What makes this situation even more dangerous is that, unlike in 2016, we have the largest pro-independence website actively campaigning against the SNP. Now, I understand the argument that the SNP is not independence, and that you can support independence while opposing the SNP, but the way you would do that is by backing a viable pro-indy alternative. Apart from the Green party and possibly Andy Wightman, no such alternative currently exists. OK, there's still time for an Alex Salmond-led party to emerge, and if that happens Stuart and I will presumably end up on the same side in support of it. But with every passing day the chances of that probably recede. If no such party appears, what is Stuart's plan for using this election to make independence happen? I honestly, truly do not believe he has one. I think he'll spend the next two months campaigning for the SNP to lose without offering a credible alternative. And if in doing so he contributes to a unionist majority in May, he'll celebrate that and say it's all for the best because independence wasn't going to happen under Nicola Sturgeon's watch anyway, and at least her political demise has been brought closer. Well, that 'strategy' might be fine for anyone who is only hoping for independence in 2028 or 2030. Not so great for the rest of us.
Seriously, what are people doing? There are currently two tiny pro-indy "game the system" parties planning to stand against each other on the list, which simply makes the chances of anyone successfully gaming the system even more absurdly remote. I could understand ISP's argument a few months ago that it was ridiculous to ask them to come under the AFI umbrella when ISP were a registered party and AFI were not. But now that both are registered, surely common sense should prevail and an electoral pact should be agreed to ensure that only one of the two parties stands in each individual region. And it ought to go without saying that neither party should be standing in the South of Scotland or Highlands & Islands, where the SNP currently hold list seats. Make no mistake: the SNP have a very real chance of winning list seats in every region, so the intervention of ISP and AFI could cause harm everywhere. But the risk is particularly high in South of Scotland and Highlands & Islands.
The bottom line is that, as far as the list vote is concerned, we need to jump one way or the other. We either need a single, credible pro-indy alternative to the SNP with big name backing and broad support - or we need to forget the whole idea and get behind the SNP (or the Greens, or Wightman). Either is fine, but it needs to be one or the other, it needs to be wholehearted, and the choice needs to be made very soon. If there are discussions going on behind the scenes, I hope there's a sense of urgency to them.
On the constituency vote, it's even more straightforward: the SNP are the only game in town. If you abstain or vote for any other party (and that includes the Greens) you are causing harm to independence, because literally the only alternative to an SNP constituency MSP is a unionist constituency MSP. I genuinely understand how infuriating it is when an SNP politician who has been ignoring or belittling your legitimate concerns about self-ID or the Hate Crimes Bill tells you "but you've still got to vote for us, you've got no choice". But please just forget about the politicians and think about your own hopes for your own country.
A challenge for Wings readers. The next time Stuart tells you that voting for the SNP will do no good, even if you agree with him, ask: "So who do we vote for instead, and how will that help? What's the masterplan, chief?"
Nice try, James, but anyone who has asked that question of Stuart (or anything like) has immediately been banned from commenting on his blog.
ReplyDeleteIf you expect anything other than a stream of vile invective coming your way from the Bath sage, then, I truly admire your optimism.
There is only one hope of suppressing any effect Stu might have on the debate, and that's by not visiting his site. I confidently predict that he will be quoted more and more by unionist journalists between now and the election.
How things have changed!!
Alex Birnie - " by not visiting his site" - what too scared? - prefer sticking your head in the sand.
DeleteAlex if you are that confident of your views then what are you scared of - the truth.
IFS, scared?? Scared of what? I have no illusions about the SNP, and I will almost certainly be looking elsewhere after Independence for a political home.
DeleteRight now, they are the only game in town, politically, and if I want to read boring shite about how bad the SNP are, I can pick up the Hootsman, or the Daily Vile.
I see no need to get the exact same crap from someone who is supposedly "fighting for independence" as the Bath poison dwarf supposedly is.
I used to support "Wings" financially, back in the day before he stopped dissecting unionist journalists, and turned his baleful gaze on the SNP.
I'm not " scared" of the Rev, but he is sure as shit scared of me, and hundreds like me, who are now banned from commenting on his blog. Needless to say, the little twat won't be getting any more of my hard-earned pension!
If you think he's such a brave man, how do you explain the fact that only sycophants are allowed to comment on his blogs nowadays?
Stuart Campbell used to be one of the most effective tools against the Unionist MSM. Now he's just a tool......
James, I've been holding my nose to vote SNP since 2016. Why should my vote be held to ransom because they might eventually do something to advance independence rather than their increasingly deluded, authoritarian social policy agenda?
ReplyDeleteThe evidence suggests that they will continue to do more of the same for the next five years, and my patience has run out. The Greens are even more insane. Women's rights and my rights as a same sex (not gender, which is a completely different thing), as well as everyone's right to free speech - particularly around biological reality - are not worth throwing to the winds because the SNP leadership is more interested in keeping their jobs than upsetting a minority of coddled narcissists, and actually putting in the hard work to advance independence.
The SNP, like every other party should have to, must earn my vote. In order to do that, they need a policy platform that I can substantially agree with. As things stand, that ain't happening, so I won't be wheeshting for Indy. It's disappointing that you're now advocating this without using the words.
Apologies, part of the second paragraph should read "same sex attracted man".
Delete"Why should my vote be held to ransom because they might eventually do something to advance independence rather than their increasingly deluded, authoritarian social policy agenda?"
DeleteBecause the alternative, at least on the constituency vote, is unionism. If you think London rule is preferable to Scottish independence, by all means abstain or vote for a different party.
And it's not "wheesht for indy", incidentally, it's vote for indy. I've been highly critical of the SNP leadership in recent weeks, and I may well continue to be so. But voting in a way that makes independence less likely is a different matter entirely.
DeleteDave M, the SNP was always going to be a "broad-based Party" at this stage on the road to independence. Back in the day the SNP divisions were about big issues like Socialism v Social Democracy or "Fundamentalism" v "Gradualism" but these were mostly resolved and we've spent most of the 21st century so far with these suspended until after independence. Now we're arguing about issues like how a tiny minority of Scots deal with their "gender dysphoria"! We are nearly there and those who are prepared to turn their backs on independence because they prefer to rant and rage down some political blind alley are not being "held to ransom" they are simply making the wrong strategic choice.
DeleteIt's utterly impossible to achieve around 50% or more of the vote unless you are a pretty damn wide church.
DeleteTricky, some are strongly in favour of Independence but put other things (their Rights) ahead of Independence.
ReplyDeleteWe need their votes for Independence.
It just makes them more angry when they are dismissed by some as ‘Yoons’ or ‘not really wanting Independence ; it doesn’t change their mind, it just hardens their resolve.
