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The National
2 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Swinney must throw off shackles of platitudes and demand our freedom
Most people recognise that Britain is broken but the BBC's blatant stage-management of public discourse on behalf of the UK Government and the British Establishment echoes George Orwell's dark warnings of media control, where a Hamilton by-election 'Debate Night Special', conveniently given the apparent debating skills of the Labour candidate, did not include any of the candidates. This was followed on Thursday night by another 'BBC Special' focusing on Glasgow with two Labour Party representatives but only one SNP representative and no representative from the Scottish Greens. This blatant bias is a democratic outrage from a proclaimed 'impartial' public broadcaster where polls consistently show support for independence at greater than 50%. Through partial and slanted 'news', the public is being deliberately misled into thinking that the Labour Party can fundamentally 'change' broken Britain and that if more radical 'change' is necessary we should listen to the 'voice of Brexit'. The incessant denigration of all areas associated with the Scottish Government, especially the NHS, does not cease at the end of First Minister's Questions but is repeated nightly in Reporting Scotland bulletins while the fourth largest party at Westminster is rarely represented on the BBC's Politics Live panels which often include 'Brexit voices' now in Brexit denial. So how can the people of Scotland give voice to their aspirations within the democratically decadent structures of the UK? Where the SNP appear to be erring is in believing that the public who have been condemned by Westminster to austerity and failing public services for more than decade can see through the British Establishment mirage and realise that the 'fundamental change' that is necessary for Britain can only be delivered through Scottish independence. John Swinney may have steadied the SNP ship (which still disturbingly for any semblance of genuine UK justice has the cloud of Branchform hovering over it) but can he now assertively steer the ship through choppy waters to a new harbour beyond the control of London? Being honest and respecting your opponents are admirable personal qualities but Keir Starmer has demonstrated, in spite of his initial warm words, that he does not respect Scotland as evidenced through repeated decisions made at Westminster without consultation with the Scottish Government, even in a devolved area such as fishing. In other words, Starmer is treating Scotland with the same contempt as his Tory predecessors. Swinney's recent call for Starmer to honour the previous commitments of those PMs to Scotland on funding for the Acorn carbon capture project will regrettably only be advanced when Starmer sees political advantage to UK Labour at Westminster. Starmer's declaration that no matter the wishes of the people of Scotland, there will be no referendum as long as he is prime minister, demonstrates that democratic principles mean nothing to a prime minister who has already abandoned any social or moral principles he may have held with policies that have enriched the wealthy while the poor and disadvantaged, along with the people of Gaza, have been left at the mercy of those without any principles. This humanitarian scourge must be ended through robustly presenting the many arguments favouring independence which show that there is a better path for our people and for our children. For the SNP, this means recognising that the time has come to start acting in the manner of which they have misleadingly been persistently accused by their political opponents of focusing all their efforts on independence. The time for the First Minister being 'Mr Nice Guy' with the UK Government has passed as the Scottish public want the 'real change' that can only be delivered by the people of Scotland determining their own future. It's time for John Swinney to throw off the shackles of political courtesy and parliamentary rectitude within a manifestly corrupt UK political structure serving the British Establishment and refocus the efforts of the SNP and the Scottish Government on the critical fight for Scotland's future. Stan Grodynski Longniddry, East Lothian IN the two glossy flyers I delivered on behalf of the SNP in the Hamilton by-election with 300 to 400 words in each, there was NO mention whatsoever of the word Independence. Why no independence from the SNP? Are they ashamed of the word? It is the only idea that generates optimism and hope and breaks down the apathy and disillusionment currently around. 9000 SNP voters didn't vote for the party this time over 2021. That's more than the total SNP vote this time. SNP managerialism fixing rotten Labour policies won't cut it. Thom Cross Carluke
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The Tory Party Will Be Dead In 10 Years, A Labour Minister Has Claimed
The Conservative Party will no longer exist in 10 years' time, a Labour minister has claimed. Chris Bryant made the startling prediction after an opinion poll showed the Tories in fourth place behind the Lib Dems. The findings have piled even more pressure on Badenoch, who has struggled to turn around her party's fortunes since becoming Tory leader barely six months ago. Over the same period, the Conservatives have been replaced by Reform UK as the main party on the right of British politics. Appearing on BBC 2′s Politics Live programme, data protection minister Bryant said: 'I don't think there will be a Conservative Party in 10 years in the UK. I think they will be gone.' Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately told him: 'That's what people said when you guys had Jeremy Corbyn as your leader.' Bryant hit back: 'Yes indeed, and you've now got the equivalent of Jeremy Corbyn as your leader. That's precisely what I was thinking when I was watching PMQs. 'I think the thing that the Conservative Party has yet to show that it has learned, is that if you offer to spend lots more money and don't say where the money's coming from, which is precisely what Liz Truss did, then you're stuffed.' Chris Bryant: I don't think there will be a Tory Party in 10 yearsHelen Whately(Tory MP): That's what people said when you guys had Jeremy CorbynCB: You've now got the equivalent of Jeremy Corbyn as your leader. # — Haggis_UK 🇬🇧 🇪🇺 (@Haggis_UK) May 21, 2025 Bryant was echoing Keir Starmer, who last week described the Tories as 'a dead party walking'. 'The project for them is over, they're sliding into oblivion,' the PM said. Hammer Blow For Kemi Badenoch As Shock Poll Puts Tories In Fourth Place 'Kalamity Kemi': Badenoch Mocked After Getting Wales And Scotland Mixed Up 'A Dead Party Walking': Starmer Savages The Tories In PMQs Clash With Badenoch
