Like most other commentators among the media professionals, Lesley Riddoch seems to have been surprised by The National’s poll hinting at higher levels of support for UDI than they would have expected.
I'm sorry if I wasn't making my point clear and I'm glad you came back. I was referring to referendums on their own without UDI.
I'm not saying the SNP is bad I'm saying the SNP is rotten to its cure. Independence should have happened by now.
I just want people to realize this is entirely down the Sturgeon, Humza and the nasty lying John Swinney.
Swinney lied to win the 2026 election and has done F-all about it, he can't even bring himself to criticizes the UKG in fear of Holyrood being shut down, this is whats our problem is the SNP wants Holyrood and we want Independence.
We are perhaps close to realising that, in large part because of longstanding 'assimilation', the native population are divided into two main groups: those with a colonial mindset and those for the most part without.
The colonial media and virtually all who write for it we might conclude retain a colonial mindset, as do a number of ostensibly pro-independence bloggers.
The main exceptions are Peter Bell, Grouse Beater and Angry Pict (I may have missed others) all of whom have little doubt about our colonial reality.
And in terms of the ongoing exodus from the SNP membership into Salvo/Liberation Scotland, the colonial mindset has similarly been discarded for a great many, as the movement ruptures and understanding of our predicament improves, and we see the change from an independence movement to a liberation movement.
I would suggest the approx one third(?) of Scots who would settle for UDI rather than waste their time on another dubious colonial referendum are likewise no longer suffering from a colonial mindset.
At the end of the day, what Lesley Riddoch and other mainstream commentators seem unable to appreciate or understand is that, because we are colonised, we are dealing with a psychological condition as well as a moral and inalienable right to self-determination, and that decolonisation (i.e. independence) is never merely a democratic or political challenge.
I think we have to dispel the commonly held fallacy that UDI precludes a referendum. As can be seen with #ScottishUDI, it is perfectly possible for UDI to be the thing that makes a proper constitutional referendum possible.
I am powerfully persuaded that a proper constitutional referendum is an essential part of any process by which we restore Scotland's independence. Only a proper constitutional referendum can be as conclusive as we need the choice to be.
We cannot have independence without that proper constitutional referendum because there is no other way to demonstrate beyond any rational debate that independence is the settled will of Scotland's people. Therefore, as a matter of logical necessity, we must make a proper constitutional referendum our primary aim.
Once we have secured the means and opportunity to fully and freely exercise our right of self-determination, only then can we begin the campaign to ensure a decisive Yes vote in that referendum. A task which will be made easier by the fact that it builds on the preceding victory in the campaign to restore to the Scottish Parliament the legislative competence in constitutional matters which rightly reside there.
Restoring Scotland's independence is a three-stage process. First, we take back our government. Then, we take back our parliament. Then, we take back our nation.
We might say there are three main processes to decolonize Scots either proposed or underway:
1. The SNP depend on the 'endless generosity' and 'good nature' (Memmi) of the colonizer, has 'opted for neutrality' and proposes to 'leave the matter of independence to future events' (Fanon).
2. The proposed #UDI process depends on political commitment within the current domestic (i.e. colonial) environment and framework.
3. The only decolonization initiative underway is the Liberation Scotland/Salvo approach and submissions made to the UN based on the violated rights of Scots and non-implementation of the Treaty and Acts of Union, which maintain that via annexation Scotland became and remains today a dependency (i.e. colony) of England-as-UK, not a partner in a 'union', and where the UN may or may not decide that Scotland revert back to its rightful status as an independent state, and/or be listed for decolonization.
After 2014 Scotland had a army who would deliver and support Independence all that need to be done was for the SNP to continue with the YES moment not destroy it.
I thought after 2014 I would most certainly see Independence and couldn't foresee that the party who was to delivery it would be the cause of trying to destroy it.
UDI is normal referendum's aren't. I say lets stick with that is accepted and ignore what isn't and if LR says otherwise that's the one I'd always chose.
There must be a referendum. What matters is the type of referendum and the point in the process at which it happens. You appear to suppose UDI means no referendum. Not so! #ScottishUDI involves at least three public votes.
Excellent ( further ) exegesis of #SCOTTISH!!! UDI, P. Yeah, that kneejerk " Rhodesia " response is simply the feeble recourse of those too lazy-minded and/or conditioned to reject anything without the imprimatur of the SNP ( Mis ) Management and - bizarrely - that of our opponent.
