Sunday, March 14, 2021

With Craig Murray as a candidate, AFI may be winning the AFI v ISP 'elimination heat'

As you may have seen on social media last night, the list-only pro-independence party Action for Independence has unveiled Craig Murray as a candidate.  In my view this is a potentially significant moment, because Craig is a relatively well known public figure - apart from his past life as a senior diplomat and a whistleblower, he arguably writes the most-read Scottish politics blog, exceeding the readership of even Wings Over Scotland (although there's always the problem of definition, because Craig writes about global topics and therefore has a more international audience).  I'm not sure off the top of my head whether Tommy Sheridan is planning to personally stand for AFI, but I would imagine there's a chance of that, and if so, AFI can now boast two well-known candidates, which is two more than their rivals ISP will be fielding.  So at the very least, it's starting to look like AFI are coming out on top in the AFI v ISP 'elimination heat', and may end up being the more credible option for Yes supporters who don't want to vote SNP on the list for a variety of reasons.  

The problem is, of course, that AFI might generate just enough momentum to get them to 2% or 3% of the list vote, but no further.  If that happens, it would be the worst of all worlds, because it probably wouldn't be enough to win seats, but it would be enough to cause harm to larger parties that actually do have a chance of winning list seats - ie. the SNP, the Greens, and possibly the independent Andy Wightman.  However, we'll see.  There's always the possibility of a snowball effect, with other big names crossing over to AFI in the wake of Craig's decision, and if that happens it's still possible that we might end up with a credible list party that can do good rather than harm - ie. that can actually win seats and potentially use its leverage in the Scottish Parliament to coax a reluctant SNP leadership towards Plan B.

But what I said the other day still applies - we need to jump decisively one way or the other on the list vote.  We either need a list party with enough support to win seats, or we need to wholeheartedly get behind the SNP (or the Greens) on the list.  Either is fine, but what we mustn't do is fall between two stools.   

*  *  *

We in the bloggers' union were beside ourselves with excitement on Thursday, because my fellow blogger Caron Lindsay was the Liberal Democrat candidate in the Livingston South by-election.  For the uninitiated, Caron is the person who would have been editor of Pravda if the Soviet Union had been a Liberal Democrat dictatorship.  But there's no sign of the revolution happening any time soon in Livingston (or at least not that sort of revolution), because the SNP won with an increased share of the vote, and with the Lib Dems limping home in a distant sixth place.

Livingston South by-election result:

SNP 43.9% (+3.0) 
Labour 24.6% (-10.9) 
Conservatives 17.6% (-1.8) 
Independent 5.9% (n/a) 
Greens 4.2% (+1.7) 
Liberal Democrats 3.3% (+1.5) 
UKIP 0.5% (n/a)

There was also a big increase in the SNP share of the vote in the Leaderdale and Melrose by-election - and indeed a net swing from the Tories to the SNP.  However, you wouldn't have got that impression if you'd read the hysterical reporting of a "Conservative GAIN from the SNP".  We've really got to find better vocabulary for dealing with the situation that frequently arises in STV by-elections where a party "gains" a seat in spite of having been well ahead in the popular vote in the ward last time around.  It's particularly inaccurate to say, as Britain Elects did, "Conservatives GAIN Leaderdale and Melrose from SNP", because that implies the SNP previously "held the ward".  They didn't - they held one seat out of three on the ward, and were miles behind the Tories on the popular vote.

What we should probably say in cases like this is "Party A picked up the seat on the ward left vacant by the resignation/death of Councillor X from Party B".

116 comments:

  1. No sure if Tommy Sheridan can stand, I don’t know the detail but read in passing that his previous conviction isn’t spent & that might prevent him

    Maybe someone else knows?

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  2. Electoral history shows that very few candidates outside of the established parties do very well at General Elections. There are always the exception such as Richard Taylor at Wyre Forest, Jean Turner in Strathkelvin & Bearsden. These were fought on a local issue. Martin Bell in Tatton had the press behind him in 1997 to oust Neil Hamilton.

    A bit of a dilemma for the unionist press. They won't want to publicise these 'pop-up' parties as if they won seats they would be pro-independence.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. But those are all examples from first-past-the-post elections. It's still hard to do it on the list, but not as hard as under first-past-the-post.

