Political Fun and Games

Much has been made in the Unionist press and media of a resurgence in the fortunes of the Tory Party in the local Council elections.

Some political pundits attribute the change to a transfer of allegiance by the Protestant Orange Order away from the Labour Party to the Tory Party which recently changed its name from The Conservative Party back to The Conservative and Unionist Party. A minor change garnering a major result.

If affirmed the Labour Party voter base might deteriorate further in the General Election but  this will probably manifest in Labour voter apathy and it is unlikely any party will benefit in the short term.

The polarisation of Scottish politics is now well established.

The Conservative and Unionist Party has claimed the right to defend the Union.

The influence and role of the Labour Party and the Liberal Democratic Party is reduced that of political spoilers.

In the local council elections the Conservative and Unionist party recruited, marshalled and deployed their activists much more effectively than any other party and reaped the benefits. Lessons are there to be learned.

The SNP stand alone promoting the case for independence and it is imperative that every effort should be made to get supporters of independence to the voting booths on the day of the General Election.

The article that follows provides a detailed history of the Orange Order in Scotland and its capacity for disruption.

 

 

 

 

The Orange Order in Scotland

The Orange Order first surfaced in the north of Ireland in 1795.

It’s constitution commits members to the defence of Protestantism and the British Crown.

It provides a focus for Protestant ethnic groups in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Although it’s promoted activities are focused on social and religious matters the political dimension has always been considered to be of prime importance and the Order has provided a number of political activists and leaders at many levels of Scottish political society.

The Order is not exclusively an Irish import to Scotland since the politics of native Scots in the West of Scotland was historically sectarian in nature but apathetic towards the problems of Ireland.

This ensured the political growth of the Irish-Protestant working class in Scotland would be influenced by native Scots who were more inclined to embrace socialist ideology as opposed to confrontation.

The loss of many thousands of young Scots soldiers and the depression after WW1 changed the mindset of Irish immigrants and their descendants who became more reliant on the Order to ensure their place in Scottish society.

This brought with it a significant increase in membership and a much enhanced Order presence in the politics of Scotland in the 1920-1939 period.

At the end of WW2 and up to the late 1950’s the Order was influential in ensuring the political direction of the Protestant working class vote in the Central belt of Scotland.

The industrial downturn and slum clearance programmes in Scotland, brought about the establishment of overspill areas, such as Easterhouse and Castlemilk.

Expansion of town and village living; Coatbridge, Airdrie, Motherwell, Hamilton and the new town of Cumbernauld.

Similar programmes were completed in Edinburgh and the East of Scotland forming overspill areas such as Muirhouse, Sighthill and the new-towns of Glenrothes and Livingston.

The impact of the changes on the Order was significant. Membership fell sharply as the population of the Central belt of Scotland became more dispersed and the influence of the Order was lessened markedly.

But although much reduced in numbers the Order in Scotland is still influential in Protestant communities.

Membership has remained consistent in the West of Scotland (in or around Glasgow) and North Lanarkshire

West Lothian, in the East of Scotland is an Order stronghold and there are a significant number of lodges in Renfrewshire, Wigtownshire and Ayrshire.

Conversely there are few lodges in Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and the Highlands and Borders regions.

 

 

 

 

Male membership of the Order

The highest ever male concentration of the Order in Scotland was recorded at 10% in Govan and Rutherglen, but overall Scottish male membership density rarely exceeded two percent.

At 2017 the figure is reduced to less than 1%.

For comparison male membership of the Order in Belfast routinely peaks at around 20%

 

 

 

 

Membership Patterns

In Glasgow, at Ward level, pockets of the Order are to be found in; Govan (Kingston), Ibrox, Kinning Park, Fairfield, Kingston, Rutherglen, Cowcaddens, Drumchapel, Maryhill, Possil, Cowlairs, Baillieston and Bridgeton.

 

 

 

 

Causes of Membership Change

Order membership improved following the introduction of licensed social clubs coupled with an ever increasing appeal of soccer and para-military activity in Northern Ireland.

Spikes and fluctuations in membership are also attributed to a number of factors:

1) Threats to Protestantism: Marked decrease in Scottish Protestant church membership and increasing secularisation resulting in declining church attendance and Pastoral influence.

2) Threats to the Union: e.g.. A visit of the Pope

 

 

 
The Northern Ireland Troubles of 1969-90

In the 1960’s and throughout the troubles the policies of the Order in Scotland became ever more militant answering the perceived threat to the Union by Nationalists.

“Scottish” Lodges and their bands travelled to Northern Ireland in increasing numbers in the “Marching” season.

Over time the distinct “Scottishness” of marching lodge members was replaced with “Ulsterness”.

Pipe bands stopped travelling and Scottish Saltires were replaced with the Red hand of Ulster.

The retention of the Union Jack proved to be significant.

Later surveys identified that Order members claimed their identity to be “British” and it was the protection of the “Union” that drove them to go to Ulster each year.

The Grand Lodge of Scotland which supported financial contributions to Ulster, was also heavily involved politically, without success throughout the period with the many differing factions in Ulster and UK governments.

Nevertheless the Order benefited from the troubles achieving the highest ever level of membership in many years.

 

 

 

 

The Sea Change

The 1982 visit of the Pope proved to be the turning point for the Order and it’s steady decline in membership and influence.

Hard-line “Ulsterised” rank and file members demanded militant action preventing the visit but were not supported by senior Order officers or the Grand Lodge.

A number of small groups ignored instructions and went ahead with protests causing an amount of disruption.

The failure of the Grand Lodge to establish control encouraged lodges to ignore instructions forbidding it introducing Sunday opening, the sale of alcohol and singing and dancing.

An added impact was the increasing militancy and unruly behaviour of marching bands and their supporters.

Bands had evolved from the Scottish pipe bands of the 1960’s, first to the accordion, then to “blood and guts” flute bands whose average age was under 30y.

Despite suspensions the bands continued to perform at many “Orange Walks” in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

 

 

 

 

 

Influence

The Order in Scotland can be credited with the establishment of a working class Unionist Tory base through the lodge system and it’s influence over political events in Glasgow up to the start of WW2, was substantial resulting in a number of Tory Orange Order MP’s being elected to Westminster.

The Order had little purchase however in the rest of Scotland since there were no other significant Orange Order clusters.

The Scottish Unionists successful political recruitment and retention strategy up to the early 1960’s was centred on cultivating the votes of the Order membership without compromising it’s aims and ideals.

But the party alienated many members of the Order when it turned away from Unionism retaining only “Conservative” in it’s title.

Many Order members drifted away to the Labour party.

Thatcher’s agreement to support the 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement proved to be the catalyst that severed any links between the Order and the Tory Party in Scotland.

Disillusioned Order members, supported by the Grand Lodge formed a political block to the Tory Party using their votes tactically making claim to a reduction in the number of Tory MP’s in Scotland.

Political observers are inclined to the view that the withdrawal of their support had less impact on the fortunes of the Tory party in Scotland blaming other Thatcher actions against Scotland.

 

 

 

 

 

Freemasonry in Scotland

The Scottish Protestant tradition of Masonry stretches back to the middle ages and  the organisation of Freemasons in Scotland is broadly similar to that of the Orange Order.

Indeed there is a school of thought that supports the view that the Order first adopted the rules of Scottish Freemasonry and amended them to suit their own needs.

It is of no surprise that the Orange Order has done so well among Scottish Protestants.

Scotland’s total of around 170,000 Masons is the largest Masonic membership rate worldwide making it a Protestant institution guaranteed it’s place in Scottish society.

The stability of Scottish Freemasonry is attributed to its “articles of association” which require members to be strictly apolitical and non-religious, unlike the Orange order, (with 70% of its Scottish membership clustered in Central Scotland.)

It is also important to draw attention to class differences in the two groups of Protestants in Scotland.

In Glasgow, Masonic Lodge halls are primarily located in the more affluent West of the City and in the satellite villages and small towns on the city’s outskirts.

Major concentrations of Masonic lodges are also to be found in the Borders, Highlands and the North-east.

Other lodges are located, in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Perth.

Conversely Orange Order Lodge Halls are located in working class areas of Glasgow and similar locations in other Towns in the West of Scotland.

 

 

Spread of Freemason Lodges

 

 

 

Conclusions

In the last 30 years Scottish Protestant church membership and attendance has fallen significantly and the Grand Lodge is increasingly impotent in the control of younger, often more militant members who challenge it’s right to dictate policy in regards to the support of Ulster Orange-men.

The continued presence of the Order is directly attributed to the past influx of Irish-Protestant immigrants and their descendants and it’s power is only retained in areas of historic Irish-Protestant immigration such as Larkhall, Airdrie and parts of West Lothian. Overall however the strength of the Order, (even in the West of Scotland) is relatively weak.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 2017: Scottish Tory Candidate Selections Proceed Apace Using Fast-Track Rules

Whereas in England and Wales there’s a competitive process for most Tory held and target seats (unless CCHQ and the Association agree to automatically reselect a previous candidate), the Scottish Conservatives have opted to make it the norm to offer every association a single candidate approved by by Ruth Davidson.

Any local association has the right to reject that offer and go for the longer competitive route, but, to quote the Scottish rules: “It will be emphasised to the association chairman that the process needs to be as efficient as possible and (approving a nominated single candidate) is the preferred option for selection.”

This allows total control of the candidate selection process by the leadership.

(http://www.conservativehome.com/parliament/2017/04/scottish-conservative-candidate-selections-proceed-apace-using-fast-track-rules.html)

 

 

 
Katie Crighton Mackie and her Family

Redundant  following Diageo’s closure of their VAT69 distillery, in South Queensferry Melvin Mackie took up a Director post, from 1988-1990, at The Edinburgh Development & Investment Group:(property leasing) based at 3 Cockburn Street.

