SNAPS ON SUNDAY

Well, let's be fair, he is the GREAT BRITISH opposition spokesman on
something or other and Eck's only the First Minister of some unimportant county
 in the north of England.

From Australia...Thanks to Ian.

And from NZ (again thanks to Ian)

Welcome Kevin... bring yer mates

The man is just so indescribably full of s**t.
Seems he never thinks before he opens his big fat posh gob.

Wait a minute. Weren't we all in this together once upon a time?

People who destroy other people's signage are really self defeating
What this sign says is still YES, but it also says some dipstick thought
 it would be cool to wreck it. This works both ways. Yes and No.
And includes firebombing shops!

Bloody Britain, subsidy junkies

And as if its not bad enough already, Ms Lamont says
that she knows lots of women like that.She didn't have the wit to say she knew lots of people like that.
There are many folk who have no interest in or understanding of politics.
It's just that they are of both sexes. BT's problem was portraying
WOMEN, not PEOPLE, like that. 

What's that Alistair...it's all lies? Andy Burnham's a liar?
Well, at least he has a job in the shadow cabinet, unlike you.

None of these places is the hated Scotland!!!

Ah yes, back to these bloody subsidy junkies.
Let's get rid of them.

Jim knows what he's doing, Megan.
When it comes to being a wiley sneaky political operator,
he's just the dab hand.
He was trained by Tony Blair, and you don't get much
more deceitful and slimy than that.
Well maybe Islam Karimov...
Only joking, Blair has him beat every time.

Ah Woodie, we now know why you contradicted your own figures
You greedy todaying little bag of whatsit.

And they used to call him RED Ed... 

Says the multi millionaire who took social security
carer's allowance and DLA benefits for his disabled
son.

Inchcolm Abbey

And ...

Yes.... well.... erm.... right.

MUNGUIN MEETS THE STARS

The Libations (or some of them) with their biggest fan

Munguin, as you know, has a fair number of friends in political high places. Honourable gentlemen and Excellencies are numbered among his close confidants.

And of course not so long ago he presented Pétula Clark with a box of Thornton's chocolates, with only a couple nibbled (he likes soft centres), at Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall, to celebrate her 72 years in showbusiness and a new album in the charts. 

Today he made further strides in the world of show business by meeting his own personal favourite boy band, The Libations. The guys were in Dundee to promote the single, Caledonia, which everyone on here now knows off by heart, is raising money for food banks.

It was a treat for Tris too, to meet such brilliant musicians and truly lovely people. We spent some time together walking through the centre of Dundee. Somehow it felt like we were friends who had known each other forever. I want to thank them for playing along and being such fantastic sports. I'm sorry to have missed Richy, but there will be another time, I know it.

La la la la la la .... It's the guitar that's out of tune!!!

The town was buzzing, Big Chris was there with his big blue goddess, the Spirit of Independence (seen just behind Munguin as he was just getting his vocal chords warmed up for his solo). On the other side of us Blair Jenkins and Shona Robison were there talking to people as they passed by. The streets were full of kids waving saltires and people with yes badges. It was like a carnival.

Great afternoon... So nice to see the town buzzing with excitement.

Tomorrow we will know if the lads, and Caledonia have made it to the charts. (Update It entered the chart at #16. Good start. Now let's get it in the top 10!) Fingers crossed. The more sales, the more money for hungry kids. You can buy up to midnight tonight!

Thanks for coming to Dundee and for a great afternoon guys.

GREAT EVENING AT STEPS THEATRE

A brief post on a hugely successful and motivating evening spent in the company of some excellent speakers last night in Dundee.

The sage at the Steps Theatre

Organised by Yes Dundee and chaired, once again, by the estimable Stuart Fairweather (Trade Unionists for Independence) there were Robin McAlpine (Common Weal), Chris Law (Spirit of Independence), Libby McArthur (actress and writer), Jim Sillars (politician, trade unionist, writer and speaker) and Craig Murray (diplomat, writer, broadcaster and human right activist).

The atmosphere fair bristled with emotion as all the participants spoke, with passion, to their strengths. 

