The Scottish Politics Thread

[Slick]

I get less impressed with Stephen Flynn with every passing week. Thought at one point that he could be a decent leader up here but he's increasingly looking like a one trick pony with very little intellectual capacity.

The comment about Starmer "getting off his knees" and binning the state visit was just a play to his domestic audience with no real though about what that actually means, or even more pathetic, not caring.

At least Swinney, who I actually think is slowly growing into his role, had some nuance around his position.

[Tichtheid]

Anyone heard anything about the proposed ferry link between Rosyth and Dunkirk, it a likely goer?

[Sandstorm]

Anyone heard anything about the proposed ferry link between Rosyth and Dunkirk, it a likely goer?

Absolutely! Funding is available for anyone who needs it in 2025. Go nuts.

[Tichtheid]

Anyone heard anything about the proposed ferry link between Rosyth and Dunkirk, it a likely goer?

Absolutely! Funding is available for anyone who needs it in 2025. Go nuts.

Aye, you're probably right, the projected £11.5M a year addition to the Scottish economy isn't worth the £3M investment needed.

[Slick]

I get less impressed with Stephen Flynn with every passing week. Thought at one point that he could be a decent leader up here but he's increasingly looking like a one trick pony with very little intellectual capacity.

The comment about Starmer "getting off his knees" and binning the state visit was just a play to his domestic audience with no real though about what that actually means, or even more pathetic, not caring.

At least Swinney, who I actually think is slowly growing into his role, had some nuance around his position.

I see Blackford has come out to say the SNP has to relook at it's blanket opposition to nuclear weapons and be more nuanced (that he sat on the Intelligence Committee whilst an MP helps) and Swinney has backed Starmer in his dealings with Trump (including the visit) and his increase in defence spending. All welcome and impressive.

Without going all Torq, also makes Flynn look even more out of touch.

[Slick]

Anyone heard anything about the proposed ferry link between Rosyth and Dunkirk, it a likely goer?

Absolutely! Funding is available for anyone who needs it in 2025. Go nuts.

Aye, you're probably right, the projected £11.5M a year addition to the Scottish economy isn't worth the £3M investment needed.

It would obviously be awesome if this did happen. I don't know much about it but I have heard a fair bit of scepticism that this gets rolled out as an idea every few years and nothing happens, but this appears more serious.

[Sandstorm]

Absolutely! Funding is available for anyone who needs it in 2025. Go nuts.

Aye, you're probably right, the projected £11.5M a year addition to the Scottish economy isn't worth the £3M investment needed.

It would obviously be awesome if this did happen. I don't know much about it but I have heard a fair bit of scepticism that this gets rolled out as an idea every few years and nothing happens, but this appears more serious.

It would be great, however based on the last 20 years of UK infrastructure projects....that figure of £3M is farcically lower than what it will actually cost.

[Tichtheid]

Aye, you're probably right, the projected £11.5M a year addition to the Scottish economy isn't worth the £3M investment needed.

It would obviously be awesome if this did happen. I don't know much about it but I have heard a fair bit of scepticism that this gets rolled out as an idea every few years and nothing happens, but this appears more serious.

It would be great, however based on the last 20 years of UK infrastructure projects....that figure of £3M is farcically lower than what it will actually cost.

The infrastructure is already there, Rosyth has a naval base and -

Forth Ports Rosyth is located in Fife on the north bank of the river Forth, with direct river access to quayside and deep-water berthing facilities. Located just 2 miles from the M90 motorway, Rosyth is the obvious port of choice for a wide range of customers looking to benefit from being connected to an unrivalled logistics network throughout Scotland.
Rosyth plays an important part in keeping Scotland’s cargoes moving; a centre for agricultural bulk products, project cargoes, renewables, oil and gas and manufacturing. The location has grown to be an important port of call for cruise liners, and it has benefitted from significant investment to become Scotland’s key turnaround hub, experiencing a yearly increase of cruise liners calling in the summer months.
The site is also ideally positioned to support North Sea decommissioning programs with quick vessel mobilisation times on short notice. Facilities within the port include large laydown areas adjacent to quaysides, heavy lift capability, deep-water berths, warehousing, and access to Forth Ports’ mobile fleet of cargo-handling equipment.

I'm not sure where the figure of £3M comes from to be honest and I don't know if it's too little, it does seem an incredibly small number, but there would need to be a willing ferry operator.

There used to be a ferry from Rosyth to Zeebrugge

[Biffer]

Absolutely! Funding is available for anyone who needs it in 2025. Go nuts.

