I have always believed that Theresa May is likely to try to block a new Independence referendum – and it is extremely unlikely her defence secretary, the odious Michal Fallon, would have said this so categorically without prior agreement with May. Fallon, taking a break from supplying weapons to the Saudis for killing Yemeni children, displayed huge arrogance towards Scotland, which the Tories believe is firmly under the heel. They refuse to acknowledge that any difficulty arises from the contradictory referendum results in Scotland, where Scots voted both to remain part of the UK, and to remain part of the EU – the second more recently and by a much wider margin.
The Tory view is that Scotland is but a province of the UK. They are of course right – the UK Supreme Court decision makes quite plain that Scotland’s so-called “parliament” does not derive its power from the Scottish people, but only from what Westminster condescends to hand back. Indeed Westminster could abolish Scotland’s parliament tomorrow. For the Tories, a combination of that Supreme Court decision, their Brexit victory, and the elevation of the Tories to 21% in Scottish elections (Fallon quotes public support for Ruth Davison in his interview), mean that they don’t have to offer Scotland anything.
For God’s sake, let them not be proved right.
Do you remember the scene in Braveheart, where the nobles at Stirling Bridge are planning to negotiate and go home, and Wallace forces them into a fight? Well, I know which Sturgeon reminds me of more at the moment. If she is planning to fight eventually she is masking her intentions brilliantly. The problem that worries me is that the SNP is now the Scottish establishment, and as Scotland is still very much part of the UK, they are part of the British establishment too. A lot of our MPs seem to have their feet under the table very nicely at Westminster. The SNP as an institution has not just its Westminster MPs but their secretaries and research assistants and the group staff, and all the people paid with millions of Westminster “Short money”. That is a major group of party apparatchiks making a fat living out of the current system. Plus of course Holyrood and its power and jobs.
The SNP as an institution is doing very nicely out of the status quo, and that is why there are so many siren voices within the SNP arguing that it is too early for a referendum; “we might lose it”, “leaving the EU is not such a disaster”, “there are a lot of anti-EU Independence supporters anyway”.
There is a lot of self-fulfilling prophesy here. As there has been virtually no actual campaigning for Independence since 2014 and the media still spew anti-Independence propaganda daily, it is hardly surprising Independence support is not rising in the polls. It is a miracle it is holding steady.
The Tories are banking on leaving the EU being normalised. People are getting used to the idea, and the ill consequences of leaving the single market will not really bite until we do so. This is where Sturgeon’s Fabian tactics play in to the Tory agenda. Instead of a break with Westminster over EU membership, the Scottish government is allowing public interest to evaporate in a series of dull Joint Ministerial Committee meetings. There matters are kicked into long grass and mollifying but insincere words spoken about how seriously the devolved administrations are being taken. I can see no point in continuing with this charade unless the SNP itself intends to allow the issue to fizzle out in a drizzle of EFTA’s, EEA’s, CTA’s and other dull acronyms.
The racist majority in England and Wales are trying to force us out of the EU. The UK Supreme Court has ruled the Sewel Convention has no legal force. Now the Tories are arrogantly refusing the right of the Scottish people even to hold a referendum. I cannot imagine the degree of humiliation the SNP feels is necessary to pull the trigger on another Independence attempt. The time is now.
If the Tories do succeed in preventing another referendum from taking place, they are playing with fire. It is worth noting that there is no requirement for Scotland to hold a referendum to become Independent.
Independence is not an internal question. It is the existence of a state recognised by its fellow states, and that recognition is expressed by the General Assembly of the United Nations. A referendum is not a requirement for that UN recognition. Please note the rest of this paragraph very, very carefully. The majority of States in the world have achieved independence during my own lifetime. The vast majority of those did so without a referendum. Not only is a referendum not a requirement, it is extremely unusual. Of the 194 states recognised by the UN, only a tiny handful featured a referendum as part of the process of the formation of the state. This is also true within the EU. Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Croatia, Estonia, Slovakia, Slovenia and the Czech Republic all recently assumed their current form and none of them had a referendum to do it.
If the Tories refuse a referendum, the Scottish Government should respond by declaring Independence. My preferred method of doing this would be to convene a National Assembly, comprising of all Scotland’s MEP’s, MP’s and MSP’s, and for that National Assembly to make the declaration. This would broadly accord with international norms. Independence should be effective from the declaration, but that Independence could if desired be employed to hold the referendum which the Tories had refused.
I do not posit this as the best way to achieve Independence. My preference would be a new referendum now in the new circumstances of the UK leaving the EU, as fairly presaged in the SNP’s successful manifesto for the last Holyrood elections. I am convinced that once campaigning starts, support for Independence will surge as during the last campaign, only this time starting from a much higher base.
