MY MESSAGE TO GRAEME McCORMICK

Posted byiainlawson27Posted inUncategorizedTags:, , , , ,

UPDATE GRAEME HAS NOW RESPONDED.

MY MESSAGE TO GRAEME McCORMICK

Like many I was very disappointed to learn that Graeme had withdrawn from the race for the SNP Leadership after amassing the required number of nominations.

Obviously the SNP Leadership put a lot of pressure on him including direct talks between Graeme and John Swinney where it seems some sort of deal was agreed. Rumours abound about this deal but as I have no idea about what might have been offered so there seems no point in speculation.

I think they are both damaged goods, Graeme for not showing the commitment expected by those who raised their heads above the parapet to sign his nomination papers. John Swinney for requiring a back room deal to head off a challenge that would have resulted in ordinary members having the opportunity to push him on future policy, key issues, tactics. A Leader who sets out on his new reign by signing up to a back room deal to exclude any interaction with the ordinary members of his Party ,in favour of a unchallenged coronation arranged by his own Leadership CABAL, sets up a major credibility problem when he starts discussing what he is going to do later with his Party.

Nor do I think he is quite clear of the “deal” yet. We know both Swinney and McCormick have got what they wanted from this deal but what about the large numbers of SNP members who signed the nomination papers. What has happened to those documents?.

Well we know they had not been submitted to HQ in Edinburgh before the “deal” was struck on Sunday. That was to happen on the Monday.

I have been contacted by several people who signed Graeme’s nomination asking me to try and find out whether Graeme handed them over as part of the “deal”. To that end I sent Graeme a message yesterday asking him for some statement setting out what he did with the documents?

I regret to report that thus far no answer has been forthcoming. I am being gentle here but I find this lack of any response to be quite outrageous. These are people who responded to Graeme’s pleas for support. I have no doubt the SNP Leadership cabal would have more than a passing interest in exactly what people and from what branches were involved.

Let’s be clear these nominations were created by people who believed Graeme was intent on creating an electoral contest for the Leadership of the SNP. Now the pair of you have reached a back room deal that negates the purpose of these nominations. Those who signed these documents have every right to know the current whereabouts of those documents and receive assurances that they are not being shared or used by any unauthorised people or party.

So two questions, now being asked in a public fashion as no private answer has been provided by Graeme.

Question one to Graeme

What happened to these nomination papers, can you state you never showed these or handed these over to any SNP people and also confirm they were not a part of any deal you agreed with the SNP leader? THAT THEY HAVE BEEN DESTROYED BY YOU.

Question two to John Swinney

Can you confirm that Graeme’s nomination papers never formed any part of your discussions and give the public assurance that they are not, and have never been, in the possession of the SNP AT ANY STAGE.

JOHN SWINNEY IS ASKING FOR SCOTLAND TO TRUST HIM. HE LIKES BEING KNOWN AS “HONEST JOHN”

Here is an opportunity to get off to a good start. Answer the question. Both of you!

I am, as always

Yours for Scotland.

UPDATE

Since this was published this morning I have now received Graeme’s answer which in fairness I publish unedited below

Iain,

You should know me better than that!

I have assiduously tried to contact as many people as possible who supported my nomination to explain personally what happened. Some didn’t provide contact details but i’m trying to find these.

I gave a life outside this bubble! 

As regards the papers I have destroyed them so no one need worry that they will be exposed to any sort of backlash. To do otherwise would be a breach of trust 

My purpose in standing was clearly publicised. On that basis I sought support. If anyone had alternative reasons to support my nomination I respect their reasons but that was not why I stood. 

I was not leant on by any party persons who sought to stop my nomination. I did receive some emails from members whom I had approached to support me who responded that they couldn’t. One senior Party figure phoned me on Saturday morning to suggest I should withdraw and during that discussion it was agreed that I speak to john. John then phoned me later in the day. He then invited me to a meeting with him on Sunday afternoon. 

We spoke for over an hour. He was very generous with his time.

As the conversation developed there was a remarkable level of agreement on many thorny points. The action required was explored and I expect that action will be substantial.

John volunteered to give me a private note of his response to the issues which I highlighted in my pitch to stand for the Leadership.

Short time will tell whether the terms of that note bear fruit.

It’s remarkable the number of folk who were once in the SNP who have showered me with advice. i appreciate that advice but i do remind them that they could have been more effective if they had retained their voice and vote in the SNP.

