'No. He's a pragmatist and a careerist, at heart. He will offer a vote, but he will try and make it as winnable as possible, he might even try and weasel out of the IN/OUT thing by having a "preliminary" vote on maybe-staying-halfway-in, or whatever.'
Exactly why he won't be winning back many UKIP supporters.
Independence is a secondary issue to spewing bile at English Tories, especially Southern ones. Quite why is anyone's guess.
When I pointed out that they spend their time supporting Labour and attacking the Conservatives, one of them lied last night that I had published items supporting the BNP! That post from Mick Pork went unmoderated, it should have earned a ban Mr Smithson.
Independence is a secondary issue to spewing bile at English Tories, especially Southern ones. Quite why is anyone's guess.
When I pointed out that they spend their time supporting Labour and attacking the Conservatives, one of them lied last night that I had published items supporting the BNP! That post from Mick Pork went unmoderated, it should have earned a ban Mr Smithson.
oh i can't really get too excited by the mental contortions of our Nats, I'm used to it now it's more a form of light entertainment. But I can't help but think their biggest disappointment, if they got Independence, would be the English just shrugging their shoulders and saying yeah whatever. For the more ardent it has to hurt to be worthwhile.
"Sources said there is also increasing fury within the Shadow Cabinet with Miliband’s refusal to take a tougher line on welfare. The party was accused of being “in disarray” for rushing out a new “contributionary” approach to benefits but with no details, amid fears they are on the wrong side of the public."
I keep seeing threats of Another General Strike in the press and wondering if our press colleagues missed the last Another General Strike that happened in Nov 2011 IIRC and had no impact on anything? And wasn't a GS at all but a lot of public sector workers and SWP/student union types railing against the real world.
If the unions want even less general public support - they're going about it the right way. Out of touch doesn't even scratch the surface of their feeling of entitlement when those who pay corp tax and income tax from their private jobs are much worse off in terms of T&Cs, job security and pension rights.
Alanbrooke, the best hope of saving Scotland from their socialist hole they are building is to get independence and then they will eventually face up to the laws of supply and demand in a global world. An independent Orkney and Shetland (from Scotland) would accelerate the process.
Portugal's prime minister has said a court ruling striking down parts of his government's budget means it will have to make other deep spending cuts.
Pedro Passos Coelho said social security, health, education and public enterprises would have to be cut.
This would allow the country to avoid a second eurozone bailout, he said.
The European Commission warned it not to depart from the bailout terms, and said carrying out the agreed programme was a precondition for further help.
"Any departure from the programme's objectives, or their re-negotiation, would in fact neutralise the efforts already made and achieved by the Portuguese citizens," it said in a statement.
The Portuguese Constitutional Court struck down more than 1bn euros (£847m; $1.3bn) of savings that the right-of-centre government had said were needed to meet the terms of its existing bailout.
In a statement to the nation on Sunday evening, the Mr Passos Coelho repeatedly used the phrase "national emergency" to describe Portugal's situation.
He said the ruling striking down the budget's suspension of holiday bonuses for public sector workers and pensioners - about 7% of their annual income - meant it must find alternative savings or seek a second bailout.
The government would, he said, do everything in its power to avoid having to ask its European partners for more aid.
Since tax increases were out of the question after the unprecedented increases already in the budget, he said, the only option was to cut back on other public services.
"Today, we are still not out of the financial emergency which placed us in this painful crisis," he said.
"After this decision by the Constitutional Court, it's not just the government's life that will become more difficult, it is the life of the Portuguese that will become more difficult and make the success of our national economic recovery more problematic."
I keep seeing threats of Another General Strike in the press and wondering if our press colleagues missed the last Another General Strike that happened in Nov 2011 IIRC and had no impact on anything? And wasn't a GS at all but a lot of public sector workers and SWP/student union types railing against the real world.
If the unions want even less general public support - they're going about it the right way. Out of touch doesn't even scratch the surface of their feeling of entitlement when those who pay corp tax and income tax from their private jobs are much worse off in terms of T&Cs, job security and pension rights.
The problem for the Union chappies is they sat back and in some cases funded Brown and Balls as they wrecked private pensions. I doubt their plight will resonate much with the wider public.
I don't expect the Scots to vote Yes to Indy - but if they did, continuing to blame the English for all their woes will be most entertaining to watch.
The victim mindset is bizarre - I had a generally high opinion of enterprising and adventurous Scots who travelled the world and made fortunes. The whining of many, but not all Nats on PB and Twitter seems totally at odds with men like those who named the Douglas Fir and brought lupins back to the UK from far afield.
