Comments by "Andy Monaghan" (@229andymon) on "LBC" channel.

  1. Astonishing to think the Tories managed to find someone worse than Bojo to lead them..! That's quite unbelievable.
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  2. This is what happens when Tories get to run free..... Let's not forget Truss' hero Thatcher levelled British manufacturing when she got to run free.
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  3. Correlation between lack of educated electorate and strong Brexit support obvious.
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  4. He was the same chaotic, mendacious numpty in 2019, when English people voted for him in droves. It's not like he changed in office.
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  5. He tried to deflect away from answering why the rail companies can have huge profits while denying the pay rise as being due to them needing to invest in other areas. Surely profits arise after investments have been made.
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  6. There's plenty of differences between Johnson and Lynch. Lynch got where he is entirely through his own merits and work, coming from a working class background of zero privilege. Johnson on the other hand, like many Tories, is the product of one of the most privileged backgrounds in the world, including one of the best educations money can buy. He started the race 2 or 3 laps ahead of Lynch. If Johnson had started where Lynch started he'd be serving tea from a train trolley today. Lynch would shellack Johnson, which is why we'll never see that debate.
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  7. Let's take "emotion" out of what kind of union we are in and look at cold fact. If an English independence party stood and got as much support in Westminster that the SNP has (regularly) from Scotland - what would stop them just doing it? Who would they have to ask "permission" from? Themselves, that's who. On the other hand in 2015 all but 3 Scottish MPs were SNP. They got nothing. In what universe it that a fair union? What would have happened if the positions were reversed in 2016 and 62% of English people voted Remain and 52% of Scots voted for the Brexit disaster? Let's call it like it is - in the UK union, England wants, England gets - Scotland wants, Scotland gets what England wants. Yesterday blew the lid off the myth that Scotland and rUK are in a voluntary union. It is not - it is now unquestionably an involuntary union. Scotland is in the union now because the UK (in effect English) parliament is preventing us having the choice as to whether we want to stay in it or not. That is not a union, that is a prison. I have faith in the decent, ordinary people of England - I believe even the majority of them have no wish to be in such a toxic union.
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  8. YES, they actually DID think it wouldn't apply to British people. They actually still DO reckon the French need to give a flying fandango about Brits (they don't - of course). Why should they - that big blue passport might mean something to Brexiteers, but it means absolutely zip to them, or anyone else..!
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  9. Was listening to DW TV from Germany. Journo says words to this effect - "He operated via a chaos he thought was creative. But it was just chaos..." "No tears in Brussels"..."Untrustworthy". UK seen as others see us....
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  10. Indeed - It said FO Scotland. And we'll be doing just that. Sorted..!
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  11.  @rvfharrier  Wrong. How does voting for SNP MPs that vote against the Tories help the Tories? We don’t owe the Labour Party that stood shoulder to shoulder with the Tories in Indyref1 a single vote. Name me an SNP minister that got a standing ovation at a Tory party conference…. Coz I can name you a Labour one. Tell me about when Thatcher called the SNP ‘’her finest creation’’ just like she called New Labour under the war criminal. We’re finished with your union, regardless which bunch of unionists is selling it.
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  12.  @elchoppo1160  Fine, they won't miss us then, eh?
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  13.  @richardgregory3684  Think of the party England will have spending all that plus the £350m per week Brexit bonus..! Enjoy..!
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  14.  @michaelwilkinson2928  Who hates the English? Not me and not any Indy supporter I know. Bitter and twisted unionist fantasy doesn’t equate to debate.
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  15. In 2015 Scotland returned all but 3 MPs to Westminster under SNP colours. Tories, Labour and LDs had 1 MP each, the rest wanted Scottish Indy. Since Truss is such a big Thatcher fan, she might reflect on Thatcher's view that should that happen, that was all required for Scottish Indy. SO, what did almost all those SNP MPs get for Scotland that Westminster wasn't prepared to give? Answer - Zero. I can assure you Scotland is already well versed in being ignored.
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  16. Sir Keir makes a last minute bid for the leadership of Tory England.
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  17. Something scary has already come. The Tories ARE the scary thing..!
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  18. Thank you for those thoughts, but we're not going anywhere. Scotland will be exactly where it is now. We don't have to be in an unequal and toxic political union to be neighbours.
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  19. Thanks Derek, my point about the nature of the UK is that if you said the English people have a reasonable right to become independent you'd get reactions akin to saying it rains a lot in Scotland. But why should it just be accepted that this is so and also that the Scots don't have the same right? Yesterday established, beyond reasonable doubt, that the UK union cannot now be described as voluntary. We are now in it because we are being prevented from choosing whether we want to leave it or not. That is a huge, sad and concerning state of affairs...!
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  20.  @markargent4962  Typical Tory....
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  21.  @S1873 Which would explain why she’s FM, again… So if the majority of Scots don’t want NS, who do you reckon they do want?
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  22.  @Petal4822  We did get Indyref1 8 years ago, but who are you to say we can't change our mind? Yes, we can keep having referendums - as long as the Scottish people keep voting for parties that want exactly that (which we will). That is democracy 101. Not that we'll need any more than another one - as the UK Govt obviously believes too, since they've decided to run away from the referendum rather than fight it. 70%/30% in their favour in 2014 was odds they were prepared to accept, but going up against a 50/50 situation is clearly not to their taste. As for the EU - tell me this, Elaine - 62% of Scots vote to remain in the EU, but a tiny majority of English vote for Brexit - what happens? Scotland gets Brexit. But....what would have happened if those votes were reversed? Scotland's "representation" in the union is akin to 10 wolves and 1 sheep getting an equal say on what's for dinner!
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  23.  @zippymufo9765  No, it's a question about the nature of the UK union. We live in a representative democracy, which means that even if a party does not command 50%+ of the electorate, being the biggest party usually gives them the right to introduce and enact policy. The SNP aren't trying to obtain independence by diktat, they're trying to give us the opportunity to choose whether we want that. If there was a NO majority, like 2014, the SNP would not enact it. The diktat is coming from the UKG - that is preventing the SNP giving us the choice (because they know they'll lose). My original point was that this only applies to Scotland. If England decided to do the same under the same circumstances, no one would be able to stop them. Do you consider that fair?
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  24.  @prideofdurham4776  Well, you got your way, and we’re seeing the results now. I hope you reckon it was worth it. Personally I genuinely believe Brexit is the worst economic decision in British history. And I’m not exaggerating.
