Just a quick note to let you know that I have a new article at The National, giving a condensed history of the events that eventually led to my expulsion from the Alba Party on trumped-up charges, and my reasons for subsequently rejoining the SNP. You can read it HERE.
Good article, James.
ReplyDeleteNote Skiers BTL 'Welcome back, James' which is Skier speak for 'I told you I was right'.
ReplyDeleteSo you accept that the only way Scotland can gain its independence is to convince Westminster to allow another IndyRef - which you know will never happen. That is what rejoining the SNP means - do nothing on Indy.
ReplyDelete"So you accept that the only way Scotland can gain its independence is to convince Westminster to allow another IndyRef"
DeleteNo I do not accept that. Hope this helps.
Isn't it hard though when that's the current SNP position & you've likely seen people like David Francis in the comment section on previous blog posts arguing that's the only viable path.
DeletePositions change. Especially if party members push for it.
DeleteLike Angus MacNeil or Joanna Cherry? Hell we've even gone backwards.
DeleteIn 2022, Sturgeon was on the verge of embracing a de facto referendum, yet now that idea is dismissed as fanciful by most of the membership.
After everything we've been through in the last decade, the current messaging is little more than a vague notion of "hope." It feels as though we're still stuck on step one, just beginning the journey. It's frankly absurd when you consider the time that has passed—an entire decade of promises, mandates, court battles, and UK political chaos—only to find ourselves in the exact same position.
It's no wonder so many feel that if party members could push the SNP toward a bolder strategy, it would have happened by now. Instead, the persistent faith in the current approach makes you want to facepalm endlessly—it really shouldn't require such a monumental fight to bring about change at this stage.
Also seeing people say: We need to build support for independence by showing that the SNP can run things competently...
DeleteThat might be a good strategy when they haven't already been the Government running things for nearly 2 decades by the time of the next election...
"In 2022, Sturgeon was on the verge of embracing a de facto referendum, yet now that idea is dismissed as fanciful by most of the membership."
DeleteThis is the key point. It's sucked the energy out of the movement. I liked Nicola but this was a monumental error going to court without the full backing of the other independence parties and colleagues to pursue the defacto vote when the inevitable Billy British judges delivered their verdict.
Frankly, a disgraceful error which has left the movement bereft of ideas.
The defacto route still is the route required.
A single issue election campaign remains as fanciful as it ever was. And please stop typing Latin.
DeleteThe anons agitated by James rejoining SNP and/or progressing Indy would be better off over on the Daily Fail. Better for them, better for us.
Delete"A single issue election campaign remains as fanciful as it ever was."
DeleteI'm sorry, but it's your own faulty thinking to assume a de facto referendum is necessarily a "single issue election campaign". Start learning Latin.
For an election to be a de facto referendum, the party or parties for whom a vote is considered to be a Yes vote have to stand on just that single issue, surely? If the SNP run on independence, but also on Council Tax abolition (or whatever), who's to say that any given vote for them is for the former and not the latter? The result has to be unambiguous or there's no point
DeleteNo, I don't agree with that. A political party is going to go into an election with policies, that's a statement of the obvious.
DeleteWhen the SNP are asked "I support independence but not policy X, should I vote for you?", what's the answer?
DeleteIf the SNP say yes, what's the point of policy X being on there? And would the same answer be given to supporters of X who oppose independence? If so, a majority vote for that platform is no longer an undeniable vote for independence: "people just wanted X, not independence" would be the Unionist response to a majority result, there would be no way of proving them wrong, and we're no further along than we were.
If the SNP say no, they're restricting themselves to that subset of independence supporters who also support the rest of their platform. Tall order to get 50%+1 on that basis.
This is why a Westminster election is the best venue for a de facto, not Holyrood where the SNP have to put forward some kind of prospectus for government
So you support SNP1 and SNP2 in the 2026 election. Good luck with that failed strategy
ReplyDeleteSigh. For the seventeen billionth time, there is no such thing as "1" and "2" in Scottish Parliament elections. AMS is not a preferential voting system and the list ballot is not a second preference vote. You're getting it mixed up with STV, which is only used for local council elections.
DeleteQ: Should The SNP stop with the 'Vote SNP 1&2' messaging in that case? They tend to push it hard.
DeleteI've never heard them say "1&2" even once.
