It will soon be time for him to ruffle a few feathers.

Many wings over Westminster.

Poised….

Reminds me of our fabulous FM.

Nice one Chris …though the old saying of ‘there’s a cuckoo in the nest’ would also be appropriate. Or in this case, 56 of them, and they are going to be making a hell of a noise in Westminster.

I must admit …I have absolutely no idea how this is all going to pan out. The problem here isn’t how the SNP are going to get more powers from Westminster; it’s how David Cameron keeps 2 nations happy. If he rewards one, he upsets the other. His gut instinct is to protect the interests of what really matter to the Tory party and the nation that he truly represents; England.

But if he does …then kiss the Union goodbye. The politically enlightened Scots are watching his every move, and boy, doesn’t he know it. This isn’t the days of Thatcher where a dismissive wave of the hand would tell the Scots where they stood. If Cameron tries that, then Scotland will not only tell him exactly what they think, it’s what they will do. Lose Scotland, and Cameron and his party will go down in the history books to something that will be akin to Britain losing the American 13 colonies. It will be as powerful as that! Completely devastating to not just England, but the whole psyche of that nation too. Losing Scotland will lead to some hard questions and real soul-searching. It would be a case of ‘where does England go from here; no Union, alienated from the EU, an America that couldn’t care less …What does England do?

That is what awaits Cameron, the Tories and England if they ignore Scotland.

Federalism? Never going to happen while we have an all-powerful establishment. As Enoch Powell said, ‘Power devolved is power retained’. An English Parliament outside Westminster would be told by Scotland in polite certain words, where to go if England tried to change rules and law that would give England better terms in a Federal Britain. Nope, for England to control the other Parliaments completely, means Westminster is the English Parliament.

And this talk of changing the voting system. Lets get rid of First Past the Post (FPP) and replace it with Proportional Representation (PR). Never going to happen either. The Tories have just won the most undecided election in years, and not only that, won it with a majority. As far as they are concerned, the system works great! So Nigel Farage and all the others who want a change to the system can whistle to the wind. It won’t be getting changed in this parliament. And if Labour are still in the wilderness in 5 years time, and the Tories win that election too, then it’s a full decade before we see change in the system. Scotland could be gone by then!

But back to the original question. What is Cameron to do? Basically, I think he has to give FFA, FFR or whatever we want to call it, and ride out the fury of England. His only hope of retaining the Union is to give the Scots what they want, and hope that they mess it up …mess it up so badly that the Scottish people ‘come to their senses’ and return to the Westminster and the Unionist parties. Better to be voted out of government on such an issue, than be derided into eternity as the party that lost Scotland, the Union …and England’s identity and place within the world.

O/T

Full Fiscal Responsibility is Full Fiscal Autonomy with a key to escape the fiscal trap. It is less than a joke if you are given only the burden of collecting tax without the tools and levers to grow the economy.

We must have ALL the fiscus and only pay a levy for defence and foreign affairs. No agreement until there is a total plan in place and best have international oversight and not the “somewhat careless” IFS.

ALL the fiscus is onshore offshore shared wealth shared burdens and shared bounty wherever its source. We need to watch em like hawk or a lion!

@ JLT….
But how will he hang onto the oil revenue , Whisky duty, etc and how will he force us to cough up for Trident renewal under any kind of FFA ??????
I agree that he is on a tightrope and will always default to support the English.

Alex is back. Ace. Go get them.

Happy days

The Tory pollsters are manipulating the result. Gerrymandering

The next FMQ’s should be interesting 🙂

The phrase ‘Didn’t see that coming’ would not be out of place

Perhaps Nicola should have all 56 SNP MP’s in the gallery?

By the way just realised that the UK Government doesn’t have a Advocate General for Scotland as sunny Jim Wallace has had to vacate the post 🙂

You never fail to amaze Chris. That one has put a great big grin all over this old man’s face.

Red squirrel wrote:
“Poised…. Reminds me of our fabulous FM.”

Yes, Poised and nonchalant.
Like so many of Mother Natures predators – very calm and adorable in appearance but get too disrespectful and its lights out.