If the SNP want their votes the SNP need to listen to them and back off from alienating them.
It may seem destructive or illogical but that’s how strongly they feel.
One of my relatives is in this position, they’ve held their nose too many times. Our Constituency MSP gave a measured reply to their concerns about HCB and might get a vote. The Appointed List No1? Absolutely no chance.
Graphs, polls & projections won’t change their mind. Humility from SNP Leadership & listening might. I see no prospect of that.
Took some words out of my mouth Douglas.
DeleteDouglas - I have stated that I plan to vote SNP on the constituency but still I get abuse from tossers like unknown and Smearer Skier. Do they want me to spoil my vote? My constituency candidate does not mention a referendum on his leaflet or Humzas Hate Crime bill or GRA but still I am planning to vote for him. But I am truly sick of arses like unknown and lying Smearer Skier. If the SNP don't get a majority it will be down to Sturgeon and arseholes like unknown and Smearer Skier.
DeleteTo Independence for Scotland
DeleteI'm lucky with our constituency candidate; I'm pretty sure they've no truck with some of the alienating policies but unfortunately are not in a position to rebel -a particular faction have a clamp on any dissent which just makes the pressure build up.
Another thing that concentrates my mind is the more SNP constituencies that are lost, the greater the chance of the local Appointed No1 on the list being elected. That would be awful. Technically another 'Pro Independence' seat but their priorities are far from Independence.
SNP1 for me but my List vote is certainly not SNP.
I simply don't believe that the SNP will get Independence under the current leadership. The best (and this is still important) is that they might be in a better position to defend the Parliament ...so we can have the same arguments again in 2026
Update:
DeleteNo, it doesn't look like I am lucky with my constituency candidate.
All except Joan MacAlpine following the whip to push a dreadful Bill.
Lost my membership & vote unless tomorrow brings a big change of heart.
(See also: 'iamthestorm' cf Lysistrata)
Douglas, let me see if I understand you correctly. You are so upset with the stance of the current SNP leadership, that you are going to abstain from voting for the SNP in the constituency vote. That means (no matter how you butter the biscuit) that your neighbour's vote for the Tories isn't going to be negated by your vote for the SNP. Short of voting for the actual Tory, I can't think of anything worse that you COULD do!!
DeleteYou are prepared to risk DRoss being FM? I've heard a lot of talk about "a minority SNP being no use for independence", but what in the HELL are these people talking about? This isn't 2007 anymore. If the unionists get 65 seats, they'll form a grand coalition faster than you can say "Oops! Indy is dead!". DRoss will be FM, Anus will be deputy FM, and wee Willie will be minister for road signs.
I don't particularly like Sturgeon, nor a bunch of those at the top of the SNP, but.........I F*****G HATE BEING RULED BY TORIES! ...... and THAT'S what folk like you are arsing about with!!
I dislike Tory rule -both their Blue and their Red teams are dreadful.
DeleteMy constituency SNP MSP is almost certainly safe but might get a fright in May
The Chosen One No1 on SNP list is completely and utterly awful (if you want a benchmark, consider ‘worse than a Tory’ to be an understatement). Just because they’ve got the pauchled SNP nomination doesn’t change their character.
The SNP has no credible plan for Independence.
I will never vote Green.
The SNP & Greens should never have pushed policies that alienate the women that I care about.
Ditch the controversial policies, set a deadline for S30 and make the election a plebiscite if s30 not given, then I might think about changing my mind.
Until then I’m looking for an independence option that is better than spoiling my ballot.
A minority SNP Govt is what the SNP are angling for. In thrall to Greens but going nowhere.
I think they’ve overdone it.
Hmm. I thought so. No straight answer. If you don't vote SNP in the constituency ballot, then YOU - YOU PERSONALLY - are increasing the chances of a Tory getting the seat.
DeletePlease, please, please don't tell me how passionate you are about independence, while you are acting in a way which makes a unionist majority more likely, because there is absolutely no logic to such a course of baction, other than that you don't care if a Tory wins the seat.
Votes have to be earned James and the SNP and Sturgeon haven't done anything to earn them in relation to Scots Indy. It is not us damaging the cause of Scottish Independence. It is Sturgeon and the present SNP or its elected members that is doing that. They are driving away long time SNP voters and lifelong believers in Scottish Independence. We have every right to be angry. My hopes for Scotland are evaporating quickly on the wind and there is only one source of those disappearing hopes and that is Nicola Sturgeon and her coven.
ReplyDeleteI wont be wheeshting for Indy either. I do not trust Sturgeon or the SNP any longer.It goes beyond the loss of trust though. It is the utter disdain and contempt with which they treat people who have voted SNP their entire lives.
Once again, nobody (at least not me) is asking that you wheesht for indy. Merely that you vote for it.
DeleteAnd your alternative to getting Independence is? All we get from you and ilk are problems, never solutions. How are you going to achieve it? All the other parties are in favour of HCB and GRA at Holyrood and Westminster, how do you explain that? You are being played as monkeys by the organ grinder.
DeleteWell, what's your plan?
DeleteOK IainM, you might as well vote Unionist party if that's how you feel. Or you could make your voice heard within the SNP instead of just moaning.
DeleteSeems to me it's 'wheesht for the union'. Have a look at Wings; never attacks unionists these days, particularly the Tories and brexit. These get a free ride. Mind you, I understand he didn't oppose brexit so is one of those who put us in the shit.
DeleteBuy contrast, the SNP are having to sit under intense questioning for hours on end in front of the cameras, with unionists and international independent observers passing judgment on them. And this is voluntary; sturgeon put herself forward for investigation after all.
Hardly things being kept under wraps.
The damage of brexit and mass economic emigration underway (1.3m left the UK at the last count) is getting like zero coverage.
Dornaidh and Scottish Skier displaying exactly what I am talking about. That or you are the real Yoons here. tat would stick your head in the sand and your arses in the air. Neither of you understand or deliberately chose not to and that is that once trust is lost it is lost for good.
DeleteNo, I don't understand.
DeleteSNP unable to hide anything from anyone. Every paper against them; even the national gives them a hard time quite often.
Jeen, even the colour of the bog paper they wiped their erse with the day that someone first heard allegations about potential allegations about Salmond from someone who knew someone he used to work with is demanded of them.
I'm not sure it's really possible for a government to have so much transparency. FM had 8 hours of open questioning on live TV by unionists. The could freely fire shot after shot.
The public should have zero problem making their mind up as to whether they trust sturgeon et al. or not.
Smearer Skier (liar since 2014) - do you never stop lying you aresehole.
DeleteThe FM NEVER had "8 hours of open questioning on live TV by unionists"
There were 3 unionists and 5 non unionists asking questions. The SNP MSPs asked soft soap questions so that Sturgeon could drone on and on about nothing.
