Scottish independence: more phoney little Yes groups wanting to register with the Electoral Commission will only convince Scots that the Nationalists are a bunch of cheats who cannot be trusted to conduct a fair independence process, they are just vile people

Dear All

It seems that there is a string of pro-independence groups which appear to have one thing in common.

Run and operated by people in the Scottish National Party.

These are seen by many as phoney little groups, recently an ex Yes Scotland employee outed the worse kept secret in politics, Yes Scotland is an SNP front.

Run by the SNP, staffed by the SNP for the benefit of the SNP.

Now more little groups are coming along, they too are connected to the SNP which is putting pressure on referendum watchdogs to block their registration.

So, why are there so many groups?

They are mostly run by SNP members, well there is an official spending limit.

One way round that is to set up a group, register with the Electoral Commission and circumvent the rules.

Scotland’s ‘jolly fat man’ Alex Salmond putting a stop to this, Scotland unpopular Deputy First Minster Nicola Sturgeon putting a stop to this, anyone in the Scottish National Party speaking out?

No, No and No!

Under the referendum rules, permitted participants are allowed to spend up to £150,000 campaigning in the final 16 weeks before the vote.

And all these groups will all be saying the exact same message, the public want a fair contest, and they will certainly punish cheats if they think they are being used.

The permitted participant cash does not count towards ­total of Yes Scotland.

And it should, they have a limit of £1.5 million to spend.

But that limit is provided they and other Yes Groups don’t work together or co-ordinate their activity.

Three other pro-Yes groups are either in the process of registering or have signalled their intention to apply to the Electoral Commission.

One of the new ones is Christians for independence, their convener is Dave Thmopson, who is he?

He is an SNP MSP.

It is apparent that there will not be a level playing field.

Tory MSP John Lamont said:

"We cannot have the situation where organisations are being set up simply to break the rules and spend money over and above the limits set for the campaigns. The Yes camp cannot credibly claim that they are not working with groups like Business for Scotland.

"The money that is being spent must come off the Yes Scotland total."

Business for Scotland!

Outed as having SNP members at its core!

Lamont added:

"Now that groups are ­registering as permitted participants in the referendum, we have to have confidence that the rules are being followed."

Next up to look at is the Scottish Independence Convention is chaired by actress Elaine C Smith.

She is on the board of Yes Scotland and she also goes to SNP events.

Also part of the Scottish Independence Convention is Shona McAlpine, she works for Muslim list SNP MSP Humza Yousaf.

Other groups, Women for Independence, Scots Asians for Yes, Yes LGBT, Farmers for Yes, Labour for Independence and the Scottish Independence Convention, all have SNP connected to them.

However, Yes Scotland stressed it was "not an umbrella organisation in the strict sense".

Their Yes branches are more or less SNP branches campaigning under another name.

In a gaffe, they have since confirmed:

"We have effectively been representing other campaigners since the campaign has properly begun."

Yes Scotland also helped set up a number of groups, including Academics for Yes, Polish for Yes and Crofting for Yes.

Better Together has not allowed its local or interest groups to have their own bank accounts in a bid to comply with Electoral Commission rules.

It seems that they are willing to play fair even in the face of what some will see as electoral abuse, of course election fraud isn’t new in the Scottish National Party, one SNP Cllr Alex MacLeod was recently convicted of being an election cheat, and he worked for Alex Salmond in his office.

An Electoral Commission spokeswoman said:

"The rules on campaigning at the Scottish Independence Referendum during the referendum period between May 30 and September 18 are clearly set out in law. It's the responsibility of campaigners to comply with the rules.

"We're already working with those who have registered as permitted participants and other campaigners to help them understand and follow the campaigning rules and published clear guidance for campaigners last December. The Electoral Commission's priority is to ensure that voters have confidence in the referendum outcome and we are ready to deal appropriately with any breach of the rules."

It is clear that Alex Salmond and unpopular Nicola Sturgeon have no intention of stopping what is going on with their members which strangely all seems co-ordinated.

That being the case, Better Together might see many Pro Uk Groups register, the idea as I previously blogged about having little phoney groups was a bad idea.

Yet again, stupidity have won over from common sense were the SNP are concerned.

The revelations of phoney little Yes/SNP groups aren’t new; but are a remarkable low brow tactic which will ultimately blow up in the faces of Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon.

No one likes cheats.

I just think the SNP leadership of Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon is completely lacking in integrity.

Yours sincerely

George Laird

The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Scottish independence: Madman talk, Scotland’s ‘jolly fat man’ Alex Salmond is acting more like Robert Mugabe from Zimbabwe as he threats to ban EU fishing fleets from Scottish water unless he can dictate terms of EU membership, this fool is an embarrassment to Scots

Dear All

Scotland’s ‘jolly fat man’ Alex Salmond is a rather stupid little man.

He thinks that he can by threat dictate Scotland’s membership of the European Union.

His latest blunder was to threat to ban EU fishing fleets from Scottish waters if his proposals for an independent Scotland's membership of the EU weren’t fast tracked.

Another inglorious episode that shows he is no statesman.

What should he have done?

He should have said the opposite; he should have said that the EU fishing fleet was welcome in Scottish waters if Scotland gained independence and completion of EU membership.

But like the stupid small man he is, he just couldn’t do it, Scotland needs a Nationalist leader, it doesn’t need Alex Salmond.

Neither; he or unpopular Nicola Sturgeon can lead Scotland to independence.