Munguin was pleased to welcome
 Mr Murray to Dundee

Craig talked about how corrupt the current UK state is and cited examples drawn from his own experiences as a top level diplomat in the FCO. The most compelling were about the UK's involvement in torture in Uzbekistan, a state many times more corrupt and repugnant than Iraq, and yet close friends of the UK (now, I think, being advised by none of than Blair, who it appears will do anything, no matter how disgusting, for money). He also pointed out that when the Uk went to war illegally in Iraq, in the sure knowledge that the UN would have forbidden it had they been consulted, everyone in government knew perfectly well that there were no WMDs. Hundreds of thousand of people died, were maimed, lost their livelihoods and indeed their country thanks to that deceit. Blair got a congressional medal.

Libby McArthur

Libby brought levity and comedy to the evening. Having met Tris's mum in the ladies' room prior to the meeting she referred a couple of times to her during her talk. Amongst many other topics she talked about how we no longer have many shows made here in Scotland; everything is done from London and most of her friends have had to leave Scotland to get work in theatres in London. Indeed the big shows that come to Glasgow and Edinburgh originate in London and star English actors. 

Chris and his Spirit of Independence, the Big Blue Goddess

Chris Law explained his crowd funded project of the big blue fire engine and its journey around Scotland taking information to people in towns, cities, villages and hamlets around the country. I love the slogan "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it's the only thing that ever has."

Robin McAlpine

Robin McAlpine has to been seen to be believed. I've never hear a man pack so many words into such a short space. But he talks my language. Common Weal is so appealing to me. The thing that struck me was his comparison with Norway. Now he admitted that there are a lot of variables to consider when you look at the comparison of life styles between two different countries with different tax systems and prices etc, etc, but none the less He pointed out that the average wage in the UK is £25,000  and the bottom 10% average on £6,000. In Norway the average wage is £45,000 and the bottom 10% average out at around £25,000. We dont have to live under a horribly imbalanced regime where 1 in four kinds is living in poverty but there are 100 + billionaires in the country.

Jim Sillars... and Margo

Jim Sillars is an inspirational speaker. There's no nonsense about him. He wants a decent society, one his generation, he admits, failed miserably to provide for Scots. He sees (as Robin does) a huge opportunity to re-industrialise the country. He talked with such passion about some of the dreadful wastelands in the west, North Lanarkshire, Dunbartonshire, South Lanarkshire... areas around Glasgow, where people live under awful conditions, beaten down by the utter hopelessness of terrible housing, bad health, no suitable jobs that pay enough money that you don't have to claim benefits just to pay the rent, and then be called a benefit cheat by some toff from the House of Lords.

The emotion Jim put into his piece spread out across the audience through countless bursts of applause. And of course he paid a tribute, with a catch in his voice, to Margo.

The place was pretty packed and like every other meeting like this that I've been to, the friendliness and warmth of the crowd was something to be marvelled at. New friends were made.

We are creating a new Scotland here.  

We can do this. 

We just need to redouble our efforts over the next few weeks. The reward will be a much better life for our kids adn hopefully for us too.
**********

For fellow Dundonians, tomorrow promises a visit from Blair Jenkins, Spirit of Independence  and our own group, the Libations will be busking around Dundee promoting Caledonia. If you can get out and see the lads, I'm sure they will be happy so say hello. Munguin and I are hoping to get out to meet them.... and you. Say hello if you see us.
**********

Finally, I have no time for Jim Murphy. In fact I can't stand the bloke. He is a red Tory who has gone around his 100 streets lying through his teeth, refusing to answer awkward questions, and whining about a bit of barracking that any kind of a politician should be able to handle, but (although I take the point that eggs are really pretty inoffensive weapons...unlike the ones that Jim voted to be used on Iraqis), we should all be able to speak our minds without being assaulted. 

So because I feel strongly about any kind of violence, like Easy Peasy blog, I publish this picture of the person who is alleged to be the egg thrower in the hopes that some of the thousands of readers of Munguin's Republic will recognise him and dob him in. If he is not, then he should come forward and clear himself.

We can do this without eggs you half wit.

LOVEBOMB FROM THE UNLOVELY KATIE

ANYTHING YOU CAN DO, WE CAN DO BIGGER?

But... is it no gonna run oot?
Not according to "that man on the telly"

So… yesterday much was made of the fact that 130 bosses of Scottish business came out in favour of the NoThanks campaign or whatever it’s called at the moment.

And today 200 Scottish business leaders have backed independence in an open letter to the Herald.

Brian Souter of Stagecoach, Clyde Blowers boss Jim McColl, and retired William Hill chief executive Ralph Topping are among the signatories who argue independence is in Scotland's economic interest. 

