Rural Scots raise fears over new Highland Clearances because of Brexit 18 Mar 2019 at 11:14pm
Scots living in some of the country?s most remote areas are bracing themselves for a 21st century Highland Clearances, amid fears over plummeting funds and the devastating impact of depopulation.
Speaker Bercow 'sabotages' May's Brexit plan as Government left in further di... 19 Mar 2019 at 12:01am
THE Commons Speaker has ?sabotaged? Theresa May?s Brexit plan as he stunned Westminster by insisting, with just 11 days to go to exit day, that the Prime Minister could only resubmit it for a vote if she made substantial changes.
Orkney's lifeline ferry service facing cuts, union warns 19 Mar 2019 at 5:00am
ORKNEY?S lifeline ferry services are facing job losses and cuts as a result of a ?perfect storm? of ageing vessels, an ageing crew and a historic funding shortfall stretching back three decades, union leaders have warned.
Hundreds of Scottish police officers on standby for Brexit 18 Mar 2019 at 4:00pm
Police in Scotland will be ready to respond to any emergencies during an ?unprecedented set of circumstances? following Brexit, a senior officer has said.
MPs to quiz PM over Brexit delay and whether DUP will back her deal 18 Mar 2019 at 2:40pm
THE House of Commons will this afternoon quiz the Government over the prospect of a short or long delay to Brexit as Theresa May seeks to win round Northern Ireland?s Democratic Unionists to support her revamped deal.
New Zealand cabinet backs tighter gun laws 18 Mar 2019 at 9:28am
New Zealand's Cabinet has backed changes to gun laws in the country just three days after 50 people were killed in shootings at two mosques in Christchurch.
Christchurch terror attack shows why we must must confront racism ? Kezia Dug... 19 Mar 2019 at 6:00am
The defining image of last week was perhaps New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern, mourning in Wellington with the relatives of some of the 50 people massacred by a white supremacist. I thought I would welcome a break from Brexit in the news cycle, but not for these horrors.
Brexit: John Bercow throws Theresa May?s hopes of a deal into disarray 18 Mar 2019 at 4:28pm
The government’s dwindling hopes of passing its Brexit deal have been thrown into disarray by the Commons Speaker John Bercow, who dramatically ruled out a third vote unless there were substantial changes.
Nicola Sturgeon: Theresa May is ?shortchanging? Scots for DUP deal 18 Mar 2019 at 4:04pm
Nicola Sturgeon has accused Theresa May of undermining the Scottish Parliament and “shortchanging” Scots public spending over Brexit in a damning letter to the Prime Minister.
The Great Coincidence by Rev. Stuart Campbell 17 Mar 2019 at 11:08am
Several media outlets today relate a story from BBC Scotland’s fascinating three-part documentary of the indyref, revealing that secret UK government polling in the first week of September 2014 gave Yes a lead even bigger than the famous 51-49 one published by the Sunday Times on the 7th. And naturally we couldn’t help wondering what might have caused …
Not too wee and not too poor by Rev. Stuart Campbell 17 Mar 2019 at 9:24am
Dr Craig Dalzell of the Common Weal is a very sharp guy we’ve run several pieces by on Wings, and he’s currently appearing all over the place with a highly accessible and concise explanation of how an independent Scotland could sensibly run its economy. If you haven’t been able to make it out to see him, a …
What the hell now? by Rev. Stuart Campbell 14 Mar 2019 at 7:24pm
So, some official and very brief Wings analysis, because we just watched an army of pundits on the TV all missing the bleeding obvious and talking as if a delay to Brexit was now a done deal. After tonight’s series of votes in the Commons, all five of which were technically won by Theresa May, …
The end of the rope by Rev. Stuart Campbell 14 Mar 2019 at 5:00pm
Guy Verhofstadt, leader of the ALDE group in the European Parliament (essentially the Euro Lib Dems), is by no means our standard go-to guy for political guidance. Like most European politicians he’s been criminally silent on the outrages being perpetrated by the government of Spain, and in general he’s a bit neoliberal for our tastes. But his …
The Plague Houses by Rev. Stuart Campbell 14 Mar 2019 at 2:20pm
For some time, most polls for “Who’d make the best UK Prime Minister?” – the stat that really decides who wins general elections – have shown a solid lead for “Don’t know”, narrowly ahead of Theresa May and a long way ahead of Jeremy Corbyn. It’s a prime symptom of a UK-wide contempt for politicians the magnitude …
A trick we?ve seen before by Rev. Stuart Campbell 13 Mar 2019 at 12:10pm
The Scotsman is delighted to have some bad news to report: So, the number of teachers is falling, right? Well, no. Alert readers who know how to interpret the Scottish media might have had warning klaxons blaring in their heads already, on account of the Scotsman’s inexplicable comparison to 2008 – a date of no particular …
The ugly game by Rev. Stuart Campbell 12 Mar 2019 at 10:43am
Tonight sees what’s likely to be a highly-charged Scottish Cup quarter-final replay at Ibrox Stadium. Defeat will effectively end the losing side’s season, and games between the participants, Aberdeen and Rangers International, have tended to be fierce affairs ever since the latter club was formed in controversial circumstances in 2012, with this season’s clashes already …
One way or the other by Rev. Stuart Campbell 11 Mar 2019 at 11:26am
Good luck making sense of this one, folks. When we asked people in our latest Panelbase poll how they would vote if another EU referendum was held tomorrow, Scots were even more Remain than they were in 2016 – the results were a resounding 66% to 34% in favour of staying in the EU, compared …
Embarrassing the jerseys by Rev. Stuart Campbell 10 Mar 2019 at 7:25pm
Sundays have been the low point of Scottish political journalism for a while now. Traditionally a day when newspapers are heavy on comment and light on news (because politics tends to happen on weekdays), they unleash all the weary old dinosaurs who’ve been driving away readers for the last 30 years. So you really have …
Self-harm in Scottish prisons 'skyrockets' 17 Mar 2019 at 12:12pm
The Scottish Liberal Democrats call for an increase in mental health care for prisoners after new figures are revealed.
