Tag Archives: #SNP

Honest John?

Honest, competent, transparent, safe… these are just some of the words I would never use to describe John Swinney. Although first minister by default, he is a failure. The loyal consigliere – his role now seems to be a reprise his last stint as SNP leader and take the fall for the next electoral defeat.Continue reading “Honest John?”

Rising Tide

As Populists Rise in Europe, what hope can the UK give to the EU? The 2024 European Parliament election polls suggest a rising tide of populism across the EU, with profound implications for European Union policies and integration. Does this mean that the EU has fallen, and Remainers should abandon the dream of returning? No:Continue reading “Rising Tide”

Freezer Burn

The Scottish National Party’s (SNP) proposed council tax freeze is criticised for potentially damaging local government finances and services. Critics argue that the short-term benefit to taxpayers will result in long-term losses as councils will have to cut services due to funding shortfalls, affecting mostly those who are reliant on such services. Additionally, the policy is seen as undermining local autonomy by limiting councils’ ability to generate revenue. Various councils and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) have voiced their opposition.

Chinese Whispers

Is the SNPs Scotland a Chinese Trojan Horse?  Is Scotland on the verge of becoming China’s Trojan Horse within the United Kingdom? This question is neither rhetorical nor exaggerated. As the Scottish National Party (SNP) continues to push for independence, there is mounting concern that the party is either naively or deliberately opening the doorContinue reading “Chinese Whispers”

Send In The Clowns

“Scotland: the only country in the world where the artists conspire with the government against the people.” Stephen Daisley Who took the satire out of the Saltire? The following article will delve into the Scottish Comedy scene and its relationship with politics. Looking back to comedy in Scotland before the Nationalists came to power: whenContinue reading “Send In The Clowns”

Putting the Con in Constitution

A Constitution for an Independent Scotland: A Populist’s Dream or a Misuse of Public Funds? While the idea of a written constitution for an independent Scotland may seem appealing, the Scottish National Party’s (SNP) proposal is fraught with potential pitfalls, oversimplifications, and a lack of detail that raises serious questions about its feasibility and theContinue reading “Putting the Con in Constitution”

The Lady Doth Protest Too Much

The lady doth protest too much, methinks. Queen Gertrude, Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 2 In politics, the phrase “the lady doth protest too much, methinks” from Hamlet often rings true. This line, uttered by Queen Gertrude, suggests that an overabundance of denial or protestation can inadvertently reveal the truth. Politicians, in their quest to maintainContinue reading “The Lady Doth Protest Too Much”

Pushing the Envelope

When people of influence are caught with envelopes of cash, it rarely ends well for them It’s about as grubby and corrupt a scene as you can find in popular culture; the trope of “envelopes of cash” is often used in films and television shows to depict bribery and corruption. It has become a cliché,Continue reading “Pushing the Envelope”

Empire State

Scotland: Colony or Coloniser?  “The primary aim of propaganda is, of course, to influence contemporary opinion, but those who rewrite history do probably believe with part of their minds that they are actually thrusting facts into the past.” Notes on Nationalism – George Orwell It’s sadly become a nationalist trope to claim Scotland is aContinue reading “Empire State”

The Wrong Good Friday

The Good Friday Agreement is not Justification for the SNP’s Unilateral De Facto Referendum demands  The pub in the film the long good Friday is called “The ‘Lion and Unicorn’ – representing the standards of England and Scotland as united on the banner of James VI of Scotland when he became James I of EnglandContinue reading “The Wrong Good Friday”

The History of the SNP and the EU: A Tale of Antagonism

This blog post is based on a YouTube video titled “Why is the history of the SNP and the EU actually really antagonistic?” The Scottish National Party (SNP) portrays itself as a pro-European party, especially in recent years. However, a closer look at the party’s history reveals a more complex and often antagonistic relationship withContinue reading “The History of the SNP and the EU: A Tale of Antagonism”

Size Matters

What’s the best size for a country? The Scottish National Party make much of Scotland’s population of around 5 million as conveniently the best size for a country – as though simply by being around 5 million nations are predestined to be “wealthier, happier and fairer” but does their claim stand up to investigation?  InContinue reading “Size Matters”

Scottish Soothsaying 

Prophecy is a staple trope of mythology, and if Nationalism is anything, it’s an emotional appeal to mythology, often of an idealised past. The mythology of Scottish Nationalism has included a prophecy of the inevitability of victory, the surety in the collapse of the union, a glorious day coming where real or imagined wrongs willContinue reading “Scottish Soothsaying “

Separation Anxiety

The separation of the legislature and the judiciary is an indication, not a failure, of a healthy liberal democracy. It is the defining behaviour of populists to claim that they speak with the will and the authority of ‘the people against some defined elite. Independent courts must be able to hold the people’s representatives toContinue reading “Separation Anxiety”

Deficit Denial

Scotland’s Democratic Deficit Unionists and Nationalists are in deficit denial – but about different Scottish deficits. Unionists, quite correctly, highlight the challenges of Scotland’s nominal deficit – which would become structural, and therefore problematic, upon independence. Many nationalists downplay it or even deny it exists at all. In contrast, Nationalists highlight what they see asContinue reading “Deficit Denial”

Attacking the Media

“Four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a thousand bayonets.” Napoleon Bonaparte The technique we look at in this chapter of the Populist’s Playbook is “Attacking the media”. I like to start out with some definitions and parameters. So, what do we mean by media, and what do we mean by attacks? WhoContinue reading “Attacking the Media”