Just when I thought I was out they pull me back in!
I have had several very productive days with the book and I do need time to get it all down properly.
However, I really do have to share the following with you about Hay and McKerron.
Remember the likely lads that spun a yarn or two for disgraced Rangers owner Craig Whyte?
Yes, the very fellows that guided the reclusive billionaire along the path of truth and light during his time at the deceased football club.
Well these avowed unionists, who helped to spin Ruth Davidson into the position of leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionists, who were at ease within the Blue Room and very much at home with the Union Jack waving hordes have a new gig.
Are they still flying the Union Jack?
No Scotland’s very own PR Blues Brothers are helping Alex Salmond get a ‘yes’ vote at the independence referendum in 2014.
As they say, you couldn’t make it up!
Hay and McKerron Associates have been hired by former BBC news chief Blair Jenkins the newly appointed chief executive of the “Yes Scotland Group.”
You would have thought Alex Salmond would have learned a political lesson when he called for HMRC to find “a way forward” to allow the deceased club to stay in business.
One would also have thought Alex and his cronies would have shied away from anything or anyone so involved or personally committed with the recent antics at Rangers (1872-2012).
Following the Crown Office’s instruction to Strathclyde Police to probe Craig Whyte’s takeover of the late club, her Majesty’s boys in blue will want to speak to everyone on wee Craig’s team.
No doubt Gordon Hay and Ian McKerron will be more than happy to help police, if or when, they are approached.
I’m sure Alex Salmond will give time off for that!
Frankier
jimk47 – You complain about the Catholic hierarchy opposing pro-choice and gay marriage. They also oppose co-hab iting “straight” couples for the same reason they oppose gay marriage but that isn’t advertised too much. The bible calls it adultery. As for opposing pro-choice (I assume you mean abortion) that is another way of opposing murder but, again, that is not how it is portrayed. Mind you, you are a fine one to complain when you wish to deny someone, a pro-choicer to be precise, their right TO CHOOSE to send their children to a Catholic school rather than a DENOMINATIONAL protestant one.
July 11, 2012 at 2:58 pm
Frankier
Jimk47 – You are a typical “ex-catholic” (if there is such an animal). A bitter wee man with a grudge. You say that some of the “Irish Nationalists/Republicans” would benefit with some small acquaintance with the subject of history and logic. You accuse them of equating Irish Republicanism with Catholicism denying the role of Northern Presbyterianism. Do you really think we are all uneducated idiots? Anyone interested even vaguely with Irish politics knows that Protestants from both side of the border were the founding fathers of Irish Nationalism but maybe you should direct your accusations towards the bigots in this country who associate anything remotely Irish as being linked to Roman Catholicism including the colour green, a shillelagh, Michael Flatley and even, wait for it, Irish songs of freedom. Peter Lawwell is included here. I have even worked with people who have refused to take a green sweetie when offered it. If Phil the fluter’s ball was sung at Parkhead for a few weeks on the trot it would be considered sectarian, so get your facts into perspective. And if religion and politics should be kept seperate why don’t you ask Alex (Adolf) Salmond why he cow-towed with Cardinal O’Brien for so long and cosied up to the Pope when he came visiting. As for gay marriage, I wonder when the first person will be appealing for new laws to allow them to marry their cat of pet budgie, for this is the same type of union as far as I can make out and I am NOT homophobic.
July 11, 2012 at 12:25 pm
Frankier
Jimk47 – You are a typical Ex-Catholic
July 11, 2012 at 12:01 pm
jimk47
you know, some of the “irish nationalists/republicans” on this page would benefit with some small acquaintance with the subjects of history and logic. firstly, they seem to equate irish republicanism with catholicism and in doing so deny the pivotal role played by nothern presbytarianism in the formation of the republican movement in ireland. secondly, a bit of logical consistency is required here. how can these people call for self determinism in ireland yet oppose it in scotland? i suppose the second question is easily answered. it would seem from their posts that some people put religion before the common good and are quite willing to opose the common good in the face of some perceived to their religion. one contributor spoke about the threat to catholic schools. well, as an ex-catholic, i would say the sooner the better and hope that an independent scotland would adopt a secular constitution with total separation of church and state and keep religion, whether in the form of the orange sash or the scarlet biretta, out of politics. i am always amazed how some people will become apoplectic if an the orange order interferes in politics but will follow like sheep when the hierarchy opposes pro choice or gay marriage. a passing acquaintance with irish history would show the negative role that the catholic hierarchy has played in that country. don’t let it happen here.
July 11, 2012 at 11:33 am
albannach-éireannach
Hi Phil,
I could not agree more with the need to stay part of the UK. Although I readily become incensed at Mr Cameron in his seat of power, a one-man band who seems more than capable of ridiculing himself continually by stating then retracting statements, I believe that Scotland needs the rest of the UK. It has little to do with self-determination, these arguments of the Nationalists, and a three-hundred year old grudge, passed down from bigoted father to imbalanced son, or the “educated prejudice” that we see in Salmond’s case, a man who really needs his motives investigated.
Scotland, as we have heard for quite some time, is “strong enough and big enough to make her own decisions”. Strange, considering the Nationlist leader frequently mentions his desire to Scotland having autonomy “within the wider European Community”. Double standards? No, not Mr Salmond. His reasons are sound, based on conflicting “independent” (ie USA) evaluations of his tiresome monotone of “oil, oil, North Sea oil”. Wouldn’t the USA just trip over themselves to lighten us of our load of oil? Only to find its not so much of a load, but a thinning trickle.
