A new landscape
Posted on
September 01, 2018 by
Rev. Stuart Campbell
The world's most-read Scottish politics website
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Welcome aboard.
These Journey to Yes videos are still as fresh as ever.
Welcome over to the side of the good guys and gals Ashley, I’m sure you’ll prove to be an asset to our cause.
Well done all of you at Phantom power for another great story.
Fantastic! Well done Ashley, you are a fabulous role model, speaking out with honesty and integrity, and with dignity and logic.
Fierce hair too!
I’m so glad you’ve moved, Ashley.
You certainly moved something in me.
Many thanks for allowing Phantom Power to document this Ashley, eyes opened will not be closed, let’s hope it reaches someone who is asking the same questions as you were..
The Yes bus is a big vehicle and there is room aboard for all. Post independence there will a right and left in our politics like everywhere else … but it will be our right and our left.
Another worthwhile addition to an impressive canon of work by Phantom Power.
I wish there were more Conservatives “coming out” for Yes like Ashley. Not because I agree with their politics, but because waverers of all persuasions need to be reassured that post-independence, all democratic forms of political belief will continue to flourish. And be free to evolve in a purely Scottish context, as she clearly hopes.
Interesting comment though from her experience on the inside of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, that if you support independence “you will quietly be asked to leave”. No room for evolution there, obviously.
Makes one wonder, with Brexit looming, how many Conservatives at all levels in the party have become quiet Yes supporters but are necessarily having to “keep their heads down”…
Excellent film once again.
Unless you are really wealthy you need to come over to yes.
If you have a family whether you have children who hope to go onto further education or you have older relatives who may need the NHS or personal care regardless of your politics you have to support independence.
Head in the sand ignorance is not acceptable as the British Nationalist Government destroys our country you have a duty to your family to take what steps you can to protect them.
With just a little research you will soon see the British Nationalist Government is lying to you usually through the broadcasters and the press which they are openly financing.
You are being lied to, stolen from and laughed at, even if you are a unionist bigot who fully supports the English government they are using you they think you are daft.
The Tories and Labour would not be seen with you they would cross the road if they saw you marching along.
Wake up get the facts support independence, support your family.
Gaun yursell.
More publicity for this uplifting journey will, hopefully, show how Scotland was utterly conned and used in 2014, and show how Tory policies are degrading, cruel and heartless – no place for them in Scottish society, let alone UK.
– There must be many more Ashley’s in the Tory ranks feeling the same way, if only their consciences would allow them to break free and do the right thing for their fellow citizens in Scotland.
– Surely Scotland by now should see decision-making & governance of its own affairs is the only way to start afresh, away from the destructive & depressing way its been to now – the sooner YES happens the healthier and happier the majority will be.
Glanced at the front of the Fail as I walked past the newstand. Headline: “Butcher Sturgeon…” – thought for a second there’d been an atrocity committed in the #SNPCivilWar
However, just seems they’re girning about a “Rich” SURGEON getting loads of legal aid in a case against him/her (I wasn’t remotely interested in touching the filthy rag to learn what the “story” was.)
Echoes of the whining the Yoons have been at over the crowdfund.
Just been reading the civil war posts and pictures. I haven’t laughed so much in years.
Thank you all for your contributions…perhaps even the thick unionist media will now realise that they are now being openly mocked by the public.
Continue to mock them / laugh at them / it is a powerful tool
This is exactly why we mustn’t alienate or insult any tories with things like those tory scum banners. There will be more lovely, kind folk like Ashley, who just wanted the status quo at the last indyref and who can now be persuaded that a better future lies with independence.
ClanDonald 2:20
Most people like to belong…hence the need to join gangs, and most people like to join a happy gang where good fun is the norm.
Bet a few of those UJ waving muppets would have loved being part of the march in Dunfermline today instead of standing looking on like a bunch of Wee Frees outside a Stornaway pub on a Sunday, they must be wondering by now watching thousands of happy faces streaming bye, why can’t I be one of them.
And yes its been a lovely war… fair made my weekend. Can we do it again sometime.
Clan Donald at 2.12.
I very much agree that we must not insult or alienate Tories, or anyone else for that matter. We are “All” under one banner. Thank you Ashley for sharing your thoughts through the video.
Ashley Graczyk: “As a party (Conservative) you need to start demonstrating that you have a heart.”
Ashley clearly has a “heart”, is and will continue to be an absolute asset for us all in an Independent Scotland.
