The SNP’s Jim Sillars made some astonishing threats to companies that didn’t promote the SNP pro-independence line:
The No camp fear mongering has had an effect on me – instead of retiring on 19th. September, I am staying in. This referendum is about power, and when we get a Yes majority, we will use that power for a day of reckoning with BP and the banks.
The heads of these companies are rich men, in cahoots with a rich English Tory Prime Minister, to keep Scotland’s poor, poorer through lies and distortions. The power they have now to subvert our democracy will come to an end with a Yes.
BP, in an independent Scotland, will need to learn the meaning of nationalisation, in part or in whole, as it has in other countries who have not been as soft as we have forced to be. If it wants into the ‘monster fields’ in the areas west of Shetland, it will have to learn to bend the knee to a greater power – us, the sovereign people of Scotland. We will be the masters of the oil fields, not BP or any other of the majors. If Bob Dudley thinks this is mere rhetoric, just let him wait. It is sovereign power that counts. We will have it, he will not.
As for the Bankers. Your casino days, rescued by socialisation of your liabilities while you waltz off with the profits, will be over. You will be split between retail and investment, and if your greed takes the latter down, there will be no rescue. You believe in the market, in future you will live with its discipline. Fail will mean failure.
As for Standard Life, it will be required by new employment laws to give two years warning of any redundancies, and reveal to the trade unions its financial reasons for relocation to any country outside of Scotland, and the costs involved. It has never crossed the minds of our compliant Unionist media, especially the BBC, to ask the Chief Executive what his costings are on his proposed moves.
As for John Lewis, the question is whether the senior management consulted the ‘partners’ or took instructions from Cameron? Another question our supine BBC did not ask. There is now talk of boycott, and if it happens it will be a management own goal.
What kind of people do these companies think we are? They will find out.
I have yet to hear a BBC interview that ripped into any SNP representative about this [I’m sure there must be one]….I heard Jon Pienaar having a friendly chat with Nicola Sturgeon yesterday when he allowed her to get away with dismissing the whole thing as the result of great passion and Sillars’ wife having died.
Never have I heard the BBC link other such examples of businesses being threatened by the SNP to back up claims of SNP bullying…..
This from the Telegraph in December last year:
SNP making ‘threatening phone calls’, say pro-Union businesses. This is sinister
As Scotland gets ready to vote on independence in September next year, one subject above all others prompts business leaders, entrepreneurs and bankers here to lower their voices and look over their shoulders to check that they are not being overheard. Ask them about the risks of breaking up the Union and it rapidly becomes apparent that they are terrified of getting caught speaking publicly about concerns, in case they are targeted for retribution by Alex Salmond’s nationalist administration which runs devolved Scotland. The climate of fear is extraordinary and quite sinister. There is the concern about incurring the wrath of SNP politicians, in terms of smear campaigns instigated in the Scottish parliament and publicised in the media.
This from the Guardian this July:
Cameron accuses SNP of threats to business leaders over no vote
“A huge amount of pressure is being put on businesses by the Scottish government with all sorts of threats and warnings against speaking out and saying what they believe is the truth. I come across business leader after business leader – large and small in Scotland – who wants to keep our United Kingdom together and thinks it would be crazy to have border controls, different currencies and split up our successful United Kingdom. I urge them to speak out, talk with their work forces about the strength of our United Kingdom and then vote to keep it together.”
This also from July this year:
Makers of an episode of Channel 4’s Dispatches, which will air tonight, said they had been spoken to 19 businesses who were aware of threats of “retribution down the track” for those who opposed independence.
Gavin Hewitt, the former chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, told Channel 4 that he or his senior staff had met with Angus Robertson, the SNP leader at Westminster, on at least six occasions over the past two years.
“He and the SNP have regularly tried to get the message to the Scotch Whisky Association that the Scotch whisky industry should stay out of the independence debate,” Hewitt told the programme.
So much for the ‘energised, articulate, peaceful debate’ that Salmond tries to portray it as.