As well as a fishing ban, he also proposed a blanket ban on fishing vessels passing through Scottish waters en route to Norwegian grounds.

This means Salmond thinks he can dictate terms of EU membership.

Ironically Salmond was in Belgium for a speech in Belgium on Scotland's "enthusiastic and engaged" attitude towards the EU.

Scotland Office minister David Mundell said of Salmond’s rant, it would be in breach of international law.

Patricia Ferguson, Scottish Labour's external affairs spokeswoman, warned it would "not go down well" with member states.

No shit.

So, what would Salmond use to Police the North Sea, if he reneges on Scotland’s share of the UK debt, he would even have a rubber dinghy to paddle after offenders.

Yesterday, Salmond was outed as brown nosing foreign leaders such as Putin of Russia and Merkel in Germany.

His oil offensive saw him stick his head so far up Angela Merkel’s arse that her ass cheeks could rest on his shoulders!

And yet again, Salmond and Sturgeon weren’t able to get in anywhere political powerful instead Salmond had to make do with addressing academics and students at the College Of Europe in Bruges.

Salmond’s says he wants an independent Scotland to join the EU on similar terms to the UK within an 18-month timescale.

He also wants to veto the right of the 28 members to say no by threats.

Salmond calls this tactic; a "practical, common sense approach".

Who does this fat fool think he is dealing with?

His speech was billed as a "charm offensive."

The First Minister also took the time to used his speech to call for a series of EU reforms to help tackle inequality, prioritise green energy and "restore faith" in the bloc's own policy-making.

Sowning the seeds of a No, the EU won’t take kindly to being flagged up on inequality, especially from a hypocrite like Salmond, a man who doesn’t practice want he preaches.

As part of the charmless offensive, he attacked Brussels regulations that prevented him requiring firms engaged in public contracts to pay the "living wage".

On the issue of the EU referendum sweeping Britain, Salmond talked about a profound democratic deficit.

Alex Salmond doesn’t want to give Scots the right to decide if they want to remain part of the EU.

It seems that Salmond has grown more and more disassociated from reality, he thinks that a tail can wag a dog!

Referring to Prime Minister David Cameron's promise of an in/out referendum on EU membership Salmond warned:

"Unless we choose to change our circumstances this September, we could be dragged out of the European Union against our will."

The majority of Scots from polling would vote to leave, he is talking about his little clique, he doesn’t represent Scotland.

His proposed ban of free travel is much like the talk of African despot Robert Mugabe.

David Mundell, the Conservative Scotland Office minister said:

"It has been a telling day for the First Minister's judgment”.

Clearly people are now seeing the real Alex Salmond, the mask of the jolly fat man dropped, the old Alex, the spoilt little boy who married a woman old enough to be his mother is back with full force.

Mundell added:

"In the morning, we read about his admiration for Vladimir Putin and by afternoon he was threatening EU members with fishing ground blockades - the very members he would need to unanimously accept a new Scottish state. It has not been a masterclass when it comes to his diplomacy skills."

Mundell said:

"An independent Scotland would also be duty bound under international law to grant free passage to Scottish waters for vessels passing through en route to Norwegian waters."

Labour's Patricia Ferguson said:

"His thinly-veiled threats about blockading the rest of Europe from Scottish and even Norwegian waters will not go down well with those he seeks to persuade about Scotland's membership. These tactics are hardly about 'constructive engagement' or about being a good neighbour that wants to work in partnership with its neighbours."

It is now time for Alex Salmond to resign as SNP leader, my last article was about him wanting to be at the top table, as I said; the only route for him would be as a waiter, he isn’t a statesman; he isn’t a man for all seasons and he isn’t clever.

Scotland needs a Nationalist leader with vision, not some clown rambling on about green energy and thinking they rule the world from Bute House.

World leaders will look at this and think, ‘who is this utter tube think he is talking to?’

Vote No, we have to get rid of him and the SNP; he is making Scots a laughing stock and damaging Scotland’s reputation raving and ranting like Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF.

Yours sincerely

George Laird

The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Scottish independence: Scotland’s ‘jolly fat man’ Alex Salmond goes overboard in toadying up to World leaders, his Putin comments show how utterly deluded he is about world politics, out of touch and bizarre as his star fades out

Dear All

Scotland's 'jolly fat man' Alex Salmond wants to stand on the world stage.

I don't have a problem with that, after world leaders do their piece, we need people to sweep up and tidy the place.

Empty the bins; clean the toilets and dump the rubbish.

Alex Salmond has given his bizarre insight into some world leaders.

In particular he has expressed admiration for Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Talk about bad timing, Russia has really botched it in the Ukraine, a complete debacle of epic proportions that on reflection the Russians will regret as both a military and political blunder.

On the German chancellor Angela Merkel, Salmond offered an oily praise, saying she is "pretty effective", not at sorting the EU's problems, more she is effective at ensuring Germany's influence in the EU remains the dominate force along with France.

To his grovelling Salmond added in US President Barack Obama.

If Salmond ever gets to the 'top table' it will only be because he is a waiter..... on duty!

On the rising star of Ukip, Nigel Farage, Salmond says Farage has a "certain bonhomie" but said it is "not enough".

This is from an opportunist who only got where he is due to circumstances and the misfortune of others, coupled with others hard work. Now he is deluding himself he is a ‘master strategist’ with the 'ability' to have a world view, he might think that because you can see a long way when you arse is parked in a £2,900 a night hotel in Manhatten.