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  25. Welcome Brother....
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  26.  @egghead0 I’m a Scottish Celt. “My people” used to live in and control huge swathes of Europe. So when do I get Paris back? Israeli claim to Palestine because of ancient history is absolutely absurd.
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  27. What P’s me off about this is the usual assumption that should/when Scotland decide to secede, and N Ireland decided to re-unify with the south of Ireland, that will be entirely the “fault” of things happening in England and/or Westminster. While both issues are definitely influenced by what happens there, it’s NOT the only reason. Scots are deciding to leave UK - because they see that as the best path for Scotland, N Irish are seeing benefits in joining the South. England - sorry, but it’s not all about you. Not everything is…
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  28.  @NiskaMagnusson  Scotland isn't a political party. I support independence, not the SNP. After we win Indyref2 the SNP will have to fight for my vote like all the rest. It's the Brit media that want to conflate Indy with parties and personalities.
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  29.  @Leszek.Rzepecki  I sincerely hope so. I respect the English people, but not the horrible muppets they insist on voting for.
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  30. All YES votes welcome, Chris, but for me the decision should be about whether indy is the best path for Scotland - regardless of what's happening south of the border. If there was a reasonable and competent UKG doing "normal" things right now, I would still want my country to be independent. I simply want Scottish decisions, about Scotland, made in and for Scotland. We need to take our opportunities and face our challenges as an independent country, not let another parliament outside Scotland do that on our behalf. It's about us - not them.
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  31.  @aaronaaronson7600  1. Why, if you believe in Scottish independence, would you care about the UK being weaker after we leave? We won't be in it..! Would there even be a UK after we leave - technically no, so perhaps what UK will become should just be content to live happily in it's new skin. Scots don't owe Brits their assumed place in the world. 2. Indy supporters, like me, don't believe our country will be worse off after we leave, we believe things will improve. But in any case, you will be relieved of the need to worry about us. 3. Indy has been growing for decades now, it is a political goal that should be, and is, independent of what is happening in other places. It's about Scotland, not UK.
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  32.  @HBTeamaker  Denmark, Ireland, Finland, Norway. All countries with the same population as Scotland and all better off. Chine is huge - why not advocate UK joining China? You're not getting it - we don't want to be in "the team" at all. You're welcome to it - knock yourself out. As for NS not inspiring anyone - which party runs Holyrood and who is FM (again..!). We'll be dumping alright - your unequal and toxic union.
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  33.  @Petal4822  We did respect it - are we not still in the UK? Where did it say we couldn't change our minds - and - the big question - who gets to say if we can change our minds or not? Apart from you, I mean. No Elaine - the reason Scotland can't rule itself is because we have been prevented from choosing whether we want to do that or not by Westminster. Which means the union we are in is involuntary. What would you call a union that is involuntary - prison? house arrest? That is our reality now, Elaine. Think about it. Of course we don't have our own country yet, we'd hardly be having this conversation if we did, would we?
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  34.  @jacobcohen9205  No need to shout. Your silly question is easily answered. When Scotland joins the EU, we will do so willingly (as normally defined in a democracy). By joining the EU we will be willingly agreeing to share some elements of our sovereignty with them. Inbuilt into this arrangement will be Scotland’s right, as and when it may decide, to terminate the arrangement. That is perfectly compatible with independence unless your definition of independence is some kind of North Korea or the figments of a deluded Brexiteers imagination. Only someone with the naïve notion that “complete” independence is possible (or desirable) could ask such a daft question. We live in an interlinked world. If a company outsources much of their admin to a 3rd party, are they “independent”? No, according to you. So FN what according to the sane world. Now - will you answer my question? How will the above voluntary arrangement compare with the situation Scotland finds itself in now in the involuntary UK union?
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  35.  @luigifontana4164  We can't re-join the EU, at least for some considerable time, but we could definitely get the car back on the road again by negotiating a better relationship with the EU Single Market. At present we have a wreck called Brexit, it doesn't need to stay wrecked.
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  36. Well, thanks, I think... But we don't need "let" go, we're not a possession. The decision is ours.
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  37. Hooray..! And Irish unification too.
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  38. I'm also a Scotsman and I have a solution. One that means we don't have to give a flying fandango what the likes of Truss or Bojo thinks about us, or worry about clowns like them determining whether we're in Europe or not. If you're in Scotland, vote YES next year. There's your solution.
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  39.  @colinthompson3111  My suggestion would be Stirling. A beautiful city which is neither east nor west, highland nor lowland.
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  40.  @zippymufo9765  So, you concede the UK union is an unfair union. Well, that’s a start. Now tell me why it’s not involuntary. Can we have a referendum if we choose, if not who must permit?
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  41.  @ppo2424  You’re 100% wrong, that is exactly how democracy works. If any democratic aspiration can attract enough support then it must be acted upon by the governing party. That is the essence of democracy. If it takes 100 refs or a ref every year, so long as it gets enough democratic support (as Scottish independence undoubtedly does) then the people’s voice must be heard. Ignoring such a voice is pure authoritarianism. Of course the unionists will be able to do the same after Indy - so long as they also got that support. I personally doubt they will, Scotland will have moved on. As for wanting shot of us - no, you don’t. You want shot of the self-confident Scotland of today, but you actually want a return of the Scotland of yesterday, full of grateful Uncle Tams, happy with being ruled from Westminster in whatever way they reckon we deserve. Well, that’s not happening.
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  42. Aye there is, buddy. A riot of utter mentalness.
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  43.  @jacobcohen9205  Why not, they get to decide everything else…..
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  44.  @Petal4822  Do you agree that the UK union between Scotland and rUK is involuntary? Why should England be able to do things in the union that we can't?
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  45.  @ppo2424  The way funds are allocated in UK is governed by the Barnett formula. It is a system created and only now supported by unionist parties. The SNP reject it and want Scotland to fund itself. This proposal was of course completely ignored by Westminster. So if you have a problem with UK funding - go talk to the ones responsible. As for us having a ref in 2014, yes we did, but who are you to say we can’t change our minds? Why must Westminster “permit” that - or what they have actually done, block it through fear of the verdict of the Scottish people. Why must we have to “ask” for something, from a Westminster formed of a unionist party we last voted for in 1955, when an English party in the same circumstances would just do it. Tell me how fair that is.
