The Scottish Politics Thread

[Slick]

This is strangely quiet considering the absolute shitshow that is going on. Has Humza come up with a new number 1 priority yet today.

It’s fucking appalling, no wonder they are keeping quiet

Genuine question, would any of our SNP supporting friends on here like to offer an opinion from that point of view?

One of my close mates, who is probably the only independence supporting one, is not going to vote. It will be interesting to see if many follow his lead and what the turnout will be.

Interesting that Regan is asking for the vote to start again but Forbes says she is happy for it to keep going - rumours that she has an unassailable lead already

[tc27]

This is strangely quiet considering the absolute shitshow that is going on. Has Humza come up with a new number 1 priority yet today.

Yeah I noticed a couple of the more ardent SNP supporters still commenting away in the UK politics thread (fair enough).

Weesht for Indy I guess.

[Biffer]

I’m an independence supporter not an SNP supporter. I’ve said before on here that they’re a means to an end for me. Basically they’re now coming down to the level of the other parties in Scotland which you guys pretend aren’t a fucking shitshow as well.

[Blackmac]

I’m an independence supporter not an SNP supporter. I’ve said before on here that they’re a means to an end for me. Basically they’re now coming down to the level of the other parties in Scotland which you guys pretend aren’t a fucking shitshow as well.

I've made no secret that I think all of Scottish politics are a low rent disaster (not that I'm saying UK politics is any better). Essentially why I have said a few times that I don't find anything funny about what is going on. I actually find the whole thing quite terrifying for our future. One of my fears about devolution was that we would end up with a chamber full of incompetent, over promoted and over ambitious town councilors and that is exactly what we have. Barely any of them appear to have the slightest clue what they are doing but yes at the moment the focus is rightly on the Nats and I think we have only seen the tip of the iceberg when it comes to their incompetence and corruption. The fact that they are in cohoots with idiots like Slater and Greer makes it even worse. At the moment I don't think it's just the prospect of independence that is disappearing over the horizon but the viability of devolution itself.

[Big D]

I’m an independence supporter not an SNP supporter. I’ve said before on here that they’re a means to an end for me. Basically they’re now coming down to the level of the other parties in Scotland which you guys pretend aren’t a fucking shitshow as well.

I think most have said they are all a shit show, every single UK party. We had a minister talking about bridging loans to a committee for landowners to regenerate land and gain carbon credits without being able to furnish the interest rate. It's basic stuff that even engineering graduates in my office know is key information to have to hand.

Politics in this country is absolutely fucked because people will willingly ignore issues of the government because of one single issue.

All I really want is for every party to be judged equally on more than one issue and if the SNP win elections then that is fine. But the country could be burning and some would still vote SNP due to independence.

[Slick]

I’m an independence supporter not an SNP supporter. I’ve said before on here that they’re a means to an end for me. Basically they’re now coming down to the level of the other parties in Scotland which you guys pretend aren’t a fucking shitshow as well.

Yup, knew your position was not as an SNP fan. Find the last comment a bit odd, I don't think anyone who comments on this thread is a fanboi of any party and most have been pretty actively critical of the other parties on this and other threads.

I think given all the bullshit we have had from the SNP over the years people are entitled to a little sideways grin as it all unravels

[GogLais]

The SNP leadership (establishment if you will) really did not want to admit it has lost 30,000 members.

Murray Foote has now resigned saying he was given false information from HQ.

I have to say, I was expecting a degree of chaos but this is incredible. Sturgeon’s legacy is in absolute ruins

I don’t have a dog on the fight but NS’s statement on telly last night that she didn’t take much interest in membership numbers was less than convincing.

[Big D]

The SNP leadership (establishment if you will) really did not want to admit it has lost 30,000 members.

Murray Foote has now resigned saying he was given false information from HQ.

I have to say, I was expecting a degree of chaos but this is incredible. Sturgeon’s legacy is in absolute ruins

I don’t have a dog on the fight but NS’s statement on telly last night that she didn’t take much interest in membership numbers was less than convincing.

It is bollocks. She also has a shocking memory for a first minister and ex lawyer. Can't remember being told about Salmond, can't remember her husband loaning £100k to the SNP etc.

[Wylie Coyote]

I’m an independence supporter not an SNP supporter. I’ve said before on here that they’re a means to an end for me. Basically they’re now coming down to the level of the other parties in Scotland which you guys pretend aren’t a fucking shitshow as well.

Yup, knew your position was not as an SNP fan. Find the last comment a bit odd, I don't think anyone who comments on this thread is a fanboi of any party and most have been pretty actively critical of the other parties on this and other threads.

