Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Winning With Willie (again)

Much of the mainstream media breathlessly and uncritically reported Willie Rennie's claim at the weekend that the Scottish Liberal Democrats were "winning again".  For those with short memories, here is how the Lib Dems actually fared at the Holyrood election in May...

* SLIPPED from fourth place to fifth, after being overtaken by the Greens for the first time.  To put that in historical perspective, in 1999, 2003 and 2007 they were within just one seat of tying the Tories for third place.

* FAILED to make any seat gains, remaining on the miserable 5-seat tally they've held since 2011.  For comparison, they won 17 seats in both 1999 and 2003, and 16 in 2007.

* SLUMPED to their lowest-ever share of the vote on the constituency ballot - just 7.8%.  For comparison, they took 14.2% in 1999, 15.3% in 2003, and 16.2% in 2007.

If all of that amounts to "winning again", the mind boggles as to what a humiliating defeat would look like.  Apparently on Planet Willie, they can tell that they're winning from the "howling" of "Cybernats".  But back in the real world, we can tell that they're losing simply by checking the results of the election.

The losing streak continued today in the Scottish Parliament as the Lib Dems grotesquely joined forces with the Tories to vote against continued Scottish membership of the single market, but mercifully were defeated by the combined forces of the SNP and Greens, with the pro-European motion being comfortably passed by 65 votes to 32.  This means that an absolute majority of Scottish parliamentarians have now explicitly backed continued single market membership, and the taking of any steps necessary to ensure that.

Labour are taking a lot of flak for abstaining on the motion, but for my money it's the Lib Dems who deserve the opprobrium on this occasion.  You can make an arguable case for abstaining on an elaborate motion that contains several different points, some of which you agree with, and some of which you don't think are ideally worded.  But for a party that was once the most passionately pro-European outfit in Scotland to actually vote against single market membership is nothing short of extraordinary.  They have abandoned all pretence of being anything other than British nationalist zealots - for them, as for the other unionist parties, it's now Brexit or Bust.

68 comments:

  1. It's pro-independence versus anti-independence from now on until Scotland ends this debilitating union with England..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Or until the naturally moderate half of the country decides to begin switching their alliegances again due to boredom or dissatisfaction with the government.

      Aldo

      Delete
    2. Bumblefuck Tories for UKIPNovember 16, 2016 at 5:51 PM

      Sky NewsVerified account ‏@SkyNews 19 hours ago

      THE TIMES FRONT PAGE: 'Chaos and confusion over plans for Brexit' #skypapers

      Delete
    3. So, Aldo, you agree the No vote is mostly extremist?

      Delete
    4. Bumblefuck tories for FarageNovember 16, 2016 at 6:17 PM

      Michael Gray ‏@GrayInGlasgow Nov 14

      Oh my. Leaked UK government memo: not enough time or staff to agree Brexit. Confirms there's no plan & economy is threatened.

      Delete
    5. Bumblefuck Tories for TrumpNovember 16, 2016 at 6:20 PM

      Eduardo Reyes ‎@edreyesjourno


      The #Brexit ministers' plan: Liam Fox writes businesses a 5-line letter telling them to export stuff. "Brilliant" doesn't quite cover it.

      Delete
    6. Bumblefuck Tories for Trump and Racial UnityNovember 17, 2016 at 6:47 PM

      HuffingtonPost@Huffpo

      Theresa May Will Seek ‘Special Relationship’ With Donald Trump Even If He Bans All Muslims

      Delete
  2. What do the lib dems stand for nowadays?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. British nationalism. Brexit. Nuclear weapons.

      It's liberalism, Jim, but not as we know it.

      Delete
  3. Glasgow Working Class 2November 15, 2016 at 8:20 PM

    What a wee fundamentalist Nat si SS (Scottish Supremist) you are James. You just want to crawl to the EU and join the fate of Greece. We are oot James but do keep beggin tae Herman.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Britnat si considers Scotland a colony and calls scottish people "jocks", advocates arming Leave campaigners, armed militias in every workplace and armed insurrection, claimed Jo Cox's husband was a fascist, uses racial and ethnic slurs while claiming they're not derogatory, pretends to be Labour (badly) while espousing far-right racist hate-speech, praises Theresa May and the tories and displays a perverted poisonous obsession with Scotland's First Minister & her predecessor.

      The ultra-right-wing authoritarian colonial mouthpiece can trot off snivelling back to its overlords at the Daily Suppress whenever it's ready.

