The death of Scottish independence & the NHS's gender U-turn - The Week in 60 Minutes | SpectatorTV

Spectator Chairman Andrew Neil joins the show to discuss Humza Yousaf's downfall and the death of Scottish independence. Also coming up, Katy Balls on Rishi Sunak has a plan for survival; Debbie Hayton on why the NHS has finally seen sense on defining biological sex; royal reporter Alexander Larman on the King’s recovery and Prince Harry’s brief return to the UK; and journalist Damian Thompson and The Spectator’s Arts Editor Igor Toronyi-Lalic discuss BBC Radio 3’s poorly received new schedule.
00:00 Welcome from Cindy Yu
01:15 What’s Rishi’s plan for survival? With Katy Balls
11:52 Is Scottish independence over for now? With Andrew Neil
25:18 Why has the NHS finally seen sense on biological sex? With Debbie Hayton
34:50 The King’s recovery and Harry’s trip to the UK with Alexander Larman
45:12 Why is Radio 3 embarrassed of classical music? With Damian Thompson and Igor Toronyi-Lalic
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[@ktwashere5637]

please be aware that not everyone who works in the NHS agreed with the trans stance. I came fairly close to resigning from the NHS over this issue. Trans women are not women and biological sex matters in healthcare.

[@pulchralutetia]

You can barely admit that 'transwomen' are human beings!

[@theoutsider6191]

It is impressive how a very minor issue for society, and to be fair one that is not a signficant issue for people that are trans living in the UK (in a sane reality), can be blown way out of all proportion by fear of the social media mob. There should never have been a need for the Cass report in the first place. But this is what happens when the politicians cannot answer the what is a woman question..... the power of language, and language being weaponised.

[@banedon8087]

@@theoutsider6191 Zoom out a little. It's a symptom of a society that uses identity politics to over-celebrate the minority and also despise the majority. It's a terminal way of thinking for a society and is eroding it at a rate of knots and is in every institution.

[@Readyteddygo]

I went for an X-ray today. I’m a muscular bearded man. I was asked my pronouns and I flipped. I told the radiographer that I would not answer her stupid question and she didn’t drop it. Another member of staff had to intervene to diffuse the situation and I told them that I’m a man and my medical records clearly show that I’m a man. Utterly ridiculous

[@beachcomber1able]

Seems you have a short fuse and need some anger management treatment. Probably a homophobe to boot.

[@etherspin]

in their defence they've probably had a glut of bearded men where they wanted the staff to refer to their file or psychically know that these geese saw themselves as Ladies

[@davidmrenton]

private rooms should be prioritised for those who need them for medical or security reasons, not based on the delusions of the patient. Why should a trans person receive preferential treatment over everyone else. The NHS has more pressing funding priorities than to cater to a small minority of people. It's a public health system, not BUPA

[@Bloomazz]

I agree it would be nice to have more private rooms. After all, in private healthcare countries, and in our private companies they have ample amounts. Well that's just the thing, we have a PUBLIC healthcare system. The greatest good, for the greatest number. I can't believe the gall to say we should have more private beds because some people want them. It's literally the South Park episode, where Cartman says he's trans in order to have his own plush private bathroom. How can these people not see how their ludicrous beliefs bring on ludicrous realities.

[@seizetheday9546]

Being a man, Debbie Hayton is probably unaware that natal women always perceive a man as a man, even if(for a myriad of reasons) they go along with the charade. This ability is less acute in men and is an intensely honed evolutionary self preservation sense for women. Debbie is valiantly trying to sound reasonable, but unfortunately it is unworkable on every level to have men in women’s wards, and vice versa.

[@sisiphas]

Damian and Igor, thank you

[@TJ_USA]

Absolutely marvellous. Loved the discussion about radio 3. My thoughts entirely.

[@whalewatchersa]

During the 70s and 80s BBC Radio 3 (along with BBC2) was my cultural education. Classical music, avant-garde music, drama. "Difficult stuff" and well-explained. The aesthetics are being abandoned for the anaesthetics of Classic FM.

