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Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2024 3:43 pm
by Slick
Blackmac wrote: Tue Jan 16, 2024 7:19 pm
Big D wrote: Sun Jan 14, 2024 11:00 am Not his fault obviously but not a good look for the FM, a man who isn't shy about politicising his family, when his brother in law is arrested on drug offences.
Arrested again 24 hours after being released on bail for drug dealing offences, after a male was seriously injured "falling" from a window in Dundee. 😂
And now dead.

I have to say, I was prepared to give Humza a chance when he became FM (it's true you can check back) but his position is, imo, becoming untenable.

The above is obviously not his fault but it's just another thing piling on, he's an absolute disaster. Is he just hugely arrogant, a bit thick, or a potent mixture.

He seems to be making policy up on the hoof or just pushing through policy that hasn't been properly stress tested or considered. Just seen he's unilaterally decided to invite Erdogan over here. He's a dangerous idiot well out of his depth in a very shallow pool.

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2024 3:51 pm
by Biffer
Slick wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 3:43 pm
Blackmac wrote: Tue Jan 16, 2024 7:19 pm
Big D wrote: Sun Jan 14, 2024 11:00 am Not his fault obviously but not a good look for the FM, a man who isn't shy about politicising his family, when his brother in law is arrested on drug offences.
Arrested again 24 hours after being released on bail for drug dealing offences, after a male was seriously injured "falling" from a window in Dundee. 😂
And now dead.

I have to say, I was prepared to give Humza a chance when he became FM (it's true you can check back) but his position is, imo, becoming untenable.

The above is obviously not his fault but it's just another thing piling on, he's an absolute disaster. Is he just hugely arrogant, a bit thick, or a potent mixture.

He seems to be making policy up on the hoof or just pushing through policy that hasn't been properly stress tested or considered. Just seen he's unilaterally decided to invite Erdogan over here. He's a dangerous idiot well out of his depth in a very shallow pool.
Humza strikes me as one of these Glasgow politicians that will go with whoever is popular and believe whatever you want so long as it gets him into power. 30 years ago he would have been front and centre in Scottish labour. The SNP has been taken over by them and is suffering because of it. It's very different now from 20 years ago - much more central belt and city dominated compared to the nineties. Think that was why some people were tempted by Alba but then found themselves surrounded by fucking lunatics.

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2024 3:55 pm
by Slick
Biffer wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 3:51 pm
Slick wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 3:43 pm
Blackmac wrote: Tue Jan 16, 2024 7:19 pm

Arrested again 24 hours after being released on bail for drug dealing offences, after a male was seriously injured "falling" from a window in Dundee. 😂
And now dead.

I have to say, I was prepared to give Humza a chance when he became FM (it's true you can check back) but his position is, imo, becoming untenable.

The above is obviously not his fault but it's just another thing piling on, he's an absolute disaster. Is he just hugely arrogant, a bit thick, or a potent mixture.

He seems to be making policy up on the hoof or just pushing through policy that hasn't been properly stress tested or considered. Just seen he's unilaterally decided to invite Erdogan over here. He's a dangerous idiot well out of his depth in a very shallow pool.
Humza strikes me as one of these Glasgow politicians that will go with whoever is popular and believe whatever you want so long as it gets him into power. 30 years ago he would have been front and centre in Scottish labour. The SNP has been taken over by them and is suffering because of it. It's very different now from 20 years ago - much more central belt and city dominated compared to the nineties. Think that was why some people were tempted by Alba but then found themselves surrounded by fucking lunatics.
He must be compounding the coming, predicted, electoral kicking. There must be a lot of old Labour voters who might have stayed with the SNP if they had a decent leadership but he must be putting them off in droves.

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 12:52 pm
by Big D
Slick wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 3:43 pm
Blackmac wrote: Tue Jan 16, 2024 7:19 pm
Big D wrote: Sun Jan 14, 2024 11:00 am Not his fault obviously but not a good look for the FM, a man who isn't shy about politicising his family, when his brother in law is arrested on drug offences.
Arrested again 24 hours after being released on bail for drug dealing offences, after a male was seriously injured "falling" from a window in Dundee. 😂
And now dead.

