Salmond Well Take A Minority Executive (from The Herald Election Site)

Alex Salmond announced last night that the SNP was now working on preparations to go it alone at Holyrood as a minority administration, with limited support from the Greens.

He emerged from coalition talks with the two Green MSPs, Robin Harper and Patrick Harvie, full of praise for the constructive way the meeting had gone.

Negotiations will resume today but any deal is likely to fall short of a full coalition with the Greens, who prefer a looser form of support known as "confidence and supply".

This "loose" co-operation means voting in favour of SNP ministers and their budget in exchange for policy input, but without accepting ministerial positions.

But Mr Salmond said there would be no coalition talks with the LibDems while they insisted on the precondition that the SNP drops its aspirations for a referendum on independence.

"Forming a minority government is now our working assumption, although our offer to the Liberal Democrats of negotiations without preconditions remains open," said Mr Salmond.

"I am very disappointed at not getting into talks with the Liberal Democrats, but they may feel - and it is perfectly honourable and understandable - that a period in opposition may be their preference."

A deal with the Greens still leaves Mr Salmond 16 votes short of a majority, but if Tories and LibDems abstain he would not need that majority to become First Minister.

Mr Salmond said of the prospect of ruling without a majority in the parliament: "Being in a minority presents its own challenges. We would not get everything our own way and would need to look at what we can and cannot get done."

He said of the challenge ahead: "It means we will need to show great clarity of purpose. It will also greatly enhance interest in the parliament, with every vote crucial, and will keep the government on its toes.

"It will present challenges but it could be done with goodwill, good all-round government and a government that showed itself to be nimble of brain and light of foot, and not prepared to be knocked off course in the event of the odd setback."

He added: "All this is new to Scotland but not elsewhere in Europe. Denmark, for example, has never had a majority government since the Second World War and yet every government has lasted a full term."

Asked about instability or the prospect that opponents at Holyrood could engineer the collapse of a minority government, forcing fresh elections, he said: "I think that is hugely unlikely. I think the job of parliamentarians is to get on with carrying out the wishes of the electorate."

Deputy LibDem leader Tavish Scott said his party's position was clear and "does exactly what it says on the tin".

He denied that going to the back benches would dilute their influence, adding: "Are we going to be the hand-maidens to independence? No. Minority government might be very exciting. To say any of us will be more neutered is not the case."

He also insisted Sir Menzies Campbell had put no pressure on them not to deal with the SNP. "There has been no heavy-handed pressure whatsoever."

The two Green MSPs and the party's other co-convener, former MSP Shiona Baird, began talks with civil servants at St Andrew's House in Edinburgh yesterday morning, before being joined by former SNP leader John Swinney, who has been handed a key negotiating role by his party.

They were then joined by deputy SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon before Alex Salmond joined the talks at 2pm. These were scheduled to run until 4pm, but it was closer to 4.30pm before all six emerged.

Afterwards Robin Harper said they had discussed "issues both of common ground and of difference with the SNP," adding: "There is a duty on all parties to seek to secure a stable and progressive government for Scotland.

"Our top policy priority is to deliver the necessary action on climate change and transport. More discussion is required on these issues before any agreement can be reached and we are looking forward to engaging in those constructively."

Mr Salmond said they might have to differ with the Greens on some individual transport projects, such as a Forth crossing. "Reflecting on areas of difference like that we can see areas where confidence and supply might be more appropriate than coalition," he said.

[bold]Congraulations to the SNP for doing the right thing by the voters.[/bold] The challenge, like everything else facing Scotland, is onerous but not impossible, and is more than likely to result in an election earlier rather than later, but we look to the battle ahead with zest. Policies will need to be moulded for as much concenus as politically acceptable. In any event, we will get mature government, at long last. [bold]SCOTLAND FIRST, SECOND, AND ALWAYS.[/bold]

Congraulations to the SNP for doing the right thing by the voters.

The challenge, like everything else facing Scotland, is onerous but not impossible, and is more than likely to result in an election earlier rather than later, but we look to the battle ahead with zest.

Policies will need to be moulded for as much concenus as politically acceptable. In any event, we will get mature government, at long last.

SCOTLAND FIRST, SECOND, AND ALWAYS.

As Salmond will not get a referendum on independence anyway, I really dont see why he has put this in the way of a coalition deal. As the Labour party found out in Wales, Its not just a case of puting forward sensible policies and hoping that they will be supported, it actually means spending half of your time wheeling and dealing to get a majority for your policies in parliament. It also makes it difficult to balance the books. Guess we had better wish him the best of luck - he'll need it.

[quote]As Salmond will not get a referendum on independence anyway, I really dont see why he has put this in the way of a coalition deal.[/quote] The arithmetic was [italic]never[/italic] in its favour. Only a massive majority could secure it; so, by the same token why were other parties afraid of it? The Lib-Dems have lost a great chance to share in government. It will rebound on them. Or at least it should if there is any justice. I suspect the jostling for a replacement Lib-Dem leader in Scotland and UK national has already begun. McConnell is yesterday's man soon as Brown is in Downing Street. [bold]Only Salmond benefits; he can show statesmanship absent for so long.[/bold]

As Salmond will not get a referendum on independence anyway, I really dont see why he has put this in the way of a coalition deal.

The arithmetic was never in its favour. Only a massive majority could secure it; so, by the same token why were other parties afraid of it?

The Lib-Dems have lost a great chance to share in government. It will rebound on them. Or at least it should if there is any justice. I suspect the jostling for a replacement Lib-Dem leader in Scotland and UK national has already begun. McConnell is yesterday's man soon as Brown is in Downing Street.

Only Salmond benefits; he can show statesmanship absent for so long.

Excellent Alex, you make Scotland proud. Can your first act as FM be to order an independent judicial inquiry into the ballot debacle? This has been a travesty and our country's institutions must be held accountable. This debacle was organised by the Minister of State for Scotland against professional advice. It is shameful that our press has not been hounding Douglas Alexander to explain his election decisions. He should resign immediately. Join the boycott of the anti-democratic 'Scottish' press: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/anti-Scottish/

Excellent Alex, you make Scotland proud.

Can your first act as FM be to order an independent judicial inquiry into the ballot debacle? This has been a travesty and our country's institutions must be held accountable.

This debacle was organised by the Minister of State for Scotland against professional advice. It is shameful that our press has not been hounding Douglas Alexander to explain his election decisions. He should resign immediately.