The SNP is the only political means to dissolve the Union. Thus far it hasn’t shown any appetite to go down that road. I hope it changes quickly. Every other Party and Independence group plays a supporting role. 

I’ve tried to retain contact with all those who seek independence but I’ll not be lead by anyone as to what I should or should not do.

I’m not finished !

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70 thoughts on “MY MESSAGE TO GRAEME McCORMICK”

  1. Good points and questions Iain.

    Given that his past track record and that John Swinney is part of the Cabal I am not surprised at his actions in the sordid wheeling and dealing with both Kate Forbes and Graeme McCormick.

    However, I think it is really quite appalling that Mr McCormick has not responded to you privately or explained himself to those that supported

    Wings have stated that the deal involved an “examination” of a council tax replacement such as Mr McCormick’s oft referenced on these pages pet project Annual Ground Rent (https://twitter.com/WingsScotland/status/1787388262576783690).

    We’ll perhaps never know but to adapt the words of Thomas More:

    Ah, but Graeme it profits a man nothing to gain the whole world if he should lose his soul… but for Ground Rent, Graeme?

    Liked by 11 people

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      1. I know that but he has presented them numerous times to the SNP Leadership. They have always rejected them. I hope this will be different but I doubt it. Barrhead Boy tells me Alba passed them at their conference.

        Liked by 8 people

  2. Internal bickering has always been Scotland’s weakness

    Never forget the Darien Gap

    Swinney will do for now

    SNP is just our preferred mode of transport for now to Independence

    A J

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      1. The first sign of the SNP acting for Scottish Independence must be to widen the discussion and to include all groups, associations and political parties in an inclusive movement towards that common aim. Far from being rocket science, the SNP could not fail to realize that their party would, as it did in the not-so-distant past, gain traction and garner membership. Not doing so tells us in the clearest possible terms that they indeed have NO INTENTION of pushing for independence. This is why I pulled out of the SNP 3 years ago.
        prove me wrong, Mr Swinney and I might come back.

        Liked by 1 person

    3. I don’t consider SNP as a preferred mode of transport to Independence. They haven’t shown any desire at all to go full out for Independence. Lip service only. Can you tell me anything that they’ve actually done to bring us closer to our cause.

      Liked by 11 people

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  3. Iain,

    You should know me better than that!

    I have assiduously tried to contact as many people as possible who supported my nomination to explain personally what happened. Some didn’t provide contact details but i’m trying to find these.

    I gave a life outside this bubble!

    As regards the papers I have destroyed them so no one need worry that they will be exposed to any sort of backlash. To do otherwise would be a breach of trust

    My purpose in standing was clearly publicised. On that basis I sought support. If anyone had alternative reasons to support my nomination I respect their reasons but that was not why I stood.

    I was not leant on by any party persons who sought to stop my nomination. I did receive some emails from members whom I had approached to support me who responded that they couldn’t. One senior Party figure phoned me on Saturday morning to suggest I should withdraw and during that discussion it was agreed that I speak to john. John then phoned me later in the day. He then invited me to a meeting with him on Sunday afternoon.

    We spoke for over an hour. He was very generous with his time.

    As the conversation developed there was a remarkable level of agreement on many thorny points. The action required was explored and I expect that action will be substantial.

    John volunteered to give me a private note of his response to the issues which I highlighted in my pitch to stand for the Leadership.

    Short time will tell whether the terms of that note bear fruit.

    It’s remarkable the number of folk who were once in the SNP who have showered me with advice. i appreciate that advice but i do remind them that they could have been more effective if they had retained their voice and vote in the SNP.

    The SNP is the only political means to dissolve the Union. Thus far it hasn’t shown any appetite to go down that road. I hope it changes quickly. Every other Party and Independence group plays a supporting role.

    I’ve tried to retain contact with all those who seek independence but I’ll not be lead by anyone as to what I should or should not do.

    I’m not finished !

    Liked by 4 people

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    2. Graeme, You and the rest of the members who are still in the SNP (for now) need to remember during the last ten years we the people haven’t voted for the SNP on governance we have voted for them for Independence. That has been the SNP’s promise for the last ten years and not been forth coming, instead the party for Independence has become the noose around Scotland’s neck. You and your party arrogance to believe that people are going to keep voting for the SNP with this false promise and what’s happening behind the scene are nothing short of deluded.

