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Wings Over Scotland


The challenger responds

Posted on October 08, 2018 by

We felt sure that our awarding of the inaugural Thickest Politician In Scotland title this morning would be taken as the throwing down of a gauntlet, and we weren’t wrong. Because within just hours, the Prince Regent had staked his claim to the crown.

Greene – who was rejected by the voters of Cunninghame North by almost 9,000 votes but sits in Parliament anyway – is in fact supposed to serve the people of the West Scotland region as a list MSP, not the whole country, and we’re not aware of any breakdown of how Scotland’s eight list regions voted in 2014 so we have no idea how many voted No in WS. But that’s by far the least idiotic part of the tweet.

Because of course, the point of Nicola Sturgeon’s tweet was that the people she represents as First Minister aren’t getting the thing they voted for. Scotland is being dragged out of the EU against its will and it’s her job to speak for its people.

Greene points out that a smaller majority of Scots voted to stay in the UK than for the EU. But of course, Scotland is still in the UK and there is currently no process under way to change that. It’s not being forced out against its wishes, and we’re pretty sure that Jamie Greene would be screaming from the rooftops if it was.

The comparison, then, is as idiotically witless as his inability to understand even the most elementary principle of his job. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new champion.

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Wee Jock poo-pong mcplop

For the moment.

Jason Smoothpiece

The Tories and Labour of course have an issue with the quality of their politicians.

I dont support either to be honest, as I am fairly sane, putting politics aside for a moment though how many of them would you employ?

Could you trust any of them to put the rubbish out?

Luckily for Labour and Tories in Scotland there is still a lot of folk who are not fully informed.

Dan Huil

Britnats like Greene only serve themselves. Tractors.

Bobajock

On the ladder there can be no lower rung than Tory. But Labour are chasing them down.

Or perhaps it’s the bottom of a barrel that they’re scraping.

Bruce L

Twat! Did you see that?! THAT… was a goal!

Gfaetheblock

As a Tory list MSP, is is right that he represents Tory voters, who are mostly all No voters I think we can agree? I doubt many SNP voters are going to him for help.

As FM, Sturgeon is supposed to represent that whole country.

The distinction is quite clear. He might be a Tory numpty, but his logic is quite clear.

jfngw

I keep on seeing comments to avoid the zoomers on twitter, little did I realise that some of the worst are actually MSP’s. Politics certainly seems to attract a fair share of those that Theresa May would presumably describe as low skilled, where else would you attract such a high salary for such low abilities.

Being on the Labour/Tory list is as close as you can get to having a job for life despite never being able to win a vote.

Something needs done about the list system.

Thepnr

Next dimwit please!

I hope it’s my personal favourite. Ross(I Love BoJo x)Thomson.

Bob Mack

@gfaetheblock,

By your logic he only represents Tories in his constituency?

Try reading about democracy. Usually a member has to represent all their constituents. Too much to ask?

Robert Sinclair

I’ll give short odds on Ross Thomson coming along soon and saying ‘hold my pint.

Capella

Like his colleagues in Labour, he completely misses the point of democracy. How is it possible?
We are still in the UK unfortunately. But another opportunity to vote will certainly change that.

Welsh Sion

Apologies for being O/T soon, but I hope that colleagues who were at Conference today enjoyed the speech by one of my political leaders, the newly-elected Adam Price, AM, Leader of Plaid Cymru.

This is how it’s being reported. (Translation mine):

______

Plaid Cymru’s new leader says that his party in Westminster will be willing to support SNP MPs as they call for a second referendum on Brexit.

Adam Price addressed the SNP conference in Glasgow today (Monday, October 8).

He says that the future that will comes in the wake of Brexit will now look like “spam and potato skin paste”, rather than “the country of milk and honey” which was promised by some.

He also accuses the “British organization” of “spinning lies”, just as they did during the War in Iraq and the months leading up to the Brexit Referendum.

“We have the key”

“The old Britain is dying,” said Adam Price. “Let her die.”

“Our plan is not to divide the island, but to re-make it a home of three free nations, not a palace owned by one.

“We have history in our hands. The future ahead of us and we have the key.”

Reference: link to golwg360.cymru

Frank Gillougley

He’s got a good set of gnashers though AND a boyband gelled quiff, however, if you look closely into eyes, there’s nothing behind them … a complete vacuum, come to think of it.

From the Guardian link below I noticed an interesting take regarding the value of the ‘union’ pitted against the value of ‘brexit’: the quote is from the section at 17.09

link to theguardian.com:

‘It would appear that English voting tories would accept the dismantling of the union as a price worth paying for Brexit.

Clear majorities of English Conservatives would support Scottish independence or the collapse of the NI peace process as the price of Brexit

87% of (overwhelmingly unionist) leave voters in Northern Ireland see the collapse of the peace process as an acceptable price for Brexit …

Nearly half (49%) of English Conservative voters do not think Scottish MPs should sit in the UK cabinet and, in worse news for David Mundell [the Scottish secretary] as the SNP gathers in Glasgow, 24% of Scottish Conservative voters agree with them’

Support from unexpected quarters!

Big Jock

Just need James Kelly MSP and you will have your treble.

ian murray

Is there a prize for winning the award ?
There must be.
Can’t wait for entries from Jackson Carlaw or The Queens eleven.
It is a shame creating a league table wasn’t possible, I mean you would spend forever adding up the stupidity points

Macart

Oh Jings! 😀

John Moss

Fab, Jamie Green is the new “Richard”. How fabulous!

Iain

Tomorrow is another day …

Petra

Nicola Sturgeon being interviewed on Scotland Tonight – STV 10.30pm. Plus a panel discussing the SNP Conference.

Hamish100

Jamie Green and his local tory councillor pal have been entertained by the Israeli Embassy. Who does they represent? Not us. Right wing brexiters all.

Dr Jim

Scottish people aren’t British so don’t count as people

That’s what Jamie Green’s Tweet says, and it’s the reflection of what the Brits think, England is Britain and the UK, Scotland Wales and NI are other places

We don’t count, we’re in their way, we’re a nuisance, if only they could breed us out quicker but keep kicking the can further down the road and we’ll manage it eventually, say the Brits

Unfortunately like vampires the Brits always have ready Scottish familiars to watch over their coffins at night in the hope of one day being given the blessing of full vampirism in the shape of a wee red ermine trimmed coat and a funny hat

There’s a remedy for vampires, stake through the heart, garlic, fresh running water, crucifix to keep them at bay, fire, vampires have so many weaknesses, the Brits have the biggest weakness though, ARROGANCE, and that’s how we kill them

Personally I’d rather do it the old fashioned way but we’re not allowed to do that any more

Still, when no ones looking

My sense of humour he he, or is it, he he

galamcennalath

Dangerous things, percentages!

Who serves the 57.6% of UK voters in the 2017 GE who voted against Theresa May as PM and against a Tory government being formed?

At Westminster NO ONE speaks for the majority. And the minority walk away with the prize.

Last time a PM and party won an actual majority was Stanley Baldwin in 1931.

Robert Peffers

@Capella says: 8 October, 2018 at 9:30 pm:

” … Like his colleagues in Labour, he completely misses the point of democracy. How is it possible?”

Well, at least for the time being, I’m pleased to see these people elected as that is far better than really clever opposition people elected to oppose the SG.

Sinky

O/T Another shocking coverage of conference by main evening BBC National TV.

Attacked SNP on P1 assessments but failed to mention salient fact mentioned by John Swinney in his speech that many local authorities already do such assessments and Tories had it in their last SP manifesto.

Like the Daily Mail/Express BBC fail to put issue in context.

Ken500

He is supposed to support all voters in his list area or whatever. If he even knows where it is located. Looks like he could not even opererate a satNav. Really doing nothing at all. Just sitting in a seat and hanging around pocketing £60,000 plus expenses. (£100,000) Living the high live on Scottish taxpayers money. Sitting around sending abnoxious, nonsense twitter messages that make no sense at all. After being hauled in off the streets. Pathetic retoric.

He supports sanctioning, starving and killing vulnerable people. Making people homeless on the streets. In desperation. An appalling attitude. How can people vote for that? Just another rotten apple. Rotten to the Party core.

Collie

The 13 Scottish Tory MPs are more concerned with what happens in England.

They would quite happily vote against a policy put forward by the SNP, even if they knew this would improve the lives of their fellow Scots.

Toxic Tories right enough.

HandandShrimp

Jamie is a list MP so he doesn’t technically have a constituency as such, unless you count the Largs and Millport wee paper which appears to be a home from home for him.

A young conservative with a nicely ironed shirt, a Barbour jacket and little or nothing of any depth to say.

Andy McAngry

Jamie Green and Annie Wells, 2 sides of the same coin.
If you ever listen to real yoons discuss Scotland, Independence or Brexit you can see why these 2 and others, represent them perfectly!!!
Give me strength!!!

Jock McDonnell

@Welsh Sion

I remember Adam Price before he went to Harvard.
I thought it was a loss when he went to the US.
Glad he is back, time Wales caused some trouble for Westminster.

Jock McDonnell

@ Sinky – aye, its was just bitchy, anything for an snpbad

galamcennalath

Collie says:

The 13 Scottish Tory MPs are more concerned with what happens in England.

It is their spiritual home, after all 😉

[…] Wings Over Scotland The challenger responds We felt sure that our awarding of the inaugural Thickest Politician In Scotland title […]

Jack collatin

How the feck did we end up with these numpties pocketing £1200 a week for nothing?
An old one: give them a blank sheet of A4 paper with ‘Please Turn Over’ written in the bottom right hand corner on each side.
That should keep them busy for days.
Seriously I’ve recruited many in my time, but none of this lot would get by ‘Good Morning’ at a selection interview.
There are literally 4 dozen at least who are sheer talentless dross.
I mean, what could they do for a living if they hadn’t been handed the Golden list Ticket?
Check out their ‘CV’s’.
Most of them haven’t done an honest day’s work in their lives.
They have been on the ‘politics’ gravy train since the mid wife skelped their arse and they started howling.
My money is on Professor Two Jobs WATP Adam Tomkins, whom we sent packing in our constituency, but who got on the Hallelujah Trail by the Jobs For The Boys back door, popping up next to give us his ‘It’s The Law’ whinge,and explain why we are, and always will be, a conquered militarily occupied country, and will remain an enslaved colony of England under permanent House Arrest when England ‘takes back control’ next April.
It’s going to get very nasty very soon now.

Ken500

Great to see @ Derek Bateman on twitter.. He must be getting even better. All bestie wishes all around.

‘Love is all around, everywhere you go’ Thanks to all the excellent staff and the great family too.

‘Every move you make, every step you take we are watching you’ Not in a freaky harassing way. In a good best wishes get better every day. All strength too. Getting even better too.

Even though you delete and ban. Hope it is not an intrusion.

Wings is even better, No unionist trolls and freedom. Thanks a billion Rev Stu. Wonderful Independista.

Robert Louis

A tory MSP was rushed to hospital tonight, after a brain cell was found lodged in his skull.

An old joke, I know. Just perfect for Tory thicko MSPs though.

And then we have the likes of Ross Thomson – a new kind of moronic.

Just why are ‘scottish‘ Tories all so thick??

Jimmock

The Scottish parliamentary system is designed to prevent an SNP majority. Easy answer – an

Independence Party that only puts up list candidates. This party does not compete with SNP on

first past the post but stands on list for independence only. SNP does not compete on list.

JOB DONE

yesindyref2

I’ve always said the SNP should have its own opposition unit, as that way we’d get decent opposition as well as a decent Government.

