Scottish independence: Scotland’s ‘jolly fat man’ Alex Salmond under severe pressure following Bank of England warning, when is White Paper going to be entirely written to include a Plan B for Scottish currency, Salmond out of his depth

Dear All

Scotland’s ‘jolly fat man’ Alex Salmond yesterday had the equivalent of an ‘A’ bomb dropped on the SNP currency plans.

The bomb was dropped by the Governor of the Bank of England Mark Carney as the SNP refused to take refuge behind Plan B, the Scottish Pound.

Plan A is now in all intensive purposes been wiped out.

Now, Salmond is facing mounting pressure to set out alternative currency plans for an independent Scotland.

That means the White Paper isn’t worth the paper it is written on, it also means that you should never put a GAY Team in charge of an A Team event.

“If you have a problem, and if no one else can help, maybe you can hire the A Team”!

Who’s laughing now Salmond?

It has all collapsed; did you really seriously think you could get Mark Carney onboard or even get good PR?

Buffoon!  

In his first major intervention in the referendum debate, Mark Carney has completely blown apart any idea that the SNP are planning full independence as they would have to sacrifice control over tax, spending and borrowing.

That is no independence at all.

Time for a quote:

“My problem is that I have too many talented people and not enough Cabinet positions”.

Alex Salmond.

Well, doesn’t look that, ironically Carney’s assessment was immediately dismissed by Finance Secretary John Swinney.

A man who is laying down his political credibility for Alex Salmond, holding the fort without the benefit of walls, it’s all coming crumbling down.

Swinney says an independent Scotland would have control of key policies as part of a currency union.

Good luck with that spinning!

Having a really good campaign, the UK Government and cross-party pro-UK Better Together campaign said Mark Carney’s comments completely destroyed Salmond's claim that Scotland as an independent country could both share the pound and pursue radically different economic and welfare policies.

So, although the bedroom tax could be dropped, don’t expect to see better levels of benefits, if you are poor now, you will be poor in an independent Scotland.

But ‘pals’ and family of the SNP clique will be alright, just in case that was a worry for you!

With no currency union likely Salmond needs to cobble together and put forward a "Plan B".

The currency union must have strict rules, or Scotland could go down, in fact Scotland would need stricter rules than England because of the public sector in Scotland and the fact it would have no central bank.

Expect as a starter for ten, austerity, budget cuts and services to be scaled back.

Since Salmond and Sturgeon done no work, there is a price to be paid for their failure on Government and local Government reform.

And you’re going to be paying for it.

Carney also warned that "tight fiscal rules" would be required to minimise the "moral hazard" of one member pursuing irresponsible economic policies.

Alex and Nicola can spend their Scottish ‘Giro’ but only their Scottish ‘Giro’.

Prime Minister David Cameron has since joined calls for the SNP to come up with a currency "Plan B".

A Treasury spokesman said:

"A currency union is highly unlikely to be agreed. The Scottish Government needs a Plan B."

Alistair Darling, head of the Better Together campaign, said:

"As the Governor makes clear, in a currency union both sides have to agree to each other's taxes, spending and borrowing. It is highly unlikely that the people living in the rest of the UK would agree to this. The Governor's speech quietly demolishes Alex Salmond's claim that Scotland could keep the UK pound after leaving the UK.  The Nationalists cannot continue to make false promises on currency when it is so obvious that leaving the UK means losing the UK pound."

Patrick Harvie, member of the Yes Scotland campaign repeated his call for an independent Scotland to have its own currency.

Harvie has had a decent campaign but he picked the wrong side, he probably thought that Alex Salmond was a wildcat but in reality he is a beached whale.

Harvie said:

"I recognise that the SNP's preference is for continued use of sterling but given the likelihood of the Scottish and UK economies diverging we should stand ready to exert full economic independence using our own currency."

Seems he has a bit of a hook on the situation, maybe he should have been more vocal about the self created problem long ago.

Lastly, “where the A team Alex”?

Yours sincerely

George Laird

The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Scottish independence: change the colour of your virtual Aston Martin quicker than an SNP currency plan collapsing, add shadows to hide the flaws!

Scottish independence: Scotland’s ‘jolly fat man’ Alex Salmond and Scotland’s unpopular Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon see the Sterling zone currency deal go up in smoke, two buffoon’s outfought, outwitted and outclassed by Westminster at every turn

Dear All

Scotland’s ‘jolly fat man’ Alex Salmond has been given a rude wake up as he hears from Mark Carney that sharing sterling between an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK could lead to a eurozone-style crisis.

Rather than being able to say he has pulled one over on the English, Salmond is now in a worse position than he previously was on currency.

What he should have done was put in place was how the Scottish pound would operate if independence happened.

But Salmond and Scotland’s unpopular Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon did none of the required work, they staked everything on sharing Sterling and they have lost.

Bank of England governor Mark Carney also said for Salmond’s dreadful idea to work that he would be forced in a newly-independent Scotland to hand over some national sovereignty.

So, no real independence, Scotland financially controlled from England which would be a foreign country with their priority being to secure England’s wealth.

Carney said:

"If such deliberations ever were to happen, they would need to consider carefully what the economics of currency unions suggest are the necessary foundations for a durable union, particularly given the clear risks if these foundations are not in place."

Carney added:

"Those risks have been demonstrated clearly in the euro area over recent years, with sovereign debt crises, financial fragmentation and large divergences in economic performance. The euro area is now beginning to rectify its institutional shortcomings, but further, very significant steps must be taken to expand the sharing of risks and pooling of fiscal resources. In short, a durable, successful currency union requires some ceding of national sovereignty. It is likely that similar institutional arrangements would be necessary to support a monetary union between an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK."

He finished by adding:

"Decisions that cede sovereignty and limit autonomy are rightly choices for elected governments and involve considerations beyond mere economics. For those considerations, others are better placed to comment."

