The most dispiriting aspect of the controversy surrounding Dave Doogan is that it's given the controversial Somerset-based "Stew" blogger an excuse to yet again trot out his barking mad fantasy about how the SNP supposedly turned down a chance to get an independence referendum in the 2017-19 parliament by refusing to do a deal with Theresa May to support her Brexit deal. To reiterate yet again, such a deal would have been completely impossible, because:
* The SNP couldn't have delivered the goods for May arithmetically. There were still many Tory MPs who were obeying the whip on Brexit votes at that point out of standard party loyalty, but for whom a deal with the SNP potentially paving the way for Scotland to become an independent country would have been the final straw. May would have been left with fewer votes for her Brexit deal, not more.
* It would never have got to that point anyway, because May herself would never have entertained a deal with the SNP. The sanctity of "Our Pweshus Union", as risible as it seems to us, was one of her few core beliefs and she would never have compromised on it.
To turn to the potential deal with Reform that Dave Doogan was asked about, it's true that we can't say the arithmetic wouldn't work this time because the question is predicated on purely hypothetical arithmetic. But even if a deal was arithmetically possible, think about what it would actually entail. It wouldn't be a 'once and done' affair of voting to install Nigel Farage as Prime Minister - paradoxically that's the one vote that wouldn't be necessary, because under the UK system Prime Ministers are appointed by the King, not elected by Parliament. It would mean SNP MPs voting day in, day out to implement Reform's far-right agenda for potentially three or four years, or however long it takes to hold an independence referendum and subsequently negotiate an independence settlement. Even a more limited confidence-and-supply deal would mean voting in favour of the main essentials.
Now, of course we all know why Stew is utterly baffled as to why there is any problem with that - he's gone full fascist and thinks implementing far-right policies is a completely normal thing to do and that no reasonable person could possibly disagree with it. But that's certainly not the centre of gravity in Scottish public opinion, and if in the run-up to any independence referendum the main party of independence becomes associated with implementing soft fascism...well, whisper it gently but that might just possibly have a detrimental effect on the Yes vote, because voters will make inferences about what the values of the politicians running an independent Scotland will be.
By the same token, the chance to escape an impending Reform government is one of the USPs of the independence movement at present (again, Stew may find that baffling but it's true just the same) and it's a statement of the obvious that the SNP failing to rule out propping up a Reform government would mean throwing that advantage away. So of course Dave Doogan has done the right thing by clarifying his remarks.
Tommy Shepherd says defacto referendum is not the way forward. It's obvious the only SNP plan is a Section 30. This is not a party of independence, surely everyone can see this now.
ReplyDeleteStu should create the Wings Party he promised and lead Scotland to freedom !
DeleteSNP should create a new party and lead Scotland to freedom like they promised. The present one don't want indy.
DeleteAnon 2:21 Go ahead, what's stopping ye ?
DeleteI'm no the SNP. I'm anon 2:21.
Delete“ surely everyone can see this now” sadly that is not the case but it should be based on the evidence available. Independence will go nowhere until “ everyone can see this “.
DeletePeople don't take the Wings Man seriously. Fair enough but I have a top tip for him . That will make people sit up and pay attention. The tip works for Everybody and I have been trying it out for months.
DeleteIt's a variation on the old Alustair Darling trick of making yourself the centre of attention by speaking so quietly that people ask what you said and everyone stops speaking to listen to you.
My technique is to put a G at the end of some words. E.g.
"Could I have ag cup of coffee please?" or a very hardcore "Listen tog meeg forg ag moment".
People really sit up and notice!
Tommy Shepherd says defacto referendum is not the way forward.
DeleteI don't suppose he told us what would be?
Keaton it’s a secret you know.
Delete@ 5.39 pm
DeleteFFS. Get back on your meds.
I think the only point at which the SNP had leverage to extract a deal to the advantage of Scotland was immediately before Boris Johnson’s “Get Brexit Done”, crash election. Johnson was still dependent on Theresa May’s deal with the Ulster Unionists. In reality, his “oven ready Brexit” depended on “putting a Customs barrier in the Irish sea”, at least that’s how the DUP and their fellow travellers regarded it and they were dead against it.
ReplyDeleteThere are four customs posts in the deal which was eventually signed. The EU are only concerned with large scale movement of goods, effectively HGVs etcetera, to deal with large scale smuggling, tariff evasion, phytosanitary and veterinary health concerns. Larne ferry terminal, Belfast docks, the Belfast airport which handles freight from the UK, and Warrenpoint container terminal.
Four customs points for the 1.9 million population of Northern Ireland equates to 2.1 customs point per million people.
A Scottish & Northern Ireland entity would have a combined population of 7.4 million. On a pro rata basis that would “entitle” it to 15 customs offices.
Northern Ireland wouldn’t require Larne anymore as it only handles HGVs originating in Scotland. That would leave 12 customs posts to cover the transit of goods from England to Scotland. Minus three possibly four airports and the Euro Central, rail freight terminal in Lanarkshire, that would leave 7 customs posts along the Solway Tweed border. There ain’t that many HGV suitable roads along that demarcation line.
