DO YOU AGREE THAT THIS IS A FUNNY CARTOON?

TOWARDS THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT; TOWARDS THE DAY OR THE NIGHT; TOWARDS THE DARK OR THE LIGHT?

The argument about whether we stay or go must be conducted with vigour, ruthlessly perhaps, given that so much is at stake, but above all with honesty. There are many years after 2016 and we will have to live together.

Some people will vote unionist no matter what. They aren't listening to arguments. They won't hear any. Perhaps they perceive themselves to be British. Maybe they see Scotland as a county in the north of England. There is no point talking to them. They have decided. They decided in 1948.

There are those who are nationalists; they already see the two countries as separate, see England or Wales as abroad. If the future for Scotland meant Albania on North Sea, old clothes and porridge, they would still vote that way. They decided in 1949, 30 years before they were born.

There are some who couldn't care less; maybe don't even know that there's a debate going on; won't know on the day, because it wouldn't occur to them to look at the news, or read the front page of a paper. They are more concerned with how hot Harry Styles is, the size of Beyonce's bra, who will win the cup, or if they should buy red or pink nail varnish. No, I'm not being patronising. Some people really don't know it's happening and don't care that they don't know. 

And there are some that know it's happening and aren't bothered because it "won't make any difference to me" (which isn't true) or it will make a difference but, all we get is politicians, and they just tell lies (which is). Yawn. 

Then there is a sizeable number of people who are listening to arguments. Who want a better life for themselves and their kids, they just don't know if that is in Scotland or the UK. They want to know facts. Will they get their pensions in an independent Scotland...will they get them in a debt ridden UK; would businesses open up and bring jobs; would the sick be treated better; would you really have to show a passport to go to Berwick; will people be made to speak Gaelic; will we be thrown out of all world bodies and be left to struggle on our own; would it mean no more Tory policies; if we stay will Cameron take us out of the EU; what would that really mean; how many more wars will be have to fight because London likes being at the centre of things; would Scotland be able to pay its way; would Scotland be able to defend itself; how would England pay us back for leaving them, etc, etc, etc.

They are people from all walks of life. They are university professors, doctors, shop assistants, bin emptiers, lawyers, scientists, civil servants, singers, actors,  teachers, soldiers, bin men, nurses, sick people, old people, young people, immigrants, white people, black people, gay people, deaf people, teenagers, children, fat people, short people, thin people,  tall people, people with short tempers and patient people, people with dark hair and people with pink hair... Some are clever, some not so. But they all have their own way of working through their uncertainties. They will be hungry for information; for facts, or what passes for facts in an uncertain world.

These are the people we have to persuade, whatever our own convictions are.

We will not do it with lies. Perception may be a large part of politics, as Niko said on the last post, but it is not all. People lied to once too often may, depending on their nature and intellectual capacity, take a longer or shorter time to conclude that they are being lied to, but from whichever side, they will eventually understand that they are not being told the truth. And if they are not being told the truth on one topic, maybe they are being lied to on others...

This is a long campaign, Mr Cameron is right about that. (Although, in fairness, and without any partisanism, his campaign on Europe is twice as long, which begs the question, why did he bring the length of the campaign up?) 

If a week is a long time in politics, 2 years is an eternity, and almost anything could happen... no, anything could happen. 

Opinion polls at present show unionists with an inbuilt lead, but not nearly enough of a lead to suggest that they could have it in the bag. Not even now.

We have slightly under two years to help these undecided make up their minds.

In the end we will make a decision and, although some disappointed nationalists might emigrate to Norway, and some disappointed unionists  might emigrate to England, most Scots will have to live with that decision, one way or the other, as will their children. 

We need to think seriously of the time 'when the hurly-burly's done; when the battle's lost and won'... A battle won on lies is a battle unfinished, whichever side wins.

We've seen the personal and economic depression that that brings, close at hand in Ireland. Maybe Scots would deal with it differently. Although I note we have had Irish intervention in the form of the First Minister, Mr Robinson, campaigning for the UK, and advice from some of his supporters on partitioning, should there be a geographical divide. Not perhaps the happiest of imagines.