Swinney is still hiding documentation years after the Committee commenced.
Smearer Skier = BLATANT LIAR
But it would seem that the choice is not between "London rule" and independence but between unionists and Scottish National unionists at Holyrood for ever.
ReplyDeleteWell, Mrs Hurtle, lets have your plan.
DeleteDornaidh - what is your plan - the 11 point nonsense.
DeleteMrs Hurtle as it stands the only hope for independence is that the SNP get a majority and when they do nothing complete arses like unknown and Smearer Skier will finally realise that they have been taken for mugs and there is a clear out of the leadership. Assuming of course the arses want independence and not just devolution.
DeleteWe would not be in this situation if arses like unknown and Smearer Skier had recognised that Sturgeons leadership was toxic a long time ago.
As I have posted before this election is the last time I vote SNP if they do nothing about independence after May.
Don't believe you.
DeleteThose who sneer at others and accuse them of "wheeshting for Indy" tend to be those who prefer "spitting the dummy out for Indy".
ReplyDeleteThere are times when "shutting the fuck up for indy" really is the right strategy to choose....
There are people who have laid down their lives for independence throughout the world. No one is asking for that. I have lots of "red lines" too, that mean a lot to me - like poverty, decent jobs, a well-funded NHS, land reform, taxing the rich, council tax reform - so should I vote for someone else or for a Unionist just because i think the SNP SG haven't done enough on these vitally important issues?
ReplyDeleteIf we don't get an SNP majority this time then it won't just be over for a generation, it could be centuries, if ever. And let's be in no doubt what the criminals in Westminster intend - the complete destruction of devolution, they will enact legislation to make independence illegal, a scorched earth policy against the poor, the sick, the unemployed, immigrants, while rewarding their apparatchiks and billionaire backers and a destruction of the last vestiges of democracy in the UK.
There are plenty of respected commentators saying all this will happen under the neo-fascist Tories.
So to those who won't hold their noses think about those who will come after us, our children and grandchildren and how history will judge us if we throw away the chance to make a better future in an Independent Scotland. In an Indy Scotland with a PR voting system we can elect politicians who will address all the issues discussed on here, we can push for greater involvement of the citizenry through consultative assemblies. Under Westminster none of this will be possible.
At the end of the day the choice is simple, put a nose peg on (under your face covering) and vote SNP and demand independence or risk another century of dictatorship.
Agree
DeleteDornaidh - you spoiled your post by going on about centuries.
DeleteI agree too. I am a member of the SMP for one reason and one reason only, to achieve Scottish Independence. After that happens they'll just be another political party. Whether they get my vote or not will no longer be contiguous on the Independence card.
DeletePlenty of people here just not getting James' point, it would seem. Or not caring about Indy. Either way, we're about to snatch defeat from the very jaws of victory. How very Scottish.
ReplyDeleteWhy don't you blame Herr Murrell and her Covid19 dictatorship. Her attempted assassination of Alex Salmond. Her acolytes threatening my MP with corrective rape and being encouraged to do so by the party leader.
DeleteToday a confirmed racist and man who denies he is even Scottish will be ramming through a bill which makes stating Biological facts a crime punishable by 7 years in prison.
You can ram your nicola groupie love up your hole.
IFS under a different name; Peejay this week. Have a soothing cup of tea.
DeleteUnknown - tosser without a name .
DeleteI know we have different opinions on the SNP/leadership/policy but we need to get a majority in May and the SNP is the main vehicle to achieve that and an indy red. My wish is wake up on the day after an indy ref having achieved our aim. Just imagine that feeling. We can disagree on many things but can we unite and vote for the SNP in May
ReplyDelete'We have the largest pro-independence website actively campaigning against the SNP
ReplyDelete'Attacking Yes and centre-left' parties. The greens get it too, also Labour (in the past when they were relevant). Just the Tories who are largely left alone.
Also, based on the comments, most of the readers don't seem to actually be from Scotland, but from England. Much like the author I suppose, who won't be voting either; certainly shouldn't be given he prefers life as an Englishman in one of the most quintessentially English of cities.
Go back to 2014 and I recognised loads of Scots on the site; you met them on marches and other blogs.
There's a lot of UK funding available for websites if you want to attack Yes parties, particularly the SNP.
Now that's a conspiracy combined with casual racism worthy of Mikey Smallpenis himself.
DeleteThere are thousands of people who spend all day attacking the evil from Westminster compared to the handful who have exposed the corruption from the murrell party.
Do you support the woman who slaughtered the elderly in care homes and refused to shut the border, allowing an entire new cycle of infection to start? Every single death from July is on her and nobody else.
'Slaughtered the elderly in care homes'
DeleteNow this is deranged tinfoil hat stuff. Classic unionist giveaway too.
No idea who mikey is, but the insults, particularly exemplified by 'Smallpenis'= classic:
Deletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_projection
I see no realistic vehicle for furthering independence other than the SNP. I'm not on board with every SNP policy but the same pc stuff is put forward by the Greens, Labour, and the Liberals. Absolutely no amount of concern trolling would induce me to vote Tory, so SNP 1 and 2 for me with no serious qualms.
ReplyDeleteI notice that ISP is 80% male, including my list MSP candidate. I thought 'women's rights' (GRA) was how it particularly distinguished itself from the SNP? Given my constituency SNP MSP is female (Grahame), and two women top the SNP list locally, including Joan McAlpine, TBH it seems to me the SNP are the obvious choice if I want women to have more of a say on their rights under law.
DeleteAre you *assuming the gender* of the ISP candidates? Please respect their human rights.
DeleteThe ISP has failed to register on my consciousness. They could be mostly Klingon for all I know.
DeleteOops, sorry. Good point, maybe they all self-identify as women!
DeleteHandandShrimp hardly surprising because based on your posts you seem unconscious most of the time .
DeleteIf Independence is your priority you have two options in May. Either both votes SNP or SNP 1 Greens 2. SNP is the vehicle not the destination, and in the first free vote after Independence I will be registering my discontent with SNP. I urge others to please do the same. If you abstain or make a protest vote or vote for any new Independence parties you are effectively voting for Tory rule of Scotland for the foreseeable future. I hate putting it this way, but it is the reality we are all facing. We all need to own our vote and own the consequences. If we do not secure a sound majority in the May election Independence is dead for the foreseeable future.
ReplyDeleteWell said
DeleteTotally agree with this. Need to get behind or get lost. Never been a more important election.
ReplyDeleteAlso ISP seems to be a proxy for more of this GRA debate. Im more interested in independence than raking any of that debate through the coals. Simply not interested in it being a major plank of debate in parliament whatever the side.
