The Christmas Edition sees me with Alex Neil SNP, Prof. Alf Baird and of course Iain Lawson too. We discuss the theft of Scottish resources, how to advance our cause an Independence Constitutional Convention, and much, much more.
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Another great and very thought provoking episode. Thank You!
Alf’s book is on the Xmas list so will see what happens on Saturday..
I’m glad Alex brought up the ‘devo max’ Spector. I put a letter into the national (which I no longer read) some time ago suggesting this be used to call london’s Bluff. This is definitely something we should be ready for as it would likely come with strings attached – I.e no more referendum for a minimum period of years. My arguments would be as follows..
If, ‘home rule’ is on the table, why not just implement it now – regardless of a referendum. It would surely after all, be to everyone’s benefit. Scotland, Wales, NI, attain more powers (albeit falling far short of what I want). England gets rid of ‘the basket cases’ that it has to ‘subsidise’ (which WE know to be untrue).
Define what home rule/devo max actually is, within the United Kingdom, because home rule cannot just apply to one nation. It would require a complete redesign of the union where ALL nations become devolved. This would involve a union of four constituent countries, each with devolved parliaments – not one country with dominion over the others. There would have to be a central senate for example, with reps from each nation, discussing joint policy such as bank regulation, foreign policy; each nation having representatives at the Bank of England – renamed the ‘UK central bank’.
I wonder how ‘scottish’ labour would go about opposing the above?
A 3 question referendum requires equal and detailed cross-examination of EACH of the options. Why does Indy always have to be on the back foot? I’d regard devo max as the most complex, since done properly, it requires a real four nation approach and for the UK to become a proper legal and political union. It would be easy to expose and would become apparent very quickly that it was just another way of stifling independence. The UK govt has the power to implement the third option right now. They could NEVER be trusted (be it labour or the tories), to make good on devo max post referendum.
Sorry, had split the above into paragraphs, but it didn’t come out that way!
Respectfully there are no four nations. We have two nations which are Scotland and England. We have a stolen part of another nation (Ireland) and an annexed ‘Principality’ which is Wales.
Full Independence for Scotland is our only option – sooner the better!
You are wrong Wales is a country not a Principality.
Happy to stand corrected regarding Wales – no doubt I have been misled by Unionist propaganda. Wales has my total support for Independence and they do seem to be making a better job of going for it than we are at the moment.
Yes, Wales may well beat Scotland to it (and Irish reunification too), because unlike the daeless SNP leadership at least Plaid Cymru’s leader Adam Price is in no doubt about Wales’ colonial treatment and hence the true rationale for independence being decolonisation: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/wales-first-final-colony—2070487
Thanks Alison.
The reason I’m talking about devo max was because it came into the prism discussion as a possible 3rd option.
What I’m saying is that those espousing the ‘benefit’ of devo max must provide a detailed description of what it actually is, rather than some ‘wooly’ option designed to derail independence.
I put forward my version of what DM should be. The unionist version will merely be tidbits that WM decides to gives us.
We need to be ready to absolutely destroy their argument before it gets anywhere near a ballot paper. My worry at the moment, is that the SNP might be all too willing to accept the scraps thrown to us from London.
What we need to do is, ensure there is not an Independence referendum at all!! A plebiscite UKGE in 2024 is the most sensible and winnable way to go.
The last thing we need is another or yet more talking shops. Route 1 with SSRG (and Alf B.) for me, and as for Alex Neil – no disrespect, but all these good things have been stalled on purpose for 7 years by your boss. A GE ballot has to be outright seats and for any Indy party, not just SNP (as I for one will note vote for them again – unless they stand firmly on a win = indy right away, and they are the best placed to win our seat, plus GRA/HCB has to go, and any idea of currency unions, multilateral disarmament etc etc.).
Merry Xmas and an Indy Ney Year to all.
Best Prism I’ve watched so far!! All the real issues discussed so well and honestly. Hope we can get as many people to watch as we can. Many thanks and a good Christmas to you all. 👍👍🎄🎄🎄🎄🏴🏴💙
Please share it everywhere you can.
We are aware of Scotland being treated as London’s last remaining COLONY and are obliged to witness this despicable action while being Scotland’s population!? It’s no wonder that many of Scotland’s people feel that the so-called ‘UK’ is down to London’s centuries of PROPAGANDA! ~ yet, Scotland understands Alba Gu Brath (Scotland Forever) ~ the regaining of our independence is more than overdue… Yet we are almost there! 💓 🏴
Trade Unions are there for one thing and one thing only and that is to better the conditions of the workers . Not for trying for independence. Thought you all knew that. Obviously not. You learn something every day. Being a trade unionist for 45 years in SOGAT you have a lot to learn.