Besides the issue is the very dubious nature of the need for reducing affairs with a neighbour who, albeit rankles at the best of times, manages to help us the best she can. I see no need to constantly drag up Bannockburn and Culloden as a means of explaining why we should be “Free”, when there are actually far better reasons, viz: a cultural mindset that is socialist in its nature (against an overwhelming Conservative mindset of England); and a need for our voice to be hear on the world stage.
That said, our Parliament serves the first one, and the second concern is not so much a concern as a whim. We can allow ourselves to pretend that we wish to take a part in world politics. It is a very dangerous world though.
All in all, Alex Salmond, once a hero for my teenage self as a champion and a great settler of scores, does us all a disservice by his small minded attitude to break away from the UK, whilst clinging onto European statutes, while the remaining parts of the UK are just as valued members of said EU. It would be far more progressive to admit that he has been very short-sighted (“lets remain in Europe and adopt the Euro” now being replaced by “lets remain in Europe while still having the pound”), and try to build a society where there is justice for all, a fair economy, a good education system (which is failing us all currently), equality of pay in the work-place for both sexes, and a drive to engage communities and encourage people to enjoy life, rather than saddling us with consistent images of an underperforming Scotland that shames itself through poverty due to the lack in aforementioned areas.
Final point: a Scotland that would be “free” would dissolve in the ludicrous inflated self-worth of people who have never set foot in a kirk, but claim to feel aggrieved at “injustices” stretching back to a papacy that was palgued by corruption (which it was; I am a Roman Catholic, and to deny such is to be blinded by misplaced loyalty) several hundred years ago, yet have not moved with the times to see that there are good men and women who remain largely silent in their denomination for fear of recrimination, who reach out to the Christian brethren in other denominations, and wish to heal old wounds. It is these who are the greatest hindrance to Scotland, as well as the supposed Roman Catholics whose house of worship is Celtic Park. By all means, get inloved with sport, enjoy it, but when it has come to be a means to beat your fellow man because of a difference of opinion, its time to take a long hard look at one’s self.
July 4, 2012 at 10:48 pm
BillyTim
I can’t get my head around this anti-independence stuff. Nor the sheer incongruity of a bunch of folks that are simultaneously Irish nationalists and Scottish Unionists. Why discrimaate against our own birth nation. Both of my Irish grandfathers were nationalists and republican. So am I. But I am Scottish – and a nationalist and republican – both for Ireland and for Scotland. I’m also a socialist and a democrat – the enemy is the ruling class – and your attitude brings joy to their black hearts. The Scottish people were sold out by their own ‘betters’ 300 years since. A great wrong needs to be undone -as it was in most of Ireland. The English ruling class divide and conquer to this day. You’re helping them. British/English imperialsm is a world-enemy – and begins at home – Scots unionists are their lackies – as ever. Scottish Irish catholics can run this place – the buffoons that wrecked Rangers are living proof of the ineptitude os the imbescilic rump that is Scottish/British Unionism. Why should anyone fear this lot? Why the hell would you join them? Why do you wish for Ireland what you wouldn’t gift to your native turf? One final thought. Where have the six counties got to go when there is no Great Britain to be ‘loyal’ to? You’re not thinking straight.
July 5, 2012 at 3:14 pm
redversbodkin
phil please removethe stigma from above my blog, thank you
July 3, 2012 at 1:32 pm
Garibaldi
Hi Phil,
The idea of Independence is not the problem, it’s the reality of who could take control and apply a ‘strangle hold’ in relation to the majority angainst the various minorities that exist in our Country. The one thing a lot of people forgot is we are part of Europe and would not want to become an outcast, but I do agree with many of the points already raised that still show the anti-Irish or anti-Catholic mentality that exists so when it comes to the vote I will use my head & not my heart & vote to stay as part of the UK.
July 3, 2012 at 12:06 pm
Frankier
Big L, there will never be a right time for independence in this country. Anyway, it’s all all about community now not division, independance is taking a step back into the dark ages. Buck up and get on with it, and watch you language. Its only on telly that you can use sweary words.
HAIL HAIL? Independance would be Hell Hell or maybe Heil Heil.
I would rather say a HAIL Mary than vote AGAIN (yes, that’s right I did vote for them) for big Rent-a-Gub.
July 3, 2012 at 11:09 am
Frankier
I agree entirely with John Burns. Salmond allows one of his mickey mouse MPs, Christine Graham, to run around spouting bile about “f”cking catholics” getting jobs and he refuses to sanction her. When he was cow-towing to cardinal O’Brien and desperate to shake hands with Pope Benedict he would have “libbed” her at the time, but we all know things have changed since then, a large majority and all that. As a Catholic building contractor trying to compete for work in the past in one of the most bigoted areas in Scotland I can tell a few stories about what life would be like in an independant Scotland. I certainly couldn’t go to Westminster to beat the local (masonic) authorities like I did then, so its a NO NO to independance as far as I am concerned.
July 3, 2012 at 10:20 am
John Burns
There will be no independent Scotland – thank God – 80% to 20% (if they’re lucky says so)
An independent Scotland would be no friend of our minority Catholic and Irish community.
Read your history in Scotland from 1850 – read about the “wee free”, the Church of Scotland, the Orange lodge and the Masonic lodge.
These people would ‘come out of the woodwork’ again to reclaim their “protestant Scotland” – it won’t be “what school did you go to?” next time around – they will force the closure of our Catholic schools – how can anyone doubt this? – just look at the massive exercise that is going on, as we speak, to ensure that the Rangers establishment brand survives at ANY cost – so similar to the SNP campaign for separation at ANY cost.