      Let’s just look at what’s happened in the SNP while John Sweeney has been in a position of power, the false allegations brought again Alex Salmond, the ongoing vendetta against Mr Salmond, the police investigation into the SNP’s finances, including the arrest of Mr & Mrs Murrell and Mr Beattie, not to mention the charging of Mr Murrell, to name but a few.

      With your blinkered if not blind support of the SNP you are one of the individuals that has caused the demise of the SNP. An SNP that is losing voters, members, donations and all credibility as an independence supporting party.

      The best thing for Scotland is for the SNP to be dead and buried before Scotland becomes independent. As a lifelong independence support, I wouldn’t now vote for Independence with John Sweeney being the First Minister of the SNP running the Country, that’s how bad the SNP are in government.

      I wouldn’t be surprised if your price to step aside was to be put forward at the next Holyrood or Westminster election as a candidate.

      I’m have no education and it doesn’t take a genius to realize the SNP is in real trouble and the scale of the problem has just gotten worse with John Swinney at the helm but from what I’ve seen from the people running the SNP it’s all be about destroying Scotland’s hope of Independence and what better way to do that than destroying the SNP. The law prevents me from saying what I really think about you and the people who destroyed the party I and other loved all or live, and regarding you comment the SNP left me I don’t leave the SNP and when I did I did it in the best interest of Scotland and I still believe that today. I envy you having a good education but what a waste it’s been when you can’t see what the SNP under Sturgeon, Swinney has become the only loser is Scotland.

       

      Liked by 21 people

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    3. Christ Almighty!

      Haven’t you been paying attention over the last decade Mr McCormack, from the attempts to imprison Alex Salmond to the SNP and the LA ganging up on Martin Keatings to stop him finding out if we needed an S30 or not. To John Swinney dragging his heels on providing vital info on Holyrood inquiries, lets not forget that Swinney narrowly survived a VONC on the matter, not his first VONC I might add.

      Not to mention the missing 600k and the ongoing Police Scotland investigations of the SNP.

      What makes you think after a decade of doing nothing on Scottish independence in which countless mandates were squandered and 50+ SNP MSPs sent to Westminster, what really makes you think that John Swinney will now suddenly do the right thing, because he told you so?

      Why do you think so many good folk have left the SNP in the last decade, you had a chance to do something meaningful and you folded when Swinney whispered in your ear, however only time will tell whether I’m wrong and you are right or vice versa.

      Liked by 17 people

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    4. ‘We spoke for over an hour. He was very generous with his time’. How sweet of him Graeme, it must have been such an occasion for you to grovel before your mentor.

      While you are being so candid, why not tell us all who the ‘senior Party figure’ was who ‘suggested I should withdraw’?

      ‘but I’ll not be lead by anyone as to what I should or should not do’. FFS GIES PEACE, you McCormick have shown yourself to be a lickspittle and you fit exceedingly well in that company!!

      Liked by 6 people

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    5. ” I’m not finished ” .

      Newsflash ……You are . As is the putrid corpse of the SNP , the nauseating stink from which can be smelt all over Scotland . And beyond .

      Your credibility disappeared down the plughole when you – like so many of your ilk – raised people’s hopes that something resembling a fair , democratic process ( HA ! ) might determine who leads the ( alleged ) ” Party of Independence ” and our country at this extraordinarily critical time – rather than yet another sordid , contemptuous passing of the dunces cap coronation .

      Is the unmitigated disaster that was – the unelected – Sturgeon interregnum of failure & promotion of unhinged social engineering nightmares ; followed by the mockery of credible , adult governance under the installed Farcical Minister Yousaf not sufficient damage done ?

      Now we’ve all to endure another two years of political ennui , Green lunacy , our Aspiration subject to further dilution ; the cause of Independence packaged and dispensed like a synthetic analogue of REAL commitment , passion , intelligence – Oxycontin for the Vote Fodder – under a character whose record mumbles for itself . And what does it mumble ? ” Vote SNP for the continuity of failure ; Devolution is not so bad ; have you seen my pension deal ” – the latter soto voce amongst fellow members of the Super Grifter elite .

      Sorry , Graeme . I take no pleasure in pointing to the failures of others – who hasn’t failed in one way or another in their life ? – but yours – and all the other Party members’ – tolerance of this latest SNP aberration is inexcusable . None of you seem to realise how close to disintegration your Party is ; Oh , it might stumble on for a while yet ,* progressively * losing wheels , fuel , steering , credibility ( that’s already gone ) until it becomes a total irrelevance , fit only for the knackers yard .

