Jerusalem and Land of both suffer from being religious mumbo jumbo. We need a secular anthem to celebrate the greatness of the nation achieved by the work of man, not by some divine fairy dust.
Nonsense. I'm a secularist but the mythology of Christianity is as much part of our history as the mythology of St. George and the dragon. Would you cut out the latter from our national celebrations because they're "mumbo jumbo". Besides, I've always read Jerusalem as suggesting that the answer to the early questions were "no", before moving on to say that as a result we'd have to build the perfect society ourselves.
The worst thing we could do is to try to get something that reflects "modern society". You'd end up with a song by One Direction about diversity and the NHS.
Well, as a proud East Anglian, if we have to have patron saints I'd get rid of the Turk and replace him with the rightful Patron, Edmund
Jerusalem is a bit of a rage against industrialisation, which is what made the country great. Land of is a better option of the two. Vindaloo would be better
Elgar's Coronation Ode - pity about Benson's wording. Written for Edward VII's Coronation. No wonder he recast the tune as a Pomp and Circumstance March without words.
As a welsh unionist all the English not British stuff does worry me. Of course they are entitled to feel that way, but it's a rather troubling thing from our perspective. I do think it ludicrous when you have all these people saying Wales could be next to go. I've always thought the most likely route to Welsh independence was English nationalism. It'll be they who break away, not us.
To me Wales has always been a loyal home nation. Should Scotland leave, let us just go on with three home nations rather than four. We will still have 92% of our population and our Briitshness.
Saddo, clinging on to empire , only Wales and a corner of Ireland left.
Anyway, since I have the most direct personal financial interest in the outcome of the referendum,I shall break my normal rule of not commenting on elections in which I am not invited to participate. A Yes vote would be worth tens of thousands to me, and the head is ruling the heart.
I'm always wrong but from what I've seen NO should win. Several people have come over and quietly said such things as 'we're with you' suggesting to me anyway that there's a silent majority. One or two glower but who wouldn't in this weather!
The world's worst tipster title is at stake here Roger. One of us is going to lose it, the other will be proclaimed eternal champion. Sadly, I think you will emerge triumphant to take your place in the pantheon.
I'm always wrong but from what I've seen NO should win. Several people have come over and quietly said such things as 'we're with you' suggesting to me anyway that there's a silent majority. One or two glower but who wouldn't in this weather!
THey are walking past thinking what a tosser
'its that Roger man again, standing around staring at our cars, don't go near him Doris'
Another word of warning, most votes *tend* to be cast after 5pm, when people come back from work.
Never forget fighting a con/lib dem marginal in 2005 (Eastleigh) with my blue rosette - I was feeling pucker all day until 5pm, lots of smiles and eye contact and slightly older voters.
After 5pm that all changed, far more people started arriving to vote and they generally ignored me, and looked at their shoes when I tried to make eye contact.
I'm always wrong but from what I've seen NO should win. Several people have come over and quietly said such things as 'we're with you' suggesting to me anyway that there's a silent majority. One or two glower but who wouldn't in this weather!
THey are walking past thinking what a tosser
And the fact that they think that for someone quietly expressing no more of an extreme view than that the country shouldn't break up says a lot about your campaign.
You can tell the YES and NO voters by whether or not they smile when they see the rosette. Mostly NO I'd say. All the 4x4 drivers are NO. One has just told me about 5 workers who'll lose their jobs tomorrow if it's YES. Very upset. Oh dear.
Any company that would sack workers the day after a Yes vote without any idea of the final settlement probably wasn't going to stay in business very long anyway. Just ludicrous.
Yes , just idle threats from sick people
Sacking them represents certainty; keeping them just delays problems, unfortunately. People don't realise that there is no competitive advantage to basing your company outside the market you serve. The downside of operating an export business from Scotland against one in the internal UK market might be slight or it might be massive, but it is always a disadvantage that businesses in England won't have.
Anyway, since I have the most direct personal financial interest in the outcome of the referendum,I shall break my normal rule of not commenting on elections in which I am not invited to participate. A Yes vote would be worth tens of thousands to me, and the head is ruling the heart.
As a welsh unionist all the English not British stuff does worry me. Of course they are entitled to feel that way, but it's a rather troubling thing from our perspective. I do think it ludicrous when you have all these people saying Wales could be next to go. I've always thought the most likely route to Welsh independence was English nationalism. It'll be they who break away, not us.
That's exactly how I see things. Scotland walking away from the Union - whether with a vote for YES today, or ultra-devolution - will naturally provoke a resurgence of English Nationalism, which has historically been muted in the interest of preserving the Union.
This will ultimately lead to England wanting to go it alone, out of a sense of self-respect if nothing else. I don't see why we should beg other countries to stick with us, which is effectively what Cameron, Miliband and Clegg have done.
As a welsh unionist all the English not British stuff does worry me. Of course they are entitled to feel that way, but it's a rather troubling thing from our perspective. I do think it ludicrous when you have all these people saying Wales could be next to go. I've always thought the most likely route to Welsh independence was English nationalism. It'll be they who break away, not us.
