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Let's dissect some of this drivel, shall we?
Andrew Tickell: How Scots have learned to love independence in 2020 https://www.thenational.scot/news/18970919.scots-learned-2020-independence-feels-good/?ref=twtrec
Andrew Tickell: How Scots have learned to love independence in 2020 https://www.thenational.scot/news/18970919.scots-learned-2020-independence-feels-good/?ref=twtrec
"When YouGov first reported a 2% lead for the independence campaign on September 6, 2014, Downing Street went into meltdown and every feather in Better Together was ruffled. " FALSE. Everyone is aware these "polls" are contrived to give the result desired by those commissioning
> them. No panic. No meltdown. Just quiet confidence that nationalists are desperate.
"For me, the appeal of independence has always been the appeal of responsibility." Forgive me if I'm sceptical. What "responsibility" will we have as citizens of Scotland that we do not have >
"For me, the appeal of independence has always been the appeal of responsibility." Forgive me if I'm sceptical. What "responsibility" will we have as citizens of Scotland that we do not have >
> as citizens of the UK? (Clue: None.) More accurately the appeal of independence for the author is the appeal of Scottish exceptionalism.
"It matters who wields power and who just has to lump decisions taken elsewhere." In the narrow mind of the Scotnat another part of the UK >
"It matters who wields power and who just has to lump decisions taken elsewhere." In the narrow mind of the Scotnat another part of the UK >
> is "elsewhere". The reality is that we live in an island barely 1000 miles long and attempts such as this to "other" those we share it with are typical of hateful nationalist rhetoric.
"When Nicola Sturgeon stands up, day after day, at the lectern discussing the latest >
"When Nicola Sturgeon stands up, day after day, at the lectern discussing the latest >
> developments in Scotland’s response to coronavirus, it looks a lot like the work of a sovereign state responding". That is, indeed, the illusion she is trying to create, but it remains just that, an illusion to gull people into believing that our standard of living would >
> remain as is if it became a reality. Whereas the reality is that as a sovereign state Scotland could not have provided the response to CV19 the UK did.
"Before devolution, seeing an independent Scotland in your mind’s eye required a powerful suspension of disbelief." For >
"Before devolution, seeing an independent Scotland in your mind’s eye required a powerful suspension of disbelief." For >
> anybody who understands the economic implications, it still does.
"Scotland’s particular priorities are never going to be at the forefront of the UK Government’s concerns." Sounds plausible until one realises this could be applied to any part of the UK. It would also apply to >
"Scotland’s particular priorities are never going to be at the forefront of the UK Government’s concerns." Sounds plausible until one realises this could be applied to any part of the UK. It would also apply to >
> all regions of Scotland if it were to secede. It is a situation common to all states and all governments, the world over. Only the authors sense of exceptionalism makes him believe this is peculiar to Scotland. It also ignores the immense financial benefit and influence >
> Scotland would lose were it to cease being part of the UK.
"I can understand why they prefer to pay attention to those parts of the country which powers their parliamentary majority, which returns their MPs, and on which the careers of any ambitious Tory with a taste for >
"I can understand why they prefer to pay attention to those parts of the country which powers their parliamentary majority, which returns their MPs, and on which the careers of any ambitious Tory with a taste for >
> power inevitably turns." This perpetuates the myth that all UK governments are Tory governments. They are not. For years Labour governments relied on Scotland to power their parliamentary majority. The author's ideology effectively denies us a left wing government. >
> Intentionally so, because nativist nationalism is an inherently right wing ideology. Rid ourselves of nationalism and, by Tickell's own admission, the UK would see a government heavily focused on Scotland at least half the time.
"What I object to is the insistence that I >
"What I object to is the insistence that I >
> should be grateful – and must submit to – the persistent marginalisation of our political interests and preferences in an unbalanced union." What I object to is people whose very successful lives have been facilitated to a great extent by the British state playing the victim>
> when it's clear they are neither marginalised, or disadvantaged in any way because of where they live. Within the union Scots, English Welsh and Irish enjoy the same rights, privileges, influence and freedoms.
