Xenophobic: The damning LibDem jibe that’s caused fury in the SNP and derailed chance of a coalition The damning LibDem jibe that’s caused fury in the SNP and derailed chance of a coalition A COALITION between the SNP andtheLiberalDemocrats looked less likely than ever last night after a LibDem MSP accused the Nationalists of being xenophobic.
JamieStone,aseniorpartyMSP, spectacularly upstaged his leader Nicol Stephen's conference speech by describing the Nationalists in terms normally hurled at the BNP and the National Front.
SNP leader Alex Salmond said the "disgusting slur" has put the possibility of a coalition deal between his party and the LibDems "off the scale".
He also said an apology was a pre-condition of both parties sitting down together to discuss a future together in government.
The row was a severe embarrassment for the LibDem leader as his conference speech had been well received by the Aviemore audience.
Stephen, who is also deputy first minister and enterprise minister, took the moral high ground by criticising Labour and the SNP for the "most bitter, negative personal campaign we have ever witnessed in Scotland".
He said: "Already we see the negativity and the name calling, not only from the SNP but now also from Tony Blair and his increasingly unpopular Labour Party.
"Words like charlatans', desperate', ranting', raving', deceit', pathetic' and thepromisesofahighlypersonal attack' do not do much to help people decide, do they?"
Stephen then boasted about how the LibDems would run a "positive" campaign that was the opposite of the other parties' "name calling".
However,hismessagewasunderminedsecondsafterthespeechby Stone, who used an appearance on theBBCtoclaimthattheSNPwas "xenophobic", which means a hatred offoreigners.Hedeclinedthe presenter's opportunity to rethink his remark.
Stone, the Liberal Democrat MSP for Caithness,SutherlandandEaster Ross, is a colourful character in the Scottish parliament, more known for his clubbable nature than for his ability. He has also attracted publicity in the pastforsomeeyebrow-raisingexpenses claims.
One source who watched the incident said: "It was a ludicrous thing to say so soonafterNicolStephen'sspeech, which stressed the virtues of postive campaigning. Jamie Stone shouldn't be let anywhere near a TV screen any time soon."
But the damage done to Stone's political reputation is dwarfed by the harm caused to his party's hopes of forming a coalition with the SNP after May's election.
Stephen used his speech to rule out a pact with the Nationalists if they insist on an independence referendum, but the LibDem leader did not close the door on a coalition if this was policy was dropped.
Salmond last night told the Sunday Herald he would struggle to sit round a Cabinet table with people who thought his party was xenophobic.
Hesaidinastatement:"The prospects of a coalition between the SNP and the Liberal Democrats have just moved off the scale as a result of Stone's blundering idiocy.
"Even the Labour Party at their most frightened have never called us xenophobic.
"I want an immediate apology from Nicol Stephen about the comments of his senior MSP. It is one of the basest insults ever thrown in Scottish politics."
A spokesman for the Scottish Liberal Democrats said he had "not seen" the incident and was unable to talk about the matter.
Stone was unavailable for comment.
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Posted by: N Logan, Glasgow on 10:53pm Sat 17 Feb 07
I feel your report has missed a fundamental point.
In your report, you said that Nicol Stephen has boasted that he is going to run a positive campaign. Now, although Jamie Stone may be a senior MSP, he is no where near as senior in Party terms as Sir Menzies Campbell.
Yet, at the very same conference, Sir Campbell made a personal attack on Alex Salmond, questioning his commitment to Scotland. However, this never even made your report although it undermines Nicol Stephen's comments just as much as Mr Stone's.
I feel your report has missed a fundamental point.
In your report, you said that Nicol Stephen has boasted that he is going to run a positive campaign. Now, although Jamie Stone may be a senior MSP, he is no where near as senior in Party terms as Sir Menzies Campbell.
Yet, at the very same conference, Sir Campbell made a personal attack on Alex Salmond, questioning his commitment to Scotland. However, this never even made your report although it undermines Nicol Stephen's comments just as much as Mr Stone's.