I have to say, I was prepared to give Humza a chance when he became FM (it's true you can check back) but his position is, imo, becoming untenable.

The above is obviously not his fault but it's just another thing piling on, he's an absolute disaster. Is he just hugely arrogant, a bit thick, or a potent mixture.

He seems to be making policy up on the hoof or just pushing through policy that hasn't been properly stress tested or considered. Just seen he's unilaterally decided to invite Erdogan over here. He's a dangerous idiot well out of his depth in a very shallow pool.
I am sure Nadia El-Nakala was the drugs spokes person for the council too.

Humza has failed to make a difference in other roles so he was never going to be a successful FM.

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 12:53 pm
by Big D
Slick wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 3:55 pm
Biffer wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 3:51 pm
Slick wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 3:43 pm

And now dead.

I have to say, I was prepared to give Humza a chance when he became FM (it's true you can check back) but his position is, imo, becoming untenable.

The above is obviously not his fault but it's just another thing piling on, he's an absolute disaster. Is he just hugely arrogant, a bit thick, or a potent mixture.

He seems to be making policy up on the hoof or just pushing through policy that hasn't been properly stress tested or considered. Just seen he's unilaterally decided to invite Erdogan over here. He's a dangerous idiot well out of his depth in a very shallow pool.
Humza strikes me as one of these Glasgow politicians that will go with whoever is popular and believe whatever you want so long as it gets him into power. 30 years ago he would have been front and centre in Scottish labour. The SNP has been taken over by them and is suffering because of it. It's very different now from 20 years ago - much more central belt and city dominated compared to the nineties. Think that was why some people were tempted by Alba but then found themselves surrounded by fucking lunatics.
He must be compounding the coming, predicted, electoral kicking. There must be a lot of old Labour voters who might have stayed with the SNP if they had a decent leadership but he must be putting them off in droves.
Even with more news about ministers deleting COVID WhatsApps when they said they wouldn't coming out I honestly think it will make heehaw significant difference.

Many supporters are not considering performance in government when voting.

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:28 pm
by Tichtheid
Big D wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 12:53 pm
Many supporters are not considering performance in government when voting.


That's an interesting and valid point.

There are three major parties in Scotland, one of which is the conduit to independence, the other two are very much against. If a voter thinks independence is the right thing for Scotland then their choices of votes are pretty limited, it's SNP or Green. The poll from last week has Yes on 46 percent, No on 47 percent, 7 undecided.

There will be a range of reasons for backing the SNP, from the" Indy first, problem solving later" group, through the "I remember Labour in Scotland twenty five years ago" to the "Fuck the Tories" group, plus many other reasons, some will even be dyed in the wool SNP party members who will support their party, though I think there are as many schisms in the SNP as there are in any party with a broad base of support.

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:28 pm
by Slick
Big D wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 12:53 pm
Slick wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 3:55 pm
Biffer wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 3:51 pm

Humza strikes me as one of these Glasgow politicians that will go with whoever is popular and believe whatever you want so long as it gets him into power. 30 years ago he would have been front and centre in Scottish labour. The SNP has been taken over by them and is suffering because of it. It's very different now from 20 years ago - much more central belt and city dominated compared to the nineties. Think that was why some people were tempted by Alba but then found themselves surrounded by fucking lunatics.
He must be compounding the coming, predicted, electoral kicking. There must be a lot of old Labour voters who might have stayed with the SNP if they had a decent leadership but he must be putting them off in droves.
Even with more news about ministers deleting COVID WhatsApps when they said they wouldn't coming out I honestly think it will make heehaw significant difference.

Many supporters are not considering performance in government when voting.
Yes, I see they are now saying Sturgeon has kept zero messages from the entire time. She is an absolute stain. I hope they can go after her in some way

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:36 pm
by Slick
Tichtheid wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:28 pm
Big D wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 12:53 pm
Many supporters are not considering performance in government when voting.


That's an interesting and valid point.

