Bush Jr and Trump aren't particularly intelligent or articulate but both are sharp, Bush Jr had a higher SAT score than Kerry though not Gore. Trump I would say has a slightly higher IQ than Biden did, though Hillary Clinton and probably Harris have a higher IQ than Trump
"Donald Trump was the dumbest goddam student I ever had"
--- William T. Kelley (Penn Wharton)
You don't get to be a billionaire and President of the USA by being completely dumb
I've said it before and I'll repeat it, I do not know anyone personally who appears to be as stupid as Donald Trump. I honestly can't think of anyone I know who plumbs the same depths of ignorance, illogic, and incuriosity.
Beyond the arrogance, perversion, racism, greed, corruption, callousness, and many other flaws he has the reality that Donald Trump is incredibly stupid is the thing that gives me the most trouble.
How can the most powerful person in the world be one of the dumbest?
He is crude, rude, aggressive and greedy but that doesn't mean he is stupid, he is persuaded nearly 50% of US voters to vote for him 3 times
Maybe the 50% of US voters are stupid
His violent rhetoric and discourse sighting God as protector of his warriors is simply blasphemous and hideous
Still a 1% swing from SNP to Labour and a 5.5% swing from SNP to LD on the constituency vote on that poll and a 13% swing from SNP to Reform on the list vote since 2021
SNP are on the cusp of a majority government as much as you try to downplay it
They aren't, on that poll they will likely lose 1 constituency seat to the LDs at least and another SNP held seat will be neck and neck with Labour and they might also lose Ayr and Banffshire and Buchan coast to Reform.
The SNP will also lose a seat or two to Reform on the list vote
Not that it makes any difference even if the SNP won a majority at Holyrood, Starmer and Farage have made clear they will refuse to allow indyref2 regardless
An interesting conversation about how the US Supreme court can be reformed by Congress, largely by recovering powers given to it by Congress in the past
Still a 1% swing from SNP to Labour and a 5.5% swing from SNP to LD on the constituency vote on that poll and a 13% swing from SNP to Reform on the list vote since 2021
SNP are on the cusp of a majority government as much as you try to downplay it
They aren't, on that poll they will likely lose 1 constituency seat to the LDs at least and another SNP held seat will be neck and neck with Labour and they might also lose Ayr and Banffshire and Buchan coast to Reform.
The SNP will also lose a seat or two to Reform on the list vote
You are really stuggling with Scotland having an Independence FM and government
Many Contributors on here are so rabidly anti Trump its impossible to see the real truth. The best thing to do is let the dust settle and then see what's what. The rabid will remain but can be discounted.
Many Contributors on here are so rabidly anti Trump its impossible to see the real truth. The best thing to do is let the dust settle and then see what's what. The rabid will remain but can be discounted.
Many Contributors on here are so rabidly anti Trump its impossible to see the real truth. The best thing to do is let the dust settle and then see what's what. The rabid will remain but can be discounted.
What if the rabids were right all along?
They most certainly are but that is not an excuse to close down views from the other side
Still a 1% swing from SNP to Labour and a 5.5% swing from SNP to LD on the constituency vote on that poll and a 13% swing from SNP to Reform on the list vote since 2021
SNP are on the cusp of a majority government as much as you try to downplay it
They aren't, on that poll they will likely lose 1 constituency seat to the LDs at least and another SNP held seat will be neck and neck with Labour and they might also lose Ayr and Banffshire and Buchan coast to Reform.
The SNP will also lose a seat or two to Reform on the list vote
You are really stuggling with Scotland having an Independence FM and government
And we have had enough of the Epping tank !!!!
As the UK Supreme Court confirmed, on independence Westminster decides.
Even if the SNP won 100% of MSPs, which it won't, the UK government with a majority in the UK Parliament could still legally and constitutionally refuse indyref2 as it has the final say on the union.