Brilliant news for the SNP @afneil: Latest Glasgow Herald poll shows support for independence down 3 points to 30%, support for Union down 1 to 51% and don't knows up 4 to 19%
"Going back to the start of the TNS BMRB series in 2007, the gap was at its widest last October when support for independence lagged by 25 points, and at its closest in mid-2008 and early 2009 when it trailed by just two points."
RT @Joe_Armitage: The few policies Labour have announced are all about state control. Banning sugary food, breaking up banks and banning high street lenders.
Alanbrooke, the best hope of saving Scotland from their socialist hole they are building is to get independence and then they will eventually face up to the laws of supply and demand in a global world. An independent Orkney and Shetland (from Scotland) would accelerate the process.
Had dinner with an Orcadian on Saturday evening. He told me that their word for anyone outside of Orkney and Shetlands (including the Scots) is "English". Also told me that they do not regard themselves as Scottish and that should Scotland become independent of the rest of the UK, then the Orcadians and Shetlanders would declare themselves independent of Scotland as they have enough oil reserves to sustain their economy.
Alanbrooke, the best hope of saving Scotland from their socialist hole they are building is to get independence and then they will eventually face up to the laws of supply and demand in a global world. An independent Orkney and Shetland (from Scotland) would accelerate the process.
The Scots will do what they want. It's pointless blaming the nats for the blues' inability to resonate with the electorate. It's not that people NOTB don't understand fiscal responsibility, they pay their way better than Wales, NI and most of labour's fiefdoms in the North of England, it's that a centralised southern based party has yet to figure out a way of consistently appealing to people outside its core area. The blues would be better off with the CDU\CSU model in Germany within a federal structure.
Plato - you should spend a week north of the border watching Al McBeeb.
Would have you pining for North Korean state tv.
As someone force fed a diet of frigging Andy Stewart and kilts every New Year courtesy of Tyne Tees TV and BBC NE - I've had a gut full of Scottish culture thanks very much.
I have NO IDEA why this was the case - Andy Stewart's greatest contribution was Donald Where's Me Troosers and that was a longtime afterwards.
How long before Ed's latest 'contributory benefits' wheeze is ruled illegal under EU law?
Aside from whether they're a good idea, Britain already has quite a few contributory benefits, and a lot of EU countries apparently have more contributory systems than Britain does, so there's nothing obviously illegal about the principle. What are you thinking of specifically?
As it is a Labour suggestion Scott's tribalism decided it must be bad, or illegal, but definitely stupid.
Even though Scott is usually wrong about most things.
Oh dear, all these SNP posters on this website are busy posting 24/7 in favour of Labour policies and Labour political lines, meanwhile overlooking the fact that in their back yard the referendum debate is being lost. Irony?
What vast number of SNP posters are these then? The main benefit of a place like this for those of us who support independence is a salutary reminder of precisely of the sort of people we don't want imposing governments upon us.
I assume from your moniker that you're at least nominally a bettor? I'll repeat the offers I made to some of your blustering compatriots. £50 at 2/1 on for a No vote in 2014, and £50 at evens on polling for Yes hitting 40% in the next 15 months. I'm sure a sharp mind such as yours will want to snap up such value.
I don't expect the Scots to vote Yes to Indy - but if they did, continuing to blame the English for all their woes will be most entertaining to watch.
The victim mindset is bizarre - I had a generally high opinion of enterprising and adventurous Scots who travelled the world and made fortunes. The whining of many, but not all Nats on PB and Twitter seems totally at odds with men like those who named the Douglas Fir and brought lupins back to the UK from far afield.
I have to admit that's one of my biggest bugbears on Indy. An overhyped state which can only fail to live up to its promise will be followed by a century of moaning and blaming the english for everything. Add in a bit of celtic cut off my nose to spite my face and it will be De Valera's Ireland Mk2. With Ireland almost at the point of STFU as the Germans tell them what to do a century of Scotland picking up the baton is just not worth contemplating.
Miss Plato, you forgot banning bookies and takeaways.
I'm not sure war on fish and chips will necessarily help the nation.
Indeed - weren't fish and chip shops encouraged by the post-war HMG as a good way to deliver a protein and carbohydrate high diet to the masses? This maybe an urban myth but certainly one I was told about as a small kid.
Independence is a secondary issue to spewing bile at English Tories, especially Southern ones. Quite why is anyone's guess.