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    2. After I posted I thought of the list vote since 1999. Only the 2003 year had a defection from the main parties to the 'rainbow parliament' parties when the disaffection of the first term of the Parliament mainly due to huge cost of the Parliament, voters cast a protest vote which saw the election of the SSP, Green and Pensioners Party. The public perception of Tommy Sheridan and Robin Harper is that they had made their mark in the 1999-2003 Parliament and it helped their parties. The SSP and Pensioners Party were wiped out in the 2007 election with the Greens clinging on to two of their seats when the voters returned to the 'main' parties. Margo McDonald was the exception to any rule.

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    3. As I recall, the SSP collapse was largely precipitated by the party going to war with itself over a sex scandal involving their leader.

      Delete
  3. Why not to trust English blogs, #567.

    https://www.thenational.scot/news/19159134.revealed-truth-behind-snps-manifesto-leaked-wings-scotland/

    Revealed: The truth behind the SNP's 'manifesto' leaked to Wings Over Scotland

    A REFERENDUM ultimatum in an SNP “manifesto draft” published online this month is in fact taken from a member’s proposal, the Sunday National can reveal.

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    Replies
    1. The only flaw in that argument is that the National's claim is false, and is a SNP sourced piece of political PR.

      Delete
    2. I think a pro-indy Scottish newspaper is probably more reliable than an English blogger who believes Scottish democracy is a failure and that independence shouldn't happen.

      But we'll see when the manifesto comes out. If it matches the wings article, I owe you a pint. Deal?

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    3. That doesn't make sense. Having denied the story, the SNP are going to have to 'prove' the denial by making the manifesto different, regardless of whether the leak was genuine or not.

      Delete
    4. Most of what Smearer Skier posts doesn't make sense.

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    5. Stuart Campbell isn't English and he doesn't believe independence shouldn't happen. The failure of Scottish democracy? Let's wait and see on that one.

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  4. I would hope anyone who supports Scottish Independence gives their 2 votes to the SNP. SNP majority on its own will add more pressure on the UK government to grant a vote than it would with a mishmash of pro independence parties along with a SNP minority government.

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    Replies
    1. It's not necessarily as simple as that. It would be if the SNP were committed to holding a referendum or equivalent democratic event in all circumstances. But if that cast-iron commitment isn't forthcoming, there's a case to be made that it's pressure on the *Scottish* Government that is needed.

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    2. Bird of prey - just why does yes need a greater than 50% vote just to get a referendum. That is the Cringe. Have a look at what percentage of the vote Cameron got in 2015 to get a mandate for his EU referendum. It sure wasn't anywhere near 50%.

      Here we are in mid March and we still don't know what we will be voting on in the manifesto for a referendum.

      Delete
    3. Here we are in mid March and we still don't know what we will be voting on in the manifesto for a referendum.

      I thought wings had published the manifesto or was that just him lying to everyone?

      Delete
    4. Hey Smearer Skier (liar since 2014) - you are an expert on lying but not on talking sense. I'll spell out the obvious to you - I was referring to the OFFICIAL manifesto not some draft. Boy are you thick.

      Delete
  5. I understood Tommy Sheridan would be standing in Glasgow for AFI.
    I'm not convinced that Craig M is well known to the average voter, though of course he maybe doesn't need to be as long as he is punted among Yessers.
    ISP may be under pressure to stand aside if AFI come out with some more weel-kent names.
    I won't name my preferred "name" that I myself would definitely vote for. She knows who she is!
    In all the calculations folk are weighing up the effect of pro-indy parties on the SNP list vote.
    But what about the pro-yessers who will vote Unionist for the constituency.
    Surely somebody should be trying to get them to split their vote, by backing ANY Yes candidate on the list - and not inadvertently providing a lifeboat for failed unionists from the constituency contests.
    Now THAT would be a doomsday scenario for Sarwar, ACH, Dross etc.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Couldn't see myself voting for Murray or AfI over my local SNP candidates.

    I'm not sure he's that well known in Scotland. As you note, he doesn't write a Scottish politics blog; it just has some Scottish articles. Only a few of those commenting appear to be from Scotland, and often they are unionists, so wouldn't be voting for him. Outside the blogosphere, nobody's really heard of him.

    He's also bit 'guilty until proven innocent' for my liking, although you have to be if you want to big up conspiracy theories. These only work if you claim people are guilty without trial. You can't try to convince people there was e.g. a plot to get Salmond unless you label innocent people guilty.

