Should Scotland be an independent country? (Norstat)
Yes 48% (-2)
No 52% (+2)
Although the final pre-election Norstat poll had Yes on 50%, that can probably be attributed to margin of error noise. The high 40s has been the most typical range for Yes with Norstat and its predecessor firm Panelbase, so it does look as if the general election result has had no knock-on effect on independence support whatsoever. Unionists like KC must be wondering: if the shock value of SNP defeat didn't spook voters into abandoning independence, what will ever do the trick?
The most likely answer is that nothing will, and that exceptionally high support for independence is here to stay.
* * *
The other important polling news is that Labour continue to fare extraordinarily poorly at GB-wide level. A new BMG poll has them ahead of the Tories by just four points, raising the possibility of crossover in the near future, which would be downright embarrassing for Starmer just a few weeks after his landslide. My view is that the post-election polling has confirmed that it was indeed a 'loveless landslide', with no great appetite for Labour even on polling day, and with some tentative signs that their early actions in government may already be alienating people.
* * *
SCOT GOES POP FUNDRAISER 2024: I took a prolonged break from promoting the fundraiser during the general election period, but I'll have to start making some serious progress now if the blog is to remain viable. Many thanks to everyone who has donated so far. Card donations can be made via the fundraiser page HERE, or direct donations can be made via Paypal. My Paypal email address is: jkellysta@yahoo.co.uk
Aw didums KC will have to up his game but in the meantime he Can Cry Me A River as Timberlake would say or as he is keen on quoting Roy Orbison songs CRYING would also seem very apt.
ReplyDeleteWe are not going anywhere KC. Independence is normal and independence will happen. Colonialism has no place in any future decent society.
Anon @ 11:54
DeleteYes it is over - for your Precious Union!
With the SNP having wandered off lonely as a cloud catching hayfever from all the daffodil pollen and sneezing out votes and MPs, Indy has indeed been in the doldrums, becalmed, stuck at just short of 50% - if you eliminate don't knows.
But if you include the don't knows, support for your Previous Union is generally at 48% - or even lower. The Union is doomed; it's not if, it's when.
Sleep tight :-)
Labour's doing that badly in England, too? Here's a thought: what happens when the next UK Tory government takes over? Years ahead of all expectation…
DeletePeople may forget what led to Indyref in 2014. It was 2011's amazing win, which was fuelled by the end of Labour rule in 2010. When England gives Scotland the shits, we get our act together.
Interesting times…
Anon at 8.55am - I note you decided to troll me but not yesindyref2. You may think I should be flattered but I am not. Obsession is the word.
DeleteThis time I couldn't even be bothered to follow it in detail but what I've picked up so far suggests fumbling defence of the previous status quo from the leadership at SNP conference. Even the usual few throw away lines, from Mr. Swinney, on independence.
ReplyDeleteStarmer is a slave to financial vested interests and probably also state security services.
Despite this double dose of 'manure' independence stands at about 48%. Seems to me that there are the grounds for cautious optimism. It's a new struggle of which the SNP is only a weakened and dubious part. No other party has so far stepped effectively into the vacuum. Now is the time to incrementally build the non party political movement and for my money Believe in Scotland presently offers the best way forward.
The great political lesson of all this is to never unconditionally trust any party or organisation. Get out there, build the movement, and keep our critical faculties sharp.
Wasn't Believe in Scotland created by Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp & a lot of the money raised for the organisation acts as a salary for him?
DeleteIf the present SNP is not the vehicle for independence, then neither is BiS. They're a loyal, continuity front.
DeleteTheir plan for a Constitutional Convention on Independence sounds nice, but ask yourself this: if you opposed the idea, why would you participate? Would you go to a Convention on Strengthening the Union? How does such a cosy talking shop change any minds at all?
The thing that I find sobering from the general election was just how close to zero both ISP's and Alba's votes were. I didn't expect much from them—2021 corrected me on that—but this was even worse. Clearly the alternate indy parties strategy had no legs in this low-energy, low-turnout election.
So we are left at an impasse: the desire for independence is there in all the polls. And so too is the despair at UK rule. So what do we do about it? Who will lead us?
Anon at 6:48 am -- "citation needed", as they say.
DeleteIt's simple to find the link between Believe in Scotland, Business for Scotland and Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp.
DeleteA quick look on Companies House establishes the connection. Though looking at the filed accounts for both companies raises several questions about where the money raised has been going.
How can the self-proclaimed "grassroots Yes movement" be a "dormant company" with assets of £1. What happens to all the cash they raise?
DeleteLast year Business for Scotland held a big glitzy fundraising dinner at £1,800 a table with no less than the First Minister in attendance... how is that dormant?
The accounts don't appear to reflect the activities of both organisations.
It's Believe in Scotland Ltd is the dormant company, not Believe in Scotland Ltd. You can't even get the name right. And I already told you, all you see is a Balance Sheet for a micro entity. If you don't understand what that means, don't comment on things you don't understand.
DeleteLook at the about pages for both organisations.