To me Wales has always been a loyal home nation. Should Scotland leave, let us just go on with three home nations rather than four. We will still have 92% of our population and our Briitshness.
Saddo, clinging on to empire , only Wales and a corner of Ireland left.
If you ever listened to anything beyond your own verbal diarrhoea, you'd know I've long been vocal about opposing imperialism, you stupid Scotch dunce.
Richard T. Sorry slightly wrong story. 5 of her husbands colleagues have asked for a transfer cos they are so worried. She and her husband are very upset. I'm only here to keep my cousin company. So I'm keeping a relatively low profile. Just got a thumbs up from a voting policeman!
I'm always wrong but from what I've seen NO should win. Several people have come over and quietly said such things as 'we're with you' suggesting to me anyway that there's a silent majority. One or two glower but who wouldn't in this weather!
THey are walking past thinking what a tosser
'its that Roger man again, standing around staring at our cars, don't go near him Doris'
Be just like when you walk past a huge pile of dog turd , your whole face grimaces and you boak.
I'm always wrong but from what I've seen NO should win. Several people have come over and quietly said such things as 'we're with you' suggesting to me anyway that there's a silent majority. One or two glower but who wouldn't in this weather!
THey are walking past thinking what a tosser
I wonder what they'd do if you were allowed out onto the streets?
I don't want to send @SeanT into depression and crash the markets too much but the Guardian found some Shy Yes's - In Dumfries & Galloway
An English couple in their 50s arrived excitedly just after 7am. They refused to be named or photographed: “Because we’re voting yes and all of our family think we are a no.”
I'm sure you could have found some shy English speaking 'yes' voters in Quebec if you'd tried.
Nevertheless, in the privacy of the ballot box fear took over: fear that life outside a big country might not be quite as easy as they'd hoped. And lots of people voted 'no' and then lied about it to their friends and partners later.
And Project Fear has exploited this beautifully. And that is why it's going to be a big 'No', with many genuine Scottish nationalists voting that way.
The great irony is that Scotland would have a great future as an independent country - admittedly one that looks more like Ireland than a socialist paradise.
Jerusalem and Land of both suffer from being religious mumbo jumbo. We need a secular anthem to celebrate the greatness of the nation achieved by the work of man, not by some divine fairy dust.
Nonsense. I'm a secularist but the mythology of Christianity is as much part of our history as the mythology of St. George and the dragon. Would you cut out the latter from our national celebrations because they're "mumbo jumbo". Besides, I've always read Jerusalem as suggesting that the answer to the early questions were "no", before moving on to say that as a result we'd have to build the perfect society ourselves.
The worst thing we could do is to try to get something that reflects "modern society". You'd end up with a song by One Direction about diversity and the NHS.
Absolutely right. Jerusalem is an overtly religious song but I would have no problem with it being the English national anthem.
Nah it's overtly anti-religious! And a bit lefty. " does all that poverty and crap look holy to you? Stop rollocking on about religion, get out there and build a better country, don't think God's gonna magically do it for you"
I'm always wrong but from what I've seen NO should win. Several people have come over and quietly said such things as 'we're with you' suggesting to me anyway that there's a silent majority. One or two glower but who wouldn't in this weather!
THey are walking past thinking what a tosser
I wonder what they'd do if you were allowed out onto the streets?
They would be smiling , YES supporters at least. The no hopers have faces like burst couches and would crack if they tried to smile. Sad bunch just like you eeyore, have a shit day.
Businesses in Scotland have been threatened with dire financial consequences if they openly back the No campaign during the Scottish referendum, Labour’s shadow business secretary exclusively told City A.M. yesterday.
Jerusalem and Land of both suffer from being religious mumbo jumbo. We need a secular anthem to celebrate the greatness of the nation achieved by the work of man, not by some divine fairy dust.
Nonsense. I'm a secularist but the mythology of Christianity is as much part of our history as the mythology of St. George and the dragon. Would you cut out the latter from our national celebrations because they're "mumbo jumbo". Besides, I've always read Jerusalem as suggesting that the answer to the early questions were "no", before moving on to say that as a result we'd have to build the perfect society ourselves.
The worst thing we could do is to try to get something that reflects "modern society". You'd end up with a song by One Direction about diversity and the NHS.
Absolutely right. Jerusalem is an overtly religious song but I would have no problem with it being the English national anthem.
Nah it's overtly anti-religious! And a bit lefty. " does all that poverty and crap look holy to you? Stop rollocking on about religion, get out there and build a better country, don't think God's gonna magically do it for you"
yes its a bit lefty but also a bit Norman Tebbit/Thatcher. Something for everyone
It was interesting last night watching all the programmes about the upcoming vote. What stood out was that all the YES people including politicians were happy and smiling. Contrast that with the BT people and all you had were ranting sour pussed politicians and glum people whinging about feeling intimidated as they stood there beside happy smiling cheery people.
That's because the Yestapo are ignorant and delusional whereas the Noes are, correctly, appalled at the abyss opening at their feet.
