Tomorrow I will attend.the Scottish High court in Edinburgh.
The case may be fundamental to the future of the Treaty that underpins our Union with England (as Britain) the case could dissolve THAT very Treaty thus giving us an out of this by legally by challenging England for BREAKING a Binding Treaty under International Law.
The history that almost everyone on the Yes side ignores is the problem. Until we face up to that, independence is going to be difficult.
Let's start with the most significant event, the 1997 referendum on devolution. I opposed it. It wasn't the glorious return of the Scottish parliament after more than 300 years. It wasn't a step towards independence. It was devolution. A devolved parliament, fully answerable to Westminster. Stuck together with enough red tape to prevent us from ever becoming independent.
That is the truth.
The independence referendum of 2014 was a sham. Not because it could be dismissed by Westminster (which of course it could). It was a sham because Alex Salmond based it on "monetary union" and George Osborne said no.
You might disagree with me about some of that. Fine, disagree if you like. However, this is where we come to Alex Salmond's biggest mistake and I'm certain that no one on here will disagree. Alex Salmond admitted it himself. His biggest mistake was handing his leadership to Nicola Sturgeon.
John Swinney is, in some ways, worse. He doesn't even properly pretend to want independence. How he fools anyone is a mystery.
Stephen Flynn, now regarded as Swinney's most likely challenger, is supporting plans for a huge data centre in Scotland. This reminds me of Kate Forbes supporting free ports.
There is nothing, and I mean nothing, even remotely Scottish about the SNP. I've known that my whole life. They fool Scots into supporting a lost cause. They fooled Alex Salmond. They conspired to jail Alex Salmond.
Last week, I went to see Iain Dale interviewing Joanna Cherry. Fantastic show. One anecdote revealed how Alex Salmond knew he was surrounded by idiots in the upper echelons of the SNP. However, Joanna concluded by saying she'd be happy to rejoin with Stephen Flynn as leader. Flynn, the most obvious careerist in the SNP! The SNP, the most obvious devolutionists anywhere on earth!
It we genuinely want independence, we absolutely must rid ourselves of the SNP. A few hapless victims, like Alex Salmond and now Joanna Cherry, does not make them Scottish and it certainly does not make them honest.
There is nothing Scottish or honest about the SNP. I don't blame Alex Salmond or anyone else for falling into their trap, but please, can someone launch a new genuinely Scottish independence party.
I was much younger than that when I realised the SNP would never deliver independence. One person, a local headmaster, used to stick an SNP poster up in his window. They were lunatics before and after Alex Salmond.
I was a member of the SNP for sixty years. I'm telling you that when you say the SNP wasn't Scottish, you're talking total shite.
That remark is very much in keeping with your inability to comprehend that things can change over time. If a thing is bad now, in your mind it must always have been bad. You mainly exhibit this strange idiosyncracy in relation to devolution. Repeatedly, you have shown how you simply cannot comprehend that devolution was helpful to Scotland's cause until it wasn't. Now you are exhibiting this same mental quirk in relation to the SNP.
It's all rather weird. I don't recall having encountered such a trait before. It is not uncommon for people to take advantage of hindsight when trying to appear particularly perspicacious. But this is on a different level entirely.
Well written piece Peter. You have identified the problem that Scotland has in our return to freedom lost in 1707.
'were the Scottish Government to CHALLENGE that asserted authority' (Ref Peter A Bell)
When was the last time the SNP challenged anything? The foreign englishman burn'em publicly denied Scotland a referendum..a few minutes into his post..so what did swiney and his gang o' rogues say..do? ..total silence.
They will cheep...'wait and see'..(we've been waiting 300years.) We must take action as those pretenders are happy to sit in their well paid sinecures and do zilch..they couldn't even save Grangemouth ..( our last oil refinery)..actually they made no attempt to save it...while the foreign english steelworks were instantly protected by the UK government. Meantime the MOD refuse to give details of American troops in Scotland. What did the SG do...silence.
The Scottish people were betrayed in 1707 by an illegal agreement that should be ripped up instead of playing these nonsensical games set up by our hostile foreign english occupiers to fob off the Jocks..you must have this % or you must get a section crap agreement. ..oh and don't forget the constitution sh*te..... finished of with screaming IT'S DEVOLVED and non of your business...they will go on producing this dross and the devious SNP will be happy to play along.
Holyrood needs a visit from her SOVEREIGN people to make their anger felt at the non stop betrayal endured by them..only 300 years!
I hope you saw the Maoris make their feelings felt in parliament when their rights were being ignored...
