Salmond and Sturgeon Want the English Fish for More Fat Subsidies

zagubov

elantan wrote: »

Tbh I think it would have been once in a generation if last year didn't pan out the way it did.... No one expected what happened here last year, it was truly a unique experience for many many people.... I think that took the once in a generation idea off the table ... What was your experience of what was going on ?

I ask as when I talk to friendsthat live down south they had no way of knowing ... No idea that it literally consumed huge swathes of the country

It's a definite difference I've noticed in both my trips to Scotland in the last month- everybody's discussing politics and the energy's palpable. It's as if everybody's just woken up.

In contrast down here in England everybody seems despondent about the lack of choice and the low calibre of the next management team that want to take over in May. We just get to decide if they wear a red tie or a blue tie.:o

CLAPTON

zagubov wrote: »

It's a definite difference I've noticed in both my trips to Scotland in the last month- everybody's discussing politics and the energy's palpable. It's as if everybody's just woken up.

In contrast down here in England everybody seems despondent about the lack of choice and the low calibre of the next management team that want to take over in May. We just get to decide if they wear a red tie or a blue tie.:o

life should be exciting : politics should simply provide the framework for us to live our own lives.

people is Scotland should be concerned about the poor health outcomes in scotland; about poor roads etc and not about political processes.

exciting politics is about failure : I'm sure politics in Greece is exciting too.

elantan

Generali wrote: »

You do an excellent impression of one.

That would be probably due to the fact you don't watch me arguing with them lol ... Don't get me wrong I do believe they are currently the best party to take Scotland forward .... But I most certainly don't agree with everything they say or do.

elantan

zagubov wrote: »

It's a definite difference I've noticed in both my trips to Scotland in the last month- everybody's discussing politics and the energy's palpable. It's as if everybody's just woken up.

In contrast down here in England everybody seems despondent about the lack of choice and the low calibre of the next management team that want to take over in May. We just get to decide if they wear a red tie or a blue tie.:o

It is very palpable here ... There has been a buzz here for nearly a year,and instead of going away its getting more focussed and directed

elantan

CLAPTON wrote: »

live should be exciting : politics should simply provide the framework for us to live our own lives.

people is Scotland should be concerned about the poor health outcomes in scotland; about poor roads etc and not about political processes.

exciting politics is about failure : I'm sure politics in Greece is exciting too.

Oh they are believe me ... Only now they know how to go about it all politically .... I pity the Msp's Mp's and councillors in a way .... The people make them work for their money now and pull them up for everything .... Its fun to watch

Shakethedisease

Generali wrote: »

In addition, both of Britain's major parties appear to be in the process of agreeing constitutional changes that will prevent England from being held to ransom by a fringe party like the SNP (even if they get voters in Scotland voting in the numbers predicted that's going to be well below 3% of Britons voting for them).

I don't think that's going so well for William Hague either.

Mr Hague was forced to defend the proposals after Tory critics claimed it would destabilise the Union because Scottish MPs would still ultimately cast a vote on laws affecting England.

It comes after the Conservatives said a “grand committee” of English MPs would make the final changes to any laws affecting only English voters if the party wins a majority. Critics have pointed out that while Scottish MPs could not alter legislation agreed by English MPs they could still vote against it, potentially meaning the SNP could block English-backed legislation...

John Redwood, the former Conservative MP, told The Telegraph the proposals could destabilise the Union by empowering the SNP.
"It gives them leverage. If you had a lot of Nationalist MPs, for example, who wanted something for Scotland then presumably they would all gang up and try to block an English proposal until we cave in on what they wanted. It would be perfectly legitimate political tactics,” he said.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/william-hague/11386945/England-will-be-held-to-ransom-by-SNP-unless-Labour-backs-English-votes-William-Hague-says.html

Generali wrote: »

The fact is that about 2% of British people voted in favour of breaking up the Union. The SNP had their chance and they blew it. The Unionists aren't fools. They are busy putting in place structures to ensure that the Union is stronger than ever. And there won't be another opportunity to break up the country for 30+ years.

I don't think so. If nothing is likely to be 'put into law' before the election. So no-one knows which way EVEL or any law on elections/referenda will go. And if they'll ever be implemented. It will depend on the make-up of the next government in power.

The headline figures in today’s YouGov poll for The Times are brutal for Scottish Labour. Labour (27 percent) are still 20 points behind the SNP (48%). But that’s the good news. Because everything else is even worse.
Consider this: 95 percent of SNP supporters think Nicola Sturgeon is doing a good job. That’s impressive or, if you prefer, slightly terrifying. But, hark at this: 39 percent of Labour supporters think Nicola is performing admirably. Her net approval rating amongst Labour voters is just -4. Jim Murphy’s net approval rating amongst SNP supporters, meanwhile, is -54.

Or this: 67 percent of SNP voters say there is no chance they will change their minds before the election but only 50 percent of Labour supporters are so certain. Overall, more than 90 percent of SNP voters reckon it is extremely unlikely they will change their minds....
...Which is another way of remembering that, as a senior Scottish Tory put it to me recently, this election is a win-win contest for the Nationalists and a lose-lose dilemma for Unionists.

http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/2015/02/unless-something-changes-soon-scottish-labour-is-doomed/

Ashcroft polls are due out tomorrow, some are reporting a 'not as bad as feared for Labour'. Which will bolster hopes. However they will be out of date already, most of the candidates hadn't been selected when the polls were going on.. and of course, the SNP has 'form' on last minute comebacks and gains. Labour need to do something as the above article states, and quick if they're to pull back into contention north of the border.

I'm going to be sharing some popcorn with elantan and zav watching it all unfold. It certainly IS a very exciting time to be interested in politics. But EVEL is on shaky ( pardon the unintended username pun ) ground already. As is any question of the Scottish government having to ask permission for any further referendum.

.string.

Shakey wrote:

I don't think that's going so well for William Hague either.. . .

I think the article you quote and the reported reaction to Hague's remark did not take into account Hague's statement on the BBC this morning that his proposal included a veto on any English-related legislation that did not carry a majority support of English MPs. I posted this a page or two back.

The proposal is very similar to the proposal I made of non English MPs voting in an advisory capacity only on English matters except that I proposed a (single) re-vote should a majority of non English voters disagree. That was to allow reconsideration should there be serious dissent. Hague's proposal has the benefit of avoiding mischievous filibustering. I'm comfortable with Hague's proposal.

Leanne1812

zagubov wrote: »

It's a definite difference I've noticed in both my trips to Scotland in the last month- everybody's discussing politics and the energy's palpable. It's as if everybody's just woken up.

In contrast down here in England everybody seems despondent about the lack of choice and the low calibre of the next management team that want to take over in May. We just get to decide if they wear a red tie or a blue tie.:o

You are so right there, Scotland has well and truly woken up. It's a great place to engage as everyone is talking politics, communities & how & what we can do to make a difference. It's incredible & with the GE hot on the heels of our referendum so many still want to play a part in trying to decide where our future lies.

With the polls being neck & neck and all sorts of talk of deals & balance of power it's very exciting times for all of the UK but once again I feel particularly for Scotland. My task as part of the local campaign is to oust our labour MP who has quite a sizeable majority to overturn. May not be as difficult as it seems as my area was one of only 4 who chose Yes. Nevertheless we have a huge team who will work very hard to see this happens.

elantan

ooo can i ask ... who are you ousting Leanne? We have Jimmy the Hood here ... HE HAS TO GO ...

ruggedtoast

elantan wrote: »

That suggests that you do not believe Scotland to be a country .... Your kinda indicating that Poland is really USSR and should never have been given independence from them

Scotland isn't a country.