Just imagine the degree of Scot-Cringe it takes to believe we need the permission of our jailer to escape the jail the former has contrived to keep us locked-up in these 300+ years: without the possibility of parole/time off for good behaviour: and that considering just how docilely well-behaved we HAVE been.
Time we tried Time Served for bad behaviour. Even better, a mass prison breakout
I shall counter it by saying that I do not believe that she is a fraud.
I would have to see evidence for that, and I have seen none. NONE.
On the other hand, what I HAVE seen is a lot of people damning her for 'going along with the SNP', when she said herself, both at the time, and subsequently
(I paraphrase from memory)
'when the first minister says there is going to be a referendum what can you do?
Yep.... she is on speed dial with the bbc.... they obviously regard har as a safe pair of hands... just occasionally squeaking a wee bit over the line... maybe the hint of a suggestion that Scotland needs better... but nothing toooo extreme.... not that the bbc is in anyway likely to breach its ' fair & balanced ' principals?.... as she remains calm & courteous ... never raising her voice... or threatening .... and the epitome of those least likely to tell the spokesperson for the unionist cause where they can shove it....
Good description of L.R, Sam. For me she will always be tainted by her uncritical adulation of Sturgeon and, most egregiously, her silence during and after the disgusting conspiracy to politically assassinate Alex Salmond. Apart from those, let's say....moral failures, the relevant points are as you say, ie her submissive proximity to Jockish MSM narratives. When she comes out swinging for #SCOTTISH UDI we can forget the past and applaud her ( and anyone similar ) realisation of our present condition and what is now inescapably it's sole solution - the aforementioned #S.UDI
Well said, I applaud you. I have been advocating that Riddock, Dug, Kelly and the like, have one interest self interest.
Independence doesn't matter to these people its the pay cheque at the end of the month and I'll go even further they mis-inform what is actually happening and what needs to be done to secure Independence, example two votes SNP knowing that given two votes to the SNP doesn't secure anything other than the status quo. These people need naming and shaming and I for one do not believe that they are one of us.
For me Scotland 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
The YES movement should not include Riddock, Kelly, Dug and Tickell in any events and black list these people entirely, stop given them a platform to speak. When we start doing the right thing for Scotland things will start to come right.
Your naive on substance. Riddock is a huge advocate of pointing out how loyal she is to Scotland cause and how she not a member of the SNP, make of that what you want.
She says a lot, but the funny thing is she never says what everyone else is saying make of that what you want.
She a huge advocate of telling Scots what to do and how to do it and when we do it it never achieves anything, that's the point we are constantly being conned to believe these people are working for the cause when they are not, chain of freedom, protest around Scotland.
You can like someone but for god sake waken up she isn't on the side of Independence and probably never was. For me if she left the scene NOTHING would be lost, I personally do not need anymore who sits on a face and does F-all in the way of actually making it happen.
There is a band in the SNP and their certainly is another band outside the SNP all working towards the same GOAL to keep us hoping but never delivery.
Just for 2 concrete examples she organised that we, the people who want Independence, were visible to the Scottish, British and International communities on the last 2 big media occasions when the media circus was in town and the SNP had done FUCK ALL.
It's fine that you have opinions.
You don't have to like everybody.
This kind of counter-factual exaggeration is not likely to convince anyone that your opinions are credible or rational, quite the opposite in all likelyhood.
Also, I think it is fair to note that this kind of animosity against LR is very rarely to be found around here.
You might take the points that she makes in the article to be somewhat 'mainstream' and a little too close to the Independence Industry views and certainly not close to 'the New Thinking', but we can educate people.
Fool, you where making all the same argument about Nicola Sturgeon its not my fault your lacking in the obvious.
Go worship LR till your heart content that's your pleasure.
You stay "This kind of counter-factual exaggeration is not likely to convince anyone that your opinions are credible or rational. quite the opposite in all likelyhood." time will tell. You can list the same people who have lead us up the hill only to lead us back down again Enjoy your Prestwick Day of Action with believe in Scotland have a nice day out and once again nothing will be achieve apart from the buckets that passed round, that's all that really matters to these people.