Scots must get up on their hind legs..toss that 1707 illegal document in the Clyde and demand action by our so called government because while the SG continue to collude with the foreign english occupiers in OUR country...we will remain a sad wee nation held in captivity forever.
Peter, you say correctly "the British state needs to be able to claim that there is a democratic process by which Scotland can leave the UK" it needs a leader written and demanding to know what is the process in which Scotland can leave this voluntary union, unfortunate John Swinney isn't that man and the SNP isn't that party.
I find my self having to say all road lead to the SNP cul-de-sac.
If a British politician is describing a democratic route to independence, then you can be sure what they are describing is neither democratic nor a route to independence.
The only route to independence that actually takes us to independence is the route we carve for ourselves.
He doesn't support Independence and yet does support taking a seat in the Scottish parliament.
What gets up my goat is, they never ever call themselves British its always Scottish or when their abroad and ask where are you from its Scotland.
If your so proud to be British to the point you despise us being Scottish or even Scotland existing then please call yourselves British. The only reason NONE of them do it they wouldn't get elected.
How can we take the piss out of him, when the leader of the Nationalist party in Scotland singing louder than anyone else GOD SAFE THE ENGLISH KING.
Yes indeed, a colonial mindset is arguably our biggest enemy, as reflected in the confused behaviour of native political elites and many of the people who still oppose their own liberation.
Here we should remember that 'colonialism is based on psychology' (Cesaire), and that; "The most potent weapon of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed" (Steve Biko)
Juist as weel mony o us Scots noo ken aw aboot thon colonial condeetion, jings we e'en hiv oor ain term for hit - 'Scottish cultural cringe':
Joe Fagan is British. Joe Fagan supports the British position.
The concern must be that, whilst they are blocking a (Section 30 only, Westminster approved all strings attached) referendum they may be preparing the ground to make another 'offer'.
Hence the Burnham musings about a 'written constitution' and others making the case for Near-ly Federalism, Home-ish Rule and Maxy Devo.
John Swinney and co would I suspect jump at the chance if an offer tying Scotland to the UK forever was made.
From his point of view that would put the matter to bed once and for all and permit Swinney and his mob to get on with their real objective, namely enjoying the pay, pension and perks associated administering Scotland on behalf of the British state.
While not arguing with any of what you say here, the situation is not, or should I say, is no longer static.
This balancing act has held for the 10 plus years that the devolutionist clique that has control of the SNP has been playing along.
However Salvo and Liberation have been upsetting that double act.
Now that Scotlands cause is being exposed in all its increasingly murky detail, both to the international community at the United Nations and to those voters who are increasingly paying attention here at home, the perpetual stasis of apparent inaction is coming to an end.
The British deep state has instructed the newly coronated leader of the former Labour party of Britain to begin ramping up the not very subtle 3 pronged attack on the existing constitutional settlement.
Unfortunately concurrently with that the SNP have been modifying their messaging to the public from 'vote for us for Indpendence' to 'vote for us for a chance to vote for change'
It doesn't take a genius to see that John Swinney is positioning himself and the party so that when London decides to announce that they are 'giving' us an 'opportunity' to 'make a choice' that JS and the SNP will have put themselves in a position to be able to say:
"look at the opportunity to choose that we have 'won' for you."
As has been previously discussed here at length, anything that the British state is prepared to 'offer' us would be something that we would never, never want to have.
I do not feel the need to spend the pixels going over all of that again now.
Once again we are entering into a period of maximum danger.
Most people are completely oblivious to this.
Some who should know better are in outright denial.
We need to open peoples eyes.
We need a campaign.
We may nearly have run out out of time for it, because it will take a good amount of time to explain to people, and the lazy assumption that we have until the next British General Election is utterly false.
A snap declaration could come almost at any time, depending on the prevailing political circumstances which are entirely beyond our control.
Salvo and Craig Murray have put out an urgent notification.
Tomorrow 9am
Court No 1
Court of Session
Edinburgh
hearing in the Scottish judicial review of the proscription of Palestine Action.
Please come and support.
###################
IMPORTANT NEWS
VITAL hearing in Scottish judicial review of Palestine Action proscription
It's a big, public court, gallery for 100 or so.
Please come support.
################
So this case is about:
The Genocide in Gaza,
Israeli weapons production in the UK,
The right of free speech and protest
The autonomy of Scots Law.
It is massive. I really need your support.
#############################
In the proscription case, the English courts ruled that Boris Johnson's proscription of parliament was lawful and the Scottish court ruled it was unlawful.