Aye, you're probably right, the projected £11.5M a year addition to the Scottish economy isn't worth the £3M investment needed.

It would obviously be awesome if this did happen. I don't know much about it but I have heard a fair bit of scepticism that this gets rolled out as an idea every few years and nothing happens, but this appears more serious.

Except for when it ran for 16 years, yeah?

[Slick]

Aye, you're probably right, the projected £11.5M a year addition to the Scottish economy isn't worth the £3M investment needed.

It would obviously be awesome if this did happen. I don't know much about it but I have heard a fair bit of scepticism that this gets rolled out as an idea every few years and nothing happens, but this appears more serious.

Except for when it ran for 16 years, yeah?

Eh? I know it ran before. I'm not criticising it, I'd love it to happen, just answering Tichtheids question.

[Biffer]

It would obviously be awesome if this did happen. I don't know much about it but I have heard a fair bit of scepticism that this gets rolled out as an idea every few years and nothing happens, but this appears more serious.

Except for when it ran for 16 years, yeah?

Eh? I know it ran before. I'm not criticising it, I'd love it to happen, just answering Tichtheids question.

Basically it ended in 2018, then the new proposal came in 2022, and this is the result of looking into that proposal.

[Blackmac]

Absolutely! Funding is available for anyone who needs it in 2025. Go nuts.

Aye, you're probably right, the projected £11.5M a year addition to the Scottish economy isn't worth the £3M investment needed.

It would obviously be awesome if this did happen. I don't know much about it but I have heard a fair bit of scepticism that this gets rolled out as an idea every few years and nothing happens, but this appears more serious.

We used the previous one a couple of times. It was absolutely brilliant.

[Slick]

Except for when it ran for 16 years, yeah?

Eh? I know it ran before. I'm not criticising it, I'd love it to happen, just answering Tichtheids question.

Basically it ended in 2018, then the new proposal came in 2022, and this is the result of looking into that proposal.

Ahh OK, thanks.

[Slick]

Well good riddance to Sturgeon, hopefully the last we will hear of her in any meaningful way

[Biffer]

Well good riddance to Sturgeon, hopefully the last we will hear of her in any meaningful way

Wow, here was me thinking you were a big fan.

[Slick]

Well good riddance to Sturgeon, hopefully the last we will hear of her in any meaningful way

Wow, here was me thinking you were a big fan.

I play my cards close

[Biffer]

International Student numbers down by 10,000.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1w0y93w8vyo

Thats probably about £400 million removed from the Scottish economy.

Also, accounts for half of Dundee University's black hole.

[robmatic]

International Student numbers down by 10,000.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1w0y93w8vyo

Thats probably about £400 million removed from the Scottish economy.

Also, accounts for half of Dundee University's black hole.

Great news for Edinburgh residents, who vociferously complain about every single student housing development in the city. Hopefully puts some downward pressure on the rental market as well

[Slick]

International Student numbers down by 10,000.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1w0y93w8vyo

Thats probably about £400 million removed from the Scottish economy.

Also, accounts for half of Dundee University's black hole.

It's absolutely insane. I was in a meeting yesterday with one of the universities and it is having such a massive effect.

I do think the universities got lazy and it's interesting to see which ones are adapting the quickest, but a huge act of self harm from UKG

[Tichtheid]

Not everyone is feeling the pinch - this from last year

Globally, the number of billionaires rose by 204 last year to 2,769. Their combined wealth jumped from $13tn to $15tn in just 12 months – the second-largest annual increase since records began. The wealth of the world’s 10 richest men grew on average by almost $100m a day and even if they lost 99% of their wealth overnight, they would remain billionaires.

The money hasn't evaporated, it's just being channelled away from the 99.9% of the population - that $15tn accounts for around 13% of the entire global GDP.

[Biffer]

International Student numbers down by 10,000.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1w0y93w8vyo

Thats probably about £400 million removed from the Scottish economy.

Also, accounts for half of Dundee University's black hole.

Great news for Edinburgh residents, who vociferously complain about every single student housing development in the city. Hopefully puts some downward pressure on the rental market as well

Not sure if sarcasm....

[robmatic]

International Student numbers down by 10,000.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1w0y93w8vyo

Thats probably about £400 million removed from the Scottish economy.

Also, accounts for half of Dundee University's black hole.

Great news for Edinburgh residents, who vociferously complain about every single student housing development in the city. Hopefully puts some downward pressure on the rental market as well

Not sure if sarcasm....