In 2002, Melvin, his wife May (married 1968) and Katie born Glasgow,1971  relocated to England where Melvin purchased and managed until 2004, the Pheasant Inn, in Cumbria.

Edinburgh, ( Morningside) born, Melvin retired in 2004 aged 69yo and bought  a lovely retirement cottage in, Carnforth Lancashire. Value 350-450K.

He was voted onto the Council (Conservative) shortly after taking up residence and is still serving.

This is a link to the 800 strong, Scottish Tory insider discussion group, The group is active and the discussions informative. https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2432384/profile

Katie’s mother May was appointed to and held the post of Director of The Fairbank Society,(care home) in Lancashire serving between 2005-2011.

Ayrshire born, Galston, May retired at age 72yo.

 

 

 

 
Tracking Katies Career

2000 – 2004: Katie went off to Manchester Metropolitan University, gained a BA Hons Degree in Retail Marketing. She then returned to Edinburgh

2004-2008: Constituency Adviser: Margaret Mitchell MSP.

2007: Unsuccessful candidate for Dunbar and East Linton Council 2007.

2008-2011: Public Affairs Adviser: Scottish Grocers’ Federation.

2010: Unsuccessful Westminster candidate for Falkirk in 2010.

2011-2013: Communications and Legislation Manager: Molson Coors Brewing (UK) Ltd.

2013-2016: External Corporate Affairs Manager: Molson Coors Brewing (UK) Ltd.

2016-2017 Office Manager: Jeremy Balfour, List MSP for Lothian.

2017: Successful candidate(Seventh stage) for Ward 1 Musselburgh, East Lothian Council.

 

 

 

 

Her Sales Pitch to the People of Musselburgh:

“I am delighted to have been selected as your local Conservative candidate for the local government elections in May. Living in Musselburgh I understand the opportunities and challenges the town faces. I pledge to be a strong voice for the people of Musselburgh and represent all our interests on East Lothian Council. Over the coming months I look forward to speaking to as many residents as possible to hear what your priorities are for Musselburgh. My priorities are:

To focus on improving Musselburgh town centre to support existing businesses and town users and to attract and encourage investment.

To fight against a second independence referendum.

To campaign for an improved train service on the North Berwick line to help Musselburgh commuters with overcrowding problems.

To raise the profile of Musselburgh’s history and heritage in order to boost tourism in the town.

To campaign for flexible local child care services to support working families.

Comment: Still forcing the Ruth Davidson independence mantra onto the electorate. Not the job of a Councillor. Also stood for election on false pretences. She already knew she would be Davidson’s nomination for the Westminster seat. Cynical opportunism.

In my view the people of Musselburgh would be best served by Katie remaining a Councillor. She is not ready for the more challenging role of MP

 

 

2017: Selected by local Conservative as the candidate for the Edinburgh East constituency.

 

 

 

 

Rooth the Mooth Brief Sales Pitch:

Katie has a strong track record of local campaigning, having fought the Falkirk seat in 2010, and most recently in Musselburgh for her successful campaign to serve on East Lothian Council.

Katie is currently employed in the office of Lothian MSP Jeremy Balfour and has previously worked as a constituency adviser to Margaret Mitchell.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feb 2018: Miles and the Racist Tory Bigot

The Tories stand accused accused of failing to take racism seriously after Briggs was caught campaigning with a former candidate suspended because of an online rant against Muslims.

Briggs posed with activists in a group picture including George McIntyre, who was dumped by the party for his online comments. He had intended to stand for the Tories for a place on Midlothian Council

Party Leader Davidson suspended him after he publicly ranted that  he was “sick to the back teeth” about “whingeing” Muslims.

A Tory spokesman said:

“This individual was removed as a member and a candidate at the time, and the local party have been told he cannot be involved in this way again. Mr McIntyre’s comments were utterly unacceptable and have no place in the Scottish Tory Party.”

Briggs did not respond to a request for comment.

 

 

 

Miles Edward Frank Briggs – His Family Heritage

His Wikipedia profile states that he is a British politician who was elected to the Scottish parliament in 2016.

But he was not elected, he got in via the backdoor as a “list MSP” through the Westminster imposed, discredited “top-up” system that brings the electoral system into disrepute.

Miles was born in Preston, Lancashire in 1983. His parents are James and Jean Briggs.

He has two sisters: Philippa and Christina,  also born in  Preston. So he is English born and bred. Wikipedia needs updating.

In the mid-1980’s his mother Jean had charge of the payroll of Ribble Coaches. The largest coach operator in the North East of England.

After Stagecoach bought the company she was promoted to a senior management role and relocated with her family to Bankfoot, Perth.

Bankfoot, near Perth is known as “big tree” country and his father James formed his own business in forestry.

Retiring early, in 2004 James and Jean sold up and returned home, to England to enjoy their retirement.

Miles remained in Scotland at RGU in Aberdeen and embraced the Unionist cause which is no surprise given his background.

 

 

 

Miles Briggs Mini Autobiography

I was educated at Auchtergaven Primary, from age 10-12 and then attended Perth Grammar School.

I moved away from home, to take a degree at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen in Management & Politics.

Following graduation I worked for The Executive Council of the Province of Prince Edward Island, Canada (for 1 year.)

I have been employed for the last 10 years at Holyrood, working as a salaried Special Political Adviser (SPAD) to MSPs Dr Nanette Milne and Liz Smith.

(nice little earner, minimal relevant exposure in a working environment yet gets a contract of employment most likely costing the Scottish taxpayer around 400k over 10 years)

 

 

 

Miles Edward Frank Briggs – Political Aspirations

He unsuccessfully contested North East Fife in 2010 and Edinburgh South in 2015, before running for and getting elected to the Scottish Parliament as a List Member for Lothian Region in May 2016.

Only one year on and he was the Conservative Candidate for Edinburgh and South West Westminster Seat. His bid for a London base career failed, so back to the day job, but evidently a man on a mission

He is the Shadow Minister for Public Health & Mental Health and a Member of the Parliament’s Health & Sport Committee and is Co-Convenor of the Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Cancer and Convenor of the Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Scottish Horse-racing & Bloodstock Industries.

He is actively involved in numerous other Cross Party Groups. He keeps himself busy.

 

Miles seeking to convince the Scottish parliament Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee to set up a cross party group on Scottish Horse-racing and Bloodstock Industries.

But watch out for Patrick Harvie exposing the real reason for the submission which is to form a lobby group to promote the interests of businessmen with an interest in horse racing.

 

 

May 2016: Who’s a Lucky Boy Then? Mile Briggs fails to get elected for a third time but gets into Holyrood as a “top-up” list MSP

In his address he stated: “The people of Scotland want to turn the page on the constitutional argument that has divided our country.

“The Scottish Conservatives have been waiting for this resurgence for a long time. I believe this is only the start of something big.” (The Scotsman)

But Miles was born and bred in Preston & Ribble in Lancashire and it would be a reasonable assumption his loyalty would be fully committed to the Town and land of his birth, so his use of the word “Our” is misplaced.

But that’s politics!! If it is considered something might be detrimental politically, omit it!!!

 

 

Holyrood Debates the Scottish NHS

Miles Briggs, Scottish Conservative & Unionist MSP for Lothian, and the Shadow Health Secretary, today criticised the SNP Government’s record on the NHS over the last ten years in a Parliamentary debate on the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government. Speaking in the debate Miles said:

“ It is more than ten years now since this SNP Government took full charge of Scotland’s NHS and therefore an appropriate moment to assess their record of more than a decade running our health services in Scotland.

I am sorry to say that it is littered with broken promises.

Targets pledged for waiting times from referral to treatment and for cancer patients have been consistently missed.

Not only have they failed to deliver many of their own Manifesto pledges for improvement – this summer has seen confirmation from a wide range of indicators that show our health service is moving backwards under this failed SNP Government”.

Note: It is important to give attention to the emotional factors guiding Miles when compiling an analysis of his address to the assembled MSP’s.

He does not give mention to his place of birth and how his erstwhile fellow constituents in Preston are doing in regards to health policies in England.

But they are an important part of the credibility of his argument.

 

 

Three Performance Indicators

A&E: 95% of patients to be dealt within four hours.

Routine Operations: 92% of patients to start treatment within 18 weeks.

Cancer – England: Hospitals to start treatment on patients who receive an urgent referral by a GP within 62 days for 85% of patients.

Cancer – Scotland: Hospitals to start treatment on patients who receive an urgent referral by a GP within 62 days for 95% of patients.

 

 

A&E Performance Scotland V England

2016: Miles Briggs, Tory MSP:

“The A&E in Scotland waiting time target has been met in just six weeks out of 52.”

 

 

2 Aug 2016: Scotland – BBC News

More than 95% of patients attending accident and emergency departments across Scotland were seen within four hours, according to the latest figures.

At 95.7%, the figure – which relates to June 2016 – is the best monthly performance for A&E departments since July 2014.

Adding comment, Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “Scotland’s A&E departments are outperforming those elsewhere in the UK.

Today’s figures show that Scotland’s A&E departments are continuing to build on the improvements we have seen over the last year.

She concluded: “Nationally, our core accident and emergency performance has remained better than elsewhere in the UK for the last 15 months of published data, from March 2015 to May 2016.”

 

 

26 Jul 2017: Scotland – The National

95.3 percent of patients in accident and emergency were seen and subsequently admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours in July 2017– meeting the Scottish Government’s interim target of 95 percent.

 

 

14 Apr 2016: England – National Health Executive

Performance against the key A&E target was the worst since monthly data began being published.

Just 87.8 per cent of patients were dealt with within that time-frame, compared with a target of 95 per cent.

The Director of Policy at the Nuffield Trust, said: “Today’s figures are the very visible symptoms of a system facing both inexorably increasing patient numbers and severe financial strain.