The Supreme Court found with the Scottish court.
I expect the same sequence.
#####################
So anyone who can make it to Edinburgh tomorrow Thursday morning lets make it a show of support for this crucial legal case.
If you don't want to or can't make it into the public gallery it is still worth it to be there for the 'flags and banners' outside in the courtyard.
This is one of the few times Craig has a chance of getting publicity for this critical case.
I believe you are absolutely correct on all the points you make here. One possible fly in the UK Supremacist ointment is it's simultaneous ( to whatever plans it has for " Nigel " - or in the event of a Reform victory at the next G.E - whatever plans Nigel has for Scotland ) courting of catastrophe by it's constant attacks on Russia - behind the skeletal fig-leaf of it's Ukrainian proxy - and it's participation in the Coalition of the Fucking Demented equally insane goading of The Bear. If, or rather, when the consequences of that lunacy start to impact on Blighted Blighty their energies may be fully expended coping with THAT self-inflicted shitshow.
Of course it's entirely possible- if the above scenario materialises - they will use it to scream hysterically about " us all " having to " pull together " to " face this existential Russian threat ". The truly despairing thing is, the current SNP/GOV would 100% acquiesce to this pish - and willingly. Rather than what they should have been doing since the start of the Proxy War, ie using it to put as much political & psychological distance as possible between Scotland and the Blimps & Strangeloves of silly little delusional England.
Asking the people of Scotland - after having given them the TRUTH about the malignant origins of this filthy Proxy War - if they REALLY want their loved ones to die or be horribly, life-changingly injured so that the utterly corrupt swine in Kiev, Washington, London, Paris and Berlin can escape the consequences of their actions and the U.S can maintain it's status as Global Playground Bully
"the current SNP/GOV would 100% acquiesce to this pish"
That seems correct, Robert. Which reminds us that national party elites co-opted by colonialism 'are condemned by their own hypocrisy' (Cesaire). And that, in a colony 'it is only the values of the colonizer that are sovereign' (Memmi).
Tomorrow I will attend.the Scottish High court in Edinburgh.
The case may be fundamental to the future of the Treaty that underpins our Union with England (as Britain) the case could dissolve THAT very Treaty thus giving us an out of this by legally by challenging England for BREAKING a Binding Treaty under International Law.
You can't put it any plainer than that. What a strange place the SNP must be.
The history that almost everyone on the Yes side ignores is the problem. Until we face up to that, independence is going to be difficult.
Let's start with the most significant event, the 1997 referendum on devolution. I opposed it. It wasn't the glorious return of the Scottish parliament after more than 300 years. It wasn't a step towards independence. It was devolution. A devolved parliament, fully answerable to Westminster. Stuck together with enough red tape to prevent us from ever becoming independent.
That is the truth.
The independence referendum of 2014 was a sham. Not because it could be dismissed by Westminster (which of course it could). It was a sham because Alex Salmond based it on "monetary union" and George Osborne said no.
You might disagree with me about some of that. Fine, disagree if you like. However, this is where we come to Alex Salmond's biggest mistake and I'm certain that no one on here will disagree. Alex Salmond admitted it himself. His biggest mistake was handing his leadership to Nicola Sturgeon.
John Swinney is, in some ways, worse. He doesn't even properly pretend to want independence. How he fools anyone is a mystery.
Stephen Flynn, now regarded as Swinney's most likely challenger, is supporting plans for a huge data centre in Scotland. This reminds me of Kate Forbes supporting free ports.
There is nothing, and I mean nothing, even remotely Scottish about the SNP. I've known that my whole life. They fool Scots into supporting a lost cause. They fooled Alex Salmond. They conspired to jail Alex Salmond.
Last week, I went to see Iain Dale interviewing Joanna Cherry. Fantastic show. One anecdote revealed how Alex Salmond knew he was surrounded by idiots in the upper echelons of the SNP. However, Joanna concluded by saying she'd be happy to rejoin with Stephen Flynn as leader. Flynn, the most obvious careerist in the SNP! The SNP, the most obvious devolutionists anywhere on earth!
It we genuinely want independence, we absolutely must rid ourselves of the SNP. A few hapless victims, like Alex Salmond and now Joanna Cherry, does not make them Scottish and it certainly does not make them honest.
There is nothing Scottish or honest about the SNP. I don't blame Alex Salmond or anyone else for falling into their trap, but please, can someone launch a new genuinely Scottish independence party.
"There is nothing, and I mean nothing, even remotely Scottish about the SNP. I've known that my whole life."
That would only make sense if you were around 15 years old.
