Yes Shop?

I read this morning that the YES Campaign are not only continuing but are forming a shop in time for Christmas. 

Apparently, many of the shirts have "45%" imprinted on it. This seems strange. I wonder if John McCain continued his GOP presidency pursuit after losing to Barack Obama,

A bit more devolution

Devolution certainly wasn't the centrepiece of George Osborne's autumn statement and neither should it have been. 

As Scotland's powers seem to only increase vastly and at a vast rate apparently Business Rates for Wales will be devolved to the Welsh Government and corporation tax is to be devolved to Northern Ireland... if the executive can agree.

Burning the Smith Commission

During the referendum campaign it was agreed that Lord Smith would head a commission which would devolve further powers to the Scottish Parliament.

Last week there was allegations that the SNP weren't taking it seriously. Now, we hear that SNP councillors have been videoed burning copies of the commission report.

Nicola Sturgeon rightly condemned these members actions but it makes me wonder if this is what drives Scottish nationalists even now, months after the referendum? The democratic will of the people of Scotland was to stay in the United Kingdom?

The ugly side of Scottish Nationalism

During the Scottish referendum campaign, there were some very positive signs of political engagement that have never been seen before. People who weren't interested in politics at all became involved and that was a huge positive for Scotland.

On the other hand, lies were told and scare stories were spread to scare the public into voting one way or the other. The Better Together campaign were accused of this far more than the YES Scotland camp were which seems unfair given the pro-indy leaflets that said our NHS was under threat if we voted No!

All political campaigns have scare stories. In the 2010 UK election the Tories warned of more debt and a higher budget deficit while Labour warned off cutting vital public services. It's just how politics works.

I do not think for one minute that the YES Scotland or pro-independence campaign were anti-English but I did speak to one gentleman who was approached in Edinburgh by a YES Scotland supporter, asking him if he intended to vote for independence. When the respondent said no (apparently) he was told to "F*** off back to England then".

This was surely an isolated incident but this is what nationalism does to people. There is being proud of your country, of it's history and then there's being so nationalistic that anyone who wasn't born in the same country as you isn't Scottish.

That ugly part of the referendum is thankfully over and we remain part of the United Kingdom. The new threat to the UK comes in the form of Nigel Farage and UKIP, not the SNP.

The SNP don't have the right to call another referendum

If the Scottish National Party (SNP) continue to gain support in the run up to the 2015 General election it could may mean disaster for Scottish Labour.

Some polls are so extreme that, if true would mean the SNP would win all but 2 seats in Scotland. What then?

Scotland would have Nationalist representation at Westminster but surely the referendum was "settled for a generation", then why is Sturgeon asking for new powers for the Scottish Government to be able to call a referendum.

We voted to stay in the United Kingdom - it was a democratic choice the people of Scotland made. Referendums aren't cheap and they cause instability that's why I'd prefer not to have a referendum on the European Union.

If the SNP do succeed in May 2015 they may hold the balance of power and that would surely mean the end of the union. 

Is UKIP a "phase"?

In the European Elections of 2009, the British National Party (BNP) saw Andrew Bronze and Nick Griffin win seats in the European Elections.

Many suggest this was a protest vote against the three mainstream parties but I think it is a sign of the economic hardships people face.

This has been said over and over again but I'll repeat it anyway. When times are tough, when unemployment is high and jobs are hard to come by, people look for people to blame.

Now, voters should be blaming the politicians for not addressing the problems in the first place, not the migrants who come to the UK to seek a better life and work hard. 

I sincerely hope economic recovery means the end of UKIP's success but with such a charismatic leader it may not be.

December polls (UK)

Monday's polling round up from here shows that Labour are still ahead in 3 out 4 polls. Like usual, the media frenzy surrounding Ed Miliband's leadership seems to have had little effect. Although his popularity remains low (particularly in Scotland), the polls show that Labour are still set to be just 1 seat off a majority.

I think there is an appetite for change in the UK. Labour have finally got their act together and are producing policies that people want to see, while the Tories continue to look after their friends in the city of London.

74% of people think that the House of Lords should be fully or partially elected, this is another great possible vote winner for Labour.

My ballot has been sent off for the Scottish Labour leadership and I await the result with hope that finally, we can have a leader who is able to challenge the many failings of the Scottish Government.