DeleteBoth votes SNP gets the message across.
DeleteFor what though?
DeleteBy 2026 The SNP would have been in power for 19 years at that point. Focusing on 'Hope' without directly linking that hope to something tangible happening with independence (more than just a rehash of the 2021 manifesto) could actually work against the SNP. As if independence isn't on the horizon then the only other kind of 'hope for change' at that point would be a change of Government. You can't really focus your messaging on hope when people think you'll just keep the status quo as it is. That doesn't motivate the masses to turn out & voter apathy could be a big problem.
Both votes SNP was the only vote that ever defeated the inbuilt protection against majority. Why are so many anons worried at that prospect?
DeleteIn 2011 The SNP's campaign was cohesive, focusing on competence in government (2007–2011), a clear vision for independence, and charismatic leadership from Alex Salmond. There was also a near-perfect alignment of constituency and list votes.
DeleteBut the system was designed to inherently limits the ability of any party to dominate both the constituency and regional vote. In 2011, the SNP’s exceptional constituency performance skewed the system, but such an alignment is incredibly rare.
Since 2011, the political landscape in Scotland has become more fragmented. The absence of Alex Salmond’s charismatic leadership and the challenges faced by Nicola Sturgeon’s successors have made the SNP's task harder. Internal divisions and policy controversies have also affected their popularity and after over a decade in government, voter fatigue may be setting in.
By 2010 Salmond had run out of Scottish Labour policies to implement. Laugh if you wish, but it looked very true.
DeleteAfter that I think he took up the mantle of Osbourne-in-Edinburgh, then referendums-Cameron came along and he started impersonating Blofeld.
DeleteI couldn't stand that Winnie Mandela either. Total pisstaker.
DeleteThe Albaites haven't learned anything from their SNP days about the pernicious nature of "Inner Party" (Politico not Nat) control and it seems you haven't either.
ReplyDeleteThere is not and will not be a pro-independence majority by virtue of the SNP bagging a significant minority of votes and seats.
Eh?
DeleteSNP plus Green plus Alba is majority right now. Hardly unachievable again at some point if not next time.
Key question people ponder though: They have a majority now, why do we need to wait until they get a majority again?
DeletePolls are just polls but they do indicate that a lot of SNP and Conservative MSPs will be getting sacked next year.
DeleteWe're not going back to the era and results of High Sturgeonism. A lot of the resources of 2014-15 have been eaten up. The SNP may (or may not, depending on "developments") subsist at a lower party political level. (And the Greens will no longer be regarded as the friendly, slightly eccentric "gardening wing".)
DeleteMakes you wonder: Why since 2021 have The SNP been so resistant to a Constitutional Convention? Their Party Members even voted for one to happen in 2023... why hasn't it?
DeleteIf the SNP truly want to progress independence then you only need to look at the large gap between their support and independence support in the polls to conclude that they can't do it alone. The only way forward is via cooperation and unity of purpose but the SNP haven't taken any steps to make that happen: Why?
It's not just Alba either, the whole Yes movement needs to come together but as supposedly the largest pro-indy Party it's up to the SNP to take the first step... they have the power to bring the movement together but have chosen not to. Again: Why not?
Good article, and well done the National publishing it.
ReplyDeleteI note the first comment btl from a poster who criticises the SNP a lot. That's fine, but the personal attack on you puts him to shame. There's no room for nastiness like that - it fits more from the Anons on this blog who are probably mostly one or two paid Unionists or a prehistoric AI.
On another subject, from the Herald:
ReplyDelete"New Reform councillor mulls Holyrood bid as Scottish Tories brace for more defections"
I suspect there's a missing "a" in a word there.
I would have liked to read the post but it is behind a paywall that I refuse to subscribe to on the basis that I stopped buying the National years ago.
ReplyDeletehttps://archive.is/vyCRc
DeleteAnon @9.03 Many thanks for the link. At first reading it appears to be an explanation by Mr Kelly for his reasons for leaving Alba (justifiably) more than why he has rejoined SNP. I shall read it again and apologise if I have misread or misinterpreted the article.
DeleteSorry, that was me. I stopped posting on the National when they wanted to charge me to post by taking out an electronic subscription. They lost their number 1 poster. I used to buy the occasional paper copy, but stopped after that.
