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Sam Taylor

@staylorish • 11,192 subscribers

Runs @These_Islands. “cannot stand the awesome reality of Scotland’s energy wealth” - Alex Salmond. Tweeting in a personal capacity.

Shorts

“I was exonerated. If there had been a shred of evidence that I had been complicit in this, or had known about what he was doing, then I wouldn’t have been cleared.” Sturgeon must know that a decision not to charge can be made despite plenty of “shreds” of evidence.

“I was exonerated. If there had been a shred of evidence that I had been complicit in this, or had known about what he was doing, then I wouldn’t have been cleared.” Sturgeon must know that a decision not to charge can be made despite plenty of “shreds” of evidence.

306,365 Aufrufe

“I’m sorry, there are absolutely no fiscal requirements for joining the EU. What you are talking about is the Exchange Rate Mechanism.” Jaw-dropping ignorance from Màiri McAllan.

“I’m sorry, there are absolutely no fiscal requirements for joining the EU. What you are talking about is the Exchange Rate Mechanism.” Jaw-dropping ignorance from Màiri McAllan.

436,836 Aufrufe

1/ Sturgeon’s claim that the “motor vehicles” item on the balance sheet could have been “the rental of motor vehicles” got a lot of attention yesterday. Initially, I was prepared to give her the benefit of the doubt here. Even though “rental” would usually imply a short term…

1/ Sturgeon’s claim that the “motor vehicles” item on the balance sheet could have been “the rental of motor vehicles” got a lot of attention yesterday. Initially, I was prepared to give her the benefit of the doubt here. Even though “rental” would usually imply a short term…

97,161 Aufrufe

1/ Hannah Mary Goodlad makes a blatantly false claim about the relative performance of Scotland’s economy in parliament today. The truth: between Q1 2016 and Q1 2026, real GDP growth in Scotland was 6.8% vs real GDP growth of 13.7% for the UK over the same period.

1/ Hannah Mary Goodlad makes a blatantly false claim about the relative performance of Scotland’s economy in parliament today. The truth: between Q1 2016 and Q1 2026, real GDP growth in Scotland was 6.8% vs real GDP growth of 13.7% for the UK over the same period.

62,463 Aufrufe

Oops. James Mitchell responds (see quoted tweet) to Ross Greer’s suggestion in parliament that the Scottish Green amendment is closest to his proposals.

Oops. James Mitchell responds (see quoted tweet) to Ross Greer’s suggestion in parliament that the Scottish Green amendment is closest to his proposals.

62,231 Aufrufe

Ed Miliband has his faults, but the idea that he is scheming away at Westminster to maximise the profits of huge energy companies, by denying consumers cheap energy, is utterly bonkers. A deranged conspiracy theory.

Ed Miliband has his faults, but the idea that he is scheming away at Westminster to maximise the profits of huge energy companies, by denying consumers cheap energy, is utterly bonkers. A deranged conspiracy theory.

58,204 Aufrufe

The Scottish Greens’ ill-advised attempt to imply James Mitchell’s support comes back to bite them as Jackie Baillie sums up for Scottish Labour.

The Scottish Greens’ ill-advised attempt to imply James Mitchell’s support comes back to bite them as Jackie Baillie sums up for Scottish Labour.

26,956 Aufrufe

John Swinney says that on day one of a new SNP government, he will request a Section 30 order transferring powers over energy to the Scottish Parliament. If this was a serious idea, you’d expect the civil service to have done some preparatory work. So… have they? Of course not.

John Swinney says that on day one of a new SNP government, he will request a Section 30 order transferring powers over energy to the Scottish Parliament. If this was a serious idea, you’d expect the civil service to have done some preparatory work. So… have they? Of course not.

29,515 Aufrufe

Scotland’s energy wealth is being “siphoned off” by Westminster, says John Swinney. Populist bullshit of the highest order. #bbcdn

Scotland’s energy wealth is being “siphoned off” by Westminster, says John Swinney. Populist bullshit of the highest order. #bbcdn

30,615 Aufrufe

Màiri McAllan seems to believe that an independent Scotland would end global conflicts by “proposing peace”. If only someone had thought of this before. Actually, they have. It was Jeremy Corbyn.

Màiri McAllan seems to believe that an independent Scotland would end global conflicts by “proposing peace”. If only someone had thought of this before. Actually, they have. It was Jeremy Corbyn.

24,814 Aufrufe

1/ This line, that because a Chinese company has a minority stake in Hinkley Point C, the UK Labour government must be “anti-Scottish” to have blocked the Ming Yang wind turbine factory, on national security grounds, is very easily debunked.

1/ This line, that because a Chinese company has a minority stake in Hinkley Point C, the UK Labour government must be “anti-Scottish” to have blocked the Ming Yang wind turbine factory, on national security grounds, is very easily debunked.

24,619 Aufrufe

“It’s not GB Energy. It’s Scotland’s energy.” It’s not like other nationalisms. It’s civic nationalism.