It might be a good example of rounded journalism if the BBC were to make a bit of an effort and put all of these examples together and make a solid case against the SNP for its sinister, bullying tactics…this is the SNP who claim that an independent Scotland will be a fairer, more equal, more just place.
Presumably only if the SNP then get booted out at the next election.
Nationalist and Socialist. We’ve been here before.
They keep mentioning this oil filed off the Shetlands. Te Shetlanders are different to the Scots – what if they want to retain links with the rest of the UK, or alternatively to leave union with Scotland and join Norway? Both of these are distinct possibilities. Would Salmond say that he won’t grant them their own freedom to choose after using that argument for himself in this referendum? Could he be that hypocritical? (Rhetorical).
Good to see you know your history. Question though: If Scotland gain Independance then refuse to give up Shetland which technically they received as a dowry, would the English army invade Shetland. Why would Scotland let the Islands join an English Union or revert back to Norwegian rule?
What’s that? Wouldnt they be hypocrites? Well of course they would but so would the English holding on to the Falklands because its a good place to graze sheep and has nothing to do with oil in the South Atlantic whatsover.
There again when has being English and not being an arrogant hipocrite ever stopped them. Daily Mail: anti European Union because theyre not in charge of the rules but also “let the Jocks go as weve carried them long enough”. If Scotland had access to the English views not only nationally but locally down here the Yes campaign would have been irrelevant. Some of the remarks are racist pure and simple.
‘Some of the remarks are racist pure and simple’
As mentioned I am half-Scots and have again taken an interest in the family history.
Just a wee bit of help as I trace back through the centuries, and so far only have white caucasians cropping up from Land’s End to John ‘O’Groats and even from across the water with those who hitched a ride to accompany the Bonnie Prince … what race would you be referring to here?
Or is this based on a BBC historical drama or doco I may have missed?
The rellies in Fort William are also keeping me up to date on Outlander, and it’s all looking a bit hideously ginger so far for any channeling their inner Dyke (Greg, that is).
The BBC, and journalistic colleagues, are making significant play of the ‘intimidation’ of their staff.
So far I can only locate a poster about Nick Robinson at a protest (about a disputed piece of editorial omission still very much left in the realms of mystery) and the claims of ‘reports’ by a union rep.
The former seems legitimate, especially if he did what is claimed. The second not. Views are fine; threats are not.
As pointed out here, it seems odd that Auntie’s panties are in a twist about threats that as yet do not seem to exist when about them, but curiously muted when a lot more clear and tangible are directed at others.
Has she been cowed by self-interest, or simply not too bothered when it’s others?
The only way to save the Union now is to keep Scameron as far away as possible from it. The Krankies would have a better chance than him!
Jeanette Krankie is the Deputy First Minister.
The Hattie and Jack Dromey-Harpoon equivalent north of Adrians Street/Hadrians Wall!
Last independance vote 27% using Thatchers “dont vote, will count as no vote” form of democracy.
Question for your other brain cell. Would the Krankies increase the Yes votes by almost 95% in 35 yrs.
Fan dabby dossy ya eejit.
‘Fan dabby dossy’
Ah’m no totally au fait with the lingua Scottaysee any more, and it may just be a pronunciation thing, but it seems less of a doss and more of a doze…
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=fan-dabby-dozy
Spellings do vary though:
Sillars was interviewed on Today on Saturday and admitted that a Scottish government would not be able to nationalise BP as it would not have the money to do so.
Sillars said that he was only saying these things to get airtime. I just wondered whether he had been told to row back on his comments.
If Salmond, Sturgeon and Sillars are the answer heaven help the Scots.
Yes, Venezuela looks to be their paradigm
The New S.S.S…Scottish Socialist Silverfish?
Salmon(d) and Sturgeon are fishy, right enough.
If they are the answer…………..what was the question?
I have to say I’m disappointed in Jim Sillars. He writes a weekly column in the Edinburgh Evening News and, while he’s never one I would see eye to eye with, often makes some very sensible points.