      Oblivion beckons and the current SNP are hurtling , backwards to the Abyss

      Liked by 8 people

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  5. sounds a bit like the treaty of union, put like that. Hidden away in a cellar. Not good for SNP and not good for open democracy. We really need a firebrand. Are there any?

    Liked by 15 people

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  6. It is discouraging on a number of levels not least the lack of transparency surrounding the “deal.” 

    I’ve never belonged to a political party but have always tried to be analytical of their policies and judge the character of the candidates. I’ve always been centre left from when the centre was far more to the left than now. 

    As an outsider reading so much about the demise of the value of their membership, being excluded from nominating candidates, to losing the power at NEC and other levels to influence policy direction, have any meaningful input to conference debates, I hoped Graeme’s running would ignite not only a debate but the members to take back control of their party. 

    You’ve given Graeme column inches on this blog to explain how he feared democracy within the party was being eroded. 

    I could understand his agreement not to run if it came alongside an explanation which included full commitment in writing to address the democratic rights of the members to pre-cabal status, if not enhanced, to remove non-elected pressure groups from influencing party policy. 

    The most important one for me would be a clear direction on Independence, not a continuation of the cap in hand approach of the last ten years. Swinney in his coronation speech should have brought that front and centre, a desire to actually engage with all independence voters from whatever political party or none. He said the word but not the direction. 

    In 2016 we had the opportunity given by the People of Scotland to say “The Treaty of Union” will cease if you, the English wish to leave the EU. Sadly we did not have politicians who would grab the mettle. Is it too late? 

    Do we have time to build a new Independence Party from the grass roots to challenge the SNP? 

    DRoss can call the SNP focus on Independence (from where he gets this view I’m not sure) bad for Scotland’s services. 

    Swinney won’t get in the trenches and point out the Conservatives focus on corruption is bad for our services nor will he tell Labour to sit beside their colleagues in the Con party. It will be the same old, same old. We won’t get the fire and fight to infuse the independence movement, a single vote at the General Election, Independence or our resources raped.

    The losers, once again are the People of Scotland. 

    Liked by 20 people

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  7. I wouldn’t hold my breath Iain as far as “Honest John” is concerned. He really is a very very sleekit individual.

    I’m not a member of any political party, but this looks very grubby, these hole in the wall deals are what puts folk off of politics. As far as the SNP is concerned I don’t care. What I do care about is the fact that I now have no one to vote for. I really object to that.

    I hope that you do get an answer from Graeme, he has never struck me as a cowardly person. He always defended his party on here in a polite manner, but made his case. Perhaps “Honest John” and his cronies have him tied up so he would not disclose what happened. Like you though, the people who signed his nomination forms have the right to know what happened to them, He should at least tell people that.

    Liked by 11 people

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    1. What difference have our votes ever made in a General Election, Carol? Even when we have sent a huge majority of SNP MPs to Westminster they have just sat back on the green benches and done absolutely nothing to set Scotland free. There will still be a choice in some constituencies where the ISP, Alba or an independent indy candidate is standing. If there is no independence candidate to vote for then “Not my parliament” or “End the Union” will be my choice. If you put a gun to my head I would not vote for the SNP. The sooner it is dead and buried the better.

      Liked by 11 people

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  10. Disgraceful Iain. More than Disgraceful. Bent even. Cadaver swiney. Not misspelled. Despairing. GM is either a coward, selfish or both. He’s joined the unionist brigade 🥴🤢

    Liked by 8 people

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  11. Swine-y was part of the NEC corrupt cabal that destroyed the integrity of the Scottish justice system, tried to falsely imprison an innocent man & deliberately destroyed the independence movement by promising but doing sod all to further the aim. No wonder he did not want his appointment to be put to a vote. It also shows the corrupt cabal is still alive & kicking .

    The independence movement would do better if the SNP no longer existed. It is currently pulling votes away from other independence parties & independent candidates that genuinely have Independence as their goal. This is not a reflection on the grass roots SNP members – purely on the all powerful cabal at the top.

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  12. “I regret to report that thus far no answer has been forthcoming.“

    I gave Graeme the benefit of the doubt when he came here canvassing for nominations, though in the past with his comments I’ve found him a blind SNP loyalist. Party before country.

