I have a short piece on The National's website about the new Opinium poll which has Yes ahead by 51% to 49% - you can read it
HERE. When I wrote it yesterday I included a couple of paragraphs about the findings from the poll on the Royal Family, which were probably trimmed because of space constraints. So for your delectation and delight, I'll post them here -
Perhaps the most stunning finding of the poll is that respondents are split down the middle over whether an independent Scotland should become a republic or retain the monarchy. Past polls have tended to suggest that, although Scotland is cooler towards the royals than other parts of the UK, there was still a significant pro-monarchy majority. One reason for the change could be the revelations in the recent Harry and Meghan interview, although it's also likely that the question wording played a part. Asking respondents to think specifically about what should happen after independence may have teased out that some people who are sympathetic towards the monarchy nevertheless feel it would be logical for an independent Scotland to make a fresh start and find a homegrown Head of State.
That said, the SNP's soft pro-monarchy stance may still be electorally smart. Republican voters are unlikely to refuse to back independence just because the monarchy is being kept, but the issue could well be a dealbreaker for some of the substantial minority of Yes voters (30% according to the poll) who want the royals to stay.
* * *
I received an email this morning (and it genuinely was only one email) from someone who was rather gratuitously going out of his way to inform me that he wasn't going to contribute to the
Scot Goes Pop fundraiser because he didn't like the fact that I've made supportive comments about Alex Salmond. This, of course, is one of the unavoidable hazards of crowdfunding a blog - some people will always see it as an opportunity to say "how DARE you expect me to hand over money when you haven't said exactly what I want you to say on subject X or Y". The reality is that I'm not expecting any individual to hand over money. All I'm doing is putting the fundraiser out to the world and saying "if you like the blog and find it interesting and useful, you can help to keep it going if you wish". But if you don't like the blog and don't find it useful, or are uncomfortable with supporting it for any reason, of course I wouldn't expect you to donate - that would be silly. By the same token, though, it would be wrong of me to say I'm going to change my views or self-censor because people will refuse to donate if I don't. If fundraisers are having that kind of distorting effect, then it's hardly worth the bother, because you're not getting a truly independent alternative media written by people who can speak the truth as they see it without fear or favour.
In any case, my position on the current controversy is reasonably nuanced, and has been wrongly caricatured by both sides. I am indeed supportive of Alex Salmond, and I think it's to be greatly regretted that the Scottish Government weren't more respectful of the jury's verdict. I also think we'd be in a much better place now if Mr Salmond had been encouraged and welcomed back into the SNP fold. However I do not think Nicola Sturgeon should resign, and I've made that abundantly clear. I think it would be positively harmful to the independence cause if she was forced to go.
I've said that I would back an Alex Salmond list party if one was formed - but that would still entail voting SNP on the constituency ballot. And I've also said that I'll be giving both votes to the SNP if there's no Salmond party, which presumably by now is the most likely scenario.
* * *
I'll have a treat for you later tonight - a few hours ago I recorded a podcast with Ellen Höfer of EU Citizens for an Independent Scotland, so check back later for that.
Good luck with your fundraiser.
ReplyDeleteStill SNP x 2 for me - just.
ReplyDeleteI sense the younger the person the more likely they are to be republican. When Liz Windsor departs this mortal coil support for a republic in Scotland will be overwhelming.
It's always useful to consider who wins if Sturgeon resigns. Coral the bookmaker have Angus Robertson as favourite to succeed Sturgeon as leader of the SNP. Is Angus the mastermind behind all this persecution of Salmond hoping it will result in him becoming the FM and moving in to Bute House? Naw don't be so daft. It's all Sturgeons own handiwork.
ReplyDeleteShe won't. End of.
DeleteUnknown - are you clueless or the arse or the weatherman. Or just so stupid you cannot apply a moniker to your post.
DeleteIs that the first ever use of the words, "mastermind," and "Angus Robertson," in the same sentence?
DeleteWe all know that it was Lady MacBeth behind the entire scheme not the brainless gonk.
THE 6 MONTHS IS UP.
