I was doing the crossword today when I came across this clue.
Ten-letter word used by the Unionists to try to discredit the Nationalist cause but is likely to backfire spectacularly. First letter X.
Two vivid images came to me.
Firstly, the Liberal Democrat MSP Jamie Stone. The Lib Dem leader, Nicol Stephen had barely finished delivering his party conference address saying that this should be a clean campaign free of name calling, when Mr Stone called the SNP xenophobic.
Incidentally, this is the same leader that in the Scot Lib Dems raison d’être states that he wants citizens to "contribute fully to their communities and to take part in the decisions which affect their lives," yet is dead set against letting the Scottish public have their say in a referendum on Scottish independence.
The second image that comes to me is that of former Scottish Office minister Lord George Foulkes. Barely had the dust settled after the first xenophobic comment when Lord Foulkes made a similar remark on the BBC’s Question Time programme.
Accusing the SNP of being xenophobic is taking the Unionist argument to the lowest level and Alex Salmond rose above it with this apt retort, "To argue for and seek independence for your country is something that people have done the world over. It is entirely legitimate and it is honourable. Some of the greatest figures in history have done it and we should not belittle that debate by throwing about names like xenophobic."
Coming so close to the election, the Question Time programme must have been an excellent opportunity to promote your party to the electorate. Alex Salmond leader of the SNP thought so as he was there. Also there was Annabel Goldie leader of the Scottish Conservative Party and Nicol Stephen leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrat Party. Where was the leader of the Scottish Labour Party, Jack McConnell though? After all, he was invited. Is he not interested in debating things that matter to Scotland ahead of the election?
Asked on BBC News what he made of Lord Foulkes remarks, Mr McConnell stated that he had, "not seen the programme." Come on Jack, do you really expect us to believe that? And if it is true, then how out of touch are you? Perhaps as much as your colleague currently residing in Number 10 Downing Street?
Well perhaps Jack McConnell might be suffering the same fate as Tony Blair this year.
Vacating office.
Friday, 23 February 2007
Friday, 16 February 2007
Jostling for Position
The election is approaching with the relentlessness of a long distance runner. And it looks like the Party which has the most stamina will come out on top in May. Have some parties gone for too much too soon?
For instance, the Labour Party have wheeled out their "Big Gun" this week, or should that be smoking gun? As Tony Blair made his annual visit to Scotland. He ignores Scotland for 95% of the year, only turning to them for their votes in parliament or when there is an election approaching, yet expects them to listen when he talks.
One person that is listening is Alex Salmond. Tony pleads to Alex, "Stop attacking me over the Iraq War. Let’s debate Scotland’s future."
"OK," says Alex and challenges Tony to a debate on Scotland’s future, like he has to Tony’s friend Jack on numerous occasions.
"Um, arrgh, well……," Tony says as he has no vision for Scotland, just like his friend Jack.
One man that does have a vision for Scotland is Scottish Lib Dem leader Nicol Stephen. But this vision does not include independence. Despite phrases like, "we champion freedom," "we aim to disperse power," and "we want to enable citizens to take part in the decisions that affect their lives," contained in their raison d’etre on their website, Mr Stephen has said that the issue of a referendum on independence is non-negotiable. He does not want one. The question that needs asked is he speaking for himself or his party?
The same question could be levelled at the SSP. Is their manifesto a serious attempt at getting MSPs elected or is it simply cheap shots at Tommy Sheridan?
Cheap shots are exactly what Noel Gallgher is now having at Tony Blair. Has all that alcohol during the nineties given him a case of amnesia for I recall back in 1997, during the "Cool Britania" era, he was sipping champagne, laughing and joking with Mr Blair. Who needs enemies when you have friends like that, I am sure Mr Blair is thinking.
Some people who are definitely our friends at the moment are those nice councillors. The average council tax bill has risen less than the rate of inflation. Have they been taking generosity pills? O h, no, wait a minute. That is right there is an election around the corner and this is their pathetic attempt to win our vote.
For a nation with amongst the worst child poverty and worst male survival rates in Europe, surely it is time for change. Have your say.
Let someone else have a go.
For instance, the Labour Party have wheeled out their "Big Gun" this week, or should that be smoking gun? As Tony Blair made his annual visit to Scotland. He ignores Scotland for 95% of the year, only turning to them for their votes in parliament or when there is an election approaching, yet expects them to listen when he talks.
