Friday, March 29, 2019

The Clackmannanshire result demonstrates the limits of unionist tactical voting

Local by-elections in Scotland are conducted by Single Transferable Vote (which to all intents and purposes functions like the Alternative Vote if only one councillor is being elected), meaning that the SNP's huge 9% lead over Labour in the first count in Clackmannanshire Central did not guarantee them victory.  Labour and the Tories had almost 52% of the first preference vote between them, which means that Labour would have won with a bit to spare if every Tory voter had ranked Labour higher than the SNP in their lower preferences.  In practice, it would have been obvious as soon as the result of the first count was announced that the SNP were going to hold on for the win.  Really big first preference leads are rarely overturned, due to the fact that a lot of voters don't bother using their lower preferences.  Nevertheless, it's striking just how few Tory voters took the action necessary to prevent an SNP victory.

When the Tory candidate was excluded, he had 447 votes.  More than two-thirds of those votes (68%) were non-transferable, while 25% went to Labour and 7% to the SNP - which means that more than one-fifth of Tory voters who expressed a preference between the SNP and Labour plumped for the SNP.  Admittedly these numbers are slightly complicated by the fact that the Tory transfers will have included a small handful of voters who backed UKIP, the Greens or the Lib Dems with their first preferences and then transferred to the Tories.  But of the 419 people who gave their first preferences to the Tories, an absolute maximum of 112 ended up in the Labour column on the decisive count.  If it's so hard to get Tory voters to give a lower preference to another unionist party even when it causes no harm to their first choice, you have to wonder how many of them would be prepared to tactically switch their one and only vote from Tory to Labour in a first-past-the-post general election if they live in a battleground SNP-Labour marginal seat.

The substantial minority of Tory voters who prefer SNP to Labour shouldn't be such a surprise.  In the 70s, it was taken as read that most Tory supporters would prefer to have an SNP MP if the only other alternative was a Labour MP, and that any Tory tactical voting would favour the SNP.  Given the leftward drift of Scottish Labour since the 2017 general election, the same logic would apply now if it weren't for the constitutional issue.  OK, the constitutional issue isn't going away any time soon, so Labour will remain the net beneficiaries of Tory tactical voting - but the greater ideological gulf between the two main London parties may mean that the benefit to Labour will be smaller in scale in any election this year than it was in 2017.

By the way, it's just as well that David Coburn has left his old party, because he would have been appalled at what UKIP voters did with their lower preferences yesterday.  Of those that transferred, 41% went to the SNP (answers on a postcard, please?), 41% went to the Tories and 18% went to Labour.

*  *  *

So a couple of quick thoughts about the government's defeat on the third meaningful vote this afternoon.  There were 34 Tory rebels, but 6 of those were actually hardcore Remainers.  Even if every single Brexiteer Tory rebel had switched sides and backed the deal (in the realms of fantasy given that we're talking about the real die-hards), the government would still have been defeated by 2 votes.  So if Theresa May has any path at all to an improbable majority, it can only run through the Labour benches.  (Unless of course she considers a grand bargain with the SNP and offers Devo Max and/or a Section 30 order, but she's far too stubborn and unimaginative to contemplate that for even a micro-second.  All the same, though, today was the first time a meaningful vote could theoretically have gone the other way if the SNP had voted differently.)

Meanwhile, there are all sorts of contradictory rumours swirling around about what Theresa May's strategy is (the most plausible of which is that she doesn't actually know herself).  A few people have suggested that the government is plotting a run-off vote between the May deal and whatever emerges from the indicative votes process.  If anything does emerge from the indicative votes, it's likely to be a softer Brexit, which would force the Brexiteers to back the May deal in the run-off.  I don't see how that sort of jiggery-pokery would work, though, because it would just strengthen the Brexiteers' resolve to subsequently vote against the legislation required to implement the deal.  So unless Labour change their attitude to the deal, we'd just end up back where we started after a slight detour.