So, Salmond would be selling Scotland down the river, because everything would be taken out of his hands, so much for his sticking up for Scotland crap.

UK ministers including Chancellor George Osborne have already cast considerable doubt on whether any financial arrangement is possible but Salmond and Sturgeon ploughed on after painting themselves into a corner.

The SNP have been caught out.

And let us get it straight Carney said any negotiations are for Westminster and Holyrood.

It is a political decision, so Salmond’s talk with Carney doesn’t mean he can go behind Westminster’s back.

Carney is pretty clear on that point:

"Any arrangement to retain sterling in an independent Scotland would need to be negotiated between the Westminster and Scottish parliaments."

A Treasury spokesman said the Scottish Government needs a "Plan B" for currency.

The Nationalists don’t have it to try and go Scottish pound now leaves them open to charges of incompetence, it’s all too late for Salmond and Sturgeon, the dreadful White Paper has been published and found wanting, very much so.

Salmond cheerleader Kenneth Gibson, the SNP convener of Holyrood's finance committee, said a sterling area is achievable.

So is manned space flight but it costs a hell of a lot and people think twice before sending anything up.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said Alex Salmond wants Scotland to have its cake and eat it by expected a union but retaining control over tax and spending.

That isn’t going to happen; there wouldn’t be a ‘partnership of equals’ as the SNP keep lying to the Scottish public. Westminster will hold all the levers and therefore the SNP will come to the conclusion that the Euro is the place to be citing a ‘hateful’ England as justification; that assumes that Salmond can get EU membership in the first place.

It has all gone wrong for Salmond and Sturgeon because they are too lazy, too stupid and run a party which is kept too ignorant.

Ruth Davidson added:

"The governor of the Bank of England has blown this assertion right out of the water, leaving Alex Salmond's currency plans in tatters.  He concludes that one of the main lessons to draw from the Eurozone crisis is that to have a durable, successful currency union requires some ceding of national sovereignty."

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said:

"A half in, half out version of our current union would offer Scotland the worst of all worlds. The SNP's independence plans would see Scotland's tax policy set by an unelected central bank operated by another country. There would be no central lender of last resort to back up our banks and a border smack bang in the middle of our successful UK single market."

So, it is all failure as per usual from the ‘rat ship’ members of the Scottish National Party, even their pathetic attempts to win over the women’s vote is going ‘tits up’.

Scotland’s unpopular Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon as the ‘face of independence’ was a huge massive mistake; she can’t win over women or men without a series of election ‘bribes’ to back her.

Little Ms. Popular, I think not!

The Unionists let Alex Salmond and unpopular Nicola Sturgeon burn time, money and resources when the outcome on currency was already decided and out of their hands, they fell straight into a trap.

How stupid is that?

Yours Sincerely

George Laird

The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Can't afford an Aston Martin, get a virtual one and impress your friends and family, George Laird cost effective wealth trappings for those on a tight budget

Scottish independence: Scotland’s unpopular Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s close pal and former SNP MSP Bill Walker launches appeal against conviction for assaulting three ex-wives and stepdaughter, No A Team or GAY Team to support a braveheart comrade Nicola?

Dear All

Freedommmmmmmmmm!

Yes, freedom is very popular, especially if you are behind bars in prison.

Scotland’s unpopular Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s pal, the Nationalist wife beater and former SNP MSP Bill Walker is appealing against his conviction.

Battling Bill was done nag to rights for domestic abuse offences against three former wives and a stepdaughter.

On his stepdaughter, he set about her with a saucepan.

Saucepan of justice!

Walker was jailed for 12 months last September after being found guilty of 23 assaults and one breach of the peace.

30 years of smashing women’s faces in.

If you want to see the trail and tribulations of this braveheart there will be a hearing before three judges in the Appeal Court in Edinburgh on April 17.

Come early, the press will probably want to pack the gallery out.

Sheriff Kathrine Mackie who slammed up Nicola’s pal said Walker showed "contempt" for his victims.

Then she imposed the maximum sentence available to the court.

Unpopular Nicola Sturgeon hasn’t visited him once or even sent him a cake with a file in it with a note saying ‘thinking of you’.

Sheriff Mackie found Walker guilty of assaulting his first wife Maureen Traquair on three separate occasions.

On one occasion he punched her in the face resulting in a black eye two weeks before the happy couple married in January 1967.

He was also convicted of assaulting his second wife, Anne Gruber, 15 times between 1978 and 1984.

15 times!

One wonders how Nicola Sturgeon must feel about being round a man with so much violence to share with others!

Mrs Gruber suffered a hefty series of ‘doings’ including being punched, slapped, kicked and pushed to the ground.

Bill also spat on her face, maybe he thought she needed something to drink!

Bill also threw household items at her, threatened to pour hot coffee over her and pulled her hair.

One can see how he easily passed SNP Candidate selection and was allowed to continue despite the senior SNP leadership knowing the score.

As to his breach of the peace conviction, he did that by leaping into Mrs Gruber's home brandishing an air rifle.

Was Bill Walker, Nicola Sturgeon’s pal a member of the A Team?

He certainly wasn’t a member of the GAY Team in nature.

The most interesting assault was when Walker when ‘head to head’ with Mrs Gruber's 16-year-old daughter, Anne Louise Paterson.

In that contest of Titans, he repeatedly struck her on the head with a saucepan in 1978.

And last but not least Bill Walker was also found guilty of four assaults on his third wife Diana Walker, three of which involved slapping or punching her on the face.

Obviously Bill prefers blows to the face rather than the body!

So, the attempt to rebuild his career is on the go, will unpopular Nicola Sturgeon attend the court and offer support to her friend and colleague or will she be sticking with the SNP plan to try and win back the women’s vote?

At present the SNP are sticking up female candidates, all of whom have spectacularly crashed and burned at the ballot box.