There are three major parties in Scotland, one of which is the conduit to independence, the other two are very much against. If a voter thinks independence is the right thing for Scotland then their choices of votes are pretty limited, it's SNP or Green. The poll from last week has Yes on 46 percent, No on 47 percent, 7 undecided.

There will be a range of reasons for backing the SNP, from the" Indy first, problem solving later" group, through the "I remember Labour in Scotland twenty five years ago" to the "Fuck the Tories" group, plus many other reasons, some will even be dyed in the wool SNP party members who will support their party, though I think there are as many schisms in the SNP as there are in any party with a broad base of support.
There is obviously that base that will support them whatever - same as the Tories it seems. But I’m still finding it quite staggering how many are apparently abandoning them, even those with fairly strong Indy leanings. It shows just how bad they are, and just how bad the Tories are.

I just don’t think any reasonable, semi intelligent person can look at the unravelling and put their cross in that box. Indy isn’t coming soon, and it’s cutting through now that without that, leaving them in power is a disaster.

Humza is just compounding all this by being genuinely terrible

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:43 pm
by Tichtheid
Slick wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:36 pm
Tichtheid wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:28 pm
Big D wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 12:53 pm
Many supporters are not considering performance in government when voting.


That's an interesting and valid point.

There are three major parties in Scotland, one of which is the conduit to independence, the other two are very much against. If a voter thinks independence is the right thing for Scotland then their choices of votes are pretty limited, it's SNP or Green. The poll from last week has Yes on 46 percent, No on 47 percent, 7 undecided.

There will be a range of reasons for backing the SNP, from the" Indy first, problem solving later" group, through the "I remember Labour in Scotland twenty five years ago" to the "Fuck the Tories" group, plus many other reasons, some will even be dyed in the wool SNP party members who will support their party, though I think there are as many schisms in the SNP as there are in any party with a broad base of support.
There is obviously that base that will support them whatever - same as the Tories it seems. But I’m still finding it quite staggering how many are apparently abandoning them, even those with fairly strong Indy leanings. It shows just how bad they are, and just how bad the Tories are.

I just don’t think any reasonable, semi intelligent person can look at the unravelling and put their cross in that box. Indy isn’t coming soon, and it’s cutting through now that without that, leaving them in power is a disaster.

Humza is just compounding all this by being genuinely terrible

SNP's loss has been Labour's gain, SNP have dipped a little over fifteen percentage points in the polls and Labour have had the reciprocal gain. They are about neck and neck at the moment for Scottish voters in the coming UK general election.

I haven't seen any analysis, but I imagine some of the swing will be to do with the SNP's performance and some will be the likelihood of a Labour government in London - many of the SNP votes were little more than borrowed from Labour, at least that is how I see it.

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 2:01 pm
by Biffer
Slick wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:36 pm
Tichtheid wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:28 pm
Big D wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 12:53 pm
Many supporters are not considering performance in government when voting.


That's an interesting and valid point.

There are three major parties in Scotland, one of which is the conduit to independence, the other two are very much against. If a voter thinks independence is the right thing for Scotland then their choices of votes are pretty limited, it's SNP or Green. The poll from last week has Yes on 46 percent, No on 47 percent, 7 undecided.

There will be a range of reasons for backing the SNP, from the" Indy first, problem solving later" group, through the "I remember Labour in Scotland twenty five years ago" to the "Fuck the Tories" group, plus many other reasons, some will even be dyed in the wool SNP party members who will support their party, though I think there are as many schisms in the SNP as there are in any party with a broad base of support.
There is obviously that base that will support them whatever - same as the Tories it seems. But I’m still finding it quite staggering how many are apparently abandoning them, even those with fairly strong Indy leanings. It shows just how bad they are, and just how bad the Tories are.

I just don’t think any reasonable, semi intelligent person can look at the unravelling and put their cross in that box. Indy isn’t coming soon, and it’s cutting through now that without that, leaving them in power is a disaster.

