Monday 27 June 2016

To fail to plan is to plan to fail

By Panda Paws


I’ve not written for a while but Tris’ mentioning that MR might be in jeopardy compelled me to churn something out. I’d set up one of those online petitions to save Soppy Sunday if I knew how. Luckily we are cursed to live in interesting times so there’s lot to chew over.

So you know those people who are so sharp if they fell over they’d cut themselves, who think they are such great strategists but actually fail to see the obvious?

Well they’ve just taken the UK out of the EU. A power play about who would succeed Cameron and be heid bummer of the Nasty Party whilst keeping their ultra right wing happy and out of UKIP, has blown up in their faces in a way that made the Big Bang seem like a disappointing sparkler out of the pound shop. After years of telling folk their ills were not due to neo-liberalism, but foreigners and the EU, they seemed completely surprised that more of the electorate believed them than not.

Yes, England and Wales, in a fit of pique, voted to save the country the money it contributes to the EU and in doing so crashed the pound so hard it had the third largest one day drop in value of ANY currency in history. Excellent work! 

The working class voting to protest against the elite by voting for equally elite but more right wing bunch. Not so much turkeys voting  
for Christmas, as them turning up on Bernard Matthews’ doorstep and prostrating themselves.

Meanwhile Northern Ireland voted 'in' – and have certainly reacted to the Brexit result in a very clear manner.

Lots more people are showing an interest in genealogy these days in search of the Irish grandparents they now hope they have.

At the Leave leaders' press conference on Friday Gove and Johnson looked like rabbits caught in headlights. “This wasn’t supposed to happen. It was supposed to be a narrow Remain but enough to damage Pig Lover and bring in someone even more Thatcherite. 

"Bugger!”

Clearly they had no plan going forward. What do we want? – to leave the EU. When do we want it? – whenever. However the EU and particularly the six original members are in no mood to mess about. Get article 50 in next week and be gone, they said.

It just goes to show you how clueless our so-called betters are. For all their Eton and Oxbridge education they didn’t plan for one of only two options. FFS. But somebody did plan; they planned for every eventuality and how best to stick up for their country and its 
people. The daughter of an electrician and a dental nurse from the playing fields of Greenwood academy. Brought up in a council house and the first in her family to go to university – Nicola Sturgeon. 

And yesterday and today she demonstrated her qualities of statesmanship and leadership. The first thing she said was reassure EU citizens that they were welcome and valued. EU citizens who two years ago were a demographic that voted no and broke her, mine and a hell of all lot more hearts. 

But there were no recriminations – just a hand of friendship. She then said she’d do all she could to keep us in the EU and ALL options are open. She and her advisors have planned for every eventuality. It wouldn’t surprise me if in a bid to give England and Wales the “finger” the EU fall over themselves to accommodate a Scotland that voted so clearly on the 23rd to be an outward looking modern 
European country. 

There were narrow minded nationalists in 2014 and 2016 but they 
weren’t on Yes or Remain’s side. Unionists seem to be under the mistaken impression that British nationalism isn’t actually a
nationalism. Well denial isn’t only a river in Egypt – which is a foreign place full of Muslims so they wouldn’t like it. 

Not everyone who voted Brexit is a narrow minded bigot but 
most who are narrow minded bigots voted Brexit and that’s company I wouldn’t like to keep.

Much though it pained me at the time, I wonder if the No vote in 2014 was necessary. It gave us a chance to normalise the idea, it gave Westminster the opportunity to prove itself utterly deceitful in its promises and Thursday’s leave vote demonstrated beyond doubt that

Scotland and England have irreconcilable differences. We can fix the mistakes of the last time and it MAY be that the MSM wouldn’t be as universally hostile as previously if  the headline in the Daily Record is anything to go by. People are going on twitter to say that they’ve changed their minds and will now vote Yes. Mike Dailly of Govan Law Centre, a No voting Labour activist, was so rude to me when I spoke out for Yes in 2014 at a public meeting that people I didn’t know came up to see if I was okay. Today he tweeted this.

The EU will likely be much more amenable than in 2014 in order to give Westminster a bloody nose and we’ll get the independent Scotland we wanted, just a wee bit later. 

