I don't think Alanbrooke is wrong. What ROI shows is that a poor nation can, over time, become a rich one. (It took ROI 100 years. But I'm not suggesting it would necessarily take Wales or Scotland that long: ROI made a lot of sub-optimal decisions along the way.) But an independent Wales or Scotland would have to take a lot of very different decisions to those that they currently take to make that happen. Wales, in particular, seems mustard keen to drive any creation of wealth out of the principality as quickly as possible.
As per my comment to your dumb sidekick Bart, Scotland is 2nd only to London in the UK for finances
It's not the Govts performance on the NHS it's the NHS's performance
Indeed. A plausible policy would be, more or less: Close the Department of Health and transfer it to the Treasury. Set up a multi party commission regularly to decide only what % of GDP shall be the NHS budget for the year. Write a cheque. Go away. Refer all questions to the NHS.
AKA depoliticise the NHS
The only problem is that you assume the NHS will then treat patients. It might equally become a hive of producer interest - in the interests of the people running the NHS Quango (or whatever it will be).
This has been a problem with the NHS Since it was created - the idea of patients coming first is remarkably recent. The original ethos was that the patients should take what they are given. And be grateful.
Perfectly good point. But as that has been a problem so far, I don't think my (implausible) solution would make it worse.
When a hospital starts killing patients really well, it takes serious outside intervention to break through the silence. Think of a few scandals.
You need goals, a regulator.... and you are back to accountability....
Yes. The current regulation obviously doesn't work. So it is a different solution required.
FWIW I think it's likely Scotland would vote for independence. Brexit has made it slightly more likely to go Yes in the context where it was already 50/50.
The tricky thing for nationalists is getting that choice in front of the population. The Union hangs on a procedure not happening.
I’ll argue the contrary, that, even if the question were put to the Scottish public, the issues around borders, debts, and currency, have made the case for independence more difficult.
The Scottish Nationalists should find a way to lobby the EU hard, for a digital border solution to the impasse over Northern Ireland. Because an independent Scotland wanting to join the EU, would otherwise need a very hard and physical border with England.
Talking of Ireland, Scotland’s best chance of prosperity as an independent nation would be to adopt the Irish model of being a big free zone.
It took Ireland about 60 years of poverty, post independence, for her left wing economic views to be dropped and embrace that thinking. I bet Scotland would be similar. Anyone arguing for a centre right policy would be slurred as a Tory.
Well this is the interesting question. We all seem to be agreed that a country doesn't need to take 100 years to go from poor to rich - about 20-40 will do. (A generation. Or three Scottish generations )
But how quickly will those countries' polities allow them to make the necessary decisions? I'd say at least a generation.
I have some sympathy with the separatists, and I certainly agree with @YBarddCwsc that the status quo isn't working. And the pre-devolution arrangements didn't work either. But It'll be a bumpy ride to get to the sunlit uplands, both economically and politically, and the outcome is by no means certain.
I expect if Scotland becomes independent it will probably take 50-60 years for them to come up to English standards, yes. About 30 years to ditch the leftwing politics, then another 20 to see their politics work once they hit the right ones.
But that's better than never.
And over time its taking countries less time to adapt to independence, as collectively people learn from mistakes of prior nations achieving it. It took the Irish 75 years to adapt and catch up, but that's less than half time it took the Americans who had a very bloody Civil War in-between. Neither nation would look back now though and wish away their independence, and why should the Scots if they achieve it?
What a dummy , if you could read you would know Scotland is 2nd only to London in the UK for finances.
I see the images out of Moscow today show the opening stages of what was predicted a while ago. Russia is becoming a junior partner of China. Far from making Russia strong again, Putin is returning the country to being a vassal of an Asian power.
This of course is history repeating itself. The Duchy of Moscow got its start as a vassal of the Mongols. Moscow's overlords were happy to have the state take its 30 pieces of silver in return for helping Mongolia exploit the other Eastern Slavs.
This is the question then for the Russian people. Do they want to be a vassal state for a Chinese Empire, or would they prefer to have a place as a full part of Europe with all the freedoms that follow from democracy?
The discussions between Russia and China are going to be really interesting to observe - so long as the Chinese don’t arm the Russians and we end up properly in WWIII. But the optimist in me says that Xi knows how that goes down with the rest of the Western world.
I’m thinking that the meeting today, is when Putin gets told that his failed state is going to be a 2030s Chinese farm.
I'm surprised Zelenskyy hasn't had a go at trying to charm the Chinese. Maybe he has but we've not seen it or it's been rebuffed. Most of Ukraine's soft power effort has been focused on the Western donors and a couple of semi-neutral countries like Israel and Turkey.
China and Ukraine had quite strong military links until recently. Ukraine helped greatly with the J-15, China’s AliExpress copy of the Flanker K for STOBAR carrier ops. Things became #itscomplicated when China wanted to buy a majority stake in the Zaporeezheeya aircraft engine plant in a deal that was not in the slightest bit corrupt. Trump told Ukraine to tell Chyna to fuck off and relations have been more sour than a fermented plum ever since. Trump had the ability to withhold US (and British and Canadian) military aid and training programs so Ukraine had no choice. They got effed in the A.
China are probably quite happy with the trajectory of the SMO so far. It's cementing Russia into their sphere of influence while consuming vast amounts of American money, weapons and attention.
Hardly "vast amounts", compared to the American budget; and much of that money is being spent in the US. And the US is gaining lots of friends amongst countries in Europe and elsewhere that don't like the idea of being invaded by fascist states. A lot of the diplomatic damage caused by Iraq will be being healed.
The US are also gaining a vast amount of information on modern warfare tactics and how their weapons work in this sort of combat - which is miles away from the way they were used in Iraq and Afghanistan.
And what are China getting? Some cheaper oil and gas (but not much), and the dregs of Russia. And diplomatic damage if they actually help Russia.
It's not a very good trade for China.
If Russia reunites with Ukraine by force then China will seize the opportunity to reunite Taiwan with them by force.
China will remain neutral until that point but I expect they hope Putin ultimately still captures Kyiv and the West and US are weakened as a result
In a matter of hours, they were tried, convicted, and beheaded for the crime of treason. Christoph Probst and siblings Hans and Sophie Scholl, White Rose resistance group members, dared to oppose the Nazi regime. Their pleas went unanswered. They were executed #OTD in 1943. https://twitter.com/HolocaustMuseum/status/1628399460563968000
A few months ago @MarqueeMark posted here about having met, I think, someone from Inge Scholl's (b 1917) family - it couldn't be Inge herself at that age could it? That was noteworthy for me because Die weisse Rose was a reading text for my German class as a student in the early '60s.
FWIW I think it's likely Scotland would vote for independence. Brexit has made it slightly more likely to go Yes in the context where it was already 50/50.
The tricky thing for nationalists is getting that choice in front of the population. The Union hangs on a procedure not happening.
I’ll argue the contrary, that, even if the question were put to the Scottish public, the issues around borders, debts, and currency, have made the case for independence more difficult.
