Stephen Flynn: “Brexit has broken Britain” and Scotland wants change | Politics Live | New Statesman

[@wulla2]

I’m not an SNP supporter but this guy is seriously impressive

[@stevebbuk9557]

He is, but how can you say a vote for the SNP at the next General Election is a vote for an independent Scotland? People vote on all kinds of issues, not a solitary one.

[@rafaeldegiacomoaraujo8778]

Mr Flynn is a breath of fresh air in politics.

[@lesleyrobertson5465]

People who think Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 is badly done by under the SNP should look at the peripherals of England and how the Tories treat them. I’m originally from Northumberland, moved to Scotland 26 yrs ago and the difference is night and day. The benefits for everyone here in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 should be promoted compared to in England. It’s not perfect due to restrictions from Westminster but becoming independent would allow us to resolve this. Scottish people are better off than most people in England they just need reminded of this

[@LordOfLight]

You must really be looking forward to that day, when the sun always shines and little fluffy bunny rabbits gambol happily everywhere. Paradise................just like Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

[@Bushcraft222]

Well said 👏👏👏👏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@evolassunglasses4673]

It will be good for England to, they can stop sending their money to Scotland.

[@Purple_flower09]

​@@LordOfLightjust let go of your colony. You'll feel better about yourself.

[@Purple_flower09]

​@@evolassunglasses4673hello racist

[@JoeMcnicholas-ki7vt]

Stephen Flynn is one of the few statesmen in the House of Commons.

[@user-zd9dt7fg3f]

As an Englishman, i believe Scotland would be better off without us

[@rodmarker2071]

as a Welshman me too 👍👍

[@benedictcowell6547]

That is Europe's experience of the English and not all of the UK, note. And not all of the English. The biggest problem in Britain is a Right Wing Press and a rather susceptible and easily deceived by that Media. Nigel Farage and Rupert Murdoch and the Mega Tories together with the Press have been a obstacle to the entire United Kingdom, Scotland, Ireland, Wales North, West England It is not the Lords or the Monarch that are sources of the English problem, it is a corrupt press with a uneducated public. You only need compare the staff lists of German and French Papers, and the statistics and maps and analysis they provide and publish to realise that the British Press is a right wing conspiracy and Brexit is part of that conspiracy, as Fox News in the USA demonstrates

[@bazmc1153]

Aye and we'll just have our own crooks closer to home to do nothing about.

[@tomwaller6893]

I appreciate your support. Independence is the only way forward for Scotland. Being taxed and ruled by England is no longer possible as our Nation wishes to join the EU. We do not do Stupid, and Brexit was VERY Stupid.

[@jerryorange6983]

Looking at Ireland - for sure.

[@nicks4934]

Flynn is spot on. Brexit cannot ever be ‘fixed’.

[@vincescotian8083]

@@Buckets1000 You mean Brexitsh.tshire

[@garyb455]

Lets look at the facts ? How about you do a video on how much the EU has declined against the rest of the World in the last 20 years, especially against the USA. How about you tell us why Americans get 50% higher salaries than the EU citizens and they pay much less tax. How about you tell us why Germany is losing all their heavy industry. Or why the French are so happy they celebrate every weekend in Paris with teargas. Only last week one of the World leading Bankers said the EU debts are unsustainable and you are safer betting on Bitcoin than the Euro. Time to open your eyes

[@garyb455]

@@vincescotian8083 Lets look at the facts ? How about you do a video on how much the EU has declined against the rest of the World in the last 20 years, especially against the USA. How about you tell us why Americans get 50% higher salaries than the EU citizens and they pay much less tax. How about you tell us why Germany is losing all their heavy industry. Or why the French are so happy they celebrate every weekend in Paris with teargas. Only last week one of the World leading Bankers said the EU debts are unsustainable and you are safer betting on Bitcoin than the Euro. Time to open your eyes

[@MrOliver1444]

Imagine if the English would have a majority of 72 percent to leave the EU and the EU would have said no? They would be furious!

[@audreymcgready4329]

C'mon Stephen. Get us out.

[@lesleyrobertson5465]

Hi Audrey hope u r doing well

[@audreymcgready4329]

@@lesleyrobertson5465 Good morning Lesley hunni. I good thanks. Well as good as i can be. Thank you for asking. I hope you and yours are well? Xx

[@craigevans6156]

Another impressive performance from Mr Flynn 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇪🇺 congratulations to the interviewer for letting him speak without interrupting, unlike the BBC and other mainstream media.

