Cameron vows to turn by-election into 10p tax poll
David Cameron yesterday vowed to turn the Crewe and Nantwich by-election into a referendum on Gordon Brown's abolition of the 10p tax rate, piling pressure on the Prime Minister while he still faces the threat of a rebellion on the issue from Labour back benchers.
Mr Brown's struggle to get his party back on course after a disastrous showing in the English and Welsh local elections continued yesterday with former Home Secretary Charles Clarke challenging him to change his leadership style and abandon controversial plans for 42-day detention without charge.
Mr Cameron, who headed off yesterday on the campaign trail to Crewe, said the abolition of the 10p tax would be the key campaign issue for the Tories in the fortnight leading up to the vote. "We've got 15 days to overturn Labour's majority of more than 7000.
"Obviously it's going to be a tall order but we are going to give it our best shot," he said. "People in Crewe know that the more of them that vote Conservative on May 22, the clearer the message will be to Gordon Brown to do more to help those who have suffered from the tax con Budget."
Mr Cameron warned that a Labour victory at Crewe would allow Mr Brown to tell Labour rebel MPs to "get lost" but he failed to detail how his party would compensate the millions of low earners when he was challenged to reinstate the 10p rate by a voter in Crewe.
While the Tory leader on the electoral battleground was dubbing himself as a champion of the poor, Gordon Brown was left appealing to world business leaders in London on one of his passions, the campaign for international poverty relief.
Mr Brown told a meeting of 80 high-powered chief executives that the international community was in danger of missing the Millennium Development Goals of reducing infant mortality by two-thirds.
Traditionally, the Prime Minister does not campaign directly in by-elections although Tony Blair abandoned the convention first in the Hamilton South constituency in 1999.
Justice Secretary Jack Straw was on the stump for Labour in Crewe yesterday claiming that the 10p tax issue was "being dealt with" but Labour's message was drowned out by criticism from its own MPs.
Alistair Darling, the Chancellor, met with Frank Field and former whip Greg Pope, the back-bench rebel leaders over the 10p tax row, and promised a "robust solution".
Mr Field has warned again that MPs are prepared to vote down the Budget unless the package is backdated to April when the changes came in.
Then the Former Home Secretary Charles Clarke weighed in with advice to abandon proposals for 42-day detention without charge of terrorist suspects.
The government faces defeat by backbench rebels on the issue but Mr Brown is determined to be seen as tough on terrorism.
In a magazine article Mr Clarke outlined a recovery programme including a "mini-Budget" to establish a clear sense of political direction and strengthen economic confidence after the tax rate debacle.
Earlier Mr Brown chaired a political Cabinet, which deals entirely with party rather than government business, to plan Labour's resurrection strategy centred around draft legislation foreshadowing the Queen's Speech in the autumn.
© All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without
permission is prohibited.
Posted by: The West Awake, Argyll on 10:38pm Tue 6 May 08
Thank God it's not tweedle dum or tweedle dee for us here in Scotland.
The English really should get themselves an SNP of their own.
Thank God it's not tweedle dum or tweedle dee for us here in Scotland.
The English really should get themselves an SNP of their own.
Posted by: Wardog, Buckie on 10:40pm Tue 6 May 08
Failure at this By-Election will be the final straw for Brown
Failure at this By-Election will be the final straw for Brown
Posted by: Karin, glasgae. on 10:40pm Tue 6 May 08
whats with the no commenting on te wendy stories?
whats with the no commenting on te wendy stories?
Posted by: Astonished, Inverclyde on 10:43pm Tue 6 May 08
**** Attention All Labour Droids ***
[bold]"ABOUT TURN !"[/bold]
**** Attention All Labour Droids ***
"ABOUT TURN !" Posted by: Karin, glasgae. on 10:45pm Tue 6 May 08
dont you mean LEFT turn right turn you put you left leg in and shake it all aboot. you do the hokey cokey and you turn around thats what its all about. whoa hockey cokey cokey
yeah lets all do the wendy hokey cokey.
dont you mean LEFT turn right turn you put you left leg in and shake it all aboot. you do the hokey cokey and you turn around thats what its all about. whoa hockey cokey cokey
yeah lets all do the wendy hokey cokey.
Posted by: Jwil, Lanarkshire on 10:48pm Tue 6 May 08
Why is the Herald barring comments?
Why is the Herald barring comments?
Posted by: Karin, glasgae. on 10:48pm Tue 6 May 08
aww dougie geis the baw back whits with the no comments have you taken the huff again.
ye will be calling us vermin next.
why you getting at us it was wendy what done it. by the way dougie has a hotline to downing street..........wooo
oooooooooooooo
aww dougie geis the baw back whits with the no comments have you taken the huff again.
ye will be calling us vermin next.
why you getting at us it was wendy what done it. by the way dougie has a hotline to downing street..........wooo
oooooooooooooo
Posted by: Karin, glasgae. on 10:50pm Tue 6 May 08
jwil dougie is doing a wendy and behaving "erratically"
its all a unionist ploy to claim insanity come independence.
jwil dougie is doing a wendy and behaving "erratically"
its all a unionist ploy to claim insanity come independence.
Posted by: Karin, glasgae. on 10:51pm Tue 6 May 08
torquil however obviously told dougie to beat it.
torquil however obviously told dougie to beat it.
Posted by: Jwil, Lanarkshire on 10:56pm Tue 6 May 08
It looks like its now been recognized that she has reached a point of insanity and the Herald is very gallantly protecting her from further abuse! The white coats will be here soon.
It looks like its now been recognized that she has reached a point of insanity and the Herald is very gallantly protecting her from further abuse! The white coats will be here soon.
Posted by: The West Awake, Argyll on 11:04pm Tue 6 May 08
Now I know why the caterpillars were hungry.
