IPSOS/Mori on the other hand say....Ratings of the party leaders show little change over the month, with the Prime Minister’s honeymoon showing no sign of ending.
Anybody would think that TSE was pushing his own rather silly agenda here ... and getting nowhere.
You're like a Trump supporter, I pointed out the facts, that her ratings had slide 4% but that she's still got a net positive rating.
Maybe Ruth is the get-out, a sort of double act whereby Ruth campaigns at Westminster for a second referendum and May says not now.
Risky. But a line.
Ruth has certainly made her opinion on Westminster blocking a 2nd referendum very clear in the past, trouble is she's made her opinion clear on loads of things only to reverse ferret like an oiled mustelid.
Theresa and Phil drastically underestimated the vindictiveness and cunning of the Tory eurosceptic right - the likes of Redwood and Mogg couldn't give a fig about NI hikes, but they realized Phil wasn't a Brexit Ultra and leaped at the first opportunity to humiliate the man. Hammond is now a crumpled husk of a politician and will fall in step behind whatever plans they devise for the hardest of Brexits. Let that be a lesson.
TMay was hardly gonna stand up and say "NO you stupid Scots can't ever have a referendum, yah boo McSucks."
She will haver and hum, and keep saying Now is not quite the time, until Brexit is settled, for the good of all Brits, north and south, but Yes the Scots can then look at the alternatives in the clear light of a post-Brexit dawn, and when the Nats themselves have decided whether they want EU or EEA or EFTA, and are offering a clear choice.
That position could be held until late 2019 at the earliest, maybe the early 2020s.
She's got to realise how this will be reported/tweeted though right?
It's being reported as: 'Now not the time' for independence vote
Which coincides with Scottish opinion, doesn't it?......
Anything sub 10% is enough to get Justin excited about Labour's chances in 2020.
Why should become excited by the prospects of a party for which I have no present intention of supporting and for which I have only voted once at a General Election since 1992?
IPSOS/Mori on the other hand say....Ratings of the party leaders show little change over the month, with the Prime Minister’s honeymoon showing no sign of ending.
Anybody would think that TSE was pushing his own rather silly agenda here ... and getting nowhere.
You're like a Trump supporter, I pointed out the facts, that her ratings had slide 4% but that she's still got a net positive rating.
That was such a quick edit - makes you seem rattled
When it comes to the public’s views of the Budget overall, 38% say it was good for the country, and 42% bad. This is better than their views of last March’s budget (30% good, 53% bad), and a lot better than the reaction to the 2012 “omnishambles” budget (33% good, 53% bad).....
Europeans should be asking themselves some hard questions not behaving like Panglossian fools.
For all dear old Blighty's faults our nearest equivalents - the BNP, or whatever they are these days are nowhere and Farage wouldn't touch Le Pen with a barge pole....
Le Pen was on France24 this morning saying that Farage had shown the French the way to leave the EU. Farage has changed Britain, is changing the Tory Party and might well change the EU. I really wish he hadn't but I can't deny that he has.
If May was REALLY bold, she'd have just let the SNP get on with it.
If she was REALLY REALLY bold she'd table legislation to repeal the Scotland Act and end devolution. Say that Brexit was a 'material change in circumstances' and it was better to make Westminster sovereign again.
IPSOS/Mori on the other hand say....Ratings of the party leaders show little change over the month, with the Prime Minister’s honeymoon showing no sign of ending.
Anybody would think that TSE was pushing his own rather silly agenda here ... and getting nowhere.
You're like a Trump supporter, I pointed out the facts, that her ratings had slide 4% but that she's still got a net positive rating.
That was such a quick edit - makes you seem rattled
IPSOS/Mori on the other hand say....Ratings of the party leaders show little change over the month, with the Prime Minister’s honeymoon showing no sign of ending.
Anybody would think that TSE was pushing his own rather silly agenda here ... and getting nowhere.
You're like a Trump supporter, I pointed out the facts, that her ratings had slide 4% but that she's still got a net positive rating.
If May was REALLY bold, she'd have just let the SNP get on with it.