Humza is just compounding all this by being genuinely terrible
But this election isn’t about voting them into power, it’s about Westminster, which doesn’t have an effect on education, policing, healthcare, roads, etc etc - in other words it doesn’t have a huge affect on day to day life. The result will be decided in England, so this is a close as we’re going to get for a while in terms of making a pro Indy statement.

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 2:09 pm
by Slick
Tichtheid wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:43 pm
Slick wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:36 pm
Tichtheid wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:28 pm



That's an interesting and valid point.

There are three major parties in Scotland, one of which is the conduit to independence, the other two are very much against. If a voter thinks independence is the right thing for Scotland then their choices of votes are pretty limited, it's SNP or Green. The poll from last week has Yes on 46 percent, No on 47 percent, 7 undecided.

There will be a range of reasons for backing the SNP, from the" Indy first, problem solving later" group, through the "I remember Labour in Scotland twenty five years ago" to the "Fuck the Tories" group, plus many other reasons, some will even be dyed in the wool SNP party members who will support their party, though I think there are as many schisms in the SNP as there are in any party with a broad base of support.
There is obviously that base that will support them whatever - same as the Tories it seems. But I’m still finding it quite staggering how many are apparently abandoning them, even those with fairly strong Indy leanings. It shows just how bad they are, and just how bad the Tories are.

I just don’t think any reasonable, semi intelligent person can look at the unravelling and put their cross in that box. Indy isn’t coming soon, and it’s cutting through now that without that, leaving them in power is a disaster.

Humza is just compounding all this by being genuinely terrible

SNP's loss has been Labour's gain, SNP have dipped a little over fifteen percentage points in the polls and Labour have had the reciprocal gain. They are about neck and neck at the moment for Scottish voters in the coming UK general election.

I haven't seen any analysis, but I imagine some of the swing will be to do with the SNP's performance and some will be the likelihood of a Labour government in London - many of the SNP votes were little more than borrowed from Labour, at least that is how I see it.
Me too

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 2:10 pm
by Slick
Biffer wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 2:01 pm
Slick wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:36 pm
Tichtheid wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:28 pm



That's an interesting and valid point.

There are three major parties in Scotland, one of which is the conduit to independence, the other two are very much against. If a voter thinks independence is the right thing for Scotland then their choices of votes are pretty limited, it's SNP or Green. The poll from last week has Yes on 46 percent, No on 47 percent, 7 undecided.

There will be a range of reasons for backing the SNP, from the" Indy first, problem solving later" group, through the "I remember Labour in Scotland twenty five years ago" to the "Fuck the Tories" group, plus many other reasons, some will even be dyed in the wool SNP party members who will support their party, though I think there are as many schisms in the SNP as there are in any party with a broad base of support.
There is obviously that base that will support them whatever - same as the Tories it seems. But I’m still finding it quite staggering how many are apparently abandoning them, even those with fairly strong Indy leanings. It shows just how bad they are, and just how bad the Tories are.

I just don’t think any reasonable, semi intelligent person can look at the unravelling and put their cross in that box. Indy isn’t coming soon, and it’s cutting through now that without that, leaving them in power is a disaster.

Humza is just compounding all this by being genuinely terrible
But this election isn’t about voting them into power, it’s about Westminster, which doesn’t have an effect on education, policing, healthcare, roads, etc etc - in other words it doesn’t have a huge affect on day to day life. The result will be decided in England, so this is a close as we’re going to get for a while in terms of making a pro Indy statement.
Sorry, not really sure what you mean?

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 2:36 pm
by Biffer
Slick wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 2:10 pm
Biffer wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 2:01 pm
Slick wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:36 pm

There is obviously that base that will support them whatever - same as the Tories it seems. But I’m still finding it quite staggering how many are apparently abandoning them, even those with fairly strong Indy leanings. It shows just how bad they are, and just how bad the Tories are.

I just don’t think any reasonable, semi intelligent person can look at the unravelling and put their cross in that box. Indy isn’t coming soon, and it’s cutting through now that without that, leaving them in power is a disaster.