I was much younger than that when I realised the SNP would never deliver independence. One person, a local headmaster, used to stick an SNP poster up in his window. They were lunatics before and after Alex Salmond.
I was a member of the SNP for sixty years. I'm telling you that when you say the SNP wasn't Scottish, you're talking total shite.
That remark is very much in keeping with your inability to comprehend that things can change over time. If a thing is bad now, in your mind it must always have been bad. You mainly exhibit this strange idiosyncracy in relation to devolution. Repeatedly, you have shown how you simply cannot comprehend that devolution was helpful to Scotland's cause until it wasn't. Now you are exhibiting this same mental quirk in relation to the SNP.
It's all rather weird. I don't recall having encountered such a trait before. It is not uncommon for people to take advantage of hindsight when trying to appear particularly perspicacious. But this is on a different level entirely.
I might have been wrong about the SNP. You might be living in an independent Scotland. The trouble is I was right.
Mind you, I've spent years being unpopular. Even now most independence supporters disagree with me.
Well written piece Peter. You have identified the problem that Scotland has in our return to freedom lost in 1707.
'were the Scottish Government to CHALLENGE that asserted authority' (Ref Peter A Bell)
When was the last time the SNP challenged anything? The foreign englishman burn'em publicly denied Scotland a referendum..a few minutes into his post..so what did swiney and his gang o' rogues say..do? ..total silence.
They will cheep...'wait and see'..(we've been waiting 300years.) We must take action as those pretenders are happy to sit in their well paid sinecures and do zilch..they couldn't even save Grangemouth ..( our last oil refinery)..actually they made no attempt to save it...while the foreign english steelworks were instantly protected by the UK government. Meantime the MOD refuse to give details of American troops in Scotland. What did the SG do...silence.
The Scottish people were betrayed in 1707 by an illegal agreement that should be ripped up instead of playing these nonsensical games set up by our hostile foreign english occupiers to fob off the Jocks..you must have this % or you must get a section crap agreement. ..oh and don't forget the constitution sh*te..... finished of with screaming IT'S DEVOLVED and non of your business...they will go on producing this dross and the devious SNP will be happy to play along.
Holyrood needs a visit from her SOVEREIGN people to make their anger felt at the non stop betrayal endured by them..only 300 years!
I hope you saw the Maoris make their feelings felt in parliament when their rights were being ignored...
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XZkpr8FcErA
Scots must get up on their hind legs..toss that 1707 illegal document in the Clyde and demand action by our so called government because while the SG continue to collude with the foreign english occupiers in OUR country...we will remain a sad wee nation held in captivity forever.
For OUR Scotland and her betrayed weans.
Peter, you say correctly "the British state needs to be able to claim that there is a democratic process by which Scotland can leave the UK" it needs a leader written and demanding to know what is the process in which Scotland can leave this voluntary union, unfortunate John Swinney isn't that man and the SNP isn't that party.
I find my self having to say all road lead to the SNP cul-de-sac.
If a British politician is describing a democratic route to independence, then you can be sure what they are describing is neither democratic nor a route to independence.
The only route to independence that actually takes us to independence is the route we carve for ourselves.
He doesn't support Independence and yet does support taking a seat in the Scottish parliament.
What gets up my goat is, they never ever call themselves British its always Scottish or when their abroad and ask where are you from its Scotland.
If your so proud to be British to the point you despise us being Scottish or even Scotland existing then please call yourselves British. The only reason NONE of them do it they wouldn't get elected.
How can we take the piss out of him, when the leader of the Nationalist party in Scotland singing louder than anyone else GOD SAFE THE ENGLISH KING.
Yes indeed, a colonial mindset is arguably our biggest enemy, as reflected in the confused behaviour of native political elites and many of the people who still oppose their own liberation.
Here we should remember that 'colonialism is based on psychology' (Cesaire), and that; "The most potent weapon of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed" (Steve Biko)
Juist as weel mony o us Scots noo ken aw aboot thon colonial condeetion, jings we e'en hiv oor ain term for hit - 'Scottish cultural cringe':
https://yoursforscotlandcom.wordpress.com/2024/03/03/the-colonial-mindset/
Joe Fagan is British. Joe Fagan supports the British position.
The concern must be that, whilst they are blocking a (Section 30 only, Westminster approved all strings attached) referendum they may be preparing the ground to make another 'offer'.
Hence the Burnham musings about a 'written constitution' and others making the case for Near-ly Federalism, Home-ish Rule and Maxy Devo.