Richard T. Sorry slightly wrong story. 5 of her husbands colleagues have asked for a transfer cos they are so worried. She and her husband are very upset. I'm only here to keep my cousin company. So I'm keeping a relatively low profile. Just got a thumbs up from a voting policeman!
Ha Ha Ha usual unionist lies as ever. We are well shot of those 5 tossers for sure.
If we were to replace St. George, then St. Alban would surely be the right choice.
A reasonable choice, however Edmund was already 'in loco' before being usurped by the Turk and his Salamander. Plus he died in East Anglia, the heart and soul of the entity known as 'England'
The Proclaimers "Letter from America" is a fantastic song, and the Vaselines songs sounded great when Nirvana covered them, but other than that I'm not a great fan of Scottish music... Except Rod and he's an Essex boy anyway
I did quite like the 'I would walk 500 miles' song until it was done to death at the Commonwealth games
It may also be a bit of a challenge given that mainland Scotland is 200 miles by 280 miles.....
I don't want to send @SeanT into depression and crash the markets too much but the Guardian found some Shy Yes's - In Dumfries & Galloway
An English couple in their 50s arrived excitedly just after 7am. They refused to be named or photographed: “Because we’re voting yes and all of our family think we are a no.”
I'm sure you could have found some shy English speaking 'yes' voters in Quebec if you'd tried.
Nevertheless, in the privacy of the ballot box fear took over: fear that life outside a big country might not be quite as easy as they'd hoped. And lots of people voted 'no' and then lied about it to their friends and partners later.
And Project Fear has exploited this beautifully. And that is why it's going to be a big 'No', with many genuine Scottish nationalists voting that way.
The great irony is that Scotland would have a great future as an independent country - admittedly one that looks more like Ireland than a socialist paradise.
There will have been a few 'shy' Kinnock voters in 1992. But not as many as there were shy John Major supporters of course. Look how long it took Edwina to admit it?
Irish blood, English heart This I'm made of There is no one on earth I'm afraid of And no regime can buy or sell me
I've been dreaming of a time when to be English is not to be baneful to be standing by the flag, not feeling shameful racist or racial
Irish blood, English heart this I'm made of There is no one on earth I'm afraid of And I will die with both of my hands untied
I've been dreaming of a time when the English are sick to death of Labour, and Tories and spit upon the name Oliver Cromwell and denounce this royal line that still salute him and will salute him FOREVER...
Mr. Antifrank, if you're able to, could you explain how you would stand to gain?
Lots more work for lawyers. Lots. LOTS.
Yum.
Welcome back, thanks for the back the SNP longshots strategy.
Mike can confirm he received several phone calls in the last fortnight from City of London firms, magic circle firms asking him about the polling on the indyref.
Jerusalem and Land of both suffer from being religious mumbo jumbo. We need a secular anthem to celebrate the greatness of the nation achieved by the work of man, not by some divine fairy dust.
Nonsense. I'm a secularist but the mythology of Christianity is as much part of our history as the mythology of St. George and the dragon. Would you cut out the latter from our national celebrations because they're "mumbo jumbo". Besides, I've always read Jerusalem as suggesting that the answer to the early questions were "no", before moving on to say that as a result we'd have to build the perfect society ourselves.
The worst thing we could do is to try to get something that reflects "modern society". You'd end up with a song by One Direction about diversity and the NHS.
Blake is really, really interesting like that. The one about the tiger is similar; the whole thing is a rumination on what would make a thing like a tiger, what hellish smithy would you do it in, were tigers and cuddly little lambs made by the same agent and was that maker pleased with his efforts...
Jerusalem and Land of both suffer from being religious mumbo jumbo. We need a secular anthem to celebrate the greatness of the nation achieved by the work of man, not by some divine fairy dust.
Nonsense. I'm a secularist but the mythology of Christianity is as much part of our history as the mythology of St. George and the dragon. Would you cut out the latter from our national celebrations because they're "mumbo jumbo". Besides, I've always read Jerusalem as suggesting that the answer to the early questions were "no", before moving on to say that as a result we'd have to build the perfect society ourselves.
The worst thing we could do is to try to get something that reflects "modern society". You'd end up with a song by One Direction about diversity and the NHS.
Absolutely right. Jerusalem is an overtly religious song but I would have no problem with it being the English national anthem.
Nah it's overtly anti-religious! And a bit lefty. " does all that poverty and crap look holy to you? Stop rollocking on about religion, get out there and build a better country, don't think God's gonna magically do it for you"
The central plank of building a new Jerusalem is very religious, I also think the bootstraps message is quite right wing. So something for everyone I guess religious people, lefties like yourself and righties like myself.
I don't want to send @SeanT into depression and crash the markets too much but the Guardian found some Shy Yes's - In Dumfries & Galloway
An English couple in their 50s arrived excitedly just after 7am. They refused to be named or photographed: “Because we’re voting yes and all of our family think we are a no.”
I'm sure you could have found some shy English speaking 'yes' voters in Quebec if you'd tried.