Please do not let your deep dislike of all things Rangers lead you to vote SNP – we are “Better Together” within a strong UK, with a much larger Catholic and Irish community, having strong ties to an ever increasing number of like-minded members of the Anglican church and with the ongoing protection of the UK government, of whatever colour.
Every day the SNP and Salmond are showing exactly who and what they are – a one policy rabble, consisting of any number of economically illiterate zealots, led by a rabble-rouser who knows he is heading for a “good hiding” and now wants to backtrack to Devo Max to ‘save his skin’
July 3, 2012 at 8:38 am
The Wallace
Back in the 1700′s (1705 I think ) the parliaments of Scotland and England united. A one off payment,called ‘the dowry’ was paid to help with the transition and was purportedly to help the whole of the Scots people ( who by the vast majority rejected the notion of the union, there were riots and everything), but ended in the coffers of the privileged few. This was after the King, a certain William of Orange left the Scots out to dry in the overly ambitious and romantic Darrien Enterprise failed leaving Scotland Skint. Now independistas take note ‘overly ambitious,’ ‘romantic’ and ‘skint’,somewhat the situation we’re kind of in at the moment .The English paid a dowry and I am damn sure they will want alimony. Be prudent take your time, just because it is not wise at the moment, doesn’t mean we can’t help ourselves along the road in other ways like cleaning up our own house ready for the big day. We must make a sound footing, because this decision will affect our children, their children and their children’s children, not some fly-by night politicians who want their names left for posterity as quasi saviours of Scotland. We’ve waited a long time, a wee while longer won’t matter as long as we keep moving in the right direction. When the time is right we will tell Westminster we are taking our independence. Let’s see if we can get devolution right first.
July 3, 2012 at 12:01 am
Big L
Fiorgive me my & U & O buttns don’t work properly.
From a young age ,18 years old, I have always felt a desire for an independent Scotland.
I have waited 34 years and now feel we are on the brink of achieving this.
I care not as to who may achieve this ambition I only care that they do.
Yes Eck is a vote whore, who isn’t in politics today ?
Sound bytes make votes.
Simple fact is NO other party in Scotland wants t break the union so a vote fir a yes in the referendum has t be the only answer.
Then the other parties would have to be working within a Scottish Independent Government voted by the people for the people.
p.s. Scottish independence has feck all to do with a DEAD Fitba Club.
July 2, 2012 at 10:30 pm
The Wallace
Independence is my goal too, but not to hand over my country to scheming politicians and legal and judiciary system full to choking point with freemasons and the orange (they call themselves the ‘loyal’ or’ black’)orders. You ask why we don’t trust the independence movement, we have never been invited or given any assurances that the WATP or back of the bus mentalities will be brought down to earth. The good old Scots phrase ‘we’re a’ Jock Tamson’s bairns, does not seem to apply to those of us who are of Irish/Roman Catholic ethnicity. Anti-Sectarian laws have been brought in and instead of being used in the several recent high level cases of sectarian assault and terrorism they have been sidelined. You ask us to trust a tartan parliament when taig baiting is still a major pastime for a large proportion of the Scots population, they know no better, but it is the silent majority who stick their heads in the sand and are encouraged by the red tops to believe ‘each side is as bad as each other’ lie. They do not stand by us at the moment, which side do you think they will come down on in the event of problems?
Now to look at how cooperative Westminster has been with other countries who have gained independence from them. Look at the state they left Ireland,India/Pakistan and Bangladesh, and a quite a bit of Africa. Do you think they wouldn’t at the first opportunity stick the boot into Scotland. Do you honestly think they will leave us the oil and other resources as easily as that. If you think that then you have no idea what real politics is. We need to negotiate from a position of strength. Our opportunity was lost with the gerrymandered first devolution vote. The SNP had a grand chance to come to us then, but no they decided to play party politics with the Labour party and the result year upon year of Thatcherism, the upshot for Scotland asset stripped.
Now again Labour this, the Tories that tell us truthfully what the fuck (sorry I am very angry) are you going to do for us except dig us into a hole just like many other countries all round Europe. This is the wrong time for independence with the European economy in free fall you want us to jeopardise what we have so we can rally round the Fiery Cross, hitch up our plaids and have another go at the Butchers Apron. Away and read a Walter Scott or Nigel Tranter novel, because that is only place your vision of Scotland exists.
Leaving us in an Independent Scotland with der hun and the ostrich people is tantamount to madness.
No Hail,Hail tonight I’m in a mood.
July 2, 2012 at 10:03 pm
Big L
there’s always a HH to a fellow tim.
When would the right time ever be fir independence if we were t follow your logic.? Never.
Last time I was on a bus there weren’t many Irishmen there. So that back of the bus shite doesn’t work anymore.
They’re all driving in their 4 x 4 s while I walk.
July 2, 2012 at 11:22 pm
Brendan
Nothing to do with the machinations of the political elite more to do with the machinations of the reactionary succulents that now realise they are gazing at the abyss…..looking to blame the victims of the cheat….
For this read one James Traynor in the Rancid today the 2nd of July…
Apparently he’s a journalist you know….
Brendan
July 2, 2012 at 9:02 pm
iain
i fear that you scored an own goal with this one phil…nae luck pal..we are scottish people who do have the ability to make our own decisions based on whats best for our country.we dont need your political preferances thrust upon us
July 2, 2012 at 8:17 pm
Frankier
In a news report on RTE a couple of weeks ago a rogue lawyer, who is presently up on a charge for thieving clients’ money, claimed in court that a Mr Di Stefano, who CLAIMED to be a lawyer, had threatened to harm his two young daughters if he didn’t make him out a cheque for 85,000 euros. Over on a rankers’ website they are lapping up everything this clown is saying about the SFA.