Until then Saor Alba Gu Brath.

38 comments:

  1. All the best people are born in Irvine!

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    1. today's competition is to guess where Provost Sludden comes from. Thoughts, peeps?

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    2. Tokyo?

      Munguin says he wasn't born in Irvine!

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  2. Bang on Panda Paws.

    Nicola is showing leadership; the rest are struggling, interested only in their own jobs and their place in the pecking order.

    Boris is a joke. Govey is a lost soul.

    The entire Labour Party seem to think that they are auditioning for a part in a French Farce.

    Excellent post. Thanks very much!

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    1. It's no farce in the Labour party. This is a concerted attempt by the Blairites to get rid of Corbyn before the Chilcot report is published. They know he will step up to the dispatch box and state publicly what everyone knows already. that Blair is a war criminal.

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    2. Yes, that's true, Anon...

      The timing isn't lost on me, and I know (and respect) what Corbyn wants to do.

      But it is incredibly self indulgent of Benn and his ilk at a time when the Uk needs some sort of government, and some sort of opposition.

      I actually couldn't care less, but international institutions must be looking at the UK and thinking WHAT? They need to put some stability into the country and they are plotting to stab each other in the back (even if only metaphorically)?

      And that won't be doing any good to organisations that are already considering moving out, or indeed the credit agencies that re slashing the UK's ratings and putting up interest rates on the £1,6 trillion of debt they have amassed.

      They'd love to have someone like Benn say that Blair was a shining light in the Middle East and that doubtless he give all the millions he's made from dictators round the world with whom he seems to empathise instead of Corbyn calling in parliament for his removal to the Hague.

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    3. thanks for your kind words. And remember if you gave up MR, no-one in cyberspace would hear me scream. And the orangs need the publicity to prevent their extinction in the wild!

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    4. Thank you for the article.

      Whatever happens Munguin will never let down the Orangs!

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  3. "Not everyone who voted Brexit is a narrow minded bigot but
    everyone who is a narrow minded bigot voted Brexit and that’s company I wouldn’t like to keep."
    Beg pardon, but have you read the bollox coming out of the remain camp because they lost? What would your reaction be to a Scottish MSP who told you as David Lammie over the EU referendum did, that your vote counts for nothing and demands that parliament ignores it?
    I'd suggest you have a think about just where the intolerance is now coming from.
    I see Alex Salmond slapped your girl down for thinking she can veto Brexit.

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    1. We've had 300+ years of Westminster telling Scotland we don't count, and we've had enough. The intolerance is not coming from the Scottish government, you will note.

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    2. I haven't heard David Lammie so can't comment. On reflection I was too categorical - so Tris perhaps you can change "everyone" to most bigots voted out.

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  4. Threatening to veto a referendum because your corner of the UK didn't like it is about as petty as it gets.

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    1. All options to protect Scotland's interests, can and, will be explored.

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    2. Threatening to veto a referendum because your corner of the UK didn't like it is about as petty as it gets. As does winding up the people who you need to grant you the right to have one. Alec Salmond was a genius at getting his own way, you could learn a lot from him.

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    3. I don't think it is "veto" as such. Our "corner" of the UK voted very strongly (62-38) to stay in. Our economy (in many ways separate from that of the UK) will be seriously damaged longterm. Rather like the situation in Northern Ireland which again is a very different kettle of fish from England.

      Exploring all options in a country (rather than a corner) isn't, I think, unreasonable.

      Initially to try to let Scotland (and NI...and Gibraltar) stay in the EU (on the Denmark/Greenland model) or if that proves impossible to allow the Scottish people a vote on whether they favour being part of the EU or part of the UK.

      Remember that during the 2014 referendum we were told that being in the UK was the only way we could stay in the EU.

      And that being in the UK was the only way we could protect the Triple A status, which keeps interest rates low!

      A material change in circumstances, and not due to Scotland's will.

      But, I guess, if you think of this country as a "corner" you may find these arguments less than convincing.