Join the boycott of the anti-democratic 'Scottish' press:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/anti-Scottish/

I agree LA - the LibDems have missed a golden opportunity. I can just about understand their reticence about the referendum. But it now looks like they have missed the chance to be within the Exec and have some influence over the fine details of the legislative program. In opposition to an SNP minority govt, they will only be able to react to the SNP/Green agenda, tack some amendments on etc. They will have to back the SNP 90%+ of the time, with no influence from within. The Greens will probably get more input on the technicalities etc of legislation than the Libs will. I wonder how united they are really are about a spell in opposition. Is this just brinksmanship, or are the activists and SpAds behind it?

I agree LA - the LibDems have missed a golden opportunity. I can just about understand their reticence about the referendum. But it now looks like they have missed the chance to be within the Exec and have some influence over the fine details of the legislative program.

In opposition to an SNP minority govt, they will only be able to react to the SNP/Green agenda, tack some amendments on etc. They will have to back the SNP 90%+ of the time, with no influence from within. The Greens will probably get more input on the technicalities etc of legislation than the Libs will.

I wonder how united they are really are about a spell in opposition. Is this just brinksmanship, or are the activists and SpAds behind it?

I've read many LibDem supporters express dismay about their party's stand on a coalition government. The LibDem vote is melting because of it. All those years talking about believing in democracy and consensual government and to deprive Scotland of that for petty party gain is unsupportable. If they do not support an independent judicial inquiry into the baloot debacle they will be marginalised for a generation at least. Join the boycott of the anti-democratic 'Scottish' press: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/anti-Scottish/

I've read many LibDem supporters express dismay about their party's stand on a coalition government. The LibDem vote is melting because of it. All those years talking about believing in democracy and consensual government and to deprive Scotland of that for petty party gain is unsupportable.

If they do not support an independent judicial inquiry into the baloot debacle they will be marginalised for a generation at least.

Join the boycott of the anti-democratic 'Scottish' press:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/anti-Scottish/

[quote][bold]Alex Porter[/bold] wrote: Excellent Alex, you make Scotland proud. Can your first act as FM be to order an independent judicial inquiry into the ballot debacle? This has been a travesty and our country's institutions must be held accountable. This debacle was organised by the Minister of State for Scotland against professional advice. It is shameful that our press has not been hounding Douglas Alexander to explain his election decisions. He should resign immediately. Join the boycott of the anti-democratic 'Scottish' press: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/anti-Scottish/[/quote] Alex Salmond said on Friday that he would order such an enquiry. I hope his second act will be to purge all remaining vestiges of Labour corruption and nepotistic nest feathering from local government and quangos where odious, mediocre little men like Bill Butler and Tom McCabe have had their noses in the trough for far too long!

Alex Porter wrote:
Excellent Alex, you make Scotland proud. Can your first act as FM be to order an independent judicial inquiry into the ballot debacle? This has been a travesty and our country's institutions must be held accountable. This debacle was organised by the Minister of State for Scotland against professional advice. It is shameful that our press has not been hounding Douglas Alexander to explain his election decisions. He should resign immediately. Join the boycott of the anti-democratic 'Scottish' press: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/anti-Scottish/

Alex Salmond said on Friday that he would order such an enquiry.

I hope his second act will be to purge all remaining vestiges of Labour corruption and nepotistic nest feathering from local government and quangos where odious, mediocre little men like Bill Butler and Tom McCabe have had their noses in the trough for far too long!

This is very confusing. The Lib Dems won't even sit at the table? "We won't be the handmaidens to independence" from Tavish Scott is pretty shrill, and along with the lack of any congratulatory phone call from Jack McConnell, sees these guys trying to treat the SNP like some kind of illegitemate extremist organisation. It's bizarre behaviour - I wonder what Nicol, Jack and their superiors hope to achieve by behaving like this? Do you thik they actually *want* to alienate voters.

This is very confusing. The Lib Dems won't even sit at the table?

"We won't be the handmaidens to independence" from Tavish Scott is pretty shrill, and along with the lack of any congratulatory phone call from Jack McConnell, sees these guys trying to treat the SNP like some kind of illegitemate extremist organisation.

It's bizarre behaviour - I wonder what Nicol, Jack and their superiors hope to achieve by behaving like this? Do you thik they actually *want* to alienate voters.

BTW does anyone know what has happened to Douglas Alexander? Has he bolted to South America?

Brian, I think the Scottish LibDems are in a nightmare. They are being told what to do by Ming down South, they are operating against democracy (supposed to be their brand identity), they'll know now that their voters are extremely angry with them and they are getting associated with a Gordon Brown stitch-up. On top of that they are not going to be part of a government that will deliver a lot of change to the electorate. I wonder if they will vote against the abolition of student fees (sold out again..). Time for a rethink shortly eh?

Brian,
I think the Scottish LibDems are in a nightmare. They are being told what to do by Ming down South, they are operating against democracy (supposed to be their brand identity), they'll know now that their voters are extremely angry with them and they are getting associated with a Gordon Brown stitch-up. On top of that they are not going to be part of a government that will deliver a lot of change to the electorate. I wonder if they will vote against the abolition of student fees (sold out again..). Time for a rethink shortly eh?

Iain - no, no not at all! I am just having a few days rest and recuperation after all the excitement of last week. Plus if I see another postal vote ballot I'll scream! Purely in an academic capacity, of course. The weather here is lovely, and you cynical folk back home shouldn't read anything into the fact I have picked the remotest human inhabitation in the world as my holidays destination! And anyone angry at the well-run election I was responsible for, should remember the next mail boat isn't till September! Love Doogie

Iain - no, no not at all! I am just having a few days rest and recuperation after all the excitement of last week. Plus if I see another postal vote ballot I'll scream! Purely in an academic capacity, of course.

The weather here is lovely, and you cynical folk back home shouldn't read anything into the fact I have picked the remotest human inhabitation in the world as my holidays destination! And anyone angry at the well-run election I was responsible for, should remember the next mail boat isn't till September!

Love

Doogie

Another act I would like to see from our incoming FM is a public enquiry into the obscene quantities of money that have been p**sed up a wall by Scottish Enterprise and various Local Enterprise Trusts while producing no real economic growth whatsoever. Perhaps a vast downsizing of the organisation would be in order as well and I will be writing to my MSP to that end.

While not being a great fan of the LibDems, I can understand that they might be reluctant for another coalition, their union jack underpants aside. Being in coalition with Ye Olde Labour Party didn't do them much good at the polls. The challenge here is for Alex to trim the SNP programme in such a way that the whole parliament will support issues, and for the opposition parties to work constructively for the good of Scotland. Not holding my breath on the last one though

So we are going in out numbered eh? History has shown we usually prevail in such circumstances.