When I pointed out that they spend their time supporting Labour and attacking the Conservatives, one of them lied last night that I had published items supporting the BNP! That post from Mick Pork went unmoderated, it should have earned a ban Mr Smithson.
oh i can't really get too excited by the mental contortions of our Nats, I'm used to it now it's more a form of light entertainment. But I can't help but think their biggest disappointment, if they got Independence, would be the English just shrugging their shoulders and saying yeah whatever. For the more ardent it has to hurt to be worthwhile.
Alan, you are totally mistaken there, the vast majority who are interested in independence have no beef with England, their interest is Scotland. The whinging and whining you allude to is a unionist trait , due to them fearing the gravy train of sinecures in Westminster etc or the ones who get free money weekly , scared that they will have to work for a living.
Oh dear, all these SNP posters on this website are busy posting 24/7 in favour of Labour policies and Labour political lines, meanwhile overlooking the fact that in their back yard the referendum debate is being lost. Irony?
What vast number of SNP posters are these then? The main benefit of a place like this for those of us who support independence is a salutary reminder of precisely of the sort of people we don't want imposing governments upon us.
I assume from your moniker that you're at least nominally a bettor? I'll repeat the offers I made to some of your blustering compatriots. £50 at 2/1 on for a No vote in 2014, and £50 at evens on polling for Yes hitting 40% in the next 15 months. I'm sure a sharp mind such as yours will want to snap up such value.
TUD, you will never hear from the clown, full of you know what.
If only the wonderful caring arms length state broadcasters got worked up about that wonderful health care system which is the envy of the world staffed by angels...which always worked in Staffordshire.
Miss Plato, you forgot banning bookies and takeaways.
I'm not sure war on fish and chips will necessarily help the nation.
Indeed - weren't fish and chip shops encouraged by the post-war HMG as a good way to deliver a protein and carbohydrate high diet to the masses? This maybe an urban myth but certainly one I was told about as a small kid.
Quite true. Bread was on ration after WW2 (but not during it). Fish was never on ration and nor were potatoes (and there was plenty of fat from pigs). A fish and chip shop opened up in our small village in the late 1940s as it was the only substantial meal that did not require the use of the ration book.
"it will be De Valera's Ireland Mk2. With Ireland almost at the point of STFU as the Germans tell them what to do a century of Scotland picking up the baton is just not worth contemplating."
Yup. Starting off life as a new country based on blaming everyone else is a recipe for disaster - vote for a positive not against what you aren't.
Plato - you should spend a week north of the border watching Al McBeeb.
Would have you pining for North Korean state tv.
As someone force fed a diet of frigging Andy Stewart and kilts every New Year courtesy of Tyne Tees TV and BBC NE - I've had a gut full of Scottish culture thanks very much.
I have NO IDEA why this was the case - Andy Stewart's greatest contribution was Donald Where's Me Troosers and that was a longtime afterwards.
Dear oh dear how the righteous have fallen, best sticking to your "I am ignorant of everything Scottish" meme than making a cod of yourself with that drivel.
Miss Plato, you forgot banning bookies and takeaways.
I'm not sure war on fish and chips will necessarily help the nation.
Indeed - weren't fish and chip shops encouraged by the post-war HMG as a good way to deliver a protein and carbohydrate high diet to the masses? This maybe an urban myth but certainly one I was told about as a small kid.
High carbs are good when people are working down t'pit and so forth, office jobs not so much.
Independence is a secondary issue to spewing bile at English Tories, especially Southern ones. Quite why is anyone's guess.
When I pointed out that they spend their time supporting Labour and attacking the Conservatives, one of them lied last night that I had published items supporting the BNP! That post from Mick Pork went unmoderated, it should have earned a ban Mr Smithson.
oh i can't really get too excited by the mental contortions of our Nats, I'm used to it now it's more a form of light entertainment. But I can't help but think their biggest disappointment, if they got Independence, would be the English just shrugging their shoulders and saying yeah whatever. For the more ardent it has to hurt to be worthwhile.
Alan, you are totally mistaken there, the vast majority who are interested in independence have no beef with England, their interest is Scotland. The whinging and whining you allude to is a unionist trait , due to them fearing the gravy train of sinecures in Westminster etc or the ones who get free money weekly , scared that they will have to work for a living.
Sorry malc, just not so. Most PB Nats are left wing and spend their time attacking Southern Tories rather than challenging Labour Unionists. On the nationalist\socialist spectrum, they are socialists first and just want to change the sinecures, they gravy train will roll on, just with a new driver.