DeleteCould you stop again YIR2? That would be nice. Ta.
DeleteVery good article, James
ReplyDeleteSo you are a DevoNat now. Promising Indy but doing bugger all to achieve it. #BothVotesWasted
ReplyDeleteWith all due respect, I didn't ask Alba to expel me on a bunch of ludicrous trumped up charges. In spite of my severe misgivings about Alba's strategy, I was committed to the party and was trying as best I could to help make things work. But once they expelled me, I had a choice to make, and I've made it.
DeleteHow is it waste though?
DeleteThe only party anybody takes seriously for independence is the SNP and its support at elections basically shows scotland's desire to be independent at that moment.
Swinney can't call a vote off the back of losing most of their seats in Westminster. All he can do is claim an SNP vote is a vote for another go at independence, nothing more.
Folk blame the SNP for doing bugger all. It's the electorate who call the verdict.
Um what about all those election victories from before 2024? Did they mean nothing?
DeleteAnon at 10.53. Please stop stating facts. It upsets the usual suspects.
DeleteAnon at 12.20pm - what are you rambling on about. Anon at 10.53 is expressing an opinion not facts. In my opinion it is a wrong opinion. Anon says a vote for SNP “shows Scotland’s desire to be independent at that moment” - absolute nonsense and typical of an SNP party viewpoint. Polls show SNP low 30% and independence above 50%. The difference is down to SNP failure to fulfil its promises - either on purpose or because they are useless.
DeleteAnon at 1.46. Why do facts worry and disturb you so much? And a wee piece of advice. Don’t use words like”absolute nonsense” when you are the one talking it. It makes you look really stupid. How are things over on WOS? How much have you given him?
DeleteHopefully less than £600K.
DeleteDon't think Stu has bought a luxury campervan yet.
Anon @3.41pm - fact - SNP low 30% independence above 50%. So yes it is nonsense punted by anon @ 10.53am. It’s just you don’t like the fact, have no counter argument and just post irrelevant stuff in reply.
DeleteYet. If Campbell buys a campervan it'll be with money his adoring mugs send him.
DeleteAnon at 4.20pm - after all this time do you still not understand the difference between 'ring fenced' donations and non ring fenced donations.
DeleteA laugh a day can keep the dotor away. Thanks to all the BTL posters who are keeping me in rude health.
ReplyDeleteReform have not put their shoulder the campaign wheel yet. I am defo going to be checking in to see James pole analyses..and to have a chuckle. All the best to you all.
Enjoy your pole dance.
DeleteI and many others will!
DeleteShould you not be out practicing your big drum for July?
DeleteJames I read your article. Regarding Sturgeon resigning I’ll post my opinion. Sturgeon needed an excuse to scupper the de facto referendum she had promised and that’s why she resigned.
ReplyDeleteFor most of the time she was FM she promised indyref2 to get votes and funds but continued to create reasons not to deliver it. She never had any intention of delivering indyref2 and John Swinney was with her all the way.
There also seems to be an odd view that following electoral success John Swinney would then suddenly resign because reasons and someone bolder on independence can take his place... because Leaders always resign after winning an election?
DeleteIt's a bit like saying that we need to keep voting Labour as they might one day fulfil their promise and reform the House of Lords. It doesn't matter how long it takes!
DeleteI think Sturgeon basically believed until the last minute Scots would back her and then she didn't.
DeleteI think Scots didn't back her to take the bold step. Even arseholes in her own party, Stewart "look at me lobbying and hobnobbing now" MI5donald were briefing against her.
Anon at 11.59. What planet are you on. Here the police were undertaking a politically motivated smear which is ongoing. She let us down on many issues, but resigning was the correct decision.
DeleteShe resigned before the police investigation started. Unless you're implying she was tipped off?
DeleteAnon @ 12.23pm - what planet are you on. Sturgeon had her pal as Lord Advocate and her pal as Chief of Police yet you think they “were undertaking a politically motivated smear”. Where is the missing money then? It’s the rank and file police doing their job and Sturgeon’s unionist pals trying to save her. The current Chief of Police for Scotland doesn't even live in Scotland.
DeleteYou have been watching too many American tv programmes. Chief of Police! lol. The ex FM her family have for decades supported independence. The smears by the pretendy purists is pathetic.