July 2, 2012 at 7:28 pm
Fritz Agrandoldteam
Phil, I do not belong to any political party – and never will, but I long for an independent Scotland. The SNP are the best and only option to achieve that. I believe that an Independent Scotland will eventually rid itself of the sectarian, racist poison that has fouled our land since the union with England. I know I am not alone in these ambitions. It was your choice to move to Ireland to avoid the predudice of “ra peepul”. Those of us who stay will strive to make Scotland a land to which you will wish to return. For all their faults, the SNP have made inroads against secteranism & predjudice unlike the silent acceptance during the many years of Labour rule at government & local level. Your constant sniping at the SNP betrays your Labour agenda, and does not help the cause of Scotland’s freedom.
July 2, 2012 at 3:55 pm
jimCB
I started voting snp in the early 80′s when a friend of mine in the labour party said to me’ I’m ashamed to admit this but there are more and better socialists in the snp ‘OK we’re talking north lanarkshire etc but I found his viewpoint interesting. From living for years down south I had formed the opinion that the sooner Scotland went solo the better. I’m a romantic sure but not at any cost.I believe that small is beautiful in a united europe.The scots and the irish are welcomed with open arms.I believe that an independant scotland could be the modern socialist society that its people need.Also the break up of the kingdom which is still ruled by class and privelage. I might dream but these are interesting times why not?? Can it get any worse? There will be some who say yes but usually theyve a vested interest in the status quo.I also dream of a united ireland of course but that’s for the irish to decide themselves.’As a consequence of the robbery that goes on in all civilised countries today our respective countries keep armies and inevitably armies clash together.On that and on other grounds I consider Capitalism the most bloody and evil system that mankind has ever witnessed’John Macclean 1918.
July 2, 2012 at 2:18 pm
delbhoy
Im a Catholic who used to support Labour,untill their illegal wars in Iraq and Afganistan.How can we support Irish independance but not for Scotland also.My religion and ethnic background plays no part in who i vote for but we cannot listen to the unionist propagana.why if we are leeches taking more than our fair share of the pot are they so desperate to keep us.Scotsmen have been prime ministers and presidents in countries all over the worldso how can we not govern ourselves.Dont be Afraid Alba gu brath.
July 2, 2012 at 2:03 pm
Nei
saw this on a forum..had to laugh:-
To the tune of Letter From America
by The Proclaimers
When you go will you send back a letter of apology?
To the teams in the top flight from Dunfermline to Hibernian,
Well Broke of from my work the other dayI
Spent the evening thinking About all the cups they stole away….
Across the clyde led the rest a dance
I wonder how they get on when Sevco hit’s the promised land
When you go will send back a letter of apology?
Take a look at the back tax from Laudrup to Jella.
I’ve looked at the Forums tried hard to imagine
The way you felt the day you failedFrom Swallow Swallow to Do The Bouncy.
They should have warned you we tried tae tell you
But we know your sense of reality you always wait too long.
When you go will you send back a grovelling apology?
Take a look at the contracts from mid 90′s to current day.
Edu no more
Lafferty no more
Naismith no more
Aluko no more!
Whitta ker no more
Davis no more
Fleck no more
Ness no more!
McGregor no more
Rangers no more
Top Flight no more
History no more!
I wonder blue bears will you ever return?
To help rip the sheidt back oot your deluded masses ?
Did Lizzie not love you?
I think we all know the answer……
Do we have to read your posts to know how much it hurts?
Do we have to troll your forums to laugh that much it hurts?
When you go will you send back a post card from the Lower Leagues?
Take a look at the train crash from Minty to Craigy.
Aberdeen no more
Celtic no more
Motherwell no more
Caley no more.
Killie no more
Hibees no more
Davis no more
Edu no more.
Naismith no more
Lafferty no more
Aluko no more
Whitt aker no more.
McGregor no more
Ness no more
5 stars no more
Rangers no more………………
July 2, 2012 at 1:37 pm
john fegan
I wish people would look further than the SNP. Some comments here are assuming that independence means a SNP government….it does not. It means we have the right to a government of OUR choice. As it stands we do not. For most of my lifetime we have been saddled with a Tory government that was foisted on us by southern voters,a Tory government that delighted in assuming the role of Edward 1st. Hammer Of The Scots. We then had Blair who diluted the socialist principles of a great Labour Party until it bore no resemblance to the Labour Party I was proud to be a member of. Given the Glasgow Labour Parties recent conversion to the “peepuls” cause we could be forgiven if we think the red flag has been washed so often it has lost some of it’s lustre and is now a sort of orange. That is not for me.
I look on the SNP as a means to an end and that end is a socialist leaning government elected by the Scottish people.
PS. Salmond never at any time said that rankers must be saved, his comment was along the lines of “we must do all we can to resolve the situation” If the exact same quote was credited to someone like me for instance, if I was a politician, people would say that I was hell bent on sinking them without trace. Interpretation is fine but not deliberate misquoting someone.
