Forget the currency I cannot understand how any Scot could watch the shitshow of Brexit (a small part leaving a much bigger economic block, with all the issues around trade, borders, legacy of debt etc) and still think that leaving the UK (with all the issues around trade, borders, legacy of debt etc) would be a good thing...
For the same reason that lots of people who voted for Brexit don't regret doing so - such a vote is not about practicalities for many people.
I'm kinda on the other side of the fence. My experience in Ireland shows me how a small part of the UK can break off, suffer for a while, and then become a success. You can also see that many European countries with a population of 5-10 million seem to do pretty well. Maybe it's a good size for democracy? But I wouldn't want Scotland to become independent because I don't want to see the end of Britain.
Suffer for a while being 70 years and then only making a go of it by becoming a parasitic tax leach?
This. People who cite Ireland forget just how bad it got for them after independence. Their biggest problem for many decades was the tide of young people fleeing to Britain or US because there were no jobs and no hope for them in Ireland.
Scotland is more robust than Ireland was economically, but it's also much more intertwined with the UK. Repairing the damage of independence would be the work of generations.
Well, people were leaving Ireland for Britain (and elsewhere) before Independence - that was the effect of the Famine. Scotland similarly suffers a drain of people down south to England - this is the cause of the public spending imbalance.
As to how long it takes for things to improve, that entirely depends on the political decisions made by an independent Scotland. Ireland was hampered in its early decades by policies such as the Economic War, launched by de Valera. And there are other countries of about Scotland's size (such as Denmark) that have made a good fist of being a small independent European country without having huge hydrocarbon reserves (Norway), or becoming a tax haven (Ireland).
I wouldn't have much confidence in the SNP running such an independent country - they've made a pretty bad fist of running Scotland under devolution in terms of encouraging the economy - but that's contingent on the voters. It's not an inevitable part of an independence.
Scottish independence will happen in my lifetime. Idea of Scotland as separate has been enabled by too manly for too long. Shares a lot in common with Brexit imo. Nationalism is gaining popularity worldwide.
Would be very painful at first but they will do fine in long run. Independence fans massively downplay that and remain voters overstate long term benefits.
If we gain independence, we will be poorer in the short term. Scots need to be told that. We need to be reminded that Ireland was poorer than the UK until they stopped their currency being linked to sterling and joined the Euro. The also need to be told that an independent Scotland would not necessarily be tied to the SNP, but new parties would form. Which is why the SNP only pretend to want independence.
Yes but just like Brexit it’s not about that. Look as soon as holyrood and the 2014 referendum happened it was inevitable. Just look at the polling demographics to know which way the wind blows.
Put it this way. Where are the policies to bring Scotland closer to the UK ? It’s been 25 years of enabling separatism with independence as the endgame. Scottish independence supporters have done a great job and outplayed and out-maneuvered the uk at every step.
Forget the currency I cannot understand how any Scot could watch the shitshow of Brexit (a small part leaving a much bigger economic block, with all the issues around trade, borders, legacy of debt etc) and still think that leaving the UK (with all the issues around trade, borders, legacy of debt etc) would be a good thing...
For the same reason that lots of people who voted for Brexit don't regret doing so - such a vote is not about practicalities for many people.
I'm kinda on the other side of the fence. My experience in Ireland shows me how a small part of the UK can break off, suffer for a while, and then become a success. You can also see that many European countries with a population of 5-10 million seem to do pretty well. Maybe it's a good size for democracy? But I wouldn't want Scotland to become independent because I don't want to see the end of Britain.
Suffer for a while being 70 years and then only making a go of it by becoming a parasitic tax leach?
This. People who cite Ireland forget just how bad it got for them after independence. Their biggest problem for many decades was the tide of young people fleeing to Britain or US because there were no jobs and no hope for them in Ireland.
Scotland is more robust than Ireland was economically, but it's also much more intertwined with the UK. Repairing the damage of independence would be the work of generations.
Well, people were leaving Ireland for Britain (and elsewhere) before Independence - that was the effect of the Famine. Scotland similarly suffers a drain of people down south to England - this is the cause of the public spending imbalance.
As to how long it takes for things to improve, that entirely depends on the political decisions made by an independent Scotland. Ireland was hampered in its early decades by policies such as the Economic War, launched by de Valera. And there are other countries of about Scotland's size (such as Denmark) that have made a good fist of being a small independent European country without having huge hydrocarbon reserves (Norway), or becoming a tax haven (Ireland).
I wouldn't have much confidence in the SNP running such an independent country - they've made a pretty bad fist of running Scotland under devolution in terms of encouraging the economy - but that's contingent on the voters. It's not an inevitable part of an independence.
I think it's funny that somehow the Scottish independence debate is expected, indeed required, to reach levels of political discourse far in excess of anything else that consists the political reality of the UK now since the Brexit campaign. Everything else has merely been cheap slogans and shouting that the other side are wrong/incompetent/shit and that your dream, your vision, is the one true path to salvation, even if you can hardly articulate what that vision is.
I mean it'd be absolutely bloody marvellous if the pro-independence side had brilliant detailed answers to the main questions (or indeed even made some effort to move their answers on from where they were in 2014), but if we've learnt anything from the last decade it's that actually you don't need any of that at all.
Yes, and a bit strange for a betting site. If the experience of the last few years is anything to go by, these wanky arguments about economics and currency and trade don't matter at all.
(and I say that as someone who wishes that wasn't the case)
There is something about the Scottish, that we celebrate victories before they happen, and have a big party, but when it comes down to it we bottle it. I will always vote Yes because starting your own country is the most fun thing, but the UK is crumbling and we still can't sustain a 10% lead over No.
I don't and never did believe in the current structure of the Scottish parliament - unicameral, no scrutinising chamber, and our journalism has become utter dogshit so there's no journalistic scrutiny either. Almost designed to fail. For this reason I never voted in the referendum, just sat chainsmoking Marlboro Red in North East Fife watching people go out to vote. Despite voting Remain I see the attraction of the kick-it-over-and-start-again of Vote Leave.
I remember posting on here in the heady early days of Boris that he might be wacky enough to force the referendum himself. He wasn't, but I think that's Reform's policy now? I don't see the SNP going for it. If Reform do force it it's interesting, they can draft the question to remove acquiescence bias, pick the date, all of that.
I’ve just discovered (not personally) that we have the offence of “outraging public decency” here. Not sure if it exists in UK but it sounds magnificently Victorian.
Forget the currency I cannot understand how any Scot could watch the shitshow of Brexit (a small part leaving a much bigger economic block, with all the issues around trade, borders, legacy of debt etc) and still think that leaving the UK (with all the issues around trade, borders, legacy of debt etc) would be a good thing...
For the same reason that lots of people who voted for Brexit don't regret doing so - such a vote is not about practicalities for many people.
I'm kinda on the other side of the fence. My experience in Ireland shows me how a small part of the UK can break off, suffer for a while, and then become a success. You can also see that many European countries with a population of 5-10 million seem to do pretty well. Maybe it's a good size for democracy? But I wouldn't want Scotland to become independent because I don't want to see the end of Britain.
Suffer for a while being 70 years and then only making a go of it by becoming a parasitic tax leach?
This. People who cite Ireland forget just how bad it got for them after independence. Their biggest problem for many decades was the tide of young people fleeing to Britain or US because there were no jobs and no hope for them in Ireland.
Scotland is more robust than Ireland was economically, but it's also much more intertwined with the UK. Repairing the damage of independence would be the work of generations.
Well, people were leaving Ireland for Britain (and elsewhere) before Independence - that was the effect of the Famine. Scotland similarly suffers a drain of people down south to England - this is the cause of the public spending imbalance.
As to how long it takes for things to improve, that entirely depends on the political decisions made by an independent Scotland. Ireland was hampered in its early decades by policies such as the Economic War, launched by de Valera. And there are other countries of about Scotland's size (such as Denmark) that have made a good fist of being a small independent European country without having huge hydrocarbon reserves (Norway), or becoming a tax haven (Ireland).
I wouldn't have much confidence in the SNP running such an independent country - they've made a pretty bad fist of running Scotland under devolution in terms of encouraging the economy - but that's contingent on the voters. It's not an inevitable part of an independence.
Public spending imbalance?
The reason that Scotland received more £ from the Treasury per head of population in the block grant for NHS and other spending is because the allocations were worked out on the basis of the population ratios in the 1880s and not updated as England's population grew more quickly than Scotland's. Then they were updated, but kept fixed again, as Scotland's population again fell behind England's. Then Brown made sure that the ratio was updated every year, but relatively low inflation, and austerity, and Scotland's relatively slow-growing population has meant that the gap in funding per head hasn't particularly narrowed.
I’ve just discovered (not personally) that we have the offence of “outraging public decency” here. Not sure if it exists in UK but it sounds magnificently Victorian.
Who's this 'we'? It's only in England [edit] and Wales (and Honkers and some of Oz, oddly).
'The first recorded case of the offence was Sir Charles Sedley’s Case or namely Sedley's Case (1663) 1 Keb. 620, 83 ER 1146; (1663) 1 Sid. 168, 82 ER 1036. Sir Charles Sedley was prosecuted for urinating on a crowd from the balcony of Oxford Kate's tavern in Covent Garden'
Scottish independence will happen in my lifetime. Idea of Scotland as separate has been enabled by too manly for too long. Shares a lot in common with Brexit imo. Nationalism is gaining popularity worldwide.
Would be very painful at first but they will do fine in long run. Independence fans massively downplay that and remain voters overstate long term benefits.
If we gain independence, we will be poorer in the short term. Scots need to be told that. We need to be reminded that Ireland was poorer than the UK until they stopped their currency being linked to sterling and joined the Euro. The also need to be told that an independent Scotland would not necessarily be tied to the SNP, but new parties would form. Which is why the SNP only pretend to want independence.
Yes but just like Brexit it’s not about that. Look as soon as holyrood and the 2014 referendum happened it was inevitable. Just look at the polling demographics to know which way the wind blows.