DeleteAnon at 1.20. I imply nothing. She resigned because of, inter alia, ongoing police enquiries. They were proving a major distraction. There are many things N S can be criticised for. The timing of her resignation is not one of them. Go away to the Daily Fail. More suited to you.
DeleteAnon at 1.33. Chief of Police? Did you miss the huge tent in the garden? Talk us through that you cretin.
Delete"They were proving a major distraction"
DeleteHow exactly when they only became public knowledge after Humza Yousaf took over?
3.36pm - if want a reply to a question it’s a good idea if you don't post meaningless gibberish.
DeleteAnon at 4.18. Is English your second language, or are you drunk, or both?
DeleteAnon at 3.45. Operation Branchform has been ongoing since 2021. NS resigned in 2023. Are you a liar or just an idiot, or both? I suspect you are both. If you want to lie feck off to WOS or Daily Fail. And wipe the egg off your face. Cretin.
DeleteI agree. It's time to turn the other cheek and focus on the positive and leave the naysayers behind.
ReplyDeleteWhat's actually positive atm?
DeleteWell, exactly. Despite James's article being titled 'Why I rejoined the SNP after four years with Alba', he only addresses the 'Why' in a single paragraph and it boils down to trying to save them, and indy from wipeout at HR26.
DeleteSwinney is offering nothing more than sit and wait so it's really up to Starmer and Reeves how the SNP do next year. Indy is by no means a dead duck, the opinion polls are still great. But, the political will has completely stalled.
We will!
DeleteThe pro independence party is STILL winning despite everything. That tells you the issue of Scottish nation hood hasn't gone away, it's merely resting.
DeleteIf latent independence support can coalesce around the pro indy party again, you never know what can happen
Resting is another word for squandered.
DeleteYep, definitely squandered the gravitas and tactical gambit of the defacto vote pledge by calling and not following through.
DeleteThat said if you called it and then genuinely thought not enough Scots would, in the present circumstances, see it as legitimate and not get over the line... what would you do?
It's not an easy call.
They may have looked at the circumstances and thought, wait another 10 years and we could be in 1997 levels of support for a constitutional change and time will be ripe then.
But there was no justification for thinking that. The increase in support for Yes over the last ten years has been modest, so why would it suddenly jump to 75% over the next ten years? Leaving aside freakish events like a Farage premiership, of course.
Delete"If latent independence support can coalesce around the pro indy party again, you never know what can happen"
DeleteKey word there: again.
Why do we need to do it again?
Sturgeon at one stage even said the SNP had a triple-lock of mandates. We backed them in multiple elections and it resulted in nothing happening.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. At this stage many need something a little more substantial than "you never know what can happen"
Get out and agitate instead of whining on here.
DeleteCampbell is only interested in Campbell. He should stick to English politics or reviewing computer games.
DeleteAnon at 12.12. Campbell is a self serving sociopath. He has no interest in Indy beyond lining his pockets with contributions from idiots and mouth frothers. How much have you given him? Be honest.
DeleteI note the negatives mainly coming from the 1.5%. It must be hard when they invested so much into ALBA only to discover it was actually it was a complete set-up. Independent minds were not welcomed which is quite curious in some aspects. I think some at the top so business opportunities and others believed in nirvana.
ReplyDeleteYou've identified that negative comment comes from 1.5% rather than around 20% who are pro-Independence, but turned off by the SNP?
DeleteClever you.
That's a key point, even the best polls for the SNP atm have them in the mid-30% range on the Constituency ballot. That's massively down from the 47.7%% they won in 2021.
DeleteBut they've never attempted to answer why that decline happened or implement changes/reforms to win that support back.
The approach taken by SNP supporters now is just issuing angry demands, desperately pleading or outright insulting those who've stopped voting SNP for whatever reason. All of which aren't exactly the best motivators to get people to vote for you.
some of the soft independence supporters particularly around 2014 that ticked snp jumped on the bandwagon. The same group jumped off just as easy when it didn't go the way they were promised. I think have independence on the HR election ballot paper by definition will raise the hackles of the britnats to ensure PR. Whether the ALBANISTS believe it or not I think they have miscalculated and in particular the ferocious and downright nasty internal haggling has made matters even worse for them. Regan will not win 1 MSP seat for them
DeleteThe 15 to 20% of voters who have deserted the SNP do not care about whether you think Regan will win a seat they want action on independence and the SNP have betrayed them after delivering multiple election wins/mandates for indyref2.