Well, let's be honest, the SNP leadership are pretty obsessed with it as well (the petty sacking of Joanna Cherry, the absurdly broad definition of transphobia, etc, etc).
DeleteThey are and it's a pain. I think they're frightened to be seen as anything but very, very socially "progressive" . Terrified of being cast as nationalists and willing to back whatever gimmick is around to maintain and develop that idea. Rather than debate issues on their merits, they'll take the easy but facile route. Think it's a deliberate approach and I don't like it but they've decided the advantages outweigh the negatives.
DeleteTreatment of Cherry has been poor and the treatment of Sturgeon has been poor from many too. The fissure is there now, just must win this next election. One way or another.
Donation made to Mark Hirsts legal fund. Marks life was turned upside down due to the malicious actions of two alphabet women. This is money in the past I would have given to the SNP.
ReplyDeleteI wish you were wrong, James, but, unfortunately, this indeed seems to be where we are at.
ReplyDeleteCraig Murray tweeted he sees no alternative to voting SNP/SNP. In many cases his may be fine, but what if your SNP constituency candidate is Angus Robertson, and Graham Campbell tops the list? (Apologies to other toxic candidates I failed to mention.) The leadership of the SNP has succeeded in almost making the SNP unelectable. The polls may not fully reflect this, but then most voters are probably content with TV news coverage, and have more urgent jobs than following the harassment enquiry for six hours a day.
One thing is clear: Spooks, Unionists, media barons and their ilk must be happy.
In 1995 George Robertson (at the time the Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland), discussing the proposed devolved Scottish Parliament, said: "For a start, it is what the Scottish people want. Secondly, it is the only way in which we're going to prevent the break-up of Britain, and it's good for democracy too." and "Devolution will kill Nationalism stone dead".
Rubbish, I thought then. Quarter of a century later I am less sure. Does Scotland's electorate have sufficient political awareness, drive, energy, desire - whatever - to rise to the occasion? Remember, it was said (by Joseph de Maistre) that every nation gets the government it deserves.
Lastly, I think you may be too hard on WoS. Stuart has proposed that the SNP election manifesto should state that the constituency vote would be a plebiscite. In that case all indy supporters would need to vote first vote SNP, irrespective of their reservations about SNP leadership behaviour to date. The fact that SNP seems to discount this kind of approach is hardly Stu's fault. After all, one can only take the horse to the water.
No, it's not his fault that they're not making this a plebiscitary election. But it is his fault if he then pulls out all the stops to prevent them from winning the election, and we end up with a unionist majority as a result.
DeleteIn the reality we're actually in, what is Stuart's strategy for winning this election? Does he even want to win it?
In your case you vote SNP, SNP and SNP again. London doesn't give a monkeys if it's graham campbell elected or not. It's an SNP/Green majority that they're feart of. All else is by the by. He's just a list candidate, it's not changing Scottish history.
DeleteWe can't let the current SNP leadership hold us to ransom over independence indefinitely while they ram through things we'd never vote for otherwise.
ReplyDeleteAn SNP loss will be branded as a rejection of independence by unionist media, but it's the only way to get the SNP back on task, or provide the room for a party actually trying to achieve independence.
So you're happy with London rule until 2028? You think that's a price worth paying for stopping certain SNP policies?
DeleteSeriously?
My concern and a Unionist hope is that after a SNP loss there would be nothing left. The Unionists would gut our Parliament and render another opportunity unattainable. They never thought the SNP would get a majority in the system they installed.
DeleteMore plants than Kew. Independence ain't gone to happen if we stick our heads up Campbell's posterior.
DeleteYou make your choice and you own the consequences. In your case that is Tory rule of Scotland and further weakening of the powers of the devolved administration for the foreseeable future. And that just at the tlme when support for independence is riding consistently higher in the polls than ever before.
Delete> So you're happy with London rule until 2028?
DeleteNo, but I've lost faith that SNP under Sturgeon can prevent that.
>You think that's a price worth paying for stopping certain SNP policies?
That question has the assumption that voting for SNP under the current leadership is going to get us independence. I don't buy that premise, so I don't think I'm paying any price. Other than unionist gloating.
I believe in independence because I think we should get the laws and policies we vote for. Independence isn't an end in itself, but a means to better government. Local governance that is more accountable to it's voters should be better, but there are policies that are too high a price.
I'm not saying the current odious SNP policies are too expensive a price for independence. But I'm not willing to pay when I don't believe the vendor is going to deliver.
Be careful what you wish for. If the SNP currently had a parliamentary majority, the right to trial by jury would have been abolished (etc).
ReplyDeleteEven you don't believe that rubbish. The Wings brigade are not as bright as they make out.
DeleteI thought it was just those demanding Sturgeon's head before any judgement has actually been passed (by the opposition dominated committee and/or an independent international ministerial code observer) that believed in this sort of thing, i.e. conviction without trial?
DeleteSmearer Skier (liar since 2014 and currently a total arse) - lying again - there is no trial talking place of Sturgeon. It's an Inquiry arsehole.
DeleteNow now Stuart, don't be bitter. You lost to Kesia Dugdale of all people. That was embarrassing.
Delete"there is no trial talking place of Sturgeon. It's an Inquiry arsehole."
DeleteYes, that's what I mean. People are branding her guilty of conspiracy to commit perjury and/or perverting the course of justice ('conspired to jail an innocent man!'). Yet there's not even a police investigation or anything, never mind a trial.
In terms of resigning, I am with Salmond; it's up to Hamilton to decide her fate on that. Innocent until he concludes otherwise.
Smearer Skier (liar since 2014) - " yes that's what I mean " - a classic from the Murrell school of lying.
DeleteHamilton is not deciding if she plotted with her husband and her pals to fit up Salmond for a jail sentence. So once again you are lying.
Hamilton is not deciding if she plotted with her husband and her pals to fit up Salmond for a jail sentence
DeleteYes, there's no police investigation into that because there is no evidence it happened. Sturgeon is 100% innocent on that charge as a result.
Smearer Skier (liar since 2014) - only idiots don't know what Sturgeon and her pals have been up to. It may have to wait until she is no longer in office (like Trump) but a day of reckoning will happen. Is that why they called their Whattsapp group Vietnam because that is where they all plan to escape to in the future.
DeleteSo now you are calling the people of Scotland idiots again.
DeleteSturgeon wasn't a member of the group you describe; which the committee know all about, as do the police and the CPS.
Smearer Skier ( liar since 2014) - you see that is the problem for liars like you. One minute you say there is no group no plot then the next you are saying Sturgeon is not a member of the group. So how exactly do you know that Sturgeon is not a member. Your pal Peter tell you. Or was it Sue? Smearer you are full of shit.
DeleteThe idiots are liars like you.