It’s disappointing that for the second month in a row, the proportion of people seen within four hours in A&E in February was the lowest since 2004.

 

 

Routine Operations Performance Scotland V England

2016: Miles Briggs:

The 18 week referral to treatment target hasn’t been met by the Scottish NHS for more than 3 years.

 

 

28 May 2017: Scotland – INews

Scotland’s NHS has missed its key waiting time target of 92%, for the 30th month in a row, according to official statistics.

Records reveal that 83.8 per cent of patients waited less than 18 weeks for treatment from the point they were referred by their doctor.

 

 

17 Apr 2017: England – The Telegraph

The NHS in England has officially given up trying to achieve the target.

The number of patients in England waiting longer than 18 weeks for surgery is set to double in the next three years, the health service has been warned.

The new analysis, based on official NHS figures suggests the total number waiting for operations will reach almost 5 million in 2020 – an increase of almost 2 million since 2015.

On current trends, that will include more than 800,000 patients waiting more than 18 weeks.

Senior doctors said the NHS target to carry out 92 per cent of non-urgent operations within 18 weeks of referral had been “jettisoned in all but name” as the health service struggles to meet demand.

 

 

Cancer Treatment Scotland V England

2016: Miles Briggs:

“More than one in ten cancer patients in Scotland are waiting too long for treatment”. That is 10% according to Miles. 85% of target is routinely achieved in Scotland.

 

 

8 March 2017: England – The McMillan Cancer Support Charity

NHS England has missed cancer treatment targets for three years.

More cancer patients in England are facing delays for their treatment than three years ago, with 1 in 6 (17%) now waiting beyond the official 85% NHS target, achieving a 68% performance figure.

 

 

28 Mar 2017: Scotland – BBC News

The most recent figures published showed that 87.1% of patients started treatment within 62 days. The government target at 95% is 10% higher than in England.

 

 

21 April 2017: A Lancashire (Preston) Foundation Trust (FT) has been ordered to urgently improve its services after the Care Quality Commission (CQC) concluded the quality of care at its hospitals was not up to scratch.

The regulator has sent the message to the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS (FT) after it rated it as ‘requires improvement’ following an inspection of the Royal Preston Hospital and Chorley and South Ribble Hospital in September 2016.

In April 2016, the trust was hit with with regulatory action after it was found to be in breach of its license to provide care, and authorities also had to intervene to address problems with the its way finances were run.

One of the hospitals in the trust, Royal Preston Hospital, also made headlines in February 2017, after a radiologist at the hospital was found guilty of defrauding the NHS of £24,000.

The Chief inspector of hospitals at the (CQC), Professor Sir Mike Richards, said that it was disappointing that the (FT) had not improved care after his organisation’s previous inspection in July 2014, which had already found significant problems surrounding patient flow and pressure within the A&E departments.

“Once again we found that patients were waiting too long in A&E, and a high number were placed in areas that weren’t the most appropriate for their needs due to capacity issues,” Sir Mike explained.

“Additionally, the problems with capacity and patient flow through the hospital led to the cancellation of planned operations due to bed shortages, patients unnecessarily being moved wards during their stay, and the use of areas such as theatre recovery to house patients instead of wards, at times of high pressure.”

“There are also concerns with staffing levels at the trust, particularly pertaining to medical, maternity, children’s and neonatal services.”

“The trust is working against a backdrop of pressure on all of its services and I am anxious to see them continue to monitor and improve staffing levels, patients flow and patient discharge.”

The news at the Lancashire (FT) follows a dire week for a number of providers nationally, with NHE reporting just last week that four trusts had been placed into special measures in a matter of days.   (Health-Care-News)

 

 

Benedetta Benzoni Interviews Miles Briggs

“So what would you say has been your best work so far this term?”

I’m sitting at a small, round wooden table with Miles Briggs, Conservative MSP for the Lothian region, just after getting him coffee with the researcher that collected me from the front desk.

He was second on the Conservatives regional list, behind Ruth Davidson.

He seems like quite a cheerful, if somewhat stressed man, with a blue suit and a slight English accent.

“Mm, good question… in terms of work, I guess campaigns.”

“I’ve been heavily involved in lots of campaigns across the Lothian region, from trying to save the Edinburgh Cleft Palate baby unit – which was for babies with a cleft lip, if you lived in the east, so the borders or Aberdeen, you’d get your surgery there in Edinburgh – that’s been centralised by the government to Glasgow.”

“I tried to prevent that, but haven’t been successful.”

“Why did you try to prevent it?”

“Well, right,” Miles began to wave his hands emphatically,

“They say-” (I’m guessing he meant either the Scottish Government or the SNP, judging by the level of vehement disapproval) “- they want to [centralise the unit] because it will have better outcomes – I disagree, I can see the loss of an excellent surgeon to our health service, and I just think in terms of patient travel and the time… if you’ve just had a beautiful baby but then the baby’s born with a cleft palate, you want the baby to be given the best opportunity for the best outcomes, for the rest of their lives, and that’s where I was disappointed that they closed that.”

“But that was just one of my early campaigns.” He paused to breathe.

“More recently, I’ve been involved with a campaign to try and get taxi access for disabled people back to Waverley station.

“So, there’s lots of campaigns like this as an MSP, you can either start one yourself or get involved with one.”

But I’ve got kind of fingers in all pies at the minute-” he chuckled “-across the Lothian region.”

(Having a look around at the sheer amount of papers and folders neatly shelved in the office, I can see why he’d feel stressed.)

“So, would you say your best work’s been done out of Parliament?”

“Probably, yes,” he answered with several bobbing nods, “We’re all basically in Parliament Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday, and I really enjoy the Health and Sport committee which I sit on in the Parliament, but the rest of the time you’re here it’s like, you know, doing desk work.”

(Cue bitter glance to the item of furniture to my left.)

“So it can just feel like you’re behind the desk for hours writing letters, so I really enjoy on a Monday and a Friday, and also at weekends, getting a chance to get out and about, so that’s a big part of it.”

I smiled and nodded, subtly rearranging my notes.

“Okay, so you mentioned standing for Edinburgh because you live there – how do you make sure you’re representing your constituents accurately and fairly?”

“Okay, well, I really passionately believe that you’re elected to represent everybody, regardless of how they voted.”

“A bit part for me is making myself accessible, and listening to people.”

“By and large, people aren’t shy coming forward, telling you what their problems are, for example, I work heavily to try to stop the business rate increases.”

“Today we’ve seen kind of a tiny step forward on that from the government, who are in some extra transition to give support for businesses, but that was very much on the back of a lot of businesses from Edinburgh and the likes coming to tell me how they could be affected by the rates’ increase.”

“But, to answer your question, for me it’s actually making myself accessible, so I do surgeries, newsletters, I did a calendar.”

“Wow!”

“yeah, to over 28,000 people at Christmas time, with all my contact details on it, so that people are able to access [me]! And, by and large, in Parliament, a lot of people do come to tell me issues, or I have surgeries across the region where they can also come and see me.”

“Or just email – or phone – everything, we’ve got everything, we’ve almost got our website built as well!”

Miles beamed at the mention of this technological extravaganza.

Full interview here: https://spyglassonline.wordpress.com/2017/03/27/interview-miles-briggs-conservative-msp-part-1/

 

Observations:

A very revealing interview. Still awaiting the follow-up.

Miles, the man with his fingers in all the pies who finds desk-work boring.

Loves to get away from the office to sit on committees.

Produced a calendar and mailed it to 28,000 people at Xmas (hopefully not at the Scottish taxpayers expense) so they would have his details on their wall for an entire year.

Passionate in his belief that he was elected to represent everybody regardless of how they voted. But he was never elected. He was rejected for a third time.

But he conducts surgeries all over the Lothian region. One wonders who with.

And finally, tasking a £20K researcher to meet a guest at the front door of Holyrood rather than present himself might be considered discourteous to some and to boot!! she had to get him a coffee before the interview.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Penny

 

 

Penelope (Penny) Alison Veronica Hutton (nee Salvesen) Tory candidate for West Dunbartonshire

Her fabulously rich family are linked to some of the richest landowners in Scotland.

The old saying holds true “if she cut herself she would bleed blue blood.

Quite why she is the Tory candidate for West Dunbartonshire defeats me since the wider family could buy and sell West Dunbartonshire many times over and still consider the purchase to be achieved by spare cash.

It might be now that her children are adults she has a bit more time available and is a wee bit bored.

She was at some time or other a director of some of the family companies.

Her brother Jeremy’s obit provides further explanation: (http://www.scotsman.com/news/obituaries/obituary-jeremy-salvesen-entrepreneur-and-adventurer-1-3380489)

 

 

 

 

Penelope – A Closer Look at her Lineage

Penelope (Penny) Alison Veronica Salvesen is the daughter of John Salvesen, a Kelso farmer, the great-grandson of the famously successful and wealthy Norwegian immigrant Christian Salvesen.

She is the great-great-granddaughter of Christian Salvesen, the 19th-century Norwegian immigrant who went on to develop the Salvesen shipping, whaling and road transport conglomerate who also brought the first penguins to Edinburgh Zoo.

 

 

 

 

Her Husband John Rupert Hutton is Near Enough Scottish Royalty

James Rupert Hutton is the son of Commander John Robin Hutton and Elizabeth Judy MacMillan.

The family are directly descended from the Chief of the Clan Mcmillan through General Sir Gordon Holmes Alexander MacMillan of MacMillan and Knap and Rear-Admiral Reginald Maurice James Hutton.

 

 

 

 

The Coupling of Penelope and John

Penelope (Penny) married James on 12 February 1994. They have 2 adult children. http://thepeerage.com/p17115.htm

 

 

 

 

 

Penny Hutton – I Am a Scottish Conservative

Her self penned history is at odds with the gentility of her heritage:

“Born in the Borders I have lived in West Dunbartonshire for the last four years with my husband and two children.

