NO PLACE FOR PROFESSIONAL POLITICIANS

Posted byiainlawson27Posted inUncategorizedTags:, , , , , , , , ,


NO PLACE FOR PROFESSIONAL POLITICIANS

THE BBC had a political programme on Sunday morning where they had focus groups made up of voters from all major parties other than the SNP.

What was striking was that irrespective of which party people supported the common thread amongst them all was that they had all lost faith in any politician being able to successfully overcome the myriad of problems facing the public in 2024.

Phrasing like “too weak” were to the fore. There was no politician regarded as being principled and it was often mentioned, probably a hangover from Boris Johnston, that politicians seemed to believe they were above the law and were not restrained by the legal controls the rest of us had to experience.

Likewise there were major trust issues on all sides.

The one surprise is the political commentators were themselves surprised at these attitudes, the more so because it was so widespread in all Party supporters, irrespective of whom they were planning to vote for.

This should tell us that politics in the UK are in a dire state with little public confidence that the politicians of any Party are capable of creating favourable conditions to turn this all round.

There were no Scots on this focus group because it was made up of people from constituencies which had changed from Conservative to Labour at the last election. There was no constituency in Scotland that did so but I am pretty sure if Scots were involved it would be highly likely they would share similar views to the focus group.

The above is the price of how politics has developed over the last couple of decades. The rise and rise of the professional careerist politicians. Professional control of the selection procedures that favour insider promotion. Far too many reaching elected status via internal political posts rather than wider economic knowledge and life experience achieved in jobs from outside the political bubble. Real jobs if you like.

Likewise the equality factor has led to much greater representation for all types of minorities. Overrepresentation in some cases you might say, the SNP WESTMINSTER GROUP for instance has reportedly the highest proportion of gays of any major elected political group in Europe. Given their disappointing performance it would be difficult to argue this change has been beneficial.

The internal changes within the SNP that allowed the Woke element to take control of the Party Machine including budgets, internal election procedures, the Parliamentary list system, candidate selection is responsible for much of the trouble the Party now find themselves in.

I anticipate considerable change at the General Election. I think the SNP, who the polls already suggest are facing losing many seats, have not yet identified how extensive this will be. The media smell blood and will be relentless with negative publicity. If the SNP get their campaign wrong it could verge on being a near extinction type event. Looking at both their financial limitations and their disastrous devolutionist promotion their inability to motivate disillusioned Independence supporters makes defeat a very real prospect. Particularly against a MSM who will be planning on presenting the General Election as a Labour Tory fight with the SNP LARGELY IRRELEVANT. Expect a rerun of the decades long mantra “Vote Labour to keep the Tories out”.

This is of course not true BUT it can be effective because the electorate in Scotland is not paying the level of attention needed to allow the SNP to dismiss it. Unionism relies on tacit support from the MSM to deliver some credibility. Does anybody doubt the foreign owned media in Scotland will fail to deliver? We also have Operation Branchform. This self inflicted timebomb is ticking away safely in the hands of the SNP’s opponents. There can be little doubt that button will be pressed at a time to inflict the massive damage that is bound to follow.

Then,just to round off this impending disaster, we have the looming trial where Alex SAlmond will launch his case, this time with much less redacted documentation, to expose the ham fisted plot organised and operated by senior SNP and Scottish Government officials, that was designed to damage his public standing and potentially jail him for years. This plot only failed because of the good sense of a jury, dominated by females , who threw out the litany of false and ludicrous charges he faced. The very real prospect of perjury charges becoming a feature of this trial for some must be very high.

What can the SNP do?

They have missed some opportunities already. The last thing the Party needed was a “continuity” Leader. That adjective will be added to every negative story about the SNP for years to come, or at least as long as Humza Yousaf remains in post. A clean break with the Sturgeon years would have been a major advantage in downplaying many of these potential hazards.

Making some radical proposals to move Independence forward could help but they would need to be radical, capable of shocking and worrying the Brit establishment. Challenging the right of the Crown ( in the form of King Charles) to seize Scotland’s assets and reasserting that those assets belong to the true Scottish Crown ( in the form of the sovereignty of the Scottish people) would create shockwaves and grab the attention of the electorate to the colonial control being exercised from Westminster. Too radical? Probably for the current SNP, who have lost any ability to fight back against increasing colonial pressure. They fail to recognise their most potent weapon is to expose and explain these colonial impositions.. Doing so would invigorate the electorate, make them angry about the ongoing theft and would leave unionists having to defend those enriching themselves at the Scottish people’s cost.

All the issues that do matter to the electorate would be relevant, the spiralling cost of living. The theft of oil and gas income. The renewables rip off. Freeport’s is just the latest chapter in this story. Given time water will be added.

Make no mistake, short of a radical message of this type the SNP are facing serious defeat. How big that defeat will be will be determined by the level of urgent action the SNP TAKE NOW. Time is rapidly slipping away and they are firmly on the wrong road at the moment.