      Delete
    2. Glasgow Working Class 2November 15, 2016 at 10:11 PM

      Get tae feck anonymous coward. Trump and Farage are in charge now and you and your kind are going to be first against the wa, Fash Nat si.

      Delete
    3. Glasgow Working Class 2November 15, 2016 at 10:42 PM

      Another knob Nat si SS impersonator above. Nothing else to contribute!

      Delete
    4. The Britnat si considers Scotland a colony and calls scottish people "jocks", advocates arming Leave campaigners, armed militias in every workplace and armed insurrection, claimed Jo Cox's husband was a fascist, uses racial and ethnic slurs while claiming they're not derogatory, pretends to be Labour (badly) while espousing far-right racist hate-speech, praises Theresa May and the tories and displays a perverted poisonous obsession with Scotland's First Minister & her predecessor.

      The ultra-right-wing authoritarian colonial mouthpiece can trot off snivelling back to its overlords at the Daily Suppress whenever it's ready.

      Delete
    5. GWC2, it is a bit hypocritical accusing 'Anonymous' about hiding behind anonymity, when you are doing the same, too. Why do you not use your own name?

      Delete
    6. One step at a time we must be rid of this union,and dissolve the treaty of union its way past its sell by date,but some are to sick (in the head) to realise it.

      Delete
  4. Wee Wullie Rennie is a halfwit. He gets told how to vote, or else.

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    1. Glasgow Working Class 2November 15, 2016 at 9:53 PM

      Same as the dissappeared left that left Labour for the Nat si SS. Silence is golden
      in the Nat si SS party. At least the wee erse Rennie has something to say.

      Delete
    2. The Britnat si considers Scotland a colony and calls scottish people "jocks", advocates arming Leave campaigners, armed militias in every workplace and armed insurrection, claimed Jo Cox's husband was a fascist, uses racial and ethnic slurs while claiming they're not derogatory, pretends to be Labour (badly) while espousing far-right racist hate-speech, praises Theresa May and the tories and displays a perverted poisonous obsession with Scotland's First Minister & her predecessor.

      The ultra-right-wing authoritarian colonial mouthpiece can trot off snivelling back to its overlords at the Daily Suppress whenever it's ready.

      Delete
  5. I think abstaining is labour hedging it's bets.

    Labour might be starting to wake up to the realities in Scotland and that in an independent Scotland, labour might be viewed as irrelevant just like Willie rennies fib dems are now.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Glasgow Working Class 2November 15, 2016 at 9:58 PM

      The likelihood is if Scotland were independent a right wing coalition of Scottish Tories and Nat si SS would take power. Labour are still looking for Jesus in the wilderness.

      Delete
    2. The Britnat si considers Scotland a colony and calls scottish people "jocks", advocates arming Leave campaigners, armed militias in every workplace and armed insurrection, claimed Jo Cox's husband was a fascist, uses racial and ethnic slurs while claiming they're not derogatory, pretends to be Labour (badly) while espousing far-right racist hate-speech, praises Theresa May and the tories and displays a perverted poisonous obsession with Scotland's First Minister & her predecessor.

      The ultra-right-wing authoritarian colonial mouthpiece can trot off snivelling back to its overlords at the Daily Suppress whenever it's ready.

      Delete
  6. No pretence now from the London based parties of looking after Scotland's interests.
    It's self,party and Little England in that order.
    Since they abrogate responsibility for managing Scotland's affairs to their masters in london and refuse to acknowledge the democratic will of the people of Scotland,they can no longer be trusted and should resign immediately.
    They have no place in the Scottish parliament and certainly no place in the governance of our country.
    People who support these parcel of rogues must now acknowledge that as far as they are concerned,England's interests trump Scotland's.

    ReplyDelete
  7. "The Claim of Right"-----aye, right!

    Wee Wullie and his imposter Party are right up there with UKIP in my estimation.
    They would also be "enhanced" if Jackie Bailie joined up as a member. She has similar porkie tendencies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glasgow Working Class 2November 15, 2016 at 10:01 PM

      Nat si SS round up porkie people.

      Delete
    2. The Britnat si considers Scotland a colony and calls scottish people "jocks", advocates arming Leave campaigners, armed militias in every workplace and armed insurrection, claimed Jo Cox's husband was a fascist, uses racial and ethnic slurs while claiming they're not derogatory, pretends to be Labour (badly) while espousing far-right racist hate-speech, praises Theresa May and the tories and displays a perverted poisonous obsession with Scotland's First Minister & her predecessor.

