Wings Over Scotland

Gary @ 00:45

[…]
b) strong opinions, usually to the right of centre, and unionist.

and
(c) some have been known to lie about it, and
(d) they invariably turn out to vote, unlike far too many of their opponents.

Of course we still have freedom of speech. The print media included. =roll eyes=

What we clearly don’t have is equal opportunity of access.

Except for a degree of obligatory concession from the broadcast media during campaigns. (Otherwise it wouldn’t look too good to the interested outside world.)

Agree above with what Gary says. Unfortunately all this great work makes you an undoubted target as we can see from your treatment so far.

I’m sure you’re already doing all these things but please ensure that all your WBB material, distribution plans etc are backed up in multiple locations, including jurisdictions outside the easy reach of UK/US snooping. Ensure that other people can access it in case you are unavailable.

Make sure you have backup printing options.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see raids, attempts to wipe data, printer ‘problems’, mail distribution ‘problems’ (if that route is used). Basically anything that can go wrong may well do with a little help from our friendly security services (wave)…..

Are the Unionist politicians at Holyrood daft or what? They don’t seem to know what’s reserved / devolved. Or do they?

link to thoughtcontrolscotland.com

………….

Robert just reading about your latest hellish health issue. I hope this has now been resolved for you. Meanwhile I’m sending you all my best wishes for a full recovery and a great big thank you for all the good work that you continue to do on here X

And here.

link to legislation.gov.uk

BBC news:- England warned that it could run out of clean water within the next 25 years due to climate change and the rise in population.

Seems our Scottish water will be worth more than our Scottish oil. Too poor?

Social media’s bad and we’ve got to stop it says the mainstream media
Social media’s responsible for all the terrible stuff that goes on, tax the companies more says the mainstream media

Maybe if the mainstream media did its job honestly and correctly or if the politicians didn’t get away with saying whatever they like and getting away with it there might be a lot less angry people on social media expressing themselves in the same way as the people they watch on the telly and see in the papers every day

Every time an idiot like Boris Johnson says or does something hundreds of his supporters will take to social media and exaggerate it even worse, then the hundreds of people opposing them take to social media and do the same in reverse, just take a five minute look at what the Daily Mail prints every day, it’s a hate machine

Social media to blame for everything? I don’t think so
Without our very poor performing bad mainstream media in the first place there’d likely be less bad social media amplifying it

God save us all from the creators of evil when they become righteous about the evil they caused

Dr Jim , my thoughts entirely.

I listened to a bit of ITV news the other day bewailing social media , blaming it for ‘fake ‘ news and thought of all the lying by omission , plain lying and not correcting or questioning the lies of others.

I thought of the newspapers and their lying headlines many of which I would consider incitement but printed by them in the Uriah Heap manner , more in sorrow than in anger.

I thought of the whistleblowers having to go into hiding so that the establishment couldn’t ‘disappear’ them.

I thought of the ‘ everyone else is bad and corrupt EXCEPT us in the UK and USA ‘ and the unchallenged sabre rattling.

And I came to the conclusion that the MSM is utter ordure.

It deserves neither our ears nor our money.

OT Mother nature came into my tiny urban garden yesterday in the shape of a sparrowhawk – the world is one speug shorter.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has presented the Postcode Hero award to George and Amal Clooney at the People’s Postcode Lottery Charity Gala in Edinburgh.
link to firstminister.gov.scot

link to scotgoespop.blogspot.com

link to helensburghsnp.scot

link to scottishleftreview.scot

New Licensing Round West of Scotland to Open Up Supermassive Oil Fields Where 100 Years of Oil Predicted
link to archive.is

If Bercow is using English Law, to prevent a “British Brexit” – how does that affect Scotland one should be asking, when the law predates the act of union, effectively breaking it.
link to twitter.com

Exactly how many times can May bring this deal back to the Commons?
link to archive.is

John Bercow blew the whole thing apart.
link to archive.is

Where is EU post-Bercow intervention? Quick thread after chats with senior officials in Bxl and EU capitals 1/
link to twitter.com

link to buzzfeed.com

link to skwawkbox.org

Interserve given ‘public contracts worth £660m in run-up to collapse’
Claim follows reports of plan to nationalise operations in event of firm going into liquidation
link to archive.is

@Petra
“BBC news:- England warned that it could run out of clean water within the next 25 years due to climate change and the rise in population.”

I remember having a debate with someone about resources in 2014. They actually rolled their eyes when I started talking about resources. “Here we go again. We are sick of hearing about the resources argument” the said. They laughed louder when I talked about water.

It is quite incredible and some achievement that economists have managed (via the bbc etc) to brainwash people to such an extent that they think resources irrelevant.
The U.K. government, MOD etc are well aware of England’s resource deficit which is why this could be a very dirty fight.

