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SLG
Born Again..........and still Scottish!
Joined: 16 Sep 2005
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Location: Dłn Eideann
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 Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 4:21 pm Post subject: McLetchie resigns |
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(http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4393622.stm)
McLetchie resigns as Tory leader
Scottish Conservative leader David McLetchie has announced that he is standing down.
The move follows pressure over his Scottish Parliament taxi expenses.
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azzuri
'Our Scotland' Fossil
Joined: 12 Sep 2005
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| Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 6:25 pm Post subject: |
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Surprising given his repsonse previously.
Dunno if this is a good or a bad thing for us. He is a bit of an oaf and guaranteed that the tories would never win anything in the Scottish Elections.
Who knows how they'll fare if they try a David Cameron type in Holyrood.
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SLG
Born Again..........and still Scottish!
Joined: 16 Sep 2005
Posts: 5515
Location: Dłn Eideann
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| Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 7:17 pm Post subject: |
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There is no David Cameron type in the Scottish Tory party!
Whether it is good for us or not depends on who gets in. The only folk I know much about are Brian Monteith, Phil Gallie and Anabelle Goldie. I would imaging all three will have their eyes on the leadership. Monteith seems to be the reformist who has been pushing for more autonomy for the Scottish Tory party, and for fiscal autonomy for the Scottish parliament.
Anyone who is willing to push the limits for Holyrood, and not bow down before Westminster would be the best result IMO. |
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azzuri
'Our Scotland' Fossil
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| Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 7:38 pm Post subject: |
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Aye I suppose you're right.
A Closet Nationalist would be a great result as tory leader in Holyrood!
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"Every single person on this planet is unique. Just like everyone else..." - Random Guy in Edinburgh Pub
Possibly the funniest site in the world, 'The Daily Mash' - http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/ |
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SLG
Born Again..........and still Scottish!
Joined: 16 Sep 2005
Posts: 5515
Location: Dłn Eideann
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| Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 10:59 am Post subject: |
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| It looks like Murdo Fraser might go for it as well. He is also in favour of having a separate Scottish Tory party, affiliated rather than part of the UK party. I'm sure he is also in favour of fiscal autonomy. |
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Abieuan
'Our Scotland' = 2nd Job!
Joined: 29 Sep 2005
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| Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 12:54 pm Post subject: |
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| Gosh, well some Tories are certainly singing a new song! |
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SLG
Born Again..........and still Scottish!
Joined: 16 Sep 2005
Posts: 5515
Location: Dłn Eideann
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| Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 2:24 pm Post subject: |
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| Abieuan wrote: | | Gosh, well some Tories are certainly singing a new song! |
It's partly just a survival strategy. But it is also a reflection of how true fiscal-conservates are coming to terms with a Scottish parliament that they didn't want. Some of the hardcore unionists within the party might never come to terms with this. |
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azzuri
'Our Scotland' Fossil
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| Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 2:26 pm Post subject: |
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Do we sense a split within the ranks of the conservatives?
Those who are happy with devoultion and might even support independence, and those who are completely against even devolution.
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SLG
Born Again..........and still Scottish!
Joined: 16 Sep 2005
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Location: Dłn Eideann
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| Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 11:13 am Post subject: |
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So, it's Anabelle Goldie as leader and Fraser as deputy. The seem to have taken the easiest option, and I doubt it will see them make any headway.
There is a good piece directed at the Tory party in the Land of the Nearly Free blog - here. It finishes with:
| Quote: | | Now, just think for a second: If you imposed the necessary changes and advocated independence (no arguments from your English colleagues, believe ,me...) ten years from now, you could find yourself in the position of being...well, liked. Remember that? As the party which campaigned for decades against devolution (in contrast to when you were in opposition) you will always be mistrusted; the nasty party. By pursuing independence, you give that role to Labour. |
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SLG
Born Again..........and still Scottish!
Joined: 16 Sep 2005
Posts: 5515
Location: Dłn Eideann
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| Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 11:23 am Post subject: Tory-SNP pact? |
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http://www.theherald.co.uk/politics/50190.html
| Quote: | Tory calls for SNP pact
DOUGLAS FRASER, Scottish Political Editor
A SENIOR Tory has called for the party's new leadership to start talks with the Scottish National Party about the prospect of forming a coalition.
Struan Stevenson, the Scottish party's leading MEP, wants Annabel Goldie, who is near certain to be the new leader, to break with her predecessor's caution about power-sharing.
He has set out a vision of a grand alliance with the SNP and LibDems to keep Labour out of power. He argues it is a betrayal of Tory voters not to make such a plan.
David McLetchie saw coalition government as "unprincipled", but since his resignation on Monday, reformers and radicals see a chance to open out debate and lift the party from the 15% of the vote on which it has been stuck since 1999.