I am, as always

Yours for Scotland

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58 thoughts on “NO PLACE FOR PROFESSIONAL POLITICIANS”

  2. I do not watch the BBC. It is, absolutely poison. In fact for folks who pay a licence fee it is the the condemned bringing there own scaffold.

    Why anyone pays a licence fee I don’t know. There’s a big Internet feed from sources and programmes around the world and folks, subject to certain decelerations can legitimately avoid the licence BBC’s fee.

    In fact, albeit largely unreported there are I believe at least a couple of million who have a ready done so.

    But back to politicians it no surprise that there is no trust in them. Democracy UK, democracy in Scotland is an utter sham.

    And if you don’t think so, just consider how the, UK is now at war, how military spending is crippling the economy, how our taxes are being diverted to the war effort and how our military and defence minister glibly about a world war.

    What part do the politicians, allegedly our representatives play in these discussions. And with theatre nuclear weapons now headed for deployment in England, to supplement strategic nukes in Scotland, why no debate.

    Frankly, war I suspect is the choice of the elites. Europe, and especially Germany was raised to the ground in WW2. Ditto two cities in Japan. But next time, I suspect the devastation might be a tad more expensive.

    War is a choice, a choice made by corporate elites, and the populace, well frankly they are, like our elected represetives just just fodder.

    The circa 28,000 Palestinian predominately women and children civilians killed , and many more injured they are but fodder in a policy supported by our elites.

    And the BBC wonder why there is no faith in politicians.

    Liked by 10 people

    1. “But back to politicians it no surprise that there is no trust in them. Democracy UK, democracy in Scotland is an utter sham.

      And if you don’t think so, just consider how the, UK is now at war, how military spending is crippling the economy, how our taxes are being diverted to the war effort and how our military and defence minister glibly about a world war.”

      Not how it works Willie you have been taken in by Thatcher’s tax payer money myth.

      Who gives you the £’s that you then use to pay your taxes? That’s written across every note in your pocket.

      Liked by 4 people

    2. Agree with your comments Willie. However military spending is 2% only and is not crippling the economy. In fact it is too low.

      Like

  3. Unfortunately, it is probably too late for the SNP to salvage anything. Their voters will stay at home. Labour will be boyed by the scent of victory and get their vote out. The MSM, as you say, will concentrate on a 2 horse race and everyone else will get squeezed.
    The SNP has already decided it’s strategy, vote SNP to get rid of the Tories. Newsflash:: To get rid of the Tories and form the Westminster government is impossible for the SNP.
    Settling for making Devolution work, as the SNP is promoting, will not inspire the YES voters to come out. Continuing with futile attempts to revive GRR will not instill confidence in the SG/SNP.
    The continued own goal disasters does not enhance people’s perception that they are competent. The SNP are doing nothing to alay the voters fears that Independence is a leap on the dark.

    Liked by 13 people

    1. I hope their voters dont stay at home. I hope they write “End the Union” on their ballot paper, thereby rejecting that election and that parliament and demonstrating their sovereign will.

      Liked by 4 people

  4. The SNP are finished. Let them die, their “good wee parliamentarians” are beyond saving. I’m actually quite looking forward to seeing them hoofed out on their trough-swilling arses. It’ll set the indy cause back a few years, but that’s preferable to it being set back a few decades by these wasters.

    Liked by 7 people

    1. Is Professor Baird CORRECT in the view that if our MPs leave Westminster the English Parliament falls? If so This action should be taken PRIOR to the General Election when they will not be re-elected.
      In this well engineered political mess who can we Liberation Scots (not YES) vote for. I would suggest NO-ONE so don’t vote.
      Let us disrupt this corrupt democratic shit show and send tje message (NONE OF THE ABOVE.
      These Westminster MP’s don’t have the intelligence to get on the Scotland lifeboat but chose to remain on the English Parliament sinking ship.
      Hell mend them!!!
      No common sense and no backbone.

      Liked by 7 people

      1. We could have done this from the 2015 vote as Indy had the majority of MP’s. Also 2017 and 2019. They do not understand our rights. Maggy Thatcher and John Major both agreed this could be done.

        Liked by 6 people

      2. Andy we could have done lots of things but didn’t. We are where we are!!
        We need to move forward or pack up our tent and accept we are a Colony.
        In any event do not vote for the shit that remains standing.

        Liked by 3 people

    2. Me too Derek, the sooner they die the better. Can’t wait to see the back of these utter wastes of pace. They’ve let all of us down.

      Liked by 3 people

    3. Totally agree…some might say we’re shooting ourselves in the foot but in my opinion voting these fuckers in in the first place was our biggest mistake..our first shot in the foot .. I’ll never vote snp again while any of the freeloaders are still there .. all this talk of shooting makes me think back to what they used to do to traitors…if only eh ?