Of course all this is moot and probably irrelevant. It is pretty damn unlikely Cameron will have a majority in 2015. Europe will become Miliband's problem, which will be interesting.
Unfortunately, in that scenario Europe won't be Miliband's problem (why should it be a problem for him? He'll just give in to everything as Blair and Brown did). It will be our problem.
Miss Plato, you forgot banning bookies and takeaways.
I'm not sure war on fish and chips will necessarily help the nation.
Indeed - weren't fish and chip shops encouraged by the post-war HMG as a good way to deliver a protein and carbohydrate high diet to the masses? This maybe an urban myth but certainly one I was told about as a small kid.
High carbs are good when people are working down t'pit and so forth, office jobs not so much.
And young lady, what do you infer by that remark? What about us (my parents) who were working the land as well as a daytime production job?
Alanbrooke, the best hope of saving Scotland from their socialist hole they are building is to get independence and then they will eventually face up to the laws of supply and demand in a global world. An independent Orkney and Shetland (from Scotland) would accelerate the process.
Had dinner with an Orcadian on Saturday evening. He told me that their word for anyone outside of Orkney and Shetlands (including the Scots) is "English". Also told me that they do not regard themselves as Scottish and that should Scotland become independent of the rest of the UK, then the Orcadians and Shetlanders would declare themselves independent of Scotland as they have enough oil reserves to sustain their economy.
Another numpty posting absolute drivel, you should have dinner with Roger and his friends they are more on the ball than you. I can only assume you drank too much and have no clue what you are talking about. Hopefully I never encounter you when seeking financial advice. If it was not so pathetic it would be funny.
Quite true. Bread was on ration after WW2 (but not during it). Fish was never on ration and nor were potatoes (and there was plenty of fat from pigs). A fish and chip shop opened up in our small village in the late 1940s as it was the only substantial meal that did not require the use of the ration book.
Thanks for that - it made a lot of sense to me when I heard about it back in the 70s - and still does today, we just don't tend to move about enough to offset getting too fat nowadays as a consequence. I used to be rather fond of a paper until I turned about 20 and now I can't bear the smell of fried fish or the greasy air of a chip shop - working in one must be revolting.
I expect the independence vote to be very tight for the simple reason that the UK as currently constituted is a failing state. The elites who run its political parties, businesses and institutions have by and large proved incapable of looking beyond their comfort zones and have thus proved unable to deal with the problems we face as a country. With living standards for the vast majority seemingly set to stagnate or decline for the forseeable future, two questions spring to mind: 1. What is the UK actually for? 2. Given how the future is shaping up for most in the UK, is it really sensible to argue an independent Scotland would be even worse off?
I support the union, I'd like the UK to continue, but I can see the appeal of a Yes vote. And it might do us all a power of good, by exposing the elite's uselessness and giving us all a chance to start again.
Of course the other delight from our Tory loathing Nats is the absolute certainty that 25 months from a GE a 10 point Labour lead is inviolable - or "robust" to use one of their pet phrases, while a 21 point deficit 17 months from the Indie referendum will be overturned with the greatest of ease.....
When's there's such hatred for a political party, I think it very likely if the focus of that hatred goes, some new force would become the focus of that ire.
Yes, I'm just speculating again.
What you would likely see is an uber-Blairite labour party with the lib dems reacting against the coalition and returning to a more left of centre position. That process would be messy.
Probably. Then again, the Tories have been essentially extinguished up your way, so it's pretty much just lefty parties up in scotland I presume, and things aren't too vicious except where independence is concerned, would that be a reasonable view? (I really don't know Scottish politics)
Not really , we have London labour who are really centre right but try to kid on they are lefties and the SNP and Greens who are centre left. Lib Dems and Tories are both London parties that are busted flushes. Will all change when we have independence I expect as we will see real centre right Scottish parties emerge.
Miss Plato, you forgot banning bookies and takeaways.
I'm not sure war on fish and chips will necessarily help the nation.
Indeed - weren't fish and chip shops encouraged by the post-war HMG as a good way to deliver a protein and carbohydrate high diet to the masses? This maybe an urban myth but certainly one I was told about as a small kid.
Quite true. Bread was on ration after WW2 (but not during it). Fish was never on ration and nor were potatoes (and there was plenty of fat from pigs). A fish and chip shop opened up in our small village in the late 1940s as it was the only substantial meal that did not require the use of the ration book.