The letter reads: "We are involved in business and entrepreneurship at different levels in Scotland and around the world. We believe independence is in the best interests of Scotland's economy and its people.

"We will gain the powers to give our many areas of economic strength even more of an advantage in an increasingly competitive world. There will be more opportunities for our talented and determined young people to stay and succeed here in Scotland."

The letter goes on to talk about the real possibility of a British exit from the European common market and the damage that that would do to Scottish business.

[Perhaps that has been made all the more real a threat with today’s news that a right wing Tory MP has finally left the Conservatives and moved to Ukip. (Incidentally, much to his credit instead of crossing the floor as many MPs have done, he has resigned his seat and will stand as a Ukip candidate at a by election. Cameron must be cross!!)]

The signatories go on to say that they believe Westminster governments do not and never will pay sufficient attention to the interests of Scotland's economy. They talk about the tax raids on the oil industry (Danny Alexander, I believe) and the pension fund raids by Gordon Brown’s government, which were short term financial solutions to Westminster’s lack of cash, but lacked any kind of long term strategic thinking.

Scottish industry, they said, is so often treated as a cash cow rather than a strategically important part of a more prosperous and a fairer society.

Uncertainty is what the future is about.

Yesterday’s letter from pro-Union business leaders highlighted the uncertainties that surround leaving the UK  and they trotted out the tired old argument that by continuing to work together we could keep Scotland flourishing. I’m not sure that “keep” is an appropriate word. I’m reminded of the gentleman at THE debate who asked Darling: “If we are going to be better together in the Uk, why are we not better together now?”

This list of signatories, should you wish to pursue it. (It may help you in your choice of purchases) is appended.

In other news Mr Carmichael said that in the event of a Yes vote, something just a few weeks ago he hadn’t contemplated, he will resign from the government and work with the Scottish team to get the best deal for Scotland. I read a tweet about Dougie Alexander who, apparently said on BBC that in the event of a Yes vote, he would walk away from Scotland.  Awwww.

Incidentally, I've just noticed THIS article on the sidebar blog list. This is us being Better Together with the UK from a business point of view.

Signatories to the letter¨(in alphabetical order)