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  46. Isn't that what half the Tory cabinet has been trying to do since we left? In baffled exasperation at how Johnny Foreigner seems incapable of realising who they're dealing with, they appear to have defaulted to the usual Brit strategy of bawling and shouting (in English) at them.
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  47. @Tom why would we want to leave the EU? Look at the Brexit shitshow. I’ll take my chances with Edinburgh and Brussels thanks. We’ve seen where having London make our decisions for us leaves us.
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  48. So what you voting in Indyref2 then - what's best for Scotland, or what's best for Westminster? Coz they ain't the same.....
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  49. Pardon this Scot for rather remembering Truss insisting she would "ignore" the (unlike her) democratically elected and hugely popular First Minister of Scotland because she is "an attention seeker". That set the scene clearly for the treatment Scotland could expect from this latest leader of a party we Scots last voted for in 1955.
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  50. O'Brien manages to weave humour into this - but.... what we're looking at is a serious democratic deficit, where the Brit (aka English) media is generally right-wing, Tory, monarchist, Brit unionist/anti trade-unionist and reactionary, and becoming more and more so. It's true the media doesn't determine the outcome of elections, but it's also logical to assume it significantly influences them through it's promotions of the political preferences of it's ownership. Of course any attempt to try to make it more fair and objective would be met with howls of horror and accusations of "attacking free speech" etc etc. This is how the Brit establishment stays the Brit establishment.
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  51.  @Oluinneachain  Tories gonna Tory…..
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  52.  @chrissaltmarsh6777  We won't. We'll never look back - and I sincerely hope our friends and neighbours south of the border prosper too. But they'll have to stop voting Tory to have any hope of that..!
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  53.  @MyName-cw4yr  Yes, in exchange for joining the EU - given that is the choice of the Scottish people. A choice we are denied in the involuntary UK union.
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  54. No, the debate is not over. While UK re-joining the EU in the near future is sadly a non-starter (would the EU even want UK back, I wouldn't if I were them) there is nonetheless hope that an intelligent debate around a much better arrangement with the EU Single Market could be initiated - especially now that the loonytoon Tories appear to be going to leave the Westminster panto they call government at the next GE. If common sense were really to break out, there's nothing to prevent us hoping we could even re-join the Single Market and limit the Brexit damage that has been inflicted on us.
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  55. Unionists will tell you that it doesn't matter if people are catholic or protestant as long as they support the union, but I believe it does. Catholics won't have the same attitudes to certain things like the monarchy, or relations with the the Republic, devolution, the Brit army's role etc etc. Essentially, I suspect even if they do support the union, that support will be far "softer" than protestant unionists.
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  56.  @keithlangmead4098  Keith. I hate to do the remind you it’s not just about England thing, but when Scotland leaves it’ll not just be about what’ll happen to the ‘’rest of you in England’’. There’s the Welsh and (for now at least) N Ireland. Chip on our shoulders? You try it for 300 years.
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  57.  @jacobcohen9205  The English can have anything whatsoever they want from the union, including out of it, whenever they choose. Only England can do that, the rest of us need the permission of the British government that just happens to be utterly dominated by English (unionist) MPs. Give me ONE example where Scotland, with all this representation you claim, could get something/anything from Westminster that it wasn’t inclined to give. One.
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  58.  @AV-fo5de  Have to wonder when someone describes me as a separatist and wants me to stay in Brexit UK…..
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  59.  @DrMontague  I’m not an accountant, but I know profits arise after business expenses (OPEX and CAPEX) have been calculated.
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  60.  @jacobcohen9205  We did respect it. We’re still in the UK, when was the insurrection, did I miss it? But nowhere does it say a vote 8 years ago meant we can’t change our minds. Democracy can’t be atrophied, even by Brit unionists. But, what has now transpired is, it doesn’t matter whether we’ve changed our minds or not, because we’ve not to be allowed to choose whether we want to be in the UK prison anymore - because Westminster says so. Of course you know that doesn’t apply to England, but I’ve yet to hear whether you regard that as fair or not. Well…? While you’re there please tell me what this wonderful Scottish representation could get us that Westminster wasn’t inclined to give. Well…? Some people (not many) in the SNP say they don’t want indy, that’s true, but you fail to note that some people in unionist parties do In fact up to 40% of Labour voters in some surveys and even some Tories. Or don’t they count in Unionville? And I’ll answer your daft question about the EU really easily. We don’t need a ref about EU membership, coz it’s clear a majority of Scots want it. Why on earth wouldn’t we - look at the shambles No Mates Brexit UK is in. They can’t even sort out N Ireland. You get answers, but like the Brit nationalist you are, you just ignore ones you don’t like.
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  61. @Tom I don’t know which unions you’re referring to, please be clearer. As for referendums, as you’re surely aware, we are to have no more according to the craven UK government because they fear our decisions. Any referendum without Westminster’s blessing would unfortunately not be viewed as legitimate by the world community that, if Westminster carries on with its blatant and extreme anti-democratic stance, we may ultimately have to refer to. Plus Scottish unionists have said they would boycott it, and of course the unionist Brit media would savage it continually and relentlessly. Hence the new position the SNP has arrived at. So no referendums, thanks to Westminster. You happy, eh?
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  62.  @pip1723  My opinion is he didn't ever hold it. Really bad as he undoubtedly was, even he couldn't hold a candle to Thatcher the Destroyer.
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  63. It won’t. But it would save civilian lives. Do you seriously believe Ukraine, without a very significant escalation of western support (basically intervention on the ground) can defeat Russia?
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  64. Also works in reverse...
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  65.  @Petal4822  Yes, thanks for the history lesson. Now, can we move forward 3 or 4 centuries to today and the problems Scotland is facing being held in an involuntary union with England. Are you comfortable that Scotland now has no right to change our mind from 2014 and choose whether we want to remain in the UK union or not? Are you satisfied that, under the same circumstances, the English people could do as they please?
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  66.  @TheGullyfoyle  How are we separatists when we want to rejoin the EU?
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  67. Russia has bordered NATO countries for decades. Norway, Baltic states, Kaliningrad.
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  68.  @petebyrne5190  And no-one will force you to come visit us either....
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  69. An electoral system installed in Holyrood by unionists, I'd add.... And one they believed would prevent what actually happened - the SNP gaining power. None of them believed the SNP could ever beat all the unionist parties combined. But they did.
