Plan that tied Labour into a countdown
At Westminster they couldn't remember an occasion like it - a sitting of the Commons having to be suspended because a minister had failed to arrive in the chamber.
Douglas Alexander, the International Development Secretary, apologised profusely when he did appear, five minutes later, for a statement on Burma.
"Could it be that he has been detained advising his sister on the mess that's she's got the government into?" asked Julian Lewis from the Conservative benches.
The Labour Party is in a mess in both parliaments thanks to Mr Alexander's sister. Independence used to be something the SNP obsessed about and Labour simply refused to consider because, it claimed, it had more pressing issues to get on with.
"It's not my politics," said Ms Alexander famously, and her brother might have said that too. But in five short days Ms Alexander has boxed Labour, and a Prime Minister who wraps himself in a Union flag, into a countdown to an independence referendum.
There is, in theory, some merit in putting Alex Salmond on the back foot over the SNP's key policy and in the Holyrood political universe the impact of the English and Welsh local elections and the revolution at City Hall in London may not have had as much impact as the prospect of the SNP's gloating over a year in power. But Ms Alexander's cunning plan backfired on both herself and Gordon Brown in their respective
parliaments.
It doesn't matter if her idea of "bring it on" (next week, next year?) is different from Alex Salmond's or Gordon Brown's because Ms Alexander has set in motion events that mean a vote will take place and probably at the time of the SNP's choosing.
There are signs that Labour is preparing the ground for a get-out clause, with a row over the wording of a referendum.
Mr Brown, kicked up his Union Jack kilt by the English electorate, had plenty of pain to get over without reminding everyone of his Caledonian credentials. David Cameron sent Mr Brown another letter yesterday asking just who is in charge. Mr Brown was in Northern Ireland where devolution must seem a straightforward affair compared to the burach in his own backyard.
Deeper down, the Conservatives sense a realignment of politics with Alex Salmond sending out signals that he may do deals with the Tories to Scotland's advantage in a hung Westminster parliament.
After devolution, Scotland all but disappeared from the Westminster political radar but Ms Alexander's intervention brings the constitutional settlement and its attendant baggage - the West Lothian Question, the number of Scots in cabinet, the numerical superiority of the Tory vote in England - crashing back through the portcullis.
Some Labour MPs think Westminster is where the matter should be resolved. "The future of the United Kingdom is core business for the UK parliament," complains Andrew Mackinlay, who has a Scottish sounding name but delights in being English and troublesome.
How does Labour reverse out of this? It is in Gordon Brown's hands to organise a referendum on independence at a time of his choosing through the Westminster parliament. That could restore him as master of his own destiny, but he could just be walking into another beartrap.
Tory backwoodsmen such as Julian Lewis would simply demand another referendum: this time on the European Union constitution.
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permission is prohibited.
Posted by: Hugh Kerr, Edinburgh on 11:02pm Thu 8 May 08
Torcuil congrats on your new job and you are right to pick up on the anti Scottish feeling at Westminster both among Labour and Tories that is one of the factors that will convince Scots to vote for independence and whatever the likes of Andrew Mackinlay (who is a small man in every way!) say in Westminster the future of Scotland will be decided in Scotland.
Torcuil congrats on your new job and you are right to pick up on the anti Scottish feeling at Westminster both among Labour and Tories that is one of the factors that will convince Scots to vote for independence and whatever the likes of Andrew Mackinlay (who is a small man in every way!) say in Westminster the future of Scotland will be decided in Scotland.
Posted by: Im no really here, but over there on 11:21pm Thu 8 May 08
The Alexander Brothers are certainly doing Labour proud.[quote]It is in Gordon Brown's hands to organise a referendum on independence at a time of his choosing through the Westminster parliament. That could restore him as master of his own destiny, but he could just be walking into another beartrap.[/quote] When does Bear hunting season start? I think it started on 4th May 2007 and has no end-date in sight soon..
The Alexander Brothers are certainly doing Labour proud.
It is in Gordon Brown's hands to organise a referendum on independence at a time of his choosing through the Westminster parliament. That could restore him as master of his own destiny, but he could just be walking into another beartrap.
When does Bear hunting season start? I think it started on 4th May 2007 and has no end-date in sight soon..
Posted by: doonhamer on 11:29pm Thu 8 May 08
Well, at least on of the stories about this fiasco is going to allow us to comment. The Herald does itself no favours by blatantly blocking comment on stories that are not favourable to its editorial policy.
Time to realize that you too are part of the problem just like Alexander the Grate.
Balanced reporting and neutral headlines will help you restore your reputation. The opposite just reinforces your image problem.
Well, at least on of the stories about this fiasco is going to allow us to comment. The Herald does itself no favours by blatantly blocking comment on stories that are not favourable to its editorial policy.
Time to realize that you too are part of the problem just like Alexander the Grate.
Balanced reporting and neutral headlines will help you restore your reputation. The opposite just reinforces your image problem.
Posted by: Jimmy the Pie on 11:30pm Thu 8 May 08
Just watched that idiot Malcolm Chisolm on Newsnicht. What a complete to$ser. If Red Wendy thinks this is going to go away, she is going to be sadly disappointed. This looks like the end of New Labour Sleaze and Corruption.
Many thanks Red Wendy
Just watched that idiot Malcolm Chisolm on Newsnicht. What a complete to$ser. If Red Wendy thinks this is going to go away, she is going to be sadly disappointed. This looks like the end of New Labour Sleaze and Corruption.
Many thanks Red Wendy
Posted by: Duns Scotus, The Borders on 11:38pm Thu 8 May 08
[quote]Independence used to be something the SNP obsessed about[/quote] Wrong! It has been a passion. It is the [italic]raison d'etre[/italic] of the SNP. It is the vision and ambition the SNP has for Scotland.
Passion
Whole being
Vision
Ambition
Plenty more synonyms where they came from, but Mr Crichton, you prefer the negative "[italic]obsessed[/italic] ". You're a puir wee sowell.
Independence used to be something the SNP obsessed about
Wrong! It has been a passion. It is the
raison d'etre of the SNP. It is the vision and ambition the SNP has for Scotland.
Passion
Whole being
Vision
Ambition
Plenty more synonyms where they came from, but Mr Crichton, you prefer the negative "
obsessed ". You're a puir wee sowell.
Posted by: Los Angeles, Edinburgh on 11:41pm Thu 8 May 08
Scottish Labour: I wonder if they realise how much the electorate resent them and their antics? Ms Alexander gives no indication she has any self-awareness at all.
It's one thing for us to register distaste, yet you wonder if others not using political websites to exchange opinions share it ?
Scottish Labour: I wonder if they realise how much the electorate resent them and their antics? Ms Alexander gives no indication she has any self-awareness at all.
It's one thing for us to register distaste, yet you wonder if others not using political websites to exchange opinions share it ?
Posted by: Vivas, Embra on 11:41pm Thu 8 May 08
[quote][bold]Jimmy the Pie[/bold] wrote:
Just watched that idiot Malcolm Chisolm on Newsnicht. What a complete to$ser. If Red Wendy thinks this is going to go away, she is going to be sadly disappointed. This looks like the end of New Labour Sleaze and Corruption.
Many thanks Red Wendy[/quote] A sad sight. Chisolm (my MP as it happens) has blotted his copybook a few times in the past but at least by showing some semblance of independent thought. But here he was tonight making the same black=white, up=down, 1=0 assertions, Brown=Wendy assertions as Ian Grey made so excrutiatingly ast night.
Very sad sight indeed.
