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Wings Over Scotland


Oliver Notwell

Posted on March 23, 2019 by

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  1. 23 03 19 07:56

    Oliver Notwell | speymouth
    Ignored

377 to “Oliver Notwell”

  1. Cactus
    Ignored
    says:

    Sir May aye.

  2. McBoxheid
    Ignored
    says:

    Sire May I please be in charge and be OBEYED.

  3. robertknight
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    says:

    First we had Strong and Stable, followed by Weak and Wobbly, but I think we’re now at full-on Deranged and Delusional.

  4. manandboy
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    says:

    Unhinged in a single-minded and impervious kind of way.

    Well done Chris! UR the best.

  5. Morgatron
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    says:

    Wow Chris, that’s a boot In the balls with a pair of divers boots. Thats her excellently portrayed In your marvellous cartoon, she is totally deranged madwoman and whoever is advising her should also be locked up, yet the BBC continues not to voice any real concern in a UK PM out of total control.Always look forward to starting a Saturday with a chuckle. Stu , CC earned his corn this week, cough up!

  6. manandboy
    Ignored
    says:

    http://chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2019/03/a-national-emergency.html?m=0

    For more details, in a forensically deep analysis and dissection of the politics and the personal style of the still Prime Minister.

  7. Robert Peffers
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    says:

    She who must be obeyed – or mibbies no.

  8. Alex Montrose
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    says:

    Strong and stable, ad nauseam.
    Britain will leave the EU on the 29th of March, over 100 times at the Dispatch box.
    A complete lack of empathy for the victims/survivors of the Greenfell disaster.

    She’s nae richt.

  9. Sharny Dubs
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    says:

    Nice one Chris, put a smile on my face

  10. dom
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    says:

    I think that speech she made the other night was her resignation speech.

    The Tory vultures are circling.

  11. starlaw
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    says:

    If the vultures wer’nt circling before then they are now.
    Nice one Chris.

  12. Ghillie
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    says:

    All I remember about Cromwell (me being terribly ancient obviously) is that he wanted to be portrayed warts and all and he infamously stabled his horses in the chapel of George Herriot’s School, Edinburgh, when he and his Roundheads invaded Scotland.

    Bit of an all round prick really.

    As for TM and her edging ever closer to destroying the Mother (etc) of all parliaments, what a pity the Giftie hasn’t paid her a wee visit to show her how others see her.

    There is something notatallwell with that woman.

  13. Robert Louis
    Ignored
    says:

    It seems political commentators in London are just noticing that Theresa May is ‘not the full shilling’. It has been pretty obvious from day one – indeed before that.

    Just remember how she refused to take questions in the election, how she just constantly says the vacuous phrase ‘brexit means brexit’, how she has cold-heartedly behaved in the home office, against immigrants (windrush). Look at the utter creeps she has in her cabinet. Then their was the ‘dance’ at her conference speech, and the frankly odd manner she has of siting smirking in the HoC whenever she is critisised or even asked relatively tame questions. She exhibits many of the traits of a psycopath.

    She has never been ‘right’, and should frankly never have been permitted anywhere near number 10, never mind parliament. I have always thought she is extremely anti social, and just cannot relate to people.

    As I suggested last year, Theresa will only leave number 10 by being literally dragged kicking and screaming out the door.

    Even worse, her silly games are still continuing. It seems that the ‘meaningful’ votes next week, won’t be on NEW ideas to leave the EU. Rather they will be a choice of her deal, OR her deal plus customs union, OR her deal plus single market, OR her deal plus something less.

    And just ponder the fact that under her leadership, in parliament we now must have the word ‘meaningful’ added to votes. WTF.

    I really think she is rather ill. Certainly she is not mentally fit for high office. Let us hope somebody somewhere does the right thing and tells her quite clearly she needs to go. It need to happen sooner rather than later.

  14. Artyhetty
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    says:

    Great work there Chris, you captured May there very well. What is it about the power mad? Give them an inch and they’ll take, well everything they can lay their scheming hands on at the expense of everyone else.

    It’s all about money when the chips are down, but May and her cabal are playing a dangerous game, and the losers who thought they’d be winners won’t take too kindly to being cheated.

  15. Jockanese Wind Talker
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    says:

    TMay is displaying a worrying amount of symptoms of “Messiah Complex”.

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messiah_complex

    “… is a state of mind in which an individual holds a belief that they are destined to become a savior. The term can also refer to a state of mind in which an individual believes that he or she is responsible for saving or assisting others.”

  16. X_Sticks
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    says:

    Haha is that a Cromwellian nod there Chris? How apt. He also destroyed a way of life, and the country still bears the scars of his religious barbarity.

    I’m not going to make it to Glasgow the morn 🙁 but I am going to make it to Inverness today 😉

    For anyone that doesn’t know there is a “Scotland Can” march in Inverness today. 1:45 at Bught Park starting 2:30.

    I don’t know how well attended this will be given the Glasgow march tomorrow, but hope to see a few friends there.

  17. Bob Mack
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    says:

    I think the term I would utilise in Mrs May’s case is “concrete thinking”. It is rematkable the top politician in a State cannot have the imperative quality of flexibility.

    She will never change of course,believing everybody else is mistaken.

    I think she has to somehow be removed for her own sake as well as ours.

  18. Heart of Galloway
    Ignored
    says:

    Excerpt fromMay’s letter to MP’s last night: ‘If it appears that there is not sufficient support to bring the deal back next week, or the House rejects it again, we can ask for another extension before 12 April – but that will involve holding European Parliament elections.’

    Holy shit.

  19. Jockanese Wind Talker
    Ignored
    says:

    Also TMays in her meeting with opposition leaders said that “the people voted for pain” when asked about the consequences of a No Deal Brexit.

    https://mobile.twitter.com/faisalislam/status/1109052365850714113

    How very Puritanical, pretty sure Cromwell would have approved.

  20. Puzzled Puss
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    says:

    In the end, it was the men in grey suits that came for Thatcher. Where are they when you need them?

  21. Bob Mack
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    says:

    There is a difference between courage and willingness to take risks, and being foolhardy and reckless. Mrs May has crossed that line.

    She knows she is vulnerable, and this is causing her to act the way she is doing at present. It will not resolve unless she leaves. Loss of self is crippling and leads to bad decision making. Mrs May is in that realm.

    I advise resignation, both of job, and to accepting she is on the wrong path.

  22. CameronB Brodie
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    says:

    Like Cromwell, the Tbot isn’t a fan of democracy, she’s a narrow, utilitarian, authoritarian and cultural chauvinist, i.e. racist. She typifies contemporary British nationalism, which appears to be morphing in to a full-fat form of English fascism.

  23. MajorBloodnok
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    says:

    Ironically, it’s her cavalier attitude to the best interests of the UK that’s been the problem.

  24. Ottomanboi
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    says:

    The real problem is the ‘English parliament’ and its victorian values and culture. May is just the scapegoat for a antique system that has broken down. If she were replaced or the rag bag of ‘parliamentarians’ let loose to find ‘better a deal’ the result would be an extension of misrule. In a country where effectively the mps make up the ‘constitution’ on the hoof, very likely. In a modern European republic the president would have dissolved parliament and called a general election in such a stalemate situation.
    A GE, an independence focused GE, is the only way out for Scotland. The rest, petitions and referenda, is just distracting noise. Be ready!

  25. galamcennalath
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    says:

    Great image. She’s be sending her modern day General Monck to have another go at Yes-city Dundee.

  26. Astragael
    Ignored
    says:

    manandboy says:
    23 March, 2019 at 7:34 am provides this link:
    http://chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2019/03/a-national-emergency.html?m=0

    This is very useful. Here is someone who seems to have got the measure of things – inasmuch as that is possible.

  27. Capella
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    says:

    Theresa May – A Study in Tyranny.

  28. Welsh Sion
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    says:

    Puzzledpuss @ 8:39 a.m.

    In the end, it was the men in grey suits that came for Thatcher. Where are they when you need them?

    _______

    In this case, Theresa (and the rest of us) need to see her taken away by the men in white coats.

  29. manandboy
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    says:

    Westminster takes all of Scotland’s Oil & Gas worth 100’s of billions. Scotland says, we don’t care!

    The power of propaganda to control the mind, which the British Establishment exercises over the majority of the Scottish population, can be measured by the 40 + years of the exploitation of Scotland’s massive oil & gas reserves, without any effective political response.
    It is like a householder who just shrugs upon hearing the news that his life savings have just been removed from his bank account.

    The truly painful part is that most Scots are addicted to the Media which carries the brainwashing propaganda and show no interest whatsoever in breaking their habit.

  30. Kangaroo
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    says:

    I can just see her dismissing parliament just as Ollie Cromweel

    https://speakola.com/political/oliver-cromwell-speech-dismissing-rump-parliament-1653

    If nothing else it would be a good laugh.

  31. Sinky
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    says:

    Scotland not too poor

    https://www.thenational.scot/news/17521934.scotlands-natural-wealth-revealed-for-first-time-in-ons-report/

    THE astonishing value of Scotland’s resources has been revealed for the first time by a ground-breaking new study which claims Scotland’s natural wealth stands at one third of the UK’s total.
    The research, by the Office of National Statistics, examined the value or profit provided by natural resources – such as wind, water, oil and gas – and how they are used.

    In 2015, the partial-asset value of Scottish natural capital was estimated to be £273 billion, 34% of the UK as a whole.
    The Scottish Natural Capital Accounts report explains: “The benefits we receive from nature are predominantly hidden, partial or missing from the nation’s balance sheet

    Meanwhile you know when Brian Wilson has lost the argument in today’s Scotsman when he again goes on about the SNP helping to put Margaret Thatcher into power when it was the two million more English voters who preferred her to the shambolic Callachan Labour government.

  32. Macart
    Ignored
    says:

    Neatly done Chris. 🙂

    Not ‘strong and stable’ and certainly not merely stubborn or a ‘bloody difficult woman’. The whole ‘the people voted for pain’ thing clearly puts an end to any idea that this PM is fit to govern anyone or anything. Also.. whoddathunk?

    Tunnel visioned or monomaniacal seem a bit more applicable as descriptors tbh.

  33. Dr Jim
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    says:

    Mrs May must use Royal perogative to oust the parliamentarianists from the parliament before they take control of the parliament they wrested from the Monarchy who used Royal perogative to control the people who don’t understand any of it anyway

    The army Mrs May, the army, the people must be stopped we can’t have thinking and democracy, chaos would ensue

    Restore the rule of Maylaw

  34. Luigi
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    says:

    Theresa May, the worst PM in recent history (narrowly shading Gordon Brown).

    Prediction:

    The next one will be even worse.

    Hopefully, we wont have to suffer much longer. Roll on!

  35. CameronB Brodie
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    says:

    For an academic, that Brian Wilson really is a bit of an intellectual dinosaur. He’s a million miles from being post-colonial and so, subsequently, more closely resembles a narrow, reactionary, utilitarian, bigot. A parochial neo-facist no less.

  36. Ghillie
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    says:

    X Sticks and all – Have a really lovely day in Inverness 🙂

    Cactus and all – Have a wonderful day in Glasgow 🙂

  37. K1
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    says:

    She would definitely ‘press the button’ without a second’s hesitation…all some spad has to do is write it on a piece of paper and she would regurgitate it and that would be that, not a leader, not a states person, not a fucking clue.

  38. galamcennalath
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    says:

    ‘May’s deal’ won’t happen. ‘No deal’ mustn’t happen. Yet these appear to be the only options TMay is contemplating. Deranged, deluded, dangerous? Something certainly far wrong for any parliament to reach this state.

    The revoke petition is over four million. It will be the largest of this type of petition in a few hours. When you look at the numbers in some constituencies, their MPs need to take note.

    Nicola on her way to the march in London. Will she be addressing the crowd, or just present?

  39. Marcia
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    says:

    The SNP have 2 MP’s at Westminster. Could they not section May under the Mental Health Act and the rest of the Tories and DUP?

  40. Marcia
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    says:

    *MP’s that are doctors.

  41. Hamish100
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    says:

    brian Wilson a “Kelt” sorry “Selt” to the end. Selt oot Scotland. Believes in Irish Independence and every other country except one. Answers on a postcard – no stamp- (going up 3p from tomorrow)to …….Snout in the Nuclear trough…….

  42. Dr Jim
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    says:

    The FM must have protection on the streets of London today the headcase % is high there (I don’t like it)

  43. CameronB Brodie
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    says:

    The Prime-minister relinquished parliamentary control over Britain’s deliberative democracy and it is now far-right English cultural nationalism and the voice of the mob that is running the show. If Scotland’s people value democracy, they really need to support independence when we get the chance.

  44. Frank Gillougley
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    says:

    A Great cartoon (as usual from Chris Cairns) because it’s true.

    A full on English Civil War no less.

  45. Breeks
    Ignored
    says:


    Luigi says:
    23 March, 2019 at 10:03 am
    Theresa May, the worst PM in recent history (narrowly shading Gordon Brown).

    But I’ll raise my glass to her being the last UK PM…

  46. manandboy
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    says:

    The writing on Westminster’s wall is an obituary not yet completed.
    Anyone who is not resident in England, and not a BritNat, should sit back and watch. It’s not everyday the world, and Scotland in particular, gets the opportunity to witness history being made like this. Krakatoa?

  47. Craig Murray
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    says:

    I have no objection at all to Nicola speaking at the People’s Vote EU ref2 march today. Provided that she speaks at the next AUOB march. The arguments that the First Minister cannot be out campaigning for referenda now falls.

    It is a fact that, having spoken at over 30 Independence rallies and marches since 2011 (not including indoor meetings) I have never once seen Nicola at one. Perhaps I am very unlucky.

    There are a very great many people in the Independence movement who have very real doubts about where Nicola’s priorities lie. And the vitriolic comments which will now follow about me having once been a friend of Carmichael, will do nothing to lessen that.

  48. Essexexile
    Ignored
    says:

    @Dr Jim at 10.25
    I really wouldn’t be too concerned about NS welfare in London today. Remember, the media have effectively put a blackout on Scottish politics for the last two years. Most people down here don’t have the faintest idea who Nicola Sturgeon is.

  49. Ken500
    Ignored
    says:

    Lovely day in Glasgow. Spring has finally sprung. Hope the Rally tomorrow will be a huge one. Everybody come. Give a show of strength to the Westminster lying sychophants psychopaths. May, May go away by May.

    Can’t wait until the SNP Spring Conference to denounce the Con liars. Then the time is right.

    Another IndyRef and Independence.

  50. Marie Clark
    Ignored
    says:

    Great work Chris, I think that’s how the Maybot sees herself.

    I read somewhere recently ( can’t remember where) a quote from someone who knows her, saying God is telling her that she is right. Help ma boab, when you start wi the God stuff, time for the men in the white coats surely.

    The woman is utterly delusional, still thinks that she can play games and the EU will let her. Boy is she in for a surprise. Like others I’m wondering where are the men in the grey suits. Mind you, if they remove her, who the hell are we likely to get.

    I truly despair of Westminster and England. The leave voters are going to be hoping mad at not getting the brexit that the voted for. Things are turning very ugly darn souff.

  51. Republicofscotland
    Ignored
    says:

    Another belter Chris.

    Elsewhere.

    Scotland’s astonishing wealth, pity that Westminster is squandering it.

    https://www.thenational.scot/news/17521934.scotlands-natural-wealth-revealed-for-first-time-in-groundbreaking-report/

  52. Ken500
    Ignored
    says:

    Everyone in the world knows Nicola, Alex and Co. They want to be their friends especially in the EU. They have put Scotland on the map. On speed dial to all world leaders. The totally despised May is held in contempt and despised by everyone. The Westminster unionists and their sychophants trying to destroy the world economy. Blowing the world to bits. Lying, cheating, greedy sychophant, psycho bastards.

  53. SilverDarling
    Ignored
    says:

    Just seen that the instigator of the REVOKE A50 petition has received death threats in Cyprus.

    I agree with Dr Jim here. If that particular right-wing Brexiteer feels they are being thwarted they will look for a target. You just have to see how they went for Gina Miller and how they address the FM on social media.

    Uppity Scots are a prime target. There are lots of angry people on the web today who feel their Brexit slipping away. On the bright side though maybe they will realise that England and Scotland want different things and stop putting obstacles in our way.

  54. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    I think this might help folk understand what is going on a bit better, though identifying and defining the properties of a “bin-fire” isn’t easy.

    The World in a State of Disintegration? An Interview with Heikki Patomäki
    https://www.globalpolicyjournal.com/blog/10/04/2018/world-state-disintegration-interview-heikki-patomaki

  55. hackalumpoff
    Ignored
    says:

    She’ll need that suit of Armour if this is true, the knives are well and truly out.

    http://www.buzzfeed.com/alexwickham/cabinet-ministers-are-plotting-to-oust-theresa-may-as-her

  56. Dr Jim
    Ignored
    says:

    @Essexexile 11:33am

    That was a stupid and crass British Nationalist thing to say and you’re a total irresponsible idiot for saying it

  57. Ghillie
    Ignored
    says:

    Galamcennelath, I believe Nicola Sturgeon will be addressing the march in London today =)

    Three major marches on this weekend – Inverness today, Glasgow tomorrow and London.

  58. Luigi
    Ignored
    says:

    Marie Clark says:
    23 March, 2019 at 11:37 am
    The woman is utterly delusional, still thinks that she can play games and the EU will let her. Boy is she in for a surprise.

    It is the PM (and the entire British establishment) that is being played. The EU holds ALL the cards. A gradual retention of the UK in the EU is the strategy – don’t frighten the horses, but don’t let em go either.

    Think of Brexit being a big powerful (but stupid) fish, and the EU being an expert angler. The fish is hooked but must be played to exhaustion before reeling in, otherwise it could break free. Not to stay that it will all go according to the EU plan. In this climate, anything can (and probably will) happen. 🙂

  59. Jack Murphy
    Ignored
    says:

    OT.
    Independence Live will be Livestreaming the

    ……..’Scotland Standing Up For Our Citizens’……….
    ……………..Highland March……………………..

    Inverness at 2pm approximately today.

    Twitter Link:
    http://tinyurl.com/y6qdtcfc

  60. Grouse Beater
    Ignored
    says:

    May as Cromwell. Nice. When Cromewell subdued Scotland, many dead left in his murderous wake, he handed our sovereignty to his Roundhead parliament who threw it out again with the comment, “The damnable Scots are ungovernable. We do not want this burden!”

    How right they were. If only the saps since heeded their advice.

    Your essential weekend reading:

    England’s slow, ugly death: https://wp.me/p4fd9j-nwi
    Dragons, dragons everywhere: https://wp.me/p4fd9j-nws

  61. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    So what’s (t)Ruthless Davidson got to say about Brexit?

    Search for Brexit
    https://www.globalpolicyjournal.com/search/node?keys=Brexit

  62. SilverDarling
    Ignored
    says:

    @CBB 12.01

    A friend who works with suicide survivors was speaking of ‘Anomie'(?)as a wider condition affecting the breakdown of the relationship between individual and society. They spoke of a disconnect in all areas of society. No one feels their government or the machinery of society speaks for them. Ominously, they said usually a war or natural disaster sorts it out for a while.

  63. Essexexile
    Ignored
    says:

    Dr Jim, where do you live sunshine?
    If you think London is any more or less filled with angry bampots than eg Glasgow (I have long experience of both, so know what I’m talking about), then you’re mistaken.
    Also, I’m well aware of Nicola’s profile in the English media (as, again, I live down here FFS). Occassional and low billing would be a fair assessment. Ask the Rev for a second opinion if you like.
    So, no. Absolutely not crass or irresponsible or the other things you were accusing. I’m busy with stuff to do today so don’t have the time or energy for a ding ding battle with somebody who (for the billionth fookin’ time) is on the same side as me re independence.
    Don’t know what you hold a PhD in but I’m assuming it’s not ‘Living in the real world’.
    Good afternoon to you.

  64. Ottomanboi
    Ignored
    says:

    Sturgeon in London with the Unionist remainers trying to save the UK when she ought to be rejoicing in the chaos and helping to add to it. This so called constitutional crisis is our friend. England’s troubles Nicola. Pass the gasoline!

  65. Dr Jim
    Ignored
    says:

    @Essexexile 12:54pm

    Saucer of milk son?

  66. Ghillie
    Ignored
    says:

    Some of you need to get a grip.

    Behave.