If Unionist plants like Anonymous September 3, 2024 at 6:48 AM are trying to discredit organisations like BfS and BiS they must be keeking their breeks.
DeleteIndividual responsibility? If you persuade one person to move from no to yes, and if each other Indy supporter does the same? This isn’t a dig at you. You possibly already do this. But a hard core of those who post here prioritise having a go at SNP over furthering the Indy cause. They will never have staffed an Indy stall or knocked a door. They may not even be in an Indy party. But it’s everyone else’s fault for Indy support stalling at 50% or thereabout. Personal abuse is dished out to anyone who points this out. Incoming.
ReplyDeleteYou imagine all of us scunnered Yessers have given up on independence. Pish! It's our desire for indy that keeps us in the game. If we'd really given up on indy, we wouldn't still care enough to criticise the shambles that the indy-lite brigade have got Scotland in.
DeleteI imagine nothing. Your response suggests you are imagining, if not deliberately misrepresenting what I said. I simply point out a course of action that will increase support for Indy outwith party affiliations. That seems to trouble you. Why?
DeleteAnother anon telling us all to go out knocking on doors and converting 'No' voters. Of course, being nameless, he can provide no evidence that he actually does so himself. What a sanctimonious balloon!
DeleteAnon at 9.52am: I'm deleting KC's relentless trolling, and as a result you've misinterpreted a reply to KC as a reply to you.
DeleteAnon @ 8:18 AM It could also be argued that all those who insisted that all we needed to do was get 100% behind the SNP and then all will be well were doing more harm than good.
DeleteAny genuine problems with the SNP and their independence strategy were never resolved as anyone who raised the alarm/criticised it were essentially just told to shut up and by highlighting the issues with the SNP we were supposedly harming the cause. Small issues that could have been addressed were allowed to develop into larger ones due to the wheesht For indy attitude.
Yes at 48% when the SNP's in such a miserable state is near miraculous.
ReplyDeleteAnon at 8.48am - you say support has " never " been over 50%. You seem to have a short memory. Support has been over 50% plenty of times. 19 times in succession at one point. Or alternatively look back through the front pages of your copies of the National.
Delete" The catalyst" would be a de facto referendum at Holyrood presented by an SNP leadership that actually wants independence. None of the current lot anywhere near the leadership.
I’ve told you what you and others need to do. No catalyst needed, just acceptance of personal responsibility, acting on it, and less blaming others.
DeleteIFS@9:16, it was actually 20 times in succession. Unfortunately this period was from June ‘20 to Jan ‘21, ie the height of Covid. This was the time, as I’m sure you’re remember, when Sturgeon was doing her pathetic political grandstanding. Thousands obviously fell for the nonsense, but have now seen it for what it was. Hence support for independence has fallen back to normal levels, ie below 50%.
DeleteYes it's encouraging. Unlike many I think the decoupling of YES with the SNP is a good thing. They've made a mess of the most fertile period to push independence forward. Three of the most incompetent PMs in history, being "...taken out of Europe against the people of Scotland's will..." to quote the talking scone. All that and what did we get? A campervan not even a cuddly toy and fondue set.
DeleteAnon @9.54am. So the SNP should disband as independence is nothing to do with them. It’s all our fault/responsibility. No wonder their vote is down with people like you about.
DeleteAnon at 8.40 pm. Do not put words in my mouth. I said nothing of the sort. It is Telling that you respond by lying. Engage honestly and constructively or not at all.
DeleteAll that has to be done to achieve independence is to declare it.
ReplyDeleteBring on the UDI
100% correct, we should declare ourselves independent immediately. If the British say no and send the army to scotland, we invite the international community to intervene with military consequences on our behalf.
DeleteI find it curious how little attention is paid to the Scottish Conservative leadership election. If things go their "establishment's" way, they're going to appoint a hack who backed Liz Truss, whereas Murdo Fraser is implying that he's still interested in declaring branch independence. The only reason he's not completely explicit about it is because there's still a chance that the UK party may elect someone who is not completely insane.
ReplyDeleteIf all the polls showed support for independence at 100% it still wouldn't matter, the British government will pay no attention to polls because they use them to influence voters just the same as polling companies produce the results they're paid to produce
ReplyDeleteThe truth is nobody knows what level of support for independence really is, but the fact that the British government years ago refused to declare their own polling results on independence is the most significant indicator that the result was far higher than any polling company is prepared to show
If you pay the watchmaker he'll put 13 O'clock on your watch if that's what you want
The pollsters are the professional British state media and will always show a 50/50 split, they're paid to keep Scotland arguing with each other, don't believe a word of them
If you wanted to know which breakfast cereal people like best you still couldn't get a reliable answer, money buys the answers the often nobody gave
It's also worth pointing out that due to the British Government not caring about polls that makes those who argue that we need to consistently get the polls to 50 or 60% and then a referendum will happen nonsensical... because we know it wouldn't.
DeleteDr Jim @ 12.41pm trashing the integrity of polling yet again but he goes along with the SNP policy of getting polling above 60%. It makes no sense but that is Jim’s trademark.
