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Boom and bust

Posted on January 27, 2014 by

We’ve been documenting lately the number of “Better Together” scare stories that have been horribly sagging under the weight of scrutiny since the turn of the year. But yesterday saw perhaps the No camp’s most significant boob yet.

Ladies’ foundation-garment manufacturer Michelle Mone has for some years insisted that she would pack up and leave Scotland – taking her factory and its attendant jobs with her – should Scotland have the temerity to vote for independence, causing much wailing and gnashing of teeth among the populace.

Yesterday, we’re delighted to report, she changed her mind.

monemoanmoan

Speaking in the Scottish Mail On Sunday (which appears to have dedicated itself to providing this site with material of late), Mone reacted angrily to news of the Scottish Government’s plan to impose a 40% quota of top boardroom jobs for women, blasting:

“If their ridiculous policy becomes law, I will challenge it all the way to the European courts.”

As we assume that in order to do so Ms Mone would have to be staying in Scotland after all, the story is in fact good news. (As is her apparent belief that an independent Scotland would definitely still be in the EU.) She may have her knockers among those who favour a Yes vote, but we’re sure they’ll welcome this new-found expression of confidence in Scotland, and be grateful for the extra support.

Do the rest of the jokes yourselves.

129 to “Boom and bust”

  1. Alabaman says:

    If she leaves her politics behind, she can knock on my door anytime!.

    Reply
  2. Indy says:

    Lesley Riddoch has a piece about this in Scotman. The SNP has managed to get the proportion of women on public boards up to 35pc just by dint of persuasion but she is right, having a policy would be better – and less time consuming for ministers. It’s no biggie really, it’s an EU wide target, not some mad idea thought up by equality-crazed cybernats. The UK Government is against it, naturally. The rest of Europe will go ahead regardless and probably just sigh and shake their heads at the sight of UK demanding to be able to keep power firmly in the hands of the public schoolboy club. Cos that has worked so well.

    Reply
  3. sneddon says:

    It’s good to know that underneath everything she’s a firm supportor of business in Scotland, nothing underwired about her…I’ll get ma coat 🙂

    Reply
  4. tartanfever says:

    This time last year she made the press by running the scare story that she’ll leave Scotland if we vote for independence.

    It happened to coincide with the launch a few days later of her latest range of underwear.

    No such thing as bad press I suppose, but pretty cynical.

    This year she’s had her underwear launch a couple of weeks ago and now she’s making the newspapers, not only with this story, but she’s been out and about in London being ‘papped’ by the Daily Mail (all a set up of course) and skiing in St.Moritz.

    Maybe sales aren’t going as well as expected ?

    Reply
  5. Doug Daniel says:

    As we assume that in order to do so Ms Mone would have to be staying in Scotland after all, the story is in fact good news.

    Good news? This is awful news! I was only voting Yes to herald a mass emigration of right-wing ninnies.

    Oh well, at least it shows Michelle is keeping abreast of the news. Maybe this will give people a bit of a lift?

    Reply
  6. K1 says:

    Well then, that’s bra’ news, no more beating of the breast in rage at Scotland becoming Independent!

    Reply
  7. handclapping says:

    Ah yes, what a clever person. An engineer told me that supporting women was more complicated even than the effect of a coal train on the Forth Bridge.

    Reply
  8. My Scoto-German friend says “Wunderbra!”, oh sorry “Wunderbar!”

    IGMC

    Reply
  9. Is this an attempt to erase the sight of John Barrowman making a right tit of himself with his Immortal Mammary from the public consciousness?

    Reply
  10. Rgweir says:

    A well constructed piece but i tended to wander from the text and focus on the image.i am surprised the Rev has decided to go tabloid though.

    Reply
  11. Doug Daniel says:

    What’s the difference between Ultimo bras and BetterTogether? Ultimo bras force boobs together in the name of duping onlookers into believing they’re more impressive than they really are, but as soon as you remove the support, they fall apart; whereas BetterTogether… oh.

    Reply
  12. She obviously thinks we’d go bust without the support of Westminster.

    Here endeth my contribution to the bad bra pun jokes soon to infest this thread.

    Reply
  13. Damn – the rev already used it in the title. Oh well.