Humza is just compounding all this by being genuinely terrible
But this election isn’t about voting them into power, it’s about Westminster, which doesn’t have an effect on education, policing, healthcare, roads, etc etc - in other words it doesn’t have a huge affect on day to day life. The result will be decided in England, so this is a close as we’re going to get for a while in terms of making a pro Indy statement.
Sorry, not really sure what you mean?
You talk about leaving the SNP in power. The next election has nothing to do with that, as it’s for Westminster.

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 2:40 pm
by Blackmac
Slick wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:28 pm
Big D wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 12:53 pm
Slick wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 3:55 pm

He must be compounding the coming, predicted, electoral kicking. There must be a lot of old Labour voters who might have stayed with the SNP if they had a decent leadership but he must be putting them off in droves.
Even with more news about ministers deleting COVID WhatsApps when they said they wouldn't coming out I honestly think it will make heehaw significant difference.

Many supporters are not considering performance in government when voting.
Yes, I see they are now saying Sturgeon has kept zero messages from the entire time. She is an absolute stain. I hope they can go after her in some way
The BBC also reported two nights ago that no minutes were kept at what they referred to as Gold Command meetings between Sturgeon and her main advisers during Covid. That is quite astonishing.

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 2:41 pm
by Big D
Tichtheid wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:28 pm
Big D wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 12:53 pm
Many supporters are not considering performance in government when voting.


That's an interesting and valid point.

There are three major parties in Scotland, one of which is the conduit to independence, the other two are very much against. If a voter thinks independence is the right thing for Scotland then their choices of votes are pretty limited, it's SNP or Green. The poll from last week has Yes on 46 percent, No on 47 percent, 7 undecided.

There will be a range of reasons for backing the SNP, from the" Indy first, problem solving later" group, through the "I remember Labour in Scotland twenty five years ago" to the "Fuck the Tories" group, plus many other reasons, some will even be dyed in the wool SNP party members who will support their party, though I think there are as many schisms in the SNP as there are in any party with a broad base of support.
I firmly believe people are entitled to vote however they wish. We live in a democracy and that is how it works. To me it is a shame that in Scotland it is so polarised to the point where "It is all Westminster's fault" or "Kier Starmer got murderers off death row" can be presented without any nuanced debate about it.

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 2:42 pm
by Big D
Blackmac wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 2:40 pm
Slick wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:28 pm
Big D wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 12:53 pm

Even with more news about ministers deleting COVID WhatsApps when they said they wouldn't coming out I honestly think it will make heehaw significant difference.

Many supporters are not considering performance in government when voting.
Yes, I see they are now saying Sturgeon has kept zero messages from the entire time. She is an absolute stain. I hope they can go after her in some way
The BBC also reported two nights ago that no minutes were kept at what they referred to as Gold Command meetings between Sturgeon and her main advisers during Covid. That is quite astonishing.
It sadly isn't though is it?

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 2:59 pm
by Slick
Biffer wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 2:36 pm
Slick wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 2:10 pm
Biffer wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 2:01 pm

But this election isn’t about voting them into power, it’s about Westminster, which doesn’t have an effect on education, policing, healthcare, roads, etc etc - in other words it doesn’t have a huge affect on day to day life. The result will be decided in England, so this is a close as we’re going to get for a while in terms of making a pro Indy statement.
Sorry, not really sure what you mean?
You talk about leaving the SNP in power. The next election has nothing to do with that, as it’s for Westminster.
Ahh I see. OK, but if predictions are correct it's still a huge fall in support and SNP MP's. But, yes, I do think a decent proportion of it is just getting the Tories out.

In saying that, I think it's also a bit of cop out. I think there is also a feeling that giving them a bloody nose might also help with education, policing, healthcare etc because they have to change tack and actually start governing instead of being persistent agitators, so it can't just be taken in isolation as a Westminster thing.

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 3:01 pm
by Slick
Blackmac wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 2:40 pm
Slick wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:28 pm
Big D wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 12:53 pm

Even with more news about ministers deleting COVID WhatsApps when they said they wouldn't coming out I honestly think it will make heehaw significant difference.