I guess that isn’t working out well, the last one, the odious Natalie McGarry dropped about 40% of the vote from the SNP result of 2011.

Maybe the public just can’t be conned anymore Nicola?

Bill Walker is denying all the charges and claims he was the victim of "smearing" and that his ex-wives colluded to accuse him of domestic violence.

I wonder if Nicola Sturgeon is staying away because she believes him or just too busy trying to save her dying political independence campaign!

Yours sincerely

George Laird

The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Scottish independence: Yes Scotland has lost all five of its directors since it was launched in 2012, Blair Jenkins says it is evolving, some just call it an SNP front, either way, the organisation is dead in the water, another unpopular Nicola Sturgeon ‘success’ story

Dear All

Time for a quote:

“Yes Scotland is an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I am thrilled to play a part in running a positive campaign to secure a Yes vote in 2014.”

Susan Stewart formerly of one the spinners at Glasgow University!

She was a member of the "top team" of directors at Yes Scotland, seen by many as an SNP front.

Now the organisation is in meltdown after losing the last two directors.

Only Blair Jenkins remains and he should never have been appointed in the first place.

Ian Dommett and Stan Blackley are gone as director of marketing and deputy director of communities.

And it is said that the exits were not voluntary.

Maybe failed SNP Candidate Natalie McGarry who imploded the SNP vote in Cowdenbeath will be parachuted in to save the day!

Well maybe not parachuted.

Yes Scotland has now lost all five directors since their appointment in September 2012.

If a job is worth doing it is worth doing well, but why such a lack of commitment?

Is it because Scotland’s unpopular Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is the ‘face of independence’?

Well that’s a thought!

In trying to spin out the debacle as something dynamic; Yes camp insiders said such changes were common for a dynamic political campaign.

People leaving is dynamic, all the directors?

Ha Ha Ha on spinning that rubbish to the Scottish public.

One can only wonder how Patrick Harvie feels having signed up the Greens to a ‘rat ship’ controlled organisation!

Maybe he has regrets now!

The pro-Union Better Together movement which appears to be ticking along nicely has claimed Yes Scotland was "in crisis".

No one is backing Alex Salmond and unpopular Nicola Sturgeon, although in fairness, there was a blip in an opinion poll at the weekend that the Nationalists, sorry SNP clique have seized on like a starving man gone mad with hunger.

Rumours doing the treadmill have Yes Scotland suffering from financial problems.

And the general thumb is to shed jobs when that happens.

Poor Stan Blackley, the treehugger, a friend of the Earth must be upset to lose his meal ticket.

If we think back to those heady days of spin when Yes Scotland started we saw Blair Jenkins boasted in a press statement that his five directors were "a team of the highest calibre".

He said:

"Each one of them has a proven track record in his or her field of expertise and I am confident that with their input and commitment we can deliver a Yes vote in 2014."

Former RBS manager Jacqueline Caldwell left as director of operations in March last year for unexplained "personal reasons".

Former Glasgow University media boss Susan Stewart left as director of communications in July as part of a "streamlining" operation.

And former Nationalist MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville quit as director of communities in November to fight the Dunfermline by-election, she is now deputy Chief Executive of the SNP.

Ian Dommett is a marketing guru and director of the Cor Agency, but he couldn’t sell independence, Salmond version.

Then there is bring up the rear, Stan Blackley, a former chief executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland.

Forced out it appears!

An SNP source has claimed the party was "carrying" Yes Scotland, saying:

"We keep getting told things are wonderful, but they're not delivering on the ground for folk, that's quite clear."

Nicola’s in charge, that is why you are told things are wonderful, imagine not working that out!

Blair McDougall, Better Together's campaign director, said:

"It looks like Yes Scotland's refusal to release details of donations is an attempt to cover up a campaign in crisis. They must come clean and disclose their donors. A campaign with a genuine breadth of support simply would not be in financial meltdown."

Sounds about right, measured statement!

Jenkins said Yes Scotland was evolving, evolving into what?

A beautiful butterfly!

It is not in trouble says Jenkins, and then he thanked Dommett and Blackley for their efforts.

No doubt they will be happy!

In a statement Jenkins said:

"This is a unique campaign that will decide the future of our country, and we are totally focused on winning a Yes vote. That means we will continually test and optimise our effectiveness as the campaign evolves and moves through different phases towards September 18. Our team is therefore being augmented by a number of creative specialists, with extensive campaign experience, who will help us deliver those messages widely, and in innovative ways. I'm confident we now have the range of talents needed for the intensive and exciting period ahead, and that as we move towards the referendum, our marketing approach will continue to lead, to listen to, and to align with, campaign dynamics."

I would say that Blair Jenkins knows shit about political campaigning, and opine that his ‘creative specialists’ will milk whatever money is left and then get the hell out of Dodge.

Freedommmmmmmmmmmmmmm! 

Yours sincerely

George Laird

The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Scottish independence: SNP start attacking the kid of opposition MP and Labour's deputy leader Anas Sarwar, after the cybernats were exposed in Scottish Daily Mail, you would think if there was genuine talent in SNP such a thing would be barred by Salmond and Sturgeon!

Dear All

After the Scottish Daily Mail expose of cybernats, you would think that the Scottish National Party would have learned.

The SNP is now attacking the children of people who oppose Scottish independence.

In politics, the general rule of thumb is that children are completely off limits.

The deputy leader of Scottish Labour has come under attack for sending his son to a private school.

His kid, his money and his choice!

So, why is Anas Sarwar sending his kid to Glasgow's £8234-a-year Hutchesons' Grammar, it is to ensure that he gets a good start in life.

In case people don’t know we live in a corrupt country, and it is still a corrupt country under the SNP.

The SNP in the shape of John Wilson who I have commented on before as not being very bright has spearheaded the attack.