[@chrisburton9831]

Fantastic section about Radio Three! More like this please.

[@michaelgibson7466]

Excellent take down of Radio 3.

[@borderlands6606]

Yes, correct on all counts. Listener numbers would be interesting, they probably barely make 4-figures for all their pill-sweetening intentions.

[@daviddawson9333]

Tried about 30 secs of R3 this morning only to hear some witless bloody woman telling all what she'd been reading in the Guardian this morning and then on to how the price of olive oil is going up - yup, global warming. They really are beyond parody!

[@mataform]

Khan back in London . Our capital has been utterly captured. The place is a hell hole.

[@Beach_comber]

London is a wonderful place to live and one of the most popular places on Earth to visit. That's not due to Khan, but it's reality.

[@bevnicholson9916]

@@Beach_comber I was born there and moved away - I would have to be bribed with a substantial amount of money to even visit the place now

[@cedricthorn3975]

Spot on Andrew

[@AshleyCichocki]

More Igor please!

[@jasonedwards6870]

If Radio 3: went back to being just the Western 'classical' canon, with a play on Sunday night I would be back like yesterday...but I haven't listened regularly since 2020 when it just became intolerable to me. A very great end to a fine edition today. Thanks 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@sue.F]

Debbie receives the automatic privilege of a private hospital room (seems a sensible solution, but who knew?) however, as the number of people identifying as “trans” grows this will become an unworkable drag on NHS resources and public resentment will follow. There’s more than one way this craze will backfire on the very people it purports to support.

[@zeldagoblin]

Want a private room? I have a latex allergy and I get private rooms in hospital. Funny thing is, they don't require evidence, just take my word for it. Tell them how allergic you are to latex, get a red wristband and a private room. Fun times.

[@jayjaydubful]

I still don't know why Dwbbie couldn't go on a men's ward.

[@sue.F]

@@jayjaydubful surgically modified genitalia

[@emmat9357]

Don’t have Hayton speaking about women’s issues!!! It’s ridiculous.

[@bevnicholson9916]

You should not feel threatened by Hayton. She as a trans woman is an Ally of women. She fully appreciates that trans women are NOT women

[@emmat9357]

@@bevnicholson9916 He is partly responsible for the policy allowing boys in girls toilets at school. He is a self confessed autogynephile, and he won’t get a GRC because his religious wife could then have the marriage annulled. He is contemptible.

[@jayjaydubful]

He's not an ally. He wrote the school's guidance saying that boys should use girls' facilities & play in their sports if they identify as girls. And he expected his students to call him by female pronouns & titles. We don't need him in this fight, there are many articulate people who can speak on this

[@Lycaerix]

@@bevnicholson9916 If you cannot recognise a man, that's a you issue. Participating in fauxnouns makes you complicit in these lies and in the erosion of rights, boundaries, and common decency. YOU are part of the problem, just as Hayton continues to be part of the problem. A wolf in sheep's clothing doesn't stop being a wolf, even if it broadcasts it.

[@fraserct533]

25:18 really good to see the NHS has confirmed this most basic medical fact ⁉️ - bloody strange that it's necessary❗ - but good to know British Medecine confirms they know the difference between men & women 👍

[@joanr3189]

I enjoyed Andrew Neil’s measured, thoughtful analysis of the state of the SNP and Scottish politics immensely. Thank you!

[@JohnCowie]

CLUELESS wishful thinking.

[@oorwulliesbucket]

Aye Andrew Neil voted for brexshit , moved to France . Measured and thoughtful , aye right yi are !!

[@joseph_donovan]

Andrew Neil is always a delight to listen to and learn from. I wish he would write another book following his Full Disclosure book in the 80s. Kate, listen to his sage advice! Andrew, please write again! PS Cindy is an ineluctable delight too!

[@doodlebrighton124]

What about his article for the Mail a couple of years ago where he suggested it was time to 'punish the unvaccinated' ??? I've loathed the man ever since.

