Obviously, now that the election has been announced, we are all expected to vote. I intend to use my franchise. I intend to vote for the party I always vote for (the SNP)

I would suggest that we use this thread to state who we intend to vote for and why (if we have changed) we have changed from our last votes.

As the poll is secret, it is obviously up to individual posters as to whether they post, but certain posters have previously indicated that they strongly support certain parties. It would be fascinatimg to see why they have changed their vote.

I see that Beranger is proposing to vote for a Party that wants Scotland to be a subservient region of the developing Euro-state rather than a nation within the United Kingdom - a vote that flies in the face of history.

I shall be possibly the only contributor to these boards voting for myself - assuming my nomination papers are accepted by the Harlow Council Elections Department's Returning Officer.

This is from pages 2 and 3 of my election leaflet; please note the section on civil liberties and its reference to the prosecution of traders for selling in pounds and ounces - a commitment the Conservative Party (who passed the 1994 Regulations in the first place) is unable to give:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


We *say* what you think

We will - amongst other things:

IMMIGRATION -

Put a stop to mass immigration, take only those needed to fill specific jobs, and expect them to speak English, pass health and criminal tests and integrate with British society. We seek a reasonable balance between emigration and immigration. Labour and the Tories have both allowed it to get out of completely out of control

CRIME -

Not tolerate yobbish or anti-social behaviour. We will work towards a zero tolerance of crime, ensure there are enough police on the streets, that criminals serve their full sentences, insist that all travellers obey the law like everyone else and ensure that householders are not punished for what happens to intruders in their homes

PENSIONERS -

Treat pensioners with dignity and respect, increase the state retirement pension for a single person to £110 a week and for a couple to £176 a week, recover the £37 billion stolen by the government from private pensions, ring-fence company pension schemes and scrap the unfair Council Tax

TAX -

Raise the tax threshold to £15,000 a year - taking millions of lower-paid workers out of tax, and simplify the tax system by introducing a ‘flat-rate’ tax of 22% for all except higher-rate taxpayers

ASYLUM -

Put a stop to the shambles of asylum. Dismantle the nonsense of the asylum industry which costs £2 billion a year, give an amnesty to those here with children, deport all the others, and not expect to admit any so-called asylum-seekers, as they will all have passed through a safe county on the way here

HEALTH -

We’ll cut out all the target-setting, league tables and other statistics-keeping that means that health staff can’t concentrate on patient care. We’ll train enough of our own people as doctors, dentists and nurses, end the scandal of dirty hospital wards and eliminate the unfair ‘postcode lottery’ in the treatment of various diseases. We’ll promote a healthier Britain by using every means to promote positive health – including teaching children in school about nutrition and healthy lifestyles. We’ll substantially increase the appallingly low Carers Allowance

MULTICULTURALISM -

End the nonsense of multiculturalism – we shall speak up for the British way of life and ensure that everyone, of whatever ethnic background, colour or creed, can be proud to be British


Our policies on other things that matter to you:


EDUCATION

Teachers and governors must have more powers to exclude disruptive pupils. We’ll abolish student top-up fees. We’ll reduce the numbers going to University but create and fund more vocational courses. We’ll restore sound teaching methods

HUMAN RIGHTS

The Human Rights Act benefits terrorists, prisoners, travellers who flout planning laws, and other wrong-doers. It never benefits ordinary, hard-working British residents. The Tories merely say they would ‘review’ the Human Rights Act. We will scrap it

CIVIL LIBERTIES

Labour has extended the powers of the state. We’ll preserve our right to jury trial, refuse to introduce ID cards - which are expensive, intrusive and will achieve nothing - ***and we’ll end the nonsense of prosecuting traders for selling in pounds and ounces***

LESS GOVERNMENT

We’ll scrap the unnecessary and unelected regional assemblies – giving their powers back to local councils

DRUGS AND DRINK

We’ll set up a Royal Commission to review our drugs laws, which clearly aren’t working. We won’t allow 24-hour pub opening. The police will take drunk or stoned people off our streets

EUROPE

We’ll replace the Treaties on European Union with a genuine free trade agreement. We’ve given away too many powers to the European Union, which now dictates 70% of all our laws

SMALL BUSINESSES

Out of the E.U., we can get rid of thousands of unnecessary regulations - which hamper small businesses, making them uncompetitive. We’ll give special tax exemptions to small businesses

FOREIGN POLICY AND DEFENCE

We must never again go to war on the basis of lies. We need an independent foreign policy which is not dictated by either the United States or the European Union. Our armed forces must concentrate on protecting us, and must be properly equipped to do so. The Scottish regiments must be kept


How will you pay for all your policies?