The Tories fought the Holyrood election on a manifesto saying no second Independence referendum. They got 21% of the vote. May and Fallon should be aware as they plan to block a referendum: other options are available.
Post-2019, Brits in Europe will face hefty bills on mobile phone charges, unless Theresa May can barter a good deal, don’t hold your breath. Brexit and bad news go hand in hand.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/feb/06/uk-tourists-face-mobile-phone-roaming-charges-post-brexit-paper-says
Personally I believe there is far too much chatting away on mobile phones anyway, whether in the UK or while roaming on the Continent. Why, I have even seen people at very reasonable restaurants spending ages chatting into their phones while ignoring the rest of the company. Most impolite and unsociable and indeed even anti-social since the loud conversations of others disturbs one when dining out.
Of course, the incessant use of mobile phones (which are themselves expensive) is only one of the elements that gives the lie to the idea that the population is groaning under the weight of austerity and being ground into poverty by ruthless globalists/capitalists/Conservatives/ neo-liberals/ the powers that be/etc.
Therefore I for one would not be fussed in the slightest if roaming charges were indeed to be increased after Brexit.
However, just to remain with facts for a second (my excuses for so doing).
This has nothing to do with “bartering a good deal” as RoS rather quaintly puts it.
The roaming charges Directive restricts the surcharge EU mobile phone companies can charge for the roaming facility in other EU states. As from this summer, such surcharges will be disallowed altogether. There is absolutely nothing to prevent a UK govt after Brexit (rather than the EU) from continuing to disallow UK mobile phone companies to apply or reintroduce roaming surcharges.
There are many better and more convincing arguments that can be deployed against Brexit than the rather silly one brought to the table by our Scotch friend.
“Scotch friend.”
________
Firstly Habb, I’m not Scotch, using that approach is akin to calling a German person a Kraut, or an American a Yank, or English person a Limey, or calling a Welsh person (Taff) it is mildly offensive, and could be construed as a quasi – nationalistic slur.
However I do realise, that when you have no real answer to certain comments, that you inevitably resort to slander. A sign that you’ve reached the limit of your, abilities.
RoS
First it’s a quasi-nationalistic, slur – and then, three lines, later, it’s slander.
A sign that you can’t concentrate for more than three short lines?
Anyway, you’ve had, more than enough attention from me, for one day.
Byeee! 🙂
“Firstly Habb, I’m not Scotch, using that approach is akin to …….blah, blah, never-ending blah blah.
You got his goatie, or perhaps his newsreel began a little early today?!
Yes, we should have given away our independence and sovereignty for cheap calls abroad.
The Kremlin sticking up for Iran, over Trumps veiled threats. Trump said “they (Iran) have total disregard for our country, they’re the number one terrorist state, they’re sending money all over the place and weapons.”
Which I find mildly amusing, as the US do, and have been doing the exact same thing for decades.
https://www.rt.com/news/376467-kremlin-trump-iran-terrorism/
Meanwhile as Trump was making his hypocritical speeche, his main benefactor, Israel and Netanyahu in particular, was orating his own speech of hypocrisy.
“Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that all “responsible nations” should back new sanctions against Iran, speaking during a meeting with his British counterpart Theresa May in London.”
“Responsible nations” said Netanyahu, is Israel a responsible nation? Well it’s certainly responsible for the oppression of the Palestinian people, though I don’t quite think that was Netanyahu’s intention, when he used the word responsible.
There still seems no MSM reaction to reports cited by Al Mastar and Press TV of Yemeni missile attack on Saudi base near Riyadh. Not very good news for the House of Saud Could it be the start of the trip to Chop-chop Square >
Doubtful, Kerchee.
Saud Arabia has a
8 strong National Guard and religious police but despite the costliest equipment, I always got the impression there was little willingness to fight for the House of Saud in the Hedjazi West with its more open traditions or the largely Shiite East. The areas near Yemen in the south west have been relatively neglected. So , having read or heard so many urging the cantonization/ split up of Lebanon, Iraq and Syria, I would not be so surprised to see this being advocated for Saudi Arabia.
Phil the ex-frog
February 6, 2017 at 08:17
Kerch’ee Kerch’ee Coup
“but having met the monkeys, it’s obviously time for May to meet the organ-grinder”
Ah, the US president is but a puppet to the Israeli PM. Beware the all powerful mystic Jeu!
Insightful analysis or just a regurgitated age old racism? It’s the latter obviously.
