Alert readers may recall a few weeks ago, when this was a thing:
The SNP standing for seats in England, of course, is an idea that’s been put forward before by some of the nation’s sharper and more insightful political commentators, but the party has for obvious and understandable reasons shown no inclination thus far to undertake the experiment.
But as we realised after chatting to a left-wing English chum this week (a successful creative and businessman), such a party actually already exists, and has dozens of MPs. It’s just that it’s currently trapped inside a corpse.
These pages from the 14 March 1998 issue of NME (just 10 months after the election of Tony Blair’s first Labour government) are a fascinating historical document.
They needed saving. So we found them and we saved them.
Alert readers may have noticed something of a glut of articles in the press recently by right-wing commentators angrily challenging the SNP to prove its left-wing credentials if and when the new Scotland Bill ever becomes law and grants Holyrood more powers over taxation, some minor aspects of welfare and – of course – road signs.
The zenith of the phenomenon must surely be today’s eye-rubbingly bizarre Scotsman story in which the Scottish Tories urge the SNP to increase tax in order to reverse, er, Tory cuts. But there’s method behind the seeming madness.
The battle-cry of right-wing Labour apologists all this week has been “realism”. It’s all very well people like Jeremy Corbyn having crazy old principles about what Labour is supposed to stand for, runs the argument, but you can’t argue with public opinion and public opinion is desperate for Labour to become Tories with a slightly softer edge.
We’re sorry to keep going on about this, readers, but we’ve been going over and over it in our heads and we just can’t get it to make sense.
Below is the failed Labour amendment to the Welfare Reform And Work Bill:
As you can see, its sole intended purpose was to refuse a second reading to the Bill. Labour voted for their own amendment (an achievement, we suppose), which means they didn’t want to see the bill get a second reading.
After last night’s debacle in the House Of Commons, various Labour activists and cheerleaders have been scrambled on social and print media to firefight the appalled reaction from voters on the left to the party’s abstention on the Tory welfare bill.
Bilbo on The Land Of No Laws: “Don’t want to be hitting on Glasgow but the city is finished. The main attraction of Glasgow was shopping and…” May 18, 07:52
Willie on The Land Of No Laws: “A most topical article by the Rev. And many very interesting comments thereafter too. Football most certainly invokes popular interest…” May 18, 07:33
Robert Hughes on The Land Of No Laws: “hahahahahaha what joy, seeing all the Glesga haters trying desperately to undermine/tarnish Celtic’s brilliant late season recovery and ultimate League…” May 18, 06:55
GM on The Land Of No Laws: “The richest club in Scotland by a massive distance and that’s 15 out of 16 titles in a row. 15…” May 18, 00:22
william G Walker on The Land Of No Laws: “JAMBO of Hearts says that “there are only three inavoidable rules in life – death, taxes and the Scottish Football…” May 17, 23:01
sarah on The Land Of No Laws: “I’m happy with facts, Martin! Truth is essential in all things. I saw a graphic which was showing the leading…” May 17, 22:48
Young Lochinvar on The Land Of No Laws: “Lighten up folks! I reckon the “chaps” going for a Saturday afternoon stroll onto the pitch might perhaps be discouraged…” May 17, 22:29
Owen Mullions on The Land Of No Laws: “He didn’t cut it short though. There were 30 seconds left when Celtic scored and the clock doesn’t stop when…” May 17, 22:04
Red on The Land Of No Laws: “A scunner of a game. I don’t think Celtic FC realises how unpopular they’ve become with neutral Scots. The neddery…” May 17, 21:25
John from Fife on The Land Of No Laws: “PS. The SEA have apologised for hearts not being awarded a penalty against Motherwell. If the had been given it…” May 17, 20:44
Northcode on The Land Of No Laws: “Yes, you are correct — Herman argues that the Scots invented the modern world, but, as you say, he also…” May 17, 20:42
Martin on The Land Of No Laws: “Except that isn’t true and it depends entirely on the remaining home or away fixtures owed. Celtic despite being top…” May 17, 20:21
Martin on The Land Of No Laws: “He didn’t cut it short. 45 minutes at a minimum were played both halves. Time added in added time is,…” May 17, 20:18
Martin on The Land Of No Laws: “2 seasons ago the added time directive from UEFA came out, concerned about how little ball on play time there…” May 17, 20:15
Martin on The Land Of No Laws: “Sorry Stu, but you’re wrong. The laws you quoted are for normal time. The clock doesn’t stop with goals and…” May 17, 20:03
Billy Carlin on The Land Of No Laws: “I am one of the massive majority who do not bother with Scottish football – only around 150,000 fans bother…” May 17, 19:55
Run the Border on The Land Of No Laws: “Thanks. Very good and spot on.” May 17, 19:53
Jamie on The Land Of No Laws: “You are right, whoever shouts the loudest gets the reward in Scotland, just ask all the Hearts fans last time…” May 17, 19:28
Lorncal on The Land Of No Laws: “Used to follow football, but not for years. However, I agree with the headline. We are, indeed, living in as…” May 17, 19:22
Socrates MacSporran on The Land Of No Laws: “If I can be pedantic Rev, in quoting SFA regulations you are aiming at the wrong target. The match was…” May 17, 19:13
Skip_NC on The Land Of No Laws: “Yes,I’ve read it. In fact it’s on the side table next to me right now. I disagree with your characterization…” May 17, 18:40
Rev. Stuart Campbell on The Land Of No Laws: “Unlawfully. He has no power to cut the game short.” May 17, 18:31
Rev. Stuart Campbell on The Land Of No Laws: “” I see you managed to forget Rangers 1972 “triumph” in the UCWC.” Well, yes, because I was fucking five…” May 17, 18:30
twathater on The Land Of No Laws: “100% with you on that Northy, ffs they are all poseurs who jist want tae hang on to each others…” May 17, 18:18
sam on The Land Of No Laws: “I asked “Search assist” this question: “In what ways can a country be a victim?” Here is the answer. “Ways…” May 17, 17:53
100%Yes on The Land Of No Laws: “What They Never Tell You About the Picts. It was very interesting just in case you fancy watching. youtube.com/watch?v=bzXRIEQumGE” May 17, 17:40
Iain Ross on The Land Of No Laws: “The fact that the last game ended as it did was a disgrace and Celtic should be penalised. However, for…” May 17, 17:09
Mark Beggan on The Land Of No Laws: “What’s worse reading the comments or writing about the comments? What with breast implants being so expensive these days. I…” May 17, 17:06
Northcode on The Land Of No Laws: “Watching folk playing Tiddlywinks or Dominoes is more interesting than watching the fitba. Painting the dots onto dominoes tiles and…” May 17, 16:49
