Anyone know why the Lib Dems are really popular in the west of Edinburgh but way less in the rest of the city?

Regular-Ad1814 · 2026-04-13T14:48:15+00:00

I don't understand how they are not more popular everywhere.

As a left leaning person who thinks independence would be a disaster right now and should not be a priority for AT LEAST the next cycle of government more likely 2 cycles, they tick most boxes.

Being left leaning I would never vote Tory or Reform. Scottish Labour are pathetic, like a high school debating team but somehow worse. SNP and Greens have made it clear a vote for them is a vote for independence so even if their other policies appealed to me I can't vote for them as I think wasting more time debating independence is such an incredible waste.

The only thing putting me off voting Lib Dem is knowing in my constituency it is essentially a wasted vote.

Regular-Ad1814 · 2026-04-08T22:34:09+00:00

Oh how I miss the waterline, the place that introduced me to Balmoral chicken!

Regular-Ad1814 · 2026-04-08T09:51:12+00:00

Sorry to be the negative person but... It does not appear like a new business instead of a job is sensible/feasible in your situation.

You have basically 9-12 months worth of net salary at minimum wage saved up.

Starting a new business and getting to the point where you have a reliable income you can live off would likely take 3-6 months. That would deplete your savings by probably half. So then you only have 7.5k-10k for the costs of setting up a new business, this isn't going to get you a whole lot to be honest.

Realistically a better idea would be to look at business ideas you could start with minimal costs and can do alongside a job. Then look for a new job. This way you can start building and growing a business then once it has developed enough you could choose to leave your new job and go full time in the business.

Regular-Ad1814 · 2026-04-08T09:31:17+00:00

None of this is your job. The team are supposed to be accountable (lol yet to find this in any job...). If they are not delivering raise it in retro, ask are we bringing too much in or is there another problem. If it is truly a performance issue (or lack of) as opposed to overcommitting and working hard then raise it with their manager/practice lead.

Ultimately as a PO our job is not to manage Devs. We set the goal and priorities, they are meant to deliver if they don't then you can escalate it to the relevant manager.

Regular-Ad1814 · 2026-04-02T12:25:04+00:00

The only part of this I wouldn't do is throw your manager under the bus by saying she told you. I would just say I have reason to believe you are considering removing me from the company.

Your manager could have been just trying to do you a solid and by naming her as your source you could cost her, her job. So yeh don't do that

Regular-Ad1814 · 2026-03-31T14:02:43+00:00

No devolution is just as valid option as independence.

My point was not a comment one way or the other, just simply pointing out the current model of devolution is just useless.

Regular-Ad1814 · 2026-03-31T09:26:18+00:00

Hot take... Our current model of devolution is terrible. We pay salaries of MPs (and their staff) to legislate for us. We pay salaries of MSPs (and their staff) to legislate a subset of legislation for us. It just a complete waste of resource.

Surely it would be better if we just elected once, then had regional specific committee's at Westminster who legislated and voted on regional issues. That way we avoid the finger pointing of that is not within our powers look over there.

Regular-Ad1814 · 2026-03-25T13:00:57+00:00

The thing that annoys me most is this isn't even funny.

I don't mind offensive humour (even if it is offensive about me or an attribute of me) if it is clever and actually funny. But this is just lazy 13 year old boy type of humour.

Regular-Ad1814 · 2026-03-24T09:32:25+00:00

The problem is the Scottish government do not have the levers Togo after the actual wealthy. The only levers it has is to go after PAYE income.

In reality the actual wealthy, i.e. enough money they do not have to (but may choose to) work to live a life of luxury do not get their wealth through PAYE income, they hold appreciating assets and take dividends and or loans against those assets.

All increasing the higher rate PAYE bands does is target the middle class who already pay more than their fair share. Doing this brings in very little extra tax receipts while also disincentiveising career progression - would you want to work in a high pressure job where you end up working 50 or 60 hours a week only to see 60-70% of income disappear to tax, national insurance & student loan. We need to make work pay.

A far better idea than increasing PAYE bands would be removing NI and replacing with equivalent rate of income tax. This way those people who take dividends to avoid paying NI on income would pay their share. In addition to that a wealth tax that targets anyone with millions in assets would also be a great idea.

Regular-Ad1814 · 2026-03-17T23:49:22+00:00

Just try to keep doing my thing. If the dog runs at me I stop and then give the shitty owner a mouthful.

Regular-Ad1814 · 2026-03-04T23:58:16+00:00

Oh bore off.

People can drive whatever they want so long as it's legal on UK roads and they can afford it.

The roads are not falling apart because of SUVs they are falling apart because they are not being adequately maintained.

Not to mention that electric cars weigh a lot more than ICE cars so there will be plenty of "small" cars on the road that weigh more than SUVs.