Semi-sarcastic. I'm on board with the higher education as a valuable export industry concept, but it doesn't mix well with NIMBYism and housing policy failure - both of which Scotland has plenty of.

[Biffer]

Great news for Edinburgh residents, who vociferously complain about every single student housing development in the city. Hopefully puts some downward pressure on the rental market as well

Not sure if sarcasm....

Semi-sarcastic. I'm on board with the higher education as a valuable export industry concept, but it doesn't mix well with NIMBYism and housing policy failure - both of which Scotland has plenty of.

Student accommodation has absolutely nothing to do with the failure of the housing market.

It's not good news for residents when services decrease because less money is spent in the city either.

[robmatic]

Not sure if sarcasm....

Semi-sarcastic. I'm on board with the higher education as a valuable export industry concept, but it doesn't mix well with NIMBYism and housing policy failure - both of which Scotland has plenty of.

Student accommodation has absolutely nothing to do with the failure of the housing market.

It's not good news for residents when services decrease because less money is spent in the city either.

Tell that to the NIMBYs who don't want student housing.

[Biffer]

Semi-sarcastic. I'm on board with the higher education as a valuable export industry concept, but it doesn't mix well with NIMBYism and housing policy failure - both of which Scotland has plenty of.

Student accommodation has absolutely nothing to do with the failure of the housing market.

It's not good news for residents when services decrease because less money is spent in the city either.

Tell that to the NIMBYs who don't want student housing.

I do. Regularly. They're fucking idiots.

[Biffer]

Pray for Slick.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y2z4qq6zzo

Someone should check on him. Might have had an aneurysm at this.

[Slick]

Pray for Slick.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y2z4qq6zzo

Someone should check on him. Might have had an aneurysm at this.

Why? I think I’ve been pretty consistent saying I doubted she had anything to do with this.

8 years of utter failure and division is a different matter though.

Would appreciate if you didn’t check the first bit

[Biffer]

Pray for Slick.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y2z4qq6zzo

Someone should check on him. Might have had an aneurysm at this.

Why? I think I’ve been pretty consistent saying I doubted she had anything to do with this.

8 years of utter failure and division is a different matter though.

Would appreciate if you didn’t check the first bit

I don't need to check, I know you've always loved her wholeheartedly

[Slick]

Another weekend of absolute carnage in Portobello, 3 stabbings last night alone which takes it up to 5 for the year. The Prom has pretty much become a no go zone after 7pm on a warm evening.

The whole beach area covered in broken glass, rubbish and burning fires each morning. Peoples gardens being used as toilets - every public toilet out of order at the moment with 1000’s of people visiting.

Police nowhere to be seen until well after it kicks off - they didn’t do themselves any favours by responding to the community concerns about the lack of patrols by posting a picture of them patrolling at … 9am.

Absolute fucking shambles

[Blackmac]

Will today's Supreme Court ruling open up an avalanche of litigation against the SG and its institutions.

[Hal Jordan]

Will today's Supreme Court ruling open up an avalanche of litigation against the SG and its institutions.

From.which side? Trans people or the pants inspectors?

[tc27]

Will today's Supreme Court ruling open up an avalanche of litigation against the SG and its institutions.

From.which side? Trans people or the pants inspectors?

Not aware of the Sandie Peggie case?

Anyway I gotta say I find it amusing that this was supposed to be Sturgeons 'backup' legacy.

[Slick]

Will today's Supreme Court ruling open up an avalanche of litigation against the SG and its institutions.

From.which side? Trans people or the pants inspectors?

Not aware of the Sandie Peggie case?

Anyway I gotta say I find it amusing that this was supposed to be Sturgeons 'backup' legacy.

Or maybe the rape crisis centres taken over by the trans lobby

[Big D]

Another weekend of absolute carnage in Portobello, 3 stabbings last night alone which takes it up to 5 for the year. The Prom has pretty much become a no go zone after 7pm on a warm evening.

The whole beach area covered in broken glass, rubbish and burning fires each morning. Peoples gardens being used as toilets - every public toilet out of order at the moment with 1000’s of people visiting.

Police nowhere to be seen until well after it kicks off - they didn’t do themselves any favours by responding to the community concerns about the lack of patrols by posting a picture of them patrolling at … 9am.

Absolute fucking shambles

It getting really bad. In Fife there was a group of 30 boys giving 4 a proper kick in and Police showed up way after the fact.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16NdvBhRUj/

Thing is even if they catch them the punishments will be nowhere near the crime.