    Reply
  14. Wp says:

    She was leaving Scotland when labour got in,then she was leaving when SNP got in,now at last independence is coming maybe she will.

    Reply
  15. Mealer says:

    Anytime I hear someone say they’ll leave Scotland if we choose to be a normal,independent country I’m reminded of that old Roger Whitaker song….”there’s a ship lies rigged and ready in the harbour.Tomorrow for old England she sails…”.Its good to hear Ms Mone has changed her mind and will be doing business in a prosperous,independent Scotland.

    Reply
  16. Alan Mackintosh says:

    Cmon Rev, your milking this story a bit…

    Reply
  17. peter stoneman says:

    how can people love scotland yet say if we go indy want to leave it? with a no vote im staying…its still scotland…..i loath this lass

    Reply
  18. Bet she didn’t cross her heart though.

    Reply
  19. Gillie says:

    Is she arguing with herself being a female director?

    Reply
  20. mato21 says:

    I’m sure the Chinese workers will be supportive, cannot have them rise above their station in life

    Has she increased her Scottish workforce from what was it again, 43 or thereabouts?

    Reply
  21. Juteman says:

    Titter.

    Reply
  22. handclapping says:

    If I was the only bra maker in the country I’d not be moving on independence. Think of the sales when you advertise as “Scotland’s only supporter”

    PS OT Does anyone know why it is called a Jocks(s)trap?

    Reply
  23. desimond says:

    Rev, surely Wings is better than this. Time to nip it in the bud me thinks.

    Michelles Mone’s the only person in History who seems to have actually gotten more manic after giving up drinking Irn Bru.

    Reply
  24. Taranaich says:

    Normally I would object to this sort of thing, but since feminine upholstery is her occupation, I’m happy to treat the jokes more as puns on her job than her person.

    Erm. Matron?

    Reply
  25. JOHN KING says:

    Maybe she just wants to make a clean breast of it.

    Reply
  26. Kenny Campbell says:

    Did she not actually originally say that she’d leave if Scotland voted in an SNP government ? I’m pretty sure that story has changed as the public have met her demands

    Reply
  27. McHaggis says:

    I come to Wings for serious insight, not this kind of unsupported pap. I just had to get that off my chest sorry. Anyway, I will allow this one boob, Stu, and perhaps if you can get back to political discourse?

    ta-ta!

    Reply
  28. Ericmac says:

    I have heard that she also has a farm full of sheep with two sheepdog that round them up and point them in the right direction…

    Reply
  29. scaredy cat. says:

    Sorry to go O/T but wanted to mention that this year’s march and rally has been called off 🙁

    Reply
  30. Memphisto says:

    According to the Herald

    “It is understood MJM International is now in the process of being hived up into Ultimo Brands International.

    According to Companies House UBI was formed in January this year and is registered in London.”

    Maybe this is what she meant by leaving Scotland…of course since most of her workforce are based in Sri Lanka it probably wont be much of a loss for Scotland, especially since the business made a half million loss in recent year or so.

    link to heraldscotland.com

    Reply
  31. G H Graham says:

    Her confidence in Scottish garment manufacturing was so high in 2010 that according to a finance article at

    link to uk.finance.yahoo.com

    she employed through a partnership deal, 1200 factory workers in China.

    And in 2009, she apparently threatened to leave Britain if the top rate of tax were to be increased.

    The proportion of female directors of FTSE 100 companies is only 19%. Apparently Vince Cable’s claims the UK Gov has set a target of 25% to be met by 2015.

    (Source: link to tinyurl.com)

    A report from Lord Davies, Women on Boards, which was commissioned after a study by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission showed that, without further action, it would take 70 years to achieve gender-balanced boardrooms in the UK’s top 100 companies.

    Now that we know what Michelle Mone thinks of setting ambitious targets for women in board rooms, will she now be taking the UK Government to the European Courts as well?

    Reply
  32. Ericmac says:

    This a true story… A running friend of mine used to be a Product Engineer at a well known multinational that manufactured ladies underwear.

    They used live models during some production meeting. He told me it was the only meetings in his life where there was 100% turn-up, perfect time keeping and maximum concentration on the work.

    Reply
  33. Gillie says:

    Michelle Mone has also threatened to leave the UK if the top rate of tax was increased.

    I wonder if Ed Balls has done us all a favour.