DeleteIf the popularity of Scottish independence was above 60% it would happen. If the popularity of Scottish independence is below 50% it's not going to happen.
DeleteHypothetically if the popularity of Scottish independence was 60% how would it happen? Using what mechanism?
DeleteAn obvious majority like that in polling doesn't come alone. It'll be obvious in society and a response needed from all.sides
DeleteTh in s sort of delusional post doesn’t really help. What were the most recent general election voting shares?
Delete"It'll be obvious" doesn't really answer the question.
DeletePeople need detail, we've had enough of blind faith.
It would probably be a pro independence party putting forward a defacto referendum with an excellent chance of winning the election and using the pressure of that win and the indisputable feeling in the country as leverage. How we get to that position is probably 10 years away or more, if at all.
DeleteThe support needs to be higher than 50, it needs to align with a political party and leader that can convincingly win an election on a clear mandate by majority of voted and seats (and probably above 55% at least at that).
You can just about see actual Yes support creeping up to these levels but you need the political vehicle to be popular as well. SNP is in the labour 2015 levels at the moment.
Yet it was embarrassing to vote Labour for nigh on a decade, what did they get? 12% or something. Now on 35%. SNP in their low point unlikely to go that low but will they ever got as high as 55% which is needed again? Time will tell. And it'll be the best part of 10 years waiting on the cycle coming round again.
It could be argued though that all that needs to happen is for a Political Party to be elected on a manifesto commitment for a referendum to happen (like the SNP have been multiple times). With a Section 30 Order approved referendum option being blocked that then only leaves a defacto referendum. Independence polling at that point in time doesn't matter and we would be unnecessarily moving the goal posts by self imposing a set level upon ourselves before we can act.
DeleteThe time to shift the dial on independence polling would be in the subsequent campaign once we have a voting mechanism in place. The electorate would have voted for a referendum to happen, it would then be our job to convince them on the benefits of independence. History has shown that the biggest increase in support for independence happened during an active campaign when there was a realistic possibility of it actually happening.
Neh, you sad chaps are the real spinners. Of keech.
ReplyDeleteSupport for independence remains steady at under 50% and hasn't changed for a decade. It is the major relic of how dreadful whatever passes as the Scottish independence campaign is. A bunch of well-off pensioners chatting to themselves?
ReplyDeleteSupport for the UK was well over 50% but it has been declining and now polls show it is below 50%
DeleteThe only thing that will stop it declining further is immigration from the rest of the UK. Yet Scotland, being a colony has zero control over immigration.
Wouldn't that be domestic migration rather than immigration?
DeleteIf you see scotland as a nation with a polity, not really .
DeleteAnon at 8.47pm - it’s immigration.
DeleteIt is the major relic of how dreadful whatever passes as the Scottish independence campaign is. A bunch of well-off pensioners chatting to themselves?
DeleteWell-off pensioners are about the most Unionist demographic in existence
My word it is so stale: If we murmer enough, some more pensioners will join our crusade?
ReplyDeleteA little bit disappointing. My 'demographic drift' hypothesis, based on old unionists dying, and new independinista joining the electoral role, is 0.5% per annum. So we should be at 50%.
ReplyDeleteMy take on Scotland is the population in greatly older. With age comes conservatism. They are replaced by immigrants bringing them their meal on electric bikes and the whole thing is onderpinned by the financial business. We get pensions because people in Edinburgh sell insurance. We can't build ships outwith one BAE warship yard, so get used to it.
ReplyDeleteI don't buy the "voters become more conservative with time" argument. What actually happens is that left-wing voters tend to emigrate or die off younger, in part due to Conservative policies which have historically sought to maximise their electoral power base.
DeleteIn other words, more of the "I'm alright jack" types of the 60s and 70s are still with us, while fewer of their less fortunate classmates are. I don't doubt that some voters do become more conservative with age, but the idea that it applies to most or all voters has been a blatant lie - spread by conservatives for obvious reasons.
eh?
DeleteConversations at bus stops have thrown up just how angry some people are at Labour. All the usual topics - energy costs, benefit cap, winter fuel allowance - produce anger at Government in general and Labour in particular. I use it to push the fact that freed of Westminster Scotland would have control of its own considerable resources and its own policies. People are receptive. I am also callous enough to play on the fears people have about what is going to come down the line from Westminster. There is no doubt the SNP have a lot of ground to make up but the opportunity is there if they focus on pushing the solid grounds for Independence.
ReplyDeleteRevive the Referendum tactic of having shop queue and bus stop conversations about the good grounds for looking for Independence.
The SNP would need to avoid any more scandals/fuck-ups & unpopular policies between now & 2026.
DeleteCan they do that... I'm not so sure.
If the people at the bus stops are wearing green coats they could be Verdolians. So you can't believe a word they say. Niko knows all about them
DeleteAye austerity yet another union benefit
DeleteThat's drivel that you made up.