The Scottish Nationalists should find a way to lobby the EU hard, for a digital border solution to the impasse over Northern Ireland. Because an independent Scotland wanting to join the EU, would otherwise need a very hard and physical border with England.
Talking of Ireland, Scotland’s best chance of prosperity as an independent nation would be to adopt the Irish model of being a big free zone.
It took Ireland about 60 years of poverty, post independence, for her left wing economic views to be dropped and embrace that thinking. I bet Scotland would be similar. Anyone arguing for a centre right policy would be slurred as a Tory.
Another numpty Scotch expert talking out of his arse
In a matter of hours, they were tried, convicted, and beheaded for the crime of treason. Christoph Probst and siblings Hans and Sophie Scholl, White Rose resistance group members, dared to oppose the Nazi regime. Their pleas went unanswered. They were executed #OTD in 1943. https://twitter.com/HolocaustMuseum/status/1628399460563968000
A few months ago @MarqueeMark posted here about having met, I think, someone from Inge Scholl's (b 1917) family - it couldn't be Inge herself at that age could it? That was noteworthy for me because Die weisse Rose was a reading text for my German class as a student in the early '60s.
I don't think Alanbrooke is wrong. What ROI shows is that a poor nation can, over time, become a rich one. (It took ROI 100 years. But I'm not suggesting it would necessarily take Wales or Scotland that long: ROI made a lot of sub-optimal decisions along the way.) But an independent Wales or Scotland would have to take a lot of very different decisions to those that they currently take to make that happen. Wales, in particular, seems mustard keen to drive any creation of wealth out of the principality as quickly as possible.
As per my comment to your dumb sidekick Bart, Scotland is 2nd only to London in the UK for finances
One of the reasons that my head says No to independence, even though my heart says Yes, is this: years ago I was on the Pension Panel for West Sussex county council, which as it happens was administered by a Scottish management firm, based in Edinburgh. On a visit up to their offices, I asked them what they would do if Scotland went independent - they had a plan, updated annually, for shifting everything to London in the event. They reckoned the core business would be moved in a week, most staff within a month, and finalised in three months. It was even written in to new staff contracts. When I asked why they wouldn't stay based in Edinburgh, my minder (born and bred in Fife) just laughed.
The AI revolution is going to change the way humans work, live, love, exist. In 10-20 years time arguments about nationality will likely seem quaintly absurd
That includes British nationalism
People thought that 1991 meant The End of History.
That was always a mad thesis
I’m arguing the opposite, if anything. History is about to speed up and transform everything
AI is a Revolution. We are on the cusp now
I don’t think it was a mad thesis. In its principal argument it was correct, and is being reinforced today: that there was no longer any serious ideological challenger to capitalistic liberal democracy. Other systems would struggle on, but most would mimic, aspire to, or attempt to subvert the dominant system. It’s telling that just this week Putin’s rhetoric was a rehash of American culture war talking points.
For a few years there was a sense that perhaps Islamist theocracy might give it a go, but look at Iran now.
Russia, China offer no coherent alternative to liberal capitalism. People there keep moving to the West. If you want to know whether capitalist liberal democracy is still the dominant system just look at migration flows.
The hubristic headline was the problem. People interpreted it as meaning there would be no more conflict or ideological debates.
FWIW I think it's likely Scotland would vote for independence. Brexit has made it slightly more likely to go Yes in the context where it was already 50/50.
The tricky thing for nationalists is getting that choice in front of the population. The Union hangs on a procedure not happening.
I’ll argue the contrary, that, even if the question were put to the Scottish public, the issues around borders, debts, and currency, have made the case for independence more difficult.
The Scottish Nationalists should find a way to lobby the EU hard, for a digital border solution to the impasse over Northern Ireland. Because an independent Scotland wanting to join the EU, would otherwise need a very hard and physical border with England.
Talking of Ireland, Scotland’s best chance of prosperity as an independent nation would be to adopt the Irish model of being a big free zone.
It took Ireland about 60 years of poverty, post independence, for her left wing economic views to be dropped and embrace that thinking. I bet Scotland would be similar. Anyone arguing for a centre right policy would be slurred as a Tory.
Well this is the interesting question. We all seem to be agreed that a country doesn't need to take 100 years to go from poor to rich - about 20-40 will do. (A generation. Or three Scottish generations )
But how quickly will those countries' polities allow them to make the necessary decisions? I'd say at least a generation.
I have some sympathy with the separatists, and I certainly agree with @YBarddCwsc that the status quo isn't working. And the pre-devolution arrangements didn't work either. But It'll be a bumpy ride to get to the sunlit uplands, both economically and politically, and the outcome is by no means certain.
I expect if Scotland becomes independent it will probably take 50-60 years for them to come up to English standards, yes. About 30 years to ditch the leftwing politics, then another 20 to see their politics work once they hit the right ones.
But that's better than never.
And over time its taking countries less time to adapt to independence, as collectively people learn from mistakes of prior nations achieving it. It took the Irish 75 years to adapt and catch up, but that's less than half time it took the Americans who had a very bloody Civil War in-between. Neither nation would look back now though and wish away their independence, and why should the Scots if they achieve it?
What a dummy , if you could read you would know Scotland is 2nd only to London
On topic I found Alanbrooke's piece interesting but 'the old dog' ain't hardly 'fit and well'. It is limping badly and being sucked dry by a multitude of fleas.
A cruel but possibly accurate metaphor for NI, Wales and Scotland.
FWIW I think it's likely Scotland would vote for independence. Brexit has made it slightly more likely to go Yes in the context where it was already 50/50.
The tricky thing for nationalists is getting that choice in front of the population. The Union hangs on a procedure not happening.
I’ll argue the contrary, that, even if the question were put to the Scottish public, the issues around borders, debts, and currency, have made the case for independence more difficult.
The Scottish Nationalists should find a way to lobby the EU hard, for a digital border solution to the impasse over Northern Ireland. Because an independent Scotland wanting to join the EU, would otherwise need a very hard and physical border with England.
Talking of Ireland, Scotland’s best chance of prosperity as an independent nation would be to adopt the Irish model of being a big free zone.
It took Ireland about 60 years of poverty, post independence, for her left wing economic views to be dropped and embrace that thinking. I bet Scotland would be similar. Anyone arguing for a centre right policy would be slurred as a Tory.
Well this is the interesting question. We all seem to be agreed that a country doesn't need to take 100 years to go from poor to rich - about 20-40 will do. (A generation. Or three Scottish generations )
But how quickly will those countries' polities allow them to make the necessary decisions? I'd say at least a generation.
I have some sympathy with the separatists, and I certainly agree with @YBarddCwsc that the status quo isn't working. And the pre-devolution arrangements didn't work either. But It'll be a bumpy ride to get to the sunlit uplands, both economically and politically, and the outcome is by no means certain.
I expect if Scotland becomes independent it will probably take 50-60 years for them to come up to English standards, yes. About 30 years to ditch the leftwing politics, then another 20 to see their politics work once they hit the right ones.
