mcguffin

In return I'm not going to ask you if you read it (but I'm guessing you are implying that you have?😃 ). Anyway, the links are above. By the way, have you read your UK/English constitution too? Maybe you can post a link? 😜

For those interested in this topic, the QR code points to https://liberation.scot/ It links to some interesting information. This one is quite good (if you like a bit of history): ",,, The UK constitution is just England’s constitution. The forced union of 1707 made sure of that. But the commissioners who negotiated on Scotland’s side were no mugs, and it’s thanks to them that our centuries-old Constitution was protected from an enemy fixed on dominating Scotland. (...) The principles of our constitutional law [are]... in the Claim of Right Act, 1689 ..." Okay, the legal language used in that linked document is a bit complex. But my layman's interpretation is that we Scot's have to adopt the legal fiction to be Protestant/Presbyterian on Independence Day 0 and thus separate from the Church-of-England UK 😜? Day 1 we go back to whatever faith/non-faith we want, free to live as we choose, in our newly independent, normal country. (Would love to read a few actual historian's views on this? All sounds a bit 'ancient' but so did Boris Johnson's 'Pro-roguing of Parliament' and 'Henry VIII powers'? And look how brutally effective those tactics were?)

It's quite depressing when you see these points laid out one after the other. The depopulation point in particular. Angus MacNeil (the SNP MP) made a point a few weeks back that this is ongoing and hits the Highlands and Island in particular--the very areas that an Independent Scotland will look to for much of it's industry (tourism, energy, fishing, whisky, agriculture, seaweed harvesting and so on). Scotland needs something different and it needs it fast.

Well 17th century documents might be an upgrade on whatever 11th/12th century documents/'public' school handshakes the Westminster 'constitution' is based on 😀?

Interestingly, Lesley Riddoch's latest podcast touches on the challenges facing Scottish Labour (Spoiler: she gives Keir Starmer a bit of a kicking): Will the Starmer 2 child benefit cap stance be the final straw for the Scottish Labour left? https://twitter.com/LesleyRiddoch/status/1681682053127962624

could both things be true?: 35% of Scottish Labour voters support independence, despite voting for British Labour politicians, 99% of which are, as you succintly put it, 'rabid yoons'? (Crazy as that may sound? ) (Also, you've got me thinking as to who the 1% of British Labour who aren't rabid yoons might be? 🕵️‍♂️)

A lot of good points! That estimate "...35% of Labour voters in Scotland...also want indy..." is pretty encouraging if accurate. On the one hand, it's a bit depressing that the Indy supporters are maybe entrenched in their respective parties (SNP vs Alba vs Labour and so on). But I also find it encouraging that there are members of all these parties (and other parties, and independents) who support independence. Would love for their to be some kind of informal 'truce' agreed with the parties and a joint strategy on the-one-and-only-one issue of independence drawn up. (Other countries have different political parties, different viewpoints, heated debates, biased media outlets. But somehow they've still managed to become independent and run their own affairs. Are we are so different? I don't think so)

...I read too that the UK (i.e. London) is touting itself as a destination for AI corporations. So I think we can add a large percentage of the workforce being 'automated out of a job' to this expanding chunk of the population. (Incidentally, I wonder what the carbon footprint of the AI datacenters actually is? Haven't read much about that amongst the hype). The future is not looking good in my opinion.

you may well be right 😞 (I don't know. Maybe we need some cross-party initiative in the next few years? Surely the bulk of SNP supporters must still be hungry for independence, even if their salaried representatives are more lukewarm. And *surely* there must voters with sympathies towards independence in the Labour Party? Maybe even within the Conservative Party, LibDems and Greens?)

that's my perspective too.

The main thing is that he supports Independence. So the SNP/Greens can rely on his support for their continued bid for Scottish Independence. Other issues don't really matter so much in my opinion.

From your graph: "...the United Kingdom had a tax-to-GDP ratio of 33.5% compared with the OECD average of 34.1%..." Those numbers look pretty similar (34%). So the UK has 'average' taxation, but some might say we have 'below average services'. Maybe not so simple? But nice graph all the same.

I don't know about Spain, but corruption does seem to be rife in Eastern European countries. But then we don't have to look far to see corruption in our own countries. I think the difference is that the corruption in Eastern Europe is a more in-your-face sportscar driving gangster type of corruption. While in in the UK, it seems a more well-spoken, subtler, better class of corruption. Why that might express itself as better public services, I'm not sure. (Maybe because most gangsters grew up using public schools, doctors, dentist and so on, and so maybe value them more? Just a crazy hypothesis though 🙂 )

Interesting take on the 'campervan saga', about 01:30 in: https://shatball.podbean.com/e/would-you-buy-a-used-campervan-from-this-fella/

👍

ooops, sorry Hampden Loon, you had HPMA covered by item 5. 👍 As you were.

There's maybe a case for adding: 13. Highly Protected Marine Areas Okay, the plan was cancelled. But not before angering voters in areas with what's left of a post-Brexit fishing industry? I'm no political strategist, but I think there might be work needing to be done to re-motivate the Scottish electorate?

yes, looks a bit like that 😐 Incidentally, the word 'usher' always makes me think of this film (in this case, appropriately?): "For centuries these walls have known foul thoughts and deeds!"

Thanks Ally! Actually I just listened to the show and, with your comment, it now makes sense. I was suprised when Willoughby came out with pro-Independence noises during the show. (Didn't come across as being particularly well-informed about any of the issues discussed if I was to be honest, but the studio audience seemed to like what they heard). Incidentally, Fiona Hyslop came across very well. (Head and shoulders above the others: e.g. Lord Offord relied solely on rattling off percentages to 'win' his argument. Anas Sarwar, on the other hand was tying himself in knots trying not to be seen to agree with anything Hyslop said--e.g. regarding Scottish Drug deaths, although he clearly agreed with her about fundamental drugs problems specific to Scotland.). A good listen if you're really bored.

Also, isn't Lord Offord the Billy-Connolly-lookalike with the "Scotland is shite and I've got the numbers to prove it" patter? Chuck in India Willoughby and that's quite the panel you've got there.

👍I agree on all points.

These are very good points. I agree with you. I have to say, I was uncomfortable with Macwhirter's answer to the Humza Yousaf question at the end of the interview. Macwhirter took a few cheap shots (which I won't repeat here) which were unnecessary. (The poor guy has been in the job for 5 minutes and was dealt a bit of a duff hand. I think the media should cut him a little bit of slack?) On the other hand, Macwhirter praised both Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond as political heavy weights. I found it refreshing to hear someone praising both, which is pretty rare nowadays. (I think there is some truth to Iain Macwhirter's claim that many in the Indy movement have 'airbrushed' out Alex Salmond.)

Thanks TDYER63. It's interesting to hear your views. I listened to it again, and I think I have to agree with you. I like the guy, but yes, Iain Macwhirter definitely has his own biases and doesn't make much effort to be objective (e.g. it seems pretty clear he doesn't like the Greens, supports further North Sea oil exploration, and doesn't have much affinity for the Scottish Government's more progressive policies). And yes, I noticed that too when Brendan O'Neill said that he didn't like Nicola Sturgeon. But at least, after that O'Neill let Macwhirter answer his questions with few interruptions. But as you say, there were some uncomfortable truths. And I did find Macwhirter's ability to summarise the historical events that have taken place in Scotland since 2014 (and before), quite impressive. To be honest, I just found it refreshing to hear a London-based journalist, of any political persuasion, giving a pro-Indy Scot a chance to talk without being interrupted or hectored😞.

👍My apologies in advance if you don't enjoy it.

Any actual examples?