    I'll probably get stick for saying this, but it's true. I didn't pre-judge the Salmond trial and I'm not pre-judging the committee / Hamilton's enquiry either. I would only vote for people who thought similarly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Of course Smearer Skier is talking his usual pish. The difference between a criminal trial and a parliamentary Inquiry is massive.

      The Inquiry lay out their submissions/evidence before the public and carry out their questioning live on TV. A criminal trial does not. A criminal trial does not let the defendants appoint the judge, part of the jury and lets the defendants decide what evidence can be considered. A criminal trial has advocates asking the questions.

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    2. Yes, and there is no criminal trial going on regarding the salmond case as everyone is innocent. If there was evidence if conspiracy to commit perjury or pervert the course of justice, the police and courts would be all over it like a rash. Lady Dorian had a look at the evidence for it Salmond's team put forward and said it wasn't worthy of court. Salmond's team agreed and didn't appeal her decision.

      I'm sure if it's juicy, Murdo Fraser will ensure it's published.

      Delete
    3. Smearer Skier (liar since 2014) - says " wasn't worthy of court " how do you know what Lady Dortian said. Were you in court - no you weren't - you are lying again Smearer.

      The alphies lied in court. Who put them up to it.

      Delete
  7. You're in the South of Scotland Region Skier with IMO top class SNP candidates to back up on the list should they need them.
    For most of the rest of Scotland (bar the Highlands & Islands) unionists would slip in.
    Fallback position is SNP 1&2 if an obviously electable Yesser isn't on the ballot.
    There's also the question of the popular vote, which is the SNP vote usually.
    From a pro-union point of view a wider range of pro-independence choice on the list will certainly be a concern.
    Hence panic in the Tories in particular. Heidless chickens.

    ReplyDelete
  8. New panelbase out it seems.

    55% want iref2 in the next parliamentary term.

    https://www.thenational.scot/news/19159485.majority-scots-believe-independence-inevitable-poll-finds/

    https://archive.is/yTspN

    Looks like the Y/N figures are identical to the 5th March poll and VI similar. Can't see them yet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Herald reporting 50/50 with dks excluded, so no change.

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    2. In fact I think this might the 5th March poll and people mistaking it for a new one as additional questions are released.

      Delete
    3. Is that you talking to yourself again Smearer Skier. MPD playing up again?

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  9. Reports around that the committee is going to conclude it was Leslie Evans and civil servants at fault in the Salmond case. Also that there's no evidence of any SNP conspiracy.

    Pretty much what has been obvious all along.

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    Replies
    1. have you a link? be interesting to read...

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    2. If this is what occurs, and Hamilton clears sturgeon of any serious code breach, then all those pushing the conspiracy / resignation thing will likely take a huge hit in the polls. They've staked everything on this. If the outcome is not as they claimed, overnight they become the liars in the eyes of the electorate. 'Fool me once..' and all that.

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    3. Lady Dorian dismissed the 'conspiracy' 'evidence' and Salmond's team didn't appeal. So it's hardly going to come as a shock if MSPs conclude similarly. I understand they plan to release all the messages in full context, unlike the selected bits chosen to try and mislead people.

      https://www.thenational.scot/news/19158586.msps-to-dismiss-claims-peter-murrell-messages-prove-salmond-conspiracy/

      MSPs 'to dismiss claims that Peter Murrell messages prove Salmond conspiracy'

      https://archive.is/jZtbJ

      Civil servants braced to take rap in MSPs' hearing over Salmond inquiry

      Civil servants are expected to bear the brunt of MSPs’ criticism in the findings of the Holyrood hearing into the Scottish government’s unlawful handling of complaints of harassment against Alex Salmond.

      Insiders say the report due out this month will be particularly damaging for Leslie Evans, the permanent secretary. Government and SNP sources are also critical of her and say she should not continue as Scotland’s senior mandarin. One minister said: “Evans is the captain of the ship and is about to be thrown overboard.”


      We know Sturgeon / Ministers were not involved in the enquiry as that would be a conflict of interest. So I've never understood how they could be responsible. It was amusing watching Ballie ask Sturgeon why she was apologizing for something that was obviously not her fault.

      While there is lots of politicking in the papers / twitter etc, the committee report is a serious, cross party endeavor to get at what went wrong with the procedure so make sure that doesn't happen again. So we can expect it to not be sensationalist at all, and be truthful, and come down hard on those that actually screwed up. I suspect the truth will not be that nice for those that would like the SNP out of office.