When 4g is improved in Shetland. Tavish Scott, lord of the manor, will be out of favour. The people will find out more. Thanks to Wings etc. Download the WBB. It was downloaded, viewed, and passed on.

More Tory mess and shambles. Labour sychophants. LibDem child abusers. It will all end in tears. Greeting face and vacant coupons. Westminster at the state of collapse. What a state. To state the obvious.

Aye Mr Peffers get on yer bike. Keep taking the meds to better health. The efforts appreciated. An inspiration. Keep strong. Can just picture it? Free wheeling doon the road. An advert for people power. Not paddy power and the Poll getting it wrong all the time. (Deliberately) .

Scotland free wheeling to success. People can’t wait.

Another day, Another Tory Brexit scandal. What a mess.

Fresh water in London has become a serious problem because they can’t keep using ground water as it’s destabilising the bedrock and London is sinking, already parts of Cambridgeshire are 9 feet below sea level, so eh one big wave

If Westminster decides to request an extension to Article 50, but Europe refuses, and thus to avoid a cliff edge Brexit, Westminster decides its only option is to revoke Article 50 completely, isn’t Westminster bound by the precedent in Gina Millar Case to require a Parliamentary debate and Commons majority to revoke Article 50?

A question… How much actual time would this procedure take, and thus, at what point does crashing out on 29th become technically inevitable?

Given the prevailing madness, I wouldn’t like to predict whether there would or would not be a majority in favour of revoking Article 50, but it seems self evident there would have to be one, and sufficient time in the Commons to determine that there was.

Is 10 days adequate time to do this? Don’t forget, Westminster would need to formally request an extension, allow 27 individual nations of Europe at least some time to deliberate extending Article 50 before (in this scenario) deciding against it. And then debate revoking Article 50 in Westminster, not extending it. Don’t forget too, there is the longer two year deferred Brexit option which hasn’t a snowballs chance but is surely good for wasting a couple of days of hollow rhetoric.

Suddenly 10 days doesn’t seem very long at all. We should prepare ourselves for groundrush. That’s a parachuting term for when you think you’ve plenty time to assess your drift and adopt the appropriate landing position, but the ground suddenly rushes up to meet you and catch you unprepared.

It would seem that revocation of Article 50, even hypothetically, will already go right down to the wire, and that’s assuming Westminster starts now, … yet I don’t see the initiative to fully revoke Article 50 even being discussed.

It’s not the revocation of Article 50 which troubles me. It seems insignificant frankly. In the time it takes Westminster to revoke a deadline, I want the Scottish Government to deliver a Nation back to its people. We’ve got the same 10 days.

Finally, I’d add my own best wishes for your better health Robert Peffers. To be honest, I’ve deliberated saying nothing. Not because the well wishing is insincere, it isn’t, but because you’d think it was and be annoyed. But what the hell. I genuinely wish you well Robert, and you can take it or leave it and add your own salt to taste. Get well soon regardless.

Scottish water will be next up for grabs.
link to bbc.co.uk

Morning Scot @ 8.12am

Those of us with an SNP mp should be asking them that question.

@Nana,

been tweeting,

`how can the Speaker invoke a precedent for the UK parliament from 1604,when the UK parliament did not exist,`

to as many political and political media as i can,hoping for an answer,

i am fairly ambivalent about the rulling,i just like to know the hows and whys of things.

English parliament laws because it is the English parliament in all but name only.

The UK Govt and House of Lords and House of Commons rule over Scotland by the sovereignty of England’s parliament.

Where does that “sovereignty” come from? The sovereignty of the Queen of England.

Except, she’s not Scotland’s sovereign. So how can England’s parliament be sovereign over Scotland by the power of a “foreign” sovereign?

Why the SNP or anyone else has not challenged this, instead of arguing the toss about Sewel Convention etc is only something they could answer.

My only explanation is that all MPs and MSPs take an oath or affirmation of allegiance to the Queen ( of England).

So what you might say, it’s all just theoretical stuff.

No, it’s no. It’s because of that same sovereignty principle that Mr Blair and his cronies were never prosecuted for the illegal Iraq War and the many thousands of needless deaths during and after that war.

To prosecute Mr Blair would mean prosecuting the Queen.

England and the people of England are not our rulers or oppressors, the Crown of England is. The Crown of England also oppresses the people of England.

We should throw off the chains of slavery and get out of this English Crown dictatorship that pretends to be a democracy.

Then we can hope the people of England and Wales will do the same.

@Colin,

`English parliament laws because it is the English parliament in all but name only.`

we all know that,but the speaker has, in my view, taken it from De facto and presented it to the UK parliament as De jure,

my opinion, as someone who has a BSC and a SSC and a black belt in dominoes.

