A few people objected to this post when we first ran it a year ago, then came to regret their decision. So for their sake we’re putting it up again, in a new and updated form, in the interests of civilised and productive discourse about Scottish politics.
It’s the most constructive contribution we can think of to make Twitter a less toxic place over the next 12 months. It’s our block list.
We’ll be honest, there are some bits of this that make us wince, and unfortunately most of them come in the first two minutes where they’ll do the most damage in terms of getting a persuadeable voter to watch the rest of it. But it’s an important piece of work, containing stuff even we didn’t know about, and it should be seen.
The tone of coverage deployed by the Daily Express (Scottish and English editions alike) with regard to the First Minister of Scotland in recent weeks has been both bizarre and disturbing. Yesterday the paper ran this “story”:
It’s a load of gibberish, obviously. But if the FM was preparing herself for a punch-up, you could hardly blame her given what’s apparently been going on.
“Bias” is a word we hate. Other than in the article you’re about to read, you’ll almost never find it used on this site, for a string of reasons. It’s one of those words that – regardless of context or literal justification – simply makes people switch off instantly and dismiss your arguments. (See also: “Zionist”, “Quisling”, “fascist”, “Liebore”.)
It’s also largely irrelevant, because there are very few people or organisations who have any duty NOT to be biased. When it comes to Scottish independence we’re as biased as all heck, and there’s no legitimate reason to expect the Daily Record or Scotsman or Daily Mail to be any more impartial than we are. They’re privately-owned businesses and entitled to take any position they like.
(The difference, of course, is that unlike them we’re committed to still telling the truth when we’re being biased, and to always providing linked original sources so you can judge our biased interpretation of facts and events for yourself.)
Colin Alexander on The Modern Politician: “The SNP and Scottish Greens will be delighted that Ebay are procuring donations for the Mermaids charity. Are Mermaids brainwashing,…” Feb 14, 23:42
Dan on The Modern Politician: “Big Country – Steeltown Vid contains footage of dirty men doing hard dirty work so not safe for some. www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ssx1Davnkw” Feb 14, 22:50
Dan on The Modern Politician: ““No, I don’t think coal mining was ever anything but dire Says it all. Perma “worried” woman rather than celebrate…” Feb 14, 22:38
Geoff Anderson on The Modern Politician: “I didn’t know he was a Spurs fan……. https://x.com/ScotExpress/status/2022733679576113365?s=20” Feb 14, 22:08
Lorna Campbell on The Modern Politician: “William Campbell: yes, I absolutely agree with you, but it was not the norm until Thatcher introduced council house ownership.…” Feb 14, 21:49
Young Lochinvar on The Modern Politician: “Well I’d like to imagine this anniversary may just, just mibbes, mighta have helped put some fire in the belly…” Feb 14, 21:46
Lorna Campbell on The Modern Politician: “Often you simply cannot turn back the clock. No, I don’t think coal mining was ever anything but dire, but…” Feb 14, 21:20
Alf Baird on The Modern Politician: “Plenty of wee coasters and fishing boats even smaller than the new £50 million Isle of Islay sailing oot there…” Feb 14, 21:09
David Holden on The Modern Politician: “There is a lot to unpack in your latest offering but just a wee tip for you. Try shutting the…” Feb 14, 19:46
Hatey McHateface on The Modern Politician: “Quite right, Confused. You forever see the English as arse bandits and look where that’s got you.” Feb 14, 19:38
Confused on The Modern Politician: “flower of scotland is also RACIST and this is “zero tolerance” in a modern nation – what r u thinking…” Feb 14, 19:35
Confused on The Modern Politician: “rugby : after the postal tries have been counted by roof davison the too wee too puir inferior not quite…” Feb 14, 19:18
Cynicus on The Modern Politician: “14 February, 2026 at 6:33 pm David Holden says: “Which miserable killjoy is going to be first to come on…” Feb 14, 19:11
TURABDIN on The Modern Politician: “We regret to announce the sinking of the MV Isle of Islay in stormy seas off the straits of Gibraltar.…” Feb 14, 18:34
David Holden on The Modern Politician: “Which miserable killjoy is going to be first to come on and moan about the rugby? Congratulations to the Scotland…” Feb 14, 18:33
auld highlander on The Modern Politician: “Storms out in the Atlandic caused the delay with Portugal and Spain getting hammered. Earlier this afternoon I had a…” Feb 14, 18:02
william campbell on The Modern Politician: “Born in 1948,brought up mainly in East Kilbride,which was fresh and new then in 1957,my catching TB was the reason…” Feb 14, 17:48
Aidan on The Modern Politician: “C-24 will not be assessing Scotland’s petition in June. C-24 has no power to add further territories to the list…” Feb 14, 17:35
Willie on The Modern Politician: “I think agent X that you may have stumbled on an issue with regard to the MV Isle of Islay.…” Feb 14, 17:26
Andy Ellis on The Modern Politician: “@ Hatey Having just come back from visiting the Stone of Destiny in Perth and taking in Marie R’s last…” Feb 14, 16:44
Hatey McHateface on The Modern Politician: “Good post, Andy. The shades of the signatories to the D of A will also be furious that we lack…” Feb 14, 16:30
Hatey McHateface on The Modern Politician: “Thanks for your reply, Lorna. Just about every politician gets something right. Starmer, Trump, Sturgeon, Brown, Blair. They won some…” Feb 14, 16:22
Hatey McHateface on The Modern Politician: “Cynicus Please show some respect when addressing a lady carrying the name of the Holy Mother Of God.” Feb 14, 16:02
Hatey McHateface on The Modern Politician: “You don’t think … Naw. Nae way could painted oan windies been carried forwards from ane set of blueprints tae…” Feb 14, 15:58
Andy Ellis on The Modern Politician: “@Xaracen You’re not paying attention. Par for the course amongst the moonhowlers in here of course: the red mist of…” Feb 14, 15:57
Hatey McHateface on The Modern Politician: “Absolutely loving it, sam. The genocidal cants who unleashed their man made flu on the world, killing tens of millions,…” Feb 14, 15:54
Hatey McHateface on The Modern Politician: “Wouldn’t you have been happier in London, Northy? That’s home to more than 200,000 Sovereign Scots. Haud oan, though. I…” Feb 14, 15:41