DeleteIf it wasnae fae guid aul' Gordy Broon an bitter together Darling we would hae sunk . They saved the world , I mean the banks, and made sure the wonderful bankers kept their bonuses . Osborne and Reeves have and are putting oor economy on a soond footing . They'll keep Scotland's resources flowing sooth. Dinae fash yersel aboot this independence stuff - Tory/Labour will keep us richt! And mak the rich richer .
DeletePerson goes to bus-stop in 1997 and talks to other people. About politics. And didn't get arrested. Fanciful.
ReplyDeleteI think that most people who talk to others at bus stops outwith when the next bus or very maybe the weather are candidates for a butterfly net and being sectioned.
ReplyDeleteYour world, thank goodness, not mine! I still have conversations with strangers and not a butterfly net in sight.
DeleteAnon at 9:20 pm: I thought you said in a previous post that you were leaving this "theatre of hate"? But here you are again!
ReplyDelete9.20 maun be a Britnat parrot .
ReplyDeleteAt least he won't be moaning that Elon Musk platforms wierdos.
ReplyDeleteAnons@9:28, 9:41, 9:43.
ReplyDeleteI draw your attention to the blog titled “Poll disaster for Anas Sarwar ……..”
Comment by anon@11:54am, 28th Aug.
Quite incredible that this is deemed acceptable, while reasonable comments get deleted!
One post and you're still wittering on aboot it . Diddums . It's Scotland that's the colony and is suffering from English oppression ( I am not blaming ALL English though ) . Unfortunately oppression will lead a minority to over react .
DeleteIf democratic movement
towards independence is thwarted there's a danger of even more over reaction. Solution: allow Scotland to decide her own future!
Unthirldom!
Childish comment.
DeleteAnonymous at 9-29
DeleteA tak it yer refferin tae 908
A dinae fully agree wi his post but he dis make valid points.
He’s obviously a unionist but it isnae exactly a child’s comment
Anon at 9.08am - only a minority wanted a EU referendum but it happened. Cameron only got 37% of the vote. There was no agreement that it was a once in a generation vote.
DeleteAnon 9.08 I know you know this but it has to be said here in case of any misunderstanding by other readers: No, the referendum of 2014 was not a once in a generation referendum. The Edinburgh Agreement lays out the parameters of the referendum. Have a read at it and you'll be surprised as to which side is getting the rough end of the stick.
DeleteIt's also worth pointing out that the only definition of a political generation in UK statute is 7 years as set out in the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
Delete7 years was seen as a reasonable amount of time between referendums in Northern Ireland on its constitutional status. Surely it should be the same for Scotland?
Given the history in Northern Ireland as well it would be a difficult task to argue the point that they should be able to hold referendums more frequently than us.
Anon 11.57 very good point.
DeleteWhen the sun goes into supernova one man will still be crying about the comment by anon@11:54am, 28th Aug
DeleteAt the last Scottish election labour came third. What manner of disaster are you anticipating?
ReplyDeleteI wonder if this will be Sarwar's spin if in 2026 they do fail for the umpteenth time to become the largest party. "Well, we were in third place last time! (also under me)"
DeleteNot quite getting more votes than the SNP looks a bit unlikely.
ReplyDeletethe only enemy Scotland has in the world and historically, of substance, is England
ReplyDeletethey are not your friends; they rob you, disrespect you, treat you like shit, then stand there grinning as if they expect you to be grateful, for the crumbs off the table, or to lick the spoon once London-Oxford-Cambridge has been sated.
as far as they are concerned we are the last "white negroes" and Scotland is the final colony, to be held fast, if for no other reason than the oil provides collateral for all their paper pushing financials, and makes sure the pound will always be worth something
Anon at 11.12. The poster you refer to is a unionist trying to create an anti English narrative to then allow him to claim that the Indy movement is anti English. He is a low life. Don’t engage with him.
ReplyDeleteI think some people are posting vile comments on here in order to be outraged by vile comments - possibly even an adult who should know better
ReplyDeleteIndead some of the comments are close to the bone. The worst and most vile are those that reference factual evidence of the SNP failure and point out how some of the SNP membership still adhere to the blind faith. Wheesht for indy.
DeleteWheeesht for Indy? What age are you. Grow up.
DeleteThe great union https://www.rte.ie/news/2024/0904/1468254-nhs-hse-northern-ireland/
ReplyDeleteLabour is falling already, when you think the Tories disaster in the polls started at about half legislature.
ReplyDeleteboth the SNP and Alba might have many cards to play
So your yearly pair of shoes off your council tax, your free paracemol, the 21 year-olds free buses, etc,etc, is going to be scrapped. Like this month.
ReplyDeleteSo Shona Robison looks like she should be sacked, and John Swinney has to blame his party's budget on 'Westminster', while the majority of the government look forward to unemployment in a year and a half.
ReplyDeleteSwinney might keep his seat in the deepy conservatine Mearns, but MSPs like human-mudslide Hyslop, the furry Israeli apologist, the small-town conservative light of God, and a bunch of people who have been there for 17 years and no-one has heard of are looking at being jobseekers.
ReplyDeleteThe SNP's conference has been completely overshadowed by them telling us they are going to close your library because they can't count. What a Hellslide.