  67. Dr Jim
    Ignored
    says:

    @Ottomanboi 12:57pm

    The FM by going to a hostile febrile London and speaking in support of a people’s vote probably IS passing the gasoline because whatever she says down there isn’t going to count politically and she already knows that, that’s why I’m concerned about safety in a totally polarised atmosphere

    Around 10% of every country has nut jobs that means by weight of population England has the same amount of nut jobs as Scotland has population, many people in England will see the Scottish FMs presence in what they believe is their superior domain and see it as an act of trolling them and get their backs up

    Many will see it as a good thing, I worry it’s a risky thing

    Brexit’s probably going to happen one way or another and Scotland will get our divorce anyway, maybe the FM thinks she has to be seen to be doing something or maybe she thinks it’ll make a hard Brexit MORE likely, who knows what her strategy is

  68. Blair Paterson
    Ignored
    says:

    Will N.S. Be at the march in Glasgow on Sunday and why was she not at Inverness today???
    Independense is more important than brexit I mean how would We feel if the yes vote won our Ref.,2 and the no voters would not accept and tried to overturn a democratic vote by holding marches and using terms like crashing out and cliffs edge when it is only leave what we voted for I mean they would not be called remainers but what they really are losers I don’t think we would accept their ploys so do as you would be done by as they sa

  69. Ottomanboi
    Ignored
    says:

    @SilverDarling 12:53
    An observation on Modern Political Anomie
    For Durkheim, democracy is effective communication between the State and the people, not simply rule by the people. Nevertheless, the role of the State must on no account be tyrannical. Political anomie occurs when the individualistic ‘’will of the people’’predominates and effects to rule over the State. Durkheim links economic anomie with political anomie, because all major social functions in contemporary society are made secondary to economic functions: This is problematic as the only rule in economics is generally that of self-interest, which is insufficient for morality, and the consequences amount to “a public danger”. Durkheim describes democratic political systems ruled by the “will of the people” as “pseudo-democracies” characterized by chaos, stormy changes in politics, instability, and evil, because the will is inherently unstable.
    The triumph of the so-called ‘’will of the people’’ thus often ends in authoritarianism and popular fascism.
    Robbespierre, Moseley, Hitler, Le Pen or Farrage or whatever current online populist….what comes around etc.

  70. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    SilverDarling
    What about Scottish independence instead of war? Perhaps that might be the ‘shock’ to the international system, needed to reverse the slow progress in to global right-wing authoritarianism. How better to ignite a global re-Enlightenment, than re-uniting a people with their popular sovereignty and inalienable human rights? 🙂

  71. Ottomanboi
    Ignored
    says:

    @Dr Jim
    Indeed it is all becoming very foggy and dangerous to boot.
    I do HOPE she does know what is at stake. Scotland Expects.

  72. HandandShrimp
    Ignored
    says:

    Craig

    Nicola was definitely at the Calton Hill march…That or I shook the hand of a very spooky doppelganger.

    I see Jeremy is posted missing again. Let’s face it. He is a Brexit supporter.

  73. geeo
    Ignored
    says:

    https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/theresa-may-is-finished-and-the-eu-knows-it-1.3835083?mode=amp&h=m%5D&fbclid=IwAR0U6QhDJunuqvVPB9I2thqVnM2RhU2jlH7y6KBKgN3BYbhwqO90Eu2fRYM

    This article in the irish times certainly pulls no punches in its view of Treeza Maybot.

    It did however deliver a real stinger at the end, when it was revealed the author was a GUARDIAN journalist !!

    If this type of brutally honest appraisals had been the norm in uk media, this shambles may have been resolved a long time ago.

    Ties in nicely to todays brilliant CairnsToon.

  74. HandandShrimp
    Ignored
    says:

    Brexit is not what Scotland wants. I think Remain is up around 70% in Scotland now so it is right that Nicola represents our viewpoint.

    If May crashes us out without a deal the likes of Davidson and Mundell do not have a keg to stand on regarding Indyref2. There can be no accusation that Nicola and the SNP did not give it 110% to prevent the fall out of Brexit and that Indyref2 is our lifeboat back to sanity.

    That is a position that will gather a lot more support and respect from the No voters we need to win over than a purist independence or bust stance.

  75. Effijy
    Ignored
    says:

    Daily Hail today ran a story about Scotland’s
    Oil and Gas revenues being halved over 2 decades?

    They seem to have Scotland providing 34% of UK energy
    Needs with less than 10% of the population??

    I make that to be an Idependant Scotland would be pretty much
    Self sufficient and England completely insufficient.

  76. SilverDarling
    Ignored
    says:

    @Ottamonboi – thanks for that. It really seems we are living that just now.

    @CBB – Yes hopefully, it can work the other way.

    I used to think it was about winning the referendum or election but recently it seems with the big things like Independence and Brexit, we need more than the 50 plus one to make them enduring and settled. Hopefully, that is what is happening with Indy now.

  77. Lenny Hartley
    Ignored
    says:

    Craig, Im sure Nicola spoke at the edinburgh march in 2013, that aside I see where your coming from, but I think the SNP Management team are happy to see a diverse yes movement organisemarches and the like .

  78. geeo
    Ignored
    says:

    Had someone trying to tell everyone that no brexit = no indyref/indy, so be careful what we wish for etc.

    My reply:

    No brexit no indy huh ?

    Wrong.

    The mandate was “a material change of circumstances, SUCH AS Scotland being dragged out the EU against our will”

    Big clue: “SUCH AS”

    That means OTHER “material changes of circumstances” can ALSO apply to the mandate.

    Lets see what could be considered a material change of circumstances over the last 3 years…..

    Like say, WM SUBJUGATING SCOTS LAW over the Continuity Bill (by sleekit means)

    Or re-writing the terms of the Devolution Act, and since DEVOLUTION was an express wish of the Sovereign Scots People via plebiscite, that means WM needs that express permission to change the terms.

    By unilaterally changing the terms, WM have not only subjugated the Sovereign Will of the Sovereign Scots people, they have ALSO broken the express terms of the Treaty of Union itself.

    These are material changes of circumstances, and ANY of the above triggers not only the mandate from the 2016 election, they also enable the dissolution of the Treaty of Union.

    So, no, no brexit does NOT mean no indy.

    Wishful thinking by usual suspects.

  79. Cubby
    Ignored
    says:

    Geeo @2.19pm

    Spot on. Can always rely on you to nail it.

  80. Cubby
    Ignored
    says:

    Dr Jim

    Your fellow doctor – Dr Doom (now an expert on bampots) seems to have forgotten about the Telegraphs front page stating that Sturgeon is a ("Tractor" - Ed) and should be beheaded like Mary Queen of Scots. An incitement to violence if ever there was one.

  81. SilverDarling
    Ignored
    says:

    @geeo

    Not to forget that once out of Europe we lose their protection and are subject to all of the Henry VIII powers to be brought in by May’s or whoever’s government. If anyone truly thinks Brexit will mean that the process of Independence will be easier they are kidding themselves.

  82. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    Ottomanboi
    Thanks for jogging the memory. Brexit will undermine the resiliance of Britain’s economy and social structures and, subsequently, encourage further social anomie. Scotland wasn’t promised that in 2014.

    Anomie and culture management: reappraising Durkheim
    https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1350508410392435

    Revisiting the Measurement of Anomie
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4934700/

    Social Change and Anomie: A Cross-National Study
    users.soc.umn.edu/~uggen/Zhao_SF_10%20(rec%20only).pdf

    Avoiding Anomie
    https://www.resilience.org/stories/2018-02-12/avoiding-anomie/

  83. manandboy
    Ignored
    says:

    The DUP speaking as if they owned the Scottish part of the Treaty of Union, and indeed as if the DUP were signatories to it.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-parliaments-47614151

    DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds says

    “The DUP has been very clear throughout that we want a deal which delivers on the referendum result and which works for all parts of the UK and for the EU as well.

    “But it must be a deal that protects the union.

    “That remains our abiding principle. We will not accept any deal which poses a long term risk to the constitutional and economic integrity of the United Kingdom.”

    Generations of self-perceived superiority and entitlement in the British Establishment, added to by institutional denial, lying, deceit and pretence, have produced the present-day doctrines and dogma of British Nationalism, together with an Imperial Colonial creed which has led to the blind faith we hear proclaimed daily, including, and perhaps more forcefully, by the DUP & the UDA.

    To them, the Union is sacrosanct. Britain is their territory, one nation in one country. The other nations are simply Colonial possessions and regions of the country they call ‘The United Kingdom’. The BritNats even share the one God, but he is not the God of the Welsh the Scots or the Irish.

    It is time. For the Scots.

    It will never be the time for the DUP, if only because they live, stuck in the past, while time moves on, leaving them further and further behind.

  84. geeo
    Ignored
    says:

    I do not buy into all that stuff, Silverdarling.

    The Scottish parliament would simply change tact and declare the Treaty of Union as over.

    And that is that, more or less.

    Ask yourself this, if Scotsgov did that in reaction of WM trying to shut holyrood down, where does WM stand LEGALLY ?

    Answer?

    Nowhere.

    The Treaty of Union is exactly what Robert Peffers keeps telling you it is, a biparate treaty of legally EQUAL partners.

    As in any treaty, it can be ended without ‘permission’ from the other treaty partner, especially a legally equal partner,otherwise, it is NOT a treaty.

    I am not remotely concerned about such a scenario as it will never arise.

  85. SilverDarling
    Ignored
    says:

    @geeo

    I like your confidence and faith and would hope it is true.

    I don’t believe it is that simple. I think we are dealing with a mendacious and ruthless UK government who will try anything, tying us up in court proceedings that might extend beyond the next set of elections.

    The Scottish government only has that mandate for this parliamentary session and they have to carry the people with them.

  86. Scottish Steve
    Ignored
    says:

    Never has the UK’s leadership been so incompetent or inadequate. Just watched Adam Price’s excellent speech at the Plaid Cymru conference. I’d definitely vote for him and his party if I lived in Wales. I hope the party does well in the future.

    The UK is coming apart at the seams but it might be the best thing that has ever happened to the nations of this island.

  87. Robert J. Sutherland
    Ignored
    says:

    MajorBloodnok @ 09:01,

    Oh, cleverly put! =laugh=

    HandandShrimp @ 13:52,

    I very much agree. It’s all about building up respect and trust with those very people whom we need to convert to win. Simples, really.

    (I note the proximity of the letters “k” and “l” on the keyboard, but somehow I just can’t shake off the image of the little corporal and Fluffy trying to do a Murph on a whisky barrel! =grin=)

  88. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    I posted this the other day but it really is quite significant, IMHO.

    Critical History of the Acculturation Psychology of Assimilation, Separation, Integration, and Marginalization
    History of Acculturation
    Acculturation Typologies

    ….This history of acculturation typologies stops at 1984, when Berry and his associates stabilized their taxonomy in its present form of assimilation, separation, integration, and marginalization. However, in the rapidly expanding amount of acculturation research since 1984, new fourfold typologies have continued to be proposed (e.g., Bourhis et al., 1997; Coleman, 1995; Hutnik, 1991; LaFromboise, Coleman, & Gerton, 1993; Rudmin & Ahmadzadeh, 2001).

    Table 3 probably includes most of the acculturation typologies reported between 1918 and 1984 from the fields of psychology, sociology, and anthropology, but the literatures of related social science disciplines, such as Black studies, education, feminist studies, geography, history, law, linguistics, literary criticism, media studies, and religion, were not well searched. Nevertheless, the 68 typologies listed in Table 3 are sufficient for critical purposes.

    https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1037/1089-2680.7.1.3 (ican’t remember the threat I originally posted but this is another link to the same study)

  89. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    (I can’t remember the thread…

  90. Breeks
    Ignored
    says:


    geeo says:
    23 March, 2019 at 2:19 pm
    Had someone trying to tell everyone that no brexit = no indyref/indy, so be careful what we wish for etc.

    My reply:

    No brexit no indy huh ?

    Wrong.

    The mandate was “a material change of circumstances, SUCH AS Scotland being dragged out the EU against our will”

    Big clue: “SUCH AS”

    That means OTHER “material changes of circumstances” can ALSO apply to the mandate.

    Lets see what could be considered a material change of circumstances over the last 3 years…..

    Technically true, but if we cannot get the ball in the back of the net over a binary Constitutional red line and flagrant violation of sovereignty like Brexit, then very it’s difficult to see how a lame and obscure Constitutional technicality is going to raise the clans and set the heather alight.

    There will be a post Brexit bounce, of that I am sure, but brace yourselves, because it won’t all be one way traffic. There are a lot of people holding their tongues and biting their nails about the way this unfolding. Don’t take my word for it, check the btl comments on Nicola’s Twitter.

    Brexit might yet prove to be a golden opportunity for Scotland that’s been blown, and wrestling control of one or two more devolved Powers from Europe is a pretty lousy consolation prize… and that maybe will set the heather alight, but not at all as predicted.

  91. Cubby
    Ignored
    says:

    Looks like a good turnout in Inverness. Will any of the MSM in Scotland mention it?

  92. Gfaetheblock
    Ignored
    says:

    Do we know why the first minister is marching and sharing a platform with tories and labour remainers for a referendum that would lose her mandate for an independence referendum?

    I always thought that brexit makes independence a harder sell than both Scotland and rUK being in the EU. Maybe the FM has realised the same?

  93. Cubby
    Ignored
    says:

    Breeks@3.23pm

    In case you haven’t noticed – we haven’t left the EU yet and it is still not clear when or if that will happen.

  94. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    Gfaetheblock
    The First Minister heads the government for the whole of Scotland, not just indy supporters. She has to try and protect Scotland from Brexit. Perhaps she simply has principles.

  95. Proud Cybernat
    Ignored
    says:

    Do we know why the first minister is marching and sharing a platform with tories and labour remainers for a referendum that would lose her mandate for an independence referendum?

    2nd EU vote could result in the same result as 1st EU vote so I don’t know why it “would” anything. ‘Could’ perhaps – not “would”.

    Besides–IR2 mandate is not solely predicated upon Brexit. If Sottish Indy support is consistently above 50% then that also constitutes a material change in circumstances for IR2 to go ahead.

  96. Robert J. Sutherland
    Ignored
    says:

    Cubby @ 15:26,

    Which inescapably reminds me of the old joke about the man who is falling off a skyscraper, and as he plummmets down, consoles himself with the thought “well, so far, so good”…

  97. Robert J. Sutherland
    Ignored
    says:

    Cubby @ 15:26,

    Which inescapably reminds me of the old joke about the man who is falling off a very high building, and as he plummets down, consoles himself with the thought “well, so far, so good”…

  98. Robert J. Sutherland
    Ignored
    says:

    Gfaetheblock @ 15:24,

    Are you in a tag team with Craig Murray or just trying to parasitically latch on to some perceived dissention in the ranks?

    It’s pathetic. Nowhere near Nicola’s league. FibDum, you need to do way better than that. (But probably impossible, I know.)

  99. Cubby
    Ignored
    says:

    RJS@3.39pm

    Sorry don’t understand.

  100. Dave McEwan Hill
    Ignored
    says:

    There’s a lot of awful stupid stuff about at the moement

    Scotand by a large majority does not want to be taken out of the EU.
    So the Scottish Government shouldn’t do anything to stop us being taken out of the EU?
    Explain that to me.
    No. Seriously – explain that to me. We should just allow Scotland to be dragged out of the EU against the will of a vast majority of its population and do nothing to prevent that?

    Because if we are reduced to living on totties and wild berries we will gain independence? Is that the the argument?

  101. SilverDarling
    Ignored
    says:

    If anything, a 2nd EU referendum with a higher remain vote in Scotland and closer Leave-Remain vote in England would show the disparity even more.That no matter what we do within the current system, we are not represented.

    I can see why another EU vote might be ‘helpful’ to the Indy cause if that were the case. Trying to game these factors won’t help in the long run though. The mandate is for now.

    The status of the Scottish Parliament is what I feel is the main variable in all this. When Mike Russell’s bill was contested in the UK Supreme court it was all about the ‘competence’, where we ‘allowed’ to do it. The UK government just delayed proceedings to bring in legislation to make it outwith our competence even though originally it was. Where was the outrage beyond the National and on here over that?

    What is stopping them doing that with every piece of legislation brought by the Scottish Parliament? Drip-drip to undermine it, not some big let’s do away with it, just neuter and paralyze it with red tape and arguments over competence.

    Now don’t get angry with me, but just tell me, how do we go about dissolving the Treaty of Union when the UK government can act like that?

  102. Robert Peffers
    Ignored
    says:

    @starlaw says:23 March, 2019 at 8:04 am:

    … If the vultures wer’nt circling before then they are now.
    Nice one Chris”
    .

    Ach! Tory vultures are aye circlin – but it is usually around those sick, poor, disabled and vulnerable people that Tory policies have almost killed off – they’ve eaten all the ones they killed already.

  103. shug
    Ignored
    says:

    Well the BBC is saying there are hundreds of thousands marching in London

    I guess in BBC terms that means millions

    BBC don’t you just love them and as for wee diddy BBC Scotland what can I say

    Bring on jackie

  104. Scot Finlayson
    Ignored
    says:

    @Craig Murray,

    The story of Jesus calling Matthew the tax collector to be his disciple.

    We find Jesus reclining at table with many tax collectors and sinners, “for there were many who followed him”

    When the scribes and Pharisees grumble about the company he keeps,

    Jesus tells them that he has “not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance”

  105. Robert Peffers
    Ignored
    says:

    There are some, particularly ex-English public schoolboys, who are rather attracted to, (cough!), “assertive”, women.

  106. SilverDarling
    Ignored
    says:

    When Joanna Cherry and co went to court to find out if article 50 could be revoked unilaterally was that a precedent that could be used?

    Could an action be raised to find out if the Treaty of the Union can be unilaterally revoked by the Scottish Parliament? Is that something that has been done before?

    If the answer was yes, then surely that would be the step to take next? Then, if so and it is confirmed in law, the Indy parties would have a solid legal basis to campaign on if we go beyond the next elections and no referendum is on the horizon.

  107. jfngw
    Ignored
    says:

    I see BritNat Douglas Alexander still on the nationalist theme when he speaks of independence supporters. This is a member of the Labour party that currently want to leave the EU, when in government made it plain they would always keep the British Pound and definitely didn’t want a united states of Europe.

    Another that sees his British Nationalism as good but everybody else’s as bad. Although wanting to have the government you voted for is not really nationalism in my book, looks more like democracy.

  108. Robert J. Sutherland
    Ignored
    says:

    Cubby @ 15:55,

    The UK is taking its time about it, but is almost certain to leave in some fashion or another before too long. So I don’t believe your “if” is at all likely. Too much at stake down south. Corbyn Labour and all.

    (The strategy of trying to prevent it, as Nicola has been pursuing, was necessary in order to make our own transition out of the UK much easier to sell. Personally a hard border between Scotland & England doesn’t bother me so much, but might others. It has been the right and responsible thing to do, but ultimately it will fail. I reckon Nicola herself knows that fine, but has to try anyway.)

    So the indisputable fact that we are still “in” at the moment really offers no security at all. We can remain “in”, but in order to do so we have (in terms of my analogy) to grow a pair of wings.

    Or like the Irish, grow a backbone.

    But whatever, we have to do something proactively about it soon, not merely let things continue to happen while we look on, With likely consequences as DMH @ 16:03 mentions.

    So I reckon Breeks‘ concerns are by no means empty ones.

  109. geeo
    Ignored
    says:

    No, Breeks.

    Not ‘technically’ true, it is FACTUALLY true.

    Trying hard to rubbish something which ain’t your wee pet project again huh ?

    As Cubby says, WE AINT LET THE EU YET.

    Scotsgov can put a dissolution motion to Holyrood at any moment right up to the moment of Ukexit proof, and the treaty of union is over.

    Maybe you should quote my ENTIRE post, rather than the bit you hope suits your own narrative huh?

    I see nothing to suggest the SNP Scotsgov are failing Scotland over the indy issue.

    Just because YOU do not know the plan, and it may not be YOUR plan, does not mean they have no plan.

    You now look totally desperate to be proved right, not a good look.

  110. Dr Jim
    Ignored
    says:

    The BBC did not one bit enjoy Scotland’s First Minister’s speech and I think over the course of the evening we’ll see why, the word Scotland was spoken far too much for them

    By gosh she does have a bit of power when she decides to Gee the people up, Whitehall won’t be liking her much either

    Thankfully the FM does have security people with her

  111. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    SilverDarling
    I’m assuming the Scottish Government is aware of the lay of the land.

    Max Planck Encyclopedia of Public International Law [MPEPIL]
    Treaties, Termination

    Subject(s):

    Unilateral acts — General principles of international law — Customary international law — Treaties, invalidity, termination, suspension, withdrawal — Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties — Good faith — BITs (Bilateral Investment Treaties) — Treaties, effect for third states — Treaties, successive

    Published under the auspices of the Max Planck Foundation for International Peace and the Rule of Law under the direction of Rüdiger Wolfrum.