Holyrood is just a Scottish body to decide some Scottish domestic policy on roads and health etc, it has no power over the union
Bush Jr and Trump aren't particularly intelligent or articulate but both are sharp, Bush Jr had a higher SAT score than Kerry though not Gore. Trump I would say has a slightly higher IQ than Biden did, though Hillary Clinton and probably Harris have a higher IQ than Trump
"Donald Trump was the dumbest goddam student I ever had"
--- William T. Kelley (Penn Wharton)
You don't get to be a billionaire and President of the USA by being completely dumb
I've said it before and I'll repeat it, I do not know anyone personally who appears to be as stupid as Donald Trump. I honestly can't think of anyone I know who plumbs the same depths of ignorance, illogic, and incuriosity.
Beyond the arrogance, perversion, racism, greed, corruption, callousness, and many other flaws he has the reality that Donald Trump is incredibly stupid is the thing that gives me the most trouble.
How can the most powerful person in the world be one of the dumbest?
He is crude, rude, aggressive and greedy but that doesn't mean he is stupid, he is persuaded nearly 50% of US voters to vote for him 3 times
Maybe the 50% of US voters are stupid
His violent rhetoric and discourse sighting God as protector of his warriors is simply blasphemous and hideous
BigG calls Trump voters stupid, MAGA will not be happy!
Bush Jr and Trump aren't particularly intelligent or articulate but both are sharp, Bush Jr had a higher SAT score than Kerry though not Gore. Trump I would say has a slightly higher IQ than Biden did, though Hillary Clinton and probably Harris have a higher IQ than Trump
"Donald Trump was the dumbest goddam student I ever had"
--- William T. Kelley (Penn Wharton)
You don't get to be a billionaire and President of the USA by being completely dumb
I've said it before and I'll repeat it, I do not know anyone personally who appears to be as stupid as Donald Trump. I honestly can't think of anyone I know who plumbs the same depths of ignorance, illogic, and incuriosity.
Beyond the arrogance, perversion, racism, greed, corruption, callousness, and many other flaws he has the reality that Donald Trump is incredibly stupid is the thing that gives me the most trouble.
How can the most powerful person in the world be one of the dumbest?
He is crude, rude, aggressive and greedy but that doesn't mean he is stupid, he is persuaded nearly 50% of US voters to vote for him 3 times
Maybe the 50% of US voters are stupid
His violent rhetoric and discourse sighting God as protector of his warriors is simply blasphemous and hideous
BigG calls Trump voters stupid, MAGA will not be happy!
Still a 1% swing from SNP to Labour and a 5.5% swing from SNP to LD on the constituency vote on that poll and a 13% swing from SNP to Reform on the list vote since 2021
SNP are on the cusp of a majority government as much as you try to downplay it
They aren't, on that poll they will likely lose 1 constituency seat to the LDs at least and another SNP held seat will be neck and neck with Labour and they might also lose Ayr and Banffshire and Buchan coast to Reform.
The SNP will also lose a seat or two to Reform on the list vote
You are really stuggling with Scotland having an Independence FM and government
And we have had enough of the Epping tank !!!!
As the UK Supreme Court confirmed, on independence Westminster decides.
Even if the SNP won 100% of MSPs, which it won't, the UK government with a majority in the UK Parliament could still legally and constitutionally refuse indyref2 as it has the final say on the union.
Holyrood is just a Scottish body to decide some Scottish domestic policy on roads and health etc, it has no power over the union
You arrogant Little Englander adding votes to the SNP
What you do not seem to realise just how disruptive the Scots could be if they really do want independence
I just listened to Lewis Goodall on LBC tear this idiot to shreds over this nonsense article. The day before Wallis Simons wrote a completely contrary piece, essentially explaining that Trump had lost.
On reading that piece it did cross my mind has anyone seen @williamglenn and Jake Wallis Simons in the same room?
