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The National
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Shouldn't all of our efforts be focused on de facto referendum route?
The petition is in the hands of Justice for All International, a non-government group recognized by the UN, which accepts the description of the circumstances of Scotland set out by LS. That description purports to expose English colonisation of Scotland right through the Union, in every branch, and indeed in almost every nook and cranny of its history and current affairs. Though sceptical, I leave aside the likelihood of the petition being granted, and the expectation of LS. I accept the goodwill of that organisation and its honest desire for Scottish independence. READ MORE: Tory MSP fumes as expert says Scotland 'not a partner in a union' In its constitution and other publications, LS accuses 'the English Crown' of 'the denial of any domestic legal and political route for Scottish self-determination'. That accusation is a fundamental element of the organisation's raison d'etre. But it is false. Scotland has in its own hands a route to self-determination, comprising the means of a) holding the vote and b) implementing a majority Yes result. It is true that London forbids Scotland from holding a referendum on independence. The Supreme Court has definitively held that a reservation under Holyrood's founding act prevents Holyrood from legislating to organise an independence referendum. It would be possible for London to grant permission, as it did in 2014, but that is at the discretion of the UK Government, and all major UK parties have said they will not grant it. Does that constitute the denial complained of by LS? Well it would, if there was no other route available. But it is open to any party standing throughout Scotland to issue a manifesto in any UK General Election seeking votes for Scotland to leave the Union, and undertaking to implement that if it receives the majority of Scottish votes. Any such majority would fill virtually every Scottish seat with an indy MP so mandated by the democratic choice of the people of Scotland. Those MPs are the people's supreme representatives, and there are none higher. READ MORE: Top roles on BBC Scottish dramas 'more often based in London' As for implementation, if London still declined to negotiate Scotland's independence, UK law and constitution do not prohibit the Scottish MPs from restoring Scotland's sovereign independence by declaration, withdrawing from Westminster and taking its place as the supreme legislative body of the country, which would also be in line with the democratic imperative following the majority Yes vote. London would have no case against it, given the absence of any prohibition in UK law or constitution, or in international law; its acceptance in the Edinburgh Agreement that Scotland could leave if its people wished and its repeated (though rare) statements to that effect; the legislative right of Northern Ireland to leave the UK by majority vote; and its refusal of a Holyrood-mandated referendum. All London would have would be its own whim, and it is not going to turn itself, before all the world, into a hoodlum with a cosh over Scotland. That being so, it would perhaps be better for LS to apply its efforts in trying to get the SNP to put itself in order and do the business, or to have a replacement political group do so. Alan Crocket Motherwell
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Gogoi's shift triggers moves for next Cong deputy leader in LS
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The appointment of Gaurav Gogoi as Assam PCC president has set off hushed discussions in Congress circles about who could be the next deputy leader of the party in the Lok Sabha , a post Gogoi has been holding, which is technically right below the leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi , in the Congress benches. While the AICC announcement of Gogoi's shift to state politics didn't say anything about his LS post, many feel that relieving him of the post would be a practical requirement as otherwise many in the Assam electorate may feel that Gogoi's PCC presidentship is just an interim arrangement with a back-up job in campers say Rahul Gandhi alone will make the choice of his next deputy, even if the announcement would be left to CPP chairperson Sonia Gandhi. "The criteria that mattered most in the pick of Gogoi as LS deputy leader, and now as PCC chief, is his close friendship with Rahulji. Whether personal closeness will be again the real criteria or, merit and effectiveness in the House will also be considered in naming our new LS deputy leader by the monsoon session is being watched, more so when the Congress benches have to deal with an aggressive government and many competing opposition parties," said a senior party of them, including some party MPs, feel if personal profile, Parliamentary proficiency, debating skills in Hindi and English and the ability to stand ground are considered, senior MPs Shashi Tharoor (from South) and Manish Tewari (from North) can qualify for the post. But some of them also feel Tharoor and Tewari also 'carry a risk', of potentially outshining Gandhi in their debate and Parliamentary skills. Whether their 'dare' in joining the outreach delegation will be now used to 'build a case' to neutralise the 'risk' is being fitting choice for the post, party circles think, is six-term Congress MP Kumari Selja , the Dalit woman leader, AICC general secretary and the only one among the 99 Congress members to have held a Union cabinet rank in the past. While her political-social profile, gender and Parliamentary experience add to her case, she is also seen to be a no political or personal playing it straight is the criteria Gandhi prefers, party circles feel, then AICC general secretary (org) and Congress front-bencher in the LS, KC Venugopal, on whom Gandhi leans almost always for advice during the House proceedings (besides other party matters) could be made his deputy in the House as well by institutionalising his de facto supporters of Priyanka Gandhi consider her as a 'natural deputy and successor' of Gandhi, some feel her elevation can further cement the case of 'family first' tag besides catering 'to two power centre play'.Kodikunnil Suresh is the senior-most Congress MP but he is already the chief whip in the House. Beyond all these, the Congress campers say, Gandhi always has the 'plentiful' luxury of picking 'zero-risk' political lightweight MPs by citing social justice and regional criteria as his next House deputy.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
