Nicola Sturgeon, Former First Minister

SNP has to try to bargain with the other parties to get budget etc through. OldFrill is right.

M0nica

Are you a publicty spokesperson for NS lilysperson?

Your post is pure boilerplate PR guff

No, I'm not a spokesperson for anyone and was just expressing an honest opinion as a Scot who felt robbed of my EU citizenship and would like to see independence.

I genuinely did feel that the briefings during the pandemic were far more adult in tone and direction. And I laughed heartily at Janey Godley's take on them.

This is a forum where we should all feel comfortable expressing an opinion, whether or not we agree with the OP or other commentators.

There are now, I reckon, four independence-supporting parties at Holyrood, and the PR system means nobody's vote is wasted.

Actually, currently, the politician I think would make the best First Minister is Monica Lennon (Labour), but Scottish Labour are in all sorts of difficulties because of the differences of policies with head office, so next year's election is going to be challenging all round.

I can’t comment on NS, don’t know a lot about her but reading the first post I thought that person must be one of her relatives. Either that or a close friend. No one is that perfect.

Its not your principles and beliefs I questioned lilyslass but the text of your OP read like the kind of classic press release political parties and their like issue and some members, usually the truly enthusiastic ones, pick up and post on social media.

M0nica

Its not your principles and beliefs I questioned lilyslass but the text of your OP read like the kind of classic press release political parties and their like issue and some members, usually the truly enthusiastic ones, pick up and post on social media.

I have already said it is a genuinely held view. The opposite has been expressed here by others. I can’t help my writing style. I have no connection with any political party and have in the past voted Labour and Lib Dem. Nothing is perfect, but I believe in credit where it is due.

M0nica

Its not your principles and beliefs I questioned lilyslass but the text of your OP read like the kind of classic press release political parties and their like issue and some members, usually the truly enthusiastic ones, pick up and post on social media.

I’m also not on any social media except this. I don’t think people should be discouraged from comment as long as it does not cause harm, offence, or lawbreaking.

No one is discouraging comment. But everyone is entitled to their opinion when reading it, and when I read yours I read it as being text from some publicity material pumped out by the SNP.

I apologise for making that error.

I’m still trying to decide if the OP is related to Nicola Sturgeon, or someone who voted her merely on the basis of “freebies”.. a ploy the SNP took full advantage of, like most people who couldn’t see past the end of their nose that voted this lot in! So this is by far the 2nd best thing to come out of SNP, and she won’t be missed. Sadly it’s took people in Scotland far too long to wake up to the incompetence of SNP, Sturgeon, Humza, and their freeloading cronies, sad for Scotland because those “diehard lifelong” ministers who represented Scotland and since left!! have done alright for themselves.
They were fully committed whilst they could mark their own homework, sweep their dirt under the rug, be in their own wee bubble, they were more than happy in those days to take step up and take all the limelight while they were not being challenged, indeed they were immovable, but once the crap hit the fan, they couldn’t step back quick enough and do a runner, but not before taking time for a pit stop to delete all their WhatsApp messages. She did nowt for Covid other than grandstand, she was never one step ahead, ask the nursing homes or anyone who listened to the fabricated crap during the inquiry, so in charge of a country… but couldn’t “recollect” things they blatantly knew about. !
But let’s not forget where all those “freebies” landed us, we’re now the highest taxed in Britain, the highest council tax in Britain (Falkirk) the “free” bus pass is to be increased to 50% of the fare, garden waste wheelie bins now to be paid for to be collected, train fares increased, her own constituents have no time for her, the worst drug/alcohol addiction, education at its lowest, and please don’t get me started on NHS. but hey! the SNP got what they wanted by luring in all those “freeloading votes”…it’s the one thing they were absolutely right about! albeit the Pied Piper springs to mind! So all those so called “freebies” just got transferred elsewhere.
Maybe the OP is trying to convince all the Scottish people who could see through the SNP and their tactics, to perhaps consider joining the remaining “freeloading SNP voters” and be grateful for allowing her and SNP to continue to make Scotland a laughing stock (assisted by the greens and their hair brain schemes.. think failed bottle bank) and join them whilst they continue to walk about with their heads in the sand, or should I say “scotch mist”…
Oh! and the 1st best thing that could happen for Scotland is when SNP are out… if Labour think they had a mess to clean up after the Tories… I think they’re going to have to start saving for the cost of all those “red wheelie” dirt bins they’re going to need for that clean up… as they’re no longer a “freebie” service up here. I don’t have a flag big enough to wave for that lady going, because I thibk she won’t go too far that she won’t see it, while sitting writing “her novel”… and just like when she was in power… I’m not buying it!