The Sun
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
‘I will never watch snooker on BBC again' – Fans fume at World Championship coverage after scheduling decision
FRUSTRATED snooker fans have hit out at the BBC after being unable to watch a portion of Mark Williams' epic win over John Higgins. The Welsh Potting Machine edged out his Class of '92 rival 13-12 in a modern Crucible classic. 2 Higgins won four consecutive frames to force a nail-biting finale in Sheffield. But it was Williams who advanced to the final four, sinking the blue, pink and black to take the decider 74-69. Some viewers were upset that the BBC's scheduling and timeshare with TNT Sports resulted in them missing a large proportion of the morning session. BBC2's coverage began at 10am on Wednesday morning, before breaking at 11.15am for Politics Live. The Beeb returned to the snooker on the channel at 1pm, in time to watch the conclusion of the match. However, some viewers were unhappy they had been unable to watch the contest in its entirety. One wrote on X: "BBC world snooker shows 1 hour of a super important match then goes to another show. I've signed up for TNT snooker, I will never watch snooker on BBC again ever. No red button in Ireland and now not watchable on Sky Go." Another commented: "Poor from the BBC. A classic quarter final in the World Snooker Championship makes way for Politics Live & can't even be moved onto BBC1 to replace Homes Under The Hammer which is on every single day!" BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK And a third said: "The horror show that is #BBCSNOOKER take the superb Higgins v Williams quarter-final that is nearing completion off air and show a midmatch mismatch on the red button instead. You wouldn't think it possible for them to mess up this many times." Despite no coverage on BBC 2 between 11.15pm and 1pm, the match was available uninterrupted on the BBC website, Red Button and iPlayer. SunSport has contacted the BBC for comment. Williams has become after his epic victory in South Yorkshire. And the Welshman jokingly put his success down to "balls of steel" after holding his nerve in the decider. Williams said: "[My blue] was such a tough shot, it was thinner than it looked like. "I have gone for the blue full bloodied. I had to go for it. "I tried to stay calm. Roll in the pink, roll in the black. There were no nerves. I don't get that. "My hands were not shaking. My heart was not pounding. "People say I am lucky, I don't know any different. "When I play poker, I get a pair of aces and my heart is pounding. I didn't think he was going to miss it."
The Irish Sun
30-04-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘I will never watch snooker on BBC again' – Fans fume at World Championship coverage after scheduling decision
FRUSTRATED snooker fans have hit out at the BBC after being unable to watch a portion of Mark Williams' epic win over John Higgins. The Welsh Potting Machine 3 Mark Williams booked his place in the Crucible semi-finals with a brilliant 13-12 win over Mark Higgins Credit: Alamy 3 Some BBC viewers were frustrated the action wasn't broadcast on BBC2 in the morning session Credit: Alamy But it was Williams who advanced to the final four, sinking the blue, pink and black to take the decider 74-69. Some viewers were upset that the BBC's scheduling and timeshare with TNT Sports resulted in them missing a large proportion of the morning session. BBC2's coverage began at 10am on Wednesday morning, before breaking at 11.15am for Politics Live. READ MORE ON SNOOKER The Beeb returned to the snooker on the channel at 1pm, in time to watch the conclusion of the match. However, some viewers were unhappy they had been unable to watch the contest in its entirety. One Another Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK And a third said: "The horror show that is #BBCSNOOKER take the superb Higgins v Williams quarter-final that is nearing completion off air and show a midmatch mismatch on the red button instead. You wouldn't think it possible for them to mess up this many times." Despite no coverage on BBC 2 between 11.15pm and 1pm, the match was available uninterrupted on the BBC website, Red Button and iPlayer. Ronnie O'Sullivan gives concerning interview despite World Snooker Championship win SunSport has contacted the BBC for comment. Williams has become And the Welshman jokingly put his success down to "balls of steel" after holding his nerve in the decider. 3 Williams said: "[My blue] was such a tough shot, it was thinner than it looked like. "I have gone for the blue full bloodied. I had to go for it. "I tried to stay calm. Roll in the pink, roll in the black. There were no nerves. I don't get that. World Snooker Championship 2025 WE are BACK at the Crucible for another thrilling fortnight of snooker action! There will be a new champion this year after reigning champ You can follow every frame of the tournament LIVE - plus the latest news, interviews and reaction - as it happens with our dedicated BLOG. Latest News Snooker Explained FULL schedule and results for 2025 How much prize money can be won? Who are the BBC snooker presenters and pundits? "My hands were not shaking. My heart was not pounding. "People say I am lucky, I don't know any different. "When I play poker, I get a pair of aces and my heart is pounding. I didn't think he was going to miss it."