Put it this way. Where are the policies to bring Scotland closer to the UK ? It’s been 25 years of enabling separatism with independence as the endgame. Scottish independence supporters have done a great job and outplayed and out-maneuvered the uk at every step.
You could argue that Cameron called the SNPs bluff and initiated a referendum on the subject before the nationalists had sufficiently rolled the pitch. Even if it didn't kill independence, it's definitely put it back by 20 odd years.
I’ve just discovered (not personally) that we have the offence of “outraging public decency” here. Not sure if it exists in UK but it sounds magnificently Victorian.
Forget the currency I cannot understand how any Scot could watch the shitshow of Brexit (a small part leaving a much bigger economic block, with all the issues around trade, borders, legacy of debt etc) and still think that leaving the UK (with all the issues around trade, borders, legacy of debt etc) would be a good thing...
For the same reason that lots of people who voted for Brexit don't regret doing so - such a vote is not about practicalities for many people.
I'm kinda on the other side of the fence. My experience in Ireland shows me how a small part of the UK can break off, suffer for a while, and then become a success. You can also see that many European countries with a population of 5-10 million seem to do pretty well. Maybe it's a good size for democracy? But I wouldn't want Scotland to become independent because I don't want to see the end of Britain.
Suffer for a while being 70 years and then only making a go of it by becoming a parasitic tax leach?
This. People who cite Ireland forget just how bad it got for them after independence. Their biggest problem for many decades was the tide of young people fleeing to Britain or US because there were no jobs and no hope for them in Ireland.
Scotland is more robust than Ireland was economically, but it's also much more intertwined with the UK. Repairing the damage of independence would be the work of generations.
Well, people were leaving Ireland for Britain (and elsewhere) before Independence - that was the effect of the Famine. Scotland similarly suffers a drain of people down south to England - this is the cause of the public spending imbalance.
As to how long it takes for things to improve, that entirely depends on the political decisions made by an independent Scotland. Ireland was hampered in its early decades by policies such as the Economic War, launched by de Valera. And there are other countries of about Scotland's size (such as Denmark) that have made a good fist of being a small independent European country without having huge hydrocarbon reserves (Norway), or becoming a tax haven (Ireland).
I wouldn't have much confidence in the SNP running such an independent country - they've made a pretty bad fist of running Scotland under devolution in terms of encouraging the economy - but that's contingent on the voters. It's not an inevitable part of an independence.
Public spending imbalance?
The reason that Scotland received more £ from the Treasury per head of population in the block grant for NHS and other spending is because the allocations were worked out on the basis of the population ratios in the 1880s and not updated as England's population grew more quickly than Scotland's. Then they were updated, but kept fixed again, as Scotland's population again fell behind England's. Then Brown made sure that the ratio was updated every year, but relatively low inflation, and austerity, and Scotland's relatively slow-growing population has meant that the gap in funding per head hasn't particularly narrowed.
Yep - absurdly, Scotland's find itself in a better per capita position if 1) population is shrinking 2) population shrinking relative to England 2) low inflation (because the n-1 size of the Block Grant is fixed in nominal terms).
The SNP stopped the teaching of economics in State schools the best part of a decade ago now. This was uncharacteristically foresighted of them. If Scotland is ever to vote for independence the fewer people who have any grasp at all of economics the better.
The problems with Independence are legion. The currency is certainly one of them. So is that membership of the UK single market is vastly more important to the Scottish economy, such as it is, than the EU Single Market. So is the fact that membership of the EU is not in our gift. So is the fact that we run an even larger fiscal deficit than the UK as a whole (which is horrendous enough). So is the fact that our economy is dominated by the public sector to a completely unhealthy extent meaning that future growth is more difficult. So is the fact that we are already even more heavily taxed than the rest of the UK making investment here unattractive.
A country that was serious about independence would be running policies almost the exact opposite of what we currently have. They would be making Scotland a more competitive place to invest, build businesses and trade by reducing our taxes. They would be serious about trying to improve Scottish education instead of letting it fall ever further into decrepitude. They would drive investment in infrastructure and our road network. I think Kate Forbes knows a lot of this. Which is why she has quit.
But they are serious. I've seen their serious faces in photoshoots. Well practised "getting the job done" faces. And that's not easy to maintain alongside the "Haha! Wave the flag and pretend independence is on our agenda!" face. Usually with some confused looking children in shot.
Possibly confused because they've been asked to read a few long sentences or do some arithmetic. But still.
Scottish independence will happen in my lifetime. Idea of Scotland as separate has been enabled by too manly for too long. Shares a lot in common with Brexit imo. Nationalism is gaining popularity worldwide.
Would be very painful at first but they will do fine in long run. Independence fans massively downplay that and remain voters overstate long term benefits.
If we gain independence, we will be poorer in the short term. Scots need to be told that. We need to be reminded that Ireland was poorer than the UK until they stopped their currency being linked to sterling and joined the Euro. The also need to be told that an independent Scotland would not necessarily be tied to the SNP, but new parties would form. Which is why the SNP only pretend to want independence.
Yes but just like Brexit it’s not about that. Look as soon as holyrood and the 2014 referendum happened it was inevitable. Just look at the polling demographics to know which way the wind blows.
Put it this way. Where are the policies to bring Scotland closer to the UK ? It’s been 25 years of enabling separatism with independence as the endgame. Scottish independence supporters have done a great job and outplayed and out-maneuvered the uk at every step.
You could argue that Cameron called the SNPs bluff and initiated a referendum on the subject before the nationalists had sufficiently rolled the pitch. Even if it didn't kill independence, it's definitely put it back by 20 odd years.
He won that gamble, and the PR referendum. Third time's a charm!
Scottish independence will happen in my lifetime. Idea of Scotland as separate has been enabled by too manly for too long. Shares a lot in common with Brexit imo. Nationalism is gaining popularity worldwide.
Would be very painful at first but they will do fine in long run. Independence fans massively downplay that and remain voters overstate long term benefits.
If we gain independence, we will be poorer in the short term. Scots need to be told that. We need to be reminded that Ireland was poorer than the UK until they stopped their currency being linked to sterling and joined the Euro. The also need to be told that an independent Scotland would not necessarily be tied to the SNP, but new parties would form. Which is why the SNP only pretend to want independence.
Yes but just like Brexit it’s not about that. Look as soon as holyrood and the 2014 referendum happened it was inevitable. Just look at the polling demographics to know which way the wind blows.
Put it this way. Where are the policies to bring Scotland closer to the UK ? It’s been 25 years of enabling separatism with independence as the endgame. Scottish independence supporters have done a great job and outplayed and out-maneuvered the uk at every step.
You could argue that Cameron called the SNPs bluff and initiated a referendum on the subject before the nationalists had sufficiently rolled the pitch. Even if it didn't kill independence, it's definitely put it back by 20 odd years.
Abolish the Scottish parliament and repeal devolution. Suck up the short term blowback and refuse any referendum.
I’ve just discovered (not personally) that we have the offence of “outraging public decency” here. Not sure if it exists in UK but it sounds magnificently Victorian.
1663, and it exists in this country.
It just sounds amusing, like someone stared too long at a lady’s ankles or was seen stroking a piano leg. Sadly it was someone pissing in public but such is life.
Scottish independence will happen in my lifetime. Idea of Scotland as separate has been enabled by too manly for too long. Shares a lot in common with Brexit imo. Nationalism is gaining popularity worldwide.
Would be very painful at first but they will do fine in long run. Independence fans massively downplay that and remain voters overstate long term benefits.
If we gain independence, we will be poorer in the short term. Scots need to be told that. We need to be reminded that Ireland was poorer than the UK until they stopped their currency being linked to sterling and joined the Euro. The also need to be told that an independent Scotland would not necessarily be tied to the SNP, but new parties would form. Which is why the SNP only pretend to want independence.
Yes but just like Brexit it’s not about that. Look as soon as holyrood and the 2014 referendum happened it was inevitable. Just look at the polling demographics to know which way the wind blows.
Put it this way. Where are the policies to bring Scotland closer to the UK ? It’s been 25 years of enabling separatism with independence as the endgame. Scottish independence supporters have done a great job and outplayed and out-maneuvered the uk at every step.
To what end? They are still not independent. Just unhappier.
I’ve just discovered (not personally) that we have the offence of “outraging public decency” here. Not sure if it exists in UK but it sounds magnificently Victorian.
1663, and it exists in this country.
It just sounds amusing, like someone stared too long at a lady’s ankles or was seen stroking a piano leg. Sadly it was someone pissing in public but such is life.
Also foetuses for earrings more recently. Which isn't very Victorian either.
All very odd anyway given the Victorian predilection for showing nudes of possibly underage females in public art galleries.
I’ve just discovered (not personally) that we have the offence of “outraging public decency” here. Not sure if it exists in UK but it sounds magnificently Victorian.
1663, and it exists in this country.
It just sounds amusing, like someone stared too long at a lady’s ankles or was seen stroking a piano leg. Sadly it was someone pissing in public but such is life.
A few years ago a friend of mine got very drunk in a major city centre, he decided he needed a wee and went to a black wall and peed for England.
Except it wasn't a black wall, it was the darkened window of a restaurant, and he only realised when one of the waiters came out to yell at him.
I've often thought about that in the context of outraging the public decency.
I wouldn't have much confidence in the SNP running such an independent country - they've made a pretty bad fist of running Scotland under devolution in terms of encouraging the economy - but that's contingent on the voters. It's not an inevitable part of an independence.
I wouldn’t assume that the snp would lead an independent Scotland. I think a lot of people will be suprised how Scotland votes once the dust settles.
At 2:50 p.m., it was reported that numerous shots were fired inside the library with two potential suspects. One suspect was reported on the first floor of the library. One suspect is White, approximately 30-40 years old, in grey pants and a white t-shirt, according to a witness.
The University Police Department is investigating the incident.
I’ve just discovered (not personally) that we have the offence of “outraging public decency” here. Not sure if it exists in UK but it sounds magnificently Victorian.
1663, and it exists in this country.
It just sounds amusing, like someone stared too long at a lady’s ankles or was seen stroking a piano leg. Sadly it was someone pissing in public but such is life.
A few years ago a friend of mine got very drunk in a major city centre, he decided he needed a wee and went to a black wall and peed for England.
Except it wasn't a black wall, it was the darkened window of a restaurant, and he only realised when one of the waiters came out to yell at him.
I've often thought about that in the context of outraging the public decency.
I wouldn't have much confidence in the SNP running such an independent country - they've made a pretty bad fist of running Scotland under devolution in terms of encouraging the economy - but that's contingent on the voters. It's not an inevitable part of an independence.
I wouldn’t assume that the snp would lead an independent Scotland. I think a lot of people will be suprised how Scotland votes once the dust settles.
Oh, nobody with any brain does - it would all realign very substantially. Edit: Not sure that the SNP would survive as it is, but that's not saying much given the recent history of the |Labour and above all Conservative parties. Though don'tr forget the "Unionist" parties would have to readjust even more than the SNP, SGs and - I'd say- the SLDs (who have historically been fairly pro home rule). (This is nothing new. It was discussed, as well as much else on here, ad lib in here in 2012-4 ...)
I’ve just discovered (not personally) that we have the offence of “outraging public decency” here. Not sure if it exists in UK but it sounds magnificently Victorian.
1663, and it exists in this country.
It just sounds amusing, like someone stared too long at a lady’s ankles or was seen stroking a piano leg. Sadly it was someone pissing in public but such is life.
A few years ago a friend of mine got very drunk in a major city centre, he decided he needed a wee and went to a black wall and peed for England.
Except it wasn't a black wall, it was the darkened window of a restaurant, and he only realised when one of the waiters came out to yell at him.
I've often thought about that in the context of outraging the public decency.
Many years ago I had a temp job doing data input. The office was in the street-walker district. And had a glass brick wall.
I worked the overnight shift.
I'll never forget the bums slamming against the glass or the .... seepage dripping down. Really doesn't help you hit your KPI's at 3am.
I think an independent Scotland would apply to join the Euro. This fact is one of those that rules out any wildcat referenda as Spain would veto an independent Scotland joining that hasn't gone through the correct hoops with it's ex parent country. But if they had a Westminster allowed referendum they'd get in after a few years
It would be rather strange to abandon the UK Single Market in favour of the European one, given the relative integration of trade between Scotland and those two.
I can understand @Luckyguy1983's sentiment on the great Reform economic policy pronouncements today.
As someone else once opined, there are more questions than answers.
The thrust seems to be about paying young people less (might be an inducement for the 16 and 17 year olds to come out and vote) and a return to "austerity" which is all very easy for say but we really need some proper detail. The attempts by Farage's version of DOGE (or DLOGE) to find savings at the county councils they took over in May have been laughably unsuccessful.
To be fair to Badenoch, many of the County Councils won by Reform in May were well-run Conservative councils and, not surprisingly, the incoming Reform administrations have found little or no fat to cut.
So we are back to asking how a Reform Government would improve public services (they won't) and reduce the deficit (they won't do that either) without raising any kind of tax (I bet they would) so they are as useless as the other parties and of course their absurd anti-immigration policies will end up costing billions (in all probability) so they'll end up having to borrow more.
There is something about the Scottish, that we celebrate victories before they happen, and have a big party, but when it comes down to it we bottle it. I will always vote Yes because starting your own country is the most fun thing, but the UK is crumbling and we still can't sustain a 10% lead over No.
I don't and never did believe in the current structure of the Scottish parliament - unicameral, no scrutinising chamber, and our journalism has become utter dogshit so there's no journalistic scrutiny either. Almost designed to fail. For this reason I never voted in the referendum, just sat chainsmoking Marlboro Red in North East Fife watching people go out to vote. Despite voting Remain I see the attraction of the kick-it-over-and-start-again of Vote Leave.
I remember posting on here in the heady early days of Boris that he might be wacky enough to force the referendum himself. He wasn't, but I think that's Reform's policy now? I don't see the SNP going for it. If Reform do force it it's interesting, they can draft the question to remove acquiescence bias, pick the date, all of that.
There is something about the Scottish, that we celebrate victories before they happen, and have a big party, but when it comes down to it we bottle it. I will always vote Yes because starting your own country is the most fun thing, but the UK is crumbling and we still can't sustain a 10% lead over No.
I don't and never did believe in the current structure of the Scottish parliament - unicameral, no scrutinising chamber, and our journalism has become utter dogshit so there's no journalistic scrutiny either. Almost designed to fail. For this reason I never voted in the referendum, just sat chainsmoking Marlboro Red in North East Fife watching people go out to vote. Despite voting Remain I see the attraction of the kick-it-over-and-start-again of Vote Leave.
I remember posting on here in the heady early days of Boris that he might be wacky enough to force the referendum himself. He wasn't, but I think that's Reform's policy now? I don't see the SNP going for it. If Reform do force it it's interesting, they can draft the question to remove acquiescence bias, pick the date, all of that.
There is something about the Scottish, that we celebrate victories before they happen, and have a big party, but when it comes down to it we bottle it. I will always vote Yes because starting your own country is the most fun thing, but the UK is crumbling and we still can't sustain a 10% lead over No.
I don't and never did believe in the current structure of the Scottish parliament - unicameral, no scrutinising chamber, and our journalism has become utter dogshit so there's no journalistic scrutiny either. Almost designed to fail. For this reason I never voted in the referendum, just sat chainsmoking Marlboro Red in North East Fife watching people go out to vote. Despite voting Remain I see the attraction of the kick-it-over-and-start-again of Vote Leave.
I remember posting on here in the heady early days of Boris that he might be wacky enough to force the referendum himself. He wasn't, but I think that's Reform's policy now? I don't see the SNP going for it. If Reform do force it it's interesting, they can draft the question to remove acquiescence bias, pick the date, all of that.
There is something about the Scottish, that we celebrate victories before they happen, and have a big party, but when it comes down to it we bottle it. I will always vote Yes because starting your own country is the most fun thing, but the UK is crumbling and we still can't sustain a 10% lead over No.
I don't and never did believe in the current structure of the Scottish parliament - unicameral, no scrutinising chamber, and our journalism has become utter dogshit so there's no journalistic scrutiny either. Almost designed to fail. For this reason I never voted in the referendum, just sat chainsmoking Marlboro Red in North East Fife watching people go out to vote. Despite voting Remain I see the attraction of the kick-it-over-and-start-again of Vote Leave.
I remember posting on here in the heady early days of Boris that he might be wacky enough to force the referendum himself. He wasn't, but I think that's Reform's policy now? I don't see the SNP going for it. If Reform do force it it's interesting, they can draft the question to remove acquiescence bias, pick the date, all of that.
I’ve just discovered (not personally) that we have the offence of “outraging public decency” here. Not sure if it exists in UK but it sounds magnificently Victorian.
1663, and it exists in this country.
It just sounds amusing, like someone stared too long at a lady’s ankles or was seen stroking a piano leg. Sadly it was someone pissing in public but such is life.
A few years ago a friend of mine got very drunk in a major city centre, he decided he needed a wee and went to a black wall and peed for England.
Except it wasn't a black wall, it was the darkened window of a restaurant, and he only realised when one of the waiters came out to yell at him.
I've often thought about that in the context of outraging the public decency.
I think that's just bog standard committing a public nuisance. It has to be intentional outrage of public decencyto hit the jackpot, which evidently this wasn't.
There is something about the Scottish, that we celebrate victories before they happen, and have a big party, but when it comes down to it we bottle it. I will always vote Yes because starting your own country is the most fun thing, but the UK is crumbling and we still can't sustain a 10% lead over No.
I don't and never did believe in the current structure of the Scottish parliament - unicameral, no scrutinising chamber, and our journalism has become utter dogshit so there's no journalistic scrutiny either. Almost designed to fail. For this reason I never voted in the referendum, just sat chainsmoking Marlboro Red in North East Fife watching people go out to vote. Despite voting Remain I see the attraction of the kick-it-over-and-start-again of Vote Leave.
I remember posting on here in the heady early days of Boris that he might be wacky enough to force the referendum himself. He wasn't, but I think that's Reform's policy now? I don't see the SNP going for it. If Reform do force it it's interesting, they can draft the question to remove acquiescence bias, pick the date, all of that.
There is something about the Scottish, that we celebrate victories before they happen, and have a big party, but when it comes down to it we bottle it. I will always vote Yes because starting your own country is the most fun thing, but the UK is crumbling and we still can't sustain a 10% lead over No.
I don't and never did believe in the current structure of the Scottish parliament - unicameral, no scrutinising chamber, and our journalism has become utter dogshit so there's no journalistic scrutiny either. Almost designed to fail. For this reason I never voted in the referendum, just sat chainsmoking Marlboro Red in North East Fife watching people go out to vote. Despite voting Remain I see the attraction of the kick-it-over-and-start-again of Vote Leave.
I remember posting on here in the heady early days of Boris that he might be wacky enough to force the referendum himself. He wasn't, but I think that's Reform's policy now? I don't see the SNP going for it. If Reform do force it it's interesting, they can draft the question to remove acquiescence bias, pick the date, all of that.
I can understand @Luckyguy1983's sentiment on the great Reform economic policy pronouncements today.
As someone else once opined, there are more questions than answers.
The thrust seems to be about paying young people less (might be an inducement for the 16 and 17 year olds to come out and vote) and a return to "austerity" which is all very easy for say but we really need some proper detail. The attempts by Farage's version of DOGE (or DLOGE) to find savings at the county councils they took over in May have been laughably unsuccessful.
To be fair to Badenoch, many of the County Councils won by Reform in May were well-run Conservative councils and, not surprisingly, the incoming Reform administrations have found little or no fat to cut.
So we are back to asking how a Reform Government would improve public services (they won't) and reduce the deficit (they won't do that either) without raising any kind of tax (I bet they would) so they are as useless as the other parties and of course their absurd anti-immigration policies will end up costing billions (in all probability) so they'll end up having to borrow more.
@Luckyguy1983 was on Saturday posting that people working in factories should be paid less (than the minimum wage) so that British clothing firms could compete with firms in Bangladesh...
So no wonder he likes youngsters being paid less.
Equally WTF will austerity solve - the only thing it's done is created a crisis in child social services (see how much costs have grown since SureStart was binned in 2011) and resulted in Brexit...
I wouldn't have much confidence in the SNP running such an independent country - they've made a pretty bad fist of running Scotland under devolution in terms of encouraging the economy - but that's contingent on the voters. It's not an inevitable part of an independence.
I wouldn’t assume that the snp would lead an independent Scotland. I think a lot of people will be suprised how Scotland votes once the dust settles.
Oh, nobody with any brain does - it would all realign very substantially. Edit: Not sure that the SNP would survive as it is, but that's not saying much given the recent history of the |Labour and above all Conservative parties. Though don'tr forget the "Unionist" parties would have to readjust even more than the SNP, SGs and - I'd say- the SLDs (who have historically been fairly pro home rule). (This is nothing new. It was discussed, as well as much else on here, ad lib in here in 2012-4 ...)
You do realise you’ve accused the majority of PB contributors of not having a brain.
Scottish independence will happen in my lifetime. Idea of Scotland as separate has been enabled by too manly for too long. Shares a lot in common with Brexit imo. Nationalism is gaining popularity worldwide.
Would be very painful at first but they will do fine in long run. Independence fans massively downplay that and remain voters overstate long term benefits.
If we gain independence, we will be poorer in the short term. Scots need to be told that. We need to be reminded that Ireland was poorer than the UK until they stopped their currency being linked to sterling and joined the Euro. The also need to be told that an independent Scotland would not necessarily be tied to the SNP, but new parties would form. Which is why the SNP only pretend to want independence.
Yes but just like Brexit it’s not about that. Look as soon as holyrood and the 2014 referendum happened it was inevitable. Just look at the polling demographics to know which way the wind blows.
Put it this way. Where are the policies to bring Scotland closer to the UK ? It’s been 25 years of enabling separatism with independence as the endgame. Scottish independence supporters have done a great job and outplayed and out-maneuvered the uk at every step.
You could argue that Cameron called the SNPs bluff and initiated a referendum on the subject before the nationalists had sufficiently rolled the pitch. Even if it didn't kill independence, it's definitely put it back by 20 odd years.
And we now have a war between Russia and Ukraine after their union broke up in 1991.
Before the Act of Union England and Scotland were often at war at least once most centuries.
Not to mention a hard border with England, Scotland's largest export destination, now inevitable.
Plus no sign either Starmer or Farage or Badenoch would even consider allowing indyref2 anytime soon either, the former only would if a hung parliament with SNP confidence and supply required and LDs not enough
I wouldn't have much confidence in the SNP running such an independent country - they've made a pretty bad fist of running Scotland under devolution in terms of encouraging the economy - but that's contingent on the voters. It's not an inevitable part of an independence.
I wouldn’t assume that the snp would lead an independent Scotland. I think a lot of people will be suprised how Scotland votes once the dust settles.
Oh, nobody with any brain does - it would all realign very substantially. Edit: Not sure that the SNP would survive as it is, but that's not saying much given the recent history of the |Labour and above all Conservative parties. Though don'tr forget the "Unionist" parties would have to readjust even more than the SNP, SGs and - I'd say- the SLDs (who have historically been fairly pro home rule). (This is nothing new. It was discussed, as well as much else on here, ad lib in here in 2012-4 ...)
You do realise you’ve accused the majority of PB contributors of not having a brain.
I can understand @Luckyguy1983's sentiment on the great Reform economic policy pronouncements today.
As someone else once opined, there are more questions than answers.
The thrust seems to be about paying young people less (might be an inducement for the 16 and 17 year olds to come out and vote) and a return to "austerity" which is all very easy for say but we really need some proper detail. The attempts by Farage's version of DOGE (or DLOGE) to find savings at the county councils they took over in May have been laughably unsuccessful.
To be fair to Badenoch, many of the County Councils won by Reform in May were well-run Conservative councils and, not surprisingly, the incoming Reform administrations have found little or no fat to cut.
So we are back to asking how a Reform Government would improve public services (they won't) and reduce the deficit (they won't do that either) without raising any kind of tax (I bet they would) so they are as useless as the other parties and of course their absurd anti-immigration policies will end up costing billions (in all probability) so they'll end up having to borrow more.
@Luckyguy1983 was on Saturday posting that people working in factories should be paid less (than the minimum wage) so that British clothing firms could compete with firms in Bangladesh...
So no wonder he likes youngsters being paid less.
I wonder what Luckyguy earns? I’m guessing it’s considerably more than the minimum wage.
Scottish independence will happen in my lifetime. Idea of Scotland as separate has been enabled by too manly for too long. Shares a lot in common with Brexit imo. Nationalism is gaining popularity worldwide.
Would be very painful at first but they will do fine in long run. Independence fans massively downplay that and remain voters overstate long term benefits.
If we gain independence, we will be poorer in the short term. Scots need to be told that. We need to be reminded that Ireland was poorer than the UK until they stopped their currency being linked to sterling and joined the Euro. The also need to be told that an independent Scotland would not necessarily be tied to the SNP, but new parties would form. Which is why the SNP only pretend to want independence.
Yes but just like Brexit it’s not about that. Look as soon as holyrood and the 2014 referendum happened it was inevitable. Just look at the polling demographics to know which way the wind blows.
Put it this way. Where are the policies to bring Scotland closer to the UK ? It’s been 25 years of enabling separatism with independence as the endgame. Scottish independence supporters have done a great job and outplayed and out-maneuvered the uk at every step.
You could argue that Cameron called the SNPs bluff and initiated a referendum on the subject before the nationalists had sufficiently rolled the pitch. Even if it didn't kill independence, it's definitely put it back by 20 odd years.
And we now have a war between Russia and Ukraine after their union broke up in 1991.
Before the Act of Union England and Scotland were often at war at least once most centuries.
Not to mention a hard border with England, Scotland's largest export destination, now inevitable.
Plus no sign either Starmer or Farage or Badenoch would even consider allowing indyref2 anytime soon either, the former only would if a hung parliament with SNP confidence and supply required and LDs not enough
I wouldn't have much confidence in the SNP running such an independent country - they've made a pretty bad fist of running Scotland under devolution in terms of encouraging the economy - but that's contingent on the voters. It's not an inevitable part of an independence.
I wouldn’t assume that the snp would lead an independent Scotland. I think a lot of people will be suprised how Scotland votes once the dust settles.
Oh, nobody with any brain does - it would all realign very substantially. Edit: Not sure that the SNP would survive as it is, but that's not saying much given the recent history of the |Labour and above all Conservative parties. Though don'tr forget the "Unionist" parties would have to readjust even more than the SNP, SGs and - I'd say- the SLDs (who have historically been fairly pro home rule). (This is nothing new. It was discussed, as well as much else on here, ad lib in here in 2012-4 ...)
You do realise you’ve accused the majority of PB contributors of not having a brain.
On a more serious level, the big difference with say Ireland is that the Scottish Pmt is already proportional representation anyway. Whereas, for instance, Dáil Éireann was IIRC FPTP ab initio.
Scottish independence will happen in my lifetime. Idea of Scotland as separate has been enabled by too manly for too long. Shares a lot in common with Brexit imo. Nationalism is gaining popularity worldwide.
Would be very painful at first but they will do fine in long run. Independence fans massively downplay that and remain voters overstate long term benefits.
If we gain independence, we will be poorer in the short term. Scots need to be told that. We need to be reminded that Ireland was poorer than the UK until they stopped their currency being linked to sterling and joined the Euro. The also need to be told that an independent Scotland would not necessarily be tied to the SNP, but new parties would form. Which is why the SNP only pretend to want independence.
Yes but just like Brexit it’s not about that. Look as soon as holyrood and the 2014 referendum happened it was inevitable. Just look at the polling demographics to know which way the wind blows.
Put it this way. Where are the policies to bring Scotland closer to the UK ? It’s been 25 years of enabling separatism with independence as the endgame. Scottish independence supporters have done a great job and outplayed and out-maneuvered the uk at every step.
You could argue that Cameron called the SNPs bluff and initiated a referendum on the subject before the nationalists had sufficiently rolled the pitch. Even if it didn't kill independence, it's definitely put it back by 20 odd years.
And we now have a war between Russia and Ukraine after their union broke up in 1991.
Before the Act of Union England and Scotland were often at war at least once most centuries.
Not to mention a hard border with England, Scotland's largest export destination, now inevitable.
Plus no sign either Starmer or Farage or Badenoch would even consider allowing indyref2 anytime soon either, the former only would if a hung parliament with SNP confidence and supply required and LDs not enough
I can recommend this for the replacement of your carpet.
At 2:50 p.m., it was reported that numerous shots were fired inside the library with two potential suspects. One suspect was reported on the first floor of the library. One suspect is White, approximately 30-40 years old, in grey pants and a white t-shirt, according to a witness.
The University Police Department is investigating the incident.
I wouldn't have much confidence in the SNP running such an independent country - they've made a pretty bad fist of running Scotland under devolution in terms of encouraging the economy - but that's contingent on the voters. It's not an inevitable part of an independence.
I wouldn’t assume that the snp would lead an independent Scotland. I think a lot of people will be suprised how Scotland votes once the dust settles.
Oh, nobody with any brain does - it would all realign very substantially. Edit: Not sure that the SNP would survive as it is, but that's not saying much given the recent history of the |Labour and above all Conservative parties. Though don'tr forget the "Unionist" parties would have to readjust even more than the SNP, SGs and - I'd say- the SLDs (who have historically been fairly pro home rule). (This is nothing new. It was discussed, as well as much else on here, ad lib in here in 2012-4 ...)
You do realise you’ve accused the majority of PB contributors of not having a brain.
On a more serious level, the big difference with say Ireland is that the Scottish Pmt is already proportional representation anyway. Whereas, for instance, Dáil Éireann was IIRC FPTP ab initio.
What we need is a centre or centre-right pro-independence party. It’s wrong that there is a wide range of parties on the unionist side, but only left wing parties on the nationalist side.
I wouldn't have much confidence in the SNP running such an independent country - they've made a pretty bad fist of running Scotland under devolution in terms of encouraging the economy - but that's contingent on the voters. It's not an inevitable part of an independence.
I wouldn’t assume that the snp would lead an independent Scotland. I think a lot of people will be suprised how Scotland votes once the dust settles.
Oh, nobody with any brain does - it would all realign very substantially. Edit: Not sure that the SNP would survive as it is, but that's not saying much given the recent history of the |Labour and above all Conservative parties. Though don'tr forget the "Unionist" parties would have to readjust even more than the SNP, SGs and - I'd say- the SLDs (who have historically been fairly pro home rule). (This is nothing new. It was discussed, as well as much else on here, ad lib in here in 2012-4 ...)
You do realise you’ve accused the majority of PB contributors of not having a brain.
Oops. Not even on a jellyfish level?
#cantbehelped
And one other thought, which is that Scottish Labour don't have *any* independent existence, certainluy fiscally (the use of the name in elections is a fiction enabled by the special fiddle in the election legislation). So in the event of independence, Labour GHQ in London would have to be feeling very generous in terms of letting them have 8% of the party resources. Are Slab feeling lucky?
But a *lot* of water has to flow under the bridge before that is an issue.
"Your Party membership stands at 50,000, Sky News can reveal.
The figure is well short of the 800,000 people who expressed interest when it launched, and it is significantly below the 100,000 to 200,000 insiders hoped would join officially as members following its launch in July."
I wouldn't have much confidence in the SNP running such an independent country - they've made a pretty bad fist of running Scotland under devolution in terms of encouraging the economy - but that's contingent on the voters. It's not an inevitable part of an independence.
I wouldn’t assume that the snp would lead an independent Scotland. I think a lot of people will be suprised how Scotland votes once the dust settles.
Oh, nobody with any brain does - it would all realign very substantially. Edit: Not sure that the SNP would survive as it is, but that's not saying much given the recent history of the |Labour and above all Conservative parties. Though don'tr forget the "Unionist" parties would have to readjust even more than the SNP, SGs and - I'd say- the SLDs (who have historically been fairly pro home rule). (This is nothing new. It was discussed, as well as much else on here, ad lib in here in 2012-4 ...)
You do realise you’ve accused the majority of PB contributors of not having a brain.
On a more serious level, the big difference with say Ireland is that the Scottish Pmt is already proportional representation anyway. Whereas, for instance, Dáil Éireann was IIRC FPTP ab initio.
What we need is a centre or centre-right pro-independence party. It’s wrong that there is a wide range of parties on the unionist side, but only left wing parties on the nationalist side.
Oh, quite, I'm sure Malky would agree, and some of us such as I are positively centrist. But with the right wing parties of the UK behaving like they do, what does one expect?
At 2:50 p.m., it was reported that numerous shots were fired inside the library with two potential suspects. One suspect was reported on the first floor of the library. One suspect is White, approximately 30-40 years old, in grey pants and a white t-shirt, according to a witness.
The University Police Department is investigating the incident.
I wouldn't have much confidence in the SNP running such an independent country - they've made a pretty bad fist of running Scotland under devolution in terms of encouraging the economy - but that's contingent on the voters. It's not an inevitable part of an independence.
I wouldn’t assume that the snp would lead an independent Scotland. I think a lot of people will be suprised how Scotland votes once the dust settles.
Oh, nobody with any brain does - it would all realign very substantially. Edit: Not sure that the SNP would survive as it is, but that's not saying much given the recent history of the |Labour and above all Conservative parties. Though don'tr forget the "Unionist" parties would have to readjust even more than the SNP, SGs and - I'd say- the SLDs (who have historically been fairly pro home rule). (This is nothing new. It was discussed, as well as much else on here, ad lib in here in 2012-4 ...)
You do realise you’ve accused the majority of PB contributors of not having a brain.
On a more serious level, the big difference with say Ireland is that the Scottish Pmt is already proportional representation anyway. Whereas, for instance, Dáil Éireann was IIRC FPTP ab initio.
What we need is a centre or centre-right pro-independence party. It’s wrong that there is a wide range of parties on the unionist side, but only left wing parties on the nationalist side.
Oh, quite, I'm sure Malky would agree, and some of us such as I are positively centrist. But with the right wing parties of the UK behaving like they do, what does one expect?
Just look at some of the stuff on PB tonight.
That’s why I said centre or centre-right. Scotland, like the rest of the UK, doesn’t need Reform or Jenrick Tories.
@MichaelLangeNYC is always a must read bc he has a track record of accuracy. Michael has @ZohranKMamdani breaking 50% & winning by a comfortable margin
Scottish independence will happen in my lifetime. Idea of Scotland as separate has been enabled by too manly for too long. Shares a lot in common with Brexit imo. Nationalism is gaining popularity worldwide.
Would be very painful at first but they will do fine in long run. Independence fans massively downplay that and remain voters overstate long term benefits.
If we gain independence, we will be poorer in the short term. Scots need to be told that. We need to be reminded that Ireland was poorer than the UK until they stopped their currency being linked to sterling and joined the Euro. The also need to be told that an independent Scotland would not necessarily be tied to the SNP, but new parties would form. Which is why the SNP only pretend to want independence.
Yes but just like Brexit it’s not about that. Look as soon as holyrood and the 2014 referendum happened it was inevitable. Just look at the polling demographics to know which way the wind blows.
Put it this way. Where are the policies to bring Scotland closer to the UK ? It’s been 25 years of enabling separatism with independence as the endgame. Scottish independence supporters have done a great job and outplayed and out-maneuvered the uk at every step.
You could argue that Cameron called the SNPs bluff and initiated a referendum on the subject before the nationalists had sufficiently rolled the pitch. Even if it didn't kill independence, it's definitely put it back by 20 odd years.
And we now have a war between Russia and Ukraine after their union broke up in 1991.
Before the Act of Union England and Scotland were often at war at least once most centuries.
Not to mention a hard border with England, Scotland's largest export destination, now inevitable.
Plus no sign either Starmer or Farage or Badenoch would even consider allowing indyref2 anytime soon either, the former only would if a hung parliament with SNP confidence and supply required and LDs not enough
Don’t forget, we have the nukes at Faslane!
You wouldn't in the event of independence, nor the launch codes
I wouldn't have much confidence in the SNP running such an independent country - they've made a pretty bad fist of running Scotland under devolution in terms of encouraging the economy - but that's contingent on the voters. It's not an inevitable part of an independence.
I wouldn’t assume that the snp would lead an independent Scotland. I think a lot of people will be suprised how Scotland votes once the dust settles.
Oh, nobody with any brain does - it would all realign very substantially. Edit: Not sure that the SNP would survive as it is, but that's not saying much given the recent history of the |Labour and above all Conservative parties. Though don'tr forget the "Unionist" parties would have to readjust even more than the SNP, SGs and - I'd say- the SLDs (who have historically been fairly pro home rule). (This is nothing new. It was discussed, as well as much else on here, ad lib in here in 2012-4 ...)
You do realise you’ve accused the majority of PB contributors of not having a brain.
On a more serious level, the big difference with say Ireland is that the Scottish Pmt is already proportional representation anyway. Whereas, for instance, Dáil Éireann was IIRC FPTP ab initio.
What we need is a centre or centre-right pro-independence party. It’s wrong that there is a wide range of parties on the unionist side, but only left wing parties on the nationalist side.
Oh, quite, I'm sure Malky would agree, and some of us such as I are positively centrist. But with the right wing parties of the UK behaving like they do, what does one expect?
Just look at some of the stuff on PB tonight.
That’s why I said centre or centre-right. Scotland, like the rest of the UK, doesn’t need Reform or Jenrick Tories.
About a fifth of Scots already back Reform in polls, another 10-15% still back the Badenoch Tories
Jeffries: "The Trump administration and Mike Johnson are running a pedophile protection program. That's the reason they refuse to swear in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva."
Of course Forbes doesn't want any discussion about it. The SNP answer to everything broken is Independence. Can't see an NHS dentist today? Take heart as your teeth rot, for one day we will have independence and then you can have a dentist.
How will Scotland pay for that dentist you ask? UNIONIST!!!
I look forward to seeing more doors slammed in SNP faces as the campaign gets going. They tried the INDEPENDENCE argument last year and got scunnered. And seemingly the strategy next year is the same. Marvellous stuff.
More bollox, you think that england is Utopia full of shiny implants for the peasants, give your head a wobble FFS.
Evening luv:
1) Its not bollox. Its a demonstrable fact that the SNP lost 40% of its vote and was crushed down to 9 seats. Its also a demonstrable fact that they put independence literally on page 1 of their manifesto as the central issue. And I watched doors slammed in their faces. As reflected in the vote they retained 2) I've said nothing about England, which is worse than Scotland 3) its not my fault the SNP are this shit, is it?
"Your Party membership stands at 50,000, Sky News can reveal.
The figure is well short of the 800,000 people who expressed interest when it launched, and it is significantly below the 100,000 to 200,000 insiders hoped would join officially as members following its launch in July."
I am reminded by David Suchet's Cathedrals series that Henry II submitted himself to flogging by Thomas Becket's bishops after his murder. Seems a decent way for a royal to do penance. Just sayin'.
Forget the currency I cannot understand how any Scot could watch the shitshow of Brexit (a small part leaving a much bigger economic block, with all the issues around trade, borders, legacy of debt etc) and still think that leaving the UK (with all the issues around trade, borders, legacy of debt etc) would be a good thing...
The Zoomers saw the bigots, xenophobes and closet racists win a vote for hating Brown people
Now they want to win their own vote for hating English people
Ending free movement and having the same immigration controls for immigrants from all nations was hardly 'hating Brown people.'
It wasn't, which is why lots of Leave voters are now pissed off and voting Reform, but it's what they thought they were voting on.
They got the end of free movement, which they wanted. They now vote Reform to reverse the Boriswave from non EU nations, though ironically tighter restrictions brought in by Sunak and Cleverly started to do that anyway
The restrictions brought in by Sunak has not reversed anything.
This is like debt and deficit all over again.
Reversing the Boriswave would require massive net emigration at close to a million a year.
Lower net migration going forward is adding to the Boriswave, at a lower rate, not reversing anything.
Just as cutting the deficit != cutting debt.
Hopefully anyone proposing that gets nowhere power.
It is reducing the rate of net immigration, interesting you join Farage and Tommy Robinson and the BNP in backing mass deportations though
Reducing the rate of net immigration != reversing immigration.
The word reverse has a meaning, you aren't using it properly.
I am not backing mass deportations, indeed I specifically said "Hopefully anyone proposing that gets nowhere power." Mass emigration is what your words of reversing migration means though.
Reform are certainly moving towards a more Centrist Dad approach, but that's curious in a couple of ways: Reform's supporters crave excitement and danger and they won't get that from a Centrist Dad party in an already crowded field; the Right have been saying for ages that Centrist Dadism is obsolete in these populist times, so it's puzzling why Nigel feels the need to revive the credo. Maybe Nigel has his finger on the pulse, but if things go wrong he might soon be branded a sell-out and deposed.
Being bland economically and going hard on immigration is the way Reform should go. They're not leading the polls because the nation is up in arms about tax and spending
Forget the currency I cannot understand how any Scot could watch the shitshow of Brexit (a small part leaving a much bigger economic block, with all the issues around trade, borders, legacy of debt etc) and still think that leaving the UK (with all the issues around trade, borders, legacy of debt etc) would be a good thing...
The Zoomers saw the bigots, xenophobes and closet racists win a vote for hating Brown people
Now they want to win their own vote for hating English people
Ending free movement and having the same immigration controls for immigrants from all nations was hardly 'hating Brown people.'
It wasn't, which is why lots of Leave voters are now pissed off and voting Reform, but it's what they thought they were voting on.
They got the end of free movement, which they wanted. They now vote Reform to reverse the Boriswave from non EU nations, though ironically tighter restrictions brought in by Sunak and Cleverly started to do that anyway
The restrictions brought in by Sunak has not reversed anything.
This is like debt and deficit all over again.
Reversing the Boriswave would require massive net emigration at close to a million a year.
Lower net migration going forward is adding to the Boriswave, at a lower rate, not reversing anything.
Just as cutting the deficit != cutting debt.
Hopefully anyone proposing that gets nowhere power.
It is reducing the rate of net immigration, interesting you join Farage and Tommy Robinson and the BNP in backing mass deportations though
Reducing the rate of net immigration != reversing immigration.
The word reverse has a meaning, you aren't using it properly.
I am not backing mass deportations, indeed I specifically said "Hopefully anyone proposing that gets nowhere power." Mass emigration is what your words of reversing migration means though.
True, but time reverses it also: these immigrants will have children who will (mostly) feel more British than their parents. And they will not be immigrants.
At 2:50 p.m., it was reported that numerous shots were fired inside the library with two potential suspects. One suspect was reported on the first floor of the library. One suspect is White, approximately 30-40 years old, in grey pants and a white t-shirt, according to a witness.
The University Police Department is investigating the incident.
Forget the currency I cannot understand how any Scot could watch the shitshow of Brexit (a small part leaving a much bigger economic block, with all the issues around trade, borders, legacy of debt etc) and still think that leaving the UK (with all the issues around trade, borders, legacy of debt etc) would be a good thing...
The Zoomers saw the bigots, xenophobes and closet racists win a vote for hating Brown people
Now they want to win their own vote for hating English people
Ending free movement and having the same immigration controls for immigrants from all nations was hardly 'hating Brown people.'
It wasn't, which is why lots of Leave voters are now pissed off and voting Reform, but it's what they thought they were voting on.
They got the end of free movement, which they wanted. They now vote Reform to reverse the Boriswave from non EU nations, though ironically tighter restrictions brought in by Sunak and Cleverly started to do that anyway
The restrictions brought in by Sunak has not reversed anything.
This is like debt and deficit all over again.
Reversing the Boriswave would require massive net emigration at close to a million a year.
Lower net migration going forward is adding to the Boriswave, at a lower rate, not reversing anything.
Just as cutting the deficit != cutting debt.
Hopefully anyone proposing that gets nowhere power.
It is reducing the rate of net immigration, interesting you join Farage and Tommy Robinson and the BNP in backing mass deportations though
Reducing the rate of net immigration != reversing immigration.
The word reverse has a meaning, you aren't using it properly.
I am not backing mass deportations, indeed I specifically said "Hopefully anyone proposing that gets nowhere power." Mass emigration is what your words of reversing migration means though.
Well after a few more years of this Labour government, we might get that too
Scottish independence will happen in my lifetime. Idea of Scotland as separate has been enabled by too manly for too long. Shares a lot in common with Brexit imo. Nationalism is gaining popularity worldwide.
Would be very painful at first but they will do fine in long run. Independence fans massively downplay that and remain voters overstate long term benefits.
If we gain independence, we will be poorer in the short term. Scots need to be told that. We need to be reminded that Ireland was poorer than the UK until they stopped their currency being linked to sterling and joined the Euro. The also need to be told that an independent Scotland would not necessarily be tied to the SNP, but new parties would form. Which is why the SNP only pretend to want independence.
Yes but just like Brexit it’s not about that. Look as soon as holyrood and the 2014 referendum happened it was inevitable. Just look at the polling demographics to know which way the wind blows.
Put it this way. Where are the policies to bring Scotland closer to the UK ? It’s been 25 years of enabling separatism with independence as the endgame. Scottish independence supporters have done a great job and outplayed and out-maneuvered the uk at every step.
You could argue that Cameron called the SNPs bluff and initiated a referendum on the subject before the nationalists had sufficiently rolled the pitch. Even if it didn't kill independence, it's definitely put it back by 20 odd years.
And we now have a war between Russia and Ukraine after their union broke up in 1991.
Before the Act of Union England and Scotland were often at war at least once most centuries.
Not to mention a hard border with England, Scotland's largest export destination, now inevitable.
Plus no sign either Starmer or Farage or Badenoch would even consider allowing indyref2 anytime soon either, the former only would if a hung parliament with SNP confidence and supply required and LDs not enough
Don’t forget, we have the nukes at Faslane!
Istr a persistent argument on PB that Ukraine was mad to give up its nukes. I’m sure PBers would never be so hypocritical as to apply that principle selectively.
Israeli military's ex-top lawyer arrested over leak of video allegedly showing Palestinian detainee abuse
Israeli advocate general is quoted as saying that they only investigate war crimes by IDF to ward off international legal proceedings.
She is facing credible death threats.
The disgusting abuse of a detainee doesn't seem to trouble the government at all. Revealing it is a "blood libel" ??
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0kpd97qqko ..Broadcast in August 2024 on an Israeli news channel, the footage shows reserve soldiers at the Sde Teiman military base in southern Israel taking aside a detainee, then surrounding him with riot shields to block visibility while he was allegedly beaten and stabbed in the rectum with a sharp object. The detainee was treated for severe injuries..
...After her resignation, Katz issued a fierce condemnation of her conduct. "Anyone who spreads blood libels against IDF troops is unfit to wear the army's uniform," he said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed his defence minister's words on Sunday, saying that the incident at Sde Teiman was "perhaps the most severe public relations attack that the State of Israel has experienced since its establishment"..
Reform are certainly moving towards a more Centrist Dad approach, but that's curious in a couple of ways: Reform's supporters crave excitement and danger and they won't get that from a Centrist Dad party in an already crowded field; the Right have been saying for ages that Centrist Dadism is obsolete in these populist times, so it's puzzling why Nigel feels the need to revive the credo. Maybe Nigel has his finger on the pulse, but if things go wrong he might soon be branded a sell-out and deposed.
Being bland economically and going hard on immigration is the way Reform should go. They're not leading the polls because the nation is up in arms about tax and spending
You and I both know most British GEs aren't decided on immigration but on the economy. Hoping against hope people will still be obsessed about migrants and "small boats" in 2028 or 2029 shows how little Reform has to offer beyond that.
Israeli military's ex-top lawyer arrested over leak of video allegedly showing Palestinian detainee abuse
Israeli advocate general is quoted as saying that they only investigate war crimes by IDF to ward off international legal proceedings.
She is facing credible death threats.
That type of assault is a particular favourite of some of the gangs in London. My partner has treated some of the victims, some of whom will use a colostomy bag for the rest of their lives.
Scottish independence will happen in my lifetime. Idea of Scotland as separate has been enabled by too manly for too long. Shares a lot in common with Brexit imo. Nationalism is gaining popularity worldwide.
Would be very painful at first but they will do fine in long run. Independence fans massively downplay that and remain voters overstate long term benefits.
If we gain independence, we will be poorer in the short term. Scots need to be told that. We need to be reminded that Ireland was poorer than the UK until they stopped their currency being linked to sterling and joined the Euro. The also need to be told that an independent Scotland would not necessarily be tied to the SNP, but new parties would form. Which is why the SNP only pretend to want independence.
Yes but just like Brexit it’s not about that. Look as soon as holyrood and the 2014 referendum happened it was inevitable. Just look at the polling demographics to know which way the wind blows.
Put it this way. Where are the policies to bring Scotland closer to the UK ? It’s been 25 years of enabling separatism with independence as the endgame. Scottish independence supporters have done a great job and outplayed and out-maneuvered the uk at every step.
You could argue that Cameron called the SNPs bluff and initiated a referendum on the subject before the nationalists had sufficiently rolled the pitch. Even if it didn't kill independence, it's definitely put it back by 20 odd years.
And we now have a war between Russia and Ukraine after their union broke up in 1991.
Before the Act of Union England and Scotland were often at war at least once most centuries.
Not to mention a hard border with England, Scotland's largest export destination, now inevitable.
Plus no sign either Starmer or Farage or Badenoch would even consider allowing indyref2 anytime soon either, the former only would if a hung parliament with SNP confidence and supply required and LDs not enough
Don’t forget, we have the nukes at Faslane!
Istr a persistent argument on PB that Ukraine was mad to give up its nukes. I’m sure PBers would never be so hypocritical as to apply that principle selectively.
LOL I'm not entirely convinced with the comparison.
Scottish independence will happen in my lifetime. Idea of Scotland as separate has been enabled by too manly for too long. Shares a lot in common with Brexit imo. Nationalism is gaining popularity worldwide.
Would be very painful at first but they will do fine in long run. Independence fans massively downplay that and remain voters overstate long term benefits.
If we gain independence, we will be poorer in the short term. Scots need to be told that. We need to be reminded that Ireland was poorer than the UK until they stopped their currency being linked to sterling and joined the Euro. The also need to be told that an independent Scotland would not necessarily be tied to the SNP, but new parties would form. Which is why the SNP only pretend to want independence.
Yes but just like Brexit it’s not about that. Look as soon as holyrood and the 2014 referendum happened it was inevitable. Just look at the polling demographics to know which way the wind blows.
Put it this way. Where are the policies to bring Scotland closer to the UK ? It’s been 25 years of enabling separatism with independence as the endgame. Scottish independence supporters have done a great job and outplayed and out-maneuvered the uk at every step.
You could argue that Cameron called the SNPs bluff and initiated a referendum on the subject before the nationalists had sufficiently rolled the pitch. Even if it didn't kill independence, it's definitely put it back by 20 odd years.
And we now have a war between Russia and Ukraine after their union broke up in 1991.
Before the Act of Union England and Scotland were often at war at least once most centuries.
Not to mention a hard border with England, Scotland's largest export destination, now inevitable.
Plus no sign either Starmer or Farage or Badenoch would even consider allowing indyref2 anytime soon either, the former only would if a hung parliament with SNP confidence and supply required and LDs not enough
Don’t forget, we have the nukes at Faslane!
Istr a persistent argument on PB that Ukraine was mad to give up its nukes. I’m sure PBers would never be so hypocritical as to apply that principle selectively.
Scottish independence will happen in my lifetime. Idea of Scotland as separate has been enabled by too manly for too long. Shares a lot in common with Brexit imo. Nationalism is gaining popularity worldwide.
Would be very painful at first but they will do fine in long run. Independence fans massively downplay that and remain voters overstate long term benefits.
If we gain independence, we will be poorer in the short term. Scots need to be told that. We need to be reminded that Ireland was poorer than the UK until they stopped their currency being linked to sterling and joined the Euro. The also need to be told that an independent Scotland would not necessarily be tied to the SNP, but new parties would form. Which is why the SNP only pretend to want independence.
Yes but just like Brexit it’s not about that. Look as soon as holyrood and the 2014 referendum happened it was inevitable. Just look at the polling demographics to know which way the wind blows.
Put it this way. Where are the policies to bring Scotland closer to the UK ? It’s been 25 years of enabling separatism with independence as the endgame. Scottish independence supporters have done a great job and outplayed and out-maneuvered the uk at every step.
You could argue that Cameron called the SNPs bluff and initiated a referendum on the subject before the nationalists had sufficiently rolled the pitch. Even if it didn't kill independence, it's definitely put it back by 20 odd years.
And we now have a war between Russia and Ukraine after their union broke up in 1991.
Before the Act of Union England and Scotland were often at war at least once most centuries.
Not to mention a hard border with England, Scotland's largest export destination, now inevitable.
Plus no sign either Starmer or Farage or Badenoch would even consider allowing indyref2 anytime soon either, the former only would if a hung parliament with SNP confidence and supply required and LDs not enough
Don’t forget, we have the nukes at Faslane!
Istr a persistent argument on PB that Ukraine was mad to give up its nukes. I’m sure PBers would never be so hypocritical as to apply that principle selectively.
LOL I'm not entirely convinced with the comparison.
Not exact of course, eg Russia has plenty of locations to base its WMDs whereas an even further reduced little rUK…
Scottish independence will happen in my lifetime. Idea of Scotland as separate has been enabled by too manly for too long. Shares a lot in common with Brexit imo. Nationalism is gaining popularity worldwide.
Would be very painful at first but they will do fine in long run. Independence fans massively downplay that and remain voters overstate long term benefits.
If we gain independence, we will be poorer in the short term. Scots need to be told that. We need to be reminded that Ireland was poorer than the UK until they stopped their currency being linked to sterling and joined the Euro. The also need to be told that an independent Scotland would not necessarily be tied to the SNP, but new parties would form. Which is why the SNP only pretend to want independence.
Yes but just like Brexit it’s not about that. Look as soon as holyrood and the 2014 referendum happened it was inevitable. Just look at the polling demographics to know which way the wind blows.
Put it this way. Where are the policies to bring Scotland closer to the UK ? It’s been 25 years of enabling separatism with independence as the endgame. Scottish independence supporters have done a great job and outplayed and out-maneuvered the uk at every step.
You could argue that Cameron called the SNPs bluff and initiated a referendum on the subject before the nationalists had sufficiently rolled the pitch. Even if it didn't kill independence, it's definitely put it back by 20 odd years.
And we now have a war between Russia and Ukraine after their union broke up in 1991.
Before the Act of Union England and Scotland were often at war at least once most centuries.
Not to mention a hard border with England, Scotland's largest export destination, now inevitable.
Plus no sign either Starmer or Farage or Badenoch would even consider allowing indyref2 anytime soon either, the former only would if a hung parliament with SNP confidence and supply required and LDs not enough
Don’t forget, we have the nukes at Faslane!
Istr a persistent argument on PB that Ukraine was mad to give up its nukes. I’m sure PBers would never be so hypocritical as to apply that principle selectively.
Scottish independence will happen in my lifetime. Idea of Scotland as separate has been enabled by too manly for too long. Shares a lot in common with Brexit imo. Nationalism is gaining popularity worldwide.
Would be very painful at first but they will do fine in long run. Independence fans massively downplay that and remain voters overstate long term benefits.
If we gain independence, we will be poorer in the short term. Scots need to be told that. We need to be reminded that Ireland was poorer than the UK until they stopped their currency being linked to sterling and joined the Euro. The also need to be told that an independent Scotland would not necessarily be tied to the SNP, but new parties would form. Which is why the SNP only pretend to want independence.
Yes but just like Brexit it’s not about that. Look as soon as holyrood and the 2014 referendum happened it was inevitable. Just look at the polling demographics to know which way the wind blows.
Put it this way. Where are the policies to bring Scotland closer to the UK ? It’s been 25 years of enabling separatism with independence as the endgame. Scottish independence supporters have done a great job and outplayed and out-maneuvered the uk at every step.
You could argue that Cameron called the SNPs bluff and initiated a referendum on the subject before the nationalists had sufficiently rolled the pitch. Even if it didn't kill independence, it's definitely put it back by 20 odd years.
And we now have a war between Russia and Ukraine after their union broke up in 1991.
Before the Act of Union England and Scotland were often at war at least once most centuries.
Not to mention a hard border with England, Scotland's largest export destination, now inevitable.
Plus no sign either Starmer or Farage or Badenoch would even consider allowing indyref2 anytime soon either, the former only would if a hung parliament with SNP confidence and supply required and LDs not enough
Don’t forget, we have the nukes at Faslane!
Istr a persistent argument on PB that Ukraine was mad to give up its nukes. I’m sure PBers would never be so hypocritical as to apply that principle selectively.
Apparently Starmer and Reeves have told their mps it will be a difficult budget but they are to protect the NHS and public services with no return to austerity whilst reducing borrowing
That is not possible without huge rises in taxes for everyone
Apparently Starmer and Reeves have told their mps it will be a difficult budget but they are to protect the NHS and public services with no return to austerity whilst reducing borrowing
That is not possible without huge rises in taxes for everyone
Apparently Starmer and Reeves have told their mps it will be a difficult budget but they are to protect the NHS and public services with no return to austerity whilst reducing borrowing
That is not possible without huge rises in taxes for everyone
Or growth. I kid, I kid.
You may not have noticed but where exactly is growth coming from...
Apparently Starmer and Reeves have told their mps it will be a difficult budget but they are to protect the NHS and public services with no return to austerity whilst reducing borrowing
That is not possible without huge rises in taxes for everyone
Or growth. I kid, I kid.
You may not have noticed but where exactly is growth coming from...
Apparently Starmer and Reeves have told their mps it will be a difficult budget but they are to protect the NHS and public services with no return to austerity whilst reducing borrowing
That is not possible without huge rises in taxes for everyone
Or growth. I kid, I kid.
There are a sizeable number of people in politics who genuinely want no growth. They actively want to stop economic growth.
Apparently Starmer and Reeves have told their mps it will be a difficult budget but they are to protect the NHS and public services with no return to austerity whilst reducing borrowing
That is not possible without huge rises in taxes for everyone
Or growth. I kid, I kid.
There are a sizeable number of people in politics who genuinely want no growth. They actively want to stop economic growth.
Apparently Starmer and Reeves have told their mps it will be a difficult budget but they are to protect the NHS and public services with no return to austerity whilst reducing borrowing
That is not possible without huge rises in taxes for everyone
There's not going to be "huge tax rises for everyone".
Reform are certainly moving towards a more Centrist Dad approach, but that's curious in a couple of ways: Reform's supporters crave excitement and danger and they won't get that from a Centrist Dad party in an already crowded field; the Right have been saying for ages that Centrist Dadism is obsolete in these populist times, so it's puzzling why Nigel feels the need to revive the credo. Maybe Nigel has his finger on the pulse, but if things go wrong he might soon be branded a sell-out and deposed.
Being bland economically and going hard on immigration is the way Reform should go. They're not leading the polls because the nation is up in arms about tax and spending
You and I both know most British GEs aren't decided on immigration but on the economy. Hoping against hope people will still be obsessed about migrants and "small boats" in 2028 or 2029 shows how little Reform has to offer beyond that.
Three of the last four have probably been more about immigration. But have Labour or the Tories done so brilliantly with the economy that it would be foolhardy to trust anyone else with it?
Apparently Starmer and Reeves have told their mps it will be a difficult budget but they are to protect the NHS and public services with no return to austerity whilst reducing borrowing
That is not possible without huge rises in taxes for everyone
Or growth. I kid, I kid.
