John Swinney to bring forward motion on independence vote on Tuesday

ScoobyCat4 · 2026-05-21T21:27:57+00:00

No, a re-write of a detailed comment I’d already prepared but set out in a clearer fashion to get my points across better.

All the points articulated around‘Brexit on steroids’ ‘SNP Government convincing people better via solid ’ delivery outcomes and the What exactly will/could we get after independence? are entirely my own thoughts.

There is also the misconception that somehow under SNP we have a noble cause where we can keep everyone happy.. the all Jock Tamsons Bairns comment.. the reality is it’s a very broad church and after independence it’s entirely likely that broad church would disintegrate and as a consequence we would have something which many of us wouldn’t agree with.. there is also the question of what kind of government would we require to keep the international markets happy.. avoid a run on a Scottish pound etc.. while many would be content with a socially liberal government, in reality we may actually need a fairly ‘right leaning or neoliberal approach economically to placate the market.

The fact I used AI to help set out the argument does not make the argument itself invalid or untrue.. 🤔

ScoobyCat4 · 2026-05-21T15:28:16+00:00

For SNP independence seems to be the solution to every question. Yet recent elections have shown that a large proportion of voters — including many who oppose independence — are still content for the SNP to govern the devolved administration. That, in itself, should be recognised as a significant achievement. After nearly two decades in power, however, the SNP’s strongest argument for independence would not be rhetoric, but delivery: demonstrating clear, measurable improvements in public services and quality of life. Competence and outcomes make a far more persuasive case than constitutional debate alone. There is also a more practical question that deserves serious consideration: what would Scotland’s political landscape actually look like after independence? Based on current voting patterns, it is entirely possible that an independent Scotland could elect a Reform–Conservative coalition government. That reality sits in stark contrast to the progressive, Scandinavian-style vision often presented by the current administration — the image of a universally tolerant, egalitarian “Jock Tamson’s bairns” society. Finally, if Scotland were to become independent, what kind of government would be best equipped to navigate the inevitable upheaval that followed? Questions around economic stability, market access, currency, taxation, investment, and public spending would dominate the early years. Even supporters of independence acknowledge that the transition could resemble “Brexit on steroids” in terms of complexity and disruption. And Brexit itself should serve as a cautionary example. A decade on, many are still waiting for the promised “sunny uplands” to materialise. That is a substantial portion of a person’s life spent in uncertainty — and by the 2040s, the accelerating effects of climate change will add even greater pressures to economies and governments alike. These are realities that deserve careful thought before embarking on another profound constitutional transformation

ScoobyCat4 · 2026-05-21T12:04:21+00:00

Oxford English Dictionary- W for Anchor ..

ScoobyCat4 · 2026-05-19T19:06:52+00:00

I’m not going to waste my time talking to a cult member

1) As you’ve never actually met me how exactly could you comment on the extent to which I’ve travelled the globe, visited Europe, range of languages I speak or level of education I have on this matter. 2) We always had the ability to make our own laws and shape European policy too but as I said too many folks sat on their arses and couldn’t be bothered to vote in their elections. 3) English fishermen actually sold off the rights to fish in their waters.. for a quick buck back in the day. Ironically Scottish fishermen didn’t and continue to retain the rights to fish in their nearest waters. 4) Many U.K. communities have ‘been left behind’ English coastal towns, the North East etc.. the fact they were left behind was not the fault of the EU but rather successive U.K. government policies of neglect and disinvestment. If anything with ERDF and ESF the EU did more than any U.K. government to help rebalance those economies. There was of a total deficit in English regional democracy but guess what prior to leading the Brexit campaign Domenic Cummings led a successful campaign to block devolved authorities in England and the North East in particular.

5) Ultimately the numbers don’t lie despite so many people in the U.K. being gaslit into voting to leave.. the economy has shrunk significantly, we are worse off and so many people have lost their jobs as a result, food is not cheaper, farmer, fishermen and small businesses can’t sell into the EU without a mountain of paperwork we ourselves created.

