Brown's blue rinse obscures Labour's true colours FIGHT THE cuts with Labour! Kick out the Tartan Tories! Save nursery places, and services for the elderly and children with disabilities! Andy Kerr, the former Labour health minister, told the Scottish Labour conference the SNP are the new "Thatcherites", turning the clock back to the 1980s. Yesterday Wendy Alexander called herself "a socialist" and committed her party to "redistribution of wealth".
It's time to dust off the old songs. "The workers united will never be defeated ... Salmond, Salmond, Salmond, Out, Out Out!" Wendy is swapping PowerPoint for the picket lines, standing shoulder to shoulder with workers of Scotland to demand modern apprenticeships. Evoking the memory of Keir Hardie.
Wendy Alexander is one of Gordon Brown's closest political allies, and owes her job as leader almost entirely to his patronage. The PM is now a leading exponent of the hyper-market Anglo-Saxon economic model - which was why he was so keen to embrace Nicolas "Mr Nuclear" Sarkozy, the latest recruit to the anti-welfare club.
So does anyone buy this new Red Wendy, the people's tribune? Well, perhaps surprisingly, one group that seems prepared to give her the benefit of the doubt is Compass, the respected "inside left" pressure group that has been campaigning for a return to social democratic values in the Labour Party.
Compass's main man in Scotland, Willie Sullivan, has co-written an intelligent analysis of Scottish politics, post-May 2007, which argues that the leopardess really can change her spots. Sullivan laments Labour's lost decade under Tony Blair. "Labour forgot," he says, "what the left has always tried to do - critique capitalism and make markets the servants of society." He thinks the line was just about held in Scotland. "In many cases the Scottish Labour Executive avoided the worst excesses of this choice agenda' but forgot to tell the Scottish people." But why did it forget? Wasn't it because it knew it couldn't talk about this within earshot of Gordon Brown?
Sullivan attacks the SNP as a "party of the right", incapable of promoting social democratic values because "its economic policy is set by an ex-bank economist and a financial analyst". Well, Wendy Alexander fits that description too, but Andy Kerr doesn't call her a Thatcherite. Sullivan goes on to say that the SNP are on the way to becoming the new Scottish Tory Party. "If anything they will eventually become more market liberal than New Labour could ever be in Scotland ... but they the SNP have played a clever political game".
Well this is all too clever for me. It was the SNP government, elected in May, that finally ended private sector involvement in the Scottish health service, after Scottish Labour put it there under Jack McConnell. This minority SNP administration has also abolished prescription charges, saved local A&E units, backdated the NHS pay award, abolished student fees, cut class sizes, begun a pilot for free school meals, given equal rights to the children of asylum seekers, rejected nuclear power, doubled the international aid budget, ended ring-fencing of council spending and condemned the Iraq war. This "right-wing" party seems to have done more to further social democratic values in 10 months than Labour managed in 10 years.
The argument that the SNP are a Tory party manque is based on the cuts in business rates and in local authority social service spending, following the concordat with Cosla. Well, in that case, Gordon Brown is surely a true-blue Tory too, since he has consistently cut UK business taxes during his time in office, at the same time as crafting a personal tax regime which allows the super-rich to pay less than their cleaners.
The PM's conference speech attacking the SNP for cuts in services was a breathtaking exercise in hypocrisy. It was the UK Labour government's own spending review last autumn which set the course for council cuts by turning off the spigots of public spending in Scotland. The Scottish government's headline budget is to grow by less than 1.8% (1.4% with the reduced health baseline) over three years, the lowest increase since 2000 and considerably less than the UK level of 2.1%. Labour-led executives enjoyed annual spending increases of up to 11% in 2003/4.
We are entering, by the Treasury's own admission, the most rapid contraction in Scottish spending in modern history. Cuts and constraints are inevitable. Attacking the Scottish government for this is like King Herod ordering the massacre of the first-born and then blaming the Jews for irresponsible childcare.
As for rebuilding manufacturing, creating a "good society" and challenging the dominance of the market - well, Labour have abandoned the productive economy in favour of financial services, the economy of debt. Brown has encouraged the growth of a low-regulation and often corrupt financial regime that has turned the City of London into the Liechtenstein of global capitalism.
He has enforced the "flexible labour market", used immigration to cut wages, introduced PFI into public spending, promoted economic distortions such as buy-to-let and allowed speculators to make housing unaffordable for 90% of first-time buyers. A generation is in hock to banks, with debts that will cripple them for the rest of their lives.
Brown's first acts on becoming leader were to cut inheritance tax for the wealthy and restore tax breaks for private equity. He is prepared to pour £25 billion in public funds into a bankrupt Northern Rock at the same time as cracking down on incapacity benefit and allowing his ministers to say that the unemployed should be denied council houses.
Gordon Brown isn't remotely interested in "critiquing capitalism", let alone "making markets the servants of society".
And nor is Wendy Alexander. The idea that either of them are latter-day social democrats who can trace their descent from Red Clydeside is preposterous. Her politics is management science, her economic philosophy is choice and her morality is feminist individualism. And like Tony Blair she is destined for a future in investment banking.
All Wendy is doing by raising the scarlet standard high is trying to consolidate the Labour "base" in Scotland - the core vote that still believes in social democratic values. It is a cynical exercise in focus-group politics; a risible attempt to portray Labour as the party of the people, of equality and collective security.
The SNP is not a party that has come from the left. It doesn't have the same folk memory of industrial politics. But somehow it has managed to promote a political agenda closer to the social democratic soul of Scotland than the party of the new plutocracy that calls itself Labour. Thatcherite it ain't.
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Posted by: Mrs I P Knightly on 12:49am Sun 30 Mar 08
A fair article as an antidote to the Labour Conference I watched on TV this afternoon.
A fair article as an antidote to the Labour Conference I watched on TV this afternoon.
Posted by: subrosa on 12:57am Sun 30 Mar 08
I couldn't bear to watch one minute of the labour conference. This article appears reasonably accurate from what I've read so far.
I couldn't bear to watch one minute of the labour conference. This article appears reasonably accurate from what I've read so far.
Posted by: bang on on 12:58am Sun 30 Mar 08
some writing -macwhirter is the leader of the pack in scotland the one everybody talks about in streets and airports
each sentence there is pregnant with damnaton for labour
some writing -macwhirter is the leader of the pack in scotland the one everybody talks about in streets and airports
each sentence there is pregnant with damnaton for labour
Posted by: Jimmy the Pie on 2:01am Sun 30 Mar 08
Best bit of balanced journalism I've read in a while. Better watch out though Iain, Wendy will be after you.
10 out of 10
Best bit of balanced journalism I've read in a while. Better watch out though Iain, Wendy will be after you.
10 out of 10
Posted by: Jwil, Lanarkshire on 2:05am Sun 30 Mar 08
Will Wendy and Andy Kerr ever get to read this article, or will it be filtered out somewhere down the line to keep up moral?
Will Wendy and Andy Kerr ever get to read this article, or will it be filtered out somewhere down the line to keep up moral?
Posted by: Los Angeles, edinbugh on 2:07am Sun 30 Mar 08
[quote]Well this is all too clever for me. It was the SNP government, elected in May, that finally ended private sector involvement in the Scottish health service, after Scottish Labour put it there under Jack McConnell. This minority&
#8194;SNP admi
nistration has also abolished prescription charges, saved local A&E units, backdated the NHS pay award, abolished student fees, cut class sizes, begun a pilot for free school meals, given equal rights to the children of asylum seekers
, rejectedQ
94;nuclear power, doubled the international aid budget, ended ring-fencing of council spending and condemned the Iraq war. This "right-wing" party seems to have done more to further social democratic values in 10 months than Labour managed in 10 years.[/quote] [quote]The argument that the SNP are a Tory party manque is based on the cuts in business rates and in local authority social service spending, following the concordat with Cosla. Well, in that case, Gordon Brown is surely a true-blue Tory too, since he has consistently cut UK business taxes during his time in office, at the same time as crafting a personal tax regime which allows the super-rich to pay less than their cleaners.[/quote] [quote]The PM's conference speech attacking the SNP for cuts in services was a breathtaking exercise in hypocrisy. It was the UK Labour government's own spending review last autumn which set the course for council cuts by turning off the spigots of public spending in Scotland. The Scottish government's headline budget is to grow by less than 1.8% (1.4% with the reduced health baseline) over three years, the lowest increase since 2000 and considerably less than the UK level of 2.1%. Labour-led executives enjoyed annual spending increases of up to 11% in 2003/4.[/quote] [quote]Gordon Brown&#
8194;isn't rem
otely interest
ed in "critiquing capitalism", let alone "making markets the servants of society".