Mr Stevenson, chairman of the Tuesday Club centre-right think tank, writes in The Herald today: "The concept of a grand Scottish coalition of Nationalists, Conservatives, and LibDems to oust Labour from power has seemed an impossible dream.
"It needn't be so." |
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azzuri
'Our Scotland' Fossil
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| Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 12:41 pm Post subject: |
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Don't really know what to say about that!
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Possibly the funniest site in the world, 'The Daily Mash' - http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/ |
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SLG
Born Again..........and still Scottish!
Joined: 16 Sep 2005
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Location: Dłn Eideann
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| Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 1:50 pm Post subject: |
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From both the SNP and Tory point of view, they have to show that they are potential parties of government. It is appearing unlikely that a coalition of pro-indy parties will happen any time soon, so the SNP started dealing with the situation recently with overtures to the Lib-Dems. The Tories are now doing likewise. We might not like it, but unless we want to be stuck with a Lab/Lib exec, we have to consider these possible tie-ups.
I feel that despite the many down-sides to such a deal, the benefits would make such a deal worthwhile.
1. removing Labour from power.
2. achieving fiscal autonomy.
3. prove that the SNP can rule at the national level.
4. depending on the prominence of the SNP in the coalition - a referendum on independence.
Of course no deal or pact should be defined prior to an election, but we have to be open to all possibilities. |
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SLG
Born Again..........and still Scottish!
Joined: 16 Sep 2005
Posts: 5515
Location: Dłn Eideann
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| Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 7:35 pm Post subject: |
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Apparantly Brian Monteith has just left the Tory group in Holyrood. Suggestions are that Monteith had been working with journalist to stab McLetchie in the back. The party had found out about this and were about to throw him out. He may also have his party membership removed.
Oh dear, oh dear  |
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azzuri
'Our Scotland' Fossil
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| Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 7:37 pm Post subject: |
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Is that the pro-smoking guy? Always waving his cigars about in folks faces? If so, good - he's a fud
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"Every single person on this planet is unique. Just like everyone else..." - Random Guy in Edinburgh Pub
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SLG
Born Again..........and still Scottish!
Joined: 16 Sep 2005
Posts: 5515
Location: Dłn Eideann
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| Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 7:41 pm Post subject: |
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| rs_azzuri wrote: | | Is that the pro-smoking guy? Always waving his cigars about in folks faces? If so, good - he's a fud |
No, I don't think that's the same person. Monteith is one of the progressives in the party. It's a bit of a shame that this has happened - he was one of the Tories most in favour of a policy of fiscal autonomy. |
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azzuri
'Our Scotland' Fossil
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| Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 7:58 pm Post subject: |
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Aye it is the same guy - did a search on google images and saw a pic of him. He is the pro-smoking guy who tried to stop the smoking ban going through in holyrood. The guy is so arrogant - don't like him at all.
Wonder if he'll stay as an Independent or join another party?
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Possibly the funniest site in the world, 'The Daily Mash' - http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/ |
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Maol.Chaluim
'Our Scotland' = 2nd Job!
Joined: 18 Sep 2005
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Location: Glaschu
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| Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 10:28 pm Post subject: |
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| SLG wrote: | | It is appearing unlikely that a coalition of pro-indy parties will happen any time soon... |
Why do you say that? |
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Abieuan
'Our Scotland' = 2nd Job!
Joined: 29 Sep 2005
Posts: 480
Location: Carrick
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| Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 11:59 pm Post subject: Monteith |
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| Quote: | | Wonder if he'll stay as an Independent or join another party? |
What other party would want him? |
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SLG
Born Again..........and still Scottish!
Joined: 16 Sep 2005
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Location: Dłn Eideann
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| Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 12:27 am Post subject: Re: Monteith |
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| Abieuan wrote: | | Quote: | | Wonder if he'll stay as an Independent or join another party? |
What other party would want him? |
Well, Sturgeon had said he won't be joining the SNP. He won't be joining the Labour Party. I doubt his far right politics would have any place within the Lib Dems (who also will be remembering Raffan  ). Does anyone remember the Scottish Enterprise party? I'm sure they would suit him. I'm quite sure he'll become an independent though. I very much doubt (given that he is a list member) that he'll get re-elected as an independent in 2007. |
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SLG
Born Again..........and still Scottish!
Joined: 16 Sep 2005
Posts: 5515
Location: Dłn Eideann
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| Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 12:33 am Post subject: |
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| Maol.Chaluim wrote: | | SLG wrote: | | It is appearing unlikely that a coalition of pro-indy parties will happen any time soon... |
Why do you say that? |
I suppose I don't really have too much to back it up. I may just be pessimistic, but I can't see it happening. I don't see the SSP holding on to all their seats. I know there are still a lot of folk in the party working hard, they have lost a lot of the polular appeal since losing Tommy as leader. I think the greens will make progress, but not a great deal. I also think the SNP will make progress. All together, I can't see it being enough.
Do you disagree? |
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