I suggest that you all look the proposal up. With modern communications, there is little excuse for being uninformed.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/apr/01/scotland-drops-plans-to-suspend-jury-trials-during-coronavirus-crisis
It was only a consideration but chucked out. Campbell lost his case against Dugdale. That was embarrassing. He has been even more bitter since then. LOL
DeleteIs it possible that SNP winning this election, under current leadership is counterproductive to achieving independence? (As an SNP member.)
ReplyDeleteI certainly wouldn’t vote for unionists. I don’t like Greens either because their commitment to independence has always been a bit lukewarm. But I am tending toward both votes Green.
No, why would it be? That was a bit of a confusing statement, that you don't care for the Greens but you might vote for them. That is electoral self-harm. I
DeleteYou can do no more harm to prospects of securing a majority for Independence parties in the May election than not voting SNP in the constituency votes. If you do that you own the consequences.
DeleteStephen - if there is no majority in May Sturgeon and her head in the sand followers can own it.
DeleteSo you are planning to vote SNP 1 & 2 IfS? Great to hear.
DeleteIf so, the lack of a majority won't be your fault.
Smearer Skier ( liar since 2014) - what is wrong with you. I have posted on numerous occasions how I will vote and I haven't changed. Something wrong with your ability to read or memory problems.
DeleteI repeat if there is a lack of an SNP majority it will be down to the leadership and arseholes like you Smearer.
And Wings. Don't forget the Englishman. He's advising against voting SNP.
DeleteSmearer Skier (liar since 2014) - I repeat since you really really cannot read well.
DeleteIf there is a lack of SNP majority it will be down to the leadership and arseholes like you Smearer.
To get an SNP majority requires all the SNP supporters to be motivated and get out there and vote. The antics of Murrell and Nicola's woeful mis management of the Civil Servants have turned off a lot of SNP voters. Add to that the fixation on fringe woke issues and how things like Council Tax Reform, Land Reform, Taxation reform have been given up on, ignoring the drugs deaths, dropping school standards etc etc and I think 30% of SNP voters will stay at home. They wont vote unionist but they will not vote SNP. I personally think the SNP need a break from power to fundamentally sort themselves out, a re-invention as it were. The SNP Westminster MPs are no better, in general
ReplyDeleteProbably we have to accept Nicola has blown it and it will take 10 years to re-emerge and only if a foreceful energetic leader comes forward.
To get an SNP majority requires all the SNP supporters to be motivated and get out there and vote. The antics of Murrell and Nicola's woeful mis management of the Civil Servants have turned off a lot of SNP voters. Add to that the fixation on fringe woke issues and how things like Council Tax Reform, Land Reform, Taxation reform have been given up on, ignoring the drugs deaths, dropping school standards etc etc and I think 30% of SNP voters will stay at home. They wont vote unionist but they will not vote SNP. I personally think the SNP need a break from power to fundamentally sort themselves out, a re-invention as it were. The SNP Westminster MPs are no better, in general
ReplyDeleteProbably we have to accept Nicola has blown it and it will take 10 years to re-emerge and only if a foreceful energetic leader comes forward.
Can you give us a link to back up your claims? We don't have 10 years, we have a few weeks.
DeleteI suspect your vote was never going to the SNP in any event, so nothing lost there. Any people who truly want independence are not going to blow this opportunity. Both votes SNP, sound majority, referendum later in the year.
DeleteI'm in my 60s and never voted anything but SNP. Unknow, I obviously cant back up my view that 30% SNP prospective voters will stay home, it's just my opinion. The only thing that would change that I think would be if something radical was proposed like making the election a proxy for a referendum. But that's patently not going to happen. The foot soldiers are just not going to turn out I'm afraid in numbers to get a majority. I regularly get SNP communications, I cant be bothered to read the stuff nowadays, their priorities are not the same as mine any longer.
DeleteI obviously cant back up my view that 30% SNP prospective voters will stay home
DeleteThat's not what voters are telling pollsters. SNP voters right up the top of the 'certain to vote' figures. Their main rivals the Tories are up there with them.
If folk stay home, they obviously can't grumble about how the country is governed from May onwards; they've opted out of having a say. Even if they want to vote but don't like any party, they should turn out and spoil their ballot, indicting this as their view. Otherwise they should 'wheesht'.
I think James's fear that the hitherto decent polls are about to weaken will prove to be the case. The voters who are required to achieve a majority need to be motivated- more so than the core who will vote SNP come what may. I can't see what's going to motivate the numbers - there's absolutely nothing inspiring about the SNP performance in recent years, quite the reverse.
DeleteYes, but your opinion of the SNP doesn't reflect the public's.
DeleteGiven the public rate the SNP's performance as way ahead of the oppositions, we can assume, if you are correct, that the latter will have an even lower turnout, meaning the SNP do pretty well on the day.
I mean there's not much to inspire unionists to get out is there. It's why the second placed Tories are polling below half the SNP. Gap was only ~15% last year. Great SNP performance vs crap Tory has opened it by another 10%%+
I don't see how Alex Salmond can stand for election. There are absurdly many people who will never let him get away from the allegations which they will endlessly claim are still true. He would never be allowed to do politics.
ReplyDeleteIt's not up to them. We have a proportional representation voting system, and all he'd need is 6% of the vote in any region.
DeleteIt is really simple.
ReplyDeleteIf you want Scottish Independence, even if you hate Nicola Sturgeon or hate the direction the SNP are going, you MUST hold your nose and vote for them in the constituency vote.
Any other vote is a vote for Unionism.
Because if the SNP do not get a good result in May, Scottish Independence will be off the table for at least another 5 years.
That is the simple fact of the situation.
Once we get Independence, that is the time to make your distaste of the SNP known. Feel free to vote them out at that point and never vote for them again. Voting against them now is a vote against Independence.
For me it depends what is in the manifesto. Despite the Twitter mob's refrain that the SNP have received several mandates since 2014, they haven't had an unambiguous commitment to a referendum in their manifesto since 2011 - in fact, I believe the only actual mention of a referendum was the caveated one from 2016. We can't know that they would ignore a parliamentary majority elected on an unequivocal commitment to a referendum because that proposition has never been tested.
DeleteOn the other hand, if the manifesto is just dribble about aspiring to hold a referendum when things feel right in some unspecified way, I'd agree there's not much point voting for them.
Keaton you believe wrong.
DeleteSo when was a referendum in the manifesto?
DeleteHey Keaton can you not do your own research?
Delete2016 Holyrood election.