@Scott Finlayson 8:47am

Short answer is all the prior English ‘laws’ were kept on and incorporated in the new parliament (with a few amendments to accomodate Scotland. Well, in reality no amendments – just ‘if it crops up we’ll amend it…maybe)

Longer bit : The new parliament and creation of GB couldn’t spring an entire codified set of rules into being from a standing start and clean slate on day 1. England’s ‘template’ was used and to be modified where necessary (refer @Petra links upthread) it is where one of the arguments comes from, that the Parliament of Great Britain (subsequently UK &cetera) is a continuation of the English Parliament and that Scotland was extinguished.
Some argue both Nations were extingushed, some say neither.
The reality at the time though, was that there was no great material change for the Kingdom of England, its Crown and Parliament. It found itself with a few Scottish tramps begging on its benches and modified the odd act here and there, but it was business as usual under a new name…on official documents at least.

Dr Jim@8.11
I’ve been saying this for years.
I look on London as an oasis, the only problem is, when an oasis gets to the point of over use, it dries up and dies and the people move on, London and now the South East has been allowed to continue sucking the life out of the rest of the country.
When we use the term “spread the wealth, business/commerce” the “city” simply ignores and demands more resources at the expense of the rest of us.(The we can’t have anything past the Watford Gap can we mentality.)
Comments above already been made of Scottish Water under threat, its no joke, the day will come, hopefully we will be Independent by then, if not? then I hope some of the Scottish citizens (proud Scot buts!!) develop a back bone.

Morning Breeks, Big T may be standing on a few unstable rugs at the moment.

German Europe Minister Michael Roth calls on UK to make up its mind on Brexit saying “Dear friends in London please deliver”. Says the mood on EU side is increasingly bad and patience is wearing thin. Europe Mins meeting in Brussels ahead of Summit this week
link to twitter.com

Robert Peffers Good morning Mr P I hope you have woken up on the right side of being in reasonably good health given your new tribulations . Onwards & Upwards Robert we need every man/woman & their dug to be on the ball in the coming weeks/months .

All the bestest Robert .

Thanks for the links Nana with two standing out for me this morning, that is in relation to the vote at Westminster which will lead to the cutting of free school meals for around 1 million poor children in England.

It would seem that Scottish Tories (although I can’t see Mundells name on the list) and the DUP supported Big T and the rest of her party. You know Big T who made out at the onset of her becoming PM that she was concerned about the poor. Aye right.

Anyway the point of this post is that I thought that Scottish politicians couldn’t vote on English only matters (EVEL) …. unless Big T wants them to it would seem … and doesn’t this just tell you what they would be doing in Scotland if they had full control? Next time they bleat on about poverty in Scotland Nicola Sturgeon should throw this in their face.

Additionally Scottish Labour politicians seem to be at odds with their colleagues south of the border because didn’t they vote against the SNPs efforts to implement school meals in Scotland for certain age groups?

As to the DUP well seemingly this will have no impact on children in NIreland, as for one the cap level is double that of England.

If ever there was a clear sign (another one) that we have to get out of this mess this is it.

I’m on my IPad so posting one of your links only in relation to this. The other can be found at Rock and rhetoric at 8:40am.

link to thelondoneconomic.com

………………..

@ ScottieDog at 8:00am. ……. “Scottish water.”

Don’t you know that we’ve got nought going for us here in Scotland, ScottieDog? We’re too wee, poor and the population is too stupid to go it alone. No oil, gas, electricity, no renewable energy of any kind, no food, no water and nobody wants to come here. We live in an ugly wee country filled to the brim with drunken, imbecilic thugs who are all living on benefits. Benefits paid out by our neighbours in England. And how do I, and more so English people, know because the BBC says so. After Westminster the BBC is Scotlands number one enemy, IMO.

Something you are not likely to see in the filtred British media.
link to basnews.com
Isn’t he supposed to be a tyrant, unpopular, about to topple or be toppled according to Alastair Burt, the Foreign Office hawk?
Another example of ‘Anglo-Saxon’ hubris and seeing the world through a flawed prism.
The resilience of peoples and countries in the Near East is a lesson to Scotland. There is no such thing as being on the ‘losing side’.

Great article by Finn O’Toole in Irish Times “Are the English ready for self government”

link to archive.is

Also Peter Grant Tweet on 1604 Westminster convention and ignoring Act of Union

link to twitter.com

1)Water. Water everywhere.

And not a drop to sell to England.

2)If Bercow had made his ruling based on something that happened in the Scottish Parliament circa 1604, English MPs’ heads would have exploded!

3)They’ll be coming for Postman Pat next.

4)Nana. That prostate cancer test story will play havoc with the selfidentifying mob.

Jings! Tablet text… ‘Missing links’.