July 2, 2012 at 8:42 am
Snawbaw
That’s it sorted now. I was down the pub there, got 13 guys to agree with me, so what we are going to do is apply to the SFA for a licence to play in SFL3 next season… Well if it is good enough for Sevco5088, it should be good enough for us, After all, we meet the same criteria, no audited accounts, no decent players, no history either, I can’t see a problem, can you????? Oh, apart from the fact that we don’t have the Scottish media trying to shoe us in…………………
July 2, 2012 at 2:57 am
Frankier
To attract the Catholic vote (if there is actually such a thing) the beefy Salmond cow-towed to Cardinal O’Brien for a few years and almost broke his neck trying to get a handshake from the Pope, that was when he had managed to squeeze into power by a single seat, but he soon turned his attentions in another direction (to around the Govan area) when he realised that he could only have gained his present majority with the help of his p”otestant friends from the blue corner. He will now do anything, including jailing anyone caught making the sign of the cross (albeit aggressively) to humour his new found friends who will soon be blaming him for their demise. After all, he seems to be the only one who hasn’t been blamed until now.
July 2, 2012 at 1:06 am
The Wallace
The Giovanni Di Stefano of this article is the Walter Mitty character who was involved with Dundee back in the 1990′s. Look him up he is a real life Baron Munchausen, Billy Liar and Walter Mitty all rolled into one. Look him up his history is nearly as funny as the Woodcutter stuff, except he appears to believe. He is truly a World renowned liar.
He makes Moonbeams and Whyte seem like veritable paragons of virtue by comparison. Do not believe a word. I bet the dozy huns are taking it in like mothers milk. Look him up, he is Mr shenanigans of the greatest variety,
Hail,Hail.
July 2, 2012 at 12:24 am
Gerry Carty
It was not to many years ago that a wee village next to my village used the SNP minibus on the campaign trail and the next day the same SNP minibus was used to transport an orange band to certain events such as ‘orange walks’ .I know days have changed ….but by how much i wonder ??
July 1, 2012 at 11:54 pm
john scally
Salmond is not a true nationalist, he’s egineering the day he goes down on his knees before the English Queen and take her
knighthood ….
July 1, 2012 at 10:17 pm
Dhougal
Like an addict …..i awaited ……..then it happened !!!!!! Decent football …….no !!!!! Football …………god bless Spain ….masterclass ……..Here come the Hoops ………………Who are we playin ??????
July 1, 2012 at 10:10 pm
Mark tIerney
Has anyone came across the di stefano article about the sfa yet? It’s really interesting reading if a little bit clutching at straws! I don’t know about the link but typed in di stefano article on sfa and it came up. Would love your opinion on it Phil but understand you are book daft at the minute!
July 1, 2012 at 8:52 pm
SamBrowneBelt
What would happen, I wonder, were Scotland to vote overwhelmingly for independence, but a significant proportion (say, a quarter) of the votes in a particular area (say, the west/south west of Scotland) were for maintaining the Union?
Maybe the defeated unionists would threaten to defend their “right” to be British using all means available, including force.
Maybe a charismatic leader would emerge (Rev Bomber Broon?) for the unionists to stand/march behind?
Meanwhile the Scots nationalists would get on with their independence in their Three Green Fields, giving up on the Fourth, save for a few drunken ballads remembering their missing Field.
I wonder if there is a precedent …
July 1, 2012 at 8:12 pm
The Wallace
To Mr Eddy Hart,
We and are our view points as Celtic fans and sons and daughters of the several diasporas that have afflicted the peoples of Ireland and of the Highlands of Scotland have an innate distrust of the machinations of government. We have been let down again and again by all parties even just in my own life time. The gerrymandering of the first devolution vote by the Labour Party, the SNP’s involvement in the downfall of said Labour Party and the subsequent Thatcher uber-government and the real tragedies for our nation because of this. Then when eventually Westminster deigned to give us a modicum of self rule. Then our own politicians (I am positive Donald Dewar would sharing a cell with Moonbeams and Craig Whyte, if he had not shuffled of his mortal coil) build a joke parliament house, words fail me at how hideous and inappropriate this edifice is, situated where it is( my only consolation is that Liz and Phil’s second home overlooks it. They can’t be pleased), and at a such a needless expense, think of the good that money could do. And you think that this type of behaviour would evaporate, just because we become independent of England. As James Connolly said just changing the English Landlords who exploit us for, in this case exploitative Landlords with a Scottish accent, would leave us no better off.
We have none to trust and no one is going out of their way to make us trust them. Bring us an honest alternative and it will be genuinely considered I can assure you.
One further thing independence from Westminster did not stop the British Government trying to screw the Free State and then the Republic’s economy for decades, possibly until ROI joined the European Union. Oh they are free in Europe (an SNP mantra) and look at them, they are shafted again poor so and so’s.
I could go on, but I think you may start to see why, at the moment we are not too keen to move to an independent country when a fair amount of our flatmates don’t like us and we at the very least mistrust them.
July 1, 2012 at 7:10 pm
Eddie Hart
To The Wallace
I am one of the people you talk of, all four of my grandparents came from differant parts of Dun na Ngall. I too have a deep mistrust for government and i do agree they have let us down time and time again. i am just too young to really remember the labour gerrymandered referendum, i do however remember the thatcher government that followed. I wouldnt hold it against the SNP for the downfall of the labour government of the late 70′s but then again of all the political parties i have more distrust for labour than the rest. At least with the torries you know right from the start they hate Scotland and its no supprise that they were (untill recently) the preferred party of the masonic/orange lodges. labour on the other hand have often claimed to be the party of the working class yet the gap between thoes that have and those that have not has grown faster and larger than under any tory government.
As for the parlament building in Edinburgh, it should be rememberd that the SNP were very opposed to this and they also thaught it was inappropriate and a waste of money, like wise the folly of the trams in Edinburgh, again opposed by the SNP but forced thru as it was decided by the last government and therefor forced thru. I would be interested as to your voting behaviour in elections as you obviously have distain for everything labour have done in scotland and i would doubt you would be a tory voter.