[@dannyarcher6370]

As a Britophile, the collapse of the SNP has been a sight for sore eyes.

[@thevis5465]

The SNP will not collapse, i am Scottish and I will NEVER be british.

[@dannyarcher6370]

@@thevis5465 You are both British and Scottish, like it or not.

[@thevis5465]

@@dannyarcher6370 80% of us do not consider ourselves to be British, you are wrong. It is an imposed identity that only english people use.

[@Joe-og6br]

​@@thevis5465you're British and there is nothing you can do about it until independence. Scotland is a pathetic little runt of a country. 🤣🤣🤣

[@dannyarcher6370]

@@thevis5465 Imposed or not, it is still an identity. Scotland has been British for 300 years. In fact. Union CREATED the identity of British. Without Scottish, there is no British. Without English, there is no British.

[@PhilMacVee]

Andrew Neil has issues with the SNP but in terms of tenure as first minister a certain Henry McLeish served for 377 days between 2000 and 2001 fewer days [by two] than the last FM about whom the media called, "Humza the brief"!

[@bridieconroy1368]

what is it about David Hayton that you find credible?

[@etherspin]

Hayton does a good juggle of sounding reasonable on mainstream platforms and in conversation with non-trans folks, when she is around the gender crowd is when it gets wild IMHO

[@TheMOV13]

If there was Spectator radio, I'd listen to it.

[@mikegray8776]

Cindy brings sparkle to the presenting role. Love her work - but what has happened to Chinese Whispers ??

[@alcoholly18]

Why are we being subjected to this AGP yet again?

[@Joy-qs7jf]

As a transwidow I am, politely, not impressed with yet another interview with him!

[@toni6053]

I'm so done with the media and there love in with these paraphilic men.

[@appsb4537]

Because it's useful to hear GC arguments from someone on the trans side of the aisle? Especially for centrists who are agnostic on the issue and might be less persuaded by the Bindels, Jay Keens and Linehans raging about 'AGP's across the internet (even if they're right).

[@angelh8262]

“It can never be easy for the women marrying into this institution (Royal family)?! “. Yeh, it must be so awful gaining VIP status, great wealth and privileges, living in Castles and having to fly in private jets on a million pound clothing allowance. You have to feel sorry for them 😂

[@averygraning2629]

"cash-strapped NHS"???? Yes ONLY 40 pence in every pound of tax goes to the NHS!!!

[@TheShootist]

Healthcare expenditure represented 11.3% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022, lower than the share of 12.4% in 2021. This reduction was caused by nominal growth in healthcare expenditure being outpaced by growth in the overall economy in 2022. May 17, 2023

[@user-hu1yi8ox9z]

That figure must either leave out a huge tun of spending or taxes. Because basic math puts it nowhere near that The NHS budget is around £185 billion, the amount the Government collects in tax is over £1 trillion, that does not = 40%. The Government spends about £1150 billion, that does not = 40%.

[@averygraning2629]

@@user-hu1yi8ox9z Assuming the figures I had read were incorrect and your figures are accurate then it is important that the NHS does not waste money such as the 400 million it spent buying up private hospital beds in 2020 which it did not use.

[@will121]

It's that Man again, telling us what is best for women. He must be lapping up all the attention

[@jasonedwards6870]

Always watch when Cindy presents❤. ❤❤

[@dougfreeland6957]

Spot on Andrew 🙂

[@Ralstro]

I couldn't agree more about Katie Derham. Listening to her presenting In Tune or Friday Night is Music Night is like experiencing an audition for Allo Allo. I probably wouldn't mind so much if she was consistent, but she only does it for French, Spanish and Italian composers. She will happily trill out Borodin, Górecki and Tchaikovsky without a hint of a Slavic accent.

[@Pastaface]

Debbie is so level headed. Sensible NHS managers, on a local basis, need to make decisions about bed allocation . If only we could guarantee all NHS managers as sensible as DH.