    I would have been one of those who would have nominated him had I been a member and now would have the Sword of Damocles hanging over me. At the very least he should be answering this question and reassuring (or otherwise) his nominees.

    If he doesn’t, that is a black mark against his character and if it were my blog, I’d not welcome him back, though that’s Iain’s choice. I’m angry; angry for those who were in effect duped and maybe face bullying from the cabal running the nuSNP, and angry for wishing him well and having it thrown in my face days later. Fool me once shame on you and you know the rest!

    Politics is indeed a very dirty business…

    Liked by 11 people

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      1. I’m pleased to hear that the nominations were not handed over and I hope names were not revealed verbally.

        “John volunteered to give me a private note of his response to the issues which I highlighted in my pitch to stand for the Leadership.”

        Peace in our time!

        “I’ll not be lead by anyone as to what I should or should not do.”

        That’s fine Graeme but I’d not expect too many people to aid you out next time you ask for help then change your mind days later. If you shook hands with Honest John I’d check you still have 4 fingers and a thumb.

        Liked by 18 people

  13. If this is the way JS is going to work going forward with back door deals, I have no hope that the SNP are not seriously intent on Scottish Independence, a hall mark of Sturgeon’s non Indy intentions.

    The clique in the SNP, is still there, and some obviously have secret Unionist leanings, they will not assist Scotland in it’s path to Indy. What we really need it a single Independence entity.

    One that all true Scots can realy on for the truth, and subsequent needed actions, to regain all of our sovereign rights. ( Scots are indeed Sovereign )All indy groups and parties need to get together and form the party that is 100% for regaing our rights and all of or resources, all the Indy groups are fragmented at the moment, Westminster will be clapping it’s hands.

    We need all Indy people and entities to gather as one new and powerful entity, hat have the will and deterimation, to see to it, we win back all that has been taken from us.

    I see Scotland as it being cornered, by those of the continous variety in tune with Westminster.

    We need all serious Indy people to band together as one, one clear entity, a new party that, via being true patriots will win the day. Or we can just wither more and more while the traitors clap their hands.

    We need, urgently to get of our knees and together to, save our country. A country our grandkids can be proud of.

    Liked by 15 people

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    1. I think we need a lot more independent MSPs. It would be far more difficult for Westminster to influence such a group. A party is easy to infiltrate as we’ve seen with the SNP.

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  14. Well said Iain, we are all disappointed that McCormack backed out after speaking with Swinney and there lies the crux of the matter I’ve no doubt Swinney said to McCormack say nothing or the deals off. Maybe McCormack wants to tell all but if he does Swinney will renege on any deal, I’m being generous to Swinney god only knows why, is it hope or desperation I don’t know.

    I’m not confident though that anything meaningful on the indyfront will come out of the deal.

    Liked by 9 people

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    1. My red lines for voting for a candidate in the next election are to save Grangemouth, stop the imposition of Free Ports, stop interfering with the Scottish kegal system and anglicising it againt the terms of the Treaty of Union (We are used to Westminster doing that but its a whole different story when a Scottish Government has the temerity to do that, traitors to thsie country! ), abolish the GRa and hate crime legislation and demand Scotland has control over the energy created in scotland and comtrol of our own media. Finally, they must challenge London on their use of scottish Land and resources for the benfit of england, rather than the peop[e of our country, The government there should be reminded of the Right of the Scottish Crown, which is still extant despite the fact that we have no legitimate king of Scots, based on the excellent research by Salvo

      I may well have missed other policies but offer the above as things any future Scottish Government must do in order to be seen as ‘strong for Scotland’!

      Liked by 9 people

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  15. ‘The two thoughts of the Day’ should encompass the following themes: Is there anything harmonious about politics? And if there is, why do politicians continue their overt self-interest betrayal of their ‘People’?

    I do know the answers and resolutions to these two inter-connected themes, and they are; it is time for change and the mechanism is through a ‘People’s Congress’ managed by Liberation Scotland.

    Enough is enough:

    Neil🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

    Liked by 18 people

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  16. I was never impressed by Graeme McCormick whenever he commented on this site. He seemed to be far too loyal and forgiving of the leadership of the SNP. Now the question for me is, was he set up by the leadership? Or was he a part of the set up from the beginning?

    I wouldn’t be surprised if John Swinney now has in his possession all the names of those who backed McCormick. If so, their card will be well and truly marked.

