Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.

politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » …meanwhile in the race to win GE2015 now less than seven mo

24

Comments

  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 43,336

    Presumably Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon, as well as all the SNP bloggers and cheerleaders, have dissociated themselves from the lunatic menaces of Jim Sillars in the strongest possible terms?

    But -seriously - I don't know, haven't looked. Would the DT bother reporting, I wonder?

  • welshowlwelshowl Posts: 4,464
    edited September 2014
    Charles said:



    I'm not sure there is any justification for allowing Scottish MPs to vote on anything after an independence vote. After all would the government continue to use Scottish resources (e.g. the Scottish Divisions of The Army) on UK issues? Surely anything that was bound up with Scotland would be wholly involved in transitioning and therefore subject to the scrutiny of the British Government in direct negotiation with Scottish Government. Scottish MPs would effectively be surplus to requirements other than in addressing any transitional issues for their constituents?

    Didn't spell it out, but the Scottish MPs would only be in place from GE15 - iDay. During that time they should get a say
    Not so sure that will actually pan out in practice. Mr and Mrs Smith of Basingstoke are not going to accept lightly a bunch of foreigners minus 18 months telling them what to do as of this Friday if it's a yes. Scottish MP's authority will be in mighty short supply in rUK as soon as a Yes is confirmed. And in fairness vice versa in Scotland.
  • manofkent2014manofkent2014 Posts: 1,543
    edited September 2014
    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    TGOHF said:

    Given the borders are strong "NO" - Cameron should offer any region that votes "NO" can remain in the rUk should they wish to.

    Only fair right ?

    Cuckoo, Cuckoo
    So its OK for Scots to say they don't want to stay British and secede from the Union but its not alright for Scots to secede from your vision of Scotland if they wanted to remain part of the Union?
    Don't talk bollocks , they can load their wheelbarrows and F Off if they want
    Oooooh. Touchy? Answer this then based on your response then why don't the British Government turn around and say exactly the same to the hypocrites in the SNP whatever the result of the referendum then?

  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 43,498
    It really is hard to believe the collection of nutjobs on here, the scope of nuttery is quite breathtaking. A virtual asylum.
  • Heads up for Sunday! The Sunil on Sunday publishes its latest ELBOW, exclusively on PB.com!
  • PlatoPlato Posts: 15,724
    Quite.

    I'm about to ask a few hundred US what they think about SIndy. We normally talk about TV shows, but often stray into crime/politics etc during quiet moments. We had a super dicussion about Sundown Towns a couple of weeks ago [places where blacks weren't allowed out after sunset].

    They were appalled at Rotherham. And nothing even remotely similar to compare it with.

    I'll report back what Average Sofa Person from across the pond thinks about it all.
    welshowl said:

    Alistair said:

    The utterances of this Sillars character are shocking in the extreme. Who or what the hell is he? Lunatics like that will turn Scotland into a pariah state. Salmond must distance himself and the SNP from such ravings. He should make a statement that Sillars represents only a lunatic fringe within nationalism and that most fair-minded nationalist folk abhor and condemn his comments.

    He's a former deputy leader of the SNP - he had a massive falling out with Alex Salmond and has spent the last couple of decades criticising everything Salmond has done.
    Not the point. It's "brand Scotland" that's going up in flames before your eyes. Centuries of the impression somewhat austere probity are the bedrock of the safety and security that people associate with Scottish financial institutions which is why people put their money there. Now hot on the heels of RBS HBoS etc our screens are being filled with swivel eyed fantasies ( as we see it down here - and the perception we have is all that matters in this context), peddled by either delusional or innumerate political leaders.

    This has already done damage.
  • HurstLlamaHurstLlama Posts: 9,098
    edited September 2014
    Carnyx said:

    Charles said:

    Plato said:

    I thought Mr Hodges point here was a real humdinger.

    If Scotland goes YES, will the May 2015 election still go ahead? Would a parliament where 10% of the candidates where going to depart in May 2016 be anything other than a lame duck?

    Would such a parliament have any legitimacy?

    The Parliament would have legitimacy, whether any government formed as a result of the GE would have is another matter. For example, imagine a Labour government whose majority is smaller than its number of Scottish MPs.
    They would have an incentive to string out negotiations beyond the May 2016 date Salmond has set.

    I'm sure he would accept it ("in the interests of an orderly transition") in return for material concessions on the substantive matters.

    Hence a Labour government in this position would have a direct conflict of interests and would not be able to negotiate an optimal outcome for rUK.

    This is a very good example of why, immediately following a vote, there should be an Act (ie in 2014):

    - devolving all domestic powers (including financial) to Holyrood
    - fixing a cash lump sum transfer to iScot for the 2015/16 budget for all these domestic matters (ie ending the Barnett formula and meaning that Scottish MPs have no interest in rUK money bills)
    - limiting the voting rights of Scottish MPs to a very limited set of truly UK wide issues (eg defence/foreign affairs)
    - providing that in GE2015 there will be no Scottish MPs elected but that Holyrood will appoint 58 representatives (with the limited powers above) in proportion to the votes cast for parties at the last Holyrood elections (ie 2011)

    Good plan, Mr. Charles, and very sensible. Now, tell us, do you think Cameron would ever have the courage in bring in such a bill and fight it through Parliament to get it enacted?
    Serious question, why should he not be able to get it through pmt given the reasons Mr Charles adduces?

    Carnyx, he might be able to, though I suspect that large chunks of Labour and Lib Dems would baulk, if he had the guts to try. Given that Cameron has courage in the way snakes have hips I am not convinced he would even try (also Samantha might not like it).

    Even Mr Charles, a High Tory in the good meaning of the phrase, is unconvinced that Cameron would actually have the courage to do something.
  • Plato said:

    As a Geordie, I love Hadrian's Wall. And the council in Wallsend who have the great humour to have signs in Latin.

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallsend_Metro_station

    The Byker Wall really isn't playing in the same league.

    Carnyx said:

    Carnyx said:

    TGOHF said:

    Given the borders are strong "NO" - Cameron should offer any region that votes "NO" can remain in the rUk should they wish to.

    Only fair right ?

    Would it not be simpler to just move Hadrian’s Wall 50 miles north. ; )
    That wouldn't even reach Berwick, would it?
    Not entirely sure Mr Carnyx - I remember walking a large chunk of it in my childhood, stunning scenery but rather bleak imr - and always forget how 'south' it actually is.
    Part of it actually goes along a street just north of Newcastle Central station! The western end is rather closer, though.
    There's an Ilford Road station, but not been there! I say that as a long term resident of the real Ilford, down south :)
  • SeanT said:



    If I had any money in Scottish banks or pension funds I would move it now, if I could. Why take the risk?

    The underlying assets of nominally Scottish-based pension funds will be overwhelmingly in FTSE (i.e. London-domiciled) companies.
  • AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 25,514

    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    TGOHF said:

    Given the borders are strong "NO" - Cameron should offer any region that votes "NO" can remain in the rUk should they wish to.

    Only fair right ?