ReplyDeletescottish governmennt ministers
ReplyDeleteSo the majority of snps MSPs are on £80 grand for being the Secretary For Happiness Mental Health And Cycling or somesuch, and they appear to think they work for the civil service.
ReplyDeleteAnd they are under attack from peoplewho get paid nothing.
ReplyDeleteIs it an historical reenactment meeting without 'what the fuck have we been doing for the last decade?' bit.
ReplyDeleteFit are you daein here then?
ReplyDeleteGrenfell another UK disaster that shows how the UK is a disaster of a state. It needs to end. It is not fit for purpose. Profit before people’s lives. Scotland independent can do better.
ReplyDeleteThe SNP aren’t fit for purpose.
DeleteThe SNP are not Scotland.
DeleteGood luck with that.
DeleteBack to living in mud huts, whisky for breakfast and grass for dinner you go.
Liar.
DeleteIt’s grass for roofs, smack for breakfast and whiskey for dinner.
Anon 3.oo . Broken record . Are you thick?
DeleteThick as duck mate xxx
Delete“Scotland independent can do better”
DeleteYou live in a fantasy world.
Indeed they gave no shame.
DeleteLife is full of coincidences. Craig Houston goes on to detail.
Some of life’s coincidences are.
A previous FM makes a donation to an organisation known to have terrorist connections. This was apparently against civil service advice.
Money donated by the country under the FM direction is our money not the FMs own personal money.
Due to a stroke of luck a day or two later some of the FMs relatives are allowed to holiday in Turkey!
As the weather was bad In Gaza..Hamas were stealing the aid and more of our Scots dosh got sent to an organisation associated with terrorising still against civil service advice.
The holiday weather was shite in turkey so arrangements were made to allow anyone from Gaza who was holidaying in Turkey to move to Jockland if the weather was shite.
In jockland the weather is great unless you are white.
Please do not assume that any of the above are connected on any way or infer that jiggers pokery may have taken place.
Offensive racism by English Britnats but it seems some posters only criticise any mild criticism of England.
DeleteBtl these days is full of colonial English Britnats who seem to think they are the master race and Scots who have a colonised mindset and are happy to grovel before their English masters.
Some of the comments aren’t just “mild criticism of England” though.
DeleteThere’s a few recently that are vile and disgraceful. Incredibly they’re deemed acceptable, while other reasonable comments get deleted!
I note anon @ 9.45am that. You do not call the posts above about Scots and Scotland vile and disgraceful. Perhaps you think they are ok?
Delete@Anon 9:12 am Such an embarrassing comment. Grow up.
DeleteJames .. did you delete that post that talked about the revs straight line graph and The prediction that wee Paddy Harvey May be get a circumcision for medical reasons?
ReplyDeleteStarmer says cutting the winter fuel allowance was a tough decision. Presumably giving the King an extra £45 million per annum was an easy one. That sums up the UK - not fit for purpose for most people but just fine and dandy for the rich.
ReplyDeleteA independent Scotland can do better.
It's not a tough decision to stop the wealth getting free money from the government.
DeleteAnon 12.27 .Simplistic crap !
DeleteAmon at 22.29 and 12.48pm must be that inarticulate Britnat troll called KC that James referred to.
DeleteKC @ 3.06pm you would say that wouldn’t you!!!
DeleteSwinney on FM questions, continuing to blame Westminster austerity for all of Scotland’s woes. Pathetic! The SNPs only line of defence these days, and people are no longer wearing it.
ReplyDeleteIt begs the question, how would we manage if we were independent, without billions of pounds coming from Westminster?
Roll on 2026, when we finally rid our country of these nationalist charlatans.
12.29 Anon.
DeleteDear Britnat , we dinae ken fit country you're messaging fae but you're no gannae convince onybody on here.
Look aroond you : Ireland , Norway , Denmark...all better aff than the busted flush of post imperial UK. Ireland and Denmark are wioot oor energy resources but are still miles aheid o GREAT Britain .
Post independence we wouldnae be dependent on the SNP or any one party-
We would thrive!
Unthirldom noo!
It’s widely recognised that independence would result in austerity on steroids for many years.
DeleteScotland's raw GDP is about 30% of equivalent peer nations - Norway, Ireland, Switzerland
Deletechronic mismanagement of the economy by England is not an argument for the union, rather an argument against it.
Independence, on day one gets you the full tax take to the Scots, not pocket money, grudgingly dished back at 50 cents on the dollar.
As for GERS
DeleteGERS is when the people who robbed you tell you how poor you are
12.29 " nationalist charlatans." Are you referring to British nationalists? We could dee wi a few less of them.
DeleteAye , austerity all roads lead back to Westminster . Brown and Darling let the bankers aff at oor expense .
ReplyDeleteCameron, Osborne and Clegg tightened the grip on all except the rich. May , Boris et al kept the stranglehold on us. Noo Starver is doing the same.
Scot gov can only fiddle aroon the edges. Mind a property tax on all the rich retirees coming up fae England might be worth considering.
LOL.
DeleteOnly the deluded and completely brainwashed fall for Swinney and the SNPs spin and deflection these days.