Harvey Aberdein, Managing Partner, Aberdein Considine

Sandy Adam, Chairman, Springfield Properties plc

Mohammed Afzal Ali, Director, Toor Investments

Irshad Ahmed, Director, Manspeak Ltd

Andrew Aird, MD of Border Couriers

Alistair Aitchison, Director, Kilted Kangaroo

Tony Aitken, Director, AP Aitken

Kenny Anderson, Co-Founder of Anderson Construction

David Anderson, Chief Executive, AP Systems

Ann and William Angus, Proprietors of Clunie Guest House

Lesley Ann Parker, Owner of Leap Scotland Ltd

Richard Arkless, Founder of LED Warehouse

Raja Aziz ur Rehman, Owner of R & M wholesale LTD

Tony Banks, Chairman of Business for Scotland and Balhousie Care

Frances Barron, Owner of Dessert Depot

Alistair Barron, Director, Barron Wright Partnerships

Alan Beck, Owner of Alan Beck Product Design Ltd

Craig Bedworth, MD of CGB Translations

Jim Bennett, Director of SIS Scotland

Ian Blackford, MD of First Seer

Ian Bremner, MD of Youngson Insurance Consultants

John Buchan Skipper, Fairline Surveyor, Aberdeen

Patrick Byrne, CEO of Pursuit Marketing

David Cairns, Chairman of Prism Tech

Alistair Cameron, Managing Director, Scotmas Group

Gen Cannibal, Director, Pro Genus Environmental

Mary-Anne Case, Proprietor, Blackhall Framing Gallery

Allan Chalmers, Director Chalmers Commercial Finance Ltd

Neil Clapperton, Managing Director, Springbank Distillery

Laurie Clark, Founder of ASC Group Ltd

Alan Clark, Owner of Clark’s Bakery

John Clark, Owner, Belmont Communications Ltd

Graeme Coghill, MD of Aberdeen Group Ltd

Ben Cooper Owner, Kenetics

Bob Costello, Sidlaw Executive Travel

Bill Coull, CEO at Comtest Wireless Europe

Gillian Cowan, Owner of the The Jewell Room

Paddy Crerar, CEO of Crerar Hotels

Gordon Darge, Proprietor of MAK Architects

Adam Davidson, Bo Concept, Scotland

Peter De Vink, Chief Executive, Edinburgh Financial General Holdings

Alan Dickson, Director, Bradshaw’s Nursery

Elaine Donegean, MD of Wedding Wise

Andy Donnell, Owner of Lightning PC’s

Scott Downie, Managing Director of Hungry Boy Productions Ltd

Peter Drummond, Director, Peter Drummond Architects

Colin Dunn, Director, Plexus Media

Brian Durkin, Braid Wines and Altar Supplies

David Dwyer, Inspire Web Development

Andrew Fairlie, Chef Proprietor, Restaurant Andrew Fairlie

Shahid Farooq, Director, Smartways

Tricia Fox, MD, Volpa Marketing

Athole Fleming , MD of Athole Design

Paul Fletcher, Managing Partner, at Enabling Innovation

Alasdair Forbes, Primary Partner, Achvaneran Farm Partnership

Hugh Fraser, Managing Partner (Middle East), global energy law firm, former Group Head of Legal Wood Group

Kevin Gibney, Director, Get-A-Reel.com

John Gibson, Director, Broxburn Properties

Alistair Gilchrist, Founder, AJG Business Consultancy Ltd

Donald Gillies, Owner, Gillies Transport Islay

Andrew Graeme, CEO of Inchbrakie Group

Sir Patrick Grant of Dalvey, MD of Grants of Dalvey

Cynthia Guthrie, Joint MD of Guthrie Group

David Halliday, Owner of David Halliday Solicitor

David Hanley, Director, Competence Matters

Kat Heathcote, Director , Witherby Publishing Group

Gordon Henderson, Owner, Foxlane Garden Centre

Joe Henry, Founding Director, Planys Cloud Limited

Bobby Hill, Chief Executive, Hydracrat

John Hunter-Paterson, Owner of John Hunter Paterson Insurance

Dr. Arshi Ilyas, Director of Innovation Business Ltd.

Carole Inglis, Owner, Isle of Skye Fudge and Chocolate Company

John Innes, British Venture Capitalist of the Year and Venture Capital Chief Executive of the Year, former Chief Executive Amor Group

David Keegan, Director of Bothy Bikes

Kevin Key, Director, A Star Sports

Alan Knight, Director of Invisible Emperors

David Lafferty, Owner, Aqua Energy

Joe Lafferty, MD of Lifetree

Steven J Lawrence, Director, TCD Architects

Ian Lawson, MD of Pest Protection Services

Derek Louden, Financial Director& Company Sector, ITP Solutions Ltd

Alison Mabon Founder, DM Roofing

Iain Macbeath, Owner, Macbeath Architects

Dan MacDonald, Chief Executive MacDonald Estates

Professor Sir Donald MacKay, Former Chairman, Scottish Enterprise, founding director of an oil company and a bank and non-executive director, Malcolm Group

Colin MacKinnon, Owner, Strathaven Airfield

Marie Macklin, Chief Executive, Klin Group

Donald Maclean, MD, Business Cost Conusltants

Niall Maclean, Director, Geo-Rope

Lewis Maclean, MD of Maclean’s Highland Bakery

Alex MacLeod, Director, AG Tech Limited

William MacMillan, Director, Firth Plumbing, Heating and Roofing.

Graeme Macmillan, Owner, Macmillan Financial Planning

Mohammed Mahmood, Director, M & K Scotland Ltd

Mark Mair, MD of Skibo Technologies

Khalil Malik, Director, K Malik & Co Accountants

Nasim Malik, Managing Director, GFS Mortgages

Derek Mallon, MD of the Restaurant Group

Brandon Malone, Solicitor Advocate and law firm partner

Jack Marshall, Director, Tapside Coffee

Sir George Mathewson Chairman, Toscafund and former Chairman and Chief Executive, Royal Bank of Scotland plc

Jim McColl, Chairman and CEO of Clyde Blowers plc

Gerry McCusker, Owner, Dog Digital

Helen McDonough, Owner, Kennedy + Co Hair

Ian McDougall Owner, McDougall Johnston

Gordon McFarlane, Owner of Uplift Media

James McGoochin, Director, J.M. Builders.