SCOT goes POP!
A pro-independence blog by James Kelly - voted one of Scotland's top 10 political websites.
Is this an all-time low for Scottish Labour? by James Kelly 18 Mar 2019 at 6:46am
As we all know, an individual Scottish subsample from a GB-wide voting intention poll is rarely of much use, except as a straw in the wind when there's absolutely nothing else on offer. But the la...
Survation poll shows Yes vote holding up impressively by James Kelly 16 Mar 2019 at 5:59pm
The eagle-eyed David Halliday pointed out to me earlier today that independence figures can be found in the datasets of the new Survation poll, which seems to have been a composite poll commissione...
With 334 MPs voting against, the 'People's Vote' option now looks dead by James Kelly 14 Mar 2019 at 6:48pm
Although the headline moment tonight was the wafer-thin defeat of the Benn amendment, which may once again increase the chances of a No Deal outcome, I'd have thought equally significant is the exa...
Panelbase poll leaves Leonard looking like a lost cause by James Kelly 7 Mar 2019 at 5:13pm
Apologies for not being all over the latest Wings Over Scotland / Panelbase poll - I'm a bit under the weather today. But I'll post the numbers and hopefully do some analysis later.Scottish voting...
Adult Education in Scotland? by /u/AshamedScotThrowAway 18 Mar 2019 at 7:02pm
I'm a mid twenties adult currently employed in retail, I am becoming accomplished through work-related training courses and career development programmes. But when I was secondary aged I suffered s...
Scotland can't ignore bigotry and hatred in our midst by Record View 19 Mar 2019 at 4:30am
Record View insists that while Scotland measures up fairly well to its self-image as a tolerant and welcoming country we also have serious problems that can't be wished away.
UK leads world in creating far-right hate-mongers by John Niven 17 Mar 2019 at 4:30am
In the wake of the barbaric terrorist attack in New Zealand, our columnist hits out at the zealots who pollute the internet with the lies and hatred they spread.
So long as men worship the Caesars and Napoleons, Caesars and Napoleons will duly arise and make them miserable. - Aldous Huxley
A Note On Housing (Shoebox Britain) by michaelgreenwell 7 Mar 2019 at 5:46pm
Another of the UK’s greatest failures is the fact that we live in the smallest houses in Europe. Many new houses in the UK are “shameful shoebox homes” which are too small for family life, the Royal Institute of British Architects (Riba) has said. It says average three-bedroom houses are 8% smaller – the space …
A Note On Pensions by michaelgreenwell 6 Mar 2019 at 5:39pm
Just in those last moments of the 2014 referendum campaign, the No side started putting people on buses and taking them to Scotland. Some of these people (I have no idea if the people from the Labour group in the image did that) went door to door and, amongst other things, made sure to tell …
Journey To Yes 23 ? Jenny Constable by michaelgreenwell 5 Mar 2019 at 8:47am
Another in the wonderful series by Phantom Power. Jenny says Yes. Jenny Constable is a freelance journalist from Glasgow and a very British family with members from Scotland, England and Ireland. As part of the ?Scottish Devolution Generation?, Jenny grew up in a Scotland with devolved powers and that valued its place in Europe. Jenny …
Modern Britain, Ladies & Gentlemen by michaelgreenwell 11 Feb 2019 at 11:17pm
An old white man with heavy links to the establishment feels entitled to knock down a bill (or indeed BILLS) designed to reduce the unnecessary suffering of young women because he is riding a personal hobbyhorse. And this is supposed to be good governance. It’s 2019, this isn’t good enough. When pondering this story if …
It?s A Small Step, But He Is Right by michaelgreenwell 8 Feb 2019 at 9:49pm
It’s a small thing, but he is 100% correct, so it is worth sharing and acting upon.