Wow. I can only repeat that I'm not related to any Scottish politician. I don't agree with everything the Scottish Government does, but my hopes for improvement if Labour get into power have been rapidly eroding since Rachel Reeves snatched the WFA without any impact assessment. I do not regard things as freebies, but I and my family have benefitted from policies chosen by our duly elected representatives, as stated in my original post.
I particularly like it when there is cross-party support, for example, as when Labour's Monica Lennon introduced a bill making period products available in public buildings and schools. I'm not related to Monica either.

I have already said it is a genuinely held view. The opposite has been expressed here by others.

So are you saying that the views expressed on this thread, saying that posters are glad Sturgeon is going, are not genuine Lilyslass? I can assure you that a) I'm in Scotland and b) I've never been so glad to see the back of any politician as I am her and c) that's my genuinely held view.

I never had any time for NS but have to say reading this read am surprised as just a very few years ago most forums thought she was some kind of saint.How are the mighty fallen indeed.

Lilyslass

M0nica

Are you a publicty spokesperson for NS lilysperson?

Your post is pure boilerplate PR guff

No, I'm not a spokesperson for anyone and was just expressing an honest opinion as a Scot who felt robbed of my EU citizenship and would like to see independence.

I genuinely did feel that the briefings during the pandemic were far more adult in tone and direction. And I laughed heartily at Janey Godley's take on them.

This is a forum where we should all feel comfortable expressing an opinion, whether or not we agree with the OP or other commentators.

There are now, I reckon, four independence-supporting parties at Holyrood, and the PR system means nobody's vote is wasted.

Actually, currently, the politician I think would make the best First Minister is Monica Lennon (Labour), but Scottish Labour are in all sorts of difficulties because of the differences of policies with head office, so next year's election is going to be challenging all round.

Due to the Additional Members System in Scotland the Green Party gained hugely disproportionate power and influence by forming a coalition with the SNP. It was this influence that contributed to the downfall of both Sturgeon and Humza and cost millions in wastes policy developments. The only good thing Humza did was telling the Greens to sling their hook, fortunately they took him down with them. Patrick Harvey, like Sturgeon, Yousef, Sweeney and Flynn power hungry, arrogant and bitter.
This coalition ruled out the value of many, many people's votes

OhOhOh

^I have already said it is a genuinely held view. The opposite has been expressed here by others.^

So are you saying that the views expressed on this thread, saying that posters are glad Sturgeon is going, are not genuine Lilyslass? I can assure you that a) I'm in Scotland and b) I've never been so glad to see the back of any politician as I am her and c) that's my genuinely held view.

Badly put by me, then. I meant that views opposite to mine had been expressed. Reading it again I can see how you might have thought what you did and I can assure you it makes no difference to me whether someone is Scottish and all views are genuine unless a poster admits to irony or making a joke. I was not suggesting that other posters, including yourself, are anything other than genuine. Who would I be to judge? This used to be a safe space to express views and I would like that to continue.

Oreo

I never had any time for NS but have to say reading this read am surprised as just a very few years ago most forums thought she was some kind of saint.How are the mighty fallen indeed.

I agree! turn back the clock and the overwhelming praise for the Sainted Nicola not to mention the Blessed Justin Welby on GN and practically everywhere was very evident. Both individuals were seen as towering beacons of all that was to be admired. As you say, Oreo, How the mighty have fallen.

Not only them. Leaders are often set up in such high esteem by their followers, particularly outspoken or charismatic ones, that a fall from grace is inevitable.

Casdon

OldFrill

Maremia

Really Old Frill? If that was what the Scots wished for, then Labour would be the dominant party at Holyrood. Are they?

There isn't a dominant party in Holyrood

I don’t understand what you mean, haven’t the SNP got by far the most seats, which makes them the dominant party?

The SNP were only a majority government for 6 of it's 19 years in government. For the other 13 years it acted as a coalition government mainly with the Green Party but since the Yousef/Green debacle it now has to negotiate with all parties.
To suggest the party with the most seats is dominant is a misnomer as they can do absolutely nothing without consent from other parties. Hence the Greens holding disproportionate power for so many years.

Lilyslass

I think former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has probably done the best thing for herself by stating she won't stand again. It's hard to see who could live up to all she has done for Scots, but we have a large pool of talent and there is always hope. As both Health Minister and later, in the top job, she oversaw many policies which have improved the lot of me and my wider family, old and young.