Thanks for joining us Ashley. Together we can make a country to be proud of.
Thank you Ashley – it was a real tonic listening to your growing awareness of the democratic deficit in Scotland. I’m sure you have a bright future in Scottish politics and more power to your elbow.
Well reasoned out Ashley, hopefully more and more will be brave enough to come forward from your former party and state the obvious as you just did so eloquently.
Welcome aboard!
🙂
Great to hear her spleak at the Dunfermline Rally today. A woman with a lot of courage to acknowledge the shortcomings of her former party affiliation.
3 SNP councillors left the SNP before this councillor left the Tories in Edinburgh, so despite this defection the Tories are now the largest party on Edinburgh Council
Agree with clanDonald 2.12pm. There are loads of decent unionists out there who now have the scales removed from their eyes, and see how Scotland has and is being continually shortchanged and abused. Welcome to the good guys n gals Ashley.
Thank you Ashley and Phantom Power.
Fud@4:53
Comparing apples and pears fud, Ashley resigned due to UK govt policies, different reasons for the 3 councillors.
Croompenstein She was elected a Tory councillor in 2017, difficult to see any difference in the Tory policies she stood under in 2017 from those a year later in 2018. If she was elected as a Tory and has decided to defect to the SNP some may think there is a case for her constituents to want a by election
Fud I may be mistaken but I don’t believe she has defected to the SNP and she also clearly states in the clip that she became aware of policies and how people are affected after she had been elected. Open your eyes and ears Fud please…
Murdo Fraser, has lost eight elections, he is elected by nobody & with a diminishing support each time. The total income from the Scottish people pocketed by this workshy bludger must be truly staggering. Spare us this pseudo democratic pish!
@ClanDonald
Good point, and I’m sure Ashley might be able to influence more people to move to YES.
Excellent video. Thank you, Ashley, and all those involved. An independent Scotland will certainly do things differently, and better. Inclusion is one of several key ideas within that newness, which will express a difference that has always been there. But which can no longer be expressed within the new idea of the Union that is in fact being promoted right in front of our noses.
Namely, that it isn’t a Union at all, but the absorption of Scotland into England, in such a way that Scotland actually disappears and the only song in the repertoire is ‘England Uber Alles’. Support for Brexit, English Nationalism and pumping this ‘New Unionism’, which has no basis in historical or legal fact, are all different aspects of this one and same thing. A thing which is ultimately insane, and very ugly.
When Scotland becomes independent, she will be doing England the most massive favour. Or at least giving her a final chance … to come to her senses. And shake herself out of the glory days of yore, and all the fantasist nonsense of that not-at-all-glorious imperial past in which she still wants to wrap herself. We have to help her into the real world by leaving her, and striding out on our own.
‘and has decided to defect to the SNP ‘
Still making things up to suit your own agenda eh?
She’s decided to vote Yes at the next referendum (having formerly voted No at the last), you seem unable to understand that this is what the above video was actually about:
There is a whole series of ‘Journey to Yes’ Phantom Power productions that may help you to understand that the proposition of independence is not predicated on ‘what party you vote’ for:
https://wingsoverscotland.com/journey-to-yes/
You don’t need to be a member of the SNP or any party for that matter to support independence, but don’t let that get in the way of your own biases.
Powerful film yet again.
These films about people who have crossed over to YES are inspiring because it clarifies in your own mind some of the arguments for YES in case you’ve forgotten them.
Well said Ashley.
Well put Ashley. Very inspiring and great reasoning behind your travels to YES. Equal playing field is all anyone asks for.
Is Hyufd the same one who is on twitter and seems to live in Essex? If so, what has any of this got to do with this person? Is it for troublemaking purposes or possibly just stupidity.
He’s a ‘unionist’ remo with confused identity issues and is prone to telling us all that we are a ‘ceremonial country’ as far as we can work out. We (a few of us on here) had a wee chat wi him on another thread. If you’re interested in getting an insight into his issue/s on here:
This is roughly where he starts on this thread on the 19th August, he may have made earlier comments on this thread, scroll back if ye want to see:
https://wingsoverscotland.com/the-cereal-offenders/#comment-2385508
Remo Yes, the very same and I happen to be a Tory member and this lady was elected as a Tory and has now defected from the party she was elected to be a representative for
Wull Scots played as big a part in the Empire as the English and most English nationalists who see themselves as English more than British polled would rather Scotland Leave the UK than give up on Brexit (though the Union and Brexit are not necessarily incompatible as GE 2017 proved) it is those who see themselves as British first as well as English or British more than English who were more likely to have voted to Remain in the EU so your hypothesis holds no basis in reality
Of English voters who saw themselves as British not English in the EU referendum 60% voted to Remain in the EU.