I think given all the bullshit we have had from the SNP over the years people are entitled to a little sideways grin as it all unravels

Oh for sure. The SNP has protrayed itself as being in a different stratosphere to other parties in Scotland - it was "Scotland" and thus any criticism of the party was "talking Scotland down". The holier than thou persona was nauseating at the best of times so seeing their machinations laid bare is delight. I suspect their is a lot more to come out when the Sturgeon/Murrell power structure finally collapses.

https://robinmcalpine.org/but-why-would ... of-snp-hq/

[Big D]

I’m an independence supporter not an SNP supporter. I’ve said before on here that they’re a means to an end for me. Basically they’re now coming down to the level of the other parties in Scotland which you guys pretend aren’t a fucking shitshow as well.

Yup, knew your position was not as an SNP fan. Find the last comment a bit odd, I don't think anyone who comments on this thread is a fanboi of any party and most have been pretty actively critical of the other parties on this and other threads.

I think given all the bullshit we have had from the SNP over the years people are entitled to a little sideways grin as it all unravels

Oh for sure. The SNP has protrayed itself as being in a different stratosphere to other parties in Scotland - it was "Scotland" and thus any criticism of the party was "talking Scotland down". The holier than thou persona was nauseating at the best of times so seeing their machinations laid bare is delight. I suspect their is a lot more to come out when the Sturgeon/Murrell power structure finally collapses.

https://robinmcalpine.org/but-why-would ... of-snp-hq/

Possibly, but fact and fiction need to be separated.

[Biffer]

I’m an independence supporter not an SNP supporter. I’ve said before on here that they’re a means to an end for me. Basically they’re now coming down to the level of the other parties in Scotland which you guys pretend aren’t a fucking shitshow as well.

I think most have said they are all a shit show, every single UK party. We had a minister talking about bridging loans to a committee for landowners to regenerate land and gain carbon credits without being able to furnish the interest rate. It's basic stuff that even engineering graduates in my office know is key information to have to hand.

Politics in this country is absolutely fucked because people will willingly ignore issues of the government because of one single issue.

All I really want is for every party to be judged equally on more than one issue and if the SNP win elections then that is fine. But the country could be burning and some would still vote SNP due to independence.

Equally, the UK could be burning and other people would still say no to leaving.

[SaintK]

Yup, knew your position was not as an SNP fan. Find the last comment a bit odd, I don't think anyone who comments on this thread is a fanboi of any party and most have been pretty actively critical of the other parties on this and other threads.

I think given all the bullshit we have had from the SNP over the years people are entitled to a little sideways grin as it all unravels

Oh for sure. The SNP has protrayed itself as being in a different stratosphere to other parties in Scotland - it was "Scotland" and thus any criticism of the party was "talking Scotland down". The holier than thou persona was nauseating at the best of times so seeing their machinations laid bare is delight. I suspect their is a lot more to come out when the Sturgeon/Murrell power structure finally collapses.

https://robinmcalpine.org/but-why-would ... of-snp-hq/

Possibly, but fact and fiction need to be separated.

Yes. But how accurate is that link?

[Slick]

I’m an independence supporter not an SNP supporter. I’ve said before on here that they’re a means to an end for me. Basically they’re now coming down to the level of the other parties in Scotland which you guys pretend aren’t a fucking shitshow as well.

I think most have said they are all a shit show, every single UK party. We had a minister talking about bridging loans to a committee for landowners to regenerate land and gain carbon credits without being able to furnish the interest rate. It's basic stuff that even engineering graduates in my office know is key information to have to hand.

Politics in this country is absolutely fucked because people will willingly ignore issues of the government because of one single issue.

All I really want is for every party to be judged equally on more than one issue and if the SNP win elections then that is fine. But the country could be burning and some would still vote SNP due to independence.

Equally, the UK could be burning and other people would still say no to leaving.

Not many if there was an actual grown up plan I would say.

[Big D]

I’m an independence supporter not an SNP supporter. I’ve said before on here that they’re a means to an end for me. Basically they’re now coming down to the level of the other parties in Scotland which you guys pretend aren’t a fucking shitshow as well.

I think most have said they are all a shit show, every single UK party. We had a minister talking about bridging loans to a committee for landowners to regenerate land and gain carbon credits without being able to furnish the interest rate. It's basic stuff that even engineering graduates in my office know is key information to have to hand.

Politics in this country is absolutely fucked because people will willingly ignore issues of the government because of one single issue.