I?d Say That Is A ?No? by michaelgreenwell 2 Feb 2019 at 11:42am
If we take this Irish advert for the rugby as a hint, then it could be the case that the Irish might not be too keen to be reincorporated into the UK, a thing which several English commentators and politicians have been suggesting recently.
Even Worse by michaelgreenwell 21 Jan 2019 at 8:25am
The remarkable thing is that the current group are actually WORSE than this lot grew up to be…
Scotland at the Crossroads by Bella Caledonia Editor 17 Mar 2019 at 10:43am
Scotland?s future path is uncertain at the moment, but one thing is certain: the United Kingdom is broken beyond repair. It was a welcome antidote to the political farce of this week to join a gathering of researchers at an event organised by the Intercultural Research Centre at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh on Wednesday. Together, …
Forget St Paddy?s Day, Remember Paddy?s Market by Bella Caledonia Editor 16 Mar 2019 at 2:39pm
Rob Brown calls for the creation of a Museum of Migrants in Glasgow to remember all those, like the victims of the Irish potato famine, forced to flee to other shores. Jinty McGuinty?s will be jumping and Waxy O?Connor?s will be filled with wild revelry. But, yet again, you won?t find Guinness-fueled leprechauns dancing down …
BBC Nine Fails on Climate by Bella Caledonia Editor 16 Mar 2019 at 9:56am
The fresh and jazzy new BBC Scotland “Nine” news programme has come under a wave of criticism after inviting a renowned climate science denier onto its show on the very day of the global school strike. It’s accused of (at best) incompetent coverage of the protests which saw children and young people striking in Edinburgh, …
Unemployment, Inflation and Spreadsheet Philip by Bella Caledonia Editor 14 Mar 2019 at 7:58pm
SPRING STATEMENT: HAMMOND SITS ON HIS HANDS AS expected, Chancellor Hammond?s Spring Statement this week was overshadowed by the ongoing Brexit car crash at Westminster. Not that it mattered: Spreadsheet Phil had long ago decided to do zilch. By inclination, Chancellors are usually reactive, this one more than most. But until Brexit pans out, Hammond …
The Ghost of the Troubles by Bella Caledonia Editor 14 Mar 2019 at 5:12pm
Rob Brown puts the recent bomb scares in both Glasgow and Edinburgh and the move to prosecute a soldier over the Bloody Sunday killings in context. Switching on the TV news to learn that the bomb squad had been called in to deal with a ?suspicious package? at Glasgow University?s mail-room, I immediately saw a …
Comments on Comments by Bella Caledonia Editor 14 Mar 2019 at 10:20am
A few words on our Comments policy. Bella has basically been one long massive argument argument for over a decade, and that’s exactly as it should be. We like to allow wide-ranging dissenting and sharp debate. It’s one of the things that makes Bella different, we don’t have a stagnant consensus of nodding heads all …
Smart Hosting by Bella Caledonia Editor 13 Mar 2019 at 11:36am
“Is your New Year Resolution to earn more from your property flagging?” This evening in Edinburgh’s city centre a stylish up-market furniture store – Bo Concept (sofas £5,699k a pop) – will co-host with ‘Pass the Keys’ – a seminar on how to “Breathe life into it with Airbnb hosting!” The blurb tells us: “Airbnb …
Everything Has Changed by Bella Caledonia Editor 12 Mar 2019 at 5:15pm
“Nothing has changed!” “Nothing has changed!” famously barked an exasperated Theresa May. Now all of a sudden, like a burst dam, everything has changed. As the BBC’s Nick Robinson put it: “It?s over. The deal and perhaps May?s premiership.” Despite hours of negotiation in Brussels and late night, last-minute spin in Strasbourg, Geoffrey Cox pronounced …
Hundreds of Scottish police on standby for Brexit fallout by Press Association 18 Mar 2019 at 7:22pm
Plans include 360 extra officers ready to step in if civil unrest or logistical issues arisePolice in Scotland will be ready to respond to any emergencies during an ?unprecedented set of circumstances? after Brexit, a senior officer has said, with hundreds of officers ready to step in should prot...
Poverty and climate more important than Brexit, says Corbyn by Severin Carrell and Dan Sabbagh 8 Mar 2019 at 2:24pm
Days before Brexit vote, Labour leader says party not ?obsessed by constitutional questions?Jeremy Corbyn has downplayed the Brexit crisis by claiming that poverty and climate change are far greater priorities for Labour and the country.Addressing Scottish Labour?s annual conference, Corbyn said ...