DeleteThat 15-20% shouldn't dare question The SNP. The SNP are entitled to their votes and if they don't like it: Tough.
DeleteIt's the SNP or bust and they don't need to bother trying to win people over. They're the only viable option and for that reason alone deserve your blind loyalty!
James, what do you make of this National headline:
ReplyDelete"John Swinney has said that a second Scottish independence referendum will happen "soon"?
https://www.thenational.scot/news/24866498.john-swinney-scottish-independence-referendum-will-happen-soon/
Reminds me of this: https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17340058.nicola-sturgeon-hopes-announce-indyref2-timing-very-soon/
DeleteFeel free to feck off to the Daily Heil, or get out and agitate.
Deletethe people who never did anything when they had the chance and the power
ReplyDeleteare now telling us - this time - THEY REALLY WILL DO SOMETHING - even though they won't be able to
sign me up
as long as you keep voting for us
Deletecivil service pension, 28% employer contribution and defined benefits
noice
Zzzzzzzz
DeleteThe Russian is back again.
DeleteEveryone needs to chill out and vote SNP. Simples.
ReplyDeleteWe all need to unite behind Peter A Bell. The man with a plan!
DeleteNot a chance and nothing James or anyone else says will persuade me. The SNP are devolutionists and, therefore, unionists.
DeleteAnon at 12.02. Why are you here? Feck off to the Daily Heil.
Delete"Everyone needs to chill out and vote SNP. "
DeleteThe mantra of the SNP Loyal and Blind.
Anon @ 12-28
DeleteYou'd cut off your nose to spite your face wouldn't you
(might be an improvement right enough).
SNP are a Unionist Party because they accepted devolution as the constitutional realisation of Home Rule. Those who support the SNP are 'DevoNats' because that is the reality. They have betrayed the Indy Movement.
DeleteAnon at 2.50. Why are you even on here? Away you go.
DeleteAnon 2.50 away back to the Daily Record.
DeleteFunny when people who work for The Daily Record posting unionist propaganda tend to end up as the SNP CEO?
DeleteAnon at 4.14. What’s funny about it? Unless you are a unionist troll?
DeleteThe unionists on here pretending to be independence supporters will never vote for snp or other independence party. Some of the 1.5% may vote SNP or not but this is peripheral from bringing back the abstainers from the past few years.
ReplyDeleteHow do you bring them back though?
DeletePeople who outline their reasons for why they've stopped voting SNP are just labeled as whiners, troublemakers or unionists in disguise.
When there's been a decline in support the only way to win that support back is to address the reasons why. That isn't happening.
Ach there's always the NPS !
DeleteVery good, comprehensive article, James.
ReplyDeleteAlba are not only electorally dead and buried with the overwhelming majority of Scottish Voters, it also seems to be even more of an unpopular, dysfunctional, hopeless, hate-filled clique than was previously thought.
For all it faults - and some are indeed huge - the SNP can and will be turned around a bit and can and will be the ONLY Party still capable of getting Scotland its self determination.
NO other Party is remotely caoable of doing that.
You made the RIGHT choice to rejoin!
"the SNP can and will be turned around a bit"
DeleteBecause you say so?
What you arguing is that Scottish Independence as a political movenment no longer exists. SNP are no longer an Indy party (for a laugh anyone prepared to argue they still are?). Scottish Greens were never an Indy party. ALBA you argue are not a political force of consequence. When you consider who we have lost politically Margo, Winnie and Alex you realise how poorly led the Indy movement is. Who will stand up and fight for Indy? When people answer the SNP you know we are truely fecked.
Deleteanon 231- well we know you won't. Wee carpy from the side-lines.
DeleteAnon at 1.54pm - it's not because David says so it's because he kicks asses in his secret SNP branch. That is so obviously going to turn the SNP around. Mind you he is only going to turn it around " a bit". Not sure how David's relentless vitriol against Alba helps turn around the SNP even a little "bit".
DeleteDeep down all these SNP loyalists who vent their fury at irrelevant Alba are pissed off with themselves for being taken for mugs by the SNP who they have given so much to over many many years. The truth hurts.