_______________
Now that’s a rather serious charge. KKC would you care to respond?
I’m surprised that there hasn’t been more attacks on Saudi Arabia, a kingdom whose human rights records are shocking to say the least.
It’s about time the Houthis and Yemeni forces launch an attack on Saudi Arabia. The Saudi’s along with US ships have been pounding Yemen with heavy ordnance, (not forgetting the 10,000 killed by British Cluster bombs according to the UN) killing thousands and leaving millions homeless and hungry, as Yemen imports 90% of its food, well it did before the embargo began.
Once Assad has secured Syrian territory, from the Western/Israeli/Saudi proxy terrorist fighters. I fully expect those fighter to be available to fight the Saudi terrorists now attacking Yemen.
“Julian Assange calls on UK and Sweden to set him free
The controversial WikiLeaks founder claims the two countries are deliberately going against a UN order to free him and compensate him.”
For Sharpie: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38874404
For others: https://www.cnet.com/news/julian-assange-calls-on-uk-and-sweden-to-set-him-free/
Oh dear oh dear – how many times must it be pointed out that the only person imprisoning Master Assange is Master Assange himself?
And, of course, as has already been pointed out by others on this blog, the “UN order” is neither from the “UN” nor an “order”.
Taken in the manner in which it was sent Alkie.
Sharpie, do you think Craig is in the doghouse with Assange after alluding to his source of the Podesta mails or do you think the two-step was choreographed?
More Brexit related racism. A shame.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/feb/06/three-youths-admit-racial-abuse-on-manchester-tram
“Don’t chat shit when you’re not even from England, you little fucking immigrant. Get off the fucking tram now. Get back to Africa.” These types would be a danger with an education behind them. The next Nuttels.
From Mark Curtis:
“I completely support the protests and opposition to Trump. At the same time, the British government in its foreign policy is now operating outside of any serious democratic control, and is:
promoting covert wars in seven countries
violating international law in several areas
regularly lying to parliament on its actions
deepening alliances with many of the most repressive states in the world.
In this situation, we cannot focus attention solely or overwhelmingly on the US.
Covert wars
Britain is fighting at least seven covert wars in the Middle East and North Africa, outside of democratic oversight or control. Documented here[1], the countries are: Syria, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Somalia. UK covert forces are reportedly operating in and around these countries and there is UK involvement in covert drone strikes in countries such as Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Pakistan and Somalia.
Whitehall has in effect gone underground, with neither parliament nor the public being allowed to debate, scrutinise or even know about these wars.
Lying to parliament
To cover themselves, Ministerial answers to parliamentary questions are regularly resorting to lying and/or giving misleading responses to the country’s elected representatives, about what the government is authorising. To cite just some examples:
Throughout 2016 and 2017, the government has on several occasions claimed that the UK is ‘not a party’ to the conflict in Yemen.[2] This claim is untrue, as noted further below.
In January 2017, MOD Minister Mike Penning failed to state in answer to a parliamentary question on UK military operations in Libya that the UK has covert forces operating in the country.[3]
In December 2016, FCO Minister Tobias Ellwood gave an answer to a parliamentary question on human rights in Egypt that is so at odds with the true situation that it was surely misleading.[4] Ministerial answers routinely give similar replies on other UK-favoured states abusing human rights: this is not just spin, it is omitting obvious facts and deliberately misleading.
It was first reported in May 2016 that British troops were secretly engaged in combat in Libya. This news came two days after Defence Secretary Michael Fallon told MPs that Britain was not planning ‘any kind of combat role’ to fight Islamic State in Libya.[5]
In July 2015, Defence Minister Earl Howe told Parliament that the government ‘would seek further Parliamentary approval before UK aircraft conducted air strikes in Syria’. This was untrue – British aircraft were already secretly striking Islamic State targets in Syria.[6]
In June 2015, Michael Fallon told MPs that the UK had ‘begun’ training Syrian forces in bases outside Syria. In fact, this programme reportedly started three years earlier. [7]
Violating international law
The UK is violating and/or facilitating the violation of international law in various situations, rendering it a rogue state…”
Continues: http://markcurtis.info/2017/02/03/why-protests-against-trump-should-be-widened-to-change-current-uk-foreign-policy/
As the UK is still in the EU, perhaps the UK PM and the PM of the State of Israel are discussing, inter alia, the possibility and advisability of Israeli membership of the EU. And, indeed, of NATO.
I believe that Israel membership of the EU and NATO would be a win-win-win-win for Israel, the EU, NATO and the entire Middle East region.
Happy to debate and discuss this with others.