[quote][bold]nouveauxminority[/bold] wrote: So we are going in out numbered eh? History has shown we usually prevail in such circumstances. [/quote] Yeah and according to opinion polls at least 56% of English voters sympathise with us so we may not be as outnumbered as we think.

nouveauxminority wrote:
So we are going in out numbered eh? History has shown we usually prevail in such circumstances.

Yeah and according to opinion polls at least 56% of English voters sympathise with us so we may not be as outnumbered as we think.

[bold][quote]I agree LA - the LibDems have missed a golden opportunity.[/quote] [/bold] Good to make your acquaintance, Brian. It chills the blood to see so many craven politicians ignore their voters in order to thwart Scottish democracy. [bold]Nemo me impune lacessit -[/bold] [italic]"no one provokes me with impunity"[/italic] - the motto of the Kings of Scotland.

I agree LA - the LibDems have missed a golden opportunity.
Good to make your acquaintance, Brian.

It chills the blood to see so many craven politicians ignore their voters in order to thwart Scottish democracy.

Nemo me impune lacessit - "no one provokes me with impunity" - the motto of the Kings of Scotland.

And even more damaging to our clingy-fingered unionist Scots Iain, in that same poll 68% of English people wanted home rule for their own country too.

Eh, McConnell hasn't resigned as FM and Salmond will need a majority in the parliament to accept him. How do we know that the Libs will vote for Salmond? What deal has Ming and Gordy stitched up? The Libs could redeem themselves with a coalition with the SNP. This "handmaiden" nonsense is pathetic Tavish. A referendum is not on independence, it is on all the constitutional options whch all the parties believe in. The vast majority of the people want it and you are denying them their democratic right. You are alienating your own voters who hold democratic values dearly. Use your brains.

Eh, McConnell hasn't resigned as FM and Salmond will need a majority in the parliament to accept him. How do we know that the Libs will vote for Salmond? What deal has Ming and Gordy stitched up?

The Libs could redeem themselves with a coalition with the SNP. This "handmaiden" nonsense is pathetic Tavish. A referendum is not on independence, it is on all the constitutional options whch all the parties believe in. The vast majority of the people want it and you are denying them their democratic right. You are alienating your own voters who hold democratic values dearly. Use your brains.

[quote][bold]Big D[/bold] wrote: This is very confusing. The Lib Dems won't even sit at the table? "We won't be the handmaidens to independence" from Tavish Scott is pretty shrill, and along with the lack of any congratulatory phone call from Jack McConnell, sees these guys trying to treat the SNP like some kind of illegitemate extremist organisation. It's bizarre behaviour - I wonder what Nicol, Jack and their superiors hope to achieve by behaving like this? Do you thik they actually *want* to alienate voters.[/quote] They're probably stalling until they know the outcome of the talks between Gazza Brown and Ming Campbell. Then once they've been told which way to jump by their London masters they'll all be able to relax and maybe let us Scots know what kind of government we can expect. From now on they should just be referred to as the Liberals and the tag Democrat dropped altogether. 80+ % of the Sots polled want a referendum. Nicol Stephen democratically says no. He has the choice right now where he can put his party firmly back on the political map in Scotland or he can force the SNP into a minority government and get his just desserts at the next election, which might not be too far off if minority government fails due to Labour/Liberal conspiring.

Big D wrote:
This is very confusing. The Lib Dems won't even sit at the table? "We won't be the handmaidens to independence" from Tavish Scott is pretty shrill, and along with the lack of any congratulatory phone call from Jack McConnell, sees these guys trying to treat the SNP like some kind of illegitemate extremist organisation. It's bizarre behaviour - I wonder what Nicol, Jack and their superiors hope to achieve by behaving like this? Do you thik they actually *want* to alienate voters.

They're probably stalling until they know the outcome of the talks between Gazza Brown and Ming Campbell. Then once they've been told which way to jump by their London masters they'll all be able to relax and maybe let us Scots know what kind of government we can expect. From now on they should just be referred to as the Liberals and the tag Democrat dropped altogether.

80+ % of the Sots polled want a referendum. Nicol Stephen democratically says no. He has the choice right now where he can put his party firmly back on the political map in Scotland or he can force the SNP into a minority government and get his just desserts at the next election, which might not be too far off if minority government fails due to Labour/Liberal conspiring.

[quote]Yeah and according to opinion polls at least 56% of English voters sympathise with us so [bold]we may not be as outnumbered as we think.[/bold] [/quote] You make a wonderful point. The English antipathy to the return of sovereignty for Scotland is rapidly gaining sympathy. I welcome the generous new relationship with our English friends. We had better not tell them the tartan they wear is actually Burberry. It will do fine, aye, just fine.

Yeah and according to opinion polls at least 56% of English voters sympathise with us so we may not be as outnumbered as we think.

You make a wonderful point. The English antipathy to the return of sovereignty for Scotland is rapidly gaining sympathy.

I welcome the generous new relationship with our English friends.

We had better not tell them the tartan they wear is actually Burberry.

It will do fine, aye, just fine.

Another request from FM Salmond:
Can we have more statistics on the Scottish economy Alex.

Any more requests?

Any more requests?

Cheaper whisky?

Oh, and the honorary title of OMC - "Official Motherwell Cleaner" bestowed upon Union Jack McConnell for services rendered to Westminster, but none to his home town.

[quote][bold]Alex Porter[/bold] wrote: Another request from FM Salmond: Can we have more statistics on the Scottish economy Alex. Any more requests?[/quote] Perhaps, upon becoming FM he should get his Finance Minister to publish a balance sheet of the Scottish Executives' finances and subsequently a detailed annual (or 6 monthly) expenditure report as done by listed Plcs. That will enable us to see exactly how money has been spent and measure the improvements they make. Might cause some red faces on the Labour benches too :)

Alex Porter wrote:
Another request from FM Salmond: Can we have more statistics on the Scottish economy Alex. Any more requests?

Perhaps, upon becoming FM he should get his Finance Minister to publish a balance sheet of the Scottish Executives' finances and subsequently a detailed annual (or 6 monthly) expenditure report as done by listed Plcs.

That will enable us to see exactly how money has been spent and measure the improvements they make. Might cause some red faces on the Labour benches too :)

Any more requests?

Recognition of the Pigs for New Towns lobby.

