Forum Topic

All change north of the border.

Whatever you say about Nicola Sturgeon - she was a consummate politician, of all the shower we've had she was head and shoulders above them. It will get very interesting now I would think, as from here it seemed very much as if the Scots Nats were a bit of a one-trick party? It maybe that now we'll see what sort of government they provided across the board as there are other very important things people are rightly concerned about. Robert Peston last night said that when interviewed she always tried to answer the questions put to her - what about that! Most of the rest spend ages trying to deflect everything. She was always concise and well briefed and frankly put waffling Bozo and the top tw*t Trump to shame throughout Covid. Most of all I have admiration for both her and Jacinda Ardern for having the sense and concern for putting their country above personal ambition, in knowing when you've had enough and fresh thinking is needed, and having the maturity and humility to say so.

Vanessa Smith ● 1312d19 Comments

"Robert Peston last night said that when interviewed she always tried to answer the questions put to her" Yeh,always tried but did not because peston took to long asking the blooming question in the first place.😁 I would like to know when he is stepping down. His ratings are so bad they might switch him again or just ditch him. The competition is far greater than it ever has been. As to sturgeon,well the agenda its prety much over and out

Julian Pavey ● 1312d

Agree about Peston.  He's a pain.

Sarah Jane Vickers ● 1311d

Little Mrs Krankie cared not a jot about Scotland's economy, alcoholism, drug dependance, health, and a whole lot more.She was only concerned with her relentless pursuit for independence and slagging off the English and Toryism in particular.A thoroughly obnoxious woman.GRTBR

Denis I. Fox ● 1311d

Agree, the drink problem is worse than ever there.

Janice Evans ● 1311d

Well, she is certainly a 'Marmite' individual. But what does it say about the current crop we're stuck with when so many plaudits have filled the media?

Vanessa Smith ● 1311d

Well most politicians get remembered for one thing over time. More so if your PM which is why ive noted most who served as PM Blair for ilegal war ✔️ Major for being grey and dull✔️ Brown for selling gold on the cheap✔️ Cameron for EU ref ✔️ Corbyn for biggest defeat ✔️ Boris for being a clown or lying ❔ Truss shortest-serving leader OR collapse of the pound❔ Sturgeon scottish independence✔️ Obviously more leaders than above and obviously each known for other issues but as the years roll on they only get remembered for one thing. Time will tell for more recent and current

Julian Pavey ● 1311d

I'm not sure that referring to  a rapist as 'her' did her any favours with most people in Scotland,let alone with the rest of the British people.

Keith Iddon ● 1311d

Political lightweight.jumping on the bandwagon of new and fanciful ideas ,trans todayrapists tomorrow.

James Dow ● 1311d

As Vanessa said - "Whatever it is, just wish more politicos would take note. When past your sell by date - bugger off."

Richard Greenhough ● 1311d

I see Mrs Krankie and her other half have made a habit of dipping their fingers in the till, as if her legacy in governing hasn't tarnished her, she now has to face a financial inquest.Poor wee thing.

Denis I. Fox ● 1311d

Agree, James.  Appalling woman.

Claire Moran ● 1311d

Vanessa asks "what does it say about the current crop we're stuck with when so many plaudits [of Nicola Surgeon] have filled the media?"I agree totally.  I don't like any of her anti-English rhetoric nor her lack of concentration on some of Scotland's biggest political issues BUT I believe that her and Alex Salmond are the standout British politicians of their era in terms of communication and electoral success.

Phil Kay ● 1311d

The reality is that in western democracies few leaders go on for longer than 8-10 years (sometimes due to term limits), I suspect the intensity of the job burns them out.That and the fact that the SNP has as its raison d'etre, Scottish independence which I suspect they are now realising is an even dafter idea economically than Brexit and that they will probably never win a referendum on.Combination of those things, and a couple of clear mistakes was enough for Nicola to call it a day.  Whatever she may do in the future, even though I was against her policies, I wish her well

Justin Stephenson ● 1311d

The government’s ignoring of Scotland’s general opposition to Brexit is likely to have spurred and enhanced calls for independence in the short term but yes, the dismal economic reality of Brexit may now have helped to scupper it in the longer term as the concept of ‘stronger together’ gains traction.  Ironic.As for Sturgeon’s own status, this little cartoon is eloquent ..https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2023/feb/15/ben-jennings-on-nicola-sturgeons-exit-cartoon?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Alastair Banton ● 1311d

For me its impossible to weigh up the two and what may have happened after the two unless you count the 2017 elctionTurnout for independence was 84..59% in 2014Turnout for  EU referendum was 67.2%  in 2016When you break down the regions it gets a little more interesting with turnout and the percentages for each.

Julian Pavey ● 1311d

Ah, the Krankies. I could never work out which one Nicola Sturgeon was. The one on the left or the one on the right? Definitely not the one in the middle.

Brian Coyle ● 1311d

She was the fishy one, the second of that ilk to become First Minister. Bets on the next SNP leader - Cod 10/1Haddock 15/1Trout 20/1Pike 25/1Piranha 30/1

Richard Greenhough ● 1311d

Her plaice will be hard to fill.  I expect the SNP to flounder for a while.

Alastair Banton ● 1311d

Sturgeon says 'Pollocks to you all,I'm off'

Keith Iddon ● 1310d