But that's better than never.
And over time its taking countries less time to adapt to independence, as collectively people learn from mistakes of prior nations achieving it. It took the Irish 75 years to adapt and catch up, but that's less than half time it took the Americans who had a very bloody Civil War in-between. Neither nation would look back now though and wish away their independence, and why should the Scots if they achieve it?
If your comment about not paying their way is true, and I have no reason to doubt it, what would happen with a newly independent Scotland or Wales and their pension and benefits liabilities ?
How would these be covered from their budgets as separate nations ?
Taz , the Scottish NI last year was much higher than pensions , don't believe all the crap written on here by morons. Also as we would not be supporting Trident , embassies and all the waste of Westminster the money they currently borrow and blame on Scotland would melt away as would a lot of the supposed deficit.
Presumably there aren't going to be embassies because you'll let the EU take care of foreign affairs?
We would have small sensible places I suspect , no need for us to try and show off and have expensive sites for hooray henrys to sup vintage champagne at taxpayers expense , save us a fortune compared to now. Your attempt at sarcasm shows you for the fool you are, one would have expected you to know that every country in the EU is engaged , unlike now where we are a colony and treated like shit.
If your comment about not paying their way is true, and I have no reason to doubt it, what would happen with a newly independent Scotland or Wales and their pension and benefits liabilities ?
How would these be covered from their budgets as separate nations ?
Taz , the Scottish NI last year was much higher than pensions , don't believe all the crap written on here by morons. Also as we would not be supporting Trident , embassies and all the waste of Westminster the money they currently borrow and blame on Scotland would melt away as would a lot of the supposed deficit.
Presumably there aren't going to be embassies because you'll let the EU take care of foreign affairs?
We would have small sensible places I suspect , no need for us to try and show off and have expensive sites for hooray henrys to sup vintage champagne at taxpayers expense , save us a fortune compared to now. Your attempt at sarcasm shows you for the fool you are, one would have expected you to know that every country in the EU is engaged , unlike now where we are a colony and treated like shit.
Re Wales - in the last 6 months Drakeford has announced
Cancellation of all road building programmes
Plans to introduce 20mph zones throughout the country
Plans to introduce a tourist tax
Plans to ban multi but supermarket offers
Also a pavement parking ban
If anyone from labour can explain how this improves productivity and in the cancellation of the third Menai crossing assists the development of Holyhead as a free port
In fairness I have sympathy with the pavement parking ban which causes all kinds of problems for the disabled and those with prams
A dispute at the New York Times over its coverage of transgender issues deepened with news of a letter signed by high-profile reporters, criticising the Times’ union president for her own letter on the issue, in which she said staff who protested the paper’s trans coverage were concerned about “a hostile working environment”.
“Factual, accurate journalism that is written, edited and published in accordance with Times standards does not create a hostile workplace,” read the new letter, signed by the chief White House correspondent, Peter Baker, political correspondent Lisa Lerer and other senior figures and reported by Vanity Fair.
In a matter of hours, they were tried, convicted, and beheaded for the crime of treason. Christoph Probst and siblings Hans and Sophie Scholl, White Rose resistance group members, dared to oppose the Nazi regime. Their pleas went unanswered. They were executed #OTD in 1943. https://twitter.com/HolocaustMuseum/status/1628399460563968000
A few months ago @MarqueeMark posted here about having met, I think, someone from Inge Scholl's (b 1917) family - it couldn't be Inge herself at that age could it? That was noteworthy for me because Die weisse Rose was a reading text for my German class as a student in the early '60s.
This prompted me to get the book from my shelves. It hadn't been opened for ~60 years and the bookseller's receipt fell out. I just had to share it with y'all.
Taz , the Scottish NI last year was much higher than pensions
You want to be careful, malky - irritability and forgetfulness are symptoms of dementia.
another nasty arsehole , what kind of a creep comes out with stuff like that , GIRUY
I must say your reasoned assessments of the relative merits of the candidates have been pithy and consistent and entirely logical. Nothing wrong with the old brain.
I don't think any of the Scots on here rates Mr Yousaf. Not one?
Re Wales - in the last 6 months Drakeford has announced
Cancellation of all road building programmes
Plans to introduce 20mph zones throughout the country
Plans to introduce a tourist tax
Plans to ban multi but supermarket offers
Also a pavement parking ban
If anyone from labour can explain how this improves productivity and in the cancellation of the third Menai crossing assists the development of Holyhead as a free port
In fairness I have sympathy with the pavement parking ban which causes all kinds of problems for the disabled and those with prams
Why doesn’t he go all the way and announce another lockdown ?
This is the first article I've read on PB which for me has no redeeming features.
New here?
Assume all new posters are either a) a russian troll or b) a new pseudonym for our favourite flint knapper until proved otherwise
If they are new then that really is a pretty rude first post. Actually even if they’re not new it’s a rude post. I think it’s great people give up their time to write headers, whether or not I agree with them (and I’m not sure I agree with this latest one).
Taz , the Scottish NI last year was much higher than pensions
You want to be careful, malky - irritability and forgetfulness are symptoms of dementia.
another nasty arsehole , what kind of a creep comes out with stuff like that , GIRUY
I must say your reasoned assessments of the relative merits of the candidates have been pithy and consistent and entirely logical. Nothing wrong with the old brain.
I don't think any of the Scots on here rates Mr Yousaf. Not one?
But maybe we are all old farts on PB.
Who would be your preferred last minute out-of-the-woodwork candidate to throw their hat into the ring on Friday?
This is the first article I've read on PB which for me has no redeeming features.
New here?
Assume all new posters are either a) a russian troll or b) a new pseudonym for our favourite flint knapper until proved otherwise
If they are new then that really is a pretty rude first post. Actually even if they’re not new it’s a rude post. I think it’s great people give up their time to write headers, whether or not I agree with them (and I’m not sure I agree with this latest one).
Taz , the Scottish NI last year was much higher than pensions
You want to be careful, malky - irritability and forgetfulness are symptoms of dementia.
another nasty arsehole , what kind of a creep comes out with stuff like that , GIRUY
I must say your reasoned assessments of the relative merits of the candidates have been pithy and consistent and entirely logical. Nothing wrong with the old brain.
I don't think any of the Scots on here rates Mr Yousaf. Not one?
But maybe we are all old farts on PB.
Who would be your preferred last minute out-of-the-woodwork candidate to throw their hat into the ring on Friday?
In reference to geoffw’s post just above, I felt I ought to highlight this detail. … Ford Motor Company and Koc Holding enjoy a strong relationship that stretches back almost a century..
Taz , the Scottish NI last year was much higher than pensions
You want to be careful, malky - irritability and forgetfulness are symptoms of dementia.
another nasty arsehole , what kind of a creep comes out with stuff like that , GIRUY
I must say your reasoned assessments of the relative merits of the candidates have been pithy and consistent and entirely logical. Nothing wrong with the old brain.
I don't think any of the Scots on here rates Mr Yousaf. Not one?
But maybe we are all old farts on PB.