One person that is listening is Alex Salmond. Tony pleads to Alex, "Stop attacking me over the Iraq War. Let’s debate Scotland’s future."
"OK," says Alex and challenges Tony to a debate on Scotland’s future, like he has to Tony’s friend Jack on numerous occasions.
"Um, arrgh, well……," Tony says as he has no vision for Scotland, just like his friend Jack.
One man that does have a vision for Scotland is Scottish Lib Dem leader Nicol Stephen. But this vision does not include independence. Despite phrases like, "we champion freedom," "we aim to disperse power," and "we want to enable citizens to take part in the decisions that affect their lives," contained in their raison d’etre on their website, Mr Stephen has said that the issue of a referendum on independence is non-negotiable. He does not want one. The question that needs asked is he speaking for himself or his party?
The same question could be levelled at the SSP. Is their manifesto a serious attempt at getting MSPs elected or is it simply cheap shots at Tommy Sheridan?
Cheap shots are exactly what Noel Gallgher is now having at Tony Blair. Has all that alcohol during the nineties given him a case of amnesia for I recall back in 1997, during the "Cool Britania" era, he was sipping champagne, laughing and joking with Mr Blair. Who needs enemies when you have friends like that, I am sure Mr Blair is thinking.
Some people who are definitely our friends at the moment are those nice councillors. The average council tax bill has risen less than the rate of inflation. Have they been taking generosity pills? O h, no, wait a minute. That is right there is an election around the corner and this is their pathetic attempt to win our vote.
For a nation with amongst the worst child poverty and worst male survival rates in Europe, surely it is time for change. Have your say.
Let someone else have a go.
Tuesday, 13 February 2007
Missing The Point
It is symbolic of the times that every few weeks we hear that the police have been given increased powers.
According to a BBC report, Scottish Police have been given extra powers to impose on-the-spot fines to "tackle anti-social behaviour."
The Scottish Executive think that these fines would tackle crimes such as drunkenness and vandalism! What planet are they on? Issuing a £40 fine is as likely to have as much an effect on social issues as me trying to become First Minister. And since when did drunkenness become an offence?
These increased powers simply serve 2 purposes:
1. Further eroding our civil liberties
2. Revenue generation
The Scottish Executive should be diverting funds into looking at the underlying problems causing people to turn to "crime". One of the major problems is poverty. The fact that a developed country has a third of its children living below the poverty line is shameful.
The Deputy Justice Minister has even said that crime is falling and this is despite of the policies employed by the Executive. So forgot your, "We want to see more police on the streets." Use that money to tackle poverty and guess what? You’ll be tackling crime at the same time.
According to a BBC report, Scottish Police have been given extra powers to impose on-the-spot fines to "tackle anti-social behaviour."
The Scottish Executive think that these fines would tackle crimes such as drunkenness and vandalism! What planet are they on? Issuing a £40 fine is as likely to have as much an effect on social issues as me trying to become First Minister. And since when did drunkenness become an offence?
These increased powers simply serve 2 purposes:
1. Further eroding our civil liberties
2. Revenue generation
The Scottish Executive should be diverting funds into looking at the underlying problems causing people to turn to "crime". One of the major problems is poverty. The fact that a developed country has a third of its children living below the poverty line is shameful.
The Deputy Justice Minister has even said that crime is falling and this is despite of the policies employed by the Executive. So forgot your, "We want to see more police on the streets." Use that money to tackle poverty and guess what? You’ll be tackling crime at the same time.
Friday, 9 February 2007
The Choice Is Yours
Eleven billion. Four Billion. One Billion. Pick a figure. That is what the Labour Party is doing in its latest attempt to discredit the SNP campaign. What will the figure be next week? Labour are currently running scared and have reverted to the age old tradition of scare tactics as their primary weapon to fight the elections. However, I think that the public are getting pretty sick of it. The public want to see a party that has a vision for Scotland. They want to see a party that are positively campaigning to bring about progressive change to Scotland. Not a party that revert to negative statements and downplaying Scotland’s capabilities in a vain attempt to cling onto power.
What do you want to hear from politicians? Do you want to hear, "The so and so Party are rubbish and should never be given the chance to govern Scotland"? Or do you want to hear, " Scotland should have a thriving, prosperous population with the best housing, healthcare and working conditions in the world. We should have a transport infrastructure that supports such fundamental needs whilst exceeding environmental responsibilities. A sense of community will permeate through Scotland…….etc etc."