      Liked by 3 people

  5. Pingback: NO PLACE FOR PROFESSIONAL POLITICIANS | Of Men and Markets

  6. Reform UK have overtaken the LibDems as the third party (% vote), reference Wiki page, Westminster voting intention. They’re third in Wales also, ahead of Plaid Cymru. Not that they’ll get any seats. This is symptomatic of an underlying rage fuelling a protest vote.
    The Intelligence Services have a vested interest in restricting options presented to the public, narrowing the Overton Window. We witnessed this with the orchestrated campaign to depose Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader by fabricating false accusations and giving these saturation exposure across all MSM.

    There are elements of push and pull here.

    From the push perspective, a career as a lifelong, sinecured politician is attractive to your suburban, middle-class school leaver. The path is clearly defined.
    * A degree from the exponentially expanding nebula of university courses with Politics in the title.
    * A back office job for an MP or MSP (researcher, caseworker, etc.).
    * Advancement to SPAD.
    * Finally, an elected office.

    From the pull side, facilitators are required. The John Smith Centre has just dropped a fresh batch of interns on Holyrood.
    Excerpts from two of their site biographies:
    “ I hope that this internship will equip me with the knowledge, understanding and connections necessary for a successful career in Scottish politics.”
    “Today felt like a pivotal moment in my career, thank you so much for this opportunity.“

    No mention of “vocation” or “public service”. Someone at the JSC really should be paying more attention to editing, but if your boss is as catastrophically thick as Kezia Dugdale, I suppose this passes for acceptable.

    Liked by 13 people

  7. ” If the SNP get their campaign wrong it could verge on being a near extinction type event.”

    It seems to me that the SNP leadership, with Humza Yousaf, Tommy Sheppard and Alyn Smith to the fore, are simply trying different sound bytes to see which might harvest the most amount for votes for the party. So far the pitches (in no particular order of importance) have been:

    1. Vote SNP or Independence gets it!
    2. We like Labour, we can do business with them.
    3. Don’t vote Labour in Scotland, they’re going to win UK wide anyway.
    4. Make Scotland a Tory free zone, yeah!
    5. Vote SNP to make Scotland’s voice heard
    6. Oh look – there’s a squirrel!

    It’s cynical in the extreme. And there will be more of it as we approach the British general election campaign proper as they ‘test and learn’ which ploy will act as the best confidence trick to play on the Scottish Independence supporting electorate.

    Well, SNP candidates, learn this:

    There is more chance of me living to 200 years old than there is of me voting for you useless shower of clueless, spineless, half-wits.

    #EndTheUnion

    Liked by 17 people

  9. I warned Common Weal years ago about this, because if you follow neoliberal, globalist, EU uber alles economic policies this is the outcomes. If you don’t carry out the result of the Brexit referendum properly what did they expect. We voted to leave and they fudged it.

    Of course nobody trusts them.

    You all read the Scottish growth Commission. Our leaders are not interested in working Scots, all they care about is Brussels and all Labour care about is Brussels. Why the Tories will do very well at the next Scottish election. Or the Lib Dems, the biggest EU uber alles party of them all will make a very serious comeback.

    Scottish voters are hell bent on dragging us back into Brussels. That’s the biggest threat to our independence bar none.

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Anyone who likes or trusts the EU should follow Clare Daly, MEP for Ireland, to learn more about how truly awful it has become.

      Liked by 5 people

      1. Aye, Clare Daly and Mick Wallace, committed advocates on behalf of truth and the downtrodden. Scotland lacks that calibre so necessary to improve our condition!

        Liked by 5 people

    2. At least Brussels is better than the U.K. Union. I support EFTA.
      Scotland as a customs island will not work. Look at Brexit.

      Liked by 2 people

  10. Unfortunately the SNP as the once recognisable party of Independence no longer carries the authority of the core membership of old and has now admitted and facilitated the ‘entryists’ to gain office and key policy implementation roles.

    On the question of trust, NOT ONE of them at Holyrood OR Westminster would I see in my road. If as the case might well happen the penny drops with some of them, it will be only for their own self preservation and not for Scotland’s cause.

    All of them, yes ALL of them, have lain around on their fat arses and allowed free rein on Scotland’s assets being plundered by our colonial oppressor to the detriment of Scotland and her future generations.

    The only thing the SNP group at Westminster have been successful in has been in attracting ridicule and humiliation on Scotland’s people when any of them got to their feet to utter the cry, Scotland will never accept, (an’ ye can fill in the rest o’ that slogan yersel’s), nae shortage o’ options oan that yin!!

    Liked by 8 people

  11. As you can see from the comments above Thatcherism and Thatcher’s tax payer money myth is holding Scottish independence back. So let’s kill it off once and for all. Get rid of this mythical chain around our necks.

    Imagine you are a Viking and you have just invaded Scotland and became the King of Scotland. You introduce your own new sovereign currency called the longboats. Which has a picture of the new king on both sides of the notes and coins.

    So as the new king of Scotland you say to your conquered serfs, give me your longboats so I can spend.

    The Scottish population will look around in confusion and look at each other in amusement and say we can’t. We don’t have any longboats to give you. So they all Shout back to the new Scottish King – You have to spend them into circulation first. So we can then get our hands on them to give them back to you as taxes.