There will be water in Scotland unless it stops raining. Or climate changing. Getting colder and freezing? It still can thaw. The population underlying will peak and fall. Manageable. The overconsumers are in decline. Non conceiving,

Scotland sells the water by the bottle full. Independent could charge more. Same with fuel and energy. Scotland being ripped off big time. Lost £Billions Scotland surplus in fuel and energy pays more despite being nearer the source. Scotland should be paying 10% less per unit for parity. Scotland uses more because it is colder but produces more. 25%+ in surplus. Plus the rest.

May wants to destroy the Scottish economy to facilitate Brexit. Another Tory fake. Take, take, take. Greedy multimillionaires. Enough is never enough. They can’t take it with them. Christian? Hypocrites.

@sandy says: 19 March, 2019 at 12:18 am:

” … but please ignore HYFUD. The sooner he is removed from this blog, the better.”

Ah! sandy, such as HYFUD serve a very useful purpose. They introduce certain topic that the unionists have punted on all medias for centuries. This allows a wee bit of properly argued truth and logical arguments that show their propaganda is wrong.

For example, how many indy supporters had never given a thought to the dimple fact that the Treaty of Union and it’s Articles of Union were in fact the Written Constitution of the United Kingdom?

So just how are such as HYFUD going to prove otherwise? They simply cannot and there are a great many more readers of Wings than those that comment and new ones reading Wings every day.

Here’s the thing – someone who has never given the matter a thought in their life but has just accepted that Westminster were legally sovereign suddenly get the indisputable fact that the United Kingdom is only a union of kingdoms and without the Treaty of Union it does not exist. They also clearly see, often for the first time, that Scotland’s claim, (The Claim of Right), is a 100% legally correct proof that Scotland has every right to end the union – IF A MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE GIVE THE SG A MANDATE.

So HYFUD may be a pain in the wotsit but serves a very useful purpose. Mind you there are several others, a bit more subtle, who are unionist plants claiming to be indy supporters who work tirelessly to undermine the FM/SG/SNP.

We certainly do not want Wings to become a forum where the Rev starts a topic and we get a long list of comments that boil down to, “Yes! Me Too”.

Never admit anything without a lawyer.

Police arrests people on malicious complain on charges that can never come to Court. Keep people detained overnight illegally for mild misdemeanours. On ‘charges’ that can never come to Court. They would be laughed out of Court. It costs millions and clutters up the criminal justice system and can criminalise people. A total waste of time.

Police, once, just gave a warning, unless it was repeat behaviour. Police and society need diversity, training and information. There are too many people in prison for drink/drug abuse. They should be counselled in proper, ‘one chance’ total abstinence rehab facilities. Cheaper and more effective. To prevent repeat behaviour. Too many people on the spectrum are in prison because of lack of support and understanding. Ignorance of authorities. Especially unionists councils. Wasting money on grotesque monstrosities of no value but not funding proper, essential social services.

@Valerie says: 19 March, 2019 at 12:36 am:
” … Re. Nicola’s letter, she didn’t miss and hit the wall. Hope there’s more to come.”

Aye! There is something in the air. It isn’t just Nicola either, there has been a great deal more very upbeat speeches made by the SNP MPs at Westminster. Many going totally unreported by the MSM and Broadcasters.

The mere fact that these go unreported is testament that they are not only correct but important.

You may not have noticed but I’ve been using the phrase for a while at the end of some comments, “But they don’t want you to know that”. It is the fact that it goes largely unreported that I’m getting at.

The key phrase in this piece, is ‘as the global order unravels’. It doesn’t take a genius to recognise that Scotland and the rest of the UK is unraveling also.

There is no longer any reason why anyone in Scotland should be afraid of England, our Imperial Masters. Let the Cringe go, the Union will be no more soon. The writing is on the wall of history. The future for Scotland lies with Independence. The mini-Empire known as the UK, is lying on its death bed. Prepare for the funeral. Some restraint might be called for at the purvey.

” Angela Merkel will discuss multilateralism in a speech at the Global Solutions Summit in Berlin today, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Bloomberg Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait. As the global order unravels, the German chancellor is stuck between a rock and hard place: Trump’s America First policy is forcing her to make an impossible choice between the U.S. — the force behind the country’s modern economic success — and China, the key to its future growth.” from Bloomberg:Brussels edition.

Best Wishes, Robert P.

You are a vital cog in the indy chain. A real thorn in the BritNats’ sides when they try to troll us and create havoc with their constitutional misinformation.

Some people don’t like your style, but I say it’s very effective and takes no prisoners. If either side steps out of line, you deal with them equally. I know – I have been on the receiving end a couple of times! The amount of roll abuse you have endured, it amazes me that you keep going, but many of us are so glad that you do. 🙂

The British Empire was a good thing.
link to historydiscussion.net
A long read, but worth the effort.
Historically the India Office was the most powerful government department on the planet. Its influence extended to Iraq, the Gulf and the Levant. Its legacy is evident today.
The mindset that once ran an empire still haunts the corridors of the structure of the British State.
Conventional holy water and garlic remedies will not expell this troublesome spectre.