We could have gotten the deal described by the Tories as the “best of both worlds”. Instead, Sturgeon stamped her wee feet and skqueeemed “No Brexit!”.
In any case, Johnson got his supermajority and railroaded the Northern Ireland deal through against the objections of the DUP etcetera.
If we had gotten the Northern Ireland “carve out”, folk would have become accustomed to the idea of a policed border between Scotland and England. It ain’t the big deal Unionists make it out to be. It’s perfectly normal for sovereign states and with a UK, Irish Republic free travel zone, a principle that massively predates even the Common Market, it would only apply to the commercial transit of goods. Margaret Curren widnae need a passport to visit her nephew in London after all.
getting what you want out of people you don't like and are your enemies - IS THE HEIGHT OF POLITICAL SKILL
ReplyDelete- if the devil himself was offering indy, you would be best to give him a hearing
if the english want to vote in reform to destroy their own country that is their democratic right
indy and indy alone restores our democratic right to have a government of our own choosing - never you mind what england wants to do to itself
Can't argue with that.
DeleteThe English vote Reform and we end up Farage. Nice one.
DeleteThat's what happens without independence. Got Burnham and only a handful of Mancunians voted for him
DeleteGive Farage a hearing ? The second word is "off".
DeleteWhen have the SNP been afraid of voting through deeply unpopular policies? They spent the entire last term digging a massive grave for themselves over GRA reform.
ReplyDeleteThe GRA reforms were not some reckless culture-war crusade. They were a well-balanced initiative to simplify an intrusive, medicalised legal process in the transgender space while retaining a statutory declaration.
DeleteNor was this Nicola imposing her personal obsession. The final Bill passed Holyrood by 86 votes to 39, with support extending beyond the SNP to MSPs from other parties.
The reform transformed the lives of people. Nicola handled this bravely and with principle. A long-developed equality reform in the human rights space that Nicola rightly believed was right.
The situation is much more complex that the legislation voted on in Holyrood, and once it became clear it was going to be used as a basis for political point scoring the SNP should have embarked on a damage limitation exercise, on the basis that it was a matter that could be revisited shortly after Independence. Instead, they handed the unionists a never ending supply of ammunition that continues to this day. A complete shambles and so damaging. And please spare me the usual matter of principle/ high moral ground nonsense. The aims of the Holyrood legislation are further away now than ever. N S, in her private moments, realises this herself, thus her self imposed exile. The occasional public utterance is for self selecting audience consumption.
DeleteAh yes. The great strategic doctrine: only pursue principles until your political opponents start criticising you, then immediately abandon them and promise to be brave later. Apparently Nicola’s real mistake was failing to realise that the purpose of government is to deny the opposition “ammunition” rather than actually legislate for policies you believe in. And the claim that this poster knows what Nicola “realises in her private moments” is particularly impressive. Political analysis by a clairvoyant. Her withdrawal from frontline politics conveniently presented as proof of whatever argument happens to be required. The line that “the Unionists attacked it, therefore she should have surrendered” is hardly the critique of her leadership this apparently clairvoyant poster thinks it is. Nicola was and is far better than that.
DeleteOh dear. Touched a wee nerve have we? N S has already conceded the import of what I said. And no I am not leading you to it. Take off the blinkers and read for yourself. You explain so much about where the SNP and the move towards Indy are right now. You just do not grasp what you are doing. But hey, I’m sure you showed mummy your post and she is very proud of you.
DeleteOh my word, scraping the bottom of the barrel there alright. The old “Nicola definitely conceded my point, but I’m not telling you where do your own research” line. Devastating stuff. Nothing says command of the evidence quite like announcing that the evidence exists somewhere, refusing to produce it, and then confidently declaring victory. And apparently any SNP supporter disagreeing with your supposed great wisdom "explains” the current state of the SNP. Nicola really should have phoned you and just asked what to do. As for “take off the blinkers”, that’s especially delightfully exquisitely delicious coming immediately after some amateur mind-reading nonsense about what Sturgeon supposedly thinks “in her private moments”. Apparently we no longer need evidence when discussing Nicola: simply imagine what she secretly believes, announce that she agrees with you, and chastise everyone else for lacking objectivity. And finishing with the “showed mummy” line? Good gracious, when the evidence is overwhelming, naturally the so sophisticated political analyst abandons it entirely and heads straight for the primary-school playbook. Sorry, but I’ll stick with the unfashionable approach: judge Nicola on what she actually did and legislated for rather than the imaginary private confessions people conveniently write for her whenever reality refuses to cooperate with their argument. Nicola deserves nothing else.
DeleteIt is in her book you cretin.