    Cuckoo, Cuckoo
    So its OK for Scots to say they don't want to stay British and secede from the Union but its not alright for Scots to secede from your vision of Scotland if they wanted to remain part of the Union?
    Don't talk bollocks , they can load their wheelbarrows and F Off if they want
    Arf. The high water mark of Malcisms today :)
    Look on the bright side BaJ you can sell your 2 bedroomed flat in London and buy Ayrshire.
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 43,498
    edited September 2014
    this your average BT person , vicious thugs

    twitter.com/DerecThompson/status/510449449962053632/photo/1
  • NeilNeil Posts: 7,983
    RodCrosby said:


    He told me people in Eastern Europe were "terrified" of a YES vote, the Russians were looking on with glee, and that the SNP must be their agents or dupes...

    God but their terrible recent past has really messed with some people in Eastern Europe!
  • Salmond must expel Sillars from the SNP. Otherwise his utterances will be an albatross around Salmond's neck, all the while inflicting trepidation and resentment in the world of commerce. There'll be enough crippling financial flight from a separated Scotland as it is without more being scared witless by SNP mavericks. I don't want Scotland to become some sort of second-world basket case, but it's on the verge of looking inevitable.
  • TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633

    SeanT said:



    If I had any money in Scottish banks or pension funds I would move it now, if I could. Why take the risk?

    The underlying assets of nominally Scottish-based pension funds will be overwhelmingly in FTSE (i.e. London-domiciled) companies.
    Agre on pension funds - they will be fine.

    Wont just be cross border transfers from RBS and Lloyds though - savers south of the border will want to move to a non Scottish bank - the £85k assurance will no longer be in place in the central bank free zone north of Berwick.
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 43,498

    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    TGOHF said:

    Given the borders are strong "NO" - Cameron should offer any region that votes "NO" can remain in the rUk should they wish to.

    Only fair right ?

    Cuckoo, Cuckoo
    So its OK for Scots to say they don't want to stay British and secede from the Union but its not alright for Scots to secede from your vision of Scotland if they wanted to remain part of the Union?
    Don't talk bollocks , they can load their wheelbarrows and F Off if they want
    Oooooh. Touchy? Answer this then based on your response then why don't the British Government turn around and say exactly the same to the hypocrites in the SNP whatever the result of the referendum then?

    What you want the British Government to chuck the SNP out of Scotland. Is this their new plan a pogram, gulags , etc.
  • PlatoPlato Posts: 15,724
    It's a psychological watershed.

    Whatever the legal niceties, if Scotland votes Yes - it's straight to enemy territory.

    It's like announcing getting divorced. Once the words have been uttered, all bets are off whatever who owns what. It's a land grab.

    Trench warfare, unless you're very fortunate.
    welshowl said:

    Charles said:



    I'm not sure there is any justification for allowing Scottish MPs to vote on anything after an independence vote. After all would the government continue to use Scottish resources (e.g. the Scottish Divisions of The Army) on UK issues? Surely anything that was bound up with Scotland would be wholly involved in transitioning and therefore subject to the scrutiny of the British Government in direct negotiation with Scottish Government. Scottish MPs would effectively be surplus to requirements other than in addressing any transitional issues for their constituents?

    Didn't spell it out, but the Scottish MPs would only be in place from GE15 - iDay. During that time they should get a say
    Not so sure that will actually pan out in practice. Mr and Mrs Smith of Basingstoke are not going to accept lightly a bunch of foreigners minus 18 months telling them what to do as of this Friday if it's a yes. Scottish MP's authority will be in mighty short supply in rUK as soon as a Yes is confirmed. And in fairness vice versa in Scotland.
  • isamisam Posts: 41,118

    isam said:

    A graph of the yes and no lines in the indyref would be nice

    What the breathless blathering from the PB Tories not enough for you ISam?
    I don't get it? I mean a line graph of the opinion polls over the last 6 months of so...

    I'm not one for categories like PB this or that, or liblabcon really.




  • My gut feeling is that the vote is still going 55/45 No/Yes and not sure this poll says anything different.

    My gut feeling is that you haven't a scooby.
  • Salmond must expel Sillars from the SNP. Otherwise his utterances will be an albatross around Salmond's neck, all the while inflicting trepidation and resentment in the world of commerce. There'll be enough crippling financial flight from a separated Scotland as it is without more being scared witless by SNP mavericks. I don't want Scotland to become some sort of second-world basket case, but it's on the verge of looking inevitable.

    I think you might be exaggerating just a teensy little bit.
  • isamisam Posts: 41,118
    Very moving to see Reenas parents speaking so humbly after the trial, would have been easy to be full of hate and vengeance.

    Hope they don't read this site though
  • SeanT said:


    If I had any money in Scottish banks or pension funds I would move it now, if I could. Why take the risk?


    Why don't you transfer a chunk of money to RBS and then move it a couple of days later? We need a futile gesture at this stage.
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 43,336

    Carnyx said:

    Charles said:

    [snipped]
    They would have an incentive to string out negotiations beyond the May 2016 date Salmond has set.

    I'm sure he would accept it ("in the interests of an orderly transition") in return for material concessions on the substantive matters.

    Hence a Labour government in this position would have a direct conflict of interests and would not be able to negotiate an optimal outcome for rUK.

    This is a very good example of why, immediately following a vote, there should be an Act (ie in 2014):

    - devolving all domestic powers (including financial) to Holyrood
    - fixing a cash lump sum transfer to iScot for the 2015/16 budget for all these domestic matters (ie ending the Barnett formula and meaning that Scottish MPs have no interest in rUK money bills)
    - limiting the voting rights of Scottish MPs to a very limited set of truly UK wide issues (eg defence/foreign affairs)
    - providing that in GE2015 there will be no Scottish MPs elected but that Holyrood will appoint 58 representatives (with the limited powers above) in proportion to the votes cast for parties at the last Holyrood elections (ie 2011)

    Good plan, Mr. Charles, and very sensible. Now, tell us, do you think Cameron would ever have the courage in bring in such a bill and fight it through Parliament to get it enacted?
    Serious question, why should he not be able to get it through pmt given the reasons Mr Charles adduces?

    Carnyx, he might be able to, though I suspect that large chunks of Labour and Lib Dems would baulk, if he had the guts to try. Given that Cameron has courage in the way snakes have hips I am not convinced he would even try (also Samantha might not like it).

    Even Mr Charles, a High Tory in the good meaning of the phrase, is unconvinced that Cameron would actually have the courage to do something.
    Thanks. Of course it would be tricky. I had forgotten that you'd need a 2/3 majority to change the electoral legislation in the way described would you not?

    BTW some snakes do have hips, even if one ignores the usual fossil "missing links". If one gets up and intimate with a python and examines its intimate parts, one will see a couple of very vestigial thighbones, which are attached internally to small pelvic girdle bones. So there is hope ...

  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,031
    isam said:

    Very moving to see Reenas parents speaking so humbly after the trial, would have been easy to be full of hate and vengeance.

    Hope they don't read this site though

    What were people saying? I was disappointed he was found not guilty of murder. Regardless of who it was, he shot.
  • RobCRobC Posts: 398
    malcolmg said:

    It really is hard to believe the collection of nutjobs on here, the scope of nuttery is quite breathtaking. A virtual asylum.

    Don't worry Malc - at least we keep you entertained. One hot headed young lad in The Times announced he was prepared to take up arms to defend English interests and that was in our most respected broadsheet.
  • PlatoPlato Posts: 15,724
    I knew it well!

    The Metro is scummy nowadays. For at least ten yrs it was lovely. People valued it, didn't ignore the No Smoking signs and never graffitied the stations.

    The last time I was back [2008ish] it was slovenly. I didn't want to sit down.

