Does it matter if Sturgeon is guilty - do you know or care?

[sessell]

Evidence of a conspiracy to frame Alex Salmond has been building. There are compelling reports in the Times, Herald , Sky News and across the internet. But there is less reporting in Scotland and a lot of people seem to not know or care. I'm Scottish but I don't live there. I've been hooked by this as a story of power and corruption. I'm on the fence re independence, just don't know enough so don't have an axe in that debate. I've never been an SNP member. But I do care about justice and that no-one should be above the law, especially politicians when they are seeking to imprison their potential rivals.

After reading this affadavit from Craig Murray which brings it all together and is incendiary I'm pretty convinced there has been a conspiracy and that Sturgeon and her collaborators should face justice. Although the justice department (Crown office) also seem to be mired in this. Here is the affadavit www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2021/01/my-sworn-evidence-on-the-sturgeon-affair/

I've shown this to a few people and have been shocked that a couple have said, yes it stinks but I like Sturgeon. I'd be interested in the views of Scotsnet. How much do you know about this? Do you care? Is it OK for our politicians to imprison their rivals, like Putin and co do, if you like their other objectives. Has Scotland become a corrupt nation? Is that OK?

from the above post, can see clearly the motivations here. indeed, been clear from the start and all the way through this thread. maybe a more pertinent question than the OP's would be 'do you care if Sturgeon is not guilty. Clearly, no. '

I think there's a lot more to this situation than is in the public domain. Cos if you know, you know.

Indeed.

Candidates for Edinburgh Central according to wiki...

Well I have a clear motivation to live in a county where the ruling party has checks and balances, doesn't manipulate the judiciary, doesn't constrain parliamentary scrutiny misusing victim protection laws or by ad hominem attacks alleging conspiracy theories and doesn't have a legion of fans who support it as a faith rather than a political party prone to the usual hazards.

@anon444877
How do you propose to ensure this happens? You could live elsewhere as millions of Scots do. Or, for those who want what you state (and I utterly agree with you), how do you ensure there is change and the electorate is more discerning? We have serial liar Johnson and he’s chosen by a few Conservative party members and foisted on us. It’s all an ongoing car crash.

I liked the following from the Times column by Quentin Letts today. “Holyrood is politics on the provincial rep circuit. It’s a long way from the West End”.

How to make the electorate more discerning - both with regard to Johnson and the SNP. Good question percy - I wish I knew.

Someone in the crown office who couldn't be lent on, a head of the civil service not completely politicised, that would be a start, we can only dream.

We can see here what happens when you don't understand what a bad constitutional setup looks like.

If Scotland goes independent will all those millions of Scottish people have to apply for a work permit/visa if working in England for example and to apply for that work permit/visa will they have to posses a Scottish passport?
On another theme how will the Scottish currency be underwritten. At the moment it is underwritten by the Bank of England which I assume it won't be after Independence and it cannot be underwritten by the ECB because Scotland are not members of the EU.
On the basis that the SG cannot get a HR policy correct One has to wonder how flawed these policies will be.
Perhaps Trump will underwrite the money :)

It's far from a given that the SNP would win Edinburgh Central (the anti-SNP vote has a clear vote signal as it's Ruth's seat and she has shored up the vote since coming back) whoever the candidate.

Also everything to play for in the Lothian Region more generally. SNP already marginally over-represented due to split of constituency/list vote so if Angus doesn't win in his own right he likely wouldn't get a List place. Otoh 2 Greens, one of whom is now disavowed Andy Wightman allocated via the List. There may well be a move in the vote away from the Greens as they are now so close to the SNP as to make no difference.

Half wonder if Angus is under orders to prove himself if he wants to take over. The hatchet job on Joanna may actually be a backhanded favour. Quite possible Sturgeon and her supporters within Holyrood were looking to kill 2 birds and have either no successor or someone else entirely different from Angus in mind.

It's all very Machiavelli but since I've run out of Marple and Midsummer it's good of them to keep me entertained.

Oh I wasn't saying it was a sure thing, just that it's probably more up for grabs than some other previously tory seats might have been IYSWIM.

Wightman was muttering about running in the Highlands as an indy list candidate. The Highlands are getting the full woke invasion!

@anon444877

How to make the electorate more discerning - both with regard to Johnson and the SNP. Good question percy - I wish I knew.

Someone in the crown office who couldn't be lent on, a head of the civil service not completely politicised, that would be a start, we can only dream.

We can see here what happens when you don't understand what a bad constitutional setup looks like.

A proper single document modern Constitution would describe what constituted such unacceptable acts in public office, the procedures that apply and the penalties attributable.

Misconduct in public office is a common law offence. It is interesting that the Scottish Government interest in new and novel things to legislate hasn't tackled this surprisingly common problem in Scotland - it would certainly have been an obvious thing to do after the Edinburgh statutory notice fraud saw a very few council officials jailed for fraud.