DeleteOh my word, the “it’s in her book” line. Well, that certainly narrows it down. Only several hundred pages to search for the passage you apparently know well enough to cite, which vindicates the poster's dubious line, but mysteriously not well enough to quote or give a page number for. And naturally when asked for evidence, “you cretin” is the argument that the anti-SNP poster thinks finally settles the matter. Does the poster have any argument that argument progresses on from "you cretin"? No.
DeleteYou haven’t read it then? What a surprise. Give up. You attempted to be a smart arse and you have been handed your arse on a plate. I suspect you are the only person on here who doesn’t realise what a complete idiot your have made of your self. Unfortunately for you you come across as an incredibly stupid individual. If reading a book is too demanding for you try to listen to some of her interviews. And spare yourself further embarrassment. Come back on when you know enough to apologise.
DeleteGee. That’s an impressively long victory speech for someone who still hasn’t managed to provide the quotation, page number, interview or indeed any reference whatsoever showing that Nicola conceded your point. But by all means keep substituting insults for evidence. Nothing defends your claim quite like refusing to substantiate it.
DeleteI enjoyed seeing “NS realises this in her private moments” evolve into “it’s published in her book, you cretin.”
DeleteSome people just have a form of derangement syndrome when it comes to Nicola and to the SNP.
DeleteGoodness the cultists arrive mob handed. One of them needs to check the meaning of big words before he uses them. Hilarious. And not one of them has read the book!
DeleteGoodness the cultists are out in force. And not one has read the book. That is surprising. And one of them needs to avoid using terms without first checking their various meanings. Oops.
Delete2.38pm is delusional nicophant. Probably one of Sturgeon’s pals. Sturgeon will be remembered for wanting a double rapist to serve time in a women’s prison. Just to be clear she will remembered not in a good way. The fake who came out as non binary after she left office. She didn’t get most votes for her bampot policies she got them to deliver independence.
Delete3.16pm it was clear to anyone but the most fanatic trans activist that Westminster would block any self id law. A complete waste of time that was bad for the SNP and Scottish independence. Like so many things Sturgeon delivered ZERO.
Delete3.42pm says: “ Nicola deserves nothing else”. She deserves to be in prison.
Delete4.38pm says: “ some people have a form of derangement syndrome when it comes to Nicola “ . Correct it’s a cult called Nicophantia.
DeleteIncredible that there seems to be at least one nicophant who is claiming not to have read Sturgeon’s work of fiction. Must be waiting for the paperback version to hit the bargain books bucket. Come on cheapskate give your Nicola the full hardback retail price. Daily Sauvignon Blanc and cream cakes in the West End of London is not cheap.
DeleteAh yes, what wit and sophistication. The oh so devastating case against Nicola Sturgeon: ZERO in bold letters, prison, Nicophantia, cream cakes and Sauvignon Blanc (as though there is something wrong with that). Truly the Declaration of Arbroath or the Plato's Republic of our age.
DeleteApparently, defending legislation passed by 86 MSPs from five completely different parties makes you a raving cultist, while repeatedly inventing childish obsessive and purile nicknames for Sturgeon and obsessing over her alleged choice of cakes and wine is the very essence of calm, rational intelligent political analysis. Who knew?
And, naturally, according to this great sage, UK blocking Scottish legislation proves Sturgeon achieved ZERO. Because nothing demonstrates her failure quite like the UK Government having to jump over hoops and bust a gut to intervene to stop what her government actually succeeded in passing.
Do keep the “Nicophant” material coming, though. Every repetition makes the accusation of other people suffering Nicola derangement funnier.
Nicophant at 6.42pm I don’t need your permission to post anything. Why don’t you post as Top Nicophant.
DeleteYou post is absolute nonsense. The UK never had to jump over hoops and bust a gut. It was easy and obvious they would do that just as they did with the recycling stuff. I said on SGP that was what would happen. All a complete waste of time and money other than losing a lot of votes and pissing off a lot of people.
I say ZERO because I want independence. You disagree because, like Sturgeon, you want rapists in women’s prisons
The raison d’ etre of the SNP was independence. Sturgeon made it redesigning toilets while keeping secret her personal interest in the matter. The FM that couldn’t see a large motorhome sitting in a driveway. The FM in charge of a nation but couldn’t see the fancy goods appearing in her house or the Mont Blanc pens. The very same FM that nicophants boasted about her command of all the details.
Nicophants IFS's latest cliché.
DeleteNumpty at 7.49pm - I’ve been calling out nicophants on SGP for years. Where have you been? I know - on the dogging site where a lot of nicophants hang out. The people who used to refer to Murrell as Peter. As if he was part of their family.
DeleteDon’t be shy. You should post as Top Numpty. Anonymous makes you seem, well, anonymous. Stand out from the anon crowd. Be brave. Display your status.
ifs - saddo of the year/ decade.
DeleteThe N S brigade have gone quiet when faced with the simple question "have you read her book?". None of them have. She accepted that she handled the gender process badly. They deny something that is a fact. They exhibit that dangerous mix of stupidity and ignorance. Their silence now is the first sensible thing they have (not) said. Arses on a plate.