Hasta la vista London.
🙂

Lion Rampant vs Lion Passant and may, if Nicola plays her cards right, result in the Lion Passant becoming a Lion Dormant.

link to en.wikipedia.org

@ Clootie 9.00am

JHC clootie I wiz reading your post awe ah could hear wiz Maggie Thatchers dulsete tones in ma heid,mibbes thats whit she meant tae say instead of St Francis of Assise.

Any truth in the rumour that keeping one of each Unionist MPs in Scotland was a deliberate act to save time and travel expenses?

With the SNP leader not being at Westminster she can deal with the monkeys who can then do the running to and from their respective Organ grinders.
;-))

I haven’t seen much comment yet on the implications of the election result on Trident renewal.

As the election has reinforced uncertainty about Scotland’s long term future within the UK, will the Tories be willing to commit to spending £100 billion on a project based here?

Perhaps they will look to put the replacement in Devon, or perhaps it will force a rethink about the whole thing?

BBC News still banging on referring to Main Political Parties when they are referring specifically to Labour (Fair enough with 200 and odd MPs in England) and LibDems (Whiiiiittttt? with 8 MPs across the UK?!!!.

They obviously don’t consider SNP a Main Party yet.

Dont you just love the unique way that the Beeb find it interesting to spend so much time pawing over how much of a problem it is for the SNP to have 56 new MP’s at WM.

Why did they even bother eh ??

Never mind that 50 new communities will now be well represented for the first time probably ??

O/T

Apologies if all are already aware, “The National” has issued a special Saturday edition today in response to Thursday’s triumph 🙂

They don’t normally publish on a Saturday.

Superb Chris! Puts everything completely into perspective.

QT , Frankie Maude ” No one saw this coming ”

Just sums up how much attention WM pay to Scotland .
As many here have said ” They havna got a scoobie ”

Great ‘toon as always Chris .

I hiv a toon playing in ma heid , Al Stewart’s ” Year of the cat ”

Some may be stuck with Mud’s. ” The cat crept in ”

I wish we could measure the impact this site has had on the process .

EN Referendum …tsk …EU Referendum. (sigh!)

@JLT,
I agree with your summation. Lord Tebbitt also predicted that The Conservative Party north of the border should be renamed the Unionist Party,as a constant reminder to certain people of their roots.
This is in line with the thoughts of Labour,who feel that a separate identity for N Labour is inevitable,with its own constitution.
They know they have a big problem. I think Chris has a great cartoon,but not nearly enough pigeons on this occasion.There is more than one hungry lion stalking the Halls of Westminster now.
Interesting times ahead I think.

Robert Peffers
Liked your article on the lion in heraldry, my dad told me Lion subdued was the opposite of lion rampant. Lion subdued is what we normally see with claws facing the flag pole. Lion rampant has its back to the pole and claws to the world. A house nearby has been flying this flag since before the referendum. Have you heard of this, PS I enjoy reading your historic points, keep them coming.

Good assessment by Prof Tom Devine, of how the rout of Labour (branch) has come about (brief) but succinct.

link to archive.is

Have to say, while it is great to have so many new SNP MPs, especially women, I am absolutely delighted Alex Salmond is going to be back at WM! He is the UK’s wiliest politician by a mile and I really hope he can cause maximum destruction to the Tory Party.

Do not underestimate “only” 56 MPs (add 3 PC and 1 Green). They can run rings round pie-face and hopefully cause the Tories death by a thousand cuts, especially by exploiting issues such as Europe. We broke the Labour Party in Scotland… next on the list is the Tory Party in England!

That’s about right. 🙂

Nice one Chris.

JLT: They have already lost us, just look at the political map of the UK, complete yellow north of the border, all that blue down south, two complete polar opposites.

So the treaty of union is like a marriage, eh? Well, we have stopped sleeping together, but just carrying on in a pointless marriage through inertia.

One partner, of course, is ready to rush to the divorce courts at the drop of a pin. Her partner only clings to her because she owns all the real assets and he has maxed out the credit card (and takes it out on the kids by not giving them any pocket money and banning birthdays).