Whilst Israel is a oppressive apartheid state, posing as a democracy, it must not be allowed to be a full member of the EU. Israel has to a certain extent already wormed its way into the EU through the European Neighbourhood Policy, the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership and the Union for the Mediterranean.
The EU agreements include free trade arrangements with Israel. The bodies that deal with trade agreements are, the EU-Israel Assocastion Council and the EU-Israel Association.
Article 2 of those association agreements say.
“Relations between the Parties, as well as all the provisions of the Agreement itself, shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which guides their internal and international policy and constitutes an essential element of this Agreement.”
Israel as it stand can never meet those requirements, combine that with the illegal settlements and illegal football teams, and one could easily forgive the EU if it decided to jettison, the oppressive apartheid military state of Israel.
Finally I’m sure there would be a combined public European outcry, if Israel was touted as a full member.
Ooh! Er! Mrs (May)
Bercow has just said, vehemently, that for his part, he would be opposed to Trump making a speech in the Royal Gallery to the representatives of the HoC .
Who are the representatives of the HoC?
I’m getting a little concerned about Craig. The last comment but one I have seen is about writing a piece on Shai Masot. He was too tired at 1:30 in the morning.
https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2017/02/tories-tread-dangerous-path/comment-page-2/#comment-653498
Nobody is indefatigable. Hope he’s all right. He did comment the next morning when he removed a racist piece from a racist. But I am looking forward to this new piece.
Calm down, everybody is entitled to their weekends and a L.I.F.E.
BTW do you have any knowledge of what happened to Arbed?
Seconded, Alcyone.
What some people do not seem to realise is that Craig is not at their service. He blogs because he feels he has something to say and not to provide a convenient nest for the cuckoos to lay their eggs into.
As every sensible person knows this, it seems to me that these expressions of concern about Craig’s wellbeing – in the absence of a shred of evidence to the contrary – are designed to nudge him into starting a new thread for the convenience of his opportunistic “friends”.
The tactic is as obvious as it is dishonest.
Absolutely, it is downright self-centredness and in fact a disregard for the other. People do get old, grey haired and all that, but not an ounce of Wisdom. Of course self-awareness is a prerequisite to Wisdom.
No, do you? Arbed’s comments were always welcome.
As to Craig my concern comes from the fact that he intended to post on Israeli spying in the UK government. I remember what happened to Mordechai Vanunu. I agree with you that he is entitled to a life and time with his family.
No John, I don’t. Now she I do worry about, as for Dreolin and Technicolour, given their sheer length of absence. Yes, I believe they were all engaging contributors.
I don’t see the parallel with Vanunu, did this recent guy spill any kosher beans?
It’s Craig I’m woried about not Shai Masot. Shai Masot is an Israeli spy so MOSSAD are not going to be looking for him. But they might be looking for someone about to spill the beans on their spy.
Mr Goss
PLEASE tell us you’re pulling our leg….. 🙂
__________________________
I mean, I could imagine that some UK organisation might one day think fit to find out the real identities of some of the worst Israel-haters on here with a view to naming and shaming them. but to suggest – even half-seriously – that the State of Israel might make an attempt to kidnap and imprison Craig (that’s your Vanunu example) is simply bonkers, isn’t it.
Actually, I think you’re just trying the old “nudge” trick again.
http://news.sky.com/story/nigel-farages-wife-says-they-have-lived-separate-lives-for-some-years-10758372
Nigel Farage does like to fuck Europeans doesn’t he?
A very unpleasant comment liable to legal action.
A German wife, now a French girlfriend, Farage is a hypocrite, he doesn’t want a union with the EU nations, only their women.
RoS
Nigel is only offering a bed for a week, while she is in London.
She hasn’t moved in, in the biblical sense.
Calm down.
RoS
An Taobh Siar agus Nis
I think, were The Scotish Donald to live in his mother’s home community, he would have probably voted like the other locals, to leave the hated European Union.
A cluster of six wards in the Banff and Buchan area in north Aberdeenshire had a strong Leave majority of 61%. There is much local discontent within the fishing industry of this coastal district about the EU’s common fisheries policy.
An Taobh Siar agus Nis, a ward at the northern end of the Isle of Lewis in Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Western Isles), also voted Leave, if very narrowly.
And at a smaller geographical level, in Shetland the 567 voters in the combined polling districts of Whalsay and South Unst had an extremely high Leave vote of 81%. The island of Whalsay is a fishing community, where EU rules have been controversial and in 2012 numerous skippers were heavily fined for major breaches of fishing quotas.
Very poor taste RoS. Should we share our legal team?