He wasn’t very bright when I knew him in the SNP and still a few years down the line he has become wiser. Wilson was part of the disastrous anti NATO in the SNP, he huffed and puffed about possibly leaving, but in the end, he must have realised he lack the bottle.

Is the attacked prompted by the fact that Sarwar is is Labour's referendum co-ordinator?

And this is a year in which the referendum is being held.

In politics, a lot of people ‘talk the talk’ of social justice that for some is just a smokescreen, Scotland’s unpopular Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon does it all the time, as Health Sec, she left Scots women to die from cancer by failing to provide the same drugs available in England.

The gag that ‘Nicola cares’ is a sick joke.  

SNP MSP John Wilson said:

"Anas Sarwar once again highlights the hypocrisy of the Labour Party - talking of social justice and defending public services while sending his own child to a private school. The deputy leader of the Labour Party in Scotland should talk the talk and use the education system provided by his own Labour administration in Glasgow."

John Wilson was screaming high and lo about being anti NATO and now he is in a party which allegedly backs NATO membership, so who is really a hypocrite?

And attacking a kid’s chance at a better future, what’s that all about as well?

A Scottish Labour spokesman said:

"This is a private matter for Anas and his family."

SNP MSP John Wilson is a member of a party that is run by Alex Salmond as a ‘rat ship’, he isn’t very bright, he should learn to take the money and keep quiet because he isn’t worth the time of day.

Yours sincerely

George Laird

The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Cowdenbeath by-election special: ‘Bay of Pigs’ massacre (Dalgety Region), odious Natalie McGarry leads the SNP to total defeat as Labour Party pull off an epic and impressive victory, genuine lack of talent in the SNP on display as Sturgeon’s proxy loses badly

Dear All

Do, you remember the famous ‘Bay of Pigs’ massacre?

Fast forward to 2014 and we have the Scottish version, the odious Natalie McGarry, one of SNP clique has been wiped out in the Cowdenbeath by-election.

Despite having the entire SNP clique (North British Region) behind her, plus Salmond and Sturgeon, the rest of the SNP Cabinet and hundreds of activists, she was utterly rejected.

But let us start with some facts.

In 2011, the Scottish National Party standing in the Holyrood election gained 10,679 votes.

In 2014, the Scottish National Party standing in this Holyrood by-election got 5,704 votes.

The SNP vote has utterly collapsed as Labour scored an epic and history thumping victory in the Cowdenbeath by-election.

Sturgeon’s proxy, one of the SNP’s publicly unelectable was rejected as the people of Cowdenbeath rallied round to defend their community from the Nationalist carpetbagger.

Where’s the A Team Alex?

The massive defeat highlights what I have said time and time again on this blog, there is a lack of genuine talent in the SNP under Scotland’s ‘jolly fat man’ Alex Salmond and Scotland’s unpopular Nicola Sturgeon.

Fife council leader Alex Rowley won the seat beating the odious Natalie McGarry by 5488 votes.

A whopping Labour majority which cannot be brushed off by the SNP!

The result is not unexpected but welcomed.

On Twitter Euan McColm said that some in the SNP hoped that McGarry would not win, well not only did they get their wish granted, they got massive cherries on top of that cake, so a good night for them.

It was a decent of night sorts the Tories, who managed just under a 3% rise, finishing in third place.

As well as the SNP imploding, it was a disastrous night for the Liberal Democrats who slipped behind UKIP.

A miserable 425 votes!

UKIP despite its troubles in Scotland gained 610 votes but still failed save its deposit.

The ‘hero of the hour' Alex Rowley said it had been a "first-class, positive campaign" run by Labour adding:

"Everyone in Cowdenbeath constituency knew someone who had been helped by Helen Eadie over the years."

McGarry said she remained confident of the prospects for success in September.

See what I mean about a genuine lack of talent in the SNP, Sturgeon’s proxy can try and kid herself on but not the working class people of Scotland.

This by-election was pitched during the campaign as a battle between the records of the SNP Government and Labour's running of Fife Council.

As we know the SNP Government’s record is shit, Scotland has been on pause since May 2011.

The ‘Bay of Pigs’ (Dalgety region) massacre was a major SNP test; Salmond and Sturgeon failed, and failed miserably!

Here is the full result:

Alex Rowley (Lab) 11,192 (55.79%, +9.33%)

Natalie McGarry (SNP) 5,704 (28.43%, -13.17%)

Dave Dempsey (C) 1,893 (9.44%, +2.45%)

Denise Baykal (UKIP) 610 (3.04%)

Jade Holden (LD) 425 (2.12%, -1.77%)

Stuart Graham (Victims) 187 (0.93%)

James Trolland (SDA) 51 (0.25%)

Lab maj 5,488 (27.36%)

Natalie McGarry linked my blog to a hate account called @georgemlaird, perhaps if she wishes to continue in politics she may wish to address the problem of being a 'little shite'!

Yours sincerely

George Laird

The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

SNP MP Angus Robertson takes the ‘grudge, grievance and malcontent’ roadshow back to Westminster, UK defence minister says SNP are living in cloud cuckoo land if they think iScotland would have 15,000 army personnel as first Eckistan 3d Eurofighter takes to the skies!

Dear All

Scotland’s ‘jolly fat man’ Alex Salmond says that an independent Scotland would have an army, navy and airforce.

Seems fine on paper!

However, who is going to sign up to the Eckistan Army, Navy and Airforce when it will have limited opportunities in comparison with what is on offer by the British Government?

The SNP have botched independence, they did so in more or less every area, EU, currency and NATO.

Having had a golden opportunity to reset the ‘cranks stance’ of anti NATO and anti Nuclear weapons, Salmond went for a halfway house that doesn’t suit anyone.

His party, the ‘Alex Salmond Party’ which has taken over the SNP is made up of malcontents, little groups with their own reasons to hate the British.