[@bweresquirrel8279]

The notion of repeating a vote being antidemocratic is a strange feature of British political discourse. Over here in California we revisit issues on ballot initiatives all the time. Sometimes majority opinion changes. We deal with that over here by scheduling ballot initiative elections, by imposing requirements for issues to get onto the ballot, by requiring supermajorities in some issues, and by subjecting ballot initiatives to judicial review.

[@jonb5493]

Yes, it's a strange feature that only recently arrived in British political discourse. We had an unwritten constitution - unlike those pesky written ones everywhere else - 200 of which us Brits actually wrote - which suggested that opinions change every 4 or 5 years or so an these "general elections" did a course-correction corresponding to change of opinion. But then came "the brexiteers". Now all must change! There was a "democratic vote" in a "referendum", and therefore, there must never be any more of this pesky voting, because voting isn't "democratic". One man, one vote, one time, as I think one of Lenin's colleagues said! I love this refutation for morons who tell you in 2023 that "Brexit is the democratic vote" - You want to override present-day opinion of a large majority of voters (and of the whole UK population), .. - .. so as to force upon them an opinion of 7 years ago, which they now understand to be misguided? Reply Jon B

[@bweresquirrel8279]

@@jonb5493 The UK mastered parliamentary democracy. Yet that's very different from holding direct votes on specific policy issues. The way to work out direct voting is to start small, such as funding road repairs. Either that or borrow models from places which do that type of vote routinely. The worst possible implementation is to start with a high stakes contentious issue and a weak structure. The US Congress did that precisely once in 1854. It was one of the reasons Civil War broke out a few years later. Since then, structured ballot initiatives became a feature on the state level in about half our states. What you got with the Brexit vote was the worst of both worlds. The Leave campaign was using voter manipulation tactics that were honed in California in the 1970s. (Look up California Prop 13). It's essentially a bait and switch funded by moneyed interests. Over here voters have gotten wise to that. British voters weren't used to misleading ads about what their vote would mean.

[@PanglossDr]

They don't have a clue about democracy in the UK as it is almost non-existent in the political system.

[@rnanerd6505]

We EU nationals are with you - can't wait to welcome our scottish brothers and sisters back. We're keeping the seat warm for you

[@chrisdrakes2332]

The EU dont give a crap about Scotland. They dont want another country they have to prop up. If scotland leaves the UK, they are finished economically. Absolutely finished. There is no question about it. The EU does not accept countries which produce NOTHING.

[@LordOfLight]

Sigh...so now the Scots are your "brothers and sisters". There is no end to the silly garbage people can talk.

[@ianfraser6161]

Thank you

[@maureenurquhart]

Yes thank you Soar Alba and Erin Go Braugh ❤❤❤

[@doreenhollywood7459]

Thank you so much. We hope to be back soon

[@jamesedwards7241]

Brexit was never broken because it was never possible to build it in the first place. It was obvious to anyone actually looking that it could never be made or even forced to work for the Uk. In addition, the rabid ideological policies of the Tory party knowing as they must have done that Brexit was never going to work set about destroying everything that might possibly have been of use in mitigating the damage leaving the EU did to this country. a course they are still today utterly focused on and Flynn is perfectly well aware of this. Leaving the EU was their first required step, for this, they needed to convince an uneducated mass to vote leave. after that had been achieved the gates were open for the Tory party to basically do as it pleased and without asking the people they set about leaving the Single Market which was always their true goal, and collapsing the Customs Union. Once completed their every move has been to blind the public to the consequences of leaving the Single Market and this leaves one asking the question, Knowing what the damage would be from such a move to the economy and the people of the Uk, what was it the Tory ultra-right and their paymasters gained from doing so because from every published figure the effect was negative with not a single positive outcome except that is for a tiny minority who gained a significant advantage financially from leaving the Single Market and its regulatory framework.

[@TT-fn1xb]

I just visited Scotland for the first time and it helped me understand why they want independence. I'm from England but am not English. I found the Scots more friendly than the Welsh and the English. I think the Scots have every right to seek independence. Stephen Flynn is such a breath of fresh air. I think Westminster is scared to allow another referendum because they know the Scots have become more disillusioned with Westminster since Brexit.

[@cmsacademy1673]

I’m Argentine from mother, Scottish from father. Residing in London. But I give the SNP 110% of my support

[@LordOfLight]

I think you need to ask yourself why.

[@Hartley_Hare]

@@LordOfLightThey can save themselves from this bin fire.

[@LordOfLight]

@@Hartley_Hare By leaving the union with which Scotland does 85% (last time I looked) of its trade? And then by re-joining a union of 400 million people so they then have to raise tariff barriers with that same trading partner? They won't be leaving a fire, they'll be jumping out of the frying pan.

