But note how delicately that tweet is phrased. The clear implication – while not directly stated – is that only the Tories were responsible for the promises.
We’ve noted on numerous occasions previously that one of this site’s prime functions is merely to remember things – to serve as a repository of fact which can be referred to when politicians or the media try to mislead people about what happened in the past. It was a thought we were struck by again on reading The Times this morning.
Because as we beheld Kenny Farquharson’s account of the SNP’s manifesto launch, and how its emphasis on the word “RE-ELECT” was unfamiliar and “very different” to their last Holyrood manifesto launch, we were sure that wasn’t how we recalled it.
This site has never told readers how to vote in Scottish elections and never will, partly because its editor has no vote there and doesn’t have to live with the consequences whoever wins. (Something that ISN’T true about independence, in which case Wings would relocate to Scotland, which is why we freely express a firm view on that.)
It’s in that context that we make the following observations about next month’s vote.
The Sunday Herald, which enjoyed a major sales boost from being the first Scottish newspaper to officially back independence but has since seen its circulation increase partly eroded, has this morning chosen to throw a stick of dynamite onto the fire.
The paper’s front page today teases a double-page spread inside with the headline “SPECIAL REPORT: HOW INDEPENDENCE SUPPORTERS SHOULD USE THEIR SECOND VOTE”. And then things get a little strange.
While we’re on the subject of Ruth “line in the sand” Davidson of the Ruth Davidson No Surrender To The SNP Anti-Referendum Party making U-turns, we thought we might remind you of another one, this time from rather more recent history than 2011.
Just nine months ago, apparently Ms Davidson’s view was that “it would be wrong for the Tories to stand in the way” of another referendum “if the SNP gets a democratic mandate from the public”.
Sounds like a firm, resolute commitment to democracy and the incontrovertible right of the people of Scotland to determine their own destiny. Stirring stuff. We approve.
Last weekend’s edition of the Sunday Times gave an article to a Green activist and party worker – not billed as such, even though until last month he was on the party’s regional candidate list for Lothian – to predict that the Greens would get 10 seats at next month’s election.
Much campaigning by the various fringe parties for the Holyrood contest has been based on “seat predictors” like the one deployed to produce the figures in the piece, purporting to show that a tactical-voting strategy on the list can deliver a large gain in numbers of pro-independence MSPs compared to using both votes for the SNP.
We’ve examined that argument in considerable depth already, both theoretical and practical. But its also worth noting that so-called “seat predictors” are a rather shaky basis for making such bold forecasts.
Northcode on The Idiot Rodeo: ““… mebbe the Rev an aw Scots fowk wad help crowdfund a judicial review o oor fraudulent and unlawfu furrin…” Dec 18, 11:32
Alf Baird on The Idiot Rodeo: ““I am absolutely certain if Edinburgh didn’t have it’s tram, you’d be highlighting the lack of tram as evidence for…” Dec 18, 11:31
Aidan on The Idiot Rodeo: “The main problem with the trams and the A9 dualling is the extremely expensive and slow delivery, problems overseen by…” Dec 18, 10:54
Alf Baird on The Idiot Rodeo: ““Sovereign Scots who imposed the trams on Edinburgh” Salmond’s minority nationalist administration at the time voted against the trams funding,…” Dec 18, 10:17
DaveL on The Idiot Rodeo: “1 I’m referring to the two of you as stated earlier, as a moron you lost track. 2 ‘take’ is…” Dec 18, 09:42