Mr Salmond continued on Farage:

"He is having influence beyond his significance so you have to admire that. There is a constituency for saloon-bar politics and he has played it out. I have a sneaking regard for anyone who takes on powerful establishments."

So says the man who is married to a woman old enough to be his mother.

Laughingly Salmond also took the time during his interview to run out the discredited currency union plan which has been rejected by Westminster leaders of all main parties as a non starter.

On the issue of booze, he uttered gibberish talked about the Scottish Government's attempt to tackle the country's relationship with alcohol.

In the GQ interview Salmond appears to refer to Scotland as " a nation of drunks."

This appears to be a direct reference to the working class people of Scotland, a slur on them and a slur on Scotland. You could ask, why he promotes the export of Scottish whisky around the world.

Is it so he can go stay in 5 star hotels at £2,900 a night?

Is he selling booze to other countries to make them a nation of drunks since that is the effect he says has happened in Scotland?

Alex Salmond, SNP leader and First Minister of Scotland...... Prick!

Scottish Labour's external affairs spokeswoman Patricia Ferguson said:

"Given he shares Nigel Farage's politics of division and grievance, it's hardly a surprise that the First Minister has found common ground with the Ukip Leader. But his comments about Vladmir Putin are insensitive and ill-judged given the precarious situation in Ukraine. For Scotland's First Minister to admit his admiration for someone with such a controversial record on human rights and democracy does not reflect well on our country."

Putin is seen as being anti homosexual and Salmond says he admires him. Is this Alex Salmond attempting to reach out to Scotland's hetrosexual community who have abandoned him on his poisonous independence quest?

Scottish Conservatives MSP Jackson Carlaw said:

"Putin is keen on suppressing the media and political opposition, so it's no wonder Alex Salmond admires him. This is quite an embarrassing ramble from the First Minister, who is desperate to be seen as some kind of equal to global leaders. It also makes a mockery of the Scottish Government's faux outrage over the Crimea situation. The people of Scotland will see through this most recent sucking up offensive."

When Alex Salmond stands on the world stage, someone should hand him a brush, a shovel and a plastic bag.

A world leader he ain't, he and his GAY Team lost the Scottish independence referendum.

If there is anything funny about Salmond's " embarrassing ramble" it is how utterly out of touch and bizarre he is becoming as his star fades, will he embark on a mini tour around Europe, he might as well, no one wants to listen to him at home.

Yesterday in defence of Salmond, I read a tweet by a member of the press who follows uber cybernat Wings over Bath & Kitchen, who allegedly said to have brought in Hitler's oratory skills into the staunch defence of the less than dear leader.

Politics is like comedy, in order to be good the secret is.......... timing.

Salmond is a busted watch, the good news, he is right twice a day, the bad news is the other 23 hours and 58 minutes; he is well out of his depth. 

It was a poor choice to pick someone who is so lacking in integrity to lead a Scottish independence bid.

Something that rich people and poor people are waking up to in vast numbers!

Yours sincerely

George Laird

The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Planet & Phone Test

Ukip leads Euro poll on a whacking 31% ahead of Labour and the Tories trailing second and third, the Lib Dems and Greens have been marginalised, Nigel Farage and Ukip have has a few PR disasters, but the momentum is still with them at present

Dear All

In politics, you can expect to be a 'target' if you are seen as a threat or if people just hate you.

Ukip's star is on the rise, they have surged into the lead in the European election contest; political parties haven't made much of the European elections with most starting their campaigns very late.

In Scotland, it is all about Scottish referendum, the only election leaflet I have had is the one for Ukip so far, others will no doubt pop up.

Ukip's is a little booklet with the dual use of being a small election poster.

Their central theme is immigration with a rather catchy slogan of:

"Enough's enough!"

Ukip has identified that we have lost control of own borders, I recognise many good things about the EU, but the lack of reform is disappointing. That is why I proposed the internal EU immigration policy, the purpose is to have a framework to adjust the problems created by politicians in the UK who mismanaged immigration. Labour's social engineering experience dressed up as economic development has one a tremendous amount of damage. Something which they have admitted, immigration is a good thing, uncontrolled immigration creates social unrest. Speaking out tends to see people branded as 'racists' by the left mostly.

On the back of their leaflet, they say:

"In the EU we can't control our borders"

"Unlimited cheap Labour costs British jobs".

"Cheap Labour pushes down British wages".

"Schools, health and welfare are under pressure".

With an internal EU immigration policy, all of the above could be fixed in one fell swoop.

Although things are on the up, Ukip has had it share of blunders and bad PR such as Nigel Farages' expenses, the "racist" posters, coupled with criticism on misleading campaign literature, and as always the old standby in politics dubious comments from activists and candidates.

However, despite that bruising things seem to be move still upward.

Nigel Farage's party recorded 31% support in YouGov research for the Sunday Times.

This puts Ukip ahead of Labour by three points, and the Tories languishing in third on 19%.

It is surprising how the Euro election his year have been treated as a forgotten event by the main parties.

The good news of the polling mirrors the results of a ComRes poll for the Sunday Mirror and Independent on Sunday last month.

Ukip on 30%

Labour on 28%

Conservatives on 21%

Also Farage is lucky that he has former Tory donor Paul Sykes who is helping bankroll Ukip's attempt by funding one poster campaign.

He is worth £650 million.

Skyes told the press that there would be "at least another two waves" of adverts before the European elections.

He added:

"I'm not giving up. That will warn the Conservatives what is going to happen. We will get more democracy in Britain if it skints me."