And nor is Wendy Alexander. The idea that either of them are latter-day social democrats who can trace their descent from Red Clydeside is preposterous.[/quote] [quote]The SNP is not a party that has come from the left. It doesn't have the same folk memory of industrial politics. But somehow it has managed to promote a political agenda closer to the social democratic soul of Scotland than the party of the new plutocracy that calls itself Labour. Thatcherite it ain't.[/quote]
Well this is all too clever for me. It was the SNP government, elected in May, that finally ended private sector involvement in the Scottish health service, after Scottish Labour put it there under Jack McConnell. This minority&
#8194;SNP admi
nistration has also abolished prescription charges, saved local A&E units, backdated the NHS pay award, abolished student fees, cut class sizes, begun a pilot for free school meals, given equal rights to the children of asylum seekers
, rejectedQ
94;nuclear power, doubled the international aid budget, ended ring-fencing of council spending and condemned the Iraq war. This "right-wing" party seems to have done more to further social democratic values in 10 months than Labour managed in 10 years.
The argument that the SNP are a Tory party manque is based on the cuts in business rates and in local authority social service spending, following the concordat with Cosla. Well, in that case, Gordon Brown is surely a true-blue Tory too, since he has consistently cut UK business taxes during his time in office, at the same time as crafting a personal tax regime which allows the super-rich to pay less than their cleaners.
The PM's conference speech attacking the SNP for cuts in services was a breathtaking exercise in hypocrisy. It was the UK Labour government's own spending review last autumn which set the course for council cuts by turning off the spigots of public spending in Scotland. The Scottish government's headline budget is to grow by less than 1.8% (1.4% with the reduced health baseline) over three years, the lowest increase since 2000 and considerably less than the UK level of 2.1%. Labour-led executives enjoyed annual spending increases of up to 11% in 2003/4.
Gordon Brown&#
8194;isn't rem
otely interest
ed in "critiquing capitalism", let alone "making markets the servants of society".
And nor is Wendy Alexander. The idea that either of them are latter-day social democrats who can trace their descent from Red Clydeside is preposterous.
The SNP is not a party that has come from the left. It doesn't have the same folk memory of industrial politics. But somehow it has managed to promote a political agenda closer to the social democratic soul of Scotland than the party of the new plutocracy that calls itself Labour. Thatcherite it ain't.
Posted by: John Saultire, Scotland on 2:07am Sun 30 Mar 08
Well said Mr Mc Whirter. Listening to the Labour conference was really painful. John Robertson MP and Wendy Alexander [bold]had a litany of pretended wrongs allegedly committed by the SNP.[/bold] It was a FAUX PAS..if I may attempt cleverness but perhaps I should not since that was Wendy's undoing.
Well said Mr Mc Whirter. Listening to the Labour conference was really painful. John Robertson MP and Wendy Alexander
had a litany of pretended wrongs allegedly committed by the SNP. It was a FAUX PAS..if I may attempt cleverness but perhaps I should not since that was Wendy's undoing.
Posted by: Wullie, Aberdeen on 2:08am Sun 30 Mar 08
When the liebour conference was on BBC 2. Over on ITV there was a film called '' Twister'' and on uktv gold an old episode of '' Porridge''. Sums up the liebour party pefectly.
When the liebour conference was on BBC 2. Over on ITV there was a film called '' Twister'' and on uktv gold an old episode of '' Porridge''. Sums up the liebour party pefectly.
Posted by: Los Angeles, Edinburgh on 2:10am Sun 30 Mar 08
Some weird happenings with MacWhirter's quotations above [quote]The SNP is not a party that has come from the left. It doesn't have the same folk memory of industrial politics. But somehow it has managed to promote a political agenda closer to the social democratic soul of Scotland than the party of the new plutocracy that calls itself Labour. Thatcherite it ain't.[/quote] So, I thought I'd repeat the pertinent statement, coming as it does from a jornalist who believes in the Union.
Some weird happenings with MacWhirter's quotations above
The SNP is not a party that has come from the left. It doesn't have the same folk memory of industrial politics. But somehow it has managed to promote a political agenda closer to the social democratic soul of Scotland than the party of the new plutocracy that calls itself Labour. Thatcherite it ain't.
So, I thought I'd repeat the pertinent statement, coming as it does from a jornalist who believes in the Union.
Posted by: Grassy Knollington on 2:11am Sun 30 Mar 08
Powerful stuff from Iain MacWhirter. It feels wrong somehow to be reading something so refreshingly, brutally honest about Labour in one of our own newspapers , are Scottish journalists allowed to think for themselves now?
Hope they won't be taking him away for "re-education."
Powerful stuff from Iain MacWhirter. It feels wrong somehow to be reading something so refreshingly, brutally honest about Labour in one of our own newspapers , are Scottish journalists allowed to think for themselves now?
Hope they won't be taking him away for "re-education."
Posted by: Los Angeles, Edinburgh on 2:12am Sun 30 Mar 08
[quote]All Wendy is doing by raising the scarlet standard high is ... a cynical exercise in focus-group politics; a risible attempt to portray Labour as the party of the people, of equality and collective security.[/quote]
All Wendy is doing by raising the scarlet standard high is ... a cynical exercise in focus-group politics; a risible attempt to portray Labour as the party of the people, of equality and collective security.
Posted by: ratzo on 2:17am Sun 30 Mar 08
blistering and absolutely truthful: a real [italic]tour de force[/italic] from macwhirter.
blistering and absolutely truthful: a real
tour de force from macwhirter.
Posted by: Jimbo on 2:18am Sun 30 Mar 08
If Compass's main man in Scotland, Willie Sullivan, thinks Wendy Alexander is about to become a socialist he must be a very naive man.
She has opposed every socialist agenda the SNP have proposed or implemented.
If Compass's main man in Scotland, Willie Sullivan, thinks Wendy Alexander is about to become a socialist he must be a very naive man.
She has opposed every socialist agenda the SNP have proposed or implemented.
Posted by: bodach beag, Skye on 2:22am Sun 30 Mar 08
Iain, you've told the truth here, and it's the truth that's hitting home across Scotland.
When New Labour (Iraq) Wendy and Brown throw out the line of "socialism", their desperation is revealed.
Nationalism is no longer a dirty word - it means taking responsibility for making your community, your country, and the world, a better place.
The proof is in the puddin'.
Iain, you've told the truth here, and it's the truth that's hitting home across Scotland.
When New Labour (Iraq) Wendy and Brown throw out the line of "socialism", their desperation is revealed.
Nationalism is no longer a dirty word - it means taking responsibility for making your community, your country, and the world, a better place.
The proof is in the puddin'.
Posted by: Los Angeles, Edinburgh on 2:22am Sun 30 Mar 08
Another month, another rebirth, and relaunch.
What form will her "Labour Renaissance" campaign" take ... next month?
Anybody care to predict?
Another month, another rebirth, and relaunch.
What form will her "Labour Renaissance" campaign" take ... next month?
Anybody care to predict?
Posted by: WJ, Ayrshire on 2:23am Sun 30 Mar 08
Thankfully, we have a superb piece of journalism highlighting the fallacy and hypocricy of Labour proclaiming themselves a socialist party.
Does Wendy even realise the extent of the stupidity that is her proclamation of the SNP as a right wing party given the context that is the Labour party today?
Have the SNP invited a certain Maggie Thatcher into a home of government?
Is it an SNP leader who publicly exhibits their admiration of a certain Maggie Thatcher?
Is it the SNP who have presided over the greatest increase in the gap between rich and poor?
Was it an SNP government who removed the 10p Tax band?
Was it an SNP government who were intent on closing major A&E departments in Scotland?
Is it an SNP government who aggressively pursues a policy of removing civil liberties?
Her claims of a right wing party come easy as that is what Labour are - undoubtedly the most right wing party (with the sole exception of the BNP) in the UK today.
No matter what she and her media eunuchs attempt to portray - the people on the streets are associating more and more the SNP as the party of social justice in Scotland.
She can say what she will and her media **** may report what she wills them to report - but, moreso these days, the truth is never far from the minds of the Scottish people and quality journalists such as Messrs. McWhirter and Hutcheon. Praise be.
Thankfully, we have a superb piece of journalism highlighting the fallacy and hypocricy of Labour proclaiming themselves a socialist party.
Does Wendy even realise the extent of the stupidity that is her proclamation of the SNP as a right wing party given the context that is the Labour party today?
Have the SNP invited a certain Maggie Thatcher into a home of government?
Is it an SNP leader who publicly exhibits their admiration of a certain Maggie Thatcher?
Is it the SNP who have presided over the greatest increase in the gap between rich and poor?
Was it an SNP government who removed the 10p Tax band?
Was it an SNP government who were intent on closing major A&E departments in Scotland?
Is it an SNP government who aggressively pursues a policy of removing civil liberties?
Her claims of a right wing party come easy as that is what Labour are - undoubtedly the most right wing party (with the sole exception of the BNP) in the UK today.
No matter what she and her media eunuchs attempt to portray - the people on the streets are associating more and more the SNP as the party of social justice in Scotland.
She can say what she will and her media **** may report what she wills them to report - but, moreso these days, the truth is never far from the minds of the Scottish people and quality journalists such as Messrs. McWhirter and Hutcheon. Praise be.
