Temporary contracts crisis: Parents win reprieve for teacher 31 Jul 2021 at 5:00am
Parent power has helped win a reprieve for a Skye teacher facing the loss of her post as anger grows over temporary contracts and their impact on rural schools.
Joanna Blythman: Vaccine passports and ?loyalty? schemes are the first steps ... 31 Jul 2021 at 5:00am
Sajid Javid and Piers Morgan are living proof that fully vaccinated people can get Covid. Indeed, many recent Covid ?cases? are occurring amongst the double-jabbed. With that knowledge, the public health rationale for vaccine passports crumbles, or it should.
Brian Taylor: Why Nicola Sturgeon showed her exasperation ? and why there may... 31 Jul 2021 at 5:00am
Comics frequently rely upon catchphrases. Frankie Howerd, ?please yourself?. Del Boy excoriating his brother as ?you plonker?. Blackadder?s ?cunning plan?. Chic Murray and ? ok, there are some gloriously eccentric exceptions.
Kevin McKenna: The secret class system in Nicola Sturgeon?s Scotland 31 Jul 2021 at 5:00am
Let there be Holyrood. Let there be light. We like to think of Scotland as a beacon of enlightenment in a United Kingdom tainted by graft and sharp practice. When the Scottish Parliament was established, among its founding principles was a commitment to a more civilised way of conducting the nation?s business.
Herald View: Blame for drugs deaths disgrace lies squarely with the Government 31 Jul 2021 at 5:00am
THERE are areas of policy where it is possible to claim that under other measures outcomes would look less poor, or that events outwith all control made matters worse, or even ? admitting some culpability ? that government made errors, but can set matters right. Then there are cases of outright, utter, shameful failure for which government, and government alone, must shoulder the blame.
Letters: Parties need to work together to tackle this dreadful scourge 31 Jul 2021 at 5:00am
IT'S a sad and sobering statistic that Scotland should be viewed as the drug death capital of Europe. With the drug death rates in Scotland being roughly three and a half times more than those in England and Wales, there's obviously something radically wrong with the Scottish Government's approach to resolving the issue.
Scotland drug deaths: Figures put Scotland's leadership in doubt 30 Jul 2021 at 6:05pm
The Scottish Government has admitted they took their eye off the ball and are doing everything they can to kick with the right foot by giving the funding injection so desperately needed.
Scotland's drugs deaths: 'You keep talking, we keep dying' 31 Jul 2021 at 4:55am
Campaigners who want to change the law to stem the rising tide of drugs deaths in Scotland have accused the Scottish Government of leaving deprived communities ?to rot? instead of ensuring addicts can access the treatment they need, as the toll of those losing their lives from drug use reached yet another new record level.
Scotland drugs deaths: New record total is 'horrifying and heartbreaking' 30 Jul 2021 at 3:38pm
Scotland?s new record drugs death toll is a ?scar on the conscience" of the government it was claimed, after shocking figures revealed 1,339 people had died during the pandemic year, reinforcing the country?s reputation as having the worst drug deaths rate in Europe.
Official Secrets Act: Priti Patel's planned changes are dangerous threat to P... 31 Jul 2021 at 4:55am
Whether it?s the UK government apparently spending public money on political polling, the Scottish government snubbing legal advice to press on with allegedly politically-motivated court action, or Edinburgh Council trying to stop the release of a report into the bullying of whistle-blowers, the determination of authorities of all types to stop the public finding out what they?re up to can?t be underestimated.
Police Scotland: Why there are concerns that the force is being politicised ?... 30 Jul 2021 at 12:30pm
Amid the political storm on Monday over whether a vaccination milestone or target had been missed with jags given or offered, it went almost unnoticed that the Covid clouds were gathering while the First Minister was attending an event at Police Scotland's Tulliallan training college.
Wings over Scotland
Lady Dorrian?s Law 30 Jul 2021 at 11:53am
For the avoidance of any doubt, this site does not believe that Scotland’s second most senior judge, Lady Leeona Dorrian, is corrupt. It does not believe that she is acting at the behest of the Scottish Government or the First Minister, even though Lady Dorrian is known to wish to succeed Lord Carloway as the …
The system?s revenge 29 Jul 2021 at 4:25pm
Please note the below press release regarding the impending incarceration of former UK Ambassador Craig Murray 29/07/2021; 15:52 pm; Edinburgh Legal precedent will be set tomorrow as Craig Murray will be the first person to be imprisoned on the charge of jigsaw identification in the UK, and indeed in the entire world. Scotland?s second most …
Two leaders unalike 27 Jul 2021 at 12:57pm
All recorded indyref polling on the standard question, from here and here. The picture (click to enlarge) tells the story more eloquently than we could.