So the Lib Dems run a campaign where they state that they will not support or take part in a coalition that wants a referendum on independence. Then after the election they actually do the unthinkable and stick to the platform they were elected on. No wonder all the Nats are gettiing so shrill. They have deluded themselves into thinking they could win a referendum although they seem to have finally realised that they can't win a popular majority in an election. And before we start getting the 'Labour never needed more than 50% to govern' argument. labour took 37 of the 73 constituencies an [bold]bold[/bold] Overall[bold]bold[/bold] majority of 1. Perhaps all the Braveheart wannabees are starting to wake up to the fact that this election has not been the big breakthrough they were hoping for and in true paranoid fashion have started blaming 'London' for their own failure to convince the electorate (again).

So the Lib Dems run a campaign where they state that they will not support or take part in a coalition that wants a referendum on independence.

Then after the election they actually do the unthinkable and stick to the platform they were elected on.

No wonder all the Nats are gettiing so shrill. They have deluded themselves into thinking they could win a referendum although they seem to have finally realised that they can't win a popular majority in an election.

And before we start getting the 'Labour never needed more than 50% to govern' argument. labour took 37 of the 73 constituencies an Overall majority of 1.

Perhaps all the Braveheart wannabees are starting to wake up to the fact that this election has not been the big breakthrough they were hoping for and in true paranoid fashion have started blaming 'London' for their own failure to convince the electorate (again).

these tossers that refuse to help govern oor wee country cos sumbudy stole their baw,should be shot roona backa the wash hoose.they should be banned fae ever staunin fura seat again,cos they're 5th colonists the an manky seditionists,a feel better noo efter slingin pelters at the slippery shower,here endeth the lesson,it's swally time!!!!!!

[quote][bold]Mark McGlynn[/bold] wrote: So the Lib Dems run a campaign where they state that they will not support or take part in a coalition that wants a referendum on independence. Then after the election they actually do the unthinkable and stick to the platform they were elected on. No wonder all the Nats are gettiing so shrill. They have deluded themselves into thinking they could win a referendum although they seem to have finally realised that they can't win a popular majority in an election. And before we start getting the 'Labour never needed more than 50% to govern' argument. labour took 37 of the 73 constituencies an [bold]bold[/bold] Overall[bold]bold[/bold] majority of 1. Perhaps all the Braveheart wannabees are starting to wake up to the fact that this election has not been the big breakthrough they were hoping for and in true paranoid fashion have started blaming 'London' for their own failure to convince the electorate (again).[/quote] An unusual gift is this - arguing with yourself in the same post? Remarkable LOL. Wait until the dust settles Mark.

Mark McGlynn wrote:
So the Lib Dems run a campaign where they state that they will not support or take part in a coalition that wants a referendum on independence. Then after the election they actually do the unthinkable and stick to the platform they were elected on. No wonder all the Nats are gettiing so shrill. They have deluded themselves into thinking they could win a referendum although they seem to have finally realised that they can't win a popular majority in an election. And before we start getting the 'Labour never needed more than 50% to govern' argument. labour took 37 of the 73 constituencies an Overall majority of 1. Perhaps all the Braveheart wannabees are starting to wake up to the fact that this election has not been the big breakthrough they were hoping for and in true paranoid fashion have started blaming 'London' for their own failure to convince the electorate (again).

An unusual gift is this - arguing with yourself in the same post?

Remarkable LOL.

Wait until the dust settles Mark.

We will see. Just ask the question.....that's not too much to ask is it? Ps. The 'Braveheart wannabees' jibe is as cheap and tired as it is untrue. The desire to see your country determine it's own ways of working and it's interaction with the rest of the world whilst standing on it's own two feet without recourse to permissions from a larger neighbour has little or nothing to do with an entertaining but historically flawed Hollywood film.

We will see.

Just ask the question.....that's not too much to ask is it?

Ps.
The 'Braveheart wannabees' jibe is as cheap and tired as it is untrue.
The desire to see your country determine it's own ways of working and it's interaction with the rest of the world whilst standing on it's own two feet without recourse to permissions from a larger neighbour has little or nothing to do with an entertaining but historically flawed Hollywood film.

I have never heard such utter nonsense as all this conspiracy theory stuff on a deal being down by the lib dems and labour at Westminster. The position is entirely clear - lib dems rule out deal with failed labour party. Then lib dems rule out deal with SNP as they are not prepared to give way on the issue of independence referendum. Both parties made that clear throughout so why all the surprise and mock shock? It seems the Lib Dems have been quite honourable in all of this and stuck to their guns. So have the SNP. They can now run a minority government which I think has the chance to be quite stable as long as the SNP play a constructive role and demonstrate to other parties that they really do want to make the parliament work.

I've never seen Braveheart, is it any good?

[quote]Then after the election they actually do the unthinkable and stick to the platform they were elected on.[/quote] [bold]As soon as you hear anyone say it is a matter of principle that their mind is closed you should run for cover.[/bold] [quote]Perhaps all the Braveheart wannabees[/quote] [bold]And what are we to tell the Robin Hood wannabees? Must we disillusion them that nowadays it is against the law to rob the rich, no matter how venal they may be, and give to the poor, a crime punishable with a term in jail? Leave them to idolise their romantic heroes of yesteryear.[/bold]

Then after the election they actually do the unthinkable and stick to the platform they were elected on.

As soon as you hear anyone say it is a matter of principle that their mind is closed you should run for cover.

Perhaps all the Braveheart wannabees

And what are we to tell the Robin Hood wannabees? Must we disillusion them that nowadays it is against the law to rob the rich, no matter how venal they may be, and give to the poor, a crime punishable with a term in jail? Leave them to idolise their romantic heroes of yesteryear.

Here's what the parties need to drop to all agree, surely? 1. Greens: end to faith schools, road pricing. 2. Nats: referendum before 2011, motorway schemes. 3. Libdems: PFI and water privatisation. There's loads of other stuff the three agree on. Shame on the Libdems for not even discussing it, apparently.

Here's what the parties need to drop to all agree, surely?

1. Greens: end to faith schools, road pricing.
2. Nats: referendum before 2011, motorway schemes.
3. Libdems: PFI and water privatisation.

There's loads of other stuff the three agree on. Shame on the Libdems for not even discussing it, apparently.

I'm glad that there has been some positive steps forward with the Greens and the SNP, im still suprised that the Lib Dems dont want involved in the democratic process! The SNP have only pointed out the failure of the Scottish Office and the previous Scottish Executive to run an efficient election, they didn't do too well did they Mark? And the Lib Dems obviously dont know what the word Democratic means I'll help them with that one, the literal dictionary definition: - [bold]Democracy[/bold] (literally [bold]"rule by the people",[/bold] from the Greek demos, "people", and krateo, "rule"[1]) is a form of government. The rest of Scotland will remain positive and forward-looking and leave the narrow-minded little unionists( I was gonna type Socialist there...... tut tut silly me!) to argue amongst themselves. So it will be interesting to see how long Jack Mc Connell lasts or Nicol Stephen I'm sure they have already been marked for termination!

