The Scottish Government

Ardnafearn (1430) says "Margaret Thatcher was deposed on losing support within the Conservative party not by agitation at large" - as long as her colleagues were thinking of her as "The Iron Lady" who was "Not For Turning", not one of them had the nerve to say "boo" to her. It was only AFTER we in the anti-poll-tax movement had proved that she could be forced to turn that rebellion grew amongst the Conservative party.

1407. Gabrielle H - Aberdeen

I am sorry that I have somehow misinterpreted your stance.
As a lame excuse, I too have suffered from a poor education.
After failing my 11 plus, then being shunted into what was termed a Junior Secondary school, where our science lesson consisted of talks about astronomy. I used to see schoolchildren on the TV using a device called a Bunsen burner. How I envied those lucky privileged kids. Our technical class was beating a 6inch square piece of copper into an ashtray.
Fortunately my folks couldn’t see any improvement coming until we emigrated and became what was known as New Australians. So, for the first time in my life, at an Australian school, I was allowed to use a lathe and then a milling machine. Ironic coming from a so-called engineering country. We prospered and through hard work achieved more than we could have ever achieved in the UK. Own home, swimming pool, cars.
Through time my folks were desperately home sick and subsequently we returned to Scotland where the exact same guys who had been hanging round street corners were still there. Their dreams of playing for Rangers or Celtic remaining just that. The financial lift that Oz had provided gave us a reasonable standard of living, but I could not settle and travelled. Working and staying wherever suited. This is where travel broadened my mind. I couldn’t believe how relatively poor Scotland was, and I do not blame the English for this. I blame Scots. I know how Czechs, who were not communists, felt when their country was assimilated into the greater socialist utopia. I was in East Berlin in the 70’s and struck by how much it reminded me of Glasgow.
So I understand where you are coming from. I understand how places like Drumchapel were Labours idea of Utopia. No matter that the Scottish Office civil servants detailed design, budget, density and that the debt incurred plus interest was to be repaid ‘forever’. The fact that Easterhouse was constructed without shops or pubs or cinemas and that the controlling Labour party let it go on for years. But then this is the same old story. Do not upset the Gravy Train.
So, correct me again if I am failing to understand your position, “A REDUCTION in waiting lists, illiteracy and Social Problems”. Perhaps you should be asking why we have the above problems, given that Labour and Liberal Democrats have both held the power in this devolved government and in fact claim to be instrumental in the benefits that this has brought us. So I am assuming that not only you have read this but that perhaps you have understood it.

Saw this comment from 'Stevie' from Dundee, who said

"Unlike many of those who follow the Separatist agenda, I actually like the English, etc. Crucially, thankfully, many of my fellow Scots think likewise."

There are certainly those in Scotland who have a dislike for English people. They, thankfully, are in a very small minority. There are also those in England who have a dislike for French, German or Argentinian people....perhaps other nationalities as well, they too, thankfully are in a minority.

The question for Stevie is this:

What number of people who are members of the SNP do you believe are anti English?

What proportion of the SNP is this?

Is it only SNP members who are anti English?

If not, then what other parties do the rest they belong to or vote for?

What proportion of the general Scottish public are anti English?

Is this more or less than the SNP proportion.

Are there any anti Scottish people in the U.K.?

Are there any political parties in the U.K. with anti-Scottish members?

You see Stevie, there are prejudices everywhere. Even you yourself display a prejudice, against fellow Scots because of their political beliefs. You seek, with no apparent evidence, to apply a broad brush to those who support Scottish self determination.

Now, other than thinly disguised name calling, do you have anything constructive to add to this interesting debate?

Sorry Stan (#1417), but it looks like we will have to agree to disagree on your point that my offering has in some way sullied this conversation.

What is clear is that it makes for uncomfortable reading to some.

I should also point out that the "personal prejudices" you allude to were not made by me but by several high ranking SNP political representatives and carried widely in the press. My guilt, credit, whatever, has merely been in reporting them.

Like it or not this is a national conversation, not, with respect, a national conversation with an agenda decided on by a select few.

For me, that means understanding not only where we're going as a nation but who we are, where we're coming from and who will be representing us in the years ahead.

This point appears to have been recognised by the Mods who saw fit to carry my comments. And if the replies are to believed, one or two people out there do appear unaware of the comments having been made in the first place.

That suggests to me that it was a worthwhile exercise.

Stevie from Dundee (1420) asked a series of seven "leading" questions, but, when asked to provide the answers, failed to do so, saying "google it".

I have no intention of following this childish "advice". The fact is, Stevie, you have failed to provide either answers or references, because you have realised that your answers would have absolutely zero chance of standing up to careful scrutiny.

It now appear's that budget is to be cut{today's Scotsman}to stop the SNP delivering thier policy's. It appear's the Unionist parties together can't offer better governance, so the SNP is now being targeted from Westminster useing financial clout rather than political arguement. It's more important that the Coalition defeat the SNP than Scotland recieve good goverment.If I were Gordon Brown I would not calling an election any time soon.

Margaret Thatcher was deposed on losing support within the Conservative party not by agitation at large suggested by Dave Coull. The Conservative administration continued under John Major before defeat at the polls in 1997. The rest of the gruel is is a thin set of ifs and buts. If Scotland truly became a minority influence within UK politics then why bother with a rump? Politically or legally, take your pick, there has to be some overwhelming reason for Gordon Brown, de facto head of government, to change his mind and yield to Alex's blandishments.

If the last 100 days or so are an indication of how an Independent Scotland will be governed, then bring it on.

We now seem to have a government committed to improving life here as a first option replacing those whose first committment was patently to not upsetting their London-based colleagues, any scope remaining for improvements coming only as a second.

#1421. Edward - Hungerford
Wednesday, August 29, 2007 17:21

You of course realise why Prof Ashcroft's lecture supporting the SNP's claims regarding the feasability of smaller European nation states received such scant attention from London financed media.

He's only married to our own
Ms Wendy Alexander, and the father of her children.
Wendy, sister of comrade Douglas, putative leader of Labour In Scotland, arch London-unionist. :-D

#1407. Gabrielle H - Aberdeen
Monday, August 27, 2007 21:24
I can understand your reservations about the Holyrood parliament complex, your reaction was the same as mine the first time I saw it.

My company supplies it so I was involved as it was nearing completion.

I have to say it grew on me, I now think on it as a building of great beauty.

Like fine wine you wouldn't give to a child and expect it to be enjoyed.
So Holyrood takes time to appreciate, but like the fine wine, IMHO it is well worth the effort.

Conversly I spent some time in and out of the Palace of Westminster.
At first I was impressed, but then I realised I was impressed only by the clock tower of Big Ben.
The Westminster Parliament buildings up close are the worst over-elaborate Victorian 'gothic'.
Best appreciated from as far away as possible, but at least from the south bank of the Thames which has the effect of stretching and lowering the profile, which otherwise puts me in mind of a 'three box' 80s Volvo.

In time I believe the Holyrood complex will become as iconic as the palace across the road or the castles of Edinburgh and Stirling.

A success, inspite of being built to fail.