"What I object to is the persistent efforts to convince the >
"What I object to is the persistent efforts to convince the >
> population of this country that the demand for greater self-government is a badge of small-mindedness rather than evidence that I take the real material and social conditions which prevail in this country seriously." What I object to is people who ignore all the evidence to >
> the contrary and delude themselves and others into thinking secession would improve material and social conditions in Scotland. It takes a Herculean conceit or crippling small-mindedness to ignore everything we know about the prospectus for Scexit Scotland.
"What I object to >
"What I object to >
> is the idea this is manufacturing grievances – rather than an effort to transcend them, and to take responsibility for our own successes and failures." This is undoubtedly manufacturing grievances. An attempt to transcend them would involve working with others in the UK to >
> improve things. Nationalists simply piss and whine and their only solution to any problem is a negative destruction of the UK.
Amidst a lot of asinine, anti-Tory bile we find this "As Scottish Tory MPs who trip biddably off to London discover, day and daily, the particular >
Amidst a lot of asinine, anti-Tory bile we find this "As Scottish Tory MPs who trip biddably off to London discover, day and daily, the particular >
> interests of their constituents are of no particular interest to the UK governments to which they swear fealty." No evidence for this is provided whatsoever. Meanwhile, the SNP Scotgove continues to cut services, neglect communities, ignore constituents, damage the prospects >
> of our children and fill their heads with propaganda. Look closer to home for a government with no particular interest in Scottish constituents.
"If you have elected Scottish politicians, subject to the preferences of the Scottish electorate, then you can expect to elect >
"If you have elected Scottish politicians, subject to the preferences of the Scottish electorate, then you can expect to elect >
> bodies who have a lively appreciation and concern for our particular political, social and economic interests and who can be relied to act on those concerns." The present Scottish government gives the lie to this. From failed infrastructure projects, eroded education >
> standards, failed attainment targets, missed health targets, the division of our people and the alienation of those who do support the present regime, a disastrous Covid response, etc., etc. a legislature full of Scottish politicians seems to have failed to address our >
> concerns. Indeed, it has mired us in a constitutional obsession from which it seems there is no escape and which, it seems, Tickell wishes to perpetuate.
"...trying to govern your own affairs to ensure that what happens to you political better aligns with your interests and >
"...trying to govern your own affairs to ensure that what happens to you political better aligns with your interests and >
> your values strikes me as nothing to be ashamed of." Indeed it isn't, and the UK already does this. What is shameful is the concept of a northern "master race" which has somehow evolved needs, interests and values that are distinct from those in the south, who are perceived >
> to be holding them back.
"Danish or Finnish politicians don’t think of themselves as having limited political horizons by prioritising policies which actually impact on their people, and taking those decisions seriously. I’m sure Jacinda Ardern doesn’t think her political >
"Danish or Finnish politicians don’t think of themselves as having limited political horizons by prioritising policies which actually impact on their people, and taking those decisions seriously. I’m sure Jacinda Ardern doesn’t think her political >
>life is meaningless or narrow, because she’s only been able to spare 4.8 million New Zealanders..." Here he makes a false comparison with sovereign states. Quite why, is anybody's guess.
"Scotland has collective interests" No, it doesn't. Scotland is a diverse nation and not >
"Scotland has collective interests" No, it doesn't. Scotland is a diverse nation and not >
> full of mindless automatons nationalists would have us believe.
"...wondering what wonderful roulette the Westminster government will play with our interests." The same could apply to Holyrood governments, and does. This is just bitter polemic.
"We’ve seen that it matters who >
"...wondering what wonderful roulette the Westminster government will play with our interests." The same could apply to Holyrood governments, and does. This is just bitter polemic.
"We’ve seen that it matters who >
> takes decisions, and who is subject to them. In 2021, I hope Scots remember the lesson." So do I. Especially Scots who have lost relatives in care homes, or been touched by our drug pandemic.
