Latest news with #Truss-style
The National
02-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
I'm concerned about the SNP's strategy for Hamilton by-election
Considering the SNP claim to currently have around 60,000 members, the 100 or so folk (and customary cute dug) on parade represented a pretty disappointing turnout. Of course the SNP had more than 120,000 members in the days before Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf. Considering that around 50% of the electorate claim to support Scottish independence, I hope the ratio of independence supporters to actual SNP voters at Thursday's by-election is a lot better than this. The turnout will be important and will help decide the eventual winner. READ MORE: Scottish Labour councillor defects to Reform UK I am both concerned and fascinated by the strategy that seems to be driving the SNP's campaign. Instead of leading on the positive case for independence, which already enjoys 50% support, John Swinney has been promoting the negative idea that Labour have already lost and their supporters should vote SNP just to keep Reform UK from winning the seat. This is a very dangerous strategy. There is a serious chance that some Labour voters will see Reform, and not the SNP, as their second choice. The bookmaker's odds on Reform winning the seat have shortened from 10/1 to 4/1. The SNP have everything to lose. Reform will claim even a moderate increase in their vote as a victory. John Baird Largs I THINK the SNP must put indy first in 2026 for two reasons. 1. It would virtually guarantee a win for the party. 2. It would show the world the desire is still there. I know we would have to win in a Westminster election, so that General Election vote would be confirming the 2026 result. If SNP don't do something major on indy, they will pay a heavy price for decades. It's time to act. I hope the party gets it but I have my doubts. They don't want to mention it. Bill Robertson Fife READ MORE: I was blocked from asking Keir Starmer a question. This is what I wanted to say SO, Starmer thought he'd been given a political gift horse after Farage decided to veer away from the ranting gripe-fest that has made him popular and actually comment on economics. The PM said Farage's policies would create a huge deficit (£50-80 billion) with Truss-style chaos. My question would be – who does Starmer think is listening, among the rabid anti-migrant ranks (the ones he's been openly courting)? These are folk who were happy to trash the entire economy for a blue passport and some xenophobia. Starmer's gift horse is a political turkey – like the one Brexiters voted for… Amanda Baker Edinburgh THANK to Robin McAlpine for taking our Scottish Government and its processes to task (All the reasons why approving Flamingo Land's plan is wrong, May 27). Can I add a wee bit to the arguments? Robin failed to mention one of the 'voices behind the throne' – Scottish Enterprise. The 'arm's length' government body renewed its exclusivity agreement with Flamingo Land (for the second time) just in time for the developer to lodge its appeal at the end of December last year. However, Scottish Enterprise seems to be a law unto itself AND has no remit to consider communities or our environment. Willie Oswald Blanefield RECENT statements by Bono and Thom Yorke condemning Benjamin Netanyahu's government as extreme are welcome, but come far too late to carry moral weight. The extremism in question has been entrenched for years – in law, in policy, and in the lived experiences of Palestinians subjected to blockade, occupation, and systemic violence. To speak up only after catastrophe has unfolded is not moral courage; it is moral caution. Thom Yorke's questioning of why Hamas has not released all remaining hostages is similarly misjudged. It fails to reckon with the parallel reality of Israel's own extrajudicial detentions: namely, thousands of Palestinians held without charge or trial, many of them children, activists, or people merely caught in the gears of occupation. Calls for accountability must run in both directions if they are to carry credibility. READ MORE: Nigel Farage denies Gaza genocide and backs weapons exports to Israel The goal must not be a mere halt to hostilities that locks in injustice with a quieter tone. A political stand-off where we say 'we've gone too far, let's just stay here' would condemn future generations to a fragile, poisoned peace. What's needed is something more demanding and transformative: – the safe return of all hostages and detainees held without due process, regardless of nationality; – the dismantling of illegal settlements and a full withdrawal from occupied Palestinian territory; – international reparative investment to rebuild the homes, hospitals, water systems, and lives shattered by siege and bombardment; – and most crucially, a truth and reconciliation process, grounded in justice, equality, and shared humanity. Only this kind of reckoning can break the cycle of vengeance and ideology. And only a peace unsullied by religious nationalism – of any and all hues – can be called just. Ron Lumiere via email
Daily Mirror
31-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Farage would plunge UK into 'Liz Truss doom loop' - 10 times he praised ex-PM
The Reform UK leader has repeatedly heaped praise upon the former Tory PM - whose disastrous mini-budget crashed the economy and sent mortgages spiralling Nigel Farage would lock Britain into a "Truss-style doom loop", Labour warned last night. The Reform UK leader has repeatedly heaped praise upon the former Tory PM - whose disastrous mini-budget crashed the economy and sent mortgages spiralling. And today Labour' chair Ellie Reeves accused Reform of plotting £80billion of unfunded spending commitments - and said Mr Farage's poor judgement was "crystal clear." "Praising Liz Truss once could have been a mistake," she told the Mirror. "But the evidence shows he's a Trussite and now wants to inflict her economic chaos on Britain once again." On the day of Ms Truss' mini-budget, September 23 2022, Mr Farage declared it "the best Conservative budget since 1986." And even a year on - after the full damage caused by the mini-budget was clear, Mr Farage continued to praise its architect. "I absolutely, 100% believe in her," he declared in an article about an event she held at the 2023 Tory conference. He said there was much to "admire" about Ms Truss not being afraid to "fight for radical change". And as recently as May, he failed to include Ms Truss in a list of Tory leaders who "broke Britain" in a Reform party leaflet. Ms Reeves added: "It turns out the only way Reform want to reform our economy is by locking us into a Truss-style doom loop, with working people picking up the bill." 10 times Nigel Farage praised Liz Truss 'Today was the best Conservative budget since 1986' - X, 23 September 2022. 'This is the Great British growth rally, starring Liz Truss ... there is a genuine buzz here ... even more importantly, it's the message. It's about helping small business, reducing taxes, and actually getting growth ... I've got to tell you, this is more exciting than anything happening in the conference hall - Youtube, 2 October 2023. 'I absolutely, 100 per cent believe in her', said Nigel Farage, speaking about Liz Truss at Tory Party Conference in 2023 - Telegraph, 2 October 2023. 'In rhetorical terms, I loved it…it was all there…if this was the first, not the thirteenth year of Conservative government, I would have given it three cheers', Farage wrote about one of Liz Truss' speeches as Prime Minister - Telegraph, 5 October 2022. Mr Farage said, of Truss's mini-budget, "Kwarteng was right to cut taxes. Of course, he was right. Right to set up investments zones…and yes, taking a risk - increasing borrowing to do it.' - Express, 29 September 2022. 'Thank goodness Liz Truss now backs onshore gas exploration. She is miles better than Johnson already" - X, 8 April 2022. 'Interesting Daily Mail campaign on VAT-free shopping for tourists. Kwasi wanted to do that. He and Truss did have some good ideas' - X, 24 April 2023. 'Farage said there was much to 'admire' about how Truss was not afraid to 'fight for radical change' ... I think this woman has shown - in some areas - she is prepared to show up, take the abuse and fight for radical change and that I do admire.' - HuffPost, 2 October 2023. 'Truss may well have been a late convert to all of this but hey that's what she stood up and said so I welcomed much of the budget.' - YouTube, 8 February 2023. Failed to include Liz Truss in a list of Tory leaders who 'broke Britain', suggesting he backs her disastrous policy platform - HuffPost, 13 May 2025.