ReplyDeleteMore than 6 months ago the SNP promised a draft Independence Referendum bill. Anyone know where it is. Has it been lost along with the documents that Swinney cannae find.
Drew Henry SNP MSP was on Newsnight debasing himself trying to defend Sturgeon. The list continues to grow of the SNP personnel willing to ignore the truth and evidence.
ReplyDeleteMy SNP MP Kirsten Oswald was doing the same on Question time.
Let there be no doubt - Sturgeon is responsible for all this.
You getting yourself into a frenzy. Have a chocolate drink and retire to bed.
DeleteUnknown that is a very inappropriate comment.
DeleteEveryone in the SNP is in on the plot IfS. Everyone. We're all getting paid £6000 each to do over Salmond. It's the biggest conspiracy in history. Makes watergate look like a minor affair.
DeleteSmearer Skier ( liar since 2014) selling out your country for £6k - shameful. That must be about £1 for every lie you have posted and £5 for every smear you have posted.
DeleteJames, Salmond is now toxic .it should not have ended up in a criminal court but in today's corporate world where companies are terrified of harrassment claims the inappropriate behaviour that Salmond admitted to in court would have led to his instant dismissal from any senior position in any organisation .Ask anyone in HR what their attitude would be towards managers having sleepy cuddles with junior members of staff whilst under the influence of alcohol.
ReplyDeleteYes his solicitor called it right that his behaviour didn't meet the high bar for a criminal conviction . Remember in criminal cases guilt must be proven to beyond reasonable doubt whilst civil cases are founded on the balance of probablities .
The civil service messed it up it should have been a straight forward censure for Salmond .
Salmond should have walked off and waited a year or two until things blew over .The Monica Lewinsky affair is but a minor footnote in the legacy of the Clinton presidency .That could have happened with Salmond his huge achievement s would have over shone the indescretion s .He has own that now I and I know thousands of others will never ever forgive him for his actions in trying to bring down the FM in fact I think he is despicable arrogant bully who has not had decency to apologise in public to the complainers.
Hey Rocksie67 - you missed the bit at the end of your post. Let me fix it for you -
Delete"Nicola on the other hand is just perfect would not hurt a fly and is just Saintly. I love Nicola."
How's that Rocksie67?
Rocksie67 I am guessing you have no idea who the alphabet women are because if you did that would make you out to be the biggest arse in the world by posting those comments. As it is you are just a bog standard stupid arse.
Unionism for Scotland in my employment I used to work with long term offenders .One of the group work programme s we undertook was male perpetrators of domestic violence .One of the group rules was that that the participants when referring to their partner or ex partner by their first name not by terms her like it ,the bitch her the boot ,etc . The number of men who couldn't comply what that simple rule and ended back in court for failing to comply with the group work programme was quite shocking.
DeleteSo I have noticed that you have a tendency to refer to Nicola as Mrs Murrell and the complainers as the Alphabettis .So I think it is a fair point to think that you have a bit of a problem with women .
Also something I notice most people like myself pop in and out make the odd post here and there ,It seems you are never off here posting constantly so it's obvious that their ain't much going on in your life .Sorry if this sounds like ridiculing you but I know you think you are smart and a bit of cynic but the evidence would suggest that in reality you are probably quite a sad lonely and strange fellow.
I suspect I will get some smart assed comments back but mate your are fooling no one .
Rocksie67 - you don't notice very well at all - I never use the term Mrs Murrell and I either use the term alphabet women or alphies not alphabetties so I think it is fair to say that you have a problem with facts and detail and you like to fit them around your pathetic smears.
DeleteSo in reality you have no idea who the alphabet women are but you are happy to slag off Salmond then slag of me. You are a bog standard arse Rocksie67 and you ain't fooling anyone about that.
The Bath Charm school still trolling I see.
DeleteThe unknown troller still trolling.
DeleteSo how does it taste to anally rim Nicola Sturgeon Rocksie67?
DeleteA consensual encounter between two grown adults after work in what is a private dwelling place would not have resulted in an instant dismissal in Scotland. Try harder with your smearing sockpuppets Murrell. No wonder the £600,000 vanished.