Posted by: subrosa on 2:40am Sun 30 Mar 08
An interesting article in the Sunday Times about Gordon Brown and his EU referendum reasons :
http://www.timesonli
ne.co.uk/tol/news/po
litics/article363573
4.ece
An interesting article in the Sunday Times about Gordon Brown and his EU referendum reasons :
http://www.timesonli
ne.co.uk/tol/news/po
litics/article363573
4.ece
Posted by: Peter Thomson, The Labour Soviet is Dead on 2:45am Sun 30 Mar 08
Things must be bad when a committed saviour of the Union writes such damning praise of Labour in Scotland and the UK in general.
Clearly Brownovitch and Wendy have really got Mr McWhirter's goat along with a dawning realisation that the SNP are not baddies or goodies but are listening to the Scottish national sentiment and crafting policies that reflect the centuries of social concern and sense of common weal.
He could also have mentioned the Edinburgh Trams fiasco that the Unionist Parties foisted on the SNP out of pure spite which has knocked a £600 million hole in Government spending for services the people of Scotland actually want.
Labour tried to scare us in May 2007 but the nerve held and they were removed. The Labour Party do not understand nobody is listening to them anymore.
Things must be bad when a committed saviour of the Union writes such damning praise of Labour in Scotland and the UK in general.
Clearly Brownovitch and Wendy have really got Mr McWhirter's goat along with a dawning realisation that the SNP are not baddies or goodies but are listening to the Scottish national sentiment and crafting policies that reflect the centuries of social concern and sense of common weal.
He could also have mentioned the Edinburgh Trams fiasco that the Unionist Parties foisted on the SNP out of pure spite which has knocked a £600 million hole in Government spending for services the people of Scotland actually want.
Labour tried to scare us in May 2007 but the nerve held and they were removed. The Labour Party do not understand nobody is listening to them anymore.
Posted by: Steve A, Glasgow on 2:52am Sun 30 Mar 08
Labour portraying themselves to be something that they are not.I wonder where they learned to do that!Would it have been by watching tony blair by any chance?
Labour portraying themselves to be something that they are not.I wonder where they learned to do that!Would it have been by watching tony blair by any chance?
Posted by: Jimmy the Pie on 4:12am Sun 30 Mar 08
Who said this??? One of the MacChattering classes??
A cyberblogger?? A flag burning SNP activist??
"The government is losing touch with what fairness means to the mainstream majority."
"This is not a criticism of Gordon, but we have been in government 11 years and instead of being on the side of the people too often we simply defend the status quo, even when it is unacceptable.
No, it was said by Health Minister Ivan Lewis. Looks like the knives are being sharpened Broon.
I'll give myself 10/10
Who said this??? One of the MacChattering classes??
A cyberblogger?? A flag burning SNP activist??
"The government is losing touch with what fairness means to the mainstream majority."
"This is not a criticism of Gordon, but we have been in government 11 years and instead of being on the side of the people too often we simply defend the status quo, even when it is unacceptable.
No, it was said by Health Minister Ivan Lewis. Looks like the knives are being sharpened Broon.
I'll give myself 10/10
Posted by: Jimmy the Pie on 4:35am Sun 30 Mar 08
Here are some 'red' socialists.
New Labour Sleaze and Corruption Party Socialists
1. Our Dear Leader, Comrade Broon.
2. Tony Blair
3. David Blunkett.
4. John Prescott.
5. Lord Watson.
6. Peter Hain
7. Tessa Jowell.
8. Harriet Harman.
9. Lord Goldsmith.
10. Lord Levy.
11. Lord Foolkes.
12. Wendy Alexander.
13. Andy Kerr.
14. Michael Martin
15. Keith Vaz.
16. Geoffrey Robinson.
17. Stephen Byers
18. Alan Milburn
19. Lord Irvine.
20. Jack Cunningham.
21. Claire Short.
22. Paul Drayson.
23. John Reid.
24. Bernie Ecclestone.
25. Sir Gulam Noon.
26. Philip Anschutz.
27. Rod Aldridge.
28. Sir David Garrard.
29. Nigel Morris.
30. Prof Sir Christopher Evans.
31. Ruth Turner.
32. David Abrahams.
33. Imran Khand
34. Alan Johnson
35. Rob Brown getting lifted for breaking and entering to steal Nona's knickers.
36. Ron Davis getting confused on Clapham Common.
37. Cherie Blair, Carol Caplin, the con-man and her Bristol flats.
38. Henry McLeish
[bold]10 out of 10 Wendy[/bold]
Here are some 'red' socialists.
New Labour Sleaze and Corruption Party Socialists
1. Our Dear Leader, Comrade Broon.
2. Tony Blair
3. David Blunkett.
4. John Prescott.
5. Lord Watson.
6. Peter Hain
7. Tessa Jowell.
8. Harriet Harman.
9. Lord Goldsmith.
10. Lord Levy.
11. Lord Foolkes.
12. Wendy Alexander.
13. Andy Kerr.
14. Michael Martin
15. Keith Vaz.
16. Geoffrey Robinson.
17. Stephen Byers
18. Alan Milburn
19. Lord Irvine.
20. Jack Cunningham.
21. Claire Short.
22. Paul Drayson.
23. John Reid.
24. Bernie Ecclestone.
25. Sir Gulam Noon.
26. Philip Anschutz.
27. Rod Aldridge.
28. Sir David Garrard.
29. Nigel Morris.
30. Prof Sir Christopher Evans.
31. Ruth Turner.
32. David Abrahams.
33. Imran Khand
34. Alan Johnson
35. Rob Brown getting lifted for breaking and entering to steal Nona's knickers.
36. Ron Davis getting confused on Clapham Common.
37. Cherie Blair, Carol Caplin, the con-man and her Bristol flats.
38. Henry McLeish
10 out of 10 Wendy
Posted by: I'm no really here on 4:46am Sun 30 Mar 08
Anybody who thinks Labour, north or south of the border, are the champions of socialism must be off their heads. Maggie Broon is a bit to the right of Maggie Thatcher. Just ask the super-rich "socialists" that he protects from tax.
How anyone still votes for Labour on the basis that they are a socialist party, intent on protecting the poor, just defeats me.
Anybody who thinks Labour, north or south of the border, are the champions of socialism must be off their heads. Maggie Broon is a bit to the right of Maggie Thatcher. Just ask the super-rich "socialists" that he protects from tax.
How anyone still votes for Labour on the basis that they are a socialist party, intent on protecting the poor, just defeats me.
Posted by: Scunnert, Travelling in Nihlon on 4:48am Sun 30 Mar 08
This article needs to be copied and distributed as widely as possible - especially in Glasgow and environs.
Well done Iain Macwhirter.
This article needs to be copied and distributed as widely as possible - especially in Glasgow and environs.
Well done Iain Macwhirter.
Posted by: Lobeydosser, Woodlands Road on 5:50am Sun 30 Mar 08
Hi, LA I thought your post at 2.10 hit the mark quite well.
I cant see why SLAB keep calling the SNP tartan Tories apart from a few fiscal changes; most of the stuff they have done has been fairly 'across the board' and pragmatic; thing that they know the can confidently do without seriously annoying Westminster, i.e. scrap bridge tolls, removing prescription charges, etc.
If however SLAB are saying that the SNP are more pragmatic than themselves and as a result of SLAB insecurity are trying to frighten the voters by using 'Tartan Tories' for SNP, then it wont work, because voters will see through SLAB.
One other thing, the SNP are closer to the beating heart of all Scots because culturally they are putting into practice more prudent Scottish ideas, in other words they are putting money where it is needed and taking it from where is it not.
Finally, I think a lot of scots are scunnert with SLAB and want a change; the Libdems and STORYS will not gve them that change. (Sorry scunnert, but I think it is a cracking pseudoname)
Hi, LA I thought your post at 2.10 hit the mark quite well.
I cant see why SLAB keep calling the SNP tartan Tories apart from a few fiscal changes; most of the stuff they have done has been fairly 'across the board' and pragmatic; thing that they know the can confidently do without seriously annoying Westminster, i.e. scrap bridge tolls, removing prescription charges, etc.
If however SLAB are saying that the SNP are more pragmatic than themselves and as a result of SLAB insecurity are trying to frighten the voters by using 'Tartan Tories' for SNP, then it wont work, because voters will see through SLAB.
One other thing, the SNP are closer to the beating heart of all Scots because culturally they are putting into practice more prudent Scottish ideas, in other words they are putting money where it is needed and taking it from where is it not.
Finally, I think a lot of scots are scunnert with SLAB and want a change; the Libdems and STORYS will not gve them that change. (Sorry scunnert, but I think it is a cracking pseudoname)
Posted by: Donald Anderson, glasgow on 6:12am Sun 30 Mar 08
Good article on Tory Lab cheek. they have long since lost their compass and any political direction to their rightward lurch. Baden Powell's Brownies are further to the left than Gordon's.
I too avoided watching the New Tories in Aviemore and their voters at the Old Firm religious festival in Glasgow. By having a drink after a meeting with true Scottish Republican Socialists. We may be small at the moment, but larger in integrity than Wendy's well heeled Dwarves Confernence in Aviemore. We paid for our own expenses.
Good article on Tory Lab cheek. they have long since lost their compass and any political direction to their rightward lurch. Baden Powell's Brownies are further to the left than Gordon's.
