The SNP and Mrs Nicola Sturgeon

[ycbm]

Winter fuel payments have not yet been devolved - they are one of a number of benefits which are due to be devolved in 2020:
http://www.itv.com/news/2017-05-19/...to-no-means-testing-of-winter-fuel-allowance/
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/ent...-our-older-people_uk_59203429e4b03b485cb1e534
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-37976223

I only read the Beeb one. It's about how they may continue to be administered from England, not that the policy will be set from England. I think you have mistaken policy with admin. And if not, what are you getting aerated about? That May asked Sturgeon what she wanted and agreed with it?

 

[Buddy'sMum]

I'm not mistaken. Or aerated. WFP have not been devolved yet

 

[ycbm]

So what so what was the point of your comment? May asked Sturgeon and the Scottish Conservatives what they wanted instead of forcing the same on Scotland when you are so close to getting control over it. What point are you trying to make? I don't understand.

It's just one more thing that Scots get that the English don't but the English pay for you to have.

 

[Buddy'sMum]

So what so what was the point of your comment? May asked Sturgeon and the Scottish Conservatives what they wanted instead of forcing the same on Scotland when you are so close to getting control over it. What point are you trying to make? I don't understand.

*sigh*

My comment was in response to Judgemental's assertion that

Ms Sturgeon certainly scuppered her independence extravaganza, by saying that Winter Fuel Payments are to continue to all recipients in Scotland, irrespective of their wealth.

Was it not reasonable of me to point out that it was in fact the Tories who said there will be no means testing for WFP in Scotland?

 

[ycbm]

Apologies. I misread the comment of yours about May announcing it as meaning only who announced it, not who decided it.

Are you happy with it? Sturgeon was very happy when I saw her on TV. I'm really puzzled. I can't understand why anyone is happy to give very rich people the winter fuel patents.

 

[Buddy'sMum]

Are you happy with it? Sturgeon was very happy when I saw her on TV. I'm really puzzled. I can't understand why anyone is happy to give very rich people the winter fuel patents.

Am I happy with Tory proposals to means test pensioners in the rest of the UK while not means testing Scottish pensioners? No. I think the "it's colder in Scotland" reasoning is a load of baloney.

But I don't agree that means testing will only exclude very rich pensioners, because, well, Tories. Did you see Theresa May being interviewed by Andrew Neil? He asked how many pensioners would be affected and she hadn't a clue.

 

[ycbm]

Am I happy with Tory proposals to means test pensioners in the rest of the UK while not means testing Scottish pensioners? No. I think the "it's colder in Scotland" reasoning is a load of baloney.

But I don't agree that means testing will only exclude very rich pensioners, because, well, Tories. Did you see Theresa May being interviewed by Andrew Neil? He asked how many pensioners would be affected and she hadn't a clue.

I'm disappointed with May's performance over the entire issue. She's messed up big time, I'm afraid.

 

[Judgemental]

I'm disappointed with May's performance over the entire issue. She's messed up big time, I'm afraid.

Do we allow her one slip up with a note, not to do it again.

 

[JDee]

I'm not sure how, at this point in time, she can possibly say exactly how many pensioners would be affected by means testing. Surely that figure is something that can only be known when they know who has what in terms of savings and private pensions and other sources of income on top of their basic state pension.
My father in law is by no means rich but he does have a private pension that puts him above the level for currently getting benefits though Age Concern insisted on arranging the maximum non means tested Attendance Allowance for him now he's 90. That's worked out at an extra £83.10 a week for him which he currently doesn't need and doesn't spend. Quite honestly its really annoyed me that money is so readily handed out like that.

 

[millikins]

But I don't agree that means testing will only exclude very rich pensioners, because, well, Tories.

There are many people on this thread making their arguments with reasoned thinking, both left and right wing, but really, what's the point?

 

[Buddy'sMum]

There are many people on this thread making their arguments with reasoned thinking, both left and right wing, but really, what's the point?

This Tory government has introduced the bedroom tax, cut working tax credits, cut disability benefits, introduced the rape clause.

I'm sorry if my tongue-in-cheek comment offended you. But this government's welfare track record offends me.

 

[Judgemental]

This Tory government has introduced the bedroom tax, cut working tax credits, cut disability benefits, introduced the rape clause.

I'm sorry if my tongue-in-cheek comment offended you. But this government's welfare track record offends me.

With the Prime Minister's announcement that our security has been raised to critical and that troops are now being deployed.

Plainly we are at war and when we are at war, we should all stand together as one nation and talk of independence by the SNP and Ms Sturgeon, is wholly unacceptable because such divisions give terrorists a notion that a divided nation is a weak nation.