      The ultra-right-wing authoritarian colonial mouthpiece can trot off snivelling back to its overlords at the Daily Suppress whenever it's ready.

      Delete
    3. "Nat si"-----That will be people like Lord Halifax, King Edward, the Anglo-German Friendship Society, the aristocracy and numerous Tory MP's, Lord Reith and all those Anglo-American armament companies who flocked to trade with Germany. Queen Lizzie giving the Nazi salute etc etc etc...................

      Delete
    4. Glasgow Working Class 2November 16, 2016 at 12:14 PM

      Don't insult the Queen coward Nat si. She's done mair for working people than anyone else in Britain.

      Delete
    5. The Britnat si considers Scotland a colony and calls scottish people "jocks", advocates arming Leave campaigners, armed militias in every workplace and armed insurrection, claimed Jo Cox's husband was a fascist, uses racial and ethnic slurs while claiming they're not derogatory, pretends to be Labour (badly) while espousing far-right racist hate-speech, praises Theresa May and the tories and displays a perverted poisonous obsession with Scotland's First Minister & her predecessor.

      The ultra-right-wing authoritarian colonial mouthpiece can trot off snivelling back to its overlords at the Daily Suppress whenever it's ready.

      Delete
  8. " They have abandoned all pretence of being anything other than British nationalist zealots"
    As they have to, given that the only viable source of votes for them are Unionist tactical voters.
    Look at the 4 constituencies they won: it's no coincidence that these 4 were the worst-performing Tory seats. NE Fife, Edinburgh Western and Orkney were the only 3 where the Tories lost vote share.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glasgow Working Class 2November 16, 2016 at 12:37 AM

      You Nat si SS have to face reality. Is it a bit of trade with the EU and none with Ruk plus a hard border and Scots fleeing south. How fanatical and anti English are you! How will you replace Scots and with whom?

      Delete
    2. The Britnat si considers Scotland a colony and calls scottish people "jocks", advocates arming Leave campaigners, armed militias in every workplace and armed insurrection, claimed Jo Cox's husband was a fascist, uses racial and ethnic slurs while claiming they're not derogatory, pretends to be Labour (badly) while espousing far-right racist hate-speech, praises Theresa May and the tories and displays a perverted poisonous obsession with Scotland's First Minister & her predecessor.

      The ultra-right-wing authoritarian colonial mouthpiece can trot off snivelling back to its overlords at the Daily Suppress whenever it's ready.

      Delete
    3. Brexiteers want to trade with the world. Except Scotland,'coz they're foreign.

      Delete
    4. Glasgow Working Class 2November 16, 2016 at 10:31 AM

      Conan, you are decending into the gutter auld chap. Have you anything to say about real politik?
      Anyhoo what kind of leftie are you? There are so many around to choose from! And none in power.

      Delete
    5. The Britnat si considers Scotland a colony and calls scottish people "jocks", advocates arming Leave campaigners, armed militias in every workplace and armed insurrection, claimed Jo Cox's husband was a fascist, uses racial and ethnic slurs while claiming they're not derogatory, pretends to be Labour (badly) while espousing far-right racist hate-speech, praises Theresa May and the tories and displays a perverted poisonous obsession with Scotland's First Minister & her predecessor.

      The ultra-right-wing authoritarian colonial mouthpiece can trot off snivelling back to its overlords at the Daily Suppress whenever it's ready.

      Delete
  9. To paraphrase Python,
    Those would be Howls of Divisive Laughter

    ReplyDelete
  10. Scotland can't stay in the single market unless Britain stays. We are not an independent country - we were asked if we wanted to be independent and we said no.

    Aldo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do you live in a parallel reality?

      Delete
    2. Glasgow Working Class 2November 17, 2016 at 12:31 AM

      You are horizontal and reality evades you.

      Delete
    3. The Britnat si considers Scotland a colony and calls scottish people "jocks", advocates arming Leave campaigners, armed militias in every workplace and armed insurrection, claimed Jo Cox's husband was a fascist, uses racial and ethnic slurs while claiming they're not derogatory, pretends to be Labour (badly) while espousing far-right racist hate-speech, praises Theresa May and the tories and displays a perverted poisonous obsession with Scotland's First Minister & her predecessor.

      The ultra-right-wing authoritarian colonial mouthpiece can trot off snivelling back to its overlords at the Daily Suppress whenever it's ready.