Ron McGregor, Co-Founder McGregor Garrow Architects

Ivan McKee, Partner, Partner, Greenfold Partners

Duncan McKellar, Owner, McKellar Sub Sea

Fiona McKenzie, Director and Co-Founder, Centre Stage Music Theatre

Sheila McLean, Director, Muriel Management Ltd

Brian McManus, Managing Partner Pisces Engineering Services

Ian and Thea McMillan, Directors, Chambers McMillan Architects Ltd

Isabell McNicoll, Owner, Business Time Saver

Les Meikle, Owner, Wise Property Care

James Meldrum, Proprietor of Mel Décor

Robert Miller Director , McAdam King Glasgow

Morag Milligan, Operations Manager, Milligan’s Coach Hire

David Morrison, Director, Sangobeg

Barry Morrison, Owner of Barry Morrison Timber Harvesting Ltd

Stephen Mulhern, Owner of Lendrick Lodge

Brian Munro, Owner, Pat Munro Construction

Jil Murphy, Co-Founder Thin Red Line Design

Alan Murphy, Owner of Inverness Cash Registers

Ron Murray, Founder, Safety Scotland

Yvonne Murray Director, Northern Roots Events

Omar Nabi, Director, Ahmad & Nabi McMulan

Muhammad Naveed, Managing Partner, Clyde Accountants

Mian Naveed Qasar, Chief Executive, Vision International Ltd

Alan Neill, Director, Neill Technical Services

Bruce Newlands, Director , Kraft Architecture

Richard Nicol, Chief Executive Commsworld

Douglas Norris, MD Of Datec

Mairi Oakley, Owner of Darach

Eunice Olumide, Entrepreneur

Eddie O’Neill, Owner, Translations for Industry

Gillian & Kevin O’Neill, Founder of 29 Studios

Sandy Orr, Co-Founder, Mint Hotels

Mike Peddie, Owner of Secret Scotland

Dr. Mireille Pouget, Director of Erin

Professor Nathu Puri, Founder, Purico

Jamie Rae, Chief Executive, Craignish Development Group

Frank Ralph, Shorline Motors and Property Limited

Mohammed Ramzan, Chairman, United Wholesale Grocers

Anne Rendall, Vine Marketing Group

Nighet Riaz, Owner of Riaz Property

Andrew Richardson, Owner Tax Assist Accountants

Mark Riddell, MD of M3 Networks

Jan Robertson, Manager of Willow Bank House

Andrew Robertson MD, 1st Eco Tech Ltd

Michelle Rodger, Founder of Tartan Cat Communications

Vivienne Rollo, Owner, Kishorn Seafood Bar

Bill Samuel, Private investor

Jim Savage, Director, Chemikal Records

James Scott, Former Executive Director, Scottish Financial Enterprise

Adrian Searle, Co-Founder of Freight Books / Freight Design

Ashfaq Shaq, Director, A Shah & Co Ltd

Kenneth Shaw, Owner, Canape Wines

Mark Shaw, Chief Executive, Hazledene Group

Kevan Shaw, Owner of KSLD

Tommy Sheppard, Director of Salt’n’Sauce Promotions

Muhammad Shoaib, Shoaib Associates

Alan Simpson, Owner of Minute Man Press Paisley

Helen and Mark Smith, Directors, Montana Home Care

Mark Sorsa-Leslie, Director, Zargonic

Sir Brian Souter, Chairman of Stagecoach Group plc

Stewart Spence, Owner of Marcliffe Hotel

Jim Spowart, Founder, Standard Life Bank and Intelligent Finance

Alasdair Stephen, Director Owner, Hebridean Homes

Neil Stephen, Partner, Dualchas Building Design

Philip Stewart Owner, Kangaroo Print

Gary Sutherland, Director, Harrowden IT

Neil Sutherland, MD, Makar Ltd.

William Tait, Director, Klondyke Fishing Company Limited

Frank Taylor, Owner of Indigo Sun

Robert Taylor, Director, Iformis Ltd.

Michelle Thomson, Director, Your Property Shop

Christine and Robert Thomson, Owners of Cairngorms Solutions Ltd

Ralph Topping, Retired as Chief Executive of William Hill plc this month

Angus Tulloch, Edinburgh Fund Manager

David Urquhart, Founder of David Urquhart Travel

Malcolm Wadia, Director, Plysim

Abdul Wahid, Director, Kashmir Stores Ltd

Dr. Jim Walker, Chief Executive, Asianomics Group

Gerry Wallace, MD, GEM Lift Services

James Wallace, Owner of Alba Business Service

Euan Walls, Owner of Innovate Create

Terry Walls, MD of TEW Stationers

Ron Warbrick, MD of Frame Shop and Gallery

Dennis Webster, MD of Fireisk

Fergus Weir, MD of Teclan Ltd

Robertson Wellen, Proprietor, Ferintosh

Allan Whiteside, MD, Direct Line Timber

Willie Wilson, Owner, Thistle Pharmacies

David Wood, Owner, Northern Oils Group

Ivan Wood, Director, Ivan Wood and Sons Ltd

Ronnie Young, Director of Aquatron Ltd

Lorna Young, Owner, Indigo Words

Muzaffar Yusaf, Owner, Yusaf Co. Ltd

IN THE AMAZON CHART AND HEADING FOR THE UK CHART (if we keep up the momentum)

