[0762]

I don't think Brexit is going to matter too much now, the damage has been already done and the people can see how we have been treated by this government in that area.

Between the lack of opposition and the sheer arrogance and lunacy of a right wing tory government the SNP will sweep the boards in may and then there is absolutely no stopping a referendum. Sure bojo can say no, but he cant deny it forever so he's be better to try and face up to it now rather than letting it go to the Supreme Court....where its just going to look bad for the UK government.

And a Scotsman newspaper brokered OP on Scotindy reveals 58% support for self-determination!!! This is the 17th consecutive OP to confirm a huge "swing" for Scottish independence and I'm certainly expecting the 60% marker to be broken as soon as the Brexit f### up is up n running after 31 December - that is when the "flood gates" open and hopefully the big Scotindy campaigners, AOUB and others, start mobilising in different ways to really "drive" the campaign against this fascist Brit govt and its clear, undemocratic methods to force its shit on a population that is not privy to having it.

[hibeejim21]

Thing is there is absolutely zero detail behind what independence would look like. Of course everyone will say 'aye' now when it's incredibly obvious it makes sense to get the xxxx away from a toxic Westminster. But they haven't done anywhere near enough work on what it would involve economically. It cant just be a 'we will sort it out afterwards' either

And forget the growth commission report - the unionists will drive a coach and horses through it. An independent Scotland would need its own central bank very quickly.

[0762]

Yep! I totally agree re that view. All the 2014 "red herrings" like the currency issue (lots n lots of indy countries since the end of WWII progressed to self-determination without a currency prob and Scotland will be no different in that respect!), the economy and what it will look like after huge inward investment and, as you say, a central bank being established - note the Scot National Investment Bank bill that was progressed through the Scot Parliament in early 2019. The bank's primary mission was to support Scotland's transition to net-zero. I believe the consultation process was supposed to end about now and the bank's "missions" were to be set by Scottish Ministers. However, this process has been delayed for obvious reasons. Note the whole process is still at an advanced stage and financed accordingly. The border issue is another "red herring" and, like the other issues, requires to be debated by all interested parties - Scot indy organisations, reputable economists, bankers, agencies and representatives who share that common goal of attaining self-determination. This debate must encompass a broad spectrum of Scottish society and the main objective is to remove any dubiety re issues that were hugely exploited in 2014 by the unionists with their "project fear" bullshit that fooled a significant proportion of our population and particularly those in the "oldie" category - I remember one of the cons being "you could lose your pension" - absolute bollocks!! Full preparation for that kinda unionist onslaught of bullshit is absolutely imperative by the time a Scot referendum comes around and I think it will happen sooner than a lotta people realise. However, lets get the Scot Election "done n dusted" in May before looking too far ahead esp in the present climate of uncertainty. Correct me if you disagree with this view but at the mo I see the SNP effectively preaching "jam tomorrow". But when? The Labour Party is preaching a bogus "jam tomorrow" argument with Starmer's future federalism - a Gordon Broon themed establishment con and a non-starter in Scotland - DONE THAT, SEEN IT, STOP TAKING THE PISS FFS!! And the Tories/Brexit fascists don't do collaboration and cooperation as equals. All they understand is domination and submission - Scotland will be forced to submit. Therefore they can GTF!! And independence is no longer simply about making Scotland a better and fairer country for all its citizens, something I personally aspire to! It is now also a campaign to save Scotland from political destruction - now imperative if we want to ensure that Scotland retains a distinct political identity and a distinct political voice and culture. IMO the Union, as it was traditionally understood, is dead. And it is the Tories who killed it. We now have a choice between independence or incorporation into a unitary Brexit state, dominated and defined by a reactionary RW English nationalism.
Scotland can either choose its own future or we can watch helplessly while compulsive lying Johnson, Rees-bastard-Mogg and "backstabber" Gove choose a future for us, a future in which Scotland's needs and interests will count for nothing but will be subordinated to the interests of the Tories' cronies, the hedge fund managers, the disaster capitalists, and the rapacious vultures who will "pick clean" the bones of the public sector. TAKE YOUR CHOICE AND DO IT WISELY!!

[ritchiebaby]

Why has no-one mentioned Nicola's faux pas regarding not wearing her mask when she should have? No doubt it was a genuine oversight, but she should be pilloried for it. At the very least she should be the one person in Scotland making doubly sure she followed the rules. Just imagine the reaction if Ruth Davidson had been caught doing the same.