    Plato said:

    As a Geordie, I love Hadrian's Wall. And the council in Wallsend who have the great humour to have signs in Latin.

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallsend_Metro_station

    The Byker Wall really isn't playing in the same league.

    Carnyx said:

    Carnyx said:

    TGOHF said:

    Given the borders are strong "NO" - Cameron should offer any region that votes "NO" can remain in the rUk should they wish to.

    Only fair right ?

    Would it not be simpler to just move Hadrian’s Wall 50 miles north. ; )
    That wouldn't even reach Berwick, would it?
    Not entirely sure Mr Carnyx - I remember walking a large chunk of it in my childhood, stunning scenery but rather bleak imr - and always forget how 'south' it actually is.
    Part of it actually goes along a street just north of Newcastle Central station! The western end is rather closer, though.
    There's an Ilford Road station, but not been there! I say that as a long term resident of the real Ilford, down south :)
  • Scrapheap_as_wasScrapheap_as_was Posts: 10,069
    edited September 2014
    Who'd be the leader of a political protest party?

    Michael Deacon‏@MichaelPDeacon·1 hr
    Young woman at Glasgow Airport walks past Nigel Farage, then does double-take. "Whoa!" she cries to her boyfriend. "It's that twat!"
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,031
    edited September 2014

    Who'd been the leader of a political protest party?

    Michael Deacon‏@MichaelPDeacon·1 hr
    Young woman at Glasgow Airport walks past Nigel Farage, then does double-take. "Whoa!" she cries to her boyfriend. "It's that twat!"

    Don't worry, that's a compliment!
  • malcolmg said:

    It really is hard to believe the collection of nutjobs on here, the scope of nuttery is quite breathtaking. A virtual asylum.

    That's why we love you on PB. It takes one to know one.
  • PlatoPlato Posts: 15,724
    What were they most scared of as a repercussion?
    RodCrosby said:

    Make of this what you will...

    Was talking about the referendum with a Slovak acquaintance over the weekend. (no idiot, a Physics PhD and ex-MP in his 50s)

    He told me people in Eastern Europe were "terrified" of a YES vote, the Russians were looking on with glee, and that the SNP must be their agents or dupes...

  • SeanT said:

    malcolmg said:

    TGOHF said:

    SeanT said:

    welshowl said:

    Plato said:

    Swinney is totally off the reservation. If it wasn't so serious, I'd rolling in the aisles of Next and B&Q, and M&S. telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11091801/Big-business-warned-of-day-of-reckoning-if-Scots-vote-Yes.html?fb

    New ss.


    Std Life if you are reading this get the money south 8.30 on Friday morning if it's a yes. In fact better still do it now and don't bother sending it back.

    Like I said, during the Czech/Slovak "velvet divorce" they had to literally seal the border, with armed guards, to prevent Slovaks smuggling their cash into the Czech republic. Thereafter the Slovak economy crashed by 4% in a year.



    If I had any money in Scottish banks or pension funds I would move it now, if I could. Why take the risk?
    Surely electronic transfers mean that this wouldn't be an issue - unless you are suggesting a bank run next Friday and deposits are frozen ?
    And look how that has turned out Slovakia booming , GDP soaring , Czech's stagnant and moribund. All the crap will move south and we will get real businesses.
    Slovakia's GDP growth is.... 2.5%. Soaring?? That's slower than the UK.

    http://www.tradingeconomics.com/slovakia/gdp-growth-annual

    Meanwhile Czech GDP per capita is $18,700

    Slovakian GDP per capita is $16,900

    So Czechia is noticeably richer.

    And, unlike Scotland, Slovakia didn't have a finance sector which comprised about 8% of its economy, which would have moved to Prague after the divorce, had it existed.

    As someone downthread noted, the Scots are trashing their painstakingly-built brand: as a solid, reliable, sober place to put money. It's suicidal. Ach, store your money with us, we have nae fecking idea what currency we'll be using next Friday. Burp.

    Just crazy. Never seen a country do this. And all of it in the eyes of the world.

    Who on earth do you think is looking on at this, and thinking, hmmm, yes, that there Scotland looks like a nice, welcoming, stable place to invest.

    Yet more negative campaigning from the Cyberunionists :)
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,031
    SeanT said:

    malcolmg said:

    TGOHF said:

    SeanT said:

    welshowl said:

    Plato said:

    Swinney is totally off the reservation. If it wasn't so serious, I'd rolling in the aisles of Next and B&Q, and M&S. telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11091801/Big-business-warned-of-day-of-reckoning-if-Scots-vote-Yes.html?fb

    New ss.


    Std Life if you are reading this get the money south 8.30 on Friday morning if it's a yes. In fact better still do it now and don't bother sending it back.

    Like I said, during the Czech/Slovak "velvet divorce" they had to literally seal the border, with armed guards, to prevent Slovaks smuggling their cash into the Czech republic. Thereafter the Slovak economy crashed by 4% in a year.



    If I had any money in Scottish banks or pension funds I would move it now, if I could. Why take the risk?
    Surely electronic transfers mean that this wouldn't be an issue - unless you are suggesting a bank run next Friday and deposits are frozen ?
    And look how that has turned out Slovakia booming , GDP soaring , Czech's stagnant and moribund. All the crap will move south and we will get real businesses.
    Slovakia's GDP growth is.... 2.5%. Soaring?? That's slower than the UK.

    http://www.tradingeconomics.com/slovakia/gdp-growth-annual

    Meanwhile Czech GDP per capita is $18,700

    Slovakian GDP per capita is $16,900

    So Czechia is noticeably richer.

    And, unlike Scotland, Slovakia didn't have a finance sector which comprised about 8% of its economy, which would have moved to Prague after the divorce, had it existed.

    As someone downthread noted, the Scots are trashing their painstakingly-built brand: as a solid, reliable, sober place to put money. It's suicidal. Ach, store your money with us, we have nae fecking idea what currency we'll be using next Friday. Burp.

    Just crazy. Never seen a country do this. And all of it in the eyes of the world.

    Who on earth do you think is looking on at this, and thinking, hmmm, yes, that there Scotland looks like a nice, welcoming, stable place to invest.

    And all because a minority of people want to bugger it all up!
  • welshowlwelshowl Posts: 4,464
    SeanT said:

    malcolmg said:

    TGOHF said:

    SeanT said:

    welshowl said:

    Plato said:

    Swinney is totally off the reservation. If it wasn't so serious, I'd rolling in the aisles of Next and B&Q, and M&S. telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11091801/Big-business-warned-of-day-of-reckoning-if-Scots-vote-Yes.html?fb

    New ss.


    Std Life if you are reading this get the money south 8.30 on Friday morning if it's a yes. In fact better still do it now and don't bother sending it back.

    Like I said, during the Czech/Slovak "velvet divorce" they had to literally seal the border, with armed guards, to prevent Slovaks smuggling their cash into the Czech republic. Thereafter the Slovak economy crashed by 4% in a year.



    If I had any money in Scottish banks or pension funds I would move it now, if I could. Why take the risk?
    Surely electronic transfers mean that this wouldn't be an issue - unless you are suggesting a bank run next Friday and deposits are frozen ?
    And look how that has turned out Slovakia booming , GDP soaring , Czech's stagnant and moribund. All the crap will move south and we will get real businesses.
    Slovakia's GDP growth is.... 2.5%. Soaring?? That's slower than the UK.

    http://www.tradingeconomics.com/slovakia/gdp-growth-annual

    Meanwhile Czech GDP per capita is $18,700

    Slovakian GDP per capita is $16,900

    So Czechia is noticeably richer.