Ken500

In reports they mention Humza Yousaf support for Anas Sarwar getting the message of demotion by text and lack of diversity now in the Labour bench ranks. Like suggesting the change made was ‘racist’. That is not was not what he fully said. They not mention he also included. ‘That he disagreed with him on many, many’ matters and topics. Giving a totally different context to what had actually been said. Misreporting.

t42

I read his tweets in the voice of Ralph Wiggum.

Rick H Johnston

Was impressed with new Plaid Cymru leaders speech.
Hope he transforms Plaid the way Nicola has the SNP.

Dr Jim

Lesley Riddoch talking sense on STVs Scotland tonight programme saying talking about Independence for Scotland shouldn’t be a one off event it should be the normalised politics of Scotland given that half the people or more now support it

Good words

Robert J. Sutherland

Dr Jim @ 01:01,

Well, in countries/states that commonly have referendums, it is usual that a referendum can be called on any issue that attracts a requisite number of signatures (typically a significant but still modest proportion) of registered citizens.

So with massive 50% support, by that norm we have a democratic right to call an independence referendum at any d*mn time we choose.

And we retain that right into the future for as long as we continue to command half (or even much less) of the electorate.

Grant

To Jamie Greene and his pals there is only the UK.
Scotland is just part of the UK, a region.
Time to leave.

manandboy

Employed only in elections to the Scottish Parliament, the List system is a cunning device to by-pass the people’s vote, so that there is BritNat Westminster representation at Holyrood, and as such is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Where the English Establishment is, you will always, always, always find devious and cunning treachery. Fundamentally anti-democratic, the Ruling Class is actually a cancer in the UK population.

Why the electorate put up with it is the result of decades of British State Propaganda, which is one of, if not The, most pervasive and effective in the world.

But, in spite of every effort by English Colonial forces, the time for Independence for Scotland has come, and all the might of Perfidious Albion cannot stop it now. The Scottish Independence genie is out of the bottle. There’s no going back.

Hail Alba.

Petra

For the many, not the few. In particular if you are disabled and live in England.

link to thoughtcontrolscotland.com

Muiris

Scraping the bottom of the barrel?? I think that they went through ( the bottom of the barrel) quite some time ago.

Nana
Nana

Constitutional Reform Group – the lords try to ensure Scotland is shackled to England forever with a drastic new bill.
link to facebook.com

SNP MP @PeteWishart on why Labour are losing out to the Scottish National Party
link to twitter.com

Brexit Food Shortages Could Have Serious Repercussions for Scotland’s Island Communities
link to archive.is

link to grumpyscottishman.wordpress.com

Nana

link to weegingerdug.wordpress.com

link to indyref2.scot

link to scottishhousingnews.com

Plans have been lodged for a £95m office development in Glasgow’s International Financial Services District (IFSD).
link to archive.is

Nana

Wednesday 10th October
link to parliament.uk

The yoon’s useful patsy, Loki is about to present a benefits Street type hit job by @BBCScotland on one of Dundee’s most deprived areas. The woman on the left was a vocal moaner about the V&A project. Scotland is shite project continues.
link to twitter.com

link to taxresearch.org.uk

UK (English) shipyards land Royal Navy contracts worth £1bn
link to archive.is

Nana

link to politicshome.com

link to welfareweekly.com

meanwhile
link to thecanary.co

Brexit uncertainty is “starting to bite” for UK firms – surveys
link to archive.is

Nana

High Court blocks Google data legal action
link to archive.is

link to politico.eu

Where is the UN???
link to twitter.com

link to rte.ie

Nana

The real Tory leader goes to Brussels for ‘extensive’ talks with Michel Barnier or Michelle?
link to twitter.com

James O’Brien Frustrated with Brexit Caller
link to youtube.com

EU’s Brexit vision plan likely to be delayed over doubts at No 10
PM’s spokesman puts dampener on optimism of Brussels officials about talks
link to archive.is

Brexit: mending Humpty Dumpty
link to eureferendum.com

Fred

Sarah Smith desperately trying to be smart & out-Keunssberg the Kuenssberg, YAWN!

Ken500

There is a consultation going on. To consider when is the best time to have another Indy Ref

Considering it it best to have it in the spring or autumn file strategist purposes . In the summer people are away on holiday and in the winter Christmas and bad weather.

Just e-Mail or write to anyone one concerned with the decision. Alex Salmond a great strategist. Political genius who has done Scotland proud, There is not a thing he does not know about Scottish/World politics. A mind of information with contacts to all the world administration of friends if Scotland. On re dial to the world leaders. Most of whom he has met.

The improvement in the Scottish economy plans where laid by Alex Salmond. The equal investment all over Scotland. The borders railway, the Forth Bridge, the new Glasgow hospital, the Dundee V&A, the AWPR, the turbines in the Bay, the golf Development. Etc etc. All planned and expanded on his stewardship. He brought Scotland closer to Independence with his great leadership and campaign. That is why Scotland is fifty/fifty today.

Anytime the date is decided Scotland can win it. After the consultation and the date is decided just go for it. ignore all other relative matters. Just go for it. That is what will totally improve the Scottish economy and it!s place in the world. Don’t get bogged down in other matters. Delaying tactics or faction. People are on the starting block. Just make the run. It will be enjoyable every single minute. Give people something to aim for and enjoy. Bring back the enjoyment of life. Giving people hope again.

Just e-Mail or write your suggestion to Nicola, Keith Brown, SNP HQ, Any SNP rep. Alex Salmond can be in the YEScampaign once again. All suggestion will go to help make the decision. They could just correlate the information and decide on the majority agreed date. There is already a mandate. Let everyone’s voice be heard in the consultation. Just do it. It can then be decided if it should be earlier or later.

Just do it. In or out of the EU (better in by far) The most important thing is to be Independent. Out of the UK Union, it is the Westminster union that drags Scotland economy done. It is the Westminster unionist Parties, totally useless incompetence which damages the UK/world economy. Their London S/E centralist policie and grotesque monstrosity schemes of no value. Trident. The illegal wars etc and corruption which damaged the Scottish economy.

Scotland’s relationship with the EU can be easily be negotiated separately and swiftly. For an advantagous settlement without much colletoral damage. EU menbership costs Scotland nothing and brings major advantage. That could just continue on quite easily arranged.

Phronesis

Learning is lifelong. The YES movement it an educational community and its roots are in humanitarian ideals.
Such a progressive and uplifting democratic family to belong to.
The British state’s political system is stuck in its ways, tired and outdated, maladaptive, exploitative and manipulative. It has learned only to make toxic choices, that’s not a family anyone who wants a reasonable future would want to belong to.

‘The report says that individuals learn throughout their lives in every setting, and that their choices, motivation, and capacity for self-regulation – as well as their circumstances, particularly outside of compulsory education – influence how much and how well they learn and transfer their learning to new situations. As we age, our abilities to quickly generate and manipulate factual information begin to decline, while knowledge levels remain stable or increase. However, the brain adapts throughout life, recruiting and orchestrating its resources to compensate for declines and adapt to circumstances…
To learn intentionally, people must want to learn and must see the value in accomplishing what is being asked of them… numerous factors and circumstances sway an individual’s desire to learn and the decision to expend effort on learning. The report concludes that motivation to learn is influenced by the multiple goals that individuals construct for themselves as result of their life and school experiences and the socio-cultural context in which learning takes place. Motivation to learn is fostered for learners of all ages when they perceive that the school or learning environment is a place where they “belong” and when the environment promotes their sense of purpose’

link to www8.nationalacademies.org

Nana

We need to talk about US trade policy and the impact on the UK, now we have a much clearer sense of where they’re going in the next few years. Let’s start with this FT story about a clause in the new NAFTA –
link to twitter.com

British army
link to twitter.com

Wife of Israeli prime minister goes on trial for fraud
link to archive.is

Trump has a rival, absolutely horrific!
link to theintercept.com

Macart

Mornin’ Nana

Cheers for the punt. 🙂

I am sittin’ comfortably with a brand new mug (Ta Molly) filled to the brim and it’s time for some brekkie reading.

Nana

Morning Macart
I enjoyed your post, had a chuckle at ‘meeja chooms’

I’ve posted this link today as I may not be here for a few days.

Wednesday 10th October
link to parliament.uk

Chick McGregor

RJS

You are talking about countries which have what is known as direct democracy.

The UK has indirect dictatorship with the only perceptible direction of drift being from indirect to direct.

ScottieDog

@Jimmock

Good post.
completely agree regarding list votes. You can ‘vote till you boak’ as they say but there are more British Imperialist parties and ‘independents’ on the list than those supporting independence for Scotland. Tis a minefield.

For me I was very sceptical about some of the ‘independents’ at a recent council by-election in my area.

Maybe YES scotland needs to be more tuned into the Scottish political process – esp if we are going to go all the way to 2021 without a referendum. There is time at the moment to get organised if that’s the case.

Capella

In my experience “Independents” are usually Tories who don’t stand as Tories because they correctly understand that Tories don’t poll well in Scotland. Besides, there is also an official Tory candidate.

They usually claim that they want to “keep politics out of local government”. Shorthand for “Vote Tory and we’ll make all your decisions for you”.

Ken500

There is life long learning in Scotland. The attainment level is higher for people from lower income households than is being recorded. The figures percentages is skewed by not including in the figures the mature students (from lower income households) 20/25% of students are mature students. (From lower income households?). They are not included in the equation. (Numbers) They are left out of the numbers. Skewing the result.

The attainment figures for lower household students would be 20% (1/5) higher. An increase attainment closing the gap 25% The gap would be 20% lower. A much smaller gap in attainment of figures just based on kids going to uni straight from school. (30%) College figures for obtaining skills High number of skilled apprenticeships.

Nana

link to thoughtcontrolscotland.com

link to indyscotnews.com

Anywhere but England!!
I was out in the night with campaigners, seeing for myself the mud from a nuclear reactor in Somerset being dumped in Welsh waters, just outside Cardiff. This is a scandal. It has not been properly tested. The Labour Welsh Government is letting this happen
link to twitter.com

Do as we want or else
link to archive.is

Greannach

Have Kelly or Cole-Hamilton entered the lists yet? I daresay Briggs is keeping a low profile at the moment.

Petra

Great links Nana. Thanks.

@ Nana says at 7:48 am …. ”The real Tory leader goes to Brussels for ‘extensive’ talks with Michel Barnier or Michelle?

link to twitter.com

Warmonger, Arlene Foster, is going to Brussels to point out that:

‘The Irish Sea border red line is blood red.’

link to youtube.com

………………………….

Absolutely horrendous, Nana. These two links should go together. FGS Scots get off of your knees and get us out of this.

link to thecanary.co

Tory England

link to twitter.com

…………………………

Anyone with connections to the Scottish shipbuilding industry visiting the site? Another VOW broken. Scotland being booted up the backside … again. Waken up folks. Go get some medical help to get you out of your 311 year old coma.

UK (English) shipyards land Royal Navy contracts worth £1bn
link to archive.is

ScottieDog

@Capella
“In my experience “Independents” are usually Tories who don’t stand as Tories because they correctly understand that Tories don’t poll well in Scotland. Besides, there is also an official Tory candidate.”

That’s my point. At the recent by-election I believe that one of the ‘independents’ was genuinely a local issues person but the other there was very little info on. yet voting till you boak under STV meant that I positioned him above the neoliberal imperialist parties – Lib dums, tories, and yes SLAB.

Think we are missing a trick here.

Petra

Nana I noticed these reports embedded in the Prof John Robertson link (9:15am) and Act of the Union Bill 2018 (9:15am).

Well worth a read.

Full text of the Act of the Union Bill 2018.

link to constitutionreformgroup.co.uk

………………………………………

Full report (2018) on research findings by Edinburgh and Cardiff Universities which exposes the truly divided nature of the so-called United Kingdom.

link to centreonconstitutionalchange.ac.uk

ScottieDog

We can’t necessarily game d’hond’t but we can load the bases surely?