While clearly nonsense, I think we'd all be significantly safer if we play along with their "massive overwhelming victory" claims and offer our congratulations KCIII could be dispatched with the highest UK honour, a "Jim'll fix it " badge, bespoke double-sided design, "JIM" on one side "JEFF" on the other.
Those who debase themselves for him only get fucked over more. Short of a massive lobbying strategy in Washington i think you have to play him straight.
Bush Jr and Trump aren't particularly intelligent or articulate but both are sharp, Bush Jr had a higher SAT score than Kerry though not Gore. Trump I would say has a slightly higher IQ than Biden did, though Hillary Clinton and probably Harris have a higher IQ than Trump
"Donald Trump was the dumbest goddam student I ever had"
--- William T. Kelley (Penn Wharton)
You don't get to be a billionaire and President of the USA by being completely dumb
I've said it before and I'll repeat it, I do not know anyone personally who appears to be as stupid as Donald Trump. I honestly can't think of anyone I know who plumbs the same depths of ignorance, illogic, and incuriosity.
Beyond the arrogance, perversion, racism, greed, corruption, callousness, and many other flaws he has the reality that Donald Trump is incredibly stupid is the thing that gives me the most trouble.
How can the most powerful person in the world be one of the dumbest?
He is crude, rude, aggressive and greedy but that doesn't mean he is stupid, he is persuaded nearly 50% of US voters to vote for him 3 times
Maybe the 50% of US voters are stupid
His violent rhetoric and discourse sighting God as protector of his warriors is simply blasphemous and hideous
On a purely statistical basis, and with a harsh definition of 'stupid' as below average, that's pretty much inevitable.
It's not an original insight to point out that democracy doesn't get things right, it just allows for better course-correction after getting things wrong. What's dangerous about populists of any shade is how they hack that insight. First by optimising their message for polling day, whatever problems it creates afterwards. Then by removing as many guardrails as possible to reduce the chances of democracy chucking them out.
BREAKING: JOINT STATEMENT FROM THE LEADERS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM, FRANCE, ITALY, GERMANY, CANADA, DENMARK, NETHERLANDS, SPAIN, THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL AND JAPAN.
BREAKING: JOINT STATEMENT FROM THE LEADERS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM, FRANCE, ITALY, GERMANY, CANADA, DENMARK, NETHERLANDS, SPAIN, THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL AND JAPAN.
Still a 1% swing from SNP to Labour and a 5.5% swing from SNP to LD on the constituency vote on that poll and a 13% swing from SNP to Reform on the list vote since 2021
SNP are on the cusp of a majority government as much as you try to downplay it
They aren't, on that poll they will likely lose 1 constituency seat to the LDs at least and another SNP held seat will be neck and neck with Labour and they might also lose Ayr and Banffshire and Buchan coast to Reform.
The SNP will also lose a seat or two to Reform on the list vote
You are really stuggling with Scotland having an Independence FM and government
And we have had enough of the Epping tank !!!!
As the UK Supreme Court confirmed, on independence Westminster decides.
Even if the SNP won 100% of MSPs, which it won't, the UK government with a majority in the UK Parliament could still legally and constitutionally refuse indyref2 as it has the final say on the union.
Holyrood is just a Scottish body to decide some Scottish domestic policy on roads and health etc, it has no power over the union
You arrogant Little Englander adding votes to the SNP
What you do not seem to realise just how disruptive the Scots could be if they really do want independence
No, I am a One United Kingdomer, we in England don't even have our own Parliament for most domestic policy like Scots do and so there is still nothing to stop Scottish MPs voting on English laws while English MPs still can't vote on Scottish laws!
The nationalists can do what they want, Westminster will ignore them unless a hung parliament where they have the balance of power in the House of Commons
BREAKING: JOINT STATEMENT FROM THE LEADERS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM, FRANCE, ITALY, GERMANY, CANADA, DENMARK, NETHERLANDS, SPAIN, THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL AND JAPAN.
This section stands out and highlights why Trumps war has been an abject failure .