Wendy had smoked all their weed!
Now I know why the caterpillars were hungry.
Wendy had smoked all their weed!
Posted by: Morag, Peeblesshire on 11:12pm Tue 6 May 08
Miserable b*ggers!
I buy the paper. I can read the articles on paper in much greater comfort over my breakfast. I only log on to see what you lunatics are saying tonight! Give us the comments back on Wendy please!
Miserable b*ggers!
I buy the paper. I can read the articles on paper in much greater comfort over my breakfast. I only log on to see what you lunatics are saying tonight! Give us the comments back on Wendy please!
Posted by: Astonished, Inverclyde on 11:13pm Tue 6 May 08
This will really put Alf,Dougie and Dougie's BBC wife noses out of joint. Still Wendy will be pleased.
http://www.timesonli
ne.co.uk/tol/news/po
litics/article388285
2.ece
This will really put Alf,Dougie and Dougie's BBC wife noses out of joint. Still Wendy will be pleased.
http://www.timesonli
ne.co.uk/tol/news/po
litics/article388285
2.ece
Posted by: The West Awake, Argyll on 11:30pm Tue 6 May 08
"Gordon Brown fails to support U-turn on Scottish independence referendum"
Quote in the Timesonline today.
Gordon the Brave has obviously left Wendy's ar$e out to dry.
- Looks like Wendy has jumped, pulled the ripcord, but no parachute has appeared.
What will she do tomorrow - invade Poland?
"Gordon Brown fails to support U-turn on Scottish independence referendum"
Quote in the Timesonline today.
Gordon the Brave has obviously left Wendy's ar$e out to dry.
- Looks like Wendy has jumped, pulled the ripcord, but no parachute has appeared.
What will she do tomorrow - invade Poland?
Posted by: subrosa on 11:36pm Tue 6 May 08
Thanks Astonished interesting article. Ms Alexander's just been on Newnight Scotland saying she's spoken to Gordon a lot about her wish to go for a referendum and she just spoke to him earlier this evening and he backs her. Strange.
Hopefully the English will now waken up shout for a referendum on the EU Treaty.
Thanks Astonished interesting article. Ms Alexander's just been on Newnight Scotland saying she's spoken to Gordon a lot about her wish to go for a referendum and she just spoke to him earlier this evening and he backs her. Strange.
Hopefully the English will now waken up shout for a referendum on the EU Treaty.
Posted by: Joe Middleton, Edinburgh on 11:47pm Tue 6 May 08
Does anyone trust the Tories or Labour or really care who wins this by election? The English Democrats shot theirselves in the foot by their crazy anti Scottish campaign in London based on blatant lies. The English need a new party which supports independence but apart from Billy Bragg no-one else seems to have the sense to know what it would stand for rather than Daily Mail type girning about supposed UK bias in favour of Scotland (Aye right!).
Does anyone trust the Tories or Labour or really care who wins this by election? The English Democrats shot theirselves in the foot by their crazy anti Scottish campaign in London based on blatant lies. The English need a new party which supports independence but apart from Billy Bragg no-one else seems to have the sense to know what it would stand for rather than Daily Mail type girning about supposed UK bias in favour of Scotland (Aye right!).
Posted by: megz, glasgow on 11:55pm Tue 6 May 08
typical, cant comment on wendibles. The baby comment in the sketch i think says alot about Gordon brown, he'd use anything to protect himself even his own MPs think so. pity you cant comment though as it was a pretty funny.
typical, cant comment on wendibles. The baby comment in the sketch i think says alot about Gordon brown, he'd use anything to protect himself even his own MPs think so. pity you cant comment though as it was a pretty funny.
Posted by: megz, glasgow on Wed 7 May 08
oh surprise surprise can'[t comment on the pm/wendy story either. Both are untouchab;e i take it. Shame he's saying that he isn't backing her when she's just off newsnight saying he is. So what is true, i doubt even they know!
oh surprise surprise can'[t comment on the pm/wendy story either. Both are untouchab;e i take it. Shame he's saying that he isn't backing her when she's just off newsnight saying he is. So what is true, i doubt even they know!
Posted by: Im no really here, but over there on 12:08am Wed 7 May 08
As usual, the Glasgow Herald showing it;s true colours. The Wendy u-turn article this time last night attracted about 200 responses, then this was scrapped and replaced by another article, which attracted about 400 responses. So the GH decides that that is too much freedom of speech and stops ALL comments on Wendy's u-turn.
Obviously these unionists haven't quite got the grasp of the Internet yet. The probably believed that Wendy would have her say and people would swallow it without comment as they have all the rest of the Labour crap for the past 50 years.
As usual, the Glasgow Herald showing it;s true colours. The Wendy u-turn article this time last night attracted about 200 responses, then this was scrapped and replaced by another article, which attracted about 400 responses. So the GH decides that that is too much freedom of speech and stops ALL comments on Wendy's u-turn.
Obviously these unionists haven't quite got the grasp of the Internet yet. The probably believed that Wendy would have her say and people would swallow it without comment as they have all the rest of the Labour crap for the past 50 years.
Posted by: Wullie, Aberdeen on 12:09am Wed 7 May 08
Maybe we should get a '' wweffawendumm '' on whether or not we are allowed to comment on stories about Wendy on the herald.
Maybe we should get a '' wweffawendumm '' on whether or not we are allowed to comment on stories about Wendy on the herald.
Posted by: Im no really here, but over there on 12:11am Wed 7 May 08
Use the contacts page and email your disgust to the editor.
Use the contacts page and email your disgust to the editor.
Posted by: megz, glasgow on 12:12am Wed 7 May 08
its shocking blantant censorship because wendy is a balloon.
its shocking blantant censorship because wendy is a balloon.
Posted by: Im no really here, but over there on 12:15am Wed 7 May 08
Use the contacts page and email your disgust to the editor.