Delete1.53pm says: “They exhibit that dangerous mix of stupidity and ignorance “. You can add to that cult levels of loyalty.
DeleteReading any book is probably a rare event for them.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with the SNP 'doing a deal' with UK Reform to get a referendum. If you won a referendum and UK Reform are in power, you'd have to 'do a deal' with them over the terms of independence anyway.
ReplyDeleteIndependence first. Then choose your politics.
Otherwise we'll keep getting the government England votes for.
Doogan was right the first time.
Can't argue with that either.
DeleteIf controlling one’s own borders from an invasion is right wing. Count me in
DeleteIs that you, MSP Kerr?
DeleteAnon at 3.16. You clearly haven't read Nicola's book.
ReplyDeleteA tight fisted nicophant.
DeleteTommy Shepherd says that James's idea of a defacto referendum is bonkers. His plan is to build support until it reaches some undefined level then - I suppose - ask for a Section 30 pointing out the massive support the SNP have built up. He sounds really enthusiastic about pushing for independence.
ReplyDeleteTommy Sheppard is being astute, strategic and sensible, not unenthusiastic. Calling recognising that declaring an election a “de facto referendum” doesn’t magically oblige Westminster to recognise the result is called political realism.
DeleteHe has been one of the SNP’s most articulate advocates for independence, comes from a very deprived background, and an asset to the movement.
Arguing that the SNP must first rebuild sustained public support is rather more credible than pretending there’s a constitutional shortcut nobody has previously noticed.
The SNP’s job is to persuade Scotland, build an undeniable mandate and then force the constitutional question back onto the agenda.
Dismissing that groundwork as "insufficiently enthusiastic" substitutes rocks for brains and surrender for strategy.
Sad how low those who hate the SNP will stoop, but not surprising.
Tommy is highly regarded both in the SNP and in the wider public arena.
DeleteTo sneer about "shortcuts", you first have to be offering a long route that will actually take us to the destination. You aren't.
DeleteWhile building long term support is a goal, exploiting an opportunity should one arise may be more realistic.
DeleteThe Sturgeon led SNP failed miserably at this between 2016 - 2022.
The SNP’s job is to persuade Scotland, build an undeniable mandate and then force the constitutional question back onto the agenda.
DeleteHow do you build a mandate without putting the matter to a vote? Is the plan really to wave Survation results in Westminster's face? It sounds rather like it is
Anon at 5.26pm that would be the same Tommy Sheppard that I saw give a rousing speech pushing indyref2 NOW in Holyrood park, Edinburgh after an AUOB march in the previous decade. These people have been found out as charlatans that jump on the wagon that is most likely to keep them in the lifestyle they have been accustomed to.
DeleteYou do not built long term support by trying to introduce policies that the public will hate and will 100% be overruled by Westminster anyway. It just makes Westminster look better. You do not build long term support by overseeing criminal activities and no comment answers at Police interviews. These are the actions of someone undermining the support for the SNP and/or Independence. If that was not the intention then Sturgeon is clearly an idiot. It’s Sturgeon the idiot or Sturgeon the criminal betrayer.
Keaton you are posting quite a few sensible comments these days. These people are posting a load of pish dressed up as a plan or a strategy for independence. Their only plan is to waste time for another 5 years until the next election.
DeleteGet real. Tommy has spent years making the case for Scotland’s right to choose its own future, and his commitment to independence should not be questioned simply because his view of the best strategy has evolved. He comes from a *very* deprived background and deserves credit for what he has achieved. The SNP remains the principal political force capable of turning support for independence into sustained democratic pressure for constitutional change. Tommy understands that building a durable majority requires persuasion, patience and a strategy capable of carrying the wider Scottish public with us. That **isn’t** abandoning independence.
Deleteifs makes out he alone is the pur independence supporter yet exhibits the traits of a brit nat covered in a saltire. Dangerous agitator yet has continually failed.
DeleteNicophant at 7.07pm what is this “ strategy “ you refer to. Oh wait is that the secret plan that Swinney is supposed to have. I guess you won’t tell me as it is a secret. Nicophants used to claim Sturgeon had a secret plan hidden in her purse. It turned out to be a Mont Blanc pen. Footnote: a plan is not a strategy.
Delete“Sustained democratic pressure “ you say. The SNP vote has massively decreased and its membership has dropped from 125k to 50k. Nothing sustained there. Westminster cares nothing for Scottish votes/democracy. Just another waste of time.
Your argument that someone who has come from a “ very” deprived background has to be correct and a good guy is just more of your absolute pish.
Numpty troll 7.20pm no idea what a “ pur independence supporter“ is so can’t agree or disagree. Sadly you exhibit the traits of a simpleton. Your last sentence is definately hilarious. Never been called dangerous before never mind dangerous agitator. You been watching James Bond films.
DeleteHow many of your multiple personalities do you use when you writie umpteen posts pretending to be different people IFS. Your sad atention seeking is so obvious.Time you got a life or a hobby.. Although maybe this mince is your hobby
DeleteHis other hobby is having a ham shank to pictures of Farage!