“It’s not GB Energy. It’s Scotland’s energy.” It’s not like other nationalisms. It’s civic nationalism.

100,503 Aufrufe

Stationary wind turbines which (when they do spin) produce electricity at a cost of £163/MWh (double the current wholesale price). A perfect encapsulation of the utter vacuity of SNP rhetoric on energy. Imagine if these costs could not be defrayed across all GB bill payers…

Stationary wind turbines which (when they do spin) produce electricity at a cost of £163/MWh (double the current wholesale price). A perfect encapsulation of the utter vacuity of SNP rhetoric on energy. Imagine if these costs could not be defrayed across all GB bill payers…

52,681 Aufrufe

Zack Polanski believes independence will free Scotland from the dismal spectacle of PMQs. He has presumably never watched FMQs.

Zack Polanski believes independence will free Scotland from the dismal spectacle of PMQs. He has presumably never watched FMQs.

17,096 Aufrufe

Philippa Whitford channels Emma Harper. Currency problem solved because we now have Apple Pay.

Philippa Whitford channels Emma Harper. Currency problem solved because we now have Apple Pay.

39,424 Aufrufe

John Swinney saying “thank goodness” for Reform. Rather pertinent this morning.

John Swinney saying “thank goodness” for Reform. Rather pertinent this morning.

15,705 Aufrufe

Kate Forbes says the Scottish Government’s failures don’t matter, because you can count on the SNP “to always stand up for Scotland”. Pathetic. #bbcdn

Kate Forbes says the Scottish Government’s failures don’t matter, because you can count on the SNP “to always stand up for Scotland”. Pathetic. #bbcdn

45,509 Aufrufe

One of the SNP’s most prolifically dishonest politicians, extolling the virtues of honesty. #bbcdn

One of the SNP’s most prolifically dishonest politicians, extolling the virtues of honesty. #bbcdn

42,628 Aufrufe

Angela Constance tells parliament that she will bravely soldier on in her role, rather than taking the easy way out by resigning. What a heroic public servant she is.

Angela Constance tells parliament that she will bravely soldier on in her role, rather than taking the easy way out by resigning. What a heroic public servant she is.

19,501 Aufrufe

Shona Robison explains her negotiating tactics on public sector pay: if you threaten to strike, she will cave in to demands.

Shona Robison explains her negotiating tactics on public sector pay: if you threaten to strike, she will cave in to demands.

16,144 Aufrufe

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Alan Cumming on how women have ruined feminism for him.

Alan Cumming on how women have ruined feminism for him.

1,200,756 Aufrufe • vor 3 Monaten

Three cheers for that audience member. And deft moderation by Stephen Jardine. “So wait a minute… we pay the supermarkets to lower their prices… is that what you’re suggesting?” An unusually entertaining and illuminating 90 seconds from last week’s #bbcdn

Three cheers for that audience member. And deft moderation by Stephen Jardine. “So wait a minute… we pay the supermarkets to lower their prices… is that what you’re suggesting?” An unusually entertaining and illuminating 90 seconds from last week’s #bbcdn

504,532 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

John Swinney loses his cool (twice) at FMQs when his personal integrity is quite legitimately questioned.

John Swinney loses his cool (twice) at FMQs when his personal integrity is quite legitimately questioned.

141,619 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

Well… this is awkward. John Swinney speaking here on the Sunday Show on 30th May 2021. By this stage the SNP accounts proved that the money had gone missing and Swinney had clearly looked at those accounts. John Swinney was part of the cover up operation.

Well… this is awkward. John Swinney speaking here on the Sunday Show on 30th May 2021. By this stage the SNP accounts proved that the money had gone missing and Swinney had clearly looked at those accounts. John Swinney was part of the cover up operation.

119,106 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

Awkward. Speaking in parliament in 2022, John Swinney railed against the economic illiteracy of people suggesting he had the right to spend ringfenced money on other things.

Awkward. Speaking in parliament in 2022, John Swinney railed against the economic illiteracy of people suggesting he had the right to spend ringfenced money on other things.

86,939 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

Alarmingly, John Swinney tells CNBC that in the event of independence, holders of Scot Gov bonds would just have to rely on Scot Gov meeting its contractual obligations. He is presumably hoping to sell these bonds to investors who know nothing about Scottish politics.

Alarmingly, John Swinney tells CNBC that in the event of independence, holders of Scot Gov bonds would just have to rely on Scot Gov meeting its contractual obligations. He is presumably hoping to sell these bonds to investors who know nothing about Scottish politics.

36,101 Aufrufe • vor 18 Tagen

Two very important questions here, asked by James Cook and Simon Johnson after FMQs on Thursday, and John Swinney has no answers, only evasions. The chicanery continues. This should be getting much more attention.

Two very important questions here, asked by James Cook and Simon Johnson after FMQs on Thursday, and John Swinney has no answers, only evasions. The chicanery continues. This should be getting much more attention.

