The Scottish Politics Thread

[Biffer]

Anyone in Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire constituency should be aware the Lib Dem candidate gave £25k to the Tories in 2019.

[vball]

I am and thanks for that but it does not matter a flying f as he is getting my vote for sure anyway so we can ensure SNP do not win the seat.

[Blackmac]

First we have the judiciary saying they are getting pressed not to impose custodial sentences and now we have over 500 prisoners being released early, some as many as 6 months, as we don't have enough capacity in the jails. Surely the SG would find it easier telling Polis Alba to just stop arresting people as there seems bugger all point.

[Biffer]

I am and thanks for that but it does not matter a flying f as he is getting my vote for sure anyway so we can ensure SNP do not win the seat.

Ok, Tories > SNP, we know where you stand.

[vball]

Ok, Tories > SNP, we know where you stand.

Certainly No to Independence.

[Paddington Bear]

I am and thanks for that but it does not matter a flying f as he is getting my vote for sure anyway so we can ensure SNP do not win the seat.

Ok, Tories > SNP, we know where you stand.

Aren’t you just the exact same in reverse?

Besides, the bloke is a successful businessman, works hard in his community and served in the army. Seems like an ideal local MP

[Biffer]

I am and thanks for that but it does not matter a flying f as he is getting my vote for sure anyway so we can ensure SNP do not win the seat.

Ok, Tories > SNP, we know where you stand.

Aren’t you just the exact same in reverse?

Besides, the bloke is a successful businessman, works hard in his community and served in the army. Seems like an ideal local MP

I'm primarily a Green as I've said many, many times.

[Paddington Bear]

Ok, Tories > SNP, we know where you stand.

Aren’t you just the exact same in reverse?

Besides, the bloke is a successful businessman, works hard in his community and served in the army. Seems like an ideal local MP

I'm primarily a Green as I've said many, many times.

And this bloke’s a Liberal Democrat, I’m just adopting your framing

[Slick]

Just had to pay a fine for wandering into the Glasgow LEZ. Fucking hell, the website is like a trip back to the early 90's

[Tichtheid]

Just had to pay a fine for wandering into the Glasgow LEZ. Fucking hell, the website is like a trip back to the early 90's

What were you driving?

I’ve just checked and my 21 year old 2.4l Galaxy is compliant in all Scottish LEZs

[Slick]

Just had to pay a fine for wandering into the Glasgow LEZ. Fucking hell, the website is like a trip back to the early 90's

What were you driving?

I’ve just checked and my 21 year old 2.4l Galaxy is compliant in all Scottish LEZs

A diesel!

[Blackmac]

Just had to pay a fine for wandering into the Glasgow LEZ. Fucking hell, the website is like a trip back to the early 90's

Is the M8 still included. I know they fucked up the boundaries and included it but not sure if that utter stupidity has been rectified.

[Slick]

Just had to pay a fine for wandering into the Glasgow LEZ. Fucking hell, the website is like a trip back to the early 90's

Is the M8 still included. I know they fucked up the boundaries and included it but not sure if that utter stupidity has been rectified.

No I don’t think so. It’s actually a really small area. No complaints from me by the way, I mostly agree with them and it was lack of planning that did for me!

[Blackmac]

Might be an idea to give the SNP the camper van back. They can all use it to commute down to Westminster.

[Slick]

Might be an idea to give the SNP the camper van back. They can all use it to commute down to Westminster.

I dismissed the exit poll at 10pm last night thinking that only 10 seats was utterly ridiculous. And it got worse.

I can't believe that they are all still leading with "well 50% of Scotland still want Independence", it's so cloth eared. Maybe 50% do still like the idea of independence, but it's now very obviously way down the list and you'd hope they might have cottoned on to that by now. It's great for the country if it does actually force them to rethink and put their energies into actually governing for all of us.

[Blackmac]

Might be an idea to give the SNP the camper van back. They can all use it to commute down to Westminster.

I dismissed the exit poll at 10pm last night thinking that only 10 seats was utterly ridiculous. And it got worse.

I can't believe that they are all still leading with "well 50% of Scotland still want Independence", it's so cloth eared. Maybe 50% do still like the idea of independence, but it's now very obviously way down the list and you'd hope they might have cottoned on to that by now. It's great for the country if it does actually force them to rethink and put their energies into actually governing for all of us.

I'm actually one of that 50% who likes the idea , but feel that the obstacles are insurmountable, especially with the lack of talent available.

[Slick]

Might be an idea to give the SNP the camper van back. They can all use it to commute down to Westminster.

I dismissed the exit poll at 10pm last night thinking that only 10 seats was utterly ridiculous. And it got worse.