The National
21-04-2025
- Politics
- The National
Independence will be achieved by winning the middle ground
It takes more effort to both present and comprehend complete context along with the relevant nuances of informed debate, and unfortunately it is all too easy to resort to the use of simplistic soundbites prevalent in the 'red tops'. To turn every discussion into a black-or-white choice, as promoted by a far-right political entity such as Reform UK, may help to grab headlines but betrays many of the collaborative and social values most Scots hold dear. READ MORE: SNP suspend campaigning after Pope Francis death Even once-respected journalism at the BBC now wallows in the repugnant mud of distorted information and partial framing through seeking to promote politically contrived and establishment-slanted 'stories' (as witnessed regularly on Question Time, Debate Night and Politics Live, as well as in so-called 'news' presented by Reporting Scotland). Of course frustration leads to less tolerance and more desire for urgent action but this does not necessarily increase the prospects of what would be considered successful outcomes. As we seek to progress 'self-determination' we are more likely to achieve success by understanding and respecting the range of views within the independence movement as well as the differing views of those opposed to independence. Independence will be won by winning the 'middle ground', not by dogmatically trying to convince everyone that in a complex world Scotland must immediately adopt every policy individually advocated. READ MORE: Report on currency in independent Scotland will give 'definitive answer' Personally I would like to see Scotland become a republic, but it is more important that Scotland first regains its independence so that future generations are enabled to make their preferred choices. Personally I abhor the atrocities committed in Gaza and the West Bank and believe that all UK weapons sales to Israel should be immediately ceased and military intelligence services suspended, but this should not necessarily end support for apprenticeship programmes in subsidiaries of companies associated with ancillary products that might be utilised by the IDF. READ MORE: 'Mansion tax' for £1 million Scottish homes tabled at Holyrood Personally I think that everyone, irrespective of 'defined gender', should have access to appropriate spaces in which they feel safe, but practically catering for minorities 'proportionately' seems like a reasonable compromise until the potentially massive investment required can be sensibly committed. To convince the 'undecideds', some of our own ideological desires may need to be sensibly tempered in order to establish the common ground on which we can work together to build a widely successful independent and egalitarian country. Stan Grodynski Longniddry, East Lothian SO Mr Swinney will be writing for the Daily Record? Last time I looked, that rag wasn't exactly independence-minded ... or has it suddenly changed? It's not a good look when a political leader whose commitment to the independence cause is already questioned. Together with his co-contributor Sarwar, he'll be working for what is essentially a Unionist publication? A cosy wee status quo arrangement. Very disappointing. With thanks to Leah Gunn Barrett (Letters, Apr 20) for highlighting this. Jim Butchart via email I ABSOLUTELY agree with Simon Forrest's article concerning politicians and their lack of any workaday experience (Positive energy and tartan Yodas..., Apr 19). I have held this notion for a good many years, since the early Labour Party Westminster MPs who came from a working-class background. Back in the day, we used to call them 'blue-collar' MPs, which signified their working-class background and experience before being elected. One of the longest-serving MPs was Dennis Skinner, a coal miner for 20 years, going on for another 40 years in Westminster serving his constituents in Bolsover in Yorkshire. In the 2019 election only 15% of those elected as MPs didn't go to university. Less than a hundred! READ MORE: Scottish Labour MSPs backed gender reforms – now they're silent So far as the Labour Party is concerned, its founder, James Keir Hardie, probably set the standard. He was a Scottish coal mining trade unionist and politician. He founded the Scottish Labour Party (SLP) in 1888. He too refused to wear the then traditional parliamentary garb of a frock coat and silk top hat. The SLP eventually became the Labour Party, with Hardie becoming its first leader in 1906. If, as seems most likely, future MPs, and MSPs in particular, are going to emanate from a university background, then why not use professional people to help advise the various ministerial departments? People from the NHS, the energy companies, various other engineering companies such as transport and its infrastructures. Not forgetting education, housing and other service providers. So, let's have a grown-up government after our 2026 election (that might possibly be another coalition government). Why not have committees that include those from the outside world of experience and professionalism? Alan Magnus-Bennett Fife I NOTED with interest that the English government wish us to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day by getting plootered. Even England's man Murray in Scotland seems keen on the idea. I suppose this is one way of doing it! R Mill Irving Gifford, East Lothian TRUMP'S America has shown us – in three painful months – what a country becomes when all you have left is the racism... Amanda Baker Edinburgh