Use the contacts page and email your disgust to the editor.
Posted by: Jwil, Lanarkshire on 12:19am Wed 7 May 08
It appears that Wendy has treated all the steakholders like mushrooms!
It appears that Wendy has treated all the steakholders like mushrooms!
Posted by: megz, glasgow on 12:26am Wed 7 May 08
i emailed the editor, no registering of disgust yet, going to be nice and give whoever it is a chance to stop censoring the readers first. if that doesn't work i will be resistering my full disgust at the flagrant disregard for their readers because of wendy the untouchable.
i emailed the editor, no registering of disgust yet, going to be nice and give whoever it is a chance to stop censoring the readers first. if that doesn't work i will be resistering my full disgust at the flagrant disregard for their readers because of wendy the untouchable.
Posted by: Jimbo on 12:29am Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]megz[/bold] wrote:
oh surprise surprise can'[t comment on the pm/wendy story either. Both are untouchab;e i take it. Shame he's saying that he isn't backing her when she's just off newsnight saying he is. So what is true, i doubt even they know![/quote] Hi Megz,
the Herald obviously feel they have to protect the integrity, honesty,
sincerity and virtue of their beloved Labour Party and it's esteemed leaders north and south of the border.
They prefer censorship of their on-line readership to sales of hard copies over the counter. You expect this from the Hootsman but now the Herald are showing the same bias by protecting Brown and Alexander from justified criticism/questionin
g of their motives in the Herald's comments sections. Did some-one from the Labour hierarchy demand That the Cybernats be silenced? Some-one's obviously afraid of honest criticism.
I won't be buying The Herald tomorrow.
megz wrote:
oh surprise surprise can'[t comment on the pm/wendy story either. Both are untouchab;e i take it. Shame he's saying that he isn't backing her when she's just off newsnight saying he is. So what is true, i doubt even they know!
Hi Megz,
the Herald obviously feel they have to protect the integrity, honesty,
sincerity and virtue of their beloved Labour Party and it's esteemed leaders north and south of the border.
They prefer censorship of their on-line readership to sales of hard copies over the counter. You expect this from the Hootsman but now the Herald are showing the same bias by protecting Brown and Alexander from justified criticism/questionin
g of their motives in the Herald's comments sections. Did some-one from the Labour hierarchy demand That the Cybernats be silenced? Some-one's obviously afraid of honest criticism.
I won't be buying The Herald tomorrow.
Posted by: Im no really here, but over there on 12:32am Wed 7 May 08
Article on Wendy's u-turn from The Times:[quote]A Labour insider said: “If under his present tribulations he suddenly announced a referendum on independence for Scotland, the world would think he had taken leave of his senses.”[/quote] I just wonder how many cell phones he has got through since Wendy's UDI announcement?
Article on Wendy's u-turn from The Times:
A Labour insider said: “If under his present tribulations he suddenly announced a referendum on independence for Scotland, the world would think he had taken leave of his senses.”
I just wonder how many cell phones he has got through since Wendy's UDI announcement?
Posted by: Im no really here, but over there on 12:35am Wed 7 May 08
And here is a quote from Annabel in the same article:[quote]Annabel Goldie, leader of the Scottish Tories, said Labour was guilty of a “betrayal” and was pandering to Mr Salmond. She added: “[bold]These developments are the final proof that Labour cannot be trusted with devolution[/bold] .” [/quote]
And here is a quote from Annabel in the same article:
Annabel Goldie, leader of the Scottish Tories, said Labour was guilty of a “betrayal” and was pandering to Mr Salmond. She added: “These developments are the final proof that Labour cannot be trusted with devolution .”
Posted by: megz, glasgow on 12:38am Wed 7 May 08
hey jimbo, usually you cant comment on thing like trials but there is absolutely no justifiable reason for censoring us. All people will do is give their opinion on why they think she is doing it. What is so wrong with that? I think wendy is the baby that is being thrown infront of the juggernaut. brown connot come out and support a referendum in scotland when he refused on on the lisbon treaty.
hey jimbo, usually you cant comment on thing like trials but there is absolutely no justifiable reason for censoring us. All people will do is give their opinion on why they think she is doing it. What is so wrong with that? I think wendy is the baby that is being thrown infront of the juggernaut. brown connot come out and support a referendum in scotland when he refused on on the lisbon treaty.
Posted by: megz, glasgow on 12:39am Wed 7 May 08
good god how many mistakes can one person make (talking about my spelling mistakes haha) think i'll go to bed and hopefully wake to a herald that has seen sense. fingers crossed. night all.
good god how many mistakes can one person make (talking about my spelling mistakes haha) think i'll go to bed and hopefully wake to a herald that has seen sense. fingers crossed. night all.
Posted by: clochoderic, renfrewshire on 12:43am Wed 7 May 08
Red Wendy was desperately back-pedalling on Newsnight and has obviously been told she is out of order. She repeatedly declined to state that she would bring forward any proposal for a referendum at Holyrood.
This was within hours of the meeting of Labour MSPs agreeing to do just that..
Oh dear Wendy - could the reason the discussion boards are closed be because your P45 is on the way?
Red Wendy was desperately back-pedalling on Newsnight and has obviously been told she is out of order. She repeatedly declined to state that she would bring forward any proposal for a referendum at Holyrood.
This was within hours of the meeting of Labour MSPs agreeing to do just that..
Oh dear Wendy - could the reason the discussion boards are closed be because your P45 is on the way?
Posted by: Im no really here, but over there on 12:46am Wed 7 May 08
Re:Alexander out on a limb.[quote]Perhaps this was policy on the hoof, as her position appeared to change over the TV interview's eight minutes. [/quote] From all the reports, she seems to have caught HP Sauce off-guard rather than Sir Ek.