Ken500

If Westminster does not agree to another IndyRef, especially with all the promises reneged upon (VOW). If Westminster does not uphold the UN commitment to self governance and self determination. Britain will lose it’s place at the UN be expelled or suspended. With no veto rights.

The (EU) UN will force Westminster to commit to support for another IndyRef or they will be sanctions by the UN and lose rights to membership. Westminster cannot refuse permission. Or will face international sanctions. For breaking International Law. The intenstionsl courts will uphold Scotland’s right. That is why Scotland got Devolution (as limited as possible). That is why Cameron had to agree to an IndyRef. Agee or break international with sanctions.

Scotland has friends all over the world. In influential positions who will support upholding Scotland’s right. In the EU as well.

Nana

@Petra

I’ve read it Petra, it was included in the link I provided on the 7th.
The original has since been taken down
see here error 404!

link to constitutionreformgroup.co.uk

I had saved it [just in case it vanished] 🙂
link to constitutionreformgroup.co.uk

Dr Jim

Andy Collier ex SNP speech writer says on the radio this morning that even if Scotland becomes Independent it will be unable to join anything for a decade

Now I don’t think he meant that quite how it sounded but as we know Brits who’ll have heard that will immediately start jumping for joy hoping that’s the next stick to beat us with

I also believe he’s wrong anyway because Scotland would still be in whatever the UK had done until we decide differently

Ken500

It’s the illegal Tory tax that has ruined the Oil industry and stopped production. Tory/LibDem/unionist Condem totally ignorance incompetence, Since 2010. A bunch of imbeciles. Parasites

The tax 40% since Jan 2016. Ie 30% Corporation tax 10% supplementary tax. It was higher before. When the price had fallen 75% it was taxed at 62%. During that period. The producers stopped drilling and production. Uneconomical. Scotland has lost £Billions and thousands of jobs because of this total ignorant incompetence.

The Westminster unionists haven’t got a clue. It still has to be imported. Until there can be alternative cheaper fuels in place.

Fracked Gas in the rest of the UK is tax free, The Westminster unionists cut funding for turbines/solar/tidal. They cut a Tidal project in Swansea and CCS projects in the UK. . They are wasting £Billons on Hinkley Point. A total waste of money. It will be years late. Totally over budget and dangerous.

Petra

The National and Sunday National newspapers are full of data not to be found in any other newspaper. A fantastic bunch of reporters. And brilliant articles. Add to that the great front / back page spread (plus two pages inside) with photographs / coverage of the Edinburgh AUOB march in the Sunday National. Even more of course in yesterday’s National. B*gger all elsewhere. Well seeing that they are the only newspapers, of around 40 in Scotland, that are catering for around 50% of the Scots.

…………….

David Pratt: ‘Unsung Scots heroes of the apartheid fight should be remembered.’

..”I mention all of this because, in sharp contrast, Scotland’s political ranks can, by and large, hold their heads high with regard to their role in opposing the apartheid regime. There are, of course, exceptions, and certain former Tory councillors in Glasgow immediately spring to mind. In the main, though, Scotland’s politicians and people stepped up to the plate when it mattered.”..

link to thenational.scot

……………………

I heard that the Indy choir was singing outside of St Giles Cathedral on Saturday. Sadly I missed it. Someone was telling me that one of the songs that they sung was ‘Freedom Come All Ye’, which had a number of people in tears.

‘Luke Kelly: Freedom Come All Ye. Yes Scotland.’

link to youtube.com

………………………

The lyrics.

Roch the wind in the clear day dawin
Blaws the cloods heilster-gowdie ower the bay
But there’s mair nor a roch wind blawin
Throu the Great Glen o the warld the day
It’s a thocht that wad gar oor rottans
Aa thae rogues that gang gallus fresh an gey
Tak the road an seek ither loanins
Wi thair ill ploys tae sport an play
Nae mair will our bonnie callants
Merch tae war when oor braggarts crousely craw
Nor wee weans frae pitheid an clachan
Mourn the ships sailin doun the Broomielaw
Broken faimlies in lands we’ve hairriet
Will curse Scotland the Brave nae mair, nae mair
Black an white ane-til-ither mairriet
Mak the vile barracks o thair maisters bare
Sae come aa ye at hame wi freedom
Never heed whit the houdies croak for Doom
In yer hoose aa the bairns o Adam
Will find breid, barley-bree an paintit rooms
When MacLean meets wi’s friens in Springburn
Aa thae roses an geans will turn tae blume
An the black lad frae yont Nyanga
Dings the fell gallows o the burghers doun.

Fred

@ Nana, Baurheidboay excellent. Saw a couple with a wean at the march, the faither carried the wee lassie across to see the UJ contingent. “Ahm jist showin the wean the fannies!” How we all laughed!

galamcennalath

Boak!

” US producers are allowed to include up to 30 insect fragments in a 100-gram jar of peanut butter; as well as 11 rodent hairs in a 25-gram container of paprika; or 3 milligrams of mammalian excreta (typically rat or mouse excrement) per each pound of ginger.

In the EU there are no allowable limits for foreign bodies in food products. “

If England really wants to eat rat shite, then that’s their choice. Scotland mustn’t go down that road.

link to uk.businessinsider.com

Nana

Michael Russell on now

link to snp.org

That’s all for now

Cubby

Telegraph journalistic buffoon Alan Cochrane on Sky news this morning. Keeps saying the Nationalists. Cannot bring himself to say Scottish.

Well Cochrane I’ve news for you. You are a Nationalist. A British nationalist buffoon.

Petra

Strange (NOT) that it disappeared Nana, lol. Yeah we’ll need to tuck it away in our archives for safekeeping. Better still bin it because we’ll be out of this hellhole before they can draw breath.

I replied to your Arlene Foster link earlier along with the DWP bonuses link plus the hellish link relating to the poor physically handicapped woman. No sign of it (yet).

……………………

@ Dr Jim ….”Unable to join the EU for a decade.”

Dr Jim I posted a link on here not so long ago that covered an EU Constitutional expert saying that the EU could basically deal with any delay by ”erasing” the words United Kingdom from treaties etc, and replacing them with the word Scotland (with a few alterations here and there). I’ll see if I can dig it out.

Whatever the case the EU, I’m sure, will do its utmost to accommodate Scotland (oil, gas, renewable energy etc), if for no other reason than to give Westminster a boot up the backside. Additionally, getting us into the fold, will send out a clear message to other EU countries that are thinking of leaving, imo.

Fred

Michael Russell superb, inspiring or whit!

Fred

New poll shows half the English Tories think there should be no Scots in the British cabinet & that a quarter of Scottish Tories agree with them!

Collie

The Irish Border problem has got to be the biggest conundrum the world has ever seen.

Not one person has been able to solve it.

All good for Scottish Independence of course.

alextone

Does anyone have a link for the police scotland 100,000 estimate for the indy rally on the 6th?

I’m fighting the good fight on other fora at the moment.

Clootie

EU membership (…in any form)

Always remember that 20million (East) Germans attained full EU citizenship in under a year.
It proves that the EU can drive issues through quickly whenever they want.
I think Scotland (if they wanted to) could attain membership very, very quickly.

My post is not to endorse full membership (although I still support that), but to highlight the nonsense of project fear MK2 with regard to our recognition.

We are EU citizens who have by a significant margin voted to remain so. Why would they not welcome us if we chose to apply. We are fully aligned to all standards and legislation and have been for well over 4 decades.

galamcennalath

Fred says:

there should be no Scots in the British cabinet & that a quarter of Scottish Tories agree

Saw that. I’m not quite sure what to make of it!

They can’t possible mean what they say. Perhaps it’s a misunderstanding and/or misinterpretation of the question?

One possibility is that Tories from Scotland see themselves as British or English, not Scots. Therefore when the question asks ‘Scots’ they don’t think of Tory politicians from Scotland, they think of someone else.

Or, basically, in their wee minds Scots can’t be Tories, only British and English living in the ‘Scotland region’ can be.

On that level, perhaps they actually have a point!

galamcennalath

Clootie says:

the EU can drive issues through quickly whenever they want. I think Scotland (if they wanted to) could attain membership very, very quickly.

I agree completely. German reunification, yes. Also the EU has form in interfering in neighbouring non members.

At one minute past midnight Brussels time on Brexit Day, the UK is no longer a member country and a new set of rules will apply.

It is definitely in the EU’s interests to have iScotland as a full member. It’s a no brainier for them. IScotland is an exceedingly desirable asset to have with the single market. We might have our own views, but I have absolutely no doubts that iScotland would be fast tracked.

What I don’t think they will do is promote the breakup of the UK, however if a majority of Scots make it clear we want independence, then the EU ‘will be all over us’ IMO.

Meg merrilees

Galamcennalath

re the Cabinet make up

I bet Mundell was one of those Scots Tories who doesn’t think there should be any Scots in the Cabinet

Old Pete

John Prentice very negative regarding Scottish Independence. VERY DISAPPOINTING!

Dr Jim

Prof Poultice does it again for the UK

Support for the SNP for the Holyrood elections is down says Poultice but slightly up for Westminster if there’s a GE says Poultice, No referendum unless Labour wins a GE with SNP support says Poultice as he compares the SNP position to that of the DUP

Polls haven’t moved from 45% says Poultice

Oh this is a cracker, Boulton asked Callum Steele of the Polis Fed if the Polis in Scotland were all Scottish Nationalists, he really really asked that, and some woman from the Press Asc said the SNP were failing at almost everything, Allan Cochrane gutturaly muttered how much he hated the SNP while trying to form other words with his very own mouth, but he couldn’t manage many actual words mostly just the guttural noises

I just heard that Lorraine Kelly’s a Britnat, is this true, I’m so disappointed if this is right, somebody say It’s not so

Footsoldier

“A deal to buy three key North Sea gas fields has moved closer after uncertainty created by US sanctions against Iran, delayed the process”.

“This outcome protects a valuable British asset which, together with the Bruce and Keith fields, produces about 5% of UK offshore gas production” said Serica chief executive Mitch Flegg.

Luigi

Ken500 says:

9 October, 2018 at 10:04 am

Scotland has friends all over the world. In influential positions who will support upholding Scotland’s right. In the EU as well.

Dr Jim says:

9 October, 2018 at 10:10 am

Andy Collier ex SNP speech writer says on the radio this morning that even if Scotland becomes Independent it will be unable to join anything for a decade.

This is precisely why we need real friends, folks. NS and the SG have been working hard at this in Europe, IMO. However, we will need their public support in due course.

I really hope that, when the time is right, that prominent EU politicians will speak out on Scotland’s behalf. We will be inundated with this type of BS, which needs to be countered. Having a few big “friends” around the world, willing to speak for us will go a long way.

As long as they are willing to go public. Warm words behind closed doors are no use. No use at all.

Heck, even if the BBC ignores pro-Scottish comments from EU politicians, all we have to do is circulate on SM and put the quotes in leaflets titled:

“Scotland and the EU: What the BBC won’t tell you”.

Old Pete

John Curtice, silly me I am just so annoyed. SO ANGRY!

gus1940

Is Collier not ex-Tory speechwriter?

Meg merrilees

So this is how the WM Tories work…

Wait till the SNP Conference then early this morning, on the day of the FM’s speech, launch your counter-attack i.e. The Reformed Constitution proposal or New Act of Union. ( Thanks for archiving Nana.)

There’s a grenade if ever I’ve read one!!!!

This Part requires the amendment of the Scotland Act 1998 to ensure that the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government have competence in all matters except the central policy areas assigned to Parliament and Her Majesty’s Government by Part 2.

