Let's chat about how brilliant Nicola Sturgeon is

I’m not a fan of her hair or clothes but at least she looks like she’s made an effort unlike some political leaders.

It’s a bit of an odd thread title if you don’t mind me saying !

I know this is under “chat” and not “ politics” but we are talking about the Scottish First Minister.
Anybody want to start a thread about Angela Merkel’s jackets? Or President Macron’s dog ( the one that cocked its leg at the fireplace in the Elysée palace -on camera? )
Or if it is not political, but just “chat” how about Melania’s high heels? No end of trivia available.
If we are talking about a political leader -surely that counts as “politics”
Or is it about her feminine side

Why does it matter to those outside Scotland that Nicola Sturgeon presents her updates in a Scottish accent? Or that as a Scottish lawyer she presumably used the same Scottish accent when making legal points? I would imagine that a French politician would speak in French to a French audience, An Italian in Italian when in Italy, a German in German in their home country.

lemongrove Johnson unfortunately so desperately wanted to be Prime Minister. He obviously couldn’t foresee Covid but I for one am not sympathetic towards him. As for accents I can’t bare listening to the man. He can’t speak in a fluent manner and his delivery of the spoken word is disastrous. He never answers questions. I could go on ...........

Nicola Sturgeon was my Solicitor Callistemon way back in the mid '90s. She's a very articulate lady.

No month is dry ......particularly last year and this year, I may take up permanent residence in the Argy Bargy Bar, feet up next to the fire.

MawBe is a Scot Urmstongran! Share away; it'll raise a smile and heaven knows, we need more of those!

Dry January, lemongrove?

(Me neither.)

Am well thanks Callistemon and just off to get myself a large Baileys??

That really had me laughing Maw thanks! I’m off to share it with some of my friends. Hmm. Maybe not the Scottish ones? I don’t know if they’re for her or agin!

yes it is lovely to chat.

Me too

How are you all?

Wasn't Nicola Sturgeon a barrister? As was Keir Starmer?

If they cannot articulate clearly and present their points so that they can be understood clearly then there is no hope for any of us!

I think Nicola Sturgeon's accent is easy to follow but I must admit to having to use sub-titles with some Scottish dramas. Last night we watched an excellent one, Traces, on catch-up, and of course, the sub-titles weren't available so I was struggling to follow.

It's not snobbery, my BF was Scottish as are several of my friends.

That is so well done MawBe, beautifully synchronised with her facial expressions! Almost believed it was her!

Why has politics raised it’s head when talking if voices and accents? There is much defensiveness going on here.

I’m not in Scotland, but if I were, and found that I couldn’t take listening to a voice I didn’t like but wanted to know ‘the content’ I would read about it on BBC Scotland news online, the Scottish newspapers, tv or radio. Job done.

Lemongrove, absolutely everyone is entitled to an opinion and has preferences regarding what they watch/listen to, however that’s simply delivery and not the message and whilst the whole preferences argument is relevant when choosing between eastenders and Corrie, I think maybe the pandemic might have a bit of a bigger impact on actual lives?!

IMO The First Minister has communicated effectively and articulately from the beginning of this crisis, her message has been clear. The same cannot be said of BJ and his cronies.

To dismiss the content of her briefings because of a bias against a particular accent is not only discriminatory but also completely childish and absurd.

Scotland hasn’t voted for a Tory government since 1955 - so can you blame people for looking at a way to have their democratic rights actually represented? Unfortunately for some that involves discourse, but by all means choose to ignore the issues and focus on the delivery that makes perfect sense!!

Kandinsky

Population of Scotland is?
Population of England is?

It’s like comparing running a market stall to a multi-billion pound company.

I could probably run Scotland.

'Fess up, you're Ruth Davidson, aren't you??!? ?‍♀‍

It isn’t snobbery at all.....it’s how we all hear other voices and accents, we find some pleasant, some so-so and others grate.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Yes Visgirl he looks pale and tired, and no wonder really.
I don’t think anyone realises what being PM is like until they do it ( they probably think they know, but really don’t).
It always seems to age them, even in a few years, and no PM in recent memory has had to cope with events like these in the UK.Whoever was doing the job would look unwell.

lemongrove

I disagree Lucca would you want to listen to a voice that sets your teeth on edge? How can it be out of order? It’s our own choice after all.

I’m talking about not listening to information being given out not choirs. It is pure snobbery

Visgir1

Off at a tangent here but anyone else think Boris doesn't look too well?

Many many many people don’t look well ! Nhs staff, school staff, frontline workers, parents if young children trying to WFH......

I agree with you Lucca its beyond weird. And a lot of it has been fairly misogynistic 'especially women with Scottish accents' etc.