    1 Denunciation denotes a unilateral act by which a party seeks to terminate its participation in a treaty ( Unilateral Acts of States in International Law ). Lawful denunciation of a bilateral treaty ( Treaties ) terminates it. Although denunciation is also used in relation to a multilateral treaty, the better term is withdrawal . Withdrawal of a party from a multilateral treaty will not normally result in its termination. But, for simplicity, termination will here be used to describe both termination of a bilateral treaty and withdrawal from a multilateral…

    http://opil.ouplaw.com/view/10.1093/law:epil/9780199231690/law-9780199231690-e1491

    Unilateral Denunciation of Treaties: The Vienna Convention and the International Court of Justice
    https://www.jstor.org/stable/2198802?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents

    Treaty Denunciation and “Withdrawal” from Customary International Law: An Erroneous Analogy with Dangerous Consequences
    https://www.yalelawjournal.org/forum/treaty-denunciation-and-qwithdrawalq-from-customary-international-law-an-erroneous-analogy-with-dangerous-consequences

    Denunciation, Termination and Survival: The Interplay of Treaty Law and International Investment Law
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/295405547_Denunciation_Termination_and_Survival_The_Interplay_of_Treaty_Law_and_International_Investment_Law

  112. Robert J. Sutherland
    Ignored
    says:

    geeo @ 16:33:

    Scotsgov can put a dissolution motion to Holyrood at any moment

    Hmmm. You can plant a flag at the top of a hill, or pass a million radical motions through Parliament, but without a significant groundswell of popular support throughout the country, it’s an empty exercise in futility.

    Even worse, it’s actively self-destructive, because it could very easily look to most people as empty posturing, and become a laughing-stock. All that assiduous efforts to convince the undecided that the SG and SNP are a safe pair of hands.

    If there were already a substantial degree of clear public support, such actions could well be transformational, but at ~50:50 it’s a bust. Like Catalonia. We need to avoid that.

    OK, there’s a chicken-and-egg argument here. I have advocated that myself. We can’t simply rely on events to convince, there has to be something inspirational in the mix besides. But it has to be well-grounded. Not an easy thing to do.

  113. geeo
    Ignored
    says:

    More SNP BAD guff from you, RJS.

    “Or like the Irish, grow a backbone”.

    “But whatever, we have to do something proactively about it soon, not merely let things continue to happen while we look on”
    …………

    So, you are stating that Scotsgov are not doing anything, and have no backbone ?

    Despite the fact you have no fucking clue what the SNP have been doing recently, your default position is always SNP BAD or SNP USELESS.

    The Scotsgov has spent a lot of time and effort backing WM into a corner with high sided walls, to the point where they can simply dissolve the Treaty of Union to protect Scottish Interests (including and particularly, Scots Law and Scots Peoples Sovereignty) should WM refuse to play ball with Scotsgov demands.

    If you cannot see that, you have not bern looking hard enough.

    Have you not noticed the severe hardening of SNP politicians statements about how Scotland WILL NOT BE removed from the EU against the Will of our SOVEREIGN people ?

    Anyone with a brain cell can realise, that to say that with such firmness and confidence, there must be a reason to be so confident.

    Especially knowing that the Scottish people would crucify the SNP electorally, if they were found to be just spewing empty rhetoric.

    I know who i put my faith and trust in, and it sure as hell ain’t someone like you, with your constant SNP BAD mantra.

  114. SilverDarling
    Ignored
    says:

    @CBB

    Thanks for that. Do those references not apply to independent countries only?

    My question is whether the Scottish Parliament can do it. My worry is that the Unionists would argue the Scottish Parliament would not be deemed competent. If not the Scottish Parliament, then who? The Scottish people as RP and others always tell us, hence the referendum.

    But if we elect a government with this specific mandate then surely the Scottish Parliament can speak for us on this matter?

  115. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    The law is very much on Scotland’s side, IMHO, but reality is normative and defined through narrative. One thing to consider, given our dysfunctional media, how are folk supposed to know this stuff unless they have the advantage of already being in-the-know?

    Second Report on the Law of Treaties by Mr. G.G. Fitzmaurice, Special Rapporteur
    legal.un.org/ilc/documentation/english/a_cn4_107.pdf

    TREATY EXIT
    https://www.law.umich.edu/facultyhome/drwcasebook/Documents/Updates/Chapter%205%20Note%20on%20Treaty%20Exit.pdf

    Can the UK unilaterally revoke its notification to exit the EU?
    https://ukandeu.ac.uk/can-the-uk-unilaterally-revoke-its-notification-to-exit-the-eu/

    How to Exit the Backstop
    https://policyexchange.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/How-to-Exit-the-Backstop.pdf

  116. geeo
    Ignored
    says:

    CameronB Brodie.

    Great stuff there.

    Of course, likes of RJS here just plow on with his SNP BAD/USELESS mantra regardless.

  117. Robert J. Sutherland
    Ignored
    says:

    geeo @ 16:52

    More SNP BAD guff from you, RJS.

    Oh, do grow up. No intelligent person reading what I wrote could possibly conclude anything of the sort. So you’re either a dumb f*ck or just punch-drunk and looking for an argument. Or both.

  118. Dr Jim
    Ignored
    says:

    @geeo
    @CameronB Brodie

    I feel it’s all going rather well at the moment, big snowball getting even bigger

  119. Robert J. Sutherland
    Ignored
    says:

    geeo @ 16:57,

    The classical response of the would-be bully with the fragile ego. Can’t respond to cogent arguments, rapidly descends to cheap insults instead, and tries to garner others to back up his abuse.

    You’re so, so obvious.

  120. HYUFD
    Ignored
    says:

    Interesting to see Sturgeon at the ‘People’s Vote’ march today, speaking alongside Michael Heseltine and having selfies with Alistair Campbell. Seems the SNP now think it is fine to stand together with political opponents on a cross-party basis, one could even say they now believe it is best to be ‘BetterTogether’!

  121. Flower of Scotland
    Ignored
    says:

    @HYUFD

    You’re not very bright, are you?

  122. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    SilverDarling
    I doubt I need remind you I’m not an expert in international law. No doubt there will be some arcane view of English law’s supremacy and cultural inviolability that will screw everything up. Exceptionally. Again.

    Procedures for Controlling Unilateral Treaty Termination

    The moment of formulation of a treaty between two parties represents a comparatively high level of consensus; the moment of dispute, thereafter, represents a high point of dissensus. And the disagreement that characterizes this latter point in time very obviously affects the willingness of at least one party to submit itself to an institutionalized decision process, which may in some way revise the substance of a treaty or a disputed section of it.

    When a dispute arises over a bilateral treaty, one party presumably demands a change in the treaty regime, whereas the other finds that it is to its advantage in terms of long-range value interest or short-range tactical position to stand upon a strict construction of the treaty.

    The optimum moment to prescribe dispute-resolving procedures is clearly the moment of treaty formulation, the high point of agreement. Thus, the question of insertion of a jurisdictional clause into the body of the treaty is best introduced during this sequence. But unless the jurisdictional clause is directed at a standing tribunal, such as the International Court of Justice, the clause may not avail in a high-level dispute. The party which wishes continuation of the treaty as it has been can frustrate the formation of an arbitral tribunal simply by insisting that there is no legitimate dispute and then refusing to appoint its national member to the tribunal.

    As long as the arbitral tribunal has not been constituted in plenary, there is no means by which the party seeking arbitration can turn to some third party and secure initial arbitral constitution. In the Peace Treaties cases,’2 the International Court held, as a matter of general international law, that an authorized external agent could replenish a tribunal only after that tribunal had been initially constituted.8 The International Law Commission sought to remedy this defect, in its proposed Convention on Arbitral Procedure, by peremptory integration of the International Court in all arbitral regimes. The Court was to be authorized to appoint an arbitrator in lieu of a national member in order to complete the constitution of the tribunal, and, thereafter, to reappoint a panelist if a national member should defect from a functioning tribunal.4 The I.L.C. draft was not acceptable to the Member States of the United Nations.

    One way of avoiding at least this problem is to render the constitution of the arbitral tribunal envisaged in the jurisdictional clause as a component of and necessary condition for the entry into force of the treaty in question. The tribunal could be formed, declare itself in session, register the existence and operation of the treaty and then adjourn sine die. Once in existence, the tribunal cannot be disrupted by the defection of one state. Should a dispute arise and one state remove its panel member, general arbitration law authorizes the tribunal itself to replenish its personnel and, after following the proper default procedure, to render award.

    digitalcommons.law.yale.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1669&context=fss_papers

    Suspension or Termination of Treaties on Grounds of Breach
    https://brill.com/view/title/10286

    Commentary on the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties
    Article 56: Denunciation Of Or Withdrawal From A Treaty Containing No Provision Regarding Termination, Denunciation Or Withdrawal

    https://brill.com/view/book/9789004180796/B9789004180796_064.xml

    Some Lingering Questions about Article 60 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties
    https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/c509/e16558d3e6f8b2434b99e7cfb5551495bc6d.pdf

  123. silverbuick
    Ignored
    says:

    Let the infighting commence.

  124. HYUFD
    Ignored
    says:

    Flower of Scotland Clearly bright enough to silence you from having any meaningful response

  125. IZZIE
    Ignored
    says:

    Well that puts paid to conspiracy theories about the BBC keeping the snp out of public sight Nicola headlined the 5oclock news.

  126. Flower of Scotland
    Ignored
    says:

    @Craig Murray 11.20am

    If N Sturgeon turned up at AUOB or HOF marches the media would call it SNP.

    All the infighting after the AUOB March last year was probably a warning for her to stay away.

    She has put Scotland first in her speech in London. Good for her.

  127. SilverDarling
    Ignored
    says:

    Ok, this is the last comment before I go make the tea.

    The moral right and the mandate is there for another referendum, but we have seen how intransigent Theresa May can be ‘running down the clock’ to deal with things. I can see that happening with regard to a referendum so how do we get beyond the ‘now is not the time’ legally?

    I don’t get the insults to others here, there is a huge disconnect between what we talk about here and what is happening out there. Honestly, most people could not care less and like CBB says getting the narrative to change in the media is half the battle. The SNP might be hardening their approach but they have to get that over to a wider public.

    Did you see that daft Aaron Bastani going on about the SNP giving up on independence? He is a political activist and he either doesn’t have a clue what they are doing or is malicious in his intent so their message needs to get out there. There is really no need to be so angry with people deemed not pure enough in message or thought.

    Many of us just want to know what is happening.

  128. Nana
    Ignored
    says:

    and some more

    @NicolaSturgeon: “It is too easy to feel a sense of despair, but my message is a message of hope”
    https://twitter.com/GrantDCostello/status/1109498193253945345

  129. Dr Jim
    Ignored
    says:

    The news channels are something else, the biggest demonstration and outpouring of complaint from people to have taken place in London with politicians of all stripes standing together in solidarity against the incompetence and dictatorship of Theresa May and her cabal and yet the news channels find literally anything else they can to report on, even down to somebody said something about Donald Trump in America sometime, who cares! real stuff is happening to our nations right now show the damn pictures, let’s hear the damn audio

    This behaviour by the *British* media is really shocking and one can only come to the conclusion they were instructed to minimise all coverage of this event of peoples of four nations agreeing that the UK stinks and saying so loudly

    Maybe if all the protesters went to another country to do this they’d get the correct amount of coverage instead of two minutes each flaming hour

    I am well clued up on Donald Trump and all his pals and his family and friends though while waiting for news about what’s happening in my own back yard

  130. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    HYUFD
    How many vulnerable people have met premature deaths because of the neo-fascist policies of your party, Toryboy?

  131. Tatu3
    Ignored
    says:

    Help please. For a discussion I’m having with someone on fb, could someone please put in very simple terms how Scotland pays more to Westminster than we get back and how we are NOT subsidised.
    Thanks

  132. Gary45%
    Ignored
    says:

    HYUFD@ whenever.
    Don’t be a FUD.
    You know it makes sense.

  133. HYUFD
    Ignored
    says:

    CameronBBrodie With unemployment half the level it was in 2010 many more are in employment under this government and more is being put into the NHS, indeed my father recently had successful surgery to remove a tumour from his bowel. None of that of course has anything to do with the point in question I originally made, Sturgeon now lining up with New Labour and centrist Tories ie the very same people who formed the bulk of the pro Union campaign in 2014, to try and stop Brexit

  134. SilverDarling
    Ignored
    says:

    Last last comment.

    Surely we should use this site to rehearse our arguments for the next battle?

    If we have challenged every wrong assertion politely and answered as many questions as possible here then we are prepared for the stalls and doorsteps. I cannot see anyone being persuaded after being insulted, told that they are a ("Tractor" - Ed) or that they are stupid.

    if they are not worth arguing with do not argue.

  135. Dr Jim
    Ignored
    says:

    @tatu3 5:35pm

    Scotland possesses 34% of UK wealth, new figures released by the BBC
    That’s 34% in a country with 8% of the population of the UK

    Pretty easy maths

  136. Tatu3
    Ignored
    says:

    Dr Jim
    Thank you

  137. Clapper57
    Ignored
    says:

    Had (past tense) respect for journalist Carole Cadwalladr…then checked out her tweets today re PV march….wow…equates patriotism to hearing the playing of Jerusalem, she tweeted ” Love this. #PeopesVoteMarch playing Jerusalem. You want patriotism @nigel_farage. It’s right here”….. mentions David Lammy’s speech…Tom Watson’s speech….AND then Caroline Lucas speech, she tweeted ” Huge cheers for @CarolineLucas who above all others has shown real leadership through this debacle”.

    However on Nicola Sturgeon….NADA from Carole….well how right Nicola was when she stated in her speech today at PV re Scotland’s voice not being heard….from BOTH sides it would seem.

    (Lord) Andrew Adonis tweeted ” England Arise” while showing picture of marchers today in London ( which included Scots marchers…. are they too arising for England Andrew ?… and I am sure some Welsh marchers were there too ) …England Arise is apparently a poem by Edward Carpenter….BUT NOT I THINK APPROPRIATE IN THIS CONTEXT….BUT IS APPROPRIATE IN ORIGINAL VOTE RESULT PERHAPS….considering twas an English PM who instigated this…AND English people who voted to get the majority for Leave to win the referendum….

    They just cannot help themselves can they…..flabbergasted I am not as it is,as per, par for the course……I could say so much more about why it may or may not be folly to be seemingly used and still abused in helping promote this PV while all of those UKOK champions for remain STILL NOT getting it as to why tis Scotland who has and is still being shafted in being taken out of EU against it’s will AND STILL being ignored and disregarded by those champions of the People’s Vote………UK vote you say ?….No tis England who will get what they want whether they be Remainers or Leavers..unless we in Scotland choose to get our freedom…with or without those who told us they loved us and wanted US to remain in their UKOK…..but only as long as we, in Scotland, want what they, in England, want !

    Another rant over

  138. Republicofscotland
    Ignored
    says:

    “Tatu3 says:
    23 March, 2019 at 5:35 pm
    Help please. For a discussion I’m having with someone on fb, could someone please put in very simple terms how Scotland pays more to Westminster than we get back and how we are NOT subsidised.
    Thanks”

    Tatu3.

    Here’s a YT video of a Tory MP in the HoC actually admitting that England doesn’t subsidise Scotland.

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8VOuSN2j5iU

  139. Dr Jim
    Ignored
    says:

    Clapper57 5:46pm

    Yeah but a true rant

  140. Robert Peffers
    Ignored
    says:

    SilverDarling says: 23 March, 2019 at 2:38 pm:

    ” … Not to forget that once out of Europe we lose their protection and are subject to all of the Henry VIII powers to be brought in by May’s or whoever’s government.”

    Don’t be silly. There was no union when Henry VIII made his laws, Just as there was no Union when he English had their Magna Carta and a few other bits of English law that Westminster has imposed or attempted to impose.

    These are things to use against Westminster when the time comes. None of which are mentioned anywhere in the Treaty of Union but what is mentioned in the Treaty of Union is that both Scots and English law must remain independent forever.

    Thus the imposition of English law, or the attempt thereof, is , unlike the sovereignty of the People of Scotland, more proof of Westminster ignoring the Treaty of Union and appointing itself the country of England parliament devolving England’s powers to Scotland.

    Unfortunately these cannot be used by our Celtic brethren in Wales and Ireland because they were parts of the Kingdom of England from before the Treaty of Union.

    However, without doubt, the loss of Scotland will see Westminster weakened to the extent that the unification of Ireland, if it has not happened before Scottish Independence, will open the door to Wales to also exit English dominion.

  141. Dr Jim
    Ignored
    says:

    Nigel Farage’s 100 people march is down to less than 50 now

    It’s symbolic though apparently and counts more because of it’s symbolicalness, I think you sort of have to imagine, Nah who’s he kidding, Bampot!

  142. K1
    Ignored
    says:

    It’s beyond hopeless trying to Sctosplain to certain commenters on here, but I’ll give it a go.

    Nicola Sturgeon is the FM of Scotland, the whole of Scotland, those that voted No and Yes, Scotland voted to remain in the UK and voted to remain in the EU. The FM stands on a platform with others in the UK (as Scotland forms the UK and is part of the UK at this moment) to ‘remain’ in the EU, as is obvious to anyone who isn’t trying desperately to infer that her voice in London should not be heard today.

    As someone upthread mentioned right now the polling for Scotland to remain within the EU is higher than it was at the time of the EU vote. Which means that Scotland the nation is against leaving the EU. Hard and No deal UKexit are not options for this nation and the movement toward those two possibilities is bringing the whole of Scotland together.

    As the leader of her party the SNP, the FM is also the leader of the movement for Scotland’s self determination, the No voters vote for NS and the SNP in Scotland whilst not necessarily agreeing that independence is the best way forward.

    When the SNP were in minority government as we have proportional representation, they worked with all party’s to get legislation through, including the Tory party.

    To state that somehow standing of a platform of a second EU vote for the whole of the UK is somehow ‘teaming up wi Tories’ and to suggest that this amounts to the FM agreeing with the premise of the No campaign back in 2014 whilst ignoring the ‘context’ of why she is doing so is to seek to stir shite for the sake of ‘trolling’ the independence supporters on this site and is a mark of a mind incapable of understanding nuance and context for what can only be some sort of cheap thrill.

    We understand ‘why’ she is there, why she needs to be there, she represents Scotland and in relation to UKexit she is right to do whatever is necessary to protect our interests. The FM is doing her job.

    Which is more than that Tory twatting PM has ever done in the last 2 and half years for either England or the UK as a whole.

    We’ll have no more of your condescending pish on here you jumped up little fuckwit.

    Now fuck of and mind yer ain business.

  143. Robert J. Sutherland
    Ignored
    says:

    Dr Jim @ 17:44,

    Interesting stats in a nutshell. It’s just that inconvenient piddly 8% which is the problem, as seen from London! =laugh=

    And irony of ironies, contrary to the pertinent history of which GB upthread reminds us, it’s not Scotland which is now ungovernable. Au contraire.

    Reversed mirror image indeed.

  144. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    Give him an inch an he takes a mile. The trouble with English utilitarians is they think the empirical world is an adequate description of reality. They care little of why things are the way they are, privileging end-utility instead of a more holistic social value. This masks complex causation and prevents effective government, subsequently maintaining inherited privilege and undermining the health of the social fabric. Tories are also masters at manipulating figures (see GERS).

    HYUFD
    Why don’t you just admit you don’t respect universal human rights and that you’re a bit of a path-dependent neo-fascist, Toryboy.

  145. K1
    Ignored
    says:

    ‘Well that puts paid to conspiracy theories about the BBC keeping the snp out of public sight Nicola headlined the 5oclock news.’

    One swallow does not make a spring.

  146. Robert Louis
    Ignored
    says:

    Craig Murray at 1121am,

    I know for a fact that NS was at the rally on Calton Hill prior to the referendum. I know this because I met her. It was an accidental and wholly unplanned meeting. Smaller in real life etc…etc.. (that’s a joke btw, in case anybody gets hysterical). And of course I’ve crossed her path may times at conference and saw her at the hydro shindig.

    It is about winning friends and influencing people, and that is what NS is doing today. We need friends in London (who hate brexit with a passion) and England, to help us over the line this time. We want people down there to be on our side.

    I do agree however, that sometimes in the past their was a lack of SNP MP’s and MSP’s who bothered to turn up at these things. I was at the Stirling rally last year, and Keith Brown was on the march and at the rally afterwards. So maybe they got the message.

  147. Phil
    Ignored
    says:

    BBC Radio Four on 6pm news headlines says 4.4 million have signed the Revoke petition. Of course they then immediately told anxious hordes that 400k or so signed the Leave petition: subtext get going Leavers! Show these Remainers who is right. Who is on our side? Not BBC!

