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Into our own hands 188

Posted on September 06, 2020 by

The Scottish political focus has been on Holyrood in recent days, with the Programme For Government announced and Westminster returning from recess. But parliaments can only do so much. Extra-parliamentary action is required for many reasons, not least because activists are increasingly frustrated at delays and uncertainty.

Giving direction and something constructive to do is therefore important; and that will have to come from within the grassroots movement.

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On the march 212

Posted on August 03, 2020 by

Symbolism matters in politics. What ostensibly can appear minor actions can have significant effect. Simply changing the names of things, whether from Londonderry to Derry or from the Scottish Executive to the Scottish Government (and swapping a UK-focused logo for a Scotland-focused one), were hugely important, signalling a new era and enthusing supporters.

Similarly, it’s been the case that as well as public actions of political leaders there requires to be mobilisation of grassroots supporters.

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View from the green benches 108

Posted on July 24, 2020 by

The closure of the UK Parliament for the summer holidays this week marked the end of my first political “year” with the SNP Group at Westminster, albeit a truncated one under unusual circumstances. Having served in Holyrood much is similar and familiar, even if anachronistic in style and reeking of snobbery. Staff are remarkably helpful and individual members can be exceedingly pleasant.

But this isn’t our Parliament and we’re most certainly not amongst friends.

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    • Fearghas MacFhionnlaigh on Learning Insanity: “Professor ALF BAIRD’s commendable letter to the MODERATOR of the Church of Scotland is on BarrheadBoy’s site here: SCOTLAND’S COLONIAL…Jan 18, 19:34
    • Alf Baird on Learning Insanity: ““Indy should be such an easy sell, a unifying idea, that we really shouldn’t be bringing religion into it. Not…Jan 18, 19:23
    • BigJay on Learning Insanity: “…and I’ve found the letter in reply from the Moderator to the Professor: “Dear Alfie, TL;DR. Lots of love, Rosie.”Jan 18, 18:45
    • DaveL on Learning Insanity: “I can’t remember this particular halfwits name but I do recall that he was known for constantly ‘flouncing’ off twitter.…Jan 18, 18:42
    • willie on Learning Insanity: “So Trump is now at war with Great Britain. 10% tariff on all goods from 1st February and 25% tariff…Jan 18, 18:36
    • Lorna Campbell on Learning Insanity: “But it didn’t end, James. Had it ended, there would be no Union. It simply expanded to include the Treaty…Jan 18, 18:29
    • TURABDIN on Learning Insanity: “Maybe not quite……Jan 18, 17:29
    • TURABDIN on Learning Insanity: “Scotland has a rich intellectual history, dissident and questioning. That i respect, particularly valuable in a time when information is…Jan 18, 17:27
    • Insider on Learning Insanity: ““James” Cheyne That is absolutely hilarious “James” !Jan 18, 16:49
    • Hatey McHateface on Learning Insanity: “I’ve found Alf’s letter to the Moderator of the Church of Scotland. It’s written in English.Jan 18, 16:46
    • Hatey McHateface on Learning Insanity: “What can I say, TURABDIN? If Scottish nationalism is indeed about intellectual reacquaintance with our immensely rich heritage, then the…Jan 18, 16:23
    • Hatey McHateface on Learning Insanity: ““the most dangerous in the world” Yet you not only claim to know details of its inner workings, but you…Jan 18, 16:14
    • Hatey McHateface on Learning Insanity: “Good one, Confused. There is no more pernicious religion than zealous antisemitism. Take a look in the mirror. As for…Jan 18, 16:03
    • Hatey McHateface on Learning Insanity: “Wow! Welcome to 2026 – same as 2025! Post “Orcs” and up pops Implants with some “Great Satan” sophomoric drivel.…Jan 18, 15:56
    • Fearghas MacFhionnlaigh on Learning Insanity: “TURABDIN, thank you for your thoughtful and informed contribution. My essential gripe is that few Scots seem to do any…Jan 18, 15:50
    • James Cheyne on Learning Insanity: “this funny picture sprung into my head of unionist very busy on keyboards trying to..delete.. all the old available information…Jan 18, 15:28
    • James Cheyne on Learning Insanity: “The treaty between Scotland and England either stands or it does not, IF it is claimed it still stands as…Jan 18, 15:20
    • James Cheyne on Learning Insanity: “Strange though it may seem, The 1707 treaty of union for and of Scotland only refers to two gender biological…Jan 18, 15:05
    • James Cheyne on Learning Insanity: “If religion came into it at all, then king Charles and the present governments would be in breach of the…Jan 18, 14:51
    • James Cheyne on Learning Insanity: “The resulting evidence is that one half of a two country (duel international treaty) [ England ] cannot apply new…Jan 18, 14:37
    • Xaracen on Learning Insanity: “James needn’t bother, Aidan. Your appeal to ‘established and recognised case law’ is indefencible on the matter of ‘the’ constitution…Jan 18, 14:32
    • Confused on Learning Insanity: “Alf Baird has written an open letter to the church of scotland. Hmm. I keep thinking of that old tom…Jan 18, 14:04
    • Confused on Learning Insanity: “https://archive.ph/RRubW https://archive.ph/0MvKL getting young folk off the fucking internet is now seen as being a good thing – unless its…Jan 18, 13:55
    • James Cheyne on Learning Insanity: “Fearghus MacFhionnlaigh, The difference between policy and law. Law has precedence over policy. As policy is a proposal to becoming…Jan 18, 13:40
    • Marie on Learning Insanity: “Breastplate @ 12.49pm. Correct.Jan 18, 13:24
    • James Cheyne on Learning Insanity: “Seeing as I don’t drink alcohol at all I obviously cannot make a comment on how alcohol has an effect…Jan 18, 13:21
    • TURABDIN on Learning Insanity: “@Fearghas MacFhionnlaigh The great matter regarding history and its interpretations is that the victors usually write the «official» versions. Versions…Jan 18, 13:18
    • Breastplate on Learning Insanity: “John Main, the real reason that the USA want power over Greenland, Venezuela and Ukraine, to name but a few…Jan 18, 12:49
    • James Cheyne on Learning Insanity: “Reference to the dissolved united kingdom, It States in UK parliament and on records, that Great Britain Parliament end in…Jan 18, 11:27
    • Hatey McHateface on Learning Insanity: “You’re bringing me back fond memories of Hogmanays of yesteryear, James. Although none of them ever amounted to 11 missing…Jan 18, 11:18
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