#373

I dunno it’s a line that I think cuts through for many across all parties. Naebody wants to end up on the opposite side from their friends and family, really, especially on a topic where there is no clear right or wrong.

Different matter if one of my pals was against black lives matter or something but if they were vehemently against independence it doesn’t make them wrong and it can lead to, what we in the UK hate above all, social awkwardness.

#374

hmm I guess that’s true actually, in which case, it’s kind of a fair point?

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#375

Fair as in yes some people will feel like this but it should be put to bed as it is an inevitability in a democracy. And it’s a very convenient part of human nature exploited to encourage people not to want change, to challenge power or to refuse to accept the hegemony.

By trotting this line out what is being said is ‘don’t rock the boat because even attempting to discuss change it might make things slightly uncomfortable’ and that attitude has stood in the way of every positive change in history (And some negative ones too, undoubtedly, but the arguments against negative changes tend to have more to push their case than the above).

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#376

it is clearly the only thing the tories want to talk about - i’ve had six leaflets through for jackson carlaw and that’s all it fucking says - STOP THE INDY REF.

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#377

yeah I kinda agree with your first paragraph, but with regards to the second I think it’s a bit dismissive.
I always feel bitterly deflated when I think about what a referendum campaign would actually be like. As someone who supports the principle and who’s social and professional circle is hugely Yes, I find it very difficult to engage in goodwill conversations about the many caveats and reservations there are to my support, especially as an English person and Labour member. Including on here.
This doesn’t just equate to things being slightly uncomfortable, it has a material impact on my personal and professional relationships. I moved here in 2015 so don’t have the direct experience, but I know people who have relayed similar experiences they had in 2014 that have had ongoing consequences.

I realise I’m rowing back somewhat from my opening statement a couple of posts ago :smiley:

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#378

The latest Tory one I had was mad. 6 pages, 2 with photos of Douglas Ross’s face and 4 about Independence. Literally nothing else mentioned.

I’m surprised not to have received anything from the SNP. A potential (even if unlikely) swing seat. I can’t remember anything from the Greens either.

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#379

Not intended to be, so I’m sorry if it came across like that.

I think with twitter, social media and high profile zoomers the likes of wings etc there will be unsavoury elements to the campaign. And I think this time around it is inevitable that that and the level of disinformation will be more prevalent.

Very frustrating as it does neither side any favours. And i don’t like the very real harm it clearly will cause people who feel like they are judged or attacked for not being on the 'right side - I want to reemphasise that there is no right side here.

I guess it is good that the official independence campaign is making a positive case for leaving the UK. But the prounion campaign is just ‘Daddy says no’.

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#380

Merkel? Dunno.

Didn’t see it live, and wasn’t gonna bother doing catch-up, but just started watching the YT version based on this. Aye, don’t mind this presenter guy.

#381

The Tory leaflet I had was similar. I particularly enjoyed the extremely selective use of headlines from Tory rags, with dates going back years and years, none of which were landing any particular blow, just stuff like “such and such suggests…” type things)

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#382

The SNP manifesto is pretty good! I’d hope for a bit more thought given to tackling rural depopulation (Giving young people on islands a token amount of money to stay doesn’t remotely address the housing issues there), but it’s otherwise pretty well thought out for a party who could be phoning it in.

Still hope they’re forced to ally with the Greens though.

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#383

oh man, as a member embarrassingly i totally forgot about this. will re watch and post thoughts in a bit

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#384

Can you let me know if you spot anything about holiday lets or second homes? I couldn’t see owt on a quick scan.

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#385

Okay, some headline things that are good:

  • £500 million to improve buses
  • Nationalised railway
  • £50k to move into the Highlands is a good idea
  • The Young Person’s Guarantee is good as well
  • Free bus travel to everyone under 22 is very good.
  • Four day week is in there with £10 million put aside for it
  • Free school breakfasts and lunches for all primary school kids is amazing
  • CND is still there

Notable things missing:

  • By to let stuff is missing as far as i can see @AtTheBorderGuy
  • Nothing on Nuclear Power as a way to help carbon zero, as far i can see
  • The LGBT stuff is… frankly, a bit weak. Especially on the GRA stuff

Here’s a link to it.

#386

The land reform stuff, environmental work and community enhancement stuff all looks good too.

I’m not remotely convinced by the money to move to the Highlands though. Highland and island communities have been increasingly vocal about the lack of affordable housing for existing residents (It’s widely considered a much bigger contribution to rural depopulation than lack of jobs, although you’d never know it if you read the national papers) and without specific investment for the area or doing something to address the huge number of empty second homes, I can’t see this doing anything other than driving prices up further.

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#387

Does this refer to:

“We will establish an Islands Bond – offering 100
bonds of up to £50,000 to young people and families
to stay in or to move to islands currently threatened by
depopulation.”

…or is there another part I’m missing? thanks!

#388

it is! sory, i reduced it to twitter sized bullshit

#389

great insight!

#390

Loving how the tory line is shown up as the nonsense that it is.

“Vote for us or there will be another independence referendum but there won’t cause we won’t allow it.”

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#391

A better read than the usual, about things to consider in relation to the practicalities of independence and how things might play out in the event of a Yes vote. The Economist is no fan of independence and has published some tosh in the past, but this feels mostly balanced as far as I can tell. Goes as far as admitting that the deficit figures commonly cited are “implied” rather than confirmed actual, for example.

Free to read, but requires logging in to read the full thing.

#392

What a chump.

Genuinely interested to see how he comes across to people on the fence. Like I know a lot of people liked Ruth Davidson “because she comes across well” despite knowing nothing about her policies.

I guess if people are strongly unionist then they buy the line about being the only party able to stop a second referendum and will vote for them regardless of any other policies they have (or complete lack of) or who is leading the party.

Hope they get absolutely slaughtered in the polls!

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