Nevertheless, in the privacy of the ballot box fear took over: fear that life outside a big country might not be quite as easy as they'd hoped. And lots of people voted 'no' and then lied about it to their friends and partners later.
And Project Fear has exploited this beautifully. And that is why it's going to be a big 'No', with many genuine Scottish nationalists voting that way.
The great irony is that Scotland would have a great future as an independent country - admittedly one that looks more like Ireland than a socialist paradise.
There will have been a few 'shy' Kinnock voters in 1992. But not as many as there were shy John Major supporters of course. Look how long it took Edwina to admit it?
Aren't you predicting something like 60-40?
Yes: I very much doubt no will crack the 50% barrier, even in Dundee.
Bollocks, Mr. Hugh. If memory serves Morrissey et al. were up on a stage in Argentina not so long ago wearing t-shirts claiming the Falklands were Argentine.
Mr. Antifrank, well, apparently fantasy sales also boom during economic woe (people want more escapism) so hopefully that'd be helpful for me. I'd prefer to have more sales due to people having more disposable income, though...
I'm always wrong but from what I've seen NO should win. Several people have come over and quietly said such things as 'we're with you' suggesting to me anyway that there's a silent majority. One or two glower but who wouldn't in this weather!
THey are walking past thinking what a tosser
I wonder what they'd do if you were allowed out onto the streets?
They would be smiling , YES supporters at least. The no hopers have faces like burst couches and would crack if they tried to smile. Sad bunch just like you eeyore, have a shit day.
Nervous smiles, as they crossed the road and broke into a run.
(Classy touch with the admittedly poor insult BTW - a brief glimpse of the barely suppressed inner Nat).
It was interesting last night watching all the programmes about the upcoming vote. What stood out was that all the YES people including politicians were happy and smiling. Contrast that with the BT people and all you had were ranting sour pussed politicians and glum people whinging about feeling intimidated as they stood there beside happy smiling cheery people.
That's because the Yestapo are ignorant and delusional whereas the Noes are, correctly, appalled at the abyss opening at their feet.
Stick to playing with boys your own age pg chimp, adults just smirk at your inanities.
Does anyone know what's happening with Assange? I faintly remember he was meant to be leaving the embassy 'shortly', but that seems a long time ago.
[He's such an attention-seeking prima donna, he's probably waiting until a slow news day before descending, messiah-like, down the steps into the waiting arms of the rozzers.]
The Proclaimers "Letter from America" is a fantastic song, and the Vaselines songs sounded great when Nirvana covered them, but other than that I'm not a great fan of Scottish music... Except Rod and he's an Essex boy anyway
I did quite like the 'I would walk 500 miles' song until it was done to death at the Commonwealth games
It may also be a bit of a challenge given that mainland Scotland is 200 miles by 280 miles.....
Bit of poetic licence or perhaps they were talking about a return trip
Does anyone know what's happening with Assange? I faintly remember he was meant to be leaving the embassy 'shortly', but that seems a long time ago.
[He's such an attention-seeking prima donna, he's probably waiting until a slow news day before descending, messiah-like, down the steps into the waiting arms of the rozzers.]
Probably studied Quantum theory and realised that if he stays long enough there may be a chance he will materialise outside the embassy and dodge the Babylon
The Proclaimers "Letter from America" is a fantastic song, and the Vaselines songs sounded great when Nirvana covered them, but other than that I'm not a great fan of Scottish music... Except Rod and he's an Essex boy anyway
I did quite like the 'I would walk 500 miles' song until it was done to death at the Commonwealth games
It may also be a bit of a challenge given that mainland Scotland is 200 miles by 280 miles.....
Bit of poetic licence or perhaps they were talking about a return trip
Perhaps he fancied a girl at the gym and put in a lot of hours on a treadmill ?
The Proclaimers "Letter from America" is a fantastic song, and the Vaselines songs sounded great when Nirvana covered them, but other than that I'm not a great fan of Scottish music... Except Rod and he's an Essex boy anyway
I did quite like the 'I would walk 500 miles' song until it was done to death at the Commonwealth games
It may also be a bit of a challenge given that mainland Scotland is 200 miles by 280 miles.....
Bit of poetic licence or perhaps they were talking about a return trip
Also it's difficult to walk in a straight line when you're off your face on bucky.
One other point: if Project Fear succeeds (and how depressing is that) it will show us how any EU referendum will develop. No vision of a positive future or picture of the benefits of the EU just lots of hysterical wailing about how much worse off everyone will be accompanied by threats of what will be done to us if we dare say that we'd like to make decisions for ourselves.
Whatever Salmond's faults the BT campaign has been little more that threats, patronising comments that people can't cope on their own and undignified pleading. Why are we Better Together? What does it mean for the future (rather than saying that the Scots shouldn't throw away the memory of what they achieved as part of an Imperial UK - as if becoming independent would do that)? I have to say that from a London perspective I have not heard any very clear or convincing answers to those questions.