I always think of Wheesht for Indy whenever Lesley Riddoch is mentioned. I think she supported it or something. It was a disaster. Actually, disaster might be even more appropriate for Lesley.
Lesley Riddoch is right to mention that referendums were held in many countries prior to their declarations of independence.
And this is what the #ScottishUDI process advocates: popular endorsement of the Scottish people right to self-determine and popular ratification of a proposal to restore Scotland's nation-state status.
In other words it will not be the imposition of politicians' will on the people (i.e. Rhodesian UDI) but the imposition of the (Scottish) people's will on politicians (i.e. #ScottishUDI).
Where Lesley Riddoch is wrong is to even hint at a requirement to have some kind of qualifying threshold proportion of votes in favour and/or turnout that must be achieved or that victory must be all but assured prior to holding a referendum.
That would put us back to where we are now. The higher the better, obviously, but no 'super-majority' is required.
It is the campaign that will build the support and generate the interest.
So how can we burst the SNP bubble...don't vote for them...or anybody...civil disobedience..
The very second Scots demonstrate clearly their need for INDEPENDENCE....immediately headlines ( foreign english media) will scream that we are too wee..etc ..colonial masters will deliver proof (GERS)that we are incompetent at running Scotland and foreign england has to support us financially...quislings will write screeds on our need to stay safe inside the ENGLISH UNION....and all backed up by that malignant tumour squatting in unholyrood..the SNP.(they promised to do another GERS.....didn't.)You have to ask yourself why they accept the GERS report produced by our foreign occupiers in the first place and not trashed it like other well respected financial institutions...
As I write foreign england is imploding...burnt land...burnt houses....nae clean water..nae water... trains crashing...ridiculous infantile voting( could have had a metal bin elected..he was second)...their new PM trying to placate the great unwashed with lies..a country in disarray..the time to attack..and what do the SNP do....zilch...probably too busy checking their payslips.
We should be taking advantage of all the mayhem happening in dear old Blighty...but sadly not with the traitorous SNP in charge jimmy...
Absolutely. sista; Wrote this elsewhere earlier - excuse the indulgence of reposting it here but it chimes perfectly with yr comment above.
Appears Rubber Face beat Metal Head in the Clash of Un-recyclable v Recyclable Waste Materials; even, according to the former, increasing his vote share in the process.
What a great example of the exceptionally high calibre of UK Political Representation that a one-trick-onager’s closest contender for the seat was some gadje dressed-up as a metal dustbin.
This is the same Political Culture that is spewing-up a succession of ever-more-worthless/devious P.Ms ( at a rate that would make Banana Republics blush ); evident fckn idiots like ” look how tough I am; how profligate with other peoples lives and £££££s ” John Shit On Yr Healy; bendy-spine cowards like Eddie aka “The Beagle” Millipede ( How I read Israel the Riot Act – in braille ) and this entire wincingly awful UK Political Class are all gung-ho about ‘ taking on ‘ Russia, ” Controlling ” Immigration ( it’s already being ” controlled “; by, let’s say…” Market Forces ” ), achieving Net Fuck All and quelling terrible, divisive, deeply unpatriotic unrest in the Northern Province of Jockshire. ( as things stand, that last one should be easy, just shout BOO! behind, eg Swinney and he’ll pish his pants and flee instantly )
Apart from putting you on the same medication as me RH I have to agree with you. Dear old Blighty has gone awol..this is the time Cato! Unfortunately the tartan donkeys up at unholyrood are zzzzzzz. They don't hear u..they're in their wee bubble..possible practising pas de Basques..or even the tricky skip change o' step...tak' yer porridge and bide yer time...the world shall hear from us again!
I'm sorry if I wasn't making my point clear and I'm glad you came back. I was referring to referendums on their own without UDI.
I'm not saying the SNP is bad I'm saying the SNP is rotten to its cure. Independence should have happened by now.
I just want people to realize this is entirely down the Sturgeon, Humza and the nasty lying John Swinney.
Swinney lied to win the 2026 election and has done F-all about it, he can't even bring himself to criticizes the UKG in fear of Holyrood being shut down, this is whats our problem is the SNP wants Holyrood and we want Independence.
We are perhaps close to realising that, in large part because of longstanding 'assimilation', the native population are divided into two main groups: those with a colonial mindset and those for the most part without.