Who would be your preferred last minute out-of-the-woodwork candidate to throw their hat into the ring on Friday?
A dispute at the New York Times over its coverage of transgender issues deepened with news of a letter signed by high-profile reporters, criticising the Times’ union president for her own letter on the issue, in which she said staff who protested the paper’s trans coverage were concerned about “a hostile working environment”.
“Factual, accurate journalism that is written, edited and published in accordance with Times standards does not create a hostile workplace,” read the new letter, signed by the chief White House correspondent, Peter Baker, political correspondent Lisa Lerer and other senior figures and reported by Vanity Fair.
Taz , the Scottish NI last year was much higher than pensions
You want to be careful, malky - irritability and forgetfulness are symptoms of dementia.
another nasty arsehole , what kind of a creep comes out with stuff like that , GIRUY
I must say your reasoned assessments of the relative merits of the candidates have been pithy and consistent and entirely logical. Nothing wrong with the old brain.
I don't think any of the Scots on here rates Mr Yousaf. Not one?
But maybe we are all old farts on PB.
Afternoon Carnyx, some real nasty pieces of work on here. Key will be who counts the votes for sure.
Taz , the Scottish NI last year was much higher than pensions
You want to be careful, malky - irritability and forgetfulness are symptoms of dementia.
another nasty arsehole , what kind of a creep comes out with stuff like that , GIRUY
I must say your reasoned assessments of the relative merits of the candidates have been pithy and consistent and entirely logical. Nothing wrong with the old brain.
I don't think any of the Scots on here rates Mr Yousaf. Not one?
But maybe we are all old farts on PB.
Who would be your preferred last minute out-of-the-woodwork candidate to throw their hat into the ring on Friday?
Joanna Cherry would be interesting. Even fun. In the Malmesburyan sense.
But it deoends who else comes onto the slate first.
Re Wales - in the last 6 months Drakeford has announced
Cancellation of all road building programmes
Plans to introduce 20mph zones throughout the country
Plans to introduce a tourist tax
Plans to ban multi but supermarket offers
Also a pavement parking ban
If anyone from labour can explain how this improves productivity and in the cancellation of the third Menai crossing assists the development of Holyhead as a free port
In fairness I have sympathy with the pavement parking ban which causes all kinds of problems for the disabled and those with prams
Drakeford's heart is fine. The problem is the anorexia of his wallet.
Drakeford would like to do good things, such as improve public health or reduce homelessness.
Unfortunately, fixing those things costs lots of money, which he doesn't have.
So, he tinkers at the edges with things that are cheap to implement, or that may even give him a little money -- like a BOGOF ban or a tourist tax.
And ends up looking mildly ridiculous. No-one could seriously argue that a major health problem facing Wales is BOGOFs,
Taz , the Scottish NI last year was much higher than pensions
You want to be careful, malky - irritability and forgetfulness are symptoms of dementia.
another nasty arsehole , what kind of a creep comes out with stuff like that , GIRUY
I must say your reasoned assessments of the relative merits of the candidates have been pithy and consistent and entirely logical. Nothing wrong with the old brain.
I don't think any of the Scots on here rates Mr Yousaf. Not one?
But maybe we are all old farts on PB.
Who would be your preferred last minute out-of-the-woodwork candidate to throw their hat into the ring on Friday?
This is the first article I've read on PB which for me has no redeeming features.
New here?
Assume all new posters are either a) a russian troll or b) a new pseudonym for our favourite flint knapper until proved otherwise
If they are new then that really is a pretty rude first post. Actually even if they’re not new it’s a rude post. I think it’s great people give up their time to write headers, whether or not I agree with them (and I’m not sure I agree with this latest one).
panties in a bunch luv
That's a great expression, Malc. So much more expressive than 'knickers in a twist', which I take to be the tamer version that I'm used to. It's the local vernacular?
Re Wales - in the last 6 months Drakeford has announced
Cancellation of all road building programmes
Plans to introduce 20mph zones throughout the country
Plans to introduce a tourist tax
Plans to ban multi but supermarket offers
Also a pavement parking ban
If anyone from labour can explain how this improves productivity and in the cancellation of the third Menai crossing assists the development of Holyhead as a free port
In fairness I have sympathy with the pavement parking ban which causes all kinds of problems for the disabled and those with prams
Why doesn’t he go all the way and announce another lockdown ?
Taz , the Scottish NI last year was much higher than pensions
You want to be careful, malky - irritability and forgetfulness are symptoms of dementia.
another nasty arsehole , what kind of a creep comes out with stuff like that , GIRUY
I must say your reasoned assessments of the relative merits of the candidates have been pithy and consistent and entirely logical. Nothing wrong with the old brain.
I don't think any of the Scots on here rates Mr Yousaf. Not one?
But maybe we are all old farts on PB.
Who would be your preferred last minute out-of-the-woodwork candidate to throw their hat into the ring on Friday?
Boris Johnson
No good. Not a member. Wouldn't be let in as he is a member of a different party. Though ifd he filled in the form as Alec Johnston ...
If your comment about not paying their way is true, and I have no reason to doubt it, what would happen with a newly independent Scotland or Wales and their pension and benefits liabilities ?
How would these be covered from their budgets as separate nations ?
Taz , the Scottish NI last year was much higher than pensions , don't believe all the crap written on here by morons. Also as we would not be supporting Trident , embassies and all the waste of Westminster the money they currently borrow and blame on Scotland would melt away as would a lot of the supposed deficit.
Presumably there aren't going to be embassies because you'll let the EU take care of foreign affairs?
We would have small sensible places I suspect , no need for us to try and show off and have expensive sites for hooray henrys to sup vintage champagne at taxpayers expense , save us a fortune compared to now. Your attempt at sarcasm shows you for the fool you are, one would have expected you to know that every country in the EU is engaged , unlike now where we are a colony and treated like shit.
That's a very long-winded way of saying "yes".
I mean, consider the following:
1) "International relations, including relations with territories outside the United Kingdom, the European Union (and their institutions) and other international organisations, regulation of international trade, and international development assistance and co-operation are reserved matters" per the Scotland Act 1998.
2) The SNP "embassy" in Brussels, which legally has nothing it can do for Scotland's 5,479,900 people, costs £2.4m a year
3) The UK embassy in Brussels, which does all the work for 67,281,039 people, cost £4.8m.
Taz , the Scottish NI last year was much higher than pensions
You want to be careful, malky - irritability and forgetfulness are symptoms of dementia.
another nasty arsehole , what kind of a creep comes out with stuff like that , GIRUY
I must say your reasoned assessments of the relative merits of the candidates have been pithy and consistent and entirely logical. Nothing wrong with the old brain.
I don't think any of the Scots on here rates Mr Yousaf. Not one?
But maybe we are all old farts on PB.
I have to say the relentless downer on him from PB types who hate the SNP and indy, and have neither a vote in Scotland or in the leadership election is making me warm to him.
