The Scottish Greens, in a feat of remarkable hubris and financial profligacy, stood 44 candidates in this week’s general election, knowing that most of them would lose their deposits, which they duly did.
But not quite all of them. And there the comedy arose.
Because while SNP boneheads on social media are raging idiotically at Alba, Wings and others for causing division and damaging the unity of the indy cause yada yada yada, a small handful of Green candidates made a real difference.
The 2005 election was the last time the Daily Record and the Scottish Sun both endorsed the same party at a UK general election. So, y’know, something is going on.
Survation released their final projection for the election last night. It’s quite a boring image because they had to make it mostly grey to correctly illustrate the margin of Labour’s lead.
Those ranges are substantial, but even their BEST-case scenario for the Tories is below 100 seats. The WORST-case scenario for Labour – 447 seats – still gives them a majority of 244, which would smash the all-time record of 209 set by the Tories exactly 100 years ago. (The best case is a dizzying 384.)
Scotland is probably the hardest area of the UK to call. In most polls there are only a few points between Labour and the SNP, and depending on how the votes are spread and who’s best at getting their support out either could still win the most seats.
That won’t, of course, make the slightest difference to the governance of the UK for the next five years. Even 57 Scottish MPs out of 57, for any party, would be completely meaningless to a government with a majority of over 200.
But it’ll make a big difference to the independence movement. Because if the SNP manages to hold onto to a significant proportion of its seats, we can all wave goodbye to the slightest chance of progress for another decade on top of the one that’s been wasted since Alex Salmond resigned.
In the modern political world, you don’t get anywhere without a movement, and movements don’t get anywhere without a flag. So we’ve decided it’s time to take action and stand up for a very large group of people who are genuinely discriminated against and significantly disadvantaged in our society.
Here’s their symbol.
Today is July 1st, and we officially, on behalf of all our oppressed kinfolk, declare this to be People Who Aren’t Eligible For A Railcard Pride Month.
I was going to write this article yesterday, but 2024’s miserable damp squib of a summer unexpectedly delivered a beautiful day – a perfect 20C of unbroken sunshine with a refreshing slight breeze – so I went for a nice walk instead.
Rather than my usual bird-feeding and bear-patrolling beat along the river and canal, I headed off on what used to be my standard summer stroll: up the long steep hill to Beckford’s Tower and its associated cemetery with stunning views over the city.
I’ll scatter a few pics from the walk throughout this feature, as otherwise I’m afraid it’s going to be a bit depressing and angering.
There are now just 10 days until the general election. Wings has never told its readers how to vote and we’re not going to start now. Which is lucky, because if we were, we wouldn’t have a clue how to.
Just, y’know, not for any of these wretched, worthless shiters.
When you’ve been watching Scotland playing football for 50 years of your life, you become accustomed to disappointment. You expect disappointment. Anything better than disappointment becomes a bonus.