I know which one I want to hear. So if you are sick to death of hearing negative rubbish being spouted by the current politicians, there is only one thing to do. VOTE. On May the third, go to the polling station and get rid of this plague that is prohibiting Scotland from moving forward.
What do you want to hear from politicians? Do you want to hear, "The so and so Party are rubbish and should never be given the chance to govern Scotland"? Or do you want to hear, " Scotland should have a thriving, prosperous population with the best housing, healthcare and working conditions in the world. We should have a transport infrastructure that supports such fundamental needs whilst exceeding environmental responsibilities. A sense of community will permeate through Scotland…….etc etc."
I know which one I want to hear. So if you are sick to death of hearing negative rubbish being spouted by the current politicians, there is only one thing to do. VOTE. On May the third, go to the polling station and get rid of this plague that is prohibiting Scotland from moving forward.
Friday, 2 February 2007
So close - I can almost touch it!
The latest opinion poll was published this week and it is good news for the SNP. They still lead Labour in the Constituency and the Regional vote with less than 100 days to go until the election. Should Jack McConnell be preparing his final speech as First Minister?
Alex Salmond is so close, he can almost feel the comfy leather of the First Minister’s chair. Yet he is going to have to rely on some friends if he wants the keys to power. Yes, that’s right, due to proportional representation, it is highly unlikely a party will gain an overall majority so a coalition will have to be formed. Will Alex be able to persuade the Lib Dems to side with him?
One person not likely side with Mr Salmond, is Tony Blair. Phew, I can hear Alex saying! Then I can hear Alex popping open the champagne bottles when Tony Blair announces that he will be fronting the Labour campaign. Has no-one told him that he has no credibility left?
With all the odds stacking up against Labour, will voter apathy hand them a potential lifeline? What will the likely outcome of the election be?
The choice is literally yours!!
Join the debate on all these topics and more at Our Scotland.
Alex Salmond is so close, he can almost feel the comfy leather of the First Minister’s chair. Yet he is going to have to rely on some friends if he wants the keys to power. Yes, that’s right, due to proportional representation, it is highly unlikely a party will gain an overall majority so a coalition will have to be formed. Will Alex be able to persuade the Lib Dems to side with him?
One person not likely side with Mr Salmond, is Tony Blair. Phew, I can hear Alex saying! Then I can hear Alex popping open the champagne bottles when Tony Blair announces that he will be fronting the Labour campaign. Has no-one told him that he has no credibility left?
With all the odds stacking up against Labour, will voter apathy hand them a potential lifeline? What will the likely outcome of the election be?
The choice is literally yours!!
Join the debate on all these topics and more at Our Scotland.
Friday, 26 January 2007
The Countdown Has Started
With less than 100 days to go until the election, one of the big questions that needs answered is – Will the election take place at all? With EU rulings stating that criminals must get a vote and with no mechanisms in place to make this happen, is the election in jeopardy?
If the election does go ahead, then what is the most likely outcome going to be? Will we have another Lib-Lab coalition? Another 4 years of dreary government taking its orders from Westminster. Or will we have something new and exciting, such as an SNP led administration. Would they really impose a £1,000,000 tariff on every nuclear warhead transported to Scotland?
Perhaps we should ask the EU what they think of the implications of such a tariff. But then again, in a leaked report meant for Jack McConnell, Scotland is being routinely ignored, forgotten and dismissed by Whitehall officials.
Oooohhh, I feel a constitutional row brewing! Oh, I forgot! It has already erupted with the news after Ruth Kelly, the Communities and Local Government Minister at Westminster is trying to force Scotland to abandon its law of allowing gay couples to adopt children.
Money just can’t buy a good constitutional argument. Something else money can’t buy is a nomination for a peerage to the House of Lords. This was no doubt what Mr McConnell was telling the police when he got questioned about his nomination recently.
There is only one nomination Scotland will be focussing on in the next 100 days or so though and that is the First Minister. With the Lib Dems stating that they will not go into coalition with the SNP, it seems that the SNP quest has suffered a blow. But will the electorate really stomach another Lib/Lab coalition? Who is going to win the race Alex or Jack?
Discuss this and much more at Our Scotland, we look forward to seeing you.