The Idiot 24 Jul 2021 at 1:36pm
Although we’re retired we already wrote this, so we may as well put it up for the 99.9% of Scots who don’t read the comments on David Leask‘s columns in the Herald. Scotland’s worst, most reliably wrong and most pathologically insecure self-identified “real journalist” rehashed one of his favourite hobby-horses yesterday, namely that it’s a “nationalist myth” that Scotland …
The long slow grind of justice 13 Jul 2021 at 11:54am
Wings has been informed this morning by a reliable source that Police Scotland have now progressed their inquiry into the SNP’s “missing” £600,000 fundraiser money from an “assessment” to a formal criminal investigation into the matter, which was first revealed on this site in January 2020. We understand that an official statement to that effect …
Fix up, look sharp 26 Jun 2021 at 9:13am
Holiday Boy is still “resting”, so here’s a laugh from nearly six years ago. Hear the bang? See the spark? No, us either.
This blog will be going dark for a few months. The Queen kindly paid for my dinners for over twenty years while I was a British diplomat and Ambassador, and now she is going to be paying for my dinners again. That is very kind, I thought she had forgotten me. The following is a …
I was down in London last week for discussions around my appeal to the Supreme Court, and staying in a hotel close to Leicester Square, I wandered along to see the fans during their game with Ukraine and its very noisy aftermath. I was hoping to write a piece about disgusting uncouth yobs of racist …
On the final day of the Assange extradition hearing, magistrate Vanessa Baraitser refused to accept an affidavit from Assange’s solicitor Gareth Peirce, on the grounds it was out of time. The affidavit explained that the defence had been unable to respond to the new accusations in the United States government’s second superseding indictment, because these …
The pre-positioning of the BBC correspondent on HMS Defender shatters the pretence that the BBC is something different to a state propaganda broadcaster. It also makes plain that this propaganda exercise to provoke the Russian military was calculated and deliberate. Indeed that was confirmed by that BBC correspondent’s TV news report last night when he …
Sometimes it is worth stating the obvious. The United Kingdom does not have a coast in the Black Sea. British warships are not infesting the Black Sea out of a peaceful intent, and there is no cause for them to be entering disputed waters close to anybody’s coast. This is not a question of freedom …
Julian Assange remains in a maximum security jail, despite never being sentenced for anything but a long ago served spell for bail-jumping, and despite the US Government’s request for extradition having been refused. It is approaching six months since I was in court to hear the decision rejecting Julian’s extradition, and it was in the …
Solidarity with Craig Murray, and Alba nominations 30 Jul 2021 at 11:48pm
I think we're all a bit in shock that Craig Murray is actually going to jail, even though we've known for a few weeks that this moment was likely to arrive. Some will say "well, he's not above the...
Scot Goes Pop essay-writing competition 23 Jul 2021 at 8:38pm
As a number of you have spotted, there's been a little flurry of below the line comments on another pro-indy blog attacking me and Scot Goes Pop. The trigger for it was a lengthy comment from an i...
GRA poll fundraising update: around £1700 raised so far 19 Jul 2021 at 1:47pm
I did a bit of totting up, and - as of two hours ago, anyway - we've raised around £1700 for the comprehensive poll on gender issues and GRA reform. Thank you to everyone who has donated so far. ...
How many courses in college can you apply to at once? 31 Jul 2021 at 4:34am
And more specifically: I accepted a course in 1 College but now I?ve changed my mind and wanted to do a different course. The college told me I can apply to the other course but then I will lose th...
Drug deaths reporting. 30 Jul 2021 at 9:39pm
Should the news be reporting the number of people in hospital with drug related issues , and the number of people dying from drug related deaths everyday? Or even those who have died withing 28 day...
Hello dear Scottish people, I have a question. 30 Jul 2021 at 9:11pm
I am from the French speaking part of Canada more precisely Quebec and I was curious to know your opinion of the French Canadians or the québécois. submitted by /u/Droumils [commen...