So there's a lesson in that for all of us who are fighting one way or the other. We should take Mr Sarwar in the spirit of his words rather than his actions, and make ensure an honest and open argument. And hope that not too much damage is done to the nation in working through the pros and cons of the two possibilities for its future.

THE TORIES THINK THAT THERE IS NO NEED FOR FOOD BANKS IN TODAY'S BRITAIN

Especially, as  you never seem to get smoked salmon, foie gras, or  jeroboams of  2002 Ayala there...

Eton Boy, or at least one of his servants (that's what at least some Tories are calling staff now, isn't it?) has said that there is no need for food banks in Britain because benefit levels are set at a high enough to pay for essentials.

Under 25s currently receive £56,25 per week. 

Out of that they have to pay water rates at, on average £4 a week, leaving them around £52,25.

At this time of the year I am using around £5 of electricity a week and around £10 of gas in a small flat with excellent insulation, new double glazing and a modern efficient gas central heating system, so, although not all the year round, at least in winter I have to find around £15 a week for fuel... so that leaves about £37.

Allowing £3,00 a day for three meals will take you down to £16.  You're not going to get much nourishment for that money, especially of you are under 25 with a healthy appetite, but it should more or less keep body and soul together, albeit at an unhealthy level of nutrition. (You can forget your 5 a day and wholemeal bread). 

A tv licence costs £3 a week; house insurance at least another £2 a week (yes, some don't have it, but it's a BIG risk); then there is soap, washing powder, shaving materials or sanitary goods, toothpaste, toothbrushes, bin bags, telephone (you can't look for jobs without a telephone, stamps, paper), clothes, bus fares, repair of domestic appliances, dental treatment, all of which you won't have to pay for in one week, but you have to take account of because they need to be bought at some stage. I've probably left somethings out...

Even at that, it doesn't leave much for anything else, does it? 

So, do people need food banks in 2013 Britain? Yes, I think so.

Do people in Downing Street have the slightest idea whether people need food banks or not? Hmmmm. What do you think?

Of course we are Better Together. Life is just a bowl of cherries in the United Kingdom.

THE EXCELLENT RESULT THAT IS, OF COURSE, A HUMILIATING DEFEAT

Another letter from Nicola...

Dear Tris
 
Earlier today the Electoral Commission published its report on the referendum question and campaign spending limits.
 
The Scottish Government is accepting the recommendations in full. So - subject to the agreement of Parliament - the question on the ballot paper in 2014 will be: “Should Scotland be an independent country?” Yes or No.

It’s a minor tweak to the question we had proposed – and is poles apart from what the No campaign wanted. Alistair Darling wanted a question asking “if you want to remain part of the United Kingdom”. Others pushed the idea of asking about a “separate” Scotland (as the Social Attitudes Survey still does). That’s gone too.
 
We are left with a simple 6-word question, approved by the Electoral Commission, which gives the people of Scotland the opportunity to make a clear and informed decision on our constitutional future.

Nicola
******
Seems reasonable to me, even if some are calling it a humiliating defeat for Alex Salmond. Doubtless Lamont will repeat that in the fullness of time, when they let her out of the bunker. 

I've never objected to the Electoral Commission giving its opinion on the question or the conduct of the referendum. I think, though, that the actual referendum, the counting, etc, should be overseen by a more neutral body, something international with no axe to grind in either direction...the UN perhaps, sending in observers to do spot checks, as they do in third world countries. 

I'm happy too with the amount of money that can be spent based on the results of the last election. It is far more than the government had proposed; a sum I thought was a little short. It allows the SNP to spend £1.344m: Labour £834,000. The Tories will be allowed £396,000, the Lib Dems £201,000 and the Greens £150,000.

The SNP has the money to spend thanks to two large bequests and thousands of smaller donations. I'm wondering where the other parties will raise their funds, given the parlous state of their finances. From rich Tories in England, I suspect.