Posted by: Fergus, Stirling on 11:58pm Sat 17 Feb 07
All the polticial parties 'do' negative campaigning. And the idea that any of them are above it is ridiculous. In fact, from memory, it is the Nationalists who are the nastiest of the nasty parties. Their posters about Tony Blair and Jack McConnell in the last election were viscious. I can live with the parties criticising each other on policy but the nasty personal stuff is out of order.
All the polticial parties 'do' negative campaigning. And the idea that any of them are above it is ridiculous. In fact, from memory, it is the Nationalists who are the nastiest of the nasty parties. Their posters about Tony Blair and Jack McConnell in the last election were viscious. I can live with the parties criticising each other on policy but the nasty personal stuff is out of order.
Posted by: Alan Smart, Falkirk on 12:22am Sun 18 Feb 07
Try this as a refreshing alternative to this drivel. [bold]www.youscotland.com[/bold] Live today, and not a zenophobe in sight.
And Jamie Stone - remember he's one of the MSPs that oversaw the building of Holyrood and still genuinley thinks he did a good job. Maybe he genuinely does think Alex is Franco in disguise and plotting to invade Poland. I'm surprised that the Lib Dems let him out at night. I'm also surprised the Sunday Herald gives him this prominance. Paul Hutchens surely knows even the Lib Dems regard Jamaie as a joke, a likeble toff who ended up in Holyrood almost by accident. Was the ocnference really that boring that this passes for front page news?
Try [bold]wwww.youscotland.com[/bold] and be surprised and anything but bored
Try this as a refreshing alternative to this drivel.
www.youscotland.com Live today, and not a zenophobe in sight.
And Jamie Stone - remember he's one of the MSPs that oversaw the building of Holyrood and still genuinley thinks he did a good job. Maybe he genuinely does think Alex is Franco in disguise and plotting to invade Poland. I'm surprised that the Lib Dems let him out at night. I'm also surprised the Sunday Herald gives him this prominance. Paul Hutchens surely knows even the Lib Dems regard Jamaie as a joke, a likeble toff who ended up in Holyrood almost by accident. Was the ocnference really that boring that this passes for front page news?
Try
wwww.youscotland.com and be surprised and anything but bored
Posted by: Plobotsky on 1:52am Sun 18 Feb 07
The Libdems will say more of this kind of stuff so as not to put off potential voters who would run a mile if they thought the Libdems were going to bolster a separatist SNP government after the election.
Afterwards, though, all bets are presumably off and the Libdems will do whatever they feel like with whomever they feel like.
Unprincipled bahookies.
The Libdems will say more of this kind of stuff so as not to put off potential voters who would run a mile if they thought the Libdems were going to bolster a separatist SNP government after the election.
Afterwards, though, all bets are presumably off and the Libdems will do whatever they feel like with whomever they feel like.
Unprincipled bahookies.
Posted by: mevbrown, Edinburgh on 2:25am Sun 18 Feb 07
#1 I do feel Sir Campbell did make a perfectly valid point about Alex Salmond “hedging his bets” between Holyrood and Westminster. At the Moray by-election (when I stood for the NHSFirst party) last April, both the SNP and the Tory candidates had to resign to stand.
I do agree with Fergus, to an extent. All candidates/parties do negative campaigning. But from my [limited] experience candidates don’t take it personally. When I have met/socialised with candidates “behind the scenes” the tone is professional and amicable.
As for Jamie Stone, xenophobe is clearly crossing the line. Perhaps the poor chap is worried about his rather slender 2,000 vote majority?
Anyway, hope you visit the NHSFirst web site.
#1 I do feel Sir Campbell did make a perfectly valid point about Alex Salmond “hedging his bets” between Holyrood and Westminster. At the Moray by-election (when I stood for the NHSFirst party) last April, both the SNP and the Tory candidates had to resign to stand.
I do agree with Fergus, to an extent. All candidates/parties do negative campaigning. But from my experience candidates don’t take it personally. When I have met/socialised with candidates “behind the scenes” the tone is professional and amicable.