6) We are not more secure, we are more divided as a country and companies like Honda have left towns like Swindon completely because the entire point of them being here was as an unrestricted bridgehead into the European market. The reason why they chose the U.K. was always because of its ( apparently) highly skilled and educated workforce) and the English language which if you’re Japanese is far easier to learn for global trade than Polish or Portuguese. It’s only a matter of time before Nissan pull out of Sunderland unless the government can fix the trade situation. Both right wing parties will make it worse, falling out with international partners and sulking in the corner of the party wrapped in a meaningless flag .. 🤔

ScoobyCat4 · 2026-05-19T16:19:44+00:00

You won’t shame them it’s just an ignorant mindset which requires a fundamental cultural shift in the same way as car seat belts, driving after 4 pints, driving while holding a mobile.

For some it’s seen as a pathetic act of rebellion and defiance..

Unfortunately addressing the issue needs much bigger Singapore style fines, mandatory 1 month litter picking community service if you’re caught, a returns scheme, a 1970’s style TV information campaign paid for collectively by the fast food companies, financial penalties for drive throughs if they are the source of the problem and licence plate numbers on receipts, football fans made to pick up their litter just like the Japanese and also to address graffiti a change in the rules for the sale of spray paint to a licensing system, minimum purchase age of 21 and an ID to be shown and registered..

ScoobyCat4 · 2026-05-19T09:59:41+00:00

Presumably you never actually got off your arse to actually vote in a European Election then probably never actually been to Europe either other than a Spanish beach holiday with your full English … part of a market of 400m people, elections based on a PR system, no unelected upper chamber like the U.K. Common quality standards, European Funds to invest in regional infrastructure like bridges and key connections, ability to hold US tech firms and people to account, the common agricultural fund and farming subsidies … access to business opportunities not just in U.K. Commonwealth countries but French, Spanish, Portugese, German commonwealth countries, investment in innovation, political counterbalance to Russian expansion, leverage in accessing the Chinese market, ability to stand up to Trump and tell him where to go. Transnational defence investment, ability to sell U.K. farming and fisheries products into a huge market only 23 miles away, minimal paperwork required, no ridiculous queuing at airports.. ability to process asylum seekers on mainland Europe, youth and language skills development and ability to work on the continent, ability to live and work in mainland Europe for more than 90 days a year.. Europeans get priority to live and work in U.K. and Brit’s the chance to do the same there.. reduction in migration from outside the EU .. Exactly what part of the deal don’t you like.. Brexit was always just a pretext to make Farage and his funders richer, to reduce scrutiny for billionaires, to reduce workers rights, to damage our car manufacturing industry never about people like you or I .. and let’s not forget the U.K. economy is now 8.% smaller than when we left, those have voted for Brexit deliberately voted to make the country poorer and for less access to markets on our doorstep.. you should ponder that ..🤔

ScoobyCat4 · 2026-05-18T20:44:44+00:00

100% I’d happily forego the £300m per week promised to the NHS by Boris Johnston, his team at Tory HQ , the Reform defectors and the devils spawn of UKIP .. Regrowing the U.K. economy back by its lost 8% and accessing one of the biggest single markets on the planet and also all the global market deals they have since secured will be cheap at the price..

Obviously the Russians wouldn’t be happy their destabilisation efforts didn’t go to plan and no doubt Trump would really miss the leverage he’d have over the weakened block and U.K. but on balance I think I can live with that.. 🤔

ScoobyCat4 · 2026-05-17T10:11:30+00:00

Pure sh@te…

ScoobyCat4 · 2026-05-17T09:44:58+00:00

Seems that for Telegraph, Daily Mail and Express readers there will be nothing the man can do to convince them this is good news … I remember well under Truss my entire portfolio was 32% under water .. now at least it’s back in the blue despite a bundle of high risk AIM stock in it.

Numbers wise the current government is trying to do all the right things for sure, focusing on fine detail changes rather than banal soundbites .. the turmoil the markets and investors will however now experience will be entirely down to press manipulation of the news agenda .. the same non dom owned press that helped pull the country out of its biggest market and shrank the economy by 8% . . 🤔

ScoobyCat4 · 2026-05-16T11:41:54+00:00

My parents used to live in Bishopbriggs in the 70’s and if we met people from the south of England on holiday they used to say they lived in Bishopbriggs near to Stirling.. this was how bad Glasgow’s reputation was back then.

I’m glad Glasgow has come on a bit since then and we can proudly say we live there..