The colonial media and virtually all who write for it we might conclude retain a colonial mindset, as do a number of ostensibly pro-independence bloggers.
The main exceptions are Peter Bell, Grouse Beater and Angry Pict (I may have missed others) all of whom have little doubt about our colonial reality.
And in terms of the ongoing exodus from the SNP membership into Salvo/Liberation Scotland, the colonial mindset has similarly been discarded for a great many, as the movement ruptures and understanding of our predicament improves, and we see the change from an independence movement to a liberation movement.
I would suggest the approx one third(?) of Scots who would settle for UDI rather than waste their time on another dubious colonial referendum are likewise no longer suffering from a colonial mindset.
At the end of the day, what Lesley Riddoch and other mainstream commentators seem unable to appreciate or understand is that, because we are colonised, we are dealing with a psychological condition as well as a moral and inalienable right to self-determination, and that decolonisation (i.e. independence) is never merely a democratic or political challenge.
I think we have to dispel the commonly held fallacy that UDI precludes a referendum. As can be seen with #ScottishUDI, it is perfectly possible for UDI to be the thing that makes a proper constitutional referendum possible.
I am powerfully persuaded that a proper constitutional referendum is an essential part of any process by which we restore Scotland's independence. Only a proper constitutional referendum can be as conclusive as we need the choice to be.
We cannot have independence without that proper constitutional referendum because there is no other way to demonstrate beyond any rational debate that independence is the settled will of Scotland's people. Therefore, as a matter of logical necessity, we must make a proper constitutional referendum our primary aim.
Once we have secured the means and opportunity to fully and freely exercise our right of self-determination, only then can we begin the campaign to ensure a decisive Yes vote in that referendum. A task which will be made easier by the fact that it builds on the preceding victory in the campaign to restore to the Scottish Parliament the legislative competence in constitutional matters which rightly reside there.
Restoring Scotland's independence is a three-stage process. First, we take back our government. Then, we take back our parliament. Then, we take back our nation.
We might say there are three main processes to decolonize Scots either proposed or underway:
1. The SNP depend on the 'endless generosity' and 'good nature' (Memmi) of the colonizer, has 'opted for neutrality' and proposes to 'leave the matter of independence to future events' (Fanon).
2. The proposed #UDI process depends on political commitment within the current domestic (i.e. colonial) environment and framework.
3. The only decolonization initiative underway is the Liberation Scotland/Salvo approach and submissions made to the UN based on the violated rights of Scots and non-implementation of the Treaty and Acts of Union, which maintain that via annexation Scotland became and remains today a dependency (i.e. colony) of England-as-UK, not a partner in a 'union', and where the UN may or may not decide that Scotland revert back to its rightful status as an independent state, and/or be listed for decolonization.
After 2014 Scotland had a army who would deliver and support Independence all that need to be done was for the SNP to continue with the YES moment not destroy it.
I thought after 2014 I would most certainly see Independence and couldn't foresee that the party who was to delivery it would be the cause of trying to destroy it.
UDI is normal referendum's aren't. I say lets stick with that is accepted and ignore what isn't and if LR says otherwise that's the one I'd always chose.
There must be a referendum. What matters is the type of referendum and the point in the process at which it happens. You appear to suppose UDI means no referendum. Not so! #ScottishUDI involves at least three public votes.
Excellent ( further ) exegesis of #SCOTTISH!!! UDI, P. Yeah, that kneejerk " Rhodesia " response is simply the feeble recourse of those too lazy-minded and/or conditioned to reject anything without the imprimatur of the SNP ( Mis ) Management and - bizarrely - that of our opponent.
Just imagine the degree of Scot-Cringe it takes to believe we need the permission of our jailer to escape the jail the former has contrived to keep us locked-up in these 300+ years: without the possibility of parole/time off for good behaviour: and that considering just how docilely well-behaved we HAVE been.
Time we tried Time Served for bad behaviour. Even better, a mass prison breakout
Meanwhile: "Farage’s pyrrhic victory over a bin - Aug 14 by weegingerdug"
Oh look, a squirrel. Get with the program! It should be about Indy, not obsession.
Riddoch is an ‘independence business’ grifter she and her ilk need the status quo to continue.
Whatever she says, just remember what I’m saying here about her. IMO she is a fraud.