      I can't help but notice that the whole story has gone a bit quiet now. My guess is because they have milked it for everthing they can, and now they probably want people to forget about it and not notice the final conclusions.

      Of course we'll have to wait and see, but these snippets coming out make sense.

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    4. And it was Salmond himself back at the time that called for Evans to resign. He never demanded it of Sturgeon because she wasn't responsible.

      Of course Sturgeon can't fire Evans as Evans works for whitehall. However, it will be hard for the civil service to justify not having her step down if the parliament concludes she failed it badly.

      Delete
    5. It's no surprise that Sturgeon kept at arm's length to give her deniability, and is throwing Evans under the bus. The alleged conspiracy was the cover up, of which we have up to 60 instances of the SNP/sivil service blocking the inquiry and withholding documents and evidence.

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    6. I am confident that if there is evidence of a conspiracy, the unionist / opposition dominated committee will report that. They are, after all, standing against the SNP in May.

      They've shouted and screamed enough about a dastardly SNP plot to get Salmond, so they're hardly going to agree to leave that bit out if they've good evidence of it.

      As for the release of documents, it seems people don't understand the situation, or don't want to.

      https://archive.is/DqM8I

      Andrew Tickell: Understanding the legalities behind the Holyrood Committee

      And of course Salmond himself has never used the word 'conspiracy' and even said so in his submission.

      Delete
    7. Smearer Skier (liar since 2014) punting his lies again. Smearer is a full time propagandist for an SNP leadership who have now been punting a referendum is about to happen for 4 years. How many more years will they get away with this before the SNP get a leadership that will actually allow the people of Scotland to vote for independence.

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    8. If you listen to Smearer Skier people will be voting for Sturgeon in May to be FM of a Scottish Government she has no control or power over. Smearer posting pish as usual.

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    9. Sturgeon doesn't lead the UK civil service in Scotland, no. She is FM of a minority government, so all policy is consensus, cross party policy. Like the hate crimes bill which was backed by 72 MSPs from 4 parties. It's impossible for her to force anything on anyone.

      Reports are that SNP ministers are to recommend that 'England's woman in Scotland' Leslie Evans resign, just as Salmond wanted. The SNP can't force Whitehall to sack Evans, but if the committee concludes Evans is a fault, the pressure will be immense.

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    10. 72% of MSPs that should be. Very uncontroversial.

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    11. It is now more than 4 years since Sturgeon first dangled the carrot of an independence referendum.

      Now devolutionists and Unionists - all Britnats - will be happy for this never happening referendum to go on like this. True independence supporters like me ain't.

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    12. You have to be truly stupid to believe Smearer Skiers nonsense that the FM of Scotland who sits beside Evans in the Scottish government Cabinet every week has no authority over Evans. It is true that there is no independent Scottish Civil Service but if you followed the liar Smearers logic then what us the point of voting for an FM if the civil servants can just do what they want. Absolute nonsense by Smearer as usual.

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    13. So you are saying Sturgeon can fire the entire UK civil service in Scotland and replace them with nats? You just sound stupid saying things like this.

      The civil service is independent of ministers; it is a cornerstone of normal democracy that this is the case. Unfortunately, Scotland's civil service is run from london, so isn't impartial.

      Delete
    14. Smearer Skier (liar since 2014) - you are stupid saying that as I didn't say that.


      Smearer just posts relentless pish on this site. Have you not got some rocks to bash somewhere or is that a lie as well .

      Delete
  10. Has he left the SNP?
    He did try to smear Michael Russell when standing for the Presidency of the SNP so not hopeful for the Party he joined.
    Opportunism isn't a great selling point.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not clear how another Party would 'coax' the Scottish Government to a Plan B, did they say how?

      Delete
    2. Brian - so it wasn't Mike Russell who authored that book that said the NHS should be privatised. Is that what you are saying?

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    3. He was a secondary author I understand, i.e. not the main author, but a secondary contributor. So that section may not have been his ideas.

      Given he supports SNP policy, he must be against NHS privatization now certainly, given the party is against it.

      Kind of irrelevant anyway given he's not standing for election in May.

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    4. "I'm not clear how another Party would 'coax' the Scottish Government to a Plan B, did they say how?"

      Brian, I'll explain the concept of 'the balance of power' to you when I have time. It's relatively simple, and lesser minds than yourself have successfully grasped it.