“It also raises a fundamental question about any peace. Iran has now created a new reality in the Gulf. It has established that it can control the key maritime chokepoint, even without a navy and an airforce. It had even begun to collect tolls. “
Will Starmer be waving a piece of paper saying Peace in our Time?
Chamberlain significantly boosted defence spending while working for peace – everything from Spitfires to gas masks. Starmer talked about it once.
He only did so because Churchill forced him.to See Winston Churchill the Wilderness years.. and whatever he did wasn't nearly enough.
Simply not true. If anything Churchill's attacks slowed things down because they led to more discussion and argument.
I know Churchill claimed otherwise but Churchill was increasingly detached from reality by the time he wrote his memoirs, and even if he had not been he was nearly as untrustworthy as Lloyd George.
Chamberlain can be blamed for lots of things but it's absurd to say he wouldn't have rearmed but for Churchill.
Israel once again trying to trash another ceasefire .
Will the WH actually do something ?
Start bombing the shit out of Iran again?
My concern is Iran overplays its cards and it all goes pear shaped again
That's only a concern? I'd say it's a racing certainty.
Likewise Israel and the US.
Plus China.
Four states led by dangerous criminals who care only for themselves and their own greater aggrandisement control all our futures. What have we come to?
Israel once again trying to trash another ceasefire .
Will the WH actually do something ?
Start bombing the shit out of Iran again?
My concern is Iran overplays its cards and it all goes pear shaped again
That's only a concern? I'd say it's a racing certainty.
Likewise Israel and the US.
Plus China.
Four states led by dangerous criminals who care only for themselves and their own greater aggrandisement control all our futures. What have we come to?
This section stands out and highlights why Trumps war has been an abject failure .
“It also raises a fundamental question about any peace. Iran has now created a new reality in the Gulf. It has established that it can control the key maritime chokepoint, even without a navy and an airforce. It had even begun to collect tolls. “
Any disruption and show of power creates the seeds of its own destruction.
OPEC created North Sea and Alaskan oil.
The Ukraine war spurred massive investment in renewables (can you believe the UK was more than 50% *solar* generation for much of today?).
And a chokepoint at the Straits of Hormuz means more progress towards renewables, and that the Gulf States will build pipelines to avoid the chokepoint. Of course, the benefits won't be total, but you get to play the 'close the Straits' card exactly once, and after that the world routes around you.
This morning, I asked President Trump if he’s okay with the Iranians charging a toll for all ships that go through the Strait of Hormuz, he told me there may be a Joint US-Iran venture to charge tolls:
“We’re thinking of doing it as a joint venture. It’s a way of securing it — also securing it from lots of other people.”
“It’s a beautiful thing”
Why is the ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent acting as Trump's spokesperson on X ?
Uncritically repeating (apparently verbatim) some bollocks Trump relayed to you on a one to one call isn't being a journalist; it's being a courtier. Kuenssberg is probably our closest equivalent, and she's nowhere near as bad as just about every Washington correspondent in existence.
Only the brain dead could think this is a victory for Trump .
So that means the MAGA morons will be lapping it up .
There's nothing you would regard as a victory for Trump anyway.
Regime change? That was the objective. We haven't got regime change.
The metric for success is a very simple one based on Trump's own objective.
Trump says he’s got regime change.
Pam Bondi and Kirsti Noem have both gone, so I guess that's true.
If you were lower down the pecking order in the Iranian regime, you might think Trump has done you a favour by creating opportunities for rapid promotion.
Or the Israelis will just keep breaking the ceasefire
Why are you so obsessed with nuclear weapons? Things are hardly tip top but you’re not doing your blood pressure any favours by predicting or advocating Armageddon every single day. Chill.