I am aware of the James Connolly quote you mention, however i would say i for one would rather an independant Scotland, if as you suggest that it makes no differance if we are being ruled from england or by a Scottish government then i would take the Scottish government everytime. To establish our own country and to be taking decisions in our own land to me is an easy choice so if we are no better off one way or the other then why not be an independant country???
You also mention the interferance from westminster that Ireland had to put up with, and yes i also agree the westminster government are NOT to be trusted in anyway shape or form, they will do everything they can to undermine and collapse anything a Scottish government do, however i see this as MORE of an insentive to break away from them rather than a reason to stay with them.
Last thing, again you are right, there are a section of our “flatmates” that do not like us or anything we stand for and would like nothing other that to remove us from what they see as “their” country and i, like you do have a deep mistrust for them. However that is not enough for me to join with them in the no campaign to protect “our” britishness.
I do see why you have come to the conclusion you have and i understand your thinking, however I hope you can understand and can see why i will hope and pray we win the referendum and get our independance.
July 1, 2012 at 10:06 pm
gerry beattie
Our wee country u couldnae make it up
July 1, 2012 at 7:05 pm
rob
To read the best debate on Scottish Independence I recommend going to the discussion on http://www.woodcutter.webeden.co.uk It will certainly enlighten you.
July 1, 2012 at 6:41 pm
Martybhoy
Long held the opinion that an Independent Scotland would be a dangerous place for people of Irish descent.NOTHING I’ve seen in the last 18 months has changed this perception in my mind.
Maybe some people accept to sit at the back of the bus……hmmmmm
July 1, 2012 at 5:59 pm
Charles Patrick O'Brien
Martyboy,I see no reason to shy away from independence because of my Irish name,I have always been a supporter of Scottish independence and will remain so.I am also a member of the SNP and have been on and off for years,hope to remain so now without forgetting to renew membership.
July 1, 2012 at 11:36 pm
Margaret Hart
i apologise for my earlier rant, i was just really angry and voting for independence is such an important thing to me that i hate to see anything sabotage it (tho i doubt my rant helps push it forward any)
July 1, 2012 at 5:19 pm
Macca
The land of my birth must really be in a very confused state if it votes for that buffoon Salmond to be the next ruler of Scotland. After all we have already had the Last King of Scotland.
Rule from Westminster and more especially from Brussels has done more in the last few decades to uplift the poorer neglected areas than Salmond and his Fascista who will benefit Edinburgh would ever do.
They have strayed so far from the ideals of the nationalists such as Kay Mathieson et al that they bear no resemblance to the real thing.
This is just a hunger for power.
If the mismanagement in Scottish football and the bend for a friend deal to accommodate the lodges is anything to go by, then I will cry for my motherland.
Forget the Mel Gibson thing about Freedom, vote yes and one day you will say to yourself, I am free and I am dumb.
July 1, 2012 at 5:11 pm
Eddie Hart
Firstly Salmond would NOT be the next ruler of Scotland, when we win the referendum in 2014 that will see an election in 2016 to elect the first proper Scottish government. At this point the SNP will have come to an end, served their purpose and disbanded into the various parties its members would otherwise be member of. Once independance is achieved the party who’s only real reason for being is to attain said independance will disappear. So this CANNOT be a hunger for power as he will never actually get it for himself. It could be described as a hunger for power for the people of Scotland tho and im all for that.
As for your claim that the last few decades westminster and brussels have done more for scotland that the SNP ever would…….REALLY……have you BEEN in Scotland the last FEW decades?????? i mean REALLY, are we talking all the “uplifting” decisions of thatcher and major run governments of the 80′s and 90′s as we all remember how much they did for Scotland and its people, especially the poorest neglected areas (one of which i was born and brought up in) or are we talking about the tony blair/gordon brown labour government which had the poverty gap grow further and faster than the last two did, then took us into one illegal war after another, costing us hundreds of millions, drove up petrol costs and with it the cost of living, then led us into the deepest recesion in decades and before you say tha wasnt their fault, every expert in the area agree the labour governments lack of action and constant ignoring of advice made this a much deeper recesion than it ever needed to be. it should be rememberd that during this recession the Scottish government has still been running at a surplass, now dont go blaming it ALL on the banks as this just isnt true either, the banks didnt lead to the UK government having to borrow over a trillion pounds. Treasury reports into the finances of an independant Scotland show we would be a rich country and infact staying in the union will cost every man woman and child in Scotland £15,000.00 per year.
Again it should also be rememberd it was labour that bent over backwards to the lodges, not the SNP and its on behalf of labour that these same lodges will be campaigning for to get us all to vote against independance.
July 1, 2012 at 10:28 pm
Macca
The land of my birth must really be in a very confused state if it votes for that buffoon Salmond to be the next ruler of Scotland. After all we have already had the Last King of Scotland.
Rule from Westminster and more especially from Brussels has done more in the last few decades to uplift the poorer neglected areas than Salmond and his Fascista who will benefit Edinburgh would ever do.
They have strayed so far from the ideals of the nationalists such as Kay Mathieson et al that they bear no resemblance to the real thing.
This is just a hunger for power.
If the mismanagement in Scottish football and the bend for a friend deal to accommodate the lodges is anything to go by, then I will cry for my motherland.
Forget the Mel Gibson thing about Freedom, vote yes and one day you will ask yourself, am I free and I dumb.