Before that we lived in Argyll where we ran a marine and retail business.

I was also an advisor for the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust helping young people to establish and run their own businesses.

I am now a volunteer for the NSPCC Schools Service giving assemblies and workshops in primary schools to help our young people understand abuse and how to get help.

 

 

 

 
Briefly, Her beliefs – Quotes from Roothie the Moothy Political Dogma “Don’t Frighten the Natives” Handbook

“I will endeavour to ensure that funds from the Glasgow City deal (which is majority Westminster financed) are invested properly, eg. The Exxon Mobile site and that Clydebank and West Dunbartonshire get their fair share.

I will also work to bring life back to our town centres and to keep health and social care services local.

I believe in a strong United Kingdom (the rest of the UK being Scotland’s largest export market) and the benefits including inward investment it gives all four of our home nations.

I will oppose the SNP’s plans for a second Scottish independence referendum, which the people of Scotland do not want, and stand up for a strong United Kingdom.

I will support the growth and development of H.M.N.B. Clyde and the employment opportunities this will bring to the constituency, both at the base itself and in the wider community.

I will work with our local MSPs and others to ensure a secure, long term and viable future for the Vale of Leven Hospital.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 2017: Scottish Tory candidate selections proceed apace using fast-track rules

Whereas in England and Wales there’s a competitive process for most Tory held and target seats (unless CCHQ and the Association agree to automatically reselect a previous candidate), the Scottish Conservatives have opted to make it the norm to offer every association a single candidate approved by by Ruth Davidson.

Any local association has the right to reject that offer and go for the longer competitive route, but, to quote the Scottish rules: “It will be emphasised to the association chairman that the process needs to be as efficient as possible and (approving a nominated single candidate) is the preferred option for selection.”

This allows total control of the candidate selection process by the leadership.

(http://www.conservativehome.com/parliament/2017/04/scottish-conservative-candidate-selections-proceed-apace-using-fast-track-rules.html)

 

 
Edinburgh North and Leith: Iain McGill The Chosen Candidate

McGill fought the same seat in 2010 and 2015, and the equivalent Scottish Parliament seat in 2016, and stood for the European Parliament in Scotland in 2014.

He is a fiercely loyal Conservative activist and is desperate to have the political position to make a difference.

He is the part owner of an employment agency in Leith.

He was firmly behind David Cameron in wanting to renegotiate the EU deal, but will definitely not be voting to stay in the EU.

Although born in Edinburgh he retains strong links protestant unionist links with Ulster (through his mother).

He is quoted as saying: My mum’s Northern Irish, and I’ve much more family living there than I have in Leith.

Twas Ulster Day whilst I was here, and the centenary of Carson, and my great grandfather, signing the covenant. No doubt I’d have signed it as well had I been around 100 years ago.

 

 
McGill’s Sales Pitch to the Electorate

I started off in a tenement in the Restalrig area of Edinburgh until too many brothers and sisters arrived and my parents moved to a bigger house just off Easter Road, in the most densely populated area of Scotland.

I went to Drummond High and left the school with next to no qualifications – certainly none that are worth anything. University was certainly not an option for me.

I became a postman in Leith. When other people my age were going to university to study subjects like English, Politics and History, I was slogging away in a Royal Mail sorting office, and pounding the streets making deliveries of a non-political kind.

I’ve been an ambulance driver in Albania, a hovercraft pilot in Africa taking part in massive international aid operations, I’ve run holiday clubs at Pilrig Park School which meet the additional support requirements of young people with complex needs including those with autism, and I’ve worked as a support worker for adults with learning disabilities and in homeless projects.

Volunteering around the constituency, I’ve a long track record with the likes of The Yard adventure centre, McCrae’s Battalion Trust and Street Soccer Scotland, and I travel every year with Homeless World Cup to referee their ever-growing football tournament.

I am a very typical Tory.

Many people like to stop me, particularly if I’m out ­canvassing in my Edinburgh North and Leith area, to tell me I don’t seem like an archetypal Conservative.

I’m not sure if this is because of my accent, which I suppose is unmistakably Leith, or simply my appearance and manner.

Maybe it’s because I prefer a pint in an old man’s pub to a gin and tonic in an upmarket bar.

Maybe it’s because I’d rather join the Tartan Army for a Scotland away adventure than head to Murrayfield for the rugby.

You won’t often see me in a suit and tie, I’ve never had a job that requires one. I’d much rather get my Hearts scarf on at 3pm on a Saturday then go for a pub crawl round Gorgie than go clay pigeon shooting on a rural estate.

In any case, what always attracted me to the Conservatives was that none of that mattered.

I looked at Margaret Thatcher and John Major both children from working families.

The fact they became Prime Ministers through the Conservatives appealed to me; it proved that if you worked hard enough and earned everything that came to you, it would be possible to achieve more or less anything you like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kd1KGY6OMMQ (video 1 minute sales pitch vote for me)

 
Comment:

Reading his self penned autobiography I reached the conclusion that McGill is a mix of “Lawrence of Arabia” and “Walter Mitty.”

Regular employment seems to have eluded him, apart from a short period of employment, in Leith with the Post office.

The rest of his adult life appears to be taken up volunteering his services helping others in Edinburgh and all over the world.

Since just about all of his claims of voluntary work attract no salary it leaves one pondering just how he was able to survive. Did he win the lottery?

His treatise also reveals a weakness in his character since it is almost entirely focused on Leith when the constituency includes other areas such as, Muirhouse, Pilto, Granton, and the new Town.

His analysis of the duties of an MP give concern since he measures the job requiring delivery to constituents in two areas.

First would be his total commitment to the policies of Tory Party.

Secondly he would do his own thing primarily assisting rough sleepers.

No mention of matters important to the electorate: unemployment, poverty, housing shortages, welfare cut backs, education and the many other problems that face the public daily
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IB0VolIhpE8

(Independence debate: Stumped by the first question from the Chair. Waffled on about SNP promises then failed to answer a question about GER’s figures.)

 

 

 

 

 16 February 2012: Iain McGill Twitterati  Arch Enemy of Rangers FC

It is unusual for a resident of Leith to claim to be a hard-line Heart of Midlothian supporter since Hibernian would appear to be a more logical choice.

But the answer is to be found in his strong family links to Ulster. His special affiliation to Hearts reveals a hard-line side to his character.

Namely abusive Twittering: In fact the baiting of Rangers supporters got so bad that the leader of the Rangers Supporters Trust, Chris Graham, published a ‘list’ exposing ‘enemies’ of Rangers for fans to read…. It included Iain McGill:

“He is the Conservative Party candidate for Edinburgh and as such represents his party in what he says. He is also pictured on his website shaking hands with David Cameron. I wonder what the PM would think of McGill’s views” https://twitter.com/DouglasDaniel/status/827510490360344577/photo/1 (An example of McGill’s Tweets baiting Rangers supporters. There are more on his twitter page. (https://twitter.com/IainMcGill?lang=en321.html)

 

 

 
February 2016: Armed policeman spotted making routine traffic stop in Leith

Police Scotland has been criticised after using an openly armed officer to deal with a driver not wearing a seatbelt.

A picture of the incident was taken by a Tory candidate for the Scottish Parliament, who said it showed little had changed at the force despite the arrival of a new Chief Constable.

Businessman Iain McGill was at his office in Edinburgh when he spotted the officer – armed with what is believed to be a Glock semi-automatic – carrying out the routine traffic stop.

McGill posted the snap to his Twitter account with the caption: “Looks like a policeman with a side-arm outside my office ticking someone off for a traffic offence.”

But the force insisted the officer had done nothing wrong and that the driver was placing himself in “danger”. (Driving without a seatbelt)

McGill, 39, said: “There was no attempt to hide the gun. There was a big vehicle with blue lights and a policeman appearing to be giving someone a ticking off for not very much. “It looked like a routine ticking off. They don’t need to be armed to do that.”

Mr McGill, who is contesting the Edinburgh Northern and Leith seat at the elections in May, asked: “What are armed police doing traffic stops on Albert Street for?”

“That’s not the job of the armed police. They have a job to do and that’s not it. It unsettles people rather than reassures people.“

Chief Superintendent Elaine Ferguson today insisted: “These officers were doing absolutely nothing wrong.” She added: ”Drivers and passengers who do not wear a seatbelt are placing themselves at considerable risk if they are involved in an accident.

“Police Scotland’s Standing Firearms Authority means that there is a chance that members of the public will see a small number of our officers in public places wearing side arms.

“Their actions today were in line with the guidance that was introduced in October 2014.

They are still police officers and cannot ignore crimes or offences in progress, just because they are wearing a side-arm.”

(http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/armed-policeman-spotted-making-routine-traffic-stop-in-leith-1-4026671)
Public Comments

1.The sheer idiocy of the politicians’ statements in this article is nothing less than most shocking and amazing.

The necessary implication of their statements, concerning the fact that the police officers are armed, is that the politicians do not trust police officers.

The politicians are literally turning police officers into criminals by their statements and their points of view.

Guns are not evil: inanimate objects cannot be good or evil.

It takes a human being to do either the good or the evil.

2. Police officers being armed is no big deal, in point of fact, should a robbery take place, or a severe beating, or an knifing, an armed police police officer could be the difference between saving an innocent persons life, or showing up after the fact to cover the body from view.
3. Firstly I am amazed that the Evening News actually published this article, given that there forerunner post on Facebook last night took pelters from the general public, and miraculously the post disappeared shortly after I read it.

The Poliscopter was hovering over North Edinburgh last night and I pondered whether it was hoping to shine the spotlight on Ian McGill and expose his ridiculous views and comments, but no it was actually targeting relevant issues involving scumbags tearing around Muirhouse on (probably stolen) motorbikes.