I too avoided watching the New Tories in Aviemore and their voters at the Old Firm religious festival in Glasgow. By having a drink after a meeting with true Scottish Republican Socialists. We may be small at the moment, but larger in integrity than Wendy's well heeled Dwarves Confernence in Aviemore. We paid for our own expenses.
Posted by: Blarney, Linlithgow on 6:47am Sun 30 Mar 08
Excellent piece Ian.
It is refreshing to see that after a week of promotion of Wendy and labour, by all the media, especially the BBC, we still have at least on voice of sanity and reality.
Thank you Ian and the Sunday Herald.
Excellent piece Ian.
It is refreshing to see that after a week of promotion of Wendy and labour, by all the media, especially the BBC, we still have at least on voice of sanity and reality.
Thank you Ian and the Sunday Herald.
Posted by: JZ on 6:56am Sun 30 Mar 08
Even by the standards of modern politics, "Red Wendy" is astonishingly cynical. When she was elected, she was conspicuously New Labour. Now, facing political ruin, she's Red. Does she think the people won't notice this 100% volte face? The bizarre thing is she must - if she thought anything else, she'd know it was ridiculous tactic.
Wendy really does think the people are dolts with goldfish minds. She's basically a member of an alien class to the voters: an ideas-driven intellectual and so totally distanced that she has no understanding of people. Which is great for Nationalists like me :D
Even by the standards of modern politics, "Red Wendy" is astonishingly cynical. When she was elected, she was conspicuously New Labour. Now, facing political ruin, she's Red. Does she think the people won't notice this 100% volte face? The bizarre thing is she must - if she thought anything else, she'd know it was ridiculous tactic.
Wendy really does think the people are dolts with goldfish minds. She's basically a member of an alien class to the voters: an ideas-driven intellectual and so totally distanced that she has no understanding of people. Which is great for Nationalists like me :D
Posted by: JZ on 7:03am Sun 30 Mar 08
And - what's with this Thatcherite SNP argument? Basic rule of politics: no one has ever changed the media-driven narrative from a position of weakness. The media believes that the SNP is a social-democratic government, period ("land of honey...") When you're all but deposed and the FM has a 75% approval rating, you have to accept political reality. But Wendy, with ludicrous arrogance and dismissing the whole history of Western politics, thinks she can change the media's narrative from a position of failure and perhaps even doom. It really is astoundingly stupid. Where did the notion that Wendy is smart come from?
And - what's with this Thatcherite SNP argument? Basic rule of politics: no one has ever changed the media-driven narrative from a position of weakness. The media believes that the SNP is a social-democratic government, period ("land of honey...") When you're all but deposed and the FM has a 75% approval rating, you have to accept political reality. But Wendy, with ludicrous arrogance and dismissing the whole history of Western politics, thinks she can change the media's narrative from a position of failure and perhaps even doom. It really is astoundingly stupid. Where did the notion that Wendy is smart come from?
Posted by: nikostratos on 7:11am Sun 30 Mar 08
[quote]has managed to promote a political agenda closer to the social democratic soul of Scotland[/quote]
So they give a tax freeze to the richest in society who can afford to pay more.
Doesnt seem very social democratic to me..If Ian believes the snp are going down the left wing path..Best give up on his scribblings the nation has moved on time Ian moved with it.
has managed to promote a political agenda closer to the social democratic soul of Scotland
So they give a tax freeze to the richest in society who can afford to pay more.
Doesnt seem very social democratic to me..If Ian believes the snp are going down the left wing path..Best give up on his scribblings the nation has moved on time Ian moved with it.
Posted by: angela mccormick, possil on 8:29am Sun 30 Mar 08
1 million dead in Iraq and billions on nuclear weapons - doesnt seem very social democratic to me..Nikostratos.??
The 'nation' has moved on from this a long time ago - just seems that New Labour didnt move with them.
Time to get military recruitment out of scottish schools and colleges and to say no to 1300 Scottish troops going to afghanistan in May.
Then we can spend public money on pensioners, nurses, young people etc.
1 million dead in Iraq and billions on nuclear weapons - doesnt seem very social democratic to me..Nikostratos.??
The 'nation' has moved on from this a long time ago - just seems that New Labour didnt move with them.
Time to get military recruitment out of scottish schools and colleges and to say no to 1300 Scottish troops going to afghanistan in May.
Then we can spend public money on pensioners, nurses, young people etc.
Posted by: Gavin, Glasgow on 9:01am Sun 30 Mar 08
Wow what a powerful not to say angry piece.
mcWhirter has summed up what is really happening in Scotland something that Labour seem unable t do.
"............ it has managed to promote a political agenda closer to the social democratic soul of Scotland than the party of the new plutocracy that calls itself Labour." T
Wow what a powerful not to say angry piece.
mcWhirter has summed up what is really happening in Scotland something that Labour seem unable t do.
"............ it has managed to promote a political agenda closer to the social democratic soul of Scotland than the party of the new plutocracy that calls itself Labour." T
Posted by: John Edgar, Cupar, Fife on 9:01am Sun 30 Mar 08
Who invited Thatcher back to Downing Street? Who is the latter day Thatcherite? Why it is Gordon Brown, aka GB, the man who has inherited T Blair's mantle.
Who invited Thatcher back to Downing Street? Who is the latter day Thatcherite? Why it is Gordon Brown, aka GB, the man who has inherited T Blair's mantle.
Posted by: Wardog, Buckie on 9:04am Sun 30 Mar 08
An excellent riposte to the cynical and lamentable cloack & dagger politics of Labour, when you find New Labour returning to this kind of imagery after 10 years where they have not only followed Thaterite agenda but have actively defended it to the hilt it's time to go for the jugular.
Real Socialists have a choice SNP or SS
Time for those who have supported labour in the past to consider they motives and act accordingly.
An excellent riposte to the cynical and lamentable cloack & dagger politics of Labour, when you find New Labour returning to this kind of imagery after 10 years where they have not only followed Thaterite agenda but have actively defended it to the hilt it's time to go for the jugular.
Real Socialists have a choice SNP or SS
Time for those who have supported labour in the past to consider they motives and act accordingly.
Posted by: Wardog, Buckie on 9:05am Sun 30 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Wardog[/bold] wrote:
An excellent riposte to the cynical and lamentable cloack & dagger politics of Labour, when you find New Labour returning to this kind of imagery after 10 years where they have not only followed Thaterite agenda but have actively defended it to the hilt it's time to go for the jugular.
Real Socialists have a choice SNP or SS
Time for those who have supported labour in the past to consider they motives and act accordingly.
[/quote]
oooops....[bold]SSP[/bold] that should have read.
Wardog wrote:
An excellent riposte to the cynical and lamentable cloack & dagger politics of Labour, when you find New Labour returning to this kind of imagery after 10 years where they have not only followed Thaterite agenda but have actively defended it to the hilt it's time to go for the jugular.
Real Socialists have a choice SNP or SS
Time for those who have supported labour in the past to consider they motives and act accordingly.
oooops....
SSP that should have read.
Posted by: Disgusted Dorothy, Glasgow on 9:13am Sun 30 Mar 08
Thank you for this article Iain!
It is refreshing to read an article which reflects reality, as far as I am concerned!
Are there really only two and a half honest
journalists left in Scotland?
Thank you for this article Iain!
It is refreshing to read an article which reflects reality, as far as I am concerned!
Are there really only two and a half honest
journalists left in Scotland?
Posted by: pehman, sussex on 9:27am Sun 30 Mar 08
WOW, Iain sounds like someone p 1ssed you of at Aviemore.
Yes your right of course that so long as the rest of the media let what alexander and co. say what they will unchalenged, then democracy dies.
All it takes for tyrants to succede is to let douglas fraser alf young carry on NOT asking the questions of wendy or slab
Iain more power to you, if I could type while clapping my hands in a standing ovation to you, bl@@dy well done
WOW, Iain sounds like someone p 1ssed you of at Aviemore.
Yes your right of course that so long as the rest of the media let what alexander and co. say what they will unchalenged, then democracy dies.
All it takes for tyrants to succede is to let douglas fraser alf young carry on NOT asking the questions of wendy or slab
Iain more power to you, if I could type while clapping my hands in a standing ovation to you, bl@@dy well done
Posted by: Vronsky, Scotland on 9:39am Sun 30 Mar 08
If we had more journalism like this, corrupt organisations like the Labour Party could not exist, let alone present themselves as parties of the political left.
Well done, Ian.
If we had more journalism like this, corrupt organisations like the Labour Party could not exist, let alone present themselves as parties of the political left.
Well done, Ian.
Posted by: Big Eye, 467-604 on 9:44am Sun 30 Mar 08
Only one thing in this article that really worries me.
Wendy is going to have a future in investment banking?
Can I have a categoric assurance that when his happens the Scottish media will let us know about it in time.
I don't want this walking disaster harming my savings!
Only one thing in this article that really worries me.
Wendy is going to have a future in investment banking?
Can I have a categoric assurance that when his happens the Scottish media will let us know about it in time.
I don't want this walking disaster harming my savings!