As for Jamie Stone, xenophobe is clearly crossing the line. Perhaps the poor chap is worried about his rather slender 2,000 vote majority?
Anyway, hope you visit the NHSFirst web site.
Posted by: somerferg, Oz on 5:47am Sun 18 Feb 07
Jamie who ??
Posted by: Gordon Kirk on 7:50am Sun 18 Feb 07
The day Stone makes a speech worth listening to will be the day John Swinbourne becomes First Minister.
No one can take this buffoon seriously and the idea that anything he says would influence what happens in Scottish politics is absurd.
His sole claims to fame are: he went to the same school as Prince Charles; he was fired from the family cheese-making firm; and errrmm .. that's it.
The day Stone makes a speech worth listening to will be the day John Swinbourne becomes First Minister.
No one can take this buffoon seriously and the idea that anything he says would influence what happens in Scottish politics is absurd.
His sole claims to fame are: he went to the same school as Prince Charles; he was fired from the family cheese-making firm; and errrmm .. that's it.
Posted by: Paul Voltaire on 8:28am Sun 18 Feb 07
Alex Salmond reminds me of a smug wee toad.
Whatever that looks like.
Alex Salmond reminds me of a smug wee toad.
Whatever that looks like.
Posted by: Mike MacKinnon on 9:39am Sun 18 Feb 07
Well, Alex reminds me of a man with a vision. A vision to see this country's parliament restored to it's rightful position.
I can understand the fearties problems with this, but what I can't understand is those who think we should go to war to impose 'democracy' in a country and then decry the same democracy in Scotland.
Maybe these 'unionists' have been living n the wrong country for too long?
Well, Alex reminds me of a man with a vision. A vision to see this country's parliament restored to it's rightful position.
I can understand the fearties problems with this, but what I can't understand is those who think we should go to war to impose 'democracy' in a country and then decry the same democracy in Scotland.
Maybe these 'unionists' have been living n the wrong country for too long?
Posted by: Plobotsky on 9:54am Sun 18 Feb 07
Mike McKinnon - are you suggesting that we don't have democracy in Scotland now and that somehow Alex Salmond will restore it to the position in 1706 when we had it? Don't talk bollix.
Mike McKinnon - are you suggesting that we don't have democracy in Scotland now and that somehow Alex Salmond will restore it to the position in 1706 when we had it? Don't talk bollix.
Posted by: iang, Glasgow on 10:18am Sun 18 Feb 07
After Jack McConnell announced in December that the Labour party would probably not form a coalition with the LibDems after the next election we have repeatedly heard Labours voice comng from the LibDems camp. 2 Weeks ago I even heard Nicol Stevens make exactly the same statement that a Labout MP had made ealrier in the day on another media.
It would seem that the coalition is deeper than the public know.
After Jack McConnell announced in December that the Labour party would probably not form a coalition with the LibDems after the next election we have repeatedly heard Labours voice comng from the LibDems camp. 2 Weeks ago I even heard Nicol Stevens make exactly the same statement that a Labout MP had made ealrier in the day on another media.
It would seem that the coalition is deeper than the public know.
Posted by: mairi macleod on 10:46am Sun 18 Feb 07
well so all bets are off, good,i would'nt want to share our independance after 300 yrs. with such unscupulous liars as the fib-dems anyway,they would sell granny for power,and obviously have already reached an agreement to continue the status-quo.as for one j stone have you ever seen him in the parliament. a small insignificant little toad with delusions of grandure, not at all what scotland needs for getting our country into shape,as to some of the comments above, i did'nt think i could be surprised anymore but i beg to differ, just grow up,who in their right mind wants our country to be run by anyone but us,when the one doing the running is only interested in itself.
well so all bets are off, good,i would'nt want to share our independance after 300 yrs. with such unscupulous liars as the fib-dems anyway,they would sell granny for power,and obviously have already reached an agreement to continue the status-quo.as for one j stone have you ever seen him in the parliament. a small insignificant little toad with delusions of grandure, not at all what scotland needs for getting our country into shape,as to some of the comments above, i did'nt think i could be surprised anymore but i beg to differ, just grow up,who in their right mind wants our country to be run by anyone but us,when the one doing the running is only interested in itself.