    I think these people will have no choice now but to leave the party.

    it shows you how far the leaders of the SNP have fallen in my opinion that I fear for these people.

    Liked by 5 people

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    2. I wrote my comment above before you had published Graeme McCormacks response Iain. I’ll take his word for it that he hasn’t passed on any names to SNP HQ. I feel relieved on behalf of the people who supported him in this. Though I doubt if he will receive the same kind of response in any future venture. His credibility is damaged now.

      Liked by 12 people

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  17. Hi Iain, with all due respect, this post looks as if you are losing the plot over this. Obviously HQ would have needed to have the forms to verify Graeme’s nominations! Several people I know signed the nomination, simply on the basis they wanted to see an electoral process, nothing else. Please dont drag them into a speculative stooshie.  

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. That was precisely my point, they signed for a specific purpose, not for a deal. My article this morning has elicited a response which many will be pleased about. Far from losing it I am ensuring those people are not victimised.

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      1. I feel like you do when you ‘lose’ a free spin of the wheel. I applaud Graeme for his tenacity and for keeping his head above the parapet, now in the face of friendly fire too.

        Liked by 1 person

    2. SNP HQ would not see any names until the nominations were submitted. Since it was NOT submitted (McCormick was told not to by some important’ figure in the party)’so the papers SHOULD be destroyed.

      Liked by 7 people

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  18. I will await his response to you before I e mail him ….it will also give me time to calm down because I am FURIOUS. It’s not good to feel conned!

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  19. Stockholm syndrome, psychological response wherein a captive begins to identify closely with his or her captors, as well as with their agenda and demands.

    The name of the syndrome is derived from a botched bank robbery in Stockholm, Sweden. In August 1973 four employees of Sveriges Kreditbank were held hostage in the bank’s vault for six days. During the standoff, a seemingly incongruous bond developed between captive and captor. One hostage, during a telephone call with Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme, stated that she fully trusted her captors…….

    A cult is a group which is typically led by a charismatic and self-appointed leader, who tightly controls its members, requiring unwavering devotion to a set of beliefs and practices which are considered deviant (outside the norms of society)

    “Rare among political scientists, Schlozman has looked at how social movements have shaped the agendas and ideologies of America’s major parties, drawing examples from both the left and right. Although written as an academic volume, When Movements Anchor Parties has drawn unusually wide interest in activist circles, particularly in groups such as Justice Democrats, which are attempting to elevate progressives—and thereby change the face of the Democratic Party.”

    Control the Party…..Control the State.

    ”How many fingers do you see Winston……..?”

    Graeme now knows the correct answer……He sees exactly what the Party expects him to see.

    Liked by 11 people

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  20. Indeed PP

    I think this was a stitch up from the start to give the impression to the gullible that democracy was alive and well in the SNP.

    You can take the you know what out of the Scots 24 7 365 and of course the small matter of the last 300 odd years.

    Liked by 7 people

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      1. McCormick is totally deluded. He thinks SNP can politically obtain FREEDOM for us. Any observer knows that will never be allowed by our Colonisers.
        IF Swinney is serious about ending the Union and setting us free he need only remove out MPs from the cesspit and the Union is terminated. He better get a move on before we have No MPs to remove!!!!

        Liked by 15 people

  21. Off topic:

    In the online Independent today.

    Yousaf thanks King for ‘counsel and kindness’ in resignation letter as FM

    Proof to me that our Scottish leaders are indeed a colonial administration.

    Liked by 18 people

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  22. Not being anything other than serious – but make of this what you will – I hope phones were switched on to record the conversation.

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  23. cool heads guys – judge on what gets done next – the Greens and Sturgeon have created a swamp it is all but impossible to navigate – best not to speculate but to watch closely and above all guard against the old staple of divide and rule …

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      1. Fair point but I would say we are faced with the difficult task of being gas lighted by those who use YES for their own agenda – like Sturgeon – and those who seek to destroy any organised YES party – like the infiltrators of the SNP. Direct answers to fair questions is th =e path forward I feel.

        Liked by 6 people

  25. The SNP have lied so often that what was a lie has become the gospel truth as far as they are concerned. I remember when we were told, all Scotland’s problem can be solved by Independence, to now being told we need to protect devolution, as soon as i heard this I knew the direction Sturgeon was taking Scotland.

    I heard the other day Swinney saying, we need to work with our parties in the parliament when they won’t work with the people who put them there.

