Next out the traps to take over Cameron big bad Borris would like the job.

So far that makes three, Osborne & May are front runners.

Not just bankers either mate;

http://e-edition.metro.co.uk/2015/04/21/

Page 5

Yeah that's looking after the NHS isn't it Cameron !

Considering all the rhetoric the Tories have come out with this week regarding Scotland, perhaps the Conservative and Unionist Party should rename itself the English National and Conservative Party?

Perhaps it might persuade Ruth Davidson and the Scottish branch to cut ties with them and become a truly (ironically) independent Scottish Conservative Party. She's already voiced concern about the main party's tactics:

http://www.heraldscotland.com/politi...ect.1429613374

Moving on to Wales, apparently the Welsh Conservatives are running on their own, separate manifesto:

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wa...rew-rt-9089266

Mike.

Can not view...PLEASE ENTER YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO VIEW THIS ADDITION.

Sorry mate see if I can grab a screenie.

Crap can only get a pdf. Bloody tories !!!!!!!

^:har:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps4vqe9jic.jpg

Take that Cameron

Spotted it while back. :)

Top three pictures make me sick.

:har: :har: :yeah:

Indeed mate, and to add insult to injury, I'm living under Barts catchment and look what just happened to them.

Xabba, I too want a shake-up: I'm really hoping that the SNP will push hard for that "sorting broken Westminster" pledge along with the voting - ironically, it will probably mean that they never have the same level of seats again.

Also, Steed, you were right with your links about working with the North of England in that manifesto.

Yes, I noticed that welsh one, interesting. An independent Scottish Conservative party was mooted by Murdo Fraser, I think, in the leadership contest that Ruth won. I suspect that an independent Scottish Labour party is in the offing too. Both parties really need the freedom to move and work in a Scottish context: I should think they feel very hamstrung.

I'd imagine there's a fair bit of :/\\!! going on in Scottish Conservative HQ at the moment.

Personally, although Davidson's done very well, I think Fraser was actually on to something with his proposals. It's not that conservative ideas (note the small "c":03:) are the problem, it's the toxicity of the brand itself, thanks to the legacy of Thatcher's policies and the demonisation of the "evil (English) Tories" by Scottish Labour.

As an aside, I think that there's a bit of "pot calling the kettle black" with SLAB regarding the SNP as they were happy to use Scottish nationalism for their own ends, just as the Scottish Unionist Party did before them. Which does explain the deep hatred of the SNP that permeates Scottish Labour like a cancer.

Mike.:hmmm:

I'm wondering if, when the change of leaders comes in the LibDems and (UK) Cons, they might both choose female leaders (Theresa May for the Cons, don't know who for the LibDems). They moved to Blair-alikes after he seemed successful, so Sturgeon-alikes could be next on the cards.
Ruth would probably fit that profile better than May - Scottish, nippy, used to Salmond and company, good performer, and so on.

I think, though, splitting off and becoming truly Scottish (by which I mean local / country-specific) could well happen for both parties (or new ones will arise and replace them). Scotland might then have a political feel akin to Northern Ireland (well, loosely) where what happens is pretty much a matter of indifference to the 'UK'. Mind you, there are more seats in Scotland.

I completely agree that small-c conservative (maybe even some big-C ones too) ideas are needed for balance, at least that is my opinion (I can't give you anything that is fact regarding that). I also wonder at the toxicity of Thatcher: my sons only know of her as a distant, historical figure and are not really influenced by her memory, but are by (say) food banks and the like.
Yes, Scottish Labour really needs to free itself from its old outlook - their underlying mass support (shipyards, mine workers) is, quite literally, dying off. Its total antipathy to the SNP is just distorting them (they even vote agains their own amendments, silly buggers): perhaps a wipeout is just what they need to wake them up and perhaps get some new blood. I actually think that's the difference with the Tories in Scotland - because they have only 1 MP, nothing they do really matters to Westminster, so they have the freedom to be more pragmatic (for instance, influencing and then supporting the SNP's budget when the latter were in a minority government).

Quote:

Voters Left In Dark Over Spending Cuts, Says IFS

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/voters-dar...4.html#5IC2L40


Simple people..


Tories non stop cuts
Labour probably 50% cuts
Liberals trim away and keep trimming away.
SNP no idea I shall leave that to our Scottish forum members to fill that one in.

What do you think of this election so far? For me apart from the wet paper bag I have noticed in the early stages UKIP was the big bad wolf now shot to ribbons by the three main party's who now have turn their big guns on the SNP. Seems to me the big three do not like being pricked by the smaller party's. :hmmm:

Officially I'd say that the SNP would be "spend a little bit more and cut very slowly whilst growing the economy".

At least that's the impression I get from the manifesto. They're going after Labour's vote in the Western Central Belt, so they have to sound suitably left wing for the voters in that area.:hmmm:

Mike.

Agree with all of that.:up: One thing the SNP need to be wary of is being branded "Weegie SNP" in the same way SLAB is seen as "Weegie Labour" - it'll kill they're support in the rural areas. It's already caused my parents to say they're no longer going to vote for them now that "the Weegies" have taken over the party.:hmmm:

Certainly as far as Aberdeen's concerned, I'm not seeing much activity "on the ground". A few leaflets through the door, but that's it. As I posted earlier, I'd guess that the SNP is focusing it's efforts online and in the Western Central Belt. Labour the same whilst as for the Scots Tories and Lib Dems I have no idea what they're up to. Though La Davidson did visit the city a day or two ago.

As for what Cameron et al are doing re Scotland, I'm tending to agree with Lords Forsyth and Tebbit. A very dangerous game which could lead to the Tories being eaten alive by English nationalism, perhaps?:hmmm:

Mike.