Of English voters who saw themselves as more British than English 63% voted to Remain in the EU.
Of those who saw themselves as equally British and English 51% voted to Leave the EU.
Of those who saw themselves as more English than British 66% voted to Leave the EU.
Of those who saw themselves as English not British 79% voted to Leave the EU.
http://lordashcroftpolls.com/2016/06/how-the-united-kingdom-voted-and-why/
@hyufd
Is being hard-of-thinking an issue with you? I think you might be mistaking Wingers for people who give a toss what folks in England think.
@K1
Hi, K1. I went back and read the material you suggested. Haven’t had such a good laugh in ages – severe laundry problem now. This person appears to be deranged or has been living on another planet for some considerable time.
She hasn’t ‘defected’? She has become ‘an independent’. Defected ‘implies’ she’s gone to another party?
Once again wi the assertions and arrogance to come on here and lecture us again?
Not archiving this so that you can enjoy the btl comments wi your fellow travellers, as it’s a ‘Scotsman’ article, they too are all prone to knee-jerk lecturing of others who don’t share the same opinions as them. Why don’t you go join them:
https://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/ashley-graczyk-why-i-quit-as-tory-councillor-and-now-back-independence-1-4781415
@K1
That was awfy nice of you to point him towards friends.
Och…you know me Alex…aw heart 😉
Remo Wull’s earlier statement and I quote ‘When Scotland becomes independent, she will be doing England the most massive favour. Or at least giving her a final chance … to come to her senses. And shake herself out of the glory days of yore, and all the fantasist nonsense of that not-at-all-glorious imperial past in which she still wants to wrap herself. We have to help her into the real world by leaving her, and striding out on our own.’
If that is not being interested in the future direction of England from Scots then I do not know what is? Given independence or no independence, Scotland in or out of the UK, England will remain Scotland’s closest neighbour and by far the biggest destination for Scottish exports like it or lump it you cannot ignore England
But we ‘can’ ignore your ‘interest’ as it is completely irrelevant what you think about Scotland’s choices?
Given that you are attempting to force your views and re writing/twisting the history of the last few years wrt to Scotland’s choice of ‘majority’ SNP MSP’s, MP’s and councillors across Scotland and the fact that many former No voters are turning toward independence, and have insisted that we had a ‘disastrous’ 2017 GE result in Scotland, where SNP won the GE, and also in 2016 Holyrood elections, where SNP won that too and increased their councillors in the 2017 Local elections.
You have insisted that none of this ‘counts’ because of ‘adding up’ the other parties losses and declaring that this ‘means’ the SNP is on the wane? Going as far to announce that Scotland ‘unionist’ votes outnumber those of the SNP is a strange way to contort ‘how’ political democracy works?
But you dare not apply that same ‘principle’ to England or for that matter UK wide GE, because you would know already that the Tories haven’t reached that hallowed 50% benchmark to make them the ‘majority’ across these isles? And that’s with FPTP voting in place?
Given also that you refuse to be a ‘reasonable’ person in this context there is very little left to discuss with you on any matter related to Scotland as you are not an honest debater?
You have an agenda that you are pursuing on here, it mostly comes down to sneering from the sidelines with a certain arrogance disguised as ‘interest’. Not once have you apologised for the derogatory and imperious tone when discussing these matters on that previous thread?
You actually attempted to use the word NATIONAL as an insult to those of us who voted for the SNP, simply because that word is contained in the title of the party? You referred to people commenting to you as ‘nats’ in the same condescending tone we have become accustomed to from those who literally have no say in any of our choices in Scoltland.
And finally you, yourself, have evidence free indulged in a host of assertions wrt to the history of the Union itself, declaring Scotland a ‘ceremonial’ country, declaring yourself ‘nationality free’ having previously ‘took offence’ to ‘your country’ being maligned as the colonialist brutal country that it was, then when that was challenged resorted to ‘I have no country’, ‘I was born in the UK’.
You must think we are idiots if you believe for one second that you will taken seriously on this forum.
Now go away back to your supreme Tory existence believing you are in the right voting for a party such as yours who are systematically tearing up democracy and destroying the UK, interestingly enough, as we speak. Further, destroying people’s life’s with their crushing and brutal ‘austerity’ policies, making the working class pay for the crimes of the upper and middle classes and you come on here to lecture us about our choices?