So, whether you are rich or poor, the Ukip brand is certainly making a mark down south, whether that translates north of the border remains to be seen, for the most part,  Ukip's candidates having been getting much exposure in the press, except when it is bad.

Nothing like bad news to sell a newspaper!

The Liberal Democrats are seeing their election chances go straight down the crapper as they sit on a miserable 9%.

Equally stagnate are the Greens on 8%.

One of them less than able to put his foot in his mouth is William Henwood, who is standing in a council election.

He had a go at actor and comedian Lenny Henry, who he said should go live in a "black country".

Lenny Henry was making the point that ethnic minorities were under-represented on British television which is a valid point to express, you could add, not just in front of the camera but also behind it.

The two most discriminated groups in Britain are black people and white working class.

On Twitter, Henwood said in response to Henry's remark:

"He should emigrate to a black country. He does not have to live with whites."

Rather than apologising, Henwood decided to add:

"I think if black people come to this country and don't like mixing with white people why are they here? If he (Henry) wants a lot of blacks around go and live in a black country."

Henry was asking for special treatment rather than equal treatment, a point that appears to have flown right over Henwood's head.

Interestingly, the Tories jumped in, in the form of Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, he told Pienaar's Politics on BBC Radio 5 Live the comments on Lenny Henry were racist.

He said:

"I do think those comments about Lenny Henry were absolutely disgusting and I do think it's for Nigel Farage to make absolutely clear that it's not Ukip's official view, but also to explain why so many people with those kinds of view seem to be attracted to becoming candidates for Ukip."

I think that Hunt knows that isn't Ukip's official view, a poor attempt at spin by Hunt.

But this is the threat that Ukip represents, if the Tories thought they were corralling the vote by using this tactic; that will won't work.

Ukip deputy chairman Neil Hamilton, a former Tory MP, said the comments on Lenny Henry were a "complete distraction" from the European election campaign, adding Mr Henwood's case would be investigated.

Standard practice when bad news pops up.

Hamilton told Pienaar's Politics:

"This is a council candidate whom you would have never have heard but for all the social media archaeologists that are employed by Labour, the Liberal party and the Tories to try and track down any unknown Ukip member or activist who may have said something unpleasant on social media".

I found myself in the same position being researched recently as an SNP member who previously worked for SNP Minister Derek MacKay was digging into my background on linkedin.

Anyway, Hamilton added on the 'digger's:

"Every party has got them. We have strict rules on racism. We don't allow it. We're the only party that doesn't allow ex-BNP or National Front members to be candidates and we have strict rules on social media. I know because I helped to devise them. This man's case will be investigated."

Whether Ukip make a breakthrough in Scotland is hard to say, their vote hasn't been established as a major player, Scotland is different from England because of the Nationalist aspect of politics and then there is the similarity that all the key players are pro EU. That being said the Ukip leaflet appears to be the only one making a direct appeal to working class people, the EU hasn't reached a tipping point yet, but Ukip is expected to do very well, much better than their current position which certainly will create a new dynamic.

One thing that Jeremy Hunt is right on, Lenny Henry is as British as you and I are.

Something that William Henwood needs to address if he wishes to be considered a serious politician rather than just a party hack with delusions of grandeur.

Although I haven't made my mind up who I will vote for on 22nd May, one party I won't be voting for is the Scottish National Party, no matter what their offer is.

Yours sincerely

George Laird

The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Scottish independence: Postal workers' union urges members to vote No to Scottish indy, the collapse of SNP support continues apace as Salmond and Sturgeon see they have no extended base of support, 19th September, Salmond will get 'Bad luck, better luck next time' flood delivered by posties!

Dear All

The CBI decision to declare as pro union was a mistake, in their haste they forgot to look at their membership.

In some cases being neutral has advantages, as some of their members are forced to be neutral such as universities and of course the BBC.

Unions don't have such a problem; the latest to recommend No is the Postal Workers Union.

Postal workers are to be urged by their union to vote against independence in Scotland.

At their annual conference of the Communication Workers Union, a motion was passed to support the UK.

In Scotland, there are about 17,000 members working on postal and telecoms services, a sizeable number which probably believes that there is strength in numbers.

The motion recommending "all members in Scotland that they vote 'no' in the forthcoming Scottish Independence Referendum" was passed at the 800-strong conference in Bournemouth.

The result is another major blow for Alex Salmond and Scotland's unpopular Deputy First Minster Nicola Sturgeon who are seeing more and more organisations coming out as pro UK.

CWU general secretary Billy Hayes said:

"We are recommending a 'no' vote to our Scottish members in September's Scottish Independence Referendum. This decision is based on a need for unity against austerity and the barrage of cuts from the coalition Government and the SNP in Scotland. This is an extremely important constitutional debate and it is crucial that as a trade union we are able to assist our members on the impact this will have on the Scottish economy and that of the rest of the UK. The majority of our members support a 'no' vote as we found when conducting polls and holding forums. A 'no' vote would be in the best interests of our members."

CWU deputy general secretary Andy Kerr said:

"We believe that Scottish independence would have a profound effect on the companies we work with. Royal Mail, Post Office Ltd and BT all have extensive networks operating in Scotland and an independent Scotland would put untold pressure on these companies and the jobs of our members. It's not clear what the implications would be on Royal Mail's Universal Service Obligation in an independent Scotland, the pension schemes our members are enrolled in or how it would affect the roll-out of broadband services to the inaccessible rural communities in Scotland. Independence would have a significant impact on the ability of these companies to invest in their networks."