Sturgeon rules out independence poll without UK go-ahead by Severin Carrell Scotland editor 7 Mar 2019 at 3:52pm
Scottish first minister clarifies after deputy suggested she could call referendum without approval Nicola Sturgeon has ruled out holding an unofficial Scottish independence referendum, after her deputy suggested she could call one without legal approval.Video footage emerged on Thursday showing ...
No 10 concedes police numbers are relevant in fight against violent crime - a... by Andrew Sparrow 5 Mar 2019 at 5:57pm
Rolling coverage of the day?s political developments as they happenJeremy Hunt?s Today interview - SummaryAfternoon summary 5.47pm GMT At Cabinet this morning :: Home Secretary Sajid Javid called for millions more in emergency funding for police to combat knife crime and other serious violence. ...
Scottish currency proposals get qualified welcome by Libby Brooks Scotland correspondent 2 Mar 2019 at 3:21pm
SNP plan for Scotland to establish its own currency within a few years of leaving UK gets mixed responseLeading figures across the pro-independence movement have given a highly qualified welcome to Scottish National party proposals that an independent Scotland would establish its own currency wit...
Brexit: Labour will back amendment for second referendum, says Corbyn ? as it... by Andrew Sparrow and Kevin Rawlinson 25 Feb 2019 at 9:40pm
Opposition says it will back or put forward amendment for public vote if its alternative to Theresa May?s Brexit plan is voted down by MPsLabour to back moves for second Brexit referendum ? reportUK insurers say no-deal Brexit would be ?act of economic self-harm?Theresa May?s press conference - S...
Theresa May faces ministerial revolt over no-deal Brexit by Rowena Mason, Jessica Elgot and Severin Carrell 21 Feb 2019 at 7:02pm
Up to 25 government members could vote for delay rather than allow UK to crash out Theresa May is facing the most serious cabinet revolt of her premiership next week, with as many as 25 members of the government ready to vote for a Brexit delay unless she rules out ?no deal? ? in a move that will...
Scottish independence: new vote depends on Brexit outcome ? Sturgeon by Severin Carrell Scotland editor 5 Feb 2019 at 2:28pm
First minister?s remarks in US seen as rebuff to those pressing her to exploit chaos by calling for new vote nowNicola Sturgeon has played down the prospects of an early vote on Scottish independence by warning her supporters that ?calm consideration? was needed first.Scotland?s first minister to...
The security and stability of a constitutional crisis
Well that’s buggered that then. Today in the House of Commons the Speaker John Bercow blindsided Theresa May by telling her in no uncertain terms that her government can’t just keep bringing the same deal back to a vote in parliament in the hope that it will eventually get a different result to the two …
The BBC?s Pickle Nick
It’s now been confirmed what those of us who were paying attention had known all along. During the independence referendum campaign of 2014, senior journalists within the BBC saw their job as being to discourage and belittle the independence campaign, and not as being to report fairly on the biggest constitutional question facing Scotland for …
Wee Ginger Dugcast ? Friday 15 March 2019
Welcome to the 15 March edition of the Wee Ginger Dugcast, in which The National’s Callum Baird and I discuss Mini reverse lights and their insistence that you’re going to advertise the union fleg, the BBC’s consistent omission of Ian Blackford in particular and the SNP in general, and of course the latest meaningful vote …
A matter of self-respect
Another day, another dying of democracy in the House of Commons. What’s the point of parliamentary votes when the government, a minority government at that, feels free to ignore them? But that’s where we are now. Remember, all this mess was created by people who claimed that they wanted to restore the sovereignty of the …
Watering the dead plant
Theresa May didn’t speak in the Commons on Wednesday as the House debated whether to rule out a no-deal Brexit. Her voice had given up on her, which is what happens when you say nothing repeatedly for over two years. The quality of a what a person says is proportional to the amount of time …
How much longer can we put up with this mess?
Westminster is in chaos after May?s deal suffered another catastrophic defeat. Scotland?s voice is being ignored again. The BBC cut away just as Ian Blackford was starting to speak TWICE in the same day. A UK representative explained to Nicola Sturgeon and Michael Russell that they were ?not bright enough? to understand the Brexit deal. …
The undead Brexit stumbles on
When Theresa May finally shuffles off this mortal coil, the autopsy will find “nothing has changed, nothing has changed” engraved upon her heart. Although it will have to be in tiny, tiny, writing. Today in Parliament however, the Prime Minister was trying to persuade MPs that everything had changed, when in fact all that had …
Except for viewers in Scotland
Yet again we’ve got a leading Brexist appearing on a politics show on the telly in order to inform us how dreadfully unfair it is of the EU to put conditions on the unicorns and cake that the UK expects from Brexit. This time it’s David Davis, who fancies himself as the Action Man of …
Blackford warns Chancellor DUP bribe would be 'indefensible'
PHILIP Hammond has been accused of trying to bribe the DUP to get behind Theresa May?s Brexit deal. The SNP?s Ian Blackford said any pact between the Tory Government and the DUP would be ?utterly indefensible?.