2017 UK GE.
"you can support independence while opposing the SNP"
ReplyDeleteWhat a remarkably stupid thing to say. It's like wanting to fly but being determined to rip the wings off the plane. I detest what is happening to the SNP. I am appalled by some of the things being done by the current leadership. I equally appalled by some of the things being done in my name by the Scottish Government. But I am pragmatic enough to know that the fight to restore Scotland's independence AND save us from the British Nationalist juggernaut about to crush our democracy and our hopes absolutely requires the effective political power that ONLY the SNP can provide.
It would take at least ten and more like 25 years to get another party to the position the SNP holds now. And there is no guarantee that in the process that other party won't also do things that piss off many of its erstwhile supporters. We don't have time for any of that. If we do not seize this opportunity then we cannot have any confidence that we will get another.
Seizing this opportunity means voting SNP. There is no alternative. James Kelly contradicts himself. Having said that it is possible to support independence while opposing the SNP he then admits that "the SNP are [sic] the only game in town".
You can be non-SNP and pro-independence. You CANNOT be anti-SNP and pro-independence. It's a mind-jarring contradiction.
Part of the reason - to be honest the biggest part of the reason - I am critical of Nicola Sturgeon and her government is that I am very far from persuaded that they will deliver a free and fair referendum. Which is why while others have been farting around with ill-advised court actions and playing fantasy politics with utterly pointless 'list parties', I have been trying my damndest to drum up enough support to force the SNP to adopt the #ManifestoForIndependence.
But pragmatism kicks in again. Even if the SNP goes into the election with nothing better than a watered-down version of Mike Russell's ridiculous '11-point plan' I will still have to vote for them. Because there are TWO overwhelming reason to vote SNP. The first is to keep keep the British parties out of power. The second is to restore Scotland's independence.
If I OPPOSED the SNP then I would be campaigning FOR the thing I fear most and AGAINST the thing I want most. Which is just madness. And we've already got more of that than we can cope with.
People need to learn the difference between criticism and opposition. I criticise the SNP not because I think it's not required to keep the British from seizing power and to at least keep open the possibility of independence but because I know the party has an essential to role to play in the fight to restore Scotland's independence. I want to ensure that the SNP is going to fulfil that role. I want to be confident that the party and its leader are up to the task of confronting the British state and winning.
Right now, despite all the hype, the SNP is NOT fit for our purpose. If you are not working to rectify that then you are not working for Scotland's cause.
Vintage Bell: even when you basically agree with me (which you do, whether you realise it or not) you have to shout and scream and call me an idiot. I'm glad you got it out of your system, anyway.
DeleteAnd apologies if this is your fiendishly convincing impersonator. I've been caught out before.
In the closed and fevered world of blogging all things are possible, in reality Alex has a lower popularity rating in Scotland than Boris Johnson and Wings has become another bag of toxic wind. We ave great sources of information from Business for Scotland without the venom.
ReplyDeleteI have to say now I regret all the years of crowd funding him and supporting his libel case. We live and learn.
Comres also has women more persuaded of independence as a result of SNP GRA reform.
DeleteBut then it is kinda up to Scots women who's allowed in their spaces, rather than say, middle aged Englishman in somerset.
"in reality Alex has a lower popularity rating in Scotland than Boris Johnson"
DeleteI've addressed that old chestnut a billion times. We have a proportional representation system, and his approval ratings are high enough to potentially win a significant number of seats. No fevered imaginings required for that.
According to panelbase, Yes voters are measurably more persuaded of indy as a result of the Scottish government's handling of the Salmond case.
ReplyDeleteAlthough most (51%) don't see it as making a blind bit of difference, just like the general population feels.
There is only one reason that the SNP exist is to gain independence. All the other would be parties for independence are playing politics. The time for them to do so is after independence, then put your manifesto to the people of Scotland, let them decide how they wish to be governed.
ReplyDeleteFIRST. SET ENGLAND, VOTE 1 AND 2 S.N.P.
Comres unweighted base:
ReplyDelete2016 EU: 66% Remain / 34% Leave = not far off
2014 SC: 63% Yes / 37% No = WTF?
Scots are telling pollsters they voted Yes in 2014 more than ever before. The problem seems to be getting worse and worse.
Results in big Yes respondent down-weighting.
Without seeing the same poll weighted differently, it's hard to know the full impact, but it's probably not good for unionists.
I always thought in 2014 that if Yes won you wouldn't be able to find anyone who would admit to voting No afterwards.
DeleteAll the people I don't trust / don't like who call me / Scottish people 'woke, transfans, idiots, monkeys, gutless c**ts' etc say I shouldn't vote SNP, particularly on the key PR list, where my vote always counts, and which forms the starting point for allocation of all seats.
ReplyDeleteThat alone makes voting SNP a non-brainer, even if I might not agree with all policies / specifics of these.
A wee bit of advice for the unionist plants. If you want people to listen to your advice, be really nice to them. Then they might start listening to you.
Smearer Skier (liar since 2014) - as I am not a Unionist plant you can go fuck yourself you lying aresehole. Clear enough.
DeleteWhy on earth did you reply to my post then?
DeleteSmearer Skier (liar since 2014) - thought that was clear but I'll repeat it for the guy who lies all the time - you are a lying arsehole that's why and you lie for Sturgeon which probably makes you a devolutionist.
DeleteI wrote a post directed at unionist plants. You were not mentioned, yet you felt an immediate need to respond.
DeleteWith foaming at the mouth insults and abuse.
How can you hope to convince anyone of anything by using such language?
If the SNP end up winning this election, it will be people like you we have to thank for it IfS.
DeleteMore plants on this thread than in the Beechgrove Garden.
DeleteIf you're voting for a party which can't even agree that there are only 2 sexes, and which plots to put innocent men in prison while protecting perverts, then you are the brainless one.
DeleteSmearer Skier (liar since 2014) - good - remember to thank me after the election. You devolution diddy.
ReplyDeleteUnknown - this is you - 🙈🙉🙊
ReplyDeleteLet me guess, this is you in response to (1) The Tories (2) Brexit and (3) English bloggers telling us how to vote?
Delete:-)
Smearer Skier ( liar since 2014).
DeleteHello IfS; I have a suggestion:
ReplyDeleteThis is not a howling station, so how about you try and cut out the teenage language and address the question that James has put? Your language on here is gone beyond any remotely acceptable level.
Thanks.
Donald
Hey Donald. I have addressed the question. So how about you please pay more attention before commenting. You sound like the sort of person who would just love the Hate Crime Bill. Are you offended - tough. It's the last few days before Humzas authoritarian crap hits home and I thought I would express my disgust at liars and apologists for wrong doing before Sturgeons thought police come knocking.
DeleteThe Police give a bunch of Unionist thugs an escort from Ibrox to George sq breaking Covid rules and allow them to vandalise George square, do didly squat but are happy to persecute true independence supporters like Salmond and Hirst.
That is Sturgeons Scotland.
Thanks for reading Donald.