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  70. @Bob Robertson Meaning what? After Indy we vote for who we like. And we get who we vote for.
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  71. @Tom Rant over? Let me correct one point. We never wished nor intended to create any barriers at all between Scotland and England. Until YOUR Brexit, independence was predicated on the basis UK wouldn’t be mental enough to leave the EU. So place blame for once where it belongs - closer to home. As for “our debt” well, that will form part of the secession negotiations and as UK has already accepted ownership of all of it, I’m sure we will be fair in that regard - if rUK is that is….
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  72. @Tom We live in a representative democracy. We elect people who say they will do things. We expect them to do those things. That’s how it works. As long as the Scots elect a party to govern that clearly stands on an indy platform, what right has Westminster to refuse us the means to decide whether we want to be in the union? Regardless of whether we had a ref 8 years ago or 8 days ago? Why can’t we decide? Is it fair that England could just do it in similar circumstances?
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  73. @Tom The right and ethical way to achieve independence is through a ref. The SNP agrees with that even though there is a clear majority of Indy MSPs and MPs in Scotland that want indy. The only other way is to declare UDI. Westminster, because it fears the decision of the Scots (oh yes it does) has blocked that happening. Why are you happy to be in such an atrocious, anti-democratic union? If the union is not one of consent, it’s not worth having.
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  74.  @Petal4822  Nor did they need the European Commission's approval either. But you are happy that Scots do need Westminster's approval. You are happy that Scots cannot be the people that decide whether we want to remain in the UK union, Westminster must do that for them, whether they agree or not. As fair as a North Korean election..!
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  75. There were surely few that thought the end of the Bojo chaos would actually usher in an even worse era of Tory chaos, but they achieved it with the Lettuce. There’s only 1 thing I can think of that would keep this insane circus careering along its bizarre journey and that is the return of the lying numptie that kicked it off. From the “Mother of Parliaments” to an international laughing stock.
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  76.  @Guttlegob  Every 8 hours - if that is the democratic wish of the Scottish people. If there is enough support for a democratic aspiration, then regardless how inconvenient or unappetising opponents of that may feel - too bad. If there's not enough support for it - it won't happen. Basic democracy, even in the UK. As it happens, we won't need any more than another 1, the main reason the UKG are blocking democracy instead of fighting a ref is plain and simple - they're scared witless about the verdict of the Scottish people.
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  77.  @treborsirrah7916  Did you miss "*one* of the reasons..."?
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  78.  @Mocking_Muppets  Reminds me of ... "Plucky Brit Andy Murray wins at Wimbledon..!" - and - "Dour Scot Andy Murray loses at Wimbledon".
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  79. "Will be" a demand..? Who's running Holyrood..?
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  80.  @jerhughes500  How could you have a “true union” with one component state that is bigger than all the others several times over? That’s why those that propose Federalism are dreaming, the UK is basically England with bells on.
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  81.  @SimpletonSimonton  I confess I didn’t answer his point about the EU, and I’m aware, and appreciate, that he was being generally positive to Scotland. I also lived in England for a few years and know how “England”:and “UK” are basically the same thing in most English people’s minds. But they’re not.
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  82.  @jacobcohen9205  As obvious as Indyref1 was predicated on the basis of us rejoining the EU as soon as possible? Assuming we had to leave in the first place and the EU wouldn’t somehow assist our entry? Unionists like you tend to forget that wee bit. Contrast that with us being taken out against our will anyway by a government we never voted for with little chance of ré-entry due to being in Jimmy No Mates Brexitland.
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  83.  @keithlangmead4098  I am aware you mean well and appreciate that. I have never “blamed” the ordinary English person for the Anglocentrism of the UK. Such a union, where one constituent part of 4 is bigger than the other 3 many times over could never be anything else. But it is no longer fit for purpose, nor wanted, and things need to change. Wednesday’s verdict by the Supreme Court finally laid bare the inescapable conclusion we are no longer in a voluntary union. When Scotland needs Westminster’s approval to be able to ask ourselves whether we want to be in the union or not, all pretence of equality has gone. When a union is no longer voluntary, what would you call it? Let’s see how Scotland reacts to that realisation.
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  84. It makes sense to Tories and unionists. They can’t help it….
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  85.  @richardgregory3684  Agreed, we'll hold Indyref2 next year and you are welcome to ignore it. Missing you already....
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  86.  @HBTeamaker  So, to aspire to independence you have to have been independent in the recent past, do I have that right? How about Ireland, or any of the other dozens of happily independent countries that used to be ruled by Westminster and chucked them out. How did they manage? Pakistan didn’t even exist before India chucked the Brits out.
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  87.  @HBTeamaker  Self government, making our own choices, facing our own challenges and exploiting our own opportunities. If we had that we’d still be in the EU for example and have avoided the Brexit disaster. What makes you believe Westminster is running Scotland better than Holyrood could? Personally I really can’t see how Scots could run Scotland any worse if we tried.
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  88.  @colinthompson3111  How many of the dozens of nations that stepped away from Brit rule now want back? Personally if I didn’t believe we Scots couldn’t make a better job of running Scotland than the utter mess Tories in Westminster that we never vote for are making of it, I’d be profoundly depressed about my country. As it happens that’s a really low bar so I reckon I’m OK.
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  89.  @HBTeamaker  Have a look at the list of reserved powers and compare that with the devolved ones. Then come back and tell me where the power lies. Scotland can’t even classify movies. Westminster makes almost all the important decisions that affect Scotland and it is ruled by parties we never vote for. Do you imagine that different political parties don’t make different decisions while in government all the time? Tories decide different things to Labour. Why wouldn’t Scotland make different decisions to Westminster every day. Constantly in an independent Scotland will bring new different decisions, some big, like EU membership, or whether we want nuke WMDs next to our biggest city. or what rate of corporation tax we want to levy, others will be small day to day stuff. I’m not voting YES for things to remain the same, no one is.