McGill is the prospective Tory candidate for Edinburgh North and Leith, well that’s a joke in itself and this publicity will have diminished his paltry vote even more.
4. The current UK threat level for international terrorism today is: SEVERE

This means that a terrorist attack is highly likely. So Mr McGill, I am quite happy that police officers are carrying guns thank you very much.

They might need to save my and your life in the coming months.

When the Government lowers the UK threat level then you might be justified, but at the moment you are just being A.T.I.T (Another Tactically Inept Tory).

Now please go away and do you job properly instead of trying to win Brownie points with this pointless and dangerous article.

 

 

 

 

 

McGill and His Misleading Bar-Charts

McGill is in the spotlight is once again, his bar chart suggests that support for Labour and the LibDems is smaller than shown by his own figures.

We measured the lengths of the columns to be 48mm (SNP), 34mm (Con), 8mm (Lab) and 1mm (LibDem).

These lengths are not proportional to the percentages.

If the SNP bar were used as the scale, the heights of the bars should have been 48mm (SNP), 36mm (Con), 14.2mm (Lab) and 5.5mm (LibDem).

Thus, the actual LibDem bar is a massive 82% shorter than it should be and the Labour bar is 44% smaller than it should be. In fairness, the Conservative bar is also 5.6% shorter than it should be. Still, the main impression given is that Labour and LibDem support is significantly smaller than it really is.

Is Iain McGill bothered about dodgy barcharts? So far, his Twitter feed suggests not. This may all seem pedantic, but if politicians can’t get the basics right, what about everything else?

(http://www.broughtonspurtle.org.uk/news/dodgy-election-bar-charts-2)

 

 

 

 

Purves & Donnell front centre

 

 

4 May 2017: Newly Elected Kinross Councillor Guilty of AGM Election Foul Play

Callum Purves (Society President) and Ian Donnell, (Ulsterman: believer in Faith, Flag and Family and Society Chairman) were investigated and found guilty of serious electoral foul play.

The odious behaviour of senior officers of the Society, many since promoted to senior positions within the Scottish Conservative Party is symptomatic of a failure on the part of Ruth Davidson and her colleagues to provide good leadership and guidance to younger members of her Party.

It is conjectured that, had the information contained in this article been made available to the Kinross electorate it is doubtful Purves would have been elected to serve as a councillor. Might be he will do the right thing. Stand down and submit himself for re-election. Full report follows.

 

Society Chairman: Ian Donnell Ulsterman – believer in Faith, Flag and Family

 

 

 

May 2016: Ruthie the Moothie: Help! We have a Problem

Senior Office Holders of the St Andrews University Conservative and Unionist Association, or Society are Under Investigation Following Allegations of Foul Play. Members of the committee stand accused of “rigging” a recent election.

The charges expose long standing and bitter divides within the Society. Among the allegations (denied by the officers concerned) levelled against current Society president Callum Purves and chairman Ian Donnell are:

(a). Influencing the results of the AGM by having new members signed up to the society in order to vote for Purves and against his opponent, Marcus Buist.

(b). Not requiring that said new members pay membership fees.

(c). Denying Mr Buist access to the membership list.

(d). Creating a hostile society environment based on political divides and with anti-Roman Catholic sentiments.

 

 

 
Explanation of Allegations

Donnell and Purves, outgoing and incoming presidents of the Society, are accused of attempting to manipulate the results of the AGM aided by senior figures in the Society.

Donnell and Purves also hold the positions of National chair and National secretary, respectively, of Conservative Future Scotland (the youth section of the Conservative party in Scotland.)

Michael Green, outgoing vice-president, who also served as returning officer for the election said that he believed both Donnell and Purves had abused their positions in order to ensure the election of Purves as president, whom Donnell had endorsed.

He also said that their actions could be characterised as “rigging” the election in their favour.

Another separate allegation of tampering was lodged by another student who said that he had been asked to join the Conservative Society (having had no prior affiliation.

He further confirmed he had been approached by members of Purves’ campaign team for the sole purpose of voting for him and against the other presidential candidate, Marcus Buist.

A second student, Ludo Stewart said that he had been contacted by a member of Purves’ campaign team a week before the election asking him to join the Society and vote against Mr Buist.

He said: “A member of Callum’s team sent me a message asking if I would do them a favour and sign up for the Tory Society so that I could submit a postal vote. He told me that Marcus Buist was very undesirable, that he would bring the Society into disrepute and that he held very unorthodox views.

They went on to say that the Society would arrange to terminate my membership after (the AGM) so that I wouldn’t have to be a part of a Society whose views I didn’t agree with.”

Mr Stewart then confirmed that he had “never been involved in the Society or been to any of their events” and that “no mention of money was made” during his interactions with the member of Purves’ team, despite the Conservative Society generally requiring a membership fee to become a voting member.

They said I had to vote because of extreme circumstances, but it turned out to be completely normal circumstances. Additionally, I didn’t pay my membership fee. I didn’t realise there was one.”

Adding to his statement Mr Stewart said that at the time he had been approached by Purves’ team they had referred to Purves challenger for office, Mr Buist as being at as a “fascist” who would bring the Society into disrepute.

Yet another student, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that they had been signed up without their knowledge and without having to pay a fee, with the singular purpose of voting for Purves.
He went on to say: “I did not sign up to be a member of the society this year and it was disturbing to be told by a member of Purve’s team, on Sunday 17 April that I was a registered member and that my membership fee had been paid for.”

He also said that he was instructed many times throughout the following day, by a member of the Purves’ team to vote for Purves over Marcus Buist.

Donnell, asked to respond said: “All members who joined the association through the year have joined knowing the aims of the society. We did see an increase in members joining as the AGM approached.

A number of people asked to become members as they were worried that the behaviour of some candidates would damage the association.

As far as membership fees are concerned they will have been received by our treasurer, either directly from new members or representatives who collected membership fees from them. Our accounts are tightly audited by the Union.”

Purves also denied signing up people solely to vote for certain positions.

Mr Buist, attributed the actions taken by other members of the Society to a divide that emerged within the group prior to and as a result of the AGM.

He said: “At the end of first year, it was clear who the two candidates were probably going to be, as was the presence of a largely healthy rivalry that occasionally had nastier spots, but which would always calm down and return to normal.”

He then said that “problems” started within the Society at the beginning of the second semester and intensified through February and March and expanded on the foregoing saying that there began to be “a hostile environment as both sides [began] to think about the AGM.” The Society was soon divided along ideological grounds, between liberal and non-liberal members of the Society.

Another student, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said, “Before the AGM, we were a very happy Society. There was a mix of people who had quite strong conservative views and then people with more liberal views, but there was a place for everyone, and it was a place where you could feel safe, where you could feel like you had friends.

In March it became obvious that support for Callum Purves over Marcus Buist had been taken beyond endorsement. Electioneering turned into a public hate campaign to settle private matters.

I think this was unbelievably selfish and hostile, to use the AGM as a means to settle personal scores. He also observed that it was his view that some in the Society: “wanted to make it their own club and fill it with their friends and that they [didn’t] care about what was best for the Society.”

Donnell refuted accusations of a hostile environment in the group.

He said, “I respect each member of the association I lead, regardless of their views. I have enjoyed our debates and have tried to build an association which holds a wide range of events and speakers to accommodate every ideological persuasion. Our wide-scope of opinions is something of which I am proud.”

Purves as expected, agreed with Donnell, saying, “I have always encouraged debate and discussion within the Association from people across the conservative political spectrum.

We have had many passionate debates over the past year but are fundamentally united in our desire to see greater Conservative representation in Scotland. The key theme of my presidential speech at the AGM was my hope for us to be a more inclusive Society that celebrated difference of opinion.”

Mr Green, standing by his earlier statement confirmed that he believed tension had been created within the group, particularly by Donnell, “It became all about Donnell and what his vision of the Society was.”

 

 

 

 

A Revised Constitution

Another divide in the Society came as the result of the decision to propose a new constitution.

The new constitution created a second vice-president, added the role of chairman, (which Donnell now holds) and increased his powers and those of the other executive officers.

Mr Buist challenged the changes to the constitution (without success) saying that they represented an unnecessary “centralisation of power” within the Society.

Mr Green said that he believed the new constitution had only been proposed to create additional executive positions on the committee for rewarding selected persons.

He said: “The goal from the very start was to get rid of certain committee members. Donnell didn’t really have a role going forward, so he created the new post of ‘chairman’ for himself.

So the entire purpose of re-jigging the constitution was simply a job creation scheme for approved people.”

 

 
E-Mail Ballots

Donnell is also accused of illegally viewing the email ballots of individual members then using the information gained to canvass members.

Mr Green said: “The major thing for me was the fact that Donnell retained personal access to the (official Conservative Society) email account.

This provided him access the email ballots as they were sent in. This meant that he was able to “chase up people that he thought were potentially going to vote for Purves but hadn’t voted yet.”

He added, “Mr Buist was not afforded the same access to the email account and this was a huge disadvantage.”

Mr Stewart, who had been approached to sign up for the Society by a member of the Purves’ campaign team, said that he was later asked if he had sent in his email ballot.

After he confirmed that he had voted, the member of Mr Purves’ team said, “but for Marcus Buist.”  He said, “I assumed that (votes for) AGMs were meant to be anonymous, but the Purves team knew how I had voted.

In regard to the member of Mr Purves’ team that had approached him before the election, he said, “We haven’t spoken since.”

 

 
The Campaign

A further dispute that arose during the campaigning period for the AGM was over access to a full list of members for canvassing purposes.

Mr Buist said that he had asked to be provided with a list of members.

Donnell and Purves, who had access to a full membership list in their capacity as president and secretary of the Society respectively refused, stating: “Given that the membership list contains details extending to email and residential addresses of all members, a decision was made that in the interest of data protection the list would not be distributed beyond those who would ordinarily hold it.