Anon 3.03
DeleteEven if that's true an the SNP are nae use , it does not detract from the fact that an Independent Scotland would be more than viable and we'd be far better off, culturally and financially , oot o the UK. Just like all the other countries that have ganged their ain gate!
If the SNP fail we need another way to independence. Or replace the present SNP leadership.
Could we be heading towards an early Holyrood election?
ReplyDeleteThe Greens are pissed off and have stated that they'll vote against the SNP's budget, Ash Regan by herself isn't enough to save the SNP & why would any unionist party vote to keep the SNP in power at this point?
The Greens are probably trying to screw out some further concessions .
Deletefree vaseline and condoms to the under 10s on the NHS?
DeleteAnon at 8.49 needs watched. Bizarre and sinister post, a propos of nothing.
DeleteIt's the UK that's doomed Daddy dear.
ReplyDeleteWings over the English city of Bath is that you?
ReplyDeleteProfits before people is the UK way. The Thames is literally full of shit. The UK is unfit as a state for all but the rich. It’s time to bring an end to this disgusting UK. Some people in the English West Country were even told not to use the water coming out their taps and bottled water was shipped in. Britnats wallowing in shit.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous at 8:39am,
DeleteWhat a saddo you are.
The SNP couldn’t run a bath let alone an independent country.
Only yesterday, Swinney blaming Westminster for Scotland’s woes once again. How the hell would an independent Scotland survive without the billions of pounds we get every year from Westminster?
People have had enough of this blaming the UK government for everything, it’s pathetic.
Make no mistake this rotten nationalist administration are going to get what they truly deserve in 2026.
They can’t even build a couple of ferries for God’s sake!
Rule Britannia, God Save The King.
Anon @9.04am.
DeleteFour things I noticed about your post.
1. You are a Britnat and you personalise your comment by calling me a “saddo”.
2. You do not dispute the facts of my post but instead go on a rant about the SNP. The current leadership of the SNP ( most of whom are Britnats like yourself) will NOT be in charge in an independent Scotland so your comments about the SNP are irrelevant.
3. Scotland does not get “billions of pounds from Westminster”. Westminster takes Scotland’s money and then gives some of it back . This has been happening for centuries. It’s called stealing. You say “we”. I very much doubt you are Scottish.
4. The SNP do not build ferries. It is a private company building them.
5. You say “ Rule Britannia” - a disgusting racist colonial supporting ditty.
Anon 9.04 . Note Scotland wasn't ever part of Britannia - the Roman province included present day England and Wales . Caledonia was an independent civilisation.
DeleteFool Britannia , Land of Dope and Tory !
Unlike the ferries the Britnat referred to in the post above the UK gov is responsible for building prisons and it can’t build them. Harking back to olden times when they used to send the prisoners to the colonies the useless Britnats are trying to find another country to take their criminals. The UK is not even fit for purpose for its criminals. It’s time to leave England to sort out its problems. It’s time to end the UK.
DeleteIt won’t be long before some Reform party Britnat bampot says send them to an island in Scotland.
we should deport the anglos to gruinard
DeleteLet's not forget the billions wasted on the parts of HS2 now axed . Huge environmental damage , ancient woodlands distroyed and communities disrupted for nothing . How much have we in Scotland contributed to this Britnat vanity project?
DeleteStuff the UK and the monarchy !
The free market speaks for the people of england and they have chosen shitty polluted water; this is the best possible water in the best of all possible reservoirs.
DeleteScottish water is allegedly "clean" (whatever that even means) and "soft" (we love our carbonates) but the fact is it is produced by a nationalised, socialised body - and NO ONE IN GODS OWN COUNTRY wants or desires your NAZI water; this is what we fought hitler for, for the right drink dirty water. As an englishman I am glad with everu gulp to know the package and pensions of our corporate titans are protected.
Dirty water can be economically productive, consider Flint, Michigan.
corekshun - should say "ruin an economy"
Deletefkn autocorrect - "RUN AN ECONOMY"
Delete'The SNP do not build ferries. It is a private company building them.' It's a nationalised shipyard owned by the Scottish government that probably no longer trades shares attempting to build the boaties. You and me own the shipyard.
DeleteAnon 4.36 And unionists do? I have to laugh.
DeleteAnon@5:24,
DeleteThe contract to build the 2 ferries was awarded to Fergusons by the SNP SG in an attempt to make political gain, which has, of course, backfired so spectacularly.
Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Ltd. Note the Ltd. The government may own it but it is still a private company and the government do not build ships. If I have shares in Coca Cola it disnae mean I manufacture cans of coke.
DeleteNevertheless anon at 8:29pm is 100% correct.
DeleteAnon at 9.04. God save the King???!!. Seek help you moron.
DeleteAnon at 12.06pm - all political parties in or out of government try
Delete" to make political gain " that is what they are supposed to do. In summary, it is a statement of the bloody obvious.
Anon at 1:27,
DeleteAye God save the King. And why not.