      Delete
    5. Smearer Skier (liar since 2014) - as ever you understand wrong.

      Delete
    6. On authoring the book, it was a dialogue, the other person put up the idea. Of course had it been M Russell, it brings somebody else into the firing line. It was written in 2007. Alex Salmond was the leader of the SNP, he appointed M Russell to his cabinet. Craig Murray didn't consider that given his argument.
      CM was also touting the accusation that the FM was a conspirator and a liar, while trying to stand for the Presidency, however he didn't put that on the resume for the delegates to see. Kinda important bit of info.

      Delete
    7. Brian, did Mike Russell say the NHS should NOT be privatised in the book? You are dancing around this. Did Mike say on no account should the NHS be privatised?

      Brian - Murray still got a good percentage of the vote. Sturgeon is a liar she lied on multiple occasions in her testimony to the Inquiry.

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    8. Brian: I've deleted your third comment. It simply repeated the nonsense of your second comment, which I had already responded to.

      Parties that hold the balance of power can and do influence government policy - this is not rocket science.

      Delete
  11. If Murray was elected, I assume he will stop doing his paid blogging? I mean it would be double jobbing, and one potentially open to dodgy donations. He'd certainly need to start reporting all cash he was getting that way lest people tried to use it to gain influence.

    Being an MSP is a full time job, so he'd have much less time for writing anyway.

    I know folk have suggested wings wanted to try for a seat. he'd never stand as he'd need to move to Scotland, but hates the place. He'd also have to give up blogging, take a big salary cut, and report all sources of income / other business interests. So nae chance of that happening.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are plenty of elected politicians with blogs - most obviously Pete Wishart. "It's the blog that everyone's talking about", apparently.

      Delete
    2. Smearer Skier (liar since 2014) posting nonsense again.

      Delete
  12. I'm very surprised that CM has joined AFI, doesn't really make sense to me - strange times though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Murray has stated that he has left the SNP because they are not serious about independence.

      Delete
  13. https://twitter.com/BallotBoxScot/status/1371117615465267203
    Ballot Box Scotland
    @BallotBoxScot
    Holyrood 5 Poll & 5 Agency Average, 10 Mar 2021 (changes vs 2016 election):

    List:
    SNP ~42.4% (+0.7)
    Con ~ 22.0% (-0.9)
    Lab ~ 17.4% (-1.7)
    Grn ~ 8.2% (+1.6)
    LD ~ 6.4% (+1.2)

    Constituency:
    SNP ~ 49.8% (+3.3)
    Con ~ 22.4% (+0.4)
    Lab ~ 18.4% (-4.2)
    LD ~ 6.6% (-1.2)
    Grn ~ 1.4% (+0.8)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 49.8% is an improvement from 2016 and should be over the 50% with the SNPs "get the vote out" on polling day.
      Anyway we've still got the campaign to come.
      It's going to be one hell of a fight.

      Delete
  14. The only source I can find for the claim Craig is standing for AFI is the National article - and they don't seem to research their sources very well. He hasn't posted anything on Twitter, Facebook, or his blog about this. Are we certain he's standing?

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    Replies
    1. As he is still waiting for his trial verdict it would be an optimistic move. I'll wait till he confirms it himself.

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    2. Murray has tweeted he is leaving the SNP are they are not serious about independence and is putting himself forward to be selected as a candidate for AFI.

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    3. I can confirm that he has indeed joined AFI and will be adopted this evening as a candidate.

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    4. Jim - can you tell me who would be on the list for AFI for my region West of Scotland. Has it been decided?

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    5. All candidates are starting vetting tomorrow. the full list for all regions will be available around 3rd march. I can say that I have put my name in the hat as I stay in the west as well. But to date no big names as such that I know of have applied in the west. The ones I know of are all hard working Indy supporters though.

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    6. sorry,twenty third of march, my number two button isn't working for some odd reason

      Delete
    7. Thanks for that Jim. I'll have a look on the 23rd.

      Delete
  15. Coming back to the previous article. It's not just Campbell being openly against indy, but he directly attacks Scottish democracy as I predicted he would. He's getting ready to take the English Tory line that the May election result must be overturned because Scottish democracy has 'failed'. Watch and see. I mean it's not as if he's not already calling for Sturgeon to step down, just like unionists are.