Bush Jr and Trump aren't particularly intelligent or articulate but both are sharp, Bush Jr had a higher SAT score than Kerry though not Gore. Trump I would say has a slightly higher IQ than Biden did, though Hillary Clinton and probably Harris have a higher IQ than Trump
"Donald Trump was the dumbest goddam student I ever had"
--- William T. Kelley (Penn Wharton)
You don't get to be a billionaire and President of the USA by being completely dumb
I've said it before and I'll repeat it, I do not know anyone personally who appears to be as stupid as Donald Trump. I honestly can't think of anyone I know who plumbs the same depths of ignorance, illogic, and incuriosity.
Beyond the arrogance, perversion, racism, greed, corruption, callousness, and many other flaws he has the reality that Donald Trump is incredibly stupid is the thing that gives me the most trouble.
How can the most powerful person in the world be one of the dumbest?
He is crude, rude, aggressive and greedy but that doesn't mean he is stupid, he is persuaded nearly 50% of US voters to vote for him 3 times
He's not as smart as cats. I've never understood how they have managed to convince so many humans to actually pay to introduce a parasite into their own homes. Let's hope they never run for elected office.
I have just had a letter from the DVLA stating that my driving license has been revoked - after 40 years.
Events were. 1 - Received a letter saying they had left some information off it and I needed to return the license. 2 - I did so - a few days late, as I was not here for the 3 weeks they allowed for reply. I returned it. Of course I have proof of posting. 3 - They wrote to me 10 days later with "your license has been revoked".
(Obviously it is a 3 year medical license.)
Has anyone dealt with something like this? How do I deal with it?
Still a 1% swing from SNP to Labour and a 5.5% swing from SNP to LD on the constituency vote on that poll and a 13% swing from SNP to Reform on the list vote since 2021
SNP are on the cusp of a majority government as much as you try to downplay it
They aren't, on that poll they will likely lose 1 constituency seat to the LDs at least and another SNP held seat will be neck and neck with Labour and they might also lose Ayr and Banffshire and Buchan coast to Reform.
The SNP will also lose a seat or two to Reform on the list vote
You are really stuggling with Scotland having an Independence FM and government
And we have had enough of the Epping tank !!!!
As the UK Supreme Court confirmed, on independence Westminster decides.
Even if the SNP won 100% of MSPs, which it won't, the UK government with a majority in the UK Parliament could still legally and constitutionally refuse indyref2 as it has the final say on the union.
Holyrood is just a Scottish body to decide some Scottish domestic policy on roads and health etc, it has no power over the union
You arrogant Little Englander adding votes to the SNP
What you do not seem to realise just how disruptive the Scots could be if they really do want independence
No, I am a One United Kingdomer, we in England don't even have our own Parliament for most domestic policy like Scots do and so there is still nothing to stop Scottish MPs voting on English laws while English MPs still can't vote on Scottish laws!
The nationalists can do what they want, Westminster will ignore them unless a hung parliament where they have the balance of power in the House of Commons
As a lurker I share Big G's frustration here. If the SNP did win a comfortable majority and Westminster says no to a second referendum then where does that leave democracy and the Union? Why is Northern Ireland treated differently?
Under the Scottish system an SNP majority would be quite an achievement so to say that it means nothing is going to be portrayed as English disdain towards a hard won mandate.
I am not in favour of independence.
I agree that English only laws being subject to votes by MPs from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is a democratic deficit that should be addressed.
However, Westminster says no is a recipe for grievance and the Union being in perpetual defensive mode.
If you are a one United Kingdomner then go out and make the argument but I suspect that your case was badly damaged when Mrs T. agreed the involvement of the Republic in matters relating to Northern Ireland back in 1985.
The constituent parts of the UK are and have been treated differently since at least 1707. So argue your case with the Scottish electorate rather than depending on the ability of Westminster to say no.
Still a 1% swing from SNP to Labour and a 5.5% swing from SNP to LD on the constituency vote on that poll and a 13% swing from SNP to Reform on the list vote since 2021
SNP are on the cusp of a majority government as much as you try to downplay it
They aren't, on that poll they will likely lose 1 constituency seat to the LDs at least and another SNP held seat will be neck and neck with Labour and they might also lose Ayr and Banffshire and Buchan coast to Reform.