I'm pleased too that the Electoral Commission has proposed that, in order that the referendum be fair, electors must know what they are voting for. So the YES campaign must publish details of what they expect  an independent Scotland to look like.

The down side for the UK is that they must say what will happen if there is a YES vote; and what will happen if there is a NO vote. What would our future be like in the UK. In fact why they think we are better together. 

So the end of the vague promises of Jam Tomorrow proposed by both Cameron, and his Scottish lieutenant Ruth. 

Both sides must be honest and serious about their proposals. This may be interesting because Cameron has completely ruled out any pre-negotiation with the Scottish government, while the Scottish government is quite happy to put its cards on the table. So we will have no idea what their position on many issues will be...

Having for some time now badgered the Scottish government about accepting the suggestions of the Electoral Commission, the UK government now needs to do the same thing.

THE DARK DAYS REFERRED TO BY ARCHBISHOP JUSTIN COULD GET MUCH DARKER THIS YEAR

If Cameron thought that appointing Justin Welby as the new Archbishop of Canterbury would bring him a friend in Lambeth Palace, then he will take no comfort from Dr Welby's final sermon in his old post as Bishop of Durham.

In it the archbishop elect talks of Britain's dark days, of children going hungry and churches organising food distribution centres for the poor, reminding us of a previous Bishop of Durham, David Jenkins  who pointed out during a previous Tory government in the 1980s that some children in his diocese went to school with no shoes, just like it was in the Hungry 30s!

Of course Dr Welby's remit is England, but the same thing is happening here in Scotland. And while the poor get poorer, the rich appear to be adding to their wealth.

During 2013, when the Housing Benefit cuts come into force, we can expect to see people, particular from the richer and more expensive parts of the union, being forced out of their homes, and banished to live in lower cost areas, (where, incidentally, there will be even fewer jobs and no available housing) cut off from their families and support, without the financial means to get their worldly goods transported. So, in other words, chaos. 

(The Scottish government, thank goodness, has found money for at least a year to offset the worst of the Housing Benefit cuts.)

Added to this, if people like Max Keiser and Michael Portillo are to be believed, interest rates are set to rise, possibly quite steeply, in the not too distant future, because of the falling Bonds Markets and the diminishing value of the pound against the Dollar and the Euro.  Relatively steep devaluation of the pound is likely to follow. If, or rather it seems when, interest rates rise,  people on Tracker Mortgages, or those with mortgages about to be renegotiated, will find the cost of their homes sky rocketing. Some will clearly not be able to afford to pay, having taken on far large mortgages than they could in reality afford. They will fall into arrears and will subsequently be evicted. That's business. That's the free market.

In the meantime the queues at the food distribution centres, soup kitchens if you like, will grow and grow. And in some places you can expect to see people living on the streets. And that's no joke. 

A many of you will know, after Edinburgh, Paris is my favourite capital city. I hadn't been there for several years, and 2 years ago, after 4 years of the malevolent rule of president Sarkozy, I returned to the city I love to find it strewn with "clochards" sleeping on the streets (in November) and begging for money. It was a heart breaking sight, and frankly, for the first time ever, I was glad to get away from Paris. It's coming to a town near you.

This, people, is how much Better it is Together.

EVEN IF YOU INSTINCTIVELY DISLIKE THE EU, YOU MUST THINK OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF WITHDRAWAL FROM IT

David Cameron has been talking a lot recently about his aim of ‘renegotiating’ the UK’s relationship with Europe, and ‘repatriating’ regulations that originate with the EU.

The Working Time Directive is a set of work-related regulations at the top of many Conservatives’ lists to overturn. Mainly because it gives workers a reasonable deal.

But stepping away from the EU jargon on the issue, this legislation contains a lot of very basic protections at work that people in Scotland and the UK now take totally for granted – holidays, lunch-breaks, days off and more. 