July 1, 2012 at 5:06 pm
The Wallace
I think one of my first replies to your column, sorry blog, contained the Burns quote,”sic a parcel o’ rogues,” but never thought then that the rot ( I nearly said corruption) is set in so deep.
From their banks and police, to their football team and now their pet nationalist party (for they are no Sinn Fein), the Scottish Establishment is embroiled in all sorts of questionable behaviour in the public view that is, Heaven knows what is going on behind the scenes. Wendy Wood, a true Scottish patriot must spinning like a top in her grave at the antics of Alex Salmond (Mr. Toad) and that excuse for democracy at Holy Rood( Toad Hall).
My advise to ms Hart is to remember anything of any note decided in or about our poor put upon nation is done under the auspices of the many masonic orders/lodges that thrive here and as a female of the opposite sex her involvement will only be at the modern day equivalent of making sandwiches and pouring tea. I know I sound harsh, but her and other women who want to have females properly integrated into politics then these secret boys clubs must be neutered. By the way I have voted for a free Scotland all my life, but don’t trust any of them as far as I could throw them. Just ask Toad of Toad Hall, which of his lodge brothers recommended these jokers and why?
Could be to frame the argument that it was the British tax system that did for their team and their big hoose (or is that noose if asbestos rumour true) and how this would not have been allowed to happen to them under a financially Independent Scotland and they would even get to keep the Queen and everything.
Hail,Hail.
PS
Just been reading history of Belfast Celtic, the club Charlie Tully started with. A fair time ago, but revenge is a meal best eaten cold. Ice cream and jelly anyone?
July 1, 2012 at 4:55 pm
Margaret Hart
1st thing i did when i read about the PR team is to google any news about them and the only thing that came up about this is this;
http://www.allmediascotland.com/press_news/34311/hickey-vows-to-cut-off-relations
Blair Jenkins has hired them. I think it is such a bad move to have this PR team helping the Yes Campaign. I wouldnt trust them and reading what the RTC wrote about them aswell would suggest the sort of underhand things they will do.
I am always very skeptical of politicians and it is clear that to get ahead in most partys what you have to do is leave your integrity & principles at the door (look at glasgow labours recent deal with the orange order) and only today it is speculated that Jo Swinson will replace Michael Moore as SoS because a. she is female & scottish and b. her decision not to rebel over the coalition decision to increase university tuition fees, despite building a political career on trying to get them scrapped, marked her out for promotion with the leadership of both parties. says it all for me, as long as you are pliant and loyal you will do well, only way to advance politically.
That said i want independence and the SNP are the vehicle for that to me. There are lots of people from different partys and walks of life that support an independent scotland and they need to see past Alex Salmond and see it as a means to an end.
July 1, 2012 at 7:37 pm
stephen
Do you support independence for Scotland Phil and if not why not……………
July 1, 2012 at 4:47 pm
Phil Mac Giolla Bhain
http://www.philmacgiollabhain.ie/the-provisional-snp-comes-of-age/
Use the search function
I have a book to write;0)
July 1, 2012 at 5:23 pm
john fegan
They are a PR firm I take it. That being the case they can be employed by anyone who think they can do a job for them. What they did for other individuals or organisations is surely irrelevant. I have said before that I want for Scotland what my grandfathers and grandmothers wanted for Ireland. Independence. The SNP with the Greens are at the sharp end to achieve that. If we are successful then we as an independent nation can elect the government we think can take us forward and that is not necessarily going to be the SNP.
Anyone who wants to stay tied to the butchers apron can vote with the orange order who have instructed their members to vote NO when the time comes.
July 1, 2012 at 4:16 pm
Paul Boyle
I would imagine the Finance Section could be a book all by itself. Especially if it goes as they say in other websites “”Nuclear” with further revelations on EBT’s possibly.
My concern with the “YES” vote is the actual breakdown in detail on all the services ie. NHS, Gas, Electricity, Benefits( State Pensions), Private Pensions coming from what would be considered a foreign country, Defence, Nuclear Deterrent, National Debt, Banks( Most are now owned down South or by Taxpayers) Oil & Gas reserves( Most are in Scottish waters), Water reserves. I would need to see some sort of “white Paper” with all pro’s-cons for this before making a decision.
July 1, 2012 at 4:02 pm
tom dolan
WElcome back Phil! I was getting bad withdrawal symptoms……..
July 1, 2012 at 3:43 pm
gthomson
Salmond made a political error and got his fingers burned when he blurted out that Rangers must be saved.
Chasing votes? Yes. That’s what politicians do.
Just remember this though.
The liquidation of Rangers does not destroy the ideology that underpins the club.
It is like cutting the head off a weed.
A new club with the same ethos will emerge.
And what is at the core of this ethos?
Britishness.
Liquidate the political entity that is Great Britain and Northern Ireland and you destroy the roots of the culture that fuels the Rangers identity.
And how do you liquidate such a political union.
By voting SNP and ensuring the break up of the British State.
Anyone who believes that Scottish Nationalists are somehow pro-Rangers needs their head examined.
We will be the ones who finally liquidate their cause and we would welcome the support of all those who find the quintessentially British culture on display at Ibrox anachronistic and debasing.
July 1, 2012 at 3:40 pm
Jim Wood
No matter how many times we prove by their actions the anti-Irish pro The Rangers FC attitude of the SNP you will still not believe.
Do the SNP have to wear The Rangers FC strips before it is acknowledged.