    Reply
  34. Brendan hynes says:

    The last I heard her company was about to go bust, sorry burst !

    Reply
  35. Ericmac says:

    @scaredy cat

    How do you know? Are you sure?

    One way or another, there will be a March

    Reply
  36. Kenny Campbell says:

    link to theguardian.com

    mentions Moane saying she would leave is SNP win…well worth a read for the chuckle alone ..

    Reply
  37. Breastplate says:

    Gosh, that particular Kenny Everett character that I mentioned on the previous thread would apply here too.

    Reply
  38. scaredy cat. says:

    @ Ericmac.
    It was announced on their facebook page today.

    Reply
  39. Macart says:

    Well they certainly padded out that piece and sneaked it in underwire.

    Ah’ll get ma coat.

    Reply
  40. More circumambages than you could poke a stick at!

    Eat your heart out Brian Taylor! 😉

    Reply
  41. Jon D says:

    Definitely the breast article on Wings for some time. (.) (.)

    Reply
  42. Jimsie says:

    People appointed to boardroom jobs will in future be required to wear a bra. In the interests of equality this of course includes men.Man boobs r us have produced a nice range of these.

    Reply
  43. Flower of Scotland says:

    Let’s just say bye bye Michele and talk about something more interesting !

    Reply
  44. Jon D says:

    And this re the March (or not)

    link to us6.campaign-archive1.com

    Reply
  45. Bugger (the Panda) says:

    Both of them can bugger off, as far as I am concerned.

    Reply
  46. Bill C says:

    Sorry to go o/t but some important and in my view hugely disappointing news. This year’s March and Rally has been cancelled. Confirmation here:link to uk-mg-bt.mail.yahoo.com?.partner=bt-1&.rand=ddnlmkpoaubcd

    Reply
  47. alexicon says:

    Well she’s certainly got her knickers in a twist, who the hell does she thong she is?
    Her argument has more holes than a [G] string vest or is this just another storm in a [B] cup?

    I’ll get my coat

    Reply
  48. Bill C says:

    Sorry folks just ignore that link, don’t know what has happened there. However the March and Rally has been cancelled.

    Reply
  49. Papadocx says:

    What is it with all these “PROUD SCOTS” who are going to decamp if they loose the mastas protection. They obviously need a superior to allow them to feel safe and secure and give them direction in life. HOW INSECURE CAN PEOPLE BE REDUCED TO?

    Reply
  50. Bill C says:

    Link is here:
    link to us6.campaign-archive1.com

    Reply
  51. HandandShrimp says:

    I feel a bit let down

    Off to get my coat too

    Reply
  52. Gillie says:

    Bill C says: Sorry folks just ignore that link, don’t know what has happened there. However the March and Rally has been cancelled.

    Do you have confirmation of that?

    Reply
  53. Triangular Ears says:

    I saw her in B&Q once. She’s an impressive woman, stature-wise. She should learn to bite her tongue a bit though.

    Also, we keep hearing that she supposedly invented some type of bra, but I remember reading that she actually just obtained the UK (European maybe?) rights for some US bra that somebody else invented. I’m not sure which one is correct.

    I actually don’t think she’s a terrible person, but she does herself no good with these threats to leave if she doesn’t get her own way, as if anyone actually cares what she thinks.

    Reply
  54. Les Wilson says:

    If the March has been cancelled, then that is a shame. However in my view it was proposed too close to the big day.
    Nevertheless, there should be a march, June-July perhaps.
    That gives us a boost, and clear heads for the run in.

    Reply
  55. Bigdrone says:

    Titivating and all as Michelle is …. what’s the score re this year’s march and rally????

    Reply
  56. Alba4Eva says:

    This woman seems to be constantly making boobs.

    Reply
  57. X_Sticks says:

    I can confirm rally cancelled – got an email this morning.

    Dear Supporter
    Both the 2012 and 2013 rallies have been a fantastic success in bringing together many thousands of independence supporters to demonstrate the strength of the Scottish Independence movement and to hear from some of the best advocates of Scottish independence. But we know the focus this year has got to be on persuading the many undecided voters all over Scotland, crucially in their own communities, and that will call for different types of events.