115 comments:

  1. To be fair to May (and I don't say that very often) shes so desperate i'm sure that they have war gamed getting SNP support. The main issue is that she does not have the power to give a Section 30 or Devo Max, the legislation to get either would require a majority in the Commons. She can not deliver that. So essentially all she could deliver would be her MPs in return for the SNPs votes, she could not guarantee a section 30 or devo max. Hence why the SNP would never agree even if asked.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry, but are you saying English/Welsh/N. Irish MPs decide if Scotland can be independent or not?

      This would make the UK a dictatorship as the above MPs are unelected (in Scotland).

      For the UK to be a democracy, only Scottish people and/or politicians elected in Scotland can make such decisions.

      Section 30s need to be automatic in response to bills passed in devolved parliaments, otherwise the UK is a dictatorship. if that's not the case, given one people [English] would be holding power over minorities [Welsh, Scots, N. Irish] and persecuting them [by removing their democratic rights], it would be fascist too.

      Delete
    2. The Tories and the SNP have a clear majority in the Commons between them. We're into fantasy politics here, but yes, of course Theresa May could deliver a Section 30 order or more devolution if she wanted to.

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    3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    4. Yea i'm being a dumarse and forgetting that the SNP would vote with Conservative on section 30 or Devo Max. Conservatives and SNP voting for the same thing is not normally something you would even consider!

      Delete
    5. Sorry, but are you saying English/Welsh/N. Irish MPs decide if Scotland can be independent or not?

      Nope a secion 30 order has no bearing on the legality of a Scotish Referendum. As far as I understand a Scot Ref without a section 30 order would be legal, therefore English/Welsh/NI MPs can not stop the Scottish electorate from voting for Independence if they wish to.

      A section 30 order relates to the transfer of powers from legislative body to another. As far as I can tell it is quiet normal for both legislative bodies involved to both agree for this to happen. Unless you have examples of this happening automatically of course...

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    6. Sure. A Section 30 isn't needed, hence neither May nor Corbyn can offer that to the SNP in return for their support in Westminster. SNP would just laugh at that.

      Makes Labour being able to command a majority a lot harder if there's a snap GE.

      Delete
    7. Glad that we both agree that English/Welsh/NI MPs have no control on when or if Scotland can hold a ref and therefore the UK is not a dictatorship as they control lays in Scotland's hands

      Delete
    8. Yes, repeatedly saying 'now is not the time' or 'we won't allow a second iref' is because the current UK government are dictators / fascists; something I'm sure you'd never dispute from such comments (and e.g. the Henry VIII powers thing).

      However, that doesn't mean they actually have the legal ability to stop a new iref. If things end up in court, their fascist/dictatorial nature will clear for all Scots to see; no doubt they are fascists if Scotland democratically votes, as it has for indy, yet English/Welsh/N. Irish MPs (UK government) tries to stop or delay that in the courts.

      Aye, I'm glad we're in agreement here.

      Delete
    9. 'as it has for an indyref'

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    10. No section 30 needed. Weestminster, in July 2018, confirmed that the Scottish people are sovereign and that the ENGLISH parliament is soveriegn for the English people. The Scottish Government, on instructions from the people of Scotland, could repeal the treaty.

      Delete
    11. william purves all the time except when he's asleep.

      Delete
  2. Devo Max is something the SNP could ask for in return of supporting another UK party in Westminster. It is also a UK constitutional matter, so does require agreement / permission from the other UK home nations.

    Independence by contrast is not a UK constitutional matter, but purely a Scottish one. It requires no UK agreement; not if the UK is democratic.

    So, the SNP should never need to try and do some sort of deal to get a Section 30. Devo max yes, but not a Section 30; the latter should be automatic as previously noted.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Get a job and fill your day more productively. Spot spewing out all this stuff that nobody ready . Get a life. End if.

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    2. 9am and Cordelia's guttered already. What a state it's in.