Well you are entitled to your opinion.
I shall counter it by saying that I do not believe that she is a fraud.
I would have to see evidence for that, and I have seen none. NONE.
On the other hand, what I HAVE seen is a lot of people damning her for 'going along with the SNP', when she said herself, both at the time, and subsequently
(I paraphrase from memory)
'when the first minister says there is going to be a referendum what can you do?
You kind of have to go along with it don't you?'
Sturgeon was the fraudster. Not Lesley.
You are countering nothing. You have your opinion and I have mine.
Mines is based on watching her since 2014. And in my opinion she is a parasite.
Your having a different opinion to mine counters nothing.
Yep.... she is on speed dial with the bbc.... they obviously regard har as a safe pair of hands... just occasionally squeaking a wee bit over the line... maybe the hint of a suggestion that Scotland needs better... but nothing toooo extreme.... not that the bbc is in anyway likely to breach its ' fair & balanced ' principals?.... as she remains calm & courteous ... never raising her voice... or threatening .... and the epitome of those least likely to tell the spokesperson for the unionist cause where they can shove it....
Good description of L.R, Sam. For me she will always be tainted by her uncritical adulation of Sturgeon and, most egregiously, her silence during and after the disgusting conspiracy to politically assassinate Alex Salmond. Apart from those, let's say....moral failures, the relevant points are as you say, ie her submissive proximity to Jockish MSM narratives. When she comes out swinging for #SCOTTISH UDI we can forget the past and applaud her ( and anyone similar ) realisation of our present condition and what is now inescapably it's sole solution - the aforementioned #S.UDI
Exactly
Well said, I applaud you. I have been advocating that Riddock, Dug, Kelly and the like, have one interest self interest.
Independence doesn't matter to these people its the pay cheque at the end of the month and I'll go even further they mis-inform what is actually happening and what needs to be done to secure Independence, example two votes SNP knowing that given two votes to the SNP doesn't secure anything other than the status quo. These people need naming and shaming and I for one do not believe that they are one of us.
For me Scotland 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
The YES movement should not include Riddock, Kelly, Dug and Tickell in any events and black list these people entirely, stop given them a platform to speak. When we start doing the right thing for Scotland things will start to come right.
That is an extreme view which brooks no possibility of shades of subtlety, only Black and White.
However,
"two votes to the SNP doesn't secure anything other than the status quo. These people need naming and shaming"
I have no objection to naming and shaming the dug for that one.
LR was not in any way involved with that particular stupidity.
Your naive on substance. Riddock is a huge advocate of pointing out how loyal she is to Scotland cause and how she not a member of the SNP, make of that what you want.
She says a lot, but the funny thing is she never says what everyone else is saying make of that what you want.
She a huge advocate of telling Scots what to do and how to do it and when we do it it never achieves anything, that's the point we are constantly being conned to believe these people are working for the cause when they are not, chain of freedom, protest around Scotland.
You can like someone but for god sake waken up she isn't on the side of Independence and probably never was. For me if she left the scene NOTHING would be lost, I personally do not need anymore who sits on a face and does F-all in the way of actually making it happen.
There is a band in the SNP and their certainly is another band outside the SNP all working towards the same GOAL to keep us hoping but never delivery.
Lesley most definitely has NOT done 'fuck all'.
The opposite of fuck all in fact.
Just for 2 concrete examples she organised that we, the people who want Independence, were visible to the Scottish, British and International communities on the last 2 big media occasions when the media circus was in town and the SNP had done FUCK ALL.
It's fine that you have opinions.
You don't have to like everybody.
This kind of counter-factual exaggeration is not likely to convince anyone that your opinions are credible or rational, quite the opposite in all likelyhood.
Also, I think it is fair to note that this kind of animosity against LR is very rarely to be found around here.
You might take the points that she makes in the article to be somewhat 'mainstream' and a little too close to the Independence Industry views and certainly not close to 'the New Thinking', but we can educate people.
We are winning at that.
Fool, you where making all the same argument about Nicola Sturgeon its not my fault your lacking in the obvious.
Go worship LR till your heart content that's your pleasure.