DeleteSine you seem to have forgotten.
DeleteThat original complaint from woman A then F was dealt with at the time and she decided to keep working with Salmond. Then years later she is forced into court and made to lie about being raped.
If you don't think that stinks and is an abuse of power by murrell's coven then you need serious help.
In some businesses, having relationships with other staff is banned due to potential conflicts of interest, e.g. a boss giving favoured treatment to someone lower down the chain. People have lost their jobs for breaking the rules.
DeleteI'm not aware such rules apply to the affair Salmond had at work with an aide though.
I keep seeing that ''Salmond admitted to .....'', but when asked, those making the claim can't specify what he actually ''admitted to''.
DeleteAs someone who spent well over a year (shielding for over a year helped !) watching and reading everything available relating to the JR, then every evidence session, all the written evidence, plus the 'official reports' from the Harassment Committee, as well as following a dozen of so blogs produced by non-zoomers, and everything there was relating to the criminal trial ... well, what he admitted to amounted to the kind of conduct most of us of that generation could also admit to - men AND women !.
Unless I and a small group of equally knowledgeable friends have missed something ?
Have we ?
Do tell, as we're more than curious.
I/we should also say that we're also very aware that the new SNP member boost consists largely of those who have become 'experts' (the Dunning-Kruger' version of 'experts') after reading a few pro-Sturgeon headlines and a couple of Twitter comments.
Almost all of the new members we've asked had never heard of Lesley Evans, Sue Riddick, Liz Lloyd, and Duncan and James Hamilton, and actually believed the Harassment Committee was set up to investigate Alex Salmond.
Smearer Skier (liar since 2014) - smearing again Smearer Skier says " the affair Salmond had at work with an aide though."
DeleteLying again and smearing in the same post - bet you feel proud of yourself. Or provide proof that Salmond had an affair with an aide - name the name or shut up.
With Andrew and the treatment of Harry and Meghan it is no real surprise that support towards the Monarchy has waned, especially amongst the young. The tabloid press have done more to destroy the old order than a 100 Jeremy Corbyns. Ironic really.
ReplyDeleteJust because he wasn't found guilty, doesn't mean he didn't do anything wrong
ReplyDeleteSpeak to anyone involved in these types of cases, they have to prove beyond all reasonable doubt, which is why so many either don't go to court, or fail to get a conviction
Smearer Mike there were multiple witnesses that proved the alphabet women were lying but you just want to Smear Salmond.
DeleteIt is now the case that the SNP leadership and people like Smearer Skier, Rocksie67, Alex Birnie, Mike Lothian, Ramstam are all content that lying under oath is ok.
ReplyDeleteAn example, Peter Murrell clearly said on oath that there were no more messages. That is 100% a lie.
Sturgeon is dragging the SNP in to the gutter.
Oh Unionism for Scotland back on a again .Billy no mates so he spends all day on Scot Goes Pop .Are you a virgin are you a creepy Incel ? .Do you switch between this site and you porn .I'm off as I got things to do But no doubt when I come back you will have made lots of posts no doubt what a sad existence
DeleteRocksie67 67 - not as sad as your pathetic post. You got one thing correct in that post you are off - way off. All you have are pathetic baseless insults.
DeleteYou just crawl back to your gutter Rocksie67 because that is where you belong.
I guess the Holyrood election will pretty much be a plebiscite on Surgeon's character. And she only has herself to blame for that.
ReplyDeleteIs that what you base your vote on?
DeleteThe vast majority of us vote on important issues.
Please explain exactly what Salmond did that was wrong. In your own words and under your own name on a public forum.
ReplyDeleteEvery single claim made against him was proven to be false by either witnesses , or by the complainants own, ever changing statements, and previous evidence.
It is pretty obvious that the Fuhrerbunker put out an order to swamp the internet with smears against an innocent man so that he is unable to take any legal action due to the impossible costs involved.
Whatever it was he said sorry for I guess.
