The idea of going to a polling-station to vote for a new and, largely powerless, colonial-administration every five years makes no sense to me, whatsoever. Voting in a colony is little more than a performative exercise in the overarching and carefully tended illusion of democracy.
I completely agree with you.... given that Scots citizens were never given the chance to vote for this union which was in the feudal gift of the landed gentry... so Scots were never consulted.... then we were defrauded of our Scots citizenship which was replaced by a dressed up charade.... which has continued ever since.... with Ms Swinney sticking his/her head above the parapet in the most demure of early victorian values... almost pleading for approval from westminster...
John Reid Labour MP knew more about the Ravenscraig/ Gartcosh scandal and wrote about it I think. Cannot find references yet but- along with current events- it is another example of colonial contempt for and destruction of fundamental aspects of Scottish Economy. Thatcher's privatisations since then- as you point out Leah - and Harold Macmillan warned -selling off the "family silver"- have also destroyed the English economy and basic services leaving it dependent on- and obedient to - corrupt City of London, the world money- laundering centre , staggering along with hedge fund crooks etc. Thames Water is a horrific and vivid example. Scotland must get out of this mess before it totally implodes.
This link only confirms the stupidity of our so called democratic process.... as its more pretty wee completely ineffective words... where are the street protests led by those who make these wee speeches... it all simply carries on with nothing meaningful actually happening.... talk is cheap...
Excellent piece. I've been following EuropeanPowell's work on SEZ/Freeports in Scotland - this fits very well along side his work.
However, you said: "Rather than feel insulted by the UK government, the Scottish SNP administration (it’s not a government) should grow a pair and state the obvious. Only by becoming a real government with the power to control and invest in its land, resources and people can Scotland prosper." May I point out that if SNP had been a Government under Nichola Sturgeon, then any man could call himself a woman without medical transition, just by completing a self-certificate and this would have enabled him to access female only spaces without question or challenge. Whilst this has nothing to do with work, per se, it does rather go to show that the SNP has a long way to to go to learning true Governance for all people.
There's no way an independent Scotland would have a devolutionist cabal like the current crew running the machinery of government. We need a governance model that reflects Scotland's constitutional principle of Popular Sovereignty, not the current one in Holyrood that is a Westminster mini-me based on English parliamentary sovereignty. The only viable system would be one of Decentralised Direct Democracy (DDD). Under DDD, the GRR legislation and other 'bad bills' would have been stopped by the People launching a referendum.
I will - thank you. I only moved to Scotland in December, I am still learning the ins-and-outs of Scottish politics so anything I can learn, I appreciate. I will say that Scotland’s Governance is way better than what we had in England, but it has massive gaps in support and much of it is rhetoric rather than ‘boots on the ground’ change and support - the massive council tax rises this year are a case in point, for what? What is this money actually for if the services are still not there to help the poorest and most vulnerable?
You can read the email alerts in full? I know - but it is the Substack model. Not perfect but better than alteratives I have found. Ghost is being mooted as an alternative by many, but costs £11 a month subscription just so you know
Another very good article.
Our oppressors rely on us having no historical memory and knowledge of economics in order to maintain the asset-stripping racket.
These are ably abetted by our pusillanimous British government surrogates operating out of Bute House and Holyrood.
Swinney, and his motley crew are the self-identifying handmaidens who will never "grow a pair".
The idea of going to a polling-station to vote for a new and, largely powerless, colonial-administration every five years makes no sense to me, whatsoever. Voting in a colony is little more than a performative exercise in the overarching and carefully tended illusion of democracy.
I completely agree with you.... given that Scots citizens were never given the chance to vote for this union which was in the feudal gift of the landed gentry... so Scots were never consulted.... then we were defrauded of our Scots citizenship which was replaced by a dressed up charade.... which has continued ever since.... with Ms Swinney sticking his/her head above the parapet in the most demure of early victorian values... almost pleading for approval from westminster...