Jimmy the Pie wrote:
Just watched that idiot Malcolm Chisolm on Newsnicht. What a complete to$ser. If Red Wendy thinks this is going to go away, she is going to be sadly disappointed. This looks like the end of New Labour Sleaze and Corruption.
Many thanks Red Wendy
A sad sight. Chisolm (my MP as it happens) has blotted his copybook a few times in the past but at least by showing some semblance of independent thought. But here he was tonight making the same black=white, up=down, 1=0 assertions, Brown=Wendy assertions as Ian Grey made so excrutiatingly ast night.
Very sad sight indeed.
Posted by: Peter Thomson, SNP Labour Coalition - No! on 11:47pm Thu 8 May 08
I have also just watched the Newsnight Scotland comedy show: 'Have I got News for Wendy...'
The news appears to be the Conservatives think you are a moron, The Libdems are cheesed cause they have backed the wrong horse and you have shafted them, Malcolm Chisolm admited by default this has been the worst week for Labour in Scotland and no one knows what the actual leader of the Labour Party, one G Brown, actually thinks therefore if Labour does actually support a referendum.
As an aside: Ross Finnie's face reminded me of my cat's backside and especially when was floundering trying to blame the Conservatives' support of the SNP budget for all this mess!
Tory Boy's body language was one of total contempt for all and sundry and he threw his rattle out of the pram by pointing out if Labour were voting with the SNP on the referendum bill then there was no point the Tories coming out to play as they did not count and to Cat's Bottom's distaste pointed out the Libdems did not count either.
Who would have thought it; a SNP / Labour coalition on the referendum......Ha..
.....Ha,ha..........
......ha,ha,ha; chuckle, snort.....
I have also just watched the Newsnight Scotland comedy show: 'Have I got News for Wendy...'
The news appears to be the Conservatives think you are a moron, The Libdems are cheesed cause they have backed the wrong horse and you have shafted them, Malcolm Chisolm admited by default this has been the worst week for Labour in Scotland and no one knows what the actual leader of the Labour Party, one G Brown, actually thinks therefore if Labour does actually support a referendum.
As an aside: Ross Finnie's face reminded me of my cat's backside and especially when was floundering trying to blame the Conservatives' support of the SNP budget for all this mess!
Tory Boy's body language was one of total contempt for all and sundry and he threw his rattle out of the pram by pointing out if Labour were voting with the SNP on the referendum bill then there was no point the Tories coming out to play as they did not count and to Cat's Bottom's distaste pointed out the Libdems did not count either.
Who would have thought it; a SNP / Labour coalition on the referendum......Ha..
.....Ha,ha..........
......ha,ha,ha; chuckle, snort.....
Posted by: BIG G, Fa kirk on 12:06am Fri 9 May 08
Who the hell does Wed Wendy think she is ! demanding that the referendum go ahead at a time of her choosing .We in Scotland have waited long & weary for a referendum that will not be gerrymandered or have a corrupt 40% amendment added to it .
Oh no wendy not this time! you and your party cannot demand anything because it may have escaped your notice but your party did not win the Scottish election last year the S.N.P. did and to the winner goes the spoils.
Who the hell does Wed Wendy think she is ! demanding that the referendum go ahead at a time of her choosing .We in Scotland have waited long & weary for a referendum that will not be gerrymandered or have a corrupt 40% amendment added to it .
Oh no wendy not this time! you and your party cannot demand anything because it may have escaped your notice but your party did not win the Scottish election last year the S.N.P. did and to the winner goes the spoils.
Posted by: nouveauxscum on 12:07am Fri 9 May 08
Looks like Dougie got his lug slapped for allowing comments on a Wendy 'makes a complete arse of herself' article.
What was that you were saying about East Germany on your blog Mr Fraser?
Looks like Dougie got his lug slapped for allowing comments on a Wendy 'makes a complete arse of herself' article.
What was that you were saying about East Germany on your blog Mr Fraser?
Posted by: Kadok, West End on 12:35am Fri 9 May 08
I would also like to congratulate Torcuil Chrichton on his new job. A superb writer who will be a great loss to the Sunday Herald.
I can't however contain my anger at the paper he has joined. Firstly, the biggest political story for YEARS and commentis blocked on all the lead stories on the Scottish Independence rferendum. Is this a policy editor???
Secondly, you continually put negative headliens about the SNP to almost every political story. Case in point is your lead today.
Alec Salmond did not propose a pact with the Tories. This is a lie. How do you Labour lackies think you can get away with this? Read what he said. You are beneath contempt Herald!
I would also like to congratulate Torcuil Chrichton on his new job. A superb writer who will be a great loss to the Sunday Herald.
I can't however contain my anger at the paper he has joined. Firstly, the biggest political story for YEARS and commentis blocked on all the lead stories on the Scottish Independence rferendum. Is this a policy editor???
Secondly, you continually put negative headliens about the SNP to almost every political story. Case in point is your lead today.
Alec Salmond did not propose a pact with the Tories. This is a lie. How do you Labour lackies think you can get away with this? Read what he said. You are beneath contempt Herald!
Posted by: Ronald, Glasgow on 12:48am Fri 9 May 08
The NEW LABOUR / OLD HERALD DIRTY TRICKS ARE
UNDERWAY. THIS FILTHY RAG - LIKE THE HOOTSMON AND THE
EBC ARE NOTHING LESS - THAN A NATIONAL EMBARACEMENT !
The NEW LABOUR / OLD HERALD DIRTY TRICKS ARE
UNDERWAY. THIS FILTHY RAG - LIKE THE HOOTSMON AND THE
EBC ARE NOTHING LESS - THAN A NATIONAL EMBARACEMENT !
Posted by: nouveauxscum on 12:59am Fri 9 May 08
The Herald, like the rest of the Scottish media, thinks it is still partly controlling events. Sorry guys, but, events, thanks to technology have moved beyond you. Catch up if you can.
The Herald, like the rest of the Scottish media, thinks it is still partly controlling events. Sorry guys, but, events, thanks to technology have moved beyond you. Catch up if you can.
Posted by: doonhamer on 1:03am Fri 9 May 08
[bold]Salmond offers a Commons pact to Cameron[/bold]
The preceding headline is false.. pure and simply false.
Alex Salmond was quoted in the body of the story as follows...
[quote]
"Clearly, if we could use Scotland's position to vastly extend its influence in a balanced parliament at Westminster, I would take up the negotiating position as First Minister of Scotland," said Mr Salmond. "We would judge policies as they came forward from the minority administration of the day and we would seek to extend Scotland's influence."[/quote]
The statement does not offer a pact, an alliance or any sort of agreement, It states that the SNP would judge policies as they came forward and seek to extend Scotland's influence.
Does the paper expect the First Minister to sit idly by and ignore policies at Westminster and not protect or enhance Scotland's position? The SNP is not the editorial board of the Herald and would never follow its policies.
Headlines that are slanted are bad enough. Headlines that are fabricated lies are putrid journalism and should retracted immediately with a public apology.
Not holding my breathe.
Salmond offers a Commons pact to Cameron
The preceding headline is false.. pure and simply false.
Alex Salmond was quoted in the body of the story as follows...
"Clearly, if we could use Scotland's position to vastly extend its influence in a balanced parliament at Westminster, I would take up the negotiating position as First Minister of Scotland," said Mr Salmond. "We would judge policies as they came forward from the minority administration of the day and we would seek to extend Scotland's influence."
The statement does not offer a pact, an alliance or any sort of agreement, It states that the SNP would judge policies as they came forward and seek to extend Scotland's influence.