    Of course the English know this very well indeed, how money really works, even though they have lied about it for centuries. if you look very closely at the Bank Of England accounts, this is absolutely true. The government has to spend first, then collect tax. The government has to spend first and then ‘borrow’ its own money back. It’s very easy actually. When they teach Monopoly, it takes about 15 minutes. When they teach competition that takes forever, that’s complicated. Monopoly is easy: one person has it, everybody else needs it. The currency is a monopoly. It’s the easy one to figure out.

    How do you get people to come work for the government? You could ask for volunteers. People have tried that. It doesn’t work all that well. The British used to get people in the Navy by going to the bars at night, and they’d take a bottle and hit somebody on the head. Then they would wake up in the British Navy, climbing some mast. That was called impressing sailors. That’s another way to provision the public sector.

    You could conquer somebody and take slaves. That used to be popular. But today we pretend to be more civilized. We simply tax people in something they don’t have that comes only from the government, and suddenly everybody in the country needs that currency. The new Scottish King is the monopoly issuer of the Longboats and the Scottish serfs are the users of the longboats.

    The British went into Ghana in the 1800s to grow coffee. There was no monetary system in Africa at the time. There was no unemployment when you went out and visited the population. Everybody was helping each other out with jobs to do. It was a very social place. The men would hunt and fish and build the houses, and the women would take care of the children and do the food. The grandmother would help out taking care of the children. The people were doing things and there was more to do than there was time to do it. So How did the British get them to work in the coffee plantation?

    They told everybody there was going to be a tax on their hut. It was called a hut tax. Everyone had to pay, 10 Pounds a month. Or they would get their house burned down by the British army. What happened? After being defeated Everybody said all right, what do we have to do to get the pounds to pay the tax? ‘Ah, if you come to the coffee plantation we’ll pay you one Pound a day to work’. Sure enough, people starting coming over to work, to earn the pounds, so they didn’t get their house burned down. The tax, the British monetary system, created the unemployment.

    Then the British hired the people in the coffee plantation so they could get the money to pay the tax so they didn’t have their house burned down. The British would spend the money first and pay people, and then collect the tax, right. And they spent more than they collected because some people saved Pounds for paying taxes later.

    But would they let them earn enough to pay the tax, or would they say, ‘No, we’re not going to do that and go burn your house down’? Of course not. They let them come work and earn all they wanted to pay the tax, and to save, so their houses did not get burned down. If too many people came to work, they would reduce the tax. If not enough people came to work They would increase the tax.They didn’t send the people home and burn their houses down like they’re doing today in the European Union with their deficit and debt rules. The British always ran budget deficits and spent more than they taxed. It allowed the Ghanan’s to save in pounds.

    Colonial America was the same. The American colonial governments were always short of British coins (but prohibited by the Crown from coining their own) the only way to get more British coins was to export their goods and services back to Britain and get British coins in return. Sound familiar ? It is how Euro using countries are entrapped today after giving up their sovereignty. Who are unable and no longer able to issue their own coins.

    So they each came up with their own money of account (for example the Virginia pound), imposed taxes in that money of account, issued paper notes in the money of account, spent the paper notes, collected those notes in taxes, and then burned their tax revenue.

    First, it is clear that the colonies spent the notes first, then collected them in taxes. They could not possibly have collected paper notes in taxes if they had not first spent them because there were no other paper monies around.

    Second, the colonies did not spend the tax revenue received in the form of paper notes. They burned the notes. All of them. In the tax laws they were called “Redemption Taxes” with the expressed purpose of “redeeming” the notes – removing them from circulation to be burned. Finally, the spending was “self-financing”.

    It works the exact same way today when you study the UK government accounts.

    1. The national government wishes to provision itself.

    2. To do this, it has to transfer physical output in the country from the private sector to the public sector.

    3.It does that by imposing a tax in a denomination on the population.

    4. The population then has to offer goods and services to the government in exchange for the denomination or risk having their assets confiscated and liberty taken away. The population decides Finding the denomination and paying the tax is the cheaper and more sensible option.

    5. The government then ‘prints money’ to settle the bills for the goods and services it has bought – at a government-determined price.

    6. The population settle their private trades between themselves in the same denomination, so they each have enough to pay their tax bills.

    7. The population pays its dues to the authorities, and the government immediately shreds all the money it has collected as tax. There is no accounting that allows the government to spend the money collected by taxes. Why would it. It has shredded that money for inflation purposes.I

    8. Any difference between the amount printed and the amount shredded represents people saving for a rainy day. It is the private sector surplus to the penny.

    Now let’s start talking about Scottish independence with a clear head and look at it from the correct point of view. Let us drop this mythical Thatcherism tax payer money myth. The biggest myth carried out on the British public by propaganda on a massive scale. Taxes drive the currency they don’t fund anything.We

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thankyou for Derek posting that very readable debunking of some prevailing monetary myths.

      Professor Stephanie Kelton wrote a popular book for the masses explaining in very simple language that Tax Comes Before Spend and that Loans Create Money.