    What going to happen is the SNP will go into the Westminster election on the Indyref2 ticket and no one will know how its going to be achieved and after the election Swinney will request a Section 30 order and everything will continue as normal in the SNP until Holyrood election, Deja Vu.

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  26. Thank you, Iain, for holding Graeme accountable. Deals in back rooms are hideous in this day and age. We need and expect transparency. In response to his answer, I will never vote SNP again. I wasn’t planning to before, but most definite about it now. All serious independence groups need to come together nonetheless.

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  27. Oh yes – you are finished! 

    You have betrayed the people who supported your nomination. You can never hold your head up amongst the few remaining decent people left in that stinking cesspit of a party.

    You have bowed down to the cabal.

    ‘You were not leant on’? But when a ‘senior member’ told you to withdraw and speak to ‘dishonest’ John, you obeyed.

     How is it that anyone is seen as so important that they can dictate to others what they must do. This smacks of Sturgeon’s hands all over it.

    You then go on to insult those with the sense to leave the SNP that they should have stayed to make their voices heard. Don’t make me laugh. It’s mainly because NO-ONE except the chosen ones are ever allowed a voice, that thousands have left.

    You say the SNP is ‘the only political means to dissolve the union’.  That is arrant nonsense.  The SNP has done NOTHING to further independence in the last decade.

    You go on to say that ‘every other independence party and group plays a supporting role’ – why the hell should they?

    The SNP has refused to work or cooperate with any of the other parties, as was shown just a short time ago, so why should any of them give the SNP the time of day.

    We have just had ‘Bonfest’, an AC/DC festival in my neck of the woods and the song that played loudest was definitely ‘Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap’ – very apt for the goings on this weekend.

    No doubt you will  receive your ‘thirty pieces of silver’ from your masters – make the most of it. You are complicit in the lies, obfuscation and  ‘dirty deeds’  but make no mistake…people remember and you ARE finished.

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    1. @smeorach You wrote “This smacks of Sturgeon’s hands all over it.” I agree and so does Robin McAlpine who wrote this in his blog..A series of escalating interventions to try to bring the greens round failed (RIGHT UP, I’M TOLDTO NICOLA STURGEON PHONING PATRICK HARVIE PERSONALLY) Now why would the back bencher Sturgeon be involved in calling Harvie Personally if she truly resigned? Something I have never believed to be true by the way, she is still pulling the strings and they are all puppets dancing to her tune. As for Greame, I felt at the time that this was another SNP plot, & I stand by that, McCormick was in my opinion the stooge who was to pretend to be standing against Sleekit Swiney (NO typo) this was to put off any other contenders and to run down the clock, all of course which worked.. So NOT as cack handed as some might think..

      But because we are all more or less used to lies and broken promises from the SLEEKIT Sturgeon/Swiney combo during the other cack handed Stitch up against Alex. Some of us are seeing things a lot clearer now.. And I would have liked if all those who gave Greame a signature all sent in their resignations to the SNP with the message we won’t be fooled anymore..

      I just hope this finishes that party off now, AS Robin McAlpine also said the SNP is actually irrelevant to Independence now.

      Someone said do we have time to rebuild a new INDY party? Well overnight we removed all but 3 UNIONIST MPs from Scotland in 2015, all it required was an X in a box.. ISP, ALBA, SSP, & all Independents 4 Independence should be doing putting heads together now to ensure they all have a chance at a seat, none of this standing against one another.. If UNIONIST can come together to fight our referendum as better together surely all Indy parties can come together for INDEPENDECE.

      All it takes would be 29 TRUE Independence people either Independents or from the other smaller Indy parties to have a majority of Independence minded MPs to actually USE that majority as should have been done in 2015 to end the union..

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  29. I, like, many others would have liked a contest for SNP Leadership, but with someone who is in Parliament!

    I don’t see how a person who is not, either an MSP or MP can have the backing of the wider Independence movement (as SNP boss that is) or those still undecided, of which there is still way too many.. But then as many of them are reading anti Sottish propaganda in pro London newspapers, looks like they are going to stay undecided for a good while longer,, sad to say. Especially as SNP isn’t confronting such malicious stuff, much these days.

    While it the case that ALBA has a Leader who is not in Parliament, his group are not in Government, SNP are, and that makes a huge difference here.

    However,, even if Graeme McCormack did stand for the post what would he have hoped to achieve?