Delete11.10pm and 11.56pm are very unpleasant cowards. I post as Independence for Scotland. You post as lowlife anons. The only people covering up their posts are anons like you. Time you stopped hiding in the anon shadows or stay a coward.
DeleteI see 7.07pm has not told me the SNP strategy he claimed Tommy was following. Is it written down somewhere?
DeleteMy reply was probably one of the lowlife anons at 11.10 and 11.56pm.
De facto blether is just a coping mechanism to make independence supporters feel better about their failure to make independence overwhelmingly popular. It's not going to happen, but a major political party running a single-issue election campaign would at least be hillarious, and Count Binface could say that he has twice as many election policies (and they are more relevant).
DeleteDr Jim @ 8.53.
DeleteAnon 3.34. Bet you agree with forced marriage too. 27 children aged 5 and under referred to the government unit dealing with this between 2021 and 2025. Aye Islam really is the religion of love and the likes of you don’t bother about who’s coming into our country. Shame on you and folk like you
ReplyDeleteHi Tommy. How are things in Benidorm?
DeleteBeats me I’m in Fawkirk, and u?
DeleteSure ye are.
DeleteCorrect
DeleteAnon 4.49 we could keep the likes of Trump, Farage, wee Yaxley Lennon and similar cranks out of Scotland.
DeleteNone of these Britnat politicians will EVER agree to a sec 30. That’s it. Not now not ever. Therefore Campbell’s idea that it was a missed opportunity is just plain wrong. I mean Farage’s party is called UKIP. Just to repeat it’s got UK in the name. It’s not the Scottish Independence party. It’s the UK independence party.
DeleteThis is all just, to quote yesindyref2, a squirrel
Some numpties think Campbell expelled me from his site. Perhaps I told him he was a numpty to suggest this course of action as it was a non starter. Perhaps I didn’t 🤔😂. Instead of focussing on me these numpties and nicophants should think about why the SNP are doing nothing positive about independence. Carrots, squirrels and bad policies are what the SNP deliver since Sturgeon’s gang took control.
6.09 Are you standing outside a hotel?
DeleteMmmm, eh? Oh right, IFS is right - Farage is indeed a squirrel.
DeleteWe're only faking fans, for Nigel. We only want much less, of him.
6.09 is standing outside the hotel in Falkirk wearing his black shirt and waving a cheap union Jack
DeleteWell my wife and I have told both my daughters not to take a walk up Callender park alone. Better being safe than sorry don’t you think especially as one of your friends in that hotel was jailed for rape of a young girl in Falkirk. Collateral damage to you leftie do gooders ae.
DeleteThe Cladhan hotel in Falkirk is no longer getting used for illegal immigrants and will now probably be demolished.
DeleteWhat happened to breaking the log jam?
ReplyDelete9.41pm The SNP added more logs to the pile.
DeleteYou don't want to make jam with my logs.
DeleteI don't think I've ever read anything interesting by Tommy Shephard.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing wrong with the idea of an election being a de facto referendum, since Westminster is blocking the right of the People of Scotland to self-determination via a referendum by normal means.
A successful result could:
1). lead directly to Independence
2). lead directly to a referendum to confirm or establish the majority for Independence
3). put enormous political pressure on the blocking (mother) State - the UK. And not just externally, but from the people of the rUK who mostly believe in democracy
Much would depend on the strength, bravery and resolve of the Scottish Parliament and Government. Over to you, John Boy.
One other thing - the Scottish Government should not dismiss ANY potential initiative, but give some credence to all the ones out there. That way it splits the forces of the opponent who has to try to establish counter-attacks against all of them, which will at times, be highly contradictory as in, strangely enough, the infamous Annex A by Crawford & Boyle back during Indy Ref 1.
Morning yir2,
DeleteThanks for the links you gave last week re independence.
They did go a wee bit to explaining the “merits” of independence. However I think you’ll agree some of the really important issues have never been addressed in a satisfactory way, in order to persuade more people to back independence.
You and me will never agree on this issue, and clearly neither of us will ever be persuaded to switch sides. We’ll just have to agree to disagree.
I can however see that you’re one of the decent ones on here. You’re not into this anti English stuff, and you’re not continually dishing out insults or calling most that post on here “numpties”.
KC says “ in a satisfactory way”.It will never be satisfactory to people like you.
DeleteYou just need to look at where Independence has proved to be a complete disaster, so many examples out there such as Poland, Ireland, the USA, Australia, Estonia, Czech Republic, Iceland to know that Independence never works and never will work.
DeleteI see the Daily Record is punting another VOW. Get 60% regularly in the polls and you get indyref2 is the gist of it. Until then set up a new talking shop to agree the 60% figure. It’s just a ruse to kick independence in to the long grass and give people like Swinney and Shephard a few more years until retirement on the gravy train. If 60% was ever achieved they would move the mark to 65% then 70%. Westminster isnae known as Perfidious Albion for nothing.
