As we’ve repeatedly pointed out, Wings has made NO comments about the “workplace harassment” allegations made against Alex Salmond several years ago. We’ve only commented on the CRIMINAL allegations, and workplace harassment isn’t a crime. (It’s a matter for an employment tribunal, not the police.)
But the real question is WHY Andy Wightman is so doggedly attached to these two complainers that he’s determined to keep digging himself further into a hole of lies. And everyone knows what you tend to find when you start digging holes.
Independence is dead as a political issue in Scotland for the next few years. This much should not be in any dispute. A Labour government with a crushing majority sits firmly in Westminster with absolutely no intentions of granting a second referendum, and the SNP has loudly and clearly abandoned any other strategy.
This fact is understandably painful and difficult to come to terms with for anyone who’s devoted the last 13 years (or more) to pursuing that cause and now isn’t quite sure what to do with theirself. But for those who still aren’t ready to face up to the unpleasant reality, there’s always the comforting world of fantasy.
Because there’s always money to be made from snake oil and pie in the sky.
The SNP have been pretty clear about the reason they think they got a battering in last week’s election: it was because people were voting to kick out the Tories.
Now, that’s obviously nonsense. There were almost no Tories in Scotland to start with – just 10% of voters had a Tory MP – and only one of the six actually lost his seat. (Which was entirely down to the ham-fisted interference of Douglas Ross rather than an SNP surge – the SNP’s vote share in the seat in question went DOWN.)
If you wanted to keep Tories out in Scotland all you had to do was keep voting for your current MP, most of whom were SNP, rather than risk splitting the anti-Tory vote by switching to Labour and risk letting the Tories squeeze through in the middle. (Which would have happened in many seats had the Tories’ own vote not collapsed.)
But if it was true that the SNP lost because the electorate thought the election was about getting rid of the Tories, whose fault was that?
I was going to write this article yesterday, but 2024’s miserable damp squib of a summer unexpectedly delivered a beautiful day – a perfect 20C of unbroken sunshine with a refreshing slight breeze – so I went for a nice walk instead.
Rather than my usual bird-feeding and bear-patrolling beat along the river and canal, I headed off on what used to be my standard summer stroll: up the long steep hill to Beckford’s Tower and its associated cemetery with stunning views over the city.
I’ll scatter a few pics from the walk throughout this feature, as otherwise I’m afraid it’s going to be a bit depressing and angering.
When you’ve been watching Scotland playing football for 50 years of your life, you become accustomed to disappointment. You expect disappointment. Anything better than disappointment becomes a bonus.
The SNP released their general election manifesto today. We’re not going to link you to it, because we don’t want to be responsible for wasting your time. This is everything it has to say on the party’s (cough) strategy for achieving independence.
It deserves much, much less respect than we’re giving it. Tomorrow, ice lolly reviews.
Holiday Boy has of course chosen the general election campaign to spend the next three weeks feeding stray cats somewhere sunny, so here’s a cartoon by the brilliant webcomicname that summarises the Baillie Gifford story for anyone joining us late.
January 2018, with no general election due for four and a half years: “I very rarely talk about Scottish independence in the chamber, because I talk about things that matter”
June 2024, with an election in four weeks and a £91,346 salary, expenses and pension at stake: “ROBERT THE BRUCE! BANNOCKBURN! DECLARATION OF ARBROATH! FLOWER OF SCOTLAND! FREEEEEEEEEDOOOOOOMMMM!”
Hatey McHateface on When the law breaks the law: ““Scotland will never regain her independence until we have people who are willing to tell WM to fuck off” Precisely…” Feb 22, 08:01
twathater on When the law breaks the law: “Scotland will never regain her independence until we have people who are willing to tell WM to fuck off, what…” Feb 22, 03:57
twathater on When the law breaks the law: “As I commented on Grousebeater blog re Mark Hirst It is absolutely despicable that Scotland’s laws and legal system is…” Feb 22, 03:28
Jay on When the law breaks the law: “Dan, thank you for the link to grousebeater’s exposition concerning Sturgeon’s history. Seems perfectly compromised for recruitment. Is any more…” Feb 21, 23:53
Saffron Robe on Shield Of The Phantom: “I’ve been thinking some more about this following a conversation today about AI, and I’m not convinced the explanation given…” Feb 21, 22:21
Young Lochinvar on When the law breaks the law: “HMcH Nah, they are as bad in both departments as each other. Is either department the one/ those GP referenced…” Feb 21, 21:53
Young Lochinvar on When the law breaks the law: “James HMcH is either: 1. Flexing his +60% fat brain percentage inspired imagination Or 2. Projecting YET AGAIN..” Feb 21, 21:30
Hatey McHateface on When the law breaks the law: “Now, now, James, tell the truth. You’re here for a few days because you’ve rubbed it red raw. As soon…” Feb 21, 21:09
Young Lochinvar on When the law breaks the law: “CA As a point of order; that’s hardly an even handed source – over a year old – and, making…” Feb 21, 20:54
Iain More on When the law breaks the law: “And the Quislings and Treacherous Wokists crawl out from under their rocks.” Feb 21, 20:22
Cynicus on When the law breaks the law: “Wonderful. There are faux-Scots poets who compose English verse and, with the aid of dictionaries, translate material they pass off…” Feb 21, 20:20
Young Lochinvar on When the law breaks the law: “GP at 2.26 “That’s not how it works (HMcH) as you are in a position to know”.. Please do share…” Feb 21, 20:09
Hatey McHateface on When the law breaks the law: “A general political rule of thumb that seems to be accurate most of the time: With left wing parties, it’s…” Feb 21, 20:08
Hatey McHateface on When the law breaks the law: ““you will well know from your own sponsors” Sure. I asked them about your old department. They tell me they…” Feb 21, 20:03
Young Lochinvar on When the law breaks the law: “Has LGBTQI etc etc etc killed the SNP and Alba? Certainly disproportionately over represented per capita.. Can’t keep hands out…” Feb 21, 20:01
Colin Alexander on When the law breaks the law: ““Leaked emails show Kenny MacAskill’s concerns of Alex Salmond’s Alba”. At least Kenny MacAskill had the sense to distance himself…” Feb 21, 19:58
Hatey McHateface on When the law breaks the law: “Fanon and Memmi, Jonesy too, predicted this would happen.” Feb 21, 19:55
Hatey McHateface on When the law breaks the law: “Good to see you back, James People were worrying you’d gone blind.” Feb 21, 19:52
Colin Alexander on When the law breaks the law: “It was under Kenny MacAskill as Justice Secretary that ALEX SALMOND’S woke colonial administration changed Scottish Prison Service policy to…” Feb 21, 19:37
Cynicus on When the law breaks the law: ““ Alba Party quits Holyrood election with questions over ‘viability’” ========= https://tinyurl.com/NOT-Murrel” Feb 21, 19:12
Dan on When the law breaks the law: “Aye, totes poundshop politics here in Scotlandshire. Lacklustre and spineless politicians, and divisive self-serving egotistic narcissism turned up to eleven…” Feb 21, 18:33
Young Lochinvar on When the law breaks the law: “HMcH Oi Vey Y’all! Oh dear! Hebe geno side happy clapper and self professed coloured people hating “Oath Keeper” HMcH.…” Feb 21, 18:19
GM on When the law breaks the law: “What an absolute waste of your old man’s effort you are. Turd.” Feb 21, 17:42
TURABDIN on When the law breaks the law: “THE BRITISH STATE is experiencing a major existential crisis, Scotland’s «elect» are asleep. Sadly, the electorate is dozing too. The…” Feb 21, 17:32
