Scottish independence

[Steve_uk]

I lost respect for Alex Salmond during the trial a few years ago. Conversely I gained respect for Humza Yousaf at the recent conference, though the independence issue would cause huge problems were it ever to be implemented. https://youtu.be/OfgH6migC88

[ngb1066]

I lost respect for Alex Salmond during the trial a few years ago. Conversely I gained respect for Humza Yousaf at the recent conference, though the independence issue would cause huge problems were it ever to be implemented. https://youtu.be/OfgH6migC88

I do not have any time for Alex Salmond's politics, but in my view he came out of his trial very well.  Not only was he acquitted of all charges, it became absolutely clear that this was a nasty and sinister stitch up by the SNP cabal led by Nicola Sturgeon and her husband Peter Murrell.  The key prosecution witnesses are lucky not to have been prosecuted for conspiracy to pervert the cause of justice.

 

[Roch]

They have the same overall stated objective as the SNP but are more aggressive in their approach to achieving it.  They also do not have the same (in my view) extreme position towards trans rights and gender self recognition as do the SNP and, even more so, their partners in government the Scottish Green Party.  In my view the SNP is imploding and I suspect Alba will pick up members and votes from the SNP.  However, they have a long way to go before they could seriously rival the SNP in electoral terms.

Splitting the independence vote works in favour of those who would preserve the union.  Do you think there's been any skullduggery to bring about this situation?

[Steve_uk]

Splitting the independence vote works in favour of those who would preserve the union.  Do you think there's been any skullduggery to bring about this situation?

There's not much vote to split..https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/scottish-election-2021-results-did-alba-and-all-for-unity-impact-the-result-and-were-the-polls-right-3231581

[Steve_uk]

I do not have any time for Alex Salmond's politics, but in my view he came out of his trial very well.  Not only was he acquitted of all charges, it became absolutely clear that this was a nasty and sinister stitch up by the SNP cabal led by Nicola Sturgeon and her husband Peter Murrell.  The key prosecution witnesses are lucky not to have been prosecuted for conspiracy to pervert the cause of justice.

I don't agree with that. He may not have raped anyone or committed otherwise criminal acts but he was a sexual predator, using his power and influence to sway the minds of women, who may have been in fear of losing their job, but who fortunately held out against what must have been substantial pressure. I also think the jury was overawed by his presence and reluctant to convict because of his previous record of leading the SNP as First Minister of Scotland. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-52004285

[ngb1066]

Splitting the independence vote works in favour of those who would preserve the union.  Do you think there's been any skullduggery to bring about this situation?

I have read a lot of suggestions online to that effect, mainly in the comments section of the Wings over Scotland blog (run by Stuart Campbell).  Personally I do not believe it.  The SNP have been inept at running the Scottish Government and there is clear evidence of serious corruption within its ranks.  It will be interesting to see the final result of Operation Branchform.  I hope it involves prosecution of Sturgeon, Murrell and others.  I do not think the key players on the SNP are in reality MI5 plants - they are doing what they do for their own personal self interest.  I do not deny that the State does infiltrate organisations and has done so extensively for nefarious purposes, but I do not buy this particular conspiracy theory.
 

[ngb1066]

I don't agree with that. He may not have raped anyone or committed otherwise criminal acts but he was a sexual predator, using his power and influence to sway the minds of women, who may have been in fear of losing their job, but who fortunately held out against what must have been substantial pressure. I also think the jury was overawed by his presence and reluctant to convict because of his previous record of leading the SNP as First Minister of Scotland. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-52004285

I do not agree with your assessment.  I followed the trial quite closely and also the online information available with the prosecution have tried to prevent being disclosed.  To describe Salmond as a sexual predator is a gross exaggeration.  He was inappropriate at times, but not even close to being criminal in his conduct.  He was rightly acquitted and some at least of his accusers should have been held to account and prosecuted.

[ngb1066]

There's not much vote to split..https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/scottish-election-2021-results-did-alba-and-all-for-unity-impact-the-result-and-were-the-polls-right-3231581

Alba will certainly do better in the next Holyrood elections.  All for Unity was a bold step but it failed to gain traction.

[Steve_uk]

I do not agree with your assessment.  I followed the trial quite closely and also the online information available with the prosecution have tried to prevent being disclosed.  To describe Salmond as a sexual predator is a gross exaggeration.  He was inappropriate at times, but not even close to being criminal in his conduct.  He was rightly acquitted and some at least of his accusers should have been held to account and prosecuted.

I think he behaved disgracefully. Had he been in any other profession or any other person of lesser stature at the time he would have been convicted. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-50486713

[Steve_uk]

Alba will certainly do better in the next Holyrood elections.  All for Unity was a bold step but it failed to gain traction.

Salmond is a busted flush, partly due to the trial, benefitting from Nicola Sturgeon's resignation and the unfortunate association with Russia, working for RT.

[ngb1066]

I think he behaved disgracefully. Had he been in any other profession or any other person of lesser stature at the time he would have been convicted. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-50486713

You need to look more at sources of information other than the BBC and other parts of the MSM.  A great deal was hidden but despite that, and the efforts of the appalling trial judge Lady Dorian to restrict unfairly the evidence the defence wished to call, the jury acquitted Salmond on all counts.  Huge efforts were made to build the prosecution case, using absolutely disgraceful methods.  The was organised collusion between prosecution witnesses, choreographed by people with an interest in Salmond's downfall.  As I said before, I have no time at all for Salmond's politics but he was the victim of a massive and criminal conspiracy.  The Tory David Davis MP made a spirited speech in Parliament about this under the protection of parliamentary privilege, but even then he was restricted in what he was allowed to say.

 

[ngb1066]

Salmond is a busted flush, partly due to the trial, benefitting from Nicola Sturgeon's resignation and the unfortunate association with Russia, working for RT.

Salmond may be a busted flush, time will tell.  I do not think the RT connection has done him any harm.  RT always gave editorial freedom to those it commissioned to present their own programmes.  Salmond was never restricted in what he could say. Many others also worked for RT and did not have any particular liking for Russia.

[ILB]

What is the ALBA party? Is it a Salmond breakaway?

Alba ? Wasn't that a Tv

[gringo]

Salmond may be a busted flush, time will tell.  I do not think the RT connection has done him any harm.  RT always gave editorial freedom to those it commissioned to present their own programmes.  Salmond was never restricted in what he could say. Many others also worked for RT and did not have any particular liking for Russia.

   I agree with every post you have written on this thread, ngb. Succinct but comprehensive and a pleasure to read

[Steve_uk]

I thought I was naive in some areas, but you two take the biscuit. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/mar/12/alleged-assault-led-to-ban-on-alex-salmond-working-alone-with-women