For those that had to work or missed history unfolding as the election results came in, the whole of election night is now being replayed on BBC parliament. You have 2-3 hours before the excitement starts, enjoy 🙂

O/T. Great blog re GE result from Scottish voter perspective.

https://strengthtodoallthings.wordpress.com

looks like hamish is waiting for his cubs and missus, before lunch.
dennis canavan did say this is a marathon rather than a sprint.
the snp have hit the ground running, millions cheering them on from the stadium of light.
link to youtube.com passion from dennis.

K1

Excellent link! Professor Divine explains brilliantly over a time line what the errors that the Labour Party made; some small, some extremely critical, which in turn, when placed together, has literally killed the party.

Now going with that timeline of nearly 40 years, one may have to ask …how long will it take the Scottish Labour party to get back to a parity of say the early 1990’s should it try and change its ways for the Scottish people.

Certainly for half for Scotland, they will never go back to Labour. The Scottish Labour Party would have to do great deeds, and I mean, great deeds for the people of Scotland before many will give them a look. And to do that, would fly in the face of the main Party. That is the problem for Scottish Labour. How can it be truly independent (if it goes that way), when it has to answer in the end, not to an HO in Glasgow or Edinburgh, but still paying homage to the one in London. One nod to London, and folk will smell a rat. This is a problem that the SNP don’t have to worry about, and that is what the electorate will perceive. One party is totally independent and is truly based in Scotland, while the other whose roots are in Scotland, still looks southwards. The suspicion of that party will never end under those circumstances.

But yep …great link!!

Visiting Catacomb.

Is it just me, or is the Scottish Sun no longer behind a paywall.

Wow! Dateline London is worth watching on catch up, for an excellent example of unaware English nationalism!

Hello SensibleDave,

I think it is probably up to the SNP now to detail their ideas for a solution

and

I don’t think the average Englishman cares whether Scotland is in or out of the Union

First, to be honest, Dave …it’s not the SNP’s problem. Scotland has literally given the SNP a mandate to speak on their behalf. Under that authority, the SNP will go down to Westminster, highlight the political divide of the two nations, and ask the Tories what they intend to do about it. After all, true political authority lies at Westminster, and the Tories are the Party in power in that place of authority.

It’s Cameron’s problem …not Sturgeons. What Dave does next, will matter. I think personally, that he will feed the Scots promises while trying to keep kicking it into the long grass. Delay, delay, delay …but ‘yes, Scotland needs an answer’ he will cry. Sooner or later, Sturgeon will give him a date. Answer by then, or answer to the people of Scotland, and whether he likes it nor not (and he can’t stop it no matter how much he states), Scotland will aim for another referendum. How? Through the authority of the sovereign people of Scotland. Sturgeon has stated that this is who will command a referendum. The people of Scotland. And ‘No’ …we do not need Westminster’s permission.

To deny, or remove that ability from Holyrood will be perceived as an assault on basic Scottish liberty. It would be seen as some sort of medieval feudal act by absolute ruler. Scotland would erupt in fury.

As to you other point…

I don’t think the average Englishman cares whether Scotland is in or out of the Union

Yes, I would agree with that statement in its present context

…and I stress ‘present context’

But what happens should Scotland have a referendum, and say, wins it next time? Apart from the stinging slap of realisation that everything has changed, what happens when the negotiations begin. Debt? Sterling? Osborne stated that the Scots were not entitled to Sterling. Well, Osborne is still here. No change then! No Sterling. No Assets, no Debt. Scotland walks away and starts afresh by borrowing a hell of a lot less from the IMF than be saddled with the proportion of UK debt. Next …where do you park the subs? Wales. OK. Do that and watch Wales begin to head for the door as nukes, fracking and god knows what else is imposed on the Welsh.

If Scotland walks, believe me …England will care! Once the problems start to mount, the griping, sniping and wailing will begin. As they say …it’s only when something is gone, does one reflect the true value of it. An attitude of indifference would change as the context of the situation changes …and that is a fact.