Posted by: davieboy, paisley on 10:53am Sun 18 Feb 07
lib-dems never tell lies
Posted by: unbeliever on 11:11am Sun 18 Feb 07
plobotsky
Of course we don't have democracy in Scotland when the fourth largest party manages to wield so much power.
plobotsky
Of course we don't have democracy in Scotland when the fourth largest party manages to wield so much power.
Posted by: Plaintalk on 11:39am Sun 18 Feb 07
[quote][bold]davieboy[/bold] wrote:
lib-dems never tell lies[/quote] I think of ficticious newspaper endorsement headlines , opinion polls etc being put out in Moray. They did the same on polling day in Dunfermline when it was too late for the local paper to object. They remind me of middle class fraudster. Any Lib Dem been put in jail for fraud anywhere?
davieboy wrote:
lib-dems never tell lies
I think of ficticious newspaper endorsement headlines , opinion polls etc being put out in Moray. They did the same on polling day in Dunfermline when it was too late for the local paper to object. They remind me of middle class fraudster. Any Lib Dem been put in jail for fraud anywhere?
Posted by: campbell waterman on 11:47am Sun 18 Feb 07
A silly comment no doubt but hardly grounds for "derailing" a coalition.Mr Salmond would be best advised ignoring it.
A silly comment no doubt but hardly grounds for "derailing" a coalition.Mr Salmond would be best advised ignoring it.
Posted by: DougtheDug on 11:52am Sun 18 Feb 07
"Stephen used his speech to rule out a pact with the Nationalists if they insist on an independence referendum"
Why does asking the electorate the independence question scare the Lib-Dems, NuLab and the hug a hoodie tories sh*tless?
Maybe it's the risk that their happy little local-government world will turn into a national-government world. That's a risk which is just too big to take.
That **** SNP and their independence. Why can't they be happy with a Mondeo, control of the block grant and a role in local government?
They're all ambitionless little people, McConnell, Stephen, Goldie. When it comes down to the wire their only policy is, "I can divvy up the Scottish block grant better than the other lot."
Classic unionist cringe hiding behind big speeches and bravado. The pinnacle of their ambition is to be the top local government party in Scotland. Running a real country is a step way beyond their abilities and comfort zone.
"Stephen used his speech to rule out a pact with the Nationalists if they insist on an independence referendum"
Why does asking the electorate the independence question scare the Lib-Dems, NuLab and the hug a hoodie tories sh*tless?
Maybe it's the risk that their happy little local-government world will turn into a national-government world. That's a risk which is just too big to take.
That **** SNP and their independence. Why can't they be happy with a Mondeo, control of the block grant and a role in local government?
They're all ambitionless little people, McConnell, Stephen, Goldie. When it comes down to the wire their only policy is, "I can divvy up the Scottish block grant better than the other lot."
Classic unionist cringe hiding behind big speeches and bravado. The pinnacle of their ambition is to be the top local government party in Scotland. Running a real country is a step way beyond their abilities and comfort zone.
Posted by: Nellie, Spain on 12:15pm Sun 18 Feb 07
There is little point getting all worked up over this outburst from a fairly insignificant and little respected upstart.
WAit until the Labour machine starts to go to work on the SNP - what odds on it reaching terrorist plots being foiled?
Watch this space - I think this will all stoop much lower before May
There is little point getting all worked up over this outburst from a fairly insignificant and little respected upstart.
WAit until the Labour machine starts to go to work on the SNP - what odds on it reaching terrorist plots being foiled?
Watch this space - I think this will all stoop much lower before May
Posted by: davieboy, 893-164 on 12:18pm Sun 18 Feb 07
plaintalk, my tongue was firmly in cheek when i wrote my previous comment
plaintalk, my tongue was firmly in cheek when i wrote my previous comment
Posted by: James Waugh on 12:27pm Sun 18 Feb 07
Re DougtheDug.
