Mega-shambles at ‘Wasteminster’
Over the past two weeks we have all witnessed another “mega-shambles” in “Wasteminster”.
All those who have brought about the greatest threat to our economy in decades – Farage, Johnson, Gove, Fox, Leadsom and Cameron himself – are all abandoning their “Little England” like rats fleeing a rapidly sinking ship, just as the full effects of their crazy Brexit are starting to bite.
With the blue Tories in turmoil what do the red Tories do? Get stuck into the dis-united blue Tories? No, not to be outdone the red Tories embark on their very own version of “hari-kari”. The ancient Japanese ritual method of suicide, by disembowelment, really does fail to adequately describe their leadership spat.
With Kezia off in America on a state department-sponsored “leadership course”, better late than never, let me offer her a piece of free advice.
Get yourself back to your desk and set about declaring UDI from your London head office and reconstitute the original Independent Scottish Labour Party.
I would remind her, however, that this included the original aim of “home rule” which in those long-off days meant “dominion status” and now means independence from Westminster.
Meantime the Liberal Democrats on Thursday 7th July presented a rather intriguing “early day motion”, sponsored by Norman Lamb and Alistair Carmichael.
Now what is really interesting is the nature of this motion, which urges the government to set-up a body to “verify the truthfulness of claims made during political campaigns, with powers to issue clarifications and fines where appropriate”.
It goes on to say: “This motion will help to ensure that future elections and referendums are contested on the basis of accurate, honest and verifiable facts … etc.” Ring any bells?
With this “Damascene conversion” can we now expect total honesty from our local parliamentarians? Time will tell.
Meanwhile, to Tavish Scott: I’m still waiting for my “super-fast” broadband and my wife didn’t get the 50 per cent reduction to her ferry fare you promised.
Charlie Gallagher
Tigh Na Mara,
Sullom.
Ali Inkster
Maybe your wife could try the western isles the snp gave them a 50% reduction in fares while ours went up. Maybe you could explain why this is?
Robin Stevenson
I think it may have something to do with the RET scheme not being applicable to ‘overnight’ accommodation Ali?… But I guess you probably knew that already huh? But still doesn’t stop you – and others – churning out the same old myths.
Ali Inkster
What myth Wrobin? Western isles fares reduced by 50% wirs gone up by 14%, you can spin it any way you want but that is an inescapable fact. As for bridges being built on budget and on time, that remains to be seen, but last month it was way behind the completion date, so far behind in fact that it had to be behind before the election when you and the snp were crowing about it being on time too.
Robin Stevenson
Ali
The Scottish government don’t dictate the prices that private ferry companies choose to charge their passengers, that is not in their power. However, they DO provide subsidies towards lifeline services, I believe the figure at the moment is £300 per passenger. I for one, certainly hope that the Scottish government owned Cal Mac are able to tender successfully [and on time] for the upcoming contract renewal. Would you imagine that passengers traveling to the Western Isles were ALSO being subsidised by £300 each?…. Thought not.
Ali Inkster
So through wir taxes we are subsidising tourists fares to the western isles while paying far higher fares wirselves, An du tinks we’ll be happy if we get calmac back, when we wid radder hiv P&O. Du really is clueless Wrobin
John Tulloch
“Abandoning their ‘Little England'”!)?
That’s funny, I thought Johnson would have stood for prime minister before Gove’s treacherous attack on him and Leadsom, Gove and Fox all stood but were not accepted by their party? Anyway, with the proper exception of Gove, they are all in the new Cabinet.
Brexiteers are in charge of all key foreign facing departments.
So, in fairness to the “blue Tories”, they are anything but a “shambles”.
John Tulloch
Charlie, I agree about those you inaccurately call the “red Tories” but what about the “Tartan Tories”?
Strutting around, appearing on television with straight faces, pretending Scotland can somehow stay in the EU while Britain leaves. Notwithstanding that EU leaders have told them they can’t negotiate with parts of a “member state”.
Does the fact that Norway already has a better deal with the EU than an independent Scotland would have as a full member stop them? Alas, no.
It remains to be seen but, given the recent remarks of European Council President Donald Tusk, it’s likely Britain will achieve an as good if not better deal than Norway.
But the SNP public posturing continues. Embarrassing, I cringe when they come on.
Robin Stevenson
John
I know that Argyll isn’t that far away from the rest of the world, but surely even you must have heard that Scotland would be a welcome member of the EU if it becomes an independent nation before the 2 year period after article 50 has been invoked?
It would appear that Nicola’s ‘strutting around and television appearances’ have paid off. Sensible people would call it, ‘making alliances and building bridges’, the SNP are actually quite good at that, [when you consider the new forth crossing on time and under budget]
Your assertion that ‘Norway already has a better deal with the EU than an independent Scotland would have as a full member’, is – of course – speculative nonsense. What Scotland put into the EU and what we receive back is very much in Scotland’s interests to remain a full member. Until such times that Scotland is as wealthy as Norway then and only then would Scotland ask voters to consider changing their position.
The only ‘Cringe’ I’m witnessing seems to be coming from those daft enough to believe that Scotland is ‘too wee, too poor and too stupid’ to be an independent grown up country.