Therefore good bad or indifferent as to what the government does so far as, "the bedroom tax, cut working tax credits, cut disability benefits, introduced the rape clause", up with it one has to put when one is at war and a multitude of children are butchered, maimed and severely injured on English soil! Anything less is unpatriotic and traitorous.

 

[ycbm]

This Tory government has introduced the bedroom tax, cut working tax credits, cut disability benefits, introduced the rape clause.

I'm sorry if my tongue-in-cheek comment offended you. But this government's welfare track record offends me.

If women don't have children when they have no means of paying for them, there would be no need for the victim of rape to have to declare that in order to get child tax credits for a third child.

Yes, it's abhorrent.

But what about the women who caused it to be introduced? The ones who deliberately or carelessly conceived and chose to keep a child that they then expected the taxpayer to pay to bring up?

This is exactly the kind of moral hazard that people to the left of the political spectrum will not discuss when they demand a more generous welfare system.

Working tax credits are a corruption of the labour system and have allowed employers to pay dirt poor wages. The increase in the minimum wage and reduction in working tax credits are the first attempt to balance that. Why are you in favour of employers being given the working tax credit perk instead of having to pay people properly?

 

[fburton]

With the Prime Minister's announcement that our security has been raised to critical and that troops are now being deployed.

Plainly we are at war and when we are at war, we should all stand together as one nation and talk of independence by the SNP and Ms Sturgeon, is wholly unacceptable because such divisions give terrorists a notion that a divided nation is a weak nation.

If we were "at war", the PM would have said so. In what way does difference in opinion about Scottish independence have any bearing on the response to current threats, or diminish our collective resolve to stand with one another and not be cowed by terror? Do you wish for martial law to silence all dissent? It certainly seems that way.

 

[Judgemental]

If we were "at war", the PM would have said so. In what way does difference in opinion about Scottish independence have any bearing on the response to current threats, or diminish our collective resolve to stand with one another and not be cowed by terror? Do you wish for martial law to silence all dissent? It certainly seems that way.

It's call patriotism and all these people in Scotland who want independence, then I they should pack their bags and pi.. off to another country because it's impossible to detach Scotland geographically! People who want independence weaken the Union, they are no better than the IRA, the FLQ or Catalans. Either you are for us or against us.

 

[ycbm]

It's call patriotism and all these people in Scotland who want independence, then I they should pack their bags and pi.. off to another country because it's impossible to detach Scotland geographically! People who want independence weaken the Union, they are no better than the IRA, the FLQ or Catalans. Either you are for us or against us.

This post is extremely offensive. I would report it, but in some ways I think it needs to stand to show what a twisted individual you must be to even think of writing such a thing

 

[alainax]

This post is extremely offensive. I would report it, but in some ways I think it needs to stand to show what a twisted individual you must be to even think of writing such a thing

100% agree.

 

[Judgemental]

This post is extremely offensive. I would report it, but in some ways I think it needs to stand to show what a twisted individual you must be to even think of writing such a thing

I knew somebody would say something to that effect because it evidences how few people in Scotland understand that Independence means Separatists. Do report the comment to the moderator.

The IRA were and are Separatists
The FLQ (Front de libération du Québec ) were Separatists
The Catalans are Separatists

Anybody who wants independence from their United Sovereign Nation State is a SEPARATIST.

(At least I did not go as far as the Daily Mail the other day who referred to the SNP as Saboteurs)

 

[alainax]

I knew somebody would say something to that effect because it evidences how few people in Scotland understand that Independence means Separatists. Do report the comment to the moderator.

The IRA were and are Separatists
The FLQ (Front de libération du Québec ) were Separatists
The Catalans are Separatists

Anybody who wants independence from their United Sovereign Nation State is a SEPARATIST.

(At least I did not go as far as the Daily Mail the other day who referred to the SNP as Saboteurs)

No but you did say we should **** off to a different country. This is our country, Scotland is a country. We are in our country! We are also part of a united union of countries, collectively known as the UK.

Who are you to tell people to leave their country. Do you see me shouting at all the English to leave England because some of them chose to leave the EU? England is in Europe, so on your logic all the English should move out? Don't be so ridiculous.


You are absolutely pot calling the kettle black. England is allowed to vote to be free from the EU, but if Scotland dares to wish to be free from the UK, then we have to all get out of our own country? Smashing.

 

[Judgemental]

No but you did say we should **** off to a different country. This is our country, Scotland is a country. We are in our country! We are also part of a united union of countries, collectively known as the UK.

Who are you to tell people to leave their country. Do you see me shouting at all the English to leave England because some of them chose to leave the EU? England is in Europe, so on your logic all the English should move out? Don't be so ridiculous.