Does the paper expect the First Minister to sit idly by and ignore policies at Westminster and not protect or enhance Scotland's position? The SNP is not the editorial board of the Herald and would never follow its policies.
Headlines that are slanted are bad enough. Headlines that are fabricated lies are putrid journalism and should retracted immediately with a public apology.
Not holding my breathe.
Posted by: Im no really here, but over there on 1:05am Fri 9 May 08
Wendy has certainly galvanised opinion. The Times on-line poll on Independence has well over a thousand respondents (1169) and sits at 82.5% in favour of Scotland becoming an independent country.
http://www.timesonli
ne.co.uk/tol/news/uk
/scotland/article372
3966.ece
Click on "comment" in the blue area below the poll to see details of the poll results.
Wendy has certainly galvanised opinion. The Times on-line poll on Independence has well over a thousand respondents (1169) and sits at 82.5% in favour of Scotland becoming an independent country.
http://www.timesonli
ne.co.uk/tol/news/uk
/scotland/article372
3966.ece
Click on "comment" in the blue area below the poll to see details of the poll results.
Posted by: Vivas, Embra on 2:28am Fri 9 May 08
If theres one big lesson from Scottish history, then its "don't abandon the high ground". Remember Flodden. No need to repeat that politically 500 years later. The SNP can happily occupy their current position till 2010. Theres absolutely no need to march down to the marshy boggy ground that can only favour SLAB's,
Stay put till 2010. And then see where the SLAB troops are going. I doubt they'll have the same general though.[bold]bold[/bold]
If theres one big lesson from Scottish history, then its "don't abandon the high ground". Remember Flodden. No need to repeat that politically 500 years later. The SNP can happily occupy their current position till 2010. Theres absolutely no need to march down to the marshy boggy ground that can only favour SLAB's,
Stay put till 2010. And then see where the SLAB troops are going. I doubt they'll have the same general though.
Posted by: Wardog, Buckie on 2:32am Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]doonhamer[/bold] wrote:
[bold]Salmond offers a Commons pact to Cameron[/bold]
The preceding headline is false.. pure and simply false.
Alex Salmond was quoted in the body of the story as follows...
[quote]
"Clearly, if we could use Scotland's position to vastly extend its influence in a balanced parliament at Westminster, I would take up the negotiating position as First Minister of Scotland," said Mr Salmond. "We would judge policies as they came forward from the minority administration of the day and we would seek to extend Scotland's influence."[/quote]
The statement does not offer a pact, an alliance or any sort of agreement, It states that the SNP would judge policies as they came forward and seek to extend Scotland's influence.
Does the paper expect the First Minister to sit idly by and ignore policies at Westminster and not protect or enhance Scotland's position? The SNP is not the editorial board of the Herald and would never follow its policies.
Headlines that are slanted are bad enough. Headlines that are fabricated lies are putrid journalism and should retracted immediately with a public apology.
Not holding my breathe.
[/quote]
More desperation from Douglas Fraser as he squirms to save Labour by painting the SNp in league with the Tories, he should be writing for the Hootsman, he'd fit right in at that cesspit of misinformation.
doonhamer wrote:
Salmond offers a Commons pact to Cameron
The preceding headline is false.. pure and simply false.
Alex Salmond was quoted in the body of the story as follows...
"Clearly, if we could use Scotland's position to vastly extend its influence in a balanced parliament at Westminster, I would take up the negotiating position as First Minister of Scotland," said Mr Salmond. "We would judge policies as they came forward from the minority administration of the day and we would seek to extend Scotland's influence."
The statement does not offer a pact, an alliance or any sort of agreement, It states that the SNP would judge policies as they came forward and seek to extend Scotland's influence.
Does the paper expect the First Minister to sit idly by and ignore policies at Westminster and not protect or enhance Scotland's position? The SNP is not the editorial board of the Herald and would never follow its policies.
Headlines that are slanted are bad enough. Headlines that are fabricated lies are putrid journalism and should retracted immediately with a public apology.
Not holding my breathe.
More desperation from Douglas Fraser as he squirms to save Labour by painting the SNp in league with the Tories, he should be writing for the Hootsman, he'd fit right in at that cesspit of misinformation.
Posted by: Wardog, Buckie on 2:33am Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]Jimmy the Pie[/bold] wrote:
Just watched that idiot Malcolm Chisolm on Newsnicht. What a complete to$ser. If Red Wendy thinks this is going to go away, she is going to be sadly disappointed. This looks like the end of New Labour Sleaze and Corruption.
Many thanks Red Wendy[/quote]
Wendy is damage limitation mode, she hasn't surfaced for anymore interviews since her media blitz earlier this week, is it any wonder?
Jimmy the Pie wrote:
Just watched that idiot Malcolm Chisolm on Newsnicht. What a complete to$ser. If Red Wendy thinks this is going to go away, she is going to be sadly disappointed. This looks like the end of New Labour Sleaze and Corruption.
Many thanks Red Wendy
Wendy is damage limitation mode, she hasn't surfaced for anymore interviews since her media blitz earlier this week, is it any wonder?
Posted by: Wardog, Buckie on 2:36am Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]nouveauxscum[/bold] wrote:
Looks like Dougie got his lug slapped for allowing comments on a Wendy 'makes a complete arse of herself' article.
What was that you were saying about East Germany on your blog Mr Fraser?[/quote]
Crazyhorse Cochrane on the Telegraph is basically calling for Wendy to resign, he's written two stinging articles over these last few days.
Wendy's holed below the water line, brown is floundering, a referendum now looks a certainty.
When Alec Salmond puts forward his programme for government next week, I'm certain that we're going to hear another radical overhaul of the status quo and more forward looking policies.
nouveauxscum wrote:
Looks like Dougie got his lug slapped for allowing comments on a Wendy 'makes a complete arse of herself' article.
What was that you were saying about East Germany on your blog Mr Fraser?
Crazyhorse Cochrane on the Telegraph is basically calling for Wendy to resign, he's written two stinging articles over these last few days.
Wendy's holed below the water line, brown is floundering, a referendum now looks a certainty.
When Alec Salmond puts forward his programme for government next week, I'm certain that we're going to hear another radical overhaul of the status quo and more forward looking policies.
Posted by: Wardog, Buckie on 2:38am Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]Im no really here[/bold] wrote:
Wendy has certainly galvanised opinion. The Times on-line poll on Independence has well over a thousand respondents (1169) and sits at 82.5% in favour of Scotland becoming an independent country.
http://www.timesonli
ne.co.uk/tol/news/uk
/scotland/article372
3966.ece
Click on "comment" in the blue area below the poll to see details of the poll results.[/quote]
William Hill are apparently offering odds of [bold]150-1[/bold] on 'independence' being achieved by May 2012, 50/1 from 66/1 to take place before the end of May 2017 and 14/1 from 20/1 that it happens within fifty years.
Worth a flutter I'd say.
Im no really here wrote:
Wendy has certainly galvanised opinion. The Times on-line poll on Independence has well over a thousand respondents (1169) and sits at 82.5% in favour of Scotland becoming an independent country.
http://www.timesonli
ne.co.uk/tol/news/uk
/scotland/article372
3966.ece
Click on "comment" in the blue area below the poll to see details of the poll results.
William Hill are apparently offering odds of
150-1 on 'independence' being achieved by May 2012, 50/1 from 66/1 to take place before the end of May 2017 and 14/1 from 20/1 that it happens within fifty years.