All our policies have been very carefully costed. Leaving the E.U. would save us £40 billion a year - and we would save even more by cutting out waste and red tape


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Published and promoted by Tony Bennett, 66 Chippingfield, HARLOW, Essex CM17 0DJ

A few opinions of mine.

======================
OPINION ONE

Although in the Euro-election I voted UKIP I will vote Tory in the G.E.

To be honest its a fore-gone conclusion that a Tory will be elected anyway.

UKIP don't have a chance in hell of getting into number 10.

So I'm voting for a "main" party that's

Eurosceptic
Supports Imperial as well as metric
Anti-Tax.


======================
OPINION TWO

Labour's going to win anyway.

:-(



======================
OPINION THREE

Unless I was living in a tory area(!) - if I were a Scot in Scotland I'd vote Labour as a tactical anti-SNP vote. Sorry Berenger but I see strength in the Union of this Kingdom, not a synthetic pseudo-rivalry that really doesn't exist (IMHO).

I have a question for you though - seeing as the Royal Family are as much a relevance to Scotland and Scotland's history as they are to England's (and to a lesser degree Wales) is it SNP policy to retain and indeed encourage Her Majesty the Queen's position as head of state for an independant Scotland? i.e. somthing like Canada's postion?
As a royalist I would be keen to know this.


======================
OPINION FOUR

I wish, from the bottom of my heart to the tears in my eyes that this lot get kicked out.
But I recognise the futility of it all.
ie. Another 4 or 5 years of erosion of the UK into the superstate of the EU.
With Blairs "familiar smile" on the steps of number 10.
:-(

My only hope is that Brown replaces Blair real soon and turns out to be a euro-sceptic (and thus can really lead his party by representing them!!).
That's the only hope though.
If (when) Labour do get re-elected I'd prefer to see my taxes go up than my country get dissolved.

Cheers Tony, but I won't be voting for Splitty McVeritas. Or will I....?! If UKIP do not field a candidate in my constituency, but Veritas do, I will vote Veritas (despite being a UKIP member). If neithr field candidates, I am torying it up.

"As a royalist I would be keen to know this."

How do you fancy Camilla as Queen Steve?

Interesting that Tony gives no reasons for his change of vote!

Steve

"Unless I was living in a tory area(!) - if I were a Scot in Scotland I'd vote Labour as a tactical anti-SNP vote."

Scotland has had Westminster seats reduced from 72 to 54 (because of the hopeless half-way house (it starts with "H" too)

Current polls/predictions suggest that Tories will go from one seat to zero, so the "Tory area" idea kind of goes out the window.

In many constituencies, your tactical vote should go to the Lib-Dems, who are currently ridiculously overrepresented by the "first past the post" system (as are Labour)

"Is it SNP policy to retain and indeed encourage Her Majesty the Queen's position as head of state for an independant Scotland?"

The current SNP policy is a fudge. They say that the people will decide after independence. The leadership knows that there are many Royalist & Republican SNP supporters, so they will not take a position.

A totally honest answer from myself would be (Should she stand - and I think it may be something she has considered) "I would vote for Princess Anne for president of a Scottish Republic before I would vote for any film star."

"HUMAN RIGHTS

The Human Rights Act benefits terrorists, prisoners, travellers who flout planning laws, and other wrong-doers. It never benefits ordinary, hard-working British residents. The Tories merely say they would ‘review’ the Human Rights Act. We will scrap it"

comment:

The HRA has developed a bad name partly because the ECHR has been used frivolusly by those who couldn't get the result they wanted through the ordinary court system irrespective of the substance of their original case. The metric martys campaign is one example.