[@Hartley_Hare]

@@LordOfLight It's in the EU's interest to make sure they're okay. Trade will recover and when it does, their market will be huge.

[@paulfr6768]

I rate a lot of the policies of the SNP except their core one. You cannot solve brexit with another brexit.

[@PanglossDr]

Everyone knows that it would be impossible for a small country with about 5 million population, on the western fringe of Europe, to do well. What about Ireland?

[@Purple_flower09]

This guy talks sense and is very straightforward in his delivery. We need to see more of him and others like him. There can be hope for Scotland!

[@steverichmond7142]

I was at the Dundee conference and was amazed at his treatment of the heckler. Years ago I was at a Labour Party conference when hecklers were just short of beaten up by security staff.

[@willieckaslike]

So very true. But it can and has been made a lot worse by the corruption & incompetence of the Westminster Government. I'm a 'sassenach' fortunately married to a Scottish Lassie, and we live in France. But, we both support anything that would rid Scotland of 'Rule from London' and obtain independence ! Likewise, we support the reunification of Ireland. Although English, I can neither forgive or forget the chaotic mess the politicians have made of my country.

[@LordOfLight]

Remind me who voted for them.

[@ScottishRoss27]

@@LordOfLight Only England votes for the Tories, Scotland, Wales, NI doesn't.

[@LordOfLight]

@@ScottishRoss27 The Tories have 6 seats in Scotland. This is why I despise you people; if you had to tell the plain unvarnished truth for 5 minutes straight to save your lives you'd all be dead before two were up. Now go back to your rock.

[@andrewc766]

Britain began breaking shortly into austerity measures back in 2010, for the working class anyway. It crumbled year on year. Whether Brexit increased the speed or not, the destination appeared to be the same.

[@thomuk2006]

Come on Scotland!!! You don't need little England.

[@brianeduardo1234]

Politicians worldwide always talk about ‘change’ - never really clear what that means - hope Scotland has the courage to become independent- otherwise it’s Just English rule

[@theshadowdirector]

A whole lot of us want change Stephen, through the North and South.

[@ScottishRoss27]

Labour have only ever been short term as England is mostly a Torie voting nation

[@theshadowdirector]

@@ScottishRoss27 the last Labour government wasn't. And the biggest advantage the Tories have is the fragmentation of progressive leaning parties.

[@ScottishRoss27]

@@theshadowdirector UK Election History Scotland England 2019 Left Conservative 2017 Left Conservative 2016 EU Ref Remain Leave 2015 Left Conservative 2010 Left Conservative 2005 Left Left 2001 Left Left 1997 Left Left 1992 Left Conservative 1987 Left Conservative 1983 Left Conservative 1979 Left Conservative 1974 Second Left Left 1974 First Left Left 1970 Left Conservative 1966 Left Left 1964 Left Left 1959 Left Conservative 1955 Conservative Conservative

[@ScottishRoss27]

@@theshadowdirector The Union of Scotland & England is Incompatible. Next UK Election the SNP is proposing to put a simple powerful statement to the people. “Vote SNP for Scotland to Become an Independent Country.” “Every state has the right to withdraw from a Treaty if that Treaty is not anymore compatible with its interests.” Geoffrey Cox MP, UK Attorney General during Brexit Treaty Withdrawal. The Treaty of Union 1707 between Scotland & England. United Nations Vienna Convention on the Law on Treaties Article 62 Fundamental Change of Circumstances. Article 65 Procedure to be followed with respect to withdrawal from the operation of a Treaty.

[@theshadowdirector]

@@ScottishRoss27 completely overlooking all the Labour governments that could've been left in a minority or vastly weaker without Scottish and Welsh seats. And my point about the fragmentation of progressive parties under FPTP still remains.

[@SkyEcho7]

🏆🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✊🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🍻 Well said Stephen 👏👏👏👏👏

[@ianfraser6161]

Scotland will be free❤

[@rodmarker2071]

I am with you there

[@sean.butterworth]

Starmer won’t be down with Scottish independence. He’s centrist establishment to the core, and whittling away at the UK any further is something that absolutely horrifies the establishment

[@EamonCoyle]

I watch excessive amounts of UK politics on KZbin and Stephen Flynn is the only one of the lot of them who I don't just believe but I believe in !!