Just what are the chances that she had a "senior moment" and just lost it in the interview??
Re:Alexander out on a limb.
Perhaps this was policy on the hoof, as her position appeared to change over the TV interview's eight minutes.
From all the reports, she seems to have caught HP Sauce off-guard rather than Sir Ek.
Just what are the chances that she had a "senior moment" and just lost it in the interview??
Posted by: Im no really here, but over there on 12:52am Wed 7 May 08
We're also not allowed to comment on yet another Glasgow-based academic taking another swipe at SNP policies. The GH tonight is clearly showing where it's allegiance lies - and it's not with free speech.
We're also not allowed to comment on yet another Glasgow-based academic taking another swipe at SNP policies. The GH tonight is clearly showing where it's allegiance lies - and it's not with free speech.
Posted by: Jimbo on 12:59am Wed 7 May 08
Hi Megz
On a matter of such importance to the people of Scotland it seems rather strange that they have decided not to allow them to give an opinion on this subject.
Maybe Foulkes and Co don't like reading off-message comments (we know you're there George) and ordered them banned. I bet his (George Foulkes) jaw dropped a mile when he heard Alexander on the politics show. The poor guy must have been squirming over the last couple of days watching her on TV dig herself and his Party deeper and deeper into the hole.
I think it's time the Labour Party in Scotland got a grip and get shot of Alexander. She's an embarrassment to their Party and an embarrassment to Scotland. Go for it George.
Hi Megz
On a matter of such importance to the people of Scotland it seems rather strange that they have decided not to allow them to give an opinion on this subject.
Maybe Foulkes and Co don't like reading off-message comments (we know you're there George) and ordered them banned. I bet his (George Foulkes) jaw dropped a mile when he heard Alexander on the politics show. The poor guy must have been squirming over the last couple of days watching her on TV dig herself and his Party deeper and deeper into the hole.
I think it's time the Labour Party in Scotland got a grip and get shot of Alexander. She's an embarrassment to their Party and an embarrassment to Scotland. Go for it George.
Posted by: Im no really here, but over there on 1:03am Wed 7 May 08
A Times article headline: [bold]55% of Labour voters want Gordon Brown to resign[/bold]
Wendy should be aware that she will last about 2 seconds longer than Brown. When he goes, her loyal MSP colleagues will gladly stick the knife in her - probably led by Hurricane Jeck.
What are the chances that Hurricane Jeck will return as the next leader of the SLP. He's probably a **** site more popular than Wendy!!
A Times article headline:
55% of Labour voters want Gordon Brown to resign
Wendy should be aware that she will last about 2 seconds longer than Brown. When he goes, her loyal MSP colleagues will gladly stick the knife in her - probably led by Hurricane Jeck.
What are the chances that Hurricane Jeck will return as the next leader of the SLP. He's probably a **** site more popular than Wendy!!
Posted by: Steve A, Glasgow on 1:16am Wed 7 May 08
If the U-bendy was doing aswell as Alex Salmond in the polls she would be telling us that the Scottish people didn't want a wefferwendum!What a bull-****!
If the U-bendy was doing aswell as Alex Salmond in the polls she would be telling us that the Scottish people didn't want a wefferwendum!What a bull-****!
Posted by: gerad, london on 1:16am Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]Jimbo[/bold] wrote:
Hi Megz On a matter of such importance to the people of Scotland it seems rather strange that they have decided not to allow them to give an opinion on this subject. Maybe Foulkes and Co don't like reading off-message comments (we know you're there George) and ordered them banned. I bet his (George Foulkes) jaw dropped a mile when he heard Alexander on the politics show. The poor guy must have been squirming over the last couple of days watching her on TV dig herself and his Party deeper and deeper into the hole. I think it's time the Labour Party in Scotland got a grip and get shot of Alexander. She's an embarrassment to their Party and an embarrassment to Scotland. Go for it George.[/quote] No his jaw didn't drop when he heard the news. I heard he sobered up and took the pledge.
Jimbo wrote:
Hi Megz On a matter of such importance to the people of Scotland it seems rather strange that they have decided not to allow them to give an opinion on this subject. Maybe Foulkes and Co don't like reading off-message comments (we know you're there George) and ordered them banned. I bet his (George Foulkes) jaw dropped a mile when he heard Alexander on the politics show. The poor guy must have been squirming over the last couple of days watching her on TV dig herself and his Party deeper and deeper into the hole. I think it's time the Labour Party in Scotland got a grip and get shot of Alexander. She's an embarrassment to their Party and an embarrassment to Scotland. Go for it George.
No his jaw didn't drop when he heard the news. I heard he sobered up and took the pledge.
Posted by: Im no really here, I'M BENDY WENDY on 1:17am Wed 7 May 08
I did nothing wrong!! I called for a Wefewendum unintentionally. I have the emails to prove it. I'll sack my spin doctor - again. My loyal MSP's will clear me of any wrong doing. Lord Haw Haw will be appearing in a newspaper near you saying how disgusting and unfair it is, and that he'll loan me his London flat so that I can get away from all this.
I did nothing wrong!! I called for a Wefewendum unintentionally. I have the emails to prove it. I'll sack my spin doctor - again. My loyal MSP's will clear me of any wrong doing. Lord Haw Haw will be appearing in a newspaper near you saying how disgusting and unfair it is, and that he'll loan me his London flat so that I can get away from all this.
Posted by: Steve A, Glasgow on 1:27am Wed 7 May 08
New name proposal for the U-bendy ! How about the WENDUM!
New name proposal for the U-bendy ! How about the WENDUM!
Posted by: Big Boy Did It, And Ran Away on 2:19am Wed 7 May 08
Caught up with the politics show yesterday (night shift, Sky + etc.). I would agree with the comments that Wendy appeared to talk herself right into the do-do with policy on the hoof.