[0762]

You used the words a "genuine oversight" and that is exactly what it was Ritchie! She actually pilloried herself and it was a genuine hardline criticism which was deserved as she "dropped her guard" while being knowingly aware that there are people around who don't like her for political or personal reasons because her ratings are "sky-high" in Scotland! May I add that somebody taking such a photo at a sombre event such as a wake is mindboggling, indeed irreverent, and if I was a close family member, my response to this individual/faux pas, if I caught the culprit, would be an extremely challenging one. I have previously walked into my local newsagent unknowingly not wearing a mask. My personal Scottish Saltire mask, with "Aye" sewn in red in the middle of it, was still in my pocket. I've inadvertently done this on a few occasions and particularly when I was "in a rush". I should likewise be pilloried for the same offence especially when there are signs on the front door laying out the FACTS rules set out by the Scottish govt and highlighted by the FM. I am obviously a human being and Nicola Sturgeon is likewise as human as any of us but with a higher reputable status and position in Scottish society and govt. Also I don't think anyone can say that they've not had a "slip-up" when it comes to mask wearing. What actually happened was she wore her mask as per the rules laid out by the Scot govt, was finally leaving the post cremation wake of her long-time friend and colleague with mask removed, and was suddenly asked to return briefly to speak to elderly family members thereby entering the Stable Bar without her mask (prob likewise located in her pocket) but still applying generous social distancing from about 3-4 metres. SHE HAS TO BE MORE CAREFUL BUT THE ERROR IS TOTALLY UNDERSTANDABLE FROM MY VIEWPOINT - DONE IT BUT NOT DELIBERATELY!! She is constantly under scrutiny and not everyone will be her supporter. Note the likes of Trump and Johnson have been very casual about mask wearing for long enough - heaps of abuse of the rules and both ironically infected!!

[hibeejim21]

Why has no-one mentioned Nicola's faux pas regarding not wearing her mask when she should have? No doubt it was a genuine oversight, but she should be pilloried for it. At the very least she should be the one person in Scotland making doubly sure she followed the rules. Just imagine the reaction if Ruth Davidson had been caught doing the same.

Why should she be 'pilloried' for a 'genuine oversight' ? It was on her way out of a funeral when she stopped to speak to couple. Looks to me like she maintained social distancing for the conversation.

I get that she has constantly went on about the importance of wearing masks and therefor she is going to get some stick for it, thats the nature of the beast. But for instance just the other day I totally forgot my mask in the supermarket and walked down an aisle before it even registered and I went back to the car. Sometimes you just slip back into pre covid mode, I bet most of us have at some point. Its not like she's driven half way across the country or got on a train with covid.

Who the xxxx takes a picture of someone after a funeral like that anyway ?

[0762]

Hear hear Jim. What imbecile takes such a photo? The guy who you observe later on at the bar holding his front teeth in his right hand and the remaining bits of his camera-mobile phone in his left hand lol!!!!!!

[ritchiebaby]

I understand your points of view and I have done the same thing as you have - walked into a shop without my mask on for a few seconds on two occasions, both times I had my mask in my pocket, but was busy thinking about something else. Perhaps anyone seeing me would think I was unable to wear a mask because of some medical reason. I was totally wrong and embarassed. I've been more careful since and I'm sure she will be too.

There would be several people who would gladly take such a photograph for money and I'm sure Nicola will be aware of this. Catherine Calderwood lost her job because of such photographs being published. I liked the reporter on BBC Scotland News who concluded by saying that at least Nicola didn't drive to Stirling Castle to test her eyesight.

[0762]

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/ni...d=msedgdhp

Nicola moving in on the offensive re Scotindy and doing it as she rightly says, "Before the usual RW press/media 'spin' comes out with the orchestrated praise re this fantastic deal (sic) etc etc etc" - already happening with Johnson clearly going through this well prepared script of post agreement celebration and "grinning from ear to ear" plus uttering almost a world record number of soundbites (nothing new there!) while most of the population is trying to enjoy Xmas as best they can - very convenient indeed and absolutely no coincidence in the cynical way it has been done by the Brexit Tories AGAIN!! I must also say that Gove's comment re NI "getting the best of both worlds" surely means that two senior Scottish Tories, Davidson and Mundell, will be resigning from their parliamentary party positions because that is what they professed they would do if NI was given a different deal to Scotland!! I'm not "holding my breath in anticipation" because I'm well aware these people are the most shameless and dishonorable individuals who are involved in Scottish politics and there are others who are similarly in it to "shaft" Scotland through their political masters in Westminster!

[hibeejim21]

The future looks like labour trying to be a more competent version of the tories to appeal to greedy, racist types in the south who think they are entrepreneurs cos they rent out a 1 bedroom flat, rather than offer the much needed changes to enthuse ordinary people.

We are best out of it.