If she was REALLY REALLY bold she'd table legislation to repeal the Scotland Act and end devolution. Say that Brexit was a 'material change in circumstances' and it was better to make Westminster sovereign again.
If May was REALLY REALLY REALLY bold she'd march up to Bannockburn at the head of an all English army and give the Scots a damn good thrashing, before executing the SNP and installing Gove as Governor.
The most difficult point for Theresa May is that Nicola Sturgeon clearly does have a mandate for what she's asking for. In a week when the Westminster government has had to backtrack from breaking a manifesto commitment, the juxtaposition is at the very least unfortunate.
IPSOS/Mori on the other hand say....Ratings of the party leaders show little change over the month, with the Prime Minister’s honeymoon showing no sign of ending.
Anybody would think that TSE was pushing his own rather silly agenda here ... and getting nowhere.
You're like a Trump supporter, I pointed out the facts, that her ratings had slide 4% but that she's still got a net positive rating.
Isn't it actually 2% - hence MOE?
It is a 4% fall overall, 2% is just the swing. So no, not MOE.
The most difficult point for Theresa May is that Nicola Sturgeon clearly does have a mandate for what she's asking for. In a week when the Westminster government has had to backtrack from breaking a manifesto commitment, the juxtaposition is at the very least unfortunate.
Not while the Brexit negotiations are ongoing she doesn't, as every Scottish poll shows
IPSOS/Mori on the other hand say....Ratings of the party leaders show little change over the month, with the Prime Minister’s honeymoon showing no sign of ending.
Anybody would think that TSE was pushing his own rather silly agenda here ... and getting nowhere.
You're like a Trump supporter, I pointed out the facts, that her ratings had slide 4% but that she's still got a net positive rating.
Isn't it actually 2% - hence MOE?
It is a 4% fall overall, 2% is just the swing. So no, not MOE.
If May was REALLY bold, she'd have just let the SNP get on with it.
If she was REALLY REALLY bold she'd table legislation to repeal the Scotland Act and end devolution. Say that Brexit was a 'material change in circumstances' and it was better to make Westminster sovereign again.
If May was REALLY REALLY REALLY bold she'd march up to Bannockburn at the head of an all English army and give the Scots a damn good thrashing, before executing the SNP and installing Gove as Governor.
Though perhaps Juncker would then land an EU army at Pevensey while she was away and install Clegg as head of a puppet state! (Culloden would probably have been the better destination for May)
The most difficult point for Theresa May is that Nicola Sturgeon clearly does have a mandate for what she's asking for. In a week when the Westminster government has had to backtrack from breaking a manifesto commitment, the juxtaposition is at the very least unfortunate.
Not while the Brexit negotiations are ongoing she doesn't, as every Scottish poll shows
From the 2016 SNP manifesto:
"We believe that the Scottish Parliament should have the right to hold another referendum if there is clear and sustained evidence that independence has become the preferred option of a majority of the Scottish people – or if there is a significant and material change in the circumstances that prevailed in 2014, such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will."
If May was REALLY bold, she'd have just let the SNP get on with it.
If she was REALLY REALLY bold she'd table legislation to repeal the Scotland Act and end devolution. Say that Brexit was a 'material change in circumstances' and it was better to make Westminster sovereign again.
If May was REALLY REALLY REALLY bold she'd march up to Bannockburn at the head of an all English army and give the Scots a damn good thrashing, before executing the SNP and installing Gove as Governor.
Though perhaps Juncker would then land an EU army at Pevensey while she was away and install Clegg as head of a puppet state! (Culloden would probably have been the better destination for May)
Getting May to be seen to be blocking Sindy II is nigh on perfect for her.
The minute Article 50 is declared, it will also be much easier for the Scottish government to drag the EU into the argument. From that point of view Nicola's timing is perfect.
Dragging the EU into it would be a double-edged sword. They might make all sorts of unhelpful comments about deficits and currencies.
Has to be remembered that for the EU, Scotland is pretty marginal. It'd add 1% to the Union's population. There might be some goodwill there - why wouldn't you be nice to someone who wants to join? - but the main game would still be Brussels-London.