Worth a flutter I'd say.
Posted by: Wardog, Buckie on 2:48am Fri 9 May 08
Brown's Annus Horrilibus?
Brown's Annus Horrilibus?
Posted by: Wallace, Perth on 2:49am Fri 9 May 08
The pro-unionist bias of the Scottish press and media is certainly irritating and even a cause for anger, when they peddle blatant lies in support of their anti-SNP agenda.
However, newspapers in particular are becoming increasingly irrelevant with the spread and universal use of the internet. It is becoming well nigh impossible to stifle and censor the exchange of information online, although the papers still try to do this by not allowing comment on certain of their stories.
Don't despair though. Despite the best (or worst) efforts of our biased Scottish Labour leaning press and the biased Tory rags in England, the SNP's support is strengthening with every passing week, as is evident from the polls. Keep posting in the spirit of the mock Latin exhortation - Illegitimi non carborundum - Don't let the motherless sons grind you down!
The pro-unionist bias of the Scottish press and media is certainly irritating and even a cause for anger, when they peddle blatant lies in support of their anti-SNP agenda.
However, newspapers in particular are becoming increasingly irrelevant with the spread and universal use of the internet. It is becoming well nigh impossible to stifle and censor the exchange of information online, although the papers still try to do this by not allowing comment on certain of their stories.
Don't despair though. Despite the best (or worst) efforts of our biased Scottish Labour leaning press and the biased Tory rags in England, the SNP's support is strengthening with every passing week, as is evident from the polls. Keep posting in the spirit of the mock Latin exhortation - Illegitimi non carborundum - Don't let the motherless sons grind you down!
Posted by: Colin McKay, Coatbridge, Lanarkshire on 2:58am Fri 9 May 08
Torcuil said: "putting Alex Salmond on the back foot ". Poor Wendy couldn't even manage that! Her brother was late for a meeting of the Imperial House. She is determined to make a t*t of herself. Political dynasties used to be illustrious - now they're just comic.
Torcuil said: "putting Alex Salmond on the back foot ". Poor Wendy couldn't even manage that! Her brother was late for a meeting of the Imperial House. She is determined to make a t*t of herself. Political dynasties used to be illustrious - now they're just comic.
Posted by: Traquir, Alba on 4:49am Fri 9 May 08
I read the crap pack of lies that
The Herald put as a headline which disallowed comments :
"Salmond offers a Commons pact to Cameron"
I have put in an official complaint in the Press Complaints
Commission for the outrageous press abuse and I highly
recommend others to do the same. The exact
text of my complaint is below :
Complaints can be submitted at : tinyurl.com/6xl5v9
"1(i) The Press must take care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted information, including pictures.
The article in question is complete inaccurate, misleading and
distorted.
In addition the The Herald prevented comments on this
inaccurate, misleading and distorted article, whilst
still allowing comments on similar stories. Preventing
comments on this just helps to compound the
degree to which this story is inaccurate, misleading
and distorted.
1(ii) A significant inaccuracy, misleading statement or distortion once recognised must be corrected, promptly and with due prominence, and - where appropriate - an apology published.
As per (i) I would expect a full apology for this
violation per the Code Of Practice to which
The Herald has committed itself.
1(iii) The Press, whilst free to be partisan, must distinguish clearly between comment, conjecture and fact.
This story clearly violate this code of practice also.
2 Opportunity to reply
The Herald deliberately suspended comments on this
story thereby severely restricting the opportunity to reply.
10(ii) Engaging in misrepresentation
This story seriously misrepresents the position
of the SNP Government"
I read the crap pack of lies that
The Herald put as a headline which disallowed comments :
"Salmond offers a Commons pact to Cameron"
I have put in an official complaint in the Press Complaints
Commission for the outrageous press abuse and I highly
recommend others to do the same. The exact
text of my complaint is below :
Complaints can be submitted at : tinyurl.com/6xl5v9
"1(i) The Press must take care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted information, including pictures.
The article in question is complete inaccurate, misleading and
distorted.
In addition the The Herald prevented comments on this
inaccurate, misleading and distorted article, whilst
still allowing comments on similar stories. Preventing
comments on this just helps to compound the
degree to which this story is inaccurate, misleading
and distorted.
1(ii) A significant inaccuracy, misleading statement or distortion once recognised must be corrected, promptly and with due prominence, and - where appropriate - an apology published.
As per (i) I would expect a full apology for this
violation per the Code Of Practice to which
The Herald has committed itself.
1(iii) The Press, whilst free to be partisan, must distinguish clearly between comment, conjecture and fact.
This story clearly violate this code of practice also.
2 Opportunity to reply
The Herald deliberately suspended comments on this
story thereby severely restricting the opportunity to reply.
10(ii) Engaging in misrepresentation
This story seriously misrepresents the position
of the SNP Government"
Posted by: LEGION, ALBA on 5:28am Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]Wardog[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Im no really here[/bold] wrote: Wendy has certainly galvanised opinion. The Times on-line poll on Independence has well over a thousand respondents (1169) and sits at 82.5% in favour of Scotland becoming an independent country. http://www.timesonli ne.co.uk/tol/news/uk /scotland/article372 3966.ece Click on "comment" in the blue area below the poll to see details of the poll results.[/quote] William Hill are apparently offering odds of [bold]150-1[/bold] on 'independence' being achieved by May 2012, 50/1 from 66/1 to take place before the end of May 2017 and 14/1 from 20/1 that it happens within fifty years. Worth a flutter I'd say. [/quote] Yeah, William Hills odds are worth giving them a kicking on. LOL. Get tore in!!!
PaddyPowers is a lot more realistic which are dated 3 May, below....I guess the odds'll be much shorter today :-) Enjoy !!!
2/5 to vote No in a Referendum to full independence from the UK
7/4 to vote Yes in a Referendum to full independence from the UK
12/1 to achieve full independence by 2013
6/1 to achieve full independence by 2018
5/2 to achieve full independence by 2023
Wardog wrote:
Im no really here wrote: Wendy has certainly galvanised opinion. The Times on-line poll on Independence has well over a thousand respondents (1169) and sits at 82.5% in favour of Scotland becoming an independent country. http://www.timesonli ne.co.uk/tol/news/uk /scotland/article372 3966.ece Click on "comment" in the blue area below the poll to see details of the poll results.
William Hill are apparently offering odds of 150-1 on 'independence' being achieved by May 2012, 50/1 from 66/1 to take place before the end of May 2017 and 14/1 from 20/1 that it happens within fifty years. Worth a flutter I'd say.
Yeah, William Hills odds are worth giving them a kicking on. LOL. Get tore in!!!
PaddyPowers is a lot more realistic which are dated 3 May, below....I guess the odds'll be much shorter today :-) Enjoy !!!
2/5 to vote No in a Referendum to full independence from the UK
7/4 to vote Yes in a Referendum to full independence from the UK
12/1 to achieve full independence by 2013
6/1 to achieve full independence by 2018
5/2 to achieve full independence by 2023
Posted by: george alexander, north lanarkshire on 6:45am Fri 9 May 08
Traquir @ 04:49:
My immediate thoughts on seeing this [bold]Salmond offers a Commons pact to Cameron[/bold] lie produced as a headline were that the paper had gone too far.
This is blatant lying !! What the hell are those responsible thinking? I predicted the usual 'SNP spoiler' stories would appear and a couple have, but I am actually quite shocked that a Scottish quality paper like The Herald would stoop to this.