Many supporters are not considering performance in government when voting.
Yes, I see they are now saying Sturgeon has kept zero messages from the entire time. She is an absolute stain. I hope they can go after her in some way
The BBC also reported two nights ago that no minutes were kept at what they referred to as Gold Command meetings between Sturgeon and her main advisers during Covid. That is quite astonishing.
Not suggesting you should know, but is there any actual recourse for this? Do they have the right to do as they want or is there a statutory duty to keep them

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 3:26 pm
by Biffer
Slick wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 3:01 pm
Blackmac wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 2:40 pm
Slick wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:28 pm

Yes, I see they are now saying Sturgeon has kept zero messages from the entire time. She is an absolute stain. I hope they can go after her in some way
The BBC also reported two nights ago that no minutes were kept at what they referred to as Gold Command meetings between Sturgeon and her main advisers during Covid. That is quite astonishing.
Not suggesting you should know, but is there any actual recourse for this? Do they have the right to do as they want or is there a statutory duty to keep them
Unsurprisingly, a combination of our lack of a written constitution / government by protocol with our slow government and civil service reaction to new tech, it’s a very grey area.

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 4:33 pm
by Blackmac
Slick wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 3:01 pm
Blackmac wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 2:40 pm
Slick wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:28 pm

Yes, I see they are now saying Sturgeon has kept zero messages from the entire time. She is an absolute stain. I hope they can go after her in some way
The BBC also reported two nights ago that no minutes were kept at what they referred to as Gold Command meetings between Sturgeon and her main advisers during Covid. That is quite astonishing.
Not suggesting you should know, but is there any actual recourse for this? Do they have the right to do as they want or is there a statutory duty to keep them
Not sure if there is any statutory requirement but would have expected it to be basic requirement at any level of government. They used to send me minutes of meetings I had with her staff to discuss any ongoing threats she was getting, so not taking minutes at meetings of significantly greater importance smacks again of a wish to avoid scrutiny.

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 7:48 pm
by Big D
Blackmac wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 4:33 pm
Slick wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 3:01 pm
Blackmac wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 2:40 pm

The BBC also reported two nights ago that no minutes were kept at what they referred to as Gold Command meetings between Sturgeon and her main advisers during Covid. That is quite astonishing.
Not suggesting you should know, but is there any actual recourse for this? Do they have the right to do as they want or is there a statutory duty to keep them
Not sure if there is any statutory requirement but would have expected it to be basic requirement at any level of government. They used to send me minutes of meetings I had with her staff to discuss any ongoing threats she was getting, so not taking minutes at meetings of significantly greater importance smacks again of a wish to avoid scrutiny.
If Jason Leitch was getting this advice then they all were.


Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 8:18 pm
by Slick
Wow

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 8:23 pm
by Blackmac
Big D wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 7:48 pm
Blackmac wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 4:33 pm
Slick wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 3:01 pm

Not suggesting you should know, but is there any actual recourse for this? Do they have the right to do as they want or is there a statutory duty to keep them
Not sure if there is any statutory requirement but would have expected it to be basic requirement at any level of government. They used to send me minutes of meetings I had with her staff to discuss any ongoing threats she was getting, so not taking minutes at meetings of significantly greater importance smacks again of a wish to avoid scrutiny.
If Jason Leitch was getting this advice then they all were.

Yeah, saw him on the news. Staggering. Admitting that he knew they were disclosable and then encouraging them to delete them.

I think I mentioned a while back how police officers have been subject to this for years, so you either be prepared to disclose the messages or don't bloody use WhatsApp in the first place. There is not this middle ground.

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2024 11:15 am
by tc27
I cant see how this doesn't end up in prosecutions...sure someone will do it privately if necessary.

The irony that Sturgeons (and Indy/SNP) apogee at the height of covid could be the the cause of her downfall. That glittering NGO career she must have assumed was hers must now seem far away.

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2024 11:44 am
by Blackmac
tc27 wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 11:15 am I cant see how this doesn't end up in prosecutions...sure someone will do it privately if necessary.