Ian Blackford: The only way to protect Scotland's interests is independence
THE past week of continued Brexit chaos in Westminster has once again shown that Scotland?s interests are being ignored and sidelined. Theresa May, the ERG, and the DUP hold no mandate in Scotland, yet they are in the driving seat and think they can define our future.
Kirsty Hughes: How will EU leaders use the power they have over Brexit?
THE last week has seen the start of a turbulent Brexit endgame. On Tuesday, the Commons rejected Theresa May?s withdrawal agreement for the second time. The Commons also amended May?s fudged no-deal motion, on Wednesday, to a straightforward rejection of no deal ? which May voted then against.
Sewel: no "constitutional safeguard", just a "self-denying ordinance..."
By any reckoning, Richard Keen QC is an uncommonly political lawyer. Former Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, and now the UK government's chief adviser on Scots law, Ruth Davidson appointed him chairman of the Scottish Tories in 2013. While in office, he reportedly summoned the party's MSPs to his "small castle", and subjected them all to a dres...
"A quintessential matter of political judgment for Westminster..."
Last Friday, the Lord Advocate published the Scottish Government's intervention in the ongoing Brexit litigation before the UK Supreme Court. James Wolffe QC weighed in behind the Divisional Court's judgment, arguing that the royal prerogative cannot lawfully be used to trigger Article 50. But Scotland's senior law officer also ranged beyond tha...
"Ane absolute power to Cass, Annull & Dissable -- Contrair to Law..."
Last night, the Lord Advocate James Wolffe QC published the Scottish Government's written intervention in the Article 50 litigation. The case is scheduled to be heard by all eleven of the UK Supreme Court's Justices between the 5th and 8th of December. It is, as you'd expect, a weighty legal document which you may not find instantly digestible....
Lord Carloway's right to silence
Earlier this year, the Scottish Parliament's Justice Committee launched an inquiry into "the role and purpose of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service," to focus on:"... its core role and examine the effectiveness and efficiency of the COPFS, how well it works with its stakeholders, and the support it provides to witnesses and victims o...
Escaping the Mire
Longstanding readers of this blog know what I think about the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act, and the events which led to its introduction. Alex Salmond seized on an Old Firm fracas in 2011, arguing that this so-called "shame game" required special legal measures.Elected with a majority in the Holyrood election of that year, there was no re...
Legally, can Holyrood "block" Brexit?
"100 days on from the referendum and with up to six months until the triggering of Article 50 it is time the government got serious and put our economic interests and membership of the single market at the front of their negotiating plans. With a clear majority in the Scottish Parliament for retaining membership of the single market - expressed ...
19th September, 2014
On the 19th of September 2014, I wrote a piece entitled ?under the low sky.? It is an evocative line ? stolen ? from a book I read years ago about the experience of living in the Netherlands, where the horizon presses down on you, without the thrown elbows of mountains to keep it at bay. But the phrase seemed apt to the slate-grey Glasgow aftern...
A Bill for Criminal Letters
"Criminal Letters" sounds like a pot-boiler crime novel, written by one of Agatha Christie's less talented impersonators. But in Scots law, this evocative phrase has a more precise meaning. The overwhelming majority of criminal cases in this country are pursued by the Procurator Fiscal, prosecuting individuals in the public interest, under the ...
The ?F? word rears its head again: Federalism and Labour
The ?F? word rears its head again: Federalism and Labour Gerry Hassan Scottish Review, March 13th 2019 One political principle unites not just the Labour Party from Jeremy Corbyn to Tom Watson but also the Conservative Party – from Theresa May to the most ultra-Brexiteers in the Jacob Rees-Mogg faction. That principle is a belief …
The Importance of the McCrone Report and Scotland?s Future
The Importance of the McCrone Report and Scotland?s Future Gerry Hassan Scottish Review, March 6th 2019 There was major interest and debate last week about a UK Government paper on Scotland – the McCrone report – written nearly 45 years ago. The McCrone report was written in March 1974 by then Scottish Office civil servant …
1979: The beginning of the end of the ancien regime that ruled Scotland and t...