Michael Russell: Some choices about our future are for after independence 30 Jul 2021 at 9:00pm
IN her groundbreaking book The Gun, The Ship And The Pen, published earlier this year, the historian Linda Colley presents a somewhat different view of constitutions from that currently being promoted by some individuals and organisations in Scotland.
Why history is unlikely to look kindly upon David Cameron 31 Jul 2021 at 5:00am
HISTORY is unlikely to be kind to David Cameron. For 10 years after becoming its leader in 2005, he gradually rebuilt the Conservative Party as an election-winning machine, presenting himself as a moderniser. He claimed to be a new type of Conservative, pursuing a broad vision of social wellbeing, to be achieved by creating the ?Big Society?.
Tories urged to scrap five-week wait for Universal Credit amid rising debts 31 Jul 2021 at 5:00am
CITIZENS Advice Scotland (Cas) is calling for the abolition of the five-week wait and the introduction of a non-repayable assessment period grant for everyone claiming Universal Credit to stop people being swept into serious debt.
Make yourself heard at Voices For Scotland's assembly events 31 Jul 2021 at 5:00am
VOICES for Scotland is continuing its series of events encouraging discussions on how to create a Scotland for everyone. For this we are bringing in experts that help us discuss the big issues that lead to a happier, healthier, fairer, greener and more equal society.
Independence Live to broadcast All Under One Banner's Dundee rally 31 Jul 2021 at 5:00am
LAST-MINUTE preparations are under way for today?s All Under One Banner static rally in Dundee with Independence Live announcing that they will be broadcasting the event starting at 1pm today.
Landed: Colonial Connections 31 Jul 2021 at 12:06am
In our new series we profile the best podcasts we have come across each week. Here’s more from the brilliant Farmerama featuring among others sometimes Bella contributor Iain Mackinnon. Farmerama Radio · Landed part 3: Colonial connections
Tiny Universities of Solidarity 30 Jul 2021 at 6:42pm
In a recent analysis of ?Generation Left,? James Meadway pointed out that, with 50% of 18 – year-olds attending university, ?education is no longer a marker of class in the way that it was two or three generations ago.? As political scientists continue to puzzle over the generational divides in our society: the old tools […]
Climate Camp Scotland 30 Jul 2021 at 12:56pm
In the first of a series in the run up to COP26 in November we speak to key activists from the environmental justice movement in Scotland. Here Mike Small interviews Bryce Goodall – Organiser, Campaigner, Activist @brycejustweeted – Actions Speak Louder Than Words Twitter: @ASLTWScot and Quan Nguyen – Organiser, Camp Scotland twitter: @ScotClimateCamp Instagram […]
The News Sponsored by Finish 29 Jul 2021 at 12:09pm
Rinse and repeat. Sometimes – like today – despair is the only option. The news that Boris Johnson’s COP26 spokeswoman has issued suggestions of such mind-dribbling inanity as “freezing left-over bread” and other “micro-steps” leaves me almost disabled by a feeling of unease and profound despair. I thought there were only two options in assessing […]
Space Capitalism and Sado-Populism 27 Jul 2021 at 5:33pm
As we stagger out of lockdown towards some new version of social reality with new norms coined by various stages of denial, disinformation and pragmatism, a new political topography is emerging. Like an unfamiliar landscape exposed by long-drought this place has new features: old borders exposed and deleted; new walls (Red and Blue) emergent; social […]
Scottish folk music: The Music of Scottish Folk 26 Jul 2021 at 10:36am
As a bona-fide folk musician (so says Spotify), I enjoyed Bella Caledonia?s most recent playlist (Faerie Folk, Frolic and Fiddles). Though I must say that the eclectic mix on offer, ranging from the ?Lewis Carroll does rock? of Jefferson Airplane to the traditional slip jig of The Dubliners, is fairly telling in that the range […]
?Forty Lost Years? by Rosa Maria Arquimbau 26 Jul 2021 at 10:16am
?Forty Lost Years? by Rosa Maria Arquimbau first appeared in the author?s native Catalonia in 1971, when General Francisco Franco remained dictator of Spain. It has now appeared in English for the first time, ably translated by Peter Bush. The novel centres on Laura Videl, born in 1917 who comes from a working class family […]
Poem of the week : Press Release 25 Jul 2021 at 4:00pm
Press Release There is a rush at the supermarket for anxiety tablets. There is a rush on for diagnosis at the morning clinic. Everyone is gravely sick. Nightly parent?s dissolve painkillers into a glass of water and drink from it hungrily before passing the glass to their children. The use of the word trauma […]
Here comes the Nice: Glasgow?s Sweaty Palms have got the right stuff 25 Jul 2021 at 2:34pm
Sweaty Palms frontman Robbie Houston opens up to Hugo Fluendy about their new single Nice to be Nice and how he?s not making a scene about it Robbie Houston is a quietly courteous, young working class Glaswegian, shy almost. Just don?t take his good manners for granted, as his band?s Sweaty Palms explosive new single […]
Scottish parliament may shift stance on Queen?s secret lobbying 30 Jul 2021 at 12:57pm
Crown consent comes under scrutiny in Holyrood as the Queen?s private interventions into parliamentary process are revealedThe Scottish parliament is to consider changes to the way it handles new legislation that has been amended to protect the Queen?s interests.A Holyrood spokesperson said offic...