Also read someone's comment that Glenn Campbell completely missed it. Too right he did.
Newsnicht tonight / last night (what day is it again?, effin' night shift), did in my mind show Wendy back peddaling furiously. Gordon Bewer virtually had her conceding that 2010 would be fine for a referendum - it all seemed merely a matter of a few months.
But then we know Labour want it before the General Election when they'll get booted so far in to touch they won't be seen again for a long time....
Glad to hear Newsnicht is now poss on i-player, previously I've only managed to get the sneering Paxman version.
Caught up with the politics show yesterday (night shift, Sky + etc.). I would agree with the comments that Wendy appeared to talk herself right into the do-do with policy on the hoof.
Also read someone's comment that Glenn Campbell completely missed it. Too right he did.
Newsnicht tonight / last night (what day is it again?, effin' night shift), did in my mind show Wendy back peddaling furiously. Gordon Bewer virtually had her conceding that 2010 would be fine for a referendum - it all seemed merely a matter of a few months.
But then we know Labour want it before the General Election when they'll get booted so far in to touch they won't be seen again for a long time....
Glad to hear Newsnicht is now poss on i-player, previously I've only managed to get the sneering Paxman version.
Posted by: Big Boy Did It, And Ran Away on 2:19am Wed 7 May 08
oh, and 400 comments last night! Bring it on....
oh, and 400 comments last night! Bring it on....
Posted by: Donald Anderson, glasgow on 5:00am Wed 7 May 08
Broon has been Bendyed,
Posted by: Donald Anderson, glasgow on 5:01am Wed 7 May 08
So has Dougie and Alfie.
Posted by: Scunnert, Travelling in Nihlon on 6:11am Wed 7 May 08
Just watched it on Newsnight - what a pathetic excuse for a politician. No vision - no arguments - just evasion. She seems to have listened to her own spin and now thinks attack is the best form of defense. No thoughts about the issues that are important to Scots - how do we fund programmes and policies like the attendance allowance, and LIT, when Westminster withholds [bold] OUR[/bold] money for funding those programmes and policies?
How do we protect our fisheries, when we aren't allowed into the discussions at the EU? How do we protect our environment when the UK MoD pollutes our country with depleted uranium shells? How do we protect out humanity against the slings and arrows of outrages fortune when we have people like GB and DA as our representatives in the big wide world.
How do we even communicate our concerns when the UK Government, the BBC, and the rest of the media in the UK lie, spin, and, conspire to persuade Scots that they don't even exist.
So when Red Wendy has something to say you will listen - no comments allowed - it's a lecture after all. 'Bring it on' she says - but no talking. Aye - they actually believe that they can shut us up.
Ye can underfund us - ye can misrepresent us - but ye cannae shut us up - whit wur ye thinkin - we're Scots efter aw.
Just watched it on Newsnight - what a pathetic excuse for a politician. No vision - no arguments - just evasion. She seems to have listened to her own spin and now thinks attack is the best form of defense. No thoughts about the issues that are important to Scots - how do we fund programmes and policies like the attendance allowance, and LIT, when Westminster withholds
OUR money for funding those programmes and policies?
How do we protect our fisheries, when we aren't allowed into the discussions at the EU? How do we protect our environment when the UK MoD pollutes our country with depleted uranium shells? How do we protect out humanity against the slings and arrows of outrages fortune when we have people like GB and DA as our representatives in the big wide world.
How do we even communicate our concerns when the UK Government, the BBC, and the rest of the media in the UK lie, spin, and, conspire to persuade Scots that they don't even exist.
So when Red Wendy has something to say you will listen - no comments allowed - it's a lecture after all. 'Bring it on' she says - but no talking. Aye - they actually believe that they can shut us up.
Ye can underfund us - ye can misrepresent us - but ye cannae shut us up - whit wur ye thinkin - we're Scots efter aw.
Posted by: mbajer, london on 6:21am Wed 7 May 08
It is quite simple really.
As usual the inertia effect of the political imperative has completely obscured the solution. If Labour want to "fix" the problem not only of their credibility but also of their competence or the Torries want to complete their victory in overwhelming fashion, repeal, or propose the repeal, of the tax law changes in their entirety.
First one to do so wins!
It is quite simple really.
As usual the inertia effect of the political imperative has completely obscured the solution. If Labour want to "fix" the problem not only of their credibility but also of their competence or the Torries want to complete their victory in overwhelming fashion, repeal, or propose the repeal, of the tax law changes in their entirety.
First one to do so wins!
Posted by: george alexander, north lanarkshire on 6:35am Wed 7 May 08
I asked a few weeks ago how long it would be before comments began being suspended such was the level of support for the SNP on threads.
It seems that when there is very bad news for Labour then Fraser/Alf will do one of two things. Either they suspend comments or they produce 'SNP spoiler' stories.
I asked a few weeks ago how long it would be before comments began being suspended such was the level of support for the SNP on threads.
It seems that when there is very bad news for Labour then Fraser/Alf will do one of two things. Either they suspend comments or they produce 'SNP spoiler' stories.
Posted by: george alexander, north lanarkshire on 6:39am Wed 7 May 08
Following on from my post above and my comment on Douglas Frasers blog the first 'SNP spoiler' story is very prominent.
See the headline 'Doubts over hitting economic targets' on the front page................
.no comments allowed.
Just how brazen are these ba57ards.!!
Following on from my post above and my comment on Douglas Frasers blog the first 'SNP spoiler' story is very prominent.
See the headline 'Doubts over hitting economic targets' on the front page................
.no comments allowed.
Just how brazen are these ba57ards.!!
Posted by: george alexander, north lanarkshire on 6:50am Wed 7 May 08
Re: 'SNP spoiler' story...............