  148. HYUFD
    Ignored
    says:

    Robert Peffers Scotland has to vote for independence of course and of course in Northern Ireland you also have the issue of about a million Protestant hardline DUP voting Unionists and in Wales 49% in 1997 did not even vote for a Welsh Assembly, more than have ever voted at any election for the nationalist Plaid Cymru whose highest total in any Welsh election was just 30% in the 1999 Welsh Assembly elections

  149. Robert Louis
    Ignored
    says:

    K1 at 606pm

    Totally agree. Whenever the paid liars at the state run propaganda outfit (BBC) get put under pressure, they usually do something like this. A token gesture. For a few days, it will seem like they get the message. As soon as the attention and ‘heat’ is off, they will go back to their propagandist ways as usual.

    Over and over and over again, the BBC have been shown to be completely anti SNP and anti Scotland. That will never change, as Westminster (and not the license payers)pay their wages.

  150. heraldnomore
    Ignored
    says:

    Aye, pretty sure I held Nicola’s jaiket when the dignatories were having their photo shoot on the Royal Mile, afore that wonderful trek to Calton Hill.

  151. cirsium
    Ignored
    says:

    @Clapper57, 5.46
    (Lord) Andrew Adonis tweeted ” England Arise” while showing picture of marchers today in London ( which included Scots marchers…. are they too arising for England Andrew ?… and I am sure some Welsh marchers were there too )

    Yes, Clapper, they are. There is only England now. You need to channel W.E. Henley (/sarc)
    “Ever the faith endures,
    England, my England;-
    ‘Take and break us: we are yours,
    England, my own!
    Life is good, and joy runs high
    Between English earth and sky:”

    My antidote to this will be to attend the Hope over Fear rally tomorrow. Now is definitely the time to board the lifeboat.

  152. Robert J. Sutherland
    Ignored
    says:

    K1 @ 18:02,

    Amen to all that.

    It’s worth keeping in mind that “protecting our interests” is a multi-faceted thing. Not only doing your duty for the nation as a whole, as you say, which incidentally builds support at home among potential converts for the upcoming indy proposition, but also establishing trust and friendship over on the Continent as independent actors with whom they can readily do business once they finally give up on the UK as a whole.

  153. Confused
    Ignored
    says:

    tatu3
    raid the indy poster boy – colin dunn for ammunition in the meme war – e.g.

    https://indyposterboy.scot/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/asset_rich_scotland2.jpg

    and many more therein

  154. Robert Peffers
    Ignored
    says:

    @SilverDarling says: 23 March, 2019 at 3:07 pm:
    ” … I like your confidence and faith and would hope it is true.”

    Ah! But it is true and geeo just quoted you the proof that it is true. I’ll reinforce geeo’s proof for you. In order to sign a Treaty of Union of kingdoms the kingdoms signing that treaty must be equally legally sovereign.

    ” … I don’t believe it is that simple.” It doesn’t matter what you think unless you can offer proof or logical argument. You offer neither.

    ” … I think we are dealing with a mendacious and ruthless UK government who will try anything, tying us up in court proceedings that might extend beyond the next set of elections.”

    Neither does it matter what you think – where is your proofs or logic behind your thoughts?

    ” … The Scottish government only has that mandate for this parliamentary session and they have to carry the people with them.”

    Well no they don’t – Holyrood voted for it and it stands unless Holyrood votes otherwise. However, on legal points any organisation or even a private individual can bring a court case. In any case the courts have already upheld the, “Scottish Claim of Right and that includes the so called United Kingdom Supreme Court.

    So just what would prevent the SNP telling Westminster the Treaty of Union is over? It really is as simple as that.

    Just a few days ago a Tory Government Cabinet Minister stood up in the Westminster Parliament and said that in any International treaty either side can end the treaty any time they like.

    Mind you he was talking about Westminster telling the EU they were ending the Treaty that Westminster signed up to but the point is he is 100% correct and the Treaty of Union is a live International Treaty.

    Mind you if the numptie claims it isn’t then the Treaty of Union is no longer in force anyway and Scotland walks away.

  155. geeo
    Ignored
    says:

    @RJS@5.11pm.

    As soon as you put up a coherent argument, i shall discuss it.

    As for claims of ‘insults’

    Quote me insulting you ?

    Sayong you are full of SNP BAD is not ‘resorting yo insults’

    However, 11 minutes earlier (5.00pm) YOU said THIS to me:

    “So you’re either a dumb f*ck or just punch-drunk”

    Oops…stinking hypocracy from you as usual.

  156. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    The BBC can not honestly claim to support the interests of Scotland, as their royal charter compels them to promote a ‘One Nation’ world view. In carrying out this legal obligation, the BBC in Scotland undermines Scotland’s public health and can not be considered a liberal institution as it is beyond the reproach and sanction of the Scottish electorate. It is the mouthpiece of institutional British nationalism, the contemporary form of which is an expansionist form of English nationalism (see Brexit).

    #DissolveTheUnion

  157. Robert Peffers
    Ignored
    says:

    @Gfaetheblock says:23 March, 2019 at 3:24 pm:

    ” … I always thought that brexit makes independence a harder sell than both Scotland and rUK being in the EU. Maybe the FM has realised the same?”

    Oh! Look! Here’s another one who, “Always thought”, There’s a lot of it about today here on Wings.

  158. Golfnut
    Ignored
    says:

    @ Silver darling.

    IMO, adding the Henry VIII powers to the Withdrawal Bill was an attempt at shielding the Crown from criticism once the sh## hits the fan. Problem is, having witnessed the sycophantic fawning of May when she meets any Royal, far less the Queen, it is hard to imagine that usurping the Royal Perogative needed the prior per mission from the usurped.

  159. Ottomanboi
    Ignored
    says:

    In desperation some clutch at straws held out by the Unionist system; petitions, marches and god knows what. ONLY INDEPENDENCE MATTERS TO US. We must not be led down blind alleys. Scotland has been tricked by charlatans into many in its history. It’s what happens to colonial possessions. Enough of this compliant nonsense. Let the British state go to hell.
    It is Now or Never.

  160. Golfnut
    Ignored
    says:

    Sorry, should have read. ‘It is hard to imagine that usurping the Royal prerogative didn’t first need permission from the usurped.’

  161. Golfnut
    Ignored
    says:

    @ CBB.
    Aye, but it also requires them to inform and educate.

  162. silverbuick
    Ignored
    says:

    Could someone explain in simple terms the difference between”Scottish citizens” and the “sovereign people of Scotland”?

  163. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    geeo
    I think you really need to be a committed SNP supporter and have nerves of steel, not to be pannin’ it a bit. I know I am, if I’m honest. Life is very unpredictable and with the clowns that are running the show in Westminster, anything is possible. 🙁 But, it’s important not allow fear to crush hope. 😉

    When You Fear Making the “Wrong” Decision
    https://tinybuddha.com/blog/when-you-fear-making-the-wrong-decision/

    The Biopsychosocial Model: Causes Of Pathological Anxiety
    https://www.mentalhelp.net/articles/the-biopsychosocial-model-causes-of-pathological-anxiety/

    How Does Anxiety Short Circuit the Decision-Making Process?
    Anxiety disengages neurons in the prefrontal cortex linked to decision-making.

    https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201603/how-does-anxiety-short-circuit-the-decision-making-process

    7 Tips on How to Kick the Habit of Indecisiveness
    Learn how to make better decisions.

    https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/your-emotional-meter/201711/7-tips-how-kick-the-habit-indecisiveness

  164. Robert Peffers
    Ignored
    says:

    @SilverDarling says:23 March, 2019 at 4:22 pm:

    ” … Could an action be raised to find out if the Treaty of the Union can be unilaterally revoked by the Scottish Parliament? Is that something that has been done before? “

    Are you for real?

    There is absolutely no need for an action to be raised in court, (any court), as it is a long standing and well established principle that In International Treaties, (and especially bipartite treaties), the parties have the right to declare the treaty over.

    I just replied to you upthread that one on Mrs May’s cabinet ministers just put that on the Hansard Records a few days age when he stated that in the Westminster Debating Chamber. Let it be noted that no one, government or opposition, disputed it.

    It is a fact of international law. Let me direct you to an international treaty that the Kingdom of England Broke with impunity.

    The Edinburgh-Northampton Treaty of 1328:-

    https://www.scottisharchivesforschools.org/WarsOfIndependence/Edinburgh-Northampton.asp

    There are many thousands of international treaties made and broken throughout history. That is the nature of international treaties they often get rescinded and sometimes for no other reason than one party wants out of an unsatisfactory agreement.

    By the way here is another legal agreement that gets broken regularly. The Marriage vows – both legal and often also sworn by God. Is this to be another case of, “Except for viewers in Scotland”?

    So there you go – there is absolutely nothing to stop The Kingdom of Scotland just saying to Westminster – That’s it we have had enough The Treaty of Union is Over., and do you want to know the really hilarious bit?

    Scotland will not be leaving the United Kingdom – Scotland will be legally disuniting it and the hilarious bit is there has never been a legal Kingdom of England parliament since 1 May 1707. Westminster is not legally the Kingdom of England parliament and thus can not legally claim to be either the continued, as they have tried to brainwash everyone, rUnited Kingdom. They came into the Union as the Kingdom of England and not as, “The United Kingdom of England, Wales and Ireland”.

    Legally, when a legal partnership ends the legal state returns to, “The Status Quo Ante”, (go look it up). They came into the Union as the Kingdom of England and that is The Status Quo Ante.

    So The Kingdom of England will be left without a legally elected parliament and – guess what? The Queen of England is legally Sovereign and she will legally be in charge.

  165. Dr Jim
    Ignored
    says:

    Two entities, one Union, one entity of the Union decides not to be in that Union, no Union, I don’t believe you can have a Union of one

    well not that I’ve ever heard of

  166. Robert J. Sutherland
    Ignored
    says:

    geeo @ 18:36,

    Oh dear, even more childish argumentative guff. Your trademark. And not just with me either.

    But I’m content to let everyone read upthread everything I wrote and judge for themselves. They are astute enough. And also to judge your responses accordingly. Don’t let me stop you from revealing more of yourself than maybe you realise.

    (Oh, and that resolution of yours the other day to totally ignore me doesn’t seem to have lasted very long.)

  167. Essexexile
    Ignored
    says:

    @CameronB Brodie at 7.21
    Very well put.
    It’s a strange situation for anybody seeking independence for Scotland. We’re all waiting for the starting pistol but tbh we’ve been at ‘On your marks….Set….’ for so long now it feels like normality. The extension and the obvious effect it will have in delaying the call for iref2 almost (almost) came as a relief. We all know timing is absolutely crucial which is what makes the approach of high noon at Westminster all the more nerve wracking.
    Breeks comment earlier about squandering THE golden opportunity has some merit. NS will be more aware of this than anybody else. But we must still hold ranks and wait. And wait, if necessary.
    I’m pro independence, very pro Nicola Sturgeon and ambivalent / mildly critical of the SNP. It’s the first one that’s important.

  168. msdidi
    Ignored
    says:

    Tatu 3 @5.35
    I like to introduce these folk to Wings by giving them a link to https://wingsoverscotland.com/the-historical-debt/ I like this oldie too https://wingsoverscotland.com/the-great-gingerbread-robbery/
    You could also send http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C8trs8mGhk&t=11s which might lead them to the whole Journey to Yes series.

  169. HYUFD
    Ignored
    says:

    Robert Peffers There were Welsh MPs at Westminster at the time of the Act of Union alongside English MPs, in the event Scotland voted for independence it would thus return to being the Parliament of England and Wales. The Civil War and Glorious Revolution had already affirmed even before the Act of Union the British monarchy was a constitutional not an absolute one.

    In the case of Northern Ireland it may be more difficult as the Irish Parliament only united with Westminster in 1800, however that was a separate Act of Union from the 1800 Act of Union anyway so Northern Ireland would still retain representation at Westminster on the basis of that Act

  170. Robert Peffers
    Ignored
    says:

    @Robert J. Sutherland says: 23 March, 2019 at 4:28 pm:

    ” … So the indisputable fact that we are still “in” at the moment really offers no security at all. We can remain “in”, but in order to do so we have (in terms of my analogy) to grow a pair of wings.
    Or like the Irish, grow a backbone.”

    Absolute balderdash, Robert, both you and Breeks are not nearly so clever as you imagine yourselves to be. I’ve quoted this on Wings several times of recent weeks but it seems to have flown over the usual suspects heads.

    One of Theresa’s Cabinet ministers stood up in the Westminster debating chamber and stated that under international law any signer of an international treaty could legally withdraw from the international treaty at any time.

    Now what I didn’t bother to post is what was his basis for that claim. You see I knew that certain posters would not want to know that and would just ignore it – and both you and Breeks, among others, did just that.

    So here you go – here is the basis for that cabinet minister’s claim:-

    https://www.politico.eu/article/vienna-convention-brexit-1969-treaty-that-could-help-uk-slip-trap/

    Any party in an international treaty has the right to withdraw from the treaty. Thus if it is a bipartite treaty the treaty is terminated. There it is, black upon white, in international law.

    It the case of The UK exit from the EU the EU cannot prevent the United Kingdom’s exit. However, it seems, “Except for viewers in Scotland”. Except, of course if the usual suspects are claiming that the Treaty of Union is not applicable? Are you claiming that? If not what other reason are you putting forward for the Scottish Government not being covered by international law?

  171. Breeks
    Ignored
    says:


    geeo says:
    23 March, 2019 at 4:33 pm

    You now look totally desperate ….

    I AM TOTALLY DESPERATE. I so desperate I could fkn weep! I want to stay in Europe as an Independent Country. Not fk about month, after month, after month, promoting a “British” People’s Vote which might reset Brexit, and compromises Scotland’s sovereign remain mandate and popular majority which should, by now, have broken back of this rotten Union.

    Desperate? Why the fk aren’t you desperate?

  172. Robert Peffers
    Ignored
    says:

    @Robert J. Sutherland says:23 March, 2019 at 4:50 pm:

    ” … Scotsgov can put a dissolution motion to Holyrood at any moment
    Hmmm. You can plant a flag at the top of a hill, or pass a million radical motions through Parliament, but without a significant groundswell of popular support throughout the country, it’s an empty exercise in futility.”

    Claptrap. Westminster has been enacting unpopular legal changes quite regularly during their current time in office. Is this just another case of, “Except for viewers in Scotland”, again?

    ” … Even worse, it’s actively self-destructive, because it could very easily look to most people as empty posturing, and become a laughing-stock.”

    Hilarious! I know who is rapidly becoming a laughing stock, Robert. You are.

    For goodness sake, Robert, no one, (well except for the usual suspects), has been other than supportive of Nicola, the SG and the SNP but many, and even you and the other usual suspects, have been urging them to do something prematurely and thus failing.

    ” … If there were already a substantial degree of clear public support”, And tell me Robert, what is your evidence that there isn’t, “a substantial degree of clear public support”? Oh! Wait! There’s always the opinion polls in the anti-indy MSM and Broadcasters. They’ll be dead accurate then?

    ” … at 50:50 it’s a bust.” So who is it you are quoting as claiming it is 50-50, Robert?

    ” … Like Catalonia. We need to avoid that.”

    But! But! But! The case of Catalonia and Spain bears no comparison to that of Scotland and the Kingdom of England.
    Catalonia is legally a semi-Autonomous region of the country of Spain and Spain has a legal written constitution. Now that does not negate Catalonia’s case it is simply not comparable.

    Scotland is legally a equally sovereign partner kingdom along with the Kingdom of England and there is indeed a written constitution of the United Kingdom – It is called The Treaty of Union that just also happens to be a legal international treaty that constituted the United Kingdom.

    Your consistent negativity speaks volumes about your mind set.

  173. Davie Oga
    Ignored
    says:

    HYUFD

    You mentioned earlier that there were a million DUP voting protestants in the north of Ireland. The DUP received 296000 votes in 2017. I wouldnt allow their disproportionate influence over current events to cloud your judgement if you are banking on them to keep up the mirage of some kind of union in order to justify the greater England fantasies of your ruling class.

  174. Bobp
    Ignored
    says:

    In 2016 i voted leave in the eu ref down here in england. I thought it would speed up Scottish independence. Sadly i may have misjudged my fellow countrymen/women. Frankly i dont think they have the guts to stand on their own two feet and vote for indy. With hindsight maybe i should have voted remain.

  175. Artyhetty
    Ignored
    says:

    silverbuick says:
    23 March, 2019 at 7:10 pm

    Could someone explain in simple terms the difference between”Scottish citizens” and the “sovereign people of Scotland”?

    Aye. People. Humans. People who were born in Scotland, and those who choose to make Scotland their home. Simple.

  176. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    Breeks
    It’s shredding my nerves but I think the effort and responsible* approach being taken, might be important in supporting and winning the emotional trust of No voters who voted in 2014 without conviction, i.e. non-yoons. Intuition is a powerful political force, but I’m really no expert and I’m very out of practice. I could be reading this entirely wrong.

    * It would be irresponsible and a dereliction of duty of the Scottish government, not to seek to prevent Brexit, even though it is a product of English political culture. The moral objection to interfering in another nation’s political culture, does not apply in light of the damage Brexit will do to Scotland. The source of initial moral damage and legal infraction (see Treaty of Union and international law), rests outwith Scotland’s legal control (see English legal culture).

  177. Breeks
    Ignored
    says:

    Robert Peffers says:
    23 March, 2019 at 7:54 pm

    @Robert J. Sutherland says: 23 March, 2019 at 4:28 pm:

    Absolute balderdash, Robert, both you and Breeks are not nearly so clever as you imagine yourselves to be. I’ve quoted this on Wings several times of recent weeks but it seems to have flown over the usual suspects heads…

    Aye Robert, obviously we’re not clever enough to keep up with your stellar intellect. We’re a right pair of dummies by comparison.

    Tell me again why Scotland is only sovereign “sometimes”, and that those scallywags in Europe are only pretending Scotland isn’t sovereign when it’s shut outside and excluded from Brexit negotiations, denied a voice to speak for itself but have our national interersts sold out by Westminster in our absence. But right enough, Legal Persoinality is just a concept I made up isnt it?

    It’s lucky we’ve got that magic kind of Constitutional Sovereignty which only we can see and which doesnt need International recognition or ratified legal status.

  178. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    Artyhetty
    Sovereign people have a legal identity that is the source of state power, the people of a Parliamentary sovereignty, not at all. The “popular sovereignty” embedded in Scotland’s historic ‘constitution’, is regarded as the pinnacle of constitutional form by (continental) scholars, as it embodies the source of state power within the individual. The state’s action is, subsequently, limited by the interests of the individual, not the Crown through parliament. A parliament that is bound by an unwritten constitution and where constitutional law is made up on-the-hoof.

    Popular sovereignty is the foundation of personal liberty. It should instill confidence in those who chose to settle in Scotland, as they will constitutionally have the same political AGENCY as those who can trace their ancestry all the way back to Mel Gibson. 😉

  179. geeo
    Ignored
    says:

    CBB@7.21pm.

    I have nerves of steel, and a powerful conviction, driven by studying facts, and reading the game being played, that yes, the SNP Scotsgov are absolutely on point here.

    There has been absolutely nothing to suggest otherwise that shakes that conviction.

    I also believe the current SNP leadership share that conviction.

    Anyone who thinks they are making mistakes/not trying/are incompetent (aye you, RJS and Breeks) are not as astute as they think they are.

    I am no sycophant here, all my assessments are based on events, historical referencing and research and a deep understanding of politics.

    Unless something tangible happens to shake my conviction, why would i allow that to happen ?

  180. Breeks
    Ignored
    says:


    geeo says:
    23 March, 2019 at 9:04 pm
    CBB@7.21pm.

    I have nerves of steel, and a powerful conviction, driven by studying facts, and reading the game being played…

    Now I am weeping.

  181. Thepnr
    Ignored
    says:

    One thing I think we can all agree on is that May’s time as Prime Minister is coming to a close. She has blown it big time and now has both wings of her party against her.

    I doubt she will survive until the end of next week.

    That changes everything of course, parliament cannot just sit around if she goes waiting on the Tory party having a leadership election as there’s just not the time for that before 12th April.

    I do believe it’s all coming to a head now and even if she doesn’t go then choices have to be made before the 12th.

    Watching all the events unfold in the last couple of months I see how much things have changed, back then I thought that there was just a small chance of a general election but one seems much more likely now.

    As for no deal, I make that the least likely outcome now. It is so obvious that parliament are against such an outcome and will not allow it to happen. I’ll accept that it still can happen but only if MP’s do nothing and I don’t believe they are that stupid.

    Even Robert Peston who has been pushing No deal for weeks now has started to back peddle on that assertion, maybe 5 million signatures on a petition and 1 million marchers for a 2nd vote have contributed to that.

    http://archive.fo/tIoRW

    It now looks very likely that we will get these “indicative votes” next week, that looks certain as even May might have her own on Tuesday before the opposition have theirs on Wednesday, I’m curious as to whether they will have a vote on revoking Article 50 or not? I think not.

    One thing is absolutely clear and that is the ultimate Brexit destination is as unsure as ever but looks less and less likely to be No deal, in my opinion anyway for what it’s worth.