Nah Doug they're worse than that. Their only ambition in life is to please their London masters. Their ultimate achievement in politics is to receive a pat on the head for keeping their Westminster buddies noses in the trough. They're all scared little men who actually do believe that they're too stupid to live in and run an independent SCOTLAND. Like all unionist politicians the look to the south and are complicit in keeping our country down. They've been assimilated by Westminster and will do anything to keep their parties in power in England and if it's at the expense of Scotland so what.
Check out www.YouScotland.com
Jim
Re DougtheDug.
Nah Doug they're worse than that. Their only ambition in life is to please their London masters. Their ultimate achievement in politics is to receive a pat on the head for keeping their Westminster buddies noses in the trough. They're all scared little men who actually do believe that they're too stupid to live in and run an independent SCOTLAND. Like all unionist politicians the look to the south and are complicit in keeping our country down. They've been assimilated by Westminster and will do anything to keep their parties in power in England and if it's at the expense of Scotland so what.
Check out www.YouScotland.com
Jim
Posted by: Stuart Allan, Angus on 12:33pm Sun 18 Feb 07
The Lib Dems are running scared that they will yet again find themselves as only the fourth largest party in Holyrood. So they're doing their usual thing of saying one thing publicly/officially while doing the oppposite on the sly. Their track record in this respect is atrocious. My personal experience of Lib Dem duplicity bears it out. Some-one earlier described them as "[bold]Fib Dems[/bold] ", it is an accurate description. There isn't one bandwagon they will let pass without jumping on board and there isn't one they wont abandon when awkward questions are asked .... denying they were ever on it at the same time.
The Lib Dems are running scared that they will yet again find themselves as only the fourth largest party in Holyrood. So they're doing their usual thing of saying one thing publicly/officially while doing the oppposite on the sly. Their track record in this respect is atrocious. My personal experience of Lib Dem duplicity bears it out. Some-one earlier described them as "
Fib Dems ", it is an accurate description. There isn't one bandwagon they will let pass without jumping on board and there isn't one they wont abandon when awkward questions are asked .... denying they were ever on it at the same time.
Posted by: Niall Aslen, Cairnbulg Aberdeenshire on 1:23pm Sun 18 Feb 07
Its high time the Fib Dems dropped the Democrat part of their name because their name is a blatant lie. They are NOT Democratic at all. If they were they would be the first to acknowledge the Democratic right of the Scottish people to determine the future of the union, once and for all. Instead the leadership act like little Hitlers and tell us "Referendum! NEIN! NEIN! Das ist verboten!"
Its high time the Fib Dems dropped the Democrat part of their name because their name is a blatant lie. They are NOT Democratic at all. If they were they would be the first to acknowledge the Democratic right of the Scottish people to determine the future of the union, once and for all. Instead the leadership act like little Hitlers and tell us "Referendum! NEIN! NEIN! Das ist verboten!"
Posted by: Razza, Glasgow on 3:05pm Sun 18 Feb 07
Someone mentioned above that we do not have democracy in this country while the fourth largest party weilds so much power. This is a direct consequence of Proportional Representation and you will find it being more prevelant in Local Government after May.
And if I am not much mistaken this is a Liberal Democrat policy.
Someone mentioned above that we do not have democracy in this country while the fourth largest party weilds so much power. This is a direct consequence of Proportional Representation and you will find it being more prevelant in Local Government after May.
And if I am not much mistaken this is a Liberal Democrat policy.
Posted by: Peterian Rouse, Glasgow on 4:29pm Sun 18 Feb 07
This is just another example of why the electorate is so disllusioned with politicians. Do they ever listen to themselves and wonder why they are so mistrusted?[bold]bold[/bold]
This is just another example of why the electorate is so disllusioned with politicians. Do they ever listen to themselves and wonder why they are so mistrusted?
Posted by: Euan Dunsmore, Qatar on 6:36pm Sun 18 Feb 07
Living in a region where Democracy is no more than a foreign word in the dictionary I do not see that we have no democracy in my native land. Flawed it is, as are all others but a voice we all have and free to use it. The Liberals would be well advised to drop 'Democrat' from their name, it belongs to us all.