..The Scotsman as it as its main political item, thank god for the internet !!!
Re: 'SNP spoiler' story...............
..The Scotsman as it as its main political item, thank god for the internet !!!
Posted by: Quine, aberdeen on 8:39am Wed 7 May 08
The unionists are running scared. DEspite their best efforts, the SNP government is popular with a majority of Scots and there is a belief in Scotland now that independence will come in their lifetime. It is no longer our pipedream for future generations.
We are living in very interesting times, politics-wise, in Scotland and there is a mood amongst the people, for the first time since the devolution referedum, that Politics is something they can be a direct part of. I am all for referendums as a means to keeping people interested in politics. Voting on questions is something that I believe gets people talking in general more about politics rather than on electing people and parties. Just look at the turn out for the english local elections, around 40% mark, compared with our devolution referendum which got 60%. Are they that difficult to organise? I also think voting should be compulsory, given that all those millions of people during the 2 world wars fought so we could remain a democratic country, amongst other things.
The unionists are running scared. DEspite their best efforts, the SNP government is popular with a majority of Scots and there is a belief in Scotland now that independence will come in their lifetime. It is no longer our pipedream for future generations.
We are living in very interesting times, politics-wise, in Scotland and there is a mood amongst the people, for the first time since the devolution referedum, that Politics is something they can be a direct part of. I am all for referendums as a means to keeping people interested in politics. Voting on questions is something that I believe gets people talking in general more about politics rather than on electing people and parties. Just look at the turn out for the english local elections, around 40% mark, compared with our devolution referendum which got 60%. Are they that difficult to organise? I also think voting should be compulsory, given that all those millions of people during the 2 world wars fought so we could remain a democratic country, amongst other things.
Posted by: Free Thinker, North Lanarkshire on 8:43am Wed 7 May 08
What? No comments on the U-Bend propaganda?
It's time to end the criminal and treacherous SLAB.
It's time to man the barricades... I'm not an activist but that is about to change and many more like me are doing the same. I am determined to remove Alexander's and her cohorts thieving hands off our nation and our future.
[bold]Independence for Scotland[/bold] . Yes its way overdue.
What? No comments on the U-Bend propaganda?
It's time to end the criminal and treacherous SLAB.
It's time to man the barricades... I'm not an activist but that is about to change and many more like me are doing the same. I am determined to remove Alexander's and her cohorts thieving hands off our nation and our future.
Independence for Scotland . Yes its way overdue.
Posted by: megz, glasgow on 8:54am Wed 7 May 08
i'm disappointed, i was hoping the herald might be allowing comments on the other stories by now. Don't know why these so called editors allow banana republics to be slagged of when things aren't that much better here. Doesn't look like we have a free press, all they do is peddle the labour rubbish and censor its readers denying us the right to freedom of speech. Doesn't exactly promote a fair, free and democratic society!
Oh well back to wendy (or the untouchable u-turning unionista see what i did there?). It would be nice to get some answers, gordon brewer tried i spose and according to one of the other stories we can't comment on a large number of the press failed to get any answers out of her either.
what i want to know is;
1. Is this her or gordon's idea (he seems to be distancing himself from it yet she says he backs her)
2. why start the calman commission if you are wanting to have a referendum before it reports back?
3. If the SNP brought its referendum before parliament would she and her party back it?
4. If they won't why say bring it on?
5. Is wendy acting as a human shield for gordon again?
i'm disappointed, i was hoping the herald might be allowing comments on the other stories by now. Don't know why these so called editors allow banana republics to be slagged of when things aren't that much better here. Doesn't look like we have a free press, all they do is peddle the labour rubbish and censor its readers denying us the right to freedom of speech. Doesn't exactly promote a fair, free and democratic society!
Oh well back to wendy (or the untouchable u-turning unionista see what i did there?). It would be nice to get some answers, gordon brewer tried i spose and according to one of the other stories we can't comment on a large number of the press failed to get any answers out of her either.
what i want to know is;
1. Is this her or gordon's idea (he seems to be distancing himself from it yet she says he backs her)
2. why start the calman commission if you are wanting to have a referendum before it reports back?
3. If the SNP brought its referendum before parliament would she and her party back it?
4. If they won't why say bring it on?
5. Is wendy acting as a human shield for gordon again?
Posted by: megz, glasgow on 9:01am Wed 7 May 08
quick question, the picture in the wendy out on a limb story, has someone glued her mouth shut so she ca't make things up on the cloven, oh sorry hoof?
quick question, the picture in the wendy out on a limb story, has someone glued her mouth shut so she ca't make things up on the cloven, oh sorry hoof?
Posted by: megz, glasgow on 9:15am Wed 7 May 08
[quote]When it was suggested this reply, rather than an endorsement of Ms Alexander's view, was a distancing from it, the spokesman repeated the same answer. He did so several times, replying on one occasion: [bold]"He thinks the Labour Party in Scotland speaks for the Labour Party in Scotland[/bold] ."[/quote]
Anyone actually believe that the slab speaks for slab? I always though it was a case of the lips moving but the voice was from westminster.
When it was suggested this reply, rather than an endorsement of Ms Alexander's view, was a distancing from it, the spokesman repeated the same answer. He did so several times, replying on one occasion: "He thinks the Labour Party in Scotland speaks for the Labour Party in Scotland ."
Anyone actually believe that the slab speaks for slab? I always though it was a case of the lips moving but the voice was from westminster.
Posted by: Jwil, Lanarkshire on 9:31am Wed 7 May 08
I have just watched the inauguration of the new Russian president on TV . Very impressive. The buildings and the speeches. Russia looks more civilized and open than the lot running this country and this newspaper.
I have just watched the inauguration of the new Russian president on TV . Very impressive. The buildings and the speeches. Russia looks more civilized and open than the lot running this country and this newspaper.