Defence is a key area of platform of independence, the SNP are totally out of their depth because the party are basically ignorant, and kept ignorant by the leadership of Salmond and Sturgeon.

Ignorance is now a problem for the Nationalists as the polls show time and time again.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond rubbished claims by the Alex Salmond Party (North British Region) that an independent Scotland would have 15,000 army personnel.

His take on the idea is the Salmondists are living in "cloud cuckoo land".

The Westminster Cabinet minister questioned the SNP's maths saying departmental figures don’t stack up and that an independent Scotland would need a bigger defence budget.

Hammond said:

"The Scottish Government's so-called plans for the future Scottish defence force exist in cloud cuckoo land. The numbers simply do not add up. Our analysis shows that they would require something like 30% more than they are proposing to spend to deliver the force structure that they have outlined in their white paper. And, in due course, I should look forward to coming to Scotland, yet again, deconstructing, yet again, the rubbish coming out of the Scottish National Party."

Basically what he is saying flowered up is that Salmond, Sturgeon and Angus Robertson talk shite!

Angus Robertson is supposed to be a defence spokesman, so why hasn’t he spoke up on this issue?

Well, it could be the lack of a work ethic which he previously demonstrated by his Scotland could have an navy like the Norwegians.

When asked for the size of the Norwegian Navy, the bold Angus said he hadn’t a clue but their website looked nice.

Looked nice, isn’t that nice!

Hammond's broadside was fired in response to a question from SNP defence spokesman Angus Robertson MP following on from a statement from the Defence Secretary relating to Armed Forces restructuring.

The line used by SNP MP Angus Robertson was all too familiar; he questioned the "disproportionate" cuts to services personnel in Scotland. Scotland’s unpopular Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon ran with this as part of her 50 questions that Unionists must answer.

So, the strategy isn’t anything about concern of service personnel but rather a clumsy and crude attempt to bring up independence in the House of Commons.

Pathetic, you have to wonder why simple minded people think they can win a country’s support given this type of performance.

Robertson asked:

"Will you confirm that personnel numbers are at a record low in Scotland - around 11,000 - significantly lower than the Scottish Government's plans for 15,000 after independence."

Defence in the UK is done of a UK wide basis, not where squaddies go to the local shops or pubs to prop up the local economy.

Imagine, Scotland refuses to be part of a NATO operation because the SNP issue a statement that soldiers are needed to keep buying cakes and sausage rolls from Mrs McGann’s, the bakers!

Yours sincerely

George Laird

The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Lord Steel urges his party leader to 'get a grip' in the Lord Rennard scandal, he suggests Lib Dems drop Rennard suspension and that Rennard drops possible legal action, rather looks too late for compromise, Court action seems on the cards

Dear All

Sometime ago, Nick Clegg sold out his entire party by taking the Lib Dems into Government in Westminster.

He will get his name in the history books so generations know he was the Deputy Prime Minister.

The upshot of betraying his voters is that the Lib Dem vote has collapsed, and they are heading for possibly a major defeat at the next Westminster election in 2015.

Clegg was bought off cheap, ministerial salary and government perks.

Having lost control, Clegg and the Liberal Democrat leadership face a new crisis.

Lord Rennard!

It’s a sex scandal were claims have been made of alleged behavior of Rennard.

Because the scandal is brewing and no one is backing down, and the whole thing stinks to high heaven, former leader Lord Steel of Aikwood has said the leadership should "get a grip" to sort out the crisis engulfing the party.

One of the Lib Dems scandals that I remember was the Jeremy Thorpe scandal, this had a devastating effect on the party, this scandal could be as damaging.

It is said that there is a prospect of an all-out court battle, which will not go down well or cover anyone with glory in the leadership.

And a General election is so close to boot.

Internal sources say if Court is the order of the day, it would lead to a "bloodbath the like of which the party has not seen before".

The former Holyrood Presiding Officer warned:

"The first rule in politics is: if you're in a hole, stop digging."

He added:

"The fact is they have been digging on both sides for the past two days and it's disastrous."

To calm the waters, Steel says that the party should drop its suspension of Lord Rennard and he should withdraw his threat of legal action.

It is a bit for that late, too far down the road.

A senior LibDem source said of Steel’s suggestion, "obviously we disagree" and that reinstating Lord Rennard was "not going to sort it out".

Lord Rennard is the former election strategist who helped treble the number of LibDem MPs, apparently he feels attack is the best form of defence and has instructed a QC to see whether or not the decision to instigate a disciplinary inquiry against him is lawful.

If it isn’t it leaves the Lib Dem leadership on a sticky wicket.

Lord Rennard was suspended from the party and faces a disciplinary hearing for not apologising following an internal inquiry into the claims of sexual harassment.

He has steadfastly refused to do so because he denies the claims.

So; he is innocent or he is guilty, if innocent why should he apologise?

The inquiry found there was no proof beyond a reasonable doubt to the allegations.

However, the report said that the claims were "broadly credible", so perhaps someone could explain in Court what that means

Clegg has been addressing LibDem MPs and peers at their weekly parliamentary meeting and emerged half an hour later stony-faced.

Nothing to be happy about, he is losing either way.

Yours sincerely

George Laird

The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Edward Snowden bids to become Glasgow University rector, the student body have a raft of decent candidates to choose from, but Snowden stands head and shoulders above their achievements

Dear All

Most Universities of note have someone who stands for the position of Rector of the University.

The University of Glasgow is no exception, in the past there have been some fine Rectors, the best in my opinion was Johnny Ball.

He was an excellent choice and the students were certainly spoiled when he did his tenure.

Now, it seems that Whistleblower Edward Snowden has agreed to stand as a candidate for rector.

The position of Rector is a serious position, the person is a voice for the students, as such it is helpful if the Rector can do surgeries.