Taz , the Scottish NI last year was much higher than pensions
You want to be careful, malky - irritability and forgetfulness are symptoms of dementia.
another nasty arsehole , what kind of a creep comes out with stuff like that , GIRUY
I must say your reasoned assessments of the relative merits of the candidates have been pithy and consistent and entirely logical. Nothing wrong with the old brain.
I don't think any of the Scots on here rates Mr Yousaf. Not one?
But maybe we are all old farts on PB.
I have to say the relentless downer on him from PB types who hate the SNP and indy, and have neither a vote in Scotland or in the leadership election is making me warm to him.
I think he would be an excellent choice from the Scons point of view
Taz , the Scottish NI last year was much higher than pensions
You want to be careful, malky - irritability and forgetfulness are symptoms of dementia.
another nasty arsehole , what kind of a creep comes out with stuff like that , GIRUY
I must say your reasoned assessments of the relative merits of the candidates have been pithy and consistent and entirely logical. Nothing wrong with the old brain.
I don't think any of the Scots on here rates Mr Yousaf. Not one?
But maybe we are all old farts on PB.
I have to say the relentless downer on him from PB types who hate the SNP and indy, and have neither a vote in Scotland or in the leadership election is making me warm to him.
I think he would be an excellent choice from the Scons point of view
Yeah, they might break back into the low 20s in polling. The thought of SCons & SLab bickering over who gets to be distant second fair breaks my heart.
Taz , the Scottish NI last year was much higher than pensions
You want to be careful, malky - irritability and forgetfulness are symptoms of dementia.
another nasty arsehole , what kind of a creep comes out with stuff like that , GIRUY
I must say your reasoned assessments of the relative merits of the candidates have been pithy and consistent and entirely logical. Nothing wrong with the old brain.
I don't think any of the Scots on here rates Mr Yousaf. Not one?
But maybe we are all old farts on PB.
I have to say the relentless downer on him from PB types who hate the SNP and indy, and have neither a vote in Scotland or in the leadership election is making me warm to him.
I think he would be an excellent choice from the Scons point of view
Yeah, they might break back into the low 20s in polling. The thought of SCons & SLab bickering over who gets to be distant second fair breaks my heart.
The Scons would be the only party supporting the 100,000 plus North Sea jobs and duelling the A9 plus of course they are pro the union
Re Wales - in the last 6 months Drakeford has announced
Cancellation of all road building programmes
Plans to introduce 20mph zones throughout the country
Plans to introduce a tourist tax
Plans to ban multi but supermarket offers
Also a pavement parking ban
If anyone from labour can explain how this improves productivity and in the cancellation of the third Menai crossing assists the development of Holyhead as a free port
In fairness I have sympathy with the pavement parking ban which causes all kinds of problems for the disabled and those with prams
The problem with not pavement parking is that whilst the remaining road space might be wide enough (just) for a car to go down, it might not be wide enough for a fire engine. And you only realise that when a fire engine tries to go down.
Taz , the Scottish NI last year was much higher than pensions
You want to be careful, malky - irritability and forgetfulness are symptoms of dementia.
another nasty arsehole , what kind of a creep comes out with stuff like that , GIRUY
I must say your reasoned assessments of the relative merits of the candidates have been pithy and consistent and entirely logical. Nothing wrong with the old brain.
I don't think any of the Scots on here rates Mr Yousaf. Not one?
But maybe we are all old farts on PB.
I have to say the relentless downer on him from PB types who hate the SNP and indy, and have neither a vote in Scotland or in the leadership election is making me warm to him.
I think he would be an excellent choice from the Scons point of view
Yeah, they might break back into the low 20s in polling. The thought of SCons & SLab bickering over who gets to be distant second fair breaks my heart.
The Scons would be the only party supporting the 100,000 plus North Sea jobs and duelling the A9 plus of course they are pro the union
That's a Harry Potter sequel I wasn't expecting.
Makes sense I suppose - Rowling lives just off the A9 in Aberfeldy.
Re Wales - in the last 6 months Drakeford has announced
Cancellation of all road building programmes
Plans to introduce 20mph zones throughout the country
Plans to introduce a tourist tax
Plans to ban multi but supermarket offers
Also a pavement parking ban
If anyone from labour can explain how this improves productivity and in the cancellation of the third Menai crossing assists the development of Holyhead as a free port
In fairness I have sympathy with the pavement parking ban which causes all kinds of problems for the disabled and those with prams
The problem with not pavement parking is that whilst the remaining road space might be wide enough (just) for a car to go down, it might not be wide enough for a fire engine. And you only realise that when a fire engine tries to go down.
Re Wales - in the last 6 months Drakeford has announced
Cancellation of all road building programmes
Plans to introduce 20mph zones throughout the country
Plans to introduce a tourist tax
Plans to ban multi but supermarket offers
Also a pavement parking ban
If anyone from labour can explain how this improves productivity and in the cancellation of the third Menai crossing assists the development of Holyhead as a free port
In fairness I have sympathy with the pavement parking ban which causes all kinds of problems for the disabled and those with prams
The problem with not pavement parking is that whilst the remaining road space might be wide enough (just) for a car to go down, it might not be wide enough for a fire engine. And you only realise that when a fire engine tries to go down.
Taz , the Scottish NI last year was much higher than pensions
You want to be careful, malky - irritability and forgetfulness are symptoms of dementia.
another nasty arsehole , what kind of a creep comes out with stuff like that , GIRUY
I must say your reasoned assessments of the relative merits of the candidates have been pithy and consistent and entirely logical. Nothing wrong with the old brain.
I don't think any of the Scots on here rates Mr Yousaf. Not one?
But maybe we are all old farts on PB.
I have to say the relentless downer on him from PB types who hate the SNP and indy, and have neither a vote in Scotland or in the leadership election is making me warm to him.
I think he would be an excellent choice from the Scons point of view
Yeah, they might break back into the low 20s in polling. The thought of SCons & SLab bickering over who gets to be distant second fair breaks my heart.
The Scons would be the only party supporting the 100,000 plus North Sea jobs and duelling the A9 plus of course they are pro the union
That's a Harry Potter sequel I wasn't expecting.
Makes sense I suppose - Rowling lives just off the A9 in Aberfeldy.
And of course if Kate Forbes won she would be very much on the same page as the Scons apart from on independence
Taz , the Scottish NI last year was much higher than pensions
You want to be careful, malky - irritability and forgetfulness are symptoms of dementia.
another nasty arsehole , what kind of a creep comes out with stuff like that , GIRUY
I must say your reasoned assessments of the relative merits of the candidates have been pithy and consistent and entirely logical. Nothing wrong with the old brain.
I don't think any of the Scots on here rates Mr Yousaf. Not one?
But maybe we are all old farts on PB.
I have to say the relentless downer on him from PB types who hate the SNP and indy, and have neither a vote in Scotland or in the leadership election is making me warm to him.
I think he would be an excellent choice from the Scons point of view
Yeah, they might break back into the low 20s in polling. The thought of SCons & SLab bickering over who gets to be distant second fair breaks my heart.