Posted by: Rab Jones, Glasgow on 9:36am Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]The West Awake[/bold] wrote:
Thank God it's not tweedle dum or tweedle dee for us here in Scotland. The English really should get themselves an SNP of their own.[/quote] They have. Its called the BNP, and alarmingly, they are getting stronger by the year.
Uncontrolled immigration is making the BNP stronger, which is boiling towards the British Civil War, which will cost millions of lives and split Britian into 6 or 7 segments.
The West Awake wrote:
Thank God it's not tweedle dum or tweedle dee for us here in Scotland. The English really should get themselves an SNP of their own.
They have. Its called the BNP, and alarmingly, they are getting stronger by the year.
Uncontrolled immigration is making the BNP stronger, which is boiling towards the British Civil War, which will cost millions of lives and split Britian into 6 or 7 segments.
Posted by: Toophingers, Bellshill. on 10:46am Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]Karin[/bold] wrote:
jwil dougie is doing a wendy and behaving "erratically" its all a unionist ploy to claim insanity come independence. [/quote] Then there's the other Dougie, the Wee Yin's brother who, at New Lavatory's pre-election 'Put the boot into Salmond', Oban conference broadcast deliberate porkies about economist Alex's financial acumen.
I'll be watching for Wendy doing a Dougie.
Karin wrote:
jwil dougie is doing a wendy and behaving "erratically" its all a unionist ploy to claim insanity come independence.
Then there's the other Dougie, the Wee Yin's brother who, at New Lavatory's pre-election 'Put the boot into Salmond', Oban conference broadcast deliberate porkies about economist Alex's financial acumen.
I'll be watching for Wendy doing a Dougie.
Posted by: Paul, Dumfries. on 10:57am Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]Rab Jones[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]The West Awake[/bold] wrote: Thank God it's not tweedle dum or tweedle dee for us here in Scotland. The English really should get themselves an SNP of their own.[/quote] They have. Its called the BNP, and alarmingly, they are getting stronger by the year. Uncontrolled immigration is making the BNP stronger, which is boiling towards the British Civil War, which will cost millions of lives and split Britian into 6 or 7 segments.[/quote] The English version of the SNP is NOT the BNP. The only tiny thing they have in common are the two words National and Party. And only in the sense that they are words as they stand for different things.
Immigration is not uncontrolled. It was obvious the BNP would make a big deal of people from other countries coming here to live and work. That's their job. Maybe if they and their 'supporters' got off their **** to fill some of these jobs then there would be no need for such large numbers of migrant workers.
Civil War? You don't know the meaning of the term.
Rab Jones wrote:
The West Awake wrote: Thank God it's not tweedle dum or tweedle dee for us here in Scotland. The English really should get themselves an SNP of their own.
They have. Its called the BNP, and alarmingly, they are getting stronger by the year. Uncontrolled immigration is making the BNP stronger, which is boiling towards the British Civil War, which will cost millions of lives and split Britian into 6 or 7 segments.
The English version of the SNP is NOT the BNP. The only tiny thing they have in common are the two words National and Party. And only in the sense that they are words as they stand for different things.
Immigration is not uncontrolled. It was obvious the BNP would make a big deal of people from other countries coming here to live and work. That's their job. Maybe if they and their 'supporters' got off their **** to fill some of these jobs then there would be no need for such large numbers of migrant workers.
Civil War? You don't know the meaning of the term.
Posted by: Rab Jones, Glasgow on 11:38am Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]Paul[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Rab Jones[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]The West Awake[/bold] wrote: Thank God it's not tweedle dum or tweedle dee for us here in Scotland. The English really should get themselves an SNP of their own.[/quote] They have. Its called the BNP, and alarmingly, they are getting stronger by the year. Uncontrolled immigration is making the BNP stronger, which is boiling towards the British Civil War, which will cost millions of lives and split Britian into 6 or 7 segments.[/quote] The English version of the SNP is NOT the BNP. The only tiny thing they have in common are the two words National and Party. And only in the sense that they are words as they stand for different things. Immigration is not uncontrolled. It was obvious the BNP would make a big deal of people from other countries coming here to live and work. That's their job. Maybe if they and their 'supporters' got off their **** to fill some of these jobs then there would be no need for such large numbers of migrant workers. Civil War? You don't know the meaning of the term.[/quote] I had to laugh at the last line.
I served in the army from 1988-1996 and served in N. Ireland and YUgoslavia. (mainly N. Ireland, was also due to go to Kuwait in 1991, but never went)
Don't make assumptions about people you don't know about sunshine.
I await your reply.
Paul wrote:
Rab Jones wrote: The West Awake wrote: Thank God it's not tweedle dum or tweedle dee for us here in Scotland. The English really should get themselves an SNP of their own.
They have. Its called the BNP, and alarmingly, they are getting stronger by the year. Uncontrolled immigration is making the BNP stronger, which is boiling towards the British Civil War, which will cost millions of lives and split Britian into 6 or 7 segments.
The English version of the SNP is NOT the BNP. The only tiny thing they have in common are the two words National and Party. And only in the sense that they are words as they stand for different things. Immigration is not uncontrolled. It was obvious the BNP would make a big deal of people from other countries coming here to live and work. That's their job. Maybe if they and their 'supporters' got off their **** to fill some of these jobs then there would be no need for such large numbers of migrant workers. Civil War? You don't know the meaning of the term.
I had to laugh at the last line.
I served in the army from 1988-1996 and served in N. Ireland and YUgoslavia. (mainly N. Ireland, was also due to go to Kuwait in 1991, but never went)
Don't make assumptions about people you don't know about sunshine.
I await your reply.