1979: The beginning of the end of the ancien regime that ruled Scotland and the UK Gerry Hassan Bella Caledonia, March 1st 2019 Today is the 40th anniversary of Scotland going to the polls to vote in the first devolution referendum on Labour?s proposals for a Scottish Assembly. This marked the beginning of Scotland?s constitutional …
The Birth of the New: BBC Scotland Finally Takes Off
The Birth of the New: BBC Scotland Finally Takes Off Gerry Hassan Scottish Review, 27 February 2019 BBC Scotland?s new channel launched on Sunday at 7pm. There was a small amount of expectation, a countdown, and even nervousness. Sitting, waiting for it to begin, in those last few seconds I reflected how seldom a new …
As Labour and Tories splinter the old political order is broken beyond repair
As Labour and Tories splinter the old political order is broken beyond repair Scottish Review, February 20th 2019 Gerry Hassan The Labour Party have finally split after months of rumours ? with so far eight Labour MPs resigning from the party and three senior Tories joining them ? and numerous stories of many more considering …
Time to close the last closed shop: Britain?s and Scotland?s private schools
Time to close the last closed shop: Britain and Scotland?s private schools Gerry Hassan Scottish Review, 13 February 2019 Britain?s elites have never been more self-serving, self-sustaining and only interested in looking after themselves ? aided by private education. All of a sudden the subject of private schools is back on the public agenda, aided …
The next Battle of Britain is going to be about England?s future
The next Battle of Britain is going to about England?s future Gerry Hassan Scottish Review, February 6th 2019 Brexit certainly seems increasingly to be about England ? or a certain version of England and a rather specific version of the past. Take last week for example. The previous Tuesday was another landmark day for Brexit. …
Hugh McIlvanney: A Moral Compass and the Power of Words
Hugh McIlvanney: A Moral Compass and the Power of Words Gerry Hassan Scottish Review, January 30th 2019 The tributes paid to Hugh McIlvanney spoke volumes for the influence of the man, his writing and for his humanity. They were laced with recollections and memorable stories of late nights, pressurised deadlines, and long conversations – often …
Scottish independence: SNP says Scotland should have own currency - BBC News
Scottish independence: SNP says Scotland should have own currency BBC NewsAn independent Scotland would look to introduce its own currency within the first few years of leaving the UK under a new policy set to be introduced by the SNP ...
Brexit: Sturgeon uses vote defeat to justify Scottish independence push - The...
Brexit: Sturgeon uses vote defeat to justify Scottish independence push The ScotsmanNicola Sturgeon has declared Theresa May should 'hang her head in shame' at tonight's Brexit vote defeat as she used the momentous result to incite a *fresh* ...
Mark Smith: First Brexit, then Scoxit: what leaving the EU can teach us about...
Mark Smith: First Brexit, then Scoxit: what leaving the EU can teach us about Scottish independence HeraldScotlandIF you haven't seen the Brexit stare-off yet, check it out online because it's one of the funniest things that's happened in this process so?
The SNP is struggling to manage Brexit but its independence drive could yet s...
The SNP is struggling to manage Brexit but its independence drive could yet succeed New StatesmanObituary: Paul Henderson Scott, writer and former vice-president of the SNP HeraldScotlandThis Week at the Scottish Parliament: Delivering progress for the Borders SNPSNP and Tories could emerge as winners in Scotland in European elections The TimesThe problem with a snap indyref2 (and a solutio...
SNP government to be stung by its own car parking tax - Express
SNP government to be stung by its own car parking tax ExpressSNP ministers face a bill of at least half a million pounds under their own controversial car park tax, the Scottish Daily Express can reveal. The Scottish ...
Furious commuters complain to 'out-of-touch' SNP ministers over work parking ...
Furious commuters complain to 'out-of-touch' SNP ministers over work parking tax Telegraph.co.ukFurious Scottish commuters have inundated "out-of-touch" Nicola Sturgeon and her ministers with complaints over their plans to introduce a workplace parking ...
Top SNP figures make formal complaint to BBC over coverage - The Scotsman
Top SNP figures make formal complaint to BBC over coverage The ScotsmanThe Westminster leader and the deputy leader of the SNP have made a formal complaint to the BBC over the broadcaster's coverage of the party in the wake of ...
More than 2500 Syrian refugees have settled in Scotland ? SNP - ITV News
More than 2500 Syrian refugees have settled in Scotland ? SNP ITV NewsAlmost a fifth of the Syrian refugees who have come to the UK as part of a special programme have settled in Scotland, according to figures revealed by the SNP.
Scottish independence: SNP says Scotland should have own currency - BBC News
Scottish independence: SNP says Scotland should have own currency BBC NewsAn independent Scotland would look to introduce its own currency within the first few years of leaving the UK under a new policy set to be introduced by the SNP ...
The UK needs a second Brexit referendum after no-deal exit is rejected, says ...
The UK needs a second Brexit referendum after no-deal exit is rejected, says Scottish lawmaker CNBCAs U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May's proposed Brexit deal continues to face a pummeling in Parliament, the only option is to return the matter to the British ...
Wildcat indyref2 would be lawful, say experts - The Scotsman
Wildcat indyref2 would be lawful, say experts The ScotsmanNicola Sturgeon may have the power to hold a ?lawful? referendum on independence, if Theresa May refuses to agree to a *fresh* vote on Scotland leaving the ...
Brexit: Sturgeon uses vote defeat to justify Scottish independence push - The...