I can't believe that they are all still leading with "well 50% of Scotland still want Independence", it's so cloth eared. Maybe 50% do still like the idea of independence, but it's now very obviously way down the list and you'd hope they might have cottoned on to that by now. It's great for the country if it does actually force them to rethink and put their energies into actually governing for all of us.

I'm actually one of that 50% who likes the idea , but feel that the obstacles are insurmountable, especially with the lack of talent available.

I’m very much open to it as well, although I wouldn’t be one of those 50%, but not now for the reasons you mention. But read the room lads

[vball]

Away in the hills this weekend so only getting access to news some of the time.
Pretty pleased with how it has turned out and SNP defeat. Drew Henry too busy to attend the recount so a big thanks to his supporters then. The Bully Boy has had his day.
LibDems always wanted some form of PR but not sure they will push for it with the Mighty Reform getting so many votes.
How long will Labour last? It is in their own hands ...

[Biffer]

Away in the hills this weekend so only getting access to news some of the time.
Pretty pleased with how it has turned out and SNP defeat. Drew Henry too busy to attend the recount so a big thanks to his supporters then. The Bully Boy has had his day.
LibDems always wanted some form of PR but not sure they will push for it with the Mighty Reform getting so many votes.
How long will Labour last? It is in their own hands ...

Labour and the liberals should absolutely pursue electoral reform. It would keep the Tories out of power for decades.

[Slick]

I didn’t realise the Labour vote share in Scotland was quite a bit higher than in England, that’s an enormous shift.

Reasonably optimistic by Swinneys comments about acknowledging independence is not top of people’s agenda at the moment and SG want to have good relationships with the new U.K. gov. It’s a shame it had to take an absolute spanking to get here, but hopefully a sign of a less divisive and turbulent few years ahead in everyone interests

[Big D]

Reform probably saved the SNP from an even worse night.

[Slick]

It’s going to be a really interesting 12 months ahead.

SNP saying they understand the electorate wants them to focus on actually governing, Starmer holding out an olive branch to work together to try and make things better.

Do the SG accept that with the “risk” that it does actually make things better but Labour get all the credit. Or do they turn it down and continue to play to the base.

I think another issue for all concerned is that the SNP is skint. Most of their funding comes from small donations which have almost completely dried up as either folk have moved on or realised that Indy isn’t happening. I think it’s dangerous for Starmer to let them financially wither and potentially die because what comes after could be much more radical. Not sure what happens with this but I think Scotland is potentially better with a fairly strong SNP, albeit not the monster than Sturgeon turned it into

[Blackmac]

I see Swinney and his wee team managed to run up a bill of over £12000 for his trip to see the Scotland/Germany game. I presume the fact that he met an obscure Bavarian politician conveniently allowed them to write it all off as a business trip. Different pig in the same trough.

[Big D]

I see Swinney and his wee team managed to run up a bill of over £12000 for his trip to see the Scotland/Germany game. I presume the fact that he met an obscure Bavarian politician conveniently allowed them to write it all off as a business trip. Different pig in the same trough.

I don't have an issue with the first minister attending this game to be fair.

[Slick]

I see Swinney and his wee team managed to run up a bill of over £12000 for his trip to see the Scotland/Germany game. I presume the fact that he met an obscure Bavarian politician conveniently allowed them to write it all off as a business trip. Different pig in the same trough.

I don't have an issue with the first minister attending this game to be fair.

Me neither really. Although it is a bit tone deaf

[Big D]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cne4d03vm7jo

Some of it is damning on the UK Govt as we all knew and expected but some of the findings are at the feet of the Scottish Goverment:
- The Scottish government and other devolved administrations “did not act with sufficient urgency, or at all” on the findings of a previous planning exercise.
- Parts of the Scottish government responsible for emergency planning were subject to a number of reorganisations, leaving them further from the centre of government and causing confusion.
- There was a seven-month period in the year before Covid where the Scottish government officials tasked with preparing for a pandemic did not meet after being diverted to deal with Brexit.
- There was a “lack of adequate leadership, coordination and oversight” for pandemic planning across all UK governments.

[weegie01]

Just had to pay a fine for wandering into the Glasgow LEZ. Fucking hell, the website is like a trip back to the early 90's

What were you driving?

I’ve just checked and my 21 year old 2.4l Galaxy is compliant in all Scottish LEZs

As is my 13 year old diesel Disco. Makes me wonder what is excluded.

[Tichtheid]

Just had to pay a fine for wandering into the Glasgow LEZ. Fucking hell, the website is like a trip back to the early 90's

What were you driving?

I’ve just checked and my 21 year old 2.4l Galaxy is compliant in all Scottish LEZs

As is my 13 year old diesel Disco. Makes me wonder what is excluded.