The fish were regarded with some suspicion, though - much like today with pollock disguised as cod. My parents said a common joke was "There's something very odd about government cod".
"it will be De Valera's Ireland Mk2. With Ireland almost at the point of STFU as the Germans tell them what to do a century of Scotland picking up the baton is just not worth contemplating."
Yup. Starting off life as a new country based on blaming everyone else is a recipe for disaster - vote for a positive not against what you aren't.
More importantly, the Nats dispute is not so much with England who is their ostensible enemy but with the majority of their own people. Quite how you run a divided country like that is anyone's guess, but people tend not to fall in line. They emigrate, become secessionist in turn or fume like disfunctional polity waiting for their day.
EdM finally wakes up. For far too long any old bunch of jokers could come and set up on the high street like some ridiculous free for all. This is a much better idea.
I would like an artisan cheese shop, an independent wine merchant, a shop selling those t-shirts with the funny comments on them designed by some bloke from St. Martins’, and a Nespresso machine repair shop.
Alan, you are totally mistaken there, the vast majority who are interested in independence have no beef with England, their interest is Scotland..
Malcolm - you may well be right - it's just a pity more of them don't post on here. At least 50% of the rationale for independence on here appears to be "we never want a Tory government again."
Take Salmond's speech yesterday - grand start, then off down the well worn "evil Torees" route.
Until Nationalist politicians start arguing "outcomes in Scotland in Health and Education have been better since devolution because of policies x and y, hence we should run everything from Edinburgh' then I fear the argument will be lost.
How have outcomes in Education and Health done since devolution?
Independence is a secondary issue to spewing bile at English Tories, especially Southern ones. Quite why is anyone's guess.
When I pointed out that they spend their time supporting Labour and attacking the Conservatives, one of them lied last night that I had published items supporting the BNP! That post from Mick Pork went unmoderated, it should have earned a ban Mr Smithson.
what a big jessie, someone actually disagreed with you, grow a pair and get up off your belly.
Whether he can get through a whole election without clarifying it and no treaty negotiations in sight is an interesting question.
e. If Merkel says there might be a treaty, that's probably enough for him to hold the line.
Neither you nor NPXMP understand the eurosceptic mindset - unsurprisingly, as you are both idiot europhiles, who wanted us to join the euro (when ARE you going to grovel and apologise for that, by the way?)
I'm quite sure Cameron does not want to offer a referendum. It's too much hassle, and way too risky (we might vote OUT). However if he wins a majority in 2015 he will HAVE to give the British a vote, because 80% of his MPs would eviscerate him with Stanley knives if he didn't. He would destroy the Tory party, and split it in two forever, and probably usher in the era of UKIP as THE dominant rightwing force.
Is Cameron's europhilia that defiant and courageous? Would he be happy to go down in history as the traitor who killed the Conservative party, just to prevent a referendum on the EU?
No. He's a pragmatist and a careerist, at heart. He will offer a vote, but he will try and make it as winnable as possible, he might even try and weasel out of the IN/OUT thing by having a "preliminary" vote on maybe-staying-halfway-in, or whatever.
Of course all this is moot and probably irrelevant. It is pretty damn unlikely Cameron will have a majority in 2015. Europe will become Miliband's problem, which will be interesting.
You actually believe Cameron would offer an In/Out referendum anyway, when even Cameron avoids the question? Your simple Cornish faith is very touching. May I sell you a tin mine?
Actually I think he'd do something else. He'd say that since the slowcoach Europeans haven't got round to discussing a new treaty, he'd like to "force their hand" by having a referendum on the Conservatives' terms for a new Treaty. If this "negotiating mandate" is approved, he will then take it to Brussels and bang on the table to demand it. If denied, he will then hold a further referendum in, oh, 2024 or so. So long as he's re-elected for a third term, of course.
Miliband won't have a problem. No treaty, so no referendum. Next subject.
'How long before Ed's latest 'contributory benefits' wheeze is ruled illegal under EU law?'
At least Ed's confirmed that he will be increasing the welfare budget,since his party has been telling us for weeks that you can't live on £53 per week.
Another expensive program to be paid by taxing bankers bonus's or NI or income tax increases? The two Ed's & their taxes will make Denis Healey look like a wimp.
Alan, you are totally mistaken there, the vast majority who are interested in independence have no beef with England, their interest is Scotland..
Malcolm - you may well be right - it's just a pity more of them don't post on here. At least 50% of the rationale for independence on here appears to be "we never want a Tory government again."