[@will121]

So 'Level Headed' he believes he's a woman 😂

[@JM-bg1it]

@@will121 No, DH does not think that "trans women" are women. Trans women are trans women - i.e. biological males

[@zondike1]

I do so wish that people would pronounce "schedule" properly. It is NOT "skedule" here in the UK!

[@zeldagoblin]

The unfortunate Americanized language we're hearing more and more. It's the result of a global internet and young people driving the language change. There have been talks about making 911 calls directly connected to emergency services since so many children think that's the emergency number. That, and children talking about cans of soda and sidewalks, and using phrases such as "could care less", and "better then", rings the death knell for the English language.

[@JohnSmith-mi9id]

Stop platforming this man(Hayton), but well done for not addressing him as a woman.

[@steadfastandyx4947]

Mr Neil is good but still to soft on the here today and good riddance now first minister from hell. My question is he worse than Sturgeon? Is that even possible?

[@zondike1]

too soft.

[@ostevoostevo1592]

Humza Yousaf also failed because of the lack of fish in his name....

[@marieparker3822]

Arguments in favour of Penny Mordaunt: 1 'good' hair, so some middle-aged men fancy her. 2 Er, thar's it . . .

[@mikegray8776]

Over generous, I feel. A vote for Mordaunt is a vote to intensify the headlong descent into woke delusion. And as for the blousy Mr Shapps …… dear God !!

[@user-hu1yi8ox9z]

Very few fancy her.

[@chrisspeksnijder1717]

There may be a 1000 Princes, but only one Ludwig van Beethoven

[@suziclark7864]

Please tell your editors that one isn't "embarassed OF" anything. Embarassed BY, perhaps. Even "embarassed ABOUT" ... grrr

[@davidcole8268]

As someone who was untutored in classical music but came to Radio 3 at a certain age to explore something more deep and satisfyingly than pop, rock and jazz, I despair at Sam Jackson’s reprogramming. Thank goodness for BBC Sounds which enables me to play Through the Night instead of tolerating the insipid daytime fare - presenters that just say enough in quiet,clipped tones to link the music.

[@jasonedwards6870]

true and well said, I agree with you in principle but really this very platform YT brings all the music we could ever need. If it wasn't for the pesky adverts!! that's how I've managed since quitting radio 3. (through the night is excellent, agreed.)

[@Beach_comber]

@@jasonedwards6870 Why don't you block the adverts? If you're using a PC, install the free "Adblock for KZbin". I don't use KZbin much on my phone, but the free Adblock browser on my Samsung phone seems to work as well. I keep forgetting that there are adverts on KZbin and I'm amazed that a general culture of blocking adverts on the Internet in general hasn't developed.

[@williamingram4755]

Probably wouldn't have the 20 billion deficit if the UK Govt didn't cream off the good stuff and give us an "allowance". Scotland has the bulk of the assets and the UK Govt are well aware of this. Time Scotland had independence sooner rather than later. The oil money has been used to build up England's financial sector and has also been squandered on the abandoned HS2 project. Independence can't come soon enough.

[@gordonross7740]

Scottish Independence will never be dead until independence is achieved!

[@Brommear]

This was the best discussion on sex/gender I have ever had on YT. Thank you.

[@williamingram4755]

As far as Andrew Neil is concerned ,I think the Scottish public have a better idea of conditions in Scotland than a man who lives in France and has homes in London and New York.

[@zeldagoblin]

Humza, when Ross challenge him on his legacy, could only bleat, "We gave you free stuff!"

[@IzzyRumi]

The Greens refused to accept the Cass Report.

[@suziclark7864]

Sharp analysis by Andrew Neil, as ever. William Haig would've been a great PM. Is it too late?

[@jemzargo]

The fact that such a buffoon as Humza was in senior positions in the government for so long just shows what a clown show SNP had become. What a nadir for this party.

[@DaboooogA]

Love Andrew Neil's vitriol for the SNP

[@sarahbasemera4375]

Is this the same reason why we have lost BBC Sounds - Classic Serial? I miss it so much. At least there is audible! But I did like the dramatization of English Literature.