Donnell and Purves denied making use of the membership list for the purpose of canvassing members on behalf of Purves.

But Mr Buist and Mr Green accused Donnell of using the list to influence members who Mr Buist may not have known about and was therefore unable to contact.

In support of their allegation they cited an email sent by Donnell to a large number, though not all, members saying:

“Dear All, As the outgoing President of the society I recommend to you the following committee to be elected at our AGM……………………………………… ..If you are minded to agree with my recommendation, then please feel free to copy and paste this list of nominations and also to include the sentence following, “in regards to the constitution I support everything in red”. Please send in an email to toriesmail@st-andrews.ac.uk.”

Donnell’s email then endorsed Purves for president and other people for the committee’s roles.

Donnell said that the email was only sent to people he personally knew to be members.

Mr Stewart refuted this confirming he had received the email but had not known Donnell personally.

 

 

 
Anti-Catholic Racisim

Accusations were also made that some members of the Society had contributed towards an anti-Roman Catholic sentiment within the Society.

Stephan Maier, (member) said that at times there was a “general sentiment” of anti-Roman Catholic feeling in the Society stating that, anti-Roman Catholic remarks were made.

He said: “I’m not someone who feels very uncomfortably easily myself, but I believe others would. People would easily be put off by that immediately, I completely agree with that.

Certain people would feel their presence was unwanted, and their opinion carried little or no value because they were Roman Catholic. It put off people from joining or attending.”

 

 

 

 

 

University Response

A spokesperson for the Societies Committee said, “The committee is currently reviewing the election and allegations and will take action as found appropriate.”
Student Comments

Given the Returning Officer’s observations, Purves and Donnell should do the honourable thing, put the reputation of the University (and Conservative Party) before their own, resign and stand again through a new election next term.

If Purves and Donnell bluster their way through a full tenure, their authority and status will be badly tarnished and unfortunately, smell regardless of what actually did or did not happen

I think its absolutely dreadful that Donnell acts in this way. It raises questions regarding Conservative Future Scotland ( the youth wing of the conservatives).

He seems to be lacking in the character and stature to be an honourable politician.

If the St Andrews University Returning Officer has declared major concerns about this Young Conservative election process, it would be right and proper to declare the election void and simply repeat it next term. What is the point of nominating a returning officer for the victors to then ignore his critical assessment of this election process?

Can’t imagine anyone in that photo went to a particularly rough school.

Dodgy Dave would be proud of these Bullingdon club wannabes

An interesting and substantiated story. I’m both shocked and unsurprised that something like this could occur.

 

 
From Start to Finish: A Timeline

18 April 2016 – Fraudulent AGM held.

19 May – Allegations of election foul play published; Students’ Association launch investigation into the AGM.

15 September – University Union confirms allegations of election fraud.

19 September – Conservative Society committee informed of results of investigation.

20 September – Meeting between committee and Students’ Association officials to “rectify lack of communication.”

20 September – Notice to Cure (a formal request to rectify the situation) issued to The Conservative Society, with the understanding that the Societies Committee would oversee the upcoming election.

23 September – Several people attempt to purchase membership through the Union, claiming to be members from the year previous. The Students’ Association authorised this under Standing Order 7.3.1 which states that, “Should any person dispute their membership in a society prior to a general meeting of the society, the Societies Committee shall have exclusive jurisdiction to adjudicate membership status.”

23 September – Students’ Association attempt to contact Conservative Society to discuss the option of selling membership through the Cash Office, No reply.

23 September – Conservative Society issued with a second “a notice to cure” asking that the location of the reconvened AGM be released publicly and in a timely manner so that all who wanted to attend would have equal access. Disaffiliation was threatened by the Students’ Association by Monday 26 September – 12PM if the society did not respond.

26 September – St Andrews Conservative and Unionist Society choose to disaffiliate from the Students’ Association.

 

 
24 September 2016: Association investigation confirms Conservative Society “election fraud”

An investigation conducted by the Students Association has found that allegations of “election fraud” against the St Andrews Conservative and Unionist Society committee, first revealed in a report by The Saint earlier this year, were in fact true.

The investigation, conducted mainly by last year’s Director of Student Development and Activities, Kyle Blain, confirmed many of the allegations made against the committee regarding the society’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).
The Students Association’s Societies Officer Pia Szabo said, “There were accusations of election fraud and they proved to be true. In short, people were… stacking candidates, having people vote for candidates – and those people hadn’t been members (of the society).”

Elaborating further, Ms Szabo described how the Association found, “blatant evidence of people telling non-members to vote.”

Expanding, Ms Szabo said, “there was evidence of people being invited to the (AGM) who were not paid members and were not even being charged membership fees. This was wrong.”

Ms Szabo also confirmed that the society had been told to re-hold the AGM, this time under closer scrutiny from the Students’ Association.

Ms Szabo also described steps the committee had taken to prevent fraud in the future, “We have advised committees that they must keep track of their members and at any date and time, if we request a member list, they must be able to present it to us.”

Ms Szabo also praised the members of the Society who came forward with the allegations in the first place, saying: “It was the members of the society who said ‘obviously something’s not right here’ which is great because as Societies Committee we’re not actually a governing body, we’re not above societies in any way we’re kind of a resource for them so it was good that the members were the ones who were able to seek out help. And we were then able to help them.”

Commenting, Marcus Buist, the losing candidate for president in the AGM said:  “I am deeply saddened by the unfortunate events of last year. It is some relief to be vindicated by the Union, and that our claims that the election had been unpleasant and corrupted have been confirmed.

 

 

 
26 September 2016: St Andrews Conservative and Unionist Society disaffiliation from the Students’ Association.

Marcus Buist, (the illegally defeated candidate) said, “It’s very sad that, in truth, the society chose to be disaffiliated. Despite the fact that the constitution binds the committee to respect the standing orders of the Union, despite the fact that the current constitution binds them not to be discriminatory and to accept all members properly signed up, including members signed up through the union.

They chose not to accept certain members, sometimes on personal grounds. In truth, they recognised that in a free and fair election that they wouldn’t have the [support of] membership with them.

They chose to take this action, which they are not legally entitled to take without consulting the membership.

The Union was obviously probably quite content to disassociate itself from the society being as it is in current state.

He also dismissed accusations that the committee had wanted to fairly exclude members who were making others feel uncomfortable, saying, “Undoubtedly in my mind it was to make excuses.

Now I’m sure some of them genuinely believe some of the things that have been said, I think that those things are largely ungrounded. Obviously I reject certain accusations accusations that have been made anonymously by certain people. Many of the people they chose to reject were members of the Conservative Party or in any case were members last year.

Obviously they’re not allowed to do that according to Union rules, and I think that’s where the focus should be, on the fact that they refused to abide by fair Union rules because they thought that it would lose them an election.”

He also spoke of his hope that there might be some form of Conservative society restored to affiliation with the Students’ Association at some point, “There are a large number of members, Conservative supporters, people interested in politics, who want to see a more honest and a more fun student politics which cuts out all of this political infighting and all that nonsense, and who want to have a connection with the Union, at the moment there is no society for them which is a significant shame.

The current committee of the disaffiliated society should think very carefully about what they’ve done to deny those people a chance to connect their politics or political interest with their studies and membership of the union.

The society grew from having less than 10 regular members at the start of last year to having an official membership of just under 80 people, when we sung together we sung with one voice.

We debated ideas together and I want it to go back to that, and with some people that’s not going to be possible because they’ve allowed it to get tied up with their own personal views.

But I believe that we can have a future, but that it must be based around a society that remembers that we’re all students and that it should be for students, that maybe puts egos to one side for a little bit, including my own.”

 

 

 

 

29 December 2016: Ultra Right Wing – St Andrews Students Join Ruthie the Moothie’s intelligentsia Vanguard

Members of the disaffiliated St Andrews Conservative & Unionist Society have been promoted to top positions in the official Conservative Party youth organisation. The Society is a tightly knit group of students. Many committee members are room-mates and close friends.

James Bundy, Stephen Caulfield and Elliot Jordan have been respectively elected National Chair, National Secretary and East of Scotland Chairman of Conservative Future Scotland,(CFS) representing all members of the Scottish Conservative Party under the age of 30.

The successful candidates believe this is to be no coincidence. Caulfield, a second year studying Economics and IR, said that the Society had a large membership, meaning it carried a greater weight within (CFS) than any of the other university associations.

He added: “Coming from Glasgow and being a great admirer of our greatest PM, Baroness Thatcher, I already know what it feels like to get criticised for my politics – and that’s putting it mildly! St Andrews has been a safe-haven in comparison.”

Bundy, Secretary of the Society, when asked to comment on the disaffiliation from the Student Union said he did not believe that this would be a liability for his tenure as chair of (CFS). Stating: “thankfully the issue is now behind us and we are now in a position to move forward from this as the issue has been entirely resolved.”

He elaborated on his statement claiming that: “with an ever more left-leaning and liberal agenda being promoted around universities in Scotland, we need a strong centre-right voice. In the upcoming year, I want to see Conservative associations standing up and making our voice heard throughout Scotland.

Achieving this by taking a lead role in the campaign against a second independence referendum and the campaign against useless (NUS) ‘policies.’”

Jordan said, “I see no reason why acting to preserve ourselves as a truly Conservative group should cause anything other than congratulation from the rest of (CFS). Conservative students are “an endangered species but this has a hidden benefit of motivating us to get together in tighter-knit, more organised groups.”

A spokesperson for The Scottish Conservatives said it had not taken a stance on the disaffiliation, stating it was a private matter between the Society and the Students’ Association, adding: “the new (CFS) office bearers have to contend with the usual issues faced by Conservative students in liberal-leaning universities.”