Watch Gordon Ross Indycar today speak about the new Scottish Constitution which is about to be debated in Holyrood. It’s a real eyeopener in information showing how important it is having it in place before brexit and before indyref2.

Why was May allowed to bring back her deal a 2nd time never mind a3rd ???

@Breeks.

I am sorry to say this, but you are beginning to seem desperate to be proved right, so you can shout “i told you so”.

Your wee ‘tick tock’ patter strongly indicates such an attitude from you.

I previously asked why YOU are right and Scotsgov are wrong in their approach, and you admitted you had no idea what Scotsgov were planning.

It was then put to you, how did you know the Scotsgov were not planning precisely what you have been punting as the way forward and perhaps, because Scotsgov have had meetings with EU ministers etc, may have better insight into how to approach that subject of Constitutional Sovereignty than perhaps, Breeks from Wings over Scotland btl?

Yet here you are, still seemingly gloating about how in 10 days YOU can shout “i was right”.

I doubt you will be, as i also doubt the SNP are about to commit electoral suicide by not having a strong and well worked out plan.

There has been a huge shift in attitude from ALL SNP politicians over Scotlands future place in the EU recently, Ian Blackford has stated many times (in every speech in fact) recently that: “Scotland WILL NOT be dragged out the EU against the will of the SOVEREIGN people of Scotland”.

Does that statement seem like it is coming from a party without a very firm plan in place, awaiting deployment ?

galamccennalath looks & sounds like a bunch of idiots but i do like this line lol
(“Don’t worry about the legal side of things, the national organiser is sorting that out.” )

I was disappointed the Nigel Farage didnae get mentioned LoL .

The Union with England is the contemporary Gordian Knot, Scotland awaits an Alexander with the youthful audacity to just cut it.

@Ronnie Anderson At 12.59

Great video of Tommy Sheridan giving the newscaster the real facts on Scotland, it’s Sovereignty, it’s oil wealth and that we are no way a subsidy junkie the way that has been perpetuated by the MSM in the past.

I did like Tommy’s stance and lectures during Indyref1 and I look forward to much of the same hard hitting discussions from Tommy during Indyref2.

The Italian Job
I’ve had many discussions with Tommy & I admire the way he gets the message across in interviews re Scotland being the provider of England,s wealth . I disagree with his Implement the mandate mantra & will tell him again should we meet on Sunday .

geeo says:
19 March, 2019 at 12:44 pm
@Breeks.

I am sorry to say this, but you are beginning to seem desperate to be proved right, so you can shout “i told you so….

If you want a considered reply Geeo, trying quoting what I actually said, not what you want me to have said to suit your agenda. You’ve been watching a bit too much Laura Kuenssberg I think.

For the record, who is right and who is wrong is painfully irrelevant unless it’s children swabbling in a playground. I continually push the Constitutional angle because I think it’s the strategy which should be pursued, and there are accordant time sensitive arguments which are manifestly running out of time. If you think this just about bragging rights in the playground, then I forfeit, – such rights are all yours. Go ahead and fill your boots.

If the SNP are finally warming to the imperative necessity of Constitutional arguments, then rather than fishing around for something to crow about, I am so sorry to disappoint you, but I am instead overjoyed to finally have so much less to gripe about.

Thanks Ronnie

Good that you are in contact with Tommy. He will be an asset no doubt in Indyref2 if he is given some MSM opportunities to put his thoughts across in an open forum.

@manandboy
Outside Scotland the country is considered an English colony. No one is really bothered about union treaties and such. De facto Scotland is an English dependency, that’s what they see.
Britishness and its legalisms have dulled the reason of many on this matter, the leaders of the SNP included.
The constitutional route is ok if yielding something productive. It has not, as we are stuck in the archaic mechanisms of English political rivalry with so far little sign of release.
This our Gordian Knot, which some bright fellow is going to have to cut instead of wasting time trying to unravel the strands. Anyone who baulks at that swift resolution is just facilitating the other side.
If we genuinely want independence it must be with heart, brain and muscle.
But then I’m just a young New Scot, whit dae a ken?

The inner thoughts of Kirstene Hair,

link to youtube.com

hackalumpoff 2.16 Glaikitness personified lol.

TheItalianJob says:
19 March, 2019 at 2:06 pm

We will need some good harditters to lead us in Indyref2.

Angus Robertson would be a great choice, IMO.

Dr Jim @ 10.17 am

You have a wonderful way with words 🙂

Just hearing Brexit protestor (for), have occupied the Attorney Generals office demanding he resign and a new one appointed.