      “The Deficit Myth” https://stephaniekelton.com/book/

      For those who would like a simpler introduction to the more sociological aspects of money, and a deeper understanding of how the British Empire imposed an exploitative monetary system on subjugated peoples around the world, I would thoroughly recommend brilliant anthropologist David Graebers very readable book “Debt: The First 5000 Years”

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debt:_The_First_5000_Years

      For anyone who would like to read a detailed history of how the English Pound came to be as it is today, I would thoroughly recommend to read Christine Desans comprehensive tome: “Making Money”

      https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21492062-making-money

      I think Derek it is important to get people to understand that the current neoliberal (Thatcher/Reagan style) system is not inevitable, and is is in fact a political choice, or in our case an imposition upon us.

      When people come to understand how it ‘works’ and who it benefits (not ‘us’) then it is not difficult to apply the same lens to the Euro, the European Central Bank and the post Maastricht European power dynamic as it exists now.

      The ECB wields monetary sovereignty in the Euro Zone, as the Bank of England does in the UK and Scotland MUST escape from that Bank of England grasp if it is ever to be able to exercise the ‘economic sovereignty’ required to truly run its own economy.

      Liked by 3 people

  12. I love visiting museums when I am on holiday. I go straight to the coin section and try and guess the history of where I am. Then I go back to the start of the museum and see if I am right and normally guess the history of the place quite accurately. Menorca was quite tough as it had so many different coins and rulers over its history.

    There is no such thing as tax payers money. It is written on the coins and notes who issued it and where it came from. Money is just a tax credit and will eventually be used to pay taxes. Then shredded out of existence.

    Liked by 2 people

  13. I have had a personal interest in economic statistics for a good while now.

    Although things economically have worsened since the bank crash of 08/09 and Brexit, in fact our economy has been declining steadily since the 1970’s boosted by the Conservatives in the 80’s and 90’s destroying manufacturing. They started a massive sell off of assets also and still are.

    The political malaise we all see is simple their short term thinking linked in many cases to gross incompetence. In Scotland it’s worse as our Holyrood government had the options to get us out of this disaster of a Union but did not. I believe this is in many cases due to ignorance of our laws and adherence to Westminster.

    They should all go to hell due for the years of unnecessary austerity, selling the family silver, lining their own pockets and in our case no firm action on independence. Rant over.

    Liked by 7 people

    1. Not forgetting the pain and suffering their policies have caused so many people Andy. They have a lot to answer for. But self interest and their career too often comes first. Iain
      Blackford pushing to get into the House of Lords for example. If he succeeds I’m sure that there will be a long queue of SNP MPs and MSPs behind him. Headed no doubt by Sturgeon and cozy feet.

      Liked by 4 people

    2. We could declare independence tomorrow Andy. If somebody was brave enough to announce we would start issuing our own Alba tax credits.

      Just like Virginia did when it announced to the British crown it was going to issue their own Virginia pounds.

      That’s all it takes.

      What is quite frankly absurd is some very interesting talks have taken place over the weekend. MMT economists were presenting talks at the Gower Initiative of modern money studies at the main trade union building in London. Also with George Galloway’s workers party. The held two large events in London over the weekend.

      Where they were told that George Galloway’s workers party know the truth and that taxes fund nothing but they are scared to frighten the horses. As voters have been so indoctrinated in the tax payer money myth. The workers party fully understand Anything we can actually do, we can afford but politically choose to deny it and deliberately decide to reinforce the neoliberal framing and narratives around budgets and money.

      I know 100% that some in the SNP do exactly the same. They know how it works but lie about it. I’ve had first hand experience of it. It has been told to my face they know taxes don’t fund anything.

      The fact that even those that do have this understanding deliberately continue to use mainstream macroeconomic framing is very dissapointing. It is not as if the workers party ever get elected anyway.

      Pointing out that the other side is deliberately lying to protect vested interests is a powerful narrative. It is how the Indy movement wins the day. Why choose to protect the neoliberal lies and myths is completely bonkers to me. When instead of being afraid of frightening the horses they should be training the horses to run better and teach them the facts.

      It is insane !

      Does make you wonder what we are up against.

      George Galloway posts the tax payer money myth on his Twitter feed at least 5 times a month. Yet, behind the scenes knows it is not true.

      Completely bonkers !

      Read for yourself

      https://billmitchell.org/blog/?p=61537

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I agree with you Derek. I know they can take us out now. If they actually understand the option that they have then they must have decided the gravy train is more appropriate.

        Liked by 4 people

      3. Reply to Gregor McIntosh. Yes UDI. The treaty allows that a majority of Scottish MP’s can simply end the Union.
        As we live in different times to 1707 we would need to walk out and explain to the the electorate what is happening. A confirmation vote would be needed.

        To me the way to do this is for a political party to propose such an end to the Union prior to a GL. So that no one could say they did not know about the plan every voter would need to get a note with their ballot paper so that they understood our right to end the Union in law. Such a vote would be a plebiscite election to leave the union. This would also galvanise the Yes movement to campaign. Ideally benefits of independence would go out also.
        The political party and Yes movement people would then use professional negotiators to negotiate separation from England.