I see Swinney has gone from nothing happening because we need overwhelming support to Indyref2 soon. What is wrong with people that they keep supporting these charlatans.
No ifs. No buts. 19/10/23.
Anon at 2:31
DeleteYou don't half talk some pure shite, pal.
Try it on someone who actually gives a toss what you 'think'.
Ta.
I suppose that at least no-one in Alba has been charged with embezzlement yet.
DeleteYet.
DeleteDo you think Peter Murrell has got any tips on how to embezzle successfully?
DeleteAccording to you he has been caught, so pretty dumb asking him for advice? But of course you are.
DeleteAnon at 4.10. Read up on presumption of innocence, or ask your mum.
DeleteAlba are as good as gone right enough but the Greens are the turd that just won’t flush.
ReplyDeleteFact 1: There is a pro-Indy majority in Holyrood.
ReplyDeleteFact 2: This pro-Indy majority at Holrood has made no attempt to make progress on Indy, be it politically, legally or campaign at grass roots level.
Fact 3: Indy supporters now know that voting for the SNP, Scottish Greens and even ALBA is a wasted vote.
Conclusion: The Indy movement is leaderless, rudderless and politically homeless.
Fact 4. You are quite stupid. Sorted. No thanks needed.
DeleteFact 5. 3.25pm you are a troll.
DeleteAnon at 2:43
DeleteYou spout total, utter, unadulterated Bullshit.
Apart from that, good post.
Fact 6 David Francis is a troll.
DeleteAt least he eventually figured out that Dick Francis didn't sound good.
DeleteEh, no.
DeleteThat would be YOU, ya 'anonymous' wee nobody.
That would be you.
David Francis thinks he is a somebody. Naw he is an SNP hard man troll. Vote SNP or I’ll kick your head in.
DeleteWrong.
DeleteI am actually who I say I am, unlike an Anon Coward like you.
Big difference.
WHO are you???
The usual anon suspects are in panic mode. They were asked a question. Response? Nil. Back to WOS/Daily Fail for you lot. They love you. And your money.
DeleteAnon at 5.07. You are the only person discussing violence. No surprise. Was that you in George Square?
DeleteAnother carping nobody. Maybe even the same person. So tell us Einstein- what is your great plan for independence in the next week?
ReplyDelete"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again (voting SNP) and expecting different results" - Einstein
DeleteWe're literally being asked to vote SNP for independence, the onus is on those seeking those votes to explain how it will result in action.
DeleteVoting for Alba 😂
DeleteCan an SNP member ever answer a direction question or is deflection all they've got left?
Delete4.59pm - deflection and personal abuse is all they have got.
DeleteWrong.
DeleteWe also still have the MOST Members and votes of any political party in Scotland, the MOST popular political leader in Scotland and the realistic prospect of not only again taking the MOST HR Seats in 2026, but KEEPING hold of Scotgovt for another 5 years.
Meanwhile, Alba have.....................S.F.A.
'Change things' to what???
Delete"but KEEPING hold of Scotgovt for another 5 years"
DeleteAnd doing sweet feck all for 5 more years. No thanks.
David you keep arguing that the SNP are the best Party to hold onto power... but are sketchy on the details with what they will actually do with that power that's different from the last decade?
DeleteThe ultimate goal isn't just to win elections & keeping our fingers crossed.
The Anon @ 3:52 PM is right.
DeleteYou win votes by explaining how voting a certain way will change things for the better. The devil is in the detail etc.
But some (David included) are essentially just arguing to Vote SNP so that they can have power for its own sake. Blind faith and hope frankly won't cut it. .
The Alba/WOS brigade are in panic mode. They were asked a question. Still waiting for their answer. Silly billies. Campbell needs your money. Give generously.
DeleteNope The SNP needs your money. They still owe Peter Murrell for that loan & he will probably be needing cash soon.
DeleteNicola also needs a good divorce lawyer, trying to claim that luxury campervan won't be an easy task!
David Francis that post at 5.19pm sums you and your ilk ( I know you like that word) up. It's not about independence just winning elections. The Britnats are more than happy if Swinney is in power. They know like Sturgeon he will do nothing about independence.
DeleteWOS and pretend Indies out in force today. Good comedy.
ReplyDeleteBelieving John Swinney will deliver indyref2 soon: hilarious.