DeleteHaving sleepy cuddles with junior members of his staff whilst under the influence of alcohol .In today's corporate world a executive indulging in such behaviour would be sacked .
DeleteWe expected better from the FM of Scotland .Whilst Salmond was being like that he was a liability at some point this behaviour would have got out
Hey Rocksie67 - in today's world someone conspiring to send an innocent man to jail should be jailed. In today's world someone lying on oath should be prosecuted. In today's world using the powers of government to send an innocent man to jail is an abuse of power.
DeleteWe expected better from the FM of Scotland. While Sturgeon is like that she is a liability and her behaviour has got out.
Seriously doubt "Independence for Scotland" is truly what you want.
DeleteOnly a pro union half wit would think getting rid of the FM just before an election would gain "Independence for Scotland" Maybe "Scotland in Union" would better relate to your view's and leanings, don't you think ?
Oldpete - I very much doubt you are a quarter wit. I don't think you think much at all oldpete. Best hobble off back to the oldfolks home where only groupthink is allowed. People like you are the biggest hindrance to Scotland being free. Why is that - because you are so bloody stupid that's why.
DeleteWhere is the draft referendum bill oldpete?
PS you never did ask Paul Kavanagh if he thought Sturgeon was guilty did you. You may want to note that Mr Kavanagh never expresses his views on Sturgeons actions. Mr Kavanagh knows who the alphabet women are and he knows exactly what Sturgeon has been up to but diddies like you never ask him straight out. Why - because you are a coward.
"Scotland in Union" seems you have no wits, as you prove here on a daily basis.
DeleteIs that why you are incapable of asking Paul a question yourself ?
Silly old "Scotland in Union" your just "a gift that keeps on giving" 🤣
Cowardly Oldpete. To scared to ask WGD.
DeleteWhere is the draft referendum then Cowardly Oldpete?
Don't these results prove exactly what your mortal enemy (not mike smallpenis, the other one) has been saying for ages? Support for independence is not coupled with support for Mrs Murrell, or indeed the SNP as a party or Government.
ReplyDeleteYes, that's why there's no need to get rid of Sturgeon, which some suggest is needed for independence.
DeleteI'm convinced there was a concerted effort by a group to put Alex Salmond in prison. Luckily, the court system worked, and the evidence of his wrongdoing was countered by conflicting evidence, given by credible witnesses, only two of whom were cross-examined by the prosecution. Alex Salmond is innocent.
ReplyDeleteLike thousands of other admirers of Alex Salmond, I am confused by the blizzard of evidence that has been thrown about by many different people, some of whom have an anti-independence agenda.
I was disappointed by Alex Salmond's testimony to the enquiry, because it lacked his usual clarity and decisiveness. On the other hand, I was impressed by the clarity and decisiveness of Nicola Sturgeon's testimony, and, on balance, she gave a better performance than Alex Salmond.
I have no doubts that the "verdict" was pre-ordained by the majority opposition parties, and we can safely ignore it as a political hit job. The report next week will either finish Sturgeon's career, in which case, it will probably damage the SNP's chances of gaining a majority in Holyrood, thus damaging the prospects of independence, or...... it will exonerate her, in which case, the damage done to the SNP's chances of an overall majority will be minimal. Along with the Greens, they will then move quickly towards a referendum, later this year, or early next year, depending on the progress we make against covid.
For the above reasons, I'm hoping that Sturgeon is exonerated. My admiration for Alex Salmond has been only slightly reduced because of all this (He's still my all time political hero), and the greater cause of independence will be intact.
If a majority of Scots DO vote for Indy-supporting parties, then I believe that independence will be inevitable in the short term. I simply don't believe those who are saying that Sturgeon et al will use delaying tactics to prevent independence. If I'm wrong about that, then I will almost certainly not see independence in my lifetime, because we will have a major "shieling-out" of SNP leadership to perform.
That's my honest appraisal of the present situation. That's my honest assessment of the way forward. I encourage everyone to vote SNP/SNP in May, and we can go from there.
Wallowing in the dirt with these folks who seem intent on "sorting out" the SNP, right at a critical juncture in our history as a country, right before THE most important election of MY life, seems to me to be either rank foolishness, or something more sinister.