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  90. This ridiculous and dangerous episode should make British people reflect on the advantages and disadvantages of FPTP vs PR. Apologists of FPTP will tell us it provides "stable, decisive" govt, they will also, invariably, example Italy as what a lack of a "stable, decisive" govt looks like - ignoring the huge number of highly successful countries operating PR. Well, this farcical chimps tea party called a UK Govt is "stable" (the Tories have a large majority, meaning we can't get rid of them until the next election, no matter how loony they become) and it's "decisive" - as we seen when the crazy, right-wing extremist mini budget appeared and was forced upon us. How does "stable and decisive" look today? It's long overdue UK dumped the medieval, unfair and unrepresentative FPTP electoral system so favoured by the 2 party leaderships that benefit from it. Will it probably mean Labour and the Tories split? Yes. Will it mean coalition politics? Yes. Looking at the news today - I'm thinking - "Where do I sign"? The recently released annual Natcen study showed this - "For the first time since the British Social Attitudes survey began in 1983, more people in Britain favour introducing proportional representation for elections to the House of Commons than keeping the voting system as it is." That was last year - what do you think that figure will be now? All we have to do now is convince both the Labour and the Tory party we're right and they're wrong. No-one said it was going to be easy, we'll be asking party leaders not known for selflessness or acting in anything other than party interest to give up a "shots each" system where Tweedle Dee waits around until he gets "his shot" to replace Tweedle Dum.
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  91. The Thames. Just opposite Westminster. Why not, they've been telling us how safe they are for years....
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  92. Have no fear, Scotland is very aware of Brexit and whether we should stay with Brexit UK or leave to rejoin the rest of Europe.
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  93. What is a "militant union" to a Tory? One that you've heard of.....
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  94.  @patdigney7945  To be debated and decided upon by the Scottish people. What we need to resolve before we do anything though, is stop Westminster blocking Scottish democracy and therefore keeping Scotland in an involuntary union. We get the ability to exercise our democratic rights first, eh?
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  95.  @patdigney7945  Yes, it did count. Then. This is now and the topic of this discussion is democracy, not the economy. Or rather it's the lack of democracy in Scotland now that we are in an involuntary UK union. Why don't you rather stay on topic..?
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  96.  @grtcara8386  We don’t need to we have the unionist media in UK for that.
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  97. @Tom Just to give you a heads up, I don’t “hate the English” nor do I believe that is a feature of the Indy movement in any way. Just in case you were heading that way.
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  98. I loved this comment I seen after Nissan's successful takeover of vehicle production in Sunderland many years ago. "British worker plus British management equals failure. British worker plus Japanese management equals success. Discuss".
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  99. Londoncentrism alive and well in UK. A disastrous policy carried on by Tory and Labour governments forever. We outside the SE get a wee token office or agency thrown to us now and then, but apart from those, the rest of us have to pay for London's success. When all roads lead to Rome, Rome gets richer.
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  100. No, actually we don’t. In fact the basis of both “exits” are very different, both in motivations and goals.
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  101.  @mwd331  Yes we did, and we are prevented from another by people in Westminster we last voted for in 1955. Well, the days when that was enough are long gone. If UKG are that scared of the decision of the Scottish people through a ref, then they will get it at the next GE. Whatever way it comes, our voice will not be silenced.
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  102.  @mwd331  It is tired, which I wouldn't mind, but it's also irrelevant. Apart from the obvious point about not taking what any politician says literally anytime (where do you reckon that £350m a week Brexit bonus is?), that doesn't mean they can't change their mind - as both individuals in question have. Why must Scotland accept that Westminster can decide whether we can or cannot have another ref, regardless of what 2 individuals said or not. That Westminster can say NO, leads to the inescapable conclusion Scotland is now in an involuntary union. If we can be prevented from choosing whether we want to be in the union or not, means it is not a union, it's a prison.
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  103.  @mwd331  im telling you what I think. Me and roughly half of Scotland.
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  104.  @garethnewcombe2630  Does it depend on what they want? Currently the people of NI, through a clear majority of their elected representatives, plus the majority of the NI business community don't want the UK Govt to break international law by reneging on their own agreement with the EU over the protocol. That would be the EU the people of NI voted to remain in, incidentally. What is happening right now? The UK Govt is proving beyond reasonable doubt they don't give a flying fandango what the people of NI want by breaking international law anyway...! The same utter disregard they pay to Scots too - 62% of whom voted to remain in the EU and not participate in the worst economic decision in British history. My only question is whether Scots or those in NI will be the first to decide being in the UK is just too damaging, costly and risky and we should pay the same disregard to Westminster as they pay to us.
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  105.  @garethnewcombe2630  Your confused notion of how the voting system works in a democracy is, to say the least, naïve. As for the “savings” UK will enjoy after we leave, please add those to the £350m a week UK is getting back from Brexit that must be going to the Brit NHS right now. They come from the same place, after all. There will be no “savings”, but I do believe Ireland, Scotland and England/Wales will all do better outside of the dysfunctional Brit Union than in it.
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  106. Brit arrogance, stupidity, self-delusion and pomposity at Olympic level. They better get used to it too - not like it's going away!
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  107.  @aqueous5099  I’d question that on 2 perspectives. 1. Can you point to the evidence that the Russian leadership (Putin, basically) have voiced serious intentions to invade NATO countries? 2. If Russia is busy proving to the world it is struggling (often badly) to win a conventional war in a far weaker Ukraine, what chance would they have if they put one boot into a NATO country, with its doctrine of member support? I don’t believe Russia’s goal is to resurrect the Soviet empire, but rather to keep NATO sufficiently far away (in their terms) from Moscow. My guess is they want to extend Russian borders maybe as far as the Dniepr and then stop. I foresee the prospect of Russian troops invading Poland, or any other NATO country, as extremely remote. I doubt they even could do that, far less want to.
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  108. We don’t say the same things, apart from the basic idea that we will leave a political union. But what we are leaving, why we are leaving, where we are going and the outcomes from our leaving are very different. If you want to hear same, then you’ll hear same.
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  109.  @londonman8688  "Too much influence" - can you give me ONE example where this influence has meant that Scotland got something from Westminster that it didn't want to give? Any one, any time. Just one.
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  110.  Ollie  Not with Bojo in charge…. With General Bojo we’d probably beat you…
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  111.  Ollie  Eh, yeah I suppose you could. A bit 19th century perhaps..? All I’m saying.
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  112.  Ollie  Putin couldn’t agree more…. Scotland as Ukraine. That’d be interesting.
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  113. Are they still made in Poland by a French company?
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  114. Why not, she IS one….
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  115.  @YouAgn3  When they resort to the “anti-English” tripe, you know they have nothing else left.
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  116.  @ou7shined972  I beg to differ. We must decide whether we want independence regardless of what may be happening in other places. Do we make our own decisions, do we take our own opportunities, face up to our own challenges, or do we condition that on what’s happening in London? Indy is about more than the economy and more than the UK.
