The referendum result is the loss of a chance to dispute the hegemony of the neo-con corporate elite in the international world. My heart is still bursting with pride that 45% of Scots – a people devoid of political autonomy for three hundred years – had the nerve, intellect and will to see through the avalanche of propaganda from the entire mainstream media, political establishment, banking sector and corporate world. I met numerous voters who had received letters from their employers – including Diageo, BP, RNS and many others – telling them to vote No or their job was in danger. I met the old lady in Dundee who was told by the Labour Party that independent Scotland would flood the country with immigrants, and a Romanian building worker in Edinburgh who had been told by the Labour Party that Independent Scotland would deport all East Europeans.
Yesterday the Daily Telegraph, Daily Express and Daily Mirror in Scotland all had precisely the same full page photo on their front cover – not a startling news snap, but an arty concoction of male silhouettes and union and Scottish flags. The Mirror had photoshopped it to remove the blue from the union jack, but it was the same distinctive photo. There could be no more stark example of the fake diversity of the mainstream media.
Just as the Conservative, Labour and Lib Dem parties have been startlingly shown up as precisely the same creatures of corporate masters offering no policy differences whatsoever, merely a false tribalism. As they partied together at Better Together last night – the only party in the whole of Scotland, at which everybody present lives very, very well at taxpayers’ expense – it was impossible to tell which brand of Tory was which.
Keeping the popular momentum going, keeping all those wonderful people I met and spoke to engaged in trying to engineer a different society, is going to be a hard struggle. But we always knew that. The goal of independence must remain as a powerful unifying factor.
Through media onslaught people were convinced that a No vote was a vote for Devo Max. Actually after a fortnight of pontificating it will fall off the news agenda of the mainstream. Nothing significant will happen. The Westminster view is that we can have any powers we want at our glorified council in Scotland as long as we still don’t get the revenue from oil or whisky – and still provide cannon fodder for neo-con wars abroad, house Trident and are subject to draconian Westminster imposed attacks on civil liberties.
Anyway the dress rehearsal is over. At the next referendum – which is only five years away, after the UK has voted to leave the EU – we will not be putting forward Salmond’s Independence Lite, (I am not criticising, he carried it superhumanly far). We will be proposing a fully independent Scottish Republic, out of NATO, with its own currency, sweeping land reform to give Scotland’s land back to its people, nationalisation of railways and public utilities, a genuine minimum wage you can live on, a humane benefits system and strict regulation and controls on banks and bankers.
I am eating an excellent lunch and looking forward to it.
NEXT TIME – 2
THE VOTE _WAS_ RIGGED
THE INTERNET
1. Internet analytics forecast a massive Yes win. –
– http://blog.majesticseo.com/research/scottish-election-poll/
2. UK SHILL FORCE
“We learned that GCHQ is now overtly a political force, dabbling, participating in the online debate, telling half-truths, spreading Fear Uncertainty & Doubt, trying to denigrate the honest debate with insults, illegal flame-wars and just inane verbiage.”
“It was noticeable that the sock-puppets here quietened down several days before the vote – they therefore have VERY good social network social intelligence, voting trends intelligence, but it didn’t extend to a week of foreknowledge as the establishment WAS severely rattled last week. I presume 5EYES online storm-troopers are hitting the NZ election debate pages as we speak.”
“GCHQ had around 1500 sock-puppets in 2013, they are up to 5000+ plausible online identities in 2014. We don’t know how many fake provocative online identities the entire 5EYES, plus their third-party-partners can muster.”
UK ‘shillforce’ sock pupetry – something to research, by YouKnowMyName – ‘A Hard Night’, 19th September 2014 – Craig Murray blog –
– http://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2014/09/31381/#comment-480885
Some symbolic revenge is possible. An enterprising person might want to print up some badges…..
“Don’t blame me. I voted Yes”
“Yesterday the Daily Telegraph, Daily Express and Daily Mirror in Scotland all had precisely the same full page photo…”
And what photo did the Murdoch press have?