SensibleDave

On the subject of the UK FPTP voting system versus PR, a quick scan of the results suggest that a Tory/DUP/UKIP “alliance government” could have been achieved (50%), using the recent results, but using the popular vote. So, probably, the resultant government would have been further to the right – and more divisive.

But the point is, that while the Tories, by themselves, managed to get a majority, they have no need to debate the matter of PR. Any talk of it in Parliament will be jeered out of the Commons by the Tory backbenches. PR or any other change to the system will not be forthcoming. The Tories have proven the point that any ‘threat’ such as the SNP or UKIP holding power in Westminster can be negated by one simple thing; scare the English electorate into voting the Tories into power with a majority. It killed 2 birds with 1 stone.

I think something that many may have forgotten is how this unbelievable result was attained it was basically using an army expression “boots on the ground”.The press/BBC had little positive to say on our behalf can you imagine the scale of the defeat had we had been given a fair crack by the media?
This continuing engagement with the electorate is very important to biuld on this strong base and keep the momentum going.Its been fantastic watching a country coming alive and finding its pride and identity agian.

Just seen Janet Daley (Telegraph?) on bbc Dateline equate Scottish SNP supporters blood and soil nationalists.

It seems they will never learn.

Juteman 11:56am Dateline London. That right winger Janet has no idea about the sentiment in Scotland and wee Owen was doing his best to counter her arguments.

The SNP 56 MPs and Nicola’s speech was the headline item on the 12 o’clock bulletin. I wonder how the average rUK voter feels about this?

Sweet !

Wait till he starts roaring 🙂

Good cartoon again Chris – what’s our little roarer got behind his back?

I thought this post was worth repeating and hope to hear Eck’s words (56 times) on the Parliament channel when Parliament reconvenes.

Socrates MacSporran says:
9 May, 2015 at 10:34 am

Now’s the Hour said @ 8,58am:

“o the 56 have to swear an oath to Brenda, or can they do so to the Scottish people?”

The answer might be to do as Wee Eck did when taking the oath at the opening of the Scottish Parliament in 1997. Then, before he took the oath, he reminded all present that in Scotland the will of the people is paramount. (I forget the exact wording of what he said, undoubtedly, Eck hasn’t).

If each of the 56 SNP MPs did this, Westminster would be well-aware of how things stood.

Again, since Eck is one of the experts on Erskine May, the Westminster “bible”, I do not see the SNP being out-smarted on any issue.

Big fan of Tom Devine’s work and I think his take on reasons for demise of SLab are spot on.

Lab failed to adapt to a changing world from which heavily unionised mass labour had largely disappeared. When they did eventually attempt to change, they went to war with their Union base (albeit much diminished in size) by shifting way over to the right. New Labour positions would probably have been considered too far to the right by many 50s and 60s Tories. The only thing that made them still look vaguely leftist was the Tory rush to adopt extreme liberal economic ideology (Hayek-type) imported from the US during the late Thatcher/Major period.

Lab continually try to gloss over their right-ist policies with historical references to Hardie and Bevin. But truth will out and no amount of spinning and glossing can hide the obvious contradiction at their core – in policy terms they are simply not, and are obviously not, what they claim to be. Thus they come across as hollow and vacuous. And hence no surprise that we hear Lab itself asking what it is, what is it for, what are its ideas …, following their most recent hiding.

They have no coherent vision and instead cobble together policy items and slogans that seem vaguely consistent with their past and which they reckon might make a headline. Murphy’s recent nonsense, grasping at anything (football, x more nurses etc) is simply a more blatant (and idiotic) version of what Lab Inc have been doing as a whole for a long time now.

I doubt there’s anything special going on in Scotland with respect to our reaction to UK/S Lab. The main difference between here and the UK as a whole is that Scotland has a coherent, competent and realistic alternative to voting Lab – if you are not Tory inclined. You don’t need to go far to find vitriolic criticism of Lab UK from the English Left commentariat.

In time UK Lab will have to find itself or it will be replaced. As it has been here. I really can’t see SLab getting many, if any, of those seats back any time soon – IF we’re unlucky enough to be involved in another UK GE.