If this is deemed acceptable by the regulatory body then I am afraid for democracy in Scotland. Every journalist who works for this paper will wake this morning and know that this organ is in danger of becoming no more than a Unionist propoganda sheet.
Traquir @ 04:49:
My immediate thoughts on seeing this
Salmond offers a Commons pact to Cameron lie produced as a headline were that the paper had gone too far.
This is blatant lying !! What the hell are those responsible thinking? I predicted the usual 'SNP spoiler' stories would appear and a couple have, but I am actually quite shocked that a Scottish quality paper like The Herald would stoop to this.
If this is deemed acceptable by the regulatory body then I am afraid for democracy in Scotland. Every journalist who works for this paper will wake this morning and know that this organ is in danger of becoming no more than a Unionist propoganda sheet.
Posted by: teamdroid on 6:50am Fri 9 May 08
Wardog, Wendy's been holed below the waterline since the Jersey donation letter appeared. Any politician with a shred of honour or principle would have resigned then. Since then we've all known we were dealing with a crooked politician, and watched as ample evidence piled up to allow us to add other adjectives. Incompetent, vain, tactless, arrogant, rude, inept, inconsistent, unreliable, scatterbrained and comical spring to mind.
I can't recall seeing a politician so plainly out of their depth in my life before.
Wardog, Wendy's been holed below the waterline since the Jersey donation letter appeared. Any politician with a shred of honour or principle would have resigned then. Since then we've all known we were dealing with a crooked politician, and watched as ample evidence piled up to allow us to add other adjectives. Incompetent, vain, tactless, arrogant, rude, inept, inconsistent, unreliable, scatterbrained and comical spring to mind.
I can't recall seeing a politician so plainly out of their depth in my life before.
Posted by: Jim on 7:15am Fri 9 May 08
It gets worse for Labour. David Whitton MSP, Wendy's PS, said on STV last night that David Cameron would win the next election.
It gets worse for Labour. David Whitton MSP, Wendy's PS, said on STV last night that David Cameron would win the next election.
Posted by: David B, Larkhall on 7:42am Fri 9 May 08
I note the lack of comments being allowed. It is unfortunate that the paper fears its readers opinions on recent matters.
This comments column is however dominated by a handful of people who share a similar outlook on life. Its more like a branch of the SNP meeting online than anything else. The HYS pages on the BBC get vastly more comments with lots more variety of views, and the Times and Telegraph comments columns are often much more informative.
Perhaps theres not much point allowing comment because its predictable what that comment will be, and indeed who is going to make it. If anything the comments being usually of the opposite opinion to the newspapers own perhaps let the newspaper print blatant nonsense with a clear conscience because the editorial balance will be there in the comments.
I note the lack of comments being allowed. It is unfortunate that the paper fears its readers opinions on recent matters.
This comments column is however dominated by a handful of people who share a similar outlook on life. Its more like a branch of the SNP meeting online than anything else. The HYS pages on the BBC get vastly more comments with lots more variety of views, and the Times and Telegraph comments columns are often much more informative.
Perhaps theres not much point allowing comment because its predictable what that comment will be, and indeed who is going to make it. If anything the comments being usually of the opposite opinion to the newspapers own perhaps let the newspaper print blatant nonsense with a clear conscience because the editorial balance will be there in the comments.
Posted by: pbyrne, Luxembourg on 7:44am Fri 9 May 08
Most commentators seem to consider Wendy's "bring it on" statement simply as a miscalculation. However, if you listen to that interview of May 4, you'll note that she starts off by saying that, if she did intend to support a referendum, she "wouldn't announce it on this TV programme2. She then proceeds to do just that! In other words, she got carried away and the couldn't retreat. No wonder she's in trouble.
Most commentators seem to consider Wendy's "bring it on" statement simply as a miscalculation. However, if you listen to that interview of May 4, you'll note that she starts off by saying that, if she did intend to support a referendum, she "wouldn't announce it on this TV programme2. She then proceeds to do just that! In other words, she got carried away and the couldn't retreat. No wonder she's in trouble.
Posted by: Big Eye, Paisley on 7:58am Fri 9 May 08
This has become an increasingly dangerous week for those tied to Labour and the Herald fabrication of the headline "Salmond offers pact to Cameron" just highlights this.
I have bought the Herald all my adult life but I was very angry this morning and for the first time I can remember I am now seriously questioning whether I should continue to do so. I suspect I am not alone in this.
I do not expect to purchase a newspaper that agrees with me all the time but I do expect to purchase a newspaper that reports fairly and in a unbiased fashion and which does not intentionally try and mislead readers to try and prop up a increasingly discredited Labour Party.
Those responsible for this story and headline should issue an apology and I agree completely that complaints should be made to the Press Complaints Commission..
EDITOR
Think about this please, if every morning I have to get up read the Herald, then go online to check what stories are barred from comment to help identify where your newspaper is intentionally misleading your readership thenI am not going to be buying your newspaper for much longer am I?
This has become an increasingly dangerous week for those tied to Labour and the Herald fabrication of the headline "Salmond offers pact to Cameron" just highlights this.
I have bought the Herald all my adult life but I was very angry this morning and for the first time I can remember I am now seriously questioning whether I should continue to do so. I suspect I am not alone in this.
I do not expect to purchase a newspaper that agrees with me all the time but I do expect to purchase a newspaper that reports fairly and in a unbiased fashion and which does not intentionally try and mislead readers to try and prop up a increasingly discredited Labour Party.
Those responsible for this story and headline should issue an apology and I agree completely that complaints should be made to the Press Complaints Commission..
EDITOR
Think about this please, if every morning I have to get up read the Herald, then go online to check what stories are barred from comment to help identify where your newspaper is intentionally misleading your readership thenI am not going to be buying your newspaper for much longer am I?
Posted by: Duns Scotus, The Borders on 8:43am Fri 9 May 08
[bold]THE HITS MISS THE FAN[/bold]
The inexorable fall in [italic]The Herald's[/italic] circulation has an impact on its advertising (and that's what pays the wages). Similarly, a slump in website hits will feed through to the advertising rates.
[italic]The Herald[/italic] is cutting its own throat by manipulating and censoring (inoffensive) comments.
When you switch on the TV at any channel with advertising, you will soon grasp who the programme is targetted at by the advertising - cars, make up, gardening, etc. Compare adfvertising on this site with other online papers to get the drift.
It is time for [italic]The Herald's[/italic] advertising director to re-assess his paper's readership profile. There can be no doubt that it is out of touch with its readership and its single half-deaf ear is now being frequently covered in case it hears something it doesn't like.
The other ear is glued to the 'phone listening to Gazza Broon's daily instructions.
How do you feel today, Messrs Young, Fraser et al? Proud to be British?
THE HITS MISS THE FAN
The inexorable fall in
The Herald's circulation has an impact on its advertising (and that's what pays the wages). Similarly, a slump in website hits will feed through to the advertising rates.
The Herald is cutting its own throat by manipulating and censoring (inoffensive) comments.
When you switch on the TV at any channel with advertising, you will soon grasp who the programme is targetted at by the advertising - cars, make up, gardening, etc. Compare adfvertising on this site with other online papers to get the drift.
It is time for
The Herald's advertising director to re-assess his paper's readership profile. There can be no doubt that it is out of touch with its readership and its single half-deaf ear is now being frequently covered in case it hears something it doesn't like.
The other ear is glued to the 'phone listening to Gazza Broon's daily instructions.
How do you feel today, Messrs Young, Fraser et al? Proud to be British?