92,854 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

Given its significance, just re-posting this clip of John Swinney’s 30th May 2021 appearance on the BBC Sunday Show. (This is a better quality version than the video of a TV screen that’s been floating around.)

Given its significance, just re-posting this clip of John Swinney’s 30th May 2021 appearance on the BBC Sunday Show. (This is a better quality version than the video of a TV screen that’s been floating around.)

84,617 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

1/ John Swinney lost his rag twice today with journalists who accurately described his position. Here, Swinney is irate with Tom Gordon for saying that it sounds like he accepts public money could “conceivably” have been part of the general pool of money from which Murrell stole.

1/ John Swinney lost his rag twice today with journalists who accurately described his position. Here, Swinney is irate with Tom Gordon for saying that it sounds like he accepts public money could “conceivably” have been part of the general pool of money from which Murrell stole.

80,049 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

Farcical scenes at Holyrood as Jim Fairlie can’t find the answer civil servants had written for him, and struggles to improvise one.

Farcical scenes at Holyrood as Jim Fairlie can’t find the answer civil servants had written for him, and struggles to improvise one.

44,496 Aufrufe • vor 25 Tagen

Some good news for the SNP. Alyn Smith says the £600k ringfenced independence fund never did go missing. #bbcdn

Some good news for the SNP. Alyn Smith says the £600k ringfenced independence fund never did go missing. #bbcdn

79,535 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

John Swinney struggles once again to explain why his government is so determined to allow men who identify as women to be housed in women’s prisons.

John Swinney struggles once again to explain why his government is so determined to allow men who identify as women to be housed in women’s prisons.

269,481 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten

John Swinney once again getting very snippy with journalists asking perfectly legitimate questions.

John Swinney once again getting very snippy with journalists asking perfectly legitimate questions.

38,159 Aufrufe • vor 24 Tagen

Why did I save this clip? Must have had a hunch it wouldn’t age well. Andrew Wilson sings the praises of Nicola Sturgeon on BBC Newsnight, 23rd February 2021. Peter Murrell took delivery of the motorhome on 22nd February 2021.

Why did I save this clip? Must have had a hunch it wouldn’t age well. Andrew Wilson sings the praises of Nicola Sturgeon on BBC Newsnight, 23rd February 2021. Peter Murrell took delivery of the motorhome on 22nd February 2021.

71,287 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

Nicola Sturgeon looks annoyed when asked about the appropriateness of taking an MSP salary while devoting most of her time to writing a book. In the two and a half years since she stepped down as FM, Sturgeon has made 7 spoken contributions in parliament on matters of substance.

Nicola Sturgeon looks annoyed when asked about the appropriateness of taking an MSP salary while devoting most of her time to writing a book. In the two and a half years since she stepped down as FM, Sturgeon has made 7 spoken contributions in parliament on matters of substance.

384,243 Aufrufe • vor 11 Monaten

Questioned by Anas Sarwar on whether the SNP made fraudulent VAT refund claims when Murrell was in charge, John Swinney acknowledges that this may have happened. Which makes his continued resistance to a proper inquiry even harder to justify.

Questioned by Anas Sarwar on whether the SNP made fraudulent VAT refund claims when Murrell was in charge, John Swinney acknowledges that this may have happened. Which makes his continued resistance to a proper inquiry even harder to justify.

58,964 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

This answer from Swinney makes no sense. The alleged sophistication & cunning of Murrell might explain why it was difficult to detect his thieving. But it doesn’t explain why the SNP failed to take legitimate questions seriously, and in fact told people to stop asking questions.

This answer from Swinney makes no sense. The alleged sophistication & cunning of Murrell might explain why it was difficult to detect his thieving. But it doesn’t explain why the SNP failed to take legitimate questions seriously, and in fact told people to stop asking questions.

66,223 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

1/ John Swinney here, claiming that for 20 years in which he held various senior positions in the SNP, including Deputy First Minister in an SNP government, he paid no attention whatsoever to the party finances. An incredible line. Patently untrue. #BBCSundayShow

1/ John Swinney here, claiming that for 20 years in which he held various senior positions in the SNP, including Deputy First Minister in an SNP government, he paid no attention whatsoever to the party finances. An incredible line. Patently untrue. #BBCSundayShow

62,912 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

“It would have been quite improper for me to make a whimsical or ill-informed reference to a document that I hadn’t seen before entering the chamber.” This is just bizarre.

“It would have been quite improper for me to make a whimsical or ill-informed reference to a document that I hadn’t seen before entering the chamber.” This is just bizarre.

158,152 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten

This is so frustrating. Alastair Campbell asks Sturgeon a good punchy question, and Rory Stewart interrupts before she can answer with a tedious and irrelevant anecdote about his own minor role in the referendum campaign… completely taking the sting out of the question.

This is so frustrating. Alastair Campbell asks Sturgeon a good punchy question, and Rory Stewart interrupts before she can answer with a tedious and irrelevant anecdote about his own minor role in the referendum campaign… completely taking the sting out of the question.

314,255 Aufrufe • vor 10 Monaten