Keir Starmer urges No 10 to bring forward Covid isolation end date 30 Jul 2021 at 8:29am
Labour leader calls for date on which fully vaccinated in England can avoid self-isolation to match that of WalesCoronavirus ? latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageKeir Starmer has challenged Downing Street to bring forward the date on which fully vaccinated people in England can avoid c...
The Scottish parliament must take a stand against the farcical Queen?s consen... 29 Jul 2021 at 4:00pm
The procedure is deeply anti-democratic and violates the parliament?s founding principles. Here?s how it can be opposedIn 2002, as the Scottish parliament was debating a bill to provide the public with a groundbreaking new right to roam, the independent MSP Dennis Canavan spotted a provision that...
Revealed: Queen vetted 67 laws before Scottish parliament could pass them 28 Jul 2021 at 5:00pm
Extent of arcane practice known as crown consent in Scotland has until now been unknown to the publicThe Scottish government has given the Queen advanced access to at least 67 parliamentary bills deemed to affect her public powers, private property or personal interests under an arcane custom inh...
Queen secretly lobbied Scottish ministers for climate law exemption 28 Jul 2021 at 2:00pm
Monarch used secretive procedure to become only person in country not bound by a green energy ruleThe Queen?s lawyers secretly lobbied Scottish ministers to change a draft law to exempt her private land from a major initiative to cut carbon emissions, documents reveal.The exemption means the Quee...
Key workers in Scotland given exemption from self-isolation rules 23 Jul 2021 at 2:43pm
Nicola Sturgeon announces move aimed at preventing staff shortages due to NHS Covid app notificationsCoronavirus ? latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageWorkers in critical roles in Scotland will be able to avoid self-isolation when notified by the NHS Covid app if they are fully vaccinat...
?It?s incredibly poor?: Scottish islanders angry at failing ferry service 23 Jul 2021 at 2:26pm
Ageing fleet hit by breakdowns and cancellations, with capacity low on services that do run due to CovidCoronavirus ? latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe perfume and toiletries shop overlooking Brodick Bay on Arran is normally packed in the summer, as day-trippers and holidaymakers ...
Scotland to move to level 0 Covid restrictions from 19 July 13 Jul 2021 at 2:52pm
Nicola Sturgeon says latest wave of infection appears to have levelled off but some requirements will remainCoronavirus ? latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageNicola Sturgeon has confirmed that Scotland will move on 19 July to a ?modified? form of level 0 of her government?s five-tier sy...
Sturgeon warns against treating young people like Covid ?guinea pigs? 8 Jul 2021 at 6:08pm
Masks likely to remain in some settings such as shops or on public transport in Scotland Coronavirus ? latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageNicola Sturgeon has warned against treating young people like ?guinea pigs? by allowing them to get infected with coronavirus when lifting restricti...
?A great city has been defaced?: why has a poo emoji arrived on Edinburgh?s s... 8 Jul 2021 at 6:00am
With its spires, castle and monuments, the Scottish capital?s glorious panorama is world famous. Now a looming new addition has appeared ? and is causing outrageYou can?t polish a turd, but you can clad it in bronze-coloured steel. Edinburgh?s new W Hotel is proof. Poking its faecal peak above th...