Robert Sim
As I have previously commented on here, Robin, there is every chance that Brexit will in any case collapse in another ‘mega-shambles’. Very many Leave voters in England voted that way because of immigration; but it is increasingly being made crystal-clear by EU leaders that there will be no access to the free market without the whole package – including the free movement of peoples. That could lead to an irreconcilable position for the Westminster government – Tory voters and their MPs could rebel and the whole thing could end up being reversed. Whatever your views on the EU, the politics of it has been inept, as Charlie points out.
John Tulloch
Robin, you claim: “…Scotland would be a welcome member of the EU if it becomes an independent nation before the 2 year period after article 50 has been invoked.”
Has this been confirmed by the EU?
Perhaps, you will kindly provide a reference for those of us less well-informed than your good self?
ian tinkler
Robert Sim, you may note, we , the Uk. have 11 new separate trading countries, anxious to make trade deals with the Uk, since the Brexit vote. The USA is considering individual agreements with the UK and dropping negotiations with Europe. The politics of it has been so inept that a far stronger Tory party has emerged, the left wingers have imploded and all “Wee Nippy” does is posture and grandstand to Europe hugging Junkers. Talk of “Yes2” is just talk, no more, unless you are referring to Serina Cowdy and her SNP friends
Robin Stevenson
Good points Robert, and you may well be right?… Once they come to realize the colossal implications of leaving the EU they ‘could’ call another GE and perhaps reverse [or make null and void] the previous government’s obligations, interesting times indeed.
I can only hope – for Scotland’s sake – that they go ahead and invoke article 50. That – of course – would be the starting pistol for Indyref#2. As we’ve seen, very many No voters have already changed their views on the basis of being dragged out of the EU, but beyond that, for those whose god is money, the creation of the new stock exchange in Edinburgh [announced last week] and the English based businesses that rely on EU membership, realize that this could be very advantageous for themselves. One leading economist described it as a ‘Scottish renaissance’ and predicted the likely possibility of 500,000+ people and businesses, upsticks and moving North to an EU member state.
One thing’s for sure, with Boris as the new UK foreign secretary, I certainly don’t see too many member states holding out their hands in friendship? Come to think of it, is there anywhere he hasn’t insulted? 🙂
John Tulloch
Despite struggling to answer Andrew Marr about whether Scotland could remain in the EU while the rest of Britain leaves, Nicola Surgeon did not mention anything about an independent Scotland being “welcomed into the EU” during the post-Article 50 period? Odd that.
Instead just kept rambling in “Talk-o-matic” about how the Scottish vote gives her a mandate and how she has assembled a team of “experts” to provide her with possible “options”. What options?
None. Some examples of EU member states response to Nicola’s posturing:
Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy:
“Scotland has no competences to negotiate with the EU. The Spanish government rejects any negotiation with anyone other than the United Kingdom.”
Hungarian Government.
“Though the member states of the United Kingdom are entitled to play under a “national” entitlement in football, in European politics the political unit we face and negotiate with is the United Kingdom…(and)….as there’s no legally binding decision about the independence of Scotland … questions remain theoretical and premature.”
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14585378.Blow_for_Sturgeon_as_Tusk_and_string_of_EU_states_refuse_to_commit_to_meetings/
Robin Stevenson
John
Nothing ‘odd’ at all about about Nicola not mentioning be welcomed by other member states? In fact EU representatives aren’t really supposed to discuss the possibility of Scottish membership UNTIL Scotland is fully independent. However they’ve extended the courtesy of meeting with her in an unofficial capacity to discuss the possibility of Scotland retaining its membership beyond Brexit.
The indications are very positive indeed, of course nothing can be said officially as the EU must not be seen as ‘interfering’ in another member state’s domestic disputes and must remain neutral.
Rajoy [for example] has taken the hardline, as in, ‘No discussions at this time’. Of course, he’s terrified of giving any legitimacy to the secession of Catalonia, but with an independent Scotland, you seriously think he’d chose to be responsible for the annihilation of Spain’s fishing industry, by vetoing Scotland’s membership?
I know the ‘daily’ Herald love their sensational headlines, but in reality, with Scotland’s already historic 40 year membership of the EU, there isn’t one member state that would legitimately refuse, despite what our MSM are trying desperately pretend that it’s – somehow – a ‘blow to Sturgeon’.
That aside, they DO get it right sometimes:
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14591627.Brussels_considered__holding_pen__to_keep_Scotland_in_EU__insider_says/
ian tinkler
Robin Stevenson, You really sometimes actually tell it like it is, “Rajoy [for example] ……….., but with an independent Scotland, you seriously think he’d chose to be responsible for the annihilation of Spain’s fishing industry, by vetoing Scotland’s membership?” Robin, are you meaning the SG/SNP would offer Scotland’s fishing to Spain to buy Rajoy’s veto off? Do you really believe Shetland would sit back and let Nippy sell our fishermen and fishing out to Europe again? It’s great of you to boost and confirm “Wir Shetlands” views so., it is good on occasion, you getting the odd fact right. I can see the SNP muzzle coming for you again, the SNP usually hide this type of truth!!!