I guess, being a politician, it depends on his audience and what he thinks they want to hear.
Its good listening to that snp up here……….getting more like Citizen Smith every day……..expect to hear a football chant any day now………..” GET TAE **** UR I,LL NATIONALISE YE
Scotland vote.
Beeboids are euphemistic about intimidation by ‘Yes’ campaign, and they simply leave opinion on this to a police spokesperson, not to victims-
Compare ‘Daily Mail’ on this, to Beeboids-
1.) ‘Daily Mail:-
“This bullying and intimidation is worse than anything I saw in Ulster, writes TOM BRADBY”
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2758591/This-bullying-intimidation-worse-I-saw-Ulster-writes-TOM-BRADBY.html#ixzz3DZm0w1Y0
2.)
Beeboids:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29235197
“You’re a f****** liar, screamed a ‘Yes’ voter. Ed Mil’s eyes rotated in different directions: QUENTIN LETTS sees things turn nasty for Labour leader in Edinburgh”
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2758587/You-f-liar-screamed-Yes-voter-Ed-Mil-s-eyes-rotated-different-directions-QUENTIN-LETTS-sees-things-turn-nasty-Labour-leader-Edinburgh.html#ixzz3DZn1V3lJ
And yet Allegra Stratton on her tweefeed had him mesmerising the crowd with his charisma, and that grin was apparently winning them over as opposed to him going to a happy place until it was all over.
At least, once she and the guys in post-prod had done with it.
Not being too shy in hiding their PR efforts now, apparently.
Chocolate ration up again this week I see Winston
(Nice to see Scottish er I mean ‘socialist worker’ displayed prominently by one off Albi’s good natured yes campaigners)
Looking at Tom Braby’s article, I see I wasn’t the only one to think there was something fishy about that banner:
And the march on the BBC, complete with strangely well-prepared banners with Nick Robinson’s face on them, was frankly rather sinister.
My employment and leisure time has taken me all over Scotland in the last few weeks.
“Worse than Ulster…………..” guess I have missed the bullets, bombs, army checkpoints etc across Scotland.
Here is the response to such irresponsible reporting from The Scottish Police Federation:
“It was inevitable that the closer we came to the 18th of September passions would increase but that does not justify the exaggerated rhetoric that is being deployed with increased frequency. Any neutral observer could be led to believe Scotland is on the verge of societal disintegration yet nothing could be further from the truth.
Scotland’s citizens are overwhelmingly law abiding and tolerant and it is preposterous to imply that by placing a cross in a box, our citizens will suddenly abandon the personal virtues and values held dear to them all.
At this time it is more important than ever that individuals be they politicians, journalists or whoever should carefully consider their words, maintain level heads and act with respect. Respect is not demonstrated by suggesting a minority of mindless idiots are representative of anything. One of the many joys of this campaign has been how it has awakened political awareness across almost every single section of society. The success enjoyed by the many should not be sullied by the actions of the few.
Police officers must be kept free from the distractions of rhetoric better suited to the playground that the political stump. If crime has been committed it will be investigated and dealt with appropriately but quite simply police officers have better things to do than officiate in spats on social media and respond to baseless speculation of the potential for disorder on and following polling day”
http://www.spf.org.uk/2014/09/spf-media-release-independence-referendum-2/
‘police officers have better things to do than officiate in spats on social media’
Except when it comes to ‘racism’ and muslims.
“..guess I have missed the bullets, bombs, army checkpoints etc across Scotland.”
You seem also to have missed the bit when he explained what he meant by that.
‘You seem also to have missed the bit..’
Either there’s a glitch in the matrix since the last upgrade, or they really can’t get the staff.
Or… it wasn’t missed at all but was punted out anyway in the hope no one would notice. Happens a lot with BBC editorial, too.
“Tempers flare on eve of Scotland’s D-Day: Sky News anchor Kay Burley rounds on ‘aggressive’ Yes campaigner live on air as No voters accuse rivals of intimidation.”
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2759464/Sky-News-anchor-Kay-Burley-calls-Yes-Scotland-campaigner-k-b-live-air-tried-hit-cameraman-stick.html#ixzz3DbkiiqOE
“SAY NO.
Democracy itself is on the line in today’s referendum.”
By Brendan O’Neill.
http://www.spiked-online.com/newsite/article/say-no/15813#.VBn0tZRdW9Y
Im a Scot living in England and in the last three weeks have suffered two flat tyres due to screws being placed under them. So dont you English get too sanctimonious about “intimidation”.
The one thing that has driven me mad in the last few weeks is the total ignorance of British and Scottish history shown by the English. What on earth is your education system is teaching your kids during history lessons?
Lets start with Shetland. Scotland (thats the independent country pre 1707!) took over Shetland in 1470 when the King of Norway pledged the Islands in the form of a dowry to the Scottish Crown. Thats the Scottish Crown that today rests on the head of Queen Elizabeth. So Shetland is undeniably Scottish and would need to gain independence from Scotland, not the United Kingdom.
As to the British Crown? The Queen is the Scottish and English monarch so why would Scotland not retain her? This follows the Union of the Crowns in 1603. It was this “Union” that gave birth to the United Kingdom. Scotland is not “part” of the Union, we are the Union. No Scotland no United Kingdom!
The Irish were dragged kicking and screaming into the British Union in 1801. The Welsh are part of England and have been since 1294. No offence to my Welsh Celtic cousins but that is an historical fact. Annexed to England the same as Shetland is to Scotland.
Nothern Island? The only trully British part of the United Kingdom made up of English and Scottish squatters and Irish who detest the “Union”.
I could go on and on. Sterling? A form of money introduced by a Scot governed by a bank founded by a Scot. Yet Scotland have no right to continue using it???
One last thing. Identity. Scottish sport stands under the Saltire singing a Scottish anthem. English sport stands under the St Georges Cross sing “God save the Queen”. British sport stands under the Union Flag singing “God save the Queen”. Does that make the Scot English or British?
“I could go on and on.”
Yes, I get that impression.
“Sterling? A form of money introduced by a Scot governed by a bank founded by a Scot. Yet Scotland have no right to continue using it???”
Of course you can continue using it, but you don’t get access to the bank.
All academic anyway.
‘I’m a Scot living in England and in the last three weeks have suffered two flat tyres due to screws being placed under them.’
Is there a TellMcMaMa? You’d be a poster boy for their next pr to news outing once the BBC can ‘report’ again.
I’m half-Scots living in the UK, no one knows or cares what my family origins are, and in the past few weeks I’ve had the exact same thing with my garden trolley. Costing me a fortune in inner tubes and I am of course careful with my money.
Not sure it was much to do with any actual local phobias, mind; more being a bit careless with the DIY on the drive tidy up.
Hope you soon recover from the place you have been driven. Or have taken yoursel’.
“I’m a Scot living in England and in the last three weeks have suffered two flat tyres due to screws being placed under them.”
My TV broke down last week. I blame the Far Right.
Why not? Explain why not?
As for you childish remark? You must be a riot in the pub.
‘As for your childish remark?’
Never hurts to specify who you are talking to.. mouthing off at in such cases. Just asking questions, eh?
Also best not to mention ‘riot’ or you’ll get Paul Mason and a crew diverted from cranking up their next story on twitter should certain parties fail to secure what they feel is their rightful result.
I’d say the BBC was reasonably fair for once over the Scottish referendum. I guess they couldn’t choose between an oppressed minority and the breakup of the BBC.
The reason the “Better Together” crowd had to go so over the top with threats and bribes is because they had no alternative patriotism to counter the appeal of Scottishness. The British identity is clearly dead. At least north of the border. That’s why there were so few Union Jacks in evidence at the unionist demonstrations.
There’s a pretty good piece on that called: “Where’s the Union Jack, Cameron?” at:
http://john-moloney.blogspot.com/2014/09/wheres-union-jack-cameron.html