Powers of intervention currently belonging to the Scottish Parliament to be removed; requirements to consult the Secretary of State shall be abolished; Sections 35 and 58 of the Scotland Act to be repealed…. to effectively prevent Scotland having any say on decisions about her future taken by Parliament . ( my bold letters)

The Supreme court to remain the most senior Court of the UK; a referendum to be held on whether we want this new Act, questions to be in English and Welsh and NO OTHER LANGUAGE;

The public authorities of each part of the United Kingdom must cooperate with each other, and with any other public authority of the United Kingdom, for any purpose connected with defence and security. hold on we might be going to war soon!!!

Parliament will take all decisions… etc, etc, etc,

I think they are working on the basis that Scotland voted to stay in the UK in 2014 therefore we have, in their logic, put the noose around our own necks.

Hence, this explains why no Tories were really interested in the debate about the Claim of Right, why Mundell said Scotland is no longer a partner but is now a part of the UK; why Ruth is so glib, why T May is not listening to Scotland over Brexit.

They think it is all over bar the shouting- Scotland is part of England and that is the real meaning of their ‘Take Back Control’ slogan.

Dear God, I hope I’ve read all that wrong! Nicola we need out really soon.
WM will rush this through ASAP.

Nicola was interviewed on the R4 Today programme yesterday – expert replies as we would expect. However, today on Woman’s Hour the BBC decided to interview Sarah Smith about Nicola. It’s ok to have (t)Ruthless on a few weeks ago and the other Lib-Dem lassie who might take over from Cable but not Nicola twice in one week. They could have recorded an interview yesterday for broadcast today – an obviously busy day for Nicola.
As to be expected Smith gave some information but not enough facts e.g. teachers want a higher pay rise than the Scottish government is offering them so they talk of strike which is embarrassing for a Government that has made Education the focus of it’s campaign.

Perhaps if she’d said that the Scottish government is offering a 5% pay rise and the teachers want 10% folk would have more perspective but Southern listeners would imagine a government pay rise to be a paltry 1% or at most 3%… economical with the truth is the phrase i would use for Ms. Smith.

Sorry for a long post!

Iain mhor

By all the auld gods, that Act of Union Bill is a piece of work. Robert Peffers will have an aneurysm and with good reason

Tl;dr
Pretty much Westminster as is, running things as currently, but with a devolved English Parliament. A “UK” Parliament with Supreme Sovereign power vested in a “constitutional” Monarchy and provision for a City State.
Abolishes the Kingdoms for four devolved countries, but continues to style itself a United Kingdom Parliament. Abolishes the House of Lords by not abolishing it.
Pretty much just EVEL and as you were, except now you don’t have your own nation and entirely subject to Westminster.
Written in Crayon.

Good luck.

Socrates MacSporran

OFF-TOPIC – but I think interesting

I came across a link which one of my Independence-minded friends had posted on Facebook. It was a Channel 4 News interview, between Jon Snow and the rapper ‘Professor Green.’

Green had done a programme on white working class Britain, and he admtted to misgivings when he had to do a piece on “Britain First.”

Green said: “The funniest thing about Britain First is them walking around waving the British flag when really their country has done very, very little for them.”

You know, up here, we could say the very same about the Orange Order. I fear what they will do, when they realise, they have been conned by the Tories and the elite they support.

Bob Mack

WTF? Did I just hear John Nicholson on Daily politics agree the SNP is struggling on Health and education?

Time he was parked.

In fact we outperform the rest of the UK on Health and our recent grades awards are higher than ever.

Only politicians who inform themselves as we do on here should be on programmes.

(Ps) in my daughters house and TV on.

Valerie

Collie @ 11.13

Just saw this on Twitter, and it’s a great point.

It’s not the Irish Border, it’s the British Border, they put it there with partition.

Therefore, it’s a British problem to solve!

Thepnr

@Nana

Thanks again for all the links. Of the hundreds I’ve read or watched I doubt I have saw anything as harrowing as the circumstances that poor disabled young woman finds herself in having to live in an upstairs flat given the difficulties she has with mobility.

I refuse to accept that there’s “nothing we can do” which seems to be the prevailing attitude when it comes to the lives of poor souls like her. It’s truly distressing to feel powerless against this.

We not only need radical change we should demand it. I wish more people would wake up to the reality of Brexit Britain and how the Tories governing us make life unbearable for so many disadvantaged disabled and poorer people like her.

Booming speeches by the politicians shouting “stand on your own two feet” or “get on your bike” are made by selfish bastards who believe that you should be cast off from society if unable to be a “productive member of society”.

Universal Credit will make it easier to get back into work, Aye so it will if you don’t find yourself dying in the street due to homelessness or being driven to suicide through despair and there’s a lot of despair out there. Many a lot worse than the poor woman covered in that clip.

Totally raging that the UK saved the bankers and the poorest pay the price, relying on foodbanks and charity for support, it’s a disgrace and the politicians responsible should be ashamed but they won’t be, they couldn’t care less, even.

link to twitter.com

Collie

Dr Kim

Re, prof Curtice

He says the polls are stuck on 45%. But no mention of how a bad Brexit deal would affect the polls.

Adam Bolton ends the show abruptly with him telling us support for Indy stuck on 45% as his last sound bite.

Sky News are as biased as the BBC and ITV when it comes to Scottish Independence.

And their Scotland reporter James Matthews is one of the most bitter BritNats you will ever come across.

Collie

Dr Jim of course, lol

Breeks


Fred says:
9 October, 2018 at 11:04 am
New poll shows half the English Tories think there should be no Scots in the British cabinet & that a quarter of Scottish Tories agree with them!..

In fairness, the other half probably hasn’t met Ruth Davidson yet.

Collie

Valerie 12.47pm

The unsolvable Irish Border problem will be one of the main reasons Scotland wins her Independence.

Because it will be the main reason Treeza ends up with No Deal on Brexit, which will lead to a landslide victory for us in IndyRef2.

Fred

This proposed New Act of Union has Lord Menzies Campbell’s fingerprints all over it. A former clerk with the Gas Board he is best remembered for billing the public for two Georgian bedside chanty cabinets for his Edinburgh townhouse. The chanty-wrestler burst oot greetin when confronted with this revelation on the common street!

Dr Jim

I just found out I’m a terrorist and so are you and so are we all apparently
They demand that we stay in the UK but if we disagree they want me and you dead, and I mean dead, if we agree to stay OK but we can’t take part in their parliament or their decisions and must stay silent and compliant

They’re awfy angry at us, but not, if…

Where’s a daisy when you need one

They love us they love us not they love us they love us not

Ottomanboi

Scottish nationalism is an existential threat to the integrity of the British state. Within the EU the agents of British ‘deep state’ can do relatively little to curtail its influence. Outside those politico-legal confines one might conceive of a situation where to identify as such would qualify as treasonable. GCHQ…it’s all yours, do your worst type scenario.
I have yet to meet a true Brit who did not consider that reasonable and ‘fair’.
These are not normal times. Blackford did punch hard yesterday. Sturgeon might take her cue from that.
However, enough words, some action please.

Macart

@Fred

The Act of Union proposal might have a few problems.

link to twitter.com

It needs people to vote for it in all home nations. That’d be people who’ve been conditioned from years of party and media narrative to mistrust one another. Mistrust party politics not their own. Mistrust demographics and mistrust institutions.

It’d require the founding of a new parliament and the agreement of two houses, several legislative bodies and the peoples those bodies represent. The poll results posted by Colin Dunn give a hint of just how successful that would be. Not only that, but that same hoose on the Thames is going to have to explain to that electorate just why binding the ‘subsidy junkies’ even tighter is a good thing. They created the anti Scottish/anti Scottish government narrative mind. How they win over people they’ve conditioned to regard us as second class citizens should be good and I’d wish them luck with that, but y’know… 🙂

I’d say the proposal itself isn’t the biggest worry, but the mindset which prompts it should worry folks a lot more.

Q.

These (and other such absurdities) are repeated unchallenged by the Unionist media for consumption by the hard of thinking.

Ken500

Polls show people in the UK support Independence for Scotland. It is just the Westminster unionists who do not support it.

H Scott

I was googling to find out what time Nicola’s speech is today and landed on an ITV report which is timed as 5.45pm today and gives a report on the speech along with pictures. Is the speech not until 3pm onwards?!

Valerie

Collie, I’m not disagreeing with your analysis, because I’ve said for months, we are headed to No Deal.

The British Border problem, if they accepted their responsibilities, can be solved, by remaining in the CU and SM.

We know that’s an incompatible outcome for the extremists that hold balance within Tory party.

Even now, intelligent commentators on Twitter, cannot grasp how utterly ruthless our colonial masters are in pursuing Brexit. It’s not been a two year fight for them, it’s a decades long fight, and any collateral damage is well worth it.

Ken500

Twitter or e-Mail John Nicholson. To point out his mistake on Health and Education. To try and keep himself more informed and up to date with comment.

Curtice always gets it wrong. His association has been censored and fined many times for poor methodogy and breaking guide lines. Still under investigation. Illegal practices and illegal donation. Corruption.Theyvare not suspend because the Electoral Commission does not do their job. They are also now under investigation and being taken to Court fir their lack of action. Corruption and fraud. They are investigating their e-Mail and lack of legitimate action. The Polls show 50/50 and they are not up to date and suspect.

Ken500

The Conference is on BBC st 3pm. It is being extensively broadcast but they can switch Channels.

Ken500

Different speech? Sometimes their are repeats. To fill in slots. Speeches that were given the day before.

Valerie

Right on cue.

3 roles advertised as “Resilience Advisors” (that’s no doubt borrowed from Scotgov term!) following leaving EU.

Does NOT cover Scotland or NI.

link to civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk

gus1940

Speech 15.00 BBC2

Thepnr

@H Scott

Speech scheduled for 15:15 according the SNP agenda for the conference.

link to snp.org

Dr Jim

For the many not the few Ooops! except some of Labours staff workers are on *Zero hours contracts* and short 12 hour a week contracts Ooops! and have to use Food banks Ooops!

That’s kinda for the few and not the many then intit Ooops!

Embarrassinger and Embarrassinger

Bob Mack

The next time anyone asks you why we want to keep being a member of the EU when most of our trade is with the rest of the UK then remind them that many businesses in the UK with whom we currently trade may well be going out of business because of leaving the EU.

This will affect all sectors of the economy and will cost severe loss of trade for Scotland not just in Europe,but UK wide as well.

Mr Nicolson should have known that simple fact, but he didn’t.

Fred

McFadden good in todays National, Hamish MacPherson ditto. Waiting on the Big Picture!…….

Daisy Walker

I have to go out, so I won’t learn if the following predictions comes true till tomorrow, but…

I bet, that 8 minutes in to the First Ministers speech the TV company will experience ‘technical difficulties’ which will continue periodically for the next 5 minutes, before failing all together.

Any takers?

Hope the SNP film it themselves AND GET IT ON THEIR WEBSITE THIS DATE.

This is why they should (if they haven’t done so) also ensure Lifestream are there – they don’t let us down.

Cheerie to all.

Baldeagle58

Well, I wonder if (Mis)Reporting Scotland will mention that UK (English) shipyards land Royal Navy contracts worth £1bn

Clyde shipbuilders STILL waiting on their promised Frigates

link to archive.is

Brian Doonthetoon

O/T –

There’s 48 hours to go and the iScot fundraiser is at 70%.

“We plan to create a series of 20 second iScot video adverts to be broadcast on terrestrial and satellite TV over the months of October / November and December.

You’ve seen what we have achieved working on a lean budget – help us reach out to others via the medium of Television and help us grow and expand our sphere of influence.”