UK is crumbling before our very eyes folks. Once the system breaks down it is very very hard to regain control without Nmartial law

My I pad is being temperamental today sorry for spelling errors.

Could government have set this up in order to declare that they are taking control?

@Abulhaq says:19 March, 2019 at 12:56 pm:

” … The Union with England is the contemporary Gordian Knot, Scotland awaits an Alexander with the youthful audacity to just cut it.”

Rubbish! There is nothing Gordian about it. It is a fairly straightforward legal challenge – and that is where the problem comes into the matter. The Scottish legal position is its greatest strength and also its greatest weakness.

No that isn’t a daft statement for the strength is that the legal case is a stone wall. The weakness is that the legal requirement is that the Scottish People are legally sovereign and the Governments, both that of the United Kingdom, (not England), and the Scottish Government must have a mandate of the sovereign authority of the legally sovereign people of Scotland.

Thing is both Scotland and The United Kingdom have been given mandates but how are they to use them?

The Westminster mandate is that the people of Scotland voted to remain in the European Union but they are attempting to make the case that the mandate they have is a United Kingdom wide mandate. However, legally the United Kingdom is a bipartite union and each partner has a different and independent legal system. This could be challenged in a court.

The Scottish Government mandates, there are two, is that the Scottish people voted to remain in the EU and that the SG is mandated to hold a referendum on Scottish Independence from the United Kingdom – which, if successful would end the united Kingdom. There are the problems. Which one comes first and which government will bring it to the courts, (and which courts).

How can the Westminster parliament make a case? It is after all legally the United Kingdom parliament and must legally represent both kingdoms of the United Kingdom Equally but it is factually running the UK as if it were the English parliament and a court would have to rule it had conflicting interests and dismiss the case.

Now the fact is that Westminster has, more than once, sloped shoulders and failed to challenge the Scottish people’s legal sovereignty even while being prodded with a sharp stick by the SNP. Sooner or later these cases will come to court and the Scots hold all the aces as evidenced by the Westminster failure to make them cases of legality.

Great post Breeks (3:19pm) other than the SNP Baad bit, lol. Yeah Tommy is one of us, IMO, and it’s high time that some people got over themselves. We’re fighting for our veritable lives here, for our kids and grandchildren, our country and future. We’ll have to pull together now to get over the line.

Robert Peffers, glad to see you still up and running rings round the usual suspects 🙂

Keep well.

I don’t twitter,etc,so I would be interested in what you guys thought of Iain Blackfords interview on Sky a short time ago.

Breeks says:

” EU is in a quandary…..”

Yeah, y’know.. I kinda bet it isn’t.

Indeed. For any scenario the EU has a straightforward rules based response and solution.

The problem all along has been getting to UK to lay out what it wants. Of course there is no consensus from the UK to actually propose!

Barnier has just made clear in a press conference that any delay must have something new on the table to justify it. Robert Peston interpretates that as EURef2 or general election for a long delay.

This must be TMay’s last chance to say what she wants. Somehow, I think time to just carry on the Tory infighting won’t be an acceptable reason!

@Euan0709,

I’m not a betting man but I would say indy is not that far away depending on what happens over the next two weeks.

Obviously Riby and Burley have no idea about Scotland other than what they choose to believe, as in the comments about Tories and the Euro. The handshake was very frosty.

I think it is 95% certain Blackford told them he has tried to engege with Labour but is meeting a dead end. He also made it clear it is not the end of the road for Scotland who still has a life raft at its disposal even though the presenters don’t approve.

I feel very positive indeed.

me @ 16:39,

Sorry, that would be better as:

link to youtube.com

galamcennalath @ 16:41,

I get the distinct impression that the EU27 is as much invested in May’s “deal” as she is. Because they see it as the only vaguely-viable alternative to a mutually-disastrous “no-deal”, and thus want to increase the pressure on the Tory+DUP camp to get the dirty deed done without any more ado. (As does Sinn Fein, curiously, because of the backstop.)

What the EU27 is tearing its metaphorical hair over is the sheer bumbling incompetence of the May regime. They bent over backwards to give May what she wanted, multiple red lines and all, and she still can’t deliver. Has even voted at least once in the HoC against, over the backstop.

It seems even now the EU27 does not fully appreciate the complexities of the UK constitutional situation. Not only because it is forbidden, diplomatically speaking, but probably also because it would rather not open that particular can of worms. N. Ireland alone was quite enough.

But we are not so constrained. I think “can-of-worms time” is shortly upon us. And if it disrupts Brexit, so much the better.

‘LBC host James O’Brien perfectly sums up how ridiculous Nigel Farage’s Brexit march is.’

link to indy100.com

“Carry on up the Thames” coming to a screen near you.

@Robert Peffers
Don’t have time for a long post, but as someone mentioned diet – or rather allergies – are something to look at, particularly additives.