The Windsors: Graceless and favoured
It’s come to light that representatives of the royal household have vetted 67 new Scottish laws before they were signed by the monarch and became a part of the body of Scots Law. The monarchy has the ability to lobby for changes to any legislation which it deemed to infringe upon the property, wealth, and […]
The infantilism of British Nationalism
Very young children are completely ego-centric, until they get out of toddler-hood they still lack the mental development needed to understand that they are not the centre of the universe. Amongst other things this means that very young children, as they start to grasp the concept of family relationships first understand those relationships that involve […]
Calling an ambaileans for British nationalists
It’s a tough gig being a Scottish Unionist, constantly on the lookout for things to feel outraged about that can be laid at the door of the Scottish Government and the SNP, even if what they are complaining about is not actually the responsibility of the Scottish Government or the SNP. Parliament, both the Scottish […]
When calling out a liar?s lies is worse than lying
I had intended to post a new blog piece yesterday (Thursday) but I had a very intensive ( and painful) physiotherapy session which left me wiped out. The physio said I’m an unusual case as I have recovered good movement but sensation and proprioception (awareness of where your limbs are in space) remain very poor. […]
Pat McFadden?s nightmare
An email to a Tony Blair’s chief of staff Jonathon Powell has been released by the National Archives today, following the rule that government information, including private correspondence is to be published after 30 years. In the email, by Pat McFadden who is now a Labour MP but who at the time was Blair’s special […]
The shame of British nationalism in Scotland
The comedian Billy Connolly used to quip that in an attempt to avoid answering the loaded question, “Are you a Catholic or a Protestant?” He’d respond that he was an atheist, only to be asked? “Aye, but are you a Catholic atheist or a Protestant atheist?” It seemingly being of huge importance to the questioner […]
The Great Wall of Bull
I’d never heard of Kevin Foster and I’m willing to bet that despite the fact that most of the regular readers of this blog take a keen interest in politics, they’ve never heard of him either. However Kevin is the latest no-mark Conservative politician to come to Scotland to tell the benighted natives some scary […]
Null points for grace in defeat
Well thank all the gods we don’t have to listen to or watch the supposedly British media banging on about an England victory for the next 55 years. Isn’t it really unpleasant being taken out of Europe against your will? Maybe now they understand a wee bit what Scotland felt like. At one point in […]
Qualifying as Italian
I don’t usually write about the fitba, seeing as how I’m missing that gene that makes watching twenty-two millionaires ruin a perfectly good lawn into a spectacle that evokes passion, excitement and, depending on the result, ecstasy or despair. This is probably because my dad was a Clyde fan, before he abandoned the team in […]
The Tories should be careful what they wish for
Writing in the Times newspaper, Professor of political science Matt Qvortup has warned Boris Johnson of the political dangers of taking the Scottish government to court in order to block a second independence referendum. Qvortup believes that the UK Supreme Court would rule that an independence referendum without the express consent of the Westminster parliament […]
Michael Greenwell
So long as men worship the Caesars and Napoleons, Caesars and Napoleons will duly arise and make them miserable. - Aldous Huxley
A Fun New Game
The UK government has recently brought back an old idea about plastering “Funded by the UK government” on lots of things in Scotland, with a big Union flag somewhere. This is supposed to make us forget about the various disasters that the UK govt seem to be hoping will just miraculously disappear by themselves. However, …
The Scottish Independence Podcast 187 ? Odes To Our Adversaries
Just occasionally in all the years I’ve been doing this, mostly for laughs, I’ve made a few little, ahem, tributes, to some of our political adversaries. The 187th episode of The Scottish Independence Podcast is a run through of some of the best of these, because I think most of us are in need of …
The Scottish Independence Podcast 186 ? Tory Lies, Trump, Empire
The 186th episode of the Scottish Independence Podcast is amongst other things, a mix of some bad excuses. There’s a bad excuse for a Prime Minister, a bad excuse for a President of the United States, and a few bad excuses for the behaviour of the British Empire. Along with that, there are people trying …
Sometimes It?s Too Blatant To Let It Go
Last night the story came out that the US Department of Justice would rather like a wee word or two with Prince Andrew regarding his connections with Jeffrey Epstein. Well, they have wanted to have a little chat with him for a while, but they actually filed a ‘Mutual Legal Assistance’ request. This “moves Andrew …
One Thing Doesn?t Negate The Other
Whatever you think about the very current activities with regard to defacing or pulling down statues, what was written on the Churchill statue is a statement of fact. Let’s have a look at some of Churchill’s statements (not the we will fight them on the beaches stuff). You may have seen most of them before …
The Scottish Independence Podcast 185 ? Billy Kay on Scotland and Identity
The 185th episode of the Scottish Independence Podcast is a talk by Broadcaster, writer and activist and former guest on the show, Billy Kay, about Scottish identity. Have you ever noticed when you go abroad that the locals always seem to know what happened in 1437 in every wee nook and cranny of their town. …
The Times Handed Its Arse by Football Club
The Times, or at least The Sunday Times, has a history of getting things wrong about Hitler. And it seems to have happened again. This was the response by Schalke 04, a German football team, to the latest mistake…
Toryism is bad for your health. Literally it kills
Toryism is bad for your health. Literally it kills Gerry Hassan The National, July 20th 2021 Boris Johnson and his administration have presided over the biggest domestic disaster to befell a UK Government in living memory – arguably since the UK began. There have been terrible calamities before such as Blair and the Iraq war, …
The post Toryism is bad for your health. Literally it kills appea...