I understand people's dislike of many things that the EU does, some totally practical things; some a bit more emotional (foreigners telling the great British what to do.) But we need to remember that if we in Scotland remain in the UK, we will, for the foreseeable future, be living under right wing governments. Because the South East of England wants that. So Labour or Conservative, the choice is right wing and more right wing. 

We need to consider what these right wing governments will do if the more socially aware Europe doesn't have some influence on our terms and conditions. This is an example. Cameron wants tog et rid of this kind of legislation. 

There are no regulations from Europe on how member states treat their unemployed, their sick and their old. What kind of rights do unemployed and sick people have under Cameron? 

What kind of rights do you think workers would have under Cameron?
******
Hopefully we will never go back to a situation where the English government has a say in our education policy.

Because, if we do, this (below) is the kind of madness we will be in line to receive.

REAL LABOUR POLICIES FROM ALLAN GROGAN

There was a debate tonight at Dundee University, at which Allan Grogan made a speech. I guess many people who would have liked to have gone were unable to do so. Here is Allan's speech for the event. 


Tonight I’d like to talk about the impact that the Labour party, and more specifically its supporters can and will have in the independence referendum. I’d also like to talk about the reasons why independence is so important for the future of Scotland and for the Labour party. 

Firstly I’d like to briefly explain a little about Labour for Independence and how we came about. As a student at this university, I attended many debates prior to the 2007 Scottish elections. One of these was on the independence movement. I asked the Labour party delegate about supporting Labour and Independence and was fobbed off with the line, 

‘If you want independence vote SNP.’ 

Now I can understand his logic behind this, of course in order to have the referendum we did need an SNP government. But this was the standard Labour line whenever I asked the question to the higher ups in the party. 

I began Labour for Independence to see if I was alone in my thinking, to see if there were other Labour voters who felt we would be better as an independent nation. Well as we have seen with our continual and growing support that there are many more of us who feel this way within the party. 

As our group evolved and the more I spoke with former voters, we came to realise that Labour, in particular the Scottish Labour party no longer reflected real Labour party ideals, nor the needs and ambitions of most people in Scotland. 

Now from a political point of view this is understandable, It is unfortunate for us, that we are such smart voters. In Scotland the SNP hold the majority partly due to the dissatisfaction of Scottish Labour. But in General Elections, Scots will vote for Labour in a straight choice between them and the Tories. So It’s hardly a surprise when the Westminster Labour party see Scottish votes as safe ones and introduce policies that appeal to needed voters, mainly Middle England and London. 

But for a Scottish Labour party to peddle these policies out, flying against the traditions and fibres of the Labour party in Scotland is a disgusting act of political careerism. And for the Leader of the Scottish Labour party to come out and say we have a ‘something for nothing society’ was desecrating the memory of Keir Hardie. 


So it is clear to us, that the only way for our party to return to our founding principles, to return to being the party of the people of Scotland, is to be removed from the shackles of Westminster which can only happen in an independent Scotland.

To return to the Labour party we believe in we must have Scottish independence, and to have a strong, successful, socially just Scotland we must have a real Scottish Labour party at the heart of it. 

Labour for Independence will play an important role in this referendum, we show that this is not a nationalist issue. The decision on independence shouldn't be about whether you liked Braveheart or not, it should be deciding what kind of society you want to be. 

So let’s look at the Scotland we live in today. 

-Run by Westminster we have a society in which the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.

- We have CEO’s of banks which destroyed our economy taking bonuses of millions of pounds while allowing small business’s to collapse and family homes are foreclosed. 

- We have a government in London, handing out an allowance for us to spend while taking far more from our resources and trade.

- We have a Tory party in power which won one seat in our country. 1.7% of Scotland’s MP’s running our affairs in which 9% of the politicians represent Scotland. 

- We have a Westminster Parliament slashing financial help to those who need the most help, while the Scottish MP’s voted unanimously against it. (Editor's note: Labour and the SNP voted against it. The Liberals and the Tory voted for it).
 