    And, unlike Scotland, Slovakia didn't have a finance sector which comprised about 8% of its economy, which would have moved to Prague after the divorce, had it existed.

    As someone downthread noted, the Scots are trashing their painstakingly-built brand: as a solid, reliable, sober place to put money. It's suicidal. Ach, store your money with us, we have nae fecking idea what currency we'll be using next Friday. Burp.

    Just crazy. Never seen a country do this. And all of it in the eyes of the world.

    Who on earth do you think is looking on at this, and thinking, hmmm, yes, that there Scotland looks like a nice, welcoming, stable place to invest.

    In fairness the Abbott of Buckfast probably is. :-)
  • This is a disaster! The SNP have actually been billing a Sillars/Salmond reunion as an event of profound significance:

    http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/sketch-how-salmond-and-sillars-joined-forces-at-the-margomobile.1410350667

    It's now impossible to dismiss Sillars-gate as the unfortunate ravings of a maverick.
  • Miss Plato, a Northern Irish friend of mine is deeply worried about what'll happen there if Yes wins.
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 43,336
    edited September 2014
    isam said:

    isam said:

    A graph of the yes and no lines in the indyref would be nice

    What the breathless blathering from the PB Tories not enough for you ISam?
    I don't get it? I mean a line graph of the opinion polls over the last 6 months of so...

    I'm not one for categories like PB this or that, or liblabcon really.



    Noticed this the other day. They seem to do updates. Any good?

    twitter.com/ScotCen/status/510408250509234176/photo/1

  • NeilNeil Posts: 7,983
    edited September 2014
    SeanT said:


    Who on earth do you think is looking on at this, and thinking, hmmm, yes, that there Scotland looks like a nice, welcoming, stable place to invest.

    Imagine this scenario if you will:

    Scotland leaves in 2016, rUK leaves EU in 2017, all those Investment Banks reported to be looking at moving to Dublin decide that Edinburgh is a better city to be based in!

    Ta da!
  • NeilNeil Posts: 7,983

    Miss Plato, a Northern Irish friend of mine is deeply worried about what'll happen there if Yes wins.

    He or she should relax - it's hardly likely to get much worse.

  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,031

    AggieD said:



    malcolmg said:

    It really is hard to believe the collection of nutjobs on here, the scope of nuttery is quite breathtaking. A virtual asylum.

    That's why we love you on PB. It takes one to know one.
    14 posts and it's the PB 'we'.

    We Are the Herd. You Will be Assimilated. Resistance is Futile.
    Haven't heard of the herd in a while!
  • NeilNeil Posts: 7,983

    AggieD said:



    malcolmg said:

    It really is hard to believe the collection of nutjobs on here, the scope of nuttery is quite breathtaking. A virtual asylum.

    That's why we love you on PB. It takes one to know one.
    14 posts and it's the PB 'we'.

    We Are the Herd. You Will be Assimilated. Resistance is Futile.
    Iirc AggieD has been lurking for many years. And you dont have to be assimilated to love malcolmg, you just need to be able to appreciate a master at work.

  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 43,336
    Neil said:

    SeanT said:


    Who on earth do you think is looking on at this, and thinking, hmmm, yes, that there Scotland looks like a nice, welcoming, stable place to invest.

    Imagine this scenario if you will:

    Scotland leaves in 2016, rUK leaves EU in 2017, all those Investment Banks reported to be looking at moving to Dublin decide that Edinburgh is a better city to be based in!

    Ta da!
    That's exactly what some people are talking about. And one wonders why the No campaign have gone so quiet on the EU.

  • TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    Neil said:

    SeanT said:


    Who on earth do you think is looking on at this, and thinking, hmmm, yes, that there Scotland looks like a nice, welcoming, stable place to invest.

    Imagine this scenario if you will:

    Scotland leaves in 2016, rUK leaves EU in 2017, all those Investment Banks reported to be looking at moving to Dublin decide that Edinburgh is a better city to be based in!

    Ta da!
    Surely they will lose out to Caracus or Tirana ?
  • isamisam Posts: 41,118
    RobD said:

    isam said:

    Very moving to see Reenas parents speaking so humbly after the trial, would have been easy to be full of hate and vengeance.

    Hope they don't read this site though

    What were people saying? I was disappointed he was found not guilty of murder. Regardless of who it was, he shot.
    An absolutely disgusting joke from one of the moderators yesterday morning . Doesn't bear repeating

    Well I'm inclined to think he got away with it, seems incredibly unlikely he didn't mean it, but what do I know?
  • RodCrosbyRodCrosby Posts: 7,737
    Plato said:

    What were they most scared of as a repercussion?

    RodCrosby said:

    Make of this what you will...

    Was talking about the referendum with a Slovak acquaintance over the weekend. (no idiot, a Physics PhD and ex-MP in his 50s)

    He told me people in Eastern Europe were "terrified" of a YES vote, the Russians were looking on with glee, and that the SNP must be their agents or dupes...

    His view was that Eastern Europe looks to a strong UK as the only European country prepared to stand up to (expansionist) Russia.

    A weaker UK is therefore bad news for those who are threatened by Russia.
  • NeilNeil Posts: 7,983
    Carnyx said:

    Neil said:

    SeanT said:


    Who on earth do you think is looking on at this, and thinking, hmmm, yes, that there Scotland looks like a nice, welcoming, stable place to invest.

    Imagine this scenario if you will:

    Scotland leaves in 2016, rUK leaves EU in 2017, all those Investment Banks reported to be looking at moving to Dublin decide that Edinburgh is a better city to be based in!

    Ta da!
    That's exactly what some people are talking about. And one wonders why the No campaign have gone so quiet on the EU.

    Tbf I was taking the p*ss a little. But, yes, the uncertainty issues being thrown by some at the 'yes' campaign apply equally to those advocating a referendum on the EU and there is something of an intersection there.
  • HurstLlamaHurstLlama Posts: 9,098
    I am reminded that 19th September is International Speak Like a Pirate Day. Might be more apt than usual this year.
  • isamisam Posts: 41,118
    The Spectator (@spectator)
    12/09/2014 18:07
    Blog — Former Newsnight hack slams Beeb’s referendum ‘propaganda’ bit.ly/1rUmoWo by @MrSteerpike
  • TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    SeanT said:

    Neil said:

    SeanT said:


    Who on earth do you think is looking on at this, and thinking, hmmm, yes, that there Scotland looks like a nice, welcoming, stable place to invest.

    Imagine this scenario if you will:

    Scotland leaves in 2016, rUK leaves EU in 2017, all those Investment Banks reported to be looking at moving to Dublin decide that Edinburgh is a better city to be based in!

    Ta da!
    If Scotland votes YES there will be no EU referendum in 2017, whoever wins, as we will still be sorting our own divorce, and our own politics will be in total chaos. Besides, I reckon an EU ref in 2017 would be won by IN.

    However in the long run, a Scottish YES does make a FUK exit much more likely, probably under a Tory-UKIP Coalition, a few years after Scotland has gone.

    2019? 2022?
    Chuckling at the thought of an investment bank wanting to move to socialist anti business Scotland which threatened to default on it's debts.