Certainly they seem to leap onto any policy coming along.
Political name calling is to be expected from the little men we elect to the house. Mr. Salmond should have the grace to ignore it, he is in a small coterie of politicians who are in danger of becoming statesmen along with Mr. Menzies and Mr. McConnel. I can think of no others in the political scene in the UK far less Scotland.
When the elections are over and the votes counted there will be realism and probably sharing regardless of the name calling and promises. Enjoy the fun whilst it lasts. Such vigorous debate is to be enjoyed and prised.
Euan D
Living in a region where Democracy is no more than a foreign word in the dictionary I do not see that we have no democracy in my native land. Flawed it is, as are all others but a voice we all have and free to use it. The Liberals would be well advised to drop 'Democrat' from their name, it belongs to us all.
Certainly they seem to leap onto any policy coming along.
Political name calling is to be expected from the little men we elect to the house. Mr. Salmond should have the grace to ignore it, he is in a small coterie of politicians who are in danger of becoming statesmen along with Mr. Menzies and Mr. McConnel. I can think of no others in the political scene in the UK far less Scotland.
When the elections are over and the votes counted there will be realism and probably sharing regardless of the name calling and promises. Enjoy the fun whilst it lasts. Such vigorous debate is to be enjoyed and prised.
Euan D
Posted by: Joe Middleton, Edinburgh on 8:01pm Sun 18 Feb 07
I think this story certainly shows up the hypocrisy of the Lib Dems. On the one hand 'Sir Ming' Campbell makes personal attacks on Salmond then under boss Nicol Steven says "oh we must get away from nast remarks" then suddenly someone makes the most offensive remark yet about the SNP.
Of course the unionists have always liked to pretend the SNP are racists and their nationalism is in some way connected with Hitler. The truth is of course quite different. The imperialist nationalism espoused by Hitler is actually very similar to the British Empire as it was based on the supposed superiority of the home nations over others.
Scottish nationalism is about EQUALITY with other nations. It is nationalism of the liberation type and therefore more similar to Indian nationalism. It is a quite obvious calculated slur to suggest otherwise and Salmond is correct to refuse to talk to the Lib Dems until they retract this nasty and entirely unjustifiable statement.
Hopefully a Scotland independence supporting administration won't actually need the support of the Lib Dems. I have the feeling they are going to take an electoral kicking along with Labour and with remarks like this they deserve it.
The SNP, SSP, Greens and Solidarity probably only require a combined vote of one million in both the FPTP and PR parts of the next election for an absolute majority.
The quasi nationalist vote is motivated. Labour's is not, that might well prove to be the most important factor.
www.scottishindependence.com
I think this story certainly shows up the hypocrisy of the Lib Dems. On the one hand 'Sir Ming' Campbell makes personal attacks on Salmond then under boss Nicol Steven says "oh we must get away from nast remarks" then suddenly someone makes the most offensive remark yet about the SNP.
Of course the unionists have always liked to pretend the SNP are racists and their nationalism is in some way connected with Hitler. The truth is of course quite different. The imperialist nationalism espoused by Hitler is actually very similar to the British Empire as it was based on the supposed superiority of the home nations over others.
Scottish nationalism is about EQUALITY with other nations. It is nationalism of the liberation type and therefore more similar to Indian nationalism. It is a quite obvious calculated slur to suggest otherwise and Salmond is correct to refuse to talk to the Lib Dems until they retract this nasty and entirely unjustifiable statement.
Hopefully a Scotland independence supporting administration won't actually need the support of the Lib Dems. I have the feeling they are going to take an electoral kicking along with Labour and with remarks like this they deserve it.
The SNP, SSP, Greens and Solidarity probably only require a combined vote of one million in both the FPTP and PR parts of the next election for an absolute majority.
The quasi nationalist vote is motivated. Labour's is not, that might well prove to be the most important factor.
www.scottishindependence.com
Posted by: Jj, here on 9:07pm Sun 18 Feb 07
I'm curious, how was Sunday Herald able to report so definitively on the story when, as I understand it, the paper didn't have a single reporter at this conference? Presumably you just saw it on BBC TV just like the rest of us - so maybe we should start watching the free BBC instead of buying your paper?
