Dawson Park Boy

Constant rows over the constitution and sovereignty are obviously political but they do rather diminish the likes of education, health, housing, the economy, welfare you name it. Would much prefer debating these topics. That’s why I’m keen to get this referendum over and done with, as its obviously going to happen some time.

Yes, I think we need to lance this boil. Sooner rather than later. Happy to get back out there for the Union. Once things have been decided, hopefully we can get back to real politics.

On a more general point, and it’s what the wings and alba people go on about. Does the current SNP, and in particular Nicola Sturgeon, actually want a referendum and indeed independence? Possibly wishful thinking on my part, but I don’t think they do. So much easier to sit in Holyrood , receive swathes of money from Westminster under Barnett, blame everything that goes wrong on Boris and receive good pay and perks. Becoming an SNP politician is just like Labour of yesteryear. Pick the party which is most likely to get me a seat and you’re in. Do these people have the hunger, the appetite for the fight? I doubt it. We are in the age of the professional politician and the party is irrelevant. Why rock the boat?

He’s not looking backwards. Just correcting the wrong assumption , often espoused on here,that we Scots were forced into colonialism by the evil English. The Scots were at the forefront of the ever expanding British Empire whether it was in Asia, Africa or the Americas. At one time I visited Jamaica regularly and the number of people with Scottish names is quite remarkable. The East India Company had a strong Scottish influence. Yes, Scotland was very much to the fore in the Empire, which, by the way brought many benefits to the colonised countries. If everything was so bad, why would they be in the Commonwealth? We were colonised by the Romans but they brought many benefits. Just part of world civilisation. Can’t understand why so many people think we need to go around apologising for things which happened, and were considered normal, centuries ago?

You’re not far out there. For me, the Thatcher years were liberating and lifted me out from my Council house upbringing in to new uplands of opportunity. Also, I love my British heritage with the language which we share with our English neighbours and all the cultural ties which we have . Much more so than with our European friends. Your analysis is quite accurate.

Agreed. Im trying to find a solution. Its the same with SNP voters. They are a diverse group but with one thing in common.

You’re correct. Someone like me will always vote tactically for the union whereas others will always vote SNP no matter the policies. I voted Labour and Conservative despite not liking anything about Labour. What to do about it? Maybe if we could agree to have an independence poll every so often, say 10, 15, 20years then in the intervening period people could vote for the party whose policies on the economy, education, health etc., they wanted. I reckon there must be a solution to this hopeless mess which we are now in. Years ago the SNP were referred to as ‘tartan tories’ whereas now they tend to be ex Labour. Anyway, maybe someone’s got some ideas how to bring about more ‘normal’ politics.

Now that I’ve managed to wash out of my mind most of the horrors of this season, I’m starting to look forward to next season. I see the league starts right at the end of July but presumably the Betfred will start earlier? Big excitement building up over new coaches and players. That’s the bit I love. Never mind it’ll all go belly up. The anticipation is always better than the reality. Applies to most things in life. I recall at the start of the Hartley season when all the new players were brought in, our PR fellow made a great job of the build up. Kieran - can you arrange something similar again? Bring it on. When do the ST’s go on sale? Can’t wait!!

Maybe we’ve got one?

Been there and actually met a friend of the Castros. Apart from their health service, it’s a terrible place to live. Yes, the people are great.

Have you ever actually been to Cuba? Thought not.

Dick was always a left back and digged with Kyle Turnbull’s family when he was with our youth set up. Mrs Turnbull rated him as a fine youngster. I never rated him much but he’s obviously worked hard and never given up. Just the sort of characteristics we need.