[@djdoolittle1315]

Well said 🤘

[@kevoreilly6557]

…. Because Northern Ireland is part of an island that is in the EU - Scotland isn’t

[@jonb5493]

This is all very well. It would be helpful if SNP's folks didn't spout the occasional utter BS. There seems to be reluctance to embrace the simple truth that Scotland, upon independence, must instantly leave the GBP and somehow accede into the E. Instead of this matter being confronted head-on, SNP folks seem to mutter about Scotland staying in a "sterling area", which is infeasible and anyway pointless. Return to the EU and accession into the E will be difficult, expensive, highly technical and will take longer than many SNP supporters might think. It must be planned, and the uncomfortable truths must be told, e.g., in the short term, Scotland's govt funding will reduce and Scottish taxpayer contributions will increase. It will also have substantial cost to the rest of the UK's taxpayers, who will inevitably have to assume some of Scotland's fair proportion of UK national debt. All of this needs input from players in the EU as to what terms would be likely for this.

[@ai-d2121]

So. You hate the thought of an successful Brexitfree zone in the UK eh? Or do you thing Scottish i dependence would also have a lack of ideas, agreements and planning as Brexit was? Perhaps it would be different? Any thoughts?

[@Purple_flower09]

A lot of the detail won't be thrashed out until independence is going ahead. Yes it will be complex, difficult and expensive. We're ready for that. Staying in the UK guarantees decline and failure.

[@jonb5493]

@@ai-d2121 BTW I corrected my original post because it could be read to have the opposite meaning from that which was intended. But , your reply's 2nd sentence doesn't make sense, anyway I'll assume instead of "UK" your mean "British Isles", because of course the whole idea is that Scotland would not be in the UK. And no, I sure don't hate that idea altho it's none of my business since I don't live in Scotland. Actually the idea of Scotland being back in the EU asap is very appealing but I don't think it is likely for a few years.

[@ai-d2121]

@@jonb5493 So. No further thought I pressume apart from the SNP clearly spouting BS? Was that it?

[@jonb5493]

@@ai-d2121 Pretty much. But then, at least part of any pol's job is to spout BS. It's a just a question of degree, I suppose. Besides, if an SNP convention had a punch-bowl of LSD + vodka cocktail, they could never approach the mass-psychosis that has been achieved by brexiteers.

[@KizzyKismet1]

Ireland 53% 2016, yes! Scotland 62% 2016, no!

[@arekkrolak6320]

Union of equals? I never heard that spoken. Who is telling this?

[@nicks4934]

Look at the constitution. The union is voluntary.

[@craigevans6156]

@@nicks4934that would be the act of union!

[@tomthumb2361]

You youngsters obviously were born a bit to late to see all our politicians being heckled when they faced the public.

[@Jimmie16]

He should have pulled her up for calling our ex FM Sturgeon and not giving her her due respectful title.

[@ianmccuaig9867]

Get us out so we can change the way we use our assets for the benefit of the Scottish people instead of getting plunders by foreign investors

[@IrishLadASMR]

Stephen, stop with the comparison to the occupied counties in Ireland ffs. Scotland wasn't invaded, colonised and partitioned by the British. Do you think we fought British rule for centuries for the laugh of it or something? When people fight, they fight for a good reason and when a nation fights it's because something was taken away from them! After the Norman/Anglo Invasion of Ireland in the 1100s, we then had Planters arrive as per The Plantations in 16th- and 17th-century which involved the confiscation of Irish-owned land by the English Crown and the colonisation of land with settlers from Britain. We fought back: 1. The two Desmond Rebellions took place in 1569-1573 and 1579-1583 to *fight against the threat of the extension of the English government* over the province. 2. The successful Battle of Clontibret was *fought against the British* in County Monaghan in 1595. 3. The successful Battle of the Yellow Ford was *fought against the British* in County Armagh in 1598. 4. The Nine Years' War, sometimes called Tyrone's Rebellion took place in Ireland from 1593 to 1603. It was fought between an Irish alliance to *fight against English rule in Ireland.* 5. The Rebellion of 1641 took place when Irish Catholics were being threatened by expansion of the anti-Catholic English Parliament and Scottish Planters and they *rebelled against English and Protestant domination.* 6. The Irish Rebellion of 1798 was a major uprising *against British rule in Ireland.* (The Society of United Irishmen was led primarily by liberal Protestants). The Irish wanted an end to anti-Catholic discrimination, greater Irish self-governance, and to roll back the Plantations of Ireland. 7. The Irish rebellion of 1803 was launched by Irish republicans *against British rule in Ireland* 8. The Young Irelander Rebellion was an Irish nationalist uprising led by the Young Ireland movement, part of the wider Revolutions of 1848. 9. The Fenian Rising of 1867 was a rebellion *against British rule in Ireland*, organised by the Irish Republican Brotherhood. 10. The Easter Rising of 1916 was piloted by Irish republicans *against British rule in Ireland* with the aim of establishing an independent Irish Republic. 11. The civil rights movement in the early 1960s challenged the inequality and discrimination against ethnic Irish Catholics that was perpetrated by the Ulster Protestant community. 12. Derry activists' marched on the 5 October 1968 in Derry, but were attacked by the RUC and loyalists. THAT IS A SNAPSHOT OF HOW WE HAVE FOUGHT AND RESISTED BOTH BRITISH RULE AND DISCRIMINATION BY THE UNIONIST COMMUNITY!