    We are aware that some people would like to see a similar gathering to 2012/13 this summer and we fully understand the benefits that the previous events brought but for the reasons above we would encourage everyone to engage and support events in their own areas and to keep in touch with YES Scotland for a full list of events and other initiatives that they can support and attend.

    Thank you all for your support in both 2012 and 2013 and here is to a resounding YES result this September.

    Jeff Duncan, Anne McMillan and Allan Hendry
    March & Rally Organisers

    Sounds like YES may have asked them to cancel in favour of local rallies. Shame, I’d have done both. Room here for a Wings organised rally?

    Reply
  58. scottish_skier says:

    Apropos of nothing.

    Just thought I’d say hello from Stavanger.

    Man if only we could send each DK / soft No over for a day.

    Anyway, meeting went very well and just secured another wee modest bit of FDI for bonnie Scotland. Could get yourself a few underwired bras with it certainly.

    Reply
  59. Luigi says:

    C’mon guys,
    It’s only natural for a designer of Ultimo bras to be in favour of “Better Together”.

    Reply
  60. Ananurhing says:

    Moane by name, Moan by nature. A storm in a D cup.

    Coat, exit, gone already.

    Reply
  61. Bill C says:

    @Gillie Here is confirmation of cancellation of March and Rally: link to us6.campaign-archive1.com

    Reply
  62. JasonF says:

    Cancelling the rally is probably a good idea – anything that close to the referendum could well backfire on Yes.

    A lot of voters won’t make up their mind until the last moment, and those people could be put of by anything that might look to them like ‘nationalism’.

    Also, it would risk looking victorious, possibly putting some people off, and making others complacent.

    Reply
  63. Luigi says:

    JasonF:

    Cancelling the rally is probably a good idea – anything that close to the referendum could well backfire on Yes.

    A lot of voters won’t make up their mind until the last moment, and those people could be put of by anything that might look to them like ‘nationalism’.

    Also, it would risk looking victorious, possibly putting some people off, and making others complacent.

    I agree fully – it would have been a blast though!

    Reply
  64. HandandShrimp says:

    Shame about the rally, last year was a cracker, decent weather and a great turnout but I did think that earlier in the summer would be better this year given we are voting in Sept. however, I know there is a lot going on over this summer.

    That said if we can get tens of thousands of activists on the streets supporting Yes stalls and rallies all over the country this summer that will have a huge impact on the public perception of our presence. The media went out of their way to ignore and downplay the rally and thus it slid past the consciousness of many.

    Reply
  65. Luigi says:

    Remember Neil Kinnock’s “victory” rally, just days before he fell flat on his arse in the 1992 GE?

    Good idea to avoid creating the wrong impression so near to the vote. The MSM would have a field day.

    Reply
  66. Roboscot says:

    Twitter ye not.

    Reply
  67. patronsaintofcats says:

    I got a email this morning from the organisers:

    Dear Supporter
    Both the 2012 and 2013 rallies have been fantastic successes in bringing together many thousands of independence supporters to demonstrate the strength of the Scottish Independence movement
    And to hear from some of the best advocates of Scottish Independence. But we know the focus this year has got to be on persuading the many undecided voters all over Scotland, crucially in their own communities, and that will call for different types of events.

    We are aware that some people would like to see a similar gathering to 2012/2013 this summer and we fully understand the benefits that the previous events brought. It for the reasons above we would encourage everyone to engage and support events in their own areas and to keep in touch with YES Scotland for a full list of events and other initiatives that they can support and attend.

    Thank you all for your support in both 2012 and 2013 and here is to a resounding YES result this September.

    Jeff Duncan, Anne McMillan and Allan Hendry
    March and Rally Organisers

    Reply
  68. EmbraBoffin says:

    Perhaps lady supporters of Independence should switch to Playtex Cross Your Heart bras? I’m sure that was famous for separating and lifting?

    Reply
  69. proudscot says:

    I tend to agree with Ms Mone that merit should count in boardroom membership, rather than the mere fulfilling of politically motivated quotas no matter how well intentioned.

    So remind me, how did Johann Lamont and Ruth Davidson get to be “leaders” of their respective parties?

    Re the disappointing news about the cancellation of this year’s projected march and rally, can the Rev Stu confirm this, and if so the reason(s)?