  182. Gfaetheblock
    Ignored
    says:

    Peffers @ 6.39

    Literally no idea what you mean. Please explain.

  183. Hamish100
    Ignored
    says:

    Bobp says:
    23 March, 2019 at 8:38 pm
    In 2016 i voted leave in the eu ref down here in england. I thought it would speed up Scottish independence. Sadly i may have misjudged my fellow countrymen/women. Frankly i dont think they have the guts to stand on their own two feet and vote for indy. With hindsight maybe i should have voted remain.

    Ahhh, agent provocateur – what you think or do is of little consequence. You may have missed the fact that a 2nd Independence Vote has not happened. Yet!

  184. Nana
    Ignored
    says:

    O/T

    Nicola’s speech today in London
    https://twitter.com/theSNP/status/1109551095234379776

    BREAKING: A full blown cabinet coup is under way tonight to remove Theresa May as prime minister
    https://twitter.com/ShippersUnbound/status/1109564229542166528

  185. Robert Peffers
    Ignored
    says:

    @SilverDarling says:23 March, 2019 at 4:54 pm:

    ” … My question is whether the Scottish Parliament can do it.”

    You just haven’t been listening, SilverDarling.

    There is a cast iron legal case in favour of the Kingdom of Scotland. I note you speak of, “Countries”, but the United Kingdom is not, and never has been a country, It is composed of two kingdoms that between then are composed of four countries. The clue is in the title, “The United Kingdom”.

    So let’s do a brief recap. In 1706/7 two independent Kingdoms signed an international Treaty Of Union. They were the Kingdom of Scotland and the three country Kingdom of England.

    That Treaty of Union constituted The United Kingdom – It is thus a written Constitution and it has several Articles of Union and each Article of Union is, in itself, a legally binding agreement between the two kingdoms.

    When two of the same things unite they become a bigger unit of the same units. For example two oranges plus two oranges adds up to four oranges. Two apples plus two apples adds up to four apples. However, two oranges added to two apples adds up to a fruit salad. So the resultant of two independent kingdoms is a united kingdom not a united country of four countries.

    Now to be legally able to sign an international treaty both kingdoms must be equally sovereign. Neither is a master kingdom. It is exactly what it says it is on the tin – a united kingdom called The United Kingdom.

    Which brings us back to those Articles of Union that are each a legal agreement on their own. One such states that the laws of each kingdom must remain forever independent and that being so these, “Rules of Law”, as they are know are incompatible because the English rule of law makes the monarchy of England legally sovereign but in 1688 English law stated that the Monarchs of England had to legally delegate their sovereignty to the parliament of England but in 1707 the parliament of England went into permeant recession.

    The rule of law of the Kingdom of Scotland had been internationally recognised as having changed in the Declaration of Arbroath. That change not only declared Scotland an independent kingdom but declared the people, not the monarch, were sovereign. Thus the two legal systems could never be compatible.

    This is why the monarch is called the Queen of England but in Scotland is termed The Queen of Scots.

    Now I mentioned that the Parliament of the Kingdom of England went into permanent recession. It is recorded in Hansard.

    However, the Kingdom of Scotland was only ever prorogued. That means it was only temporarily in recession and when Winnie Ewing opened Holyrood she did not convene a new parliament she reconvened the old Scottish Parliament. That being so Holyrood is the legal parliament of the Kingdom of Scotland but there has been no Kingdom of England Parliament elected since 30 April 1707. By the Way, it has never been challenged by Westminster that Holyrood was the reconvened Kingdom of Scotland Parliament.

    There is much more but I’ll leave that for another time.

    The main point being that the United Kingdom is undoubtedly a two kingdom United Kingdom and not either a union of four countries nor, what is worse, he continued old, three country, Parliament of the Kingdom of England. It is legally a partnership of two equally sovereign kingdoms. The problem being that on 1 May 1707 Westminster just carried on as if it were the old Parliament of England . That is until it decided to introduce devolution and by doing so it relegated Scotland to the same status as the two existing dominion countries of England. Yet worse was to follow. Westminster then introduced EVEL, and prevented Scotland, Wales and N. Ireland from interfereing in what Westminster decided is English Only matters. Now about devolution his really is effectively Westminster running the Country of England directly by the Westminster Ministries and devolvine some unimportant English Powers to Scotland, Wales and N.I.

    In effect Westminster has made itself England the Master Race that rules everone else but Scotland is legally an equally sovereign partner in the United Kingdom. Scotland has a cast iron legal case and as Holyrood is legally the old Scottish Kingdom parliament it has the right and the authority to tell The Kingdom of England the United Kingdom has ended.

  186. HYUFD
    Ignored
    says:

    Davie Oga That 292,316 for the DUP was almost 60,000 more than the 238,915 Sinn Fein got.

    Northern Ireland has a population of 1.8 million, 48% of whom classify themselves as British (82% of whom are Protestant), 1.6% of whom classify themselves as English Scottish or Welsh and 29% of whom classify themselves as Northern Irish (27% of whom classify themselves as Protestant), with 28% classifying themselves as Irish. So close to 1 million of the 1.8 million NI population classify themselves as British and/or Protestant

  187. Robert J. Sutherland
    Ignored
    says:

    Robert Peffers @ 20:35,

    You may call it what you like, in your usual dismissive style, RP, but for all your quasi-constitutional bluster. I don’t see the SG/SNP in Holyrood or WM showing any sign of taking your advice on that matter, not in the past and not now. So much for that. So who is the true SNP supporter and who is not, eh? =grin=

    As to your absurd suggestion that I’m proposing the SNP do “something premature”, I have actually written the reverse. Empty flag flying and absurdist posturing in Parliament would be exactly that. (Refer to previous para.) As the SNP in place clearly also understand.

    I have consistently stated that Nicola is doing exactly what she needs to do, yet somehow that seems to have entirely passed you by in your haste to promote your blinkered self-brew orthodoxy. However, timely action is absolutely essential, and (as I also recently intimated, though you evidently missed that as well), her recent statement that “no clarity is also a kind of clarity” is a very encouraging indication she at least understands that well and is getting ready. I expect that soon you will be criticising her too for a premature rush to action! =laugh=

    Contrary to your evident misunderstanding, I have also consistently argued that there is latent support for indy but that it self-evidently must also be nourished and inspired. External events alone just won’t do. I’m one of many (on here and elsewhere) who have indeed judged with good reason that the SNP needlessly lost the plot back in 2017 (some say even 2016) through a lack of addressing those essential factors. That includes many longstanding members of the SNP, like it or not. (As you clearly don’t, and hate to hear.) Yet by your rigid logic, the SNP must be stuffed full of SNP-BAAD people, from the likes of Tasmina, George and Keith all the way down! All recently wanting something done and soon.

    You really don’t help the cause, you know, when you come on as holier-than-the-Pope like this.

  188. yesindyref2
    Ignored
    says:

    @Essexexile
    You’re talking shite, or never read newspapers or watch the TV. A very quick browse through the London rags pages today gives:

    The high-profile attendees will include Labour Deputy leader Tom Watson, Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon” (Express)

    Speakers who addressed a rally outside Parliament included Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, London Mayor Sadiq Khan and opposition Labour deputy leader Tom Watson. ” (Daily Mail)

    Land reform is, if memory serves me, number three on First Nicola (paywall) …” (Telegraph Cochrane)

    Senior politicians from all the main parties joined the march, including Labour’s deputy leader, Tom Watson, former Tory deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine, the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and the SNP leader and first minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon.” (Guardian)

    and I can’t be bothered doing any more.

    That shows she’s not just in the news, but WHY it’s a good idea she went on the march – which answers the others who try to do Sturgeon down.

  189. cynicalHighlander
    Ignored
    says:

    @ Breeks says:
    23 March, 2019 at 9:09 pm
    geeo says:
    23 March, 2019 at 9:04 pm
    CBB@7.21pm.

    I have nerves of steel, and a powerful conviction, driven by studying facts, and reading the game being played…

    Now I am weeping.

    Now go and change them.

  190. HYUFD
    Ignored
    says:

    Gove and Lidington if interim PMs said to be ready to go for CU and SU with Labour votes, if so ultra soft Brexit and dilutes almost to nothing SNP demands for indyref2

  191. HYUFD
    Ignored
    says:

    Gove and Lidington if interim PMs said to be ready to go for CU and/or SM with Labour votes, if so ultra soft Brexit and dilutes almost to nothing SNP demands for indyref2

  192. HYUFD
    Ignored
    says:

    Indeed the SNP could hardly complain given it was the ‘compromise’ Brexit Sturgeon was proposing months ago

  193. Macart
    Ignored
    says:

    @Nana

    RE: ‘full blown coup’

    Not unexpected, but certainly sooner than I expected to be sure. I’m guessing the speech, the following mood music in the public responses and the scale of today’s London march has rattled a few cages. 😎

  194. Essexexile
    Ignored
    says:

    She’s in London at a high profile march against Brexit and STILL only gets a mention behind Michael Heseltine.
    I think you’ve just backed up my point yesindyref2!
    As I said, ask the Rev. He’ll tell you the same, the English media doesn’t bother much with reporting on Scottish politics or its major players (the Salmond story excepted). I’m not saying it’s a good thing, I’m just reporting it as I find it.

  195. call me dave
    Ignored
    says:

    Theresa: 10 days and gone says BBC report Tory sources:

    11 cabinet members are demanding that she says publicly it will happen after a EU deal is secured.

    Tory MP Daniel Kawczynski on radio 5 (I paraphrase slightly)

    Its all the EU’s fault thwarting the UK’s desire for independence! The MSM is against us (UKGov) pointing out all our mistakes and not explaining to the UK public how devious the EU27 are. 🙂

    Oh… more!

    Sturgeon in Scotland might break away and divide the ‘country’

    Aye Right! 🙂

  196. Bob Mack
    Ignored
    says:

    Well,well,well. Craig Murray attacking Nicola on twitter for posing with A Campbell for a picture. He feels she should now resign.

    My thoughts—-Craig Murray happily worked as an Ambassador for the State with an appaling history of mass murder all over the world, and he happily took their money to do so.

    Sorry Craig. The blackest pot calling the kettle black.

  197. Bobp
    Ignored
    says:

    Hope you proudscotbuts are watching the bbc 9pm film, A united kingdom’ substitute botswana for Scotland.

  198. call me dave
    Ignored
    says:

    Scottish 10pm news item on radio 5. Golden eagles to be tagged.

  199. Nana
    Ignored
    says:

    @Macart

    Some saying her string puller husband is telling her to hang on and Gove waiting in the wings sharpening the knife. He is said to be relishing the role of ‘caretaker PM’
    Just imagine that slimy incompetent anywhere near power.

    Each and every one of them need booting out.

  200. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    OT just to clarify my choice of language, prompted by Clapper57’s call, in OT, for measured debate.

    When I refer to “English utilitarians”, I am using “English” in the sense of English mustard. Not utilitarian who are English and can be identified as utilitarians by their English-ness, though that is a common characteristic of the English identity. It’s a cultural ting.

  201. silverbuick
    Ignored
    says:

    Thanks Artyhetty and CameronB Brodie for responding.

  202. Nana
    Ignored
    says:

    Michael Gove being lined up as “Compromise Caretaker” after backlash at David Lidington coup plot…
    https://twitter.com/MoS_Politics/status/1109564147660935169

    Fair is foul, and foul is fair
    Hover through the fog and filthy air
    Is it thee, Govester?
    https://twitter.com/johnharris1969/status/1109574919636090881

  203. yesindyref2
    Ignored
    says:

    Flower of Scotland is right – the SNP ahve to be careful with marches and rallies. Even as it is, some media reports any rally or martch as an “SNP march”, when it’s been independent organised.

    K1 is mostly right, except that Sturgeon isn’t the head of the independence movement, we are, there is no one head, and that’s as Sturgeon says too, she constantly refers to “The People”, and indeed put forward the Holyrood 2012 motion for “The Claim of Right”. Don’t forget that for instance, Kings in Scotland were “KLing of Scots” not King of Scotland, whereas in England it was King of England. Big difference.

    Essexexile – did you not read my posting at all? I looked in only 4 articles and in all 4 articles she was mentioned. Like others, I occasionally dip into the murky depth of the London based media, and she is often mentioned. I guess you don’t read any papers down there. And in particular, perhaps you should try reading below the line. “Nippy”, “Krankie” is in every other comment. Well, good 🙂

    Added to which many down there would vote for her.

    Just because you live somewhere doesn’t mean you know everythng about it. Look at HYFUD for instance, his knowledge even of his own history is just about nil.

  204. Ken500
    Ignored
    says:

    May and the Tory – Westminster unionists are known throughout the world as a bunch off total imbeciles. They are the world laughing stock. A complete and utter shambles. What a total mess. Unbelievable. Westminster paedos, bigot, racists and imbeciles. Totally impossible.

    Scotland can do so much better Independent. More folk know it.

  205. Thepnr
    Ignored
    says:

    That was quick, they must read Wings LOL

    Cabinet coup to ditch May for emergency PM

    https://twitter.com/BBCHelenaLee/status/1109572097980989440

  206. HYUFD
    Ignored
    says:

    Yesindyref2 I may not give a nationalist interpretation of it but that is different

  207. HYUFD
    Ignored
    says:

    Ken500 The softer the Brexit the worse the prospects for indyref2 and any Yes vote and if no Brexit at all the polls show No would comfortably win any indyref2

  208. Ken500
    Ignored
    says:

    May being stabbed in the back like Thatcher. She will go away greeting face. It will all end in tears, like Thatcher. Gove will finish them off. A complete imbecile.

  209. Ian Brotherhood
    Ignored
    says:

    @Thepnr –

    ‘The Ides of March’ changes every year, and this year it was Friday 15th, so they’re a wee bit late, just like Theresa May’s statements to the nation.

    Mind you, if Gove is being lined-up as any kind of interim PM, there will be crowds on the streets tomorrow calling for May to stay.

    Ach well, so it goes…

    Strange days indeed…most peculiar momma!

    😉

  210. Ken500
    Ignored
    says:

    The continued complete shambles of Brexit. The imbeciles at Westminster do not have a clue what they are doing. It is pathetic. The Tories were warned not to start this mess but would not listen. Just like Blair and the illegal wars. Costing Scotland £Billions. Once again it will cost Scotland £Billions because of Westminster unionists totally inadequacy. The are just a bunch of criminals.

  211. Robert J. Sutherland
    Ignored
    says:

    me @ 21:44,

    And if public support is already fully in place as you assert, RP, and is merely being hidden away by evil pollsters, why is it then that the SG/SNP (by that logic) have been criminally negligent in not deploying it in full force already, to mould history decisively in our favour in a timely manner? If the people are truly ready, how can any (coherent) action now possibly be premature? Why are we instead all still fretting and waiting?

    (Well, almost everyone else but you, it seems. Oh, and Robin McAlpine. =grin= Though he’s not SNP anyway.)

    Your logic just doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. I have a whole lot more respect for the sound judgement of the SG/SNP leadership than I have for yours, I’m afraid.

  212. Bob Mack
    Ignored
    says:

    @Hyfud,

    Only six districts in N Ireland now have a Protestant majority. This will be eroded in time due to birth rates.

    Only a matter of time till Irish reunification.

  213. Lenny Hartley
    Ignored
    says:

    Thepnr 2121, istill think its May’s deal or no deal. parliament cant get its act together, there is no effective official opposition, when the deputy leader of the official opposition stands in front of 1 million remainers whilst the leader is nowhere to be seen and says he would support May’s deal if he could get a second vote that tells me that the Labour leadership despite the retoric are not interested in a “peoples” vote. It would appear Parliament is split three ways and the default position is no deal. There appears to be a move on May’s leadership, dont know how that works thought under the rules that she was safe for another 9 months or so, so can only presume that its the establishment moving on her, cant see the soft brexit/remain side of the Tory party being strong enough.
    As has been said on these pages many times, May is just a placeperson, following the orders of the Establishment to ensure that their illgotten gains from Tax Avoidence and Money Laundering is safe from EU legislation. If May is replaced, it will be by another placeperson. And it will be either May’s deal or No deal that wins.

  214. Essexexile
    Ignored
    says:

    Anybody who promotes patience and trusting in NS gets my full agreement.
    The situation is just too volatile to declare a push for indyref2. It could be overtaken by events within hours.

  215. Clapper57
    Ignored
    says:

    @ CameronB Brodie @ 10.08pm

    ‘MEASURED’ you say….as in give people an INCH and they take a MILE…hope I have not put my FOOT in it….me bad…sadly I am out of my DEPTH in relation to your comment I could not FATHOM what you meant ….but I do prefer French Mustard…though with Brexit won’t have that FURLONG…perhaps some Jam Mustard as I believe that will be all the rage post brexit according to Liam Fox….we’ll have GALLONS of the stuff….

    Have a nice evening….what’s left of it….

    ps. In case in doubt…I am being nice….I say this with every OUNCE of my being… Lol !!

  216. Robert Peffers
    Ignored
    says:

    @Tatu3 says: 23 March, 2019 at 5:35 pm:

    ” … Help please. For a discussion I’m having with someone on fb, could someone please put in very simple terms how Scotland pays more to Westminster than we get back and how we are NOT subsidised.”

    Sorry, Tatu3 I’m playing catch up today.

    Here are a couple of thoughts.

    Scotland’s Per Capita GDP is normally higher than any other United Kingdom Country. Now comparing Per Capita GDP is the total revenue raised by any area by Westminster divided by the total population of that area. Thus every Scot pays more into the Treasury than any other country in the UK. However be wary of the Unionist trick of comparing unlike areas. They will attempt to fool you by quoting the City of London, (not London City), with the whole country of Scotland. The City of London is the one Square Mile of the financial sector. Obviously not a proper comparison.

    The other one its that every penny of oil & Gas revenue goes to the Treasury as they claim all oil & Gas is from United Kingdom Extra Regio Territory but up to 98% of it comes out of Scottish Waters. Now to understand that scam the term. “Extra Regio”, means from no identifiable Region but it comes from a very identifiable region – Scotland. Yet not a single penny of it is returned to Scotland as all Scotland gets is their Block Grant.

    They talk about Scotland getting 8.4% of it but this is a lie. The credit Scotland with earning a population share of 8.4% but they actually give Scotland nothing. The 8.4% is just a figure they use to derive other figures to use to work out other statistics – we get no money.

  217. Golfnut
    Ignored
    says:

    @ Hyufd.

    Whatever you might read or hear from what passes for journalism and broadcasting in this God forsaken union, the SNP have never ever demanded independence, such a demand would infer that it was the gift of someone to bestow.

    It’s not. Scotland will to return to the status of an Independent Sovereign State when the Treaty of Union is dissolved, ending the political union between Scotland and England. How that is enacted is for the people of Scotland and Scotland’s Parliament to decide.

  218. HYUFD
    Ignored
    says:

    Bob Mack Antrim the largest County in Northern Ireland with a population of 618,000 is strongly Protestant. Antrim and Newtonabbey is 61% Protestant and Mid and East Antrim 73% Protestant.

    Every MP from Antrim is from the DUP and a comfortable majority of its MLAs are Unionists too

  219. Thepnr
    Ignored
    says:

    @Lenny Hartley

    Thing is it’s so clear that May’s deal has absolutely no chance of getting the required support that it’s being reported she won’t even have a third vote on it.

    Some another deal is certainly possible, so much talk of “Common Market 2.0” and “Norway Plus”. This is the bandwagon that Corbyn will jump on and then try to claim all the glory if parliament goes for that. The thing is is though all these “new” options are just exactly what the Scottish government proposed to May in Dec 2016 of remaining in the single market and customs union.

    Absolutely there is a good chance that is where we end up but it won’t be Mays deal. As for no deal, many will disagree but I think that’s now a gonner, parliament on Monday will take control of business on Wednesday and have a series of votes to try and find a way forward. No deal will be absolutely crushed when that happens and that will be the end of that would be my guess.

    I said a while back that I thought revocation of Article 50 had a 5% chance because it would only happen if all else failed, well that’s pretty much where we headed now.

    I’d put a General election as the most likely outcome now, it kicks the can done the road again and gives an extension to article 50 of at least a year. I still believe though that one way or another the UK will end in as an absolute minimum remaining in the SM and CU if they don’t just remain in the EU.

  220. HYUFD
    Ignored
    says:

    Golfnut As the polls show if it is not a hard Brexit there is next to no chance of the Scottish people voting anything but a clear No to independence even if there was indyref2

  221. Robert J. Sutherland
    Ignored
    says:

    Nana @ 22:08,

    Never mind slimy, etc. (though all true), would they possibly allow another Scot – however poshly anglified – to be in charge?

    He’s definitely dangerous for Scotland, maybe more than most because of his origins, but I can’t help wondering whether that would also turn out to be the final straw for us.