I'm curious, how was Sunday Herald able to report so definitively on the story when, as I understand it, the paper didn't have a single reporter at this conference? Presumably you just saw it on BBC TV just like the rest of us - so maybe we should start watching the free BBC instead of buying your paper?
Posted by: Ian Cormack, Caithness on 12:34am Mon 19 Feb 07
I have the misfortune to be one of Jamie Stones constituents. The constituency is falling apart from neglect, unemployment is rocketing, firms are going bankrupt, costly public services are being cut and he is accusing the the SNP of hating foreigners. As a Lib Dem he is part of a coalition that has served Scotland poorly and he is for no use. Amazingly though he keeps winning elections.
I have the misfortune to be one of Jamie Stones constituents. The constituency is falling apart from neglect, unemployment is rocketing, firms are going bankrupt, costly public services are being cut and he is accusing the the SNP of hating foreigners. As a Lib Dem he is part of a coalition that has served Scotland poorly and he is for no use. Amazingly though he keeps winning elections.
Posted by: Don, East Kilbride on 1:23am Mon 19 Feb 07
[bold]bold[/bold] Is this the standard of our so called senior MSP's
If they have so little respect, within their own party, why are they in office?
Change the system and vote in independent thinkers or in fact anyone who does think
Is this the standard of our so called senior MSP's
If they have so little respect, within their own party, why are they in office?
Change the system and vote in independent thinkers or in fact anyone who does think
Posted by: Suntannedexile, Sydney, Australia on 1:24am Mon 19 Feb 07
Well, if we're honest, nationalist politics are by their very nature founded on xenophobia and the SNP do reflect this, although in fairness that aspect of their make-up is rather dwarfed by their numerous other flaws.
The Lib Dems are power hungry, intellectually bankrupt sellouts north of the border and deserve nothing more than our utter contempt.
Frankly, the question that should be asked is who care what they say? Either of them.
The only solution for Scotland is to look beyond the entrenched mainstream nonsense sprouted by the four main parties and look at viable alternatives like the Greens. Viable alternatives do not include what ever the Scottish Socialists happen to be calling themselves this week. And mores the pity that screaming Lord Sutch died.
The Greens might just shake the place up a bit and make a difference. Ask yourselves this: Could they do any worse for Scotland than the parliament is already doing? Perhaps the Greens would give us expats a reason to come home with our lessons from elsewhere in the world.
Well, if we're honest, nationalist politics are by their very nature founded on xenophobia and the SNP do reflect this, although in fairness that aspect of their make-up is rather dwarfed by their numerous other flaws.
The Lib Dems are power hungry, intellectually bankrupt sellouts north of the border and deserve nothing more than our utter contempt.
Frankly, the question that should be asked is who care what they say? Either of them.
The only solution for Scotland is to look beyond the entrenched mainstream nonsense sprouted by the four main parties and look at viable alternatives like the Greens. Viable alternatives do not include what ever the Scottish Socialists happen to be calling themselves this week. And mores the pity that screaming Lord Sutch died.
The Greens might just shake the place up a bit and make a difference. Ask yourselves this: Could they do any worse for Scotland than the parliament is already doing? Perhaps the Greens would give us expats a reason to come home with our lessons from elsewhere in the world.
Posted by: Nigel Dewar Gibb, Glasgow on 8:19am Mon 19 Feb 07
Zenophobic? Try a visit to the website - Campaign for an English Parliament - and just read the blog page!
Zenophobic? Try a visit to the website - Campaign for an English Parliament - and just read the blog page!
Posted by: nil, London on 9:27am Mon 19 Feb 07
"Well, if we're honest, nationalist politics are by their very nature founded on xenophobia and the SNP do reflect this, although in fairness that aspect of their make-up is rather dwarfed by their numerous other flaws."