ReplyDeleteCampbell backs the Britnat initiative. He is wrong to do so. It’s just another squirrel. Not sure if the Britnat Murray Foote is involved this time. Who would have thought that the SNP would have had an embezzler then the man who penned the infamous VOW in 2014 as its Chief Executive.
The so called nice guy Burnham is showing he is just the same as the old guy but with a smile on his face as he tells Scotland, Wales and N. Ireland to get back in its box. These people are bred to believe they own us.
How about getting 50% regularly first! Like with all polling companies, including YouGov and Ipsos!
DeleteKC back on again with his usual pish. 2014 the polls were under 30%. for independence and there was a referendum. 2016 the polls were under 30% to leave and there was a referendum. They are called precedents.
DeleteWho gave you KC the right to dictate when a referendum can be called.
Anon@8:40,
DeleteOh dear, got out the wrong side of the bed have you?
You’re not Ifs posting as anonymous are you by any chance?
No answer KC trots out his trite stuff about getting out of the wrong side of bed. KC is not a numpty just a weird Britnat troll.
DeleteThe Big Dug Mr Kavanagh has swallowed the Daily Redcoat bait but only if the bait is 55.3% not 60%. In a democracy if a party is elected with a mandate to hold a referendum it should get on and hold a referendum. Cameron held the EU vote after 37% voted for him. Not 55.3%. Not 60%. What’s the difference - he is England’s PM that’s what.
DeleteKavanagh is accepting Scotland is a colony with no real democracy.
This is gerrymandering just like the 1979 vote.
Wouldn't bother about the Record IFS, it has an ever shrinking readership, and it's ideas are as dumb as someone from the indy side suggesting a photo of lots of people with their hands up for indy should trigger a referendum. England will never LET us go, they got a fright last time. It's up to us to push them to the limits. James's defacto referendum would do that. Once that's been conducted (if successful) we can say all routes have been exhausted and go from there. That's why Shepherd doesn't want one - no more tricks in the bag.
DeleteAs for Kavanagh, I don't know why you'd go there - there's no discussion just a clique.
DeleteIfs going on about Scotland being a colony. WT going on about a “de facto” referendum!
DeleteDear oh dear, what nonsense!
It's Tomlin again @ 10.44 and 10.47. You're a think plank of wud Tomlin.
DeleteGot the wrong man anon 11:24 I'll accept the thick plank comment though.
DeleteWhat a clown WGD is, his most stupid article so far. "55.3%".
DeleteIt's 50% + 1 vote is all that is needed for Independence.
And the principle of self-determination requires no hurdle we have to jump over, we have the right to have a referendum whenever or however, we want.
Spot on yesindyref2
DeleteYesindyref2 at 12.34pm once you accept anything but 50% + as a benchmark then it just opens the door for the Britnats to keep increasing the acceptable figure in the future. Your post is spot on yesindyref2. You cannae trust Westminster or sneaky Britnats like KC.
DeleteNever mind WT or KC this is the place for this shit.
DeleteAnd TK, you can take it to the fucking Max
DeleteI am fucking Max.
DeleteIt used to be Theresa May that said now is not the time. Nowadays it’s SNP politicians who say that. It’s never the right time according to Britnats.
ReplyDeleteDr Jim @ 8.44. We won't be fooled Dr Jim.
DeleteSurely not is not the time to say now is not the time.
DeleteSend for ATLS !
DeleteBig day for FM Swinney as he reveals his programme to govern (within the restrictions of the devolved settlement). Smart move to have a slimmed down Cabinet. Sends the message of “pain shared” as he takes a scalpel to public sector administration while trying to leave the delivery of actual service intact.
ReplyDeleteMake no mistake, the Civil Service will fight any attempt at reform. They are already leaking to the media about alleged bullying from Jenny Gilruth. These folk widnae last five minutes in the private sector. They have protections the rest of us can only dream of. Personal KPIs negotiated and agreed with their line managers as opposed to being imposed on them. And yet they still whine when they are politely asked why they never met their targets (probably via a Zoom meeting as they work from home as the stress of attending work is too much for them and they need their emotional support animal present).
Swinney is starting with the NHS, regional Health Boards. Reducing them from 14 to 5 (or two according to some accounts). That’s as near to a 100% saving per position jettisoned as you get.
Abolishing CMAL and the Water Industry Commission for Scotland wouldn’t be quite 100% saving per feather bed sinecure. CalMac, Scottish Water and the Civil Service would have to assume some administrative duties, but it would be close to total efficiency.
Swinney should lay aside his scalpel when it comes to Creative Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland and pick up a chainsaw instead.
Oddities such as Zero Waste Scotland could be utterly abolished and no-one would notice (except the middle class parasites “employed” in it, who have been enjoying an extremely comfortable lifestyle for decades without producing any tangible results).