[@scottyfive4319]

Sorry you know nothing Scotland WAS all but invaded with over 450 military garrisons occupied by English military controlled soldiers for over 100 years. Scotland had been throwing the English out of Scotland since about 1200, the size of England and it's military finally forced the Union it was sign or DIE. The Scottish languages and culture were all but destroyed over hundreds of years of colonisation by the BULLY that is England. Scotland has been lied to, deceived, it's people murdered, tortured, raped, starved and Scotland robbed blind. Just like the rest of the planet the became the "English Empire" one of the most brutal and bloody Empires in the history of the planet and certainly the last 500 years.

[@IrishLadASMR]

@@danielwood2901 nope, British people are so ignorant on Irish affairs that I need to remind them of some important historical facts.

[@edwarddonnelly-l7b]

WHY would anyone who lives in Scotland vote for a party that says that voters in Scotland should not be PERMITTED to choose Scotlands future..?

[@LordOfLight]

What are you talking about? The Scots had a referendum and chose to remain. Are you seriously suggesting that there should be a referendum every year until you get the result people like yourself want? Try not talking piffle, it's bad for you.

[@edwarddonnelly-l7b]

@@LordOfLight on your bike...sad little Englander.....maybe YOU can give us some good reasons why Scotland remain subservient in your broken union....or tell us ANY advantage of your idiotic brexit..?

[@Nick-kb6jd]

@@LordOfLight Every year? It'll be 10 years next year.

[@LordOfLight]

@@Nick-kb6jd I never said otherwise. The man wrote "WHY would anyone who lives in Scotland vote for a party that says that voters in Scotland should not be PERMITTED to choose Scotlands future..?" when as we both know the Scots ARE and HAVE had THREE referendums now: 1979, 1994 and 2014. Thus it was a ridiculous comment. My own response alluded to the prevalent view among the SNP members that if a referendum returns the wrong result we must have another. Every little thing has to be explained............ P.S. I think the Russia allusion is a bit silly.

[@ScottishRoss27]

@@LordOfLight Next UK Election it is then

[@TigerP1]

England needs Scottish independence as much as Scotland does. That would give England the momentum to break free of this spiral of self destruction.

[@nanorider426]

English self destruction you surely mean.

[@nicks4934]

Brought on by the English😂

[@vincescotian8083]

All Funded by Russian Donations to the Tory Party

[@neilsmith154]

Brexit was a decesion which meant 20% of Scotlands trade changed for integrated to 3rd nation. This is a disaster. Changing 60% of trade from even more integrated form to 3rd nation would be good move. Use some economic common sense.

[@PCERules]

What I find stunning is that SNP won't admit what their package is: McBrexit. Border on the island of Britain, even more economic upheaval and even being pro EU (I am a reformed Brexiteer) joining the Euro as well as budgetary issues that will create... utterly ignored, again.

[@nicks4934]

Thanks for putting up trade borders. Dont blame snp for trying to undo them.

[@thegamingeconomist3831]

Wrong on all counts. 1. Independence is not "McBrexit". The EU didn't steal our land, natural resources and energy as Westminster did. 2. There's already a border in Ireland, why is having one on Great Britain any different? 3. The Euro is not mandatory, and actually Scotland couldn't join the Euro until it had been in the Exchange Rate Mechanism with an independent currency for two years or more. Sweden is still using its own currency. 4. "Budgetary issues" will not be a problem when Westminster is no longer giving all our resources away to oil and gas companies for free, and can no longer charge us 15 times the transmission fees for renewable energy (by far the highest in Europe!).

[@ausbrum]

Perhaps you could explain how joining the third most traded currency can create budgetary issues? It hasn't made problems for Eire--quite the contrary

[@Purple_flower09]

Yes it will be complex and difficult. We're ready for that.

[@ScottishRoss27]

Brexitland has put up 27 hard borders on Scotland Scottish government has set out it will switch to its own currency

[@jamesmason8944]

And one year on, what are the positives Stephen.? Yes it is just a big game show for you.

[@ucFJhnukZjfLtc3dPfZrh4qThSg3o]

How bad is Britain don't? I mean Europe definitely isn't doing very good. Inflation is incredible and politics all over going haywire, reducing peoples rights and so on

[@ibjensen8120]

Brilliant Mr. Flynn👍

[@silondon9010]

Free movement was a wetdream for big business and the oil 🛢 for the gig engine

[@evolassunglasses4673]

Back in the day the Left understood Immigration is just capitalism importing an OVER SUPPLY of labour in, which is a race to the bottom. Oligarchs love immigration. I can remember when even Bernie Sanders was anti immigration.

[@ai-d2121]

@@evolassunglasses4673what has that to do with Brexit? Clearly there is no supply right now.

[@ScottishRoss27]

@@evolassunglasses4673 Then can we get a quota on England's 8,2 million unemployed or economically inactive to come here to work?

[@Magpie6639]

SNP and independence movement is broken beyond repair

[@daviddack1595]

Scotland Must Join the EU by 24, and we will take the Euro.

[@cv990a4]

First past the post has broken the UK. Without that, extremists would never have been able to set the pace for Brexit - frankly, without FPTP, it would have been far harder for there to have been a Brexit in the first place because there would never have been the grinding austerity put in place by Tory hardliners. FPTP enables extremists - of all parties. But, SNP needs to show that Scotland can be a success. They need to show that they can govern for real, not just as an independence campaign. There are all kinds of things that they ought to be doing to better integrate Scotland (e.g. make Glasgow and Edinburgh work as a unified whole - kind of a Randstad Scotland approach - the Randstad being the Amsterdam-Rotterdam conglomeration that functions as a super metropolitan area and helps the Netherlands punch far above its weight).

[@rnanerd6505]

But hold on, you're putting the cart before the horse. Devolution only gives limited powers, so how can you expect them to govern to the full? More fundamentally look at countries that have gained independence and are now prosperous EU countries - Slovenia, baltic States etc - are you suggesting Scots couldn't manage?

[@scottyfive4319]

The SNP has done more with their limited powers and finances than ANY other party in Scotland under all conditions. Scotland has the BEST NHS on every measurable parameter in the UK. More police per capita, lower crime rate etc etc. The backdrop is a media that LIES about the SNP with every edition they print, the British Biased Corporation lies and exaggerate with EVERY program they put out, the STV is just the same. I could go on and on and on. The SNP may not be the best political party on the party there is BUT they are so far ahead of the "Yoon's" in Scotland as to be out of sight.

[@cv990a4]

@@rnanerd6505 Suggesting that the more effective SNP shows itself at strengthening Scotland, the more confident people will be that Scotland can manage on its own.

[@chriskost7291]

❤

[@maartenaalsmeer]

I'm in the EU, pro-EU and for me personally, Scotland is welcome to join. However, is independence financially possible? American geopolitical analyst Peter Zeihan doesn't seem to think so: "Beyond the cultural conversation (which I'll leave for the Scots to duke out), Scottish independence is another situation where the math just doesn't math. The financial transfers from London have been vital to Scotland over the past 30 years, and the importance of financial support is ever-growing based on Scotland's demographics. Secession means Scotland loses the diaspora, remittances, population, financial transfers and a stable currency...I don't know who's running the cost-benefit analysis, but is losing all that worth keeping the fog to yourself? If that's not convincing enough, an independent Scotland would have ZERO chance of entering the EU, which economically and geopolitically makes Scottish secession a suicide pact." Source, his KZbin video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHTao5WsYsSDhNE

[@ScottishRoss27]

Yes its financially possible for every1 else in Europe

[@scottyfive4319]

You just continue to believe what the London based media tell you. Now consider this, little independent Norway has 10% LESS oil and gas than Scotland YET has an OIL fund north of $1 Trillion where is Scotland's???? Oh stolen by ENGLAND or at least totally mis-managed, average income per barrel of oil for Norway $39, Scotland with England in charge $19. If it is true that Scotland needs these "Fiscal" transfers from England then it is totally down to the absolute mis-management of Scotland's economy BY ENGLAND. It is just counting all you need to know is two numbers, 533 and 59, oh yes and that ALL the true fiscal powers are kept in Westminster. You know and understand nothing IF you do the research you WILL find that Scotland has more than 10% of ALL the basic resources needed to fund and grow an economy, if properly managed, that is 8.2% of population for the UK. Including 25% of wave and tide renewable resource for the whole of the European continent. Scotland COULD be a very successful country BUT NOT UNDER ENGLISH MANAGEMENT, they just steal all they can and will continue to do so.