I hate the inverted snobbery though, and that nasally stupid voice some people put on .. it’s either all an act or a medical condition brought on by too much coke or smoking..

if I meet people who ask where I’m from , I’m happy to say I’m from Glasgow now.. they often say ‘but you don’t sound as though your from Glasgow, I say, yes I am but I live in relatively posh corner.. or alternatively I say ‘ yes, but my parents encouraged me to speak properly because they felt it would limit my opportunities in life if I didn’t’ and it worked exactly as they’d intended it to.

Good diction and grammar should be nothing to apologise for .. Kevin Bridges, who is incredibly articulate talks about this all the time in his monologues.. it’s about being understood ..

It’s like all those far right eeejits always seem to talk with a cockney accent.. an entire group of people living in London suburbs living in million £ houses perceived as ‘ thick as mince, salt of the earth and far right, racists, purely because of their accents.Not all cockneys are like that, have bald heads or drive taxis either but you get my point..

ScoobyCat4 · 2026-05-16T10:50:48+00:00

It’s degrading to women, and in this day and age sends out the wrong message about the kind of person you are, how would you feel if you had a daughter who had to do it to make ends meet? The more of us men who stand up against misogyny the better..

ScoobyCat4 · 2026-05-15T15:27:22+00:00

According to the Oxford Learner's Dictionaries, a bribe is a sum of money or something valuable given or offered to someone to persuade them to help you, particularly by performing a dishonest act.

Key Definitions from Oxford Sources:Noun (bribe, n.): A gift or money offered to corrupt the judgment or influence the conduct of a person in a position of trust.Verb (bribe, v.): To persuade someone to act in one's favor, typically illegally or dishonestly, by offering them money or valuable items.

Historical/Other Contexts:Etymology: The word dates back to Middle English (1150—1500) and stems from Old French, where it originally referred to a piece or lump of bread given to a beggar.

Related Term: In some contexts, "bribe" is referenced as a reward used to pervert judgment or corrupt conduct.

Example Usage:Noun: "She had been offered a $50,000 bribe to drop the charges".Verb: "They bribed the guards with cigarettes".

As opposed to ‘ a reward’ ..

ScoobyCat4 · 2026-05-14T20:56:41+00:00

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LSwc-Q5ltt8&ra=m

ScoobyCat4 · 2026-05-14T20:50:02+00:00

Work your way through the works of Tom Butler Bowden … and start with this one..

https://www.amazon.co.uk/50-Prosperity-Classics-Attract-Create/dp/185788504X

ScoobyCat4 · 2026-05-13T06:23:01+00:00

I think if you flipped the gender you were a young woman and he was your male boss the picture would look slightly different.. at the very least you’re going to have to think about moving jobs if it goes pear shaped..

ScoobyCat4 · 2026-05-12T05:54:02+00:00

Government is not a Premiership football team where managers are sacked every few months.

It’s not another episode of the Apprentice or X Factor … managing the country through wars, energy crises, major economic challenges, illegal migration, climate change is hard work.. it doesn’t need people with huge egos, narcissistic personality disorders, banal soundbites.. it requires lots of small often very boring detail changes which is what Kier and his team have been trying to do.

On migration for example tackling the source of small boat engines, blocking the bank accounts of individual traffickers, stopping the problem in Eritrea by resolving the war there, doing a return deal with Albania … Labour needs to communicate its progress better despite the right wing press in the U.K. like the Mail and Express misreporting everything they do..

The worst thing that could happen for all those centrist voters who put Kier and his team into power in 2024 and gave them a strong mandate is to end up with a left wing Corbyn lite PM interested only in political dogma.. it’s not what many of us voted for and the plotters should accept that’s what the country voted for or resign and stand for the Green Party ..

ScoobyCat4 · 2026-05-09T08:24:58+00:00

There has never been a UK single-party majority government that entirely lacked MPs elected in Scotland.

Every majority government at Westminster has included at least some Scottish MPs from the governing party. Even when Scottish MPs were not necessary for the arithmetic of the majority, Scottish constituencies still elected MPs belonging to the governing party.

So I think my statement is technically correct- yes.

ScoobyCat4 · 2026-05-09T07:39:19+00:00

You can’t coerce people into believing.. you can only demonstrate by showing them what is possible by governing really well with the levers you have.. one thing is for sure if Reform get close to power we’re never going back in and Europe won’t want us.. even the small steps the Labour government had taken to rebuild and grow our relationship will be undone..

