This poll from Opinium came out a few days ago, but didn’t get as much attention as people might normally have expected, possibly because it was presented in a very difficult-to-follow graphical form. So we’ve sorted it out, and also added in the missing Lib Dem voters.
The takeaway is that a clear majority of voters both in Scotland and the UK now believe that the UK government should accept the Scottish Government’s request for a second independence referendum.
We thought readers might possibly like to hear the unexpurgated audio of our interview with The Times this week, so that they could judge the tone of our “expletive-ridden condemnations” and whatnot for themselves.
Other than a few bits of minor tidying-up – such as me umming and aahing trying to remember the name of a song, or when the manager came round to ask if we wanted more drinks – this is the whole of the “official” interview.
(In conversation with Kenny Farquharson of The Times, 1 August 2019) .
The interview was an interesting one in itself that we might talk more about later this weekend, but let’s leave that aside for now and talk about the headline take, because as usual the Scottish media is presenting it in a remarkably dishonest manner.
In case you missed it, there was an interesting phone-in on the subject of Scottish independence on James O’Brien’s LBC radio show from 10am this morning. I chipped my tuppence-worth in at the start (I’m the second caller, from about 6m 25s), but it’s fascinating listening to O’Brien’s tone evolve as the hour-long segment goes on.
(James O’Brien, LBC, 7 August 2019) .
We don’t doubt for a moment the sincerity and good intent with which he states his position. But when he talks in the intro about the special feelings he has when he’s in Scotland, which he also gets in Greece, the whole argument collapses.
Because O’Brien doesn’t appear to need to feel that he “owns” Greece, or that he’s a Greek citizen, to have that warmth towards it. He doesn’t need the people of England to elect Greece’s governments for it – he’s happy to have those feelings towards a completely independent country. So why not about an independent Scotland?
(Sadly I was cut off before I got a chance to respond to his point about Germany and its federal regions, which would have been to point out that no one German region is six times bigger than all the others put together and can – and does – impose its will on them whenever it wants.)
And much to his credit he appears to realise that as the show goes on. Whether he still thinks deep down that the Scottish independence movement is in significant part driven by anti-Englishness, only he can say. But his callers today at least appear to have made him think about it, and it’s a process worth listening to.
It’s our most fervent wish that one day the left will grasp the fact that this isn’t how you win a war.
It’s also our most abiding fear that this – with its stern admonitions against clapping, or banner-waving, or speaking to anyone who might disagree with you, or taking “fun shortcuts” or wearing “aggressive scents”, in case any of those things cause trauma to the sensitive – might as well be the SNP conference of 2022.
Alert readers will notice, however, that for some inexplicable reason the graph ends more than a year ago, in July 2018, with Davidson’s rating still at a very healthy 54% – some three and a half times what it is now. So we’ve fixed it for them.
2 August 2018: Ruth Davidson is the second most popular Tory with party members surveyed by Conservative Home, and regularly spoken of by the press as a potential future Prime Minister.