Take Salmond's speech yesterday - grand start, then off down the well worn "evil Torees" route.
Until Nationalist politicians start arguing "outcomes in Scotland in Health and Education have been better since devolution because of policies x and y, hence we should run everything from Edinburgh' then I fear the argument will be lost.
How have outcomes in Education and Health done since devolution?
CV the Nats won't take that line. Their problem is with the majority of Scots who don't agree with them so it's a darn sight easier to blame all ills on an external bogeyman than failings in one's own society. That mosr english people are more worried about paying their bills and would be surprised to learn they are "colonising" Scotland is an uncomfortable detail to be ignored.
Whether he can get through a whole election without clarifying it and no treaty negotiations in sight is an interesting question.
e. If Merkel says there might be a treaty, that's probably enough for him to hold the line.
Neither you nor NPXMP understand the eurosceptic mindset - unsurprisingly, as you are both idiot europhiles, who wanted us to join the euro (when ARE you going to grovel and apologise for that, by the way?)
I'm quite sure Cameron does not want to offer a referendum. It's too much hassle, and way too risky (we might vote OUT). However if he wins a majority in 2015 he will HAVE to give the British a vote, because 80% of his MPs would eviscerate him with Stanley knives if he didn't. He would destroy the Tory party, and split it in two forever, and probably usher in the era of UKIP as THE dominant rightwing force.
Is Cameron's europhilia that defiant and courageous? Would he be happy to go down in history as the traitor who killed the Conservative party, just to prevent a referendum on the EU?
No. He's a pragmatist and a careerist, at heart. He will offer a vote, but he will try and make it as winnable as possible, he might even try and weasel out of the IN/OUT thing by having a "preliminary" vote on maybe-staying-halfway-in, or whatever.
Of course all this is moot and probably irrelevant. It is pretty damn unlikely Cameron will have a majority in 2015. Europe will become Miliband's problem, which will be interesting.
You actually believe Cameron would offer an In/Out referendum anyway, when even Cameron avoids the question? Your simple Cornish faith is very touching. May I sell you a tin mine?
Actually I think he'd do something else. He'd say that since the slowcoach Europeans haven't got round to discussing a new treaty, he'd like to "force their hand" by having a referendum on the Conservatives' terms for a new Treaty. If this "negotiating mandate" is approved, he will then take it to Brussels and bang on the table to demand it. If denied, he will then hold a further referendum in, oh, 2024 or so. So long as he's re-elected for a third term, of course.
Miliband won't have a problem. No treaty, so no referendum. Next subject.
Nick, do I detect a bit of political gameplay? By emphasising how neither of the two big parties will offer an in/out referendum, are you hoping to salami slice the right wing support between the Tories and UKIP, allowing your discredited party to slide up the middle?
When I pointed out that they spend their time supporting Labour and attacking the Conservatives, one of them lied last night that I had published items supporting the BNP! That post from Mick Pork went unmoderated, it should have earned a ban Mr Smithson.
If you are not honest about my political allegiance then don't whine when that same tactic is used on you.
For days you have been trying to get me to stop posting in your continuing bizarre, bumptious and mistaken belief that you are in charge of who posts, who does not and why on this site. This is self-evidently because you are in favour of censoring the views of those who you fear debating honestly as you always lose.
Incidentally your last sentence is hilariously ironic since that subject and 'tactic' was stated clearly and repeatedly by Mr Smithson to be completely inappropriate to talk about by those who were not moderators or himself and anyone talking about it would be sanctioned by him.
The main benefit of a place like this for those of us who support independence is a salutary reminder of precisely of the sort of people we don't want imposing governments upon us.
Then you'se lot should articulate better: From dahn' Sarf' it would appear the SNats are dissing one Germanic-folk whilst accepting government by another (via the EU). Add to which Wee-Eck is quite content to host Septic nukes (as the USN never disclose, c.f. New Zealand) and what is spewed by SNP-types is not civic-pride but petty-nationalism.
As an ardent supporter of Scots (and Welsh) independence * I am curious why policies aren't articulated more clearly. Instead we have a Scot-sham of 'Eighties Il Surpasso economics and debate closed-down by vitriol and nonsense. Scotland is free to feck-orf!
* The Ulster-Scots aren't really our problem, but we will probably maintain the status-quo (with implicit support from The Republic).
Nick, do I detect a bit of political gameplay? By emphasising how neither of the two big parties will offer an in/out referendum, are you hoping to salami slice the right wing support between the Tories and UKIP, allowing your discredited party to slide up the middle?