A good job we are leaving the European Union, its a jungle out there
French police brutality in spotlight again after officer charged with rape
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/06/french-police-brutality-in-spotlight-again-after-officer-charged-with
Mr Speaker earlier today.
‘I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his point of order. I will say this: an address by a foreign leader to both Houses of Parliament is not an automatic right; it is an earned honour. Moreover, there are many precedents for state visits to take place in our country that do not include an address to both Houses of Parliament. That is the first point.
The second point is that in relation to Westminster Hall, there are three keyholders—the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Lord Speaker of the House of the Lords and the Lord Great Chamberlain. Ordinarily, we are able to work by consensus, and the Hall would be used for a purpose, such as an address or another purpose, by agreement of the three keyholders.
I must say to the hon. Gentleman, to all who have signed his early-day motion and to others with strong views about this matter on either side of the argument that before the imposition of the migrant ban, I would myself have been strongly opposed to an address by President Trump in Westminster Hall, but after the imposition of the migrant ban by President Trump, I am even more strongly opposed to an address by President Trump in Westminster Hall.
So far as the Royal Gallery is concerned—again, I operate on advice—I perhaps do not have as strong a say in that matter. It is in a different part of the building, although customarily an invitation to a visiting leader to deliver an address there would be issued in the names of the two Speakers. I would not wish to issue an invitation to President Trump to speak in the Royal Gallery.
I conclude by saying to the hon. Gentleman that we value our relationship with the United States. If a state visit takes place, that is way beyond and above the pay grade of the Speaker. However, as far as this place is concerned, I feel very strongly that our opposition to racism and to sexism, and our support for equality before the law and an independent judiciary are hugely important considerations in the House of Commons. [Applause.]’
ex https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2017-02-06/debates/CC567854-7E26-41BF-9E70-9F65645BE461/PointsOfOrder
and the EDM referred to:
Visit to Parliament by President Trump
http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2016-17/890
Second time today, Mods. Only copy-paste, no actual comment. Do you want me to remind you of Craig’s moderation rules?
Zadawi, the subject of Craig’s post
https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2017/01/trumps-crazy-immigration-freeze/
is speaking out against Bercow’s anti Trump tirade, which I posted above.
What a turncoat and hypocrite when he himself was outspoken on Trump’s ban which affected him as a British Iraqi.
Even more laughable when he dragged Her Man’s Sapphire Jubilee into his silly rant.
.’Fellow Conservative Nadhim Zahawi, who has been critical of Mr Trump’s travel ban, said the Speaker prided himself on his neutrality and to become the story was “a bad place to be”.
He said Mr Bercow had opened himself up to accusations of hypocrisy after allowing other controversial leaders, like the Chinese president, to speak, and urged him to explain his thinking to MPs.’
Speaker John Bercow criticised over Donald Trump comments
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-38889941
S/be Zahawi and Her Maj!
Twitter reporting 20 dead in bomb attack in Gaza.
Isn’t it time Occupied Palestine joined NATO?
According to Ashraf al-Qedra, spokesman for the Gaza health ministry, speaking to Al Jazeera, three civilians were “lightly to moderately injured” in Israeli airstrikes in response to a rocket attack against Israel.
John No worries. Craig is OK. Speaking here on Sputnik News (based in Edinburgh apparently) speaking about Julian today approx. 27 mins in.
https://sputniknews.com/radio_world_in_focus/201702061050406352-catalonian-independence-un-afghanistan-julian-assange/
Phew, what a relief! I was just going to send my Pink Panther to sniff him out. Now he can stay at home by the fireside. And conserve his energy for the next pink pom-pom march. Meantime he’ll be attending to messages from you for my solicitors.
Tomorrow, Campaign Against the Arms Trade take the UK Government to the High Court for continuing to supply arms to Saudi Arabia.
‘In June 2016 the High Court ruled that we can take the government’s decision to keep arming Saudi Arabia to a Judicial Review.
Read more about the case and view the legal documents.
(link https://www.caat.org.uk/resources/countries/saudi-arabia/legal-2016)
This historic action could stop the sale of weapons which are contributing to appalling human suffering in Yemen and will expose the government’s entire approach to arms exports.
The case will be heard by two judges in the High Court over three days on 7, 8 and 10 February. Judges will consider whether the government’s decision to continue licensing arms sales to Saudi Arabia which may be used in Yemen is legal.
However, the judges’ ruling could take weeks, and that may not be the end of the process.’
/..
https://www.caat.org.uk/campaigns/stop-arming-saudi/judicial-review
I support CAAT in several ways.
