David Cameron: There will be no second Scottish independence referendum while I am Prime Minister July 28, 2015 The Prime Minister has rejected claims by Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon that she will dictate when a second Scottish independence referendum takes place, ruling out another vote in the current parliament. The timing of a second vote, Sturgeon said, would ultimately be her decision, agreeing with Alex Salmond, former SNP leader, that it [...]
Against the Grain: What Yanis Varoufakis can learn from a real game theory master – Nicola Sturgeon June 23, 2015 The gracious Palladian architecture of Edinburgh has often led the city to be described as the Athens of the North. If the referendum result had gone the other way, much closer parallels would have rapidly emerged. A high spending left wing government, faced with a collapse in revenues due to the fall in the oil [...]
Nicola Sturgeon on Brexit: In/out EU referendum must have “double majority” rule May 26, 2015 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has slammed Tory austerity measures and reaffirmed her party's commitment to staying in the EU in her first major economic speech since the election. Speaking to business leaders at Heart of Midlothian's Tynecastle Stadium, Sturgeon said the SNP would propose a "double majority" on the vote, in which each of the [...]
Sir Malcolm Bruce: House of Commons would be cleared “very fast” if you got rid of all liars May 26, 2015 If we wanted to get rid of every MP who had ever told a porkie, "we'd clear out the House of Commons very fast", the former deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats admitted this morning. Sir Malcolm Bruce, who stepped down at the General Election, was attempting to defend Alistair Carmichael – the only [...]
As Nicola Sturgeon demands more powers, is a second Scottish independence vote inevitable? May 17, 2015 Tim Bale, professor of politics at Queen Mary, University of London, says Yes. The genie is out of the bottle, the toothpaste out of the tube. Pick whichever metaphor you like, but be sure of one thing: it’s a case of “when”, not “if”. The SNP is simply biding its time, waiting for its chance. [...]
Nicola Sturgeon: SNP will be the main opposition to Conservatives May 10, 2015 Nicola Sturgeon rubbed salt into the Labour Party’s wounds yesterday, arguing that her Scottish National Party (SNP) is now the real opposition to the Conservative government. “Given that Labour are entering a period of introspection, questioning their very purpose in life – the SNP is going to be the principal opposition to the Conservatives,” she [...]
General Election 2015: Nicola Sturgeon ups stakes over legitimacy without “Scottish voices” May 4, 2015 Nicola Sturgeon has opened up fresh questions over the legitimacy of the next government if the General Election produces a hung parliament. Speaking on the campaign trail in Dumfries on Sunday the first minister said a government that did not reflect the choice of the Scottish electorate would not be legitimate. "Surely a test of [...]
Nicola Sturgeon “appalled” by Miliband and says Scotland will never forgive Labour if the Tories form a government May 1, 2015 Nicola Sturgeon has launched a stinging attack on Ed Miliband saying she is "appalled" that Labour has ruled out doing a deal with SNP if the General Election produces a hung parliament. Speaking on a special Question Time programme aired in Scotland, the First Minister said Scotland would never forgive Miliband if the Conservatives were [...]
Nigel Farage, Nicola Sturgeon and Leanne Wood to face BBC audience questions: Here’s what you need to know April 30, 2015 As the three main party leaders prepare to spar with the public ahead of tonight's leaders' Question Time special, some may be wondering how the leaders of the minor parties are planning to spend their evening. While the leaders of Ukip, SNP, and Plaid Cymru may not be involved in tonight's premier event, they will [...]
Nicola Sturgeon’s EU mischief-making is a taste of the political blackmail to come April 29, 2015 Both Sinn Fein and the SNP launched their General Election manifestos last week, demanding that, in any future referendum, all four nations of the UK must agree to leave the European Union before it can happen. If ever there was a policy that claims to be about unity when it is all about fomenting division, [...]