      Delete
  3. First past the post is the best way even if the Jock Nat sis rule for a few decades like Labour and Tories did previously. We do need to cut MSPs in half. Minorities on the gravy train achieve nothing but their own salaries.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "First past the post produces strong and stable government! You're all Nazis and I hate you all! STOP LAUGHING AT ME!
      Waaaaaah!"

      Delete
    2. "We need to cut MSPs in half". What's going? Torso or legs?

      Delete
    3. Cordelia would remove MSPs' heads like a good and obedient authoritarian regime servant.

      Delete
  4. re the UKIP-SNP transfers: hardcore nationalists who until recently have prioritised getting out of the EU over getting out of the UK?

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  5. James,
    Thanks again for explaining so clearly the ins and outs of the voting system(s), just now in the Clackmannanshire case. Your site is one that I look at every day just to make sure that I'm au fait with what's going on.
    If only we lived in a normal country like Norway, where our official media reflected what's actually happening in our own country rather than next door. Maybe soon...
    Thanks,
    Iain

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Arselicker Ponce. How's the cream puff villa?

      Delete
    2. Cordelia there with more of its bizarre self-created Polari. It really needs to start taking better care of itself; after all, its supervisor has had to start commenting on here.

      Delete
    3. You sound like a Pugwash who hangs around villas. Pink oink. Ship ahoy me harties.

      Delete
    4. Cordelia there with more of its bizarre self-created Polari. It really needs to start taking better care of itself; after all, its supervisor has had to start commenting on here.

      Delete
  6. Well, seems we're allowed at least another three indyrefs.

    Or at least in England you are allowed to put the same independence proposal to vote again and again until you get the answer you want.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47756122

    Brexit: Theresa May ponders fourth bid to pass English Independence deal

    Surely 'now is not the time', 'we need to accept the 3 identical results and move on', 'the people have spoken' etc?

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm some ways i have a grudging respect for May, not because of her policies which I do not agree with, but the fact that she has tried to put through a deal that she thinks is the best she can deliver based on the commitments she made to her voters.

    The mistake she has made it not to give up, after the second vote she should of said, i'm sorry I cannot deliver what I promised its time to try something else, lets have a second ref and or GE to decide what that should be. Of course the reason of this is the fear of what would happen to her party if she did so.

    On the other hand We have the SNP who, despite having the power to do so have chosen not to organise an Indy ref. Make no mistake the fact that we have not had one, let alone two or three, lies with the SNP. It has nothing to do wit the Conservatives or England or anything else, it come down to the SNP despite having the ability to do so have not inacted their number one priority.

    As a movement we have to decide, do we blindly give our votes to the SNP ignoring the fact that they have not honoured their priority, or do we take votes from them, giving them a metaphorical kick up the arse to deliver. If there is a snap GE then the SNP will not get my vote, I voted SNP for them to give the Scottish people a chance to decide on Independence. They have failed to do this despite having the ability to do so, therefore i can only conclude that Independence is no longer a priority. Aside from Independence I can live with the Lib Dems so will probably vote for them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Obviously indy isn't a priority for you as you are fairly British/unionist and don't mind Scotland getting English Tory governments it didn't vote for.

      In that sense the Lib Dems look like quite a good fit for you out of what's currently available.

      Delete
    2. And to be honest, Wullie Rennie could do with another vote! :-)

      Delete
    3. Indy is very much a priority for me, hence my frustration with the the SNP deciding that we should not have another ref. As mentioned above the reason we have not had a second ref is the SNPs. Based on this I can only conclude that Independence is no longer the SNPs prority. I don't vote for parties that fail to deliver on what they promised, hence the SNP don't get my vote.

      Delete
    4. Of course voting SNP at Westminster does not stop you getting Tory Governments, 2015 proved this, Independence does - something the SNP does not want to deliver despite having the oprotunity to do so.

      Delete
    5. As far as I understand it, SNP policy isn't set based on the agenda of a single voter. While I suppose it would be nice for you if they did that for you personally, it's not really practical.