Away ye go.
The Tories got a higher voteshare in 2017 across the UK than the SNP got in Scotland at the general election which really says it all.
I will of course never apologise for having pressing the Unionist case hard, if you do not like that as a diehard Nationalist, tough.
I could of course not care less what anybody on this forum thinks, I came here to press the Unionist case hard and take on the Nationalists (and any party which puts National identity first is by definition Nationalist). Notice the brilliant Ruth Davidson by taking a tough hard approach to nationalists has seen her party’s vote surge, she is undoubtedly as tough a Unionist leader as Salmond was for Nationalists
You will no doubt whinge as ever about Scotland’s woes despite the fact it now has its own Parliament which decides most Scotgish domestic issues and representatives at Westminster too. The Tories have of course halved unemployment from 2010 and reduced the deficit too but that is a different matter however no doubt you will whinge about that too
HYoUFingDiddy
I thought you said earlier on that you had finished commenting. Just another broken British or English Nationalist promise. Broken promises, deceit and lies – some of the defining characteristics of the British and English Nationalists.
A lot of confused people in this island – don’t know if they are English or British – they also don’t know if Britain is a country or a Union.
HYUFD says:
2 September, 2018 at 5:18 pm
The Tories got a higher voteshare in 2017 across the UK than the SNP got in Scotland at the general election which really says it all.
I will of course never apologise for having pressing the Unionist case hard, if you do not like that as a diehard Nationalist, tough.
HYUFD says:
2 September, 2018 at 5:24 pm
I could of course not care less what anybody on this forum thinks, I came here to press the Unionist case hard and take on the Nationalists (and any party which puts National identity first is by definition Nationalist). Notice the brilliant Ruth Davidson by taking a tough hard approach to nationalists has seen her party’s vote surge, she is undoubtedly as tough a Unionist leader as Salmond was for Nationalists
HYUFD says:
2 September, 2018 at 5:29 pm
You will no doubt whinge as ever about Scotland’s woes despite the fact it now has its own Parliament which decides most Scotgish domestic issues and representatives at Westminster too. The Tories have of course halved unemployment from 2010 and reduced the deficit too but that is a different matter however no doubt you will whinge about that too
——————————————–
Arrogant, condescending and completely ill informed man from England who does not live in our country and who does not do ‘debate’. Has come on here to take us all on.
Thanks for letting us all know what your true agenda is, the first time you’ve been honest on here since you showed up.
(For the record you’re the one who claimed ‘your’ country was being maligned and then changed tack claiming you weren’t even born in that country called England. Spare us the old trope of ‘all nationalists are bad’. That’s why you changed tack in the first place. You may wish to adjust your zip at the back of yer heid ah think light nearly got in when you suddenly realised those two contrary stances didn’t fit your narrative or ‘nat’ bashing, which is exactly what you have come on here to do.
As long as you claim ‘all’ nationalists are bad you don’t need to examine your own, this we have found to be ‘always’ the issue with British/English nationalists, but of course you seriously think you are ‘above’ the fray on this matter, which is why you back peddled on your own ‘identity’ issue. You’re not above the fray at all else you wouldn’t be on here ‘nat’ bashing.
You are not a ‘casual’ observer’ nor an interested enquiring mind, you’re a man wi his mind made up and you’ve come to fight and lecture us all because you ‘think’ you know what you are talking about.)
——————————————–
So when remo above asked: ‘Is it for troublemaking purposes or possibly just stupidity.’
I think we all now have our answer. Good luck wi that ‘mission statement’ on here.
Sounds very close to ‘trolling’ imo. But I’ll take it up wi the Rev if this continues to be the case.
End.
Cubby The only sovereign country in GB is the UK of GB and NI
I live in the UK and have exactly the same passport as you ie a UK of GB and NI one.
If you do not like argument and a contrary opinion so be it
Funny that the Top Line of my GB and NI passport says clearly EUROPEAN UNION.
Is the EU a country? You know the answer, don’t yeh eh 🙂
It is a Union just like the one between Scotland and England.
The EU now has its own currency, Parliament, Head of State and will soon have its own army. If Euro Federalists have their way the EU will soon be a country, in effect the United States of Europe with the states within it the equivalent of US states except with fewer powers
Hi HYUFD at 1:01 am.