In the meantime, Labour uselessness down South means that we’re all stuck with yet another godawful UK Tory govt.. We’ll have to hope that the 56 can make some positive difference. Nicola had it right when she talked about adding backbone to Labour – we can’t expect much from such a confused cadre of gelatinous goo.

K1

Our MP’s could now be perceived as the ‘branch’ of SNP Scotland, in Westminster

Good point!

Let’s see how Westminster like it when the branch office starts dictating to the Head Office LOL

@ Grouse Beater 11.56
& JLT 11.59

Grousey, “from where I sit” is just a figure of speech. If it is so relevant to you, I live in a market town 30 mins, by train, from the West End of London. I am English born, bred and proud. I am interested in politics. I care. I care about the poor and the ill – and I care about businesses, profits, and taxation policies. I care about “fairness” and I want to live in a place where the government aims to provide health, wealth and happiness for all of its citizens. I care about democracy and the rule of law. Do you disagree with any of those ideals Grousey?

Where do you go to debate with people that have different politics to you? Or do you only visit sites where everyone thinks the same thing and where everyone tells you you are right? Is your definition of a Troll, on a political blog, anyone not from Scotland and who doesn’t vote SNP? You need to get out there more. Talk to people with different points of view, try and come up with solutions – rather than just shouting “Troll” every time that someone writes something that doesn’t adhere to the SNP party line

On Thursday, we had a general election. I voted for the party who’s policies I am sympathetic to and the party that I wanted to be in government. Try and get this next point into your head; my vote had absolutely nothing, zip, nada – to do with Scotland. I understand if your vote was all about the future of Scotland, Independence, self determination, etc, etc. Mine wasn’t. I have just one cross to make – to choose a government that reflects my personal politics.

Moving on, yes I care about the Union – but I genuinely don’t care if any country wants to leave.

Why is that so hard for you to understand? Is it that you need me to beg you to stay in the Union so that you can make some point by leaving? Is it that you want some sort of retribution when you leave? What is it that you want Grousey?

JLT – I’m working on the basis that the GE produced a result that means that the issue of Scotland’s governance has to be addressed and a solution has to be found. Because of the divisions, within Scotland, on the subject of Independence, isn’t it obvious that any solution will be imperfect? Don’t we have to try and find a solution that moves ever closer to what the SNP wants whilst also respecting the wishes of the 55%? Surely you are not suggesting that Westminster should “evict” Scotland from the Union by disregarding the result of the referendum?

I totally agree that the SNP have the mandate to speak on behalf of the people of Scotland – so what do the people of Scotland want in terms of government and degree of autonomy- because I genuinely do not know.

You wrote: “But what happens should Scotland have a referendum, and say, wins it next time? Apart from the stinging slap of realisation that everything has changed, what happens when the negotiations begin.”

Firstly, like Grousey, you project that a YES vote would be a “stinging slap of realisation”. Sorry JLT, you are totally wrong. Again, you appear to be working on the basis that I want Scotland to remain part of the Union against its will. Why would I want that? What do I need to say to you to get you to comprehend, like most people I know, that we really don’t mind either way.

If there is another referendum and if the vote goes for a “yes” than we have to make that work don’t we? Wouldn’t we want everyone to come up with a plan to achieve that? Would there be difficulties or areas of disagreement? Of course there would. Do I know what all the problems will be and do I know all of the answers? No I don’t. Do I think we could achieve Independence for Scotland? Yes I do.

So, come on guys! let’s move on and address the issues we face.

Whilst, you say it is up to David Cameron, you also appear to be saying that the current proposals don’t go far enough. Given that Independence isn’t currently an option, and until such time as another referendum is held and a different result is achieved, what governance and degree of autonomy does the SNP want as representatives, at Westminster, of the people of Scotland?

Very glad I was at home when I saw this, started laughing, magic, thank you.

@ JLT 12:09 pm

“The Tories have proven the point that any ‘threat’ such as the SNP or UKIP holding power in Westminster can be negated by one simple thing; scare the English electorate into voting the Tories into power with a majority. It killed 2 birds with 1 stone.”