      I personally think we should hold until we see the outcome of what's happening in London. I understand that's the current SNP plan, but I doubt it's based on what I personally want.

      You should vote Lib Dem like you said if you are unhappy.

      Delete
    6. Looks like Labour is maybe in more need of votes than the Lib Dems if you might consider them as another alternative?

      https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/brexit-snap-poll-risks-wiping-out-labour-in-scotland-gc8wdpsq7

      Brexit: Snap poll risks wiping out Labour in Scotland

      Labour would be wiped out in Scotland if Theresa May calls a general election, party insiders have warned...

      Delete
    7. Students in EnglandMarch 31, 2019 at 12:33 AM

      "I don't vote for parties that fail to deliver on what they promised"

      " I can live with the Lib Dems so will probably vote for them. "


      LOL.

      Delete
  8. Yes let wait like we have been since 2014. We can spend our time going on marches and moaning about the Conservatives and UK Government. But critise the party that has stopped us from having a second ref, no must not do that... We have to keep blindly voting for them, in the hope that one day they might decide it is the time for a ref.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This mess really is just warming up. There's years of it to come; at least a decade, likely longer.

    While I understand some remain unionists are still banking on a fairy delivering then a unicorn, with Corybn giving them a new EUref which cancels brexit, FPTP is too much of a threat to English MPs in modestly pro-brexit+ seats.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-47759208

    Dominic Grieve loses no-confidence vote by local Tories

    MP and former Attorney General Dominic Grieve has lost a vote of no-confidence by local Conservatives.

    ReplyDelete
  10. And this is just lovely.

    https://twitter.com/bexin2d/status/1111943920911552512

    Effigies of Theresa May and Sadiq Khan (can't help but point out, a woman and ethnic minority Muslim), dragged by the neck through the streets of London at the Brexit Betrayal March.

    Utterly horrific. Deeply unsettling and disturbing. Blood runs cold.

    ReplyDelete
  11. If a Great White shark, was about to engulf Teazy, but escape was possible by handing a tanner to those Scots.

    The Great White, would enjoy its tory morsel.

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is always how it begins.

    For example, kids who've lived in the country since birth - 10...15 years...- suddenly are 'not the same' as their school mates, and must be registered on a 'foreigner / aliens' list, having to applying for permission remain in the only home they know, with the threat of deportation hanging over them.

    https://twitter.com/MayorofLondon/status/1111924327979585537

    If you think non blood and soil brits are being blamed for a lot of England's problems now, wait until the economy tanks; then the blame game will really begin.

    ReplyDelete
  13. You Scottish Nat sis need tae get real. We are wasting far too much taxpayers money on elected and unelected politicians. It is time austerity hit them hard.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We're also now wasting time and money on e.g. customs declarations forms for every single parcel sent to/from our 27 neighbours. God knows how many politicians you could employ for the cost of this, and that's before the customs checks begin.

      https://twitter.com/AlistairWilson9/status/1112048524223496192

      Delete
    2. Anything is worth it to get out of this Empire. It is only 27 countries, well former countries!

      Delete
    3. Cordelia's looking forward to being put to work in the fields for its pension this autumn. After all, anything is worth it for the Empah.

      Delete
  14. skier, I travelled to France with a Ten Bob Post Office annual passport during 1969 and sent a letter hame tae ma maw. You Nat sis have been brainwashed by this EU fascist.org. Life goes on son. We do not need the EU and hopefully the 25 will leave the Frogs and Krauts to it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a nice touch to insult my wife and primary school age daughter with some racist taunts.

      They're laughing at your country right now though; as is everyone globally.

      Delete
    2. I do not know your wife I suspect she is a fictional character. You Nat sis can tell a tale or two.

      Delete
    3. Cordelia has a wife too. It's good to see same sex marriages being celebrated. Well done, Cordelia.

      Delete
    4. My wife is French (and has lived in Scotland more years than many British/English migrants).

      My daughter is French & Scottish.