No seen anything lately mate last a saw she wis pit back anither month, bit o a disgrace a hae tad admit it’s embarrassing fir the government as weel
ReplyDeleteYep , they Britnats don't like the truth,.
ReplyDeleteYou're richt , it's nae guid fae the government's reputation . But at the end o the day fit dae ony politicians ken aboot building ferries? Nae muckle! Calmac / Semal et al need sorting oot.
ReplyDeleteAnon 1.24 Good to see unionists still being pathetic as always. Stay bitter.
ReplyDeleteSometime after it is towed to Poland or Turkey to be fitted-out properly?
ReplyDeleteThe SNP conference was a pointless drone-fest then we got Shona Robison going down like a lawn-dart. Will it get worse?
ReplyDeleteI had to google lawn-dart. Why would you use such an obscure reference?
DeleteThere’s nothing obscure about lawn darts, Especially in the summer months.
DeleteThe MSM are so bewildered by the state of the SNP they get people that were SNP MPs 6 weeks ago to slag-off the SNP.
ReplyDeleteThey also get them to war xherries.
DeleteAnon 5.36 Get help.
ReplyDeleteFour key staff were sacked from CMAL by the Scottish government after having been found to have been delaying the ferries production deliberately
ReplyDeleteBoth BBC and STV declined to report on the reasons for the sackings
Most responsible nations would be concerned that almost 50pc of part of it wanted to leave. They would be trying to deal with the problem to identify why and to do something about it. 48pc under the present circumstances is very good for independence.
ReplyDeleteAnon at 5.36. You are coming across as a bit of a Fanny, and your illiteracy doesn’t help. Take time out. Get an education. Mature, then come back.
ReplyDeleteEasy to check numptie
ReplyDeleteAnon@12:09,
ReplyDeleteYou are brainwashed and live in complete denial.
The ferry dabacle is an an embarrassment to this country and this rotten SNP administration are totally to blame.
Roll on 2026, when these charlatans will get what they so truly deserve, if they last til then that is.
Anon 12.17 You really need to grow up.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous at 3 52pm,
ReplyDeleteI know, James puts a positive spin on it, but as far as I’m concerned it’s a disappointing poll. You have to wonder what needs to happen before we get through that all important 50% how more folk don’t support indy I’ve nae idea, it’s frustrating tae say the least!
Good to see the King and Queen enjoying the Braemar Highland Games.
ReplyDeleteAye , nae doot Tearlach will be poncing aboot in his kilt.
DeleteAboot time we got rid o these scroungers and declared a Republic O Scotland.
Salmond says the SNP has to be an Independence Party or it's nothing.
ReplyDeleteIt's nothing then.
That's Sturgeon and her gangs legacy and they did it on purpose.
I agree it’s been a bad few years for the SNP, but Swinney’s been making positive noises on independence. I’m a bit more hopeful than I’ve been for a while. Hopefully we get some positive momentum in the run up to the ‘26 HR election.
DeleteMore crap from wee Tory IFS
DeleteMorning to Sturgeon loving nicophant Dr Jim at 10.10am. I ain't no Tory nor am I wee.
DeleteAnon at 10.38pm - " positive noises on independence " - that's the same thin gruel that Sturgeon, Yousaf and now Swinney have been delivering for 10 years now. Some independence supporters are easily pleased.
Just out of interest...how do you know Anon@10.10am is Dr Jim?
DeleteHe doesn't, he just calls everybody that who doesn't agree with him
DeleteAnon at 9.10pm - you are not Dr Jim but you are a lying troll.
DeleteWhat about all the money English tourists put into the Scottish economy?
ReplyDeletePlease don’t engage with this half wit.
ReplyDeleteBBC Reporting Scotland showing its allegiances when it interviewed Alistair " Manky Jaiket " McConnachie yesterday in Glasgow. This right wing extremist was kicked out UKIP for being too extreme even for them. The guy is a Hitler loving Holocaust denier and Reporting Scotland put up on the screen below his name " A Force for Good" . Disgusting and disgraceful.
ReplyDeleteOf course that's what the BBC does. That's their job. It's like complaining about water being wet. The best thing to do with the BBC is not pay the licence fee, never watch their output and never cluck on their "news" links.
DeleteI'll second that - Boycott the British Bias Corp !
DeleteNot a word on Reporting Scotland or STV news about the interview Fergus Ewing gave to today's Sunday Mail.
DeleteAnon @ 4:52
ReplyDeleteWeird comment. We've been "through that all important 50%" many times and given the electoral situation this isn't exactly a moment at which we would expect indy support to be flying high.
Mair than expectation my friend we will escape from Westmonster!
ReplyDeleteJohn REDACTOR MAN Swinney says the Scottish people want to pay for some sort of memorial for charlieboys mum. Swinney has been getting wined and dined by Charlieboy this weekend. Starmer and Swinney can find money for royal statues/memorials but it's cuts everywhere else.
ReplyDeleteSwinney ( the gradualist) says he tried to stop Sturgeon saying Indyref2 was going to happen.
Is there anyone who really thinks the Redactor man will deliver independence.