The Scons would be the only party supporting the 100,000 plus North Sea jobs and duelling the A9 plus of course they are pro the union
That's a Harry Potter sequel I wasn't expecting.
Makes sense I suppose - Rowling lives just off the A9 in Aberfeldy.
And of course if Kate Forbes won she would be very much on the same page as the Scons apart from on independence
Taz , the Scottish NI last year was much higher than pensions
You want to be careful, malky - irritability and forgetfulness are symptoms of dementia.
another nasty arsehole , what kind of a creep comes out with stuff like that , GIRUY
I must say your reasoned assessments of the relative merits of the candidates have been pithy and consistent and entirely logical. Nothing wrong with the old brain.
I don't think any of the Scots on here rates Mr Yousaf. Not one?
But maybe we are all old farts on PB.
I have to say the relentless downer on him from PB types who hate the SNP and indy, and have neither a vote in Scotland or in the leadership election is making me warm to him.
I think he would be an excellent choice from the Scons point of view
Yeah, they might break back into the low 20s in polling. The thought of SCons & SLab bickering over who gets to be distant second fair breaks my heart.
The Scons would be the only party supporting the 100,000 plus North Sea jobs and duelling the A9 plus of course they are pro the union
That's a Harry Potter sequel I wasn't expecting.
Makes sense I suppose - Rowling lives just off the A9 in Aberfeldy.
And of course if Kate Forbes won she would be very much on the same page as the Scons apart from on independence
Taz , the Scottish NI last year was much higher than pensions
You want to be careful, malky - irritability and forgetfulness are symptoms of dementia.
another nasty arsehole , what kind of a creep comes out with stuff like that , GIRUY
I must say your reasoned assessments of the relative merits of the candidates have been pithy and consistent and entirely logical. Nothing wrong with the old brain.
I don't think any of the Scots on here rates Mr Yousaf. Not one?
But maybe we are all old farts on PB.
I have to say the relentless downer on him from PB types who hate the SNP and indy, and have neither a vote in Scotland or in the leadership election is making me warm to him.
I think he would be an excellent choice from the Scons point of view
Yeah, they might break back into the low 20s in polling. The thought of SCons & SLab bickering over who gets to be distant second fair breaks my heart.
The Scons would be the only party supporting the 100,000 plus North Sea jobs and duelling the A9 plus of course they are pro the union
That's a Harry Potter sequel I wasn't expecting.
Makes sense I suppose - Rowling lives just off the A9 in Aberfeldy.
And of course if Kate Forbes won she would be very much on the same page as the Scons apart from on independence
She should form the Scottish National Conservative Party.
Re Wales - in the last 6 months Drakeford has announced
Cancellation of all road building programmes
Plans to introduce 20mph zones throughout the country
Plans to introduce a tourist tax
Plans to ban multi but supermarket offers
Also a pavement parking ban
If anyone from labour can explain how this improves productivity and in the cancellation of the third Menai crossing assists the development of Holyhead as a free port
In fairness I have sympathy with the pavement parking ban which causes all kinds of problems for the disabled and those with prams
Taz , the Scottish NI last year was much higher than pensions
You want to be careful, malky - irritability and forgetfulness are symptoms of dementia.
another nasty arsehole , what kind of a creep comes out with stuff like that , GIRUY
I must say your reasoned assessments of the relative merits of the candidates have been pithy and consistent and entirely logical. Nothing wrong with the old brain.
I don't think any of the Scots on here rates Mr Yousaf. Not one?
But maybe we are all old farts on PB.
I have to say the relentless downer on him from PB types who hate the SNP and indy, and have neither a vote in Scotland or in the leadership election is making me warm to him.
I think he would be an excellent choice from the Scons point of view
Yeah, they might break back into the low 20s in polling. The thought of SCons & SLab bickering over who gets to be distant second fair breaks my heart.
The Scons would be the only party supporting the 100,000 plus North Sea jobs and duelling the A9 plus of course they are pro the union
That's a Harry Potter sequel I wasn't expecting.
Makes sense I suppose - Rowling lives just off the A9 in Aberfeldy.
And of course if Kate Forbes won she would be very much on the same page as the Scons apart from on independence
She should form the Scottish National Conservative Party.
It'd have the merit of being a real conservative one.
Regan has been gently sliding in without actually saying or doing much. It’s very possible she could turbocharge or self-destruct her campaign as soon as a journalist talks to her
Regan has been gently sliding in without actually saying or doing much. It’s very possible she could turbocharge or self-destruct her campaign as soon as a journalist talks to her
I was wondering if I was almost the only one who noticed how she'd been ignored. Apart of course for our lunar lagomorph commenting on her fashion and footwear sense. And one of our Tories rather ungentlemanily (?sp) referring to the lady by her now divorced husband's surname.
Taz , the Scottish NI last year was much higher than pensions
You want to be careful, malky - irritability and forgetfulness are symptoms of dementia.
another nasty arsehole , what kind of a creep comes out with stuff like that , GIRUY
I must say your reasoned assessments of the relative merits of the candidates have been pithy and consistent and entirely logical. Nothing wrong with the old brain.
I don't think any of the Scots on here rates Mr Yousaf. Not one?
But maybe we are all old farts on PB.
I have to say the relentless downer on him from PB types who hate the SNP and indy, and have neither a vote in Scotland or in the leadership election is making me warm to him.
I think he would be an excellent choice from the Scons point of view
Yeah, they might break back into the low 20s in polling. The thought of SCons & SLab bickering over who gets to be distant second fair breaks my heart.
The Scons would be the only party supporting the 100,000 plus North Sea jobs and duelling the A9 plus of course they are pro the union
That's a Harry Potter sequel I wasn't expecting.
Makes sense I suppose - Rowling lives just off the A9 in Aberfeldy.
And of course if Kate Forbes won she would be very much on the same page as the Scons apart from on independence
Parties with one huge and overwhelming constitutional policy, such as the SNP are in a sort of dilemma.
If you drill down on what they want, they want two constitutional things (I hope). 1) Scottish independence in 2) A multi party democracy.
The second means of course that the first aim intends that all shades of democratically accountable opinion, from Jezza to Lee Anderson to JRM will be held and get elected in the new country.
And the more the SNP has views other than independence, especially slightly off the wall ones, the more they look like a faction not a national movement.
Which is why you need the Scotland Liberation Front as well as the Front for the Liberation of Scotland - and possibly The Liberation of Scotland Front too.
Taz , the Scottish NI last year was much higher than pensions
You want to be careful, malky - irritability and forgetfulness are symptoms of dementia.
another nasty arsehole , what kind of a creep comes out with stuff like that , GIRUY
I must say your reasoned assessments of the relative merits of the candidates have been pithy and consistent and entirely logical. Nothing wrong with the old brain.
I don't think any of the Scots on here rates Mr Yousaf. Not one?
But maybe we are all old farts on PB.
I have to say the relentless downer on him from PB types who hate the SNP and indy, and have neither a vote in Scotland or in the leadership election is making me warm to him.