What nonsense you spout- have you looked at the Greens' commitment to an independent Scotland? Does that strike you as xenophobia? The SNP is committed to gaining independence for [italic]Scotland[/italic] , not just the Scots. Away and take your cod-political theory elsewhere.
"Well, if we're honest, nationalist politics are by their very nature founded on xenophobia and the SNP do reflect this, although in fairness that aspect of their make-up is rather dwarfed by their numerous other flaws."
What nonsense you spout- have you looked at the Greens' commitment to an independent Scotland? Does that strike you as xenophobia? The SNP is committed to gaining independence for
Scotland , not just the Scots. Away and take your cod-political theory elsewhere.
Posted by: Vronsky on 5:35pm Mon 19 Feb 07
The LibDems are the cheap **** of Scottish politics. Whoever becomes largest single party in May will invite them to join a coalition, knowing that the Dems will always do exactly as they're told - even if it's the SNP doing the telling. Anything they might say before the election can be disregarded - remember Jim Wallace's glib dismissal of his campaign lies as 'electoral rhetoric'?
The LibDems are the cheap **** of Scottish politics. Whoever becomes largest single party in May will invite them to join a coalition, knowing that the Dems will always do exactly as they're told - even if it's the SNP doing the telling. Anything they might say before the election can be disregarded - remember Jim Wallace's glib dismissal of his campaign lies as 'electoral rhetoric'?
Posted by: Macbeat, E R on 4:00pm Tue 20 Feb 07
Jamie Stone's reported description of the SNP as 'xenophobic' suggests that there is a Lib-Dem strategy is to try to offset a decline in their own vote by picking up votes from SNP in a cheap and extremely negative campaign. Quite how this squares with what the Lib-Dem Scottish leadership wants to do is unclear but presumably Jamie Stone is worried about his position in E Ross and the north against possible SNP gains. If so then he would be rather better served trying to do something for his constituents than bad-mouthing his political opponents. He could start by seeking to reverse the never-ending drain of resources from the Executive to west -central scotland and seek to persuade his leadership that the country could have a better belanced set of policies were the Lib-Dems to distance themselves from labour and seek allies elsewhere in those parties which recognise that the labour party exists only to continue to bribe its captive electorates in W Central scotland with the result that the rest of the country is undeveloped at a time when it faces a series of crises over loss of economic opportunities in fishing and farming and a threat that the exploitation of natural energy sources will like the oil result in little or at best minimal benefit to the local populations. The the Lib-Dems share with the SNP an interest in this is clear and it is therefore rather unfortunate for the Lib-Dems and their leadership that his peculiarly ill-judged, ill-thought, ill-mannered and ill-timed remarks would appear to rule this potential alliance out unless, of course, Mr Stone were to disappear from the political map which might, actually, be beneficial for his party and his constituents!
Jamie Stone's reported description of the SNP as 'xenophobic' suggests that there is a Lib-Dem strategy is to try to offset a decline in their own vote by picking up votes from SNP in a cheap and extremely negative campaign. Quite how this squares with what the Lib-Dem Scottish leadership wants to do is unclear but presumably Jamie Stone is worried about his position in E Ross and the north against possible SNP gains. If so then he would be rather better served trying to do something for his constituents than bad-mouthing his political opponents. He could start by seeking to reverse the never-ending drain of resources from the Executive to west -central scotland and seek to persuade his leadership that the country could have a better belanced set of policies were the Lib-Dems to distance themselves from labour and seek allies elsewhere in those parties which recognise that the labour party exists only to continue to bribe its captive electorates in W Central scotland with the result that the rest of the country is undeveloped at a time when it faces a series of crises over loss of economic opportunities in fishing and farming and a threat that the exploitation of natural energy sources will like the oil result in little or at best minimal benefit to the local populations. The the Lib-Dems share with the SNP an interest in this is clear and it is therefore rather unfortunate for the Lib-Dems and their leadership that his peculiarly ill-judged, ill-thought, ill-mannered and ill-timed remarks would appear to rule this potential alliance out unless, of course, Mr Stone were to disappear from the political map which might, actually, be beneficial for his party and his constituents!
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