Salmond v Sturgeon Round 3 — Comment along with Sturgeon

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

Previous thread here.

For a woman who has been a consumate politician and displays an almost photographic grasp of facts, figures and dates to play the 'I don't remember' card about what must have been a cataclysmic event involving an old and dear friend is beyond belief. This is a complete kick in the face for her supporters, another display of arrogance about her position and their blind allegiance.

@Givemestrengthorgin

I have a pretty basic knowledge of politics and have no affiliation to any particular political party. I watched today's hearing while working and I thought Nicola Sturgeon came across well. I thought she was straight up with what she could and couldn't answer and wasn't scared to say she didn't know on certain points. I came away feeling that she made the best decisions possible at the time in a very difficult and complex situation.

What I was surprised to see was how politically influenced the committee members were. The deputy convenor especially was awful and so obviously had already made her mind up Nicola surgeon would be guilty of something. Her questions were leading and she quite freely reached her own conclusions there and then. Surely members should be experts in their field and politically neutral as far as possible. Certainly not leaders or MSPs for competing political parties.

Completely agree.

@Givemestrengthorgin

I have a pretty basic knowledge of politics and have no affiliation to any particular political party. I watched today's hearing while working and I thought Nicola Sturgeon came across well. I thought she was straight up with what she could and couldn't answer and wasn't scared to say she didn't know on certain points. I came away feeling that she made the best decisions possible at the time in a very difficult and complex situation.

What I was surprised to see was how politically influenced the committee members were. The deputy convenor especially was awful and so obviously had already made her mind up Nicola surgeon would be guilty of something. Her questions were leading and she quite freely reached her own conclusions there and then. Surely members should be experts in their field and politically neutral as far as possible. Certainly not leaders or MSPs for competing political parties.

Did you catch the Salmond evidence? Especially at the start the same sort of "already made their mind up" behaviour was evident - pretty much from the opposite group of people! Fundamental flaw of the system

And then not to mention the rangers malicious prosecution which cost the taxpayer 23 million and counting and our advocate Wolfe held up his hands and admitted liability

Who got the sack for that.

No one

@Givemestrengthorgin

I have a pretty basic knowledge of politics and have no affiliation to any particular political party. I watched today's hearing while working and I thought Nicola Sturgeon came across well. I thought she was straight up with what she could and couldn't answer and wasn't scared to say she didn't know on certain points. I came away feeling that she made the best decisions possible at the time in a very difficult and complex situation.

What I was surprised to see was how politically influenced the committee members were. The deputy convenor especially was awful and so obviously had already made her mind up Nicola surgeon would be guilty of something. Her questions were leading and she quite freely reached her own conclusions there and then. Surely members should be experts in their field and politically neutral as far as possible. Certainly not leaders or MSPs for competing political parties.

The thing that struck me was Ms Baillie's "suggestion" that the FM had used the Salmond story breaking to cover a scandal that was about to break about the FM And when Nicola asked her what that might have been about, Baillie said she didn't know! What the actual?!

Baillie appears to have only two brain cells left and even they they weren't talking to each other in that moment!

@StarryEyeSurprise

Andrew Neil is anti- Scottish and I'm glad. His rightwing orthodoxy has no place here.

It absolutely does have a place here. Scotland is not a left wing utopia, and nor is it desirable to push out everyone who is right of centre.

Wow so rude starry

Baillie knew exactly what she was asking. Read between the lines.

I love Andrew Neil.. 😊

I’m still interested in the permitted politics of Scotland?

Jackie Baillie is far from stupid.

@ShowmetheSnowdrops

Amortentia don’t want to look at Westminster or other countries because we’re discussing Scotland the the First Minister of Scotland.

Not sure what’s hard to understand but if the SNP had done a better job at what they were actually elected to do, Scotland would be a great deal better off.
Stating the obvious. Again.

In what way? I am genuinely interested in why you think this.

Sorry, haven't RTFT but the story about the FM that was about to come out, could that be the thing that there's (allegedly) a super injunction out for?

@WouldBeGood

Jackie Baillie is far from stupid.

Agree, she is very clearly not a stupid woman.

Yes @LizzieMacQueen

@LizzieMacQueen

Sorry, haven't RTFT but the story about the FM that was about to come out, could that be the thing that there's (allegedly) a super injunction out for?

Bingo!

Really? You realise he asked a far right, holocaust denier, to work with him when he was the editor of a newspaper? This person said ( and still says) the gas chambers didn't exist.
Andrew Neil has never apologised for asking him to write for his paper. I wouldn't be welcoming him here, that's for sure. Vile.

@LizzieMacQueen

Sorry, haven't RTFT but the story about the FM that was about to come out, could that be the thing that there's (allegedly) a super injunction out for?

My mind did go there too, might just be twitter tittle tattle!

@LizzieMacQueen

Sorry, haven't RTFT but the story about the FM that was about to come out, could that be the thing that there's (allegedly) a super injunction out for?

Not sure what story you're referring to and if there was an injunction she wouldn't have mentioned it. But I thought it was clear that Baillie 'knew' the question was nuts. Her demeanour and tone said it all.

Looked through Andrew Neil's Twitter feed to see what the fuss was about. It's just a commentary on the evidence session, similar to here. Factual, with some added context.

I don't share Neil's politics, but I appreciate a journalist who is actually paying attention. So much of the coverage of this whole affair is uninformed, or superficial. I think it's precisely because he cares about Scotland and his Scottish heritage, and no doubt family and friendship links, that he is paying so much attention. Same as Wings - who has different politics still.

@WouldBeGood

Much as Indy slime Andrew Neil, I struggle to see why this thread has become a crusade against him

Usual deflection techniques

Should have said “much as I dislike Andrew Neil “