All I really want is for every party to be judged equally on more than one issue and if the SNP win elections then that is fine. But the country could be burning and some would still vote SNP due to independence.

Equally, the UK could be burning and other people would still say no to leaving.

This is true, but I would bet £5 that far fewer are voting for a pro union party exclusively because they are pro union than those voting for the SNP exclusively because the SNP are pro independence.

[tc27]

Kate Forbes: 47.9%
Humza Yousaf: 52.1%

70% turnout!!! Lots of people just forgetting to cancel a DD I am guessing?

[Blackmac]

Kate Forbes: 47.9%
Humza Yousaf: 52.1%

70% turnout!!! Lots of people just forgetting to cancel a DD I am guessing?

So essentially the FM has been decided by the votes of approx 26000 people. To think the SNP questioned the validity of the Tories voting for Truss and Sunak.

[inactionman]

For those of us who haven't been paying attention what - beyond an inclination towards upping taxes - does this mean for the layman?

[tc27]

For those of us who haven't been paying attention what - beyond an inclination towards upping taxes - does this mean for the layman?

We are about to find out if the SNP and Independence are inherently brilliant or just based around the popularity of Salmond and Sturgeon.

[clydecloggie]

Kate Forbes: 47.9%
Humza Yousaf: 52.1%

70% turnout!!! Lots of people just forgetting to cancel a DD I am guessing?

So essentially the FM has been decided by the votes of approx 26000 people. To think the SNP questioned the validity of the Tories voting for Truss and Sunak.

Yup, exact same logic applies, it's barely democratic. The counterargument that it is still the party that was voted into power standing on the same manifesto applied to the Tories too - even if Truss took a wrecking ball to the supposed economic competence of a Tory government.

Yusaf is the continuity candidate. He will have to figure out how to solve the conundrum of not having a legally approved path to independence. If he takes the same approach to it as his predecessor, there will be a lot of hot air but little of substance to progress that top priority manifesto commitment.

Which is a shame as the UK shows no sign of even trying to become a functioning country again and the Leader of the Opposition appears to be the only true believer in Brexit left in the country, not to mention he's happy to speak of the path to prosperity 'leading right through Scotland'. Which could be seen as just a slightly unfortunate turn of phrase if it didn't fit so neatly in the 'North Britain' narrative.

[clydecloggie]

For those of us who haven't been paying attention what - beyond an inclination towards upping taxes - does this mean for the layman?

We are about to find out if the SNP and Independence are inherently brilliant or just based around the popularity of Salmond and Sturgeon.

Yusaf was politically the closest to Sturgeon of the three leadership candidates, so do not expect any major policy deviations.

[inactionman]

For those of us who haven't been paying attention what - beyond an inclination towards upping taxes - does this mean for the layman?

We are about to find out if the SNP and Independence are inherently brilliant or just based around the popularity of Salmond and Sturgeon.

Yusaf was politically the closest to Sturgeon of the three leadership candidates, so do not expect any major policy deviations.

Sounds like an opportunity missed, frankly.

[tc27]

In Parliamentary systems its perfectly acceptable to change leaders without a GE - if they can command the confidence of the Parliament they have a legitimate mandate to lead.

[inactionman]

In Parliamentary systems its perfectly acceptable to change leaders without a GE - if they can command the confidence of the Parliament they have a legitimate mandate to lead.

Sturgeon called for an early General Election after the sunak vote. I think many commentators are just picking up a hint of hypocrisy.

[tc27]

In Parliamentary systems its perfectly acceptable to change leaders without a GE - if they can command the confidence of the Parliament they have a legitimate mandate to lead.

Sturgeon called for an early General Election after the sunak vote. I think many commentators are just picking up a hint of hypocrisy.

Everyone does it and its very tiresome

[inactionman]

In Parliamentary systems its perfectly acceptable to change leaders without a GE - if they can command the confidence of the Parliament they have a legitimate mandate to lead.

Sturgeon called for an early General Election after the sunak vote. I think many commentators are just picking up a hint of hypocrisy.

Everyone does it and its very tiresome

You'll hear little argument from me, other than to say the SNP can be more than a bit sanctimonious.

(to be fair, it must pretty hard for the likes of Priti Patel or Bravermann to pretend they're being honourable)

[Blackmac]

For those of us who haven't been paying attention what - beyond an inclination towards upping taxes - does this mean for the layman?

We are about to find out if the SNP and Independence are inherently brilliant or just based around the popularity of Salmond and Sturgeon.