[@Ralstro]

I am really miffed that they have shifted Composer of the Week from noon. This was the perfect lunchtime entertainment. An hour in the company of Donald MacLeod and his soothing Scottish buur. Since then I have missed the start of every episode because I am otherwise engaged. What is even worse is the attempt to replace him with the awful Kate Molleson. I persevered with her programmes about Brahms until she used the phrase "Bottled it" to refer to the composer losing his nerve. When I first started listening to Radio Three in the 1980s I was an uneducated oik (I still am, largely). The station seemed terribly elitist and difficult to me for a start but I appreciated that it was up to me to rise to their level. It began to feel like I was part of an exclusive club that accepted me and didn't patronise. That station seems like a distant memory. I now only regularly listen to Private Passions, Composer of the Week and In Tune if Sean Rafferty is presenting. I can't abide the morning programme with all of the audience participation. I want to hear great music not the opinions of Bernard in Bognor Regis. When I first started attending classical concerts I was in my twenties. Most of the audience was middle aged. All these years later the audience is still largely middle aged but they are obviously not the same audience. They are people who were going to pop concerts when I was starting out. My point being that it is futile chasing a young audience, in time that audience will come to you, they just won't be young any more.

[@Asoundviewpoint]

The issue is how many voters can Sunak deflect from Labour to possible associate possibilities to set a closer General Election race and reduce the likely hood of Labour overall control and what policy he uses to achieve this . Early results will give the Tories a realistic idea of what confidence they have maintained . I suggest very little , mainly due to assumption in extremist support whist gagging many members in order to look in control which , has now long gone .

[@theoutsider6191]

Could there be a more appropriate way to describe the SNPs future, than: "it never rains but it pours on the SNP". You cannot help but think the problems of politics generally right now are that the politicians themselves have lost sight of presenting a Party vision and delivering it. They are all internally squabbling about their differences of opinion on policy, and have far too much focus on what can only be described as luxury beliefs, like the crazy levels of DEI, woke or Trans issues (take your pick of these what would be non issues for the UK made primary issues via idiocy in the UK) that are making life difficult for everyone, ironically including themselves.

[@paultaylor7947]

smother me with blindness

[@muttleyZZZ]

“…rocky transition period to semi-oblivion” Andrew Neil on form 😂 hilarious and tragic

[@jonahs4819]

Why do people (especially my fellow Americans) not understand that Scots ARE British people. It was a Scottish king who united the two former kingdoms of Scotland and England and created the very idea of being “British”. Americans and some naive Scottish people today conflate Scotland with Ireland and live in a fantasy world where Scots are “struggling” against the English. They have a warped sense of history. Scots were NEVER subjugated by the English. In fact the Scots basically ran the British empire and were enormously over represented in the British military, colonial administration, and government. I blame braveheart for the ahistorical views people have about Scotland lol

[@Zidana123]

"I blame braveheart for the ahistorical views people have about Scotland lol" Yeah! That's exactly how it went for me! As a kid in the 90s my first encounter with the idea that there even was such a thing as "the Scottish people" was that movie. Then I saw _Highlander._ Between those two movies I carried around this notion that Scots were like a fierce bunch of warrior-poets striding about the heath fighting with greatswords for a long, long time. Wasn't until much later, I think it must have been the early 2010s, that I found out that no, they were actually a bunch of weirdos who were obsessed with deep fried foodstuffs and art colleges :|

[@nnknkable]

Watching Sam Smith walk in that bloody thing was hilarious.

[@johnneil4777]

You are getting the Scottish Independence Movement confused with the fortunes of a Political Party. The desire for an Independent Scotland is still currently running at around 50%. The SNP haven't pushed forward an Independence agenda since 2014. I have supported Independence over many years & will continue to do so, with or without an SNP Government in Scotland.

[@jackarcher9652]

They have been pushing for it since the Brexit vote in 2016. The independence movement and SNP are inextricably linked. The long term route to another referendum lies in a pro- independence majority in Holyrood. Only the SNP can achieve this.