A new England is emerging ? modern, hopeful and not about the past
A new England is emerging ? modern, hopeful and not about the past Gerry Hassan Sunday National, July 11th 2021 England?s success in getting to the European Championship final today at Wembley is a major football moment ? and a lot more. This is the first time England have ever reached the final of this …
The post A new England is emerging – modern, hopeful and not about the past appeared fir...
How do we hold power to account in Scotland?
How do we hold power to account in Scotland? Gerry Hassan Scottish Review, July 7th 2021 Scotland has a rich tradition of celebrating its difference and distinctiveness, seeing in its autonomy a kind of semi-independence that is exhibited in civil society, the public sphere and public life. Scotland?s public sphere is one of the main …
The post How do we hold power to account in Scotland? app...
Where and who are Scotland?s radicals today?
Where and who are Scotland?s radicals today? Gerry Hassan Scottish Review, June 30th 2021 Summer has arrived in Scotland and what passes for holidays in a pandemic ? schools formally off, the Scottish Parliament in recess, lots of staycationing, and maybe even Nicola Sturgeon feeling she is entitled to at least a short holiday. UK …
The post Where and who are Scotland’s radicals today? appea...
We are living in age of multiple revolutions
We are living in an age of multiple revolutions Gerry Hassan Scottish Review, June 22nd 2021 This Wednesday is five years exactly since the UK overall ? led by England and Wales ? voted for Brexit. The matter is still alive and present in so many ways ? in the Northern Ireland protocol, in Scotland, …
The post We are living in age of multiple revolutions appeared first on Gerry Hassan - writi...
Scotland no longer defines itself and the world through England
Scotland no longer defines itself and the world through England Gerry Hassan Bella Caledonia, June 18th 2021 The Scotland v England fixture returns – Wembley, the Tartan Army, English commentators talking nearly exclusively about England, with Gazza?s 1996 goal now replacing the once constant references to 1966. It is almost as if nothing has ever …
The post Scotland no longer defines itself ...
Freedom is everywhere but why don?t we feel really free?
Freedom is everywhere but why don?t we feel really free? Gerry Hassan Scottish Review, June 16th 2021 Freedom is everywhere it seems. The term is bandied about across our airwaves and public discussions, politics and the many controversies which define modern societies. Boris Johnson earlier defined the lifting of COVID restrictions in England on 21st …
The post Freedom is everywhere but why ...
Despite the lessons of history the British establishment are talking about pa...
Despite the lessons of history the British establishment are talking about partition Gerry Hassan The National, June 15th 2021 Partition has been much referenced of late concerning the state of the UK. We have seen hyper-anti-independence supporters like George Galloway float the ?partitioning? of Scotland in the event of independence. And we have seen numerous …
The post Despite the lessons ...
'No work' on independence case undertaken by Scottish Government since electi...