    Reply
  70. proudscot says:

    Oops, I made my foregoing post about the cancellation of the march and rally before seeing the subsequent post by “patonsaintofcats”. Carry on Rev Stu, just ignore me.

    Reply
  71. Rab.c says:

    OT anybody heard how Dougie Alexander’s speech went down at BT rally.

    And how many thousand attended ?

    Reply
  72. Conan_the_Librarian says:

    The puns on here are udder crap.

    Reply
  73. mogabee says:

    Well EXCUSE me! Is there nothing for the female readership to innuendo over?

    Reply
  74. dave kemp says:

    She does indeed have her knockers..

    Reply
  75. Alba4Eva says:

    I actually think the puns are quite cossetted by folk on here Conan. 🙂

    Reply
  76. Itsagoingwrang says:

    MJM is now part-owned by a Sri Lankan company I believe so the likelihood of expanding any manufacturing jobs in the UK, never mind Scotland, is probably zero. Still, as long as they make money, those monies are hopefully coming back here. We don’t want to be encouraging any businesses to leave.

    Reply
  77. Schiehallion! Schiehallion! says:

    Bravo, MiMo.

    Reply
  78. Ananurhing says:

    “she would pack up and leave Scotland – taking her factory and its attendant jobs with her”

    She needs to make her mind up. Better together?
    Or round ’em up and head ’em out?

    Reply
  79. Molly says:

    Disappointed with the cancellation of the march but wouldn’t it be great to have something like a Festival of Yes? Where loads of stalls from farmers for Indy to Artists for Indy could showcase their stuff but be on hand to talk to the public directly.A stage where the comedians, musicians, poets could strut their stuff.Political stalls , food stalls, book stalls small business stalls, a national collective if you like.

    Showing the Scotland we live in , a modern Scotland looking forward and having fun with everyone invited ?

    Reply
  80. Seanair says:

    Slightly O/T, but does anyone remember Sandy Crombie CEO of Standard Life promising that he would remove SL from Scotland if we got DEVOLUTION?

    In a Herald supplement on Edinburgh the other day the bold SC was extolling the viirtues of the Finance industry in the city (which still contains SL)

    No doubt he trousered some money for the article–the hypocrite.

    Michelle Moan–well named.

    Reply
  81. Kev says:

    Ah big Michelle moanin again..If this wummin had any observation skills she would see that this sort of measure is spreading all across Europe and beyond, indeed, according to this report the EC has an objective to “increase the number of women members in boardrooms to 30% by 2015 and 40% by 2020″…

    link to archive.is

    Reply
  82. jingly jangly says:

    Rab.c

    I guess there would have been about 25 thousand at Ibrox on Saturday.

    I am glad to see you have managed to figure out how to make a post, and therefore you can keep the Invasion of the Cybernats Mug that I sent you, lol

    Reply
  83. handclapping says:

    March and Rally were cancelled as Stu couldn’t afford the number of wings he’d have to hand out 🙂

    Reply
  84. RoughMan says:

    I feel the cringe coming on; we can’t march in case we lose, we can’t march ‘cos there’s so much else going on, we can’t march ‘cos nobody notices anyway, we can’t march ‘cos ‘cos ‘cos…

    FFS folks, wake up! We need to do this for our kids. We need to get out there, marching, shouting, singing, so many, so loud, so strong that we can’t be ignored, we WILL be noticed, and we CAN do all the other stuff AS WELL.

    All we have to do is pick the right date and find some organisers.

    Never give in, never give up.

    Reply
  85. RoughMan says:

    I’ll get ma coat…

    Reply
  86. pmcrek says:

    Did nobody have the heart to tell her the 40% gender proposal came from the European Commission in the first place?

    Reply
  87. JasonF says:

    Molly says: Disappointed with the cancellation of the march but wouldn’t it be great to have something like a Festival of Yes?

    Small festivals across Scotland, particularly in the cities, on different weekends over the summer would be a great idea – events which are very clearly open to all, and not just those who are already Yes. But broad in scope, too – not just for ‘creatives’. This seems to fit well with what rally organisers were suggesting.

    Reply
  88. cjmasta says:

    Disappointed about the march and rally, last years was great but we do need to be getting out in our local areas as much as possible.
    When people get engaged with the foot soldiers for YES and with fewer BT ones apart from maybe some shipped up from England during the campaign we`re more likely to get folk to actually turn up to vote for us.
    I think BT are well aware of this.