Calm down dear. If you were to be more civil, we might read your posts rather than skipping them.
DeleteHey Skippy skip on by - no worries matey.
DeleteLinda sounds like the troll unknown.
John Swinney, DFM of the minority SNP, has won the confidence of Scotland's parliament comfortably.
ReplyDeleteWhen you win confidence votes as a minority government 14 years into office, you must be doing something right.
The SNP is actually doing a lot right.
DeleteThe help for young families is welcome from working families who are struggling right now.
It's time we started blowing the trumpet for our Scottish Government who will pay public service workers while the English government claps the NHS workers then offers a 1% rise.
This seems to go unnoticed by the moaners who suggest that a Unionist party would do anything but say Me Too to their London masters.
Voting SNP 1 is a no brainer.
Ditto for the list vote if you're in South or Highlands & Islands.
Don't in the name o the wee man think of voting either ISP or AFI if they're BOTH on your regional list. NEITHER would have any chance of winning a seat, and your vote could backfire and elect a Unionist instead.
John Swinney like a good messenger boy does Sturgeons dirty bidding by holding back and keeping hidden documentation that should be released. It's called a cover up.
ReplyDeleteSturgeon like a Mafia boss can say it wisnae me. It was that bad Swinney.
Sturgeon writes herself out of the process for Former Ministers and can say it wisnae me. It was that bad Evans.
Sturgeon gets her hubby to pressurise the police and can say it wisnae me. It was darling Peter.
More repeats of the same post ad nauseum like the BBC.
DeleteLinda you are entitled to your opinion. My view is your opinion makes me sick. Happy to cover up for wrong doing Linda what does that make you. A moral vacuum.
DeletePS it is not the same post. Are you really Smearer Skier he has a problem reading and a memory problem just like you.
The chief seems to have replied with, "all is lost. Nicola Sturgeon has destroyed it."
ReplyDeleteWonder if he's gonna launch a Wings Party after all. About 3 weeks until registration deadlines close.
The problem with creating and then living within your own echo chamber is that if you step outside, it’s a remarkably different world. I would be surprised if Campbell has not already tested the electoral waters and discovered that he has the support of a hard core support numbering in the hundreds, and nothing beyond that.
DeleteFraid this is pissn gainst the wind of a poorly led, gutless, don't-rock-the-boat SNP that seems stuck on platitude politics and talky-talk-talk communication ploys. Salmond offered reasons to vote SNP - Sturgeon doesn't. Say adieu to an OM.
ReplyDeleteFree prescriptions in Scotland.
ReplyDeleteFree bus travel for the under 22s.
One-off payments to families under pressure.
Free period products for women including school students.
Free personal care for the elderly.
100% mitigation of the bedroom tax.
Scotland's priorities achieved by political choice.
Yet the London UK treasury still controls 60% of Scotland's taxes/revenues.
Bringing billions of our own cash under Scottish democratic control would end the subsidy of English vanity projects like HS2, Trident and Tory tunnels and bridges to try to turn the heads of voters in Scotland.
Ramstam you missed out my favourites - Baby Boxes and free nursery care.
DeleteAye, And who was asking "Why are the UK Teasury so desperate to keep Scotland in the" Union?"
DeleteAnswers please on billions of postcards.
Send to Union HQ London England.
'If you want socialism, you can't vote for any party apart from the Communist Party'. If you want nationalism, you can't vote for any party apart from Nationalist Party.
ReplyDeleteIt's the same vibe.
In reality, outwith the 'we, or someone or someone like me, will do everything later if 50 MPs get sacked and then I can really get down to the important issues maybe, likes sometime, possibly (but check out my flag): That's fucking shit. Its wank.
Flag-waving wank for idiots who are so happy with the here-and-now they can't be bothered to do anything about it in the here-and-now and live in Tartan Narnia instead.
'If you want socialism, you can't vote for any party apart from the Communist Party'. If you want nationalism, you can't vote for any party apart from Nationalist Party.
ReplyDeleteIt's the same vibe.
In reality, outwith the 'we, or someone or someone like me, will do everything later if 50 MPs get sacked and then I can really get down to the important issues maybe, likes sometime, possibly (but check out my flag): That's fucking shit. Its wank.
Flag-waving wank for idiots who are so happy with the here-and-now they can't be bothered to do anything about it in the here-and-now and live in Tartan Narnia instead.
What's next from the SNP bampots a LOVE Crime bill. It will be a crime if you do not say you love Sturgeon and Swinney.
ReplyDeleteThese people are doing nothing to prepare Scotland for independence but they are finding time for all sorts of scary nonsense. They are devolutionists.
A wee while ago, I was arguing with a Wings cultist on FB, and just out of curiosity, I started looking back through Wings blogs. I stopped when I got to 100 blogs, and out of those, FOUR were anti-unionist, and NINETY-SIX were anti SNP.
ReplyDeleteIn August 2014, Campbell posted 94 blogs, and EVERY SINGLE ONE was anti unionist.
What has happened? Have the Stephen Daisleys of the unionist media world been beaten into submission? Have unionist journalists all gone away, having given up the fight against independence? Anyone reading Wings nowadays must surely be under that impression, because expending only 4% of his critical faculties against unionism and 96% of his energies against the SNP MUST mean that the battle against the unionist MSM has been won?? Or am I missing something?
Alex - I will point out the obvious fact missing from your analysis.
DeleteIn 2014 the SNP stood for independence.
In 2021 the SNP stands for devolution.
So yes Alex you are missing something.
Alex, he who pays the piper " calls the tune ".
DeleteHe was lifted by the Met back in 2017 and all his devices seized and searched. Part of me wonders if MI5 used that opportunity to plant all sorts of "incriminating" stuff on those devices, then told him he now worked for the British state unless he wanted to go to prison, end up on a register, etc..
DeleteThe alternative is that he's merely bitter that his Wings party was unable to take off, that neither of the new ones even asked him to be a candidate and that not enough Scots would vote for him to become an independent MSP, hence this "a pox on all your houses" attitude.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteSmearer Skiers multiple personality disorder playing up again.
DeleteMaybe they didn't need to plant anything on his devices, but just found stuff that shouldn't be there.
DeleteIFS, you are kind of missing the point. Let's assume that you are correct in your ridiculous assertions about the SNP "standing for devolution"? That would mean that they were the enemies of independence......alongside the unionist media. But are they REALLY deserving of 96% of Campbell's output? You don't see ANYTHING strange about devoting only 4% of his output against the unionist MSM?
DeleteIf you think that the battle against Westninster's attack dogs in the unionist press has been won, and that the SNP are the only barrier left standing against Independence (as the Bath dwarf obviously does), then you really ARE a Wings cultist!!