  • They've laced the cooking sherry with LSD today Malcolm
  • NickPalmerNickPalmer Posts: 21,564
    Plato said:

    I wish I didn't feel this was possible, nevermind likely. Yessers have totally lost the plot when it comes to democracy. Intimidation, threats and now this on polling day.

    I'm appalled. It's Venezuelan politics.

    For very good reasons, Britain's political parties do not campaign on election day. By that point everyone has had their say, the rallies and the shouting must stop. Between the opening and closing of the polling stations, voters can get on with casting their vote in peace, unimpeded by noisy displays of partisan politicking.
    blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/iainmartin1/100286216/the-nationalist-pied-piper-plan-to-march-voters-to-the-polling-booths-next-week-is-deeply-sinister/

    I don't know about the proposed march, which agree sounds a bit iffy, but Iain Martin is simply wrong about parties not campaigning on election day. Perhaps he's never lived in a marginal seat? Four leaflet deliveries during the day, repeated knock-ups for recalcitrant voters (in the first election I was involved in, I was sent to knock up someone who'd been reminded 9 times already), loudspeaker cars touring all day, blizzards of phone calls all evening. Until you've got voters sprinting down the road after the final knock-up to make the polls before 10pm, you haven't lived :-).The BBC may fall silent, but the parties absolutely don't.

  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,031
    TGOHF said:

    SeanT said:

    Neil said:

    SeanT said:


    Who on earth do you think is looking on at this, and thinking, hmmm, yes, that there Scotland looks like a nice, welcoming, stable place to invest.

    Imagine this scenario if you will:

    Scotland leaves in 2016, rUK leaves EU in 2017, all those Investment Banks reported to be looking at moving to Dublin decide that Edinburgh is a better city to be based in!

    Ta da!
    If Scotland votes YES there will be no EU referendum in 2017, whoever wins, as we will still be sorting our own divorce, and our own politics will be in total chaos. Besides, I reckon an EU ref in 2017 would be won by IN.

    However in the long run, a Scottish YES does make a FUK exit much more likely, probably under a Tory-UKIP Coalition, a few years after Scotland has gone.

    2019? 2022?
    Chuckling at the thought of an investment bank wanting to move to socialist anti business Scotland which threatened to default on it's debts.

    and wants to nationalise industries and break up banks!
  • NormNorm Posts: 1,251
    The herd , a bit like of the old unreformed House of Lords has a number of backwoodsmen who only turn out at crucial times.
  • RobD said:

    AggieD said:



    malcolmg said:

    It really is hard to believe the collection of nutjobs on here, the scope of nuttery is quite breathtaking. A virtual asylum.

    That's why we love you on PB. It takes one to know one.
    14 posts and it's the PB 'we'.

    We Are the Herd. You Will be Assimilated. Resistance is Futile.
    Haven't heard of the herd in a while!
    The return of some of herdiest of the herd made me come over all nostalgic.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,031

    Plato said:

    I wish I didn't feel this was possible, nevermind likely. Yessers have totally lost the plot when it comes to democracy. Intimidation, threats and now this on polling day.

    I'm appalled. It's Venezuelan politics.

    For very good reasons, Britain's political parties do not campaign on election day. By that point everyone has had their say, the rallies and the shouting must stop. Between the opening and closing of the polling stations, voters can get on with casting their vote in peace, unimpeded by noisy displays of partisan politicking.
    blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/iainmartin1/100286216/the-nationalist-pied-piper-plan-to-march-voters-to-the-polling-booths-next-week-is-deeply-sinister/
    I don't know about the proposed march, which agree sounds a bit iffy, but Iain Martin is simply wrong about parties not campaigning on election day. Perhaps he's never lived in a marginal seat? Four leaflet deliveries during the day, repeated knock-ups for recalcitrant voters (in the first election I was involved in, I was sent to knock up someone who'd been reminded 9 times already), loudspeaker cars touring all day, blizzards of phone calls all evening. Until you've got voters sprinting down the road after the final knock-up to make the polls before 10pm, you haven't lived :-).The BBC may fall silent, but the parties absolutely don't.



    You don't march people to the polling booths, do you?
  • NeilNeil Posts: 7,983

    RobD said:

    AggieD said:



    malcolmg said:

    It really is hard to believe the collection of nutjobs on here, the scope of nuttery is quite breathtaking. A virtual asylum.

    That's why we love you on PB. It takes one to know one.
    14 posts and it's the PB 'we'.

    We Are the Herd. You Will be Assimilated. Resistance is Futile.
    Haven't heard of the herd in a while!
    The return of some of herdiest of the herd made me come over all nostalgic.
    We never went away you know.

  • RobD said:

    Plato said:

    I wish I didn't feel this was possible, nevermind likely. Yessers have totally lost the plot when it comes to democracy. Intimidation, threats and now this on polling day.

    I'm appalled. It's Venezuelan politics.

    For very good reasons, Britain's political parties do not campaign on election day. By that point everyone has had their say, the rallies and the shouting must stop. Between the opening and closing of the polling stations, voters can get on with casting their vote in peace, unimpeded by noisy displays of partisan politicking.
    blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/iainmartin1/100286216/the-nationalist-pied-piper-plan-to-march-voters-to-the-polling-booths-next-week-is-deeply-sinister/
    I don't know about the proposed march, which agree sounds a bit iffy, but Iain Martin is simply wrong about parties not campaigning on election day. Perhaps he's never lived in a marginal seat? Four leaflet deliveries during the day, repeated knock-ups for recalcitrant voters (in the first election I was involved in, I was sent to knock up someone who'd been reminded 9 times already), loudspeaker cars touring all day, blizzards of phone calls all evening. Until you've got voters sprinting down the road after the final knock-up to make the polls before 10pm, you haven't lived :-).The BBC may fall silent, but the parties absolutely don't.

    You don't march people to the polling booths, do you?

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compulsory_voting
  • isam said:

    The Spectator (@spectator)
    12/09/2014 18:07
    Blog — Former Newsnight hack slams Beeb’s referendum ‘propaganda’ bit.ly/1rUmoWo by @MrSteerpike

    Mason is right. I'm for No but we were talking in the office the other day about the ludicrous bias from the Beeb on this matter. The cherry picking is almost worthy of Scott "Tweetbot" P.
  • Neil said:

    RobD said:

    AggieD said:



    malcolmg said:

    It really is hard to believe the collection of nutjobs on here, the scope of nuttery is quite breathtaking. A virtual asylum.

    That's why we love you on PB. It takes one to know one.
    14 posts and it's the PB 'we'.

    We Are the Herd. You Will be Assimilated. Resistance is Futile.
    Haven't heard of the herd in a while!
    The return of some of herdiest of the herd made me come over all nostalgic.
    We never went away you know.

    Being discreet about it isn't herd 'classic' though.

  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,031

    RobD said:

    Plato said:

    I wish I didn't feel this was possible, nevermind likely. Yessers have totally lost the plot when it comes to democracy. Intimidation, threats and now this on polling day.

    I'm appalled. It's Venezuelan politics.