DeleteThe Alba/Wings/ISP/NSP/Barcelona Boy bubble all pissing in the wind.
DeleteMore so than SNP members "fighting" to change the Party? 🤣
DeleteAnd here two of them are. Get a life guys. They will love you on WOS and Daily Fail. Off you go.
DeleteCould always go to The National instead to read headlines like: John Swinney has said that a second Scottish independence referendum will happen "soon".
DeleteAnd they say political satire is dead!
Britnats back in 2015 used to insist that independence supporters must wait at least 10 years before indref2 now we have SNP loyalists saying we must wait another 10 years. Swinney now churning out contradictory/ unclear messages on independence.
ReplyDeleteBeing fooled once is not shameful. But being fooled time after time by the SNP leadership................
No ifs. No buts. 19/10/23.
I think Swinney has more important things to worry about.
DeleteA dinosaur opines.
DeleteI doubt that dinosaurs feature on Swinney's list of problems, or independence.
DeleteAnon at 4.00pm - what is Swinney trying to cover up now?
DeleteHis laughter at the state of Alba ?
Delete4.46pm - more likely his laughter at numpties believing he will ever deliver independence.
DeleteNo ifs? If only .
DeleteAlba supporters believe in dinosaurs. Explains a lot.
DeleteAnon @ 6.21pm is a dinosaur denier. Explains a lot. Next thing this anon will be saying that the universe was created in 7 days. Explains a lot. 0bviously left school after P3.
DeleteAnon at 6.45. The world created in 7 days? Tell us more. You have been handed your arse on a plate several times already today. Back to WOS for you. Give generously.
DeleteAnon at 7.09pm - I suggest you go to night school to make up for the schooling you missed.
DeleteIf this is the state of education under The SNP...
DeleteWe have to have a democratic majority, cast with all the previous false promises of moving towards independence behind us, in order for it to be legitimate. Holyrood '26 is our next opportunity.
ReplyDeleteTo mean anything solid a strategy for detachment from the UK has to be out there in the campaign. It has to be a real strategy that will end the authority of the rUK in Scotland. A strong campaign for this strategy will put the SNP back on track or smash it wide open. The former would be better but the latter would at least get the endless prevarication of the current 'suits' out of our way.
Withdrawal of MPs, currency plan, central bank, stretching the powers of Holyrood, putting out recognition feelers abroad etc etc. it's not difficult to see an outline. What we seem to lack is the clarity of vision and the will.
It's long past time - let's get on with it !
I don't think that that what stands as the independence movement has tried to speak to anyone but themselves for a decade. They do like arguing with themselves, though.
DeleteSpeak for youself, mate.
ReplyDeleteAs a long-standing SNP supporter, voter and member, I certainly welcome James back into the fold - and so does just about every other member I have discussed this with.
You talking to an imaginary friend in your imaginary SNP branch.
DeleteI wouldn't be surprised if that woukd-be Italian from Family Fortunes is in the Alba Party. Con man.
ReplyDeleteWho can ever forget Sturgeon's promise to Scots on Jan 31st, 2020?
ReplyDelete"In the first instance we will invite Scotland’s elected representatives – MSPs, MPs, the MEPs elected last year and council leaders – to come together to endorse a modern Claim of Right for Scotland through a new Constitutional Convention."
It would seem the forgetful are the SNP leadership. The SNP leadership have made countless promises on Indy - all broken. Why should we believe any promises made now and in the future?
Ach, there's always the NPS .
DeleteNot promises. They tried everything remember, Humza said so:
Delete'Nicola Sturgeon is by a country mile the smartest person I know. If there was a quick way of getting our independence, trust me, Nicola absolutely would have found it.'
Andy - and that is the person the SNP members elected in 2023. A person who mentally had already run up the white flag of surrender.
DeleteSo tell us what we do!
Deletewhite flag of surrender- fantasy albanists telling lies again.
DeleteReally is getting harder and harder to tell the difference on here, between Albaist-Amoebas and Yoon-Yaks.
ReplyDeleteThey are virtually interchangeable in any case and will have exactly the same effect - absolutely none whatsoever.
IFS, his aliases and cronies are rapidly losing the room on here and they like it not one wee bit.