John Reid Labour MP knew more about the Ravenscraig/ Gartcosh scandal and wrote about it I think. Cannot find references yet but- along with current events- it is another example of colonial contempt for and destruction of fundamental aspects of Scottish Economy. Thatcher's privatisations since then- as you point out Leah - and Harold Macmillan warned -selling off the "family silver"- have also destroyed the English economy and basic services leaving it dependent on- and obedient to - corrupt City of London, the world money- laundering centre , staggering along with hedge fund crooks etc. Thames Water is a horrific and vivid example. Scotland must get out of this mess before it totally implodes.
View the Hansard contribution by Mr. Speaker on Monday 21 May 1990 https://hansard.parliament.uk/%E2%80%8CCommons/1990-05-21/debates/4a5254db-8f07-456d-9f94-35eaae99e677/OppositionDay#contribution-f6637a30-5f2d-4f03-8942-e4ee8ca20417
This link only confirms the stupidity of our so called democratic process.... as its more pretty wee completely ineffective words... where are the street protests led by those who make these wee speeches... it all simply carries on with nothing meaningful actually happening.... talk is cheap...
Excellent piece. I've been following EuropeanPowell's work on SEZ/Freeports in Scotland - this fits very well along side his work.
However, you said: "Rather than feel insulted by the UK government, the Scottish SNP administration (it’s not a government) should grow a pair and state the obvious. Only by becoming a real government with the power to control and invest in its land, resources and people can Scotland prosper." May I point out that if SNP had been a Government under Nichola Sturgeon, then any man could call himself a woman without medical transition, just by completing a self-certificate and this would have enabled him to access female only spaces without question or challenge. Whilst this has nothing to do with work, per se, it does rather go to show that the SNP has a long way to to go to learning true Governance for all people.
Which is why Respect Scottish Sovereignty (RSS - https://respectscottishsovereignty.scot) is pushing the Scottish Administration to implement the ICCPR (see https://dearscotland.substack.com/p/parliaments-public-petitions-committee?utm_source=publication-search) into Scots law, to give the people the power to launch referendums and public initiatives and hold elected representatives to account.
There's no way an independent Scotland would have a devolutionist cabal like the current crew running the machinery of government. We need a governance model that reflects Scotland's constitutional principle of Popular Sovereignty, not the current one in Holyrood that is a Westminster mini-me based on English parliamentary sovereignty. The only viable system would be one of Decentralised Direct Democracy (DDD). Under DDD, the GRR legislation and other 'bad bills' would have been stopped by the People launching a referendum.
Please help us share the petition which can be found here: https://petitions.parliament.scot/petitions/PE2135
I will - thank you. I only moved to Scotland in December, I am still learning the ins-and-outs of Scottish politics so anything I can learn, I appreciate. I will say that Scotland’s Governance is way better than what we had in England, but it has massive gaps in support and much of it is rhetoric rather than ‘boots on the ground’ change and support - the massive council tax rises this year are a case in point, for what? What is this money actually for if the services are still not there to help the poorest and most vulnerable?
I will happily share the petition.
Thank you - welcome to Scotland! We need people like you here.
LOL thank you *takes a curtsey!
Leah - just shared this from EuropeanPowell. I really recommend a follow. This is £4.68 billion stolen from the Scottish economy. I’m angry.
https://substack.com/@dilligafido/note/c-116819585
Thanks, I follow David Powell. I wish he didn't paywall all his work - it would get a wider distribution if it were freely available.
You can read the email alerts in full? I know - but it is the Substack model. Not perfect but better than alteratives I have found. Ghost is being mooted as an alternative by many, but costs £11 a month subscription just so you know
Triple and quadruple that...at least.
Signed - 6755 signatures - now ‘up for consideration’.
Unfortunately this petition has been closed....
No, it hasn't. It's very much open. Please go to: https://petitions.parliament.scot/petitions/PE2135
There are 6,742 signatures so far.
You just need to click on 'sign the petition'