It seems that workers aren't winning to bet their future on milk and honey promises of Salmond and Sturgeon.

Shadow Scottish Secretary Margaret Curran said:

"Today the CWU becomes the sixth major trade union to back Scotland's place in the UK. A vote for Scotland to remain in the UK is a vote for the trade union way - working together with family, friends and colleagues across the whole of the UK to make Scotland a fairer place to live. I am delighted that posties will be working hard to deliver a No vote in September."

God; the Better Together crowd must be loving the fact that people are waking up and asking the difficult questions, something the SNP is reluctant to answer on the key issues such as jobs, pensions and currency.

Blair Jenkins, chief executive of Yes Scotland described by a former insider as an SNP front said:

"The STUC's (Scottish Trades Union Congress) stated position - and one we believe to be highly significant - is not to support the pro-union campaign backed by Labour, and individual unions representing tens of thousands of workers have already agreed with that line. However it should be emphasised that the STUC's position is that it is 'more attracted' to Yes. It is our job and intention between now and September 18 to persuade all trade unionists of the opportunities of Yes to build a fairer and more socially just Scotland, to protect and enhance workers' rights and to create new jobs by growing our economy in a responsible and sustainable way."

Jenkins is so out of his depth, he is kidding himself on if no one else, the game is up for Salmond and Sturgeon, as the end draws nearer, the questions and the detail will be ramped up, answers to questions cannot be put off.

And what we are seeing so far such as the phoney childcare policy missing £700 million and 40,000 mums is that the SNP haven't done the work as I previously said and haven't convinced anyone except their sycophants who hope for a payday.

19th September, Scotland's 'jolly fat man' Alex Salmond will be getting a lot of mail all saying the same thing, 'Bad luck, better luck next time'.

Have you paid your dues Salmond?

'No Sir, the cheque is not in the mail!'

Yours sincerely

George Laird

The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Scottish independence: Scotland's unpopular Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon lost indy vote, are you willing to be conned and treated like a mug, if not Vote No and jump in for the big win

USS Enterprise leaving ice planet on verge of exploding...... a George Laird production

Scottish independence: Scotland’s ‘jolly fat man’ Alex Salmond urged to sack the worst Justice Minister in Scottish legal history, Kenny MacAskill does a U-turn on corroboration, sham review by former High Court judge Lord Bonomy is about the SNP closing down debate on human right to a fair trial in Parliament

Dear All

Last night I was talking to a Sheriff.

No, I wasn’t in America; I didn’t get to ride a horse or tote a six gun.

This Sheriff is a Scottish one.

Anyway, I was asking their opinion about the U turn by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill since they jail people and I have an interest in law.

I was saying MacAskill has kicked the need for corroboration in criminal trials into the long grass, and that the SNP were using the law as a political football for the women’s vote.

The Sheriff said to me that MacAskill must think that women are mugs!

And also there was many problems with the botched attempted to get rid of corroboration.

Like the need for a fair trial.

Funnily enough, I was saying the exact same thing on this blog!

George Laird right again.

Kenny MacAskill should be sacked, in fact he should never have been appointed as Justice Minsiter in the first place; he is of course Alex Salmond’s pal.

That is the criteria for Cabinet appointments, that and gesture politics as a fob to women.

Although Scotland’s unpopular Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is calling for more women in the Cabinet to attempt to con women, she singly fails to recognise that in MacAskill, Scotland has the ‘biggest fanny’ ever to hold a Cabinet post.

Now, Salmond is facing calls to replace Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill after he shelved proposals to end the need for corroboration in criminal trials.

That won’t happen, Salmond and Sturgeon need to present a united anti working class, anti UK, anti human rights front.

Salmond is on the back foot on justice; he can’t put up a credible defence of MacAskill and doesn’t have the balls to sack him.

The kicking of corroboration into the long grass is all about not having a running argument leading up to the referendum, the Sheriff agree with my point this was about a delaying action.

Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont used First Minister's ­Questions yesterday to attack Mr MacAskill's "disgraceful" handling of the Scottish Government's Criminal Justice Bill.

Presumably the tactic is to keep mentioning the ending of the right to a fair trial as prescribed by Article Six of the Human Rights Act.

Lamont asked:

"Given Kenny MacAskill's approach and his expressed ­hostility to those who raised genuine concerns about what he was doing, does the First Minister really believe that it is possible for this Parliament to reach that ­critical consensus on corroboration with Kenny MacAskill as Cabinet Secretary?"

She should be calling for a vote of no confidence.

Asked if Salmond retained full confidence in his Justice Secretary, Scotland’s ‘jolly fat man’ said:

"Yes."

More inept judgment, akin to warped thinking!

Salmond then went on to defend the indefensible:

"I'll tell you why I have got confidence in this Justice Secretary, because we have 1000 extra police on the streets and in communities of Scotland thanks to this Justice Secretary”.

Actually, it was the Tories who helped get the 1,000, seems Salmond wants to re-write history.

Salmond added:

"Recorded crime in Scotland is down by 35% thanks to this Justice Secretary, violent crime is down by almost a half under the office of this Justice Secretary and crimes of handling offensive weapons are down 60%, and above all, people's fear of crime in Scotland is dropping for the first time."

This isn’t because of MacAskill, this is because of the Police, and as the SNP keep saying they have no control over operational matters.

As to the delay to win wider support, the SNP won’t get it, using rape as tactic to ‘win’ over people is pretty disgusting and backward thinking.