One nation, one election vital for hill states like Uttarakhand: Dhami
Dehradun: A joint parliamentary committee on 'One Nation, One Election', headed by BJP MP PP Chaudhary met with chief minister on Wednesday. During their interaction, Dhami highlighted the challenges posed by , stating that over the past three years, the state's administrative machinery was inactive for 175 days due to the repeated imposition of the (MCC) for assembly, Lok Sabha (LS) and municipal elections. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "For a state with limited resources, these 175 days are critical from a governance standpoint," he said. Dhami also noted that while the state bears the full cost of assembly elections, the Centre covers LS election expenses. "If both elections are held simultaneously, the financial burden would be halved for both state and central govts. Conducting them together could save approximately 30-35% of total expenditure, funds that could be redirected to health, education, infrastructure, agriculture and women's empowerment," he said. Calling 'One Nation, One Election' a "significant initiative" to strengthen democracy, Dhami said that although India's electoral system remains effective despite its diversity, staggered elections often result in prolonged MCC enforcement, disrupting state functions. "Each election pulls a large number of personnel away from their primary responsibilities to election duties," he added. Dhami pointed out that 's unique geographical and climatic conditions further complicate election logistics. The Char Dham Yatra and monsoon season from June to Sept make it a difficult time for polling. He also suggested avoiding elections in the final quarter of the financial year (Jan–March), as it coincides with high school and intermediate board exams, straining administrative resources. The CM emphasised that 'One Nation, One Election' would be particularly beneficial for Himalayan states like Uttarakhand. "Reaching remote polling stations is time-consuming and resource-intensive. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In hilly regions, voter participation is already a challenge, and frequent elections diminish public enthusiasm, resulting in lower turnout," Dhami said. Dehradun: A joint parliamentary committee on 'One Nation, One Election', headed by BJP MP PP Chaudhary met with chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday. During their interaction, Dhami highlighted the challenges posed by frequent elections, stating that over the past three years, the state's administrative machinery was inactive for 175 days due to the repeated imposition of the model code of conduct (MCC) for assembly, Lok Sabha (LS) and municipal elections. "For a state with limited resources, these 175 days are critical from a governance standpoint," he said. Dhami also noted that while the state bears the full cost of assembly elections, the Centre covers LS election expenses. "If both elections are held simultaneously, the financial burden would be halved for both state and central govts. Conducting them together could save approximately 30-35% of total expenditure, funds that could be redirected to health, education, infrastructure, agriculture and women's empowerment," he said. Calling 'One Nation, One Election' a "significant initiative" to strengthen democracy, Dhami said that although India's electoral system remains effective despite its diversity, staggered elections often result in prolonged MCC enforcement, disrupting state functions. "Each election pulls a large number of personnel away from their primary responsibilities to election duties," he added. Dhami pointed out that Uttarakhand's unique geographical and climatic conditions further complicate election logistics. The Char Dham Yatra and monsoon season from June to Sept make it a difficult time for polling. He also suggested avoiding elections in the final quarter of the financial year (Jan–March), as it coincides with high school and intermediate board exams, straining administrative resources. The CM emphasised that 'One Nation, One Election' would be particularly beneficial for Himalayan states like Uttarakhand. "Reaching remote polling stations is time-consuming and resource-intensive. In hilly regions, voter participation is already a challenge, and frequent elections diminish public enthusiasm, resulting in lower turnout," Dhami said.
Top Gear
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
A US tuner has built a 1,000bhp V8 E30 BMW, and you must hear it immediately
Advertisement American Tuned TG meets Cory Mullenaux's wild, LS-equipped BMW and holds on tight 9 minutes 13 seconds California, as Tupac confirmed back in the Nineties, knows how to party. And there ain't no party like a twin-turbo LS V8-swapped E30 BMW party. Welcome to the wildest old Bimmer you'll ever likely see. It's the work of Long Beach's Cody Mullenaux, a man who started out as a truck driver, before graduating to owning a trucking business, before graduating to selling it all off so he could build his dream car. Advertisement - Page continues below A dream that takes the classic E30, outfits it with a tubular chassis, and then fills it full of front-mid-engined turbocharged American V8 fury. A thousand horses worth of LS fury, by the way. After a few quite literal false starts, Top Gear's tuning correspondent Rob Dahm gets to grips with this immaculate, incredible build. Want to hear what a twin-turbo, 1,000bhp+ LS V8-swapped E30 BMW party sounds like? Keep it rockin'… You might like Advertisement - Page continues below Looking for more from the USA? Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. American Tuned USA Modified Video News See more on American Tuned
Canberra Times
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Canberra Times
2025 Mitsubishi Outlander: Upgraded spec means price rises for petrol-powered models
The LS and above are the first Australia-bound models to feature the Mitsubishi Connect system, which includes SOS emergency call assist, and automated notifications for collisions, theft and tow away. With a smartphone app owners can also remotely program the climate control system, preheat seats, find the vehicle, and send destinations to the navigation system.