You typed,
“The EU now has its own currency, Parliament, Head of State and will soon have its own army.”
By its very name, the EU is a/the European Union. I can’t see where you can possibly disagree with that.
But then you get “interesting”…
In your quoted statement above, you refer to a “Head of State”.
Now, back on the “Cereal Offenders” page, you referred to the UK, a bipartite union of two kingdoms, and claimed,
“The Act of Union brought two sovereign countries, England (and Wales) and Scotland into one sovereign country the Kingdom of Great Britain”.
You were wrong there as it was The United Kingdom Of Great Britain that was created by the Treaty of Union. A “United Kingdom”, not a “country”.
I pointed out to you that the UK was internationally regarded as a “sovereign state”, not a country.
“The United Kingdom is a sovereign state.”
“Within the United Kingdom, a unitary sovereign state…”
You can go back and refresh your memory at this link:-
https://wingsoverscotland.com/the-cereal-offenders/#comment-2387176
Therefore, to go back to your statement at the start of this comment…
“The EU now has its own currency, Parliament, Head of State and will soon have its own army.”
You regard the European Union as a “state” but disregard the evidence of the Act of Union that the UK is a state.
You want your pies and you want to eat them. Either they are both unions or they are both states. However, as I pointed out, the UK is NOT a “country” – it is a state. One union can’t be a “country”, while the other union is a “state”.
You’re tangling yourself up in illogical beliefs.
The UK is represented at the UN and the G8 and G20 and in NATO and at the Olympics, England and Scotland are not.
The EU is however now represented at the G8 and G20 as well
So, what’s your point re the difference between a state and a country?
Scotland is a nation when it comes to the Commonwealth Games.
Explain your perception.
And your point is?
The Olympics is the premier world sporting event not the Commonwealth Games (where fewer nations compete) great even though it is.
A country which is not solely represented by itself at the UN, the G7 or the G20 is not a full sovereign country on any definition, indeed the fact the EU is now a member of the G7 and G20 shows it is pushing itself toward sovereign nation status
HYoUFingDiddy
Wasted enough time already dealing with British Nationalist diddies like you. Heard it all before (the type of crap) you are spewing out all over this site many times before.
Time wasting Britnat.
Hyufud @ 12.29
The football world cup is also a world leading sporting event arguably that’s the “premier” one.
There’s no UK or EU in that…. So as Brian asked whit is yer point.
That the Olympic committee has the last word on defining countries?
LizG The world cup had no India, generally no China etc and so while the second premier sporting event the Olympics remains undoubtedly the first as every sovereign nation is represented there.
The U.N., the G7 and the G20 also only contain the UK alone
HYUFD – you have a habit of posting that which you think should be facts, rather than actual facts.
Have a look at this page that starts,
“The Asian section of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification acted as qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, held in Russia, for national teams which are members of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(AFC)#Entrants
I can see India, China and Chinese Taipei in the list of entrants.
Qualifiers are not World Cup Finals though are they so my point remains correct that the Olympics are the largest sporting event on earth with the World Cup finals second. The only reason England and Scotland compete separately at the World Cup is because they competed separately at the British Home soccer Championship in the 19th century and have done so ever since.
It remains the case that the only sovereign nation in GB represented at the UN, the G7, the G20 and the Olympics is the United Kingdom
HYUFD – you’re doing it again! You’re extrapolating “facts” that don’t exist!
NOBODY typed anything about the “World Cup Finals”. The “World Cup” was mentioned – no comment limiting the discussion to the finals.
Please don’t make out that commenters on here are typing things that they NEVER typed. We can read, y’ken…
@HYUFD
You’ve now used up all your bit of slack that anyone on here will be allowed. You’ve no tokens left and I doubt anyone will give you any respect from here on in.
If you want to hang around just to be ignored, then please feel free. We will enjoy ignoring you while watching you wasting your time begging for attention.
Ignore the arsehole Wingers, not worth making the effort.
It is the World Cup finals people watch, not the qualifiers (beyond their home nation). In any case my original point to LizG that it is the Olympics that is the premier world event not the World Cup finals which is second remains, eg the Rio Olympics got 3.5 billion viewers in 2016 and the 2014 World Cup 3.2 billion viewers
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/rio-olympics-worldwide-audience-top-920526
https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/2014-fifa-world-cuptm-reached-3-2-billion-viewers-one-billion-watched–2745519
Thepnr Fine I have more than made the points I needed to
Can you summarise these points, of which you type?