        Liked by 5 people

  14. ‘NO PLACE FOR PROFESSIONAL POLITICIANS’
    Thanks Iain, an excellent piece that needs to be read throughout Scotland and the residual remnants of the rUK.

    Our social and political problems that fester within these islands are manifestly based on our overall ignorance of economic and political knowledge, laced with the effects of power, political corruption and therefore control of ‘Corporate Business’. We are living in an era of POLITICAL APATHY and it’s time to wake-up.

    The only hope for Scotland is to sever itself from Westminster. We do not belong there because their ‘Barnett Formula’ is our financial shackle of colonisation. It’s their control tool. Nothing will change politically or economically until we (Scotland) understand that being independent is collectively plausible and financially beneficial.

    Importantly, ‘policy and ideological change’ will only ensue when the English middle and working classes react rebelliously to their financial and social implosion. Until then, it’s an rUK status quo.

    Go to any nation in Europe and the people there understand and eagerly discuss economics and political policy outcomes. In most of these nations everything works and the political policies provide the necessary services. Here in the UK the politicians are only accountable to their political party, not the people. Doing something that damages the party image before the next election becomes a sacrificial exit.

    ‘Political Accountability to the People’ needs to be at the forefront of Scottish Political legislation and administered legally by the People’s Authority.

    Also, here in Scotland we need macroeconomics education particularly relevant to a fully independent sovereign nation-state that is self-financing with our own currency. One salient economic factoid is that the Thatcher ‘only your taxes will pay for government spending’ myth was a lie. Since 1866, YOUR UK TAXES HAVE NEVER BEEN NECESSARY TO PAY FOR UK GOVERNMENT BUDGET EXPENDITURE.

    For an independent Scottish nation, flows of taxation (taxes and other receipts) will provide a crucial function in offsetting the effect of Scottish government spending upon the circulation of money and demand for real resources within an economy.
    If we all wake up to this fact then ‘Independence’ doubters will become knowledgeable and agreeable supporters.

    (My next YFS article, for approval & submission, will be: ‘Scotland, the Self-Financing Nation-State’

    Neil🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

    Liked by 5 people

    2. So do I. I will really look forward to reading that Neil.

      But you are mistaken about Europe.. Most don’t understand macro at all.

      I’ve talked with people extensively in Germany. and they have fallen for it hook like and sinker as well. I’ve even attended SPD meetings and they don’t get it at all.

      Most of, if not all of them have fallen for the deficit myth. They think it is something that needs to be paid back. See it as a government budget constraint as an ex ante financial constraint instead of seeing it for what it actually is as an ex post accounting statement, that represents the private sector surplus and people’s savings.

      However, things are changing ever since Stephanie Kelton’s international best seller – The Deficit Myth. Which is now published in German and I hand it out everywhere I go.

      For over a decade the Jacobin magazine have tried to ignore her but not any longer.

      https://jacobin.com/2024/01/stephanie-kelton-monetary-theory-economy

      Liked by 2 people

  15. I hope some of the politicians read this blog, as it should frighten the hell out of them. Especially the comments.
    Great piece Iain, as usual.

    Liked by 4 people

  16. Simple do away with all politicians.Vote by phone simply on the issues ,then have civil service administer the people’s choices, true democracy in my opinion.

    Liked by 2 people

  17. “Make no mistake, short of a radical message of this type the SNP are facing serious defeat. How big that defeat will be will be determined by the level of urgent action the SNP TAKE NOW.”

    Hasn’t Humza Yousaf already said that he will work with Labour, I take from this that Yousaf’s SNP will work with anyone who’ll prop up the SNP or share power with them.

    Liked by 6 people

  18. @Derek Henry

    I’m not suggesting that complex matters can be simplified through the medium of “simple”language etc. etc., I don’t believe that for a moment. Let’s just say that your two para post re: taxation above, brought-home its argument extremely well with a limited number of words. Even a complete thicko like myself couldn’t miss the message! More of the same would be very welcome, I’m sure.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Not everybody picks it up as easily and quickly as you have. Kudos to you Erich for picking it up and understanding it so quickly. Trust me on that, I’ve been at this for just about 20 years. You can even sit people down and show them the government accounts and they still don’t believe it.The propaganda and indoctrination into people from the age of 5 has been so strong. Many people don’t like to admit they have been fooled it is just human nature. They have certain confirmation biases that stay with them throughout their lives.

      As Mark Twain said – ” It is easier to fool people than convince them they have been fooled ”

      For some reason system engineers that are used to dealing with flows pick it up no problem at all and get it quicker than most. Physics community get it also. Physics professors are now coming out and saying economists are lying and it’s not even a science. It is a propaganda story.

      Liked by 3 people

    2. Kate Forbes dines out on the tax payer money myth. Doesn’t understand Any macro at all. She preaches at the alter of ” money scarcity ” give everybody less money and the economy will grow. Trickle down crap.