Or do they ,for example,have to approve of senior ministers allegedly spouting anti-Irish sentiments, bringing in anti-Irish laws designed to criminalize the Celtic fans because, “the (non-enforced) previous laws were criminalizing The Rangers FC fans too much,” or, not doing anything about the same minister in fact leaving her in position for these alleged actions without censure/inquiry in fact nothing but support.
If all this does not give cause for reticence in supporting the SNP then sir nothing will. In which case you should maybe just go all the way and change your name to something more appropriate like “I will support the SNP no matter what they do to the Irish diaspora.” Judge them not by their words but their deeds.
For the record I have never been a member of a political party.
I have voted for a number of center left parties and socialist parties but I cannot find it in myself to ever vote for the SNP whilst this party continues to pander to the Scottish disease.
July 1, 2012 at 10:58 pm
Ignoranceisnodefence
Cheers Phil, once again true to your word re popping back if any important snippets come to light.
Always a supporter of independence for Alba as it helps weaken the union, not surprised about this one though as we have seen so many gaffs….supporting the Bears, shredding sectarianism report, denying anti Irish racism and saying they will still kotow to an English queen…………
July 1, 2012 at 3:07 pm
Margaret Hart
Oh right i forgot alex salmond is the only person in the whole of scotland that wants independence, silly me. I should really just grab my unionjack and start voting labour like a good little british unionist, orange order fan and worship at the feet of tony ‘war criinal and murderer’ blair….
July 1, 2012 at 3:00 pm
Jim Wood
Shame on you, is this the pro nationalist argument. Why bother saying anything if you can’t use reasoned argument you have already lost.
Many Celtic fans cannot vote for a wee free best little Orange/Masonic government like the SNP as they stand. We have this sort of tripe every time.
I feel within the UK my Irish ancestry will be more protected than in an SNP Scotland. There has never in all the time I have read this stuff been an adequate response to this fear of the SNP in my community.
Phil, I am honestly surprised that you supported this rabble/ still support this rabble. To me it is like voting for a loyalist lite, With the Queen, the gentlemen’s clubs who do so much for charity, the religious marches , Oh yeah and beat the Irish by all means available.
Not that I expect this to change anyone’s opinion, but this is mine and many Celtic fans agree I think you’ll find.
July 1, 2012 at 6:31 pm
Baresi
Can’t beat Glasgow Labour Party making deals with the Orange Order to subsidize their marches to get votes though.
July 1, 2012 at 2:55 pm
Eddie Hart
as a life long Celtic fan it never fails to amaze me how many of my fellow Celtic fans are so unionist, you would have thaught that a group of supporters so keen to see the end of british rule in Ireland would also want to see the same for Scotland.
Regardless of your opinion of Alex Salmond (my own are very mixed) you would have thaught the oppertunity to end british rule and see the end of that flag would have been something we Celtic fans would have got behind.
Instead the mojority vote for loyalist labour who in turn do deals with the orange order to make sure they get plenty of walks and jublee parties paid for by the people of glasgow.
i understand why fans of the club formaly known as rangers are against the snp and independance as it will see an end to britain, but why are so many Celtic fans so desperate to maintain this union????
July 1, 2012 at 2:50 pm
gerard francis reilly
good to see phil,s back in harness , will defo get his book , keep me posted when it,s available ? my humble opinion is that the saga of ye olde defunct 1872 chaps would have had a different slant to “it” if not for phil and honest people around him on these pages !! thanx to you all for outing the truth and not just what us fans want to hear ??
July 1, 2012 at 2:27 pm
Chris
welcome back Phil wow has that been a month already tempus fugit.
Don’t think Big Eck will like this one, how many more bullets can his foot take?
July 1, 2012 at 2:14 pm
Phil Mac Giolla Bhain
I was just popping by with an exclusive that i thought of interest.
I’m off again ;0)
July 1, 2012 at 2:26 pm
Jim Mc
Hi Phil, looking forward to your book, will I find it in the history section or under horror ?
I am a supporter of an independent Scotland free of the influence of the Westminster elite, but I fear the establishment will close ranks (we know who they are !)
The SNP are not all from the dark side, my nephew is a MSP and a life long Celtic fan.
July 1, 2012 at 2:11 pm
dombhoy67
Vote ‘Independence’ for Scotland. . .WHAT! and lose the chance of having another twenty years of Margaret Thatcher mark II…well on second thoughts…
July 1, 2012 at 3:41 pm
droid
Shirley that’s a penalty?
July 1, 2012 at 1:54 pm
Tallybhoy
My God Phil, what are you doing back already?! You must have put down a hell of a lot of words in the last couple of days!
Glad ‘the book’ is going well, and as for coming over to Italy don’t bother: it’s too bloody hot!
And remember: the pen (or indeed the keyboard) is mightier than the sword!
HH!!
July 1, 2012 at 1:44 pm
Margaret Hart
To be fair the Yes Campiagn is more than SNP (they dont run it) its for everyone in scotland that wants away from british rule. Still hiring such arch unionists to do PR for a independence campaign seems counter productive and very worrysome to me as someone that wants to see british rule come to an end.
July 1, 2012 at 1:38 pm
Goldcascade
To Margaret Hart ..You REALLY believe that the Yes Campaign is anything other than Fat Salms Wee Pet Project ??
July 1, 2012 at 1:49 pm
john lacon
haha you cant keep away your as hooked as the rest of us phil
July 1, 2012 at 1:37 pm
Phil Mac Giolla Bhain
I’ve had two great days on the media section-it’s almost ready for the editor.
The finance section is HUGE and needs a massive edit.
The section about the fans of the dead club will be fun to put together ;0)
July 1, 2012 at 1:43 pm