Swinney needs to be given a chance, he’s only been FM for a few months. He’s impressed me so far, and in fairness, has been making positive noises on independence.
DeleteHe needs to be given til the Holyrood election at least.
Anon at 8.16pm. He's had a chance. He chose gradualism which is the same as unionism. He chose to support Sturgeon and try to cover up her wrongdoing. He chose to grovel to charlieboy. He chose to support Matheson.
DeleteI note you don't say you believe he will deliver independence. So what exactly are you expecting him to deliver. Another SNP election defeat?
IFS bumps his gums and votes Tory
DeleteEvening Dr Jim at 9.13pm - so Jimbo what evidence do you have that I vote Tory - I'll answer for you - zero evidence - because I don't vote Tory. I voted ISP. So Jimbo you are lying again. On the other hand Jimbo you are a self confessed multiple assaulter of women and nicophant. What a strange person you are.
DeleteIFS @ 8:52pm, what I said was give Swinney a chance, at least until the HR election. No of course I don’t expect him to deliver independence. It would be unrealistic for independence to be achieved in such a short timeframe. We have to be in it for the long haul, but I feel strongly that John Swinney can steady the ship and the recovery will start under him.
DeleteAnon at 9.06am - a gradualist supporting a gradualist. Gradualism = never.
DeleteIFS, Not a gradualist, just being realistic.
DeleteSo you think independence can be achieved in the short term?
Anon at 9.25am - a majority vote for independence could have been achieved in the last 10 years. It still could be if we have the right political leaders. I stated in 2020 a real party of independence would have called the 2021 election as de facto referendum.
DeleteHe would have to re-float the ship first.
DeleteIIS - you really are the pits. Your anonymity of boring repetition of allegations protects you from defamation it seems to most viewers. Still for the rest of us it protects us for your rants. Who is ISP again? Did they get trounced by ALBA- which isn’t saying much.
ReplyDeleteAnon troll at 11.55pm - thankfully you don't say much because it is all gibberish.
DeleteAlmost half of the last dozen or so posts/replies have been by IFS. James needs to consider limiting the number of times Idiot for Scotland is allowed to post. His ignorance, infantile name calling, and personal abuse drag this site down. And before any of his wee band of supporters jump up and down, my comments are observation based on his conduct. Think about what that means before posting.
ReplyDeleteAnon troll at 9.36am. Since you have carried out such a scientific analysis care to tell us what percentage of the total posts on this article are from me and the percentage of anonymous posts. What is the percentage of posts from you anon troll. Oh that's right it cannae be worked out as you post as an anon. Handy that.
DeleteFreedom of speech isnae your thing is it when you don't like what you read. What type of person normally has this character trait?
If you think this is bad, swan over to WGD where it's the same folk all the time chatting away about stuff that never happens: secret plans, fancy graphs foretelling the future. Not for me. But if we're going to limit the number of answers people can give them five or six anons should about do it. Also any posts that say once in a generation should immediately be removed.
DeleteSwinney: I warned Sturgeon not to call for Indyref2 after 2016 Brexit vote.
ReplyDeleteJohn Swinney warned Nicola Sturgeon against using the Brexit vote to immediately demand a second independence referendum, a new documentary has disclosed.
Ms Sturgeon, at the time Scotland’s first minister, called a press conference only hours after the Leave campaign’s victory in 2016 to argue that another vote on Scottish independence was “highly likely”.
She said it was “democratically unacceptable” for Scotland to be taken out of the EU against its will, after 62 per cent of voters north of the Border backed Remain.
Now, Mr Swinney has told a BBC documentary he was “nervous” that Scots would not want another major constitutional referendum, only two years after the first independence vote.
Britnat Anon at 12.06pm - "once in a generation" is just Britnat wishful thinking and lies. Not surprised a Britnat agrees with a fellow Britnat Swinney.
DeleteIFS, was it not the SNP themselves that said the 2014 independence referendum was “once in a generation “ ?
DeleteI don’t think the penny will ever drop with some.
ReplyDeleteEach, let's leave IfS alone, he's entitled to his view . I don't think for a minute he's a Britnat as some have said . I can understand why he's pissed aff wi the SNP .
ReplyDeleteI don't entirely agree with him though and I still think it's better to sort oot the SNP. However , we do need to ken what the full truth of what went on leading to Sturgeon resigning . I am suspicious that the British state is involved somewhere and that op Branchform is being deliberately kept going.
Each was ach!
DeleteUnthirldom I'm not so sure we want the SNP back up and running again. They took control of the movement and ran it into the ground. Decoupling the SNP from yes can be a positive. A lot of folk who have stopped voting SNP can't return as a lot of their policies (the ones they do deliver) are crap. Honestly, their governance has been abysmal under Sturgeon and co. It's hard to keep voting for incompetence and policies you disagree with. It does depend on how the political landscape changes, but it does give YES the chance to wrest some control from the hands of a small group of self serving gits and clowns.
DeleteALBA, No more, Independent socialist republic of baurheid nae mair,….the socialist nonworkers nae mair….
ReplyDelete