      She nearly became leader of the SNP – think about that very seriously. She is a true tartan tory.

      The Scottish growth commission was full to the brim with that nonsense To appease Brussels.

      Oh Scotland, don’t you dare! – Part 1

      https://billmitchell.org/blog/?p=39501

      Oh Scotland, don’t you dare! – Part 2

      https://billmitchell.org/blog/?p=39506

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Forbes is all about Forbes, ably coached by the British-American Project and her sponsors in the anti- abortion movement. Scotland’s Independence lies a long way down her list of priorities.

        Let no one try to convince you otherwise. Forbes is toxic!!

        Liked by 2 people

  19. Well old boy for a blog that was talking about slowing down as recently as the middle of this month it is not going too badly thanks to some excellent guest posts and your own efforts. Fatigue is taking its toll on the Yes movement as there are only so many posts about how corrupt and crap the SNP are you can read before you lose the will to live. It is getting a bit like Blackford saying we will not be dragged out of the EU etc etc. Even the Prism show which I listen to every weekend is getting stale as it is just the usual suspects stating the bleeding obvious week in week out. Salvo are like a breath of fresh air as they are doing something positive which may or may not work but at least they are having a go. SNP take note. ISP are also worth a mention in dispatches as they are trying to break the mould of politics here in Northern Britain.

    Liked by 10 people

  20. The whole problem is that politics is run by the oligarchy, all parties have been taken over bought and sold through lobbying enriching politicans .What we have now is a meaningless theatre, a pretence of democracy. The elites sense our anger and expect a backlash coming, so now is the perfect time for a war. Keep and regain control of the masses the old colonial masters mantra, we’ve seen it pre world War one with the liberal home rule bill for Scotland conveniently forgotten on the soldiers return. The transatlantic Anglophone elites want total dominance. Even in Northern Ireland you see how the transatlantic establishment has changed its position on reunification. They now have that much power ordinary people dont matter anymore. They are more than half way to their recreation of medieval feudal state run by the rich for the benifit of the rich . When they get AI we will become irrelevant and cull us with all the ruthlessness they have shown in Gaza.

    Liked by 6 people

  21. This is just typical of the “professional politicians” that run the current SNP.

    “THE Scottish Government has “no plans” to hold a referendum on whether or not Holyrood should be given the powers to legislate for independence, MSPs have been told.”

    https://archive.is/fzqAR

    Liked by 2 people

  22. what does somebodies sexuality have to do with whether they are a good politician or not?. Are we back in the dark ages? I read your blog. I don’t always agree but I think to consider different points of view are important. That statement diminishes your stand and my appreciation of your views. Maybe I have misunderstood you? gay people are not deviants who cannot be trusted and I cant believe Im having to say this in the 21st century. Ive never left a post here before, possibly this will come up as anonymous, but Im real, my name is James. Ive been an indy supporter all my life, my mind is open. We dont move forward individually, we move forward together. I would like you to rethink that statement. For my part Im willing to accept it was off the cuff, but welcome to our world. The world would be a much more inclusive progressive place if people were just accepting and failing that if they just thought before they spoke

    Like

    1. Is that the ONLY thing that you took out of the article, did you even read it or as soon as you saw the word gay it was an excuse to throw insults and stamp your feet , there is no part of Iain’s post that mentions DEVIANT or did you just see it in your head , its a pity that Iain didn’t mention the percentages of black people then you could have even included RACIST, this is what Scotland has become when it is WRONG to point out the TRUTH, and the IRONY is that I have heard people openly BRAG about the fact the WESTMINSTER GROUP for instance has reportedly the highest proportion of gays of any major elected political group in Europe , go find these people and take offence at them or is that right think that you are happy with

      Liked by 1 person

    2. I think people need to know two things. Firstly that the gay community are now massively OVERREPRESENTED within the SNP GROUP at Westminster. Secondly HOW did that happen so quickly? How was the selection process enabled to create such a position so quickly? The non gay community have rights as well you know.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Hi Iain and thank you for replying, Ive caused a stir on your blog, Im sorry. I didnt particularly disagree with anything you said. And yes you are correct everyone has rights. Its just that one particular statement stood out to me, for reasons that it affects me. I dont think there’s some “gay” “conspiracy” to take over Scotland. If were talking about overrepresented then that becomes difficult, how do we ensure equal representation?. For me its always best person for the job. Are we saying that you think the SNP/Gov are promoting Gay people despite their ability. Or do you think that possibly Gay people are prominent in the party perhaps because of the parties “inclusive” policies, as in they are drawn to the party. I’m just trying to have a discussion. Mr Twathater, your name says it all to me, I dont hate anyone, discuss the point if you can. And I just looked at the following post – Robert Hughes, im absolutely nobodys victim, I just think words and what people say are important. The hate is palpable, gay people are still people. Just as in every strain of society there are some who wish to play the victim card, the majority are just good, honest people. We need to try not to get drawn into unnecessary bigotry. This road lies to bad things. I hope any replies are considered and insult free. Afterall I just want indy

        Like

      2. I am all for discussion. Maybe you would like to explain how the SNP suddenly had so many candidates from the minorities to the point where the Westminster Group have suddenly become the biggest gay group of elected politicians in the whole of Europe. That in my opinion is by design achieved through Woke control of the NEC and selection process. Do you have an alternative credible explanation?