If elected Whistleblower Edward Snowden wouldn’t be able to fulfill the duties required however he would be a good choice if his circumstances were different, people of principle such as him are sorely needed.

As he is in a foreign country and wanted by the Americans, it is doubtful that he could come to Glasgow.

If the Americans don’t grab him in transit then the British authorities would certainly ship him off n cuffs to the US of A.

Edward Snowden is a hero, he gave up his country to stand up for all of us, then ripple effect of his actions means that the US President Obama now says that the US will not spy on its ‘allies’.

Sounds good in theory, but in practice I think most people would say that is a crock of shit.    

Snowden became a wanted man when his leaks brought to light secret National Security Agency documents which revealed widespread US surveillance on phone and internet communications.

Everyone suspected but his leaks verified it.

Wrongly the US took the decision to revoke Snowden's passport and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Being in sunny Russia, the people at the Kermlin was handed a free gift which they milked on all four tits, standing up for the little guy.

PhD student Chris Cassells said:

"We got in touch through his lawyers and have been communicating through them, and he has agreed to take part and was happy to support what we're doing. Our position is that voting for Edward Snowden first of all shows support for his plight at the moment and it also sends a message to governments that the intrusive practices of state security are not acceptable and are not something the students of the university agree with."

Cassells added:

"The university has a long history of electing political rectors like Winnie Mandela or Israeli whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu, so this campaign is along similar lines to that. It's only gone public today but so far we've had nothing but support from other students."

Others standing in the race include former champion cyclist Graeme Obree, writer Alan Bissett and Kelvin Holdsworth, Provost of St Mary's Cathedral in Glasgow, are also standing in the vote.

Of that list, I say to students don’t vote Alan Bissett, recently he said that Scotland’s unpopular deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon should win ‘person of the year’.

If I had a vote I would cast for Edward Snowden, his act in exposing the US spying mission probably makes him one of the greatest Americans of our time.

He stood up for what he believe was right, and in this case he was right as Obama’s changes clearly signal.

Yours sincerely

George Laird

The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University 

Cowdenbeath by-election, Ed Balls hits the campaign trail with a message for Alex Salmond, stop ducking facing Alistair Darling, odious SNP Candidate Natalie McGarry goes with a message on children’s health and diet, what does she know about health and fitness, how to use a knife and fork?

Dear All

Labour’s shadow Chancellor Ed Balls has hit the campaign trail in the Cowdenbeath by-election in support of Alex Rowley who is said to be the firm favourite to capture the seat following the tragic death of Helen Eadie.

Ms. Eadie passed away due to ill health.

As the Cowdenbeath by-election enters its final phase, Ed Balls has called on Scotland’s ‘jolly fat man’ Alex Salmond who has invested time and energy along with the entire SNP Cabinet in this by-election to stop calling for a TV debate with "English Tory" David Cameron.

Salmond knows that he isn’t getting it, he has been ducking facing Better Together campaign chief Alistair Darling on independence too long.

This is the only fight in town on offer but that offer might be withdrawn in future.

As to the SNP's plans for Scotland's future, particularly over currency, Salmond has no answers, the tide is slipping out under him and he has been left high and dry.

This is a Scottish matter between Scots.

Salmond is scared to face Scots that talk back.

Speaking in Lochgelly Balls said:

"It seems to me that Alex Salmond is very unhappy with the prospect of debating with Alistair Darling and is therefore trying to claim an English Tory should come up and lead the campaign. That's not going to happen in anybody's world”.

Balls quickly added:

"If Alex Salmond had the courage of his convictions, he would sit down and talk to me and Alistair about whether he could keep the pound, and be straight with the Scottish people."

Odious SNP Candidate Natalie McGarry spent the day outside her former primary St John's School accompanied the English SNP Sports Minister Shona Robison.

Robison made the headlines after trying to silence an academic by contacting his employer.

The school visit was to highlight what the SNP was doing to improve Fife children's health.

The SNP was quick to bring up the ‘bribe’ of free school meals for primaries one to three in its attempt to buy the vote for Sturgeon’s proxy who is a carpetbagger who is not living in the constituency.

McGarry said:

"The early years of children's lives are so important when it comes to setting the healthy habits that can last a lifetime."

What does she know about health and fitness?

Has she looked in the mirror lately and seen the state she is in physically?

Maybe Shona Robison can give her a pamphlet on healthy eating and diet.

The expression ‘burst couch’ comes to mind rather readily.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said the SNP's record of failure in Fife shows why Cowdenbeath needs a LibDem to stand up for the area.

The Lib Dem candidate has no chance as this is seen as a two horse race between Labour and the SNP.

Labour has carefully selected Alex Rowley who is Cllr Alex Rowley, Leader of Fife Council.

He is very much the local candidate to the SNP’s carpetbagger.

Scottish Conservative candidate Dave Dempsey said Labour and SNP were obsessed with each other.

He said:

"They've spent more time obsessing about each other and trying to land political punches than actually giving the voters what they want."

Dempsey has no chance although he should pick up votes.

The election takes place on Thursday.

Smart money is on a Labour victory; however it will be interesting to see if the SNP ‘bribe’ of free school meals works on the people of Cowdenbeath.

Yours sincerely

George Laird

The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Scottish independence: National Airforce of Eckistan makes its first flight, 'do no harm' SNP policy see fighter aircraft without arms, Scotland's pilots trained in disapproving looks

Scottish independence: Don't be a Mug in 2014, don't back Alex Salmond and unpopular Nicola Sturgeon in their poisonous vision, new video presentation

Scottish independence: milking the public purse, Salmond’s Government hires another special adviser setting a new record of 14 spads at Holyrood, that brings the pay bill to £1m for Alex’s ‘pals’ and ‘comrades’ to get a turn at the trough

Dear All

One of the things that the Scottish National Party has settled into pretty quickly as a Government is milking the taxpayer of its cash.