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  117.  @aaronaaronson7600  Actually the Scexit trade situation between Scotland and rUK will have real and significant differences between that of UK and EU. You cannot directly compare the 2. For example - the EU's ethos is to encourage inter-EU trade - at the expense of ex-EU trade. What does this mean for UK? Well, the UK doesn't supply much to EU that the EU won't be able to and want to source internally going forward. For example - a French buyer of Brit widgets will probably be able and want to find Italian or German suppliers to replace Brit - but now on better (EU) terms - but Brits can't do the same in reverse. That issue will not apply to Scotland/UK. UK has no "members" it can't just turn to other markets to provide what Scotland supplies on more advantageous terms, because those terms don't exist, What this means is UK will have no motivation to replace Scottish goods with goods from other markets, even with new trade barriers on the border. Plus, at this time, Scotland buys more from England than England buys from Scotland - so why would rUK cut its nose off to spite its face? Meanwhile Scotland will have regained access to the massive Single Market and can begin developing and growing that trade.
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  118. How can the British govt guarantee private companies buy a certain brand of airplane?
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  119.  @dunewalks5988  if you were convinced in 2014, then I have zero idea why you wouldn’t be even more convinced now. If the Scots had been able to have a wee glimpse into the UK of today before that vote, how big do you reckon the YES majority would’ve been? I reckon it would’ve been at least 65% YES.
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  120. How can anyone expect these people to actually understand what a cost of living crisis means? I don't just mean the people radically affected, risking their health or even lives trying to heat (or pay for) their homes, albeit there will be plenty of them, but also the multitudes of us non-wealthy but not destitute people that will have to change our lifestyles to accommodate a crisis the Tories are making far worse than it need be though their ineptitude and greed. When did they last go and wait in a long queue for cheap petrol, when did they last pick up no name brands in a supermarket rather than named, decide to cancel a holiday or go to a cheaper place, forego meeting up with friends for a meal, decide to cancel or postpone re-decorating their house, buying a new pair of shoes? Etc Etc. Their lives will be unaffected, they will have no experience of any of these challenges. They will of course shed calculated amount of crocodile tears, they will say they sympathise, may even try to convince us they *empathise*, but they simply will have no relevant experience. In the case of Tories, they won't even want to.
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  121.  @robertwilliams2323  Assuming this was aimed at me, it’s also democracy to be able to criticise decisions, including ones democratically made. I’d also add that even decisions democratically made can be (and often are) wrong, and seeking to change them is both logical and democratic. It’s time people realised Brexit was a terrible mistake, voted for by people many of whom clearly hadn’t a clue what they were voting for. Happens a lot, but we don’t have to carry on believing we need to keep with the disastrous Brexit program because we voted for it. We can just change our minds. Another fundamental aspect of democracy is it is dynamic, things change.
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  122. Unfortunately I believe we can only expect a temporary reprieve at best. England will default back to the Tories before too long. Assuming the Tories can't rescue victory from defeat that is, which, with the help of a right-wing Brit press and media, isn't a crazy idea. A week's a long time in politics as they say and Brits have notoriously short memories.
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  123. Labour has had a century to end the House of Lords, including decades of Westminster power that would have enabled them to do so. To date, as far as action is concerned, they have more concerned themselves with filling it than ending it (same as private schools?). I somehow reckon private schools will be as safe as the House of Lords when it comes to Labour action. Sir Keir's parents may not have paid school fees, but how many of his parliamentary colleagues did?
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  124. @Tom Apart from the logic of treating politician’s statements as gospel truth being for fools (when do you reckon we’ll see the £350m a week Brexit bonus? - how long did the Lettuce’s promises last?) no political decision made by one legislature cannot be changed or overturned, at any time and for any legitimate reason, by a following one. That is (thankfully) a central feature of any functioning democracy. Hopefully even the Brexit madness will be overturned by later, saner heads. But…. the question you really need to ask yourself, but won’t is - who says that Scotland can’t change its mind? Who? Will you answer that? You cannot hide that the British union is now an involuntary one behind such a paltry, craven and irrelevant comment. Scotland cannot leave the UK, England could. Is that fair? Simple question.
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  125. @Tom No problem.
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  126. @Tom Now that Westminster has chosen to block the normal path of democracy, because it fears the decision of the Scottish people (oh yes it does) our path has already been chosen by our democratically elected government. The next UK GE will be fought on a single issue basis. Independence. That has my regretful, but 100% support and I look forward to participating as fully as possible in the upcoming campaign that has also been announced. Westminster must and will shoulder the blame, not only in the eyes of Scots, but also Brits and the world, of placing us in the position of having to resort to that in order to decide whether we wish to remain in your unequal, unfair and toxic union prison. I hope you’re proud of that.
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  127.  @Petal4822  No, they actually don’t, Elaine. What they actually think is that Scotland will be far better governed by Scots, in Scotland, for Scots and for Scotland. Instead of leaving that to incompetent, corrupt people in Westminster who we last voted for in 1955. The same people proving weekly they are incapable of running a sweetie shop, or having Scotland’s best interests at heart. Thinking it has anything to do with “bunnets “ says more about you than Scottish independence.
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  128.  @jacobcohen9205  Leave the union, whenever they like for whatever reason they like. No one can stop them. How does that contrast with Scotland? You're also welcome.
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  129.  @jacobcohen9205  Jacob - this was your question that I believe I answered fairly, accurately and politely. "What can England do that Scotland can't?" My answer being - "Leave the union". Now - are you going to address that - or ignore it and revert to reminding us what happened in 2014 and how you reckon we (unlike the English in similar circumstances) should have no power to change our minds? It was you after all that asked me the question about England and Scotland - I answered - so what is your response to my point highlighting the blatant unfairness and inequality inherent in the toxic UK union? Please answer your own point..!
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  130. Not possible. The EU offer no such deal. They offer membership conditions which, if Scotland accepted, would provide us with a platform of far, far more control than we have in UK.
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  131.  @gio-oz8gf  Even if that were to become reality, the SNP would still be completely unable to achieve anything in Westminster that the UKG didn't want to give them. In 2015 the SNP got all but 3 seats in Scotland, the unionist parties were left with 1 MP each. What did the SNP get with that truly incredible majority? - nothing. Scottish Indy will be achieved in Scotland, in Holyrood, not Westminster. There is nothing but grief and frustration for us in that place.