[@vincescotian8083]

This Peter Gentleman is seriously misinformed; Despite Brexit Scotland is still the only region of the UK to manage to maintain its 60+ Year Trade Surplus, this is even more surprising in the face of a 61% reduction in food and drink exports to the EU caused directly by the Hard Brexit. The reality is that the Scots Economy would grow with Independence and with immediate free access to the EFTA and later EU markets trade would not only quickly recover yet increase. Scotland has the capability to produce enough food and drinks to feed a population of over 26m. Scotland provides a massive £140B+ per year in corporate and other revenue streams; Taxation on Oil, Gas , net zero Energy, Food and even whisky are all provided to the Westminster exchequer with no funding going to Scotland. What funds flow from England to Scotland? There are none, the Scots Govt budget is based on a proportion of direct taxes levied in Scotland. Oil production has been superseded by Net Zero Electricity generation, Oil production is circa at the same low levels of 2013 2014 just above 800 BBL/D/1K, there are still massive oil reserves in Scotland's Waters please look at any OPEC Energy Review. Since the Covid-19 Pandemic all functions of government and public service have remained intact, no NHS or teacher strikes and Scot Gov have managed to keep all in employment and all services running. Scots Unemployment is 33% less than England and Wales I can't see any breakdown in government in Scotland. Opinions are one thing, facts are another most of this podcast has regurgitated the same propaganda presented to all Scots before the 2014 referendum and as a result Peter's views can not be substantiated by any facts. The independence movement is very much alive and well in Scotland, even the highly biased polls show support for independence and re-joining the EU at constantly high levels and the Scots will is to exercise their sovereign claim of right.

[@maartenaalsmeer]

@@vincescotian8083 Very informative, thanks!

[@ScottishRoss27]

@@vincescotian8083 Latest Employment Figures Total Women Men Scotland 2,688 million 1,318 million 1,370 million Finland 2,680 million 1,304 million 1,376 million International Trade Figures in Quarter 1 2023 Exports Imports Balance of Trade Scotland 37.2 Billion 36 Billion + 1.2 Billion Finland 28.3 Billion 29.2 Billion - 900 Million Top 5 International Export Destinations Scotland Finland Too Too Netherlands Germany USA Sweden Ireland USA Germany Netherlands France China Inward Investment Projects European League Table In 2022 In 2021 12th Scotland 126 Up 3% 12th Finland 124 13th Finland 104 Down 16% 13th Scotland 122 Average Salary Scotland Finland Teacher £39.860 £37.251 Nurse £37.664 £33.449 Police Officer £34.991 £29.636 Recorded Crime in 2022 in 2021 Scotland 287.678 Down 1.6% 292.316 Finland 494.737 Down 1.3% 501.398 New Housing Starts/Completions in 2022 in 2021 Scotland 42.132 Up 8.3% 38.639 Finland 41.636 Up 6.24% 39.039 Birth Registrations in 2022 Scotland Finland Q1 2023 14.991 13.799 out-birthed Finland by 7.95% or 1192 2022 46,959 44,951 out-birthed Finland by 4,28% or 2008 By Gender Girls Boys Most Popular Baby Names in 2022 Scotland 22,700 24,259 Scotland Olivia Noah Finland 21,991 22,960 Finland Olivia Leo

[@tonysanders536]

I am sure the EU will let in Scotland. At a stroke Scotland would be the oldest, poorest, Least healthy/Fattest country in the EU, that requires huge amounts of money just to keep them from imploding as an economy and I am sure the EU would want to pay and pay and pay.

[@ai-d2121]

Yeah. That narrative has been proven wrong, false and typical populist. I am referring to your comments. It is so funny that this old proven wrong chestnut is still used.

[@thegamingeconomist3831]

The combination of ignorance and supreme arrogance in your comment is truly toxic.

[@ausbrum]

@@thegamingeconomist3831 there is no cure for stupid

[@Purple_flower09]

That's better than being dragged to the depths by England.

[@ScottishRoss27]

Also the most productive part of the UK with the most recognisable products to sell into the EU

[@hughbasham4389]

A good leader of the SNP would start by saying that the camper van was not bought for canvassing purposes and stop insulting the intelligence of the Scottish people. You are not supporters of immigration as you are failing to take your correct share already. Your pride in being the most pro-eu party proves you are the most undemocratic. When the eu referendum took place, there was no suggestion that this was anything other than a UK wide referendum and no suggestion from the SNP that this was not the case. There was zero suggestion from any political party in Scotland, or from the media, the world of academic its civil service or from the Scottish judiciary that in the event that the referendum resulted in a leave vote this would provide a justification for another independence referendum. This is nothing other than poor politics. If you believe that "Westminster" is acting outside of its limits then sue them. The SNP are spoofers and many of you will be unemployed after the next general election. You will deserve it on the basis of your criminal activities.