 

 

 

 

 

3 May 2017: St Andrews University Conservative Society Students in Hostile Confrontation with Visiting Lib Dem Leader

Liberal Democrat Leader Tim Farron, joined by Willie Rennie and a group of Liberal Democrat activists, walked to the Purdie Building on the North Haugh, with the intention of speaking to locals and students of St Andrews.

Some of those he spoke to seemed impressed by the Liberal Democrat Leader. Others seemed less appreciative of his message. One local woman, who preferred to remain nameless, said that the Liberal Democrats: “have denigrated local politics, have denigrated national politics, and don’t care about Scotland.” She attributed this to the decision of the Liberal Democrats to go into coalition with David Cameron’s Conservative Government in 2010.

A group of St Andrews students, members of the St Andrews University Conservative Society were much more hostile towards Farron’s messages.

One member, Drew Liquerman brandished a sign which read: “Be Lib and Dem, support the will of the people, 52% voted Leave.” The sign was a protest against the Liberal Democrat’s call for a second referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union.

Liquerman’s protest was speedily blocked by Liberal Democrat members who displayed their own posters. One student, Lavie Rabinowitz, stood next to Liquerman carrying a homemade sign reading: “Don’t listen to him, he voted Trump.”

Minutes later, Farron was drawn into an angry debate with three St Andrews University Conservative Society members in the middle of Market Street The sharp exchange of views was picked up and broadcast live by ITV News as part of their General Election Coverage.

Ian Donnell, St Andrews University Conservative Society, President (leader of the trio that had confronted Barron on market Street) said: “I took an opportunity to ask Tim Farron why he felt he had a mandate to derail the democratic will of the people in the Brexit process when he only had 8 MPs and the choice was so clearly set out on the ballot paper. Leave means leave, but Tim Farron didn’t think so. Despite Britain self governing for centuries, he felt we needed a dossier to describe how this would look prior to the EU referendum. Mr Farron thinks more referenda are necessary, rather than strong and stable leadership to lead us out of the EU.”

 

 

 

 

http://www.thesaint-online.com/2016/05/st-andrews-conservative-society-under-fire-over-allegations-of-agm-foul-play/
http://www.thesaint-online.com/2016/10/whatever-happened-to-the-st-andrews-conservative-and-unionist-society/
http://www.thesaint-online.com/2016/09/st-andrews-conservative-society-disafilliates-from-students-association/
https://thestand-online.com/2016/12/29/st-andrews-students-join-national-political-organisation/
https://thestand-online.com/2017/05/08/stauca-members-confront-visiting-lib-dems-market-street/
http://www.thesaint-online.com/2016/09/association-investigation-confirms-conservative-society-electoral-fraud/
http://www.pkc.gov.uk/media/39332/DeclarationOfResults-Report-Ward-8-Kinross-Shire-05052017-140744/pdf/DeclarationOfResults_Report_Ward_8_-_Kinross-Shire_05052017_140744

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017: CIA files: US & Soviet nuclear sub crash off Scotland ‘could have sparked global war’

 

 

The memo, seen by the Times, told Kissinger: “Have just received word from the Pentagon that one of our Poseidon submarines has just collided with a Soviet submarine.

“The SSBN James Madison was departing Holy Loch to take up station when it collided with a Soviet submarine waiting outside the port to take up trail.

“Both submarines surfaced and the Soviet boat subsequently submerged again. There is no report yet of the extent of damage. Will keep you posted,” the message assured Kissinger.

Experts said that in the confusion of the collision it is perfectly feasible a war could have been sparked.

“The James Madison was a ballistic missile submarine armed with 16 Poseidon missiles with 160 nuclear warheads,” nuclear weapons expert Hans Kristensen told the Times.

In the worst case scenario, the collision could have triggered explosions that ignited the ballistic missile fuel and ejected or destroyed the warheads, said Kristensen.

There was also a clear possibility for a war “if the crew on one of the submarines had misinterpreted the collision as an attack and decided to defend itself and sink the other submarine,” he added.

The revelation comes just days after it emerged a British test-fired Trident missile veered off course towards Florida during an exercise in June 2016.

 

 

 

 

The Holy Loch A Local Reports On The UK Government  Red Herring

The Scottish press advised the public that resources would be deployed, (long after the US navy had gone)  to clear debris left on the bottom of the loch by US nuclear submarine maintenance.

 

But they were looking for something else in the Holy Loch and they soon found it. Their fleet of cleaning ships left suddenly after a few days.

Earlier, in the course of a conversation with the local media a previous US base commander had strongly advised that they should support calls for the sea bed to be left alone after the US submarines had gone.

Some time after all shellfish in or around the Holy Loch died suddenly for no apparent reason.

Strangely the sea bed in Rothesay Bay is probably more of a midden than the Holy Loch due to the many years it was a naval base but there has never been a suggestion that it needed cleaning up.

The incidence of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and other leukaemia’s and cancers around the Holy Loch in the last two decades is reported to be three times the national incidence.

The BBC made a film called “Tin Fish” starring Emma Thompson on the Holy Loch (written I think by Paul Murton from this area whose brother died very young of leukaemia) which dealt with the cancer threat of nuclear submarine bases but the the entire political content of the film was edited out before it was broadcast.

I know. all of this because the hotel I owned was the base used for the film

 

 

 

 

Is their a Sunken Nuclear Submarine or Some Other Nuclear Debris Resting at the bottom of the Holy Loch

Frightening . One wonders what is lying at the bottom of the lochs near-hand the Clyde.

I used to visit Rothesay as a young lad. My memories are of a paradise.

The water was a clear blue and we played happily in it for many hours in the course of the day.

A walk along the shore was an adventure there was an abundance of sea life to wonder at and collect for eating later.

Today the island is a very sad place having been on the receiving end of a constant battering for the last 50 years.

The environment might never recover from the excesses of the military occupation of the lochs and ports.

What is sad is that the Scottish public will not exercise their vote and bring about independence and it is only that which will guarantee our children a future free of the aftermath of nuclear weaponry even it remains unused.

 

 

 

 

 

November 1985 Hansard: Nuclear Defence Installations: Cancer Incidences

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government: Whether they are aware of reports that:

(i) in the vicinity of the US submarine base at Holy Loch, the cancer rate among under 25s is three times the Scottish average.

(ii) in the vicinity of Rosyth where Polaris submarines are refitted, leukaemia in under 15s is three times the Scottish average

(iii) there is an exceptionally high rate of cleft palate and hare lip among children of crewmen of the first Polaris submarine “Resolution”; and whether they will initiate public inquiries in any of these cases.

Answer: The Government are aware of the reports to which the noble Lord has referred and will consider any relevant information put to them relating to the incidence of cancer or hereditary conditions in these areas

 

 

 

 

In 1978 high levels of Cobalt-60 were discovered in Holy Loch.

On 20/6/85 two lorries carrying Polaris warheads collided at Helensburgh.

There is a high incidence of fires and mishaps at both Coulport and Faslane and the frequent use of fire engines and other emergency vehicles.

There are known leaks of radiation from working submarines (for instance from a Polaris submarine on patrol in June 1994) and there are the known accidents, leaks and routine venting of radioactive materials that occurs in the nuclear reactors that provide materials for the subs, for instance the tritium discharges at Chapelcross.

There are quite a few incidents of bombs being dropped whilst being hoisted into position. To take just one, in 1981 at the Holy Loch, a Poseidon missile containing 10 warheads was being winched into the submarine USS Holland when the winch ran free and the missile fell 17 feet and smashed into the side of the USS Los Angeles. Detonation of the warhead trigger system, which very luckily did not occur this time, could have dispersed plutonium dust as far as the centre of Glasgow

http://tridentploughshares.org/summary-of-nuclear-weapon-accidents/

 

 

 

 

Nuclear Link That Radiates Real Fear

Near the US nuclear submarine base at Holy Loch, it has been found that at Dunoon and the loch-side villages the death rate from cancer among people under 25 is three times the Scottish average, and the death rate from leukaemia among children under 15 is over five times the Scottish average. Another survey conducted among the families of officers and men who had served on nuclear submarines found an unusually high proportion of children borne by their wives after such service had a cleft palate or hare-lip.

Radiation kills, maims, and causes unquantifiable genetic damage. It is impossible for the nuclear industry or the Government to sustain any longer their claim that child cancers around nuclear sites is just coincidence. And, for that reason alone, the extension of nuclear power is an unacceptable price to pay in damaging and painfully killing increasing numbers of people.

Michael Meacher Minister of State, Labour governments

 

 

 

More on the Story of Faslane

https://caltonjock.com/2015/09/27/faslane-the-legacy-scottish-unionists-are-content-to-hand-over-to-their-children-p3-the-holy-loch-after-30-years-occupation-by-the-yanks-to-be-continued/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North Lanarkshire Council 3 May 2017: Comprises 70 Councillors

North Lanarkshire Council 3 May 2017: 41 Labour, 26 SNP, 2 LibDem and 1 other.

A Labour council is in place
North Lanarkshire Council 4 May 2017: Comprises 77 Councillors

North Lanarkshire Council 4 May 2017: 32 Labour, 33 SNP, 10 Tory and 2 Independents.

The Tories took 10 seats from Labour. The SNP gained 7 seats (mainly from the increased council total.) A partnership labour-Tory administration is the likely outcome.

 

 

 

 
2014 Referendum: 48.93% No: 51.07% Yes:

Second Referendum Projection at 4 May 2017: 65% No: 35% Yes:

 

 

 

 

Comment: The SNP failed to make a major breakthrough, probably due to an extended period of internal strife involving a number of councillors and the publicly aired disagreements of their differing factions.

The projected referendum “no” vote reflects the mood of an electorate fed up with being used and not served by their elected councillors.