If the election does go ahead, then what is the most likely outcome going to be? Will we have another Lib-Lab coalition? Another 4 years of dreary government taking its orders from Westminster. Or will we have something new and exciting, such as an SNP led administration. Would they really impose a £1,000,000 tariff on every nuclear warhead transported to Scotland?
Perhaps we should ask the EU what they think of the implications of such a tariff. But then again, in a leaked report meant for Jack McConnell, Scotland is being routinely ignored, forgotten and dismissed by Whitehall officials.
Oooohhh, I feel a constitutional row brewing! Oh, I forgot! It has already erupted with the news after Ruth Kelly, the Communities and Local Government Minister at Westminster is trying to force Scotland to abandon its law of allowing gay couples to adopt children.
Money just can’t buy a good constitutional argument. Something else money can’t buy is a nomination for a peerage to the House of Lords. This was no doubt what Mr McConnell was telling the police when he got questioned about his nomination recently.
There is only one nomination Scotland will be focussing on in the next 100 days or so though and that is the First Minister. With the Lib Dems stating that they will not go into coalition with the SNP, it seems that the SNP quest has suffered a blow. But will the electorate really stomach another Lib/Lab coalition? Who is going to win the race Alex or Jack?
Discuss this and much more at Our Scotland, we look forward to seeing you.
Friday, 19 January 2007
A Long Time In Politics
Harold Wilson once said a week was a long time in politics and at Our Scotland it is unbelievable the amount of topics that have been debated within the last week.
For a start, the last week has seen the 300th anniversary of the Act of Union and this has thrown up some actions and posts which some people find quite controversial.
The anniversary has ensured that the independence argument has continued to be at the forefront of any debate leading up to the election in May. Even Tom Devine perhaps our most well known historian has got in on the act. Is he edging towards independence?
Probably the most unlikely person you would find supporting Scottish independence would be Margaret Thatcher. Hanging onto her coat-tails would be David Cameron, yet the current leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party has perhaps offered an olive branch to the Scottish electorate. Is this the most unexpected U-turn since the "Iron Lady’s" demise or is it just blatant electioneering?
One person that looks like he needs to do no electioneering is Alex McLeish. Is he a stick on for the Scotland job? Has he got the right qualities to take Scotland to Euro 2008 ahead of the two World Cup finalists?
Talking of World Cup Finalists, the many times finalists Argentina beat the one time finalists England back in 1986 in the quarter finals. Who could forget it? Maradona scoring that brilliant goal, then five minutes later he scored again skipping past five England defenders and rounding Shilton in the process. However the legality of the first goal has been yet again called into question this week.
Finally, it is the goal of one of our board members to move to Scotland. Help her decide which Highland location is the best to live in.
There are little more than three months to go until the elections. The excitement is building. The outcome of the election is truly on a knife edge. Who’ll form the next government? Will it be a coalition or minority government? There will be so many points of view debated over the next three months, make sure you have your say at Our Scotland.
For a start, the last week has seen the 300th anniversary of the Act of Union and this has thrown up some actions and posts which some people find quite controversial.
The anniversary has ensured that the independence argument has continued to be at the forefront of any debate leading up to the election in May. Even Tom Devine perhaps our most well known historian has got in on the act. Is he edging towards independence?
Probably the most unlikely person you would find supporting Scottish independence would be Margaret Thatcher. Hanging onto her coat-tails would be David Cameron, yet the current leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party has perhaps offered an olive branch to the Scottish electorate. Is this the most unexpected U-turn since the "Iron Lady’s" demise or is it just blatant electioneering?
One person that looks like he needs to do no electioneering is Alex McLeish. Is he a stick on for the Scotland job? Has he got the right qualities to take Scotland to Euro 2008 ahead of the two World Cup finalists?
Talking of World Cup Finalists, the many times finalists Argentina beat the one time finalists England back in 1986 in the quarter finals. Who could forget it? Maradona scoring that brilliant goal, then five minutes later he scored again skipping past five England defenders and rounding Shilton in the process. However the legality of the first goal has been yet again called into question this week.
Finally, it is the goal of one of our board members to move to Scotland. Help her decide which Highland location is the best to live in.
There are little more than three months to go until the elections. The excitement is building. The outcome of the election is truly on a knife edge. Who’ll form the next government? Will it be a coalition or minority government? There will be so many points of view debated over the next three months, make sure you have your say at Our Scotland.
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