Posted by: spagan, heisker, scotland on 8:45am Fri 9 May 08
Over the years, people in Scotland have been completely fed up with the London-centric views of the BBC. Its still terrible - particularly wrt devolved issues - health, education, crime etc.
It creates a natural reaction - that actually promotes our need to retain a national identity - even if that means silly tartan hats etc.
The press however - although always pro-establishment, never had to focus hard on the SNP. I guess they thought "it'll never happen".
However, now - and it may be because of external ownership (?), the gloves are off, the dirty tricks manual is off the shelf.
Its very disappointing to see how many headlines are tainted to be deliberately anti-SNP - e.g. "Salmond loves Cameron" - when the journalist writing the piece know that Salmond would not commit to such a pact - but would be prepared to vote issue by issue in the interests of Scotland.
However, the plus side is that such transparency of bias will only help to grow our desire for independence, and help to sustain the drive towards that goal.
However, we will need to ensure that the media in a new Scotland is independent, free, impartial and unbiased - and out of the hands of billionaires whose interests are not (necessarily) the same as the people's.
Slainte Mhor
Over the years, people in Scotland have been completely fed up with the London-centric views of the BBC. Its still terrible - particularly wrt devolved issues - health, education, crime etc.
It creates a natural reaction - that actually promotes our need to retain a national identity - even if that means silly tartan hats etc.
The press however - although always pro-establishment, never had to focus hard on the SNP. I guess they thought "it'll never happen".
However, now - and it may be because of external ownership (?), the gloves are off, the dirty tricks manual is off the shelf.
Its very disappointing to see how many headlines are tainted to be deliberately anti-SNP - e.g. "Salmond loves Cameron" - when the journalist writing the piece know that Salmond would not commit to such a pact - but would be prepared to vote issue by issue in the interests of Scotland.
However, the plus side is that such transparency of bias will only help to grow our desire for independence, and help to sustain the drive towards that goal.
However, we will need to ensure that the media in a new Scotland is independent, free, impartial and unbiased - and out of the hands of billionaires whose interests are not (necessarily) the same as the people's.
Slainte Mhor
Posted by: sid the sceptic, renfrewshire on 8:55am Fri 9 May 08
morning all: I would suggest that what U Bendy is trying to do is not to bounce brown but is actually trying to bounce a whole nation and by repeating her independance or staus quo statement as often as possible and getting all her "Friends" in the media to keep it going as long as possible we will all eventually believe it must be true. don't know about anyone else but i don't believe a word u say wendy how many times do you need to be told you lost the election you are not in power and you are pretty crap as an opposition party.
morning all: I would suggest that what U Bendy is trying to do is not to bounce brown but is actually trying to bounce a whole nation and by repeating her independance or staus quo statement as often as possible and getting all her "Friends" in the media to keep it going as long as possible we will all eventually believe it must be true. don't know about anyone else but i don't believe a word u say wendy how many times do you need to be told you lost the election you are not in power and you are pretty crap as an opposition party.
Posted by: megz, glasgow on 8:59am Fri 9 May 08
[quote]Salmond offers a Commons pact to Cameron[/quote]
OK they should change the saying to 'there's lies, **** lies and a herald story about the SNP'. I'm not sure what is worse here, the completely misleading headline or the ability to refute these claims by having no comment allowed on it.
I think you are going to find yourself reported to the press complaints commision pretty sharpish. All we have here is a desperate, labour press-releasing rag that is trying to do anything to stop the hemorrhaging of their beloved party. At this point they are almost at the level of disgusting propaganda as was seen on polling day last year by the sun and the record.
Peddling the '79 lies all over again, atleast they won't have to work too hard i suppose. Scotlands oil will be dried up by 2014, SNP put Tories in power, tartan tories etc. Urgh, when are we going to get a proper free press in this country?
Salmond offers a Commons pact to Cameron
OK they should change the saying to 'there's lies, **** lies and a herald story about the SNP'. I'm not sure what is worse here, the completely misleading headline or the ability to refute these claims by having no comment allowed on it.
I think you are going to find yourself reported to the press complaints commision pretty sharpish. All we have here is a desperate, labour press-releasing rag that is trying to do anything to stop the hemorrhaging of their beloved party. At this point they are almost at the level of disgusting propaganda as was seen on polling day last year by the sun and the record.
Peddling the '79 lies all over again, atleast they won't have to work too hard i suppose. Scotlands oil will be dried up by 2014, SNP put Tories in power, tartan tories etc. Urgh, when are we going to get a proper free press in this country?
Posted by: sid the sceptic, renfrewshire on 9:05am Fri 9 May 08
wardog: i heard cochrane on the telly at the beginning of the week when he let slip the following whilst discussing the U turn [bold]i mean[/bold] [bold]she didn't even tell us she was going to do it[/bold] . says a lot does it not .so forget brown and U bend the press obviously think that they are in charge.cochrane is obviously trying to remind them
wardog: i heard cochrane on the telly at the beginning of the week when he let slip the following whilst discussing the U turn
i mean she didn't even tell us she was going to do it . says a lot does it not .so forget brown and U bend the press obviously think that they are in charge.cochrane is obviously trying to remind them
Posted by: steve4349, larbet on 9:12am Fri 9 May 08
why would the people of scotland even consider voting for labour when we have wendy the bung ,who behaves like an eejit and a wee ned at pmq,backed by jackie the buffet baillie,and gordon the liar broon leading them in london,do these dunderheids believe the people of scotland are that thick they believe a word that they spoute
why would the people of scotland even consider voting for labour when we have wendy the bung ,who behaves like an eejit and a wee ned at pmq,backed by jackie the buffet baillie,and gordon the liar broon leading them in london,do these dunderheids believe the people of scotland are that thick they believe a word that they spoute
Posted by: frank mcbride, lusitania on 9:22am Fri 9 May 08
It's looking very likely, now, that we will have 2 Referenda in the near future; one UK-wide, the other Scotland only. Organised by Westminster.
UK - Lisbon Treaty.
Scotland - Independence, Yes/No.
Both will require a 50% + 1 majority of the TOTAL ELECTORATE.
This will be acceptable to all Unionist Parties as none of their leadership really wants to quit the EU, nor do they want to lose Scottish revenue.
Whatever else we may think of Brown, he is not stupid. This "Constitutional" problem has deliberately been manufactured to arrive at the continuation of the UK in the EU.
It's looking very likely, now, that we will have 2 Referenda in the near future; one UK-wide, the other Scotland only. Organised by Westminster.
UK - Lisbon Treaty.
Scotland - Independence, Yes/No.
Both will require a 50% + 1 majority of the TOTAL ELECTORATE.
This will be acceptable to all Unionist Parties as none of their leadership really wants to quit the EU, nor do they want to lose Scottish revenue.
Whatever else we may think of Brown, he is not stupid. This "Constitutional" problem has deliberately been manufactured to arrive at the continuation of the UK in the EU.
Posted by: ryeoman, fife on 9:45am Fri 9 May 08
First we lose the Hootsman to a biased innacurate rag, stifling comment.
Now we loose the HERALD to bias and lies. When did the Herald get appointed as the Labour Party's spin doctor.
Good bye Herald
First we lose the Hootsman to a biased innacurate rag, stifling comment.
Now we loose the HERALD to bias and lies. When did the Herald get appointed as the Labour Party's spin doctor.
Good bye Herald
Posted by: teamdroid on 9:46am Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]David B[/bold] wrote:
I note the lack of comments being allowed. It is unfortunate that the paper fears its readers opinions on recent matters.