    There would have been next to no chance for him to win. And supposing he did win, how credible would that have made SNP look, and how credible to many other would Graeme McCormack have been? What could he have realistically done to change anything for SNP without being in Parliament?

    The only thing I can think might have come out of such a move by him to stand, is maybe one of the MPs or some some other MSP then threw their hat in, to make it a proper contest. For otherwise I didn’t see any real point in it.

    Although I do get the mistrust of those who supported his initial nomination, and their feeling of being let down.

    I’m not pleased with how things have gone, but as they say, we are where we are!

    But we shouldn’t be where we are, to begin with.

    We should have ended the Union ages ago, and certainly after the English Brexit vote. The Scottish MPs should have walked out Westminster, then, and stayed out out. They should still be walking out the place even now. The Union would be over soon enough, if they did.

    It remains to be seen how it goes from here, but if First Minister Swinney hopes to get the Independence movement to support him and SNP, then promising to continue with the present approach, as he has just done today, is not the way at all.

    He has a chance to change, and change he must, both for SNP, and for Scotland.

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    1. There seems a lot of confusion over this. Graeme was seeking nominations to be the Party Leader, not the First Minister. There have been long periods in the SNP past when the leader was not a member of Parliament.

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    2. Well there has been NO change other than adding Kate Forbes as Deputy dawg( I mean FM..) As wings stated, “We’re not sure why John Swinney made a big show of dragging all his ministers away from their desks to Bute House today in order to tell them nothing had changed. All he’s done is give Kate Forbes the smallest possible sliver of Shona Robison’s job and everything else has stayed the same.

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  30. As a new comer to theSNP  and a committed  nationalist. ( ex young unionist) I find this internecine fighting repulsive and petty . You forget the one and only aim is independence and th

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    1. With respect you have no knowledge or experience of what the SNP was like before. Democratic, member led, United. Today it is blatantly undemocratic having stripped all members of any say in their own Party and riven by division because of hopelessly divisive policy direction dominated by unpopular, some may say mad minority issues. Give it a bit of time my friend and you will understand the problem.

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    2. “As a new comer to theSNP  and a committed  nationalist”

      This seems a paradoxical statement given the considerable ideological distance between the SNP and nationalism. By its actions the SNP elite is committed only to colonialism.

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  31. Hi Iain,

    I am almost reeling at the amount of information you have given us over the past two weeks or more, including posts from other contributors. The pressing issues of Free ports and Grangemouth have been well aired and historic contributions from some time ago republished, I found the article by Cath Ferguson very revealing, weritten 14 months ago and setting out the dangers Scotland faced at that time with a proposed UK wide Referendum on settling the divisive question of Scotland’s Constitutional place,

    While that did not happen the dangers we face are still serious with our continuation as a sovereign state at risk. With a new FM, these have not reduced and we are seeing more and more clearly that it is up to us, the people to challenge London rule as outr elected politians are not going to do that. However, as Salvo and Liberation have shown through there researches, it is the people in Scotland who are Sovereign , not the government who has failed us by allowing our assets to be taken over by foreign companies and not used for our benefit. In the forthcoming GE and Holyrood (whenever that happens) Elections, i urge people not to vote SNP or any other Establishment parties, but for candidates who state that they will stand up for Scotland and the rights of the people.

    We have at least three Independents for Independence candidates, plus Colette Walkrer of ISP. If there is not one of them standing in your Constituency, you can repurpose your vote by wriitng ‘#End the Union’ on the ballot paper, which will be recorded! It shows we are not consenting to the current state we are in.

    As a comment above stated ‘We are where we are, though this is not where we want to be’, we must demonstrate our dissatisfaction in whatever ways are available to us. We have had enough of London rule and thir undermining of our democracy.

    Lastly, I hope you are able to enjoy a break, iain, and show your friends as much of our country as possible, You certainly have earned a rest from politics for a bit, though you will be missed by your many followers.

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  32. So Swinney’s first act was to remove the Minister for Independence, not very inspiring wouldn’t you say Mr McCormack.

    Or what that part of his cunning plan for achieving independence?

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  33. I totally agree Alf, there seems to be very little movement for Indy from the SNP, since Salmond left. Sturgeon, had many opportunities and many mandates that she ignored. I left the SNP, as I saw the writing on the wall. She did not, as far as I can guess, never intended. Remember she wrote to the king saying ” Nicola Sturgen, your obediant servent” Oh my god….

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