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  132.  @alanbutterworth8669  It would appear from opinion polls that few in UK agree with you. The Tories are about as popular as Athlete's Foot.
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  133.  @allosaurusfragilis7782  I'd add a serious lack of intellect, not much of that in evidence either.
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  134.  @LordOfLight  It's taken Truss a matter of a couple of weeks to prove beyond doubt she's more than a mediocrity, Mediocre doesn't cause the chaos and damage she has. Her remarkable stupidity, arrogance and recklessness are already out there, what more serious character defects she has will I'm sure also be revealed soon. Bojo was so bad that was what caused my astonishment they found someone who has already shown enough of herself to inform us we're looking at someone even worse. Look - Bojo or Truss - who's worse and does it really matter? The big observation is neither could be trusted to run a whelk stall.
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  135.  @LordOfLight  My last word is to concede your point. Guilty as charged. As long as we both agree Truss or Bojo, Bojo or Truss - they're both totally unfit for the job.
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  136.  @paulb9769  Andy finds it difficult to accept that concept given the political and financial carnage that Tory numptie has wreaked in the 5 minutes she's been in a job she has proved beyond reasonable doubt she's grossly incapable of. UK must be the laughing stock of the world right now - that I grasp.
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  137. If you believe that saying then you believe the Germans, French, Spanish are happy with their “collar” and the Brits were as well until Farage &Co persuaded the English and Welsh otherwise. Which is of course utter nonsense. There are countries wanting to join the EU and only one has so far made the massive mistake of leaving it. Doesn’t look like a “collar” to me….
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  138. Come on James... what about your reaction to blithering Tory idiot Liz Truss' arrogant and pig-thick remarks that the democratically elected leader (unlike herself) of Scotland is an "attention seeker" that "should be ignored"...? To, I'd add, rapturous applause from her Tory audience and Lord Snooty Rees-Mogg in particular. I don't reckon the Indy campaign in Scotland actually needs any help, but it got it from that..!
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  139.  @Kaiserbill99  GERS is a measure of Scotland - as an integral part of the UK union and economy. It is NOT, nor does it purport to be, a representation of the finances of an independent Scotland. In fact you could say if it points to failure, then that failure is British failure. If your “solution” to Scotland performing badly while in the UK union is for Scotland to stay in that union, then perhaps you’ll understand the growth in support for independence over many years.
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  140.  @Kaiserbill99  Am I correct to point out that GERS does not reflect the finances of an independent Scotland or not?
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  141.  @trishfowlie3145  1955. We're used to being on the wrong end of a Brit stick - won't worry us.
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  142.  @crazyfool4325  You mean wait for Sir Keir's Labour that Scotland doesn't want these days either..? What does "stronger together" even mean and why won't Scotland be "stronger together" back in the EU? Scots are rejecting having to view the world thru a Brit prism these days. Our borders don't need to stop at Dover.
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  143. “Those whom the Gods are about to destroy, they first make mad”. A certifiable lunatic, that was, and could be again, the most powerful person on the planet. What has led us to this?
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  144. Yes, but that would forever limit them to be great followers, not leaders.
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  145.  @johnrussell3961  Meek not working well for those of us who actually know what a cost of living crisis means…. Time to get unmeek….
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  146. The Tory govt's handling of the pandemic was abysmal and possibly criminal, apart from of course for the many donors and friends of the Tory party who did so very well out of it, making huge profits out of providing either nothing or sub-standard equipment and services. I don't know what planet you live on. There should be a full public enquiry into corruption including at the highest level. It's got nothing to do with race, it's got to do with greed, nepotism, immorality, incompetence, arrogance and corruption at Olympic level - regardless of the colour of the culprits.
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  147. What is Europe’s exit strategy for the Ukraine war?
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  148.  @grtcara8386  It's a pity the undemocratic Westminster diktat has preventing us proving your theory, eh? I wonder why they did that - you don't think it may be because they're afraid of the decision perhaps? Big brave David Cameron showed how UK likes to take on Scotland when he agreed to Indyref1 70/30 up (and nearly blew it). The present shower of fearties have had a look at the polls and have decided to take the striker down in the box instead. As for our FM "doing a garbage job" - Aye, well, we could always look to Westminster to see how it should be done, eh? Your lot couldn't run a whelk stall - and the country knows it.
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  149.  @barryevans791  Is that why SNP MSPs outnumber all the unionist ones combined? Even without the Indy supporting Greens? Remind me of what people must know they vote for when they put an X next to SNP..? We'll decide what happens with our country.
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  150.  @johnrussell3961  The English don't understand why anyone wouldn't want to be like them. Ability to see themselves as others see them not their strong point.
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  151. @Tom There is no English army . In fact, constitutionally, there is no England. But you know, like ever everyone else that England controls the UK. So given the English would need to become independent to do that, what do you think?
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  152. @Tom Ehm, it was you did the classic English thing and compare England with UK.
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  153. @Tom OK, Tom, when it gets to the “you hate the English” level I leave. Life’s too short for that kind of stuff. You enjoy your day, OK?
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  154.  @ZeroCrystal  In 1955
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  155.  @johnrussell3961  Factually incorrect. If the Supreme Court had sided with the Scottish Govt the ensuing referendum would be agreed legal by all parties. That would have in turn led to the question of what then to do with the result should it have returned a majority for independence. The UKG could have ignored it, confirming to the world that it wanted to hold Scotland in the union against the will and democratic choice of the Scottish people, or acceded to democracy and agreed to end the union.
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  156.  @mwd331  And who should be able to decide whether we can change our minds? Holyrood, or Westminster?
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  157.  @mwd331  Different to the one we'd have gotten in the ref wanted next year, is my prediction. A prediction I reckon shared by UKG. Do we only get one? Who says?
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  158.  @grtcara8386  Yes, the Brit media will have a a chaotic, mendacious, Tory numpty every time over someone espousing left wing politics.
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  159.  @danw5760  CV19 was the product of biology, Brexit was the product of stupidity. One you can’t help, the other you can.
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  160.  @grtcara8386  And there you have the big problem with democracy in UK. I’m sure 99% of the working class people that think as you do about Corbyn and “his followers” (that was a majority of the Labour Party incidentally) couldn’t name even one Labour policy of the time they so feared or despised to warrant that opinion. In fact the “radical” and “extreme“ policies were neither. So why did he become such a monster? Well, surely you know why? As O’Brien puts it - because Rupert Murdoch and his mates told them often enough he was one. The Labour Party offered a sane alternative to lunatic Toryism and the Brit press decided they weren’t having it. Let’s leave blame where it’s due, eh?