    Reply
  89. pictishbeastie says:

    I was going to make a comment but was afraid I’d make a tit of myself!

    Reply
  90. CameronB says:

    Itsagoingwrang
    According to Mephisto’s post @ 12.31pm, MJM International’s Registered Office is in London. That means all tax receipts from MJMI business conducted in Britain, will be recorded as London’s turnover.

    Personally, I don’t think Scotland would be any the worse without her.

    Reply
  91. ScotsCanuck says:

    Looking at that picture of Michelle Mone reminded me of Charlie Drake and his famous catchphrase ” hallo my darlings “.

    Yes, I am that old and my coats already on …. when’s the next bus tae Partick ?

    Reply
  92. ronnie anderson says:

    Well,here,s a suprize Ms Mone, ah dont wear bra,s, but ah

    dae know, they LIFT UP, An SEPERATE.

    Ah bit like, YES campainer,s,

    Awe lift me Up Higher Than A Mountain, if you,s canny sing

    jist whistle while you,s work,keep it up lad,s n lasses.

    Reply
  93. Barontorc says:

    If YES is behind the cancellation of the Rally and March it’s an indication of the detail and planning going into everything associated with YES.

    BT and their BBC/STV and MSM pals haven’t a hope in hell of matching such preparation and they know it full well.

    Who’ll know for certain what’s going on behind the scenes, but the cancellation maybe to do with the wind of a black-ops plan to disrupt an discredit YES and I wouldn’t be surprised in the least.

    We’ll recall the Union Jack episode in the Gardens two years ago – it has been done once and it’ll be easy to do again only with bells on and BTW, whatever happened to the UJ crew taken into custody that day? It went all quiet didn’t it?

    Reply
  94. Alabaman says:

    ScotsCanuck,
    Aye and the “darlings” are staring right at you ,in that picture which declares she is a ” self-made woman” och aye, I’ll get my kilt on the way out.

    Reply
  95. ronnie anderson says:

    Ah would suggest a new merchandize line fur you Ms Moan

    Barbed Wire nicker,s n bra,s

    you could caw them The RENNARD COLLECTION,ah hear tell

    M n S dey a good line in knicker,s n bra,s

    ah lot cheaper than your,s, so say,s ma Wife.

    Reply
  96. ronnie anderson says:

    Is Frankie Howard posting on here,some body jist cawed me a

    Tit, Oh titter ye not.

    Reply
  97. Weedeochandorris says:

    Berlei Berlei funny guys. 🙂

    Reply
  98. David McCann says:

    Watch out for this item on tonight’s TV news

    Reply
  99. ronnie anderson says:

    Rev, re my E Mail on Sun,remind me how many book,s has

    Bill Ode, written on Twitter,s,re think per pap,s

    Why o why do you give us licence to do this.

    The D M, will fun oot.

    Reply
  100. Surely there’s a specific word for that many Benny Hill type puns in such a limited space?

    Reply
  101. Dave McEwan Hill says:

    March cancellation very disappointing. It was going to be our reward for our activists.
    Still believe we would profit from a rally in Glasgow.

    Can we organise victory rally for the following weekend instead?

    Reply
  102. GP Walrus says:

    Terrible puns in the headline Rev. I’m surprised you didn’t add a similarly low strapline.

    Reply
  103. Morag says:

    I wonder why they cancelled? We can afford one Saturday to have fun together, surely? And it would hardly be wasted, because the BBC would have to cover it this time. Anecdotal reports of people in Edinburgh last year deciding to vote Yes on the strength of the turnout and the happy faces.

    Reply
  104. Harry Shanks says:

    Perhaps one reason for cancellation is that anything less that 1 million on the streets (a la Catalonia) would be ridiculed by the BT mob – just last week a BBC News piece on Catalonia allowed BT the airtime and opportunity to rubbish the 2013 march on a comparative basis.

    Reply
  105. Suzanne K says:

    So, positive discrimination to enable more ethnic minorities and women to hold high ranking posts in the Forces is okay, but female director legislation is a no no? Has she heard the word persecution because women and ethnic minorities certainly have!