And CBI and Institute of Directors should be there just for business not lobbying and funding corrupt English Nationalist Political parties to enable them to steal from the public purse Sandy. But of course you have double standards don’t you?
The other part BB about Devo Max which you were all talking about. I told you earlier that it is reported the SNP in Westmonster are the ones pushing Devo-Max not us yoons. I said that to you in here before hearing it in your show. We are not pushing anything . Look to the Scot Gov as I told you. Looking forward to hearing Alex Salmond. Dont believe these pictures in the record today. He has been very quiet recently and from my position he looks damaged and we all know who dameged him. One more thing. Alex Neil was part of all your complaints since 2014. What I will say is that he was not a clapping seal like the rest of them in Holyrood.
Sandy Howden you demean and devalue what it is to be a trade unionist , you are NOT a trade unionist , anyone voting for Liebour doesn’t know what it is to be a trade unionist , the unions nowadays just like the Lying Liebour party are middle class arseholes who have deserted and betrayed the working classes and socialism
The unions nowadays are more interested in their big salaries , pensions and cars , ditto the Lying Liebour party , FFS a sir as head of Liebour , he’s ripping the pish , and you clowns support him
You need to get out and breathe some fresh air .Been a trade union activist since the 70’s mid and your statement in if I am a trade unionist is embarrassing to yourself firstly and to anyone who is a trade unionist who thinks like that. There will not be many I assure you. Get help.
Sandy apologies for not realising english is not your first language , judging by the bilge you have posted , if you have been an activist since the mid 70s you are showing that you have been part of the problem of trade unions , trade unions were set up to PROTECT and BETTER the conditions of the working classes from abuse from their employers and governments , there are very few trade unions who have done so for decades , the Lying Liebour party consists of middle class university educated poseurs who have never WORKED a day in their lives and the trade union hierarchy are in the same mould
I am 71 and joined UCATT at 16 , I was a shop steward in most of my different jobs and can assure anyone interested that Sandy Howden doesn’t know what real trade unionism means , similar to current SNP members talking about independence
Same here joining my trade union in 1970. I wish I knew I had been wasting my time in every chapel I had served in, in many positions over many decades. All those meetings and I never heard the independence mentioned once. Must have been to different sort of meetings you went to. Wish I knew that all those years ago. So glad I have been put right after all those years. Pity you never see any of the SNP supporting any disputes. Maybe they should contact you .lol.
Sandy where in any of my responses did I mention SNP , SNP are in govt in Scotland similar to when Lying Liebour were in govt , when did Lying Liebour when in govt, supported financially by trade unions side in disputes , were you not AWARE Sandy that Lying Liebour when in power in Scotland spent millions of pounds and a decade FIGHTING AGAINST paying compensation to WORKERS who were entitled to it , my wife being one of them , the UNIONS were complicit in that abomination and many WORKERS had to seek outside legal representation to get satisfaction . The GCC DEBACLE is an outrageous stain on any trade union movement , so peddle your unionist lies elsewhere
Well go back over your comments to me decrying I was never a proper trade unionist and linked that to not wanting independence. The GCC debacle went on for years and the SNP have been in power now for nearly 15 years so they must be part of the problem also. You are attacking all the trade union movement just because your wife was refused compensation for a long running arguement over equal pay and the last I heard was they were moaning about having to pay tax on their compensation. I take it that was Liebours fault too. Aye?. Not actually. Everybody pays tax on income. Like I said look to the SNP gov in charge for the last 15 years. You put them there. This corrupt Gov we have who you voted in are every bit as corrupt , if not more than any Union official who’s behavior in feathering their nest I agree with you.Its always been like that. Nothing else to take its place. Just look at the nepotism in the SNP on who is married to whom or who has humped whom and see how all the plum jobs are giving to independence minded people by this corrupt Gov who you and all the people on the Nats sites put in power. You have a twisted view on all the fine trade unionists who have fought all their lives to better the conditions of workers all over the country ( UK). Nationalism does that. Like I said. Go outside and get some fresh air. It will do you good.
OMG Sandy you have lost the plot TBH I don’t think you even come from Scotland , anyone whether unionist or independenista who refers to the uk as a country is unfortunately suffering from colonialitis and needs psychological help
The uk is NOT a country Sandy come back and argue with people who know better , when you have educated yourself , and if you are Scottish do yourself a favour and get up of your knees it is unbecoming of a real Scotsman
There is also the small fact that Sandy attacks SNP on here assuming this is a pro SNP site. It is typical of the Britnats they never look beyond their own noses or have ever understood the cause.