Every quid counts…

link to crowdfunder.co.uk

Les Wilson

Turned on the tv to watch the conference billed as starting at 3pm,just had to listen to BBC shite for 17 min, aaagh!

galamcennalath

Media … ‘Chequers’ stories abound. What is that all about?

Does anyone think the future trade framework document will be based on the discredited and rejected ‘Chequers’?

Given the Tory red lines, the EU will offer Canada+security+bits.

So, claiming that UK negotiators will achieve ‘Chequers’ to be put before WM has no credibility. It must all be for propaganda purposes, but to what end?

Ottomanboi

Mr Mike Russel said the following:

‘Deciding the when can only come after agreeing on the why.
Because the why isn’t just about grabbing a lifeboat in choppy and dangerous seas.’

He’s referring to the drive for independence, the whys and the wherefores. Btw Mr Russel, the alternative in your scenario would appear to be drowning. It’s all a risk! Your belt and braces politics sucks!
You would think that by now the SNP would actually know WHY? As for the WHEN plainly never heard of long term strategic planning. Again the leadership have had long enough to ponder that. Brexit was a primed weapon which they seem now to have defused.
The people who give their vote to the SNP in the HOPE/DÒCHAS that the party leaders would know how to effectively use it can only gasp. The 100k might as well have stayed at home on Saturday.

Robert Louis

the FM just delivered a major GIRFUY to Westminster. 🙂

One_Scot

Lol, after that speech from Nicola, I think Scotland’s population may well double overnight.

Macart

Now that was a sales pitch if ever I heard one. 🙂

Fred

Superb speech.

K1

Nicola’s speech hit the mark, WM can gtf. She knows the groundswell is building, she knows there is an impatience, understandable as it is…but…hold, hold, hold.

It’s comimg…of that I’m in no doubt.

Tatu3

What a brilliant speech. She definitely mentioned Independence this time ?

Robert Louis

Prof curtice ‘the main message from the speech; ‘we are not yet ready for independence’.

Man, that is some kind of spin. No wonder he got a freaking knighthood from England’s queen.

frogesque

Did I hear Nicola right?

And I do paraphrase, fuck Westminster and your S30, we WILL have an IRef2!

Robert Louis

Frogesque;

No, you are correct. That is EXACTLY what I heard too.. 🙂

frogesque

@ Brian Doonthetoon: 3.09

Done!

One_Scot

Lol, yeah, Westminster you can give us your blessing, or you can get tae…

Clootie

….that is a leader!
🙂 🙂 🙂

Bob Mack

I think once we know the Brexit outcome ( especially since the DUP sound like torpedo in the outcome) then it’s definitely on folks.

Spring 19 announcement?

galamcennalath

A Tweet from WoS Twitter …

” The SNP
FM: These negotiations have also brought into sharp focus the difference in status between Scotland and independent members of the EU.

Independent Ireland has received nothing but solidarity from its European partners. Westminster has shown Scotland nothing but contempt. “

That says SOOOO much.

Ireland is a small country in a UNION with other nations. They share many benefits. They enjoy the best international trading agreements on the planet. They are listened to. Their views are influential. And when things get bad, that UNION backs up Ireland. A wee country with a powerful friend.

Scotland is a small country in a UNION with other nations. They are ripped off relentlessly. They are being dragged into relative isolation and having their trade sriously damaged. They are totally ignored. Their views count for nothing. And when things get bad, that UNION throws Scotland under the wheels. A wee country In the claws of a callous predator.

Not all UNIONS are equal.

Liz g

Robert Louis & Forgesqu
And also, don’t you even dare to try and sell our NHS Scotland in the meantime..

Thepnr

@frogesque

You were more or less spot on with your paraphrasing 🙂

And now we have Tory and Labour politicians queuing up to tell us that the decision about Scotland’s future belongs, not to the people, but to Westminster.

That they will decide if and when we can choose to be independent.

Well, let us send this message today.

You can oppose independence – that is your democratic right.

But you cannot – and you will not – deny Scotland’s right to choose.

Marcia

Les Wilson

I switch on BBC2 and got the same so switched off and went back the SNP website and watched from there with the bonus of subtitles for us who don’t have 100% hearing anymore.

Les Wilson

Well, Nicola’s speech covered a lot. A very good speech and a warning to Westminster and I am sure she ain’t kidding.
Thought the pointing out to ENHS workers that if they are not happy down there they are welcome here was also a good move, among many good moves.

Westminster will be spitting bullets along with the tractors embedded up here.

Ken500

Why are people working for the Labour Party? To ensure people are sanctions and starved to death. Millions are killed in illegal wars. Terrible suffering. Mass migration and millions of people living in tents.

Working for those cretins what do they expect? They are part of the problem causing the increasing use of foodbanks. Then they actually used it for publicity. They are without shame. An absolute shambles.

It’s lies anyway. Loads of unscrupulous people works for them and are totally overpaid with public money. Some people just do it for the money. They threw money at people to canvass, Some people know some of them. Wasting borrowed public money like there is no tomorrow. On an expense account, Totally overpaid,

Take it with another pitch of salt. A another load of nonsense. Ditto the other unionist Parties

Multimillionaires Blair/BrownCamerin/May/Osbourne/Cable/Clegg and that is just a few of them. Troughing on public money for years destroying the world economy. Causing misery and death. Fraudsters and habitual liars. Most of them should be in jail.

Robert Louis

You know listening to thin Arleney woman from the bigoted hateful, homophobic DUP, today, It really struck me, the solution, as pointed out here before, really is obvious.

Let Scotland stay in the customs union and N.Ireland. Problem solved. Scotland happy, and the DUP happy and Ireland happy. Called (I think) a win-win-win situation.

Seriously, Westminster really needs to start thinking it through.

Fred

How dae ye spell Russell?

galamcennalath

Nicola said “independent” 16 times, and “independence” 13 times.

She kept coming back to it as the best solution for Scotland.

It really is ‘when’ not ‘if’ any more.

link to snp.org

Collie

Sky News and BBC News24 couldn’t wait to pull the plug on Nicola.

“Right, that’s they Scottish bastards finished for another year, let’s get back to all things English and American”.

Can you feel the love ladies and gentlemen?

No,,me neither.

sandy

Curtis, IMO, is getting like Patrick Harvey, full of self importance. I never did have much time for him (Curtis), even less now.
Can anyone seriously take heed of his opinions, IF one could clearly understand with his somewhat guttural manner of speaking.

Hamish100

Ottoman boyo – we can feel your hurt. We can feel an independence campaign ratcheting up. Independence or brexit

Dr Jim

Nothing will ever satisfy the DUP until Noah comes back and drowns everybody who’s not them and acknowledges that dinosaurs are fake and God smites all the rainbow folk and marches can happen every day

Cubby

Lying Britnats to the left. Lying Britnats to the Right.

Political shows have one or two setups.

1. No representation from the SNP so they can have a free go at the Scotgov/SNP with no response.

OR

2. The sole SNP representative is outnumbered by the Britnats. Lying Britnats to the left and lying Britnats to the right.

There is not ONE political show/ news programme in Scotland never mind the UK that has a presenter/ reporter that supports independence. All Britnats. They have the cheek to call this democracy.

It’s like the football team that always gets to play at home against an opponent who doesn’t turn up or the next week the opposition team are only allowed 9 players. Democracy and free fair media???? Your having a joke.

Thepnr

I think we can expect to hear more from the MSM expert talking heads, about how Independence has been kicked into the long grass and of how unlikely it is that there will be another referendum this side of 2021 blah blah waffle waffle.

The so called “experts” will be blowing froth from their bahookies they’ll be so much wind from them and especially the “Scotland will need permission from Westminster” bullshit.

The reality of course is that they have no better idea of when the next referendum will be than you or I, nor how any plebiscite will come about than you or I do.

Only Nicola Sturgeon and her very closest advisers know the answer to that and they’re saying nothing until they’re ready to say it and we’ll be the first to know.

Liz g

Robert Louis @ 4.47
Westminster will never agree to that Robert.
Because it will raise the question .. is the oil and gas in the EU single market with the Scottish Government or out of the EU single market and in the control of the Westminster Government ?
A question they wouldn’t want asked

galamcennalath

Dr Jim says

marches can happen every day

… but only the ones which have been ‘tangoed’ 🙂

Dan Huil

Our independence still largely depends on the arrogance, ignorance and incompetence of british nationlists. So, I’m optimistic.

Highland Wifie

Truly brilliant and inspiring that speech by Nicola this afternoon. Said so much without having to say too much but you can be sure the message hit home where it mattered.
I can imagine lots of clandestine meetings to work out how to deal with the pesky Scots and their far too competent SNP leader. She’s showing us up too much, demonstrating how leaders should be, not good enough you know.
Well get used to it Westminster. This is how you run a modern, progressive democracy. It’s getting harder to hide the truth despite the constant whinging of the other parties and the press.
We will have an independence referendum and we will win.

uno mas

Nicola´s speech on youtube.

link to youtube.com

Cubby

Bob Mack@ 12.46pm

Yes I heard that as well. Not easy when you have a lying Britnat to the left of you and a lying Britnat to the right of you. However, he has lost his way a bit since he lost his seat. He was much better when he was an MP.

He dug a hole for himself as he was then pressed on what exactly had the SNP done wrong on education and health. Not a great performance by Nicholson. Mind you Alistair Darlings ex better together Labour adviser now with the Herald was bloody awful. She just kept on with the old project fear crap updated for Brexit – namely if you think it will be bad with Brexit then independence will be a lot worse. These people are the ultra doom merchants. All Rev I M Jolly.

Rock

“Scotland is being dragged out of the EU against its will and it’s her job to speak for its people.”

She has left it a bit too late.

Because she was too busy flogging a dead horse – a separate deal for Scotland which was never going to happen.

The day after the Brexit result was announced, she should have made a rallying call to the people of Scotland to prepare for independence if they wanted to remain in the EU.

There will soon be a No Deal Brexit and Nicola won’t dare defy Saint Theresa and hold an independence referendum before that happens.

This is my humble opinion and I hope I am proven wrong.

Ian Brotherhood

I never ever see anyone I recognise at the big speeches but today I saw three, all of this parish – Betty Boop, her man Jim and Wilderness of Peace himself.

Get framin thae screengrabs!

Hoots all!

😉

Collie

Cubby 5.08pm

“Lying BritNat bastards to the left of me, Lying BritNat bastards to the right…”

Did Gerry Rafferty not sing that one Cubby?

sassenach

Disappointed with John Nicholson, he’s almost become Anglisised (even admitted he spends most of his time down south), by allowing the other Labour woman to condemn education and health and just agreeing “there are difficulties” was a poor reply. He sounded like he had lost touch with Scots matters (heading for the dark side??).

But doesn’t it seem strange that at these times BBC always manage to recruit a ‘friendly’ former SNP guest?

Just before the end of the transmission, yon Coburn woman had asked him whether he might stand for WM again – I didn’t catch his reply, but on today’s showing I sincerely hope not!

Liz g

Highland Wifie @ 5.29
Aye it was indeed a clever speech….
Independence still on the table, reassurance that we are on the right track and should stay the course.
But at the same time, gave Westminster absolutely nothing.
May still cannot plan a GE to subvert the Indy Ref before having to go forward with Brexit!
And this vote for a second EU ref … as far as I can see, she’s just put Corbin on the spot for it now!!
He is the one that has to choose to agree with it or not!
And all this at no cost to Scotland, Indy ref 2, or the SNP…

Ken500

The reason Scotland got a Holyrood Gov (with extremely limited powers deliberately to keep control) was because people in Scotland -a convention appealed to the EU/UN. The convention made representation. It was acknowledged that scotland has less democracy than some of the recently Independent – self determined – Eastern European states. Released from USSR dominance. Blair had to agree to more democractic status for Scotland. Or Britain would not have been complying with the EU/UN human fights ideals of self determination/independence. Rights ensured in UN Law to aspired for all their members,

The UN would have sanctioned Blair. Britain could have been been out of the UN. Lost status.