Was it like this one:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/10799027/Alex-Salmond-Rupert-Murdoch-is-a-remarkable-man.html
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/scottish-independence-blog/live/2014/sep/19/scotland-votes-no-in-independence-referendum-live-coverage
Alex Salmond to resign。
But he says that David Cameron, in a phone conversation today, has refused to commit to a second reading in Westminster of a bill for more powers for Scotland by 27 March 2015 – a promise he says was made by Gordon Brown during the campaign.
Now isn’t that a surprise？There’ll be more of the same to come, I can assure you.
Scotland’s pensioners have blown it.
P.S.
Congratulations for the intelligent Scots, who helped the idiots escape from a nationalised countryside.
Hopefully the idiots will thank you, after they read up on what Mao Zedong, and Stalin, managed to achieve, with their grand Utopian agrarian plans of ‘social justice’!
‘It’s over, Craig, for as long as you or I are alive.’
I very much doubt that. The Former Tory Scottish Secretary (and full on unionist) Michael Forsyth was interviewed by the Beeb last night, and was of the view that the independence genie is very much out of the bottle; the polar opposite of the claims made 15 years ago by Donald Dewar and Tony Blair. Craig’s prediction of a new referendum in 5 years, after another referendum pulls the UK out of the EU, is over optimistic. The issue will be re-visted in 10-20 years time, as the incongruities thrown up by further devolution become evident. By then, the unionist majority, which is strongest in the older generation who have memories of WW2, will be denuded, and there’ll be a new UK monarch who won’t be held in the affectionate regard Lizzie Windsor presently holds among most UK citizens.
Pound is down on news.
http://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2014/sep/19/pound-stock-market-shares-rally-scottish-independence-referendum-live#block-541c2300e4b0e32cb9c53a57
I’m bitterly disappointed that we lost, but the fight is still well and truly alive, we have to hold the Westminster parties to their word with regards to delivering new powers. Then there’s the UK GE on 2015, followed by the Scottish elections on 2016.
If our luck holds an EU in-out referendum will be held on 2017, which I hope, will trigger another referendum,on Scottish independence, you’ll be needed Craig for guidance and observation on all the above events just in case you were thinking of packing it in, don’t.
Most intriguing of all, will be the 2016 Scottish elections now that Glasgow voted YES, Labour’s die-hard heartland has woken up to the lies and deceit, of so called new Labour.
Thank You Craig for being an uplifting light.
“Just so. “can you supply big sticks as well as the existing giant carrots, to ensure that the banks don’t run amok?” would perhaps have been a better question.”
Regulation is the answer. This is both to ensure that banks behave property and do not gamble national economy for their own greedy profit. There are two way to make profit. Making profit by making long term investments (which are beneficial for both investors and wider society) and making profit out of speculation (which in long run lead to ruins). Now speculation itself is not all bad. It points out on shortage of supply when demand is high. But in wrong circumstances (when supply is artificially lowered) it could be a killer.
Regulation is an answer. Not nationalisation.
I see the old decrepit hag Queen Lizzie, is holding a huge party at Balmoral today, a triumphant bash, to celebrate the crushing of, Scottish independence, though it will have some other moniker,like lets say, “Rejoice in the UK.”
A begging your pardon Mam, we may be down but we’re certainly not out, and we’ll be back before you and your inbred brood, and your Westminster government, strip Scotland of its wealth
I feel disappointed too and don’t doubt there was some vote rigging – maybe not enough to have turned over the result but some – probably from both sides.
What was pivotal was the media slant – every time they chose a word or phrase they chose the most negative for the ‘yes’ side. Often ‘Yes’ spokesmen/women were rudely talked over by the interviewers and never allowed to make a case. Even after the result CNN chose to say ‘Scotland rejected independence’ over and over when many more neutral ways to express the same ideas were perfectly possible.
But it is going to be a long struggle – even a win in the vote would not have been the end of the fight though it would have been a big step forward. The fact that 1.6 million voted yes despite the relentless media onslaught does mean something.