    (Though whatever happened to the once-Great Saviour in the wings – pun intended – Tank Commander…?)

  222. K1
    Ignored
    says:

    Put this on wrong thread there 🙁

    Yes, I had put ‘defacto’ when I wrote that sentence and then took it out…which would have clarified my meaning better in terms of NS’s position in the Indy movement. Fair point though…she isn’t ‘actually’ the ‘leader’ as such, but she does represent all of us in the indy movement at present as well as Scotland on the whole as the FM, much in the same way Alex did when he was FM.

  223. Bob Mack
    Ignored
    says:

    @ Hyfud,

    So what? One county will not hold up eventual Irish reunification. The birth rate of Catholic families is growing whilst Protestant is falling. Only a matter of time.

    Interestingly enough have you seen the number of so called Unionists to remain in the EU is rising by the week.

  224. yesindyref2
    Ignored
    says:

    @Tatu3
    Just saw that from RP’s answer. Another one, a safe one and one that can’t be denied is this:

    “Scotland has nominal national accounts pruduced from incomplete estimates, but as England has no Parliament of its own, it has NO national accounts at all, yet with 85% of the UK population, it would have at least 85% of the UK spending. Therefore any estimates of Scottish spending and revenues can not be accurate without a proper and complete split of all spending and revenues between the 4 nations of the UK, to compare with the overall UK spending and revenues.”.

    Short and sweet, and undeniable but with a subtle inference “at least”.

  225. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    Clapper57
    I was trying to be supportive and explain my choice of language at the same time. Debate about cultural issues can be very confusing, as well as ethically troublesome. Far less trouble if you have a post-colonial head though.

    Glad to see you on the MT again. Same to yourself, what’s left of it. 😉

  226. Bobp
    Ignored
    says:

    Hamish100. 9.25pm .I’ll not hold my breath.

  227. Thepnr
    Ignored
    says:

    @HYUFD says:

    “Golfnut As the polls show if it is not a hard Brexit there is next to no chance of the Scottish people voting anything but a clear No to independence even if there was indyref2”

    To my knowledge there has NEVER been such a question in any poll that showed a clear No to Independence if there is not a hard Brexit.

    I think you’re telling porkies LOL, prove me wrong and I’ll apologise. If you can’t then you should apologise for LYING.

  228. K1
    Ignored
    says:

    Ah rather think some and underestimating the ‘near miss’ aspect of UKexit and the very fact that irrespective of a ‘soft’ UKexit, it doesn’t not make ‘UKexit’ disappear off the radar as it is England who voted for it in the first place.

    If you believe naively that those that who voted for Leave will give up the fight after any change to a softer option, then you are utterly deluded.

    Does anyone seriously think Scotland will happily vote to remain in the UK with a constant ‘war’ being fought in England on the basis of ‘that’s not what we voted for’ crowd after a softer UKexit is achieved?

    Clowns to the left and total fucking roasters to the right on this forum this evening.

  229. yesindyref2
    Ignored
    says:

    The next reply is to say that GERS contains figures for “Spending on behalf of Scotland”, which are actually spent in London, the South-East and East of England, giving THEM the economic benefit of spending that is attributed to us, hence artitificially adding to their revenues at our expense.

    This means for instance that most of us on Wings are actually susbisidising HYFUD in the East of England. And yet he never says “Thank you Scotland”.

  230. Essexexile
    Ignored
    says:

    If HYFUD is right, what proportion of Yessers would tactically vote Leave in a potential EUref2 to ensure Brexit.
    Nice theory, but you’d have to be ptetty daft to do that. Anything that lessens the margin of Scotland’s Remain majority hampers the chances of indy via Brexit.

  231. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    Clapper57
    The other side is HYUFD is not here to debate, he’s here to disrupt. He’s crap at it so he’s more of a pet than a threat. He certainly deserves no respect, other than the basic required of civil society.

  232. Lenny Hartley
    Ignored
    says:

    Thepnr we will see next week, if its Lidington then perhaps they will go for an extension, but he seems tothink that May’s deal is a soft Brexit ! We live interesting times, i still think May’s deal has got a chance, why would Tom Watson pull agreeing to May’s deal out of the hat today, itsnonense to link it to a2nd vote, after May’s deal we would already be out , the UK would have to renegotiate to rejoin the EU, apart from losing a lot of their opt outs and rebates, they would have to go to the bottom of the queue and join the euro 🙂 nah the peoples vote add on does not make sense, Corbyn must be panicking about either article 50 being revoked or another referendum. Maybe The Labour Brexiteers, the ERG and the DUP are about to vote with the majority of the Tory party for May’s deal to ensure a Brexit.

  233. Thepnr
    Ignored
    says:

    @Lenny Hartley

    I’m pretty sure that what Watson was saying is that if she agreed to a 2nd referendum then Labour would support her deal only if it was then subject to ratification in a peoples vote with remain as the other option.

    In order to do this she would have to request an extension to article 50 to allow the vote to take place, if I’m correct in that assumption then we would not be out of the EU until that vote took place.

    The most recent poll from Yougov last week in this scenario gave Remain 61% and May’s deal 39%.

    TThat’s the sole reason Watson would suggest it and why it is un;likely to happen.

  234. yesindyref2
    Ignored
    says:

    Meanwhile with the Revoke A50 petition heading for 5 million, it’s interesting to note that Belfast South (DUP) has exceeded 10% of the electorate (compared to my saddo constituency North Ayrshire and Arran at 5.6%).

  235. chicmac
    Ignored
    says:

    Oooer, I hope our 1 year old cavalier pups will be safe.

    Remember, a dog isn’t just for Brexit.

    Gulp! Just remembered Cromwell banned Christmas as well.

  236. HYUFD
    Ignored
    says:

    Bob Mack There are more people in Country Antrim than some countries and whatever Unionists may now think on Brexit (and most voted Leave) does not change their view on the Union

  237. K1
    Ignored
    says:

    Scottish independence is and never was predicated upon leaving or staying in the EU.

    It was predicated upon the fact that we are a country who’s political choices are overturned by the weight of the number of voters in another country, who’s population outnumber us. We constantly have to mitigate against the harm this causes to our people and their life’s, our parliament has proved ‘somewhat’ effective in that role, but we wish our parliament to have full powers to become ‘totally’ effective in shaping our society in a manner that befits our worldview, not the worldview of a country whose views run contrary to ours in every area of policy imaginable.

    There is and will alway be this democratic deficit whether we stay or leave the EU. UKexit is but a ‘symptom’ of England’s delusions of grandeur. We do not suffer from that delusion, our EU vote ‘reflected’ that concisely to such a degree that many in Scotland have had their eyes opened to the reality of this in a way that a thousand indy referendum campaigns could never have achieved.

    Don’t kid yerself that our movement is altered an iota by ‘current’ events. The ‘near miss’ analogy’ works just as effectively for our movement and TMay has been a gift in our fight against anglo exceptionalism on these islands.

    The UK’s days are numbered, and England’s implosion has aided our cause greatly, for it has shown it’s complete disregard and contempt for all the other nations on these islands, not just Scotland’s and the world has seen this too, a bigger stage we could not have asked for in our lifetimes to show the democratic deficit in all it’s glory.

    We will not be dragged out of the EU ‘agains’t our will’ and much like the Leavers who will continue their battle against a ‘soft UKexit’ we will continue ours to re enter the EU as an independent nation…once more.

    So GIRFUY Simon.

  238. ronnie anderson
    Ignored
    says:

    Tag team Trolls lol.

  239. yesindyref2
    Ignored
    says:

    Comparing May to Crowmwell is scary, quite frankly.

    Anyways, this postulated “coup” is yet another reason for Sturgon holding fire in the brinkmanship game with May, as if May is deposed it’s another ball game, and yet another basis for Indy Ref 2 – the lack of democracy at the top of the UK political banana tree.

  240. HYUFD
    Ignored
    says:

    Thepnr There has not been any Yes lead in any recent indyref poll in any circumstance other than a No Deal Brexit or occasionally a May Deal Brexit

    http://whatscotlandthinks.org/questions/how-would-you-vote-in-the-in-a-scottish-independence-referendum-if-held-now-ask#line

    On the straight Yes or No to independence polls No clearly still leads

  241. Essexexile
    Ignored
    says:

    The UK map by %constituents signing the petition certainly puts a big dent in the myth that Brexit support is an England only affair.
    Biggest density of support so far in London and central south England.

  242. yesindyref2
    Ignored
    says:

    Jings HIFUD, the last poll in that list is 5th Dec 2018.

    Typical unionist old news is bad news – I’m actually surprised it’s so recent, many unionist agitators are quoting things going back to 2013 in the MSM forums!

  243. Thepnr
    Ignored
    says:

    @K1

    “The UK’s days are numbered, and England’s implosion has aided our cause greatly, for it has shown it’s complete disregard and contempt for all the other nations on these islands, not just Scotland’s and the world has seen this too, a bigger stage we could not have asked for in our lifetimes to show the democratic deficit in all it’s glory.”

    Well said, the likes of HYUFD just don’t get that. All we seek is the power ot make our own choices for the people that live here, the Scots people.

    HYUFD seeks to deny us that choice and comes on here to tell us how useless we would be at it. Not only that but he’ll lie in order to get his point across.

    C’mon HYUFD provide the evidence for your assertion that:

    “As the polls show if it is not a hard Brexit there is next to no chance of the Scottish people voting anything but a clear No to independence even if there was indyref2”

    You don’t have any evidence do you and just made it up?

  244. Golfnut
    Ignored
    says:

    @ Hyufd.

    I don’t know why you directed your comment to me, since it has no baring on my comment at 10:44.

  245. HYUFD
    Ignored
    says:

    K1 I know you Nats will use your eggs being overdone one morning by an English cook as an excuse for indyref2 but in reality it is only hard Brexit which moves the swing voters from 2014 who voted No potentially to Yes, without it they stay firm Nos

  246. K1
    Ignored
    says:

    We were 4 points in the lead a week or 2 before the actual 2014 referendum and then Westminster through in ‘devo max’ and ‘the vow’ and enough pulled back from that to ensure a no vote…on those grounds.

    Do people seriously believe that that 4% lead is impossible..NOW? Do ye feel lucky punks?

    Well…do ya?

    We are not in the middle of an Indy campaign right now…but when we are…watch this fucking space ya numpty.

  247. yesindyref2
    Ignored
    says:

    @Essexexile
    That’s crap as well, the biggest revoke A50 support is in Bristol West at 23.1%, next is indeed in Brighton Pavilion at 21.75%, Edinburgh North and West is 20.2%, just behind HGornsey and Wood Green at 20.3%.

    Wanna try again?

  248. K1
    Ignored
    says:

    It is people like you who lower the debate by implying we all hate the English. Such a tired trope with no evidence to back it up…in fact a smear. Is that all your’ve got?

    Pfft!

    We see you.

  249. HYUFD
    Ignored
    says:

    Yesindyref2 That was the date of the last full independence poll not predicated on a hard Brexit
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_on_Scottish_independence

  250. yesindyref2
    Ignored
    says:

    Just admit you’re behind the times HIFUD – and that we all subsidise you.

    And Yeah, K1 is right. You’re so soundly trounced all you’re left with is the false anti-ENglsih card. We do indeed see you – and find you’re holding 4 cards to jack shit.

  251. HYUFD
    Ignored
    says:

    ThePnr I do as the link above shows, if we avoid a hard Brexit it will remove Sturgeon’s excuse for any indyref2 for a generation

  252. manandboy
    Ignored
    says:

    In the past week at some point, possibly during Mrs May’s speech to the UK electorate, the good ship Brittania has I suspect, struck a political iceberg after the fashion of the fatal collision which resulted in the sinking of Titanic.

    At the moment of impact, the nature and extent of Titanic’s contact with the iceberg, was not immediately obvious. However, it did not take long for the realisation to dawn that though the ship was not in any immediate danger of sinking, its demise was certain and only a matter of time, to be measured in hours.

    Similarly with the impact of Theresa May’s speech on Wednesday. Her future is now certain as is her Withdrawal Agreement and very possibly both this Government and indeed the Conservative Party. And the direction is down.

    In recess till Monday after Lunch, the Westminster Parliament will gather to try to salvage something from the Brexit wreckage. What they will not salvage, are, 1.what’s left of England’s national unity, 2.the English electorate’s trust in the political institutions, 3. England’s global reputation, 4. Their place in Europe and NATO, and 5.The Union.

    Should be an interesting week ahead.

    Get that lifeboat ready, Scotland.

    It is time.

  253. K1
    Ignored
    says:

    It’s not ‘Sturgeon’ that decides, you absolute rocket.

    What don’t you get?

    We decide, the people in Scotland will decide, and we will have our say about being dragged out of the EU if indeed there is a second EU vote, but here’s the thing, speculate this: when Scotland votes to remain in the EU in overwhelming numbers and England votes marginally for some sort of ‘deal’ to leave…what do you think will happen then?

    Hahahahahaha

  254. HYUFD
    Ignored
    says:

    Yesindyref2 Only London, the South East and the East of England see tax payments to the Exchequer outweigh receipts from public spending. If the oil price is high then Scotland is also a net contributor, in this instance falls in oil revenues meant it was not

    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/may/23/uk-budget-deficit-grows-to-more-than-10bn-as-people-spend-less

  255. HYUFD
    Ignored
    says:

    K1 As I said provided a hard Brexit is avoided any Deal especially staying in the SM and or CU sees a clear majority against independence and removes the excuse of the SNP for a significant change from 2014 enabling indyref2

  256. Essexexile
    Ignored
    says:

    I’m looking at the map indyref2 and was giving an overall impression.
    And no need to be so spiky eh? You’re usually more level headed than that.

  257. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    yesindyref2
    Poor governance that undermines civil society, is considered justification for independence under international law. Just saying. 😉

  258. yesindyref2
    Ignored
    says:

    @HYUFD
    Unless you want to retract you Daily Express style “anti-English” comment, you are henceforth an official desperate dick and not worth the electrons you waste.

    @Essexexile
    Perhaps you don’t know that Scotland is one-third of the land-mass of the UK and in terms of population density probably one-twentieth or even one-fiftieth that of London. Of course it will look “less colourful”, try zooming in and hovering over a constituency. Maybe you’d like to add up and tabulate all 650 constituencies splite between Scotland and the rest of the UK to see if your point is correct – or not?

  259. Thepnr
    Ignored
    says:

    @HYUFD

    “K1 As I said provided a hard Brexit is avoided any Deal especially staying in the SM and or CU sees a clear majority against independence”

    You what!!

    Hahaha, your on 1/10 fail miserably on truth, honesty and evidence.

    SHOW US THE POLL WITH THE CLEAR MAJORITY AGAINST INDEPENDENCE

  260. Dave McEwan Hill
    Ignored
    says:

    HYUFD

    You’re way behind the times and all the variety of small polls have had complex and confusing questions – quite deliberately of course.
    But they unanimously put YES ahead in all scenarios now.
    It is significant we have not had a big poll.

    I ignore them now because being engaged in this political issue on a daily basis I can assure you there has been a very significant increase in the support for independence – in any circumstance.

    My own little branch of the SNP which trundled along at about 50 or 60 member for years is now approaching 200 members with six new members in the last month or so. This is happening across the whole country and SNP membership is now about FOUR TIMES AS MUCH as the total membership of the other three three major parties put together.

    The SNP with a membership if over 125,000 is now the second biggest party in the whole of the UK. Realistically more than one adult in every thirty in Scotland is now a member of the SNP.

    There is no appetite ffor independence! Aye,right- as we say in Scotland. The fact is that this huge army has not been deployed yet and there wil be a nationwide explosion of Independence campaigning as soos as the gun is fired. The most encouraging thing is the steady stream of English immigrants now coming to join us.

    I’m sure I am wasting my time informing you but I recognise you will be getting fed the utter bollocks that the folk down south are fed in the media about Scotland and the SNP. And they believe it.

    And BTW the (small)Scottish sub sample of the latest Ipsos Mori poll has the SNP on 67 out of 69 seats in the Scottish Parliament with Tory wipeout and one surviving Labour person.
    weithh

  261. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    Look, it’s simple. Inalienable human rights can’t be separated from the individual and can’t be relinquished. British nationalism can not accommodate universal human rights in it’s contemporary form (see the Right to Development, for example). To do so would bind English law. So do you fancy your chances in a future Brexitania without human rights?

  262. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    ….So do you fancy your chances in a future Brexitania with the human rights afford to you by Westminster. British human rights, which aren’t quite up to universal standard.

  263. K1
    Ignored
    says:

    No it doesn’t.

    CU and SM were ‘compromise’ positions from the SNP because our SG honoured the No vote in 2014. The default position is staying in the EU as per our 62% vote.

    This people’s vote is predicated on ‘Remain’ being an option on that ballot, not just some ‘soft’ deal. Scotland will vote overwhelmingly for Remain, and our SNP MP’s and the FM will not countenance Remain not being on the ballot and that is why we are hearing so much about the people’s vote, because alliances involve negotiations, the SNP’s support is needed to get this through UK parliament.

    And when once again Scotland votes for Remain, and England for ‘deal’, we will see the democratic deficit play out once more. You are kidding yourself if you believe that we will settle for ‘soft’ deal if ‘Remain’ is on the ballot.

    And you are deluded beyond measure in failing to understand that the mood has shifted in Scotland, it is one thing to speculate about an outcome based upon ‘current polls’ it is quite another on the back of the last 2 and half years, were it has been shown without a doubt that our SG tried for all of Scotland to keep us in the EU, ignored, derided and treated with contempt, for us to be shafted by England’s choice on this matter, once again overriding Scotland’s choice.

    Then it will become ‘crystal’ clear that the divergence is ‘too’ deep and cannot be overcome.

    If the UK parliament had been at any point interested in listening to other voices at the start of the process, especially our SG, we wouldn’t even be here, as the ‘compromise’ position now being considered in WM is in fact the position that we initially promoted and was outrightly rejected over the past 2 and a half years?

    Do you really think we are stupid? Remain will be on the ballot and we will vote in overwhelming numbers for Remain. Over any other UKexit deal.

    It’s like…doh.

  264. K1
    Ignored
    says:

    Oh…if Remain were not on the ballot, they won’t get the ‘people’ vote through parliament.

    And it won’t be for the lack of our SNP MP’s trying and we will ‘see’ and understand ‘exactly why’ they kept it off the ballot paper.

    Seriously ye think we’re no canny.

  265. Brian Doonthetoon
    Ignored
    says:

    Off the top of my head, before I indulge in nosebag…

    We, ordinary people, are influenced in our beliefs by what we are fed, through the education system, TV, newspapers, and so on.

    The first independence referendum woke up a lot of Scots to the fact that we had been fed pro-unionism $h!t for decades.

    Social media and Blogs have opened our eyes wider. Those ‘dan sarf’ are now wakening up to to the $h!t that we have been fed – and they’re not happy about how they have been deceived.

    This UK is about to implode, because of the parliamentarian’s ignorance of what it is that the people of the UK, including England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland actually want in their lives.

    Watch this space…

    News at 11…
    (Kentucky Fried Movie reference…)

  266. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    Brian Doonthetoon
    You sure you not studied social or political anthropology? 🙂

  267. Thepnr
    Ignored
    says:

    The DailyMail going mental tonight with new articles trying to hide the state of the Tory party and it’s leader in particular. They are all over the place.

    May is doomed and we can move on from there, there will have to be an interim leader though as there is no time for an election for a new one. It’s just a question now I think of counting down the days, will it be swift or slow and painful?

    Who cares? Certainly not me as it’s about time someone else took control, sure it will be another Tory but if they don’t seek consensus then parliament collapses this week and we have an election.

    The best is yet to come, who will the Tories chose as their new leader. Boris the clown is favoured by the majority of the membership (does that include HYUFD)that would be it if he’s elected. The humiliation of the UK in the world’s eyes would be complete.

    Does anyone still believe that Scotland wouldn’t vote for Independence in that scenario? That is the dream ticket, I hope you support Johnson as new leader HYUFD and do us all a favour.

  268. yesindyref2
    Ignored
    says:

    OT
    Herald carrying a story that Jonathan Shafi won’t vote SNP. Well, that’s good news for RISE if it does a phoenix!

  269. HYUFD
    Ignored
    says:

    The PNR EVERY poll on that list was against independence throughout the entirety of last year, as I said the only polls putting Yes ahead are predicated with a hard Brexit scenario

  270. HYUFD
    Ignored
    says:

    Dave McEwan Hill At the 2015 general election pre the Leave vote the SNP got 50% and 54 seats at the 2017 general election post the Leave vote the SNP fell to 36% and 35 seats. At least half the 2021 Holyrood polls now give a Unionist majority

  271. HYUFD
    Ignored
    says:

    K1 You can try and stir it up as much as you want, without hard Brexit Yes gets nowhere near getting over 50% and with soft Brexit there will be no EUref2 anyway. Plus of course over a third of even SNP voters voted Leave and would be fine with soft Brexit

  272. Thepnr
    Ignored
    says:

    @yesindyref2

    Jonathan Shafi has never been likely to vote SNP ever, not really a story then and just the Herald stirring the porridge I think. Just another “split” story without substance as there isn’t any.