That still apply if May etc do not agree Britain will be expelled from the UN. They would be breaking UN Law. They could be sanction and lose UNmembership and the priveileges. Lose the veto vote.

May et al have to agree another IndyRef. The way the Westminster Gov treats Scotland is illegal breaking International Law. Denying Democracy, right and principles. They are acting illegally. Even breaking the VOW they are acting illegally. It is not legitimate for Gov to break they word and lie. Renege on promises. That is unprofessional conduct. They take oaths to support professional conduct and the Law.

Iraq, Lockerbie and Dunblane kept secret under the Official Secrets Act for 100 years. Totally illegally. Not open democractic Gov.

Thepnr

Ian Brotherhood

Wilderness of Peace himself. You missed his mum then she was right next to him 🙂

gus1940

When are the britnats and their fan club going to admit that Nicola has been saying ever since the EUREF that Indyref2 will not take place until we know the terms of whatever Brexit deal is known.

Is it not a fact that because we have to get the OK from Perfidia Central to hold Indyref2 is the best argument we have for Indy?

Cubby

Starting to like the fact that the FM is keeping the Britnats guessing re the independence referendum. It must be pissing them off not knowing if she will call indyref2 next week or next month or whatever.

I heard independence/independent all the time in her speech. The word oil was never mentioned. Only in a Britnat media controlled Scotland could having an abundance of oil and gas be turned into a problem.

Blair Paterson

OT someone said that if we ever have ind., ref., 2. The Brit Nats will try to bring in the Dunkirk spirit well part of that spirit was for Churchill to abandon the Highland Division just like Wolfe at Quebec send in the highlanders No great mischief if they fall also place all our nuclear weapons in Scotland so it’s. Still no great mischief if they fall ??? That’s what they think of us but the thing that baffles me most is why we allow them to do this to us time after time ??? I personly feel guilty for letting this go on and on and maybe the reason I feel guilty is because I am

Ottomanboi

Pragmatic Prudence Sturgeon takes a pin to the independence ballon. Now you see it, now you don’t. But we can still imagine and HOPE.
All those grey heads in the hall breath a collective sigh of relief. Yer pension’s safe wi the SNP.
An entire younger generation sold down the river.
Pathetic!

Cubby

Collie@5.44pm

Yep that’s where I got the inspiration for that description. Well spotted.

Ken500

Nicola and Co will do exactly what is right for success.

May has to agree to IndyRef2 or break International Law. Britain would be throw out of the UN lose privileges and the veto. Out in the wilderness. Not that she will be there for much longer. The poison chalice. The absolute total and utter shambles. They could not make a bigger mess. They will have to call a GE and leave someone else to clear up their mess. A Westminster tradition.

People in Britain support Scottish Independence by a huge majority.

Ken500

John Nicholson always was involved in media elsewhere. Studied abroad as well. He has had a house in London for years.

Google (or what ever) Wikipedia

He has been involved in many things. Mainly in the Media. Some political comment.

Stop watching the BBC for sanity. Unless absolutely necessary. Jo Coburn is terrible. Totally out of touch. London centric. It is embarrassing,

Ian Brotherhood

@Thepnr –

If his mum had a magnificent beard I’d surely have noticed her too!

🙂

sassenach

Did anyone else watching the politics shows with yon Coburn wifie think she was going to explode when she couldn’t get any of her guests to ‘name the ref date’? She seemed to have no other question in her armoury, pair wee soal.

She is fast becoming deranged over this ( as are many other Britnats!!) – Nicola really did turn the screw again today.

Frank Gillougley

I listened intently to the whole speech. There were many images/ideas that came to mind sitting there ‘actively’ listening. Initially, I do confess to feeling a bit disappointed at the end as there was no ‘when’ statement, but since then I have thought, what an absolutely mature political speech. One that will reverberate for a time and noted by other countries.

She stressed our internationalist outlook (reminding me of John McLean’s dictum: Glasgow will not be dictated to by Moscow!) She never used the word ‘London’ once! She mentioned the SNP offices being established abroad (forerunners of embassies?)

She spelled out the SNP’s and Scotland’s domestic values for a society that cares for its people and its success in government a reason for independence. Hence the phrase, making hope possible (a reality) and the main example for me given was Housing First. As it says on the tin,, a roof first, then multiple support offered.

Then to Europe and I thought that was brave indeed, taking Churchill’s battle of Britain saying and turning the Tories’ cannon around and firing on them. That was a veritable hit, for me. She then talked about the stark differences between Ireland and its partners and how Scotland had been treated by WM.

And as to the UK, she said there will be no denial of our right to choose when to hold a further referendum. The last two years have shown why and it will be. But, the public have still to be persuaded. Independence will have to be shown to be a logical attractive alternative.

This to me was fair enough, especially when the full panoply of the Britnat media will be railed against the movement for independence and some, when the time comes. Yes, the tide is still to be turned and the Tories will partly do it for us. The longer they go on the better it’ll be for the movement and independence will have been proven by a Scottish government to be a far more attractive generational proposal. And as to when? When the time comes and it will! (after all, who shows their hand playing cards?) No one.

As Nicola said,

Believe in this (by government)
Work for this (by persuasion of the naysayers)
Together we are going to make this happen (by passion and work)

Solid, solid stuff.

I believe.

CameronB Brodie

As the topic is hard-of-thinking Tories, here’s something from a few years back that I wasn’t aware of, but which might be worth keeping an eye out for. Goes for LibDums as well, IMHO, shy Tories. 😉

We’re a Small Island
The Greening of Intolerance

Summary

Far-right groups in Britain are increasingly using environmental and social justice concerns — expansion of housing, wildlife protection, urbanisation, unemployment, indigenous peoples’ rights — to argue against immigration. This is part of a political strategy adopted by the far-right in recent years to make their racist ideas and goals seem more respectable. As a result, far-right groups often seem, from a superficial point of view, to be saying the same thing as progressive environmentalists. Whether they like it or not, environmentalists are drawn into debates on immigration, refugees and asylum seekers.

Because racism is a political strategy for dividing people from each other and for blocking attempts to live with difference, countering these statements with various facts will have limited success. Rather than distinguishing between “environmental” or “social justice” issues and those related to “immigration”, far-sighted environmentalists are linking up with a broad range of people and movements who have to deal with racism every day as a matter of strategy, process and structure.

This presentation was given at the London offices of Friends of the Earth (England and

link to thecornerhouse.org.uk

Petra

I didn’t manage to follow what was going on / said at the Conference today, but STV News just broadcast bits and pieces of Nicola’s speech, including the hands off of our SNHS. BRILLIANT. That’ll put the wind up the Scots who don’t have a clue as to what’s going on. The thought of losing our SNHS to Trump via Westminster is THE game-changer, imo.

I see that we’ve still got people on here griping about Nicola and the SNP, in line with the BBC / Unionist newspapers. What about giving us all a break for one day at least?

Thepnr

@Ottomanboi

Pragmatic Prudence Sturgeon takes a pin to the independence ballon.

Your balloon is maybe burst, mine certainly isn’t. What is it you have never understood about “clarity over Brexit”?

Anyone in the mood of swanning off having given up on Independence should feel free to do just that.

Fair-weather Independence support wouldn’t be winning much anyway, they are greatly outnumbered by those that will stick it through until the end. The end of the Union that is.

Haggishunter

I got a leaflet through the door from another dimwit, Liam Kerr, another Tory list.
Leaflet was ful of photos of himself;
Liam at a zebra crossing
Liam in an aeroplane
Liam with a motorbike helmet
Liam in a shop etc

Then there was a questionnaire, with no free post envelope, asking what is bad about the Scottish government and what they should be doing, so I completed it with the reply;
Open up the port in Rosyth to allow free trade with the EU
Get rid of nukes from Scottish soil
Make it illegal for the Brit media to tell lies
Ban sectarianism
Start a Scottish oil fund
Etc

Macart

@Thepnr

Thought I spotted Al and his mum right enough.

yesindyref2

I just saw the summary in The National, not the speech yet, but it looks like exactly what we expected, and hoped for. Same as it always was, the Ref date is dependent on the terms of Brexit. I agree with comments above, Sturgeon is turning the screw on the Unionists, getting them jumping in all directions and contradicting themselves and each other into a total state of oblivion and self-contemptibility. Yay! They hopping mad.

Doesn’t stop the suspicious among us keeping up the pressure all the same, there’s blind trust and informed trust, both seem to come to the same conclusion at the moment – it’s going fine, and Indy Ref 2 won’t be long now.

Petra

‘House of Lords wants to reform the Act of Union to ‘save the UK.’

‘In a clear case of the unelected in pursuit of the impossible, a group of Lords and other politicians will today bring forward a Bill to strengthen the Union by reforming it.

Saying they want a new Act of Union to “save the UK” the Constitution Reform Group will today publish a Bill aiming “to rebalance and stabilise the constitutional relationships between the four nations of the United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.”

The Constitution Reform Group (CRG) certainly jumped its own gun – the text of their launch document and Bill was freely available on the web yesterday despite being dated October 9.

The National can therefore reveal that the Bill “proposes a constitutional relationship in which the peoples of the UK agree which centrally controlled policy areas should reside in Westminster, and agree the devolved powers to be controlled in the assemblies and parliaments of Holyrood, Cardiff and Stormont.”

Funnily enough, the suggested “centrally controlled policy areas” are much the same as the powers reserved to Westminster at present – defence, national security, foreign policy, human rights and indirect taxation such as VAT.

According to the Bill, membership of the European Union and the European Economic Area would still be “centrally controlled.” And yes, you’ve guessed it, so will immigration.

The CRG say the new Act of Union will also contain options for the governance of England, including a directly elected English parliament sitting in the House of Commons, or a nationwide expansion of regional devolution similar to that seen recently in Manchester.

Intriguingly the Group, which numbers several Lords such as the Marquess of Salisbury, Lord Menzies Campbell and Lord Peter Hain, also suggests the abolition of the House of Lords and its replacement by an elected chamber.

The Scottish Government was not consulted over the Group’s new Act of Union, and the party does not nominate anyone for the Lords.

MP Tommy Sheppard, SNP spokesperson on the chamber, said: “This is a Unionist stunt but at least it does show that they themselves know what thin ice they are skating on in terms of the constitutional arrangements for the island of Great Britain. The archaic 18th century constitution is no longer fit for purpose – the dogs in the street could tell you that. Good luck to them but clearly by far the best way to reform the British constitution would be to allow democratic self-government for the independent countries on this island and allow them to work together as equal partners rather than being subservient to the wishes of the largest partner. The fact they are using the Lords as a platform just highlights the inadequacy of the current constitution.”

link to thenational.scot

ronnie anderson

! Oh ER Mrs Sturgeon git that Crystal Baw polished up or employ ah Brahamms Seer muppets need tae know the date of Independence day , either that or Tanning Tommy will implement the mandate so he wull.

Fekers will be jumping aboot like cats on ah hot tinned roof waiting on Nicola announcing the date of the referendem , btw SNP Baad & after today SNP Baader.

Macart

@yesindyref2

Yes. Yes they will be hopping mad.

Good. 😉

Wee bud

Never heard the FMs speech due to work but was delighted to see that student nurses bursaries rising while being ditched down south.

As a single parent of a girl who has just started her nursing degree this news has been greeted with delight in a student digs in Edinburgh..

Petra

‘Swinney hits out at ‘SNP-bad politics’ of P1 tests.’