An example of what is being done in Yemen by the Saudis.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/dec/18/uk-cluster-bombs-used-in-yemen-by-saudi-arabia-finds-research
Speaking of Israeli spying, FBI has finally rousted a few Israeli spies (bribery branch – Jeffrey Epstein of the blackmail is still skulking around.)
https://pennyforyourthoughts2.blogspot.com/2017/02/two-orthodox-jews-and-new-yorks-worst.html
Treasonous New York police were crucial to Israel’s Fort Lee staging platform in 2001, so this is welcome.
I said I’d give Trump 90 days before criticising, but have to say that the present bunch of batshit crazies in Washington are quite breathtaking. They are threatening war with both Iran and China. When the feck have Iran and China ever been a military threat to the USA?! It’s all totally ridiculous, but the sad thing is that many people swallow the childish propaganda.
For the sake of world peace, it’s a shame that we can’t transplant the USA to a galaxy far, far away.
Alas, we have to live with the psychopath in the sandpit.
Donald Trump was the final con to persuade the people that democracy still works. Now the only avenue is revolution, and the total extermination of the 1% and their cohorts.
Are you listening, Habba?
RobG
I’d dispute your description of Trump’s backers as ‘batshit crazy’- but it is undoubtedly the case that, for all his rhetoric about ‘draining the swamp’, elements of serious money, and the ‘deep state’, are indeed backing the Donald-
http://whowhatwhy.org/2017/02/06/donald-j-trump-deep-state-part-1/
This is the sort of rollocks we’re getting at the moment about the forthcoming French presidential election. There’s no mention of the mass protests in recent years against the neo-con agenda, nor the political movement that has come out of it…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTxPajXnHww
The media is like another world.
thanks Rob, that was rather interesting.
The take is that Marine will almost certainly win the first round, if she wins the second round, that will be the Death Knell for the hated European Union.
Geert Wilders is leading the polls in The Netherlands.
Brexit, Nexit, Grexit and Frexit
Geert Wilders, the wild-haired head of the right-wing Dutch Freedom Party (PVV), launched a new manifesto that calls for the “de-Islamization” of the Netherlands as he leads in the polls to become the next prime minister.
https://www.rt.com/news/357340-geert-wilders-manifesto-islam/
Our BBC seems to restrict European news.
They do an awful lot of news about the U.S.A. and how bad Trump is.
These days they never mention the plight of Greece unless it is to go on about immigrants.
They never mention that the E.U. is in the process of oblivion?
I agree that Marine Le Pen will probably make it into the final round of the presidential election. What happens then is anyone’s guess, depending on who she’s up against (don’t get me on to that!).
But what I find strange with the likes of you, Michael, is that you’re a nationalist, yet you seem to be perfectly happy that the British security services – GCHQ, MI5, MI6 and all the other little tossers – are completely in bed with the American security services?
This used to be called treason.
Treacherous indeed RobG esp. MI6 & CIA (US/UK EYES ONLY) as revealed and maintained by Craig on torture. A common string attached here is purpose, the very purpose of these security services is to help dismantle our liberties, not preserve them. MI5 chip into the mix by demanding the right to snoop on all of us secretly, while refusing any meaningful oversight of their own misconduct; that is brain-storming, masterminding and ‘trumping up’ facets of fear using disinformation and innocent ‘assets’ in so called ‘scenarios’ that metamorphosis into reality.
Let’s debate and discuss
yes. Mark and Rob G., thanks for the link above, and its achieved by trying to disrupt and or break up the competition, create instabilities at their borders and send a few million refugees their way. This plan to disrupt the EU and its market must have been set in motion for some time ago.
Disrupt and undermine the Magreb countries which will then ensure that criminals start taking any refugees, migrants, asylum seekers fares over the Med. further exacerbating the problems that arise.
Whatever it takes to break up the most lucrative market in the world.
The problem with this scenario is that you are reverting back to the old Monroe doctrine were you use force and wars to gain superiority.
But the essential problematic is far more wide reaching and all encumbering, increasing climate chaos will soon disrupt harvests and create havoc, food shortages and increasing desertification as humans flee into the inhabited area’s of the planet.
A country that aids and abets this breakup of the EU, which is not self sufficient in energy generation and which has wedded the next three generation to the most expensive nuclear energy, with no mandate, contracts signed after they cheated themselves into Government, that needs immigrants for some time to come, paying taxes so their elderly fathers and mothers a fair pension, and which has a soft side for torture lovers and egomaniacs worldwide, such country has no chance of being compassionate and caring for their subjects.
Add to this a staggering economy that relies on off shoring and which wants to race other offshore havens to the bottom, which needs to be at the centre but does not want to conform to transaction taxes, hence the referendum to run away, and which rather maintains a last millenium defence system than to spend the money on social care for its subjects.