How is the reliability on the Disco?

[inactionman]

For diesel, it should be Euro 6, which came in in 2015? Odd.

Petrol is Euro 4 which I think is about 2005.

Assume you've tried the Edinburgh checker tool:
https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/lowemissionzone

[Dogbert]

Just had to pay a fine for wandering into the Glasgow LEZ. Fucking hell, the website is like a trip back to the early 90's

What were you driving?

I’ve just checked and my 21 year old 2.4l Galaxy is compliant in all Scottish LEZs

As is my 13 year old diesel Disco. Makes me wonder what is excluded.

I assume that the 2.4L Galaxy is the Petrol version , and that would be Euro 4 compliant - which includes virtually every petrol car registered since January 2006 for LEZ

For Diesels - engines need to be Euro 6 compliant which includes almost every diesel car registered since September 2015. ( Most use adblue , which makes them compliant.

There has been quite a bit of discussion on the Landy Forums regarding the Dicso 3 /4's with some being shown as being compliant on the checker , even though they are pre Sep 2015 - the check shows these vehicles are exempt (they should not be but they are) due to the inept civil service department which is running the schemes.

They might realise one day and correct this, but knowing how govt depts work - probably not.

The general advice is to take a screenshot from the checker - and print it off as proof , just in case they do finally cotton on, and you get an unwelcome letter through the post

[Blackmac]

I see Swinney and his wee team managed to run up a bill of over £12000 for his trip to see the Scotland/Germany game. I presume the fact that he met an obscure Bavarian politician conveniently allowed them to write it all off as a business trip. Different pig in the same trough.

I don't have an issue with the first minister attending this game to be fair.

I struggle to see the need for 6 staff.

[weegie01]

How is the reliability on the Disco?

Actualy pretty good for a vehicle of its type and age. 61 reg, 115k, a lot of which has been towing. Things wear out after that use so there is the occasional big bill, but it does not actually break down. I struggle to remember the last breakdown as opposed to 'I better get that noise looked at' episode. I have never skimped on repairs. It goes to an independent LR specialist, and when something needs fixed, it is fixed before it breaks.

It is a big, comfy car that does everything I need so I see no need to change. The chap I use for service runs a similar Disco. He regards it as one of the best LR models ever and reckons that as long as you are prepared to spend the not inconsiderable sums needed to keep on top of things, they will basically go forever.

It is worth pennies now. But the occasional bill is nothing compared to the depreciation on something new, so I see no need to change.

[weegie01]

There has been quite a bit of discussion on the Landy Forums regarding the Dicso 3 /4's with some being shown as being compliant on the checker , even though they are pre Sep 2015 - the check shows these vehicles are exempt (they should not be but they are) due to the inept civil service department which is running the schemes.

They might realise one day and correct this, but knowing how govt depts work - probably not.

The general advice is to take a screenshot from the checker - and print it off as proof , just in case they do finally cotton on, and you get an unwelcome letter through the post

Good advice, I shall do so forthwith.

Thanks

[Tichtheid]

How is the reliability on the Disco?

Actualy pretty good for a vehicle of its type and age. 61 reg, 115k, a lot of which has been towing. Things wear out after that use so there is the occasional big bill, but it does not actually break down. I struggle to remember the last breakdown as opposed to 'I better get that noise looked at' episode. I have never skimped on repairs. It goes to an independent LR specialist, and when something needs fixed, it is fixed before it breaks.

It is a big, comfy car that does everything I need so I see no need to change. The chap I use for service runs a similar Disco. He regards it as one of the best LR models ever and reckons that as long as you are prepared to spend the not inconsiderable sums needed to keep on top of things, they will basically go forever.

It is worth pennies now. But the occasional bill is nothing compared to the depreciation on something new, so I see no need to change.

That all ties in with what I thought, it's just that I've read a few things about unreliability being a factor with LandRovers - I found it difficult to believe to be honest.

[Blackmac]

How is the reliability on the Disco?

Actualy pretty good for a vehicle of its type and age. 61 reg, 115k, a lot of which has been towing. Things wear out after that use so there is the occasional big bill, but it does not actually break down. I struggle to remember the last breakdown as opposed to 'I better get that noise looked at' episode. I have never skimped on repairs. It goes to an independent LR specialist, and when something needs fixed, it is fixed before it breaks.

It is a big, comfy car that does everything I need so I see no need to change. The chap I use for service runs a similar Disco. He regards it as one of the best LR models ever and reckons that as long as you are prepared to spend the not inconsiderable sums needed to keep on top of things, they will basically go forever.