One fairly evil additive for me is calcium propionate which acts more as an exaggerator, catalyst, activator don’t know the word, but it can greatly increase the effect of something we might be allergic to. It’s in most bread, but not in Hovis, so it might be worth going for the slightly more expensive Hovis white or brown for a couple of weeks to see if that helps.

My allergy is to added antioxidants (it’s a shaggy dog story to show how I proved it to myself), and the reason I checked out calcium propionate is I got my allergy with tea (I drink maybe a dozen mugs a day), which was unusual, and found by experiment it was Warburtons with the calcium propionate that caused the problem, plus a change to Tetley’s or Typhoo which boasts rich in antioxidants. Whereas Morrisons red label or the more expensive Scottish Blend, doesn’t.

Worth a try, and simple to do.

dom
Do you feel Scotland has the upper-hand in this farrago?

What a waste of space.

‘Jeremy Corbyn asks other party leaders to back Labour Brexit at emergency meeting.’

link to thenational.scot

You’ll hear about this on BBC / STV news tonight. Aye right.

‘Tributes paid to SNP stalwart who might have saved the world.’

”Tributes have been pouring in for Paul Scott, the former vice-president of the SNP who had a remarkable career as a diplomat that included his largely unknown role in a piece of global history. For it was Scott, whose death at the age of 98 was announced at the weekend, who made a decisive intervention during the Cuban Missile Crisis which might just possibly have saved the world from nuclear annihilation.

At that time he was serving in the Foreign Office and had been in Cuba long enough to get to know its Communist leader Fidel Castro quite well. The USA had broken off diplomatic contacts with Cuba after the overthrow of the dictator Fulgencio Batista and the UK sometimes acted as a go-between, At the height of the missile crisis in October, 1962, Scott was able to use his contacts within the Cuban leadership to discover that the Soviet Union was disarming its nuclear missiles.

At the time, the US missiles and bombers were on the highest state of alert, ready to launch at the say-so of President John F Kennedy. Tipped off that the Soviets were disarming the missiles, Scott got into his car and toured the missile sites. He stood on a clifftop and looked down to see Soviet military engineers dragging nuclear warheads through the mud away from the rest of the missiles. Realising the implications, Scott then sent an emergency telegram to the US authorities conveying the message that the Soviets were standing down their nuclear threat, which enabled the Americans to do the same.

As National columnist Alan Riach noted in his obituary of Scott: “He later wrote that he had become quite close to Fidel Castro, acting diplomatically between Cuba, the USA (which had no Cuban Embassy at that time) and the UK, and apparently reported at the crucial moment in the missile crisis that the Russians were turning back and the Americans could stand down, thus averting nuclear catastrophe.”

Scott was born in Edinburgh and after education at the Royal High School and Edinburgh University he served in the Second World War, at the end of which he was an officer in Berlin. He passed the examination to become a diplomat and was posted over time to Poland, Bolivia, Canada, Austria and Italy, as well as Cuba. He retired from the Foreign Office in 1980 and threw himself into Scottish cultural and political life, becoming both president of the Saltire Society and vice-president of the SNP, as well as rector of Dundee University. He made many contributions to numerous causes and found time to write 14 books and edit 11 others.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “Very sorry to hear of Paul Henderson Scott’s passing. A man of immense intellect, passion and commitment to his country’s place in the world. Also a wonderful @theSNP stalwart. My thoughts are with Laura and his family.”

Pete Wishart MP tweeted: “What an amazing life. Will never forget the kindness and advice Paul offered me when I first joined the party.”

Former First Minister Alex Salmond said: “Paul was a significant force in transforming the view of the SNP from being regarded as a group of eccentrics to being seen as a party supported by key figures in Scottish cultural life. He was a figure of great substance whose output was extraordinary. I hosted the launch of his autobiography, A Twentieth Century Life, and that book should be compulsory reading for anyone who wants to understand 20th-century Scotland. Paul was a lad o’pairts, a Scot with huge talent he gave to the better understanding of Scotland.”

link to thenational.scot

@ North chiel says at 5:55 pm …. ”Petra wholeheartedly agree that Tommy Sheridan should be in the vanguard of the Yes Indyref2 campaign. An orator in the finest tradition of McLean, Jimmy Reid & others. Don’t necessarily agree with all his politics but when it comes down to a “bare knuckle” fight for our independence, I want him on my and our side folks!”

I want him to be acknowledged as a leader of our movement too, NC, and return to Holyrood following Independence.

Now that Fireman Sam has been outed as a sexist, is it not about time we started to look into Postman Pat. I was always suspicious about him and his van.

And don’t get me started on Calimero!