Who’s turning their backs on Europe? That’s nonsense. Theyre desperate for us to come back for our holidays and we’re desperate to go. Ive got quite a few booked up. We’re just no longer in a political and economic union. Brexit wasn’t the disaster it was said it would be. A number of problems, yes, but they’ll get fixed. The stock market is doing well, economic forecasts show growth higher than the eurozone, pound is stronger than anticipated, unemployment lower. Witness the resounding Tory victory in Hartlepool. Ordinary folks now realise that the ‘dreaded tories’ are just as keen on welfareism as Labour but do it better and are socially conservative in outlook. Migrants - as long as they follow the rules, no problem. Tutition fees - great for the middle classes. Wonderful. However, lots of overseas students needed to pay for it. Prescription charges - probably saves admin fees but, again, great for the middle classes. Small beer over all. Trident - I am for the nuclear deterrent so we’ll not agree on that one. I think the SNP is pro NATO so seems a tad incongruous to diminish our forces.

This has been a very interesting debate. As a right of centre unionist, my obvious solution is for Scotland to stay in the Uk and enjoy the fruits of that union by participating fully in it rather than the grudging, blame culture which we have at present as demonstrated by the SNP. For Scotland there are only 2 possibilities. The first, as outlined above or, we go wholly independent with full fiscal and monetary autonomy (well argued by coprolite) without EU or eurozone membership. The example of Greece was spot on. They were stuck between a rock and a hard place. Real independence will bring short to medium term austerity but, for true believers, it is the only way. The question as always is sovereignty,and, if it is important, then some pain needs to be endured. Simple as that.

Must say I am surprised and disappointed that GD hasn’t made a statement today. Unless, of course, they are coming up with something momentous straight out of left field. Definitely strange?

It’s all down to Brexit!!

Love your intelligent response.

Seem to recall Mike Russell being all for private businesses buying up parts of the NHS? This privatisation stuff is all nonsense anyway. GP’s are private contractors. Drugs are manufactured by private companies. Equipment is supplied by private companies. If you go in to any hospital you will see most of the service personnel wearing SERCO badges - private company. The important point is that it is, has been and will be free at the point of delivery to all UK citizens. This appears to be what people want and that’s what they will get. All the political parties know that and I don’t know of any party that has a different policy.

Realistically, what else could he say?

If you’re a Falkirk fan, yes, that’s what you’ll do.

It does seem a bit weird having a man in such a position, if that’s true!

Good point. After this is over, unemployment is going to be massive. Just look around at all the people in non- jobs. Everywhere you go, shops, schools, hospitals, public buildings, people are doing security type jobs ushering the public into queues, lines, checking phone numbers, etc, etc., Soon they will be gone. Also, firms are becoming more efficient doing away with offices, shops, buildings, etc. Add in the end of furlough, grants and cheap loans,the outlook for jobs will be grim. Conversely the stock markets will do well due to the increase in profits brought about by efficiency. Can’t see our SG having much clout to do much about things without the assistance of the big boy, the UK.

I suppose even if our team is terrible there’s always something to look forward to and enjoy the debate about the rights and wrongs of the management decisions. Just shows how dull life would be without FFC!

Having recovered , slightly, from the depression of yesterday, it’s very hard to work out where we go from here. We are where we are and there’s no escaping that and the almost certainty is that we’ll be in this league next year. No more needs to be said about the bad decisions of the past - just a waste of energy. The situation regarding the BOD and the shareholding structure is now much better than previous and credit needs to be given to the current board. The appointment ofGary Holt as DOF and the resumption of an ‘academy light’ should augur well for the future but it will need a good few years to bear fruit. In the meantime we just need to soldier on with what we’ve got which, as we all know, is not a lot.Thankfully, the season is nearly over and a new manager will be appointed. Going forward, I will certainly continue to purchase ST’s as it is the only way to finance the things we want to see happen. I look at this season as a year lost, just like Covid, and I certainly feel that we will be much stronger next season. For me, supporting my local team is part of my heritage and from attending Hampden in 57 to going to Vaduz, it’s been great fun and a big part of my life, albeit littered with far more downs than ups. This bad period will pass.

f**k off you absolute melt Language!!