Labour did well considering their poor record over the last 5 years,losing only 10 seats to the Tories which, it was expected would go the the SNP.

The SNP vote is solid in Cumbernauld but not in other wards and the Party will need to address and resolve areas of discontent very quickly otherwise the Region will be lost to the Unionist parties.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stirling Council 3 May 2017: – Comprises 22 Councillors

Councillors at 3 May 2017:  9 SNP, 8 Labour, 4 Tory and 1 Scottish Green. A partnership Unionist council is in place comprising 8 Labour and 4 Tory councillors.

 

 

 

 

Stirling Council, 4 May 2017: – Comprises 23 Councillors

Councillors at 4 May 2017: 9 SNP, 9 Tory, 4 Labour and 1 Scottish Green. It is expected that the Tory and Labour Unionist parties will form another partnership

 

 

 

 

 2014 Referendum: 60% No: 40% Yes:

Second Referendum Projection at 9 May 2017: 53% No: 47% Yes:

 

 

 

 

A Blueprint for Stirling

This is how Ruth the Mooth Davidson sold Tory Party local council policies?  to the Stirling electorate:

“Despite promising it would be a “once in a generation” decision, it didn’t take long for the SNP to start demanding a second referendum on independence.

The Scottish people don’t want another independence referendum, they just want government at all levels that gets on with the day job and delivers on the things that matter.

So the Council elections in May will be an important opportunity for you to tell the SNP – we voted No to independence, respect that result and stop trying to put us through it all again.

A vote in May for the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party will help strengthen that message in your own community, in all of Stirling and across Scotland.

The simple fact is that every SNP Councillor elected here on 4th May will use their position to agitate for another referendum, while every Scottish Conservative elected will oppose one.

We need to make our voice heard loud and clear. We said No to independence and we do not want another independence referendum.”

Ruth Davidson MSP
Leader of the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party

 

 

 

 

Comment:

Blatant abuse of the Stirling electorate. No mention of policies relevant to Stirling. Davidson’s message revealed the true nature of the Unionist parties. The Tories, formerly the junior partners in the Stirling Council increased their numbers at the expense of their partners. When will Labour supporters waken up and transfer their loyalty away from the Unionist cause to supporting an independent Scotland? Their vote would tip the balance in Stirling in favour of independence.

Definition of obsession: a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling. Other associated words: Fixation, consuming passion, mania, compulsion, preoccupation, fetish, craze, hobby horse, phobia, neurosis, bee in her bonnet, hang-up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barack Hussein Obama to Attend Obama Foundation Fundraiser In Edinburgh

Obama, has been invited to speak to business leaders at a dinner in the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) on 26 May 2017.

Hosted by The Hunter Foundation, (set up by Sir Tom Hunter) profits from the event will go to the Obama Foundation and Scottish children’s charities. Tickets for a table of 10 are expected to be on sale for approximately £5,000.

 

 

 

 

Obama Always a Busy Boy

Obama, when US President, was formally invited by Alex Salmond,  in 2009 to visit Scotland as part of the “homecoming” festivities  but declined saying he was too busy with other matters. The Obama Foundation fundraiser in Edinburgh will be his first ever visit to Scotland.

But he still felt able to give his unsolicited and unwelcome advice to Scot’s at the time of the 2014 Independence Referendum. And he has yet to reply to Duncan Forbes letter sent to President Obama shortly after his timely intervention supporting the “better together” campaign.

Obama is remembered as the worst ever US president. A well deserved accolade. And he is no friend of Scotland (or the UK).

Extracts from his speeches:

“Argentina has legal right to the Malvina Islands.

“France and Germany are America’s strongest allies.”

“Britain should remain in and further develop a Federal Europe.”

American companies are not at fault in the Gulf oil spill. I’ve got BP by the throat on this one”

The US State Department: “We need to make it clear. There’s nothing special about Britain. You’re just the same as the other 190 countries in the world. You shouldn’t expect special treatment”.

 

 

 

 

 

6 Jun 2014: BARACK Obama Intervenes in the Scottish Independence Referendum Campaign Urging Scots to Reject Independence, Saying the United Kingdom is Better Off Remaining Together.

Britain works “pretty well” as a “united” nation, the US President said in major intervention in the debate over Scotland’s future.

He also stressed that it was in the interests of the United States that the UK remained a strong and effective ally.

The President’s statement marked the first time any world leader had asked Scots to reject secession.

Speaking at a joint press conference alongside Prime Minister Cameron at the G7 summit in Brussels Obama said:

“With respect to the future of the United Kingdom, obviously, ultimately this is up to the people of Great Britain. In the case of Scotland, there is a referendum process in place and it’s up to the people of Scotland. But I would to say the United Kingdom has been an extraordinary partner to us. From the outside at least, it looks like things have worked pretty well. We obviously have a deep interest in making sure one of the closest allies we will ever remains a strong, robust, united and effective partner.”

Mr Obama’s well rehearsed remarks, (thrashed out with Prime Minister Cameron and others well before the Brussels conference) infuriated supporters of the “Yes” Scotland campaign.

As soon as news of his comments started to spread, some Nationalists took to social media sites attacking US foreign policy.

Conversely Unionist campaigners were delighted with President Obama’s “important contribution”.

Labour Shadow Foreign Secretary Douglas Alexander, who met with President Obama recently said: “His clear statement of support for the UK staying together will resonate with many of us here in Scotland.

As a global statesman President Obama understands that interdependence is a defining feature of our modern world, and that building bridges, not putting up new barriers, is the challenge of our generation.”

A Better Together spokesman said: “As President of the United States, Barack Obama knows more than anyone how important it is for people to work together. No doubt the nationalists will dismiss President Obama as scaremongering.”

Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson said: “President Obama has every right to explain to people how the break-up of Britain would affect our relationship with America.

He clearly recognises the strong and effective partnership his country has with the UK and our many shared achievements through the years.” She added ” people in other countries can’t understand why you would want to break up one of the strongest, wealthiest and most successful nations on the planet.”

But Mr Salmond borrowed the President’s famous election slogan to declare: “Yes we can” have independence.

He added: “As President Obama rightly observes, the decision on Scotland’s future is up to the people of Scotland.

We are deeply fortunate as a nation that we have the opportunity to gain our nation’s independence in such a profoundly democratic way, as Mr Obama himself previously acknowledged and not through conflict as has been the case with so many nations, including the United States itself.

An independent Scotland will mean that America has two great friends and allies here rather than one.” (The Express)

 

 

 

Follow-up

Diplomats of both countries expressed dismay that Obama should voice his personal opinion on the matter since the statement was a clear breech of diplomacy since official American policy was to remain strictly neutral over independence believing it was for the Scots to decide the future for themselves without interference from other nations.

Obama’s “spontaneous” statement in Brussels answering a BBC journalist’s planted question was subsequently exposed as a set-up and abuse of the intelligence of Scots.

BBC News followed up Obama’s statement only minutes after with a reporter filmed shadowing “better together” activists who were on the streets of Glasgow circulating professionally printed flyers with Obama’s presidential slogan “Hope” changed to “Nope”. Clearly a well planned and executed bit of propaganda assisted by the BBC

 

 

 
A Letter to President Obama following his ill advised comments about the referendum. Originally appeared in the Aberdeen Press & Journal.

From
Duncan Forbes

To
Political Barack Obama

Hello Mr President,

I write this correspondence both in anger and disbelief. You allowed yourself to be duped by what has transpired to be a Westminster orchestrated BBC criminal partisan piece of bad journalism. It may even have made you an accessory.

If I or any other Scotsman had dared to suggest that we be allowed to interfere in any U.S. plebiscite, you would be justifiably angered and offended.

If I had suggested that I should be allowed to purchase another country lock stock and barrel for a court accepted £20,000 sterling, to be distributed amongst standing politicians or representatives so as to secure the parliamentary vote in my favour, your country, the community of nations and the U.N. would be up in arms, probably threatening military reprisals and sanctions etc.

Well Mr President that’s exactly what Lord Gillingham of Westminster did. He paid the Duke of Queensberry that odious figure and with the rate of exchange that became £240,000Scot’s.

Lord Archibald Campbell’s share being £1,100Scots and made Lord Chatham all the way down to Lord Banffshire’s derisory £11 and 2 shillings. All of which is illegal under Scot’s law and morally wrong under any court in the world.

Our national bard “Robert Burns” nailed it in verse several times “sic a parcel o rogues in a nation” and “chains and slavery”. When you divide the £20,000 sterling into the round figures 4.5millionScot’s it equates to two a penny “bought and sold for English gold”.

So you as a black man who has fought like your forefathers to be all you can be, striving for equal rights, race laws, equal opportunities, the million man march, a seat on the bus and finally the presidency are backing Westminster.

The institution that only made owning another man illegal in the sixties, that is fighting to keep the nation it bought for £20,000 sterling, with the shortest life expectancy in the British isles, the smallest average wage, highest cancer rates, the hardest working race and the greatest contributor per head to their coffers.

They cleared millions of us off our land and shipped them to the colonies (sound familiar) and only stopped this when the army needed highland troops that weren’t there.

A black man who made the presidency supporting the same principles of suppressing and controlling another race for personal gain?

Can you justify this to your electorate? You are going to have to Mr President.

So I ask you, is this what you want to be in bed with?

Will your wife and kids respect you more or less for this?

How many “Mac’s” on your countries boards?

How much corporate sponsorship will you possibly lose?

As a black man in power, how could you live with yourself?

You have fallen a great distance in my eyes, remember the audit trail and facts as you look in the mirror.

As you kiss your wife and kids good night,will they have the same pride in their eyes when they find out?

Well will they?

Think about it!

in disgust.

Duncan Forbes

P.S>

I am one of the “one hundred” mentioned on our “declaration of independence” and I defy anyone or anything to tell me to live under Westminster rule.