Nicola Sturgeon deems PM's visit to Scotland - non-essential

[Rasputin]

What I find a bit odd is that why some Scottish folks dislike the english so much, when the english seem to like the Scottish so much!

Years of inbreeding through lack of mobility and a lack of capital investment for quality infrastructure so they end up stuck in the same old rut. Same with the Valleys in Wales. It’s the same old gripe as in the UK. Rich getting richer whilst those less off suffer. Northern UK same towards the south though not quite as vocal.

 

[Apthorpe]

Years of inbreeding through lack of mobility and a lack of capital investment for quality infrastructure so they end up stuck in the same old rut. Same with the Valleys in Wales. It’s the same old gripe as in the UK. Rich getting richer whilst those less off suffer. Northern UK same towards the south though not quite as vocal.

Those not whining and getting down to lots of hard work get richer, those who wallow in a mire of self-inflicted despair, imaginary grievance and left-wing entitlement continue to suffer.
The most deprived areas of the UK have one thing in common, they keep electing left-wing socialist councils which are expert in failure. What's the definition of madness again?

 

[Frank Homes]

Have a read of this for a laugh. Clarkson at his best.

It's time Sturgeon forgave the English, I've even made up with Piers Morgan

I’VE long held the belief that there’s nothing on God’s green earth as revolting as fitting your car with a personalised registration plate. But Nicola Sturgeon has gone one step further, by attach…

www.thesun.co.uk

 

[Rasputin]

Those not whining and getting down to lots of hard work get richer, those who wallow in a mire of self-inflicted despair, imaginary grievance and left-wing entitlement continue to suffer.
The most deprived areas of the UK have one thing in common, they keep electing left-wing socialist councils which are expert in failure. What's the definition of madness again?

I’m sorry but I don’t agree with that. If you look at the last GE you will see they voted Boris in. Prime example is Blackpool. Obviously it’s too soon to draw on this given covid but the wel published Northern Wall did in fact vote for change.

Yes hard work results in financial reward but the opportunities available in impoverished areas are greatly deminisher and its near impossible to better yourself. Without a bit of luck or exiting that location. This has been proven time and time again especially where young people are concerned.

 

[Freeforester]

Thought this was a bit of a wind up but just seen it on sky news. Looks like it might have legs. How excellent that would be.

Might?? " Retired decorated diplomat jailed for perjury, smearing senior instruments of the Scottish Establishment, judiciary, court system, top ranking politicians, police methods, etc"?? Man's a bleddy legend already, and meanwhile, she's probably wishing we were now one of them 'immunity to all former players' type of countries.

How right Wodehouse was, "One can always discern between a ray of sunshine and a Scotsman bearing a grudge"

 

[Freeforester]

I think I heard right when the lass in the SP was talking about her budget. Did she not say that she could not finalise it until they knew what they would be getting from Westminster in that budget.

Good time for the finance minister to choose to get hitched, and probably have a family, perfect reason to step away from the ticking time-bomb...

MSP Kate Forbes announces engagement

Husband-to-be proposed a few days ago whilst on a snowy local walk

www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk

 

[Feugh]

Just for Caberfeidh, I looked into the GERS figures a bit closer for the last five years:

These figures come directly from the Scottish Government website (Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) 2019-2020 - gov.scot), and I have added the oil revenue piece myself. You'll see negative oil revenue in 2015-16, and the average over the last 5 years is only £614 million - not enough to power the economy in the future, especially since green power is increasingly being looked into to replace fossil fuels.
Another interesting fact is that the fiscal imbalance as a percentage of GDP averages 9%, way higher than the 3% required by the EU as an entry criteria. Alyn Smith MP may implore the EU "to leave a light on", but they'll switch the light off and close the door in the face of these finances.

 

[Apthorpe]

I’m sorry but I don’t agree with that. If you look at the last GE you will see they voted Boris in. Prime example is Blackpool. Obviously it’s too soon to draw on this given covid but the wel published Northern Wall did in fact vote for change.

Yes hard work results in financial reward but the opportunities available in impoverished areas are greatly deminisher and its near impossible to better yourself. Without a bit of luck or exiting that location. This has been proven time and time again especially where young people are concerned.

I agree it was a pretty contentious remark. However, I did say that about councils - and Blackpool, which is not quite the sort of place I was thinking of has a Labour council again, although I see they did try a Tory one not too long ago, so I'm still wrong for that area.
I restract the remark fully with apologies.