Hatey McHateface on Contempt Of Government: “I think of the (checks pocket edition of Fanon) hundreds of millions dead at the hand of oppressive, alien colonialism…” Dec 19, 19:34
Mark Beggan on A matter of class: “You’re on those magic mushrooms again.” Dec 19, 19:33
Lorncal on Contempt Of Government: “I would agree with that, Hatey. Our instincts are honed through millennia to protect us. That is why it is…” Dec 19, 19:27
Lorncal on Contempt Of Government: “It is the indulgence of these men in public spaces that is the real problem, James. I have to say…” Dec 19, 19:22
Hatey McHateface on A matter of class: ““NHS, civil service, police force, Judiciary, local councils, education authorities, transport and shipping, financial institutions; arts and culture, the Scottish…” Dec 19, 19:18
Northcode on A matter of class: “The only folk surprised by all this ‘stuff’; this “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” stuff; this “Independence Day” stuff; this…” Dec 19, 18:50
Hatey McHateface on Contempt Of Government: “Animals have “norms” through the functioning of instinct. People have instincts too, far more so than we want to admit.…” Dec 19, 18:48
Ken MacIntyre on Contempt Of Government: “Anarcho tyranny defined: ‘the combination of oppressive government power against the innocent and the law-abiding and, simultaneously, a grotesque paralysis…” Dec 19, 18:40
100%Yes on Contempt Of Government: “I willing to be a well cooked sausage that Bridget Phillipson has banged on over the years while she been…” Dec 19, 18:35
panda paws on Contempt Of Government: ““She is only the SNP’S Minister for Education so ‘m dubious she’s even bothered to try.” Bridget Philipson is the…” Dec 19, 18:28
twathater on Contempt Of Government: “TBQH is anyone surprised at Philipson she has previous for supporting the woke lunacy as does her whole party and…” Dec 19, 18:20
Aidan on The Idiot Rodeo: “Here here CC, well said. How a scumbag bottom feeder like James gets to look down on anyone is beyond…” Dec 19, 18:15
twathater on A matter of class: “Thank you for this post Gethin , And YET all this evidence about their conjecture allied with the obvious myriad…” Dec 19, 18:15
PC Foster on Contempt Of Government: “Maybe they should take up competitive Fencing or Boxing or some other sport- then they will see that you are…” Dec 19, 18:05
Mark Beggan on A matter of class: “DEI. We need to weed the garden. After all weeds are just flowers in the wrong place.” Dec 19, 18:03
Hatey McHateface on Contempt Of Government: “Announce you’re trans (stay intact, no desperate measures!) and live the life full time. Ladies bogs, getting naked in your…” Dec 19, 18:02
Aidan on The Idiot Rodeo: “You’re right Northcode, any time spent engaging with you is a losing endeavour” Dec 19, 18:00
Hatey McHateface on The Idiot Rodeo: “Aw, CC, leave James alone 🙂 His eyesight is too weak for him to hold down a job, owing to…” Dec 19, 17:56
robertkknight on A matter of class: “But despite everything, Judge Kemp is an honourable man; So are they all, those witnesses for NHS Fife, all honourable…” Dec 19, 17:56
Lee Floyd on A matter of class: “Pervy men and their collaborators. Totally bemusing to normal men and women everywhere….” Dec 19, 17:48
Lee Floyd on Contempt Of Government: “My wife and daughters are completely relaxed about this trans bullshit. I’m not. Who’s wrong?” Dec 19, 17:43
Mark Beggan on A matter of class: ““Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” I was thinking more Thelma and Louise.” Dec 19, 17:37
Hatey McHateface on Contempt Of Government: “Carrying a bit of a torch there, Bob. Does Mrs knight know? Maybe she encourages you to have an “outside…” Dec 19, 17:35
Captain Caveman on The Idiot Rodeo: “Awww, Fatso. Your little geriatric octogenarian friend Northcode has entered the fray to hold your chubby little hand, I see.…” Dec 19, 17:32
Morgatron on A matter of class: “Great article Gethin. Without doubt one of the biggest stitch ups, smudging and smearing of facts I’ve witnessed in many…” Dec 19, 17:31
Hatey McHateface on A matter of class: ““The tribunal heard she reduced him to tears” Good. It’s bloody obvious there’s a whole raft of others (not trans)…” Dec 19, 17:30
Hatey McHateface on The Idiot Rodeo: “Careful, James, dinna be mentioning dugs aroond Northy. He’ll be thinking you want tae sniff his erse.” Dec 19, 17:26
joolz on Contempt Of Government: “The whole point of the supreme court ruling is that IS male exclusive ????. Deliberately. To protect women’s spaces. My…” Dec 19, 17:06
Mark Beggan on Contempt Of Government: “Se acerca la reforma aprende a nadar o te hundiras como Una piedra.” Dec 19, 17:05
Mark Beggan on Contempt Of Government: ““Colonialism is a hoax” Well it certainly had you fooled.” Dec 19, 16:53