    Soon, he'll be telling us that Murdo Fraser secretly backs the SNP like all the unionists on the committee and that these covered up for Sturgeon, shifting the blame to Whitehall's leslie evans, all because they think the best hope for the union is an SNP majority with Sturgeon at the helm. That will be the explanation for the committee's findings, assuming these turn out as reports are suggesting.

    We wish we had a constructive course of action to suggest to you, folks. But we don’t, because democracy has failed you. There is no way you can vote that will fix the ruins the SNP have made of Scotland. We cannot see a way forward.

    Trump of course claimed the same, that US democracy had failed, and he was the true winner. That there was a big conspiracy etc, so the result should be overturned. The right always work up to the final attack on democracy itself. 'Democracy has failed. We need to take over and fix the governance of the country. It's the only way! We can hold elections again in the future once things are fixed. Trust us.'. Meanwhile they point at minority groups and the grave threats these pose to our women/children and the very moral fabric of society.

    The royal ‘we cannot see a way forward’ = we must just accept the status quo. For at least a generation. Maybe Scotland will be ready in the future. Now is not the time. 40 years is probably what’s needed. All very familiar.

    Campbell knows the right buttons to push to allow him to hide in plain sight.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Interesting how obsessed you are with him. And putting words in his mouth.

      Delete
    2. There was no democracy in Scotland when the Earls etc in the Scottish Parliament sold out Scotland to England in 1707. There has been no democracy for Scotland since then as we will always be outvoted in Westminster by England. Therefore there has never been democracy for Scotland and it will never exist until Scotland is free of the UK.

      Delete
    3. The quote in italics are Campbells words.

      Ifs, you can't say you back an election plebiscite for indy then argue we don't have a democratic vote.

      At least try to make sense.

      Delete
    4. Smearer Skier ( liar since 2014) - my post makes perfect sense and unlike you I do not resort to lying to try and justify the mince you post.

      Delete
    5. If there is no democracy in Scotland, how to do we vote for indy?

      Delete
    6. If you cannot see the lack of democracy in Scotland Smearer Skier then you must be a Britnat and/or clueless.

      Delete
    7. IainM - there are lots of independence bloggers that know fine well what Sturgeon has been doing and say so but Smearer Skier and others are obsessed with Campbell. A weird personal obsession.

      Delete
  16. I'll give both votes SNP only if the Constituency vote in my area is too close. I'll check polls (& bookies odds) day before the vote.

    If SNP have a 5%+ lead in the Constituency vote then I'll lend my Reg. List vote to the 2nd best placed indy party (most likely to be Greens). However, if SNP lead is less than 5% in Const. vote in my area then it's SNP 1&2 for me.

    Can't say fairer than that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly. We've got to do some homework before voting

      Delete
  17. Good to hear.

    https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/brexit-news-biden-to-discuss-northern-ireland-with-taoiseach-as-uk-deliberately-broke-trust-with-eu/ar-BB1exUbi

    Brexit news: Biden to discuss Northern Ireland with Taoiseach, as UK ‘deliberately broke trust with EU’

    Joe Biden will discuss Northern Ireland with the Irish Taoiseach, Micheal Martin, when they meet next week on St Patrick’s Day, the White House has announced.

    Next Wednesday’s virtual meeting will cover support for political and economic stability in the region after Brexit, among other bilateral issues as the leaders “reaffirm” the historical partnership between the two nations.


    https://www.irishcentral.com/news/politics/biden-backs-good-friday-agreement

    Biden backs Irish after British move to change Good Friday Agreement

    The Biden administration has made it clear it stands with the Irish government and the Good Friday Agreement as tensions rise between Britain and Ireland over the rules covering Northern Ireland trade in the Northern Ireland Protocol.

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  18. I can't see me voting for a pop up party in an election as important as this one, to much of a risk, I'll be sticking with the SNP and Green combo, in the NE Region.

    ReplyDelete
  19. In the south of Scotland it has to be SNP and SNP.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Crikey, Old Pete actually posts something that makes sense. Well done there is hope for you yet.

      Delete
  20. Surely the elimination heat is already concluded. And the winner is the Greens. If you buy the two-party strategy at all (I don't) then it has to be a *two*-party strategy. Anything else, in practice, is just going to cause confusion, where what the two-party strategy needs is convergence.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Brittany Higgins - Survivor of alleged sexual assault in Australia. Another brave woman speaking out and not hiding behind a cloak of invisibility like the fake Sturgeon gang.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 'Fake Sturgeon gang' may turn out to be true. It may have not existed but in the imagination of some conspiracy minded individuals and Unionist like yourself.