 

[Apthorpe]

If you want to know why Sturgeon is making such a fuss at the moment, take a look at this:

My Sworn Evidence on the Sturgeon Affair - Craig Murray

UPDATED In addition to the substantial and very careful redactions made before publication, I have now made six more specific redactions at the request of the Crown Office, which is very agitated. I do not think this prevents the publication of these affidavits from still being useful. I swore...

www.craigmurray.org.uk

Bare in mind that this is his sworn court evidence, so if he is shown to be lying he will have committed perjury. Salmond is due in front of the Holyrood inquiry team soon (can't remember the exact date) so expect maximum deflection very soon. If the evidence from Craig Murray is true, it shows that there is huge corruption at the heart of the SNP, civil service and crown prosecution team.
As for MacAskill, Sturgeon is throwing him under the bus. He is a Salmond loyalist and is openly criticising Sturgeon, so she has ordered more details of what he has been up to (as reported today). I doubt that she will cut him the same slack as she did with Covid Margaret (Ferrier).

For those who do not wish to take the time to read the link (although I feel you should, it's explosive stuff), it indicates that Salmond was framed in a plot involving several high profile SNP members, the civil service and the CPS. They tried to frame someone on sex charges, and had he been convicted there is every likelihood that he would have spent the rest of his days in prison.

The problem is that Craig Murray is well known to be a crackpot and many will feel his judgment and evidence are not entirely reliable....much as I'd like it to be!

 

[Feugh]

The problem is that Craig Murray is well known to be a crackpot and many will feel his judgment and evidence are not entirely reliable....much as I'd like it to be!

Absolutely true, except for two reasons: 1) This is his sworn data, and if it's incorrect he will go to prison for perjury 2) He was branded a crackpot largely because of his whistle-blowing whilst working as a diplomat. From what I gather, turns out that he was right. And reason number 3 of two (!), his testimony has just been partially backed up by Kenny MacAskill, plus several of the witnesses in the Holyrood inquiry have had to "clarify" points, because of poor memory, and even Sturgeon's husband has outright contradicted her (and, for good measure, himself!). They don't give the appearance of having nothing to hide.
If Craig Murray is found innocent that will be the time that the dam breaks and the mainstream media publish what they know. Since there is an on-going court case they have to stay quiet for now.

 

[bowji john]

I dip my toe into this discussion with some trepidation

I have to admit I am unaware of many of the personalities and issues alluded to here

I've visited Scotland only once and was treated unexpectedly harshly because I was ''a southerner''

However - people whom I respect tell me that Scotland (particularly Sutherland) is god's country

I still hope to re-visit one day

I'd be sad to see Scotland and its people leave the Union - even though I find little accord with the politics of those representatives they send to Westminster

 

[bobthedug]

Just for Caberfeidh, I looked into the GERS figures a bit closer for the last five years:
View attachment 190997
These figures come directly from the Scottish Government website (Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) 2019-2020 - gov.scot), and I have added the oil revenue piece myself. You'll see negative oil revenue in 2015-16, and the average over the last 5 years is only £614 million - not enough to power the economy in the future, especially since green power is increasingly being looked into to replace fossil fuels.
Another interesting fact is that the fiscal imbalance as a percentage of GDP averages 9%, way higher than the 3% required by the EU as an entry criteria. Alyn Smith MP may implore the EU "to leave a light on", but they'll switch the light off and close the door in the face of these finances.

Thanks for that.
I believe that the First Minister when confronted by Facts such as those would just say "I'm not denying there are challenges ahead"
Her followers will simply accuse you of being part of a Unionist smear campaign.
Thankfully, more and more people are now starting to think and see whats staring them in the face if they look.

 

[bfltd0]

Another interesting fact is that the fiscal imbalance as a percentage of GDP averages 9%, way higher than the 3% required by the EU as an entry criteria. Alyn Smith MP may implore the EU "to leave a light on", but they'll switch the light off and close the door in the face of these finances.

Or the EU will just collude with Scotland to fake the figures, which is what they must have done for the last few EU joiners.