Salmond's inept government is today due to take on its 14th special adviser.

As the fear increases, it’s all hands to the pumps to get as muany people to the trough before the end comes!

14 is a record number at Holyrood which comes with a  price tag of £1 million pounds.

Rightly the Labour Party has accused the Scottish Government of "using the taxpayer as their personal bank account" to promote ­independence.

Ross Ingebrigtsen has worked in the SNP's press office, so will be used to spinning, but he can’t sell independence, that’s a dead duck.

  

A Nationalist source confirmed that Mr Ingebrigtsen would begin his new job today and was not a replacement but an "additional" special adviser.

Doesn’t matter what he does, looking at his twitter, I am not impressed.

It seems that the heat is on for the SNP, but come the vote, Scotland’s ‘jolly fat man’ Alex Salmond and Scotland’s unpopular D3eputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will be the ones getting their fingers burnt badly.

Tough job for the 'new' guy, how do you sell a man who is married to a woman old enough to be his mother and sound convincing when he has done nothing of real merit for working class Scots?

Yours sincerely

George Laird

The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University 

Scotland’s unpopular Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon does a ‘feeble 50’ as she produces 50 questions for Unionists to answer, the banal tripe is typical grudge, grievance and malcontent from Sturgeon, 50 questions, here are 50 answers!

Dear All

Scotland's unpopular Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP have taken the time (why?) to ask 50 questions that they say the No Campaign must answer.

So, let's try and answer these questions.

"1 What new powers is Holyrood guaranteed in the event of a No vote?"

Does Ms. Sturgeon think that the Westminster Government revolves around Salmond and her? Whatever is proposed has to go through the House of Commons and be debated, so is she wanting to deny the House of Commons their democratic right? She just wants Westminster to be at her beck and call?

"2 Can you guarantee future Westminster governments will retain the Barnett formula, which is used to calculate Scotland's annual grant from the Treasury?"

The answer is no, this is a remarkably stupid question, no government can bide future alternative governments to their policies.

"3 What will the impact be on Scottish families of the £25bn of new public spending cuts announced by the Chancellor this month?"

They will be less well off, imagine not being able to work that out on her own, really sad and pathetic.

"4 Can you guarantee Scotland will still be in the EU in 2020 if there's a No vote?"

No, see answer number two.

"5 What extra powers will be devolved to Scotland to grow the working population?"

Is this a question about immigration, if so, that is a reserved matter.

"6 How many more children will be living in poverty in Scotland in 2020 as a result of Westminster policies?"

How many more children will be living in poverty by the SNP plan to open the floodgates on immigration or don't you give a shit about the damage you do?

"7 What steps will be taken to close the growing gap between rich and poor?"

None, they like the Scottish National Party aren't doing anything meaningful and that isn't likely to change under Salmond and Sturgeon's leadership.

"8 What will the UK's national debt be in 2016?"

That depends on various factors some of which can be controlled and some that cannot, it is a stupid question and demonstrates short sightedness and lack of awareness. Another Sturgeon fail!

"9 Will an Oil Fund be established in the event of a No vote, as we plan after a Yes vote?"

No, and on that, the SNP can't guarantee when or even if monies can be paid in if there was an independent Scotland.

"10 How many UK army, naval and air force personnel will be based in Scotland in 2020?"

That will depend on a defence review by the current government of the day, see answer two.

"11 How much will Scottish taxpayers have to pay for the replacement of the Trident nuclear weapons system?"

The tax system is the same for the whole of the UK, so, the same rates as people in England.

Finance and taxes

"12 If the Barnett formula is scrapped, by how much would Scotland's budget be cut after a No vote?"

Given the Barnett formula isn't getting scrapped, this is a stupid question, how long is a piece of string? Is she quoting a Westminster white paper, no, she is just making it up.

"13 If the Barnett formula is retained, by how much would Scotland's budget be cut after a No vote?"

All budgets are subject to review because of tax receipts can vary. How many Scottish Colleges places have been cut by the SNP? According to reports a staggering 37%, what is being done about that SNP scandal? Nothing!

"14 What will UK personal tax rates be in 2016 and beyond, and how will Westminster improve the tax system, including collection?"

See answer two, is Ms. Sturgeon saying there will be a Tory Government in 2016? As before how can anyone commit to want they might do without a mandate from the people? How far is beyond as a timescale till the world ends?

"15 Will the rate of VAT be increased, cut, or stay the same in 2016 and beyond?"

See answer two, the level of stupidity in the Scottish National Party truly beggars belief. This is utter tripe, no wonder people are starting to wake up to the bad deal we are getting from the SNP.

"16 What will be the level of Air Passenger Duty (APD) in 2016 and beyond?"

Ever heard of inflation, again we are at answer two, can Sturgeon guarantee what a Labour administration in Holyrood will do to enact SNP policies? This is bullshit petty low brow knuckle dragging politics of the swamp.

"17 Why has APD not been devolved to the Scottish Parliament, as recommended by the Calman Commission on devolved powers?"

The Calman Commission didn't place or is binding on the coalition to enact anything.

"18 Will a system be put in place to guarantee the minimum wage will always rise at least in line with the cost of living?"

That is a matter for the House of Commons to be decided if debated.

"19 What additional tax powers will be devolved to Scotland in the event of a No vote?"

See answer two, yet again, there will be no pre-negotiation on devo max until the referendum is settled.

Economy"

"20 What additional economic powers will be devolved to Scotland?"

Is there a learning problem in the SNP because you keep asking the same question in various forms repeatedly, ever considered IQ testing in the Scottish National Party?

"21 What powers will be given to Scotland to combat in Business Secretary Vince Cable's words the "giant suction machine" of London?"

See answer number 20.

"22 What will you do to narrow the huge regional differences in GDP per head, which are greater in the UK than in any other EU country?"