    Reply
  106. ronnie anderson says:

    @ScotsCanuk,2.47,git yer coat aff n stye in, it,s to cauld

    ootside fur us aulder wan,s dont be a proper Charlie

    Reply
  107. Dal Riata says:

    Re: March and Rally cancellation(?)

    If the March and Rally really has been postponed this year then I’m totally gutted. I was at the first one and had a blast, but couldn’t make last year’s because of overseas committments, which was disappointing. However, that disappointment was diminished somewhat by the thought of attending the final Rally in 2014… And now I’m being told it has been cancelled…Aaargh!

    I would have expected this year’s Rally attendance to easily surpass that of those previous. Plus, by summer, the voting numbers for ‘Yes’could have already gone past the 50% mark. With that, and the referendum itself almost upon us at that time, I’m sure the atmosphere would be terrific and with lots of positivity in the air. Also, it’s a bloody great day out if nothing else!

    Another thing. If the cancellation is definite, will that not just supply ammunition to the guns of the Better Together propagandists? Yes, the previous Rallys were deliberately ignored as much as possible by the MSM, but this cancellation would give them the excuse to spread more smear, sneer and fear about the “people of Scotland rejecting ‘separatism'” bullshit, however mendacious and hypocritical that may be.

    Finally, having had a March and Rally in 2012 and 2013, surely there has to be one in 2014, the year of the referendum itself. Here’s hoping that something of the sort happens this year, even if it is not what was originally envisaged to occur.

    Reply
  108. Morag says:

    I was thinking more likely they were worried there might be north of 100,000 and crowd control would be a problem?

    Reply
  109. Ken500 says:

    Making losses.

    Not the smartest cookie. Fighting it all the way to the EU. It’s EU policy.

    Reply
  110. ronnie anderson says:

    @Neil Mac Kenzie, 3.44 there is a word fur that many pun,s

    its PH UNNY.

    Reply
  111. tony o'neill says:

    Nice knockers awe the same lol.

    Reply
  112. Ken500 says:

    There is always Unionist opposite to the Marching Rally from various quarters. From petty legislation to health & safety etc. There are demands for thousands of pounds etc for insurance and minor by Laws. That is why it often ends up being held in less accessible places or areas. It has hung on a thread too many tines to mention. One the main organisers, in fact the main organiser, is ill.

    E,g. The National Trust or the Crown? will not allow it to be held in Holyrood grounds. Unionist football stadiums will not allow it to be held at their premises. The rugby Stadium asked for £thousands. There are Unionist (in high places) from the Police down who try and prevent the Marching Rally in every way possible. It is not easy!

    Reply
  113. Andy-B says:

    Corset its a good idea, and its an uplifting experience, to have her on board again.

    Reply
  114. Doug Daniel says:

    It may simply be that organising the rally was proving to be a logistical nightmare. It was going to be happening right at the tail end of the Fringe, it may have been proving impossible to arrange a suitable location, transport may have been a problem – who knows?

    Or it may simply have been that the organisers just couldn’t commit themselves to organising it again, for reasons that may be none of our business. Or maybe they simply figured that the time, money and effort required would be better spent in other ways. I remember they did some fundraising last year – perhaps it would just have been too expensive to put on a bigger one this time around?

    It would be nice to know for sure, but it’s entirely their prerogative.

    Reply
  115. Morag says:

    It would also be nice to know for sure, for people who might want to step into the breach. I wouldn’t die of shock if some might consider it, and it would be good to know the real reason if that’s the case.

    Reply
  116. Ken500 says:

    Her man left with her workmate

    Reply
  117. ronnie anderson says:

    Dont give up on Rally,s folk,s,the shakle,s are aff,

    we,re the grassroot,s supporter,s,I did,nt make the Rally ither last year through Illness,but I had hoped after April I would be attending some Rally,s,in every CITY in SCOTLAND ,nothing to do with crowd control & Police, YES Scotland dont control many YES supporter,s an am a member of Airdrie YES.

    Time for WINGS to take on the mantle,of direct action,more for to show the Scottish public the STV / BBC BIAS, & how much the BT / British state, can,& do control Public Information, what we re allowed to see / think.