That scratches the surface of the public sector cuts the government need to make - maybe £200MM out of £5.4 billion. 20,000 redundancies has been mentioned. We'll see if he has the balls to tackle the ever-increasing collection of universal giveaways and make them focused on those in need, but I doubt he would go that far. But when there are about 10 times the number of civil servants per head of population as there are doctors, he has plenty of leeway.
DeleteAnon at 4.49 or alternatively we could keep forced child marriage,sharia courts,fgm and other Islamic delicacies out of Scotland or don’t you agree.ps who the fk mentioned Donald Trump except you. Idiot
Delete
DeleteJohn Swinney’s slimmed down cabinet has a “grown up” look to it. A change from the days of Queen Nicola when appointments to the Royal Court were made based purely on personal loyalty.
Ivan McKee has an extensive business background and should do a good job of pushing through the necessary reform of the public sector.
The ever present Angela Constance from previous regimes should be given a chance. Insiders reckon that she’s diligent and hardworking. She shouldn’t be judged entirely on past performance. It’s not easy working under a clinically deranged, dictatorial, narcissistic.
I hae ma doots aboot Shirley-Anne Somerville (the ultimate supplicant and human shield (after the permanently glaikit Shona Robison who is no longer an MSP) for Wee Nippy) but she may surprise us all yet.
Neil Gray and Jamie Hepburn (Hepburn isn’t actually in the Cabinet as such) appear to be on personal missions to determine whether smugness has a critical mass. Never, ever allow these two men to be in the same room at the same time!
McKee is really sharp. We coul do with more like him.
DeleteAnon 10.45 Hello Rupert McLowe !
DeleteAnon at 9:23 Quite the Thatcherite
DeleteJames, I'm sure you'll join me, as will many others no doubt, in condemning the concerning and disturbing recent actions and behaviour of the now disgraced former poster commonly known as British Irish liar Skier. A character with no moral compass, very little integrity, highly questionable ethical principles, or indeed even a shred of decency.
ReplyDeleteIf you say so, Stu !
DeleteCan you be more specific? What did he/she do?
DeleteWe see you ifs stu
DeleteHow dare anyone have an opinion other than yours IFS. Time you got a life
Delete2.30pm time you stopped seeing me everywhere. You as well 1.43pm. Not me at 11.22am. Get a life. Seek treatment for your obsession problem. Also show some courage and stop posting as anon cowards. Even Dr Jim has grown a pair and has posted as Dr Jim on SGP.
DeleteI have no idea what 11.22am is talking about. However I know Skier is a tiresome twat just like you anons.
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Dr Jim @ 3.39
DeleteSir Keir Starmer is to stand down as an MP and trigger a by-election. Starmer took Holborn & St Pancras with 48.9% of the vote so it should be safe. Starmer will now “focus on international affairs”.
ReplyDeleteColour me shocked. It follows a pattern.
When Helle Thorning-Schmidt lost her status as PM of Denmark, she resigned rather than stay on the opposition backbenches. Thorning-Schmidt was rewarded shortly afterwards by being given the position of CEO of Save the Children with a handsome remuneration package. Thorning-Schmidt’s stint as Danish PM was marked by the Danish Security Services bugging Angela Merkel’s phone at the behest of the American NSA.
When former Finish PM Sanna Marin’s party lost its majority status, she resigned as a MP rather than continue to serve her constituents. Marin took up the position of strategic adviser at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Conflict (surely Change?). Marin took Finland into NATO and broke off all economic ties with Russia. Finland now has the highest unemployment rate in the EU.
Starmer will be well rewarded for his steadfast support of Kiev and his cheerleading for the genocidal regime in Tel Aviv.
Very nice seat. Rumour that David Miliband is interested.
DeleteShould the CEO of Save the Children have a very handsome remuneration package. Somewhat goes against the spirit of it doesn't it. What happened to charity especially from those that are already affluent.
DeleteChildish post - CEO salaries are a market rate.
DeleteMarkets and market rates are for commercial entities. Charity is about donation, giving and providing relief pro bono not some slush fund for over the hill politos.
DeleteAnon @ 4:24
DeleteHelle Thorning-Schmidt was gifted the post of CEO to Save the Children International. It was NOT advertised. Thorning-Schmidt is on the Boards of ten, globalist thinktanks, including Atlantic Council, Council on Foreign Relations, Berggruen Institute, Schwab Foundation and Palo Alto Networks. That last one is a particularly sinister outfit linked to the Israeli military.
John Swinney is once again showing exactly why Scotland needs his steady brand leadership. This refreshed team is packed with talent and sends a message that the SNP is focused relentlessly on citting waste and delivering for the people of Scotland. John has the experience to bring the party together, drive forward serious reform and keep Scotland moving towards the future. John and the SNP offer purpose, competence and an unshakeable belief in Scotland’s potential. He is ready to get on with the job, an SNP ready to deliver, and absolutely determined to put Scotland first.