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    2. Salmond sought and supports the anonymity of the complainers. He stated this in his submission.

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    3. Unknown - you certainly do not have the imagination or ability to think up a moniker. I guess you don't have a clue who the alphies are. My suggestion for your moniker would be - CLUELESS. Then we will be able to distinguish you from other unknowns.

      Delete
    4. Smearer Skier (liar since 2014) - are you one of the alphies. - no don't bother replying it would only be a lie anyway.

      Delete
    5. What would you do to the complainers if you knew their names ifs?

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    6. News is full of stories of women fearing for their safety from men at the moment.

      Delete
    7. And seriously, what kind of dumbass thinks it would have been good for all the women to come forward and 'bravely' tell their stories to the papers ahead of the trial? Or even to do so now to make folk question the outcome?

      That would have seriously jeopardized the ability of Salmond to get a fair trial. Giving jurors preconceived perceptions is a really big problem. It could have made them more likely to think Salmond guilty, so potentially seeing him locked up.

      Folks can't complain about the leak of the allegations to the unionist press (presumably by unionists to start this whole attack on the SNP) then get angry the women didn't go to the papers with their stories 'bravely'. I men whit TF?

      Its this kind of total idiocy which makes folk think...

      #leastbelievableconspiracytheoryever

      Delete
    8. Smearer Skier (lisr since 2014) - smearing again Smearer. What a horrible person you are.

      Delete
    9. Not as horrible as you and your multiple personalities.

      Delete
  22. It's nothing to do with their names, it's to do with their position in the SNP and civil service.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't understand. If it's 'nothing to do with their names', why would anyone have an issue with the anonymity?

      You only need names if you planned to do something with these names. What would those seeking the names do with that information? And I note you want names and where they work. Which you must recognize seems a bit sinister, and is why both Salmond and the trial judge supported anonymity.

      For me, 7/9 of these in court being civil servants, with one SNP employee and only one 'SNP politician' of some form, as widely reported during the trial, was sufficient for me to know there clearly was no party conspiracy. I don't need to know what their names are and where they work; I cannot see a good reason for wanting to know that. I can only see people wanting to get at them somehow, taking revenge of some form. It's why the courts have kept their names under wraps.

      Delete
    2. Smearer Skier (liar since 2014) - smearing again. Smearer you are truly a despicable person. I can only hope that you are not a parent to a daughter and you lied about that as you do about so many things.

      Delete
    3. I ask again...

      You only need to know the names of the complainers and where they work if you planned do do something with that or hoped that releasing that information would mean someone else did.

      What would you do with the names if you new them? What do you want to see happened to the women as a result of their names being known?

      It can't be fair justice as the authorities already know their names and have all the evidence in hand. So what then?

      Delete
    4. Smearer Skier (liar since 2014) - your memory problem playing up again? Or is it your reading problem. Or is it your multiple personality disorder playing up again?

      Your smears sum up the type of character you are. I truly hope you are a Britnat because you are a disgusting character.

      I have posted before I know who the alphies are and I have known for some time as have a lot of people. Only disgusting people like you would make these type of smears. Only people who have no mates like you to tell them who they are don't know.

      Delete
  23. The big difference with AFI and the ISP is that the AFI doesn't seem to have policy's, where as the ISP have, and the reason for the discontent with the SNP are policy issues that the ISP has a different position. Ones that is not shared by the SNP or the Greens, there issues that are as fundamental as independence for many. The SNP could have swerved this ball, but seem like new Labour did, to have a distain for there own supporters, a bit like the EU and the UK as well. Maybe it's a power thing?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There’s grammatical errors in there but I’m just saying that there is a choice of direction with the isp that is maybe more in keeping with a lot of the rank and file in the movement,it’s just a case of braking rank on the second vote.

      Delete
  24. Just seen you post about getting your COVID vaccine, James, though this might put your mind a rest a bit.

    https://twitter.com/stevebrown2856/status/1371136107178569730
    "In the United Kingdom, the AstraZeneca and BioNTech vaccines each inoculated around 10 million doses. Temporal relationship with a pulmonary embolism (mostly triggered by blood clots = thrombus): 13 cases in AZ, 15 in BioNTech."