'No work' on independence case undertaken by Scottish Government since election The ScotsmanWhat Would Scottish Independence Mean for Banking? International Banker?There?s just hatred?: SNP and Alba clash over commitment to Scottish independence Press and JournalJames May calls out 'bonkers' Nicola Sturgeon amid questions about Scottish independence ExpressView Full coverage on Google News
How will the SNP solve Scotland's tragic drugs crisis? - New Statesman
How will the SNP solve Scotland's tragic drugs crisis? New StatesmanTory Bill to give drug addicts a 'right to recovery' being backed by SNP MSPs The ScotsmanScotland's record drug deaths total 'a scar on the conscience' of the SNP HeraldScotlandScottish airport chaos: SNP ridiculed over paper forms instead of digital Covid pass Telegraph.co.ukTory ministers 'short changing' Scotland over C...
'No work' on independence case undertaken by Scottish Government since electi...
'No work' on independence case undertaken by Scottish Government since election The ScotsmanWhat Would Scottish Independence Mean for Banking? International BankerClaims of fraud over SNP 'independence' donations | Scotland The TimesSNP rejects claim Indyref2 donations may have been spent on HQ refurbishment HeraldScotlandNicola Sturgeon caves to Boris Johnson as Scotland SUSPENDS independe...
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?
Stuart Campbell/Wings Over Scotland
Very rarely venture in to the politics forum on Pie and Bovril but, making an exception here, I voted for Independence in 2014 and would do again, although I'm no tub thumper for independence like some it is something I'm in favour of but, as this forum to me seems, by its posters a very strong %...
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 DUP
What's the craic? I believe they love the union and are fairly religious, that's about all I know. Fill me in.
Geopolitics in the 2020s.
So five months into the decade where are we?
The coming demographic changes in Europe are going to have huge social and economic impacts. The drop in in younger people will begin to bite this decade. This means less demand for the kinds of goods young people buy and liquidating the assets of ...
Pundits
I felt like this could do with its own thread, as it never quite fits anywhere else. A place to discuss and highlight examples of the political commentator class in Scotland and elsewhere.
I read this article the other day by Chris Deerin and wanted to tear my eyes out:
https://www.pressa...
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 official Boris pm cluster-fuck thread
Day to day discussions relating to the bumbling, chinless twat. He's currently giving a trumpesqian speech in Manchester relating to his Northern powerhouse plan - building a railway between Manchester and Leeds. He's went off message a few times, notably guessing when Stephenson's rocket was a ...
The Daft Willie Rennie thread
I think Daft Willie, merits his own thread to track his "crazy capers"! How an earth is he electable? Today, he's stuck in a giant deckchair, or is he really a tiny, tiny person? Who can forget the Morecambe and Wise act with ACH? Those boys, don't let them use sharp objects or swallow Lego now!
...
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...
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.
The Great Outdoors...
Thought I would start a thread on the Great Outdoors, as I am an avid fisherman, and for those of us who love the outdoors. Walking, hiking, fishing, hunting, camping, etc.. In these tough times due to Covid, lock downs, restrictions, you can always enjoy the great outdoors. So where you going? ...
The news thread
This probably won't take off because there's only about three topics regularly discussed on here ?
Anyway
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-57219860
Belarus being naughty today. A rather odd and desperate way to catch a journalist/activist. Why is this guy such a threat?
The Weather thread
Well, that's been a great May, and a good start to June, even getting some of that warm rain they get abroad. I'm still depending on the BBC for my forecasts although I have heard tell of someone on twitter or whatever called Windy something who is really good. Hopefully might get some nice thund...
Series Worth Watching
Wee bit like the movies thread - just got this showbox app on my tablet and it's got hundreds of different series on it.
Anybody recommend any worth watching?
Am about halfway through Homeland - quite enjoying it and have watched Peaky Blinders (which I found surprisingly good).
Tried Game of Thr...
Beer goggle pin up
It?s a bit bleak on here just now, not helped much by us being unceremoniously papped out the Euros.
A few weeks ago I heard that Gordon Ramsay and Lorraine Kelly were voted Scotland?s top beer goggle pin ups so thought it might be fun to hear the Tambers nominations. They dont need to be Sc...
There is no dark side of the moon
There is a far side however. Fair play to the Chinese for this achievement
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jan/03/china-probe-change-4-land-far-side-moon-basin-crater
Glenlivet and best whisky
Having my usual at weekend. Full of flu and feeling sorry for myself. What is best whisky? You know my answer. Although Highland Park is a close one.
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...