..”The sight of Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Tories – the Tories most of all – suddenly discovering that they vehemently oppose P1 assessments after decades of delivering these assessments themselves in councils across the land is jaw dropping. It is easily the worst example of the tribal, SNP-bad politics of the unionist parties I have seen in years. These parties have no right to play politics with the education of children and young people in Scotland.”…

link to thenational.scot

………………………

‘Free bagpipes for hundreds of young people in Scotland.’

”A Scottish schools charity has announced plans to set up the biggest free bagpipe loan scheme in the world. To encourage young people to learn Scotland’s national instrument, the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust will loan 500 sets of bagpipes out for up to three years at a time. Already, more than 160 sets costing about £700 each are being played in schools from Orkney to the Borders…

”Duncan added that a lot of the work was focused on schools in disadvantaged areas where the cost of pipes is a challenge to parents.”..

link to thenational.scot

yesindyref2

@Macart
I’m enjoying many unionist activist posts in the forums these days, they’re great campaigners for Indy. It’s barely possible I even upvote the odd one or two …

Thepnr

Nicola Sturgeon made clear today in her speech that Westminster won’t determine if or when there will be another referendum.

It’s clear that she and her government alone will determine that when the time is right. It’s plain for all to see that Westminster hate being dictated too and want to call the shots.

That’s tough and the strain is showing on the faces of their media lackeys who are doing their upmost to use this in an attempt to disillusion and dissuade supporters of Independence by telling us “it’s all off until after 2021”.

Well they can piss off with their propaganda, nobodies in the mood for their pathetic patter.

CameronB Brodie

re. Migration Watch. I think I posted a paper by them and suggested folk pay attention to the tone of analysis, compared to other analysis I posted of Scotland’s immigration needs. I wasn’t aware their politics were as far right as that though. There you go, eh.

Welsh Sion

Apparently the UK Leader of UKIP wants to have ANOTHER Referendum in Wales with the option of abolishing our National Assembly.

Is he in favour of a 2nd Independence Referendum in Scotland and a 2nd Brexit Referendum?

Answers on the back of a postage stamp, please.

Valerie

@ Petra

agree with all your recent posts about laying off Nicola. We all have these thoughts, are impatient, worried etc., but it’s simply not necessary to decry the best politician in the UK.

Nicola does know what she is doing, and these are mercurial choppy waters. Westminster WILL be planning on how to stymie Nicola.

It was a great speech. Enough caring for her citizens, and poking fun at her opponents.

She especially made clear, these benefits ONLY happen here, under SNP, and that has to happen much more.

Petra

‘Scotland’s libraries welcome millions in investment since March 2017.’

link to thenational.scot

………………………

‘Why Tory cuts to public libraries must be resisted.’

…”It is hardly surprising, therefore, that the Tories want to minimize the opportunity people have for accessing narratives that run counter to the prevailing neoliberal orthodoxy and the promotion of greed and selfish individualism that’s concomitant to the demise of the public library. The extent of the library closure scandal throughout the UK was highlighted by Jeremy Corbyn in 2016. The opposition Labour leader cited Freedom of Information (FOI) figures indicating that since 2010, 575 council-run public libraries have either been closed, transferred to community groups or outsourced, a trend that is set to continue into 2019.

Drastic cuts of this nature clearly contravene the 1964 Museums and Public Libraries Act which was introduced in order to ensure council’s didn’t renege on their duty to encourage use of library services. The Act legally requires local authorities to provide comprehensive and efficient library services.”…

link to cultureandpolitics.org

Robert Peffers

I keep saying it but somehow it never gets remembered by some Wingers.

The Name of the union is. “The United Kingdom”, and there are only two kingdoms with their signatures and seals on the Treaty of Union that created it.

Scotland is both a country and a kingdom England is a country and a three country kingdom. To be able to sign the Treaty of
Union the signatories must both be legally sovereign.

Wales is a Principality that was part of the Kingdom of England for 432 years before the treaty of Union and Ireland was a kingdom that was an integral part of the Kingdom of England for 165 years before the treaty of Union. In both cases these were not united with the Kingdom of England because all of those former monarchies were under the old rule of Law of, “Divine Right of Kings”, under which a monarch defeating another monarch took over the other’s kingdom and the defeated monarch owed allegiance to the winner.

Scotland was thus the only other Kingdom to the Kingdom of England in the British Isles and Scotland won the war of independence but as Scotland had stopped Divine Right of Kings in 1320 by the Declaration of Arbroath then Robert Bruce was not a sovereign monarch and although having defeated England could not invoke Divine Right of Kings so the two Kingdoms remained independent.

In 1603 there was a personal, (For James Sixth), Union of the Crowns but the two kingdoms remained independent. Which was why England illegally engineered the Treaty of Union of 1706/7.

There is absolutely no doubt that the United Kingdom is exactly that – Two equally Sovereign Kingdoms in a bipartite United Kingdom. It remains a Kingdom and not a country but does indeed contain four distinct countries.

In all bipartite union of equals both partners have equal right to terminate the union.

That is what Nicola was telling Westminster – Westminster is NOT legally sovereign over Scotland and neither is the Queen of Scots. Thus, if there is a majority of the legally Sovereign People of Scotland who say the two partner United Kingdom is over they it legally is over and there is nothing that Westminster can LEGALLY do to stop it.

They can claim the United Kingdom is a four country union all they want but that doesn’t make it so and international courts couldn’t even show otherwise.

What is more. all the EU needs to do is state that the United Kingdom is a bipartite kingdom that has split up and the English bit of it has exited as it voted to do but the Scottish part of it will remain as Scots voted to remain EU citizens and Scotland will be the legacy member state for the EU is pledged to look after it citizens – it did after all make the rule that all member state citizens held EU citizenship.

And if the other EU member states don’t like it then Scotland will threaten to take her natural resources elsewhere. A North Sea Basin Common Market for example with the Scandinavian countries, among the member states. Europe could find itself a good deal smaller if it does not accommodate Scots and Scotland.

ahundredthidiot

The people HE serves voted 100% to stay in the UK

Robert Peffers

Now I may be jumping the gun a bit here but could it be the SG has decided to work a real flanker over Westminster?

Nicola’s speech contained more than a few things the SNP DG has just gone ahead and implemented. I cannot recall them specifically seeking Westminster permissions for any of them.

Could this and her defiant speech be daring Westminster to stop the new innovations? It wouldn’t be a bad strategy at this time when the Westminster Mafia are up to their ears in difficult negotiations and at the same time attempting to prevent the Tory Party stopping singing from the same songbook while Arlene sings the descant?

Independence by just taking it a bit at a time.

jfngw

Imagine the state Scotland would be in if we had had a Lab/LibDem government in Scotland for the last eleven years, it is just too much of a nightmare to consider.

Still waiting for M74 completion, no new Forth crossing, M8 still not complete, still using dilapidated schools, no new QE hospital, bedroom tax, university fees, prescription charges. We would have become the the country competing with Wales for the worst performing services.

We would probably have also voted for Brexit, after all if the why would we be different without the SNP alternative.

The only thing we would have more of is ex MSP’s in the House of Lords, in reward for not spending Scotland’s block grant and being good British Nationalists.

Robert Peffers

For anyone who missed it here is the FM’s speech on YouTube:-

link to youtube.com

wullie

deary deary me
link to rt.com

Andy-B

Well hollow object do ring the loudest, Greene is no exception.

Valerie

@ Robert Peffers 7.29pm

I particularly thought that too, especially at the part where she reeled off all the Business hubs operational, and Paris to open soon.

That really made me grin. It fits very much with what Craig Murray said about international recognition. You start acting like a fully independent country.

It sends a massive goodwill message and statement of intent to the EU. Paris!!!

Rock

“Greene – who was rejected by the voters of Cunninghame North by almost 9,000 votes but sits in Parliament anyway”

Should Scotland have the Westminster style “First past the post” voting system instead of Proportional Representation?

Would there ever have been an SNP government without “rejected” SNP MSPs “sitting in Parliament anyway”?

Like it or not, the likes of Greene are there to represent their party as a whole in Scotland.

I agree totally with the Rev. Stuart Campbell on almost all of his postings but totally disagree with him when he so often indirectly attacks the Proportional Representation system, which in my humble opinion, is a reasonably fair system, certainly much fairer than the Westminster system.

Robert Kerr

@Valerie

We have already the statement of intent from Paris.

The new Consulate General in Edinburgh.

link to theguardian.com.

Go and have a look.

Its impressive!

yesindyref2

@RP / @Valerie
Shhhhh! 🙂

Hamish100

rock– nae harm son but ye talk shite.

Greene is to represent all the electorate he just prefers wee free trips to Israel with his MSP pal who doubles up as uni lecturer and some more tory shysters. Anyway enough of your diversion.

We are gearing up for a referendum on Independence in 2019. Have ordered your Sunday National yet?

Valerie

@ Robert Kerr

Thanks, I missed that. Very impressive. Very significant.

Petra

@ Valerie says at 7:13 pm …. ”Petra agree with all your recent posts about laying off Nicola. We all have these thoughts, are impatient, worried etc., but it’s simply not necessary to decry the best politician in the UK. Nicola does know what she is doing, and these are mercurial choppy waters. Westminster WILL be planning on how to stymie Nicola. It was a great speech. Enough caring for her citizens, and poking fun at her opponents. She especially made clear, these benefits ONLY happen here, under SNP, and that has to happen much more.”

The thing is Valerie if we want to read about how Baad Nicola / the SNP is on a daily basis we should forget about visiting Wings and just start buying the Daily Mail, the Express etc, etc. You know the MSM that everyone complains about? The crew that are at the forefront of attempting to stymie our chances of getting our Independence. Food for thought?

I’m not some kind of a sheeple that agrees with everything the SNP do or say, but I’m not going to come on to the most influential pro-Independence site in the UK and start outlining my (few) gripes about the ONLY political party that’s going to free Scotland from the shackles of Westminster. Talk about playing into the hands of our opponents …. or in some cases on here more than likely working on behalf of our opponents.

Nicola Sturgeon is absolutely surrounded by enemies such as Westminster politicians, the extensive Westminster network in general, the MSM, most if not all political parties at Holyrood, some of the Local Authorities, the Unions in Scotland and thousands of ordinary Scottish (and rUK) Unionist Joe Soaps. That just about covers everyone so who’s left? Us? If we’re not going to support her who will? And to be honest if I were in her position, getting death threats on a daily basis and then popping in to visit this site (her supporters) there would be times that I would feel like throwing in the bl**dy towel. Then again that’s what some on here will be hoping for.

Imo, she’s the best politician in the UK by far and is doing an amazing job, especially under the circumstances, and from what I can see she’s totally worn out working 24×7 on OUR behalf. She’ll also be aware of issues that we don’t have a clue about and well, basically, as I see it is carrying an overwhelming burden on her shoulders. Responsible for freeing a country that’s been in the clutches of Westminster for over 300 years or botching up our chances of gaining our Independence for years to come: or forever more. Make a move too soon or leave it too late and lose what’ll probably be our last shot at this: With her ”moves”, of course, being based on the ever changing actions of a bunch of bi-polar narcissists sitting in London. How easy is that?

Meanwhile we’ve got people sitting in the comfort of their own home, tapping away at their keyboards with NOTHING like the worries that she has, the responsibilities that she carries, who wouldn’t swop places with her if they were offered a million bucks, pontificating about where she went wrong, where she’s going wrong and when she should have done what. High time that certain people on here got real and started showing her some support (instead of trying to discredit her and drag her down), the very least that we can do to show our gratitude, especially as we enter the end game. That is of course if they are Independence supporters at all.