The flight forward into more propaganda, wars and false news, supported by the national broadcaster, tub thumping galore to make it all look good and cohesive, will not make our countries more sustainable, will not get the oil; companies off their addiction to hydrocarbon profits and control Angst over the last few main resources.
Iran will be attacked for its oil and for Israel goading it, disrupting it, undermining it internationally, the stealing of land in the ME knows no boundaries for this rogue country, it stole parts of South Lebanon, most of the West bank, the Golan which is still Syrian territory, and its taking Gaza’s gas reserves, just of its coastline by military force, by patrolling and shooting at anyone that dares to go fishing/swimming.
Some of he west’s security services are at war with each other so it seems, they did not want Clinton in power and created some blow back during the election, enough to get this Turnip elected.
If Le pens flesh and blood wins the second round, supported by the BBC’s triumphalism and propaganda, France will leave the EU and will need a new home, currency, markets, and more. Germany is focussed on its own elections and by the autumn Europe might look somewhat disunited.
Nevermind,
The mindset capably illustrated by Naomi Klein in ‘Shock Doctrine’ leads to an undeniably agile ‘moral’ flexibility. In other words the common factor within power elites is that they are and remain great opportunists. From the outside this makes even what amounts to elite internecine warfare appear like a seamless grand conspiracy instead of what it is, many more smaller conspiracies, fuck-ups and cover-ups. In my opinion, 9/11 was one of those rare events wherein many diverse interests converged.
It might be more fruitful to exploit these fault lines among the so called elites, than to build bridges over them in order to preserve a conceptual view which is only partially correct.
in the Sputnik video with George Galloway u linked, the doctor of European politics, never mentioned Jean-Luc Mélenchon.
He said the four front runners were:
Marine Le Pen
Francois Fillon
Emmanuel Macron
Benoît Hamon
Not much to laugh about these days.
https://i.imgsafe.org/93d76f1344.jpg
A couple of hands missing there. Have the statues been visiting Saudi Arabia?
It’s more likely the other way round, the statues have been visited by Saudi Arabia.
and the man from Colegate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTxPajXnHww
I would highly recommend that this video posted by Rob G should be viewed.
Dr Russell Foster
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/sspp/departments/european-studies/people/staff/academic/fosterr.aspx
It would seem if Marine wins, which he thinks is unlikely but not impossible, the European Union is done!
If any of the other candidates win but Marine is in the second tranche and does well, the E.U. will be teetering over the edge.
Enjoy
So you only care about having the EU founder. You’d happily have a far right politician in the Elysee Palace?
Do you seriously think that would be good for Europe?
Did you mean flounder?
The European Union is on its last legs.
The Bercow will soon be eating humble pie
“John Bercow does not speak for Britain, just for his own monstrous ego
TELEGRAPH VIEW
6 FEBRUARY 2017 • 6:25PM
167 Comments
Trump and Bercow
A monstrous egotist, and the President of the United States
John Bercow, the Speaker of the Commons, occupies one of the great offices of state, one with an illustrious history. Perhaps the most famous Speaker was William Lenthall, who in 1642 defied a king in defence of parliamentary authority, an event that helped bring about a civil war. Lenthall told Charles I: “I have neither eyes to see nor tongue to speak in this place but as the House is pleased to direct me.”
All modern Speakers stand in Lenthall’s shadow, and should live by his words, mindful that they are merely servants of the Commons. Mr Bercow has instead ignored Lenthall’s wisdom and presumed to speak for Parliament, and thus for the country. The contents of Mr Bercow’s near-hysterical rant about President Donald Trump’s planned state visit to Britain are unacceptable. So too is the fact that Mr Bercow has grossly exceeded his authority, seemingly believing himself entitled to wade deep into British foreign policy by dint of his office and his bottomless self-importance.
Watch | Bercow: I’m strongly opposed to Trump addressing Parliament
03:07
Mr Bercow has no business making sweeping statements about Britain’s relationship with the world’s leading economic and military power; the conduct of that relationship is a matter for ministers accountable to voters: Theresa May has sensibly chosen to engage with Mr Trump as a critical friend, eschewing the adolescent gesture politics Mr Bercow practises.
No doubt this latest act of self-indulgent attention-seeking is another part of his legacy-building
Mr Bercow also overreaches himself by implying be can speak for both Houses of Parliament, and by implying that his views are shared by all MPs. Doubtless, he will cite the applause of Labour and nationalist MPs for his performance, but that will only reinforce the impression of Mr Bercow as a divisive Speaker who has never sought, much less held, the respect of members across the House. Mr Bercow was elected with Labour votes, and he never forgets it.