Brexit: Sturgeon uses vote defeat to justify Scottish independence push The ScotsmanNicola Sturgeon has declared Theresa May should 'hang her head in shame' at tonight's Brexit vote defeat as she used the momentous result to incite a *fresh* ...
Brexit slowly becoming a Farce.
Let's face it, this Tory Govt has no intent on pulling out of EU. It will go on and on and on until lie of land changes!
The normalisation of the far-right continues
Tommy Robinson.
6 months ago nobody had heard of the c**t, and if they had it was only to recognise him as an ignorant, racist nutter.
Today I had the car radio on and listened as BBC 5Live gave this guy a full 20 minutes of coverage, including having a reporter outside prison waiting bre...
General Politics Thread
Firstly, what happened to capybara's thread? I've went back about four pages and can't find it. Am i going blind/dottled?
Anyway, until it is found.
I know it's purely an English/Welsh issue, but the junior doctors' dispute is not improving. Looks like the government is going to try to impose ...
When will indyref2 happen?
Not when you would like it to happen, but when do you believe indyref2 will happen?
What is the point of Labour
Much as I hate the tory party (and christ do I do) you have to give them credit for a couple of things.
1. They have stupid unionists voting for them despite the fact Scotland is going to shit.
2. They think brexit is a good thing for the UK and bring stupid unionists to think the same an...
The thread on Tory racism, sexism, homophobia and other isms.
While Tories being racist is a bit dog bites man, its probably worth a thread to document their behavior.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-47585200
Quote
A former Conservative employee has claimed she was subjected to racist comments...
Question Time
A bit feisty this evening to say the least.
Tartan
Army Message Board (often features political threads)
Christchurch NZ shootings
News feeds reporting at least 40 dead after shootings at 2 mosques in the city.
4 arrested in connection.
Indy Ref 2
Since no-one's started the thread...
A lot of former No voters including some pretty prominant activists, politicians and commentators either coming out for Yes or softening their position - even Chris Deerin saying today that he's not saying that he would vote Yes but that he couldn't say th...
This Board Needs Tunes
Been off the board for a few weeks and have no idea what's going on.
Couldn't resurrect the original thread so here's a timely new beginning. Come on back folks!
Our beautiful Scotland.
Unpopular Opinions
I can?t find the other thread so I?ll start a new one. What opinions do you hold that produce shock around the dinner table and in the boozer.
I?ll kick things off
? Pigs in Blankets; They are an adequate inclusion in the standard Christmas dinner but the way everyone goes on and on and o...
IPTV
Can't get away with how good it is and how for all their money, Sky, BT et al can't keep the streams off.
Had it for a good while now, absolutely love it. Anyone else have it?
Venezuela (American false flags)
I see the US is in the process of making up another pretense to war with Venezuela.
Footage Contradicts U.S. Claim That Nicolás Maduro Burned Aid Convoy
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/10/world/americas/venezuela-aid-fire-video.html
Every major U.S. war of the last...
Question Time Tonight
From Kelso The panel includes Labour's shadow attorney general Emily Thornberry MP, the Scottish government's finance secretary John Swinney MSP, Conservative chairman of the defence select committee Rory Stewart MP, Scotsman columnist Lesley Riddoch and editor-at-large of the Independent on Sund...
My Attempt to Unravel Just a Little Bit of the Tangled Web of Deceit Spun By ...
1981: Peter Salmon takes up employment with the BBC Peter Salmon started at the BBC as a General Trainee in 1981. A programme maker, he eventually became BBC Bristol’s, Head of Factual output. He also worked on Blue Peter, Newsnight, BBC Radio 1’s Newsbeat and Manchester’s, File On Four current … Continue reading "My Attempt to Unravel Just a Little Bit of the Tangled Web of Deceit S...
Media Provision through the Eyes of the Welsh ? Devolution has demonstrated j...
Jan 2008: Memorandum submitted by Tinopolis PLC to the Commons Select Committee for Welsh Affairs I have been asked to give evidence on the key areas under inquiry, namely the impact of globalization on broadcasting and the creative industries. The issues surrounding broadcasting and the creative industries and their future are … Continue reading "Media Provision through the Eyes of the...
A Time of Despair For Scots ? Blessed With A Neutered Authority in Scotland a...
The 2014 Smith Commission Lord Smith of Kelvin engaged with thousands of stakeholders across Scotland during the work of the Smith Commission. The outcome prompted him to make a personal recommendation in the Smith Commission Agreement. He said: “There is a strong desire to see the principle of devolution further … Continue reading "A Time of Despair For Scots – Blessed With A Neutere...
Thatcher Hatchet Man Michael Forsyth Still the Darling Of the BBC ? He?s On Q...