As I have previously said, the Crime Bill is utter rubbish much like the Fitba law which clearly shows that the SNP don’t know what they are doing.

Lawyers represented by the Law Society of Scotland and the Faculty of Advocates have voiced staunch opposition to the proposal, warning it would lead to wrongful convictions, and other sections of the legal establishment like Sheriffs aren’t signing up to MacAskill’s ‘get the women’s vote ploy’.

As the Sheriff said last night:

“Women aren’t mugs”!

Kenny MacAskill can't outrun the stigma of Al Megrahi, no matter what he does.

Yours sincerely

George Laird

The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Senior Lib Dem Lord Oakeshott is in a bit of a flap, the Lib Dems have lost the ‘pissed off’ vote, protest vote has gone bye bye to Nigel Farage and Ukip, if Ukip’s polling holds in the Euro election, they could bounce into Westminster in 2015, Nick Clegg buried the Lib Dems by selling out his principles (if he had any)

Dear All

If you are a lib Dem voter, one of the things that will upset you is that Nick Clegg and his party conned you to get into power by lying.

Since 2010 the Lib Dems have certainly seen trust in them vanish, voters have marched off, and some will feel rightly betrayed.

So, if you are a Lib Dem voter, where do you go now?

Well .it seems Ukip is making a play for everyone in the 2014 Euro elections, and if their polling holds up, the Ukip could see a real increase in their numbers at the European Parliament.

Ukip have been quite clever as the position themselves as the anti-establishment, the party that speaks for and about the ordinary man and woman.

Such is their threat that more or less all the main parties feel threatened, so much so, their allies have repeatedly branded Ukip as racist.

They aren’t a racist party; someone needs to speak up for working class people other than just at election time.

The Labour Party dropped the ball, the Conservatives dropped the ball and the Lib Dems also dropped the ball.

And a protest vote can be a bitter pill to swallow.

If Ukip does do well, it could be the springboard they need to get into Westminster; this would really be the payday that that Nigel Farage wants.

He hopes to replace the Lib Dems as the third party.

And the Lib Dems know this as a senior Liberal Democrat has claimed the party has lost the anti-establishment vote to Ukip and will not get it back.

Lord Oakeshott admitted the LibDems have lost the "plague on both your houses" vote.

This time round, no one is ‘agreeing with Nick’.

Lord Oakeshott is a realist, he knows that the Lib Dems are damaged; he probably knows that the Conservatives are using them as a human shield much like holding up a dead man to take the hits from a machine gun.

He also acknowledged that the party would not win back the protest vote in time for the 2015 General Election.

His solution is to call for the party to quit the Coalition after May's elections.

Does this mean he wants Clegg out?

I doubt it, Clegg and a small group including David Laws buried the party, they also have to go into the wilderness, in this case a revamp is also a clear out.

Lord Oakeshott told Channel 4 News:

"We've had plenty of people who vote for us for our policies. But there are also a lot of people who vote for us because we are not Conservative or Labour. Now that second half, the 'p*** off' vote if I can call it that, we have lost that and we've lost it frankly mostly to Ukip and that is not going to come back."

In politics, you need to convince the ‘pissed off’ vote to become the core vote, Clegg blew that big time.

Although the polls are grim, the Lib Dems still have pockets of support, but in the wider context, they are stuffed.

As to quitting the coalition, I can’t see how they can benefit, they climbed into bed with the Tories willingly; they stood by while measures like the bedroom tax were pushed through. They never stood up for the people affected most.

Any sudden remorse would be seen as fake as the Elish ‘Labour ‘Angolini conversion as a caring sharing human being.

The coalition is plodding on regards, Lord Oakeshott said the "spark has gone" from the coalition marriage but it was an arranged marriage, not for love but for money, power and perks.

The ‘child’ spawned is Ukip, the anti establishment party.  

Lord Oakeshott said:

"We must give ourselves a year to get our own messages firmly across. It's clear that we Liberal Democrats, having done our duty for the country supporting the Government getting our reforms through, are in grave danger ourselves."

What message is that, ‘I am innocent, it was all David Cameron’?

Turn it up me old beauty!!!!!!

Yours sincerely

George Laird

The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Scottish independence, Scotland's unpopular Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, a real tangible reason to vote No to Scottish independence, new video ad

Scottish independence: inept SNP leadership used the con trick of a second ‘oil boom’ to try and win support for independence, Salmond’s bizarre claim has been destroyed by third party independent people, crumbling SNP campaign in utter chaos, their hate still flows tho as Nat attacks independent speaker at Holyrood

Dear All

Scotland’s ‘jolly fat man’ Alex Salmond said that Scotland was on the cusp of a second Oil boom.

Bullshit!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The only ‘Oil’ that is booming is the hate that lubricates the Nationalist machine as it creaks under the pressure of their failed campaign to win, truly that is the second ‘Oil boom’ in Scotland.

Alex Salmond's bizarre claim of nirvana riches, and milk and honey for all is a pipe dream.

Now the head of the UK's independent economic forecaster Robert Chote, head of the Office for Budget Responsibility has called this nonsense into question.

The SNP leadership of Salmond and Sturgeon think that because there is oil, people will believe we are like Saudi Arabia or other Arab state, we aren’t.

There is money being out into the North Sea fields, it is record investment but it is all about continuity of production to stabilise production and arrest long-term decline.

Maintenance!

Robert Chote was at Holyrood to give his evidence to Holyrood's finance committee.