ReplyDeleteSelling Swinney at 2.23pm by a Marketing consultant. Independence for Scotland nowhere to be seen in that blurb. John the Redactor a good local manager is what it says.
DeleteDr Jim @ 3.17
Delete2.23 Never have words been so detached from reality. There is practically no political talent at all in the Scottish government these days. Big John himself is the only 'heavyweight' and he's been little more than a careerist hanger-on for most of his time at Holyrood. The rest are a who's who of bureaucratic incompetence with zero charisma. Mairi McAllan could be replaced tomorrow with a Chinese humanoid AI bot and few would notice.
DeleteIf they all phoned in sick for the next four years it wouldn't make any difference.
Scotland’s way out is pals: not talking to our owners
ReplyDeleteI’ve been in and around politics since I was a teenager and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, and that is that I don’t know everything because no one will ever tell us everything, If you’re not in the job you won’t ever be told
No democratic strategy to gain our independence will ever be possible when dealing with the English, they would tell the lord God himself that neither now or ever will be the right time
Independence for Scotland cannot ever be won by talking to the English on any level whatsoever, it must be taken with the co operation of as many foreign allies as Scotland can muster then presented to England as a fait accompli following an internal Scottish parliamentary vote which will satisfy our allies that all democratic procedures have been taken, to which England will still reply in the negative, but by then the world’s media will have reported on the proceedings which will leave England in the position of being seen as hostile aggressors if they do not capitulate to democracy as recognised by the rest of the world, then Scotland can have a referendum of the people free from England’s interference
England must be publicly forced into the position of agreement using our allies or they will never acquiesce
It’s that or the old fashioned way, and the world and general public will never accept that unless England starts it
Talk to England and we’ll still be talking in the next 300 years, that’s if there’s a Scotland left to talk about
Acquire a keyboard with a full stop.
DeleteThis is too negative - the SNP are in fact working positively towards implementation of independence but these ideas contained in this post are in fact not something that the SNP has not considered or thought carefully about in its strategy unit.
DeleteNasty Dr Jim
DeleteScotland has no pals, just ask Billy.
DeleteThe way things are going there won’t be a Scotland we recognise in 30 year far less 300
ReplyDelete"Reform UK, what's not to like?" Yours, the Reverend Campbell
DeleteHi All
ReplyDeleteWe'd like to present a very exciting opportunity to all of you at SGP.
We are launching a new fundraiser for an Indyref 3 push via our innovative and transformative Remurrelefendum fund.
The fund has been designed to the highest specifications of investment efficacy and efficiency. We'll ensure there's a lot of ring fencing of donations with diamonds, rubys and emeralds gold and platinum merchandise from some very cost effective if not entirely legitimate sources. Funds will also be invested in specialist campaigning vans designed with the latest cloaking device features embedded in them to prevent them being seen on driveways for security purposes. These will enable us to travel the length and breadth of Scotland drumming up support for independence especially in rural and tourist areas as well as a few trips to the South of France, Italy and Spain to ensure international awareness and support for our cause and widespread recognition when the time comes. We'll also invest to ensure everything is straight, straight talking, straight dealing, straight up and acquire appropriate equipment to effect this. Not a curl in sight. And at no point will we charge the fund for any time that is wasted in kitchens.
We welcome all investment and donations but especially large and significant ones from anyone who has come into some money recently.
Remember to achieve independence, you need to invest in independence and we have provided the special purpose vehicle accordingly to enable you to do so.
Cape Diem - Let's seize the day
Yours sincerely
Sturgeon 'N Pete
Probably worth a cheeky pizza or two punt but don't sweat it! Now who's giving me my afternoon tea,
DeleteOver on the dogging site the ultra loyal nicophants are dreaming of the good old days when Nicola ruled the world. One actually posted that they would love Sturgeon to say she was making a comeback in order to scare the Britnats. Delusional dogger.
ReplyDeleteThey are all defending the fact that Nicola never said 60% was required way back in 2015. I don’ t remember that either and tend to think it was yet another BBC lie. Numpty anons are always saying move on to me. This lot are way back in 2015. The best laugh is that John the Redactor actually said a figure in the order of 74% was necessary only last year but the doggers ignored this fact. These people ain’t very bright and have a selective memory but hey they are loyal to the extreme.
I’m surprised Kavanagh didnae organise a raffle with Sturgeon’s book the only prize.( paperback of course ). He is a money making machine. It’s not too late Mr Kavanagh. Fill your boots.
I shall never vote for Sturgeon IFS.
DeleteHi James
ReplyDeleteFantastic to see the blog and comments are back and you moving away from the Youtube stuff, it really is your USP and your raison d'etre. I really hope you achieve your funding targets, so SGP can continue for many a year, I know I'm going to contribute what I can.
The idea that the SNP would make a deal with Reform UK was always ludicrous. In reality, neither party want anything to do with the other. Nor can either party be seen to do a deal with the other, since their respective supporters hate each other. Oh, and ideologically it makes zero sense. In fact, in toto it makes zero sense.
ReplyDelete