Hey, it's a happy side-effect of the situation that our splendid party may benefit from this little argument on the right. But I genuinely cannot see why ANYONE, even the most naive ingenues from deepest Cornwall, would suppose that either major party will call an in/out referendum when there's no treaty to vote on, and when Miliband has said he won't and Cameron has avoided answering. Do you think so yourself?
Miss Plato, you forgot banning bookies and takeaways.
I'm not sure war on fish and chips will necessarily help the nation.
Indeed - weren't fish and chip shops encouraged by the post-war HMG as a good way to deliver a protein and carbohydrate high diet to the masses? This maybe an urban myth but certainly one I was told about as a small kid.
High carbs are good when people are working down t'pit and so forth, office jobs not so much.
And young lady, what do you infer by that remark? What about us (my parents) who were working the land as well as a daytime production job?
Was that to me, first time I'll have been called a young lady if so ! What I meant was basically most people eat too many calories, especially carbs. Whether we need a frosties tax is another matter entirely
Comments
'No. He's a pragmatist and a careerist, at heart. He will offer a vote, but he will try and make it as winnable as possible, he might even try and weasel out of the IN/OUT thing by having a "preliminary" vote on maybe-staying-halfway-in, or whatever.'
Exactly why he won't be winning back many UKIP supporters.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/politics/4877756/MPs-fury-over-Ed-Milibands-soft-line-on-benefits-reforms.html
"Sources said there is also increasing fury within the Shadow Cabinet with Miliband’s refusal to take a tougher line on welfare.
The party was accused of being “in disarray” for rushing out a new “contributionary” approach to benefits but with no details, amid fears they are on the wrong side of the public."
The Telegraph article just focuses on the splits
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/labour/9977797/Labour-split-puts-Ed-Miliband-on-back-foot-over-benefits.html
"
I keep seeing threats of Another General Strike in the press and wondering if our press colleagues missed the last Another General Strike that happened in Nov 2011 IIRC and had no impact on anything? And wasn't a GS at all but a lot of public sector workers and SWP/student union types railing against the real world.
If the unions want even less general public support - they're going about it the right way. Out of touch doesn't even scratch the surface of their feeling of entitlement when those who pay corp tax and income tax from their private jobs are much worse off in terms of T&Cs, job security and pension rights.
Pedro Passos Coelho said social security, health, education and public enterprises would have to be cut.
This would allow the country to avoid a second eurozone bailout, he said.
The European Commission warned it not to depart from the bailout terms, and said carrying out the agreed programme was a precondition for further help.
"Any departure from the programme's objectives, or their re-negotiation, would in fact neutralise the efforts already made and achieved by the Portuguese citizens," it said in a statement.
The Portuguese Constitutional Court struck down more than 1bn euros (£847m; $1.3bn) of savings that the right-of-centre government had said were needed to meet the terms of its existing bailout.
In a statement to the nation on Sunday evening, the Mr Passos Coelho repeatedly used the phrase "national emergency" to describe Portugal's situation.
He said the ruling striking down the budget's suspension of holiday bonuses for public sector workers and pensioners - about 7% of their annual income - meant it must find alternative savings or seek a second bailout.
The government would, he said, do everything in its power to avoid having to ask its European partners for more aid.
Since tax increases were out of the question after the unprecedented increases already in the budget, he said, the only option was to cut back on other public services.
"Today, we are still not out of the financial emergency which placed us in this painful crisis," he said.
"After this decision by the Constitutional Court, it's not just the government's life that will become more difficult, it is the life of the Portuguese that will become more difficult and make the success of our national economic recovery more problematic."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22058461
It will be interesting if the EC tried to face down the Portuguese Constitutional Court - would Portugal then be the first to leave the EZ?
I don't expect the Scots to vote Yes to Indy - but if they did, continuing to blame the English for all their woes will be most entertaining to watch.
The victim mindset is bizarre - I had a generally high opinion of enterprising and adventurous Scots who travelled the world and made fortunes. The whining of many, but not all Nats on PB and Twitter seems totally at odds with men like those who named the Douglas Fir and brought lupins back to the UK from far afield.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/snp-push-fails-to-attract-support-for-a-yes-vote.20723922
"Opposition to independence slumps by 19%" - coming to you soon from one of our friends in the North....
Would have you pining for North Korean state tv.
RT @Joe_Armitage: The few policies Labour have announced are all about state control. Banning sugary food, breaking up banks and banning high street lenders.