  273. yesindyref2
    Ignored
    says:

    Mmm, here’s another argument to use to the undecided to vote YES. We all know the argument that Scotland will have all the powers to decided our own future, but not just that, Holyrood will be able to concentrate on issues regarding Scotland, rather than having half its time taken up with rUK issues and the constitutional debate. That will be gone.

    In addition, for those who can’t stand politicians of any flavour (there’a a lot around my way), there’ll be a lot less of them – 650 plus over 800. That’s one I’ve used myself for those who want to abolish Holyrood “Why not get rid of Westminster, there’s more politicians there!”.

  274. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    HYUFD
    What about moral democracy Toryboy?

  275. HYUFD
    Ignored
    says:

    Thepnr Boris is no worse than Trump or Berlusconi and has like them or loathe them the latter are or have been a big presence on the world stage. The idea Scots will vote for independence based on who the Tory leader is is laughable and shows a desperation from Nats for any excuse for indyref that is absurd

  276. Dr Jim
    Ignored
    says:

    32.000 Square miles of land mass, the most productive seas in Europe, 34% of the total UK economy

    Scotland will be *just about managing* remember that phrase
    We’ll probably *be strong and stable* there’s another phrase
    Scotland will have the broad shoulders of the planet *renewable energy* never runs out, that’s why it’s called renewable, Oooh! and water water everywhere while I hear England is running out of *a drop to drink*

    Those fellas in India have a good word for it *Karma*

  277. yesindyref2
    Ignored
    says:

    @Thepnr
    Yes, that’s what I thought but I wasn’t sure. I’m not against him, all views are welcome, and the more the merrier. In iScotland they will all have their chance to put their manifestoes before the electorate, and get elected.

    @HIFUD
    Still waiting for your apology for your racist calumny and defamation on the posters of Wings. Put up, or shut up. Such ignorant assertions as yours don’t belong in civilised debate.

  278. HYUFD
    Ignored
    says:

    Dr Jim So the whole point of independence is to get some sort of ‘Karma’ one over the English after all! You let the cat out the bag

  279. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    re. the road to moral democracy.

    A Human Right to Democracy?
    https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/philosophy/people/peter/publications/a_human_right_to_democracy_peter.pdf

    The Political Morality of Liberal Democracy
    https://ndpr.nd.edu/news/the-political-morality-of-liberal-democracy/

    Kant on Citizenship and Universal Independence
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228283427_Kant_on_Citizenship_and_Universal_Independence

    Human Rights Theory, 4: Democracy Limited: The Human Right to Religious and Moral Freedom
    https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2610942

  280. ronnie anderson
    Ignored
    says:

    Sky news saying Gove would be interim PM LoL a acting PM of UK who cant vote on english laws or did they forget about EVEL

  281. Dr Jim
    Ignored
    says:

    yesindyref2 12:40am

    Tories both blue and red don’t apologise they just double down and threaten some more on the lie they originally depended on

  282. Thepnr
    Ignored
    says:

    “Thepnr Boris is no worse than Trump or Berlusconi”

    You fucking what?

    No worse than two of the most corrupt leaders the Western world has ever known. You are absolutely insane if that’s that standard of leadership you deem to be acceptable to be the leader of the UK Government.

    No wonder we want shot of you lot, not because you’re English but simply because you’re fucking mental!

    Simon, you need to get out more, go and work in a food bank for a few hours a week, help out with a homeless charity or something. I think you’ve lost all sense of perspective, a “nation” is everyone and yet you would endorse the likes of Johnson, Trump or Berlusconi as leaders.

    Simple question, do you have a modicum of empathy for the less fortunate, do you even have a soul?

  283. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    This one would have been better than the last one I chose.

    Kant’s Contribution to the Idea of Democratic Pluralism
    https://www3.nd.edu/~maritain/ama/Fuller/Fuller08.pdf

  284. K1
    Ignored
    says:

    ‘…stir it up…”

    eh?

    Remain will be on the ballot you absolute no mark. Scotland will overwhelmingly vote for Remain.

    Is there another name for this type of deluded spin?

    You are TMay and I claim my 1 pence.

  285. Dr Jim
    Ignored
    says:

    @ronnie anderson 12:44am

    Have they not noticed Gove used to be Scottish, the Tories have got a decent man in Dominic Grieve but that’s the problem with Tories they don’t want the decent ones they like the mental cases like *Chucky* no scars Gove

    The Lib Dems were going to select Jo Swinson for their next leader but changed their minds because they realised she used to be Scottish

  286. Thepnr
    Ignored
    says:

    There is no denying that the status of the UK in the eyes of the rest of the world has never been lower because of Brexit. The rest of the EU are absolutely gobsmacked at the incompetence shown by UK negotiators over these last two years.

    The commonwealth are looking in with their mouths wide open at the mess this government has made of the negotiations. The US, Russia and China are just laughing at how pathetic the UK has become. That’s why a poll showed that 90% of the UK public believed that the UK has been humiliated in our dealings with the EU.

    https://news.sky.com/story/brexit-90-say-handling-of-negotiations-is-national-humiliation-sky-data-poll-11670995

    So where now? Looks like getting rid of May is the first stop but before that we will have the “indicative votes” I really have no idea as to where they might take us but most likely away from a no deal.

    What does all this mean for a 2nd independence referendum in Scotland? Well who am I to say, but I’ll tell you this if the majority of Scots who voted the way I did in the first referendum still feel the same I see the next referendum as being a certainty.

    It will need to be resolved as it isn’t yet, we just have to wit to get this Brexshit over and then we can begin once more to campaign. We start and won’t stop, next time WE win.

  287. chicmac
    Ignored
    says:

    @HFYUD
    “K1 I know you Nats will use your eggs being overdone one morning by an English cook as an excuse for indyref2”

    Good to see your more honest stance.

    A perhaps relevant image:

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/pysaw9uk8jky7ky/FullEnglishBrexit.JPG?dl=0

  288. Dr Jim
    Ignored
    says:

    Getting rid of May is probably made up nonsense to keep the million people protesting off the front pages anyway

    See, all those people didnae happen

  289. chicmac
    Ignored
    says:

    @Thepnr
    “There is no denying that the status of the UK in the eyes of the rest of the world has never been lower because of Brexit.”

    My son in Finland told me today that one TV presenter there burst out laughing when the delay was announced.

  290. HYUFD
    Ignored
    says:

    Thepnr You may dislike them but most people know them and they are big personalities who make or made an impact on the world stage. I shall be at church in the morning and have given to homeless charities in my time not that that has anything to do with the point

  291. yesindyref2
    Ignored
    says:

    @Dr Jim
    He did indeed. He and his ilk are one of the reasons sensible and reasonable unionists are departing the scene, they don’t want to be associated with the likes of him.

  292. HYUFD
    Ignored
    says:

    Thepnr The UK was the leading soft power nation last year
    https://softpower30.com/

    If those who voted in the independence referendum still feel the same way Yes would still be on 45% and well short of a majority

  293. Brian Doonthetoon
    Ignored
    says:

    C’mon peeps, stick to the facts.

    That survey by the Office of National Statistics looked solely at NATURAL assets, not the wealth of the Scotland or the UK.

    It’s not true that “Scotland possesses 34% of UK wealth” or “34% of the total UK economy”.

    It is FACT that it was found that Scotland possessed 34% of the UK’s NATURAL assets, such as fish, wind power, water, oil and gas. It was not found that “Scotland possesses 34% of UK wealth” or “34% of the total UK economy”.

    http://archive.is/55S3Q

    Don’t give the other side ammunition!

  294. yesindyref2
    Ignored
    says:

    If pigs could fly we’d all be eating Greggs vegetarian sausage rolls.

  295. Dr Jim
    Ignored
    says:

    The UK is not a nation

    See that’s the problem with these guys no attention span or the ability to learn

  296. Thepnr
    Ignored
    says:

    HYUFD

    “I may dislike them” it has absolutely nothing to do with that.

    Belusconi got a four year sentence for tax fraud and right now he is implicated in the death of a Morrocan model.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6843093/Model-gave-evidence-Berlusconis-trial-told-sister-marked-woman-died.html

    I don’t need to say anything about Trump he says it all for himself.

  297. Brian Doonthetoon
    Ignored
    says:

    Hi Ronnie Anderson.

    Michael Gove is the MP for an English constituency.

    “He has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Surrey Heath since 2005.”

    Thus he is not subjected to EVEL, as an MP for an English constituency. It’s only MPs from Scottish constituencies that are barred.

  298. Dr Jim
    Ignored
    says:

    Are you in Glasgow tomorrow ronnie?

  299. yesindyref2
    Ignored
    says:

    Mmm, this reminds me of something I knocked up yesterday:

    D’oh, a sound you hear a lot
    Ray, you’ll not see any here
    Me, me me, the Tories say
    Far, we’ll not get far from beer
    So, so what about that deal
    La, the fingers in the ears
    Tea, you’re daft, we drink for real
    That will bring us back to d’oh (jeers jeers jeers)

    HIFUD is at the “La” stage, his “Precious Party” is going round for about the 10th time and running out of fuel.

  300. yesindyref2
    Ignored
    says:

    That was about Westminster by the way, context is everything!

  301. HYUFD
    Ignored
    says:

    Dr Jim The UK is a sovereign state made up of 3 countries and 1 province and a member of the UN

  302. HYUFD
    Ignored
    says:

    Thepnr There is no direct evidence linking Berlusconi to the death of that model. In any case he has now been eclipsed by his former coalition partner the even more populist rightwinger Matteo Salvini whose Lega Nord party leads current Italian polls

  303. Thepnr
    Ignored
    says:

    @HYUFD

    What about the tax fraud by Belusconi?

    Just a mistake like the Tory MP Chris Davies caught this week cheating his expenses? You’d forgive these robber barons anything it seems.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-47667080

  304. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    re. Belusconi and right-wing populism in Italy.

    Different Types of Right-Wing Populist Discourse in Government and Opposition: The Case of Italy

    Abstract

    Does right-wing populist discourse change when parties move from opposition to government? How do different ideological types of right-wing populist parties express this discourse? Through an analysis of the Lega Nord and Forza Italia/Popolo della Libertà between 2006 and 2013, we find that while the switch to office does bring some changes, the main elements of their populist discourse remain largely the same. We also show how their respective emphases on ‘elites’ and ‘others’ distinguish the parties: FI/PDL focuses overwhelmingly on ‘elites’ while the LN places similar emphasis on both ‘elites’ and ‘others’.

    Keywords: Populism, radical right, populist discourse, Forza Italia, Lega Nord

    https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13608746.2016.1211239

  305. yesindyref2
    Ignored
    says:

    That’s interesting, hover has stopped working on that petition map for me (firefox 52.9.0 (32-bit)). Anyone else?

  306. defo
    Ignored
    says:

    Fuddy looking ever more duddy!
    Well done the non biters.

    “but it’s no laughing party…”

  307. yesindyref2
    Ignored
    says:

    By the way, c;icking on the radio button right hand top of that map for “colour by % of constitents” gives a very different picture of colour of Scotland v rUK.

  308. Robert J. Sutherland
    Ignored
    says:

    A lot of truly great postings tonight (bar the obvious exception) while I was off watching a DVD. Thank you for that, not least the link to the latest WGD blog, which is a truly fine piece of writing. One of his very best.

    You know what? I have the feeling now that things are really on the turn. More and more people waking up to how things really are. The curtain of Oz-UK peeled back to reveal a failing crock and a sham.

    Amply supported on here by the LoDud Factor, whose panic level reached an all-time high.

  309. yesindyref2
    Ignored
    says:

    Here’s the BBC for you:

    “After a stormy week at Westminster we asked a constituional expert “what next?””.

    Constitutional expert: “MPs are going to come back next week quite fired up and quite determined to make sure we get a resolution to this by the end of the week which is not no deal”.

    Hello BBC, that’s a political opinion NOT a constitutional opinion.

    Duh’oh.

  310. Ken500
    Ignored
    says:

    More lies from the BBC. Corruption at the hard of Gov. Westminster is a world laughing stock along with their propaganda machine. £3.7Billion for absolute nonsense. Most of them should be put in jail.

    Without a free and unbiased Press. There is no Democracy. The Westminster propaganda machine. MSM owned by tax evading Non Doms illegally. Most of them should be in jail.

    Thieving, stinking liars. Killing millions of people.Getting away with murder.

    Now is the time for May to be stabbed in the back by the rest of the criminal,stinking liar.
    What a bunch of complete, useless, imbeciles. The Westminster unionists could not make a bigger mess. What a complete and utter shambles.

    Vote SNP/SNP. Vote for Independence. Get another to vote as well. It is over the line when it is the time.

    For goodness sake. They are discussing a coat. They are complete imbeciles. People are dying because of the immoral Tories and the rest. Corbyn is a liar. A useless imbecile.

  311. Robart Louis
    Ignored
    says:

    Thepnr at 0103am,

    Sorry but I disagree with your final point. Scotland cannot wait until brexit is over before going for independence. Why? because it is abundantly clear it won’t be over for many many years. Even if mad theresa’s deal were passed, their would still be two whole years at the very least of wrangling over trade deals etc..in which Scotland would have no voice. Do you seriously think this schism within the Tory and Labour parties will go away??

    No, the First Minister needs to announce indyref soon – I think she herself indicated within a few days, or lose all credibility. As I pointed out many times last year, their will NEVER be a ‘perfect time’, events will always be changing. That is the nature of politics. For example, last year, everybody thought the deal would be done by October, then it was definitely by January at the very latest, and so on, and on, and on. This is how it will be. Their is no end.

    Scotland needs out of this crock of sh*t ASAP. It is, in case you haven’t noticed, urgent.

    I genuinely think that if NS announced that indyref would need to wait until brexit is all over, she would be roundly mocked, and would never again be taken seriously. And the SNP would lose lots of support.

    We can sit twiddling our thumbs until the end of time, waiting for Westminster to sort itself out, shouting from the touchlines, or the First Minister can call indy ref, and let Scotland move on. People are crying out for it.

  312. Robert Louis
    Ignored
    says:

    Thepnr at 0103am,

    Sorry but I disagree with your final point. Scotland cannot wait until brexit is over before going for independence. Why? because it is abundantly clear it won’t be over for many many years. Even if mad theresa’s deal were passed, their would still be two whole years at the very least of wrangling over trade deals etc..in which Scotland would have no voice. Do you seriously think this schism within the Tory and Labour parties will go away??

    No, the First Minister needs to announce indyref soon – I think she herself indicated within a few days, or lose all credibility. As I pointed out many times last year, their will NEVER be a ‘perfect time’, events will always be changing. That is the nature of politics. For example, last year, everybody thought the deal would be done by October, then it was definitely by January at the very latest, and so on, and on, and on. This is how it will be. Their is no end.

    Scotland needs out of this crock of sh*t ASAP. It is, in case you haven’t noticed, urgent.

    I genuinely think that if NS announced that indyref would need to wait until brexit is all over, she would be roundly mocked, and would never again be taken seriously. And the SNP would lose lots of support.

    We can sit twiddling our thumbs until the end of time, waiting for Westminster to sort itself out, shouting from the touchlines, or the First Minister can call indy ref, and let Scotland move on. People are crying out for it.

  313. Essexexile
    Ignored
    says:

    Good morning Ken500
    Just wondering if you talk like you post, machine gun style!? Reminds me of London cabbies. Have a good day.
    Yesindyref2, yes, that was the version of the map I was originally commenting on. Pretty even spread except maybe the hardcore UKIP NE England and surprisingly Northern Ireland. Anyway, nearly 5 million now. Have a good Sunday.

  314. joxkmcx
    Ignored
    says:

    brexit won’nt end for a long long time!

    lab/con will end sooner!

    uk is alreadyy ended!

    They woke up the peeople down south …big mistake!

  315. jockmcx
    Ignored
    says:

    brexit won’nt end for a long long time!

    lab/con will end sooner!

    uk is alreadyy ended!

    They woke up the peeople down south …big mistake!

  316. Heart of Galloway
    Ignored
    says:

    Robert Louis @7.35am.
    Are you suggesting that the SNP’s strategy of waiting until UK Gov – I include the DUP – has been utterly exposed as a nasty cocktail of bigots, buffoons and the downright deranged is the wrong one?

    That the FM’s strategy of backing EU Ref 2 as a means of bringing onside the former No voters we need to win IR2 is the wrong one?

    That consistently sanctioning the SNP leader in the HoC to repeatedly stress that ‘Scotland will not be dragged out of the EU against its will’ is the wrong one?

    I said before that when Nicola Sturgeon pulls the trigger she will go ‘all in’ for Scotland’s place in Europe.

    It will be a wonderful sight to behold. And the world will look on and say ‘at last Scotland, at last you have found your voice.’

  317. ronnie anderson
    Ignored
    says:

    Bdtt I stand corrected Brian on Gove .

    Dr Jim I meet up with Bdtt & Pete the Camera in the Counting House 12 of the clock I’ll be wearing the Wings Tammy, thereafter G/S & Dow’s .

  318. Patrick Roden
    Ignored
    says:

    What Nicola needs is the people who voted to remain in Scotland, to feel that she is representing them.

    Both the Tories and Labour are clearly failing to do so, so Nicola being on this march is showing previous No voters who are having serious misgivings about their future, that there is someone speaking up for them.

    Hopefully the trickle of people who have been indicating they have switched from voting No in the last referendum to now voting Yes because of brexit, will begin to turn into a flood, as people realize just how badly effected their lives will be by the incompetence of the Westminster system.

    Westminster has conned a lot of Scots into believing that those who work for ‘Her Majesties Government’ are very clever people, but looking at some of the pish Craig Murray comes out with should inform any reader that this is simply not the case.

  319. Nana
    Ignored
    says:

    Some legal advice even has it that whoever is PM has executive power to revoke A50 – though this is disputed legally… and would seem politically very difficult…

    https://twitter.com/faisalislam/status/1109738724991123457

    Brexit: the last hurrah
    http://eureferendum.com/blogview.aspx?blogno=87185

    Britain is drowning itself in nostalgia
    http://archive.is/Lisup

    Watch while it’s still available
    Remastered : The Miami showband massacre
    https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/80191046

  320. mr thms
    Ignored
    says:

    Article 50 has 5 parts, by waiting to trigger Article 50 in March 2017 the PM knew a request for an extension would not only postpone ‘exit day’ and prevent a ‘no deal’ Brexit on the 29th March, it would also prevent the EU from having to amending any of its treaties, allow the UK to participate in elections for the European parliament and park the ‘Withdrawal Agreement’ until 20xx.

    Watching both Labour and Tory parties trying to agree a manifesto for the EU elections should be fun. Eventually they will need to reveal the kind of relationship they want the UK to have with the EU.

    I hope they remember to include “special arrangements’ for Scotland.

    If not then, the FM will not need to wait for a Brexit deal to hold an independence referendum.

  321. highseastim
    Ignored
    says:

    Aye Nana, watched the Miami Showband Massacre last night, it’s disgusting and repulsive what the Thatcher government was up too, and all the time in denial, sacrificing MI5 agents to keep things under wraps.

    On another note has Murdo Fraser been on Twitter yet, as we all know how he likes to “whinge and moan” about delays to anything??

  322. ronnie anderson
    Ignored
    says:

    Nana time & again Blackrock ( Marshall/Gove piece ) is mentioned in many references to Brexit & Westminster politicians , the american influence is well imbedded in british politicians bought & payed for.

  323. Nana
    Ignored
    says:

    Joanna Cherry: Halting Brexit won’t affect our independence mandate
    http://archive.is/uUfPO

    Full Scottish programme starts at 12:00 on Sunday 24th March 2019

    On the Full Scottish this week, Corri is joined by guests, Chris Stephens MP and Ellen Hoefer to talk about the big stories in the week’s news.
    https://www.broadcastingscotland.scot/full-scottish-24-03-2019/

  324. Nana
    Ignored
    says:

    Morning highseastim, it’s a pretty damning programme. I found myself thinking about Willie McRae throughout as well as a few other ‘mysterious deaths’ over the years. The UKgov, MI5 and the rest are fit for anything.

    Morning Ronnie, indeed Ronnie and has been the case for a very long time.

  325. Hamish100
    Ignored
    says:

    On BBC Radio Scotchland Professor Hazel of UCL refers to HM Bettie’s need to remain impartial. So why did she become partial during Indyref1?

    Simple, she is the establishment of the UK state.

