Did you see it ...no ?

You are right, Granny23, I am not a fan of the Orange Lodge or any other divisive organisation.

The so-called "yes" movement, took advantage of the stupidity of David Cameron in allowing the SNP to frame the question (which ought to have been "should Scotland remain in the UK?"), then accepted a huge donation from the Euro lottery winners (I believe more than 80% of the cost of the campaign came from that one couple), but still achieved nothing but schism between friends and family, akin to the destructive sectarianism of the Orange Lodge and their ilk.

Varian There is nothing to stop you flying the flag of your choice, or attending/organising a March to promote any issue you want.

It was not the SNP but rather the wider YES movement who adopted the Saltire as their banner. I noted on the facebook page of my local YES group that of those attending that March more than half were not SNP Members but rather Unaffiliated, Green, Scottish Socialist, Pensioners for YES and Women For Independence. The Indy campaign is much broader and bigger than just the SNP.

With a largely hostile and Unionist Press/media, Nationalists have to find other means to get their message out there. This is not necessary for the Unionists as their every utterance or complaint gets widespread coverage. The only people who March on the Unionist side are the extremely divisive Loyal Orange Lodge, who wave their Union Jacks and sing their sectarian songs. I don't expect for a moment that you would want to align yourself with them.

I posted on FB info about the march asking people if anyone had seen this on the main UK news broadcast of the BBC. Which is the news we get here plus England and the South East after the main bulletin.
A tongue in cheek comment but so true, I asked a question at a meeting with an MP last week about Scotland and was met with silence, not just from the MP either, I sometimes feel as though I am ramming Scottish issues down peoples throats but get so sick of it.
If I had a Euro for every time I pointed out to people that last weeks elections were not for THE WHOLE COUNTRY, I could go on holiday.
Sorry bit of a rant was coming on there, we used to have a lot of events and interaction at Scotland House here but that is now more concentrated in trade, fair enough, but it was a great way to bring Scottish issues to the fore especially to non-Scots.

Scotland is now more divided than ever. As for "under one banner", there is huge resentment amongst the majority about the misapropriation of the Saltire by the SNP, in the same way that the BNP attempt to misapropriate the Union Jack. Our flags belong to all of us, not to nationalist parties.

Ruth Davidson often complains that Scotland is the "highest taxed part of the UK".
That's because the Scottish Government did not follow the UK government in reducing the tax rate for higher earners.

They have, however, reduced the rate for lower earners meaning, I'd guess, that the Scottish Government's tax income total is similar to the amount it would have been if Scotland had chosen the same tax rates as the rest of the UK.

Jane I've been 'keen' on them since I was a teenager. Back then they were a centre right party and I worked hard, within the party, to shift the balance to the Social Democratic, left of Centre Party you see today. (That sounds as though I am claiming all the credit but I was simply one of many members in a democratic party pushing for change).

Therefore I take some pride in a Party and Government whose policies are aimed at alleviating poverty, rather than Conserving the Wealth of the Few.

Granny23 by your own admission you now pay lower taxes due to SNP action. No wonder you're so keen on them.

Granny23 Thank you for that information.That will be an interesting start for research as I take nothing at face value.

Jane10 The SG did not lower taxes, they only ensured that they were more equitably spread, so that the better off paid a bigger share than those (like me) with low incomes.

For Jangran99

You'd think DC (and the rest of Parliament) would have learnt a lesson from the Scottish referendum, where he never ever dreamt the result would be anywhere close to Yes.

(Clearly Theresa May still didn't get it when she called her strong and stable election.)

Nigglynellie, you won/ you win.

Over the cliff we go.

The views of the majority of Scots and Northern Irish count for nothing.

Does it really help matters having our noses rubbed in it?

The referendum ceased to be advisory when D.C. made it clear, with the backing of all sides of the H of C that whatever the vote was it would be acted upon. M.P's voted to this effect! Also that the result would be 'first past the winning post'! again with the support of parliament! Of course they never ever dreamt they'd lose else they might have been a little less cavalier with these promises!!

Declining standards aren't helped by lowering taxes. Nice for you though Granny23

Granny23 Still waiting for an answer to my question.

Jane10 Who do you blame for declining standards? UK wide austerity, bad management by the Scottish Government, a combination of both, or something else.

Selfishly for myself, I am well pleased that the Scottish Income Tax changes mean that I will be paying no tax at all and DH will pay a small amount at 19% rather than 20%.

See, not simple or straightforward at all SUS

Thanks Jane10 - I wasn’t sure because I’ve sussed out that some GNetters living in Scotland are not Scottish by birth. Just trying to get my head round it.

