We’ve never been able to actually confirm the oft-cited “quote” from Margaret Thatcher suggesting that the SNP winning a majority of Scottish seats at a UK election would constitute a mandate for independence, but here’s a verified more recent one from a then-serving Conservative PM.
“[John] Major has made it clear that a majority of SNP MPs after an election would serve as a mandate to begin negotiations for separation. There are no plans to hold a referendum”, said former Thatcher minister and party chairman Norman Tebbit a few months before the 1997 election.
It was a position the Tories held right up to 2010 – the last election at which the SNP didn’t win a majority of Scottish seats, at which point the goalposts magically shifted. Now, of course, the rule is that a majority of MPs doesn’t count, but you also can’t have a referendum.
Scotland is a prisoner without hope of parole. Time for a breakout.
We couldn’t help but raise a quizzical eyebrow at this assertion from SNP MP Pete Wishart in today’s Sunday National.
It was said in the specific context of securing a second indyref in 2020, and since such a referendum has NOT in fact been secured – and looks extremely unlikely to be – we wondered which other definition of “success” might be being used to justify the claim.
The 2010s end in a matter of hours, and everyone and their genderfluid dog is writing retrospectives of the 10 years just past. This site, which came into existence in the second year of the decade, has very little interest in following suit – we’ve always been about the future.
But a cursory glance over the shoulder does reveal one immediately striking fact that’s worthy of passing note.
We got blocked by LBC’s James O’Brien today for very gently and politely challenging him over this tweet:
And while this site most assuredly carries no torch for Jeremy Corbyn, it’s a reframing of reality that merits a bit of investigation for what it tells us about the UK media.
Captain Caveman on Anything But That: “LOL @ “fearsome jobbies” 😀 Yup, unfortunately raw seafood is the most perishable substance known to man, if shellfish are…” Sep 3, 10:51
Minceheid on Anything But That: “Hatey McHateface says: 3 September, 2026 at 9:52 am MH 8:47 Cleared your plate, eh? Thicko twat numpty. Ye’re nae…” Sep 3, 10:29
Alf Baird on Anything But That: ““There needs to be a cogent, logical and factual argument as to the benefits and drawbacks of independence, presented to…” Sep 3, 10:27
Spartan 117 on Anything But That: “Well, yes. This is the problem. There needs to be a cogent, logical and factual argument as to the benefits…” Sep 3, 10:02
Hatey McHateface on Anything But That: “Agreed 100% Considering how much worse things are in the UK and Scotland than they were the last time, this…” Sep 3, 09:57
Spartan 117 on Anything But That: “Indeed, Call Me Dave campaigned for Remain (which was the official Government policy of the time) and promptly scarpered when…” Sep 3, 09:56
Hatey McHateface on Anything But That: “MH 8:47 Cleared your plate, eh? Thicko twat numpty. Ye’re nae meant tae eat the shell 🙂” Sep 3, 09:52
Hatey McHateface on Anything But That: “Mussels thrive in polluted, shitty water, rapidly converting the effluent into succulent, delicious seafood. The trick, if you wish to…” Sep 3, 09:48
Rob on Anything But That: “It is this sort of conspiracy led guff that turns folk away from independence. The only way to get another…” Sep 3, 09:42
James Che on Anything But That: “At the time of the treaty of union in 1707, England as a Country not have a written Constitution, At…” Sep 3, 09:41
factchecker on Anything But That: “Good Lord, James Che, where to start? Perhaps a simple, demonstrable piece of rubbish. “Perhaps we should keep re running…” Sep 3, 09:23
James Che on Anything But That: “Scotland as the only other Country in the treaty of union if ot a hoax that created the Great Britain…” Sep 3, 08:54
Minceheid on Anything But That: “Captain Caveman says: 3 September, 2026 at 7:44 am @Dan I can see your point to a degree. I was…” Sep 3, 08:47
James Che on Anything But That: “When you know your elections have been interfered with and are told they were openly. Then those results are not…” Sep 3, 08:37
James Che on Anything But That: “It is an interesting scenario that Scots keep getting what did not vote for, but being told they did vote…” Sep 3, 08:21
Captain Caveman on Anything But That: “*Sorry – meant to say only eat oysters, mussels etc. when then *IS* an R in the month (i.e. autumn,…” Sep 3, 08:17
James Che on Anything But That: “Who do we vote for in Scotland,? It appears does not matter much anymore, as we don’t get to count…” Sep 3, 07:58
Captain Caveman on Anything But That: “@Dan I can see your point to a degree. I was always told not to eat bivalves like oysters, clams…” Sep 3, 07:44
Young Lochinvar on Anything But That: “I Assuming that is that you are actually on X..” Sep 2, 22:47
DaveL on Anything But That: “It doesn’t say much for me except ‘give us a pound’.” Sep 2, 21:23
Young Lochinvar on Anything But That: “P Couldn’t read it all as I don’t and won’t subscribe to the Tories favourite comic. And let’s be honest;…” Sep 2, 21:20
Young Lochinvar on Anything But That: “S Good stuff, need to pop over and see it.” Sep 2, 21:11
Phil on Anything But That: “This says it all. https://spectator.com/article/when-will-scottish-nationalists-come-clean-about-devolution/” Sep 2, 21:07
Young Lochinvar on Anything But That: “CC/ Dan Haven’t been fishing Wolf Clyde this year as Mrs YL has been poorly (but improving). I really miss…” Sep 2, 20:16
Dan on Anything But That: “@ CC Sod eating quite so many molluscs that will be filtering and capturing so much of the effluent and…” Sep 2, 19:45
Hatey McHateface on Anything But That: “I thought one of the purposes of AI data centres is to eventually route everything you try to do online…” Sep 2, 18:18
twathater on Anything But That: “TURABDIN how dare you insult a magnificent depiction of history, next you will be saying that it is nothing but…” Sep 2, 18:10
Hatey McHateface on Anything But That: “I’ve met a few Normans in my time and every one was a busturt so yes, send them back. Daves…” Sep 2, 18:10
Captain Caveman on Anything But That: “East End Essex here. 🙂 Never done jellied eels, pie and mash is OK but wouldn’t seek it out. Always…” Sep 2, 17:22