In fact, the speed with which the SNP changed their EU policy in (indirect) response to a policy change in London demonstrates the whole fallacy behind the independence argument: small countries are never properly independent because they bounce around in the wake of the large ones. The whole 'equality and respect' agenda is a delusional chimera; you can never have equality between a countries of 5m and 60m people where the level of development is roughly the same. Even independent, Scotland's policies would still be hugely influenced by what was decided in London.
The most difficult point for Theresa May is that Nicola Sturgeon clearly does have a mandate for what she's asking for. In a week when the Westminster government has had to backtrack from breaking a manifesto commitment, the juxtaposition is at the very least unfortunate.
Not while the Brexit negotiations are ongoing she doesn't, as every Scottish poll shows
From the 2016 SNP manifesto:
"We believe that the Scottish Parliament should have the right to hold another referendum if there is clear and sustained evidence that independence has become the preferred option of a majority of the Scottish people – or if there is a significant and material change in the circumstances that prevailed in 2014, such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will."
That is their right but the legal process belongs to Westminster
I’ve no idea what game Sturgeon is playing at, the terms of Brexit will not be known until the EU negotiations are completed, Sturgeon must know this.
And when will that be? Theresa May's timetable exactly fits Sturgeon's proposed dates. If those dates are unrealistic, it means the negotiations themselves are unrealistic.
If May was REALLY bold, she'd have just let the SNP get on with it.
If she was REALLY REALLY bold she'd table legislation to repeal the Scotland Act and end devolution. Say that Brexit was a 'material change in circumstances' and it was better to make Westminster sovereign again.
And if she was REALLY REALLY REALLY bold she'd announce England was pulling out of the UK and Scotland could stay on in the EU as the remnant. When the Scots see how great it is outside the EU they could have a referendum and join England again.
The most difficult point for Theresa May is that Nicola Sturgeon clearly does have a mandate for what she's asking for. In a week when the Westminster government has had to backtrack from breaking a manifesto commitment, the juxtaposition is at the very least unfortunate.
Not while the Brexit negotiations are ongoing she doesn't, as every Scottish poll shows
clear and sustained evidence that independence has become the preferred option of a majority of the Scottish people "
If May was REALLY bold, she'd have just let the SNP get on with it.
If she was REALLY REALLY bold she'd table legislation to repeal the Scotland Act and end devolution. Say that Brexit was a 'material change in circumstances' and it was better to make Westminster sovereign again.
If May was REALLY REALLY REALLY bold she'd march up to Bannockburn at the head of an all English army and give the Scots a damn good thrashing, before executing the SNP and installing Gove as Governor.
Though perhaps Juncker would then land an EU army at Pevensey while she was away and install Clegg as head of a puppet state! (Culloden would probably have been the better destination for May)
IPSOS/Mori on the other hand say....Ratings of the party leaders show little change over the month, with the Prime Minister’s honeymoon showing no sign of ending.
Anybody would think that TSE was pushing his own rather silly agenda here ... and getting nowhere.
You're like a Trump supporter, I pointed out the facts, that her ratings had slide 4% but that she's still got a net positive rating.
Isn't it actually 2% - hence MOE?
He's a 'mess in a dress' today posting too quickly - missing words - grammar so bad you can tell what sort of school he didn't go to...:)
The most difficult point for Theresa May is that Nicola Sturgeon clearly does have a mandate for what she's asking for. In a week when the Westminster government has had to backtrack from breaking a manifesto commitment, the juxtaposition is at the very least unfortunate.
Not while the Brexit negotiations are ongoing she doesn't, as every Scottish poll shows
clear and sustained evidence that independence has become the preferred option of a majority of the Scottish people "
Where's the 'clear and sustained evidence'?
"or if there is a significant and material change in the circumstances that prevailed in 2014, such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will."
The most difficult point for Theresa May is that Nicola Sturgeon clearly does have a mandate for what she's asking for. In a week when the Westminster government has had to backtrack from breaking a manifesto commitment, the juxtaposition is at the very least unfortunate.
