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.
james on The Fast Track: “DavidT-Its not the crux of the matter. Your assumption that if the SNP spent the money raised soley for another…” Jun 30, 13:37
Hatey McHateface on The Fast Track: “Nothing about the size of the cave, if it has underfloor heating, how many heat pumps, and if the multi-vehicle…” Jun 30, 13:06
Alf Baird on The Fast Track: ““John Swinney … would tell you that he would live in a cave for independence” Aye Fearghas, here we have…” Jun 30, 11:05
David Henry on The Fast Track: “Missing money followed by a list of people all who lied about the missing money while others tried to shut…” Jun 30, 10:48
James Che on The Fast Track: “Hatey McHateface, You left one out at 8:11 am. Your Guff Treaty that is so old no one pays attention…” Jun 30, 09:55
James Che on The Fast Track: “Seeing as no one is scrutinising the SNP and Scotland finances in depth other than Stu, one wonders about the…” Jun 30, 09:48
James Che on The Fast Track: “Law in Scotland, All under one umbrella, [The Scotland Act] Just add water to dilute. Well done Stu, excellent jounalism.” Jun 30, 08:20
Hatey McHateface on The Fast Track: “Not really. To get to the bottom of what’s really going on you need to study the works of Fanon,…” Jun 30, 08:11
Hatey McHateface on Ping-Pong-Fiddle-Aye-No: “It’s surely a bit odd that kids might be permitted to change their first names but not their surnames. Many…” Jun 30, 08:06
Robinov Cybernat on The Fast Track: “Aye, job done for them at that point.” Jun 30, 07:59
Hatey McHateface on Ping-Pong-Fiddle-Aye-No: “Gift it to them as reparations for centuries of Scottish colonialism. And thank our lucky stars we got away lightly.” Jun 30, 07:23
Hatey McHateface on Ping-Pong-Fiddle-Aye-No: “Good to see you offering due respect with your capitalisation of “Royal Audience”. As you say, it’s our history. Remove…” Jun 30, 07:19
DavidT on The Fast Track: “It is all very complicated, but from John Swinney’s comments, I get the impression that the general elections in 2017…” Jun 30, 07:10
Angus on The Fast Track: ““and the fact that only one of the two crimes it concerned has been resolved.” I don’t think it has…” Jun 30, 03:00
Cynicus on Ping-Pong-Fiddle-Aye-No: ““No Morocco, No party!” ======== Fans of Scotland’s erstwhile World Cup group opponents have borrowed the Tartan Army’s signature chant!…” Jun 30, 02:54
Angus on The Fast Track: “Very nice and easily understandable guide on how blatantly obvious crimes can be detected and solved for the dummies calling…” Jun 30, 02:51
Gordon Bain on The Fast Track: “Chill man. Lady J of Tay has this all covered.” Jun 30, 00:33
Young Lochinvar on The Fast Track: “I wonder how long Ned Stark (sorry my bad; King of oop t’ Norf Andy Burnham) will take to annoy…” Jun 30, 00:08
Young Lochinvar on Ping-Pong-Fiddle-Aye-No: “C3PO @ 5.49 Clan Chattan? Well if not then you should make yourself familiar with the September 1396 North Inch…” Jun 29, 23:43
Fearghas MacFhionnlaigh on The Fast Track: “Well done Stuart. Case put coherently and succinctly. Geissler was very good too, except near the end (26.40) with his…” Jun 29, 23:42
Mark Beggan on The Fast Track: “I think it was the National Crime Agency that pressed for that.” Jun 29, 23:36
Mark Beggan on The Fast Track: “Well said Rev. The media do have their slippers under the political bed with the Crown office as the pillow.…” Jun 29, 23:28
Frazerio on The Fast Track: “Dear Rev, The more you dig, the more you expose. That the ‘Ringfenced’ investigation led to Murrell’s exposé and the…” Jun 29, 23:24
Dick Wall on The Fast Track: “I do recall some suggestions that the Peter Murrell stuff was rather forced on Police Scotland by a UK organised…” Jun 29, 23:12
Roland Watson on The Fast Track: “Are the Police and Crown Prosecution actually concluding that because Peter Murrell embezzled all the funds before the SNP had…” Jun 29, 22:57
Fearghas MacFhionnlaigh on The Fast Track: “WINGS OVER SCOTLAND: WHY I’M NOT DONE WITH THE PETER MURRELL CASE Scotcast, Radio Scotland, 29 Jun 2026, 29 mins…” Jun 29, 22:15
Fearghas MacFhionnlaigh on Ping-Pong-Fiddle-Aye-No: “‘MISGENDERING’ BRANDED SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN US UNI POLICY The University of California (UC) has come under fire for including ‘misgendering’…” Jun 29, 21:43
Hatey McHateface on Ping-Pong-Fiddle-Aye-No: “Naw, Northy, agreeing that anybody who disagrees with you is a fucking moron (FM) who likes being fucked up the…” Jun 29, 21:43
Craig P on The Fast Track: “Wonder if Woman H has been getting private briefings off anyone.” Jun 29, 21:43
Karen on The Fast Track: “Just listened to you on BBC Sounds and agreed with every word, as did lawyer hubby. You thorn in the…” Jun 29, 21:37