- We have a Parliament which while cutting benefits to the country’s poorest called for a 32% pay rise. Apparently £65,000 isn't enough to survive. 
So much so that Tory MP Andrew Bigden said 

“ I know MPs who will say in private that every year they are getting poorer.”

“A man or a woman who’s very capable, doing very well in their profession, whatever that may be, with a family, are they going to be willing to take that pay cut, look their children in the eye when it’s Christmas say you can’t have what you normally have because Mummy or Daddy wants to be an MP.”


We’ve all heard of wife swap but maybe Mr Bigden should go on Benefit swap and see how it is for mums and dads on benefits or minimum wage to tell their kids that they won’t have anything this Christmas. 

Most importantly, this is a society that is the 4th most unequal in the world. A society 1 in 5 Scottish children are living in poverty. Parents are going without meals to make sure their kids are fed okay, pensioners are having to decide between heating the house and eating dinner. 

Independence is our best chance to change this, to shape our nation making it fairer, more equal. Giving our children the chance of a better future. 

So what kind of Society do we want to have? Following a yes vote the Scottish government has promised that all parties will play a role in the negotiations for an independent Scotland. 

Because of this it is important for all parties to set out their vision of an independent Scotland. In light of the refusal from Labour HQ to do this. Labour for Independence will set out what we believe are real Labour policies.

One of the biggest changes we promise to make is that we will never object to proposals based on our core principles for the sake of political gain. As we have seen so many times these past few years. 

The first policy that we have already announced is something I care about very passionately. We, like 80% of the Scottish people, support a complete removal of all nuclear weapons from our land. We believe that a nuclear arsenal on our doorstep is both dangerous and unwarranted in this nation. We hope that we will lead the way forward as an example to all nations to remove such weaponry.

Now, I have a little confession to make, and I’d like to get it off my chest. In the Scottish Labour leadership elections I voted for Johann Lamont. There was no great merit in any of the candidates, but the one reason I voted for her was her opposition to Trident. Well all I can say to her is I hope that seat at the shadow cabinet meeting was worth it. The fact she went against her own beliefs, the safety and financial security of the Scottish people for a hoist up the greasy pole of the Labour party tells you everything you need to know about her. 

LFI will adhere to the founding principles of the Labour party of fairness, equality and justice. We will also strive to keep in place some of our greatest creations in the NHS and the Welfare State. We will seek ways to improve, but we will never remove our belief in free education and healthcare for all at the point of service. 

An abolition of a minimum wage and in its place a LIVING wage. One which reflects real living costs and prices. A living wage will protect the most vulnerable, removing most from the poverty line and costing the country less in Tax Credits, and other forms of income support.

We support a simplified version of the Welfare system. With real incentives to work. This system should be fair and support those who can and do work. The welfare system must again return to the basis of its creation to support the needy and most vulnerable. That is why we support the removal of means testing on disability allowances.

We are also open to the possibilities of nationalisation or re-nationalisation of energy, transport and care work. We are not a political group which promotes nationalisation for the sake of it. However in tough economic times we believe companies which are making a profit in these areas are doing our nation a disservice. The profit from these industries would and should be returned to the Scottish people as lower prices or placed into the country’s finances. 

These are the visions of a socially just Independent Scotland and they are the visions of a real Scottish Labour Party. 

Labour for Independence, Yes Scotland and all pro-independence movements will work hard to promote a positive message for independence. We know which society we want for our future. We believe in Scotland, we don’t think were too wee, too daft, too stupid to run our own affairs. 

The vote on the referendum next year will be the most important of our lives. While the Tory back benchers claim their EU referendum will be the first time in 40 years for our voices to be heard. Our referendum will be the first time in 300 that our voices will be heard. 

Scotland is probably the most frustrating place in the world. We have so much to offer, so much to be proud of, so much still left to achieve. If we can only just believe in ourselves. 

I believe the people of Scotland will make the right choice, the choice of hope, the choice of change. The choice of a better nation.

