But note how delicately that tweet is phrased. The clear implication – while not directly stated – is that only the Tories were responsible for the promises.
We’ve noted on numerous occasions previously that one of this site’s prime functions is merely to remember things – to serve as a repository of fact which can be referred to when politicians or the media try to mislead people about what happened in the past. It was a thought we were struck by again on reading The Times this morning.
Because as we beheld Kenny Farquharson’s account of the SNP’s manifesto launch, and how its emphasis on the word “RE-ELECT” was unfamiliar and “very different” to their last Holyrood manifesto launch, we were sure that wasn’t how we recalled it.
While we’re on the subject of Ruth “line in the sand” Davidson of the Ruth Davidson No Surrender To The SNP Anti-Referendum Party making U-turns, we thought we might remind you of another one, this time from rather more recent history than 2011.
Just nine months ago, apparently Ms Davidson’s view was that “it would be wrong for the Tories to stand in the way” of another referendum “if the SNP gets a democratic mandate from the public”.
Sounds like a firm, resolute commitment to democracy and the incontrovertible right of the people of Scotland to determine their own destiny. Stirring stuff. We approve.
Kezia Dugdale gave an interview to Good Morning Scotland earlier today that viewed from above would probably look rather like the runway at Baghdad Airport in 1991.
If we tried to pick out all the individual bomb craters in one post, readers’ eyes would glaze over long before the end. So we’re going to have to do it in bits.
Sometimes the world’s random turns throw up a charmed piece of timing. That was the first tweet that I read on 19th September 2014, sitting on the side of the bed, eyes burning, wondering what on Earth I could possibly do with a day for which I’d bought champagne, but which broke my heart before dawn.
I’d resisted Twitter for a while, then fallen in love with it, weirdly comfortable with the disembodied voices of strangers. Small phrases, 140 characters: at its best, little postcards that made me smile, laugh or think.
For whatever reason, that tweet cut through, its arrival perfect to give me a virtual shake. I’d tell the writer – if I knew who they were – that I managed to carry out half of their instruction to us hollow-eyed, political orphans that day, though I failed miserably for a while on the first bit.
Today we should have become independent. We’re not, and it’s not okay, but since I don’t think we can ignore the power that time and timing can possess, and since words are all I’ve got, I’d like to tell you a story.
Hatey McHateface on Anything But That: “The EU is moving at its usual glacial pace towards shutting out Covid Spreader unfair competition within its markets: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/09/eu-buy-european-public-procurement-rules-china-goods-services…” Sep 9, 13:15
James Che on Anything But That: “I do not vote so neither left or right. Or even in the middle. When politics and election improve from…” Sep 9, 12:33
Hatey McHateface on Anything But That: “Mark, Measurements of length have always been relatively arbitrary and it has only been in recent times that it has…” Sep 9, 12:26
James Che on Anything But That: “Mark Beggan. I wll retain my politeness as I have done on wings for the sake of he host of…” Sep 9, 12:21
Mark Beggan on Anything But That: ““differed in some degree from their English equivalents.” Which system would be the more accurate? Was the transition to the…” Sep 9, 11:35
Mark Beggan on Anything But That: “Aye Northy never trust the French. A wee eighth of a Scottish inch or a baw hair ken.” Sep 9, 11:24
Hatey McHateface on Anything But That: ““professors, authors, policy thinkers, a Labour peer, a broadcaster, and Salvo/Liberation Scotland” I wonder if they will be taking questions.…” Sep 9, 11:07
Hatey McHateface on Anything But That: ““move Scotland even a millimetre closer to independence” Sorry, Northy, but no True Sovereign Scot uses the metric system. Prior…” Sep 9, 10:53
Mark Beggan on Anything But That: “Just those who don’t agree with you.” Sep 9, 10:44
Hatey Mchateface on Anything But That: “An ideal opportunity for Burnham to promise a McLaren in every postcode.” Sep 9, 10:40
Mark Beggan on Anything But That: “Wrong city. The capital of the fascists was Rome. Germany was a National Socialist dictatorship. Benito Mussolini would have to…” Sep 9, 10:27
Northcode on Anything But That: “Maybe it’s just me, but the upcoming SSRG conference has a particular vibe to it. I’m not claiming any special…” Sep 9, 10:10
James Che on Anything But That: “It sounds like some people may now be on the anti Terrorism watch list,” Sep 9, 10:10
James Che on Anything But That: “Careful Willie or you to might end up on the fascist hit list of fanatics from Berlin headquarters for elimination,…” Sep 9, 09:58
sam on Anything But That: “It is likely right, as Aidan says, that the Act of Union will have little to do with whether Scotland…” Sep 9, 09:41
agentx on Anything But That: ““The British supercar manufacturer McLaren is to create 1,000 jobs in a welcome boost to the UK’s struggling automotive industry.…” Sep 9, 09:40
Hatey McHateface on Anything But That: ““you do have to ask why this has happened” DEI? That’s what was blamed when the US NAT system screwed…” Sep 9, 09:15
Hatey McHateface on Anything But That: “OK, Mark, I’ll look forward to reading your currency proposals. I’ve written before about how quickly other countries manage to…” Sep 9, 09:11
Willie on Anything But That: “And another comment if I may. What will be the cost of yesterday’s NATS global disruption. The law suit damages…” Sep 9, 09:09
Willie on Anything But That: “Oh dear another emblem of Britain’s first world infrastructure as the National Air Traffic system collapses. With thousands of aircraft…” Sep 9, 09:03
rick o' shea on Anything But That: “If reform form the next english government, they wont have to work with any party in Scotland, you’ll be totally…” Sep 9, 08:47
Mark Beggan on Anything But That: “I never left the currency question open I just haven’t come to it yet. But I can say off the…” Sep 9, 08:36
Hatey Mchateface on Anything But That: “@Mark Your policies tick a lot of the right boxes. But I see you’re making exactly the same mistake that…” Sep 9, 08:09
Hatey McHateface on Anything But That: “Haud yer horses there, Auld Lochnagar. I’ve got that gen you were looking for. The French woman is called Gisele…” Sep 8, 22:08
Hatey McHateface on Anything But That: “Be honest now, Spartan. What earthly use would replies from some of the other regulars be to anyone?” Sep 8, 21:55
Mark Beggan on Anything But That: “Law and Order The MacTrump administration will issue a warrant for the arrest of Nicola Sturgeon. An application to the…” Sep 8, 19:44
Young Lochinvar on Anything But That: “HMcH @ 7.34 Wow! You have just described yerself to a “T” there old boy! I take it that it’s…” Sep 8, 19:20
Mark Beggan on Anything But That: “Family Family will be at the heart of MacTrump policy for Scotland. The focus will be on encouraging working families…” Sep 8, 19:11