I challenge you to accept James's challenge. Go on to the Bathman's blog and ask him for his alternative to the SNP. You'll be ejected faster than you can say " baaaa"....
Look up the XX Committee from the Second World War. The Wings site is using the same techniques which was to spread misinformation.
DeleteAlex Birnie - you say "Westminster's attack dogs in the Unionist press" this would be the same organisations the SNP gave millions to. The same organisations who gave us Murray Foote one of the architects of the infamous VOW now working for the SNP.
DeleteAlex I make up my own mind about the truth. Sadly you and others are suffering from cognitive dissonance. You like Smearer Skier seem to have a personal hatred for Campbell yet plenty of other bloggers report the same about Sturgeons wrong doing yet it is always Campbell you are fixated on.
I have no need to post on Campbell's blog - I am voting SNP in the constituency.
In summary you are missing the point the SNP are doing nothing about independence. Pray tell me when will this ever promised referendum but never delivered referendum happen. My SNP constituency candidate doesn't mention a referendum in his leaflet. Funny that for the party of independence that is supposed to be delivering a refendum soon.
A party of independence would have a mandate for actual independence in its manifesto. A party of independence would not be actioning vote losing policies like GRA and Hate Crime.
No reply from Alex Birnie - cognitive dissonance.
DeleteOf course Alex when doing his analysis of Wings does not analyse the contents and proves any of them wrong. Do you Alex - some people just cannae handle the truth.
IFS, yet again you avoid answering the question. If the Bathman's were to spend ..... let's say ..... 50% of his time slagging off the SNP, and 50% of his time slagging off unionist journalists, then your argument might hold some water, but 4% slagging unionist journalists and 96% slagging the SNP?? What's that all about?
DeleteI ask again..... has the unionist press been beaten into submission? Can The Rev afford to give them a free ride while he fulminates about the wickedness of the SNP?
His latest blog clearly states that he believes that the battle for independence is now lost. He's now the "Lord Haw Haw" of the unionist movement.
As I said, there are many problems with the stance and policies of the SNP leadership, and we can and should be discussing them ....... but not to the exclusion of everything else! There are still unionist hacks out there, dripping poison into the ears of yes and no voters, and while Campbell was a magnificent tool against them in 2014, as far as the campaign for Indy goes he's as much use as a chocolate fire guard......
No reply from IFS - cognitive dissonance.
DeleteAs I pointed out at the beginning of this comment, I only visited the Wings site, after something that one of his merinos said. As I've also said, i couldn't give a monkey's about anything that the Bath poison dwarf posts, because, if I want to read anti-sNP crap (true or false), there are plenty of alternatives to Wings for getting that ..... the Hootsman and the Daily Vile for example.
Now run along little sheepie, Stu will have more anti-SNP shite for you to gobble up.......
Glad you're pointing this out
ReplyDeleteWings really has gone of the deep end
Mike - and the SNP are not bonking mad with their Hate Crime Humza stuff just before an election.
DeleteSee when I called unknown an arse (and poor Donald was offended) if unknown and/or Donald says I self id as a woman will that be a Hate crime in Humzas bampot world. Answers on a postcard please.
ReplyDeleteSee when people like Stephen say the first free vote after independence I won't be voting for the SNP. He does not seem to have grasped that comments like that will make all the carreerists in the SNP LESS likely to have a referendum.
ReplyDeleteAll these careerists in the SNP who love their positions of power see a referendum as a lose/ lose. They lose their positions if they win a referendum and they lose their positions if they lose a referendum. They like things the way they are right now.
All indy supporting MSPs have a bright future under indy. They'd be the heroes of the revolution.
DeleteThis is indy 101. Look at the Gandhi dynasty for example.
By contrast, folk saying (including you I understand) 'this is the last time I'm voting SNP if they don't deliver indy' attitude will ensure they do.
DeleteSmearer Skier (liar since 2014)- lying again Smearer. Pathological liar. Never said that. There is truly something wrong with you.
Deleteok, sorry. But are you saying that if the SNP don't deliver iref2, you will still vote for them again in 5 years time?
DeleteWhat is it you want, endless English Tory governments?
If there's no iref2, I will definitely be voting otherwise myself in the future.
Smearer Skier (liar since 2014) - stuff your faux oh sorry - you are a lying arsehole.
DeleteYou are the Tory who said he would want to wait another 5 years of Tory rule to ensure an independence ref was won. You are just a Tory.
I've juist been TELT!
ReplyDeleteThe bairns will soon be FREE on buses, saving grannies, mums, and dads a sma fortune.
Also, I'm TELT the Scottish child payment of £10 a week for each bairn under 6 which has a take up rate of over 60,000 so far.
By 2022 full roll-out for faimlies wi bairns under 16.
Paid for by the humanitarian policy prioritisation of the caring Scottish government.
While others greet and girn the Scottish government has used Scotland's taxes to benefit the people.
More funds to come with the full powers of independence.
Ramstam - a LOT more funds to come with the full powers of independence.
Deletewaiting on the snp leaflet thru door
ReplyDeleteif no mention of indyref2 they are doomed
Good to see a lengthy and healthy parliamentary debate on the hate crimes bill, particularly with amendments supported by all sides to ensure free speech (in line with the ECHR) is protected. PR democracy at work.
ReplyDeleteI can see why people who go around shouting 'woke monkey idiot transfan c**ts' at people in public were worried about this legislation.
So by that token Scottish Skier you would say that SNP politicians that go around calling Women TERFS and other such derogatory terms while using any small pretence to pretend people are Transphobic... which I personally don't believe is a real term. Should be worried too?
ReplyDeleteI've said this plenty of times people throwing around the TERF and woke, transfan vs transphobe (if unjustified) pejoratively are as bad as each other. It's childish.
DeleteChildish doesn't get you in trouble with the law and this legislation protects free speech in accordance with international law (ECHR).
Obviously if you up the ante by combine such words with other insults like, monkey (particularly when directed at black scots), arsehole (a very English term of abuse, Scots being 'ersehole'), c**t etc directed at members of the public engaged in polite discussion, in public (such as on this forum), then you should take a look at yourself. Although event then you are not going to be in trouble with the law unless you persist in attacking people, even when asked to refrain, particularly minority groups.
Of course monkey (for black people), arsehole and particularly C**t is a fair step up though. A very vulgar term and deeply misogynistic when used by men as a term of abuse for obvious reasons. Women haters love that word; abuse people by calling them women's sexual organs is about as anti-women as you can get.
My local SNP reps don't use such language, even the childish stuff.
Smearer Skier (liar since 2014) - what a brass neck - the moral vacuum who lies regularly and thinks it is acceptable behaviour to try to send Salmond to jail and likes the odd smear of Salmond.
Delete