This comments column is however dominated by a handful of people who share a similar outlook on life. Its more like a branch of the SNP meeting online than anything else. The HYS pages on the BBC get vastly more comments with lots more variety of views, and the Times and Telegraph comments columns are often much more informative.
Perhaps theres not much point allowing comment because its predictable what that comment will be, and indeed who is going to make it. If anything the comments being usually of the opposite opinion to the newspapers own perhaps let the newspaper print blatant nonsense with a clear conscience because the editorial balance will be there in the comments.
[/quote] Um, so the comments will balance out the editorial imbalance, but perhaps they shouldn't be allowed? Riiiggghhtt...
As has been said before, the reason most commenters are probably SNP-biased, is because of the sheer frustration at the editorial imbalance. We have a headline today in the Herald which is a bare-faced, 24-carat lie. Unsurprisingly, comments have not been allowed on the story in question - thus betraying yet more editorial imbalance. And this paper, along with the Scotsman, wonders why its circulation is shrinking?!
David B wrote:
I note the lack of comments being allowed. It is unfortunate that the paper fears its readers opinions on recent matters.
This comments column is however dominated by a handful of people who share a similar outlook on life. Its more like a branch of the SNP meeting online than anything else. The HYS pages on the BBC get vastly more comments with lots more variety of views, and the Times and Telegraph comments columns are often much more informative.
Perhaps theres not much point allowing comment because its predictable what that comment will be, and indeed who is going to make it. If anything the comments being usually of the opposite opinion to the newspapers own perhaps let the newspaper print blatant nonsense with a clear conscience because the editorial balance will be there in the comments.
Um, so the comments will balance out the editorial imbalance, but perhaps they shouldn't be allowed? Riiiggghhtt...
As has been said before, the reason most commenters are probably SNP-biased, is because of the sheer frustration at the editorial imbalance. We have a headline today in the Herald which is a bare-faced, 24-carat lie. Unsurprisingly, comments have not been allowed on the story in question - thus betraying yet more editorial imbalance. And this paper, along with the Scotsman, wonders why its circulation is shrinking?!
Posted by: ryeoman, fife on 9:47am Fri 9 May 08
First we lose the Hootsman to a biased innacurate rag, stifling comment.
Now we loose the HERALD to bias and lies. When did the Herald get appointed as the Labour Party's spin doctor.
Good bye Herald
First we lose the Hootsman to a biased innacurate rag, stifling comment.
Now we loose the HERALD to bias and lies. When did the Herald get appointed as the Labour Party's spin doctor.
Good bye Herald
Posted by: ryeoman, fife on 9:56am Fri 9 May 08
First we loose the Hootsman changed from a quality paper to a biased political rag that stifles comment.
Now we have the Herald following the same route - lies, bias and gross mis-reporting.
I'm starting a book on whixch paper will get the official title of Labour has-beens Spin Doctors.
Oh well at least the Press and Journal gives an accurate read
Goodbye
First we loose the Hootsman changed from a quality paper to a biased political rag that stifles comment.
Now we have the Herald following the same route - lies, bias and gross mis-reporting.
I'm starting a book on whixch paper will get the official title of Labour has-beens Spin Doctors.
Oh well at least the Press and Journal gives an accurate read
Goodbye
Posted by: ryeoman, fife on 9:57am Fri 9 May 08
First we loose the Hootsman changed from a quality paper to a biased political rag that stifles comment.
Now we have the Herald following the same route - lies, bias and gross mis-reporting.
I'm starting a book on whixch paper will get the official title of Labour has-beens Spin Doctors.
Oh well at least the Press and Journal gives an accurate read
Goodbye
First we loose the Hootsman changed from a quality paper to a biased political rag that stifles comment.
Now we have the Herald following the same route - lies, bias and gross mis-reporting.
I'm starting a book on whixch paper will get the official title of Labour has-beens Spin Doctors.
Oh well at least the Press and Journal gives an accurate read
Goodbye
Posted by: Big Boy Did It, And Ran Away on 10:02am Fri 9 May 08
[quote]Brown's Annus Horrilibus?[/quote]
Brown's a horrible anus
Brown's Annus Horrilibus?
Brown's a horrible anus
Posted by: Toophingers, Bellshill. on 10:09am Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]teamdroid[/bold] wrote:
Wardog, Wendy's been holed below the waterline since the Jersey donation letter appeared. Any politician with a shred of honour or principle would have resigned then. Since then we've all known we were dealing with a crooked politician, and watched as ample evidence piled up to allow us to add other adjectives. Incompetent, vain, tactless, arrogant, rude, inept, inconsistent, unreliable, scatterbrained and comical spring to mind. I can't recall seeing a politician so plainly out of their depth in my life before.[/quote] Two crooked politicians from the same family.
Both up to their ears in pork pies.
teamdroid wrote:
Wardog, Wendy's been holed below the waterline since the Jersey donation letter appeared. Any politician with a shred of honour or principle would have resigned then. Since then we've all known we were dealing with a crooked politician, and watched as ample evidence piled up to allow us to add other adjectives. Incompetent, vain, tactless, arrogant, rude, inept, inconsistent, unreliable, scatterbrained and comical spring to mind. I can't recall seeing a politician so plainly out of their depth in my life before.
Two crooked politicians from the same family.
Both up to their ears in pork pies.
Posted by: Mac, Dundee on 10:16am Fri 9 May 08
When you have aides to Wendy Alexander going to journalists at Holyrood yesterday saying that Gordon Brown 'bottled it' at PMQs on Wednesday then you know that this will all end it blood and snottirs.
Not only is Holyrood Labour, as opposed to London Labour, backing a referendum on Scottish indepndence they are agreeing with David Cameron's assessment that Gordon Brown is a loser not a leader.
This situation cannot possibly last. Gordon Brown is in free-fall in England, Wendy Alexander is in cloud-cuckoo land. Something has to give and soon.
Who will be chopped first, Gordon Brown or Wendy Alexander?
When you have aides to Wendy Alexander going to journalists at Holyrood yesterday saying that Gordon Brown 'bottled it' at PMQs on Wednesday then you know that this will all end it blood and snottirs.
Not only is Holyrood Labour, as opposed to London Labour, backing a referendum on Scottish indepndence they are agreeing with David Cameron's assessment that Gordon Brown is a loser not a leader.
This situation cannot possibly last. Gordon Brown is in free-fall in England, Wendy Alexander is in cloud-cuckoo land. Something has to give and soon.
Who will be chopped first, Gordon Brown or Wendy Alexander?
Posted by: Vivas, Embra on 10:31am Fri 9 May 08
No point in getting p'd off at todays Herald headline. Its just a salutory reminder that this is a dirty war and going to get dirtier.
Lies, misrepresentations, smears ... it's all going to happen, so it's time to thicken our skins a little here. I suspect that the unionist
media and hacks are starting to feel that now is the time for them to start to make their contribution. Wendy and SLAB are hanging
on by their fingertips, but the unionist media were never going to stand on their fingers and send them down the cliff ... they were always going to throw them a rope. And we're seeing a few of these helpful rescue ropes being thrown down the cliff-face today.
The truly disappointing thing about the headline, is the arrogance of it's author. Plainly this is someone who believes they have the power to influence, who thinks they're a player in events to come. Unfortunately what he's shown is that he's condescending, patronising and ignorant of The Heralds readership.
This headline insults the intelligence of anyone who reads it, whether unionist, nationalist or anywhere inbetween. The headline doesn't match the article. This is every bit as bizarre and insulting as SLAB telling us that Wendy and Toom Tabbard are saying the same thing when they're not.