Cameron and his band of clones will welch on their promises [sorry for the slur Wales – I normally try to avoid that word but here it seems to aptly illuminate the contempt the English privately hold the Celtic fringe in].
When that happens it will be the spur to galvanize a new era of activism and protest.
I agree the Royal factor will be very much weakened. It would have been worth a good 5% of the vote. People are sentimental about the dear old queen – and rather the opposite about here heir.
It is a set back – but we must be grateful for hardship, set backs and bad people – they are essential training in the art of peace.
Voters aged 16-17: YES: 71%; NO: 29%
Voters aged 65+: YES: 27%; NO: 73%
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-09-19/scotland-referendum-who-voted-how-and-why
Apparently, the less they knew, the more they were for “independence.”
Next time the vote should be limited to children only, after all, it is they who are to inherit the country. LOL
This show of bravado from Craig is hilarious. He now wishes to portray the referendum as a “dress rehearsal”. In almost every blog he has written over the past few months he has confidently predicted a Yes victory, boasted and even gloated about it. He was completely wrong.
It’s over, Craig, for as long as you or I are alive.
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If an EU in-out referendum is called in 2017, then Scots have said they will call for another referendum, unless Craig’s in his 90’s and his picture, doesn’t appear to portray that, then he’ll get another crack at independence.
Regulation might work if you had trustworthy regulators/enforcement teeth. But they’re all from the same Country Club.
“Regulating Banks since 2008′ and not one criminal in jail.
I was surprised at the way the young vote went, Canspeccy. What were the numbers of 16-18 year olds? I really thought Millennials were going to say yes.
Oh wait. I thought I saw millennials went no by far. Should have actually read your post. 🙂
A shocking report in today’s Independent, page 6. Reports of intimidation, death threats, verbal and physical abuse, vandalism, people being spat at, and much more from the Yes camp in the run up to last night’s vote. You always knew from their ugly, scowling faces that they were a nasty bunch, intent on intimidation and disruption. Aggressive, humourless, bitter individuals, seething with hatred, like many of today’s radical left. I fully expect them to start reprisals over the next few days.
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Oh I don’t know, I think Andy Murray may disagree with you there, with folk posting on his Twitter account “I wish you’d die in the Dunblane Massacre.”
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But that aside wee gloating shits like yourself, have for now won the battle, but the war still goes on.
@Ben.
The only folk that voted No were the over 55’s, and the 18-24 age group. And they voted 48.6 Yes.
Alex Salmond on SKY news giving his resignation speech, the king is dead long live the king, Nicola Sturgeon will carry the hopes of the SNP until she or someone else is elected on Novemeber.
Gutless, cowed and with no aspirations, the “Lion Rampant” let out a timid squeak last night,oh how the world must look upon Scotland with pathetic disdain.
RoS; Salmond resigning reminds me of Gore capitulating to the outcome in 2000 prematurely. Is his reputation affected by this outcome?
Having secured the vote they want, the UK Establishment will now move to crush the Independence movement with dirty tricks. In the weeks to come, there will be a false flag campaign to associate Independence with ignorance and thuggery.
There will be letters to the papers refusing to accept the outcome, calls to radio phone-ins threatening violence, holiday homes burnt, news reports of extremists, moderate voices will be sidelined and coverage given to the bigots, naive fools will be helped and encouraged in revolutionary schemes, then exposed.
Scotland beware. We are the MacMuslims.
“Gutless, cowed and with no aspirations, the “Lion Rampant” let out a timid squeak last night,oh how the world must look upon Scotland with pathetic disdain.”
Better not mention the Barnett formula then, or they might look down upon you with contempt, regarding your ingratitude.
Thanks Juteman. Any vote that has a 10% gap is normally called a ‘landslide’. It’s good to see millennials in Scotland reflect some characteristics of US voters in that group.
“Aggressive, humourless, bitter individuals, seething with hatred”
Be honest, This was the no campaign all over. With open threats.
I saw none of this attitude in the yes side, I’m sure some individuals where/are pissed off, not progressive etc. But it was not a regressive nationalist campaign. Conversely it was almost all the no camp had.