@noego

If Scotland goes independent will all those millions of Scottish people have to apply for a work permit/visa if working in England for example and to apply for that work permit/visa will they have to posses a Scottish passport? On another theme how will the Scottish currency be underwritten. At the moment it is underwritten by the Bank of England which I assume it won't be after Independence and it cannot be underwritten by the ECB because Scotland are not members of the EU. On the basis that the SG cannot get a HR policy correct One has to wonder how flawed these policies will be. Perhaps Trump will underwrite the money :)

Now now, don't be asking questions about currency. There are many plans, mostly concocted by those with a 1st year undergrad comprehension of economics.

@GreenlandTheMovie it could also be potentially applied to things like refusing to release information despite two parliamentary votes on the topic?

I think Cherry was pushed out to make way for Robertson rather than Robertson being used to get rid of JC. Different motives, same outcome

It's the same motive. The motive is to ensure that Robertson and not Cherry is the next leader. Technically, the SNP leader does not have to be an MSP. But politically he or she does.

Now now, don't be asking questions about currency. There are many plans, mostly concocted by those with a 1st year undergrad comprehension of economics.

I think you're being a bit optimistic there!

Reminds me of when an SNP candidate came knocking on my door to see if he could rely on my vote. I asked him if he minded answering a couple of simple questions. He looked uncomfortable. I merely asked him to describe the strengths and weaknesses of the legislative process in Scotland as compared to England. He looked horrified, his minder/companion swiftly intervened and they rushed off without saying another word!

[quote StatisticallyChallenged]@GreenlandTheMovie it could also be potentially applied to things like refusing to release information despite two parliamentary votes on the topic?[/quote]
The whole scenario would be addressed in any half decent modern Constitution.

I don't understand why some of these people were not charged with misconduct in public office/malfeasance:

www.reekieleaks.org.uk/announcement/edinburgh-evening-news-council-duo-brought-down-by-greed/

I got an snp runner person at my door. They do all the tenements here

I asked him his views on can a person change sex

He kinda warbled for a bit then left saying he didn’t understand what I was saying

Yeah Greenland

My government suck. Not competent for their jobs yet pulling in the big salaries

@GreenlandTheMovie

Now now, don't be asking questions about currency. There are many plans, mostly concocted by those with a 1st year undergrad comprehension of economics.

I think you're being a bit optimistic there!

Reminds me of when an SNP candidate came knocking on my door to see if he could rely on my vote. I asked him if he minded answering a couple of simple questions. He looked uncomfortable. I merely asked him to describe the strengths and weaknesses of the legislative process in Scotland as compared to England. He looked horrified, his minder/companion swiftly intervened and they rushed off without saying another word!

Brilliant. Run away 🏃‍♀️ informed voter!

Agree stats. As I say I'm very bored of the telly atm and since I'm in the West I hadn't really looked at Lothian. Was surprised it is as open as it is. Definitely not the done deal narrative MSM have been pushing. In fact struggling to see why they even think SNP majority would be a slam dunk Salmond aside.

Prof Curtice latest blog doing quite a lot of back pedalling. He reckons latest polling (done before this week) already showing bit of a loss of enthusiasm.

whatscotlandthinks.org/2021/02/has-the-constitutional-wind-changed-direction/

"Wightman was muttering about running in the Highlands as an indy list candidate."
He's just confirmed on twitter he's standing in H&I region.

Tweet link

I’ve repeatedly asked about the currency recently.

I’ve been repeatedly told that Scotland has an Investment Bank now. I’ve pointed out that that’s not a central bank but been told one will “just be set up”

Ditto a tax office/DVLA, etc. Pensions “will be fine”

Second chamber? 🤷🏻‍♀️

How much will all this cost? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Holidays from English airports? Airlines will fly to an independent Scotland because of good terms at the airports, or you can fly from European airports 🤷🏻‍♀️

And all this, and more,to be sorted out by the bunch who’ve created this whole corrupt mess.

It doesn’t inspire confidence.

Think the practicalities are starting to look like a mere academic distraction.

Sunday Mail front page has a full page splash carrying a poll backing up what Prof Curtice was theorising. Indy support back at 50% or below (don't knows tend to break No on the day). The same pollster had 58% Yes iirc as recently as January. This polling was done up to Thursday, so even before Salmond had a whole Friday afternoon / early evening to put his side.

Does speak volumes about the level of ineptitude politically that anyone would choose to obstruct all week in order to give their detractor a whole week of publicity for 6 hours of uninterrupted Prime Time
viewing followed by a whole weekend of post match analysis.

Even aside from the rights and wrongs of Indy, it really seems that there won’t be an appetite from most people for a referendum just now. What with Brexit and Covid and sleazy hopeless governments I reckon we could do with a bit of peace.

Friday woke me up to the crown office issues.

Those are really shocking @OldRailer

Seems like Geoff aberdain evidence is out