I would like a “Three Nation Approach”. Scotland, Wales and N. Ireland to leave the Union, together. Thereby, leaving England to fight on three fronts at the same time.
I know Not even remotely possible. I just liked the idea of England’s seat of government, being subordinate to the other three nations.
So I would support Route 1. Alf Baird and the SSRG’s approach. Most of the present crop of politicians have proven themselves to be inconsequential to Scotland’s needs. It’s time to cull. If we can find them….
Great show, one of the best so far. Alf Baird’s question, to the effect: What else are Nationalist politicians supposed to be doing in, apart from winning Scottish independence? Those elected representatives, and we should never forget it, are the concrete manifestation of Scotland’s national sovereignty thus the ‘voice’ of the Nation, are they not?
Alex also made a very telling point regarding Elaine C Smith’s attempt to raise a Convention. In short: Sturgeon and her political thugs, because they feared they couldn’t control it, smothered it at birth! I could go on at some length about what I regard as the futility of establishing a Convention, fortunately, I don’t have to; Alf Baird, Iain Lawson and Alex Neil have already covered it, and much more eloquently than I ever could.
All of that apart,though, Roddy: Allow me to wish you and yours a peaceful Christmas and a wonderful 2022!
Great show Alex Neil Patriot of Scotland and Proffersor Baird who is always good to listen to. His book Doun Hauden gave me a light bulb moment realising the warped twisted brain washing that I have been subjected to all my life. The British state our colonial masters could teach Darth Vader a thing our two about running an evil empire.
Meanwhile Nicola is offering John Snow Scottish citizenship. I have voted SNP all my life and I would love Scottish citizenship, how about stopping the sound bite and getting on with delivering Scotland freedom from imperialist Westminster rule.
As a indigenous red squirrel migrant Grey squirrels are coming into the forrest to pillage my acorns and steal my nuts , Grey squirrels are bigger ,they are bullies who encroach in my part of the forest.
This is my tree , My Forrest, My Glen.
Scotland gu Br’ath
Well put Alastair. As Professor Edward Said maintained: “Imperialism after all is an act of geographical violence… the history of colonial servitude is inaugurated by loss of the locality to the outsider.”
ANOTHER great prism Roddy with informative and educated discussion from ALL , the only criticism I have is that if Alex Neil believes like the rest of us that information and education is a winning formula for independence , WHERE was that information and education for independence during his terms in HR , and WHERE are they in the current HR setup , as a matter of fact they were in very short supply even in the run up to the 2014 indy ref , I would opine that the 45% consisted of believers in Scotland that wanted independence from the heart and not for financial gain
I agree with the principle of a citizens assembly but I also agree with Alf Baird that it HAS to be about the citizens, not vested interests or lobbying firms , with all the vested interests arguing over how best to protect their piece of the pie it would become untenable , obviously it would NOT EXCLUDE interested parties but they would be held in check and under no illusion that it was a collective and that includes the SNP or ANY political party
I have previously suggested Iain Lawson chair a committee of bloggers but Iain responded that he was concentrating more on other commitments and unfortunately declined , the reason I suggested Iain previously was that he was a person that was not afraid or cowed by privilege or position , he was equally comfortable speaking to the business community (as he is a proven entrepreneur and business owner) as he is with ordinary people , he has no air of superiority but will not shrink from exposing stupidity or absurdity from others who think themselves superior
His LOYALTY is to an independent Scotland NOT any political party , politician or political leader , his experience of holding positions within the independence political party , aligned with his business acumen and his prolific independence forum posts shows that his honesty and integrity can be relied upon
Again I would propose if Iain were to accept leadership of a citizens convention that he would invite and adopt as members immediately , Roddy and other independence bloggers who were willing to join and make use of their prolific public profile to spread the word , also an extremely valuable and educational source of information and knowledge in the person of Professor Alf Baird and the members of the SSRG
We Can Do This
I would like to amend my proposal above for a chair of a citizens assembly , instead of Iain Lawson singly I would propose a joint chair of Iain Lawson and Roddy McLeod because ALL the attribute’s I apportioned to Iain are also mirrored in Roddy , their joint camaraderie and views on prism indicate their undying dedication to the cause
Its funny to see when you engage the nationalists , after a few engagements they withdraw the reply button. Trying to disengage yourselves from the SNP cuts no ice at all. All of you put them in power time after time. No use crying “It wisnae me that put them there”. Too late. However much you say it only the SNP will get you over the line. That line is getting further and further away with them. Without the SNP any other avenue is doomed. No matter how many times you tell yourselves otherwise. It might sound good telling and agreeing with each other in your meetings but outside the bubble you create it cuts no ice and in other posts I see that you recognise this. Absolutely no further down the road with the answers to the questions than you were in the run up to the Indy ref in 14. Some of the utterings I read from your what? third financial guru Tim Rideout are crazy. No ordinary citizen would accept his ideas. All Nationalists have put Sturgeon where she is and no matter what you write , she is staying. You have created a monster. You get what you vote for. Before I go I would like to thank you for listening and giving me the chance to put my views over. Other sites I think would not tolerate me. That is the civic Scotland we live in. sadly.