    For very good reasons, Britain's political parties do not campaign on election day. By that point everyone has had their say, the rallies and the shouting must stop. Between the opening and closing of the polling stations, voters can get on with casting their vote in peace, unimpeded by noisy displays of partisan politicking.
    blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/iainmartin1/100286216/the-nationalist-pied-piper-plan-to-march-voters-to-the-polling-booths-next-week-is-deeply-sinister/
    I don't know about the proposed march, which agree sounds a bit iffy, but Iain Martin is simply wrong about parties not campaigning on election day. Perhaps he's never lived in a marginal seat? Four leaflet deliveries during the day, repeated knock-ups for recalcitrant voters (in the first election I was involved in, I was sent to knock up someone who'd been reminded 9 times already), loudspeaker cars touring all day, blizzards of phone calls all evening. Until you've got voters sprinting down the road after the final knock-up to make the polls before 10pm, you haven't lived :-).The BBC may fall silent, but the parties absolutely don't.

    You don't march people to the polling booths, do you?
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compulsory_voting

    Yep, something which is not practiced in this country.
  • RobD said:

    AggieD said:



    malcolmg said:

    It really is hard to believe the collection of nutjobs on here, the scope of nuttery is quite breathtaking. A virtual asylum.

    That's why we love you on PB. It takes one to know one.
    14 posts and it's the PB 'we'.

    We Are the Herd. You Will be Assimilated. Resistance is Futile.
    Haven't heard of the herd in a while!
    The return of some of herdiest of the herd made me come over all nostalgic.
    PB Episode IV: Return of the Herd

    It has a ring to it I guess!
  • NeilNeil Posts: 7,983
    I wonder whether BOOers are looking at the mobilising of the establishment against Scottish Independence and realising that this is likely to be how it goes in 2017?

    Of course 'yes' and 'out' may still both win!
  • Carnyx said:

    Neil said:

    SeanT said:


    Who on earth do you think is looking on at this, and thinking, hmmm, yes, that there Scotland looks like a nice, welcoming, stable place to invest.

    Imagine this scenario if you will:

    Scotland leaves in 2016, rUK leaves EU in 2017, all those Investment Banks reported to be looking at moving to Dublin decide that Edinburgh is a better city to be based in!

    Ta da!
    That's exactly what some people are talking about. And one wonders why the No campaign have gone so quiet on the EU.

    The No side seems to have won the EU issue hands down. Even the SNP now seems to accept that there will have to be a level negotiation before iScotland can join.

  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,031

    RobD said:

    AggieD said:



    malcolmg said:

    It really is hard to believe the collection of nutjobs on here, the scope of nuttery is quite breathtaking. A virtual asylum.

    That's why we love you on PB. It takes one to know one.
    14 posts and it's the PB 'we'.

    We Are the Herd. You Will be Assimilated. Resistance is Futile.
    Haven't heard of the herd in a while!
    The return of some of herdiest of the herd made me come over all nostalgic.
    PB Episode IV: Return of the Herd

    It has a ring to it I guess!
    I thought you might have a penchant for Star Wars ;-)
  • RobD said:

    AggieD said:



    malcolmg said:

    It really is hard to believe the collection of nutjobs on here, the scope of nuttery is quite breathtaking. A virtual asylum.

    That's why we love you on PB. It takes one to know one.
    14 posts and it's the PB 'we'.

    We Are the Herd. You Will be Assimilated. Resistance is Futile.
    Haven't heard of the herd in a while!
    The return of some of herdiest of the herd made me come over all nostalgic.
    PB Episode IV: Return of the Herd

    It has a ring to it I guess!
    Episode V: The British Empire Strike Back!
  • RodCrosbyRodCrosby Posts: 7,737
    Has anyone got final electorate figure for the Scottish councils?
  • Neil said:

    SeanT said:


    Who on earth do you think is looking on at this, and thinking, hmmm, yes, that there Scotland looks like a nice, welcoming, stable place to invest.

    Imagine this scenario if you will:

    Scotland leaves in 2016, rUK leaves EU in 2017, all those Investment Banks reported to be looking at moving to Dublin decide that Edinburgh is a better city to be based in!

    Ta da!

    That will, of course, depend on the currency.

  • RobD said:

    RobD said:

    AggieD said:



    malcolmg said:

    It really is hard to believe the collection of nutjobs on here, the scope of nuttery is quite breathtaking. A virtual asylum.

    That's why we love you on PB. It takes one to know one.
    14 posts and it's the PB 'we'.

    We Are the Herd. You Will be Assimilated. Resistance is Futile.
    Haven't heard of the herd in a while!
    The return of some of herdiest of the herd made me come over all nostalgic.
    PB Episode IV: Return of the Herd

    It has a ring to it I guess!
    I thought you might have a penchant for Star Wars ;-)
    It's my son who is the big fan in my family
  • RobD said:

    AggieD said:



    malcolmg said:

    It really is hard to believe the collection of nutjobs on here, the scope of nuttery is quite breathtaking. A virtual asylum.

    That's why we love you on PB. It takes one to know one.
    14 posts and it's the PB 'we'.

    We Are the Herd. You Will be Assimilated. Resistance is Futile.
    Haven't heard of the herd in a while!
    Been a Lurker since 2004. I may be one of the Herd but thank goodness I'm not a Sheepie. Will you be passing out bottles of Buckie to all the followers of the Great Leader's parade to the ballot box next Thursday?
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 43,336
    Neil said:

    I wonder whether BOOers are looking at the mobilising of the establishment against Scottish Independence and realising that this is likely to be how it goes in 2017?

    Of course 'yes' and 'out' may still both win!

    Won't be like that at all, I should think. It will be much, much worse. Your actual UK firm or, say, the BBC is thinking of 8% (on average) of its market this week. In Brexit it's probably a lot more. And if the banks want more deregulation ...

  • RobD said:

    RobD said:

    AggieD said:



    malcolmg said:

    It really is hard to believe the collection of nutjobs on here, the scope of nuttery is quite breathtaking. A virtual asylum.

    That's why we love you on PB. It takes one to know one.
    14 posts and it's the PB 'we'.

    We Are the Herd. You Will be Assimilated. Resistance is Futile.
    Haven't heard of the herd in a while!
    The return of some of herdiest of the herd made me come over all nostalgic.
    PB Episode IV: Return of the Herd

    It has a ring to it I guess!
    I thought you might have a penchant for Star Wars ;-)
    It's my son who is the big fan in my family
    "No, Luke. I am your father!"
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 43,336

    Carnyx said:

    Neil said:

    SeanT said:


    Who on earth do you think is looking on at this, and thinking, hmmm, yes, that there Scotland looks like a nice, welcoming, stable place to invest.

    Imagine this scenario if you will:

    Scotland leaves in 2016, rUK leaves EU in 2017, all those Investment Banks reported to be looking at moving to Dublin decide that Edinburgh is a better city to be based in!

    Ta da!
    That's exactly what some people are talking about. And one wonders why the No campaign have gone so quiet on the EU.

    The No side seems to have won the EU issue hands down. Even the SNP now seems to accept that there will have to be a level negotiation before iScotland can join.

    More like a points draw especially now Senor B has left - hands down is too strong (I suspect reporting down south has not kept up with it). They'd be going on and on about it otherwise.

  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    Anyone want to come to a sticky end?

    I suggest Dundee city centre in the early hours of 19th September, while wearing an England shirt. Singing Jerusalem.
  • NeilNeil Posts: 7,983
    AggieD said:

    Will you be passing out bottles of Buckie to all the followers of the Great Leader's parade to the ballot box next Thursday?