Posted by: Boxer, down on the farm on 10:06am Sun 30 Mar 08
[quote]How anyone still votes for Labour on the basis that they are a socialist party, intent on protecting the poor, just defeats me.[/quote]
ah yes you see thats because they mistakenly believe that if you keep voting for the sows ear of labour it will turn into a silk purse.
How anyone still votes for Labour on the basis that they are a socialist party, intent on protecting the poor, just defeats me.
ah yes you see thats because they mistakenly believe that if you keep voting for the sows ear of labour it will turn into a silk purse.
Posted by: G.CRAIGIE, DUNDEE on 10:11am Sun 30 Mar 08
I urge any scottish socialists out there to pay heed to this near perfect critique of scottish politics today.The reason the country is in the state its in is because we put our faith in the labour party and the trade unions.they have in turn not only failed us or let us down or betrayed us but have shat on us from a great height.I can think of only three socialists who have put up a fight in the past twenty five years,Arthur Scargill,Robin Cook and George Galloway,they failed.I can only think of one real opposition politician, Alex Salmond,he differs from the others in that he has a political party and ,increasingly,a whole country behind him,
I urge any scottish socialists out there to pay heed to this near perfect critique of scottish politics today.The reason the country is in the state its in is because we put our faith in the labour party and the trade unions.they have in turn not only failed us or let us down or betrayed us but have shat on us from a great height.I can think of only three socialists who have put up a fight in the past twenty five years,Arthur Scargill,Robin Cook and George Galloway,they failed.I can only think of one real opposition politician, Alex Salmond,he differs from the others in that he has a political party and ,increasingly,a whole country behind him,
Posted by: Boxer, down on the farm on 10:12am Sun 30 Mar 08
[quote]It really is astoundingly stupid. Where did the notion that Wendy is smart come from?[/quote]
Apparently she has an intellect the size of dumbarton rock. However that could mean she is as smart as dumbarton rock too. I've not had many conversations with dumbarton rock but I'm willing to bet it would make a better leader of scottish labour than wendy.
It really is astoundingly stupid. Where did the notion that Wendy is smart come from?
Apparently she has an intellect the size of dumbarton rock. However that could mean she is as smart as dumbarton rock too. I've not had many conversations with dumbarton rock but I'm willing to bet it would make a better leader of scottish labour than wendy.
Posted by: Politically-incorrec
t Man, Glasgow on 10:14am Sun 30 Mar 08
Well written piece Ian, but why stop there?
Why not ask the question or better still give the answer to the real poser and that is why a party that is supported by the "great unwashed" has performed a volte-face and introduced policies that penalise the poor and favour the rich?
Now, I already know the answer is "Bilderberg" and if you don't you should and if you do, you should be publishing it.
Well written piece Ian, but why stop there?
Why not ask the question or better still give the answer to the real poser and that is why a party that is supported by the "great unwashed" has performed a volte-face and introduced policies that penalise the poor and favour the rich?
Now, I already know the answer is "Bilderberg" and if you don't you should and if you do, you should be publishing it.
Posted by: pehman, sussex on 10:16am Sun 30 Mar 08
Scunnert @4;48,
I've already e-mailed sereral copies,
Come on people get busy
Scunnert @4;48,
I've already e-mailed sereral copies,
Come on people get busy
Posted by: Duns Scotus, The Borders on 10:16am Sun 30 Mar 08
Jimmy the Pie @ 4:35 am
[quote]37. Cherie Blair, Carol Caplin, the con-man and her Bristol flats.[/quote] Excellent list, I must keep a copy as these names will pop up all over the place in time to come.
Cherie Bliar should have chummed up with Michelle Moan - result - no more flat Bristols!
Jimmy the Pie @ 4:35 am
37. Cherie Blair, Carol Caplin, the con-man and her Bristol flats.
Excellent list, I must keep a copy as these names will pop up all over the place in time to come.
Cherie Bliar should have chummed up with Michelle Moan - result - no more flat Bristols!
Posted by: LEGION, ALBA on 10:37am Sun 30 Mar 08
Why do so many Paisley Buddies vote for the Alexander Clowns?
Why do so many Paisley Buddies vote for the Alexander Clowns?
Posted by: robert, Dubai on 10:42am Sun 30 Mar 08
A very good article which sums up excellently Labour's confusion, which it is entirely of its own making. McWhirter is the best political journalist in Scotland by a mile and if he has taken it upon himself to expose the bunch of phoneys and careerists that make up the Labour Party then good on him. What is it about high office that neuters Labour ministers and makes them take the most predictable journey in politics from left to right?
A very good article which sums up excellently Labour's confusion, which it is entirely of its own making. McWhirter is the best political journalist in Scotland by a mile and if he has taken it upon himself to expose the bunch of phoneys and careerists that make up the Labour Party then good on him. What is it about high office that neuters Labour ministers and makes them take the most predictable journey in politics from left to right?
Posted by: Badger on 10:46am Sun 30 Mar 08
SPOT ON IAIN!
Politically, historically and economically accurate.
Soooooo refreshing.
SPOT ON IAIN!
Politically, historically and economically accurate.
Soooooo refreshing.
Posted by: Andy, Scotland on 10:57am Sun 30 Mar 08
However excellent this article is the trough feeders in New Labour will not lift their heads long enough to read or understand it.
However excellent this article is the trough feeders in New Labour will not lift their heads long enough to read or understand it.
Posted by: Murmor, Lanarkshire on 11:01am Sun 30 Mar 08
The Wendy House is in much need of repair. A few slates missing, leaking badly at the front and whole foundations will have to be excavated and re-instated.
Spare a dime buddy and send in all donations to some offshore company for onward transmission in plain brown envelopes.
The Wendy House is in much need of repair. A few slates missing, leaking badly at the front and whole foundations will have to be excavated and re-instated.
Spare a dime buddy and send in all donations to some offshore company for onward transmission in plain brown envelopes.
Posted by: Mike, Edinburgh on 11:06am Sun 30 Mar 08
This obscene disgusting English Controlled Party needs to be absolutely wiped out of Scotlands future. How dare they challenge the credentials of the Scottish National Party, when they have sold all of our community owned and financed public services. It was Brown and Blair who sold all of our power companies, to free enterprise who now kick up the charges on a whim, without any consideration of our ability to pay. We paid for an infrastructure of electricity, gas and oil, only to be now held to ransom by their boards. Great move Wendy and Brown, how many Scots went through a Scottish Winter without minimal heating. Whats that you say?, it was necassary to finance growth. On what? you paid for Hospital and Schools by leaving the Scottish People with 22 billion quids worth of debt for thirty years.
This obscene disgusting English Controlled Party needs to be absolutely wiped out of Scotlands future. How dare they challenge the credentials of the Scottish National Party, when they have sold all of our community owned and financed public services. It was Brown and Blair who sold all of our power companies, to free enterprise who now kick up the charges on a whim, without any consideration of our ability to pay. We paid for an infrastructure of electricity, gas and oil, only to be now held to ransom by their boards. Great move Wendy and Brown, how many Scots went through a Scottish Winter without minimal heating. Whats that you say?, it was necassary to finance growth. On what? you paid for Hospital and Schools by leaving the Scottish People with 22 billion quids worth of debt for thirty years.
Posted by: megz, glasgow on 11:10am Sun 30 Mar 08
i think the fact that paisley buddies vote for these incompetents comes down to the amount of deprivation there is, the same could be said for alot of glasgow and other areas. These people are under the impression that slab are a peoples party (thanks mostly to the media) which they clearly aren't and voting for them is really more detrimental that anything else.
i think the fact that paisley buddies vote for these incompetents comes down to the amount of deprivation there is, the same could be said for alot of glasgow and other areas. These people are under the impression that slab are a peoples party (thanks mostly to the media) which they clearly aren't and voting for them is really more detrimental that anything else.
Posted by: John Leven, Leven Fife on 11:13am Sun 30 Mar 08
If you take this very refreshing and bluntly honest appraisal, together with Paul Hutcheons History in the Making piece, also in this paper, the wheels really are coming off for Labour. I wish all the Scottish media had journalists of this standard. I worry about their job prospects though.
Do Labour really believe that people will vote in 2011 saying to themselves, I really must vote to increase prescription charge, introduce bridge tolls, Pay unfair council tax, close all the A&E departments that only a right wing conspiracy kept open. If I want all these things I better vote Labour.
What also is the answer on the doorstep to, you did not think my opinion and vote was important on an independence referendum though 75% of us wanted a referendum, why should I give you my vote now???
If you take this very refreshing and bluntly honest appraisal, together with Paul Hutcheons History in the Making piece, also in this paper, the wheels really are coming off for Labour. I wish all the Scottish media had journalists of this standard. I worry about their job prospects though.
Do Labour really believe that people will vote in 2011 saying to themselves, I really must vote to increase prescription charge, introduce bridge tolls, Pay unfair council tax, close all the A&E departments that only a right wing conspiracy kept open. If I want all these things I better vote Labour.
What also is the answer on the doorstep to, you did not think my opinion and vote was important on an independence referendum though 75% of us wanted a referendum, why should I give you my vote now???