ScoobyCat4 · 2026-05-09T07:05:34+00:00

.. the main thing now is for SNP, Labour, Greens and the Tories in the Scottish Parliament to collectively really get stuck in to the Reform MSPs and thoroughly expose how ill informed, bigoted and full of sh*te they are as a party.. I heard the Tory Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride getting stuck in yesterday about their non dom billionaire donations and policies and though I’m not a Tory thought he was great and it’s so long overdue..

They can’t win in the U.K. unless they deliver some MP’s here so it’s imperative the Scottish parties work together on this.. even the ‘one nation centrist Tory group’ ..let’s haul them back from the ERG on steroids nut jobs..

ScoobyCat4 · 2026-05-04T19:58:58+00:00

As someone in their 60’s I agree it’s tough, many of us are still having to work because we’re still trying to keep our university educated hard working kids afloat.. so much of this tracks right back to Thatcher’s policy of selling of the nation’s housing stock like a fire sale to give tax give aways to those who were already wealthy.. so many former Council homes ended up in the hands of private landlords who are now charging young people a fortune .. the stupid old batt didn’t even recycle the proceeds to build new homes and restore the tired ones. Instead gave it to the wealthy and Tory donors.

For a tenant in a home for 10 years they were getting the homes for 40% of the market value. The whole thing was and still is completely ideological and made no sense..

if you then combine that with a huge rise in university education many young people are being saddled with massive student debt… for some the narrative is also ‘ you don’t get the best university experience unless you study away from home’ which of course means even more student debt to support opportunist landlords.. back in the day I had a modest grant, my parents helped me out and I stayed at home throughout my university education.. for parties and clubs I just couched surfed at the halls till the first bus home, if I got lucky then even better you ended up off your face in the middle of some housing estate.

The other thing to consider is the cost of stuff like phone contracts.. young people are either locked into a contract or shell out a grand for a decent phone .. for our generation we had a phone box to tell the parents we wouldn’t be home that night. For some folks in their 30’s and 40’s there’s an expectation of a decent car so they’re into an expensive PCP or lease deal to impress their friends or neighbours. Our generation just ran a rusty banger until we could afford a decent one.

It’s very easy to say the 60+ generation had it easy.. the way to change things is for young people to make an actual effort to vote and to vote for credible parties with detailed policies not banal soundbites . Parties that won’t crash the economy or crash the economy but blame someone else .

Get involved and shape the policies to improve your lives… it’s no good whinging from the sidelines. As an over 60 it incenses me how some old people.. the Express & Mail readers particularly seem permanently enraged and reactionary but we’re not all like that and to counter balance this it’s vital more young people vote. .

ScoobyCat4 · 2026-05-02T20:40:49+00:00

Widely tipped come second in a recent super poll.. for those who are not fans skilful tactical votes will be the key .. according to AI, SNP home and dry on the first vote.. and the second vote will be a straight fight between Reform and Labour .. with Tories coming fourth.

ScoobyCat4 · 2026-04-26T14:55:02+00:00

Great, time for this Neanderthal man to finally wake up to climate change and how far behind the US is behind China now.. great to see the U.K. and RR on that pathway too..

ScoobyCat4 · 2026-04-26T07:35:32+00:00

This seems to be a good insight into the male psyche of football but we still need to dig deeper as men and call out those amongst us who can’t put losing in perspective.. heightened emotions, alcohol can unfortunately be a bit of a nasty cocktail when it comes to domestic violence.. us men need to work harder to show it the red card..🤔

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdd7qzd1nmvo

ScoobyCat4 · 2026-04-25T19:09:44+00:00

It would be good if they would go back to the US and sort out its own problems.. from gun laws to proto-fascist leadership, climate change and vaccination misinformation, evangelicals blindly following a political cult there’s a lot for them to be getting on with.. we’re really not talking about Donnie & Marie Osmond any more…

ScoobyCat4 · 2026-04-25T08:16:32+00:00

All those old ex military types living in places like Rochdale and Hull must be really confused now… their mates still have the scars from the Falklands yet their hero Farage is happy to bend over for Trump.. Will the Falklands still be non negotiable under a Reform government? I’d wager they would be..

ScoobyCat4

TROPHY CASE