The SNP version of riches doesn’t match the OBR's latest forecasts, SNP say second Oil boom; the OBR says that it is nothing of the kind.

SNP ministers have been hyping up the figures to try and con people, they say the forecasts of others are unduly pessimistic.

On what evidence do they base this on, the money going into maintenance!

Chote’s intervention firmly puts pressure on the Scottish Government to update its own estimates for North Sea tax revenues something they are reluctant to do.

They rammed the figures up, but like the Grand Old Duke of York, once they went up the hill, they will now have to be marched back down.

Battling for the SNP was Jamie Hepburn formerly of Glasgow University SRC, this body was irrelevant for the most part at the university; it was filled with party hacks engaging in student politics.

He challenging the OBR's figures and using the old SNP mantra of grudge, grievance and malcontent accused the forecaster of failing to take into account oil companies' multi-billion-pound investment in North Sea facilities.

See what I mean about a real lack of talent in the SNP!

Chote easily dismissed the criticism.

He told MSPs:

"If you were to come down from Mars and look at the path of oil production over the last few years you would see it's a pretty straight downward line. Therefore, I suspect that the puzzled Martian would look at our expectation that oil production is now going to go flat and say 'well why on earth are you expecting this decline that we've seen over the last decade or so not continuing?'. The reason for that is the increase in investment."

Hepburn isn’t from Mars but using the analogy is a substitute for Chote getting out a paper and crayons and getting Hepburn to draw it out.

The OBR has cut its oil revenue forecasts by nearly £3billion between now and 2018/19, 2016/17, the OBR predict revenues of £3.2billion.

The SNP has doubled that figure, well, how is that possible?

It is quite simple, you take the figure and multiple it  y two and add on about an extra half a billion pounds, that way, people might miss out on the fact you just doubled!

Con!!!!!!!!

The second ‘Oil boom’ has been used by the Scottish more than a year and is repeatedly used by the SNP to argue for an independent Scotland.

The carrot of better public services and a more generous welfare system than the UK doesn’t exist, not even in the minds of the SNP leadership you can’t have Nordic welfare without Nordic tax.

Scottish Conservative finance spokesman Gavin Brown said:

"For months now the First Minister has claimed that the OBR failed to take into account the investment being made by the industry. Now the OBR has given a direct response to this, showing that absolutely not to be the case. The Scottish Government promised a month ago to release updated oil figures within a matter of weeks. We are still waiting for these, and it's imperative that they are published as soon as possible."

Is this the bit where the SNP take 15% or 20% off their figures?

Who knows, whatever the figure, we can possibly assume it will be made up as well.

In looking at indy, you should look at different sources of information, third party to make your mind up, Chote's comments echoed a report last month by the Glasgow University-based CPPR think tank.

They said Salmond’s second oil boom claim was "not readily supported by the evidence".

In other words, it could be argued they are saying Salmond is talking shite!

Laughingly, it is interesting to see how the SNP are failing apart as their credibility is shredded completely as each day lie upon lie is dismantled by independent people with no axe to grind.

So, choice time, do you believe Alex Salmond and unpopular Nicola Sturgeon, or do you believe independents like Robert Chote and Glasgow University based CPPR think tank?

One thing to bear in mind, no one has ever caught, Robert Chote and Glasgow University based CPPR think tank out in a lie!

Sadly the same can’t be said for Scotland’s ‘jolly fatman’ Alex Salmond and Scotland’s unpopular Deputy First Minster Nicola Sturgeon.

Finally, were do the Nationalists go to fill up on hate that drives the Scottish National Party machine?

Is that why they think they are on the cusp of a second oil boom?

Yours sincerely

George Laird

The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University    

Scottish National Party shelve their Plans to scrap corroboration in Scots law, kicked into the long grass until after the independence referendum, sham Crime Bill is a disgrace to Scotland, Nationalist leaders Salmond and Sturgeon want to destroy human right to fair trial

Dear All

It seems that the SNP has taken a moment of pause over controversial plans to scrap Scotland’s centuries-old rule of corroboration.

This idea of scrapping corroboration hasn’t gone down well, like the failing independence campaign, this idea is seeing fierce opposition for everyone.

The SNP flagship policy is being pushed back until a review of safeguards has been carried out.

Commentators have spoken out and some say that the Crime Bill is being used to boost the women’s vote in the referendum.

In trying to force through bad law, the SNP have cottoned onto using rape cases to justify their plans.

Inept and incompetent Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill says he had accepted a proposal from opposition parties to delay Stage 2 of the Criminal Justice Bill.

A review will be done by a group led by Lord Bonomy who will report its recommendations possibly during the spring next year.

After the independence referendum is held.

Apparently the SNP under Alex Salmond and unpopular Nicola Sturgeon want to destroy the right of Scots to have access to a fair trial.

MacAskill is the point man running with this at Justice.

The Crime Bill is a mess; the most controversial part is the proposal to remove the principle of corroboration, which requires two independent pieces of evidence to bring a case to trial.

Not unsurprising the flagship SNP policy has won the backing of the Lord Advocate who is seen as being in the pocket of the SNP Government wholesale.

However, it isn ’t all sweet sailing as it has been criticised by many in the legal establishment, including former solicitor general and High Court judge Lord McCluskey.