I urge you all to think differently, Think Labour for Independence, Think Yes!

(The emphases in bold are mine - Tris)-

SNAPS ON SUNDAY (ON SUNDAY THIS WEEK!)

You bet he was radical

The No Campaign criticised the Yes Campaign's tartan for its colour. grey they said was the colour of the future of an independent Scotland. How sad to have so little faith in your own people.

Or you could always believe what Ruth Davidson says; that is not what she used to say, but what she is saying now

A dismal group...who's the big tall one at the end (or is he standing on a box)? The only other alternative is that he is so full of hot air that he's floating away

Didn't Sarwar say that there weren't any Labour members in Labour Voters for independence. What about this fellow then?

Exactly. We'll be able to feed the kids that go to bed with empty stomachs and help old folk keep the fire on in the winter.

As usual, guess who gets the bum deal?

Et puis, pour les francophones:

Palais de Elysée is where the French President lives: Théâtre de Guignol is a clown theatre. So they  either have pretty thick town planning staff in Paris, or ones with a cheeky sense of humour.  This sign was put up when the odious Sarkozy was president!

CLICK ON PICS FOR A BIGGER IMAGE

YOU CAN ALWAYS RELY ON AUNTIE TO BEND THE NEWS TO SUIT ITS OWN AGENDA

Not for the first time, I am indebted to Cynical Highlander for  pointing me in the direction of information I'd have otherwise missed.

In the last post a letter form Nicola Sturgeon noted that she was off to Eire on a visit. While there she met with the Irish Minister for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton. After their meeting Ms Creighton gave an interview to the BBC, in which she appeared to give the impression that there was a difference of opinion between the Irish and Scottish governments, on Scotland's future within the EU.

The Irish Minister was clearly so concerned by the spin that the BBC had put on the interview that she emailed the Deputy First Minister today, and Nicola has published her communication (with Ms Creighton's permission).

Of course in diplomatic language a minister cannot say: "your state broadcasters are a bunch of lying *******s", but she did say that she was concerned that the interview wasn't giving the impression that she intended it to give.

I wonder what coverage the Minister for European Affairs' letter will get in BBC coverage. Not a great deal I suspect. 

I'm sure that Ms Creighton wouldn't object to the letter getting the biggest coverage possible, so if you have a blog and you want to put the letter on it...

Dear Nicola,

I want to thank you for a brief but informative meeting yesterday.  I am concerned that an interview which I conducted with the BBC is being misconstrued and wanted to assure you that it certainly was not my intention to interfere in any way with your domestic debate.

It certainly was not my intention to intervene in the Scottish debate about the future of your country.  As I stated clearly to the BBC (though perhaps they did not show it) this is a question exclusively for the Scottish people and I fully respect that fact. 

I was asked about the future of negotiations with the EU in the event that Scotland votes for independence.  I thought that my reply was largely in line with that of the Scottish Government.  I certainly did not at any stage suggest that Scotland could, should or would be thrown out of the EU.  Scottish people are clearly citizens of Europe. 

I did answer the question about hypothetical negotiations with the EU.  I think it is clear that a newly independent state would have to (and would have the right to and indeed should) negotiate the terms of membership, as they would undoubtedly be somewhat different to the existing terms.  I did say that this would take some time, which I expect it would.  I also went on to say that a newly independent Scotland would be welcome as an EU partner (and I think that applies to all EU member states including Ireland).

My understanding is that the Scottish Government has already committed to a negotiation with the EU between 2014 and 2016, if you vote for independence in 2014.  If my interview suggested something other than that, this was not my intention.  I think my comments have been misconstrued.  I sincerely regret this.

As SNP Westminster Leader, Angus Robertson said ‘Negotiations on the terms of membership would take place in the period between the referendum and the planned date of independence’, and that ‘The EU would adopt a simplified procedure for the negotiations, not the traditional procedure followed for the accession of non-member countries’.”

I think that sums up the situation quite well.

