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The SNP is the only party that defends social democratic values
Good piece from Iain Macwhirter, political correspondent for the Sunday Herald and BBC Scotland on Salmonds speech to the SNP Conference.
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The left must give him credit: the SNP is the only party that defends social democratic values
You can say what you like about Alex Salmond, and a lot of people do: that he's a demagogue, troublemaker, narrow nationalist, even "tartan Tory". The SNP is regarded with deep suspicion by many on the left, as if there's a BNP in there just waiting to get out. But what no one seems to give Salmond credit for is leading the only party in the UK that is committed to defending explicitly social democratic values in government, removing Trident nuclear weapons, rejecting nuclear power in favour of renewable energy, blocking identity cards and establishing an open border policy for immigration.
In his conference speech in Inverness Salmond received a standing ovation for saying that one Trident submarine in the Clyde is one too many. When did we last hear any UK party leader say that? The metropolitan left seems to have decided that there is nothing anyone can do about the presence of weapons of mass destruction in the UK – as if it is just a fact of political life. We have a Labour government that is committed to spending around £100bn on a weapons system that is a moral abomination, a military anachronism and a dangerous health hazard. Someone has to call a halt to this madness.
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Wonder how the voters would react to open borders to immigrants - and how quickly Salmond would change his mind
Putting side the ridiculous suggestion that the SNP (and presumably the Scottish Goverment?) is "Communist"(!), the SNP's long-standing policy on immigration (hardly 'open door', but still very much more progessive, flexible and understanding of Scotland needs than any other party), is widely known and the SNP keeps on winning elections.
They are the government here after all. And a popular one at that.
You shouldn't judge the Scottish electorate or political environment by the xenophbic, right-wing agenda that is currently dominating English politics.
Right wing politics represent the political fringe in Scotland.
Erm Scotland has had open border immigration for decades mainly in the form of English people, especially in North East and Highlands. Just about everyone you speak to in Inverness is English.
If you live in Aberdeen there is an International High School for the yanks that came to live here in the 1970s and 80s.
The Scots actually understand that our indigenous (to what extent it exists) population is shrinking and to ensure our prosperity in the future people need to be encouraged to live here.
If you understand Scottish history in even its vaguest form you'd know its characterised by EMMIGRATION to new lands in search of a better life. Its therefore not that hard for us to understand that people might want to come back this way for the same reason.
Rubbish, that simply isn't true
So immigration and slashing social welfare arent the dominant issues in English politics right now? Sounds pretty right wing and xenophobic to me.
The true political opportunists in Scotland can easily be recognised - they spout tory policies, claim every penny they can on expenses and wear red rosettes:)
I didn't say it wasn't more right wing than Scotland. Opposing unlimited immigration certainly isn't xenophobic though.
Of course it is xenophobic. By definition. It is a fear that foreigners coming in from outside are causing harm to your economy and/or society.
And the SNP does not support 'unlimited immigration'. It supports a system that takes account of Scotlands needs and the abilities of those wanting to come here.
As pointed out above, the only 'unlimited immigration' to Scotland is from England.
Full here
FULL HERE
But I guess that kinda defeats the purpose.:o
You really couldn't make this stuff up. The only thing I was ever proud of the old Labour council in Aberdeen doing was its attempt to prevent the Orange Lodge from marching in our city. Something they hadn't done in years.
Sadly a court over ruled them but they've never been back after the 50,000 or so of my fellow citizens who turned out on the day made it quite clear that they and their bigoted central belt ilk were not welcome.
Here's the beef, I'm a Scot living in England and I too wish there was an SNP style party to vote for.
As it stands next year will be the first General Election I will abstain from because neither of the gruesome twosome are fit for office and the Lib Dems will abandon any promise made at the first whiff of a ministerial limo.
The Lib Dems had an opportunity to fill the void left behind when the Labour Party lurched to the right under Blair. They blew it by continuing to occupy the ever-shrinking middle ground between the two main parties.
The net result is that millions of voters in England are now effectively disenfranchised.
Oh hogwash. It isnt xenophobic, its a genuine concern that whilst sensible immigration is fine, even necessary for a country, unfettered immigration is not, as any country, esp a small island nation like Britain, made up of three even smaller countries and a medium sized nation, has FINITE resources and cannot support huge numbers of immigration.
They are - however - a breath of fresh air when compared to most parties. New Labour and the New Tories are just starting to lump into one, where policies and ideas are interchangeable. It doesn't really matter who is in power as they're all going to do the same thing anyway. Only difference would be a slight change on the margins. Is this democracy?
The move has been condemned by the Tories & Labour, but welcomed by Shelter the homeless charity.
The vast majority of people in Aberdeenshire were and are in favour of the Trump project. The SNP were not fawning over Trump but they realised this was a man willing to invest £1 billion right into the very heartland of the SNP vote in Scotland.
It was more political (killing of the Lib Dems in Gordon) thank anything.
And what is the problem with being pro- business? The SNP have always been pro business, the entire economy of Northern Scotland is dependent on small businesses.
By your definition even the SNP is xenophobic.
And you work that out how?
The SNP beleives immigration is necessary to reverse Scotlands declining population and bring skills and revenue into the country.