    The latest statement from Mr Snowden ie NSA/GCHQ should have us up in arm,s Goverment,s gathering information for use by the Builderberg,s of this world,& they get richer as do the Politicion,s TAX PAYER,s footing the bill in the quise of Terrorism ??? Who,s the Terrorist

    Reply
  118. Dal Riata says:

    If the March and Rally 2014 is indeed cancelled I’m sure we’ll find out the reason(s) why soon enough. But the following statement, however earnest in its ideals, just doesn’t ‘feel’ right, like a cop-out or something:

    But we know the focus this year has got to be on persuading the many undecided voters all over Scotland, crucially in their own communities, and that will call for different types of events.

    Yes, but those “different types of events”, fine as they may be, will not pull in the numbers that one ‘mass’ rally would.

    The visualisation of so many of Scotland’s people, and others, together as one in support of an independent Scotland just weeks before the actual vote would have done a lot to help, surely, in “persuading the many undecided voters all over Scotland”, just as much as, and if not more than, those in 2012 and 2013.

    I’m at a loss. I don’t get it, I really don’t.

    Reply
  119. Dal Riata says:

    @ Ken500 (4.30 pm) Thanks for the info.

    @ Doug Daniel (4.40 pm) Yes, fair enough, good points.

    Reply
  120. Jimbo says:

    I’m pleased Ms Mone is staying.

    We will need more people like her in an independent Scotland – And she is right, it is a ridiculous policy.

    Reply
  121. A2 says:

    On the rally, I would rather spend that one day persuading that last tricky Don’t know, then we can have a massive party the next week.

    On the other matter, anyone making a decision to leave before seeing if it goes tits up .. err, what actually happens is pretty dim.

    O/T it just occurred to me. Once all the dust settles can we start buying into rUK utilities like the french and chinese? perhaps Scottish water might make a better job of running Thames water than it’s current management?

    Reply
  122. Croompenstein says:

    @Dal Riata I think that yes will be ahead or very close in the polls by the time of the rally and a mass rally may be perceived as triumphalism re kinnocks sheffield wednesday which may turn some people against yes

    Reply
  123. Graeme McCormick says:

    I hear that the Marist Brothers at St Aloysius Academy heave a sigh of relief when Ms Mone is not on the school run.

    The air can be somewhat blue

    Reply
  124. CameronB says:

    A2
    That is genius.

    An oil fund should enable the SG to buy in to English utilities, thereby helping to protect English consumers from the price gouging we are all currently experiencing. Only after we are up and running ourselves, of course.

    Now that’s “pooling and sharing” I could support.

    Reply
  125. Lochside says:

    I find it very dispiriting that the march is off. I attended the last two and felt momentum was building publicly.

    Only in Scotland are we able to convince ourselves that few or indeed no public demonstrations for our Country’s liberty is ‘for the better’.

    If our cause is not strong enough to be supported publicly in large numbers, then what is?

    A large demo does not equate triumphalism. We are not the Orange order with their ugly hatred. We are demanding our civic right to rule ourselves.

    Surely that is why we need to encourage the waverers by marching collectively with hope in our hearts and smiles on our faces…not a boastful pride?

    Reply
  126. Ian Brotherhood says:

    I’ve only just caught up with this ‘rally cancelled’ stuff.

    Is a possible alternative the Glasgow Cathedral gig, the WWI ‘commemoration’. Forget the date, but there’s bound to be something organised, maybe on Glasgow Green, and that would probably be a better venue than Calton Hill anyway?

    Don’t know…really just thinking aloud, but, like many above, properly scunnered the big day’s off. It’s all well and good having dozens of smaller events at different times and places across the country, but there’s nothing like a gathering to ram home the message.

    The whole world will be watching (apart from the BBC) and we need at least one opportunity to let off steam (like the two-minute rumpus when Blair spoke at the Armadillo) and leave no doubt that we really do speak for the majority in this country.

    Reply
  127. Ian Brotherhood says:

    @Dal Riata –

    ‘Yes, fair enough, good points.’

    Thanks for bringing us back on-topic.

    Reply
  128. Appleby says:

    By the sound of it she’s so out her depth or more likely filled with rabid knee-jerk hate she can’t even keep her opinions and ideas consistent and instead simply says she’ll do or support the opposite of whatever the SNP or current Scottish Government says.

    Reply
  129. Dal Riata says:

    @Ian Brotherhood

    LOL!

    Reply


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