Even Brown's speech was harking back to the past - as if the only reason for staying in the UK was because Scotland was in the UK when the NHS and the welfare state were created. I mean, really, is that it?
The Proclaimers "Letter from America" is a fantastic song, and the Vaselines songs sounded great when Nirvana covered them, but other than that I'm not a great fan of Scottish music... Except Rod and he's an Essex boy anyway
I did quite like the 'I would walk 500 miles' song until it was done to death at the Commonwealth games
It may also be a bit of a challenge given that mainland Scotland is 200 miles by 280 miles.....
Bit of poetic licence or perhaps they were talking about a return trip
Also it's difficult to walk in a straight line when you're off your face on bucky.
Not sure Leithers are connoisseurs of Bucky it is more a Glasgow tipple.
Richard T. Sorry slightly wrong story. 5 of her husbands colleagues have asked for a transfer cos they are so worried. She and her husband are very upset. I'm only here to keep my cousin company. So I'm keeping a relatively low profile. Just got a thumbs up from a voting policeman!
Ah. Understood. I think that in all honesty people need to step back, take a deep breath and maybe reassess in a week or a month's time when all the hyperbole has passed. I have no doubt that if whether there is a Yes or a No things will be neither as good or as bad as each side claims.
Personally if I were a Scots voter I would be most worried about the 58 or so million people South of the border who will be making sure they have a huge say in any further devolution and in the WLQ. Anyone on the No side who thinks it will be business as usual or that the Scots will be the long term beneficiaries of further devolution might (but only might) be in for a rude awakening.
Definite age divide. So many old people here. Overwhelmingly NO using the Casino Royale method. Some have obviously never voted before. Just heard the woman say you do a cross .....
Are we expecting a final Ipos-Mori poll about now?
Yes I was told it would be out circa 10am
On polling day?! Are there no reporting restrictions in the referendum rules?
Isn't it a "convention" rather than "law"? R4 was very eclectic this morning......all the news will say throughout the day is "polling has been brisk/quiet/heavy"... And not get into who has lied/scaremongering about what.....
SO. Thanks. I'll be taking over from a worthy champion.
You're the reigning champion! You're fighting to hold on to your crown.
It's a myth that Roger is a poor tipster, he's had one or two howlers but generally his judgement is sound. See his remarkable Oscar forecasts.
I am lambasted for one big call - my hopeless Romney prediction. That aside I am not bad either, though like everyone else I don't get it all right. I joined PB forecasting tat Boris would beat Ken in 2008 when most thought the opposite, was on a hung parliament in 20I0, I predicted UKIP would do much better in the east of England than elsewhere before the Euros, I consistently warn anyone who will listen not to back Spurs finishing in the top 4 ...
But I made one bad call loudly and frequently and my fate was sealed forever. Such is life for those of us prepared to stand above the parapet.
I hope the Scots go for it on the basis that "no" campaign was utterly useless, poorly conceived at the outset- "better together"- I mean is that the best slogan, please. The "no" campaign lurched from utter complacency to bullying to bribery in its final days. If it loses it will provide a case study for years to come of how not to run a political campaign. It makes Labour's 1983 effort a masterpiece in comparison.
The ramifications- Cameron of course will have to fall on his sword at some point, though he might need to be pushed and tripped up a bit before they can get the bloody thing in at the right point that finishes him off. Miliband will be an even lamer duck if that is possible and hopefully his party will finally get the feel for regicide. If losing Scotland doesn't do it then the Labour rank and file really are a bunch of pussies of the highest calibre.
And the winners- the Tory backbenchers of course. Their time will finally come. Oh, how they will love it. A mixture of faux pas outrage at losing the Union, mingled with their delight at being able to kick Cameron directly in the bollox, the end of Miliband and any hope of Labour securing a long term majority. And of course the LD's are already an irrelevance. They will squawk at the constitutional mess, try to get an election delayed and doubtless a place will be made in the House for their champion Boris just in time for the next election. What fun- all this mischief to be made, and to think before the referendum the Tory backbencher was almost extinct. It could not work out better.
And yes, I think the Scots will vote Yes out of sheer bloody mindedness. I don't even think it will be that close- maybe two or three percent ahead.
Definite age divide. So many old people here. Overwhelmingly NO using the Casino Royale method. Some have obviously never voted before. Just heard the woman say you do a cross .....
So I have voted. No queues but definitely busier than a normal election and with different kinds of voters than usual. They weren't particularly young, but that might just the time of day. There was a sombre atmosphere, but would you expect a party at a polling station?
I came out of the station to wait for my bus at the stop just outside. The Yes woman with, whom I had a mini but perfectly polite argument about my right not to say which way I was going to vote on her canvass return, came up to me to say "the deed is done". Macbeth references are flying at the moment. A Spanish TV crew were filming the boards outside. I made a comment about it to the lady also waiting for the bus. She winced as if she had just stepped on turd. A No voter, I think.
Having "done the deed" I am serene about it now. Being certain about the disaster that would follow a Yes vote means that I know there will be no nasty surprises. I need to concentrate on my work, which has has been sorely neglected over the past days.
SO. Thanks. I'll be taking over from a worthy champion.
You're the reigning champion! You're fighting to hold on to your crown.
It's a myth that Roger is a poor tipster, he's had one or two howlers but generally his judgement is sound. See his remarkable Oscar forecasts.
I am lambasted for one big call - my hopeless Romney prediction. That aside I am not bad either, though like everyone else I don't get it all right. I joined PB forecasting tat Boris would beat Ken in 2008 when most thought the opposite, was on a hung parliament in 20I0, I predicted UKIP would do much better in the east of England than elsewhere before the Euros, I consistently warn anyone who will listen not to back Spurs finishing in the top 4 ...
But I made one bad call loudly and frequently and my fate was sealed forever. Such is life for those of us prepared to stand above the parapet.
One other point: if Project Fear succeeds (and how depressing is that) it will show us how any EU referendum will develop. No vision of a positive future or picture of the benefits of the EU just lots of hysterical wailing about how much worse off everyone will be accompanied by threats of what will be done to us if we dare say that we'd like to make decisions for ourselves.
Whatever Salmond's faults the BT campaign has been little more that threats, patronising comments that people can't cope on their own and undignified pleading. Why are we Better Together? What does it mean for the future (rather than saying that the Scots shouldn't throw away the memory of what they achieved as part of an Imperial UK - as if becoming independent would do that)? I have to say that from a London perspective I have not heard any very clear or convincing answers to those questions.
Even Brown's speech was harking back to the past - as if the only reason for staying in the UK was because Scotland was in the UK when the NHS and the welfare state were created. I mean, really, is that it?
I think it represents quite a good learning experience for Nigel and UKIP. In particular it should show them the nature of the opposition -they can expect Presidents, Banks, international firms etc., all to strongly oppose, even more so than in this referendum. It just so happens they have stronger arguments, but that doesn't seem to matter these days.
One other point: if Project Fear succeeds (and how depressing is that) it will show us how any EU referendum will develop. No vision of a positive future or picture of the benefits of the EU just lots of hysterical wailing about how much worse off everyone will be accompanied by threats of what will be done to us if we dare say that we'd like to make decisions for ourselves.
Whatever Salmond's faults the BT campaign has been little more that threats, patronising comments that people can't cope on their own and undignified pleading. Why are we Better Together? What does it mean for the future (rather than saying that the Scots shouldn't throw away the memory of what they achieved as part of an Imperial UK - as if becoming independent would do that)? I have to say that from a London perspective I have not heard any very clear or convincing answers to those questions.
Even Brown's speech was harking back to the past - as if the only reason for staying in the UK was because Scotland was in the UK when the NHS and the welfare state were created. I mean, really, is that it?
If there's a No result, I'd like to see another nationwide referendum on splitting the union, with honest, accurate, and costed facts on the benefits of staying together or going our separate ways. Properly organised i.e. no one from Labour's 'Grass Roots' is to be involved. (They really bodged things up this time).
The bit where he walks over the car and it moves is different class!
The song that this video is based on, Bittersweet symphony by the verve has a back story that really grinds my gears... Jagger and Richards get all the royalties because the backing is based on an orchestral version of"the last time"
Richard Ashcroft said it's the best song they'd written in 20 years
One other point: if Project Fear succeeds (and how depressing is that) it will show us how any EU referendum will develop. No vision of a positive future or picture of the benefits of the EU just lots of hysterical wailing about how much worse off everyone will be accompanied by threats of what will be done to us if we dare say that we'd like to make decisions for ourselves.
Whatever Salmond's faults the BT campaign has been little more that threats, patronising comments that people can't cope on their own and undignified pleading. Why are we Better Together? What does it mean for the future (rather than saying that the Scots shouldn't throw away the memory of what they achieved as part of an Imperial UK - as if becoming independent would do that)? I have to say that from a London perspective I have not heard any very clear or convincing answers to those questions.
Even Brown's speech was harking back to the past - as if the only reason for staying in the UK was because Scotland was in the UK when the NHS and the welfare state were created. I mean, really, is that it?
This hits the spot (as do your other posts IMO. The No campaign has seemed to be stuck in 1948, or in some cases 1314, whereas the Yes campaign has bee about the future. And what was the right thing to do then is not going to be any more the right thing to do now just because of that.
The hectoring tone of the BT campaign, and the way bankers and pols were ordering people around, did not go down well with many Scots.
SO. Thanks. I'll be taking over from a worthy champion.
You're the reigning champion! You're fighting to hold on to your crown.
It's a myth that Roger is a poor tipster, he's had one or two howlers but generally his judgement is sound. See his remarkable Oscar forecasts.
I am lambasted for one big call - my hopeless Romney prediction. That aside I am not bad either, though like everyone else I don't get it all right. I joined PB forecasting tat Boris would beat Ken in 2008 when most thought the opposite, was on a hung parliament in 20I0, I predicted UKIP would do much better in the east of England than elsewhere before the Euros, I consistently warn anyone who will listen not to back Spurs finishing in the top 4 ...
But I made one bad call loudly and frequently and my fate was sealed forever. Such is life for those of us prepared to stand above the parapet.
SO - that old joke.. "... you s**g one sheep ! "
people forget that Romney got 47.2% of the vote - if Yes doesn't achieve this I would say you are on the road to rehabilitation.
I think the suggestions for a new anthem are all a bit staid. How about this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byQIPdHMpjc When you start humming this later this afternoon, you can curse me.
I think the suggestions for a new anthem are all a bit staid. How about this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byQIPdHMpjc When you start humming this later this afternoon, you can curse me.
I'm always wrong but from what I've seen NO should win. Several people have come over and quietly said such things as 'we're with you' suggesting to me anyway that there's a silent majority. One or two glower but who wouldn't in this weather!
I would say that if No can't win very handsomely in Aberdeen then they are completely screwed.
I can see the romantic appeal of independence, and the enormous risks it would entail.
I fear Yes would lead to both sides of the border becoming poorer, not to mention the resentment and bitterness than an acrimonious separation may foster.
The Westminster morons have managed to make even No a huge upheaval, though. *sighs*
If only we had a leader like Aurelian. Admittedly, he solved most of his problems by killing tens of thousands of people, but he did re-establish a unified Roman Empire after the Gallic and Palmyrene Empires had broken away (not to mention slaughtering half the barbarians in Europe).
I can see the romantic appeal of independence, and the enormous risks it would entail.
I fear Yes would lead to both sides of the border becoming poorer, not to mention the resentment and bitterness than an acrimonious separation may foster.
The Westminster morons have managed to make even No a huge upheaval, though. *sighs*
If only we had a leader like Aurelian. Admittedly, he solved most of his problems by killing tens of thousands of people, but he did re-establish a unified Roman Empire after the Gallic and Palmyrene Empires had broken away (not to mention slaughtering half the barbarians in Europe).
We need a leader like Caesar. Conquer the frogs and sort out the rebellions at home.
All this talk about Scottish bands and no one has mentioned the Trashcan Sinatras.
Biffy Clyro obviously the pick of the current bunch - just don't mention they are Rangers fans...
How dire are things at Rangers just now. How could so many vultures get on the board etc and pick the bones dry. Incredible and looks like another administration coming up just as the team start to look half decent. A paltry 15000 at Ibrox the other night.
Comments
http://www.youtube.com
/watch?v=3QysIbmSZB8
Best recording I have of it is by The SNO and Alexander Gibson.
Never forget fighting a con/lib dem marginal in 2005 (Eastleigh) with my blue rosette - I was feeling pucker all day until 5pm, lots of smiles and eye contact and slightly older voters.
After 5pm that all changed, far more people started arriving to vote and they generally ignored me, and looked at their shoes when I tried to make eye contact.
I knew by 7pm we'd probably lost.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BxzenUNIUAA2QWW.jpg
This will ultimately lead to England wanting to go it alone, out of a sense of self-respect if nothing else. I don't see why we should beg other countries to stick with us, which is effectively what Cameron, Miliband and Clegg have done.
If we were to replace St. George, then St. Alban would surely be the right choice.
Nevertheless, in the privacy of the ballot box fear took over: fear that life outside a big country might not be quite as easy as they'd hoped. And lots of people voted 'no' and then lied about it to their friends and partners later.
And Project Fear has exploited this beautifully. And that is why it's going to be a big 'No', with many genuine Scottish nationalists voting that way.
The great irony is that Scotland would have a great future as an independent country - admittedly one that looks more like Ireland than a socialist paradise.
http://www.youtube.com
/watch?v=jUUfG4QalC8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLph6ePNkGQ
http://www.cityam.com/1411003251/umunna-businesses-threatened-financial-hit-backing-no
Yum.
Whatever the result (tho' personally I'm hoping that the status quo does get shaken up because it bloody well needs it) I hope the best for Scotland.
Nevertheless, in the privacy of the ballot box fear took over: fear that life outside a big country might not be quite as easy as they'd hoped. And lots of people voted 'no' and then lied about it to their friends and partners later.
And Project Fear has exploited this beautifully. And that is why it's going to be a big 'No', with many genuine Scottish nationalists voting that way.
The great irony is that Scotland would have a great future as an independent country - admittedly one that looks more like Ireland than a socialist paradise.
There will have been a few 'shy' Kinnock voters in 1992. But not as many as there were shy John Major supporters of course. Look how long it took Edwina to admit it?
Aren't you predicting something like 60-40?
Irish blood, English heart
This I'm made of
There is no one on earth I'm afraid of
And no regime can buy or sell me
I've been dreaming of a time when
to be English is not to be baneful
to be standing by the flag, not feeling shameful
racist or racial
Irish blood, English heart
this I'm made of
There is no one on earth I'm afraid of
And I will die with both of my hands untied
I've been dreaming of a time when
the English are sick to death
of Labour, and Tories
and spit upon the name Oliver Cromwell
and denounce this royal line that still salute him
and will salute him
FOREVER...
Mike can confirm he received several phone calls in the last fortnight from City of London firms, magic circle firms asking him about the polling on the indyref.
Aren't you predicting something like 60-40?
Yes: I very much doubt no will crack the 50% barrier, even in Dundee.
Makes you proud to be part of a totally batty free nation.
Mr. Antifrank, well, apparently fantasy sales also boom during economic woe (people want more escapism) so hopefully that'd be helpful for me. I'd prefer to have more sales due to people having more disposable income, though...
(Classy touch with the admittedly poor insult BTW - a brief glimpse of the barely suppressed inner Nat).
Does anyone know what's happening with Assange? I faintly remember he was meant to be leaving the embassy 'shortly', but that seems a long time ago.
[He's such an attention-seeking prima donna, he's probably waiting until a slow news day before descending, messiah-like, down the steps into the waiting arms of the rozzers.]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30_50J94m84
Whatever Salmond's faults the BT campaign has been little more that threats, patronising comments that people can't cope on their own and undignified pleading. Why are we Better Together? What does it mean for the future (rather than saying that the Scots shouldn't throw away the memory of what they achieved as part of an Imperial UK - as if becoming independent would do that)? I have to say that from a London perspective I have not heard any very clear or convincing answers to those questions.
Even Brown's speech was harking back to the past - as if the only reason for staying in the UK was because Scotland was in the UK when the NHS and the welfare state were created. I mean, really, is that it?
Helping retail sales by buying lots of pointless high energy consuming vaccuum cleaners?
Such idiocy brings capitalism into disrepute.
Personally if I were a Scots voter I would be most worried about the 58 or so million people South of the border who will be making sure they have a huge say in any further devolution and in the WLQ. Anyone on the No side who thinks it will be business as usual or that the Scots will be the long term beneficiaries of further devolution might (but only might) be in for a rude awakening.
But I made one bad call loudly and frequently and my fate was sealed forever. Such is life for those of us prepared to stand above the parapet.
The ramifications- Cameron of course will have to fall on his sword at some point, though he might need to be pushed and tripped up a bit before they can get the bloody thing in at the right point that finishes him off. Miliband will be an even lamer duck if that is possible and hopefully his party will finally get the feel for regicide. If losing Scotland doesn't do it then the Labour rank and file really are a bunch of pussies of the highest calibre.
And the winners- the Tory backbenchers of course. Their time will finally come. Oh, how they will love it. A mixture of faux pas outrage at losing the Union, mingled with their delight at being able to kick Cameron directly in the bollox, the end of Miliband and any hope of Labour securing a long term majority. And of course the LD's are already an irrelevance. They will squawk at the constitutional mess, try to get an election delayed and doubtless a place will be made in the House for their champion Boris just in time for the next election. What fun- all this mischief to be made, and to think before the referendum the Tory backbencher was almost extinct. It could not work out better.
And yes, I think the Scots will vote Yes out of sheer bloody mindedness. I don't even think it will be that close- maybe two or three percent ahead.
I came out of the station to wait for my bus at the stop just outside. The Yes woman with, whom I had a mini but perfectly polite argument about my right not to say which way I was going to vote on her canvass return, came up to me to say "the deed is done". Macbeth references are flying at the moment. A Spanish TV crew were filming the boards outside. I made a comment about it to the lady also waiting for the bus. She winced as if she had just stepped on turd. A No voter, I think.
Having "done the deed" I am serene about it now. Being certain about the disaster that would follow a Yes vote means that I know there will be no nasty surprises. I need to concentrate on my work, which has has been sorely neglected over the past days.
Heart says Yes, Head says No.
http://www.youtube.com
/watch?v=-WKUaqr9A6w
Alex Salmond is not the soloist.
We all deserve a say.
The song that this video is based on, Bittersweet symphony by the verve has a back story that really grinds my gears... Jagger and Richards get all the royalties because the backing is based on an orchestral version of"the last time"
Richard Ashcroft said it's the best song they'd written in 20 years
There must a lot of lonely single guys out there. Just saying.
The hectoring tone of the BT campaign, and the way bankers and pols were ordering people around, did not go down well with many Scots.
people forget that Romney got 47.2% of the vote - if Yes doesn't achieve this I would say you are on the road to rehabilitation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byQIPdHMpjc
When you start humming this later this afternoon, you can curse me.
I can see the romantic appeal of independence, and the enormous risks it would entail.
I fear Yes would lead to both sides of the border becoming poorer, not to mention the resentment and bitterness than an acrimonious separation may foster.
The Westminster morons have managed to make even No a huge upheaval, though. *sighs*
If only we had a leader like Aurelian. Admittedly, he solved most of his problems by killing tens of thousands of people, but he did re-establish a unified Roman Empire after the Gallic and Palmyrene Empires had broken away (not to mention slaughtering half the barbarians in Europe).
"I am lambasted for one big call - my hopeless Romney prediction."
You know what they say at my local rugby club - "You shag one sheep ..."