      We are a 'Jock-Frog' family as you like to call us. 'Mick/Paddy' too if you add that part of me.

      I have no need to just make stuff up like brexiters do.

      Thankfully, I don't need to have my daughter 'registered' by the sweaty gammon racist jackboots from England, but they are knocking at the door and asking for my wife's 'papers'.

      I suppose I could just vote Lib Dem and all will be well though!

      Delete
    5. Dark moonlight. Dark moonlight.

      Delete
    6. skier the Vichy helped the Nazis check some papers and had the Paris freemasonry wiped out by handing over some nice names and addresses. Give French Catholics power and you might as well build your own concentration camp!

      Delete
    7. Hitler based his camp designs on those used by the Brits in the Boer war. You could probably trace these all the way back to the English 'Edict of explusion' (of Jews) in 1290.

      However, I'd say your racist attacks on my wife and primary school aged daughter are problably a bit more relevant to the current situation.

      Delete
    8. You should withdraw your last sentence. I do not know or have attacked your wife or primary school child.

      Delete
    9. You racially abused them earlier, referring to them pejoratively as 'frogs'; an English/British racist derogatory term for French people. See your first post above; literally calling my primary school age daughter a 'frog' in a derogatory context.

      On this topic, why is it the English/British seem to have a derogatory term for people from every other country? Jocks, taffs, micks/paddies, Krauts, Frogs, Pakis, chinks...the list as as long as an arm.

      Delete
    10. "But it's not racist when a true blue Brit does it! Just banter, isn't it?"
      Not only is Cordelia an unrepentant racist, it lies about it as well.

      Delete
    11. Dark moonlight. Dark moonlight.

      Delete
    12. The aspidistra flies at dawn.

      Delete
    13. Rudolf van SlitskiApril 2, 2019 at 12:56 AM

      The ice has melted on the Volga.

      Delete
    14. The Domestos has landed.

      Delete
    15. Maréchal PétainApril 2, 2019 at 9:09 PM

      Olaf's palm tree bends at dawn, but seldom shimmers.

      Delete
    16. Move to Vim alert.

      Delete
    17. Flight Lt Robin HoodApril 3, 2019 at 9:02 AM

      And now a personal message: Maisie's kitchen has been redecorated. I repeat, Maisie's kitchen has been redecorated.

      Delete
    18. Colorless green ideas sleep furiously. Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.

      Delete
    19. Chocks away, chaps. I'm off on a mission to occupied Crete. Tally hi.

      Delete
    20. Pip pip, Squiffy old chap. Do it for the Empah.

      Delete
    21. Does your Skiing wife eat Chum or Bonio?

      Delete
    22. Cordelia slipped its leash again...

      Delete
  15. Things looking neck and neck after the last couple of polls that have come out tonight:

    https://twitter.com/UKPolitics_/status/1112118039477190658

    Updated polling averages including latest
    @OpiniumResearch
    and
    @DeltapollUK
    polls

    CON: 36%
    LAB: 36%
    Lib Dem: 7%
    SNP: 5%
    UKIP: 7%
    Green: 5%

    With
    @TheIndGroup
    (Change UK)

    CON: 35%
    LAB: 34%
    Lib Dem: 8%
    CUK: 5%
    SNP: 4%
    UKIP: 7%
    Green: 4%

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We should be miles ahead of Corbyn and his acolytes despite the intransigence of some I'll informed anti-British MPs. Mrs May is playing the long game and I think we'll all be in for a surprise when she turns things around and secures a top notch deal for Britain.

      Delete
    2. Cordelia's been at the Vim again. Either that or there's been a personnel change at Green Ink HQ...

      Delete
    3. Poltroon.

      Delete
    4. Definitely a personnel change.

      Delete
  16. Labour vote is falling but it does seem the Tories are joining them in that.

    Tories are going to look at the latest polls and think 'No way we're having a general election!'.

    They Tories will just never vote themselves out of power; they'll utterly destroy the economy an even see the UK fall apart around them before they give up power (you just need to think of right-wing dictators the world over to understand this).