We can read. We can use our brains. We can work out whats going on. The Northbritishman has been insulting it's readership (whats left of it) in this way for a long time. It's sad but not too suprising to see the author of the piece do exactly the same thing here. We're not Daily Record readers and if the author wants to write for that audience, he should get his CV in there pronto. The Herald (and I write as an Edinburgher) is a mile ahead of The Northbritishman in almost every respect. Today it has let itself down but we will have to get used to that I fear.
Lies, misrepresentations, smears... expect more of the same. It's been a great first year at Holyrood, but the real battle begins now. For those of us who believe in independence it's time to stop enjoying the holiday period and get ready to dust off that armour for battle.
Its heads up and eyes forward to 2010. Get ready to take heavy fire along the way. "Bring it on" you could say.
No point in getting p'd off at todays Herald headline. Its just a salutory reminder that this is a dirty war and going to get dirtier.
Lies, misrepresentations, smears ... it's all going to happen, so it's time to thicken our skins a little here. I suspect that the unionist
media and hacks are starting to feel that now is the time for them to start to make their contribution. Wendy and SLAB are hanging
on by their fingertips, but the unionist media were never going to stand on their fingers and send them down the cliff ... they were always going to throw them a rope. And we're seeing a few of these helpful rescue ropes being thrown down the cliff-face today.
The truly disappointing thing about the headline, is the arrogance of it's author. Plainly this is someone who believes they have the power to influence, who thinks they're a player in events to come. Unfortunately what he's shown is that he's condescending, patronising and ignorant of The Heralds readership.
This headline insults the intelligence of anyone who reads it, whether unionist, nationalist or anywhere inbetween. The headline doesn't match the article. This is every bit as bizarre and insulting as SLAB telling us that Wendy and Toom Tabbard are saying the same thing when they're not.
We can read. We can use our brains. We can work out whats going on. The Northbritishman has been insulting it's readership (whats left of it) in this way for a long time. It's sad but not too suprising to see the author of the piece do exactly the same thing here. We're not Daily Record readers and if the author wants to write for that audience, he should get his CV in there pronto. The Herald (and I write as an Edinburgher) is a mile ahead of The Northbritishman in almost every respect. Today it has let itself down but we will have to get used to that I fear.
Lies, misrepresentations, smears... expect more of the same. It's been a great first year at Holyrood, but the real battle begins now. For those of us who believe in independence it's time to stop enjoying the holiday period and get ready to dust off that armour for battle.
Its heads up and eyes forward to 2010. Get ready to take heavy fire along the way. "Bring it on" you could say.
Posted by: ZenBroon, Glesca/Glaschu on 10:44am Fri 9 May 08
[quote]First we loose the Hootsman changed from a quality paper to a biased political rag that stifles comment.
Now we have the Herald following the same route - lies, bias and gross mis-reporting.[/quote]
Respect to SLAB, in the midst of their meltdown they still manage to plant a distractor story on the front page of The Herald. Good to have friends in difficult times.
First we loose the Hootsman changed from a quality paper to a biased political rag that stifles comment.
Now we have the Herald following the same route - lies, bias and gross mis-reporting.
Respect to SLAB, in the midst of their meltdown they still manage to plant a distractor story on the front page of The Herald. Good to have friends in difficult times.
Posted by: megz, glasgow on 10:45am Fri 9 May 08
eh wheres me post, dang you herald!
eh wheres me post, dang you herald!
Posted by: John Leven, Leven Fife on 10:46am Fri 9 May 08
David B Larkhall
Maybe there are just a lot of us who want a better future for our children and grandchildren in an independent Scotland which is why we write to the blog.
Frank MacBride.
You are totally wrong. The last time I looked this was still a democracy, [bold]the % required is 50% + 1 of the people who vote[/bold]
Anything other than that would be undemocratic. We should ask the United Nations to run the referendum and count the votes, as I would not trust Labour as far as I can throw them. (and some of them I could not even lift)
Got to feel sorry for Chisholm and Gray sent out to defend the indefensible. Have they given any thought to their credibility once Wen D has gone???
Will they say I was only following orders?
David B Larkhall
Maybe there are just a lot of us who want a better future for our children and grandchildren in an independent Scotland which is why we write to the blog.
Frank MacBride.
You are totally wrong. The last time I looked this was still a democracy,
the % required is 50% + 1 of the people who vote
Anything other than that would be undemocratic. We should ask the United Nations to run the referendum and count the votes, as I would not trust Labour as far as I can throw them. (and some of them I could not even lift)
Got to feel sorry for Chisholm and Gray sent out to defend the indefensible. Have they given any thought to their credibility once Wen D has gone???
Will they say I was only following orders?
Posted by: poilu, Edinburgh on 10:50am Fri 9 May 08
Yup, more headlines and bias like that and this will be another lost reader.
Yup, more headlines and bias like that and this will be another lost reader.
Posted by: Free Thinker, North Lanarkshire on 10:58am Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]megz[/bold] wrote:
[quote]Salmond offers a Commons pact to Cameron[/quote] OK they should change the saying to 'there's lies, **** lies and a herald story about the SNP'. I'm not sure what is worse here, the completely misleading headline or the ability to refute these claims by having no comment allowed on it. I think you are going to find yourself reported to the press complaints commision pretty sharpish. All we have here is a desperate, labour press-releasing rag that is trying to do anything to stop the hemorrhaging of their beloved party. At this point they are almost at the level of disgusting propaganda as was seen on polling day last year by the sun and the record. Peddling the '79 lies all over again, atleast they won't have to work too hard i suppose. Scotlands oil will be dried up by 2014, SNP put Tories in power, tartan tories etc. Urgh, when are we going to get a proper free press in this country?[/quote] We'll get a fair and free press in Scotland when we achieve independence.
megz wrote:
Salmond offers a Commons pact to Cameron
OK they should change the saying to 'there's lies, **** lies and a herald story about the SNP'. I'm not sure what is worse here, the completely misleading headline or the ability to refute these claims by having no comment allowed on it. I think you are going to find yourself reported to the press complaints commision pretty sharpish. All we have here is a desperate, labour press-releasing rag that is trying to do anything to stop the hemorrhaging of their beloved party. At this point they are almost at the level of disgusting propaganda as was seen on polling day last year by the sun and the record. Peddling the '79 lies all over again, atleast they won't have to work too hard i suppose. Scotlands oil will be dried up by 2014, SNP put Tories in power, tartan tories etc. Urgh, when are we going to get a proper free press in this country?
We'll get a fair and free press in Scotland when we achieve independence.
Posted by: megz, glasgow on 10:58am Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]Mac[/bold] wrote:
When you have aides to Wendy Alexander going to journalists at Holyrood yesterday saying that Gordon Brown 'bottled it' at PMQs on Wednesday then you know that this will all end it blood and snottirs. Not only is Holyrood Labour, as opposed to London Labour, backing a referendum on Scottish indepndence they are agreeing with David Cameron's assessment that Gordon Brown is a loser not a leader. This situation cannot possibly last. Gordon Brown is in free-fall in England, Wendy Alexander is in cloud-cuckoo land. Something has to give and soon. Who will be chopped first, Gordon Brown or Wendy Alexander?[/quote] is this the first shot in civil war and an attempt to get rid of brown/alexander, or is it a ploy to make people think slab are actually independent from westminster or is it just as case of a situation getting out of hand, having to go along with something you didn't mean to say but will look daft if you u-turn on your u-turn?
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