 

[Freeforester]

Just for Caberfeidh, I looked into the GERS figures a bit closer for the last five years:
View attachment 190997
These figures come directly from the Scottish Government website (Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) 2019-2020 - gov.scot), and I have added the oil revenue piece myself. You'll see negative oil revenue in 2015-16, and the average over the last 5 years is only £614 million - not enough to power the economy in the future, especially since green power is increasingly being looked into to replace fossil fuels.
Another interesting fact is that the fiscal imbalance as a percentage of GDP averages 9%, way higher than the 3% required by the EU as an entry criteria. Alyn Smith MP may implore the EU "to leave a light on", but they'll switch the light off and close the door in the face of these finances.

GERS seem to have put a prick to his bubble... rearrange accordingly

 

[Feugh]

Or the EU will just collude with Scotland to fake the figures, which is what they must have done for the last few EU joiners.

I have a friend who is in regular contact with several Germans, and they are mighty sick of bankrolling other countries. Scotland has been branded as "Greece 2.0" by some and there is no desire to take on another economy which would struggle. And the Scottish economy would undoubtedly struggle - with a hard border with England, the largest trading partner by a significant margin, which would make the economy even worse. Since the cash injection to the EU budget from the UK is now missing, other countries are having to pick up the slack and they don't like it, particularly the frugal four (Austria, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden).
I personally believe that the polls have been so favourable to independence for two main reasons recently - there's the Boris factor, with many just keen to do anything to get away from him, and the fact that Sturgeon has been seen to have had "a good covid" until recently, where it's becoming apparent that the vaccine roll-out up here is being botched. If the true economic facts were released in an easy to understand format I'm sure that the polls would be different, leaving just hardened anti-English bigots and those with an absolute hatred of Tories in favour of breaking away.

 

[McKenzie]

I have a friend who is in regular contact with several Germans, and they are mighty sick of bankrolling other countries. Scotland has been branded as "Greece 2.0" by some and there is no desire to take on another economy which would struggle. And the Scottish economy would undoubtedly struggle - with a hard border with England, the largest trading partner by a significant margin, which would make the economy even worse. Since the cash injection to the EU budget from the UK is now missing, other countries are having to pick up the slack and they don't like it, particularly the frugal four (Austria, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden).
I personally believe that the polls have been so favourable to independence for two main reasons recently - there's the Boris factor, with many just keen to do anything to get away from him, and the fact that Sturgeon has been seen to have had "a good covid" until recently, where it's becoming apparent that the vaccine roll-out up here is being botched. If the true economic facts were released in an easy to understand format I'm sure that the polls would be different, leaving just hardened anti-English bigots and those with an absolute hatred of Tories in favour of breaking away.

I think you'll find that taking us out of Europe is a significant contributing factor.

 

[Feugh]

I think you'll find that taking us out of Europe is a significant contributing factor.

Absolutely true, but that ship has sailed and I don’t think we’ll ever get back in, even if we want to.

 

[User00035]

If the true economic facts were released in an easy to understand format I'm sure that the polls would be different, leaving just hardened anti-English bigots and those with an absolute hatred of Tories in favour of breaking away.

But they won't be will they? Or if they were they would be presented as manufactured obstacles created deliberately by evil Tories to thwart the will of Scotland, instead of just hard economic facts of life.
It is desperately sad that a small cabal of bigoted people would be prepared to steer their county to ruin just because they're eaten up with an irrational and synthetic hatred for their neighbours. In fact, not even their neighbours, but an imprinted caricature of who they think their neighbours are.
The legacy of feudalism I guess, from the same mold as the tribal class politics south of the border. The injustice is that the rational majority have to suffer because of the fixations of an atavistic few.

 

[Foxyboy43]

Or, even better, get your sh1t together and take back control of your great country from these utter lunatics before it's too late. Scotland is the most beautiful, historical, lyrical, financially-astute, scientifically-minded, and culturally rich place on earth...and you're watching it burn. Get a f'kin grip, my friends.

Aye - agree to all that and they nearly make the best whisky in the world! Unlike NI of course which does!!

 

[Foxyboy43]

But they won't be will they? Or if they were they would be presented as manufactured obstacles created deliberately by evil Tories to thwart the will of Scotland, instead of just hard economic facts of life.
It is desperately sad that a small cabal of bigoted people would be prepared to steer their county to ruin just because they're eaten up with an irrational and synthetic hatred for their neighbours. In fact, not even their neighbours, but an imprinted caricature of who they think their neighbours are.
The legacy of feudalism I guess, from the same mold as the tribal class politics south of the border. The injustice is that the rational majority have to suffer because of the fixations of an atavistic few.

Agreed but hardly a precedent. Just look across the Irish Sea!