Posted by: Jwil, Lanarkshire on 11:40am Wed 7 May 08
It’s been said many times that the postings on these articles could have no great effect on the general population because the coverage is not widespread. However, the people who would be interested in these postings, I suspect, are the politicians, who must know that the words are a reflection of what the wider public are thinking and saying. It is obvious that these people do not like what they read in well argued postings; it is a blow to their egos’, and they ask the Herald to censor the comments. Sadly, the Herald either bows to the pressure or is complicit. This is not what a newspaper which calls itself the free press should be doing!
But in spite of this and in spite of the biased reporting in this and other newspapers and from certain TV commentators, the SNP poll popularity continues to rise and the Labour party are seen for what they are.
It’s been said many times that the postings on these articles could have no great effect on the general population because the coverage is not widespread. However, the people who would be interested in these postings, I suspect, are the politicians, who must know that the words are a reflection of what the wider public are thinking and saying. It is obvious that these people do not like what they read in well argued postings; it is a blow to their egos’, and they ask the Herald to censor the comments. Sadly, the Herald either bows to the pressure or is complicit. This is not what a newspaper which calls itself the free press should be doing!
But in spite of this and in spite of the biased reporting in this and other newspapers and from certain TV commentators, the SNP poll popularity continues to rise and the Labour party are seen for what they are.
Posted by: David Alexander, The affshore on 1:31pm Wed 7 May 08
I can't say that I am totally surprised at the Herald's behaviour in not allowing comments.
They have to protect their own.
I can't say that I am totally surprised at the Herald's behaviour in not allowing comments.
They have to protect their own.
Posted by: megz, glasgow on 2:37pm Wed 7 May 08
ok what happened to the other story we could comment on? Geez and they say communist countries are bad, so much for democracy and freedom of speech.
ok what happened to the other story we could comment on? Geez and they say communist countries are bad, so much for democracy and freedom of speech.
Posted by: Toophingers, Bellshill. on 2:51pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]Jwil[/bold] wrote:
I have just watched the inauguration of the new Russian president on TV . Very impressive. The buildings and the speeches. Russia looks more civilized and open than the lot running this country and this newspaper.[/quote] Maybe. But wait until the nouveau riche Russians get to hear about Blair and McConnell's rip-off 'best thing since sliced bread' Private Finance Initiative (PFI).
Jwil wrote:
I have just watched the inauguration of the new Russian president on TV . Very impressive. The buildings and the speeches. Russia looks more civilized and open than the lot running this country and this newspaper.
Maybe. But wait until the nouveau riche Russians get to hear about Blair and McConnell's rip-off 'best thing since sliced bread' Private Finance Initiative (PFI).
Posted by: Im no really here, but over there on 3:21pm Wed 7 May 08
This has sort of back-fired on the Herald. Did they think we were all going to discuss the irrelevant Cameron's plan to win English Westminster by English votes for an English party, while being refused access to comment on a Scottish Referendum.
Get a grip Herald, you obviously haven't got a grip of the power of the Internet. By my reckoning, 9-out-of-10 posters support a Scotland that runs it's own affairs with complete fiscal autonomy and complete tax raising powers, with NO tax money being syphoned off to SE England.
This has sort of back-fired on the Herald. Did they think we were all going to discuss the irrelevant Cameron's plan to win English Westminster by English votes for an English party, while being refused access to comment on a Scottish Referendum.
Get a grip Herald, you obviously haven't got a grip of the power of the Internet. By my reckoning, 9-out-of-10 posters support a Scotland that runs it's own affairs with complete fiscal autonomy and complete tax raising powers, with NO tax money being syphoned off to SE England.
Posted by: Jwil, Lanarkshire on 5:05pm Wed 7 May 08
The other story we are not allowed to comment on is the article about the recent report on Scotland's economic performance. It is not reported in the Herald article, but the economic team said that the evidence available to them, from which they concluded that Scotland's economic performance wasn't as predicted, was incomplete. You can read a more complete report in the Times. You have to ask why the Herald didn't mention this fact in it's take on the story, or why this economics group published an assesment which was based on poor evidence or even false premise. The only conclusion you can deduce as that it is anti-SNP propaganda.
The other story we are not allowed to comment on is the article about the recent report on Scotland's economic performance. It is not reported in the Herald article, but the economic team said that the evidence available to them, from which they concluded that Scotland's economic performance wasn't as predicted, was incomplete. You can read a more complete report in the Times. You have to ask why the Herald didn't mention this fact in it's take on the story, or why this economics group published an assesment which was based on poor evidence or even false premise. The only conclusion you can deduce as that it is anti-SNP propaganda.
Posted by: ex labour voter, glasgow on 7:12pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]Jwil[/bold] wrote:
The other story we are not allowed to comment on is the article about the recent report on Scotland's economic performance. It is not reported in the Herald article, but the economic team said that the evidence available to them, from which they concluded that Scotland's economic performance wasn't as predicted, was incomplete. You can read a more complete report in the Times. You have to ask why the Herald didn't mention this fact in it's take on the story, or why this economics group published an assesment which was based on poor evidence or even false premise. The only conclusion you can deduce as that it is anti-SNP propaganda. [/quote] So what new, this type of reporting is why the Heralds sale are falling faster than bendy,s drawers in paisley high st.
Jwil wrote:
The other story we are not allowed to comment on is the article about the recent report on Scotland's economic performance. It is not reported in the Herald article, but the economic team said that the evidence available to them, from which they concluded that Scotland's economic performance wasn't as predicted, was incomplete. You can read a more complete report in the Times. You have to ask why the Herald didn't mention this fact in it's take on the story, or why this economics group published an assesment which was based on poor evidence or even false premise. The only conclusion you can deduce as that it is anti-SNP propaganda.
So what new, this type of reporting is why the Heralds sale are falling faster than bendy,s drawers in paisley high st.
Politics
INDEX
Comment | Read Comments (65)