John Swinney and co would I suspect jump at the chance if an offer tying Scotland to the UK forever was made.
From his point of view that would put the matter to bed once and for all and permit Swinney and his mob to get on with their real objective, namely enjoying the pay, pension and perks associated administering Scotland on behalf of the British state.
Aye but, Peter.
While not arguing with any of what you say here, the situation is not, or should I say, is no longer static.
This balancing act has held for the 10 plus years that the devolutionist clique that has control of the SNP has been playing along.
However Salvo and Liberation have been upsetting that double act.
Now that Scotlands cause is being exposed in all its increasingly murky detail, both to the international community at the United Nations and to those voters who are increasingly paying attention here at home, the perpetual stasis of apparent inaction is coming to an end.
The British deep state has instructed the newly coronated leader of the former Labour party of Britain to begin ramping up the not very subtle 3 pronged attack on the existing constitutional settlement.
Unfortunately concurrently with that the SNP have been modifying their messaging to the public from 'vote for us for Indpendence' to 'vote for us for a chance to vote for change'
It doesn't take a genius to see that John Swinney is positioning himself and the party so that when London decides to announce that they are 'giving' us an 'opportunity' to 'make a choice' that JS and the SNP will have put themselves in a position to be able to say:
"look at the opportunity to choose that we have 'won' for you."
As has been previously discussed here at length, anything that the British state is prepared to 'offer' us would be something that we would never, never want to have.
I do not feel the need to spend the pixels going over all of that again now.
Once again we are entering into a period of maximum danger.
Most people are completely oblivious to this.
Some who should know better are in outright denial.
We need to open peoples eyes.
We need a campaign.
We may nearly have run out out of time for it, because it will take a good amount of time to explain to people, and the lazy assumption that we have until the next British General Election is utterly false.
A snap declaration could come almost at any time, depending on the prevailing political circumstances which are entirely beyond our control.
:-(
Further to this.
Salvo and Craig Murray have put out an urgent notification.
Tomorrow 9am
Court No 1
Court of Session
Edinburgh
hearing in the Scottish judicial review of the proscription of Palestine Action.
Please come and support.
###################
IMPORTANT NEWS
VITAL hearing in Scottish judicial review of Palestine Action proscription
It's a big, public court, gallery for 100 or so.
Please come support.
################
So this case is about:
The Genocide in Gaza,
Israeli weapons production in the UK,
The right of free speech and protest
The autonomy of Scots Law.
It is massive. I really need your support.
#############################
In the proscription case, the English courts ruled that Boris Johnson's proscription of parliament was lawful and the Scottish court ruled it was unlawful.
The Supreme Court found with the Scottish court.
I expect the same sequence.
#####################
So anyone who can make it to Edinburgh tomorrow Thursday morning lets make it a show of support for this crucial legal case.
If you don't want to or can't make it into the public gallery it is still worth it to be there for the 'flags and banners' outside in the courtyard.
This is one of the few times Craig has a chance of getting publicity for this critical case.
I believe you are absolutely correct on all the points you make here. One possible fly in the UK Supremacist ointment is it's simultaneous ( to whatever plans it has for " Nigel " - or in the event of a Reform victory at the next G.E - whatever plans Nigel has for Scotland ) courting of catastrophe by it's constant attacks on Russia - behind the skeletal fig-leaf of it's Ukrainian proxy - and it's participation in the Coalition of the Fucking Demented equally insane goading of The Bear. If, or rather, when the consequences of that lunacy start to impact on Blighted Blighty their energies may be fully expended coping with THAT self-inflicted shitshow.
Of course it's entirely possible- if the above scenario materialises - they will use it to scream hysterically about " us all " having to " pull together " to " face this existential Russian threat ". The truly despairing thing is, the current SNP/GOV would 100% acquiesce to this pish - and willingly. Rather than what they should have been doing since the start of the Proxy War, ie using it to put as much political & psychological distance as possible between Scotland and the Blimps & Strangeloves of silly little delusional England.
Asking the people of Scotland - after having given them the TRUTH about the malignant origins of this filthy Proxy War - if they REALLY want their loved ones to die or be horribly, life-changingly injured so that the utterly corrupt swine in Kiev, Washington, London, Paris and Berlin can escape the consequences of their actions and the U.S can maintain it's status as Global Playground Bully
"the current SNP/GOV would 100% acquiesce to this pish"
That seems correct, Robert. Which reminds us that national party elites co-opted by colonialism 'are condemned by their own hypocrisy' (Cesaire). And that, in a colony 'it is only the values of the colonizer that are sovereign' (Memmi).