[@IzzyRumi]

I blame Boris! He s#!t the bed.

[@FranzBieberkopf]

I'd hesitate to write the SNP off totally (they've been around since 1934), but I can see heavy defeats at the Westminster election this year and at Holyrood in 2026. Then? Probably internal civil war-for those of us with long memories, think 1979.

[@ScottishRoss27]

Nah

[@johnneville403]

@@ScottishRoss27 Thank you for your thoughtful take on this issue. You've certainly persuaded me to your side with your cogent and insightful arguments.

[@ScottishRoss27]

@@johnneville403 Best social contract anywhere in the Union.

[@FranzBieberkopf]

@@ScottishRoss27 Such eloquence and analytic skill.🤮

[@ScottishRoss27]

@@FranzBieberkopf Turned out to be a good week. In the Yougov poll on Monday 29th, Independence Up 1% to 54%. SNP Up 2% for Westminster and Up 2% for Holyrood. 10% more think SNP were right than think they were wrong to end their coalition with the Greens. In the Ipsos poll on Tuesday 30th, John Swinney (37%) and Kate Forbes (37%) Combined at 74% are miles more popular than Anas Sarwar (31%) and Douglas Ross (16%). All Under One Banner Independence March in Glasgow Tomorrow 4th May.

[@paultaylor7947]

familiar story

[@markbateman9222]

If you are aone issue party - as the SNP fundamentally are - you cannot continually promise to deliver on that issue - and continually fail to do so. Eventually enough of the electorate will cease to have any faith in your ability to deliver anything. Also, Yousaf was very much seen as the "continuity candidate" at the precise moment when the last thing the SNP needed was a sense of continuity with an increasingly sordid, squalid septic previous regime!

[@NigelThompson-hb5jg]

I can assure you, not all other countries have only private rooms. Even the USA has shared rooms [same sex].

[@RichardEnglander]

One of the worst of the many bad things Blair did was devolution. People don't realise just how tragic and revolutionary that was from a constitutional perspective. The first time we have gone backwards in terms of growing the Union since the Act of Union in 1533 or whatever it was...

[@sebastianvella8992]

Most of the problems Britain faces today were started by Blair. The irony is that when he was Prime Minister he was so popular and he could have stayed even longer as PM had he not made a pact with Brown to leave after 10 years. This should act as a lesson to always beware of extremely popular leaders as they may implement changes that in the long term are very harmful to the people.

[@philipebbrell2793]

Devolution was a way to ring fence Labour's celtic heartlands from any future Thatcher-like Government. Unfortunately, a voter is given a choice and it does not matter as it is a not a national Government. Voters will be perverse eg UKIP memebers sent to the EU Parliament. It creates anothet tier of Government, great for patronage, but not action.

[@dpnmcrobie]

Indy is now inevitable. If all Scots were made to watch this SNP support would go ballistic.

[@RichardEnglander]

​@@dpnmcrobiemmm I dunno about that, I've friends up there. Funny how the SNP want to leave the democratic Union we have, but then to join the undemocratic and far more distant supranational organisation of the EU. 😂

[@RichardEnglander]

​@@sebastianvella8992good point Blair really messed this nation up at fundamental levels, people think that because NHS and schools got a bit more money for a while he was great 😂

[@williamvorkosigan5151]

Rishi Sunak: His parents aren't British. He chose to get a US Green Card. His wife isn't British & has legally stated that she will not permanently settle in the UK. His children have learned Urdu. How was he qualified to be an MP, let alone run in the Conservative Party Leadership election in which he lost? He almost certainly would not pass Tebbit's Cricket Test. I suspect if he was watching England vs India at Cricket with his family, not only would he not be cheering on England, he wouldn't be cheering on England in English. Who wants to take bets that Sunak will not be living in England in 2026? I am offering good odds.

[@williamhodgson1428]

Private rooms in private hospitals are normal……. But they are incredibly expensive. If one can afford transition, surely they can afford private health insurance.