@Petra

I’m not convinced about A.Salmond and T.Sheridan having leading roles in the referendum. Just gives the BBC/MSM easy targets, they will turn it into a referendum on these two people, the facts will disappear.

With a media neutral I have the feeling that Yes would have won in 2014. It will always be an uphill battle with 99% of the media in the No camp, just giving them ammunition doesn’t seem to be the best policy.

@Robert Peffers 3:32pm
I bow to your superior knowledge in this complex constitutional matter. Although I do notice you forsee ‘problems’ as to the who and when and where legal challenges might be mounted.
No matter, more importantly, may you soon be restored to full health. Salâmtak ya ustaz!

“ Cameron Brodie @ 0620 “ not convinced that our quest for independence will be an ideological & intellectional debate sir . That’s exactly why this man will in all probability be required . “ He calls a spade a spade & takes no prisoners”.

Tommy Sheridan at Yes rallies is a big turn off for most, especially when screaming into the microphone.

I agree with earlier comments that the people we need to win over require a less left wing shouty rant.

@Nana

Peston there says it all really. Plan B for tomorrow, has anybody on Wings got a plan B they can lend Theresa till next week?

In exactly the same vein here’s Channel 4’s Jon Snow’s report.

link to channel4.com

May is an absolute disaster as Prime Minister, we gotta go and the sooner the better.

“ uno mas@ 0728 pm “ I agree that the “ team we have at present are doing just fine “ and entirely agree that “ Iain Blackford has been a revelation “ , however , when it comes to Indyref 2 , we require two “teams” . Our wonderful SNP led by Iain Blackford & Nicola Sturgeon, the target audience being our middle class £20k to £40k income voters . We also most definitely require our “ YES” grassroots movement to inspire our working class , and less fortunate in life voters, ( we need every single vote) , to come out and vote from our housing schemes/ council house areas etc etc. Our YES movement must mobilise this vote as it will be absolutely crucial to win our Independence. We need leaders who re in tune with all sections of our historical “ Scottish society”

@jfngw
19 March, 2019 at 6:35 pm

What about Andy Pandy and then there is Bill and Ben!

@North chiel

I would probably go with three groups, below 30, 30-60, over 60 (the exact group age profile is my choice, there may be better).

We need to target the message to these groups as they have different expectations and fears. Within these groups we can have sub groups aimed at different types of voters.

Note, this is not about spinning but giving relevant facts to these people, it’s the only way we can negate the MSM.

The question is do we have the organisation available to accomplish this.

@cynical highlander

I think I heard JKR say that Andy Pandy was her first Trans inspiration, and Bill & Ben were obviously in a relationship.

And as for all that ‘Here We Go Looby Lou’ stuff, I’m not even sure what was going on there.

Lenny Hartley

Len I share your concern regarding England running out of water.

Let me run this past you. Westminster take control of environmental powers from Scottish government.

Westminster privatise Scottish Water, to allow additional investment.

English private Water Companies buy Scottish Water.

English Water Companies pump all the water customers in England require. Leaving Scotland a bit short of water.

All in it together, better together.

Certainly better for the shareholders of England Water Companies.

What I hear you say they can’t do that… Aye they can and will if and when required

Nana says:

link to uk.reuters.com

Simply more time for the Tories to continue their bun fight won’t happen.

As far as short delays go, the EU are faced with a mess next Friday, or a mess in the middle of their elections.

It looks (to me) like their preferred option is a year, or three, and work to a different plan. The problem here is, they don’t what the time to be spent with the UK still unable to agree what that plan should be. They will want a commitment to a major reset before agreeing to an extension.

A general election where parties must include their Brexit plan in their manifesto?

Some suggest a referendum. A choice of May’s ‘deal’ versus Remain may be no more acceptable to MPs than the current situation which has the same options in fact.

I suspect at this late stage it has to be an executive decision rather than WM as a whole. TMay is not good at decisions!

galamcennalath says:
19 March, 2019 at 8:04 pm

The fourth is plead for an extension by presenting her plan to use the extra time meaningfully. Presentations of viable plans to the EU has not been TMay’s strong point!

There’s another twist that might come into play… Michel Barnier could offer the UK an extension, BUT it’s gonna cost you some majorly hefty Euros, and that’s on top of the €38 billion that’s already making your eyes water. Rees Mogg and Farage would have seizures of course, but Theresa’s a gal who knows the value of a good bung in the right pocket, especially when it’s not her own money.

I don’t think Europe will be bothered about the actual money, but having a hefty insurance policy when you’re dealing with the trusty old Britishers is a useful way to keep them “focussed”…. and any joint venture heavily underwritten.

It’s a possibility to consider, but I honestly think Europe might just look on March 29th as their bird in the hand. They are sick of this, and absolutely dead set against UKIP and other whiny Brexiteers winning seats in EU elections.

The EU has plug, will pull it, March 29th.