Not while the Brexit negotiations are ongoing she doesn't, as every Scottish poll shows
From the 2016 SNP manifesto:
"We believe that the Scottish Parliament should have the right to hold another referendum if there is clear and sustained evidence that independence has become the preferred option of a majority of the Scottish people – or if there is a significant and material change in the circumstances that prevailed in 2014, such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will."
Yes and most polls still show Scots opposed to independence and supportive of May taking the UK out of the EU now the referendum has been completed
I’ve no idea what game Sturgeon is playing at, the terms of Brexit will not be known until the EU negotiations are completed, Sturgeon must know this.
And when will that be? Theresa May's timetable exactly fits Sturgeon's proposed dates. If those dates are unrealistic, it means the negotiations themselves are unrealistic.
The most difficult point for Theresa May is that Nicola Sturgeon clearly does have a mandate for what she's asking for. In a week when the Westminster government has had to backtrack from breaking a manifesto commitment, the juxtaposition is at the very least unfortunate.
Not while the Brexit negotiations are ongoing she doesn't, as every Scottish poll shows
clear and sustained evidence that independence has become the preferred option of a majority of the Scottish people "
Where's the 'clear and sustained evidence'?
"or if there is a significant and material change in the circumstances that prevailed in 2014, such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will."
But she's no longer proposing to "stay in"/rejoin the EU.....
I’ve no idea what game Sturgeon is playing at, the terms of Brexit will not be known until the EU negotiations are completed, Sturgeon must know this.
And when will that be? Theresa May's timetable exactly fits Sturgeon's proposed dates. If those dates are unrealistic, it means the negotiations themselves are unrealistic.
The most difficult point for Theresa May is that Nicola Sturgeon clearly does have a mandate for what she's asking for. In a week when the Westminster government has had to backtrack from breaking a manifesto commitment, the juxtaposition is at the very least unfortunate.
Not while the Brexit negotiations are ongoing she doesn't, as every Scottish poll shows
clear and sustained evidence that independence has become the preferred option of a majority of the Scottish people "
Where's the 'clear and sustained evidence'?
"or if there is a significant and material change in the circumstances that prevailed in 2014, such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will."
But she's no longer proposing to "stay in"/rejoin the EU.....
She's trying to salvage something from the wreckage. There's nothing in that wording which requires her to secure Scotland's re-entry into the EU (unsurprisingly, because it wouldn't be within an independent Scotland's powers to guarantee that).
She has her mandate, however inconvenient that might be for the Westminster government.
TMay was hardly gonna stand up and say "NO you stupid Scots can't ever have a referendum, yah boo McSucks."
She will haver and hum, and keep saying Now is not quite the time, until Brexit is settled, for the good of all Brits, north and south, but Yes the Scots can then look at the alternatives in the clear light of a post-Brexit dawn, and when the Nats themselves have decided whether they want EU or EEA or EFTA, and are offering a clear choice.
That position could be held until late 2019 at the earliest, maybe the early 2020s.
She's got to realise how this will be reported/tweeted though right? It's going to be wall to wall "May blocks referendum" and then a larification will have to be issued and then it will be wall to wall "May u-turns and approves Referenedum"
No, she will say "No referendum right now but of course Scotland has the right to choose its destiny when we have finished Brexiting"
London and Edinburgh had to agree on the timing of indyref 1, this is no different.
Either way, it's just journalism at the moment. I doubt it will move votes very much. Views are entrenched after indyref1, and most Scots don't want a vote before Brexit. So, despite much huffing and puffing, I reckon everyone will breathe a quiet sigh of relief (probably including Sturgeon, who reportedly fears she is likely to lose as things stand).
We will Brexit. Then we will all think again. And now I must work.
How about Mrs May encourages Ms Sturgeon to hold a full-electorate poll of opinion on the question so they will have a better guide than they already have?
I’ve no idea what game Sturgeon is playing at, the terms of Brexit will not be known until the EU negotiations are completed, Sturgeon must know this.
And when will that be? Theresa May's timetable exactly fits Sturgeon's proposed dates. If those dates are unrealistic, it means the negotiations themselves are unrealistic.
The most difficult point for Theresa May is that Nicola Sturgeon clearly does have a mandate for what she's asking for. In a week when the Westminster government has had to backtrack from breaking a manifesto commitment, the juxtaposition is at the very least unfortunate.