Posted by: brahan seer on 11:21am Sun 30 Mar 08
i see the future and it is far distant :-)
THE NEXT LABOUR FIRST MINSTER IS A LADDIE AT NURSERY -- HE IS A STAR -- GETTING 10 OUT OF 10 FOR SANDPIT
i see the future and it is far distant :-)
THE NEXT LABOUR FIRST MINSTER IS A LADDIE AT NURSERY -- HE IS A STAR -- GETTING 10 OUT OF 10 FOR SANDPIT
Posted by: Axel, Hamburg on 11:23am Sun 30 Mar 08
Intelligence, clarity and courageous respect for the facts may not be persuasive in all quarters of the population, but it is refreshing and comforting to see them displayed in abundance, nevertheless.
No, I am not referring to any utterances emanating from Ms Alexander or her party in the course of their little get-together in the Highlands over the past few days. That would be self-evidently preposterous, would it not? My appreciative remarks are, of course, directed at the admirable journalist who wrote the above article.
10 out of 10, genuinely.
Intelligence, clarity and courageous respect for the facts may not be persuasive in all quarters of the population, but it is refreshing and comforting to see them displayed in abundance, nevertheless.
No, I am not referring to any utterances emanating from Ms Alexander or her party in the course of their little get-together in the Highlands over the past few days. That would be self-evidently preposterous, would it not? My appreciative remarks are, of course, directed at the admirable journalist who wrote the above article.
10 out of 10, genuinely.
Posted by: Freedom Fighter, East Lothian on 11:31am Sun 30 Mar 08
"Andy Kerr,
194;the former Labour health minister, told the Scottish Labour conference the SNP are the 
new "Thatcheri
tes", turning the clock̳
4;back to̳
4;the 1980s."
According to Andy Kerr's lights, the SNP aren't even trying. Labour are trying to turn back the clock to the 1920s.
His colleague Iain Gray MSP reportedly told a Labour Party meeting recently that "the SNP are doing a good job in government" and implied that "Labour is finished". Such refreshing candour does you credit, Iain. The SNP in East Lothian certainly believe that you're finished here !
"Andy Kerr,
194;the former Labour health minister, told the Scottish Labour conference the SNP are the 
new "Thatcheri
tes", turning the clock̳
4;back to̳
4;the 1980s."
According to Andy Kerr's lights, the SNP aren't even trying. Labour are trying to turn back the clock to the 1920s.
His colleague Iain Gray MSP reportedly told a Labour Party meeting recently that "the SNP are doing a good job in government" and implied that "Labour is finished". Such refreshing candour does you credit, Iain. The SNP in East Lothian certainly believe that you're finished here !
Posted by: The West Awake, Argyll on 11:36am Sun 30 Mar 08
"So does anyone buy this new Red Wendy"
Doesn't MacWhirter realise that red is this seasons Armani?
"So does anyone buy this new Red Wendy"
Doesn't MacWhirter realise that red is this seasons Armani?
Posted by: Ronald, Glasgow on 11:48am Sun 30 Mar 08
One doesn't know whether to laugh, or to cry.
The spectacle of this once-great Party being
brought down by a cabal of self-seeking
degenerates is now descending into farce!
It would be funny were it not so sad.
The latest event which revealed just how far
this rable have fallen was last weeks report
written by a high court judge, (no bleading
heart liberals)amongst others,which revealed,
in their words, "INHUMAN AND BARBARIC
TREATMENT" of refugees and Asylum
Seekers in this country. NEW LABOUR: the Party
that died because it had NO SHAME!!
One doesn't know whether to laugh, or to cry.
The spectacle of this once-great Party being
brought down by a cabal of self-seeking
degenerates is now descending into farce!
It would be funny were it not so sad.
The latest event which revealed just how far
this rable have fallen was last weeks report
written by a high court judge, (no bleading
heart liberals)amongst others,which revealed,
in their words, "INHUMAN AND BARBARIC
TREATMENT" of refugees and Asylum
Seekers in this country. NEW LABOUR: the Party
that died because it had NO SHAME!!
Posted by: megz, glasgow on 11:49am Sun 30 Mar 08
[quote][bold]The West Awake[/bold] wrote:
"So does anyone buy this new Red Wendy" Doesn't MacWhirter realise that red is this seasons Armani?[/quote] of course we do, don't all socialists have nannies and earn considerably more than us plebs?
The West Awake wrote:
"So does anyone buy this new Red Wendy" Doesn't MacWhirter realise that red is this seasons Armani?
of course we do, don't all socialists have nannies and earn considerably more than us plebs?
Posted by: Ben A, Milngavie on 11:59am Sun 30 Mar 08
Why ANY Scot would vote for a continuance of the "union" beggars belief!
It is now crystal clear to anyone with two brain cells or more that, for Scots to send OUR taxes to London, only to have them hand back A FRACTION of these via the barnett "formula" is ludicrous!
The whole of the UK has been robbed blind of its resources, manpower and taxation, ONLY to kep that bloated part of the UK, the city of London, appeased-Its ego is in need of deflating-and FAST!
Unfortunately, the present govt, led by that Scot with well known psychiatric problems, is allowing this situation to continue, as it is TERRIFIED of falling foul of these people in the city, for whatsoever reason.
It is about time that Scots woke up to the fact that, if the SNP are somehow allowed to fail in their mission and labour once again are dominant, then the Scottish people will have retribution foisted upon them by labour, the likes of which no other government in the western world would DARE perpetrate upon their own peoples!
You have been warned!
Why ANY Scot would vote for a continuance of the "union" beggars belief!
It is now crystal clear to anyone with two brain cells or more that, for Scots to send OUR taxes to London, only to have them hand back A FRACTION of these via the barnett "formula" is ludicrous!
The whole of the UK has been robbed blind of its resources, manpower and taxation, ONLY to kep that bloated part of the UK, the city of London, appeased-Its ego is in need of deflating-and FAST!
Unfortunately, the present govt, led by that Scot with well known psychiatric problems, is allowing this situation to continue, as it is TERRIFIED of falling foul of these people in the city, for whatsoever reason.
It is about time that Scots woke up to the fact that, if the SNP are somehow allowed to fail in their mission and labour once again are dominant, then the Scottish people will have retribution foisted upon them by labour, the likes of which no other government in the western world would DARE perpetrate upon their own peoples!
You have been warned!
Posted by: pehman, sussex on 12:05pm Sun 30 Mar 08
Oh what a lovely sunday morning.
I've been trawling the Scottish papers, and I'm amazed wendy great revamp has appeared to hit the floor with a thud.
Even in the sos Tom hunter is seen as having more credibility than the leader of opposition
and the sunday mail leader gets barely luke warm to her
Oh what a lovely sunday morning.
I've been trawling the Scottish papers, and I'm amazed wendy great revamp has appeared to hit the floor with a thud.
Even in the sos Tom hunter is seen as having more credibility than the leader of opposition
and the sunday mail leader gets barely luke warm to her
Posted by: Badger on 12:17pm Sun 30 Mar 08
This from the Independent describing the actions of Wendys Socialists:
"Allies of Commons speaker Michael Martin rallied to his defence yesterday as he came under renewed scrutiny over the amounts of taxpayers' money used to refurbish his official residence. Anti-sleaze campaigners returned to the attack on Mr Martin after it emerged £1.7m had been spent on refurbishing his home and garden since 2001.
Details of the expenditure were revealed days after the Speaker lodged a High Court appeal to block the release of a controversial list of MPs' expenses.
Mr Martin has been criticised after his family used air miles from official flights, and his wife claimed cab fares for shopping trips.
Former independent MP Martin Bell claimed Mr Martin was not "setting a good example", while the TaxPayers' Alliance said the latest disclosures proved he was the wrong person to be heading a review of MPs' expenses.
But a senior government source dismissed the latest revelations as part of an ongoing campaign to destabilise Mr Martin and insisted his position was safe"
See: http://www.independe
nt.co.uk/news/uk/pol
itics/speaker-under-
renewed-scrutiny-802
616.html
This from the Independent describing the actions of Wendys Socialists:
"Allies of Commons speaker Michael Martin rallied to his defence yesterday as he came under renewed scrutiny over the amounts of taxpayers' money used to refurbish his official residence. Anti-sleaze campaigners returned to the attack on Mr Martin after it emerged £1.7m had been spent on refurbishing his home and garden since 2001.
Details of the expenditure were revealed days after the Speaker lodged a High Court appeal to block the release of a controversial list of MPs' expenses.
Mr Martin has been criticised after his family used air miles from official flights, and his wife claimed cab fares for shopping trips.
Former independent MP Martin Bell claimed Mr Martin was not "setting a good example", while the TaxPayers' Alliance said the latest disclosures proved he was the wrong person to be heading a review of MPs' expenses.
But a senior government source dismissed the latest revelations as part of an ongoing campaign to destabilise Mr Martin and insisted his position was safe"
See: http://www.independe
nt.co.uk/news/uk/pol
itics/speaker-under-
renewed-scrutiny-802
616.html
Posted by: Baron Stroud, East Lothian on 12:23pm Sun 30 Mar 08
The countdown has started, both for the fall of Gordon Brown and I'm afraid for Wendy too. ( what a poisoned chalice she has lifted ).