[Blackmac]

Another weekend of absolute carnage in Portobello, 3 stabbings last night alone which takes it up to 5 for the year. The Prom has pretty much become a no go zone after 7pm on a warm evening.

The whole beach area covered in broken glass, rubbish and burning fires each morning. Peoples gardens being used as toilets - every public toilet out of order at the moment with 1000’s of people visiting.

Police nowhere to be seen until well after it kicks off - they didn’t do themselves any favours by responding to the community concerns about the lack of patrols by posting a picture of them patrolling at … 9am.

Absolute fucking shambles

It getting really bad. In Fife there was a group of 30 boys giving 4 a proper kick in and Police showed up way after the fact.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16NdvBhRUj/

Thing is even if they catch them the punishments will be nowhere near the crime.

People need to finally hold the SG to account over how underfunded the police have been since the formation of Police Scotland. The initial funding model was based on figures produced by Stephen House on how he was running Strathclyde. It was widely understood he was fudging the books in order to secure the Chief Constables job. The funding since has never got close to matching the increasing demand.
When I was a uniformed cop there were approximately 28 cops plus 4 Sgts covering Midlothian. We had the time and desire to be proactive. Patrolling our beats and coming down hard and fast on problems.
There are now 10 plus 2 and they barely have time to draw breath.
There would be two of three traffic cars covering Midlothian alone on a night shift. Now you will be lucky if the are two covering the whole Lothians. There would be two dog handlers in each division now they will be lucky to have 2 covering the whole of Scotland.
The cops that are on duty are overwhelmed with dealing with mental health calls and bullshit missing person calls after the SG changed the definition of a missing person about 15 years ago.

The crime recording figures are fraudulent to the extreme and the whole shitshow is overseen by a Chief Constable and her executive who have neither the desire or the capability to do anything about it.

[Slick]

Yeah, my post probably didn’t acknowledge that as it
should have, it’s difficult to pin too much blame on the police when we all know how stretched they are. I know a local community officer pretty well and the stories he tells of understaffing and the knock on effects are terrifying.

How many police would the City now have?

[Blackmac]

Yeah, my post probably didn’t acknowledge that as it
should have, it’s difficult to pin too much blame on the police when we all know how stretched they are. I know a local community officer pretty well and the stories he tells of understaffing and the knock on effects are terrifying.

How many police would the City now have?

It's hard to remember as I was CID, so probably not paying as much attention as I should to the uniformed resources during the daily TAC meeting, but E division was, I think, about 34 and 4 Sgts. That is Howdenhall, Craigmillar (which would cover Porty) St Leonard's, Gayfield and Leith. That's full strength which it rarely is.
Police resources are protected from Data Protection requests so you will never get the truth.

I remember a survey back in the late 90's which showed that the public overestimated L&B's resources by about 12 times. I would imagine that is now worse.

[Big D]

Yeah, my post probably didn’t acknowledge that as it
should have, it’s difficult to pin too much blame on the police when we all know how stretched they are. I know a local community officer pretty well and the stories he tells of understaffing and the knock on effects are terrifying.

How many police would the City now have?

It's hard to remember as I was CID, so probably not paying as much attention as I should to the uniformed resources during the daily TAC meeting, but E division was, I think, about 34 and 4 Sgts. That is Howdenhall, Craigmillar (which would cover Porty) St Leonard's, Gayfield and Leith. That's full strength which it rarely is.
Police resources are protected from Data Protection requests so you will never get the truth.

I remember a survey back in the late 90's which showed that the public overestimated L&B's resources by about 12 times. I would imagine that is now worse.

Sorry. Wasn't meaning it as a dig atthe Police more a dig at where we are now. It's depressing. The wee arseholes know that being kids and then as they grow u25 will see them get off lighter than they should. It's a mess.

The SG won't be held to account.

[Tichtheid]

I've been reading that no trans people were represented during the days of legal argument today's judgement resulted from, in fact "retired judge Victoria McCloud, who changed her legal sex more than two decades ago, was refused permission to be heard in the case." - this from the Guardian.

The argument put forward by For Women Scotland, the group who had brought the case, was heard in full.

[Tichtheid]

An anecdote on policing, our town has almost doubled in size since I last lived here, there used to be two or three polis going around on any one shift-plus one in the station. I played rugby with a good few of those sharing the shifts and I knew the others who didn't play.

The station has been closed down and you never see anyone now - I still see a couple of the guys I first referenced because they are mates, but they are long retired now.

The lack of public funding has got little to do with the SG, they can't raise the money needed to fund public services to the extent needed, there is no mechanism that allows for this.