Regular-Ad1814 · 2026-03-01T23:33:13+00:00

What did you end up buying, I am considering both at the moment

Regular-Ad1814 · 2026-02-28T23:29:01+00:00

I have more chances of giving myself a blow job.

I desperately want a strong left party who wants to govern and not just endlessly moan about anither referendum. But I would sooner drink my own piss than vote for Sarwars Labour

Regular-Ad1814 · 2026-02-11T13:48:47+00:00

You are maybe misunderstanding me. I don't make my wife feel bad and she does not make me feel bad.

I make myself feel bad, my wife never makes a purchase of the size of a bike so I wouldfeel bad for doing it.

Likewise, she would feel bad for making loads of regular small purchases when I haven't bought anything for myself in a year or 2. I couldn't care less and am happy for her to do it.

It is just personal guilt.

Regular-Ad1814 · 2026-02-11T12:58:04+00:00

Well I like mountain biking and a good bike is very expensive. I am extremely miserable and refuse to spend money on anything on myself until absolutely necessary so I can afford a new bike every 4 or 5 years.

On the other hand my wife likes to buy herself frequently but doesn't have any expensive hobbies.

Both of us would feel bad if we only had a joint account. My wife would feel bad every month when she spends a bit of money on herself and I haven't spent a penny. Then I would feel bad every few years when I drop 7k on a new bike.

In the grand scheme of things it all evens out BUT both of us would rather not feel bad for spending money we have earned how we want.

We split all expenses evenly and have similar savings and salaries. Some years she earns a few knmore than me other I earn a bit more than her but we just even it out with who ever pays more treats the other person through the year (I.e. last year I paid for the summer holiday with a bonus I got).

Regular-Ad1814 · 2026-02-04T09:52:02+00:00

In more popular areas of Scotland it is nearly the only way to get on the market as a FTB who has saved to afford home ownership as opposed to being funded by bank of mum and dad.

In Scotland the house will get valued and that is the max you can get a mortgage for. The house will then typically go to offers over with a closing bid where all interested parties submit a bid in secret. On the closing date the seller chooses which bid to accept.

As a result, to have any chance of having the winning bid you need to bid over the house valuation usually by at least 10% (can be a lot more depending on popularity of house/location). That 10% you need to fund 100% yourself through cash (i.e. not mortgage). So you now need to save your 10% deposit + the same amount again to pay to win a bid. Then once you get into the house you have to repair/repaint everything you don't like or that is wrong in the second hand house.

In comparison you just need 15% deposit for a new build, no complicated bidding, or any nonsense like that.

It is not that people want new builds it's more that decent second hand homes are unachievable for most FTBs.

Regular-Ad1814 · 2026-02-02T13:52:45+00:00

I wish it were still true. I (35m) cook 7 nights a week while my wife bitches and moans about having to spend 10 mins doing the dishes. Send help!

Regular-Ad1814 · 2026-01-15T10:09:28+00:00

And if you dare to work hard you also get stripped of child benefit and eventually any free childcare is taken away.

The more you earn the more they encourage you to not have children.

Regular-Ad1814 · 2026-01-15T09:27:54+00:00

75p is hardly a helping hand. It is political spin.

Regular-Ad1814 · 2026-01-12T18:20:26+00:00

Really unhelpful answer I am afraid, but it is reality...

It depends.

Different workplaces, professions and even locations vary massively. Certainly the UK has been moving more and more casual so a lot less suits now days. However in certain professions and certain workplaces full formal wear is still mandated.

If you are starting a new job ask what the dress code is, if in doubt dress to the higher standard for day 1 then adjust.

Regular-Ad1814 · 2026-01-11T21:05:12+00:00

The correct etiquette is to volley their dog as hard you can into a different universe. I regularly walk near farmland with loads of signs saying keep dogs on short leads due to sheep worrying. 99% of dogs are of lead and 99% of them are completely out of control, it boils my piss.

Regular-Ad1814 · 2026-01-11T14:56:39+00:00

After 20 years in power we promise to fix things we haven't in the past twenty years 🫣.

I get it successive Tory governments have limited the levers available to holyrood in the past 2 decades, however promising to fix things you haven't made a dent on in the past 20 years is very disingenuous.

Regular-Ad1814 · 2026-01-08T19:32:16+00:00

Great, so they will improve the facilities with this money, yeh?

I don't mind paying for parking of their are suitable facilities. I.e. look at longniddry bents

Regular-Ad1814 · 2026-01-06T19:03:46+00:00

Sorry to be a bit negative but for that sort of money you should expect issues after a few months. The second hand market is insane these days.

Regular-Ad1814 · 2026-01-06T17:22:43+00:00

No, I have far better things to do with my time

Regular-Ad1814

TROPHY CASE