    The DUP will not vote for May's deal, but they'll keep her in power, as will the ERG. Both will welcome a hard brexit. It's why this mess goes on and on.

    So a hard brexit draws ever closer, with a second EUref slipping away.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 4-5% SNP UK-wide implies Scottish sub-samples comfortably into the 40%'s for the SNP, which in turn implies Lab+Con down north of the border, consistent with other recent polling.

      Delete
    2. Rubbish. Absolute eyewash

      Delete
    3. Present your counter-argument.

      Delete
    4. So, no counter-argument, just a referral to right-wing newspapers and pejorative language about independence supporters. Easy seeing who does "Don's" thinking.

      Delete
    5. Take a break from ranting and raving long enough to acquaint yourself with some facts.
      1. More highly educated people voted against Scottish separation.
      2. More well informed people voted for GB to leave EU.

      I understand you find it hard to accept these facts but then I expect that you belong to neither 1 or 2 above.

      Delete
    6. I'm not an unreasonable person. Persuade me of your position
      with evidence and without insulting me or accusing me of ranting. Besides, you still didn't present your counter-argument.

      Delete
    7. I presume my arguments were too difficult for you to follow.

      Delete
    8. Given that you didn't make any, there was nothing for me to have to follow. You presented unsubstantiated "facts" without references. You're going to have to do better than poor Cordelia and its screams of impotent rage.

      Delete
    9. Still waiting for that counter-argument...

      Delete
    10. Still waiting for that counter-argument...

      Delete
    11. When reasoned discussion fails the separatists turn to shouting and bullying. It's their only way and it's why most Britishers reject their violence and hatred. Their isolationism would turn Scotland into a heinous backwater of fantasy history and Mock tradition. A laughing stock which shrieking harridan Sturgeon makes even worse with her fanatical screaming.

      Delete
    12. So, still no counter-argument, just ad hominems, rage and unsupported claims of violence. This personnel change isn't working out at all well for the Green Ink team, is it?

      Delete
    13. I am consudecon and deemed an expert in my field. It is tedious to squabble with intellectual pigmies.

      Delete
    14. "Consudecon"? Your inner Cordelia is showing, dearie. Besides, calling me names is no excuse for not providing a counter-argument.

      Delete
    15. You reveal the poverty of your Classical education. As one would except of a nail buying hysteric.

      Delete
    16. You reveal the poverty of your counter-argument by not making one, instead making lazy assumptions about the extent and quality of my education. Doubtless awaiting permission to deviate from your script; no matter. Further, my DIY shopping habits are neither here nor there...

      Delete
  17. If things don't go as well as expected with Brexited, if the EU try to get awkward and break the rules, our only real friend in this World, the USA will step in and see us right. They gave us a helping hand at our 2 moments of need and got us over the line. We can count on them to give us the push we need to get back to where we were before we joined the Common Market. Together GB and USA will show the others how it's done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Enjoy your chlorinated chicken, hormone laced beef and privatised medical care. That will be the Donald's price for "friendship".

      Delete
    2. Poor show and a typically ungrateful response presumably from a Scottish nationalist. Spend some money on a history book, don't weep over the expense but weep if GB hadn't won the war with US help when need to prime the pump. You people make me laugh

      Delete
    3. Cordelia really doesn't like being called out on its gammony Blitz-spirit nonsense, does it?

      Delete
  18. No regional cross tabs on the Deltapoll survey, but with Opinium poll Scottish subsample stands at:

    Con: 23
    Lab: 16
    Lib Dem:8
    SNP:43
    Green: 4
    UKIP: 2

    ReplyDelete
  19. Based on these averages seat prediction is:

    Con: 4
    Lab: 1
    Lib Dem:3
    SNP:51
    Green: 0
    UKIP: 0

    ReplyDelete
  20. https://twitter.com/AngusRobertson/status/1112277202345836544

    New Opinion Poll: 63% majority believe Scotland will become independent. 61% agree there should be another referendum on Scottish independence. Details via @ScotNational and on @progressscot website#ProgressScotland

    ReplyDelete
  21. Can somebody please supply us with the approved list of words to use to describe people who betray their country.