Again, you seek to read all sorts of things into one cross on a ballot paper by one individual voter in England. The results of the general election suggest that the main reason that we ended up where we did is almost entirely due to disaffected Lib/Dems changing their vote and the rise of UKIP as a force. I can’t imagine why ex Lib/Dems would have any unique fears regarding the SNP? – and UKIP’s main policies have always been anti-european, anti immigration stance and took votes away from many different parties on that manifesto.

I think the problem here is that you, understandably, live, eat and breath Scottish politics and you assume everyone else is too. But we are not.

Work on the basis, as has been proved most of the time, England is predominantly Tory sympathetic – in the same way, in more recent times, Scotland has been left of centre. We vote for a political flavour we are most sympathetic too. Most voters in England, I assume, believe that Tory economic and social policies represent the best way forward – as opposed to labour, liberal, SNP or anyone else’s policies. Can you not except (whilst you totally disagree with Tory policy) that the English could hold such views and act purely on that basis?

SD: If it is so relevant to you, I live in a market town 30 mins, by train, from the West End of London. I am English born, bred and proud.

You omit to tell us your politics other the general ‘Unionist’.

As far as I am concerned, you are not an acquaintance or colleague, therefore there is no obligation to engage you as a means of countering your wilful ignorance, sly tone, or take note of your calculated provocations.

Your days are over. We are in Westminster.

To be brutal: Take a hike.

K1There is no such ‘horse trading’ since there is no hung parliament.

Thanks for taking the time, K1.

True, but that wasn’t the essence of the essay.

The problem is getting tarnished by playing Westminster’s game by Westminster’s rules. And horse-trading includes seeking support from non-Tory parties in return for our support. There are Ulster elements with which to contend.

You also don’t take into account the British press which is sure to whip up anti-Scottish sentiment by blaming an SNP vote or abstention for some unpopular policy or other imposed on England.

That’s a certainty.

@ JLT 12.09

… and furthermore, read the Rev’s recent posting “The Polls were not wrong”.

The Rev’s final line is that he has been saying that we were going to get this result since 2012 – ipso facto, absolutely not as a result of some “scaremongering” in the last couple of weeks of the campaign.

There seems to be a constant theme JLT that every vote that gets a result that you don’t like is apparently the result of scare tactics in the final hours – never anything to do with conviction politics held by an individual.

Fair points re horse trading Grouse.

But this:

“You also don’t take into account the British press which is sure to whip up anti-Scottish sentiment by blaming an SNP vote or abstention for some unpopular policy or other imposed on England.”

Yes…in England, that may still work.

Here: We have Wings 🙂 (The National, Sunday Herald)

Seriously and more broadly speaking regarding the msm, we certainly need devolved broadcasting so that we have a much more fairer representative narrative that reflects the politcal situation in Scotland now.

This would go some way toward countering and challenging the consensus and seek to neuter the bias and propaganda that would emanate from the South when ‘horse trading’ leads to an outcome that they are spinning as SNP’s fault.

Still, I remain positive at present and hopeful for the future, that our reps. won’t get ‘dazzled’ by the ‘bright light’s’ nor ‘attracted to the darkness’ as our former reps. did, to their cost.

@ Grouse Beater

This is your whole, reasoned and thought out response?

“Grouse Beater says:
9 May, 2015 at 2:00 pm
SD: If it is so relevant to you, I live in a market town 30 mins, by train, from the West End of London. I am English born, bred and proud.

You omit to tell us your politics other the general ‘Unionist’.

As far as I am concerned, you are not an acquaintance or colleague, therefore there is no obligation to engage you as a means of countering your wilful ignorance, sly tone, or take note of your calculated provocations.

Your days are over. We are in Westminster.

To be brutal: Take a hike.”

… Given that you are happy to put normal niceties to one side in dealing with me, I hope other commenters here will forgive me when I respond to Grousey in a more robust fashion.