They are both on very slippery slopes, with no crampons. Watch out for the Liberals distancing themselves from Labour, North and South and keeping their powder dry for up coming elections.
We could do with a few new Opinion Polls and some learned comments from an old aquaintance Prof Curtice. Things are only going to get worse for Labour and the long fizzing fuse, attached to their self-destruct mechanism, is moving along nicely as far as Mr Salmond is concerned. We are heading for a conjunction of political planets, long foretold by prophet Salmond.
I'm hopeful this will result in a successful vote for independence. Given the dire and distracted posturing of Gordon and his acolyte, plus the laziness and arrogance lately represented by Labour in Scotland, in local government especially over the last 20 years, expect a big domino topple in the coming year or two.
East Lothian, in particular is glad to see the back of the Labour mob.
Lets set our sights on global issues too and get rid of Trident from the Clyde, as there's nowhere else to put, and thus is would probably have to be scrapped.
( "A bullet in a bully's pocket", as Katrine Polwart so neatly put it)
The countdown has started, both for the fall of Gordon Brown and I'm afraid for Wendy too. ( what a poisoned chalice she has lifted ).
They are both on very slippery slopes, with no crampons. Watch out for the Liberals distancing themselves from Labour, North and South and keeping their powder dry for up coming elections.
We could do with a few new Opinion Polls and some learned comments from an old aquaintance Prof Curtice. Things are only going to get worse for Labour and the long fizzing fuse, attached to their self-destruct mechanism, is moving along nicely as far as Mr Salmond is concerned. We are heading for a conjunction of political planets, long foretold by prophet Salmond.
I'm hopeful this will result in a successful vote for independence. Given the dire and distracted posturing of Gordon and his acolyte, plus the laziness and arrogance lately represented by Labour in Scotland, in local government especially over the last 20 years, expect a big domino topple in the coming year or two.
East Lothian, in particular is glad to see the back of the Labour mob.
Lets set our sights on global issues too and get rid of Trident from the Clyde, as there's nowhere else to put, and thus is would probably have to be scrapped.
( "A bullet in a bully's pocket", as Katrine Polwart so neatly put it)
Posted by: Grassy Knollington on 12:39pm Sun 30 Mar 08
Many people feared that the labour fightback would be dirty and they were right. I just watched Glen Campbell on The Politics Show interviewing Des Browne.
He said to Browne that Lewis Mooney had criticised Labour for the approach they were taking to the SNP and that he (Mooney) had compared it to "appeasing the Nazis".
Pardon my language but my immediate reaction was what a shower of fecking barstewards. Might complain to the BBC today yet although they will no doubt tell me that Campbell was merely quoting someone else (Mooney). The point is that this disgusting quote was given airtime at all.
I did wonder how low the BBC might stoop in all this but had no idea it would be quite this low and how convenient that it should be on the weekend of Labour's "fightback" conference.
Many people feared that the labour fightback would be dirty and they were right. I just watched Glen Campbell on The Politics Show interviewing Des Browne.
He said to Browne that Lewis Mooney had criticised Labour for the approach they were taking to the SNP and that he (Mooney) had compared it to "appeasing the Nazis".
Pardon my language but my immediate reaction was what a shower of fecking barstewards. Might complain to the BBC today yet although they will no doubt tell me that Campbell was merely quoting someone else (Mooney). The point is that this disgusting quote was given airtime at all.
I did wonder how low the BBC might stoop in all this but had no idea it would be quite this low and how convenient that it should be on the weekend of Labour's "fightback" conference.
Posted by: jim mitchell, sauchie, clacks on 12:43pm Sun 30 Mar 08
Iain, you were I believe recently Wendyied for some of your comments, if there is such a thing then you should prepare to be Brownied any day now.
I should also forget any notion of a knghthood etc that you might have had, at least for the time being.
Iain, you were I believe recently Wendyied for some of your comments, if there is such a thing then you should prepare to be Brownied any day now.
I should also forget any notion of a knghthood etc that you might have had, at least for the time being.
Posted by: Joe Middleton, Edinburgh on 12:44pm Sun 30 Mar 08
Well said Iain. This is bare faced lies from labour and it just won't wash.
Well said Iain. This is bare faced lies from labour and it just won't wash.
Posted by: jamie80 on 12:49pm Sun 30 Mar 08
Iain McWhiter's pants in a twist. The difference between the UK Budget and the Scottish Budget is the UK-wide Budget was a clear response to economic circumstances whereas Salmond and Swinney are allocated monies they decide how to spend.
If the SNP want to make middle class students better off, cut business rates etc.. they need to find the money from somewhere and they'v shamelessly taken it from the most vulnerable. Salmond is a callous, selfish leader.
The criticism of Brown therefore isn't as cutting as of Salmond.
Iain McWhiter's pants in a twist. The difference between the UK Budget and the Scottish Budget is the UK-wide Budget was a clear response to economic circumstances whereas Salmond and Swinney are allocated monies they decide how to spend.
If the SNP want to make middle class students better off, cut business rates etc.. they need to find the money from somewhere and they'v shamelessly taken it from the most vulnerable. Salmond is a callous, selfish leader.
The criticism of Brown therefore isn't as cutting as of Salmond.
Posted by: Los Angeles, Edinburgh on 12:55pm Sun 30 Mar 08
Jamie - I Blame Unionist Journalists[quote]Iain McWhiter's pants in a twist.[/quote]Now we know the level of your politics.
Jamie - I Blame Unionist Journalists
Iain McWhiter's pants in a twist.
Now we know the level of your politics.
Posted by: Los Angeles, Edinburgh on 12:58pm Sun 30 Mar 08
Grassy - It's All Smokin' Mirrors - Knollington[quote]He said to Browne that Lewis Mooney had criticised Labour for the approach[/quote]And did Browne rebuke interviewer and Mooney for the vile unacceptable politics?
Grassy - It's All Smokin' Mirrors - Knollington
He said to Browne that Lewis Mooney had criticised Labour for the approach
And did Browne rebuke interviewer and Mooney for the vile unacceptable politics?
Posted by: Victor Smith, Ross-shire. on 1:01pm Sun 30 Mar 08
Listening to Brown's Conference speech it seemed very obvious he is not aware of 'Life' for the majority under his / Blair / New Labour regime, nor does he appear to care either, and has no idea which way to go to improve his extremely low popularity.
His ‘Moral’ Compass? - Someone said it was now passing away its remaining days in its 'Death Throes' - on e-Bay - is it any wonder?
Any offers? Apparently, it seems to have its own self-contained ‘SatNav’ programmes of ‘Wonderful Mystery Tours’- with prizes if you can actually answer correctly ‘where you are now?’ -regardless of what it tells you! So far, no winners!
It would appear the man Brown is now 'dithering about' so much - way out of his depth, possibly seeing his impending and immediate failings at his task, that - so I understand, to help ease the pressure, he is seriously contemplating a massive increase in the 'Unemployment Benefit Payments' - to all qualifiers regardless, with his mind firmly fixed, above all else - as usual, on his own impending new status as a 'Dole Queue' participant!
New Labour & Co. plc - always a sharp eye open for their own 'Personal financial gain' especially at the Taxpayers expense - and no doubt, as it seems, no matter their devious ways of achieving such a situation -be it legal, devoid of Principle - or otherwise, it will always be 'within the(ir) rules' - the rules, that is, they themselves have so cleverly constructed for / by their own members particular , it seems, to fit in with their little 'scams!' - as they keep ‘hatching!’
The only current and positive outstanding thing in New Labours displays of these day, is the nucleus they are forming with the EU, for what must surely be, for both, their ‘Land of Paradise’ - a ‘Great Dictatorship’ with total political control!
It appears the allegedly ‘Bright Sparks’ in the New Labour Branch - ‘up North’, are somewhat ignorant of this ploy - unless, of course, they are brighter than we think from the way they show themselves these days!
BEWARE!
Listening to Brown's Conference speech it seemed very obvious he is not aware of 'Life' for the majority under his / Blair / New Labour regime, nor does he appear to care either, and has no idea which way to go to improve his extremely low popularity.
His ‘Moral’ Compass? - Someone said it was now passing away its remaining days in its 'Death Throes' - on e-Bay - is it any wonder?
Any offers? Apparently, it seems to have its own self-contained ‘SatNav’ programmes of ‘Wonderful Mystery Tours’- with prizes if you can actually answer correctly ‘where you are now?’ -regardless of what it tells you! So far, no winners!
It would appear the man Brown is now 'dithering about' so much - way out of his depth, possibly seeing his impending and immediate failings at his task, that - so I understand, to help ease the pressure, he is seriously contemplating a massive increase in the 'Unemployment Benefit Payments' - to all qualifiers regardless, with his mind firmly fixed, above all else - as usual, on his own impending new status as a 'Dole Queue' participant!