You are absolutely pot calling the kettle black. England is allowed to vote to be free from the EU, but if Scotland dares to wish to be free from the UK, then we have to all get out of our own country? Smashing.

Depends how you interpret the presentation.

The EU is not a country.

What many overlook is the fact a large number of folk now over the age of 60, voted for The Common Market in good faith, on the strength of the then Prime Minister Wilson's assurances, it was a "Common Market" and not any a political enjoinment.

Clearly that has proved to be an out and out lie.

All these Separatists claim high minded reasons for wanting independence, but at the end of the day it is nothing more than vain glorious grandstanding. As a consequence, their bluff needs to be called and if they are so eager to separate from the UK, then as I say, they can pack their bags and go and live and work in an EU country.

That goes for Remoaners in England & Wales & Northern Ireland too, they are thoroughly unpatriotic and should be loyal to the crown and constitution.

 

[Snuffles]

Someone I was talking to today said the SNP doesn't want to be ruled by Westminster, but are happy to be ruled by Brussels, is this a racist thing against the English ? Their words not mine

 

[alainax]

Pic didn't work

 

[alainax]

Someone I was talking to today said the SNP doesn't want to be ruled by Westminster, but are happy to be ruled by Brussels, is this a racist thing against the English ? Their words not mine

 

[honetpot]

This assumes there is a 3rd choice. After the fiasco of Greece, the poor economies in Spain and Italy, what dowry will the EU want?
I do not know how many people live in Scotland, but that an awful lot bureaucracy to pay perhaps head of population when http://www.parliament.scot/ResearchBriefingsAndFactsheets/S5/SB_16-92_Earnings_in_Scotland_2016.pdf

 

[Judgemental]

Someone I was talking to today said the SNP doesn't want to be ruled by Westminster, but are happy to be ruled by Brussels, is this a racist thing against the English ? Their words not mine

Snuffles this is typical of all Separatists the world over. They focus on an alternative and then gradually and deviously radicalise the population that they want as separatists along with them. Plainly Sturgeon and her disciples are hell bent on radicalisation to such an extent they lose sight of reality.

First they shout out for, Independence, then Separatism and then they become Saboteurs, fortunately we have not reached the latter stage.

 

[Judgemental]

Sources say that the SNP will probably scrape home with only 15 seats and they will definitely lose Perth. Reason too much INDEPENDENCE.

 

[northernnewfiediva]

Just as an (interesting, I think) aside, I work in a Parliamentary candidates office in Scotland and the single biggest concern that has been raised is the fear of another vote on fox hunting ......previously badgers and fox hunting have created more correspondence as topics than anything else, all put together. That includes benefit cuts and changes, foreign policy, foreign aid, refugees, bombed children, defence, broadband, women's pensions, the environment
etc etc.......

 

[Judgemental]

Just as an (interesting, I think) aside, I work in a Parliamentary candidates office in Scotland and the single biggest concern that has been raised is the fear of another vote on fox hunting ......previously badgers and fox hunting have created more correspondence as topics than anything else, all put together. That includes benefit cuts and changes, foreign policy, foreign aid, refugees, bombed children, defence, broadband, women's pensions, the environment
etc etc.......

When it comes to the day of voting, foxhunting is way down the list of priorities. Indeed in many urban areas, particularly London, Charlie Fox is very unpopular, because he defecates on pavements, lawns, parks and children's play areas. Interestingly, the majority of Londoners understand that the reason they have experienced a huge explosion in the urban fox population, is due to the fact they are no longer hunted in the countryside and increase in population there, thus migrating to the towns and cities where food is easy to scavenge.

With the level of immigration to the UK from a host of countries in the EU where RABIES is endemic, I am surprised that Rabies has not found it's way to the big urban conurbations. If it did, your post bag or should I say bags will be stacked to the ceiling of your office.

 

[Goldenstar]

When it comes to the day of voting, foxhunting is way down the list of priorities. Indeed in many urban areas, particularly London, Charlie Fox is very unpopular, because he defecates on pavements, lawns, parks and children's play areas. Interestingly, the majority of Londoners understand that the reason they have experienced a huge explosion in the urban fox population, is due to the fact they are no longer hunted in the countryside and increase in population there, thus migrating to the towns and cities where food is easy to scavenge.

With the level of immigration to the UK from a host of countries in the EU where RABIES is endemic, I am surprised that Rabies has not found it's way to the big urban conurbations. If it did, your post bag or should I say bags will be stacked to the ceiling of your office.

What !!! I will hand it to you JM - immigration causing rabies that's a novel one

 

[MotherOfChickens]

What !!! I will hand it to you JM - immigration causing rabies that's a novel one

its all those immigrants biting our foxes!