Nicola Sturgeon has done a number on the English left.

[derxa]

A white wash report. Misuse of public money. Shower of incompetents in SNP government. Rotten education. Using covid as a political tool.
I could weep for my country.
Yet people like James O'Brien continue to arse lick Nicola

@Pumperthepumper

I live in SW England, which is basically the forgotten realm. You hear a lot about the North (pleading poverty, usually) and the South East (because of London), and sometimes the midlands. But the part I live in is basically the land Westminster forgot - I think it would be fair to say we have been even more shafted by Westminster than Scotland has. We have all the downsides of paying for prescriptions and university fees, with only a bunch of useless MPs to represent us. In fact we are so disregarded here I remember we were missed off the screen entirely during one of the covid news updates. We have the lowest incomes in the country and one of the highest average house prices, which I bet is a surprise to you because you probably assumed it was the North (like everyone does).

Oh you should definitely look into English independence then. You’re lucky too in that nobody will call you embarrassing for wanting change.

I didn’t call anyone embarrassing for wanting change. I called some of the SNP’s actions embarrassing. Please don’t twist what I say.

[quote Williamthebruce]I think there’s every chance that an independent Scotland would sink, and England would be forced to bail it out or protect it in one way or another, particularly as the SNP seem determined to keep our currency (odd decision if they’re so adamant Scotland would be financially strong as an independent country).

Well firstly it's not your (as in England's) currency. It's the United Kingdoms, you know that supposedly "equal" Union of 4 nations?

Secondly here's just some of the resources scotland has and why England are so desperate to keep us firmly under their boot.

96% of UK's oil reserves
63% of UK's natural gas reserves
35% of UK's arable land
40% of UK's forests
60% of UK's timber production
25% of EUROPE'S offshore energy capactity
95% of UK's freshwater reserves
33% of UK's landmass
70% of UK's fishing catch
60% of UK(which are about 4 times as valuable as anywhere else).

[quote Williamthebruce]I think there’s every chance that an independent Scotland would sink, and England would be forced to bail it out or protect it in one way or another, particularly as the SNP seem determined to keep our currency (odd decision if they’re so adamant Scotland would be financially strong as an independent country).

Well firstly it's not your (as in England's) currency. It's the United Kingdoms, you know that supposedly "equal" Union of 4 nations?

Secondly here's just some of the resources scotland has and why England are so desperate to keep us firmly under their boot.

96% of UK's oil reserves
63% of UK's natural gas reserves
35% of UK's arable land
40% of UK's forests
60% of UK's timber production
25% of EUROPE'S offshore energy capactity
95% of UK's freshwater reserves
33% of UK's landmass
70% of UK's fishing catch
60% of UK(which are about 4 times as valuable as anywhere else).

I didn’t call anyone embarrassing for wanting change. I called some of the SNP’s actions embarrassing. Please don’t twist what I say.

Sure. And the party political broadcasts, and the ingratitude of Scotland (teen) against the long suffering England (parent).

I've read comments on threads on here calling SNP supporters moronic, stupid, and part of a cult, sometimes made by the same people who claim to have been called names during the last referendum. It does make me wonder if maybe their intemperate language provoked a response last time. A little respect goes a long way, on both sides.

@Downton57

I've read comments on threads on here calling SNP supporters moronic, stupid, and part of a cult, sometimes made by the same people who claim to have been called names during the last referendum. It does make me wonder if maybe their intemperate language provoked a response last time. A little respect goes a long way, on both sides.

I would never get respect from an snp supporter, so I will never give respect to them. The extreme ones are just insane.

Who exactly is embarrassed?

The problem is that SNP supporters don’t seem to be able to give any good reasons why independence would be practically good for Scotland, beyond ‘INDEPENDENCE!!’

When you ask, or try to engage in discussion, they mud sling and throw stuff back about the Tories (even if you didn’t vote for them and disapprove of them just as much!)

@Wondermule

The problem is that SNP supporters don’t seem to be able to give any good reasons why independence would be practically good for Scotland, beyond ‘INDEPENDENCE!!’

When you ask, or try to engage in discussion, they mud sling and throw stuff back about the Tories (even if you didn’t vote for them and disapprove of them just as much!)

It’s for the same reasons you’re sick of it - being ignored. Votes counting for nothing.

@Wondermule

The problem is that SNP supporters don’t seem to be able to give any good reasons why independence would be practically good for Scotland, beyond ‘INDEPENDENCE!!’

When you ask, or try to engage in discussion, they mud sling and throw stuff back about the Tories (even if you didn’t vote for them and disapprove of them just as much!)

Can you give the people of Scotland a good reason to remain in the union?