The SNP will also lose a seat or two to Reform on the list vote
You are really stuggling with Scotland having an Independence FM and government
And we have had enough of the Epping tank !!!!
As the UK Supreme Court confirmed, on independence Westminster decides.
Even if the SNP won 100% of MSPs, which it won't, the UK government with a majority in the UK Parliament could still legally and constitutionally refuse indyref2 as it has the final say on the union.
Holyrood is just a Scottish body to decide some Scottish domestic policy on roads and health etc, it has no power over the union
You arrogant Little Englander adding votes to the SNP
What you do not seem to realise just how disruptive the Scots could be if they really do want independence
No, I am a One United Kingdomer, we in England don't even have our own Parliament for most domestic policy like Scots do and so there is still nothing to stop Scottish MPs voting on English laws while English MPs still can't vote on Scottish laws!
The nationalists can do what they want, Westminster will ignore them unless a hung parliament where they have the balance of power in the House of Commons
As a lurker I share Big G's frustration here. If the SNP did win a comfortable majority and Westminster says no to a second referendum then where does that leave democracy and the Union? Why is Northern Ireland treated differently?
Under the Scottish system an SNP majority would be quite an achievement so to say that it means nothing is going to be portrayed as English disdain towards a hard won mandate.
I am not in favour of independence.
I agree that English only laws being subject to votes by MPs from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is a democratic deficit that should be addressed.
However, Westminster says no is a recipe for grievance and the Union being in perpetual defensive mode.
If you are a one United Kingdomner then go out and make the argument but I suspect that your case was badly damaged when Mrs T. agreed the involvement of the Republic in matters relating to Northern Ireland back in 1985.
The constituent parts of the UK are and have been treated differently since at least 1707. So argue your case with the Scottish electorate rather than depending on the ability of Westminster to say no.
We are a representative democracy with power in Crown in Parliament, Holyrood is merely a subsidiary parliament creation of Westminster. Referendums are also of course constitutionally irrelevant and have no legal force, see MPs voting down Brexit for 3 years from 2016 to 2019 despite the Leave win in the 2016 EU referendum.
Northern Ireland only has a commitment to a border poll due to decades of terrorism and the Good Friday Agreement to bring peace to settle the issue. Even then it would still need a clear Nationalist majority at Stormont for that.
There is no English Parliament as I said, it would be the UK parliament and UK government rejecting indyref2 even if the SNP won a majority
Many Contributors on here are so rabidly anti Trump its impossible to see the real truth. The best thing to do is let the dust settle and then see what's what. The rabid will remain but can be discounted.
A dwindling naive view still believe what comes out of the mouths of Trump, Hesketh and Vance despite all evidence to the contrary.
More people believe Iran than the US these days, quite an achievement for Trump in a few short months.
Still a 1% swing from SNP to Labour and a 5.5% swing from SNP to LD on the constituency vote on that poll and a 13% swing from SNP to Reform on the list vote since 2021
SNP are on the cusp of a majority government as much as you try to downplay it
They aren't, on that poll they will likely lose 1 constituency seat to the LDs at least and another SNP held seat will be neck and neck with Labour and they might also lose Ayr and Banffshire and Buchan coast to Reform.
The SNP will also lose a seat or two to Reform on the list vote
You are really stuggling with Scotland having an Independence FM and government
And we have had enough of the Epping tank !!!!
As the UK Supreme Court confirmed, on independence Westminster decides.
Even if the SNP won 100% of MSPs, which it won't, the UK government with a majority in the UK Parliament could still legally and constitutionally refuse indyref2 as it has the final say on the union.