There are a sizeable number of people in politics who genuinely want no growth. They actively want to stop economic growth.
Some Greens now would end capitalism and just have most people living a Good Life style self sufficient life. Polanski though is big state socialist
'Trump threatens federal funds for NYC if Mamdani wins mayoral race and backs Cuomo: ‘You must vote for him’
“If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the Election for Mayor of New York City, it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday evening.
Mamdani, who identifies as a democratic socialist, has refuted claims that he is a communist.
Apparently Starmer and Reeves have told their mps it will be a difficult budget but they are to protect the NHS and public services with no return to austerity whilst reducing borrowing
That is not possible without huge rises in taxes for everyone
Or growth. I kid, I kid.
There are a sizeable number of people in politics who genuinely want no growth. They actively want to stop economic growth.
Absofrigginglutely.
Growth is anathema to many people.
Just a pause in economic growth creates massive budgetary problems, Greens seem less keen on stripping back areas of the state though.
'Trump threatens federal funds for NYC if Mamdani wins mayoral race and backs Cuomo: ‘You must vote for him’
“If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the Election for Mayor of New York City, it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday evening.
Mamdani, who identifies as a democratic socialist, has refuted claims that he is a communist.
'Trump threatens federal funds for NYC if Mamdani wins mayoral race and backs Cuomo: ‘You must vote for him’
“If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the Election for Mayor of New York City, it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday evening.
Mamdani, who identifies as a democratic socialist, has refuted claims that he is a communist.
'Trump threatens federal funds for NYC if Mamdani wins mayoral race and backs Cuomo: ‘You must vote for him’
“If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the Election for Mayor of New York City, it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday evening.
Mamdani, who identifies as a democratic socialist, has refuted claims that he is a communist.
'Trump threatens federal funds for NYC if Mamdani wins mayoral race and backs Cuomo: ‘You must vote for him’
“If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the Election for Mayor of New York City, it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday evening.
Mamdani, who identifies as a democratic socialist, has refuted claims that he is a communist.
The Atlas poll showing a lead of only 5 points for Mamdani apparently over samples the GOP in early voting which puts a question mark over their results .
Trump telling people to vote for Cuomo and threatening to withhold federal funds is likely to backfire .
'Trump threatens federal funds for NYC if Mamdani wins mayoral race and backs Cuomo: ‘You must vote for him’
“If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the Election for Mayor of New York City, it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday evening.
Mamdani, who identifies as a democratic socialist, has refuted claims that he is a communist.
Comments
As to how long it takes for things to improve, that entirely depends on the political decisions made by an independent Scotland. Ireland was hampered in its early decades by policies such as the Economic War, launched by de Valera. And there are other countries of about Scotland's size (such as Denmark) that have made a good fist of being a small independent European country without having huge hydrocarbon reserves (Norway), or becoming a tax haven (Ireland).
I wouldn't have much confidence in the SNP running such an independent country - they've made a pretty bad fist of running Scotland under devolution in terms of encouraging the economy - but that's contingent on the voters. It's not an inevitable part of an independence.
Why don't we build a huge deep ditch and fill it with water? 22 miles across, 150 feet deep.
There now, no one's going to get across that.
Put it this way. Where are the policies to bring Scotland closer to the UK ? It’s been 25 years of enabling separatism with independence as the endgame. Scottish independence supporters have done a great job and outplayed and out-maneuvered the uk at every step.
(and I say that as someone who wishes that wasn't the case)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outraging_public_decency
'The first recorded case of the offence was Sir Charles Sedley’s Case or namely Sedley's Case (1663) 1 Keb. 620, 83 ER 1146; (1663) 1 Sid. 168, 82 ER 1036. Sir Charles Sedley was prosecuted for urinating on a crowd from the balcony of Oxford Kate's tavern in Covent Garden'
Possibly confused because they've been asked to read a few long sentences or do some arithmetic. But still.
All very odd anyway given the Victorian predilection for showing nudes of possibly underage females in public art galleries.
Except it wasn't a black wall, it was the darkened window of a restaurant, and he only realised when one of the waiters came out to yell at him.
I've often thought about that in the context of outraging the public decency.
At 2:50 p.m., it was reported that numerous shots were fired inside the library with two potential suspects. One suspect was reported on the first floor of the library. One suspect is White, approximately 30-40 years old, in grey pants and a white t-shirt, according to a witness.
The University Police Department is investigating the incident.
At 3:34 p.m., UPD reported “there is no evidence of an attacker.”
https://augustafreepress.com/news/uva-reports-active-attacker-with-gun-on-grounds-run-hide-fight/
Curiouser and curiouser.
I worked the overnight shift.
I'll never forget the bums slamming against the glass or the .... seepage dripping down. Really doesn't help you hit your KPI's at 3am.
I can understand @Luckyguy1983's sentiment on the great Reform economic policy pronouncements today.
As someone else once opined, there are more questions than answers.
The thrust seems to be about paying young people less (might be an inducement for the 16 and 17 year olds to come out and vote) and a return to "austerity" which is all very easy for say but we really need some proper detail. The attempts by Farage's version of DOGE (or DLOGE) to find savings at the county councils they took over in May have been laughably unsuccessful.
To be fair to Badenoch, many of the County Councils won by Reform in May were well-run Conservative councils and, not surprisingly, the incoming Reform administrations have found little or no fat to cut.
So we are back to asking how a Reform Government would improve public services (they won't) and reduce the deficit (they won't do that either) without raising any kind of tax (I bet they would) so they are as useless as the other parties and of course their absurd anti-immigration policies will end up costing billions (in all probability) so they'll end up having to borrow more.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gw941pp4ko
But IANAL. TSE is the boy to ask, I am sure.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/nov/03/joey-barton-x-posts-crossed-line-free-speech-and-crime-court-told
#pbfreespeech
So no wonder he likes youngsters being paid less.
Equally WTF will austerity solve - the only thing it's done is created a crisis in child social services (see how much costs have grown since SureStart was binned in 2011) and resulted in Brexit...
Before the Act of Union England and Scotland were often at war at least once most centuries.
Not to mention a hard border with England, Scotland's largest export destination, now inevitable.
Plus no sign either Starmer or Farage or Badenoch would even consider allowing indyref2 anytime soon either, the former only would if a hung parliament with SNP confidence and supply required and LDs not enough
#cantbehelped
https://www.enfieldcarpets.co.uk/
https://www.thenational.scot/news/25593540.reform-uk-blasted-antisemitic-attack-zack-polanski/
But a *lot* of water has to flow under the bridge before that is an issue.
The figure is well short of the 800,000 people who expressed interest when it launched, and it is significantly below the 100,000 to 200,000 insiders hoped would join officially as members following its launch in July."
https://news.sky.com/story/politics-latest-reeves-rent-mistake-labour-starmer-asylum-budget-tax-farage-reform-12593360
Just look at some of the stuff on PB tonight.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0kpd97qqko
Israeli military's ex-top lawyer arrested over leak of video allegedly showing Palestinian detainee abuse
@MichaelLangeNYC is always a must read bc he has a track record of accuracy. Michael has @ZohranKMamdani breaking 50% & winning by a comfortable margin
https://x.com/SalAlbaneseNYC/status/1985409357828239656
things seem to be going great for the Cuomo campaign!
https://bsky.app/profile/greenwell.bsky.social/post/3m4qodeammc2l
Jeffries: "The Trump administration and Mike Johnson are running a pedophile protection program. That's the reason they refuse to swear in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva."
https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3m4qqfo2qts2v
1) Its not bollox. Its a demonstrable fact that the SNP lost 40% of its vote and was crushed down to 9 seats. Its also a demonstrable fact that they put independence literally on page 1 of their manifesto as the central issue. And I watched doors slammed in their faces. As reflected in the vote they retained
2) I've said nothing about England, which is worse than Scotland
3) its not my fault the SNP are this shit, is it?
I’m pretty hopeful that there isn’t a jury in the land who would look at that and side with the crown.
I am 16p in profit now.
https://bsky.app/profile/gtconway.bsky.social/post/3m4qyk55mok2a
The word reverse has a meaning, you aren't using it properly.
I am not backing mass deportations, indeed I specifically said "Hopefully anyone proposing that gets nowhere power." Mass emigration is what your words of reversing migration means though.
She is facing credible death threats.
Incompetence has become this Government’s watchword
https://x.com/keir_starmer/status/1295388223347273729?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q
Revealing it is a "blood libel" ??
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0kpd97qqko
..Broadcast in August 2024 on an Israeli news channel, the footage shows reserve soldiers at the Sde Teiman military base in southern Israel taking aside a detainee, then surrounding him with riot shields to block visibility while he was allegedly beaten and stabbed in the rectum with a sharp object.
The detainee was treated for severe injuries..
...After her resignation, Katz issued a fierce condemnation of her conduct.
"Anyone who spreads blood libels against IDF troops is unfit to wear the army's uniform," he said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed his defence minister's words on Sunday, saying that the incident at Sde Teiman was "perhaps the most severe public relations attack that the State of Israel has experienced since its establishment"..
I'm not entirely convinced with the comparison.
That is not possible without huge rises in taxes for everyone
In general countries don't split when they are successful.
Growth is anathema to many people.
“If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the Election for Mayor of New York City, it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday evening.
Mamdani, who identifies as a democratic socialist, has refuted claims that he is a communist.
Trump then backed Cuomo, who lost to Mamdani in the Democratic primary, “Whether you personally like Andrew Cuomo or not, you really have no choice. You must vote for him, and hope he does a fantastic job. He is capable of it, Mamdani is not!”https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-shutdown-news-today-live-updates-b2857310.html
Logically a win by the "far left loon" candidate in key city brought to you by the Dems will help with Trump's re-election bid in 2028?
Trump telling people to vote for Cuomo and threatening to withhold federal funds is likely to backfire .
Elon Musk is urging New Yorkers to vote Andrew Cuomo for NYC mayor, arguing a vote for Sliwa is effectively a vote for Mamdani.
https://x.com/PollTracker2024/status/1985452959598051804