        Liked by 1 person

      3. sorry just scrolled down a little further and Mr Twathater referred to the scum nonce party, so now Im scum and a nonce. How is this inclusive and accepting? how are we going to unite and fight for independence with this kind of attitude? I grew up in the 80s when being gay was “unacceptable” “dangerous” I dont need special treatment, I lived through that shite, I think of myself as no better or worse than anyone else. Mr Tawathater is everyone who is different to you and who does not conform to you standards scum? or do you hold a special place in your heart for people who are gay?

        Like

    3. There you go , claiming victim status , as usual . Personally , I’m f…. sick to the back of teeth of the whole LGBtralalalala cult of victimhood-seeking .

      ” Inclusive progressive ” , don’t make me laugh ; as Iain points-out in his – entirely reasonable and accurate – article , there are now more gay people in positions of power/influence than there ever was – none more evident than this ScotGov , and the social conditions of most us – particularly the disadvantaged , the perennial * losers * – are getting worse every year .

      The solipsistic obsession with * Identity * which has captured the entire Political Class in the West – Scotland to crippling degree – has been an unmitigated disaster for – genuine – social mobility/improvement .

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Absolutely bang on Robert and the recurring theme is to attempt to SILENCE and DERIDE anyone with an opinion , as Iain points out these minority groups are vastly over represented especially in the Scum Nonce Party which obviously has resulted in their determination to FORCE through their deviant and perverted policies which the vast majority of the electorate vehemently oppose

        Liked by 2 people

  23. This is a copy of a comment I posted on BB last night in response to a post by Leanne Tervett which relates to your post Iain

    A great comment Leanne and I respect you for walking away from what you considered undemocratic and skewed , the problem continues that most politicians are of a mindset that politics is a way to riches and a lift up into the middle class or even the upper class , if you look at the makeup of current politicians who among them has any real lived experience , how many of them have suffered hardship or deprivation or experienced HORROR at the thought of a rent increase or a council tax increase for a house that is difficult to heat and maintain , every new increase means that your meagre finances will AGAIN be stretched beyond breaking point , you are desperate, how are you going to pay bills and feed your kids , once again you are going to have to DEMEAN yourself by appealing to a food bank or borrow more from a relative who is in the same boat as yourself , politicians sit in their wee bubble pontificating about progressiveness and civic inclusion whilst they are being paid handsomely and contributing to their fanciful pensions , no worries for them about rent increases or council tax increases or how difficult it is to heat their homes , some of them even get to let their kids run up a £11,000 bill watching football with the expectation that some other poor bastard will not object to paying that bill

    It is exhilarating talking about how progressive and inclusive we are making Scotland, it is so rewarding discussing and implementing these wonderful green policies , I am so happy that my niche hobby horses are being discussed ,when they should be concentrating on building social housing for our citizens, and addressing exorbitant energy prices but that is not a priority because most of them have a property portfolio alongside their fat salaries and expenses and NOT having adequate social housing enables private landlords to reap the benefits of that shortage , but don’t worry we are committed to participate with private house builders in building AFFORDABLE social housing for around £200,000 each
    Can anyone honestly look at the clowns and morons infesting HR or WM when they are being televised and relate to their lifestyle and believe they have your best interests at heart

    Panda Paws informed me by further comment BTL (Ironically Twathater, Michael Mathieson grew up in a scheme in Toryglen in an overcrowded council house with damp and black mould on the walls. He went to John Bosco secondary in Gorbals. That’s why his behaviour in laptopgate pissed me off so much, he should know how privileged he now is and his kids always have been)

    IMO short memory fugue is a symptom most politicians from working class backgrounds suffer from, I watched that well known purveyor and hero of the socialist working classes Paul Sweeney on tv this morning and night , he was all coiffed and dressed like a banker or high flying shares dealer and was supporting the war mongering tories in calling for young people to sign up for some form of military service

    I sincerely hope that the Scum Nonce Party are decimated at the next election and if ALBA don’t start being more radical , forthright and CHALLENGING I will spoil my vote with #EndTheUnion

    Liked by 1 person

    2. “ALBA don’t start being more radical , forthright and CHALLENGING I will spoil my vote with #EndTheUnion”

      Twathater.

      I can’t disagree with you there, Alba haven’t even voted for abstentionism at Westminster a must if were to exit this rancid union, Alba as you say needs to be more radical, the ISP party voted for abstentionism at Westminster, withdrawing our MPs from Westminster is the first step to dissolving the union.

      Liked by 2 people

  24. I’m seriously on the verge of leaving ALBA and joining ISP. I haven’t quite made my mind up, but it may be soon. If I have no one to vote for in the English election I will be writing END THE UNION across it.

    Liked by 1 person

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