"MULTICULTURALISM -

End the nonsense of multiculturalism – we shall speak up for the British way of life and ensure that everyone, of whatever ethnic background, colour or creed, can be proud to be British"

comment:

Self contradictory. Intolerance disguised as inclusiveness.

"ASYLUM -

Put a stop to the shambles of asylum. Dismantle the nonsense of the asylum industry which costs £2 billion a year, give an amnesty to those here with children, deport all the others, and not expect to admit any so-called asylum-seekers, as they will all have passed through a safe county on the way here"

Comment:

A policy like that will hardly endear Britian to those other "safe" countries. This is a party who think they can negotiate amicably with our European neighbours.

"CIVIL LIBERTIES

Labour has extended the powers of the state. We’ll preserve our right to jury trial, refuse to introduce ID cards - which are expensive, intrusive and will achieve nothing - ***and we’ll end the nonsense of prosecuting traders for selling in pounds and ounces***"

comment:

Surprise surprise. First you have to show that legal enforcement of units for trade are a legitimate civil liberties issue. John Stuart Mills, one well known and respected writer on the subject, wouldn't agree.

re (Stan): "Self contradictory. Intolerance disguised as inclusiveness"


REPLY: Stan, I suggest that for a quick reality check on 'inclusiveness' and intolerance, you should try living in a decadent Western lifestyle in Saudi Arabia and see how long you last!

If you take your wife or girlfriend, remember she won't be allowed to ride a bicycle or drive a car there.

Do you tolerate Islamic militant fundamentalism and its virulent anti-Semitic and anti-Western attitudes and suppression of women in our midst?

I don't - just as I hope I wouldn't have tolerated Nazism in 1930s Germany

>>>Do you tolerate Islamic militant fundamentalism and its virulent anti-Semitic and anti-Western attitudes and suppression of women in our midst?>>>


Please forgive us for any disturbance, but we have an important subject to address to you regarding FAITH, and we Don't intend to overload your email with unnecessary messages...

Why Islam is good for you !


Some people think that to live an Islamic life is "restrictive". Islam however, was revealed as a balanced way of living.

Allah (The Most High) created all the humans with what is called 'A Fitrah' (a natural state/desire) [1]

Islam recognises that within this Fitrah there are motivations that influence a man's role on earth e.g. a desire for good food and drink, to have a home, a desire for love and sex, to protect and be protected and to be successful and strong. Without some form of control and limit, all of these legitimate motives could prove very dangerous.

So what constitutes the perfect control for the Fitrah? It must be a method that provides an organised yet practical demonstration of how to balance all these natural human desires. It cannot be something that goes against the Fitrah, by placing on it extra burdens. Likewise, it cannot be something that allows the human desires to run wild without any form of control.

Islam is the perfect control for the Fitrah. It provides a divine method that elevates man above animals and the rest of creation.

Limited Wisdom

Humans lack perfect knowledge as well as perfect wisdom. No matter how hard we try, we will never attain the perfect way of life by our own thinking and interpretation. This is the reason why Allaah being the Most Wise, sent us the Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad (SAW)[2] to show us this practical and organised way of life.

Allaah, being Perfect, in His Wisdom and Knowledge, perfected a complete way of life for us. He has set His limitations and rules, all of which are beneficial to mankind, and therefore, do not need changing:
"These are the limits (set) by Allaah, so do not approach them"
(Surah al-Baqarah 2:1871)

"These are the limits set by Allaah, so do not transgress them"
(Surah al-Baqarah 2:229)

This is why Islam does not allow celibacy, because it is against the Fitrah, i.e., the desire for sex. Celibacy goes beyond the limits required by humans, and is something that cannot be fulfilled because humans are designed to procreate. As humans we are not expected to fast every single day for the rest of our lives (for most 30 days of the year provides an up-hill struggle). It is also from ignorance to say that 'I shall not sleep during the night, but rather I shall pray!' Humans have not been created by Allah to live life in such a manner. There is a balance which must be observed.

