Rhiannon Spear hates the UK

[MsBarbaryBriefly]

Rhiannon Spear, who represents the Greater Pollok ward in Glasgow, was accused of using “abhorrent language” in a tweet about the Eurovision results in which she said: “It’s OK Europe we hate the United Kingdom too. Love, Scotland.”

Reported in The Times. I suppose it's nice to know she's at least being honest.

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/86f4c26e-bc13-11eb-8144-d3653cd81e51?shareToken=64c40c496f897287a9fce075e6593f44

I’m sorry you didn’t understand that in no way, whatsoever, was the pp comparing the two.

I am so sick of them. Why do they have to be so divisive and hateful. Wasn’t even a we hate Westminster, was a we hate the Uk. And to sign it off as Scotland. Would politicians in any other country behave like this and attempt to other 50% of the population.

Fair enough they didn't compare the two but on a thread about a comment in relation to 'Nil Points' being assigned to the UK by the rest of Europe ( in a post Brexit Europe - where we're hardly popular) they did write about Palestinians hating Jews. It's really poor taste in my book and not comparable at all.

For the very few apologists on here do you have an inkling of understanding how uncomfortable that comment is to anyone living in Scotland who wasn't born in Scotland or who was, but supports the Union or considers themselves British?

This dim-witted woman no doubt will bang on about "inclusivity". I'm British by nationality, my country is the United Kingdom and her flippant remarks leave me feeling alienated.

@MsBarbaryBriefly

For the very few apologists on here do you have an inkling of understanding how uncomfortable that comment is to anyone living in Scotland who wasn't born in Scotland or who was, but supports the Union or considers themselves British?

This dim-witted woman no doubt will bang on about "inclusivity". I'm British by nationality, my country is the United Kingdom and her flippant remarks leave me feeling alienated.

We're all British by nationality. We all live in the UK. I'm sorry you feel alienated but we are all UK nationals.

There is enough anti-English sentiment around without trying to find it in "lighthearted" tweets about the UK and the Eurovision

I don't think they were light-hearted remarks. They were "open mouth without engaging brain and show yourself up for the bigot you really are" remarks.

One headline from last year too:
SNP's Blackford forced to delete tweet as he's accused of 'stoking anti-English sentiment'

It really does run in the family

Well she's a charmer, isn't she?

Don't worry love, the feeling's mutual. (Not all Scottish people, or Scotland as a country, just you).

"The Scotch – what a verminous race!"; "It’s time Hadrian’s Wall was refortified, to pen them in a ghetto on the other side"; "The nation deserves not merely isolation, but comprehensive extermination".

The PM approved the publication of this. Any comments? Alienating for people living in Scotland?

The discussion is around Twitter/Social Media where no approval is needed. (Oh and please do take a moment to clarify that he was in fact in an editorial role at the time, not as PM) Whereas, MPs currently representing Scotland at Westminster and councillors in Education roles for Glasgow Council, self approve anti-English sentiment straight to Twitter.

Yes. It’s hate speech too. And Boris Johnson has made highly offensive comments about Muslims and Africans. Many, many SNP politicians have made offensive comments about rUk. Both need to stop.

@Bytheloch

The discussion is around Twitter/Social Media where no approval is needed. (Oh and please do take a moment to clarify that he was in fact in an editorial role at the time, not as PM) Whereas, MPs currently representing Scotland at Westminster and councillors in Education roles for Glasgow Council, self approve anti-English sentiment straight to Twitter.

Can you link to the anti English sentiment by councillors in Education roles please?

Um, see the thread title?!

RS- chairs Glasgow City Council's education committee

@Bytheloch

Um, see the thread title?!

RS- chairs Glasgow City Council's education committee

Right. The UK is not England. I'm going to bow out here.

I think it's quite clear that the SNP and all its members aren't keen on the United Kingdom.

That doesn't mean they are anti English.

There's some serious reaching going on in this thread.

For the very few apologists on here do you have an inkling of understanding how uncomfortable that comment is to anyone living in Scotland who wasn't born in Scotland or who was, but supports the Union or considers themselves British?

I'm not sure if you're classing me as an apologist or not, but... how did it alienate people who live in Scotland but aren't born in Scotland? It said "Scotland" not "Scottish" or "everyone born in Scotland".

I think you are reaching a wee bit here.

And I will (and often do) call out anything that makes people feel uncomfortable for who they are. But that isn't what she did here. She wasn't having a dig at the people of the UK, or the people of England, or the people who live in Scotland but weren't born here. That's the problem with anyone trying to swap "UK" for "gays" or "Jews". "The UK" is not a people... and if it was a people, it would include everyone who lives within it. Certainly not just English people.

I think you are reaching a wee bit more in assuming that people who weren't born here automatically support the Union. As if a Polish, Indian, Italian person has to be uncomfortable by "hate the United Kingdom". Why would anyone assume that? I'm sure some support the Union, some support independence, and some really don't give a fuck.

And you are reaching even further in assuming that anyone who doesn't support the Union also doesn't consider themselves British. Britain is a landmass - the British Isles. I don't think leaving the political union would make Scottish people any less British than leaving the EU makes us any less European?

You clearly have a difference in political opinion, and that's fine. I feel alienated by certain political attitudes, statements, and rhetoric too. I see myself as European and wanted to be part of the European Union. But I would never expect to feel "non-alienated" by a UKIP, or a pro-brexit Tory MP. They will have their opinions and I will have mine. Nobody has the right to walk through life never being offended for something they believe. Something they can't change, like race or sexual orientation? Absolutely. But there's a difference and that difference is rather important.

Rhiannon Spear is extremely stupid as is anyone who thinks her views are ok.
In my view, she’s a hate filled anti /women anti /English bigot as evidenced by her Twitter feed. And she’s supported by the SNP hierarchy. It’s depressing and disgusting.

It was also grandiose. She most certainly does not speak for Scotland

Way back last summer when there were numpties on the border with their "english stay at home" placards the SNP didn't condemn them either.

That’s their ethos

I don't agree with Spear's views on women. Not really.

Saying that you hate the UK is not saying that you hate English people. Lots of English people hate the UK as well. 🤷🏻‍♀️

It’s just vile.

I think we all know what the tweet meant. The engagement of the mental gymnastics is predictable though.

@yupyupyup

Gosh! Can you imagine if this had been a comment from an English Tory party member, saying they hated Scotland?!?

I don't know how the union can survive with the SNP having such a monopoly in Scottish politics, especially with so many of these bigots representing us. It's bloody shameful and we have no viable opposition in the Scottish Parliament to put them in their place.

Gosh yeh, if, say, one of them called the Scots a 'verminous race' or something. Their career would surely be finished wouldn't it.

I'm not a big fan of Rhiannon Spear either, but it was a joke for goodness sake, about the bloody Eurovision Song Contest, of all things

But her position means it’s a wholly inappropriate “joke”