I'm glad that there has been some positive steps forward with the Greens and the SNP, im still suprised that the Lib Dems dont want involved in the democratic process!

The SNP have only pointed out the failure of the Scottish Office and the previous Scottish Executive to run an efficient election, they didn't do too well did they Mark? And the Lib Dems obviously dont know what the word Democratic means I'll help them with that one, the literal dictionary definition: -
Democracy (literally "rule by the people", from the Greek demos, "people", and krateo, "rule") is a form of government.

The rest of Scotland will remain positive and forward-looking and leave the narrow-minded little unionists( I was gonna type Socialist there...... tut tut silly me!) to argue amongst themselves.

So it will be interesting to see how long Jack Mc Connell lasts or Nicol Stephen I'm sure they have already been marked for termination!

Donald Dewar led 56 MSPs. HE had to compromise to form a government Jack McConnell led 50 MSPs. HE had to compromise to form a government And now? Alex Salmond leads 47 MSPs. How DARE anyone suggest he has to compromise to form a government. The people have spoken. Nearly a third of them want the SNP to run things. The rest had better fall into line pdq. This is democracy in Scotland, 2007

Donald Dewar led 56 MSPs. HE had to compromise to form a government

Jack McConnell led 50 MSPs. HE had to compromise to form a government

And now?

Alex Salmond leads 47 MSPs. How DARE anyone suggest he has to compromise to form a government. The people have spoken. Nearly a third of them want the SNP to run things. The rest had better fall into line pdq.

This is democracy in Scotland, 2007

gon yersel' alex, almost!

Sue, how will Salmond get enough votes to become FM? Did you know that McConnell hasn't resigned? Many of their own Lib voters are angry with them about this. They talked about consensual government and now they are preventing because of a referendum that the people want and is their liberal DEMOCRATIC right. It is shameful Sue.

[bold][quote]I've never seen [italic]Braveheart,[/italic] is it any good?[/quote] For most of its length it is excellent.[/bold] It is a pity the Westminster controlled financial policies of Scotland allowed our Irish cousins to steal the multi-million dollar American production from under our nose and shoot it in Ireland with inducements of tax benefits, and members of the Irish army as extras. In addition, those "magestic mountains" behind Wallace looked suspiciously like tame Galway hills to me. I only mention it as an "American" production because one year before [italic]Braveheart[/italic] took the world's box office by storm one of London's most distinguished film producers was heard to say, "Who the hell wants to see a Scottish historical epic?" [bold]And on such casual utterances are entire reputations destroyed.[/bold]

I've never seen Braveheart, is it any good?
For most of its length it is excellent.

It is a pity the Westminster controlled financial policies of Scotland allowed our Irish cousins to steal the multi-million dollar American production from under our nose and shoot it in Ireland with inducements of tax benefits, and members of the Irish army as extras. In addition, those "magestic mountains" behind Wallace looked suspiciously like tame Galway hills to me.

I only mention it as an "American" production because one year before Braveheart took the world's box office by storm one of London's most distinguished film producers was heard to say, "Who the hell wants to see a Scottish historical epic?"

And on such casual utterances are entire reputations destroyed.

Russell Ramsay wrote:
gon yersel' alex, almost!

Compromise is not a one-way street Jock. Also, why are you the only person on this board that cannot be quoted?

The Nats are going to have a difficult time with all the bile and venom directed towards them from the Scottish Labour party and Broon. However, I think they are doing the right thing in forming a minority government and I wouldn't have voted for Alex Salmond if I didn't think he was intelligent enough to deal with the pygmies in the Scottish parliament. He is the most intelligent politician of his generation and is a very adept strategist. There is much support for him as First Minister because, party politics aside, his abilities are recognised by the public.He is also witty, charming, honest and articulate. Compare with the stuttering, witless inanities of many MSP's.

we're off to govern, with the greens, with the greens!

How sad that the Lib-Dems are so opposed to allowing a referendum where the wishes of the Scottish people on the subject of independence would finally be revealed. What exactly is it they are afraid of? To allow us to express a view is hardly treason for goodness sake. I do not believe they have not been given instructions from London and I think it is disgraceful that people like Ming Campbell and Gordon Brown are doing their best to wreck this parliament in order to deny Alex Salmond his rightful place. They have shown that when it comes down to it democracy matters not a jot.

Eat yer Greens Alex. SNP and greens - meat and 2 veg.

Shocking, time for bed.

Is Nicol Stephen really so politically obtuse (and career-suicidal)? Many of his voters presumably were antipathetic to the Labour Executive and it's apologist position for the blunders of Blair, it's failure to deliver LibDem objectives, and actually [italic]expect[/italic] a coalition with the SNP. Does he not realise that his failure to contribute to a stable Scottish Parliament shows that he places his political party before the Scottish Electorate? He might last this Parliament, but his slavish allegiance to Westminster will ensure he will fail at the next. The first rule of politics is compromise - or are the lofty aims of the Scottish LibDems above this? Probably it what most of us suspect - Ming pulls the strings, and his are pulled by the expediencies of Westminster. Nicol, take a wee bit of advice: Do the deal, or be forever consigned to ignominy in the eyes of the people of Scotland.

Is Nicol Stephen really so politically obtuse (and career-suicidal)? Many of his voters presumably were antipathetic to the Labour Executive and it's apologist position for the blunders of Blair, it's failure to deliver LibDem objectives, and actually expect a coalition with the SNP. Does he not realise that his failure to contribute to a stable Scottish Parliament shows that he places his political party before the Scottish Electorate? He might last this Parliament, but his slavish allegiance to Westminster will ensure he will fail at the next.
The first rule of politics is compromise - or are the lofty aims of the Scottish LibDems above this? Probably it what most of us suspect - Ming pulls the strings, and his are pulled by the expediencies of Westminster.
Nicol, take a wee bit of advice: Do the deal, or be forever consigned to ignominy in the eyes of the people of Scotland.

[quote]an entertaining but historically flawed Hollywood film.[/quote] I think you will find almost every historical drama "flawed" because drama, by its very nature, is not factual documentary. It is hightened reality. Art is [italic]not[/italic] about representation but about [italic]interpretation.[/italic] Deatr Mr. Picasso I have just seen your Cubist exhibition at the Royal Academy and I have to say how laughable are all those works with both eyes on one side of their face, and mouths hanging at neck level. Are you mad? Take it from me you are quite incapable of painting portraits! Yours Major Gilbert Switherington-Smythe (Retired)

an entertaining but historically flawed Hollywood film.