Holyrood is just a Scottish body to decide some Scottish domestic policy on roads and health etc, it has no power over the union
You arrogant Little Englander adding votes to the SNP
What you do not seem to realise just how disruptive the Scots could be if they really do want independence
No, I am a One United Kingdomer, we in England don't even have our own Parliament for most domestic policy like Scots do and so there is still nothing to stop Scottish MPs voting on English laws while English MPs still can't vote on Scottish laws!
The nationalists can do what they want, Westminster will ignore them unless a hung parliament where they have the balance of power in the House of Commons
As a lurker I share Big G's frustration here. If the SNP did win a comfortable majority and Westminster says no to a second referendum then where does that leave democracy and the Union? Why is Northern Ireland treated differently?
Under the Scottish system an SNP majority would be quite an achievement so to say that it means nothing is going to be portrayed as English disdain towards a hard won mandate.
I am not in favour of independence.
I agree that English only laws being subject to votes by MPs from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is a democratic deficit that should be addressed.
However, Westminster says no is a recipe for grievance and the Union being in perpetual defensive mode.
If you are a one United Kingdomner then go out and make the argument but I suspect that your case was badly damaged when Mrs T. agreed the involvement of the Republic in matters relating to Northern Ireland back in 1985.
The constituent parts of the UK are and have been treated differently since at least 1707. So argue your case with the Scottish electorate rather than depending on the ability of Westminster to say no.
We are a representative democracy with power in Crown in Parliament, Holyrood is merely a subsidiary parliament creation of Westminster. Referendums are also of course constitutionally irrelevant and have no legal force, see MPs voting down Brexit for 3 years from 2016 to 2019 despite the Leave win in the 2016 EU referendum.
Northern Ireland only has a commitment to a border poll due to decades of terrorism and the Good Friday Agreement to bring peace to settle the issue. Even then it would still need a clear Nationalist majority at Stormont for that.
There is no English Parliament as I said, it would be the UK parliament and UK government rejecting indyref2 even if the SNP won a majority
I think you miss my point. Whilst you may be factually correct about the powers of Westminster you fail to address the politics. You are also wrong that MPs voted down Brexit for 3 years - they actually voted down Theresa's version of Brexit with hard-core remainers and Brexiteers in the same lobby.
Your response on Northern Ireland makes my point very well - your attitude is to thwart a democratic outcome in Scotland but to justify a different outcome in NI due to a compromise with political terrorism. That's quite an indictment of your failure to see the politics.
Your final point also fails quite spectacularly - even if every single Scottish MP voted for a referendum they would be massively outnumbered by English MPs - good luck with arguing that it was not an English veto at that point.
I worry that the Supreme Court figleaf simply means that Unionists, rather than engaging with the arguments (which can be defeated) simply resort to denying a democratic mandate. At least on this issue you seem to be at one with the PM.
Comments
His violent rhetoric and discourse sighting God as protector of his warriors is simply blasphemous and hideous
(25 mins)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lb4HZQMN-4
And we have had enough of the Epping tank !!!!
Iran tells vessels - Hormuz is still closed
Even if the SNP won 100% of MSPs, which it won't, the UK government with a majority in the UK Parliament could still legally and constitutionally refuse indyref2 as it has the final say on the union.
Holyrood is just a Scottish body to decide some Scottish domestic policy on roads and health etc, it has no power over the union
What you do not seem to realise just how disruptive the Scots could be if they really do want independence
It's not an original insight to point out that democracy doesn't get things right, it just allows for better course-correction after getting things wrong. What's dangerous about populists of any shade is how they hack that insight. First by optimising their message for polling day, whatever problems it creates afterwards. Then by removing as many guardrails as possible to reduce the chances of democracy chucking them out.
Will the WH actually do something ?