    Sounds great! Can anyone come? Havent been bushing on Buckie since the early 90s!
  • AggieD said:

    RobD said:

    AggieD said:



    malcolmg said:

    It really is hard to believe the collection of nutjobs on here, the scope of nuttery is quite breathtaking. A virtual asylum.

    That's why we love you on PB. It takes one to know one.
    14 posts and it's the PB 'we'.

    We Are the Herd. You Will be Assimilated. Resistance is Futile.
    Haven't heard of the herd in a while!
    Been a Lurker since 2004. I may be one of the Herd but thank goodness I'm not a Sheepie. Will you be passing out bottles of Buckie to all the followers of the Great Leader's parade to the ballot box next Thursday?
    That comment was to Theunuiondivvie by the way.
  • PlatoPlato Posts: 15,724
    You've got me entirely hooked here. I want to know more about snakes with hips.

    I'm very fond of snakes and evolution. Where did you gain your herpetological knowledge? My brother kept pythons, and I fell in love with them. And other reptiles.
    Carnyx said:

    Carnyx said:

    Charles said:

    [snipped]
    They would have an incentive to string out negotiations beyond the May 2016 date Salmond has set.

    I'm sure he would accept it ("in the interests of an orderly transition") in return for material concessions on the substantive matters.

    Hence a Labour government in this position would have a direct conflict of interests and would not be able to negotiate an optimal outcome for rUK.

    This is a very good example of why, immediately following a vote, there should be an Act (ie in 2014):

    - devolving all domestic powers (including financial) to Holyrood
    - fixing a cash lump sum transfer to iScot for the 2015/16 budget for all these domestic matters (ie ending the Barnett formula and meaning that Scottish MPs have no interest in rUK money bills)
    - limiting the voting rights of Scottish MPs to a very limited set of truly UK wide issues (eg defence/foreign affairs)
    - providing that in GE2015 there will be no Scottish MPs elected but that Holyrood will appoint 58 representatives (with the limited powers above) in proportion to the votes cast for parties at the last Holyrood elections (ie 2011)

    Good plan, Mr. Charles, and very sensible. Now, tell us, do you think Cameron would ever have the courage in bring in such a bill and fight it through Parliament to get it enacted?
    Serious question, why should he not be able to get it through pmt given the reasons Mr Charles adduces?

    Carnyx, he might be able to, though I suspect that large chunks of Labour and Lib Dems would baulk, if he had the guts to try. Given that Cameron has courage in the way snakes have hips I am not convinced he would even try (also Samantha might not like it).

    Even Mr Charles, a High Tory in the good meaning of the phrase, is unconvinced that Cameron would actually have the courage to do something.
    Thanks. Of course it would be tricky. I had forgotten that you'd need a 2/3 majority to change the electoral legislation in the way described would you not?

    BTW some snakes do have hips, even if one ignores the usual fossil "missing links". If one gets up and intimate with a python and examines its intimate parts, one will see a couple of very vestigial thighbones, which are attached internally to small pelvic girdle bones. So there is hope ...

  • RobD said:

    AggieD said:



    malcolmg said:

    It really is hard to believe the collection of nutjobs on here, the scope of nuttery is quite breathtaking. A virtual asylum.

    That's why we love you on PB. It takes one to know one.
    14 posts and it's the PB 'we'.

    We Are the Herd. You Will be Assimilated. Resistance is Futile.
    Haven't heard of the herd in a while!
    The return of some of herdiest of the herd made me come over all nostalgic.
    PB Episode IV: Return of the Herd

    It has a ring to it I guess!
    Episode V: The British Empire Strike Back!
    Episode II: Attack of the Clones!

  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,622
    Is BlackDouglas on? I'd like to rip into his ridiculous claim that Scotland has a 100 years of oil and gas reserves (and nobody else has any), but I shan't bother if he's not around.
  • dr_spyndr_spyn Posts: 11,300
    Can the poster who posted the disgusting joke about that case in South Africa, please repost it. I want to judge the lack of decorum for myself.
  • PlatoPlato Posts: 15,724
    Pah, you're just lusting after them.

    Surely such zeal is attractive?
    malcolmg said:

    this your average BT person , vicious thugs

    twitter.com/DerecThompson/status/510449449962053632/photo/1

  • Eh_ehm_a_ehEh_ehm_a_eh Posts: 552
    edited September 2014
    AndyJS said:

    Anyone want to come to a sticky end?

    I suggest Dundee city centre in the early hours of 19th September, while wearing an England shirt. Singing Jerusalem.

    That sounds like our former Lord Provost of Dundee

  • Carnyx said:

    Carnyx said:

    Neil said:

    SeanT said:


    Who on earth do you think is looking on at this, and thinking, hmmm, yes, that there Scotland looks like a nice, welcoming, stable place to invest.

    Imagine this scenario if you will:

    Scotland leaves in 2016, rUK leaves EU in 2017, all those Investment Banks reported to be looking at moving to Dublin decide that Edinburgh is a better city to be based in!

    Ta da!
    That's exactly what some people are talking about. And one wonders why the No campaign have gone so quiet on the EU.

    The No side seems to have won the EU issue hands down. Even the SNP now seems to accept that there will have to be a level negotiation before iScotland can join.

    More like a points draw especially now Senor B has left - hands down is too strong (I suspect reporting down south has not kept up with it). They'd be going on and on about it otherwise.

    It's something I have watched very closely for a very long time, partly for work, partly out of an interest in the Spanish angle. The EU position has not changed: countries that secede from member states put themselves outside the EU and will have to apply for membership. By voting for independence from an EU member state, Scots will be voting to deprive themselves of EU citizenship.

  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 43,336
    AndyJS said:

    Anyone want to come to a sticky end?

    I suggest Dundee city centre in the early hours of 19th September, while wearing an England shirt. Singing Jerusalem.

    Quite, with all the kisses and jam (so long as you buy them a round).


  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,622
    dr_spyn said:

    Can the poster who posted the disgusting joke about that case in South Africa, please repost it. I want to judge the lack of decorum for myself.

    Is that the one about: hey what's Oscar done that's so terrible, I'm sure we've all shot our load over our girlfriend at one point or another...
  • PlatoPlato Posts: 15,724
    Have you read any Colin Bateman? His books about NI are very darkly funny. His made-up border town of Crossmaheart is epic. A Catholic priest who gets a heart transplant from a Proddie is ostracised...
    Neil said:

    Miss Plato, a Northern Irish friend of mine is deeply worried about what'll happen there if Yes wins.

    He or she should relax - it's hardly likely to get much worse.

  • Mr. D, that's a loooong lurk. Welcome to posting.
  • PlatoPlato Posts: 15,724
    Thanx Mr Crosby - I can see the logic in that fear.
    RodCrosby said:

    Plato said:

    What were they most scared of as a repercussion?

    RodCrosby said:

    Make of this what you will...

    Was talking about the referendum with a Slovak acquaintance over the weekend. (no idiot, a Physics PhD and ex-MP in his 50s)

    He told me people in Eastern Europe were "terrified" of a YES vote, the Russians were looking on with glee, and that the SNP must be their agents or dupes...

    His view was that Eastern Europe looks to a strong UK as the only European country prepared to stand up to (expansionist) Russia.