Ken500

The Hond’t system is a total farce. Put in to keep the SNP out of Office and let a lot of complete numpties in. That no one wants but can’t get rid. It didn’t work. The SNP are so popular they got an absolute majority. Inspite of the restriction . That was never supposed to happen. The Greens got in by getting second votes from SNP voters. On the question of Independence. In elections They are the most unpopular Party with the most unpopular policies. A limited pressure group. Then renege on certain support.

Some people do not understand the system and think they have to vote for another Party second vote. They do not have to. They can vote for only SNP candidates to try and obtain an outright majority. To achieve Indepence.

The unionists get three lots of funding. Three candidates by comparison then illegally gang up together to try and keep the SNP out. To try and ruin the Scottish economy for spite. BT are not a registered political Party. The reason the SNP can do so well is because they are funded by their members. Not big business, banks or Trade unions who try to interfere. The SNP have the freedom to make the right, fair choice.

Warmonger murderer Blair tried to stitch up the Scottish economy. With as little powers as possible, Dirty liar. Blair cannot walk the streets without massive protection. Stuck in a prism of his own. Despised.

Blair taking Billions out of Scotland ilegally to pay for his filthy wards. Keeping it under the counter with separate accounts. Courtesy of vacant coupon Brown. Who cannot count or read a balance sheet. The best advice anyone could get costing Billion ignoring every ounce. Contributing to the Banking crash. He thought keeping interest rates at 5% would stop boom and bust. While people were borrowing up to hilt against their mortgages. The illegal Wars causing the worst migration crisis in Europe since the IIWar. Leaving millions living in tents. Syria four million displaced. While vulnerable people in Britain are starving.

ronnie anderson

Aw bless the ever so humble lol

yesindyref2

@Valerie
Compare Scotland
link to en.wikipedia.org

with Slovakia (same population)
link to en.wikipedia.org

most of the diplomatic missions already in Scotland would presumably upgrade to embassies.

The French got a head start on the rest!

Petra

@ wullie says at 7:32 pm …”deary deary me.”

link to rt.com

Vomit and condoms all mixed in with cocaine, Wullie. Their heads and other parts of their anatomy are well and truly wasted. No wonder the country’s in the state it’s in.
Soft Brexit, hard Brexit, No deal Brexit, red white and blue Brexit.
Strong and stable, strong and stable, strong and stable.

‘Houses of Parliament Cocaine found in 9 Toilets.’

link to youtube.com

Sinky

Rev Stu

Following a stupid article this morning from Ross Thomson, The Scotsman is really treating its readers with contempt by having an erudite opinion piece(Lol) from the unofficial world idiot champion contender Annie Wells on Nicola’s speech

link to archive.is

who obviously didn’t listen to John Swinney’s speech yesterday.

yesindyref2

With Independence over time, many even of the countries already with diplomatic missions in Scotland would have one or two more in other places – like Holland where the main diplomatic area is in Den Haag where I worked for a few happy months. We stayed in Monster, drove through the embassy district a good few times, wish we had one like that.

sandy

Petra @ 6.45pm.

Correct me if I am wrong.
HOL to discuss the “Act of Union”. Isn’t this the Act of the English Parliament prior to 1707 Treaty? The Scottish Parliament had their Act, hence then the “Treaty”.
As I understand it, HOL can blether as much as it wants. It matters not a whit to the original Scotland “Act”.

Valerie

I think this is a fascinating piece by the Constitution Unit of University College, London.

With all the talk of a second EU referendum, it’s a detailed analysis of various scenarios, the steps and timescales.

There is no political spin or opinion.

link to constitution-unit.com

Glamaig

Robert Kerr says:
9 October, 2018 at 7:51 pm

@Valerie

We have already the statement of intent from Paris.

The new Consulate General in Edinburgh.

I noticed it on Saturday as I was walking up the High St on the way to the march! Complete with tricolours, and right next to our old Parliament! I like their style. Next time there should be big shouts of Vive La France as we go by.

Petra

Another post disappeared? Second today.

Does anyone on here have a comprehensive list of the words that you can’t use, such as r*ape?

yesindyref2

I see from that list Germany has 4, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Kirkwall. Good for them! Netherlands, Norway, Finland and Greece have two. From memory the US embassy isn’t that far from Holyrood park, bet they had a couple of observers there. They’d almost certainly want a bigger or second one, considering NATO and all that jazz.

Lot of jobs and money into the economy with Indy – plus investment of course.

yesindyref2

US CONSULATE not embassy. We’re not there yet 🙂

george wood

A few people with short memories.

Without the List system there would not have been a first SNP government (albeit a minority one) at all. Labour won the FPtP part and it needed the List top-up for the SNP to win.

We would not have had the subsequent SNP government and an Independence referendum would have been an unobtainable dream.

So we should all raise our glasses to whoever was responsible for the List system being introduced in Scotland, as it was the biggest mistake the Unionists have made in my lifetime, possibly the biggest ever.

yesindyref2

Apropos of nothing at all really, however it happens, being Independent, a State capital S in our own right, depends on recognition internationally (with some but scant regard to the law). When the US recognises us we’re home and dry, basically, but France would be a big step forward. I can’t see Russya and China wanting to be left behind, so that would be 4 out of 5 of the UN security council leaving the rUK looking kind of petty if it hadn’t made the statesmanlike gesture of being first in line. And of course turning Mundell’s fortress into the embassy of the rUK or whatever it wants to call itself. So be nice to the Yanks! Malt Whisky should do the job …

Mmm, back to stocktaking it’s a messy job but someone’s got to do it.

Legerwood

sandy says:
9 October, 2018 at 9:07 pm
Petra @ 6.45pm.

“”Correct me if I am wrong.
HOL to discuss the “Act of Union”. Isn’t this the Act of the English Parliament prior to 1707 Treaty? The Scottish Parliament had their Act, hence then the “Treaty”.
As I understand it, HOL can blether as much as it wants. It matters not a whit to the original Scotland “Act”.””
……………………..

I’ll correct you.

The Treaty of Union came first. The Acts of Union, one by the Scots Parliament and one by the English Parliament, ratified the Treaty which is a Treaty in International Law.

The House of Lords proposal for a new ‘Act of Union’ shows a very basic lack of understanding of the importance of the Treaty and its central relevance.

X_Sticks

What Brian says:

Brian Doonthetoon says:

9 October, 2018 at 3:09 pm

O/T –

There’s 48 hours to go and the iScot fundraiser is at 70%.

“We plan to create a series of 20 second iScot video adverts to be broadcast on terrestrial and satellite TV over the months of October / November and December.

You’ve seen what we have achieved working on a lean budget – help us reach out to others via the medium of Television and help us grow and expand our sphere of influence.”

Every quid counts…

link to crowdfunder.co.uk

Fred

Tricolour = blue to the mast, true to the last!

Robert Louis

Sandy at 0907pm

Yip got it in one. The respective acts from Scotland and England were to agree the articles of union – the ‘treaty’. That is what both acts did. One from Scotland and one from England.

Their is no provision within those articles of union for either England or Scotland to unilaterally alter the articles or terms of union. Nor is their provision for the newly formed Parliament formed by union to alter those terms. The treaty of union is an international treaty formed between two nations (kingdoms), as such either party may unilaterally end it. But neither party has the power to unilaterally alter it.

England and its unelected lords can produce a new act if they want. It is wholly and completely irrelevant. They just do not understand what it actually does or means.

What they are doing is a twist of logic. Imagine if you speeded the process up. Scotland and England agree to the treaty of union in May 1707, the then newly formed parliament, where Scots only make up 9% of the voting total, decides to re-write the treaty to suit England’s interests only, just a few days later. Aye, right. That isn’t how it works. That, however, is essentially what these clowns are saying they will do. They should be laughed at.

If Westminster wants a new TREATY of union, then that is what they must do, and the old one must be ended first. an ACT of union is neither here nor there.

Nonsense by irrelevant undemocratic unelected nobodies in the house of ‘Lords’ in England, whose actually knowledge of the treaty of union, could be written on the back of a postage stamp. What they THINK they know, however, could fill libraries.

boris

Need to get rid of the Union

link to caltonjock.com

yesindyref2

@Legerwood
As far as I understand it if at all, only the “reconvened” Scottish parliament could legally agree to a new Act of Union with England, which would mean the Scottish parliament would have to be recognised in such an Act (which would repeal the old one) as being officially the reconvened Parliament of 1707, rather than the devolved one of 1999.

Which would mean Westminster would have to recognise that the dissolution of the Scottish parliament never happened at the end of April 1707 as it was a pre-legal act by Queen Anne and her commissioner who didn’t become the head of state of the new UK of GB parliament until 1st May 1707.

Hence the catch-22 of having to dissolve the Scottsh parliament first, which should only have been done by its members who adjourned instead and never cam back until 1999!

There be dragons!

Robert Peffers

O/T:

I came across this YouTube clip earlier but have only now got round to watching it. It is an recent interview with Jon Snow and Nicola Sturgeon:-

link to youtube.com

Snow needs a refresher courses in English Language comprehension and English History. In the course of the interview Snow brought up the point that the Catalonia/Spain situation would somehow prove to be some kind of precedent that would prevent Scotland gaining her independence because the Spanish Government had ruled the Catalan actions illegal.

Has no one told this poorly educated English Nationalist that the term, “The United Kingdom”, properly describes a union of two, equally sovereign kingdoms to form a bipartite United Kingdom? The words country and countries is not contained in that description and neither is either word used throughout the entire Treaty of Union document, (bearing in mind the actual treaty is Written in French).

Snow apparently thinks that the United Kingdom is a unified country of some sort but nowhere is there any documented evidence that the United Kingdom is other than a bipartite United Kingdom.

The fact that there are three countries in the Kingdom of England is totally irrelevant for those countries were, and still are, all parts of the Kingdom of England long before the Treaty of Union was signed.

We Scots really need to start making these ill educated media people understand the true facts. We should all be pulling up anyone who refers to the United Kingdom as anything other than a union of two kingdoms. If it does nothing else it will disrupt their English/British nationalist claptrap and wrong foot them.

They are very adept at interrupting the people they interview who are, in all likelihood, better educated than they are.

It isn’t as if we would be wrong an, while we are at it, why not pull them up every time the use the terms Britain when they mean the United Kingdom and country when the mean the United Kingdom.

They would find it almost as impossible to deal with as do the people they interrupt and harass when supposedly interviewing them.

Robert J. Sutherland

Legerwood @ 21:29,

Utter WM ignorance and arrogance. All-too-typical, alas.

If they want a new Treaty of Union, fine, they will just have to wait until we are independent, in order that we can freely consent to it.

Then they would be welcome to try. =tongue in cheek=

With all those lovely advantages =cough= they would have to offer us, y’know…

sandy

Legerwood 9.29pm.

Ta for that.
Has our government got this up it’s sleeve. A treaty is a treaty. My understanding is that when a treaty is broken, end of, kaput.

Been broken many times.

What comes to mind was the “Poll Tax”. Had we had Holywood at that time & the government we have now in power, couldn’t we have sued Thatcher & Co for billions?

Sandy

Legerwood, when did the Scottish/English Acts come into being? Obviously before (March?) 1707.

The English parliament ceased to exist from that date, as did the Scottish until 1999.

Want to get my facts correct.

Legerwood

yesindyref2 says:
9 October, 2018 at 9:43 pm
@Legerwood
“”As far as I understand it if at all, only the “reconvened” Scottish parliament could legally agree to a new Act of Union with England, …””

We have a Treaty of Union with England.

We never had an Act of Union with England so we cannot have a ‘New Act of Union’.

The Scots Parliament passed and Act of Union which ratified the Treaty of Union on our side.

The English Parliament passed their own Act of Union ratifying the Treaty on their side.