[@jayjaydubful]

We as tax payers pay for their unnecessary operations and medications

[@mpersad]

It’s always time well spent listening to Andrew Neil’s opinions on politics and world events. A terrific journalist.

[@mikegray8776]

A vote for Mordaunt is a vote to intensify the headlong descent into woke delusion. And as for the blousy Mr Shapps …… dear God !!

[@EnglishTMTB]

Just another example of "conservative" politicians who are nothing of the sort.

[@andys1333]

Meghan Markel was given far more than the benefit of to doubt! Go and watch the footage of her formal introduction and first visits, the British public loved her. It's quite an achievement to have fallen so far.

[@notlimey]

No private rooms in Canada! either two or four in a room and men and women, never mind 'trans' are mixed in together

[@kevinkevin-ug9po]

Have you been seen by the Police yet Mr Neil.

[@cmdrthorium1554]

I guess it goes without saying, as long as there is a treaty (1707) then Scottish independance will always be an option for the Scots.

[@donaldgrant39]

Andrew Neil can dream on Scottish Independence is much than a political party

[@JohnCowie]

Especially as NuSNP are detested, desperate 🇬🇧 hijacked saboteurs of the Scottish independence movement.

[@jackarcher9652]

Actually the SNP and the independence movement are inextricably tied. They are the only ones who can achieve an independence majority in Holyrood. - your only long term route to another referendum.

[@brianholmes3547]

Many thanks for not including Fred and Lionel, the two Trump apologists, in this weeks programme.

[@classicraceruk1337]

Prime Ministers never have a public mandate. The U.K. elects MP’s and the party with the largest number MP’s becomes the Government. The leader of that party becomes Prime Minister. When an election is called the current PM only remains PM to make sure a leader is in place for the General Election period.

[@Mikedr55]

what does 'in terms of Rishi Sunak...' mean? Sloppy no?

[@alexispaterson814]

Scottish independence dream died with Nicola Sturgeon. She wasn't going to loose her grip on The country.

[@blackislepeas]

Independence and the SNP are toast for at least 15-20 years (if ever) thanks to the total lack of preparation in the last 17 years. Scotland now has a £ 20 + BILLION budget deficit which has to be funded, no real improvement in both internal and export infrastructures, declining education, health and local services. No coherent 'pathway to Independence' has been articulated to the electorate, only a number of very expensive, high-level, glossy brochures full of word soup and totally lacking credibility - promises of taking 100,000 children out of poverty, FREE bikes and laptops. Many assume Scotland will keep the GBP, but when I've asked the SNP how the currency will transition to a Scottish Pound - NO REPLIES - there is no detail, nor is there for other costly matters such as borders with the RUK, export tariffs, fisheries protection vessels. The list is endless because NOTHING has been done.

[@michaelpeacock6360]

Katy is so sneering its stomach churning...

[@paultaylor7947]

we could all end up in DK

[@jr6928]

The act of Union between England and Scotland was a purely parliamentary Union, it was not, as is often peddled by Scottish Nationalists, an act of English colonisation. The rich and the powerful of Scotland were so desirous of Union because Scotland was bankrupt. The Scots had attempted to imitate England in creating an overseas empire, which had failed utterly and in turn had bankrupted Scotland. Scotland had been bitterly divided territorially between the Highlands and the Lowlands, with the Highlands on the whole being Roman Catholic and the Lowlands being a variety of radical forms of Protestantism. The ruling elements of Scotland were thus desperate for two things, access to the huge English trading empire, and protection from the threat of a Catholicizing monarchy. When the Union was negotiated in 1707, Scotland preserved everything (apart from an independent monarchy which had already gone with the Union of Crowns in 1603) and brought about a Union of Parliaments. Otherwise, Scotland preserves all the fundamentals of an independent nation, a separate system of law, a separate system of education, a separate ecclesiastical system (the monarch actually changes religion when they ‘go North’, becoming Presbyterian). What devolution under Blair succeeded in doing was the ‘unpicking’ of the parliamentary Union that had endured for 300 years.