Martin from the Libations updated me last  night that they were able to make their first donation to "Loaves and Fishes" as a result of sales of Caledonia. Once again he thanks Munguin's Republic's readers for their support.

The lads with Mrs Curran at loaves and Fishes

He and Darren went along with Mrs Curren (Denis's wife) to make the presentation of a cheque for £1,115. 

Those of you who have followed the success of the song will know that it has been #1 in the Amazon country sales; it has risen up the overall downloads sales, and was, as of last night, at #8 on their chart just behind Pharrell Williams' "Happy".

If we can keep sales like this going until Saturday then it is likely that the song will make the UK Top 40, and then the radio stations take over and it becomes (hopefully) unstoppable.

I know there have a been a few posts about this, but it's important:

(i) because, as you read above, the lads have already donated over a thousand pounds to a foodbank, and 

(ii) because having "Caledonia" played on the radio and on the iPods of the country won't be doing YES any harm in the run up to the referendum, and

(iii) because it's a great song, and a superb rendition. It deserves to be a hit and in any case you're gonna love listening to it.

There are always readers who haven't seen the original post and/or who will see this one and remember they haven't reminded their cousin Willie or Great Aunt Matilda to get out there and download it on Amazon or iTunes.

So we make no apology for plugging it for all we're worth. Buy it, tell your mates about it, phone your local radio stations and request it for your granny's or grandson's birthday. Just let's get it out there.

Munguin's humming it in the background, whilst cracking his whip, as I type. 

Ouch!

PS. Darren, Ross and Martin will be up in Dundee on Saturday to promote the disc. Not sure at the moment where  exactly or when, but we'll be along to see them at some point. Munguin, being a sophisticated animal, takes a great interest in Scottish Arts. We'll keep you updated with any info.

Patronising Women ...

On the last post Iain suggested the Huffington Post article on the story of BT's latest failure. For a campaign who agree that they must secure the votes of women, they have a weird idea of how they should go about it. Not that I want to discourage their pathetic efforts, of course... 

There are loads of funny screen captures on the site, but I found this Harry Enfield video the funniest.

Another one that made me laugh was a still of the actress looking perplexed with the caption: A BT ad, they said. Didn't do Maureen Lipman any harm, I thought........ I'm gonnae kill that agent.

RANDOM PHOTOGRAPHS...

Yes. We did it. I'm up there on the billboard behind the big E at the top.
Two Teams, One City, One goal.
Credit to Andy Clark and his Dundee FC counterpart.

This should get John Brownlie's attention

Imagine being terrified by threats from Flipper
 trying to save his peerage

Not photoshopped I'm told, and on the Kilpatrick Hills

There's a woman that doesn't need Paul to chivvy her
and she's real, not an actress reading  words written by Flipper
as he desperately tried to save his seat in the Lords

This is the kind of things she's talking about.
It might have been semi acceptable in the days before
Gordon Brown brought down the company pension s scheme

We have streets like this in Dundee
Yes City. I've only seen two No windows and literally
thousands of Yes windows.
Even the No signs in the grounds of Baroness Strange's
castle have been removed.

There's something logical about that, isn't there?
Instead in Britain we have poverty wages which have to be
subsidised by social security, and then the people who allow
this situation call the recipients "skivers".

Go tell that to Johann Lamont who thinks it is a virus.
Stupid woman.

Fine legacy guys. And yes, you can say that you were
 hampered by Tory governments who never gave you enough
 money. But then there was that 13 year period
 of Labour government. Although you could be excused
for not noticing it.
It was pretty indistinguishable from Tory government.

Which is why the Scottish government has frozen council tax.
It's bad enough the rent is unpayable on minimum wage
without the council tax going up too.

Oh dear.  Oh dear, oh dear.
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear!