Yes Lichties

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3009332819118991&id=1061659063886386

📣 This Friday, 7 February, I will hold my next round of constituency surgeries. I will be in Arbroath and Montrose with full details below.

No appointment is necessary. Please feel free to drop in and speak to me about any concerns you have that I might be able to help with as your Member of Parliament.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👌

In time soon to come, Britain or Britishness will be a period of our lives assigned to history .
Like the empire or the commonwealth. Nations with commonalities shared only in an historical sense . The end of Britain is coming, for all of this islands nations.

Scotlands future in the hands of a group of "god bless you ma'am " middle aged white men .

Exception for the middle aged white men that don't reek of gammon .

Dear Europe,

This is not goodbye,
this is see you soon 💙🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇪🇺

Mind when the Tories scoffed at Corbyns manifesto pledge of nationalising the rail network 😂

Limited Edition - AUOB Arbroath (blue) — All Under One Banner

https://auob.org/shop/limited-edition-auob-arbroath-blue

auob.org *THIS ITEM IS SOLD AS A PRE-ORDER. ALL SHIRTS WILL BE PRINTED & SHIPPED WITHIN 3 WEEKS* Limited edition 700 year Declaration of Arbroath T-shirt for AUOB Arbroath 4th April 2020. All UK paid orders will be sent by Royal Mail first class post (price included).  For overseas orde

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Bit of a read but worth it .

LJ McDowall was a no voter in 2014. She has asked us to post this open letter to Boris Johnson.

Dear Mr Johnson

This letter will never be read by you. If you respond at all, some civil official will respond blandly on your behalf—much as you did recently with Nicola Sturgeon—with a stock reply on how the Scottish people were ‘decisive’ in 2014 about their wish to remain in the UK, and on how we must ‘unite the country’, together with some chipper tag-line about ‘unleashing potential,’ possibly accompanied by a Latin aphorism. Nevertheless, I wanted to explain why you cannot use people like me—we 2014 No Thanks voters—as the reason for refusing to recognise Scotland’s right to continue our national conversation on independence and our right to hold a second referendum. The myth you and yours trot out is that the Scots don’t really want a referendum, are happy with the status quo, and the tens of thousands of independence marchers through our towns and cities are a mob whipped up by the Scottish government who cannot ‘focus on the day job’. I’m here to tell you why that’s a lie.

I voted No in 2014. I am among the Scots you keep referring to who were—according to you— ‘decisive’. I remember in 2014 swithering in the polling booth. It was anything but a decisive moment. Was I doing the right thing? Could Westminster’s sweet-talking be trusted? Was I choosing fear over hope? But I was convinced by the Better Together campaign. As someone of mixed Scots-English heritage, I didn’t want to throw my vote behind the spectre of Scottish ethnonationalism your propaganda machine had convinced me existed (it doesn’t). I didn’t want to sever Scotland from the European Union, and I believed—hook, line, and sinker—Better Together’s argument that Scotland’s EU membership would be at risk if we left the UK Union. I didn’t want to abandon the poor of England to decades of Tory rule—and Cameron’s austerity policies had already had a severe impact. But most of all, I believed the solemn pronouncements of doom from South of the Border. You can’t go it alone. You need us. You’re nothing without us. Looking back, the Better Together campaign, the whispered promises that things would get better for Scotland if we stayed, that we’d remain part of the family of European nations that make up the EU, that we couldn’t really afford to go it alone, were nothing more than the typical gaslighting of the typical abusive partner in a typically unhappy marriage.

Like me, Mr Johnson, I imagine you know a thing or two about unhappy relationships. Abusive partners can be heard through solid walls, the screams accompanied by slamming doors and smashing crockery, where the neighbours listen in impotent dismay and hurriedly call the police. I have had to leave an abusive relationship with an ‘alpha male’—the sort you admire so profoundly in your novel, Seventy-Two Virgins, and in your frequent noughties editorial rants in the Spectator on the feebleness of cucked modern British male and about the necessity of keeping single mothers like me in ‘Victorian-levels of destitution’. My own abuser said to me the very same things your party has been telling the people of Scotland. “You’re stuck with me now! You think you can go it alone? You? Ha! You’re nothing without me! Nothing! Gimme your bank card. No, GIVE me it. You stupid dolt, you’re not smart enough to handle your own finances.”

Later, when the bags are packed and the taxi to the train station booked, there comes the love bomb, and your home is suddenly lit by gas: “Darling, don’t leave me. Think of the kids! I’m sorry, things will get better. I love you, baby. We’re such a great team, you and I. I’ll change, I’m already changing! YOU’RE changing me! Just don’t leave me, darling, we’re so much better together! I’ll give you more powers. How does more devolution sound, hmmm? That’s my girl. I love to see that smile. What? The bank card? We’ll talk about your bank card later.”

The abuser, of course, never changes. Everything they say is a con to maintain control. Meanwhile, the abused partner is isolated from friends and family, and they lose control over their finances and are disempowered at every turn. And there are so many lies, in a relationship like this. You know a thing about lying as well, Mr Johnson.

There is no doubt in my mind that Scotland, once an active participant in her vibrant family of European nations, is now shackled to an isolationist, controlling, emotionally and financially abusive partner, unable to interact with her extended European family. Over the last few years, I’ve watched with horror as England and Scotland have chosen very different directions—England abandoning the social contract and degenerating into a petty, squabbling, nativist, authoritarian ethnonationalist state (the very State that I’d hoped to avoid in 2014) where its leaders seem high on the crack-pipe dream of narcissistic imperialism. Condemned by the UN and by the British Medical Journal, around 120,000 of Britain’s elderly, poor, and disabled are dead because of an austerity policy which smacks of Social Darwinism. Hate crimes against LGBTI and disabled people have soared in England after Brexit gave the nativist hard right the go-ahead to be as vile to their fellow human beings as possible. This is your fault. A third of British children now live in poverty—again, your responsibility.

Meanwhile, despite being hypocritically told they are ‘not doing the day job’, the Scottish Government has bent over backwards mitigating the worst of Tory cuts. They’ve spent tens of millions protecting the most vulnerable Scots—including children like my profoundly disabled daughter—from the Westminster regime who quite clearly wants dead, and as quickly as possible. I shudder to think what my child’s fate would have been had we lived in England. Would she have been one of those forgotten, nameless, 120,000? I was not a fan of the SNP until I contrasted the way they behaved with the leadership of the Tory party over the last few years. The SNP have governed soberly, ethically, and ably, under appalling economic constraints foisted on them by your ridiculous, predatory administration and those of your predecessors.

I voted “No” in the 2014 referendum, and I voted “no” on the basis of manipulation, gaslighting and lies. I have regretted it ever since because I kept my country in an abusive relationship. This is my responsibility, and I will spend the rest of my life putting right that mistake. Even if the Better Together Campaign had been correct in 2014 (they were not) circumstances for the partners in this Union have fundamentally—and irrevocably—changed since the Brexit Referendum. Equity and law have always recognised the need to revisit a legal issue or an agreement if there has been a fundamental change in circumstances. Relying on the 2014 decision when you’ve altered the course of our relationship with the entire world is an insult to intelligence. You cannot seriously expect Scots (especially as you have no democratic mandate to determine Scotland’s future) to believe that we cannot change our minds when you have behaved in such a reprehensible manner. Cocky, and with a large majority, like all abusive partners the Tory Party dropped the love-bombs and the sweet-talking now it perceives it has the power and the upper hand. You’ve reverted to the ‘you’ve made your bed, now lie on it, I’m in charge’ part of the abuse cycle. Abusers never change.

I will not let you use my 2014 decision to spin your way to denying the Scottish People the opportunity to change their minds. I was wrong. I was lied to. I was afraid to leave. I am not going to be a cowering timorous beastie any more. I’m going to thwart your best-laid plans, and so will the rest of the Scottish people who are utterly sick of Westminster abuse.

I want a divorce. I’ve had enough of your intolerable cruelty. We have irreconcilable differences. I want out of this partnership and so do most of the other folks I know who voted No Thanks in 2014. We told you that in the last three General Elections and we’re telling you that now. As much as you would like to control this relationship, Mr Johnson, this is no longer possible. The abuser never changes, and the abuser’s true colours always show in the end. You cannot halt the national conversation on independence no matter how many authoritarian pronouncements you make from the podium. We’re already chosen our route. We’ve packed our bags, and booked the taxi to the train station. We won’t let you isolate us from our European friends and family. We will strive as a nation united by a common bond of justice, inclusiveness and decency to be the best version of ourselves no matter what you do (and I believe you mean to do us harm).

You have repeatedly claimed you wish to unite the country—by which of course you mean the United Kingdom your hubris and folly has so bitterly divided. You cannot unite the Divided Kingdom, because you have continued English colonial supremacy as the model and forced it on unwilling partners whom you do not consider to be England’s equals. There can be no unity where there is inequality and disrespect. England does not have its partners’ consent to proceed the way it wants. That means this marriage is over, and anything you do to us to force us in line with your agenda is a violation.

Leaving an abusive relationship, Mr Johnson, is a process, not an event. I know if your jolly carrots don’t work on us, you’ll resort to the bully’s stick, because that’s what abusive partners do. But you cannot stop us suing for divorce. That process is already underway.

And really, it will be better for the kids if we split up now.

LJ McDowall

LJ McDowall is a Scottish poet of dual Scottish and English heritage. She lives in the Burns Country.

FACT CHECK: Claim SNP is responsible for cost of whisky in Scotland

https://www.thenational.scot/news/18186298.fact-check-claim-snp-responsible-cost-whisky-scotland/

thenational.scot WHAT'S THE CLAIM?

The myth of the working class Tory: Just three in ten voted blue

https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/the-myth-of-the-working-class-tory-just-three-in-ten-voted-blue/14/01/

thelondoneconomic.com The London Economic | Statistics show little over 30 percent of working class people voted for the Conservatives in the 2019 general election | Politics

Fareweel to a' our Scottish fame,
Fareweel our ancient glory;
Fareweel ev'n to the Scottish name,
Sae fam'd in martial story.
Now Sark rins over Solway sands,
An' Tweed rins to the ocean,
To mark where England's province stands-
Such a parcel of rogues in a nation!

What force or guile could not subdue,
Thro' many warlike ages,
Is wrought now by a coward few,
For hireling traitor's wages.
The English stell we could disdain,
Secure in valour's station;
But English gold has been our bane-
Such a parcel of rogues in a nation!

O would, or I had seen the day
That Treason thus could sell us,
My auld grey head had lien in clay,
Wi' Bruce and loyal Wallace!
But pith and power, till my last hour,
I'll mak this declaration;
We're bought and sold for English gold-
Such a parcel of rogues in a nation

A grate britun free ov forunirs. Are cuntry for are kulture onlay!

Scotland POLL: Should Boris Johnson grant Nicola Sturgeon another independence referendum?

https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1228681/Scottish-independence-latest-Boris-Johnson-Nicola-Sturgeon-indyref2-referendum

express.co.uk NICOLA STURGEON blasted the Prime Minister for rejecting her calls for a second referendum in whether Scotland should become independent. But should Boris Johnson grant Nicola Sturgeon another independence referendum?

These are the 15 Scottish towns and cities that get the most sunshine - is yours on the list?

A-town at no2? Someone been on the sherry!!!

https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/outdoors/these-are-the-15-scottish-towns-and-cities-that-get-the-most-sunshine-is-yours-on-the-list-1-4950252

scotsman.com Scotland tends to get a bad rap when it comes to the weather. And while it's true that rain is an integral part of the Scottish experience, some parts of the country are much sunnier than others.

Scotland will leave the UK, says Ben Bradshaw

The Labour MP for Exeter said all of his Scottish husband’s family had voted SNP in the election last month “for the first time in their lives”. They had voted “no” in 2014 but would support separation in any future contest, he said.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/scotland-will-leave-the-uk-says-ben-bradshaw-79mvcbddl #

thetimes.co.uk Gordon Brown’s former culture secretary has said he was in “no doubt” that Scotland will become independent from the UK. Ben Bradshaw, who served in various junior ministerial positions under Tony...

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

According to AFFG brilliant mathematician, this is just a crowd of 183.5

2 mins ago....

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Tomorrow will you join us on the March for Independence at Glasgow?

March for independence: Everything you need to know about All Under One Banner’s event

heraldscotland.com All Under One Banner will be hosting their first independence march of the year - March for Independence in Glasgow this weekend.

HS2 costs out of control, says review deputy chair

bbc.com Lord Berkeley says MPs were "misled" about the line's costs, which he says will be more than £108bn.

Cut out and pin to the wall . A fun game for all the family.

Finland ends homelessness and provides shelter for all in need

scoop.me In Finland, the number of homeless people has fallen sharply. The reason: The country applies the “Housing First” concept. Those affected by homelessness receive a small apartment and counselling – without any preconditions. 4 out of 5 people affected thus make their way back into a stable lif...

Fascinating maps show huge divide between young and old in election

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/general-election-map-uk-young-old-voters-a4323171.html

standard.co.uk A series of fascinating maps show the stark political divide between younger and older voters at the recent general election. Twitter account Election Maps UK compiled how different age groups, ranging from 18 to 24s to over 65s, voted in the election – and what the result would have been if only ...

Well Troops, it's been a cracking end to the year . Perhaps a bittersweet one due to Brexit and Johnson as PM. Nonetheless we are fu***ng thrilled to have booted the Tory out of Angus !

I don't think anyone is under any illusions that indyref 2 is happening next year . It's Gunna take a lot of posturing and possibly legal challenges before a section 30 is granted to Scotland to hold one .

So the main focus will be the 2021 Holyrood elections, where we need to deliver another pro indy mandate.

Remember the voting system is different in a Scottish election ,so we will look into best ways and actions to help deliver a pro indy vote.

In the meantime we thank everyone who has shared our posts and hopefully you have had a chuckle along the way .

We are well over 300 page likes now, if we can ask that each one of you invites just one person to like our page , it will help get the message out to an even wider audience.

When it comes , have a fu***ng belting New Year!

Alba Gu Brath 🙌🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿❤

🙌🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

That's us telt!

Thank f**k