Yusaf was politically the closest to Sturgeon of the three leadership candidates, so do not expect any major policy deviations.

Plus he will maintain the alliance with the Greens which Forbes and Regan realised was poison. As to Yousaf. I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him. Everything about him screams "wrong un". He would disown his parents for political gain.

[Slick]

We are about to find out if the SNP and Independence are inherently brilliant or just based around the popularity of Salmond and Sturgeon.

Yusaf was politically the closest to Sturgeon of the three leadership candidates, so do not expect any major policy deviations.

Sounds like an opportunity missed, frankly.

This. A huge opportunity missed and really bad for the country.

I was genuinely looking forward to Forbes engaging with people like me, trying to build up the economy and fixing the many issues before talking independence on the back of that. Instead I'm already turned off by the thought of more, much more, of the same.

The only slightly good thing is the schism inside the party is laid bare with the vote so close and I see a few years of internal bloodletting

[weegie01]

This. A huge opportunity missed and really bad for the country.

I was genuinely looking forward to Forbes engaging with people like me, trying to build up the economy and fixing the many issues before talking independence on the back of that. Instead I'm already turned off by the thought of more, much more, of the same.

The only slightly good thing is the schism inside the party is laid bare with the vote so close and I see a few years of internal bloodletting

Yousaf will be a disaster for the country. Same old tired rhetoric about independence but no idea how to make it happen.

Putting aside the question of her competence to deliver it, Forbes strategy for independence was not just the right strategy, but was designed around building a robust economy from which all would benefit. Surely that has to be the way forward to build a strong, confident nation rather than basing policy on not being Westminster. Yousaf seems to think independence is the panacea which will solve all ills, when in reality it will create challenges.

Really depressed now. The SNP vote will decline, and it will be harder and harder (for them or anyone else) to get anything done in a locked parliament populated by political pygmies in all parties scoring political points rather than addressing the needs of the country.

[Slick]

This. A huge opportunity missed and really bad for the country.

I was genuinely looking forward to Forbes engaging with people like me, trying to build up the economy and fixing the many issues before talking independence on the back of that. Instead I'm already turned off by the thought of more, much more, of the same.

The only slightly good thing is the schism inside the party is laid bare with the vote so close and I see a few years of internal bloodletting

Yousaf will be a disaster for the country. Same old tired rhetoric about independence but no idea how to make it happen.

Putting aside the question of her competence to deliver it, Forbes strategy for independence was not just the right strategy, but was designed around building a robust economy from which all would benefit. Surely that has to be the way forward to build a strong, confident nation rather than basing policy on not being Westminster. Yousaf seems to think independence is the panacea which will solve all ills, when in reality it will create challenges.

Really depressed now. The SNP vote will decline, and it will be harder and harder (for them or anyone else) to get anything done in a locked parliament populated by political pygmies in all parties scoring political points rather than addressing the needs of the country.

Well said

[Slick]

Also pretty horrible to watch the absolute cretins in the Green Party strutting around as kingmakers

[SaintK]

Good start for reconciliation. Reckon Forbes is well out of it!

[Big D]

Good start for reconciliation. Reckon Forbes is well out of it!

I wouldn't take the demotion either.

[Blackmac]

Funny to see the main STV news doing a hatchet job on Sturgeon's legacy.

[tc27]

[Slick]

Good start for reconciliation. Reckon Forbes is well out of it!

I wouldn't take the demotion either.

Not only has he effectively sacked the only remaining onr of them that can reach out to those not already convinced, looks like he is also effectively sacking Ivan McKee (Kate Forbes supporter) from his role as trade minister despite him being the only one of them with any significant business experience.

Bravo Humza, Bravo

He is going to be soooooo shite

[Slick]

Funny to see the main STV news doing a hatchet job on Sturgeon's legacy.

Yup, the whole media is suddenly emboldened

[Big D]

Sigh.

I have within 24 hours seen people branded racist for saying they don't believe the FM is a good politician or will do a good job, and people including an Alba candidate (Alex Arthur) actually be racist about the appointment.

Modern politics and social media eh!

[Begbie]

Good start for reconciliation. Reckon Forbes is well out of it!

I wouldn't take the demotion either.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... saf-deputy

[Mahoney]

Running to lead the party & the country is an odd way to seek "time out of the spotlight to spend time with her family".

[Slick]

Sigh.

I have within 24 hours seen people branded racist for saying they don't believe the FM is a good politician or will do a good job, and people including an Alba candidate (Alex Arthur) actually be racist about the appointment.

Modern politics and social media eh!

We all knew that was coming