Use the taxation system and work with partner agencies to improve conditions, that is the kind of talk that SNP use to blow people off.

"23 What additional powers will be devolved to increase women's participation in the labour market?"

Oh, the clumsy crude pitch for the women's vote, Bill Walker killed that off stone dead for the SNP. How about armed guards to stop SNP MSPs smashing women's faces in Sturgeon?

"24 What additional measures will be devolved to Scotland to boost Research and Development?"

See answer number one, but she can forget anything happening until after 2015 election, there isn't the time on the Parliamentary timetable.

"25 Will additional competitive powers be devolved to encourage major firms to locate their HQs in Scotland?"

This is quite boring, already we are half through and it is the same question more or less over and over again, see answer number one.

"26 Will corporation tax be devolved to give businesses in Scotland a competitive edge?"

A competitive edge over whom? Over the English or the Welsh or the Irish? The phoney standing up for Scotland routine, its pathetic and old and tired.

"27 What powers will be devolved to encourage reindustrialisation and halt manufacturing decline?"

Like the SNP outsource steel contracts aboard that kind of shit?

"28 Will the post study work visa be reintroduced?"

If this is an attempt to reintroduce it, it is rather crude and clumsy, people dying to come to Eckistan are they?.

Social justice, families and health

"29 Will the UK still be one of the most unequal countries in the developed world?"

Yes, and as we see with the SNP candidacies for the European Elections, not a single ordinary member selected, so let's have no talk about equality from Sturgeon. Try typing in google SNP vote rigging and see how much the SNP 'care' about equality.

"30 Will all current universal and pensioner benefits remain or will some be means tested?"

Everything is open to review.

"31 In the event of a No vote, will you guarantee funding for fund a long term expansion of childcare in Scotland to match the best provision in Europe?"

How you manage your grant is your business, not the Westminster Government, make your own political choices and live within your means or better still, get off your arse and generate money instead of spending your 'giro'. How about less taxpayers money to SNP members setting up little groups for starters?

"32 Will Scotland's age profile be taken into account when decisions over the state pension age are made?"

No.

"33 What will be the state retirement age for people in Scotland who are starting work this year?"

Again, no government can bide a future government about 50 years into the future, is Sturgeon saying she wants to know what will happen in 2063? Isn't this a waste of time for her as she will be dead and buried and forgotten?

"34 Will the bedroom tax be abolished?"

By the Tories, No, by Labour, Yes, if they are in power in 2015.

"35 Will the bedroom tax be extended to pensioners as suggested recently by an MP from one of the No campaign parties? Julian Brazier MP for Canterbury"

No, that would be political suicide for Cameron.

"36 Have you assessed the impact Westminster welfare cuts will have on Scotland's NHS?"

Westminster doesn't control the Scottish NHS or how you spend the funding you are given.

"37 The NHS in England is being privatised. Given that cuts in funding for public services in England trigger cuts in the Scottish budget, has any study been done of the impact on Scotland of NHS privatisation in England?"

No!

Democracy

"38 The Tories have just one MP in Scotland, yet are leading the Westminster government. How can Scotland get the government it votes for?"

Vote for the Labour Party, simple question.

"39 Nine out of 10 Scottish MPs voted against the bedroom tax. How can you ensure the views of Scottish MPs are not ignore in future?"

Each MP gets one vote, that is democracy, is Sturgeon saying each Scottish MP should get 10 votes to an English MP's one?

"40 Royal Mail has been privatised what guarantees can you give that other public services will not be privatised against the views of Scottish MPs?"

None.

"41 How much money per year will taxpayers in Scotland be expected to contribute to funding the unelected House of Lords?"

Well giving that taxpayer money funds Holyrood there is an argument to abolish the regional lists which allow publicly unelected people into Holyrood who are unelected by the public.

EU and Defence

"42 When will an In/Out referendum be held on the UK's EU membership?"

Not in this Parliament, maybe in the next if there is a Conservative win.

"43 If a majority of people in Scotland vote to remain members of the EU in an In/Out vote going against the grain what will happen to Scotland?"

Scotland is a part of the UK, if the majority of the UK vote to leave then is Sturgeon saying the wishes of the all the people voting should be ignored? How is that democracy?

"44 If the UK government fails to renegotiate the UK's EU membership terms, will it recommend withdrawal?"

It will not recommend withdrawal, all major parties leaders are committed to Europe.

"45 Will Scotland get any direct representation in Europe to negotiate for our fishing and farming industries after a No vote?"

No, the SNP will not get direct representation, it is a reserved matter, the EU doesn't allow for this, to ask shows incredible lack of understanding of how Europe works.

"46 If Scotland had been independent during the most recent EU farming talks we would have qualified for an extra €1 billion of funding. How will that shortfall be made up?"

Given you never had the money in the first place; you never had a shortfall, try winning an independence vote first and then apply.

"47 Scotland currently receives the lowest farm payments of any country in the EU. Will this continue?"

Why don't you get the two numbnuts who are elected as SNP MEPs to ask and campaign or are they utterly incapable? What have they achieved as MEPs other draw their salary anyway? What have they done?

"48 What guarantee is there that Scotland will not be hit again by disproportionate defence staff cuts in the future?"

Defence is based on strategic need, didn't Angus Robertson work that out yet for the SNP?

"49 Will the 7,000 service personnel promised to be returned from Germany to Scotland ever arrive?"

What's it to you?

"50 How much money will be spent on the replacement of Trident with a new generation of nuclear weapons?"

Do your own research if you are capable.

Nicola has asked 50 questions.

I will just ask one.

How much time was wasted on this pointless tit for tat exercise, if it was clever questions then some people might see a point, but this is just banal tripe, the embarrassing thing is that unpopular Nicola Sturgeon couldn’t recognise it.

I have probably asked the only real question that working class Scots would want addressed.

Yours sincerely

George Laird

The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University