New Labour & Co. plc - always a sharp eye open for their own 'Personal financial gain' especially at the Taxpayers expense - and no doubt, as it seems, no matter their devious ways of achieving such a situation -be it legal, devoid of Principle - or otherwise, it will always be 'within the(ir) rules' - the rules, that is, they themselves have so cleverly constructed for / by their own members particular , it seems, to fit in with their little 'scams!' - as they keep ‘hatching!’
The only current and positive outstanding thing in New Labours displays of these day, is the nucleus they are forming with the EU, for what must surely be, for both, their ‘Land of Paradise’ - a ‘Great Dictatorship’ with total political control!
It appears the allegedly ‘Bright Sparks’ in the New Labour Branch - ‘up North’, are somewhat ignorant of this ploy - unless, of course, they are brighter than we think from the way they show themselves these days!
BEWARE!
Posted by: Grassy Knollington on 1:05pm Sun 30 Mar 08
LA, Funnily enough no....now there's a surprise. Cynics might almost conclude he knew the question /quote was coming and appreciated that the point here was merely the planting of the "idea" in people's minds. But surely not?
LA, Funnily enough no....now there's a surprise. Cynics might almost conclude he knew the question /quote was coming and appreciated that the point here was merely the planting of the "idea" in people's minds. But surely not?
Posted by: Lowperdowg, Swona on 1:11pm Sun 30 Mar 08
I remember the great Winnie Ewing saying a few years ago that it would take a while to topple the Labour dynasty but that, when it went, it would be like a house of cards.
How true, Winnie, how true.
She failed to say that all the cards would be jokers.
I remember the great Winnie Ewing saying a few years ago that it would take a while to topple the Labour dynasty but that, when it went, it would be like a house of cards.
How true, Winnie, how true.
She failed to say that all the cards would be jokers.
Posted by: Los Angeles, Edinburgh on 1:18pm Sun 30 Mar 08
[quote] planting of the "idea" in people's minds.[/quote] SNP out of office, opposition parties can fool some of the people some of the time, SNP in office and people can see for themselves social democracy at work, and ignore the slurs.
Propagandists like Browne and Alexander are the Burke and Hare of politics.
planting of the "idea" in people's minds.
SNP out of office, opposition parties can fool some of the people some of the time, SNP in office and people can see for themselves social democracy at work, and ignore the slurs.
Propagandists like Browne and Alexander are the Burke and Hare of politics.
Posted by: Observer on 1:25pm Sun 30 Mar 08
Great piece Iain absolutely spot on. Grassy Knollington - yes I think they are going in for a bit of subliminal politicking, juxtaposing socialism with nationalism etc etc. They are on the ropes and they know it, so I think we can expect some very dirty politics to come. But what did we think was going to happen ?
Great piece Iain absolutely spot on. Grassy Knollington - yes I think they are going in for a bit of subliminal politicking, juxtaposing socialism with nationalism etc etc. They are on the ropes and they know it, so I think we can expect some very dirty politics to come. But what did we think was going to happen ?
Posted by: Dan D. Lyon, Drumnadrochit on 1:30pm Sun 30 Mar 08
A very perceptive and erudite article. I don’t always agree with the writings of Iain Macwhirter or Paul Hutcheon, but nevertheless regard them as two of the best newspaper journalists writing today. I trust the Editor of the Sunday Herald realises this.
A very perceptive and erudite article. I don’t always agree with the writings of Iain Macwhirter or Paul Hutcheon, but nevertheless regard them as two of the best newspaper journalists writing today. I trust the Editor of the Sunday Herald realises this.
Posted by: Jwil, Lanarkshire on 1:43pm Sun 30 Mar 08
Some writer in the Scotland on Sunday suggested that the Daily Record was going over to supporting the SNP. Does anyone know if there is any truth in this? I haven't seen any evidence of this in their editorials.
Some writer in the Scotland on Sunday suggested that the Daily Record was going over to supporting the SNP. Does anyone know if there is any truth in this? I haven't seen any evidence of this in their editorials.
Posted by: Celtic Lion, Roar on 1:45pm Sun 30 Mar 08
One of the most honest and passionate articles I've read for a long time. One can hope it will mark a turning point for the Scottish media.
The one criticism I would give is that it makes no mention that Willie Sullivan is not only a board member of Compass, he is also a Labour Councillor for Dunfermline Central. His opinion of the SNP therefore carries as much weight as Wendy awarding herself ten out of ten. He also claimed in 2003 that "the principles behind foundation hospitals are socialist principles." Apparently New Labour's New Socialism supports privatisation of the NHS, which sounds a little [italic]1984[/italic] to me. I can only assume the snorts, oinks and grunts were edited from the quotes attributed to Sullivan.
Even Compass itself say that "the primary focus for Compass is the Labour Party..." and that it "is open primarily to people who are eligible to be Labour members". tinyurl.com/322owx
Otherwise, an excellent article.
One of the most honest and passionate articles I've read for a long time. One can hope it will mark a turning point for the Scottish media.
The one criticism I would give is that it makes no mention that Willie Sullivan is not only a board member of Compass, he is also a Labour Councillor for Dunfermline Central. His opinion of the SNP therefore carries as much weight as Wendy awarding herself ten out of ten. He also claimed in 2003 that "the principles behind foundation hospitals are socialist principles." Apparently New Labour's New Socialism supports privatisation of the NHS, which sounds a little
1984 to me. I can only assume the snorts, oinks and grunts were edited from the quotes attributed to Sullivan.
Even Compass itself say that "the primary focus for Compass is the Labour Party..." and that it "is open primarily to people who are eligible to be Labour members". tinyurl.com/322owx
Otherwise, an excellent article.
Posted by: Anne on 1:57pm Sun 30 Mar 08
Excellent article Iain. Glad the hypocrisy has been spotted at the Scottish Labour conference. I had to laugh when Gordon Brown said Wendy would be the next First Minister. What a dictator he is. I'm sure the Scottish electorate won't forget that one at the next Scottish elections!!!!
Excellent article Iain. Glad the hypocrisy has been spotted at the Scottish Labour conference. I had to laugh when Gordon Brown said Wendy would be the next First Minister. What a dictator he is. I'm sure the Scottish electorate won't forget that one at the next Scottish elections!!!!
Posted by: helen, glaschu on 2:02pm Sun 30 Mar 08
mcwhirter, ahm gonny nail yer boots tae the flair at yer computer. [bold]x[/bold] [bold]bold[/bold]
mcwhirter, ahm gonny nail yer boots tae the flair at yer computer.
x Posted by: ditchgazza on 2:14pm Sun 30 Mar 08
Excellent article Iain.
Has Dougie Fraser called you a sewer rat or vermin yet?
Excellent article Iain.
Has Dougie Fraser called you a sewer rat or vermin yet?
Posted by: John Leven, Leven Fife on 2:16pm Sun 30 Mar 08
Jwil, Lanarkshire
I would like to hope that the Daily Retard was going over to the SNP but I would doubt it.
If any publication (I hesitate to call it a newspaper) did move I would think the the Sun would be first.
Murdoch has a habit of following the circulation numbers, think how the Sun nationally started the gradual change from true blue tory, to true blue Tony.
If the polls continue their recent trends it may change sooner than we think.
Also how long will they back as big a loser as Broon?
Jwil, Lanarkshire
I would like to hope that the Daily Retard was going over to the SNP but I would doubt it.
If any publication (I hesitate to call it a newspaper) did move I would think the the Sun would be first.
Murdoch has a habit of following the circulation numbers, think how the Sun nationally started the gradual change from true blue tory, to true blue Tony.
If the polls continue their recent trends it may change sooner than we think.
Also how long will they back as big a loser as Broon?
Posted by: pehman, sussex on 2:19pm Sun 30 Mar 08
Jwil @ 1;43,
I don't know about the retard, but if you check out the sunday mail leader, it's as though its toned down the flag waving for slab
Jwil @ 1;43,
I don't know about the retard, but if you check out the sunday mail leader, it's as though its toned down the flag waving for slab
Posted by: Wardog, Buckie on 2:25pm Sun 30 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Grassy Knollington[/bold] wrote:
Many people feared that the labour fightback would be dirty and they were right. I just watched Glen Campbell on The Politics Show interviewing Des Browne.
He said to Browne that Lewis Mooney had criticised Labour for the approach they were taking to the SNP and that he (Mooney) had compared it to "appeasing the Nazis".
Pardon my language but my immediate reaction was what a shower of fecking barstewards. Might complain to the BBC today yet although they will no doubt tell me that Campbell was merely quoting someone else (Mooney). The point is that this disgusting quote was given airtime at all.
I did wonder how low the BBC might stoop in all this but had no idea it would be quite this low and how convenient that it should be on the weekend of Labour's "fightback" conference.[/quote]
And just before that BBC Scotland News Bulletin reported (and I quote)
[quote]"...[bold]in a few minutes[/bold] Des Browne will be speaking at the Labour Conference and will pledge his support to...."[/quote]
Since when does the BBC run Labour Media Diktats before a minister has even given the speech....
[bold]Silly Question[/bold]
Grassy Knollington wrote:
Many people feared that the labour fightback would be dirty and they were right. I just watched Glen Campbell on The Politics Show interviewing Des Browne.
He said to Browne that Lewis Mooney had criticised La
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