The irony that Sturgeons (and Indy/SNP) apogee at the height of covid could be the the cause of her downfall. That glittering NGO career she must have assumed was hers must now seem far away.
It demonstrates an administration that felt it was beyond reproach. The deceit and the level of contempt for the Scottish public is astonishing. Anyone even trying to defend this is a lunatic.

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2024 12:18 pm
by Big D
Kate Forbes apparently kept he WhatsApp messages. So even those who deleted messages as a nightly routine may still have messages out in the evidence. In group chats it isn't possible to delete for everyone once all have read it.

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2024 12:27 pm
by tc27
Big D wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 12:18 pm Kate Forbes apparently kept he WhatsApp messages. So even those who deleted messages as a nightly routine may still have messages out in the evidence. In group chats it isn't possible to delete for everyone once all have read it.
Good chance this time next year she is leading a minority SNP Holyrood government attacking the Labour UK goverment with the same lines as the Conservatives whose MSP's she relies on to pass budgets.

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2024 1:47 pm
by Slick
Blackmac wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 11:44 am
tc27 wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 11:15 am I cant see how this doesn't end up in prosecutions...sure someone will do it privately if necessary.

The irony that Sturgeons (and Indy/SNP) apogee at the height of covid could be the the cause of her downfall. That glittering NGO career she must have assumed was hers must now seem far away.
It demonstrates an administration that felt it was beyond reproach. The deceit and the level of contempt for the Scottish public is astonishing. Anyone even trying to defend this is a lunatic.
Take a little trip to social media (or don’t) and you will see plenty tying themselves in knots defending it. It’s actually really sad

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2024 1:47 pm
by Slick
tc27 wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 12:27 pm
Big D wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 12:18 pm Kate Forbes apparently kept he WhatsApp messages. So even those who deleted messages as a nightly routine may still have messages out in the evidence. In group chats it isn't possible to delete for everyone once all have read it.
Good chance this time next year she is leading a minority SNP Holyrood government attacking the Labour UK goverment with the same lines as the Conservatives whose MSP's she relies on to pass budgets.
She is literally the only one with any credibility

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2024 2:12 pm
by Biffer
Slick wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 1:47 pm
tc27 wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 12:27 pm
Big D wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 12:18 pm Kate Forbes apparently kept he WhatsApp messages. So even those who deleted messages as a nightly routine may still have messages out in the evidence. In group chats it isn't possible to delete for everyone once all have read it.
Good chance this time next year she is leading a minority SNP Holyrood government attacking the Labour UK goverment with the same lines as the Conservatives whose MSP's she relies on to pass budgets.
She is literally the only one with any credibility
Not the only one. There are still good people knocking about, but the leadership seems to have been taken over by a cabal that needs removed.

Losing the leadership election could be the best thing that happened to Kate Forbes. Bringing the SNP back up for 2026 and 2029 could be the push over the line to Indy.

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2024 3:40 pm
by Blackmac
Slick wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 1:47 pm
Blackmac wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 11:44 am
tc27 wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 11:15 am I cant see how this doesn't end up in prosecutions...sure someone will do it privately if necessary.

The irony that Sturgeons (and Indy/SNP) apogee at the height of covid could be the the cause of her downfall. That glittering NGO career she must have assumed was hers must now seem far away.
It demonstrates an administration that felt it was beyond reproach. The deceit and the level of contempt for the Scottish public is astonishing. Anyone even trying to defend this is a lunatic.
Take a little trip to social media (or don’t) and you will see plenty tying themselves in knots defending it. It’s actually really sad
I presume the defence is along the lines of "but, but, but the Tories....."

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2024 3:45 pm
by Blackmac
Big D wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 12:18 pm Kate Forbes apparently kept he WhatsApp messages. So even those who deleted messages as a nightly routine may still have messages out in the evidence. In group chats it isn't possible to delete for everyone once all have read it.
I was thinking the same. Surely someone must have some relevant stuff. If anyone steps up with messages which dispute her claim that she did not use WhatsApp to discuss Government business, that would be explosive.

I reckon Kate has the codes but is just biding her time until she can claim she was forced under oath to reveal all rather than being seen as a troublemaker.