Firstly Grousey, which part of my politics is is that you have failed to grasp yet from all my comments? OK …. I will work on the basis that you have the cognitive skills of a 5 year old. I AM A TORY VOTER THAT LIVES JUST OUTSIDE OF LONDON IN ENGLAND.

There, my “secret” is out. You cleverly tricked it out of me – when all my previous missives were designed to convince you that I am a tree-hugging Greenie.

I am in favour of the “Union” – by consent of the will of the people of any individual country within the Union.

“Your days are over”????? I assume that is some sort of threat to someone? For God’s sake think man. Who’s days are over? Is that the level of your politics? Is that your level of intelligence and debate?

I have nothing but admiration for Sturgeon and Swinney as politicians representing their views, opinions and objectives – I have increasing contempt for people like you Grouse Beater – so if that was your aim, then “mission accomplished”.

Great cartoon, Chris, as always. I like Hamish is always subtle when he appears. This time, poised, quietly confident.

I’m watching the rerun of Election night, what a geek! Just picking up on some of the comments I missed, and paying more attention to down south, as I’m interested in the swing to Tory down there, and where it comes from.

Lots of rhetoric over the last couple of days about Indyref 2, and that’s perhaps natural, but I hope it dies down a bit, to focus on the present, and Holyrood.

Personally, I don’t want to see another indyref, until we know the outcome is positive. Unless you know the answer, don’t ask the question, is always a useful adage in business and negotiation.

It sure is Chris.

‘Citing times.

@ JLT

“You’re trolling, mate. You’ve showed your hand in your last two posts. From this point, stay if you wish. Post if you wish, but I from this point on, will be ignoring you. Enjoy the rest of the weekend.”

… Tolling = asking difficult questions I assume? Trolling is asking you what you want or how do you think we should get there? Basically, as far as I can see, your definition of Trolling seems to be not being an SNP voter?

Is your political stance is so lightweight and ill thought out that you don’t have any views – now you have got 56 MPs and you actually have to act on behalf of the people of Scotland rather than just shouting at the nasty men in Westminster?

I really don’t know what you are afraid of. Am I some sort of threat to you or others here? Is it that now you have got 56 MPs at Westminster and a no vote in the referendum – you have no idea and how to move forward.

Nothing I have written today has been anything other than to discuss how you want to move forward – and not a single response! Is that because you are scared of me? Or, now you have got the MPs at Westminster, you don’t have any idea what to do?

Does it mean Scotland will get to watch Outlander now? Dave banned it.

@Maureen, FFA usually means everything except foreign policy and defence in terms of revenue and expenditure.

There would still be many areas discussed in WM which could affect how our finances work. Such as transport policy which might affect our revenues, so it would depend if the ability to legislate was also devolved. Lots of areas are very intertwined, so it’s not a straightforward answer.

I don’t have the pat answer

Valerie, thanks for your answer, every bit of information given is appreciated as I am a novice regarding politics, but willing to learn.

With only 56 MPs we are outnumbered at Westminster,but then,so is Hamish against all these pigeons.

Identify your strengths,your objectives, and. act smart.And if necessary,we have a worked example to follow, the Irish MPs simply left Westminster and regrouped in a Dublin parliament.

@ sensibledave

The results of the general election suggest that the main reason that we ended up where we did is almost entirely due to disaffected Lib/Dems changing their vote and the rise of UKIP as a force

I agree, but what you may not have seen is the reaction to the results of English Labour supporters on other internet sites (in particular UK Polling Report). They are absolutely certain that this is all Nicola Sturgeon’s fault: by pressing Miliband in the debates about co-operating to keep the Tories out (a reasonable request since the received wisdom was that there would be a hung parliament; the electorate is entitled to know how parties would combine, and it was the failure to declare their hand in 2010 that has led to the collapse of the LDs that you refer to) she was apparently “helping the Tories”, or even perhaps in cahoots with them, to terrify English voters that someone is coming to “break up their country”.

These Labour supporters appear to genuinely believe this, so even if you don’t agree with them, they are perceiving something very real to them. It also conveniently allows them not to accept any blame for their preferred party.

Scottish lion in Westmister. No change there… well, not phonetically anyway 😉