Hatey McHateface on Binfire Of The Vanities: “Please don’t tell us it’s an electric one made in China. Then again, how could it be a diesel one…” May 5, 17:37
Young Lochinvar on Binfire Of The Vanities: “HMcH @ 5.06 Is that it? Lordy, you’re losing it “old boy”, remand coming up again is it? As long…” May 5, 17:33
Hatey McHateface on Binfire Of The Vanities: ““we are to believe that the Alliance to Liberate Scotland Party is to make an immediate impact” FFS, x. Why…” May 5, 17:28
agentx on Binfire Of The Vanities: “I see Swinney has been using a great big SNP battle coach for campaigning. It makes you wonder why a…” May 5, 17:24
Hatey McHateface on Binfire Of The Vanities: ““a vote to extinguish the Scots as a people” I thought you’d be in favour of that, Northy. Surely, as…” May 5, 17:23
Hatey McHateface on Binfire Of The Vanities: ““actually 4 to 5 % of indy supporters tend to vote reform” Surely, it’s 4.539 % so why don’t you…” May 5, 17:19
Hatey McHateface on Binfire Of The Vanities: ““It isn’t the religion of peace invading other countries spreading tyranny, hunger, petulance, famine & death” Aw naw, spitting dummies…” May 5, 17:13
Hatey McHateface on Binfire Of The Vanities: “Here ye gang, YL. Today’s one (1) reply from me, in which I validate your pathetic, pointless, dishonourable, existence. In…” May 5, 17:06
Jamie on Binfire Of The Vanities: “So many, is actually 4 to 5 % of indy supporters tend to vote reform. The truth is, without independence,…” May 5, 16:59
Hatey McHateface on Binfire Of The Vanities: ““piling in like pedos with sweeties at a school gate” Man, 2 days to go! You can almost smell the…” May 5, 16:58
Young Lochinvar on Binfire Of The Vanities: “Beggars Aye very good bumpkin. Didn’t work out very well for you first time round Adolf -“old boy” eh?” May 5, 16:20
Young Lochinvar on Binfire Of The Vanities: “James @ 12.33 Aye, auld Hatey gets upset if you don’t refer to his sodomite sins that he considers mere…” May 5, 16:13
agentx on Binfire Of The Vanities: ““The SNP was formed in 1934 through the merger of the National Party of Scotland and the Scottish Party, with…” May 5, 16:12
Northcode on Binfire Of The Vanities: “All the posturing and analysing and guesswork (tho we already all know the only winner will be England) surrounding Thursday’s…” May 5, 16:11
Cynicus on Binfire Of The Vanities: ““ Be under no illusions – The SNP leadership is working FOR the UK.” ========== Absolutely. Any YOON with half…” May 5, 16:10
Alf Baird on Binfire Of The Vanities: “Aye Northcode, aw the tricks and deceits o colonialism are in full sway here in the auld colony. Oor supposed…” May 5, 15:35
Insider on Binfire Of The Vanities: “Fatso @ 12:38 “looks like it’s newspaper stand business has folded….” Jeezus ! How old are you, Fatso ? Newspaper…” May 5, 15:26
lothianlad on Binfire Of The Vanities: “Another brilliant analysis Stu! Unlike the pretendy indy supporter called… goes pop. The SNP are under direct orders to stiffle…” May 5, 14:14
James on Binfire Of The Vanities: “Aye, Geri; You would think there’s a colonial election soon or something….. They’e piling in like pedos with sweeties at…” May 5, 14:10
Dan on Seven Days Too Long: “And jist what are Aidan’s relevant qualifications and work experience for him to be such an expert on fossil fuel…” May 5, 13:55
Northcode on Binfire Of The Vanities: ““Scotland’s colonial ‘condition’ and role of the Kirk” This is letter to The Moderator of The Church of Scotland written…” May 5, 13:43
Geri on Binfire Of The Vanities: “Looks like someone has increased the twats pay per post from a penny to a whole 5p. He’s flooded the…” May 5, 13:38
Aidan on Seven Days Too Long: “Thank you for that brilliant summary of the macroeconomics of the oil industry. All this oil being stolen by paedos…” May 5, 13:30
Alf Baird on Binfire Of The Vanities: ““You know nothing of God” Indeed, and arguably the missionary aspect of colonialism never needed to know much about God,…” May 5, 13:24
Hatey McHateface on Binfire Of The Vanities: “@Northy I think you’re overlooking the black, Scottish boy who appeared in several episodes of Porridge. Educate yourself, Dude! BTW.…” May 5, 13:23
Geri on Binfire Of The Vanities: “Yet, Shiteface, It isn’t the religion of peace invading other countries spreading tyranny, hunger, petulance, famine & death now is…” May 5, 13:12
Northcode on Binfire Of The Vanities: ““Mainstream Media vs. Alternative Media” The distinction between mainstream and alternative media lies in their content, audience, and financial structure.…” May 5, 13:07
Hatey McHateface on Binfire Of The Vanities: “How odd. Northy seems to have an AI that produces output in English – the lying language of the coloniser.…” May 5, 13:07
Mark Beggan on Binfire Of The Vanities: “This election for me is not about voting for this or that. It’s about standing on the right side of…” May 5, 13:07
Hatey McHateface on Binfire Of The Vanities: “Careful how you flap your flippers, James. But I guess you never heard of Onan, outside of your library of…” May 5, 13:00