Abolishing prescription charges, free bus travel for over 60s, baby boxes, full mitigation of the cruel Bedroom Tax and the Scottish Child Payment. These have all made our lives easier.

For me, personally, her daily Covid broadcasts got me through the pandemic, aided and abetted by the lighter moments provided when the late, great Janey Godley published comic takeoffs, which surely came close - at times - to what Ms Sturgeon was actually thinking.

The SNP don't take seats in the House of Lords, but in any fair world, Ms Sturgeon would now be heading for a career in diplomacy or international relations... if she wanted it.

It's time for the Scottish legal authorities to bring Operation Branchform (investigation into SNP finances) to conclusion, or at least explain to the public (and frustrated judges, fellow legal experts, media and even the original complainant) what's taking so long.

Not only does the delay now threaten to affect the upcoming Scottish election, it is holding back the progress of a woman in her prime who has consistently given her all for Scotland, and deserves to be free to go wherever her intellect and undoubted talents take her next.

I apologise for my comment- it seems you are really genuine in your view lilyslass Just very rare!

The Glen Sannox, the ferry that cost Scottish taxpayers £150+million has been withdrawn from service after two months with a cracked hull
Sturgeon "launched" the ferry 8 years ago, a shell of a vessel with fake painted windows. It's cost the Scottish taxpayers £150million+
England offered it's NHS services to Scots to alleviate waiting lists, SNP said no thanks.
SNP have decided to keep MSPs attendance records a secret, the SNP thrived on secrecy, having poor recollection of major events, and wiping evidence. The SNP ran out of freebies and the electorate started to wake up. Sturgeon is slinking off, the ship is sinking.

Don't forget allowing those who are legally regarded as children being allowed to vote in Scottish local elections once they are 16 years of age. The outcome of the ferry fiasco is yet to be revealed too. Will be interested to see if NS ventures into any future male relationships!

OldFrill

Sturgeon, stabbed her mentor in the back, then her husband, and now her country.
Soon gone, best forgotten.

You're the first person on here to mention that she "stabbed her mentor in the back" and that is something that hubby and I are unable to forgive her for.
When she first took over from the late, great Alex Salmond, we were filled with hope and were thrilled to meet her at a hustings in Dumfries. However, we quickly lost faith in her doing anything worthwhile for the Indy cause - quite the opposite - and have eventually come to the conclusion that she's possibly an MI5 plant !!
Her successors are no better. I feel that John Swinney is Scotland's answer to John Major - the Grey Man of Scottish politics.
Still, one can only hope and put our trust in movements like Salvo and liberation.scot who, last week, delivered a motion to the UN to have Scotland declared a colony of England and begin the process of being "decolonised" by the UK Onwards and upwards. Saor Alba.

BobbieGee

OldFrill

Sturgeon, stabbed her mentor in the back, then her husband, and now her country.
Soon gone, best forgotten.

You're the first person on here to mention that she "stabbed her mentor in the back" and that is something that hubby and I are unable to forgive her for.
When she first took over from the late, great Alex Salmond, we were filled with hope and were thrilled to meet her at a hustings in Dumfries. However, we quickly lost faith in her doing anything worthwhile for the Indy cause - quite the opposite - and have eventually come to the conclusion that she's possibly an MI5 plant !!
Her successors are no better. I feel that John Swinney is Scotland's answer to John Major - the Grey Man of Scottish politics.
Still, one can only hope and put our trust in movements like Salvo and liberation.scot who, last week, delivered a motion to the UN to have Scotland declared a colony of England and begin the process of being "decolonised" by the UK Onwards and upwards. Saor Alba.

BobbyGee whilst you have every right to your opinion and endorse the somewhat muted call for independence, suggesting Scotland is a colony of England is insulting to those colonies that were.
Also, sometimes lost in the mists of history, was Scotland's own attempt at colonisation, the Darien scheme, the collosal failure of which causes Scots to all so eagerly sign the act of Union in 1707.

The 'Scots' did not eagerly sign the Treaty of Union in 1707. It was a section of the Edinburgh elite who so did. Rabbie Burns summed them up as 'such a parcel of rogues in a nation'.

Is that the best counter attack. I'm disappointed.

Lilyslass, Sturgeon was the best Leader in the Four Nations during Covid. That cannot be taken from her.
stewaris, yes Sturgeon is a lawyer, but she is not an accountant. Those books were signed off by a legal firm of accountants, before she put her signature to the document.

Yes, we are all disappointed at their betrayal.