How many people have we heard say “well we want them gone“ ect, bitter people full of hatred and lack of respect. No love whatever for Scotland but they still want us ‘together’ . Totally perverted, It harms England also.
If the yes vote had won due realy believe that Scoland would be allowed to be turned into the socially just society that you wanted. International capitolism would be arranged to fraught t the new administration in any way possible,history shows many examples of this .The gains of the electoret after the Second World War have been dismantled ,the left wing in Italy was destroyed by American interference . So have no illusions Scotland independance would have bend to the rule of the dictates of the international Capitol.
I am so sorry to hear about Alex Salmond going. He made a valiant effort and must be drained. May good luck and our best wishes go with him.
ZBC and the Smoothface posse must be loving it.
Firstly, congratulations to the 45% of Scottish voters who saw through the well-funded, non-stop barrage of lies! Not enough, to be sure, but a HUGE paradigm shift.
Here’s what’s been learned, by nearly half the Scots and many of their well-wishers elsewhere.
1) The mainstream media are NOT all-powerful. 45% of Scots voters ignored them. Which makes NuLabor’s grovelling to the MSM all the more contemptible.
2) The three mainstream parties really ARE all the same- not just in their policies, but in the underhand means whereby they seek and retain power.
3) The mainstream media are likewise ALL THE SAME- the Guardian is no more trustoworthy than the Sun. Same goes for the BBC.
4) Young people are NOT politically apathetic. Their apathy about mainstream politics is rational and based on accurate perceptions. Give them a real CHOICE and their enthusiasm will ignite.
5) The baby-boomer generation are a drag on progress. Scared for their pensions, living in the past, with credulous faith in the mainstream media and especially the sacred cow of the BBC. Progress will only become possible as they die off.
6)A non-racist form of Nationalism is entirely achievable. Scots of Asian origin were solidly pro-independence.
7) Postal votes undermine democracy. I got worried as soon as I heard that 20% of people would be postal voting, and the postal votes mixed in with the others. Postal voting offers huge scope for ballot-rigging, which is why NuLab is so keen on it. But even without ballot rigging, I suspect many postal voters marked their ballots weeks ago, and were therefore not caught up in the groundswell of the last two weeks. Ideally no one should be allowed to vote until the campaign is over and all arguements have been heard.
8)Overall public opinion cannot be accurately measured on the streets in city centres, nor on social media, nor based on numbers of badges and posters displayed. A very big proportion of electors are older people who don’t go into town, don’t display their allegiance (ashamed maybe?)and don’t participate online. Many of them probably voted weeks ago, by post.
9)Apathy is still a massive factor- 25% of Glaswegians didn;t bother to vote in the most important election of their lifetimes. Probably they still didn;t really think it possible that their vote could change anything. Machiavelli said princes should aim to be feared, not loved. But our modern governors know that apathy is more powerful than fear. “Resistance is futile” is their true slogan.
I personally found Alex Salmond a bit too respectable and “statesmanlike”, preferred Jim Sillars who seemed more down to earth about the brass neck of the bankers. Is the fear of “the markets getting jittery” the reason why all front-bench politicians are so anodyne nowadays? We need to build an economic system that isn’t at the mercy of a bunch of hysterical bond traders who “know the price of everything and the value of nothing,” and who can’t see more than a week into the future.
I doubt there’ll be a re-run in five years time. More like thirty years, when the boomers have died off and today’s youth, who were pro-independence, have children and grandchildren of theri own, and a lifetime of remembering what might have been if only their elders had grasped that opportunity. Next time around the Independence option will be much more distinctive, not just the status quo with a different flag.
However, the present revolutionary energy will not fizzle out completely till next Spring. Between now and then, Scots need to keep working to build something genuine and new- a grass-roots, localised, participatory movement, disengaged from mainstream media and mainstream parties.
“Scotland beware. We are the MacMuslims.”
Have to agree, good post. Duplicitous bastards that they are.