Mr Bercow has suggested he will step down next year after nine years as Speaker, and is clearly thinking hard about his place in history. He has spent much of his time in office (and no little public money) aggrandising himself with expensive foreign travel and meddlesome attempts to “modernise” a Parliament that can function perfectly well without his schemes. No doubt this latest act of self-indulgent attention-seeking is another part of his legacy-building. In fact, he will go down in history as a Speaker whose arrogance and self-regard besmirched his great office.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2017/02/06/john-bercow-does-not-speak-britain-just-monstrous-ego/
Erm, that’s the telegraph, no one reads that.
I blame Sally!
A hypocrite who complains about copying and pasting does the same himself/herself.
Sturgeon made a so called independent advisor re-write her report because it was embarrassing to the SNP.
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a34fb1dc-ecc2-11e6-b160-fe23d6a9b5dd
Ah the Times, it has a way of twisting stories to meet the agenda, just like this one.
http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-silent-trumpet/#more-91398
It has a way of twisting stories to meet the agenda just like Wings over Scotland?
Totally agree with this, it’s high time the SNP MP’s told Theresa May to shove her Brexit where the son doesn’t shine…UDI..here we come.
http://blog.independencelive.net/should-scotlands-mps-walk-out-of-uk-parliament/
Sun..duh my eyesight is terrible.
Noteworthy: Fox continues to give Assange media space:
” ‘Restore my liberty’: Assange pleads for freedom while holed up in embassy ”
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/02/06/restore-my-liberty-assange-pleads-for-freedom-while-holed-up-in-embassy.html
Re my comment a few pages back about the ‘politics of repudiation’ , and how the scoffing by ScotNats at the ‘racism’ of Brexiteers south of the border is in part a psychological repudiation of, inter alia, the deep anti Irish racism that was once (and to an extent is still) a feature of Scottish society, it would appear that some hapless SNP apparatchik has taken this repudiation of past sins a bit too far-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-38886821
Yes, “Left” Labour anti-racism, wasn’t anti all-racism, just anti anti-Irish racism. For a long time this put the Irish vote within the “Left” and Labour Party to defend the Irish interest (just as Js belonged to Labour for the same reasons), but many of the activists thought their anti-racism was indeed anti all racism and this led to their J and now Irish constituency losing faith, saying “Left”, Labour only interested in the new immigrants and not us!
The Judicial review of UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia begins today at the High Court and continues until the tenth. Scroll down for action you can take.
https://www.caat.org.uk/campaigns/stop-arming-saudi/judicial-review
Here’s a game for all the hardworkingfamily:
http://expressiveegg.org/2017/02/01/total-monopoly-2/
So realistic.
How long before the plutocrats shut down access to RT? RT: ‘Panicked’ British advertisers pull airtime on RT UK after phone calls from Sunday Times :
Milton Mayer’s book about Germans in Nazi Germany is entitled “They Thought They Were Free: The Germans, 1933-45”.
I have BT as an ISP for my sins. I used to be able to access links to the RT website but no longer.
Today I have no e-mail which comes intermittently via BT Yahoo. I have wasted an hour speaking to pleasant but useless operatives in an Indian call centre. Tomorrow, I will get a phone call apparently.
If that’s true, change your ISP. BT are one of the most expensive anyway.
*RAF escorts Pakistan plane to Stansted*
Ministry of Truth
Alex Salmond in Parliament
“The SNP will fight tooth and nail to blunt the axe of a HARD BREXIT falling again this week.”
Indeyref2 here we come.
Well it seems some what apt, to mention that 25 years ago today Britain signed up to the Maastricht Treaty, in the Dutch town.
Strange, though to think that it was Britain that devised the hugely successful Single Market, yet now the British government wants to leave it, and jump into the unknown.
It was Britain that pushed for (and got it) the enlargement of the EU, yet now, Westminster can’t wait to trigger its exit.
It’s even more surprising that it was Britain that coaxed a sceptical Denmark, into ratifying the Maastricht Treaty, or the treaty may have failed. Yet now Westminster is determined to leap into the abyss to get away from the EU.
Britain contributed and help devise aspects of the EU, some like the Single Market, that are inspiring. Yet now to the Brexiteer’s the word Maastricht, has become a byword for all the EU’s faults.
One explanation could be that UKIP and the Tories are harking back to the days of Thatcher, who staunchly opposed the Maastricht Treaty. One can see aspects of Thatcher in Theresa May.