      Delete
  11. Labour knew what they were doing with abstaining - that way they still get to whinge and moan at anything that the SNP do and for that fact anything that any other party does too when they disnae think of it first or they did think of it but just want to do the normal reversal of what they thought two minutes ago like they always do.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glasgow Working Class 2November 16, 2016 at 11:59 AM

      What do the Nat sis do besides carrying out the legacy of Thatcher.

      Delete
    2. The Britnat si considers Scotland a colony and calls scottish people "jocks", advocates arming Leave campaigners, armed militias in every workplace and armed insurrection, claimed Jo Cox's husband was a fascist, uses racial and ethnic slurs while claiming they're not derogatory, pretends to be Labour (badly) while espousing far-right racist hate-speech, praises Theresa May and the tories and displays a perverted poisonous obsession with Scotland's First Minister & her predecessor.

      The ultra-right-wing authoritarian colonial mouthpiece can trot off snivelling back to its overlords at the Daily Suppress whenever it's ready.

      Delete
    3. Glasgow Working Class 2November 16, 2016 at 8:37 PM

      Neun times sie haben posted diese scheiss Nat si SS pretend socialist.

      Delete
    4. The Britnat si considers Scotland a colony and calls scottish people "jocks", advocates arming Leave campaigners, armed militias in every workplace and armed insurrection, claimed Jo Cox's husband was a fascist, uses racial and ethnic slurs while claiming they're not derogatory, pretends to be Labour (badly) while espousing far-right racist hate-speech, praises Theresa May and the tories and displays a perverted poisonous obsession with Scotland's First Minister & her predecessor.

      The ultra-right-wing authoritarian colonial mouthpiece can trot off snivelling back to its overlords at the Daily Suppress whenever it's ready.

      Delete
  12. There are wonderful opportunities available to Scotland at the moment due to brexit and the election of Donald Trump that the SNP are blinded to due to their political ideology. We could enter a reformed NAFTA as a way of replacing the EU - but not have the baggage of freedom of movement. Yet, as nothing good can come from brexit, the UK, the USA or the political right (in their minds, at least), they are unable or unwilling to see the opportunities that are now presenting themmselves. They stand in the way of a brighter future for Scotland and the rest of the UK.

    Aldo

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    1. You're mistaken if you think the SNP are reflexively anti-US. Sturgeon and Salmond were embarrassingly terrified of saying a word against Obama. It's good to see that changing, at least, while the UK PM continues her traditional role as the simpering toady who gets repeatedly kicked in the face and asks for more.

      Delete
    2. "The undecideds and the bottlers will put it in the back of the net for 'remain'. I'm sure Cameron also has a few tricks up his sleeve to deploy in the dying days of the campaign."

      Aldo

      Delete
    3. The most wonderful of all being a second indyref after the last one was stolen

      Delete
    4. Glasgow Working Class 2November 16, 2016 at 7:32 PM

      Sure your brain has not been stolen. Who would want it!

      Delete
    5. The Britnat si considers Scotland a colony and calls scottish people "jocks", advocates arming Leave campaigners, armed militias in every workplace and armed insurrection, claimed Jo Cox's husband was a fascist, uses racial and ethnic slurs while claiming they're not derogatory, pretends to be Labour (badly) while espousing far-right racist hate-speech, praises Theresa May and the tories and displays a perverted poisonous obsession with Scotland's First Minister & her predecessor.

      The ultra-right-wing authoritarian colonial mouthpiece can trot off snivelling back to its overlords at the Daily Suppress whenever it's ready.

      Delete
  13. Glasgow Working Class 2November 16, 2016 at 11:09 PM

    Nat si SS fash hiv gone tae sleep again. Nae policies nae nuffin fae them. Nae credibility.
    159 MSP'S taking the money fae the working class and laughing at us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glasgow Working Class 2November 16, 2016 at 11:44 PM

      I have just been sectioned.

      Delete
    2. Glasgow Working Class 2November 17, 2016 at 12:09 AM

      Your wee willy. No point.

      Delete
    3. Glasgow Working Class 2November 17, 2016 at 2:02 AM

      Feckin impostors, get yer ain name! I cannae handle it any mair!!! Leave me alane!!!!!!

      Delete
    4. The Britnat si considers Scotland a colony and calls scottish people "jocks", advocates arming Leave campaigners, armed militias in every workplace and armed insurrection, claimed Jo Cox's husband was a fascist, uses racial and ethnic slurs while claiming they're not derogatory, pretends to be Labour (badly) while espousing far-right racist hate-speech, praises Theresa May and the tories and displays a perverted poisonous obsession with Scotland's First Minister & her predecessor.