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  161. “Britain saved the world in WW2”. Eh…? What planet does she live on? To take nothing away from the brave allied soldiers that fought German fascism, if any one place saved the world in WW2, it was the Soviet Union. Evidence? Take a look at casualty figures for the Eastern Front.
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  162. To imagine EU membership for Scotland will be the same as membership of UK is nonsense. 2 different unions offering very different membership conditions and outcomes. Just because Brexit is a disaster does not mean Scexit will be the same.
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  163. The Tories are basically out of control now.
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  164. Sir Herbert Oatcake is the solution. Even Marr's language betrays where the "soul" of the Tory party lies. In the 18th century. They've never really left it. Tories want to take the world back to a time when Britain was watched - they've done it. People are now watching Britain because they don't want to miss the next episode.
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  165. It's the epitome of Brexiteer arrogance, pomposity, stupidity and national self-delusion to imagine the Brits can leave the EU (flipping them the digit while we do, mind) and then expect them to give a flying fandango about us. They don't anymore - and who on earth could blame them? Get used to it - you wanted it - you got it..!
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  166. Easy..! Trickle down economics. Tories believe if you want to alleviate the lot of the growing number of poor people in your country (whom you have made poorer, incidentally) you give loads of money to the richest people in your country. Stands to reason, doesn't it...?
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  167. Well that and run Scotland well enough to keep getting voted back in again and again of course… However, let’s assume you were right, how ‘’united’’ would you rate that kingdom..?
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  168.  @kierenbuckley370  If that result was better for Scots, would you recommend they go?
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  169.  @chatham43  Why don't you ask the people that just blocked Indyref2?
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  170.  @mrputin3357  No, I very much doubt they’re in the mood to listen to anyone from the west. On the assumption you had or have a son, would you send them there to fight?
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  171.  @mrputin3357  You sound like you can’t wait for nuclear oblivion.
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  172.  @matthat8125  I disagree about Moldova, unless you refer to Transnistria. My guess is Russia will want to incorporate (only) that into Russia. The Moldovan president is pro west incidentally. Oh, and - one man’s “separatist” is another man’s freedom fighter. Take that from me, I’m from Scotland.
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  173. Why does the world assume it has some kind of “right” to tell Iran whether it can have nuclear weapons or not? I hate and fear the prospect of any state having nuclear WMD, including the ones that already have them, but why do some people feel they have a right to tell Iran they can’t have them while being unconcerned about others that do? Who gives out these powers of decision? Iran is unstable, some may say. And Isreal isn’t? We can rely on India and Pakistan restraint?
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  174. No, they're not the reason. They reason is more and more Scots are deciding independence is the best path for Scotland. Horrible, hopeless, ignorant Tories are just one contributory factor.
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  175.  @casperwallace9685  Which is roughly where Scotland was before Indyref1.
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  176. Riddle me that? They’re Tories, they’re Brexiteers. Job done.
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  177.  @derryshore5586  you mean people that live off dividends and the like..?
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  178.  @richardrhodes5323  How researched do you reckon Truss’ rant was? O’Brien explains that - lazy peasants.
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  179. It's indeed hardly a union of equals if we're to be "allowed" anything...! Who's doing the allowing?
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  180.  @dereknewbury163  If that was the case, frankly I'd wonder how this close friend, that I valued so highly, had reached such a conclusion, especially without my noticing this serious deterioration of the relationship. I'd also question whether I was somehow to blame for them feeling that. I might even wonder if they had a point.
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  181.  @jacobcohen9205  There is no guarantee we will be better off, same as there’s no guarantee we will not end up even worse off under continued Westminster rule. I look at how we’re faring under London misrule and trust we can do better. It’s not a high bar, after all. If Scots had been allowed a glimpse into a crystal ball before Indyref1 how big do you reckon the YES vote would have been. I reckon at least 60%. Unionists like you seem to assume the involuntary union we’re in is somehow automatically less risky than Indy. The last 8 years since Indyref1 have shown us how sound that assumption is. As for the EU, we will join it - because we want to. We will choose it, a choice denied us in the unequal, unfair and toxic UK union where our views on the subject are utterly ignored. Tell me why that’s not better than Boris Johnson, leader of a party we last voted for in 1955, deciding for us.
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  182. @ Well, there is a difference between allowing for the sale of Rolls Royces and actually stating $10bn of a specific company’s products will be bought. Given it’s pretty much a two horse race between Boeing and Airbus, I wonder how many would’ve been bought in any case? Trump will love sticking it to the EU though, as any Boeing business gained is Airbus business lost. I reckon Trump is gunning for the EU, he doesn’t really care much about UK I suspect.
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  183.  @richardgregory3684  She fought and won several elections as leader of her party. She was elected leader by her party and FM by the Scottish Parliament. Things blithering idiot Truss hasn't done.
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  184. I strongly suggest you disabuse yourself of the notion Scottish Indy is about England or the English. It’s not, not everything is, it’s about us and the best path for our country. Which for me and currently around half of Scots is to rejoin the rest of Europe. Best of luck to Brexit UK once we leave, your going to need it.
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  185.  @thomasbootham2707  I thought it fairly obvious I meant the EU. The physical gap between UK and Europe may be no bigger, but the economic definitely is. We’re isolated now in Europe, Brexiteers seem to like being Johnny No Mates.
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  186. And hopefully as far....
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  187.  @heybamanba1  I don’t believe for a minute most ordinary people in England would try to stop us going. But here we sit, unfortunately, being insulted and ignored by Tory idiots Scotland never votes for.
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  188. If you want an example of a woman being abused at Westminster, for far longer than Abbot, I refer you to the appalling treatment given to the first SNP MP, the late Winnie Ewing. For nothing more than believing in Scottish independence and representing her constituents as she was democratically elected to do. Instead of the abuse coming from the Tories however, it mostly came from the other Tweedledee unionist party, Labour. Ewing, in her own words, was “crucified daily”.
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  189. This is the Tories beating themselves. What Labour is doing right now is * not* being Tories.
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  190.  @markpayne4432  Try being in a union you can't leave.
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  191. It is anti-Scottish, tho….
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