    So basically you have about a 0.00015% chance of getting a clot due to an side effect of either vaccine. Which is about the same or lower than you getting a clot 'normally'.

    ReplyDelete
  25. The 'British Trump' really pishing into the wind with Irish Biden right now.

    https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/brexit/us-poised-to-unveil-resolution-backing-belfast-agreement-1.4508119

    US poised to unveil resolution backing Belfast Agreement

    The US Senate is preparing to unveil a resolution outlining support for the Belfast Agreement, the latest indication of bipartisan backing on Capitol Hill for the Northern Ireland peace process.

    The development comes ahead of next week’s meeting between Taoiseach Micheál Martin and US president Joe Biden, which is taking place online rather than in Washington due to the pandemic.

    The resolution, a draft of which has been seen by The Irish Times, expresses support “for the full implementation” of the agreement and subsequent efforts “to support peace on the island of Ireland”.

    It also states that any new or amended trade agreements between the US and UK should take into account that the conditions of the Belfast Agreement are met.

    ReplyDelete
  26. And here we go. Already some cases showing up as a result of the illegal union jack fest covid party.

    https://www.thenational.scot/news/19161910.covid-update-scotland-small-number-cases-linked-rangers-fans-celebrations/

    A "SMALL number" of coronavirus cases in the past week have been linked to Rangers fans who broke lockdown to celebrate their team's victory in the Scottish Premiership, according to Scotland's chief medical officer.

    Dr Smith said it was "too early" to know what impact, if any, the celebrations by Rangers supporters would have on case numbers, but said they were seeing an uptick in incidence in some part of the west of Scotland.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hannah Bardell SNP MP says men should be curfewed.

    Is this what passes for SNP campaigning these days.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Mark Hirst ex stv reporter is standing for AFI and Yvonne Ridley ex correspondent has also now joined and is considering standing. Might not be as well known as some but both have good profiles

    Jim Manclark.

    ReplyDelete
  29. THE SILENCE OF THE SMEARERS

    All you Salmond Smearers, and you know who you are, have all gone smearing quiet about Patrick Grady.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Are you saying there's an SNP-wide plot to stop Grady making a comeback too?

      How deep does the rabbit hole go?

      Delete
    2. His next moan will be that the SNP leadership are blocking Winnie Ewing from making a comeback by keeping her in her care home.

      Delete
    3. Kinda giveaway that the usual suspects are quick to mention Grady but e.g. silent on:

      https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-56416603

      Mike Hill: Hartlepool MP quits 'with immediate effect'

      Hartlepool Labour MP Mike Hill has resigned "with immediate effect", prompting a by-election.

      Mr Hill was due to face an employment tribunal later this year into claims of "sexual harassment and victimisation". He has denied the allegations.


      Because, well, #wheeshtfortheunion

      Delete
    4. A couple of Smearers rise to the occasion.

      Delete
  30. Gove says Scotland's freedom, liberty, democracy, and the right to have the government we actually vote for is a huge distraction from the really important stuff - like being a BIG country that squanders our taxes on foreign wars, nuclear weapons and tax havens that the nasty EU was about to abolish.
    Phew! Just got out in time Eh?

    ReplyDelete
  31. A lesson in why not to trust the English media.

    https://www.thenational.scot/news/19162842.chris-hanlon-truth-wrote-leaked-draft-snp-manifesto/

    Chris Hanlon: I wrote the leaked 'draft SNP manifesto' document

    ...So, for the record, I am not involved in any way with the drafting of the manifesto for the upcoming election. I have not seen the draft text and have not been asked to contribute to it in any way.

    I have made a few suggestions to the team at HQ writing it but I don’t imagine they have paid much attention to them.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Interesting move by the SNP to have IndyRef2 on the ballot paper.

    https://archive.is/20s4k

    ReplyDelete
  33. Tangerine Tommy from Barlinne, and 'i'm not a rapist - honest' Craig Weirdo who needs a mansion in Edinburgh so he can't see his wife without a telescope. What a pair.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Craig Murray is a crank but also a dangerous one .His habit of calling Nicola as Mrs Murrell rather than being funny just displays he is a misogynistic twit stuck in the 1970s when a woman was expected to take a man's name .
    He won't be elected outside the Yes bubble no one knows him .
    I'm taking no chances it's SNP 1&2 for me

    ReplyDelete