You do realise you are a British Nationalist Sandy? When talking about Nationalism never miss out the British ones. The Nationalism that killed more than the Nazis, ethnically cleansed more than the Nazis. Gave the Nazis the idea about Concentration Camps.That committed genocidal campaigns against the Scottish, Irish, Kenyan, Boers,Indian populations to name just a few. To this day the British Nationalists are the worst kind of racists, rejoicing in child refugees drowning in Le Manche. Treating their Celtic neighbours like serfs and inferior beings. So please spare us your victimhood pish about Nationalism.
Yes BB and we Scots were right along there beside them enjoying the fruits of all these atrocities in which you are correct in bringing up. Its true. We were the Rottweillers there. One third of the slave plantations were run by Scots. We are not whiter than white in our past.. When is Alex Salmond on bye the way.? Looking forward to it. They are good blogs I have to say. Although I have to say it caused a smile the other night when yourself , Ian and Alex Neil and the other guy all agreed our pension was the worst in Europe. Its not but you know that already. . Still. I await the next episode.
BS that is just like saying we are Tories because a few Uncle Jocks and greedy bastards vote Tories into a few Scottish seats. The sane type of scummy shits that sit in HOL or HOC for English Political Parties and are bought and sold for English borrowed gold participated as they do today. The 99% of Scots neither took part nor benefited from it you silly man
As you point out to Sandy this is NOT a snp fan site but unfortunately Sandy has a reading problem to go with his comprehension skills , what is really sad is if Sandy is REALLY Scottish he lacks the ability or desire to investigate and research why people actually want their country to be independent. The problem I have with people like Sandy is their lack of honesty not only to the people they argue with but more importantly to themselves . They are like babies with dummy tits , they crave the fake bonhomie of the UK and the union jack , it is their comfort blanket and they cannot consider that other people could be right and that the union is corrupt and Scotland has a better chance of survival and progress on its own
Never said it was an SNP fan site. I full well know that BB is not . Along with Ian Lawson and now Scot Goes Pop to a certain extent. Wings is dead in the water. Run down. McAlpine now out on his own. What I am saying is you “all” put Sturgeon there. You inadvertently put a corrupt gov in charge of our country. ( I am Scottish, live in Edinburgh, devout Jambo and trade unionist by the way.) I can see quite a few of the Nationalist sites and bloggers have seen the folly of their ways in putting Sturgeon in charge and trusting her. She is in my opinion and I say this honestly, she is a nutcase. You folk put her there and cannot remove her. If Alex Salmond cannot remove her nobody can. I see you all now pleading for unity. No chance. What amazed me at the last election is Alex Salmond and Craig Murray telling people to vote for Sturgeon. AS even called her ” Nicola”.. For christ sake. After what she done to him and the guy Murray it beggars belief. You have a long way to go for unity.
and you keep putting corrupt English Governments in charge of Scotland you hypocritical man. We do not have a Government in England we have a crime syndicate. It is brain dead folk like you that keep electing these, scoundrels who in reality have systematically Bern killing the citizens of the Union to enrich themselves, and their ewuay corrupt friends. You are an accomice after the fact. Every time you vote for them or come on to sites like this defending the Imperial Government in London you are aiding in the attacks on the poor, the vulnerable, the weakest in our society. Studies have shown the Tory policies, actually murder their own people.You are complicit do don’t you dare try to lecture anyone on here.
OH Sandy it is cruel how you demean yourself , HOW can you possibly remonstrate with people for electing Sturgeon when the reality is that ANY independence party in Scotland would be preferable to the unionist deadbeats and scum in Holyrood and WM , I don’t see ANYONE on here defending Sturgeon , quite the opposite , I would say most people visiting the sites you mentioned would be ecstatic to see Sturgeon and her crowd of woke monsters JAILED , AND they would be ecstatic for the same thing to happen to the tories AND Lying Liebour
Prof Alf Baird is a tour de force. For me he’s the successor to Alex Salmond as transformational leader for the independence movement.