Not while the Brexit negotiations are ongoing she doesn't, as every Scottish poll shows
clear and sustained evidence that independence has become the preferred option of a majority of the Scottish people "
Where's the 'clear and sustained evidence'?
"or if there is a significant and material change in the circumstances that prevailed in 2014, such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will."
But she's no longer proposing to "stay in"/rejoin the EU.....
She's trying to salvage something from the wreckage. There's nothing in that wording which requires her to secure Scotland's re-entry into the EU (unsurprisingly, because it wouldn't be within an independent Scotland's powers to guarantee that).
She has her mandate, however inconvenient that might be for the Westminster government.
I’ve no idea what game Sturgeon is playing at, the terms of Brexit will not be known until the EU negotiations are completed, Sturgeon must know this.
And when will that be? Theresa May's timetable exactly fits Sturgeon's proposed dates. If those dates are unrealistic, it means the negotiations themselves are unrealistic.
I’ve no idea what game Sturgeon is playing at, the terms of Brexit will not be known until the EU negotiations are completed, Sturgeon must know this.
And when will that be? Theresa May's timetable exactly fits Sturgeon's proposed dates. If those dates are unrealistic, it means the negotiations themselves are unrealistic.
I know we've a few fans of Dave Rubin on here. His sit-down with David Horowitz is very interesting re the Left and why many liberal thinkers have abandoned it
Horowitz was a card carrying Marxist and Black Panther supporter
Be interesting to see the next set of national polling figures. After a car crash week, if there's no dent in the Tory lead , or even only a few points, then they really are untouchable.
Be interesting to see the next set of national polling figures. After a car crash week, if there's no dent in the Tory lead , or even only a few points, then they really are untouchable.
Down thread....Tory lead 13%, lead up by 2%. Mirroring other recent polling that still shows very large Tory leads with no obvious changes pre / post budget.
The most difficult point for Theresa May is that Nicola Sturgeon clearly does have a mandate for what she's asking for. In a week when the Westminster government has had to backtrack from breaking a manifesto commitment, the juxtaposition is at the very least unfortunate.
Not while the Brexit negotiations are ongoing she doesn't, as every Scottish poll shows
clear and sustained evidence that independence has become the preferred option of a majority of the Scottish people "
Where's the 'clear and sustained evidence'?
"or if there is a significant and material change in the circumstances that prevailed in 2014, such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will."
But she's no longer proposing to "stay in"/rejoin the EU.....
She's trying to salvage something from the wreckage. There's nothing in that wording which requires her to secure Scotland's re-entry into the EU (unsurprisingly, because it wouldn't be within an independent Scotland's powers to guarantee that).
She has her mandate, however inconvenient that might be for the Westminster government.
For some on here it's still all about Brexit..........
The most difficult point for Theresa May is that Nicola Sturgeon clearly does have a mandate for what she's asking for. In a week when the Westminster government has had to backtrack from breaking a manifesto commitment, the juxtaposition is at the very least unfortunate.
Not while the Brexit negotiations are ongoing she doesn't, as every Scottish poll shows
From the 2016 SNP manifesto:
"We believe that the Scottish Parliament should have the right to hold another referendum if there is clear and sustained evidence that independence has become the preferred option of a majority of the Scottish people – or if there is a significant and material change in the circumstances that prevailed in 2014, such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will."
Yes and most polls still show Scots opposed to independence and supportive of May taking the UK out of the EU now the referendum has been completed
Of course - what suits Sturgeon more than anything is the continuance of politics not as normal in Scotland. She will get her referendum in 2021 and between now and then everything in Scotland will be seen through that prism. Sturgeon now has a window to build a narrative, and while the EU climb-down may be embarrassing in the short term it actually leaves the SNP with a far more defendable position longer term. And none of it removes the essential and unavoidable fact: despite the collapse in the oil price and the undoubted economic hardship independence will deliver in the short and medium term, around 45% of Scots currently want it to happen. Nicola now has a window to work on the few more she needs to get over the line. With hard Brexit looming and the English set to give the Tories a big majority at the next general election, she will be confident.
The most difficult point for Theresa May is that Nicola Sturgeon clearly does have a mandate for what she's asking for. In a week when the Westminster government has had to backtrack from breaking a manifesto commitment, the juxtaposition is at the very least unfortunate.
Not while the Brexit negotiations are ongoing she doesn't, as every Scottish poll shows
clear and sustained evidence that independence has become the preferred option of a majority of the Scottish people "
Where's the 'clear and sustained evidence'?
"or if there is a significant and material change in the circumstances that prevailed in 2014, such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will."
But she's no longer proposing to "stay in"/rejoin the EU.....
She's trying to salvage something from the wreckage. There's nothing in that wording which requires her to secure Scotland's re-entry into the EU (unsurprisingly, because it wouldn't be within an independent Scotland's powers to guarantee that).
She has her mandate, however inconvenient that might be for the Westminster government.
For some on here it's still all about Brexit..........
It has to be said it's remarkable the number of Leavers who are struggling with the plain English of the SNP's manifesto statement on the subject of a second independence referendum. Democratic principles go out of the window if might make Brexit more complicated.
I regret to say that the May administration that began with potential is now looking lamer as each week passes.
BREXIT is being handled with all the aplomb of a "Spreadsheet Phil" budget, that itself unraveled quicker than a Paul Nuttall CV and to cap a week of sparkling ineptitude this afternoon the Prime Minister hands the SNP an electoral golden hand.
How Mrs May must thank the gods that across the dispatch box she is faced with a LotO even more incompetent, and then some, than she has proven to be over these recent weeks.
I can't help feeling that David Cameron has been exercising his chuckle muscles recently and who could blame him.
I regret to say that the May administration that began with potential is now looking lamer as each week passes.
BREXIT is being handled with all the aplomb of a "Spreadsheet Phil" budget, that itself unraveled quicker than a Paul Nuttall CV and to cap a week of sparkling ineptitude this afternoon the Prime Minister hands the SNP an electoral golden hand.
How Mrs May must thank the gods that across the dispatch box she is faced with a LotO even more incompetent, and then some, than she has proven to be over these recent weeks.
I can't help feeling that David Cameron has been exercising his chuckle muscles recently and who could blame him.
As someone was wont to say :
"Things can only get better ..."
Yep - it looks to me like May is doing precisely what Sturgeon wants her to do. Four more years of politics not as normal north of the border. The terms of the next Scottish assembly election have already been framed - and in exactly the way that the SNP would hope. In fact, that will now become a de facto independence poll.
I’ve no idea what game Sturgeon is playing at, the terms of Brexit will not be known until the EU negotiations are completed, Sturgeon must know this.
And when will that be? Theresa May's timetable exactly fits Sturgeon's proposed dates. If those dates are unrealistic, it means the negotiations themselves are unrealistic.
On a technical note - bank rate unchanged but one member voted for a rise - maybe a straw in the wind but it pushed the £ up more than half a cent against the $ and the € in minutes.
I don't believe that is the first time a member has voted that way.
Good afternoon all.
It's actually only the first time since mid-2016, so hardly an epochal event.
I regret to say that the May administration that began with potential is now looking lamer as each week passes.
BREXIT is being handled with all the aplomb of a "Spreadsheet Phil" budget, that itself unraveled quicker than a Paul Nuttall CV and to cap a week of sparkling ineptitude this afternoon the Prime Minister hands the SNP an electoral golden hand.
How Mrs May must thank the gods that across the dispatch box she is faced with a LotO even more incompetent, and then some, than she has proven to be over these recent weeks.
I can't help feeling that David Cameron has been exercising his chuckle muscles recently and who could blame him.
As someone was wont to say :
"Things can only get better ..."
Yep - it looks to me like May is doing precisely what Sturgeon wants her to do. Four more years of politics not as normal north of the border. The terms of the next Scottish assembly election have already been framed - and in exactly the way that the SNP would hope. In fact, that will now become a de facto independence poll.
In 2021 after UK election in 2020. The debate will have driven everyone crackers by then
Be interesting to see the next set of national polling figures. After a car crash week, if there's no dent in the Tory lead , or even only a few points, then they really are untouchable.
Down thread....Tory lead 13%, lead up by 2%. Mirroring other recent polling that still shows very large Tory leads with no obvious changes pre / post budget.
I was thinking after the election expenses story and Hammond's U-turn. They've only really hit the fan the last couple of days. Can't believe there won't be some damage, even just short term. If there are convictions, that will change everything.
Be interesting to see the next set of national polling figures. After a car crash week, if there's no dent in the Tory lead , or even only a few points, then they really are untouchable.
Down thread....Tory lead 13%, lead up by 2%. Mirroring other recent polling that still shows very large Tory leads with no obvious changes pre / post budget.
I was thinking after the election expenses story and Hamond's U-turn. They've only really hit the fan the last couple of days. Can't believe there won't be some damage, even just short term. If there are convictions, that will change everything.
If the NIC thing was going to hit the polls it would have post-budget. The election expenses fines, I doubt it, they will be lost in the noise of SIndy, France shooting, kid walking in on her dad giving an interview to BBC...if there are criminal trials thats a different kettle of fish...
The government is dead lucky that Corbyn Labour party is so bad. As I said at the time, with the NI changes, 1% more NI vs Labour's 50p tax rate + a 20% wealth tax, most people are going to shrug go, mutter about lying politicians breaking manifesto promises and go for the 1% more in NI.
It wasn't the public polling that caused the U-Turn, it was the government's own MPs and possibility they could rebel in a separate bill.
I’ve no idea what game Sturgeon is playing at, the terms of Brexit will not be known until the EU negotiations are completed, Sturgeon must know this.
And when will that be? Theresa May's timetable exactly fits Sturgeon's proposed dates. If those dates are unrealistic, it means the negotiations themselves are unrealistic.
She's telling the SNP that they had their referendum not 30 months ago, the UK is about to enter a difficult period of negotiation with the EU, and that Nicola and friends should spend a few years doing the day job of using the powers they have to make a better Scotland.
I’ve no idea what game Sturgeon is playing at, the terms of Brexit will not be known until the EU negotiations are completed, Sturgeon must know this.
And when will that be? Theresa May's timetable exactly fits Sturgeon's proposed dates. If those dates are unrealistic, it means the negotiations themselves are unrealistic.
The most difficult point for Theresa May is that Nicola Sturgeon clearly does have a mandate for what she's asking for. In a week when the Westminster government has had to backtrack from breaking a manifesto commitment, the juxtaposition is at the very least unfortunate.
Not while the Brexit negotiations are ongoing she doesn't, as every Scottish poll shows
clear and sustained evidence that independence has become the preferred option of a majority of the Scottish people "
Where's the 'clear and sustained evidence'?
"or if there is a significant and material change in the circumstances that prevailed in 2014, such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will."
But she's no longer proposing to "stay in"/rejoin the EU.....
She's trying to salvage something from the wreckage. There's nothing in that wording which requires her to secure Scotland's re-entry into the EU (unsurprisingly, because it wouldn't be within an independent Scotland's powers to guarantee that).
She has her mandate, however inconvenient that might be for the Westminster government.
For some on here it's still all about Brexit..........
It has to be said it's remarkable the number of Leavers who are struggling with the plain English of the SNP's manifesto statement on the subject of a second independence referendum. Democratic principles go out of the window if might make Brexit more complicated.
I'm a Leaver. I wish the SNP would declare UDI and get it over with. Let the Scots fight it out amongst themselves after that. It is, as we are told so many times, nothing to do with us.
Comments
If they consider their job to be defeated they have indeed done it.
https://twitter.com/rosscolquhoun/status/841297117163474946
https://youtu.be/hx2MsjsGbpU
https://twitter.com/Independent/status/842359876294737920
https://twitter.com/NicolaSturgeon/status/842365797259456512
https://twitter.com/NicolaSturgeon/status/842365995704549376
https://twitter.com/NicolaSturgeon/status/842366199212191744
https://twitter.com/NicolaSturgeon/status/842366483049123840
When it comes to the public’s views of the Budget overall, 38% say it was good for the country, and 42% bad. This is better than their views of last March’s budget (30% good, 53% bad), and a lot better than the reaction to the 2012 “omnishambles” budget (33% good, 53% bad).....
https://www.ipsos-mori.com/researchpublications/researcharchive/3857/Satisfaction-with-Hammond-drops-as-does-economic-optimism.aspx
https://twitter.com/alexmassie/status/842370269880692737
She would've invaded Scotland with a sneak attack in the depths of winter.
It's the EEA
https://twitter.com/MediaGuido/status/842371581284372481
Report from the HOL that they would block referendum legislation at this time
"We believe that the Scottish Parliament should have the right to hold another referendum if there is clear and sustained evidence that independence has become the preferred option of a majority of the Scottish people – or if there is a significant and material change in the
circumstances that prevailed in 2014, such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will."
Has to be remembered that for the EU, Scotland is pretty marginal. It'd add 1% to the Union's population. There might be some goodwill there - why wouldn't you be nice to someone who wants to join? - but the main game would still be Brussels-London.
In fact, the speed with which the SNP changed their EU policy in (indirect) response to a policy change in London demonstrates the whole fallacy behind the independence argument: small countries are never properly independent because they bounce around in the wake of the large ones. The whole 'equality and respect' agenda is a delusional chimera; you can never have equality between a countries of 5m and 60m people where the level of development is roughly the same. Even independent, Scotland's policies would still be hugely influenced by what was decided in London.
"or if there is a significant and material change in the circumstances that prevailed in 2014, such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will."
https://twitter.com/nicolasturgeon/status/842372721522675712
The second Scots referendum will not take place in Nicola's timetable. She needs to get back to her day job
Oops, sorry, that was 2013.
http://tinyurl.com/h8q7wto
Actually, Mundell may be a significant factor in Tory hesitation about a 2nd ref. Imagine having to depend on him as one of your big beasts?
She has her mandate, however inconvenient that might be for the Westminster government.
Anyway, seeing as most of the day has been spent faffing about (my thanks to Mr. Sandpit for his assistance) I'm off for a bit. Play nicely, children.
Good afternoon, everyone.
Unlike yours.
These things always go down to and beyond the last minute.
Horowitz was a card carrying Marxist and Black Panther supporter
Part One
https://youtu.be/2gvCi86XuUw
https://twitter.com/bbclaurak/status/842376117617086465
https://twitter.com/BBCsarahsmith/status/842376388594274304
https://twitter.com/bbclaurak/status/842378508424871937
BREXIT is being handled with all the aplomb of a "Spreadsheet Phil" budget, that itself unraveled quicker than a Paul Nuttall CV and to cap a week of sparkling ineptitude this afternoon the Prime Minister hands the SNP an electoral golden hand.
How Mrs May must thank the gods that across the dispatch box she is faced with a LotO even more incompetent, and then some, than she has proven to be over these recent weeks.
I can't help feeling that David Cameron has been exercising his chuckle muscles recently and who could blame him.
As someone was wont to say :
"Things can only get better ..."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4320394/Tourists-BBC-crew-forced-flee-Mount-Etna-erupts.html
https://twitter.com/D_Blanchflower/status/842379277660246016
It's actually only the first time since mid-2016, so hardly an epochal event.
RIP Sister Sledge.
https://twitter.com/JamieRoss7/status/842379757664772098
The government is dead lucky that Corbyn Labour party is so bad. As I said at the time, with the NI changes, 1% more NI vs Labour's 50p tax rate + a 20% wealth tax, most people are going to shrug go, mutter about lying politicians breaking manifesto promises and go for the 1% more in NI.
It wasn't the public polling that caused the U-Turn, it was the government's own MPs and possibility they could rebel in a separate bill.
She's telling the SNP that they had their referendum not 30 months ago, the UK is about to enter a difficult period of negotiation with the EU, and that Nicola and friends should spend a few years doing the day job of using the powers they have to make a better Scotland.
https://twitter.com/JamieRoss7/status/842381653142036480
A PB Classic is trotted out.