I hope that this clarifies my position, and again I regret that my words seem to have been presented or taken out of context.

Warm regards,

Lucinda Creighton

LETTER FROM NICOLA

Dear Tris

Earlier this month, I started an on-line blog of my observations on the referendum campaign, our preparations for Scotland to become independent, and the reasons why we believe that bringing powers home will better equip us to build the kind of country we want Scotland to be.


I now plan on summarising the best bits and sending them to you directly.

Today we welcomed the findings in the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey. Reading the papers you’d think it was bad news. However, the figures tell a different story. The fact is that when people are presented with a range of constitutional choices open to Scotland, independence emerges as the most popular.

Independence is supported by 35%, Devo max 32%, status quo 24% and no devolution 6% - you won't read that in many papers, but it is what the survey says.



Here’s some other highlights from the survey, ideal for your conversations with the [as yet] undecided:

•   63% believe that the Scottish Government should have most influence over how Scotland is run
•   64% believe that Holyrood should make decisions about welfare benefits
•   56% believe that Holyrood should make decisions about the level of taxes.

Yesterday, of course, months after criticising the Scottish Government over the timing of the independence referendum, David Cameron tells us he wants his own referendum – on Europe – but not for another 4 years or so!

Alex Salmond summed this up nicely. The fact is that being independent within the EU will allow us to assert and protect our national interests much more effectively than we can as part of the UK.

Following a Yes vote in 2014, and in parallel to negotiations with the UK, there will be a negotiation with the EU on the terms of our continuing membership.  Just like Sweden, we would not join the Euro.  And just like Ireland, we would not enter Schengen but would instead co-operate with Ireland and the rest of the UK in the Common Travel Area.

Tomorrow I'm off to Dublin to give a speech to the British Irish Chamber of Commerce Annual Conference. One of the bonds we share with Ireland is our commitment to Europe and our appreciation of the benefits that the EU brings to our citizens.

The EU is easily our biggest international trading partner accounting for nearly half of Scotland's exports. And membership of the EU is one of the major factors that make us attractive for inward investment.

Watch Reporting Scotland tomorrow night to see how I get on. But there is one thing I am fairly sure of, even before I go - there are not many people in Ireland who would agree with the view that being independent is the wrong choice in terms of European and international engagement. Not many at all.

Tomorrow also sees Yes Scotland launch the first in a series of major campaigns with a rallying call for Scots to put their hands up for a better Scotland. 2013 will see us move the debate from the how to the why of independence.

We want people to start thinking about what kind of country they want; what kind of country Scotland could be and to think about why being independent could be the best way to achieve our aspirations and goals.

'So the "Hands Up for a Better Scotland" initiative is asking: "Are you happy with the way things are? Or do you think they could be better? We're asking people to really think about it...

Before I sign off, why not check out some useful talking points that you can send on to friends and workmates.

My latest blog reveals that, contrary to press reports before Christmas, President José Manuel Barroso wasn't talking about Scotland. Kevin McKenna and Joyce McMillan reveal why independence is fast becoming the only option.

There was also a cracking speech this week by former US Ambassador Prof. David Scheffer on how Scotland will be an equal member of the EU.

And finally, Alex Salmond has recorded a short video explaining why people should have a constitutional right to a home and a free education.

If you’ve found this email helpful, interesting and informative, why not forward it on?

Best,

WELL DONE ANDY MURRAY

According to the Sun, a company of on-line bookies have taken the completely amazing step of writing to the Queen and Cameron asking them to make Andy Murray an ENGLISHMAN presumably without his permission. 

Apparently they are desperate for Murray’s nationality to be changed in case he should win Wimbledon, and it appears that they don't give a stuff whether he wants to change or not

TVBet argues that Wimbledon is English, which of course no one could deny, what with it taking place in a suburb of London, the capital of England. They appear to think that we have our own sports like tossing the caber, which again, no one would deny.

They think that it wouldn't be right for a Scot to win the tournament. 