  326. ronnie anderson
    Ignored
    says:

    Sunday mornings musings .

    Surely its not beyond the wit of Biscuit manufacturers to come up with a biscuit called Brexcuit , something that holds its form after ah good dipping in the Tea cup.

    In out in out shake it all about

    All set for another week of bams bamboozlement folks .

  327. Hamish100
    Ignored
    says:

    Nicola Sturgeon First Minister of Scotland on BBC Marr this morning

  328. Breeks
    Ignored
    says:


    Patrick Roden says:
    24 March, 2019 at 9:04 am
    What Nicola needs is the people who voted to remain in Scotland, to feel that she is representing them….

    Sinn Féin voters feel adequately represented when their MP’s don’t even take their seats in Westminster because they reject Westminster as their legitimate government.

    Scottish Independence supporters meantime have a Scottish government setting Scotland’s Constitutional principles to one side in order to champion a UK campaign to save the UK from its delusional “British” nostalgia and bestial xenophobia and in so doing, deny Scotland all benefit stemming from the perfect Constitutional storm which Scotland’s sovereign and democratic rejection of Brexit represents.

    Frankly, I’m floating somewhere in the middle, but that “middle” is a damn site nearer Sinn Féin’s position, and several nautical miles from the SNP’s.

  329. Ottomanboi
    Ignored
    says:

    @Breeks 10:00
    So right. The SNP leadership perspective on this matter is too close to that of the Unionist state.
    Saving Britannia from her follies is not our concern. However, there are rather too many SNPers reluctant to shed the British label: nostalgia, amnesia or the beginnings of a Fine Gael/Fianna Fáil dichotomy.
    But then i’m a subversive extremist troll and would say that…..tee hee!

  330. Bobp
    Ignored
    says:

    Ottomanboi. Whit! Ye mean your not an agent provocateur.lol.

  331. Hamish100
    Ignored
    says:

    David mundell unable to be interviewed again on tele. What an absolute coward he is.
    Labours shadow SosSS Laird believes we need to Brexit. The Westminster colonial arrangements for all to see. Ignore Scotland

    We then have exLabour MP Harris but really a Tory repeating that proposed indicative votes are not compulsory. So the Tories can ignore any such vote in the commons. He basically sides with the Tory MP’s in Scotland.

    Since he headed up Brexit Leave in Scotland you would think he should have remembered the the brexit referendum was actually advisory.

    The Unionists are dangerous for Scotland.

  332. Liz g
    Ignored
    says:

    Breeks @ 10.06
    Aw Breeks… even you must see that even if Brexit were cancelled tomorrow,the Campaign for it is not going to go away.
    To try to stop any damage to Scotland is the right thing to do…. Every time…. that’s not getting on board with the British State as you seem to be suggesting.
    If, infact the ” SNP “led Campaign is successful and the UK stay in the EU,the EU rules and laws will apply to Westminster during Indy Ref 2… That’s a good thing for us!
    ALso
    Keeping no deal out and getting a deal in initiates a transition period,which still binds Westminster to EU laws again a good thing for us.
    Are you seriously suggesting that the Scottish government don’t try for any of those outcomes?
    Our Government, much as we don’t like it IS in the Westminster system and shouldn’t be sitting back in the huff letting that system do it’s worst.

    Brext is not going to go away.
    If it’s cancelled Scotland will be living under the threat of it from the English voters for decades.The damage to the Union is already done.
    Half the British Media,a great deal of their parliament and a lot,a very lot, of their voters will keep pushing to leave the EU. During Indy Ref 2 there is going to be nowhere to hide that fact,and the Yes Campaign are not going to never stop pointing to it.
    They are not going to “Vow” to stay in Europe,(although they should be asked if they would be willing to do so at every opportunity,to head off the actual vow they will try to make as falling short of a reason to stay 🙂 ) politically they can’t.They will be stuck with a Union half their country don’t want and that half have a media!
    They cannot hide or deny that Scotland’s democratic deficit leaves us at risk of having to go through losing our EU membership all over again.
    Getting them to stay also puts a stop to the “being run from Europe” jibes as they have just choose them selves to do exactly that or choose to be a “rule taker” for a few years and with the backstop possibly forever!
    We can quite rightly argue we don’t propose to be a rule taker we are going to be in there making them.
    Once they are tied to a deal whatever it looks like we can pull it apart and it will be extremely pullable 🙂

    It’s any potential damage to Indy from an unrestrained (no deal) Westminster that needs to be killed off…And killed off now!
    And Nicola and her team should have our support while they try!

  333. K1
    Ignored
    says:

    So long as Scotland voted to stay part of the UK, Nicola has to fight Scotland’s corner wrt to EU ‘people’s vote’, it’s not at all anything to do with ‘up keeping’ UK construct, I could see that argument might have a smidgeon of relevance ‘if’ we had voted Yes in 2014.

    We didn’t and are therefore still part of the UK. Jesus fucking wept guys, stop pushing a false and quite frankly absurd narrative wrt to the SNP’s position on this matter.

    Paradoxically it’s those who are pushing this narrative who seem unable to comprehend and respect the 2014 result, I’m not happy about that either but I’m not for turning on the FM and the SNP because of it, especially at this critical time.

    This is a ‘live’ set of circumstances that we in the midst of and the dust has not settled by any means, whilst I can understand the frustration and impatience, it’s neither helpful nor constructive to set the indy movement against the FM and the SNP at this time. In fact it’s downright irresponsible imv to be pushing this line of criticism.

    Hold, hold, fucking just hold.

  334. Patrick Roden
    Ignored
    says:

    Scotland voted No unfortunately, so Nicola helping to save saving Britain from Brexit, is also saving Scotland.

    She is showing real leadership at a time when others are failing to do so.

    As I said, almost every day now, a few people who say they voted No in indyref1, have been coming one twitter saying that they have had enough, and will now be voting Yes, as a result of the mess that Westminster has made of Brexit.

    The very last thing Nicola should be doing right now is hiding in the shadows like Jeremy Corbyn, she needs to be in the media showing strong leadership and a coherent political position.

    As several people mentioned above, she has been at several independence marches and is clearly committed to the cause, but sometimes you have to see the bigger picture which is that while the media have been trying to denigrate her as not getting on with the day job, what people are actually now seeing clearly with their own eyes, that when the chips are down, May and Corbyn have lacked leadership, Jackson/Davidson, Leonard, and Rennie have been nowhere, while Nicola has been repeatedly described as the only political leader in the UK who knows what she is talking about.

    The channel 4/Sky thing recently when they re-hashed the currency question was clearly done under instruction because the powers that be in Westminster aren’t so daft as to not understand that indyref2 will soon be triggered and that the way the SNP have repeatedly attempted to negotiate with the Prime Minister to ensure she understands Scotland’s particular needs, along with how they have been ignored and denigrated by her and the rest of her colleagues, will be a powerful weapon that will be used against the Westminster establishment, when the debates begin about how Scotland is effected by Brexit.

  335. Breeks
    Ignored
    says:

    I guess then, that’s the watershed that divides us.

    For me, saving Scotland from Brexit means exiting the UK Union on a Constitutional Sovereignty ticket before we suffer the catastrophe of Brexit, and put ourselves permanently beyond the reach of Westminster and under the protective umbrella of the EU. That’s what Independence literally delivers, and gets delivered in return.

    For you guys, saving Scotland from Brexit means saving the UK from Brexit, and forfeiting a whole battery of Constitutional anomalies which put Scotland in one Constitutional position and the rest of the U.K. in another. In my opinion these irreconcilable differences should be exposed and conflated, not conceded and acquiesced to without so much as a cross word…. I don’t understand. You’ve lost me. I’ll have to let you explain the logic of that strategy… although I warn you I probably won’t be listening.

    I lifted this of Twitter this morning. Don’t know him from Adam, but found his question poignant.

    @AaronBastani
    Watching @theSNP edge away from independence is fascinating.
    Sturgeon is a great leader for a European country, but gaining independence for a nation requires a different set of skills. Question is how those who want #indyref2 will respond while gently being sold a pup.

  336. Hamish100
    Ignored
    says:

    Patrick Roden and Liz g correct on all points.

  337. Tony Hay
    Ignored
    says:

    Mr Bastani is no friend of the yes movement in general and the FM inparticular,he has a dog in the fight but as sure as hell it’s not our dog.

  338. Bobp
    Ignored
    says:

    K1 12.39pm. Good thoughtful post. I’m just as guilty at times of getting frustrated and impatient.

  339. Lenny Hartley
    Ignored
    says:

    Breeks the difference is that we are realistic,

  340. Cubby
    Ignored
    says:

    Breeks@1.16pm

    Posting that last paragraph from Bastani is a poor choice by you.

  341. Macart
    Ignored
    says:

    @Patrick Roden and K1

    Just playing catch up, but pretty much and well said.

    @Nana

    Good catches on the Joanna Cheery piece, Business for Scotland and the Holyrood mag. Worth reading. 🙂

  342. Petra
    Ignored
    says:

    I’ve had a lovely weekend away (pressie for my birthday) and I’m now trying to catch up. I see that the usual suspects are dissing Nicola Sturgeon / the SNP with the last three posts (Liz, K1 and Patrick) addressing that issue to great effect, so not much more for me to add.

    However, I’m trying to make sense of your posts, Breeks. If I had to choose just one person on here who has been seen to have been absolutely terrified of Scotland being dragged out of the EU, it’s you Breeks with your … tick tock, tick tock … and yet when Nicola Sturgeon does her utmost to deal with the situation you’re still complaining. No need to worry. As already pointed out, no matter what happens now Scotland will be dissolving the Union. Then you’ll be a happy chappie, eh??

  343. Macart
    Ignored
    says:

    ‘Joanna Cheery’…. 😀 LOL

    Sometimes typing quickly can be a right pain when you look back on a comment. Other times… 🙂

  344. cearc
    Ignored
    says:

    There is no possible upside to having a failed state next door.

  345. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    @AaronBastani
    “Watching @theSNP edge away from independence is fascinating”.

    Watching the SNP adopt an adult approach to Brexit is reassuring. Watching @theTories undermine Britain’s democracy and economic survival is terrifying. Where are British Labour?

    “Sturgeon is a great leader for a European country, but gaining independence for a nation requires a different set of skills.”

    Like what, asymmetrical guerilla warfare? It is easy to be a poser of questions but do you have any answers?

    “Question is how those who want #indyref2 will respond while gently being sold a pup”.

    Are we though, or are the SNP allowing the British state to destroy itself completely, before delivering the killer blow? Bruce Lee style.

    Critical Leadership Studies
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280091046_Critical_Leadership_Studies

    Leadership Theory: Cultivating Critical Perspectives
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313875849_Leadership_Theory_Cultivating_Critical_Perspectives

    Critical Perspectives on Leadership: The Language of Corporate Power
    https://www.crcpress.com/Critical-Perspectives-on-Leadership-The-Language-of-Corporate-Power/Learmonth-Morrell/p/book/9781138093997

    Understanding the Trait Theory of Leadership
    Can certain traits predict your leadership success?

    https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-trait-theory-of-leadership-2795322

  346. K1
    Ignored
    says:

    Sometimes ah think you’re the mad guy who breaks the front line out of sheer fear and panic, runs forward only to trip over a clod of grass and land heid first intae a boulder fatally ending yer life.

    And everyone else just holds the line, shakin’ their heid’s at yer obvious folly.

  347. Petra
    Ignored
    says:

    @ Cubby says at 1:45 pm …. ”Breeks – Posting that last paragraph from Bastani is a poor choice by you.”

    It seems that Breeks is becoming increasingly desperate and you have to wonder at his motives for continually doing his utmost to discredit the ONLY people who are in a position to get us out of this horrendous Union. If he can think of anyone else who can do so, maybe he could let us all know. Additionally the ”sovereignty line” that he keeps pushing on here, being used to gaslight people imo, smacks of someone suffering from, to say the very least, delusions of grandeur. I mean to say, Nicola Sturgeon is in touch with numerous Constitutional experts (plus those that she has no contact with) all of whom I would imagine know a great deal more than Breeks and yet there’s not been as much as a ”smidgen” from any of them that concurs with anything that he has had to say on the subject. That’s not to say that it’s not a route that they might consider taking when the time is right for us to do so, but IF that’s the case they’re keeping schtum about it for now. Maybe he should / could think of doing so too?

  348. Graf Midgehunter
    Ignored
    says:

    @ Cameron B Brodie

    I was reading an article in the “Der Spiegel” with an interview by British anthropologist Richard Wrangham which dealt in part with aggression and domination.

    To me it seemed to indicate that behaviour in Westminster with regard to Brexit is similar to that of chimpanzees whereas Holyrood tends to emulate Bonobo behaviour, they look the same as human beings but poles apart in human behaviour.

    http://www.spiegel.de/international/interview-with-anthropologist-richard-wrangham-a-1259252.html

    BTW, keep coming with the links..! 🙂

  349. yesindyref2
    Ignored
    says:

    @Breeks
    Are you seriously quoting @AaronBastani?

    Wanna try Leonard next, Corbyn or even Murray? Maybe Gordon Brown?

  350. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    Graf Midgehunter
    That’s a good analogy as there is a significant cultural distinction between Scots and English, in terms of world view and approach to individualism and comuniterianism. The way we practice these differences is obviously a little less ‘energetic’ than our primate cousins. 😉


    Brexit Will Not Solve Anything

    The Brexit vote reflects a brewing discontent among citizens of the United Kingdom who hoped for more economic prosperity and greater independence. Unfortunately, those are unlikely outcomes.

    https://www.sapiens.org/culture/brexit-will-not-solve-anything/

  351. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    I’m pretty sure I’ve already posted this one. One thing is for certain though, it wasn’t Scotland’s social media that delivered the full-English Brexit.

    The heritage of Brexit: Roles of the past in the construction of political identities through social media

    Abstract

    This article assesses the role of the pre-modern past in the construction of political identities relating to the UK’s membership in the European Union by examining how materials and ideas from Iron Age to Early Medieval Britain and Europe were leveraged by those who discussed the topic of Brexit in over 1.4 million messages published in dedicated Facebook pages. Through a combination of data-intensive and qualitative investigations of textual data, we identify the ‘heritages’ invoked in support of pro- or anti-Brexit sentiments. We show how these heritages are centred around myths of origins, resistance and collapse that incorporate tensions and binary divisions. We highlight the strong influence of past expert practices in shaping such deeply entrenched dualistic thinking and reflect over the longue durée agency of heritage expertise.

    This is the first systematic study of public perceptions and experience of the past in contemporary society undertaken through digital heritage research fuelled by big data. As such, the article contributes novel methodological approaches and substantially advances theory in cultural heritage studies. It is also the first published work to analyse the role of heritage in the construction of political identities in relation to Brexit via extensive social research.

    Keywords Digital heritage, political identities, Brexit, imperialism, big data, Roman, pre-Roman, Medieval

    https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1469605318759713

  352. Liz g
    Ignored
    says:

    Breeks @ 1.16
    Sorry had to leave for the Glasgow Rally…
    Anyhoo.
    Why on earth should it divide us?
    Do you really want Nicola to do as Corbin is doing and give the Torries a free run at this?
    You could say “well they wanted us in this bloody union and by Lucifer they’ve got us for now, and they’ll know it”!
    Try looking at it Like that and see how different it play’s!

    Like it or not,we are always going to be affected by what Westminster does,even after Indy…. And them us…that’s geography,and no Constitution can legislate that away!
    Anyhoo…
    They best learn now that we will not sit back and leave them to get on with it.To do that would be deference to the Westminster system … Aye…
    This is so not about saving the UK to live unhappily even after in….This is infact,as best as can be currently managed,Geopolitical,as in,using what influence and leverage you have to nudge another country towards your own interests.

    You may be best served Breeks to reconcile yourself to the fact that we cannot have and should not want Fortress Scotland.
    But you can console your self with the knowing that the Scottish government is moving the pieces in to place to be the most internationally credible of the two Countries on this island!
    The “clout” they spoke of in 2014,well, Nicola seems to be making sure that’s coming wi us…..

  353. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    I’ve been doing a bit of thinking and a binary referendum question really is a poor basis on which to implement drastic constitutional change. I’d much prefer Scotland gained independence following a general election manifesto pledge. More opportunity to consider the issue in depth, but I think folk already know how I feel on that issue. Only an opinion, I do have others. 🙂

    Obviously. Brexit is democratically immoral from Scotland’s perspective. Anyone know if the Church of Scotland are still British nationalists?

  354. Brian Doonthetoon
    Ignored
    says:

    Hi CameronB Brodie at 8:44 pm.

    You typed,
    “I’ve been doing a bit of thinking and a binary referendum question really is a poor basis on which to implement drastic constitutional change. I’d much prefer Scotland gained independence following a general election manifesto pledge.”

    I feel it in meh wattir that Nicola and the SNP have a fallback position that they will use Maggie’s mantra from the 80s – the Scots don’t need an independence referendum – all they have to do is return a majority of Scottish MPs to Westminster who are pro-independence.

    Game over!

  355. CameronB Brodie
    Ignored
    says:

    Brian Doonthetoon
    Easy peasy. Game over. Let’s get on with our lives. 😉

  356. Liz g
    Ignored
    says:

    Brian doonthetoon @ 10.45
    While I agree with you that the General Election is potentially the fall back position.
    Wouldn’t it be amazing if Nicola just announced that the next UK General Election was going to be an Independence one for us 🙂
    No expensive Court cases, and the best bit… apparently every General Election takes place with a section 30 order 🙂
    It would surely set the Cat among the Pigeons if she did…
    Also what it would do is to set a date without setting a date.. especially a date that they would try to bury, they cannot recommend a boycott and they can’t channel all their funds to the British Nationalist parties in Scotland…
    Yes would know exactly when to start campaigning..
    The Westminster lot would never take the train up here they would be too busy trying to save their own arses in London!!
    While it would be a real shame to have to exclude the Young and the EU Scots … the 2015 General Election proved it’s achievable…. And then they will always have their say!!!
    I could so live with that as an option…

  357. Breeks
    Ignored
    says:


    yesindyref2 says:
    24 March, 2019 at 5:32 pm
    @Breeks
    Are you seriously quoting @AaronBastani?

    Wanna try Leonard next, Corbyn or even Murray? Maybe Gordon Brown?

    How about Alistair Campbell? Seems to be with the “in” crowd.

  358. Cactus
    Ignored
    says:

    That should do it for the night NOW AitrUK

    Oliver thinks

    But does or did he know

  359. Cactus
    Ignored
    says:

    There may be Anarchy in the rUK, but you can’t keep the night away

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9NM-yK1C2I

    “Never b4 has a boy wanted more”

  360. Cactus
    Ignored
    says:

    May aye PLAY THIS one again please

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8xeStLTnhM

    Tis but one of the elements

  361. Cactus
    Ignored
    says:

    Aye might just keep doing this, if you don’t mind Wingers, not that aye care, but aye really do and music can do SO much for you

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1Ck42-_btY

    Just gotta listen

  362. Cactus
    Ignored
    says:

    Ah guess that can ONLY be followed by Nick & the Co.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnHoqHscTKE

    Whom else

  363. Cactus
    Ignored
    says:

    Every thing begins wae Spring

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRxofEmo3HA

    Lifting it back up b4 4

  364. Breeks
    Ignored
    says:


    yesindyref2 says:
    24 March, 2019 at 5:32 pm
    @Breeks
    Are you seriously quoting @AaronBastani?

    Wanna try Leonard next, Corbyn or even Murray? Maybe Gordon Brown?

    Well, well, well, look what I found on Craig Marray’s blog…

    “Reply ?
    yesindyref2
    March 24, 2019 at 04:02
    Everyone is entitled to their views. Nobody is entitled to tell anyone else what their views should be.”

    Away and shut your puss you two faced hypocrite.

  365. Cactus
    Ignored
    says:

    Marnin’ Bonnie Scotland and beyond, oh what ah FUN day yesterday… looks like ah’ve ruffled a few feathers next door, GOOD, cause we wullnae WIN the GAME if yer sittin’ on yer hauns saying nothing, BE outraged, express yerself, it is a necessary component to gettin’ Indy, THIS next tune features John Bull on a sledge…

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIz3klPET3o

    The above is cliff-edge Brexit in motion

  366. Cactus
    Ignored
    says:

    Get yerselves battered intae the current main article y’all, ah wullnae bother ye’s the day… well until laters maybe 😉

    Hey, this auld ZX spectrum game came back tae me just there, wow!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gK5jOenOALI

    “That’s the difference, between whisky and you” said Chris
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bU3awqJ-GY

    Keep venting adventurers

  367. yesindyref2
    Ignored
    says:

    @Breeks
    If you want to quote someone who seems to be a Labour party member Corbynite Brexiteer SNP-hater to support your apparent cause of desperation to remain in the EU, on you go!



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