I look forward to reading replies which outline an alternative route to Indy. These, I will examine critically, to see if I have gotten the wrong end of the stick. What I'm not interested in, is reading a rehash of recent history, with no clear alternative to voting SNP/SNP. I EXPECT an avalanche of personal insults and negative comments from the usual subjects, who PROFESS to be interested in independence, but spend their time trolling those who lay their opinions out clearly and concisely........
Great post and very much similar to my own position.
DeleteAlex Birnie two questions for you.
Delete1. Where is the draft referendum bill that was promised?
2. Are you happy to read Smearer Skier continually smearing your hero Salmond?
Thank you for that Alex. Like you I will be both votes SNP. I think the timing of all this is unfortunate but it is what it is. I believe the Hamilton report will be the defining one. The Harassment Inquiry lost all credibility when unionist committee members began leaking to the press during the Inquiry and their leaking of cherry picked parts of the report before it is even published simply reinforced that belief. My opinion of AS differs from yours. It will not impact on my determination to vote for the only party able to deliver Independence. Let’s stick together on our aim. Both votes SNP. Sound majority. Referendum later in the year.
ReplyDeleteThanks from me too Alex.
ReplyDeleteI may waver from snp 1 &2 as I am in Lothian and possibly greens have a better chance of using my list vote. But otherwise I agree with every word.
Donald, if I lived in Lothian, I'd be thinking in the same way as you. I live in NE Scotland, and we SNP supporters got a BIG wake up call with the defeat of Dennis Robertson by "silver spoon aristocrat" Tory Sandy Burnett in West Aberdeenshire. The tories jumped from 6,027 votes in 2011 to 13,400 in 2016. This was followed by the defeat of Alex Salmond in Gordon in 2017, when the Tory vote jumped from 6,807 in 2015, to 23,885, while the Lib Dem vote dropped from 19,030 in 2015, to 6,230.
DeleteDon't let anyone tell you that tactical voting among unionists doesn't exist! The Tories have wakened to the fact that Scotland is about to leave the UK, and they know that if that happens, they won't see another Tory government in their lifetimes.
Well posted Ian.
ReplyDeleteIn the constituency I live in southern Scotland, Siobhain Brown is an excellent SNP candidate and hopefully she will get rid of John Scott. To dislodge Mr. Scott we need all our voters to turn out and vote SNP 1 and 2, voting any other way could cost the SNP seats.
ReplyDeleteSaor Alba
Since I'm bored.
ReplyDeleteT Marwick was tarred as a waaaycist for simply stating the truth that being born in Scotland doesn't make you Scottish.
Exhibit a) War criminal and part time sex-offender, ACL Blair. The former Prime Minister and notorious turd. Born in Scotland but not in any way Scottish. Never ever ever described himself as Scottish. Not Scottish.
On the other hand exhibit b) Lord Darling of Treason was born in London, yet is commonly described as Scottish by the very same people who should be insisting that he is english through and through.
Since nobody cares anymmore.
ReplyDeleteI keep seeing that it is Alex Salmond's fault for not keeping his hands to himself. A line repeated so often by so many sockpuppet accounts that it can only have come from Murrell Towers.
It is also total bollocks since we know that all involved were happy to lie from day one to bring him down.
Is there anyone who ever believed woman A (court case) when she stated that Salmond groped her in front of 300 people in the centre of a nightclub floor seconds after giving a speech when all eyes were on him?
Not one of those present supported the story. Not even those who are now clearly more loyal to Mrs Murell than the truth. No CCTV and not one member or staff provided any corroboration.
It was always a lie. A lie told by a woman we know to be very close to Mrs Murrell. A woman prepared to do anything for her, including commit perjury.
Alex Salmond could have lived the life of a saint and they'd still have used the Misandry of #meetoo and the Pavlovian response of feminists that any accusation made against a man by a woman is true to kill him.
PS. Wales deserved to lose after their cheating thugs and pet referee robbed us of the Championship.
ReplyDelete