    A weaker UK is therefore bad news for those who are threatened by Russia.
  • NeilNeil Posts: 7,983
    rcs1000 said:

    dr_spyn said:

    Can the poster who posted the disgusting joke about that case in South Africa, please repost it. I want to judge the lack of decorum for myself.

    Is that the one about: hey what's Oscar done that's so terrible, I'm sure we've all shot our load over our girlfriend at one point or another...
    I liked: Oscar has asked Celtic's lawyers for help as they know how to lose two legs but still win.

  • PlatoPlato Posts: 15,724
    A veritable Rave From The Grave.
    Neil said:

    RobD said:

    AggieD said:



    malcolmg said:

    It really is hard to believe the collection of nutjobs on here, the scope of nuttery is quite breathtaking. A virtual asylum.

    That's why we love you on PB. It takes one to know one.
    14 posts and it's the PB 'we'.

    We Are the Herd. You Will be Assimilated. Resistance is Futile.
    Haven't heard of the herd in a while!
    The return of some of herdiest of the herd made me come over all nostalgic.
    We never went away you know.

  • AggieD said:

    RobD said:

    AggieD said:



    malcolmg said:

    It really is hard to believe the collection of nutjobs on here, the scope of nuttery is quite breathtaking. A virtual asylum.

    That's why we love you on PB. It takes one to know one.
    14 posts and it's the PB 'we'.

    We Are the Herd. You Will be Assimilated. Resistance is Futile.
    Haven't heard of the herd in a while!
    Been a Lurker since 2004. I may be one of the Herd but thank goodness I'm not a Sheepie. Will you be passing out bottles of Buckie to all the followers of the Great Leader's parade to the ballot box next Thursday?
    Good luck with the 'Sheepie' thing, it's a real zinger.
  • rcs1000 said:

    Is BlackDouglas on? I'd like to rip into his ridiculous claim that Scotland has a 100 years of oil and gas reserves (and nobody else has any), but I shan't bother if he's not around.

    Still around. Although none of what you said above accurately reflects what I said. I said the global easy to extract supplies were falling while untapped sectors in the West of Scotland and in the North Sea were now expecting to come onstream creating a boom. T Indeed RBS recently released a report showing the sector needed 30,000 new workers. That was before recent announcements of huge discoveries. Plus supplied on the West Coast have not been tapped because it would interfere with Trident operations - admitted by Michael Hestletine..

    Oh, you can see the 100 years of oil claim in this recent report published in Oil Industry News. My own claim below was far more modest - 50-100years.

    http://www.oilandgaspeople.com/news/1039/scottish-west-coast-untapped-oil-and-gas-reserves-worth-trillions/
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 43,336
    Plato said:

    You've got me entirely hooked here. I want to know more about snakes with hips.

    I'm very fond of snakes and evolution. Where did you gain your herpetological knowledge? My brother kept pythons, and I fell in love with them. And other reptiles.


    BTW some snakes do have hips, even if one ignores the usual fossil "missing links". If one gets up and intimate with a python and examines its intimate parts, one will see a couple of very vestigial thighbones, which are attached internally to small pelvic girdle bones. So there is hope ...


    Don't know any websites offhand re snakes, but I came across this blog some time ago and it s good for four-legged beasties. I guessed it would have something relevant - and so it does:

    http://scienceblogs.com/tetrapodzoology/2010/09/03/ing-ser-2-monster-python/
  • TGOHF said:

    SeanT said:



    If I had any money in Scottish banks or pension funds I would move it now, if I could. Why take the risk?

    The underlying assets of nominally Scottish-based pension funds will be overwhelmingly in FTSE (i.e. London-domiciled) companies.
    Agre on pension funds - they will be fine.

    Wont just be cross border transfers from RBS and Lloyds though - savers south of the border will want to move to a non Scottish bank - the £85k assurance will no longer be in place in the central bank free zone north of Berwick.
    Savers, what savers? I thought everyone was up to their eyes in debt these days.

    BTW, I had another "No offence, Alan" moment last night - at my chess club of all places!
  • PlatoPlato Posts: 15,724
    Does it take one to know one?

    Neil said:

    RobD said:

    AggieD said:



    malcolmg said:

    It really is hard to believe the collection of nutjobs on here, the scope of nuttery is quite breathtaking. A virtual asylum.

    That's why we love you on PB. It takes one to know one.
    14 posts and it's the PB 'we'.

    We Are the Herd. You Will be Assimilated. Resistance is Futile.
    Haven't heard of the herd in a while!
    The return of some of herdiest of the herd made me come over all nostalgic.
    We never went away you know.

    Being discreet about it isn't herd 'classic' though.

  • AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 25,514
    edited September 2014
    rcs1000 said:

    Is BlackDouglas on? I'd like to rip into his ridiculous claim that Scotland has a 100 years of oil and gas reserves (and nobody else has any), but I shan't bother if he's not around.

    save your pixels, it's numbers and stuff, Nats only do wild romance and hairdressing.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,031

    Carnyx said:

    Carnyx said:

    Neil said:

    SeanT said:


    Who on earth do you think is looking on at this, and thinking, hmmm, yes, that there Scotland looks like a nice, welcoming, stable place to invest.

    Imagine this scenario if you will:

    Scotland leaves in 2016, rUK leaves EU in 2017, all those Investment Banks reported to be looking at moving to Dublin decide that Edinburgh is a better city to be based in!

    Ta da!
    That's exactly what some people are talking about. And one wonders why the No campaign have gone so quiet on the EU.

    The No side seems to have won the EU issue hands down. Even the SNP now seems to accept that there will have to be a level negotiation before iScotland can join.

    More like a points draw especially now Senor B has left - hands down is too strong (I suspect reporting down south has not kept up with it). They'd be going on and on about it otherwise.

    It's something I have watched very closely for a very long time, partly for work, partly out of an interest in the Spanish angle. The EU position has not changed: countries that secede from member states put themselves outside the EU and will have to apply for membership. By voting for independence from an EU member state, Scots will be voting to deprive themselves of EU citizenship.

    No, I'm pretty sure Salmond had some legal advice on this matter.
  • Any Unionists in London? Just heard that "let's stay together" are having a rally in Trafalgar Square on Monday evening at 6pm. I'm going to be there with my Union flag.

    Anyone else?
  • Danny565Danny565 Posts: 8,091
    I love how so many of these people in the media jumping up at down at Sillars' legitimate objection to businesses making overtly "political" points, are the same people who protest about Oxfam and other charities doing exactly that and threatening to legislate to get them to shut up.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,031
    Danny565 said:

    I love how so many of these people in the media jumping up at down at Sillars' legitimate objection to businesses making overtly "political" points, are the same people who protest about Oxfam and other charities doing exactly that and threatening to legislate to get them to shut up.

    These aren't tax-exempt charities.
  • isamisam Posts: 41,118
    rcs1000 said:

    dr_spyn said:

    Can the poster who posted the disgusting joke about that case in South Africa, please repost it. I want to judge the lack of decorum for myself.

    Is that the one about: hey what's Oscar done that's so terrible, I'm sure we've all shot our load over our girlfriend at one point or another...
    Yes, absolute filth
  • Danny565 said:

    I love how so many of these people in the media jumping up at down at Sillars' legitimate objection to businesses making overtly "political" points, are the same people who protest about Oxfam and other charities doing exactly that and threatening to legislate to get them to shut up.

    Please don't make sensible points. The Herd just cannot comprehend.
This discussion has been closed.