      The ultra-right-wing authoritarian colonial mouthpiece can trot off snivelling back to its overlords at the Daily Suppress whenever it's finished arguing with itself.

      Delete
  14. Glasgow Working Class 2November 17, 2016 at 2:33 PM

    Nat si SS resurrecting old Tory Michael Forsyth policy on nursery vouchers. Makes yer laugh.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Britnat si considers Scotland a colony and calls scottish people "jocks", advocates arming Leave campaigners, armed militias in every workplace and armed insurrection, claimed Jo Cox's husband was a fascist, uses racial and ethnic slurs while claiming they're not derogatory, pretends to be Labour (badly) while espousing far-right racist hate-speech, praises Theresa May and the tories and displays a perverted poisonous obsession with Scotland's First Minister & her predecessor.

      The ultra-right-wing authoritarian colonial mouthpiece can trot off snivelling back to its overlords at the Daily Suppress whenever it's finished arguing with itself.

      Delete
    2. Glasgow Working Class 2November 17, 2016 at 9:58 PM

      And the Nat si SS want to resurrect more Tory policies while following Thatcherite dogma.

      Delete
    3. The Britnat si considers Scotland a colony and calls scottish people "jocks", advocates arming Leave campaigners, armed militias in every workplace and armed insurrection, claimed Jo Cox's husband was a fascist, uses racial and ethnic slurs while claiming they're not derogatory, pretends to be Labour (badly) while espousing far-right racist hate-speech, praises Theresa May and the tories and displays a perverted poisonous obsession with Scotland's First Minister & her predecessor.

      The ultra-right-wing authoritarian colonial mouthpiece can trot off snivelling back to its overlords at the Daily Suppress whenever it's finished arguing with itself.

      Delete
  15. Aldo - your a slavering hibs tolley. Gorgie rules

    ReplyDelete
  16. Doesn't this vote put the Scottish LibDems at odds with their national leadership? Tim Farron keeps telling anyone who'll listen that he wants another referendum and to stay within the EU. As this is currently looking highly unlikely, wouldn't (or shouldn't) their Plan B aim to preserve as much of the membership benefits as possible? Therefore it would have been far more logical for the Scottish LibDems to vote FOR staying in the single market, not AGAINST.

    I'm not saying I expect politics to follow the dictates of logic, but this voting behaviour seems strangely self-defeating on a UK level (if possibly self-serving on a Scottish one). Given that the path to power in the UK is not through the Scottish Parliament, however, this just doesn't compute for me. Unless the only thing that the LibDems care about is to stick it to the SNP, no matter what.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Glasgow Working Class 2November 18, 2016 at 7:08 PM

    That Cat Boyd on Newsnight last night. What an asset for the Union. Keep bumpin yer gums hen. Is she actually a member of a political party?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Britnat si considers Scotland a colony and calls scottish people "jocks", advocates arming Leave campaigners, armed militias in every workplace and armed insurrection, claimed Jo Cox's husband was a fascist, uses racial and ethnic slurs while claiming they're not derogatory, pretends to be Labour (badly) while espousing far-right racist hate-speech, praises Theresa May and the tories and displays a perverted poisonous obsession with Scotland's First Minister & her predecessor.

      The ultra-right-wing authoritarian colonial mouthpiece can trot off snivelling back to its overlords at the Daily Suppress whenever it's finished arguing with itself.

      Delete
  18. No surprise...he's been smart enough to learn from the MSM. Just tell lies, plenty of people will believe you.

    ReplyDelete
  19. If you read his full speech he was clearly talking about the two constituency seats the Lib Dems won from the SNP, North East Fife and Edinburgh Western, which your article omits to mention. Yes, they also lost two list seats which meant no net gain, but that was because of how AMS balances the seats, not because of loss of support. Their share of the list vote was the same as the last election.

    He's also clearly talking relative to the previous 2011 election, so the comparisons to historic highs are irrelevant.

    And it's a massive exaggeration to say that their constituency vote 'slumped'. Their share of the vote in 2011, which you also omit to mention, was 7.9%. That's a drop of 0.1 percentage points, hardly a slump. What is particularly egregious is that in the article I read before this one (http://scotgoespop.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/yougov-poll-finds-that-scotland-is.html), you attacked The Times for using the word 'slumped' to describe the small fall in support for indepenance. I guess you don't feel you have to follow the same standards you demand of others.

    ReplyDelete