BREAKING: JOINT STATEMENT FROM THE LEADERS OF
THE UNITED KINGDOM, FRANCE, ITALY, GERMANY, CANADA, DENMARK, NETHERLANDS, SPAIN, THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL AND JAPAN.
https://bsky.app/profile/peterstefanovic.bsky.social/post/3miyj2hhp722m
The power brokers here are none of the above
The nationalists can do what they want, Westminster will ignore them unless a hung parliament where they have the balance of power in the House of Commons
@shipwreck75.bsky.social
Iran’s Fars News Agency says all tankers passing through Hormuz have been stopped after Israel’s ‘ceasefire breach’.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yx4e9d8pdo
This section stands out and highlights why Trumps war has been an abject failure .
“It also raises a fundamental question about any peace. Iran has now created a new reality in the Gulf.
It has established that it can control the key maritime chokepoint, even without a navy and an airforce. It had even begun to collect tolls. “
I know Churchill claimed otherwise but Churchill was increasingly detached from reality by the time he wrote his memoirs, and even if he had not been he was nearly as untrustworthy as Lloyd George.
Chamberlain can be blamed for lots of things but it's absurd to say he wouldn't have rearmed but for Churchill.
Likewise Israel and the US.
Plus China.
Four states led by dangerous criminals who care only for themselves and their own greater aggrandisement control all our futures. What have we come to?
I fear the ceasefire is very much under threat
OPEC created North Sea and Alaskan oil.
The Ukraine war spurred massive investment in renewables (can you believe the UK was more than 50% *solar* generation for much of today?).
And a chokepoint at the Straits of Hormuz means more progress towards renewables, and that the Gulf States will build pipelines to avoid the chokepoint. Of course, the benefits won't be total, but you get to play the 'close the Straits' card exactly once, and after that the world routes around you.
Uncritically repeating (apparently verbatim) some bollocks Trump relayed to you on a one to one call isn't being a journalist; it's being a courtier.
Kuenssberg is probably our closest equivalent, and she's nowhere near as bad as just about every Washington correspondent in existence.
Or the Israelis will just keep breaking the ceasefire
NEW THREAD
Sorry - a very important one.
I have just had a letter from the DVLA stating that my driving license has been revoked - after 40 years.
Events were.
1 - Received a letter saying they had left some information off it and I needed to return the license.
2 - I did so - a few days late, as I was not here for the 3 weeks they allowed for reply. I returned it. Of course I have proof of posting.
3 - They wrote to me 10 days later with "your license has been revoked".
(Obviously it is a 3 year medical license.)
Has anyone dealt with something like this? How do I deal with it?
Under the Scottish system an SNP majority would be quite an achievement so to say that it means nothing is going to be portrayed as English disdain towards a hard won mandate.
I am not in favour of independence.
I agree that English only laws being subject to votes by MPs from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is a democratic deficit that should be addressed.
However, Westminster says no is a recipe for grievance and the Union being in perpetual defensive mode.
If you are a one United Kingdomner then go out and make the argument but I suspect that your case was badly damaged when Mrs T. agreed the involvement of the Republic in matters relating to Northern Ireland back in 1985.
The constituent parts of the UK are and have been treated differently since at least 1707. So argue your case with the Scottish electorate rather than depending on the ability of Westminster to say no.
Northern Ireland only has a commitment to a border poll due to decades of terrorism and the Good Friday Agreement to bring peace to settle the issue. Even then it would still need a clear Nationalist majority at Stormont for that.
There is no English Parliament as I said, it would be the UK parliament and UK government rejecting indyref2 even if the SNP won a majority
More people believe Iran than the US these days, quite an achievement for Trump in a few short months.
Your response on Northern Ireland makes my point very well - your attitude is to thwart a democratic outcome in Scotland but to justify a different outcome in NI due to a compromise with political terrorism. That's quite an indictment of your failure to see the politics.
Your final point also fails quite spectacularly - even if every single Scottish MP voted for a referendum they would be massively outnumbered by English MPs - good luck with arguing that it was not an English veto at that point.
I worry that the Supreme Court figleaf simply means that Unionists, rather than engaging with the arguments (which can be defeated) simply resort to denying a democratic mandate. At least on this issue you seem to be at one with the PM.