I think he would be an excellent choice from the Scons point of view
Yeah, they might break back into the low 20s in polling. The thought of SCons & SLab bickering over who gets to be distant second fair breaks my heart.
The Scons would be the only party supporting the 100,000 plus North Sea jobs and duelling the A9 plus of course they are pro the union
That's a Harry Potter sequel I wasn't expecting.
Makes sense I suppose - Rowling lives just off
the A9 in Aberfeldy.
And of course if Kate Forbes won she would be very much on the same page as the Scons apart from on independence
Taz , the Scottish NI last year was much higher than pensions
You want to be careful, malky - irritability and forgetfulness are symptoms of dementia.
another nasty arsehole , what kind of a creep comes out with stuff like that , GIRUY
I must say your reasoned assessments of the relative merits of the candidates have been pithy and consistent and entirely logical. Nothing wrong with the old brain.
I don't think any of the Scots on here rates Mr Yousaf. Not one?
But maybe we are all old farts on PB.
I have to say the relentless downer on him from PB types who hate the SNP and indy, and have neither a vote in Scotland or in the leadership election is making me warm to him.
I think he would be an excellent choice from the Scons point of view
Yeah, they might break back into the low 20s in polling. The thought of SCons & SLab bickering over who gets to be distant second fair breaks my heart.
The Scons would be the only party supporting the 100,000 plus North Sea jobs and duelling the A9 plus of course they are pro the union
That's a Harry Potter sequel I wasn't expecting.
Makes sense I suppose - Rowling lives just off
the A9 in Aberfeldy.
And of course if Kate Forbes won she would be very much on the same page as the Scons apart from on independence
She’s well to the right of the Scones
Scones are like the motorway kind - you can be to the left or the right of them and it doesn't mean much because they are so moveable.
Re Wales - in the last 6 months Drakeford has announced
Cancellation of all road building programmes
Plans to introduce 20mph zones throughout the country
Plans to introduce a tourist tax
Plans to ban multi but supermarket offers
Also a pavement parking ban
If anyone from labour can explain how this improves productivity and in the cancellation of the third Menai crossing assists the development of Holyhead as a free port
In fairness I have sympathy with the pavement parking ban which causes all kinds of problems for the disabled and those with prams
The problem with not pavement parking is that whilst the remaining road space might be wide enough (just) for a car to go down, it might not be wide enough for a fire engine. And you only realise that when a fire engine tries to go down.
Re Wales - in the last 6 months Drakeford has announced
Cancellation of all road building programmes
Plans to introduce 20mph zones throughout the country
Plans to introduce a tourist tax
Plans to ban multi but supermarket offers
Also a pavement parking ban
If anyone from labour can explain how this improves productivity and in the cancellation of the third Menai crossing assists the development of Holyhead as a free port
In fairness I have sympathy with the pavement parking ban which causes all kinds of problems for the disabled and those with prams
The problem with not pavement parking is that whilst the remaining road space might be wide enough (just) for a car to go down, it might not be wide enough for a fire engine. And you only realise that when a fire engine tries to go down.
Highway Code 243. Phone 101 and tell the police.
Not much use in an emergency
In situations like those mentioned I assume yellow lines would be applied by the local authority
Re Wales - in the last 6 months Drakeford has announced
Cancellation of all road building programmes
Plans to introduce 20mph zones throughout the country
Plans to introduce a tourist tax
Plans to ban multi but supermarket offers
Also a pavement parking ban
If anyone from labour can explain how this improves productivity and in the cancellation of the third Menai crossing assists the development of Holyhead as a free port
In fairness I have sympathy with the pavement parking ban which causes all kinds of problems for the disabled and those with prams
The problem with not pavement parking is that whilst the remaining road space might be wide enough (just) for a car to go down, it might not be wide enough for a fire engine. And you only realise that when a fire engine tries to go down.
Highway Code 243. Phone 101 and tell the police.
Not much use in an emergency
In situations like those mentioned I assume yellow lines would be applied by the local authority
Regan has been gently sliding in without actually saying or doing much. It’s very possible she could turbocharge or self-destruct her campaign as soon as a journalist talks to her
I was wondering if I was almost the only one who noticed how she'd been ignored. Apart of course for our lunar lagomorph commenting on her fashion and footwear sense. And one of our Tories rather ungentlemanily (?sp) referring to the lady by her now divorced husband's surname.
I don’t think she’ll mind at this stage (about being ignored). Let the press have a proper crack at Forbidden and Useless and wait until Friday by which time they will both hopefully be mortally damaged. She has plenty of time to attention-seek once noms have closed and she is completely sure of the identify of her opponents.
As for calling her by her ex-husband’s name: lot of it about from the grisly old twats on PB. See also “Lady Nugee”.
(I did note she’d passed Moon’s hair and fashion test)
Taz , the Scottish NI last year was much higher than pensions
You want to be careful, malky - irritability and forgetfulness are symptoms of dementia.
another nasty arsehole , what kind of a creep comes out with stuff like that , GIRUY
I must say your reasoned assessments of the relative merits of the candidates have been pithy and consistent and entirely logical. Nothing wrong with the old brain.
I don't think any of the Scots on here rates Mr Yousaf. Not one?
But maybe we are all old farts on PB.
I have to say the relentless downer on him from PB types who hate the SNP and indy, and have neither a vote in Scotland or in the leadership election is making me warm to him.
I think he would be an excellent choice from the Scons point of view
Yeah, they might break back into the low 20s in polling. The thought of SCons & SLab bickering over who gets to be distant second fair breaks my heart.
The Scons would be the only party supporting the 100,000 plus North Sea jobs and duelling the A9 plus of course they are pro the union
That's a Harry Potter sequel I wasn't expecting.
Makes sense I suppose - Rowling lives just off the A9 in Aberfeldy.
And of course if Kate Forbes won she would be very much on the same page as the Scons apart from on independence
Parties with one huge and overwhelming constitutional policy, such as the SNP are in a sort of dilemma.
If you drill down on what they want, they want two constitutional things (I hope). 1) Scottish independence in 2) A multi party democracy.
The second means of course that the first aim intends that all shades of democratically accountable opinion, from Jezza to Lee Anderson to JRM will be held and get elected in the new country.
And the more the SNP has views other than independence, especially slightly off the wall ones, the more they look like a faction not a national movement.
Which is why you need the Scotland Liberation Front as well as the Front for the Liberation of Scotland - and possibly The Liberation of Scotland Front too.
And yet FPTP means loss of seats in Westminster and instant rejection by the UK government of the day under any excuse it can grab, as we have seen successively.
Re Wales - in the last 6 months Drakeford has announced
Cancellation of all road building programmes
Plans to introduce 20mph zones throughout the country
Plans to introduce a tourist tax
Plans to ban multi but supermarket offers
Also a pavement parking ban
If anyone from labour can explain how this improves productivity and in the cancellation of the third Menai crossing assists the development of Holyhead as a free port
In fairness I have sympathy with the pavement parking ban which causes all kinds of problems for the disabled and those with prams
The problem with not pavement parking is that whilst the remaining road space might be wide enough (just) for a car to go down, it might not be wide enough for a fire engine. And you only realise that when a fire engine tries to go down.