[@SuperLuckyLad]

As the SNP wants more immigration into Scotland ... why are the Tories dumping immigrants onto English communities against their wishes? ... just dump them into SNP constituencies instead ... then everyone would be happy.

[@ai-d2121]

So. You have a problem with refugees? Any thought on how to prevent these people from entering? ( answ: EU membership)

[@ScottishRoss27]

Can we get a quota on England's nearly 8,2 million unemployed or economically inactive to come here to work?

[@ScottishRoss27]

@@Buckets1000 A quota on Women of birthing age in particular, thanks

[@kerryhutchings6316]

Pity the SNP can't govern the country with any skill or competence. Same awful performance as the Tories.

[@rnanerd6505]

....despite the evidence to the contrary?

[@chrisdrakes2332]

@@rnanerd6505 You mean the ongoing corruption which is currently being investigated in the SNP? Clown. While Scotland under the SNP continues to make negative tax revenue. Clown. Blows my mind how many of the scotland leavers dont have a clue that leaving the UK would be as bad as the UK doing brexit.

[@ScottishRoss27]

Latest Unemployment Rate England 4% Ireland 3,8% Netherlands 3,5% Scotland 3,2% Norway 3% Germany 2,9%

[@robertgannon-cx2mm]

Do you talk complete drivel about other issues, or is it just on this one?

[@chrisdrakes2332]

@@robertgannon-cx2mm Show me some statistics then. Oh wait, Scotland does receive more funding from the English than they produce in taxes. Oh wait Scotland also imports more than it exports. Fucking hell, it looks like scotlands in the negative boyos.

[@georgethompson453]

The Scottish people get a good deal from the Barnet formula so do you really think they’ll going to give that up?

[@thegamingeconomist3831]

No, they don't. The UK is stealing our natural resources and giving them away to large corporations. In Norway the tax rate on oil and gas is 75%. In the UK oil and gas companies pay just 1.7%. That's the lowest tax rate in the developed world! Our land and resources are being stolen while the UK government gaslights us telling us that we're "too poor" to be independent. They did EXACTLY the same thing to Ireland, India, China, Singapore, Malta, and even the fledgling United States of America.

[@ScottishRoss27]

BF ends with Independence as will no longer be paying tax into the Treasury in England.

[@scottyfive4319]

Your comment means you have NO understanding of the Barnet formula or what it is intended to achieve.

[@thegamingeconomist3831]

@@scottyfive4319 I'm an economist, I understand exactly what the Barnet formula is, how it's calculated, and how and where it is applied to devolved budgets. What your Tory soundbite education clearly didn't teach you was that it has very little to do with macroeconomics. The economic powers reserved to Westminster include Petroleum Revenue Tax, the Supplemental Charge, and Corporation Tax. This enables the Westminster government to set the lowest effective tax rate on fossil fuel companies in the developed world - effectively handing Scotland's natural resources straight to the the commodity market with no benefit to the Scottish people other than providing the labour force to extract it. This is exactly how you stole the natural wealth of other countries including China, India and even the fledgling United States of America while telling them that they were "too poor" to be independent too. Norway has extracted a similar amount of oil and gas for the North Sea and has built the world's largest sovereign wealth fund of over $1.5 trillion. It's effective tax rate for oil and gas is 75%. The UK's is 1.7%. You're stealing our resources, handing them directly to the asset classes, and then telling us that we couldn't survive without the "subsidy" of the Barnet formula. It's an absolute lie.

[@scottyfive4319]

@@thegamingeconomist3831 Now tell me something I did not already know. I have pointed all this out to many on lots of different comment streams. I am not a Tory and never have been, in fact I found out just how bad the Tories were 50 years ago, before that I realised that the UK was at best a second rate country and the only ENGLAND mattered. So please do not insult me by calling me a tory. I voted YES in 2014 and NO in 2016 and ALL the evidence since either vote has only reinforced my decisions as the correct ones.

[@williammuir638]

👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🙏✌

[@SunofYork]

You are a person of few words. .which is just as well

[@Jesus420.69]

He’s going to look really silly when he thinks he can speak on behalf of Scotland… then loose 30+ seats probably including his own.