John Tulloch
Sorry Robin,
Asked repeatedly by Gordon Brewer on the Sunday Politics if she had received confirmation from any EU official that an independent Scotland could either continue on the same terms or be fast-tracked in, Nicola again failed to answer the question.
More EU negativity:
“… the refusal by Mr Tusk and member states, especially Germany, to stage bilateral talks is significant as all member states would have to unanimously agree to any special deal for Scotland, whether it was independent or not.”
“Several central and eastern European states are reported to be concerned that meeting Ms Sturgeon would encourage other separatist movements.
They were said to be furious with Mr Shulz and his ally Mr Juncker for wooing the SNP”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/28/nicola-sturgeon-heading-to-brussels-for-talks-with-european-parl/
The problem for Nicola is, no matter how gushily keen Schulz and Juncker might be, neither can prevail over the European Council.
Mr Tusk is chief of that and he’s not entertaining any SNP posturing.
ian_tinkler
Even by Charlie Gallagher’s standards, this childish load of nonsense sets a new standard!
“mega-shambles”, “Wasteminster”. “Little England” .”like rats”, “crazy Brexit”, “blue Tories”, “red Tories”,” “hari-kari” . and that is in the first six lines. I for one stopped reading at that point. I left primary school too long ago to read such pseudo political nationalist jargon. Just what point, if any, is Charlie trying to make?
Ray Purchase
Mr Pot addressing Mr Kettle…
Haydn Gear
It has to be said that Ian Tinkler really does bring a level of humour to these columns that is unsurpassed and capable of making the grouchiest of grouches laugh. We’ve all read enough of his missives to realise that the world of fun and entertainment is all the poorer for his absence,. Keep it up Ian ! You really are a fun guy. No doubt you’ll find a way to make a Tinkleresque response to these words of gratitude for your unending barbs and jokes.
ian tinkler
That’s good of you to say Hadyn, I am glad I make you happy. Guess what, I voted for the Union, we won. I voted for Tavish, he won, I voted for Brexit, they won. I love a good laugh, trouble is some people just have no sense of humor, and that is really very sad, I am so sorry for them.
ian tinkler
Just for Hadyn,
“Shock and Horror, “Wee Nippy”, I am sorry folks four using such foul and awful a nickname for the almighty and wonderful FM, her with the sun shining from everywhere, leader of the sublime cult, SNP. Such sacrilegious comment is unworthy for such a magnificence. May a thunderbolt descend from the great sporran of Salmond (Wee Eck) and smite me down. I am so sorry Toby Sanderson, (Shetland News) “Wee Nippy”, was not meant as a sexist jibe. I have never, ever, ever remotely thought of Nicola (Wee Nippy) in any type of sexual connotation. Nor for that matter Wee Eck (Have to balance the genders for political correctness). Now the “YES2”, Serena Cowdy, that would be a different matter, ask the deputy head of the SNP and his friend and her very close friend, Angus. Whoop, whoop, love these MPS, fancy that and on expenses, I am in the wrong job!!!”
ian tinkler
” Just what point, if any, is Charlie trying to make?” And answer came there none!
Haydn Gear
And what’s more Ian, some people can’t spell even when the correct version is staring them in the face. My name is clearly in evidence so all you have to do is copy it. ! And please, the claim of being dyslexic is now getting boring. Just admit your spelling is not up to scratch. Also, it’s good to know you have a sense of humour (or humor if you prefer the American version). It’s so considerate and kind of you to feel sorry for people who lack a sense of humour.You’ve obviously got more than your fair share thus denying others a chance to match up to you.????????????????????????????. It seems that all the ire aimed at you is groundless. Isn’t it amazing that so many people can be wrong and only you right? Some animals are more equal than others as George Orwell once said. And he didn’t even know you ! Amazing.
ian tinkler
Please note Haybn, I voted for the Union, we won. I voted Carmichael, he won, I voted for Tavish, he won, I voted for Brexit, they won. You claim ” Isn’t it amazing that so many people can be wrong and only you right?” well strange is it not Haydn, the vast majority seem to be of my view. Think about it.
Haydn Gear
Ian. Leaving aside all but Brexit, you surely must be aware that Brexit’s win was only by a slim margin and, as has become revealed, the win was driven by a pack of lies. You are happy to align yourself with that fact are you? As for Scotland and I presume Shetland too the vote was to remain (in the EU). Do you refute that too and have you some undeclared infomation to the contrary stuffed up your sleeve? If you have , I suggest you reveal it since anyone (you perhaps ? ) with all the answers to benefit humankind should leap to the fore. Who knows, statues of yourself could and should be erected in Lerwick and world wide . Whoever thought that the Messiah would not return? He’s already here biding his time on Shetland. !!!????
ian tinkler
“Who knows, statues of yourself could and should be erected in Lerwick and world wide . Whoever thought that the Messiah would not return? He’s already here biding his time on Shetland. !!!???? “. There is absolutely no answer to address to one who makes such an absolutely inane statement. Quod erat demonstrandum. No more need be said.