Jokes
A Chinese doctor can't find a job in a hospital in the US, so he opens a clinic and puts a sign outside that reads "GET TREATMENT FOR $20 - IF NOT CURED GET BACK $100."
An American lawyer thinks this is a great opportunity to earn $100 and goes to the clinic.
Lawyer: "I have lost my...
Julian Assange
Media starting to report that the UN have ruled in his favour.
Union Canal Walks
Just a quick question really. I am off work this week and with the kids (6&9) being off school I am looking for some activities to do with them. I was thinking of catching the train to Polmont and doing the canal side walk to Linlithgow then train home from there. Anyone on here done this? Any in...
Donald Rumsfeld - Deid
"Reports that say that something hasn't happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns?the ...
Malfeasance in government must not be condoned The Lord Advocate needs to sto...
Malfeasance – a word to be disassociated with The Alex Salmond debacle provided evidence of serious shortcomings in the SNP government led by Nicola Sturgeon and there are growing concerns her government has become distracted by the pursuit of controversial political doctrine with result that it has lost its way in the efficient provision of …
Another act of attrition the jackboot of the UK Supreme Court brings Scotland...
Jurisdiction over appeals to the sovereign (1876- 2009) The House of Lords had authority over appeals from the lower courts since all such matters were to the Sovereign-in-Parliament, and she was represented by the Lords. Commoners did not participate in judicial matters. The House of Lords did not necessarily include them but would be attended …
Scotland was brutally reminded of its colonial status in 1737 and a similar r...
The Porteous Affair 1737/38 The affair brought Scots of all political persuasions together under the “Patriot” banner to protest against Whig government abuse and disrespect of Scottish legal and political autonomy. It began in the spring of 1736 when two habitual burglars were done for breaking and entering and robbing the Collector of Customs building …
Craig Murray Lady Dorrian Questioned the Crown?s Motives
January 2021 High Court Edinburgh Craig Murray, faced a contempt of court hearing after posting information on his blog in advance of Mr Salmond?s trial. The contempt proceedings at the High Court, Edinburgh, before Lord Justice Clerk, Lady Dorrian, heard Alex Prentice QC, for the Crown argue that information Craig posted on his blog in …
KIrsty Wark is a Labour Party hack pretending to be an unbiased BBC journalist
Kirsty Wark is a BBC commentator, correspondent, journalist and political progamme maker. She is a close friend of senior Labour Party officials and office holders. Connected and powerful her influence over public opinion in Scotland is accepted by some as being absolute. She speaks the public listens and follows her lead. Is she impartial. Not …
Oliver Mundell?s past indiscretion surfaces at an inopportune time
Oliver Mundell – Dumfriesshire is the Mundell family dynasty Oliver Mundell is to stand for re-election in tomorrow’s Scottish Parliament Election. He is confident that his strong stance in defence of the Union, in the South of Scotland will count in his favour with voters. education & early employment After leaving school in Moffat, he …
Liberal Democrats in terminal decline under Willie Wonka Rennie
The decline of the Liberal-Democratic Party in Scotland 2007: In the 2007 Scottish Parliament elections, the party won one fewer seat than in the two previous Scottish elections. The outcome led to criticism of the party’s election strategy. Although it was arithmetically possible to form a majority coalition with the Scottish National Party and the …
European crime busters allege Aberdeen is illegal money laundering centre and...
The Newly Built Events Complex Aberdeen (TECA) Aberdeen?s replacement exhibition centre, built using finance borrowed from the London Stock on a long term loan, cost £425m to build has been devalued by KPMG and is now worth only £318.7m. A whacking great financial loss from which it doubtful the council will ever recover. Alex Nicoll …
Scottish Fisherfolk betrayed yet again by the Unionist Parties will they neve...
Fishing – what are the Tories and Lib/Dems up to ? In Scotland, quotas for species such as herring and mackerel have been bought up by a handful of families. Two-fifths of the entire Scottish catch by value and 65 per cent by tonnage was landed by 19 powerful super-trawlers in 2016. More than half …
Douglas Ross ? I am my own man and I am not accountable to the people of Moray
Douglas Gordon Ross: He was born in Aberdeen in 1983 and educated at Forres Academy and the Scottish Agricultural College. His early years were spent on a dairy farm near Forres where his father worked as a cattleman. On completing his secondary education he completed a 4-year course at Agriculture College returning to dairy farming …