Certainly, the Scottish referendum was billed as a once in a generation opportunity (which I'm sure they now regret) but I don't think anyone realised what a mess we'd be in on other fronts by now.

As I said, that's democracy and I do accept it, but I will never give up hope for the future.

I am to be robbed of EU citizenship and the benefits thereof, but there are only so many times you can drag shackled people over the cliff edge and you risk stoking resentment if you don't leave us a wee glimmer of hope in our lifetimes.

However, I cannot find as much evidence of the Brexit vote being once in a generation, mainly because it was only advisory in a legal sense.

Brexit is, of course, one of the biggest issues of our generation and others.

All the more reason why it should not be down to a split, infighting minority Tory administration to deny consideration to those worst affected; to attempt to thwart many sensible amendments and a full democratic vote at Westminster on the final deal.

Two, once in a (human) lifetime referendums, In one, Scotland voted to stay, the other the UK, voted to go. Which ever way they went they would both have had to be respected, and are being, including the once in a lifetime bit! What's there not to understand?!

Wow paddyann, a predictable reaction from you !

I can only speak for myself Nigglynellie.

I do absolutely get it that you and a majority of British voters feel like that about the EU. And you are getting your way, are you not? It's democracy, right or wrong.

However, in most democracies you get the chance to change or moderate things after a few years if you discover that the original decision was wrong for you, or matters come to light which lead you to become impoverished or to feel unsafe.

As an example, I voted Lib Dem in a general election only to find the politicians I had hoped would be the voice of reason -- and the most socially-proactive -- sold out for a deputy's badge for their leader and then propped up the Conservatives, enabling them to bring in all sorts of harsh policies and to privatise Royal Mail.

The least well-off Scots I know -- bright young people from struggling families, older women on low and uncertain incomes, sick/disabled people who needed a spare room for wheelchairs/hoists etc -- have benefitted from nationalist policies which take a more humanitarian approach north of the border.

I'm not keen on the centralisation of emergency services (especially for rural areas), the Named Person scheme or the minimum pricing scheme for alcohol as it currently stands.

Like all governments, the SNP/Greens bloc have made mistakes and are very reluctant to admit these in the current climate of uncertainty, but at least they give it a go. They may need a term out of power to get their act together, but the proportional representation system in Scotland ensures that a much more diverse range of views can be elected.

Scotland, overall, has benefitted from being a member of the EU, except in terms of fishing rights and these should be the one certainty of Brexit.... but who knows? Not even the Tories, I suspect.

All Scottish nationalists are not necessarily SNP supporters, but many of us are in dismay at the constant bashing of that party, even when it gets on with the day job and sticks to its principles.

A couple of national tabloids are particularly frightening in their intolerant attitude to anyone who suggests there may be downsides to Brexit. The demonisation of senior politicians, peacemakers, judges and businesspeople has been lamentable.

In contrast, I hope GN remains a place where we can discuss and disagree on our futures, ask questions and share information without lumping everyone together on one side or the other.

yes Niggly so why cant those wo hate the EU see that Scots have a valid reason for hating westminster .85% of MP 's in westminster are ENGLISH ,they have no interest and usually no knowledge of anything north of the border yet can make laws and rules that WE have to abide by ...whether we like it or not.*jANE 10* Clearly you come from the more affluent part of the country ...I live in one of the most deprived areas of Scotland,jobs disappeared at an alarming rate with Thatcher and never came back .People live on the breadline ,zero hours contracts ,minimum wages .Lets look at Scotland pre SNP.PFI schools and hospitals many almost falling down already or with massive repair bills.Still owing millions in interest,the Holyrood building scandal ...cost a fortune more than we were originally told ,The Edinburgh tram fiasco ...one thats ONE council house built in Labours last year in power ,labour councils up and down the land corrupt and having sucj a hold over their voters they STILL got in ..and in some areas still are.North Lanarkshire for instance.
Anyone who doesn't see the new scottish government has made a massive difference is wearing blinkers or is a closet tory !1new bridge ,no PFI ,70,000 new houses ,1000 extra police ,free uni tuition,nurses better paid than in the rest of the UK ,cap on their wages lifted ,bedroom tax mitigated ,hospital waiting times best in the UK and more much more .Like you I have a nice lifestyle the difference it would seem is I WANT OTHERS to have a nice lifestyle too .That wont happen under WM .Look south and see.

That's brilliantly said, nigglynellie

Why is it that those working for an independent Scotland who hate everything to do with Westminster and can't wait to break free, seem incapable of understanding that some of us feel exactly the same about Brussels. We too hate being overruled and bullied by a far away parliament and long to break free just like you do!

Of course I'm Scottish! Born and bred, worked there all my life, pay my taxes and council taxes and watch our schools, police and living standards slip year by year!