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2024 5:26 pm
by Slick
Biffer wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 2:12 pm
Slick wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 1:47 pm
tc27 wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 12:27 pm

Good chance this time next year she is leading a minority SNP Holyrood government attacking the Labour UK goverment with the same lines as the Conservatives whose MSP's she relies on to pass budgets.
She is literally the only one with any credibility
Not the only one. There are still good people knocking about, but the leadership seems to have been taken over by a cabal that needs removed.

Losing the leadership election could be the best thing that happened to Kate Forbes. Bringing the SNP back up for 2026 and 2029 could be the push over the line to Indy.
Who are the other good ones. Genuine question.

Agree it’s the leadership that have driven this into the ground. Trying to save their jobs I guess

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2024 6:19 pm
by Biffer
Slick wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 5:26 pm
Biffer wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 2:12 pm
Slick wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 1:47 pm

She is literally the only one with any credibility
Not the only one. There are still good people knocking about, but the leadership seems to have been taken over by a cabal that needs removed.

Losing the leadership election could be the best thing that happened to Kate Forbes. Bringing the SNP back up for 2026 and 2029 could be the push over the line to Indy.
Who are the other good ones. Genuine question.

Agree it’s the leadership that have driven this into the ground. Trying to save their jobs I guess
Folk like Christina McKelvie, Mair McAllan, Richard Lochhead, Ivan McKee are all, I think, decent people who are trying to do worthwhile things for the country.

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2024 7:05 pm
by Slick
Biffer wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 6:19 pm
Slick wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 5:26 pm
Biffer wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 2:12 pm

Not the only one. There are still good people knocking about, but the leadership seems to have been taken over by a cabal that needs removed.

Losing the leadership election could be the best thing that happened to Kate Forbes. Bringing the SNP back up for 2026 and 2029 could be the push over the line to Indy.
Who are the other good ones. Genuine question.

Agree it’s the leadership that have driven this into the ground. Trying to save their jobs I guess
Folk like Christina McKelvie, Mair McAllan, Richard Lochhead, Ivan McKee are all, I think, decent people who are trying to do worthwhile things for the country.
Yeah, I know Ivan reasonably well and agree - had forgotten he was there to be honest, and Mair was in my head as decent but couldn’t think of her name. Lochhead blows a bit hot and cold, never heard of Christina

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2024 10:53 am
by Blackmac
Humza telling the BBC that he is proud of the work they have done in reducing literacy and numeracy.😂

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2024 6:52 pm
by Blackmac
The chair of the enquiry looking somewhat incredulous today at the evidence from the Chief Medical Officer as he was trying to claim he could not recall the decision making process regarding one of the lockdown decisions. So if the CMO can't provide information regarding decision making processes, who can.

Can't recall seems to be the go to tactic for this administration.

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2024 11:28 am
by Slick
Humza seems a very odd person.

don't particularly care either way, but wtf is he doing adopting a political prisoner in Belarus, certainly didn't see that one coming :lol:

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2024 11:56 am
by Blackmac
Slick wrote: Wed Jan 24, 2024 11:28 am Humza seems a very odd person.

don't particularly care either way, but wtf is he doing adopting a political prisoner in Belarus, certainly didn't see that one coming :lol:
To be fair. It looks like not a bad wee scheme. I think the idea is to try and make regular representations on their behalf and just nudge the Belarusians that the world it watching.

Re: The Scottish Politics Thread

Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2024 3:46 pm
by Slick
Blackmac wrote: Wed Jan 24, 2024 11:56 am
Slick wrote: Wed Jan 24, 2024 11:28 am Humza seems a very odd person.

don't particularly care either way, but wtf is he doing adopting a political prisoner in Belarus, certainly didn't see that one coming :lol:
To be fair. It looks like not a bad wee scheme. I think the idea is to try and make regular representations on their behalf and just nudge the Belarusians that the world it watching.
I agree with the sentiment, 100%. Just odd to me that someone trying to frame themselves as an international statesman then gets himself in a situation that he looks like a student activist