    Traitor has been good enough for centuries but now we're not allowed to use it. Controlling the language is very, very 1984. The hypocrisy from labour slugs who belt it out every conference is particularly galling.

    Meanwhile here's a word from our national bard.

    Scots, wha hae wi' Wallace bled,
    Scots, wham Bruce has aften led;
    Welcome to your gory bed,
    Or to victory!

    Now's the day, and now's the hour;
    See the front o' battle lour;
    See approach proud Edward's power—
    Chains and slavery!

    Wha will be a traitor knave?
    Wha can fill a coward's grave!
    Wha sae base as be a slave?
    Let him turn and flee!

    Wha for Scotland's king and law
    Freedom's sword will strongly draw,
    Freeman stand, or freeman fa',
    Let him follow me!

    By oppression's woes and pains!
    By your sons in servile chains!
    We will drain our dearest veins,
    But they shall be free!

    Lay the proud usurpers low!
    Tyrants fall in every foe!
    Liberty's in every blow!—
    Let us do or die!


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hysteruxal emotional doggerel. We need cool heads rather than sentimental giggle to get us out of this message and out if the clutches if the EU who gave always followed an anti-inflammatory British agenda since we were foolish enough to join their cooked up club. We were the envy of the world but the EU hated that TT and have tried to drag us down to the level of a Holland or Italy. Sadly for them they have failed. Miserably. Mrs May is working like a Trojan but needs some backbone to fight these unelected dictators like Merkel and the French chap, Merbon.

      Delete
    2. We see you, Cordelia.

      Delete
    3. I see you too. But I don't see any glimmer of intellect. The usual substandard nitwit writing on the internet because he has no other outlet. Rather tragic.

      Delete
    4. You still owe me a counter-argument, Cordelia's supervisor.

      Delete
    5. An intellectual pigmy deserves no debate. You are dismissed.

      Delete
    6. Good old fashioned imperial barking of orders. You can almost smell the entitlement. I am dismissed when I choose, dearie.

      Delete
    7. If such be your fancy, pray imagine it. But you shall still be you come the morning. How sad.

      Delete
    8. Still waiting for your counter-argument. Unless, of course, you don't have clearance to deviate from your script...

      Delete
    9. In this (albeit rarified) world, one never debates with one's intellectual inferiors. One's advantage is too great and would be perceived as taking unfair advantage (if one's inadvertent pun might be forgiven).

      Delete
    10. "In this (albeit rarified) world, one never debates with one's intellectual inferiors."
      You're so right. I should grow weary of this battle of wits with such a poorly armed opponent, but tormenting you here is intermittently amusing. Much as it is when I torment that bigoted underling of yours.

      Delete
    11. As ever, the loser in a debate seeks to present himself as Victor. The presentation errs.

      Delete
  22. Hi James,
    do you have a take on this new poll from Progress Scotland and Angus Robertson? Would really appreciate your view.

    Thanks
    braco

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hezekiah McStrootleApril 3, 2019 at 9:09 AM

      No, bit I got a hake in batter from a Pole.

      Delete
    2. Cordelia there, sharing entirely too much about its inner fantasy life.

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    3. Hezekiah MacstrubpkeApril 4, 2019 at 1:00 AM

      Hahahaha. Bonny the House is there with his fancy words. Well you how you like to kiss this word! Eh? Hahahaha.

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    4. Cordelia there, making as much sense as ever.

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    5. You ain't woke, bro.

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    6. Cordelia ain't woke. Cordelia's an equal opportunities bigot - it hates everyone.

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    7. Hezekiah McStrootleApril 5, 2019 at 9:04 AM

      Jaden, what language was that? Double Dutch or Shoe Polish? Hahahaha.

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