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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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    • diabloandco on The Queer Parliament: “What a fucking shambles.May 20, 14:04
    • Campbell Clansman on The Queer Parliament: “Why should anyone be surprised at this? It is a logical consequence of the SNP clinging to office and thus…May 20, 14:03
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    • sam on The Land Of No Laws: “Scots words of the day. Fissle. Footer. Like yesterdays words, wheep and wheech, these are words I knew and used…May 20, 11:58
    • sam on The Land Of No Laws: “Yes, goats have feelings. Research has shown they convey different emotions in their calls to each other. Goats can also…May 20, 11:51
    • Geri on The Land Of No Laws: “I’m of the same opinion, Northcode. A blaw-in. Trying it’s best to incorporate English knuckle dragging pish ontae every topic.…May 20, 11:46
    • Sven on The Land Of No Laws: “Indeed they do, how sulky do they get when you eat the last empty tin can before they get a…May 20, 11:38
    • Captain Caveman on The Land Of No Laws: ““She hits the mark every time… which is why you and your chums keep coming back at her with insults…May 20, 11:22
    • Aidan on The Land Of No Laws: “Hahaha. So Geri said: “Wee Barbara fae Manchester semi naked trampling all over Mecca in flip flops eating egg &…May 20, 11:06
    • Northcode on The Land Of No Laws: ““it is ‘based on psychology’ …” Aye, Alf. There are plenty of Scots who can trace their ancestry centuries back…May 20, 11:04
    • Aidan on The Land Of No Laws: “They can do all this stuff themselves can they. Well that’s good news, now that they can do without the…May 20, 10:57
    • Northcode on The Land Of No Laws: ““Let’s not be stupid Northcode…” I was only highlighting your stupidity with some stupid of my own. You were the…May 20, 10:47
    • Alf Baird on The Land Of No Laws: ““I can trace my Scottish ancestry, both sides of the family, back to the 1850s.” Colonialism, and therefore the colonial…May 20, 10:34
    • Geri on The Land Of No Laws: “AI Dan They can do all of those things themselves, ya dunce. They don’t need Colonisers fleecing them & taking…May 20, 10:22
    • Skip_NC on The Land Of No Laws: “Alf, that was the author’s argument, either which I strongly disagree. Scotland’s success csn be put down, in significant part,…May 20, 10:20
    • Little Surbiton-on-Forth on The Land Of No Laws: “Been out of action in the Vicky for a couple of days so apologies for the late reply to your…May 20, 10:01
    • Captain Caveman on The Land Of No Laws: ““A word for the colonized until the day of liberation: doun-hauden: Oppressed.” Honestly, Alf, as has oft be mentioned to…May 20, 10:00
    • Mark Beggan on The Land Of No Laws: “#Goats have feelings too. Just saying.May 20, 09:55
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    • Northcode on The Land Of No Laws: ““You want to be taken seriously, Alf, but you never, ever, call out the idiocy that is endemic on here…”…May 20, 09:32
    • Northcode on The Land Of No Laws: “Note: The entire italicization of my previous comment is not intentional… I screwed up and forgot to close the HTML…May 20, 09:15
    • Northcode on The Land Of No Laws: ““Non-Muslims aren’t even allowed into Mecca” This is true, but you make the mistake of assumption, AI Dan. You assume…May 20, 08:33
    • diabloandco on The Land Of No Laws: “There was once a contributor on here , a unionist, who put forward several interesting points and ideas – his/her…May 20, 08:14
    • Hatey McHateface on The Land Of No Laws: “@ Aidan says: 20 May, 2026 at 8:02 am Ah, c’moan noo, Aidan. Cut the lassie some slack. She’ll be…May 20, 08:08
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