Highway Code 243. Phone 101 and tell the police.
Not much use in an emergency
The drivers will soon get the message. I've had two towed on my street for double parking.
Regan has been gently sliding in without actually saying or doing much. It’s very possible she could turbocharge or self-destruct her campaign as soon as a journalist talks to her
I was wondering if I was almost the only one who noticed how she'd been ignored. Apart of course for our lunar lagomorph commenting on her fashion and footwear sense. And one of our Tories rather ungentlemanily (?sp) referring to the lady by her now divorced husband's surname.
I think I saw on twitter that the low profile campaign with no interviews given thus far was her decsion, possibly a wise choice when looking at the so far landmine filled week. No word on whether the Indian Council of Scotland or the Muslim Council of the UK have expressed an opinion on her candidacy.
Re Wales - in the last 6 months Drakeford has announced
Cancellation of all road building programmes
Plans to introduce 20mph zones throughout the country
Plans to introduce a tourist tax
Plans to ban multi but supermarket offers
Also a pavement parking ban
If anyone from labour can explain how this improves productivity and in the cancellation of the third Menai crossing assists the development of Holyhead as a free port
In fairness I have sympathy with the pavement parking ban which causes all kinds of problems for the disabled and those with prams
The problem with not pavement parking is that whilst the remaining road space might be wide enough (just) for a car to go down, it might not be wide enough for a fire engine. And you only realise that when a fire engine tries to go down.
Highway Code 243. Phone 101 and tell the police.
Not much use in an emergency
The drivers will soon get the message. I've had two towed on my street for double parking.
Seems a bit harsh when one of them was only single parking.
Comments
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64729317
https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/governmentpublicsectorandtaxes/publicsectorfinance/articles/countryandregionalpublicsectorfinances/financialyearending2021#net-fiscal-balance
China will remain neutral until that point but I expect they hope Putin ultimately still captures Kyiv and the West and US are weakened as a result
For a few years there was a sense that perhaps Islamist theocracy might give it a go, but look at Iran now.
Russia, China offer no coherent alternative to liberal capitalism. People there keep moving to the West. If you want to know whether capitalist liberal democracy is still the dominant system just look at migration flows.
The hubristic headline was the problem. People interpreted it as meaning there would be no more conflict or ideological debates.
Just to say that we PBers noticed this almost immediately.
Flour, eggs, milk, butter, sugar, salt, lemon juice.
So if you get fed up with pancakes make a lemon tart. (If the egg shortage doesn’t come back).
Your attempt at sarcasm shows you for the fool you are, one would have expected you to know that every country in the EU is engaged , unlike now where we are a colony and treated like shit.
https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Science/China-tops-nuclear-fusion-patent-ranking-beating-U.S
UK still in the race, in third.
https://twitter.com/BallotBoxScot/status/1628415638493446145
And not all PBers. Some, erm, didn't notice a thing.
As I pointed out on the other thread, one could work wonders with a John Bull printing set and some sellotape if one were that way inclined.
A selection box, plenty of nuts.
Wow!
I double checked - the statement is on their Facebook page.
This is getting very messy indeed.
That's quite something.
To quote perhaps the greatest Scotsman of them all, this is like watching men committing suicide.
Looks like the SNP are in a right old pickle with their post-Sturgeon leadership.
This is superb entertainment
Ash Regan it is then. Victory for the blank canvas.
At least Muslim Council of the UK can now be bookmarked as a proxy for credulous numpty.
Cancellation of all road building programmes
Plans to introduce 20mph zones throughout the country
Plans to introduce a tourist tax
Plans to ban multi but supermarket offers
Also a pavement parking ban
If anyone from labour can explain how this improves productivity and in the cancellation of the third Menai crossing assists the development of Holyhead as a free port
In fairness I have sympathy with the pavement parking ban which causes all kinds of problems for the disabled and those with prams
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redeemers
“Factual, accurate journalism that is written, edited and published in accordance with Times standards does not create a hostile workplace,” read the new letter, signed by the chief White House correspondent, Peter Baker, political correspondent Lisa Lerer and other senior figures and reported by Vanity Fair.
It added: “We are journalists, not activists. That line should be clear.”
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/feb/22/ny-times-trans-coverage-journalists-letter-guild
Hang on a minute; who is this "Ballot Box Scotland" when they're at home?
a) a russian troll or b) a new pseudonym for our favourite flint knapper
until proved otherwise
LGES, Ford to build joint battery plant in Turkey
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/tech/2023/02/419_345915.html
I don't think any of the Scots on here rates Mr Yousaf. Not one?
But maybe we are all old farts on PB.
No, that never happens.
… Ford Motor Company and Koc Holding enjoy a strong relationship that stretches back almost a century..
But mostly for the bants.
But it deoends who else comes onto the slate first.
I'm not betting big on this market but Yousaf seems too short to me.
Drakeford would like to do good things, such as improve public health or reduce homelessness.
Unfortunately, fixing those things costs lots of money, which he doesn't have.
So, he tinkers at the edges with things that are cheap to implement, or that may even give him a little money -- like a BOGOF ban or a tourist tax.
And ends up looking mildly ridiculous. No-one could seriously argue that a major health problem facing Wales is BOGOFs,
No probs if I borrow it?
https://twitter.com/C4Ciaran/status/1628431208408285184?s=20
1) "International relations, including relations with territories outside the United Kingdom, the European Union (and their institutions) and other international organisations, regulation of international trade, and international development assistance and co-operation are reserved matters" per the Scotland Act 1998.
2) The SNP "embassy" in Brussels, which legally has nothing it can do for Scotland's 5,479,900 people, costs £2.4m a year
3) The UK embassy in Brussels, which does all the work for 67,281,039 people, cost £4.8m.
The thought of SCons & SLab bickering over who gets to be distant second fair breaks my heart.
And you only realise that when a fire engine tries to go down.
Makes sense I suppose - Rowling lives just off the A9 in Aberfeldy.
T
H
E
D
R
A
K
E
Greece can't catch a break.
"The True Scottish Conservative Party"
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/feb/22/universe-breakers-james-webb-telescope-detects-six-ancient-galaxies
If you drill down on what they want, they want two constitutional things (I hope).
1) Scottish independence in
2) A multi party democracy.
The second means of course that the first aim intends that all shades of democratically accountable opinion, from Jezza to Lee Anderson to JRM will be held and get elected in the new country.
And the more the SNP has views other than independence, especially slightly off the wall ones, the more they look like a faction not a national movement.
Which is why you need the Scotland Liberation Front as well as the Front for the Liberation of Scotland - and possibly The Liberation of Scotland Front too.
Snaps
Slabs
Scottish politics is a street party
As for calling her by her ex-husband’s name: lot of it about from the grisly old twats on PB. See also “Lady Nugee”.
(I did note she’d passed Moon’s hair and fashion test)
Onwards and upwards!