How has she done a number on the English left? The only ways in which this would make sense would be if we all either (1) ardently supported Scottish independence (not true; some do; some don't) or (2) were allowing her to split the vote in English constituencies (no; the SNP does put up candidates south of the border!)

@YNK

The current system provides each Scottish person with a higher rate of government spend than in England (Barnett formula)
This enables free prescriptions and free university fees.
Scotland had the protection of the UK military - would otherwise have to form its own (incredibly expensive)
Scotland has no border with England so can trade with us freely under the same terms
Scotland controls all of its own internal affairs while maintaining the benefits mentioned above
Scotland
Scotland can rely on Westminster for bailouts when the SNP messes up again. What would’ve happened if there was nobody to bail you out?
Scottish students can attend the top English universities and not pay a dime for them
Equally Scottish people can pop over the border to work in England and take advantage of London (as many do)

And those are just a few I’ve jotted down off the top of my head

So perhaps @ClarkeGriffin you could consider supporting independence and then vote in a leader you believe to be competent?

[quote Wondermule]@YNK

The current system provides each Scottish person with a higher rate of government spend than in England (Barnett formula)
This enables free prescriptions and free university fees.
Scotland had the protection of the UK military - would otherwise have to form its own (incredibly expensive)
Scotland has no border with England so can trade with us freely under the same terms
Scotland controls all of its own internal affairs while maintaining the benefits mentioned above
Scotland
Scotland can rely on Westminster for bailouts when the SNP messes up again. What would’ve happened if there was nobody to bail you out?
Scottish students can attend the top English universities and not pay a dime for them
Equally Scottish people can pop over the border to work in England and take advantage of London (as many do)

And those are just a few I’ve jotted down off the top of my head[/quote]
So why would Scottish independence be a problem for anyone outside of Scotland?

@YNK it is remarkable how keen the Westminster government is to hold on to Scotland when we're nothing but parasites.

@YNK did I say it would be?

@ssd My friends have changed their profile pics to #i stand with Nicola

And add videos of Scottish ministers saying it's all cooked up by the opposition to discredit NS

And this joke. NS does have plenty of fans still

It’s for the same reasons you’re sick of it - being ignored. Votes counting for nothing.

That's literally your only reason though. Wales and Northern Ireland have the same problem, don't hear them harping on as much as the Scottish though.

Are you going to be happy being separate if taxes rise? Which they may have to, I mean they already have despite her promise of no rises. And they will rise again soon.

Going to be happy if you have to pay for prescriptions? University fees? You may not get these things for free anymore with Scotland independent.

Do you have any proof that we will be better off independent? I can't see any. Sturgeon struggles to run the country right now and its not even independent. She's screwed education, health, she's lied about many things, tax being just one of them, and I can't think of one thing she's got right. I can't even include covid because suicide rates went up due to her cutting help for people.

What she has done to Labour has been to change it from a British political party into an English & Welsh one and if what I hear from my Welsh mates, Wales is looking a bit shaky for them. Only Tony Blair was ever to get Labour into power on English votes alone. The SNP's most lasting legacy might be to have killed the Labour Party.

It’s not Sturgeon’s job to give a shit about the English left. I’m only impressed that Boris couldn’t manage to manipulate the report into something more damning. He’s got form for bullying, lying and strong arming.

@ClarkeGriffin

It’s for the same reasons you’re sick of it - being ignored. Votes counting for nothing.

That's literally your only reason though. Wales and Northern Ireland have the same problem, don't hear them harping on as much as the Scottish though.

Are you going to be happy being separate if taxes rise? Which they may have to, I mean they already have despite her promise of no rises. And they will rise again soon.

Going to be happy if you have to pay for prescriptions? University fees? You may not get these things for free anymore with Scotland independent.

Do you have any proof that we will be better off independent? I can't see any. Sturgeon struggles to run the country right now and its not even independent. She's screwed education, health, she's lied about many things, tax being just one of them, and I can't think of one thing she's got right. I can't even include covid because suicide rates went up due to her cutting help for people.

Urgh. Tiresome.

I’m anti-independence and not an SNP voter. Read the thread.

And I’m actually laughing at the idea there isn’t independence sentiment in Wales and NI.

Though it's a bit of a relief not everyone loves NS. Nice to have some balance. I thought folks would be lynched in Scotland if the dissented from to nicola love fest

I think the Labour party have only themselves to blame for their woes, both here and in England.

@Downton57

I think the Labour party have only themselves to blame for their woes, both here and in England.

Me too.

@SarahBellam

It’s not Sturgeon’s job to give a shit about the English left. I’m only impressed that Boris couldn’t manage to manipulate the report into something more damning. He’s got form for bullying, lying and strong arming.

Huh? I don’t like BJ for all the reasons a lot of people don’t, but randomly referencing BJ just looks like you’re deflecting.