Northcode on The Idiot Rodeo: ““Sae twa questions an we’re done…” Answers: 1: Look in the mirror. 2: Maist likely up the arse in the…” Dec 18, 09:41
Northcode on The Idiot Rodeo: ““Both of you will still be unionist morons…” I suspect that DaveL is correct and that his statement above could…” Dec 18, 09:28
Aidan on The Idiot Rodeo: “Dan doesn’t like the tram, well there is a surprise that nobody could have anticipated! But hey if they hadn’t…” Dec 18, 09:28
Hatey McHateface on The Idiot Rodeo: “You’ll hae missed yer bus noo, Dave. Ah’m obviously tempted tae keep you in all day, glued tae yer device,…” Dec 18, 09:21
Northcode on The Idiot Rodeo: ““You must be Rev Stu…Pleased and honoured to make your acquaintance at long last.” Sycophantic soukin sucks… it makes me…” Dec 18, 09:19
Northcode on The Idiot Rodeo: “René Descartes was a Frenchman…so he wid hiv maist likely said: “Mauvais chien! Range-le!,” said Descartes. I am never done…” Dec 18, 09:15
DaveL on The Idiot Rodeo: “You can repeat all you like, you’re still morons and you can still fuck off. (See fit ah did there…” Dec 18, 09:04
Hatey McHateface on The Idiot Rodeo: “Whoops! My bad. Thon Descartes boy would obviously have said “Bad dug! Pit it awa!” Apologies for any confusion arising…” Dec 18, 08:54
Northcode on The Idiot Rodeo: ““Oh, what bitterness cleaves to envy’s sting!” Guid mornyng fowks… a houp aw ye indigenous Scots and fellow Picts oot…” Dec 18, 08:54
Hatey McHateface on The Idiot Rodeo: “You must be Rev Stu. Pleased and honoured to make your acquaintance at long last. (See fit Ah did there,…” Dec 18, 08:46
Hatey McHateface on The Idiot Rodeo: “What you really saying there then, Dan? The trams were forced on us by the colonialists in Westminster? Every single…” Dec 18, 08:39
DaveL on The Idiot Rodeo: “Fuck off. It’s a fact I just said that and it’s a logical thing to say because you’re still fucking…” Dec 18, 08:37
Hatey McHateface on The Idiot Rodeo: “Socks oan yer feet, Northy, richt this meenit. And mind fit thon Descartes boy said: “Hatey’s still reading your posts,…” Dec 18, 08:15
Hatey McHateface on The Idiot Rodeo: “Facts are neither logical nor illogical, Dave. They simply are. Educate yourself, dude.” Dec 18, 08:00
Hatey McHateface on The Idiot Rodeo: “Wow, Fearghas, our ancestors certainly knew a thing or two about standing on their own two feet, both individually and…” Dec 18, 07:56
Mark Beggan on The Idiot Rodeo: “So another day of the Lefty colonial rant in bed with their death cult chums. Bankrolled to shout in the…” Dec 18, 07:01
Northcode on The Idiot Rodeo: “I made a typo. “It’s comedy is most darkly lit…”: should read: “Its comedy is most darkly lit…” Although, I…” Dec 17, 23:29
Northcode on The Idiot Rodeo: ““Oh, what bitterness cleaves to envy’s sting!” – Dante Alighieri The Union is a monstrous joke, and very far from…” Dec 17, 22:34
Fearghas MacFhionnlaigh on The Idiot Rodeo: “Excerpt from Paul Henderson Scott’s book entitled: ANDREW FLETCHER AND THE TREATY OF UNION « A whole succession of events…” Dec 17, 22:26
Fearghas MacFhionnlaigh on The Idiot Rodeo: “Maybe relevant to draw attention to the book: ‘SCOTLAND’S RUINE’ : LOCKHART OF CARNWATH’S MEMOIRS OF THE UNION (Edited by…” Dec 17, 22:18
DaveL on The Idiot Rodeo: “Both of you will still be unionist morons, so no change there then. That’s not an assumption either, that’s a…” Dec 17, 21:48
Lorncal on The Idiot Rodeo: “Every law that passes in the Westminster parliament must be passed by a majority of Scottish MPs to become Scottish…” Dec 17, 21:13
Alf Baird on The Idiot Rodeo: ““Aidan bigging up Auld Reekie and the trams!” Aye, anither ‘new Scot’ that disna ken hee haw aboot Auld Reekie…” Dec 17, 20:48
Dan on The Idiot Rodeo: “FFS, just noticed Aidan bigging up Auld Reekie and the trams! Jeezo, yet another ill thought out transport clusterfuck reckoned…” Dec 17, 20:24
Hatey McHateface on The Idiot Rodeo: “Why? What’s he done wrong?” Dec 17, 20:13