I think you will find almost every historical drama "flawed" because drama, by its very nature, is not factual documentary.

It is hightened reality.

Art is not about representation but about interpretation.

Deatr Mr. Picasso

I have just seen your Cubist exhibition at the Royal Academy and I have to say how laughable are all those works with both eyes on one side of their face, and mouths hanging at neck level. Are you mad?

Take it from me you are quite incapable of painting portraits!

Yours
Major Gilbert Switherington-Smythe (Retired)

[bold]Remember folks we live in a constitutional monarchy....Democracy is merely a gift to the people from the Queen!!!! The Aristocracy hold the real power and we know how they view Scotland...a nice diversion where they can hunt and fish with complete disregard[/bold] .

Remember folks we live in a constitutional monarchy....Democracy is merely a gift to the people from the Queen!!!!
The Aristocracy hold the real power and we know how they view Scotland...a nice diversion where they can hunt and fish with complete disregard .

[quote][bold]Mark McGlynn[/bold] wrote: So the Lib Dems run a campaign where they state that they will not support or take part in a coalition that wants a referendum on independence. Then after the election they actually do the unthinkable and stick to the platform they were elected on. No wonder all the Nats are gettiing so shrill. They have deluded themselves into thinking they could win a referendum although they seem to have finally realised that they can't win a popular majority in an election. And before we start getting the 'Labour never needed more than 50% to govern' argument. labour took 37 of the 73 constituencies an [bold]bold[/bold] Overall[bold]bold[/bold] majority of 1. Perhaps all the Braveheart wannabees are starting to wake up to the fact that this election has not been the big breakthrough they were hoping for and in true paranoid fashion have started blaming 'London' for their own failure to convince the electorate (again).[/quote] It was a key policy and principle of the liberals that they would only go into coalition with Labour on the condition that student fees had to/must be abolished. It was a platform they were elected on. Were they abolished or merely deferred? They sold out the students for a sniff at power. What price their principles then?

Mark McGlynn wrote:
So the Lib Dems run a campaign where they state that they will not support or take part in a coalition that wants a referendum on independence. Then after the election they actually do the unthinkable and stick to the platform they were elected on. No wonder all the Nats are gettiing so shrill. They have deluded themselves into thinking they could win a referendum although they seem to have finally realised that they can't win a popular majority in an election. And before we start getting the 'Labour never needed more than 50% to govern' argument. labour took 37 of the 73 constituencies an Overall majority of 1. Perhaps all the Braveheart wannabees are starting to wake up to the fact that this election has not been the big breakthrough they were hoping for and in true paranoid fashion have started blaming 'London' for their own failure to convince the electorate (again).

It was a key policy and principle of the liberals that they would only go into coalition with Labour on the condition that student fees had to/must be abolished. It was a platform they were elected on. Were they abolished or merely deferred? They sold out the students for a sniff at power. What price their principles then?

"We won't be the handmaidens to independence" says Tavish Scott. They won't be the handmaidens to anything if it comes from the SNP is what they really mean. The referendum questions were left very near a blank for them and they still wont play. Hmmmm.... I smell sh**e. The sleekit pair of Ming & Broon have issued their orders to wee Nicol (they've side-lined wee Jake cause he's for the high jump). Their gameplan is all about safeguarding the Scottish votes for Westminster. They have their wee muppets on a string. They want the SNP to get a really hard time at Holyrood -total failure is what they want - so that Scotland will, they believe, realise their flirtation with voting Nationalist was ill-conceived nonsense and they will all 'come home' . Dream on. The Genie's oot the bottle. The SNP is hear to stay . They should govern as a minority. The SNP shouldn't waste their time with the Lib Dems, a bunch of chancers and not to be trusted. And as for Broon, he's a worried man and dangerous to boot. By the way, I see Tony Blair today sent a message of congratulations to Nicholas Sarkozy on winning the election in France. I'll bet he never sent one to Alex Salmond:)

"We won't be the handmaidens to independence" says Tavish Scott. They won't be the handmaidens to anything if it comes from the SNP is what they really mean. The referendum questions were left very near a blank for them and they still wont play. Hmmmm.... I smell sh**e. The sleekit pair of Ming & Broon have issued their orders to wee Nicol (they've side-lined wee Jake cause he's for the high jump). Their gameplan is all about safeguarding the Scottish votes for Westminster. They have their wee muppets on a string. They want the SNP to get a really hard time at Holyrood -total failure is what they want - so that Scotland will, they believe, realise their flirtation with voting Nationalist was ill-conceived nonsense and they will all 'come home' . Dream on. The Genie's oot the bottle. The SNP is hear to stay . They should govern as a minority.
The SNP shouldn't waste their time with the Lib Dems, a bunch of chancers and not to be trusted. And as for Broon, he's a worried man and dangerous to boot.

By the way, I see Tony Blair today sent a message of congratulations to Nicholas Sarkozy on winning the election in France. I'll bet he never sent one to Alex Salmond:)

Can anyone tell me wat they are going to be doing about the bin collections.I am 89 you know and the liberals have always been the same ever since I was a small girl,hand wringers and appeasers thats what they are,wanted to let that German fellow Herr Hitler do as he pleased you know,but my Ralph and is Cameronian chums soon put a stop to all that,wish my Ralph were here,he would sort out the bins.

If they're so confident of their Unionist position, why are they so afraid of a referendum? If you set up a petition demanding one, it will get a lot of support from the English, as well as the Scottish and Welsh. After all, Alex beat Labour fair against all the odds. They threw everything they had at the SNP and it didn't stop the voters. I don't like to kick a man when he's down, but in Gordon Brown's case, we should all make an exception. Get an online petiton going. Word it democratically, expressing a desire for the SNP to be allowed to do what they were elected to do and it will get masses of support.

If they're so confident of their Unionist position, why are they so afraid of a referendum?

If you set up a petition demanding one, it will get a lot of support from the English, as well as the Scottish and Welsh.

After all, Alex beat Labour fair against all the odds. They threw everything they had at the SNP and it didn't stop the voters. I don't like to kick a man when he's down, but in Gordon Brown's case, we should all make an exception.

Get an online petiton going. Word it democratically, expressing a desire for the SNP to be allowed to do what they were elected to do and it will get masses of support.

I wonder if the royal family (not the scousers) will still have their summer holibags at Balmoral after independence?