You stay "This kind of counter-factual exaggeration is not likely to convince anyone that your opinions are credible or rational. quite the opposite in all likelyhood." time will tell. You can list the same people who have lead us up the hill only to lead us back down again Enjoy your Prestwick Day of Action with believe in Scotland have a nice day out and once again nothing will be achieve apart from the buckets that passed round, that's all that really matters to these people.
Good heavens, what a response!
You don't know me, and are quite quite wrong in at least four of your imaginings.
I always think of Wheesht for Indy whenever Lesley Riddoch is mentioned. I think she supported it or something. It was a disaster. Actually, disaster might be even more appropriate for Lesley.
Lesley Riddoch is right to mention that referendums were held in many countries prior to their declarations of independence.
And this is what the #ScottishUDI process advocates: popular endorsement of the Scottish people right to self-determine and popular ratification of a proposal to restore Scotland's nation-state status.
In other words it will not be the imposition of politicians' will on the people (i.e. Rhodesian UDI) but the imposition of the (Scottish) people's will on politicians (i.e. #ScottishUDI).
Where Lesley Riddoch is wrong is to even hint at a requirement to have some kind of qualifying threshold proportion of votes in favour and/or turnout that must be achieved or that victory must be all but assured prior to holding a referendum.
That would put us back to where we are now. The higher the better, obviously, but no 'super-majority' is required.
It is the campaign that will build the support and generate the interest.
Lead and folks will follow.
Well put Peter.
So how can we burst the SNP bubble...don't vote for them...or anybody...civil disobedience..
The very second Scots demonstrate clearly their need for INDEPENDENCE....immediately headlines ( foreign english media) will scream that we are too wee..etc ..colonial masters will deliver proof (GERS)that we are incompetent at running Scotland and foreign england has to support us financially...quislings will write screeds on our need to stay safe inside the ENGLISH UNION....and all backed up by that malignant tumour squatting in unholyrood..the SNP.(they promised to do another GERS.....didn't.)You have to ask yourself why they accept the GERS report produced by our foreign occupiers in the first place and not trashed it like other well respected financial institutions...
As I write foreign england is imploding...burnt land...burnt houses....nae clean water..nae water... trains crashing...ridiculous infantile voting( could have had a metal bin elected..he was second)...their new PM trying to placate the great unwashed with lies..a country in disarray..the time to attack..and what do the SNP do....zilch...probably too busy checking their payslips.
We should be taking advantage of all the mayhem happening in dear old Blighty...but sadly not with the traitorous SNP in charge jimmy...
For OUR Scotland and her cheated weans.
Absolutely. sista; Wrote this elsewhere earlier - excuse the indulgence of reposting it here but it chimes perfectly with yr comment above.
Appears Rubber Face beat Metal Head in the Clash of Un-recyclable v Recyclable Waste Materials; even, according to the former, increasing his vote share in the process.
What a great example of the exceptionally high calibre of UK Political Representation that a one-trick-onager’s closest contender for the seat was some gadje dressed-up as a metal dustbin.
This is the same Political Culture that is spewing-up a succession of ever-more-worthless/devious P.Ms ( at a rate that would make Banana Republics blush ); evident fckn idiots like ” look how tough I am; how profligate with other peoples lives and £££££s ” John Shit On Yr Healy; bendy-spine cowards like Eddie aka “The Beagle” Millipede ( How I read Israel the Riot Act – in braille ) and this entire wincingly awful UK Political Class are all gung-ho about ‘ taking on ‘ Russia, ” Controlling ” Immigration ( it’s already being ” controlled “; by, let’s say…” Market Forces ” ), achieving Net Fuck All and quelling terrible, divisive, deeply unpatriotic unrest in the Northern Province of Jockshire. ( as things stand, that last one should be easy, just shout BOO! behind, eg Swinney and he’ll pish his pants and flee instantly )
ahahahahahahahahahahahaha. IMBECILES RIGHTS NOW!!
Apart from putting you on the same medication as me RH I have to agree with you. Dear old Blighty has gone awol..this is the time Cato! Unfortunately the tartan donkeys up at unholyrood are zzzzzzz. They don't hear u..they're in their wee bubble..possible practising pas de Basques..or even the tricky skip change o' step...tak' yer porridge and bide yer time...the world shall hear from us again!
For OUR Scotland and her mad weans.
Yeah, C, we're both hopelessly addicted to Scotium: wouldn't have it any other way :)