[@paultaylor7947]

turn up the dimmer

[@RR-sp3ey]

Independence isn't dead, it's bigger than one political party.

[@JohnCowie]

Especially as NuSNP are 🇬🇧 hijacked saboteurs of the Scottish independence movement.

[@snakeplissken5480]

promises promises from the torys , years of lies , do not fall for it zero seats

[@paultaylor7947]

the van must of had spectacles

[@toni6053]

I see you have your pet agp troon again. Why?

[@paulpenfold2352]

I've just got back from voting in the local London election. It's really quite an intimidating experience if you're voting conservative/reform. There's three volunteers and you can see they're being friendly but also trying to make a window into your soul and work out if you're racist or not. Polling should be a stoical or spiritual affair. You shouldn't have to run the gauntlet of small talk and pleasantry in order to have your say.

[@paultaylor7947]

Sunaz

[@ldevon2318]

Wow the radio 3 segment was a slagging off session. I really do understand the frustration but the bitch fest and blaming the presenters was so cringe. ‘A gigs a gig’ as the saying goes. These guys should know that. Loved the passion for excellence but never been a fan of bitching about people. The phrase ‘it’s not what you’re saying but how you’re saying it’ comes to mind. The whinging really distracted from the passion for the music.

[@StiloVerso-kn7wn]

God Andrew Neil is so pleased with himself! You don’t have to be an SNP supporter to see that what Youssef attempted was a quite understandable play. And politics which doesn’t involve risk taking isn’t politics. So he cocked it up, royally. And wasn’t any good at the game. Fair enough. But to go from that to an ad hominem teenagers dumping each other… it’s just too smug. And by God at least he left with dignity. Resigned over a political rather than a moral error, admitted he cocked it up. We could almost imagine we were back in a time before Johnson and Truss when honour still counted.

[@EnglishTMTB]

Humza was a career failure - he failed in every job he got, whilst seeming to get better and better jobs until there was nothing better left. Unfortunately, he was thoroughly useless and although you're right that it's admirable to finally see some recognition of having failed and the decency to walk... He should've been able to see he was nowhere near competent enough to take the job in the first place, given his track record in lesser jobs.

[@SunYellow-zh7vx]

Not listening - something very very 'odd' about the Spec giving this fetishist attention.

[@nickgood8166]

Why the transvestite?

[@sn4831]

“it’s time to punish the unvaccinated”- Andrew Neil This hateful excuse for a human being should not still be getting a platform. Repulsive. Shame on the Spectator.

[@robertcook2572]

Well said. His bovine ignorance is surpassed only by his ovine instinct to follow the flock

[@eileenfoulkes9058]

It's not ignorance, it's complicity .

[@sebastianvella8992]

@@robertcook2572 What a comment !!!! I will borrow it.

[@salmanismail5330]

He's the chairman, they don't have a choice

[@alphabetaxenonzzzcat]

He needs to be constantly reminded of that. An utter disgrace, and highly unprofessional as journalist to put that viewpoint across.

[@johnmulvey5121]

Don't want to be rude ,but Katy Balls has developed a ''high rising terminal'' in her speech. She never had this before could someone please tell her? It's very difficult to listen to.

[@christopherherdman153]

You may wish. Pish.

[@JohnMorgan-qm4lu]

Andrew Neil does not live in Scotland. Mind your own business

[@bevnicholson9916]

what a strange comment. Since when does only living in a place qualify you to make comment on it

[@Millie.com232]

Cringe Radio 3 discussion. Toe curling.

[@christinehirst317]

I loved it!

[@sabejreid2072]

Sorry but I'm not OK with a Chinese person co - heading up the Editorial at the usually reliable Spectator. Should this lady give some info on her background?Another Channel going to the Dogs?

[@Nazomiah]

In fairness if you follow her previous podcasts on Chinese politics, it's no secret she's an outspoken critic of the CCP.

[@Woodzta]

Are you joking?

[@bevnicholson9916]

What??????