Albaists, in particular, will need to find somewhere else for their conspiracy-laden greetin faces, Wings Wankers nihilists will slime back to that particular sticking midden.
And pollution-levels on SgP will, consequently, drop like a stone.
As a constructive aside, James, I think it would be both beneficial and productive for our Movement, to have a a closer collaboration between yourself, Kavanagh and maybe even Small, moving forward.
Is David Francis now James special adviser. You know like Liz Lloyd was Sturgeon's or does James still make his own decisions.
DeleteWell are you David?
What is your SNP branch David the ex Labour supporter?
Mate your posts come across like a drunk man in a pub loudly shouting that everyone who doesn't agree with you is an idiot.
DeleteYou don't post anything constructive and just proclaim that we all need to vote SNP because reasons. Then you find an excuse or deflect to avoid answering those who ask what happens after the election that will be different from the last decade?
Perhaps David Francis wants to be James's 'thought partner'.
DeleteAnd you come across as a spoilt wee Anon Brat, hiding behind your obscurity.
DeleteNo Anons in my pub, pal.
Don't worry I'm sure you'll be off out to the theatre if someone asks you a difficult question.
DeleteWrong.
DeleteHappily sitting in lounge watching Celtic game.
Try again.
Perhaps you could get James to start supporting the hoops?
DeleteAsking David to answer a difficult question 😂😂. He can’t even answer a simple question to prove he is an SNP member and not a phony like KC. Name your SNP branch.
DeleteAnon 7.25. Now that's a headshot!
DeleteEh......leg me get this right - a few ANONYMOUS posters on here - who won't even supply their real names let alone any other personal details - get upset because I won't tell them which SNP Branch I belong to???
DeleteLol!
Grow up ya bunch of Invisible Inbreeds.
Someone's sliding down a shame spiral. Pity you stepped off the trail of trust.
Delete
ReplyDeleteRe: “Happily sitting in lounge watching Celtic game”
Looks like someone has found their intellectual level.
Yet David says he is from Aberdeenshire. David supporting the Labour Unionist club Celtic who had Dr John Reid, ex Labour Home Secretary as its Chairman and others like Labour Better Together man Jim Murphy, ( I don't like eggs) as a prominent supporter. Being an ex Labour supporter David probably feels at home.
DeleteEggie Murphy AKA Nosferatu.
DeleteLol.
ReplyDeleteI certainly would never try and compete with an wee Anon's intellect.
NB - See if you can remember yer own name next time.
Thanks awfully.
David Francis seems to be nothing other than a shit stirrer.
ReplyDeleteAt least he is everyone's pal. Nice friendly guy. I hope that Richard-David's team did well.
DeleteOnly if you are a wee Anon Shit.
DeleteThat's the spirit Richard-David! Very drunk yet?
DeleteThe British Labour party's unique selling point in Scotland used to be " who else are you going to vote for - the Tories."
ReplyDeleteThe SNP and their loyalists like David Francis have turned the British Labour USP in Scotland in to " who else are you going to vote for - a Unionist party".
The same shit under a different badge.
Self serving politicians and a self serving political party.
There was actually a time when you were laughed at and ridiculed for saying you were planning to vote for The SNP as they were considered a "wasted vote".
DeleteLabour were the dominant Pary in Scotland for decades, it was always portrayed as being a straight choice between them and the Tories. If you disliked the Tories your only viable option to vote for was Labour! SNP? Might as well spoil your ballot!
It's sad that the SNP now show many of the same signs Labour did. That same sense of entitlement and ridicule of others. They don't need to give tangible reasons to vote for them anymore, they deserve your backing purely because they're not unionist and supposedly the only viable option.
As the quote goes: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it".
“The British Labour party's unique selling point in Scotland used to be” the only effective alternative to the Conservatives -- says IFS.
ReplyDeleteNo, that was only true for urban Scotland.
LibDems were the alternative to Tories in rural areas, across both the Borders and the Highlands & Islands.
The YES movement has not exactly gone out of its way ever (?) to attract LibDem current and past voters. Instead, it has tended to treat them with contempt.
This is a missed opportunity, there are Yes votes to be won, eg as evidence a Yes group of LD members has existed in the past - and for all I know still exists.
Very interesting blog James
ReplyDeleteNobody believes that's your real name. Try harder next time you invented a ridiculous moniker, bud.
Delete