Michael Forsyth – The Man With Red White and Blue Blood In a statement, confirming his commitment to the Union, not long after the 2014 Independence Referendum, Forsyth challenged the way in which David Cameron played the English card the day after the Scottish independence … Continue reading "Thatcher Hatchet Man Michael Forsyth Still the Darling Of the BBC – He’s On Quest...
The SNP ? The Dream Will Never Die ? The Architects of Success Live On
Alex Salmond – Is This His Political Obituary Seen as one of the most talented politicians of his generation, Alex already had a high-profile in Scottish politics before he won two historic Holyrood elections as SNP leader, securing the mandate to hold a referendum on Scottish independence in the process. Born … Continue reading "The SNP – The Dream Will Never Die – The Architects of Su...
Have We Seen The Last Of Ruth Davidson in Scottish Politics Or Will The Tory ...
31 Aug 2018: Has Scotland Seen the Back of Ruth Davidson? Ruth Davidson could quit Scottish politics after she has had her baby and become a Cabinet minister in London as a launch pad for a bid to be Tory leader. She reportedly told friends that she could take up … Continue reading "Have We Seen The Last Of Ruth Davidson in Scottish Politics Or Will The Tory Beast At Westminster Rejec...
Reckless Homosexual Behaviour Saw an End to the Tory Party in Scotland ? Ross...
Tory MP Ross Thomson spoken to by police amid ‘sexual touching’ claims in Commons bar It is alleged that: Thomson repeatedly sexually assaulted three young men having been three times escorted out of the Commons Bar. He returned repeatedly to feel their bottoms and fondle their genitalia and tried to enter their … Continue reading "Reckless Homosexual Behaviour Saw an End to the Tory Pa...
Removing the Bias From Scottish Broadcasting ? This is the Solution Pass it O...
Introduction Scotland’s Gaelic TV channel BBC Alba, attracts many more Scottish viewers than there are Gaelic speakers and the potential for growth is well recognized in the trade. Independent programme makers in Scotland produce quality television for the station but in insufficient quantity to fully support the channel. The … Continue reading "Removing the Bias From Scottish Broad...
All 2018 Time Lapse Marches for Scottish Independence.
#AUOB, Edinburgh, 6 Oct 2018. Time lapse. #ForwardAsOne, Dunfermline, 1 Sep 2018. Time lapse. #AUOB, Dundee, 18 Aug 2018. Time lapse. #AUOB, Inverness, 28th July 2018. Time lapse. #AUOB, Bannockburn, 23 June 2018. Time lapse. #AUOB, Dumfries, 2 June 2018 Time lapse. #AUOB, Glasgow, 4 May 2018. Time lapse. #AUOBGlasgow
John Jappy video interviews for download
The wonderful John Jappy passed away in Feburary this year. In 2014 we colaborated with Clan Destiny Films to produce 3 exceptional & powerful short videos with John. Please DOWNLOAD the videos and show those who maybe not connected to internet or are on the fence with Scottish independence. To download just Google: “download youtube…
Politicising our heritage ? the fiasco of Holyrood Park?
The following article is by Catherine Gillies and is republished below with her permission. I find myself musing endlessly on the current furore over Historic Environment Scotland?s decision not to allow stalls and speeches after the forthcoming All Under One Banner march in Holyrood Park on the grounds that they, as an organisation, are…
Support Alex Salmond #forFairness
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/AlexSalmond I have been a member of the Scottish National Party for 45 years, 20 of them as party leader and seven as First Minister of Scotland. I hope I have done the party and the broader cause of independence some service. Apart from a political spat back in the 1980s, that has been a…
Press conference video & statements: President Quim Torra, Clara Ponsati and ...
Video from press conference at the Principal Hotel, Edinburgh. PRESS STATEMENT1 STATEMENT ISSUED AT PRESS CONFERENCE BY AAMER ANWAR ON BEHALF OF CLARA PONSATI FOLLOWED BY THE STATEMENT ISSUED BY PRESIDENT QUIM TORRA- 11TH JULY 2018 11AM-12PM Good Morning I would like to start by welcoming President of Catalonia Quim Torra and his delegation to…
Westminster forced to admit the Scottish people are Sovereign
What happened? The SNP have played an ace card when using their allocated Opposition Day debate. Standing order number 36 was agreed and resolved without contention late last night in the House of Commons. This was a motion proposed for debate by Ian Blackford the SNP MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber and leader of…
Today was the day we said enough
There was an inevitability about what happened in that sham of a democracy they call Westminster. Scotland?s perspective being completely shut out on something as fundamentally important as the EU withdrawal bill is wholly unacceptable as is the power grab of devolved issues that rightfully belong with the Scottish Parliament. How long could democratically elected…
FFS Let?s have a referendum!
The Scottish Parliament is under attack and its power being undermined. Brick by brick the foundations of the little devolved power we have is being eroded and undermined by the very people who promised we would lead the UK if we remained part of it. As a nation we do not have to accept this.…