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    4. Then you need to have a word with Sturgeon, because that's exactly what she threatened, only for Salmond to tell her she couldn't, because technically Scotland is not a sovereign nation, and he should know.
      I referred to corners because it was a UK referendum, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland making up the four corners.
      As I've said before, I'm all in favour of Scottish independence, however, you shouldn't fall into the trap of trying to take shortcuts.

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    5. but we were told that Scotland was a valued and equal partner in the Union. It appears this only applies if we agree with England. Two "corners" (sic) voted to remain. And we will be exploring ways to as Jean-Luc Picard used to say "make it so"

      (that's Star Trek Captain- not a MEP in case people aren't sci-fi fans).

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    6. Quiet Man, This may not be the case for you, so apologies to start but those living far from our shores are looking at things through a distorted lens. Up close and very personal, we hold our First Minister in high regard, she has since assuming the position put a foot wrong. All has been carefully considered, unlike Alex who we held in some regard but acknowledged he is a gambler, Nicola is not. She will do the best for us, just wait and see.Helena

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    7. People who can grant you one....pffft

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    8. I understand that UK passed legislation that affects Scotland can be rejected by the Scottish parliament.

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  5. Panda Paws, marvellous. Now who is this not do quiet man and why should we be interested? Helena

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    1. He emigrated to New Zealand because of... immigrants.

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    2. Bit cheeky Conan, I emigrated because my grandkids are growing up here.
      As for interested, no need to be, I fully support Scottish independence, just don't want you to make the same stupid mistakes and fall at the last hurdle that you normally do.

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    3. thank you Helena. I'm never entirely sure if Tris publishes me to humour me or to avoid a blank page so it's nice to be appreciated.

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    4. Cheeky? Perhaps, but I do remember your last few blogposts... As for 'normally do'? We've had one shot at it which was nobbled by the the British establishment and it's pet media.

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    5. Panda Paws: You know the answer to that!!!

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  6. England's Tories screaming about uncertainty and fear causing havoc with the economy when those are the very tools they have been using for decades to "motivate" the UK workforce.
    As part of that cunning plan,they also used immigration to discourage increased wage demands.
    What goes around comes around.

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    1. indeed it's almost like if you lie down with fleas you'll get bitten.

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  7. Hopefully people will have had a chance to hear Alyn Smith's speech at European parliament and the standing ovation - except from the far right groups.

    https://twitter.com/SkyNews/status/747729114828779521


    Nigel's speech was his usual "charming" self

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    1. Panda Paws, it is also now on (spit) BBC news with standing ovation included, The power of complaint. Helena

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    2. He's now a bit of a hero of mine PP. Brilliant!

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  8. Hello Tris, I hope you're well and Munguin to.
    I really feel for Jeremy Corbyn, I don't always agree with him, but I respect him.I just wonder how many of the rebels, in particular those working close to him, looked him in the eye prior to their resignations and told him they disagreed with his leadership style. I suspect the answer is none. It says everything about the people involved.
    Mr Corbyn would do well to relax a little and watch a box set of 'Game of Thrones'. He could take a few ideas from it.
    Regarding your comment about "Poor Lost Govey". Indeed, he is lost or more likely hiding. He is nowhere to be seen.

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    1. hi there Capn:

      I do too. They've plotted from day one to get rid of him and this is just another excuse. I wouldn't touch the plotters with a tarry pole particularly the despicable Benn.

      I hope that they force a contest and that he wins with 69% and stuffs them. The great thing about Corbyn is that he seems to be unflappable.

      Just what we need as a leader.

      Govey could well be hiding in case people start demanding that all the foreigners be removed and that £350 million a week be spent on the health service... just like he promised!

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  9. Tris, Have you seen this?
    https://youtu.be/tlUETtTofmE

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    1. Aye Jim. I saw it this morning and messaged Alyn. I'm not usually moved by this kind of thing, but I have to say I was proud of him for that.

      Farage by contrast was his usual smug self, although he actually sounded reasonably sober. The fact that he was actually at work for a change was a bit of a surprise.

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  10. Pa

    A wee response in some ways to your excellent blog:

    https://grumpyscottishman.wordpress.com/2016/06/28/its-not-as-simple-as-ignorance-and-racism/

    Bruce

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