It is worth pennies now. But the occasional bill is nothing compared to the depreciation on something new, so I see no need to change.

You need to speak to my wife and talk some bloody sense into her. Brand new car every 4 years, drives me nuts at the waste of money.

[inactionman]

How is the reliability on the Disco?

Actualy pretty good for a vehicle of its type and age. 61 reg, 115k, a lot of which has been towing. Things wear out after that use so there is the occasional big bill, but it does not actually break down. I struggle to remember the last breakdown as opposed to 'I better get that noise looked at' episode. I have never skimped on repairs. It goes to an independent LR specialist, and when something needs fixed, it is fixed before it breaks.

It is a big, comfy car that does everything I need so I see no need to change. The chap I use for service runs a similar Disco. He regards it as one of the best LR models ever and reckons that as long as you are prepared to spend the not inconsiderable sums needed to keep on top of things, they will basically go forever.

It is worth pennies now. But the occasional bill is nothing compared to the depreciation on something new, so I see no need to change.

That all ties in with what I thought, it's just that I've read a few things about unreliability being a factor with LandRovers - I found it difficult to believe to be honest.

I had a freelander 2 that went to well over 150k, but wear and tear was getting a bit much so we swapped it out.

I've now got a 2017 Disco Sport , we've had it from about 18 months old and the trim is starting to show signs of wear (and kids' sticky fingers) so we might trade in whilst it's still worth something.

[weegie01]

That all ties in with what I thought, it's just that I've read a few things about unreliability being a factor with LandRovers - I found it difficult to believe to be honest.

No, all true.

My previous Disco was a nightmare right up till the engine destroyed itself at 110k miles. There was no way I was buying another and I test drove various other 4x4s. Then I was loaned a Disco 4 and ordered one straight away. It has been great, but it needed a few teething issues sorted out. I have been told that anecdotally that it is common for LR products to get more reliable as they age and the issues they left the factory with are corrected.

My wifes Evoques have been poor.. Both have had out of warranty work done free by Land Rover. Her solution is to get a new one.

Everyone I know who has left LR has had similar issues with other SUVs. The issue seems to be endemic, and a couple of acquaintances have gone back to LR on the basis that all the big SUVs seem as bad as the others.

[Dogbert]

Land rovers - can be the best cars , and also the worst.

The Disco for example - no one produces a seven seater with the space ,and that has the off-road capability , combined with the on road comfort and ride.

However JLR make some really , really stupid mistakes which tarnish the brand.

Take the oil service intervals on Discos with the new 2.0 Diesel Ingenium model - Land Rover's official schedule is 2 years or 21,000mls. That's nuts, but it would mean that the vehicle lasts long enough to the end of the warranty

Surprise , Surprise - guess what we see - Stretched Cam Chains & Oil dilution issues - the oil dilution is a real engine killer. People understandably get pretty angry , when they follow the JLR recommended Service plan , and end up with a very expensive brick.

Oh and the Fuel sender issue on the FL2 - the problem area is the connection between the two floats. Fuel gets in causes an effy contact which gives you the erratic reading- all because they did not use a diesel resistant connector . - All that needs to be done is to note the wires, cut off the connection and solder the ends together, seal with fuel resistant shrink tub - but if you go a a Landrover dealer - they will charge you the cost of removing the propshaft / dropping the tanks to get access to the wiring

( Actually you can do this without dropping out the tank , the tank can just be released from its mountings and will sit on the prop shaft, allowing enough room through the rear seat access hole,- any decent Independent knows this )

Alternatively - you can convert your old Defender to EV power , and that resolves most of the reliability issues

[Tichtheid]

I had a 109 diesel series 3 pickup. It was on its third time round the clock by the time I'd finished with it. In its first life it had been used to tow ridiculous loads around a cement factory, then a guy who did various farm and building jobs had it, then me. I used it for agricultural fencing in the Pyrenees, so it was carrying stupid loads up some very rough and steep tracks. It also carried me from the midi Pyrenees to Scotland and back several times.
It was not a vehicle for long roads, but it was an indispensable tool for my job.

I had to replace the crankshaft at one point, but that was quite a straight forward job because of where I lived, the house had a barn attached so getting the engine out with a block and tackle was easy, then a strip down and rebuild with a couple of spanners and a torque wrench.

The drum brakes on it were terrible. So much so that when I got into a 88 petrol Landy in England I almost put my Kiwi fencing partner through the windscreen when I had to stop quickly

[vball]

I have a 2017 Merc GLC.done 72k miles and this week got an engine mgmt warning light. Garage mate check it and it is Nox sensor thingy which Merc will replace under the warranty I have. Apart from that, looks brand new and no other problems whatsoever.