I don't see any problem with a minority SNP administration. In fact, I think it will be very healthy and democratic for Scottish governance to become a bit more European, a little less Anglo-Saxon. Alex Salmond is clearly educated enough to know that there are other models than Westminster for his government: he cites Denmark, several others have mentioned New Zealand. Already this shows more imagination than London-obsessed Labour ever managed over 50 years of controlling Scotland. I'm pleased the SNP are talking to the Greens too. My goodness, Scottish politicians behaving reasonably and acting like grown ups! Politics is suddenly so much more interesting in this country.

Well technically [bold]Nouveauxscum[/bold] Balmoral is owned by Queen Liz herself and not by the people, it was bought by Queen Victoria. We could always charge them an entrance fee to come to Scotland, But even if the Scots were independent the queen is still technically our head of state unless the people decide otherwise.

Well technically Nouveauxscum Balmoral is owned by Queen Liz herself and not by the people, it was bought by Queen Victoria. We could always charge them an entrance fee to come to Scotland, But even if the Scots were independent the queen is still technically our head of state unless the people decide otherwise.

"If you set up a petition demanding one, it will get a lot of support from the English, as well as the Scottish and Welsh."

Carol

That is exactly what they are terrified of.

I think we'll simply have to re-name the "we won't be handmaidens" princesses as the Party Formerly Known as the Scottish Liberal Democrats

Any more requests?

A lot more freedom of information please. Let us know what's been going on at our expense past and present.

Let's hope not noveauxscum, although maybe we could charge them.
One very good reason for Independence is that we could eventually rid ourselves of those German freeloaders, who are on the throne under false pretences anyway.

Lets see 50 MSP's back a referendum and 79 don't, but clearly 'the people' (or in this case deluded nats) voted for a referendum. This is getting rather sad. I know a failure to fully connect with reality has always been a sympton of nationalism but watching adults acting like children because nobody wants to play on their team is really rather pathetic.

Lets see 50 MSP's back a referendum and 79 don't, but clearly 'the people' (or in this case deluded nats) voted for a referendum.

This is getting rather sad. I know a failure to fully connect with reality has always been a sympton of nationalism but watching adults acting like children because nobody wants to play on their team is really rather pathetic.

Gon yersel' alex, almost!

Aye, as Union Jack McConnell may well have said;

"The people have spoken - the bastards!"

[bold]www.scotlandoffice.gov.uk/freedom-of-information/document.php?release=36&doc=113&file=mccrone%20economics%20of%20nationalism.pdf[/bold] [bold]You should check out this link the original McCrone Report from the 70's and how Westminister really view the Scots......its direct from the Scottish Office....makes very interesting reading! I guarantee that you will all be livid![/bold]

www.scotlandoffice.gov.uk/freedom-of-information/document.php?release=36&doc=113&file=mccrone%20economics%20of%20nationalism.pdf

You should check out this link the original McCrone Report from the 70's and how Westminister really view the Scots......its direct from the Scottish Office....makes very interesting reading!

I guarantee that you will all be livid!

[quote][bold]Robbie[/bold] wrote: Well technically [bold]Nouveauxscum[/bold] Balmoral is owned by Queen Liz herself and not by the people, it was bought by Queen Victoria. We could always charge them an entrance fee to come to Scotland, But even if the Scots were independent the queen is still technically our head of state unless the people decide otherwise.[/quote] I know they own it (family) Robbie - just speculating on whether or not they would want to spend summer there. I'd be delighted if they did.

Robbie wrote:
Well technically Nouveauxscum Balmoral is owned by Queen Liz herself and not by the people, it was bought by Queen Victoria. We could always charge them an entrance fee to come to Scotland, But even if the Scots were independent the queen is still technically our head of state unless the people decide otherwise.

I know they own it (family) Robbie - just speculating on whether or not they would want to spend summer there. I'd be delighted if they did.

How you thinking of taking up hunting Nouveauxscum?

[quote][bold]Mark McGlynn[/bold] wrote: Lets see 50 MSP's back a referendum and 79 don't, but clearly 'the people' (or in this case deluded nats) voted for a referendum. This is getting rather sad. I know a failure to fully connect with reality has always been a sympton of nationalism but watching adults acting like children because nobody wants to play on their team is really rather pathetic.[/quote] I don't actually recall being asked anything about any referendum on my voting papers. Does anyone else?

Mark McGlynn wrote:
Lets see 50 MSP's back a referendum and 79 don't, but clearly 'the people' (or in this case deluded nats) voted for a referendum. This is getting rather sad. I know a failure to fully connect with reality has always been a sympton of nationalism but watching adults acting like children because nobody wants to play on their team is really rather pathetic.

I don't actually recall being asked anything about any referendum on my voting papers. Does anyone else?

I was never asked about a referendum!

And after the next election, whenever that may be, we might have to refer to Nicol Stephen as the man formerly known as the MSP for Aberdeen South if he doesn't show some leadership. Get a backbone, Stephen! His majority was cut from about 8,000 to 2,500 with the SNP doubling its vote and leaping from 4th to 2nd place. It shows that the good people of Aberdeenshire lend their support thoughtfully, and don't gift it for life.

Here's me thinking that these elections were for a divolved Scottish Parliament!

Robbie wrote:
How you thinking of taking up hunting Nouveauxscum?

Nah Robbie, they're a great tourist attraction mate.

Ah well might as well get something positive out of those German Toffs...lol

Is Nicol Stephen really so politically obtuse (and career-suicidal)? Many of his voters presumably were antipathetic to the Labour Executive and it's apologist position for the blunders of Blair, it's failure to deliver LibDem objectives, and actually expect a coalition with the SNP. Does he not realise that his failure to contribute to a stable Scottish Parliament shows that he places his political party before the Scottish Electorate? He might last this Parliament, but his slavish allegiance to Westminster will ensure he will fail at the next.
The first rule of politics is compromise - or are the lofty aims of the Scottish LibDems above this? Probably it what most of us suspect - Ming pulls the strings, and his are pulled by the expediencies of Westminster.
Nicol, take a wee bit of advice: Do the deal, or be forever consigned to ignominy in the eyes of the people of Scotland.

[quote][bold]Robbie[/bold] wrote: [bold]www.scotlandoffice.gov.uk/freedom-of-information/document.php?release=36&doc=113&file=mccrone%20economics%20of%20nationalism.pdf[/bold] [bold]You should check out this link the original McCrone Report from the 70's and how Westminister really view the Scots......its direct from the Scottish Office....makes very interesting reading! I guarantee that you will all be livid![/bold] [/quote] Ye Gods! I just read the interesting bits of that report..! Livid doesn't even begin to cover it!!!