This is quite odd, because as far as I'm aware the last time an Englishman actually won it, most of them weren't even born, given that it was 1936.

“It’s as English as strawberries and cream" said a spokesman for the company, forgetting or not knowing that the strawberries for Wimbledon come from the Carse of Gowrie, in Scotland. 

We have to assume that TVBet.co.uk are pulling our legs, but you really never know, specially not with The Sun.

Congratulations, Andy: Good result (6-4 6-7 6-3 6-7 6-2)

WELL, WELL WELL...WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT?

Not a hope in hell...

It is rumoured that Ruth Davidson, the Tory leader in Scotland, will tomorrow make some vague noises  about more powers for Scotland, if a no vote is delivered at the referendum in 2014.

We’ve been here before with the Tories:

The declaration of Perth 1968
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaration_of_Perth


No Vote Will not Kill Devolution - Thatcher - Herald 28 February 1979
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EcJAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=86UMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3547%2C6404679


Douglas-Home: “…the only way to be certain that these flaws
can be revised is to vote No…” 1979
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=cR-Nj-JRaOMC&pg=PA130

Should be a laugh!

GEORGE HAS TO GET THE DEFICIT DOWN SOMEHOW, AND WHAT BETTER WAY?

This doesn't need much comment from me...

Thanks heavens for Morrisons, Asda, Aldi and Lidl

I wonder if I killed 11,000 people, I'd get away with it.

NICOLA STURGEON ANSWERS SOME QUESTIONS ON INDEPENDENCE

SNAPS ON SUNDAY (ON MONDAY)

I was reminded this morning that I had neglected to provide the weekly feature Snaps on Sunday...so a day late, I apologise, here it is!

AND THAT'S JUST THE INTRO...

AND IT'S NOT JUST KATE AND WILLY THAT LIVE A LIFE THAT BEARS NO RESEMBLANCE TO OURS. IT'S CAMERON AND HIS POSH GOONS IN THE GOVERNMENT TOO

THIS IS HOW MUCH BETTER IT IS TOGETHER

EVEN RIGHT WING LEADERS IN OTHER SUCCESSFUL COUNTRIES REALISE THAT FREE EDUCATION IS THE ONLY WAY A COUNTRY WILL BE ABE TO PROVIDE ITSELF WITH THE EDUCATED POPULATION IT NEEDS FOR A PROSPEROUS FUTURE

FOR A START SHE'S ONE OF THE NON CONTRIBUTORS ON HER OWN WEIRD LIST

BUT WE ARE NOT A NORMAL COUNTRY

NO WMDS, LOTS OF OIL....

BUT THEN JUSTINE REALLY IS AMONG THE STUPIDEST OF THE TORY GOVERNMENT AND GOD KNOWS THAT IS SAYING SOMETHING (5 IS BIGGER THAN 2 JUSTINE)

MAKES A BIT OF A MOCKERY OF TOO WEE AND TOO POOR AND TOO STUPID

THE OLYMPIC FLAG WAVING IS OVER AND WE MILKED IT AT THE  HONOURS, NOW BUGGER OFF; YOU'RE COSTING US MONEY

BLISS

LET OUT OF THE BUNKER WITH A CAREFULLY CRAFTED SPEECH BY ED MILIBAND'S TEAM

IT WON'T ANY MORE, BECAUSE WE'VE SUSSED YOUR LIES

WHAT CAN YOU SAY...CAN ANYONE THINK OF A BETTER DESCRIPTION OF CAMERON?

SO THIS ONE IS NOTHING TO DO WITH SCOTLAND, BUT IT'S FOR A FRIEND AND FAITHFUL READER, JIM, WHO LIKES PUZZLING OUT THE FRENCH POSTS, AND BENEATH, 4 SNAPS WE TOOK OF DAWN AT CRAIL HARBOUR WITH ANOTHER FRIEND, ZEK NIN TAN, A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO (INCLUDED FOR NO OTHER REASON THAN I LOVE THEM AND I RECKONED YOU WOULD TOO)