I'm not sure war on fish and chips will necessarily help the nation.
I have NO IDEA why this was the case - Andy Stewart's greatest contribution was Donald Where's Me Troosers and that was a longtime afterwards.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDJflQfNUE8
Even though Scott is usually wrong about most things.
The main benefit of a place like this for those of us who support independence is a salutary reminder of precisely of the sort of people we don't want imposing governments upon us.
I assume from your moniker that you're at least nominally a bettor? I'll repeat the offers I made to some of your blustering compatriots. £50 at 2/1 on for a No vote in 2014, and £50 at evens on polling for Yes hitting 40% in the next 15 months. I'm sure a sharp mind such as yours will want to snap up such value.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22058650
There's a rather simple comeback which is very topical:
"We'd like to limit child benefit to the first 2 children. The Lib Dems blocked this."
Surely the key to implementing CB for just 2 kids is to make it new kids who are 10 months + out.
Simples.
The whinging and whining you allude to is a unionist trait , due to them fearing the gravy train of sinecures in Westminster etc or the ones who get free money weekly , scared that they will have to work for a living.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-22062024
BBC turns on failings of another private care home in Devon...
"it will be De Valera's Ireland Mk2. With Ireland almost at the point of STFU as the Germans tell them what to do a century of Scotland picking up the baton is just not worth contemplating."
Yup. Starting off life as a new country based on blaming everyone else is a recipe for disaster - vote for a positive not against what you aren't.
can only assume you drank too much and have no clue what you are talking about. Hopefully I never encounter you when seeking financial advice. If it was not so pathetic it would be funny.
Press coverage universally horrible for rEd today and yesterday - been caught doing nothing - being reactive not pro-active.
Amusingly this is the strategy that the so called "expert" lefties on here have been praising him for following.
1. What is the UK actually for?
2. Given how the future is shaping up for most in the UK, is it really sensible to argue an independent Scotland would be even worse off?
I support the union, I'd like the UK to continue, but I can see the appeal of a Yes vote. And it might do us all a power of good, by exposing the elite's uselessness and giving us all a chance to start again.
Awww, good day to you too! I see your bedpan was on hand when you got out of bed this morning :^ )
EdM finally wakes up. For far too long any old bunch of jokers could come and set up on the high street like some ridiculous free for all. This is a much better idea.
I would like an artisan cheese shop, an independent wine merchant, a shop selling those t-shirts with the funny comments on them designed by some bloke from St. Martins’, and a Nespresso machine repair shop.
Who do I send my list to?
Take Salmond's speech yesterday - grand start, then off down the well worn "evil Torees" route.
Until Nationalist politicians start arguing "outcomes in Scotland in Health and Education have been better since devolution because of policies x and y, hence we should run everything from Edinburgh' then I fear the argument will be lost.
How have outcomes in Education and Health done since devolution?
Actually I think he'd do something else. He'd say that since the slowcoach Europeans haven't got round to discussing a new treaty, he'd like to "force their hand" by having a referendum on the Conservatives' terms for a new Treaty. If this "negotiating mandate" is approved, he will then take it to Brussels and bang on the table to demand it. If denied, he will then hold a further referendum in, oh, 2024 or so. So long as he's re-elected for a third term, of course.
Miliband won't have a problem. No treaty, so no referendum. Next subject.
'How long before Ed's latest 'contributory benefits' wheeze is ruled illegal under EU law?'
At least Ed's confirmed that he will be increasing the welfare budget,since his party has been telling us for weeks that you can't live on £53 per week.
Another expensive program to be paid by taxing bankers bonus's or NI or income tax increases?
The two Ed's & their taxes will make Denis Healey look like a wimp.
For days you have been trying to get me to stop posting in your continuing bizarre, bumptious and mistaken belief that you are in charge of who posts, who does not and why on this site. This is self-evidently because you are in favour of censoring the views of those who you fear debating honestly as you always lose.
Incidentally your last sentence is hilariously ironic since that subject and 'tactic' was stated clearly and repeatedly by Mr Smithson to be completely inappropriate to talk about by those who were not moderators or himself and anyone talking about it would be sanctioned by him.
As an ardent supporter of Scots (and Welsh) independence * I am curious why policies aren't articulated more clearly. Instead we have a Scot-sham of 'Eighties Il Surpasso economics and debate closed-down by vitriol and nonsense. Scotland is free to feck-orf!
* The Ulster-Scots aren't really our problem, but we will probably maintain the status-quo (with implicit support from The Republic).
Hahaha!