First ministers briefing

[Trichford]

Is there one on today? If so what time will it be? Thanks

It’s now such a crap education system that the SNP have pulled Scotland out of all but one of the international league tables, to hide the embarrassment. We’ve fallen steadily down the rankings since the SNP took office. Sturgeon asked to be judged on education- OK madam, that’s a big fat fail. To go with the mess you’ve made of policing and the devolved NHS. But it hasn’t stopped you giving a 12% pay rise to your staff, and taking a higher salary yourself than Boris gets - for running a toy parliament for a population less than a tenth of the size that he handles.
It enrages me that Scots are so easily fooled by presentation and spin, that they let the SNP get away with wrecking our country.

SNP will never get and have never gotten, my vote.

I'm pleased that previous SNP voting family members and friends are no longer intending on doing so (they are in education or NHS).

I will never forget the intimidation and fear that came with indyref.

Fuck 'em.

They will suffer in the 2020 elections, for sure, and possibly Conservatives too, now that Ruth has gone (I really liked Ruth)

Nextslideplease - I agree with all you say, but the problem is that there is such a lack of talent in our current politicians. That shows in the fact that Nicola hardly gets challenged on the statements she makes.

And yes to Ruth. I've been left of centre since i first became interested in politics when i was 14 / 15, but if she would have moved even slightly further left, I'd have voted for her

I wont forget the time when westminster increased NHS spending in E&W and gave the corresponding extra money via barnet so Scotland could do the same, and they didn't spend it on the NHS! (I think they didn't actually spend it at all) and yet they've managed to convince folk that they are the saviour of the NHS, makes me quite sick actually. It's a big lie and a front and yes, they get away with it because there is no effective opposition and they spend all their time shouting that the media are biased. I agree the media are biased but the SNP get more than the rub of the green.

The issue is that despite the SNP's litany of failures they have a perfect media and comma strategy. Any criticism at all is met with one of these responses and it usually works:

1. Blame someone else- usually Westminster (but care home owners seem to be the choice this week)

1. Deflection- oh, but look at what the tories are doing in England

1. Attack the media Trump-style- 'biased BBC', 'Yoon media' etc

1. Abuse

1. Denial

With the help of an army of cybernats, a weak media, a PR strategy that presents the party as progressive and cuddly despite being nothing of the sort when it comes to issues they control and a phalanx of MPs and MSPs who cannot and will not challenge the dear leader under threat of expulsion, Sturgeon has managed to present an image of competence and professionalism that is totally detached from the reality.

The sad truth is that until either 1. The constitution question goes away or dies down or 2. There is some kind of unionist alliance, the SNP will remain in power and they will carry on failing our children and our elderly in particular.

It seems to me to be a cult and if you question anything you're an English loving Tory bastard who isn't fit to be a Scot.

It's funny, I don't know and have no wish to know how my family and friends vote but every single one that I do know, it's because they've made it more than obvious that they are SNP. Everyone is entitled to their own vote and to post what they want on social media, but I've deleted a few just for being fucking offensive and I have others that I don't want to delete but I keep then on mute a lot as I can't be bothered with it.

Some are more prolific than mlm posters and the vast majority of what I see is just negative shit against others rather than celebrating their own achievements....funny that...

How are these idiots still in power?

Shoppers should stare down fellow customers who are not wearing face coverings if they want to avoid a return to strict lockdown, a Scottish government minister has said.

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/coronavirus-in-scotland-stare-down-shoppers-who-don-t-wear-facemasks-says-minister-wkj8r7bls

I think the language used is also nuts. Whilst I was annoyed about people not complying with the guidance over the weekend as I do not want that to be made law, saying that people were being "disobedient" is a step too far.

But masks is another issue that her "guidance" hasn't been clear on. Initially, it was there's no evidence, but do it if it makes you feel safer. Then last week it was wear them on public transport and in confined spaces (such as small shops). Then every so often, it's when shopping. I have an acquaintance who's been fing and blinding at everyone on Facebook for 3 weeks about the number of people not wearing masks. He's wrong, but I can understand why he's getting confused.

If masks help it needs to be enforced , no one will choose to wear a mask, it’s too weird and people are not brave enough (I tried but felt rude)

if you question anything you're an English loving Tory bastard who isn't fit to be a Scot.

This is true. I have been told that I am not a "proper scot" because I object to them doing ridiculous things like spending money on writing "Poileas" on the cop cars, or spending a fortune churning out documents in their made-up language called Scots. Also not a proper Scot because I'm married to an Englishman, and won't wear anything saltire-related any more because the nats have adopted it as their symbol.

Didn’t realise this was going to be one of those threads though... thought we were discussing the virus response.

fascinated - you're right, it was. I had congratulated our government on doing a far better job than the Westminster lot, and actually leading - I just feel the last week or so, the wheels have come off their wagon a bit, and the recent comments are being made because of decisions they've made in the last couple of weeks that have been questionable

I agree that at the beginning their communication was a lot better than what we were getting from Westminster. The Gary Tank "stay in the hoose" was inspired.

But in recent weeks their tone has changed, it's now much more about diverging from Westminster and drawing attention away from the care homes fuck up. They absolutely should be hauled over the coals about it, and it's not happening.

@fascinated yes, my point is I don't feel able to raise issues publicly because many people just respond as I've said above. I have no political allegiances.

My view on virus response is that NS sounds as though they've done better than BJ as she's a better communicator, but things are in fact very much the same except without any drive to get children back to school, and with the use of stupid jargon like "blended learning" which really just means sort your child's own education.

And I'm dubious about random focus on mask wearing. Better give proper details on testing and stop the "if you're not good we will punish you" stuff. And consideration given to local restrictions being lifted where possible.

I am concerned too about the SG not being held to account as there is no effective opposition.

I'm concerned about democracy, liberty and the massive disservice this is doing to our children. This seems to be wholly unacknowledged, and dealt with by stupid couthy adverts and poems.

I have voted Labour in the past (stopped when JC was leader) and might do so again if Starmer moves the party more to the centre.

Would never vote SNP.

SNP likely to win next year, although I do think they will lose some seats and Labour will gain some.

The problem is that the Scottish elections are very soon, and thus people won't have yet seen the longer term impact on eg public sector cuts, voluntary redundancies, budget cuts, recruitment freezes and pay freezes. That will come after the election and it will be another 4 years before we can react to it.

4 years of SNP directing money towards the wrong things, like they haven't already been doing that.

longer term impact of covid 19 I meant

This is also distracting from the possible schism in the SNP with Joanna Cherry positioning for leadership. It will be interesting to see what happens there.

And I'll vote Labour this time too, i think, Keir Starmer has given me a bit of hope.

I'm really stating to think that Sarah Smith's comment about sturgeon enjoying this crisis was not far off!

She's now apparently considering making face masks compulsory along with putting a travel limit in law. All this while there has been no discussion whatsoever as to how she's going to get the economy or schools restarted and deaths are now in single figures.

Think her and her party's authoritarian instincts are starting to shine though.

Is she having a fucking laugh re: facemasks?

That will kill the (already struggling) retail trade, bars, restaurants etc

People will either refuse to wear them or shop online.

And there's the older generation who might find it hard, those who are deaf who can't lip read, those with sensory issues.

She's fucking loving this.

Disagree about face masks. Pretty much every other country requires them

There's no convincing evidence of the benefits of face masks. Hand washing and so on much more useful. I've looked into this today with lots of studies. Also people will wear dirty ones and touch them and spread more.

And yes, I'd like her to focus on schools and getting back to work, not minutiae. And to explain if testing is low because the virus is so low now or what.