Robbie wrote:
www.scotlandoffice.gov.uk/freedom-of-information/document.php?release=36&doc=113&file=mccrone%20economics%20of%20nationalism.pdf

You should check out this link the original McCrone Report from the 70's and how Westminister really view the Scots......its direct from the Scottish Office....makes very interesting reading!

I guarantee that you will all be livid!

Ye Gods! I just read the interesting bits of that report..! Livid doesn't even begin to cover it!!!

Mick my friend Spread the word!

I must hand it to the SNP for having the courage to want to go it alone.The rest are just subsidy junkies,who love their English handouts,got news for the subsidy junkies,when my country gets its own goverment you will be cut adrift anyway.Good riddance say I and a large majority of English voters.

[quote]Nicol, take a wee bit of advice: Do the deal, or be forever consigned to [italic]ignominy[/italic] in the eyes of the people of Scotland.[/quote] I sentence him to "perpetual ignominy"- no wait.... That's an impossible sentence. There is no verb in it.

Nicol, take a wee bit of advice: Do the deal, or be forever consigned to ignominy in the eyes of the people of Scotland.

I sentence him to "perpetual ignominy"- no wait.... That's an impossible sentence. There is no verb in it.

Mick, You should check out the conclusion on pages 16-18! [bold]So should you English Bob! www.scotlandoffice.gov.uk/freedom-of-information/document.php?release=36&doc=113&file=mccrone%20economics%20of%20nationalism.pdf You may want to retract your previous comment check out the link above.[/bold]

Mick,
You should check out the conclusion on pages 16-18!

So should you English Bob!
www.scotlandoffice.gov.uk/freedom-of-information/document.php?release=36&doc=113&file=mccrone%20economics%20of%20nationalism.pdf

You may want to retract your previous comment check out the link above.

[quote][bold]English Bob[/bold] wrote: I must hand it to the SNP for having the courage to want to go it alone.The rest are just subsidy junkies,who love their English handouts,got news for the subsidy junkies,when my country gets its own goverment you will be cut adrift anyway.Good riddance say I and a large majority of English voters.[/quote] This possibility seems to have slipped them by in their brain-washed state Bob. Hello North Lanarkshire and Glasgow - maybe our English friends don't want you?

English Bob wrote:
I must hand it to the SNP for having the courage to want to go it alone.The rest are just subsidy junkies,who love their English handouts,got news for the subsidy junkies,when my country gets its own goverment you will be cut adrift anyway.Good riddance say I and a large majority of English voters.

This possibility seems to have slipped them by in their brain-washed state Bob. Hello North Lanarkshire and Glasgow - maybe our English friends don't want you?

LA, the verb in the sentence is sentence, but I guess You knew that. Nice pun. Do you want to respond to English Bob. Do you think he is looking for a fight?

Leowoman surely he's not that stupid?
You should check out this link
www.scotlandoffice.gov.uk/freedom-of-information/document.php?release=36&doc=113&file=mccrone%20economics%20of%20nationalism.pdf

Well he has just come on this site and started spouting that old subsidy junky chestnut, so I reckon that he is looking for trouble but I have decided to rise above it.

[quote][bold]English Bob[/bold] wrote: I must hand it to the SNP for having the courage to want to go it alone.The rest are just subsidy junkies,who love their English handouts,got news for the subsidy junkies,when my country gets its own goverment you will be cut adrift anyway.Good riddance say I and a large majority of English voters.[/quote] We must never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, professionals built the Titanic. So go for it Alex.

English Bob wrote:
I must hand it to the SNP for having the courage to want to go it alone.The rest are just subsidy junkies,who love their English handouts,got news for the subsidy junkies,when my country gets its own goverment you will be cut adrift anyway.Good riddance say I and a large majority of English voters.

We must never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, professionals built the Titanic.
So go for it Alex.

Jan what a great line!!!

Please stop shouting!

Congrats to John Higgins bringing the world snooker title back to Scotland.

Minnie temper,temper!!!

Why should the Greens have more than minimal input when they only have minimal numbers. A major outcome of the election, which has not been noticed, apparently, is that the Green Party was resoundingly rejected by the voters of Scotland. They lost 5 of their 7 seats and lost 50,000 votes, down from 132,000 in 2003 to 82,000 now. Why on earth should these people be allowed to dictate about much-needed roads, and to impose yet more "green" taxes on the people who have rejected them?

Why should the Greens have more than minimal input when they only have minimal numbers.
A major outcome of the election, which has not been noticed, apparently, is that the Green Party was resoundingly rejected by the voters of Scotland.
They lost 5 of their 7 seats and lost 50,000 votes, down from 132,000 in 2003 to 82,000 now.
Why on earth should these people be allowed to dictate about much-needed roads, and to impose yet more "green" taxes on the people who have rejected them?

worked in fairfields man and boy,had to move here after the clyde got the s hit end of the stick,unfortunately english bob is stating what most english people that i know are thinking.was reported here last week that every resident of scotland is subsidised to the tune of �2000 per year multiplied by 5 million is a lot of dosh.figures supplied by our scottish chancelors office.

.
Correct me if I'm wrong but is Eck still entitled to visit the big house down in London?

Gan yerself, Eck .Awae doon an pay a visit. Awa beard the greedy one in his den. Jings, yon wull rub salt in the wound. Can we see yon on the films?
.

Well done, Alex.; the arrogance of McConnel and his ilk and the patheticness of the Lib Dems is going to come back and haunt them eventually.
Just a morally and intellectually bankrupt bunch.

The idea that the Queen would not be welcome in Scotland after independence fails to recognise that she will continue to be head of State after independence. I see no problem with that at all. I'm sure she will continue to spend her summer holidays at Balmoral. The Royal Family are part of the fabric of the Northeast where they have always been popular. Indeed it is perhaps no coincidence that this area is where the SNP has its power base. I'm sure Alex Salmond and the Queen will get on very well. Their shared interest in horseracing will I'm sure be an excellent ice-breaker as well as their fondness for the people of Aberdeenshire. The State opening of the parliament in the summer will shed light on how the Queen regards an SNP administration in Edinburgh.

The idea that the Queen would not be welcome in Scotland after independence fails to recognise that she will continue to be head of State after independence. I see no problem with that at all.

I'm sure she will continue to spend her summer holidays at Balmoral. The Royal Family are part of the fabric of the Northeast where they have always been popular. Indeed it is perhaps no coincidence that this area is where the SNP has its power base.

I'm sure Alex Salmond and the Queen will get on very well. Their shared interest in horseracing will I'm sure be an excellent ice-breaker as well as their fondness for the people of Aberdeenshire.

The State opening of the parliament in the summer will shed light on how the Queen regards an SNP administration in Edinburgh.