MacAskill said:

“The Scottish Government remains firmly committed to all aspects of the Criminal Justice Bill, including our proposals to abolish the requirement for corroboration – which as I have said time and again, is a barrier to justice for too many victims of crimes which are committed behind closed doors, such as rape and domestic abuse. When we announced the creation of Lord Bonomy’s review group in February, there were calls – including from the Law Society and Faculty of Advocates – for us to remove the corroboration reform from the Bill and to bring forward a separate Bill later in the session once Lord Bonomy had reported. That was not acceptable as it is one of the key reforms in the Bill and is vital to improving the criminal justice system for vulnerable victims. However, we have also made clear our willingness to listen to constructive proposals in relation to this key legislation. That is why we gave careful consideration to - and in the spirit of cooperation have accepted - the suggestion from opposition members that Stage 2 should commence after Lord Bonomy’s review has been completed. As the majority of the Bill’s provisions were already due for implementation in 2015-2016, today’s move will have minimal impact on the overall timetable for this legislation, while allowing detailed and full scrutiny of the bill in its entirety and enabling any changes agreed in light of Lord Bonomy’s recommendations to be included. Most importantly, I now hope it will enable the whole Parliament to get behind the progressive reforms in the Bill including the modernising of police powers, enhancement of the rights of people in police custody and removal of the corroboration requirement.”

What do I take from this?

I take that MacAskill isn’t going to change anything of note, the SNP still intend to scrap corroboration and they don’t want a running fight in the run in to the independence vote, hence it is has been kicked into the long grass.

This SNP Government don’t appoint panels unless they already decide the outcome in advance.

Kenny MacAskill is the worst Justice Minister in the history of the Holyrood Parliament.

Yours sincerely

George Laird

The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University 

Scottish independence: Scotland’s unpopular Deputy First Minster Nicola Sturgeon challenges Salmond to appoint more women to Government, in 2012, within Glasgow SNP there was concerned voiced by how the Sturgeon’s ‘sisterhood’ was running the council campaign, they got slaughtered for being pathetically crap

Dear All

In an ideal world people would be appointed on merit.

In the world of Scotland’s unpopular Deputy First Minster Nicola Sturgeon, she appears to believe that they should be appointed on the basis of having a vagina and tits.

Unpopular Nicola Sturgeon has “challenged” (joke) the First Minister to appoint even more women to senior Government posts.

It seems that tokenism is all the rage in the SNP at present.

Already Scotland’s ‘jolly fat man’ Alex Salmond has appointed two female cabinet secretaries in an attempt to con women into voting for independence.

The SNP declared:

“We practice what we preach”.

It took Salmond 7 years to do so!

Angela Constance and Shona Robison are officially promoted to the Scottish Government top table.

They are the Ministers without real jobs.

Tokenism!

The move of boosting female representation on the Scottish Cabinet brings the percentage to 40%.

As Salmond is becoming more and more deluded, he will probably look to the opinion polls to see if his latest trick has worked, if not then there might be more women getting appointed.

And they will have a vagina and tits.

Then the SNP will cry, ‘look we practice what we preach’ mark 2 version.

In Glasgow, I am told that some SNP members refer to the control of Glasgow SNP as being run by the ‘sisterhood’.

In 2012, the ‘sisterhood’ got their ass handed to them by Gordon ‘free dinners’ Matheson in an epic Labour victory.

Apparently having a vagina and tits didn’t help in 2012.

Does unpopular Nicola Sturgeon wanting to expand the ‘sisterhood’ to the Scottish Cabinet?

What have Angela Constance and Shona Robison really achieved in government?

Constance is the Minsiter for no one knows what she does, and Robison is the Minister for games!

Both those positions merit promotion?

I think not!

Opposition parties have rightly complained the ‘sisterhood’ appointments were politically motivated with no additional duties and a public price tag of over £30,000 in salaries.

Unpopular Nicola Sturgeon said:

"These appointments do mean that 40% of the Cabinet are women”.

Wow!

Nicola can do percentages!

She added:

"That is a significant milestone and one we should be proud of. It is the highest of any administration in the lifetime of this parliament. Although I should perhaps say, First Minister, given that we make up 52% of the population perhaps it's not time to stop quite where we are right now."

Remember Glasgow City Council 2012, utterly slaughtered at the polls, the ‘talent’ wasn’t there as aptly demonstrated by the odious Natalie McGarry.

McGarry went onto get slaughtered again at the Cowdenbeath by-election, crushed by the Labour Candidate Cara Hilton.

People should be promoted on merit, patently in the Scottish National Party that does apply, and discriminating against people based on sex is just discrimination.

Labour equalities spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said:

"Why have they not been promoted before now? Of course, this is perhaps not about recognising talent - it is quite simply about the referendum. Apparently the First Minister has a problem with women. Or is it that women have a problem with Alex Salmond? I'm sure it comes as a surprise to him, but it would appear that women don't altogether trust the First Minister and his promises."

She added:

"The First Minister has today increased the salary of two women by something like £30,000 to £40,000 a year, and that is welcome. But there is a marginal impact on the equal pay gap by doing that. How about increasing the wages of 256,000 working women to pay the Living Wage?"

Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw said:

"The appointments without supporting ministers or additional duties are being funded at taxpayers' expense, and I do think that comes across as being unseemly. How much better these appointments would have been had they been given the chance to perform better than failing ministers in the Scottish Government such as the Justice Secretary or the Education Secretary."

Although promoting women is just an SNP gimmick, we should also remember that behind it is something far more sinister, it is about discrimination, acceptable discrimination.

For a party that says it is about fairness, equality and social justice, we are seeing like the phoney childcare policy that is just another lie.

I am voting no to independence because Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon cannot be trusted.

Yours sincerely

George Laird

The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University