The following incident describes the Islamic stance towards such behaviour, Anas reported that some of the Companions of Allaah's Messenger (SAW) used to say: "I will not marry women"; someone else said: "I will not eat meat"; and someone else said: "I will not lie down in bed". (On hearing this): The Prophet (SAW) praised Allaah, and glorified Him and said: "what has happened to these people that they say so and so, whereas I observe prayer and I sleep too. I observe fast and I break my fast; I marry women also. And he who turns away from my Sunnah (i.e., my example or lifestyle), he has no relation with me"

Islam on the other hand, does not allow the person to surrender themselves to lust and desire, as in contemporary 'civilisation'. Islam recognises the love a man has for women, children, gold, silver, and other possessions. But it provides a limit for the amount of this worldly pleasure which we require, and reminds us of the life in the hereafter.

"Beautified for men is the love of things they desire: Women, Children, much of gold and silver (wealth), branded beautiful horses, cattle and well-tilled land. This is the pleasure of the present world's life, but Allaah has the excellent return (Paradise)"
(Surah Aali-Imraan 3:141)

The inclinations and desires of the Fitrah are not to become the objective in life. Rather they are to be taken in a stabilised manner. The way to deal with them is real and Allaah (The Most High) has given us the detailed descriptions of a levelled approach. This levelled approach gives mankind the perfectly balanced pleasure in this worldly life. The method of maintaining a well-balanced life is not an endurance test to see who lasts the longest. Allah has revealed Islam, to show us how to attain this balance in a real manner. Life is not a torturous spiritual test, where you are ordered to Iive in mountains and trees. Fasting all year round is not obligatory. Marriage is permissible and you do not have to beat yourself senseless to purify your soul! Rather as Muslims, we must try to follow the Prophet and his balanced teachings of life and living. As Allah says in the Qur'an:

"Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (saw), you have a good example to follow.."
(Surah Al-Ahzab 33:21)

&For more information about Islam :


http://www.freewebtown.com/alsalam/1.html

http://www.freewebtown.com/trouth/1.html

http://www.freewebtown.com/albaraa/1.html

So I'm voting for a "main" party that's

Eurosceptic
Supports Imperial as well as metric
Anti-Tax.
-----------------------------------------------

Steve, as a 'moderate' I'm surprised you give imperial/metric as one of the 3 main reasons to vote for a party.

If the Tory's do get in they will soon change their tune on metrication anyway. They only pretended to support imperial during the metric martyrs case. Had they been in government the situation would be exactly the same - as would most things that they criticise of Labour.

I have voted Labour in the past, but can't bring myself to do so again this time after the Iraq war lies etc, so I'll have to vote Lib Dem.. pretty much guaranteed to retain their seat in my constituency anyway.

For me, this election is very much about hoping the lesser of two evils gets back in. I really fear for the future of this country if the Tories win.

stan: "How do you fancy Camilla as Queen Steve?"

I'm surprised you didn't raise the more pressing and controversial question: "How do you fancy Camilla as the Princess of Wales" (shame on you too, Berenger, for not bringing that up!)

Anyway - back to your direct question....

Do you remember the Queen Mother?
How old was she when she died?
I suspect that her very healthy daughter will approach,if not outlive, that age.
The Queen has said she will remain Queen for all her life.
This is an excruciatingly honest woman - so I don't doubt her words.

I had to look it up but the Queen in 79. I had to check twice because I didn't realise she was that old (she doesn't look it).
If she goes on to live to 100, I will be in my fifties before the advent of a Queen Camilla - work out how old you will be.
It's a long way off.
Considering that the only people who dislike Camilla are the press (for her looks, FFS!), the ultra-religous and the "I can't let go of Di" brigade I reckon (IMHO) she will turn out to be a popular royal. Not now but in a few years time when people realise how strong their (Charles & Camilla) love is for one another that they'd risk everything to be together. Time moves on and when she gets involved in public duties (with or without Charles) she will be seen to be quite useful too.
Although I was sceptic at the start I have become to realise that these two people are utterly devoted to each other. Only the heartless can not be happy for them for that, regardless of your views of monarchy.

Berenger:
So you reckon that the sitting tory MP Peter Duncan in Galloway & Upper Nithsdale will be ousted?

<<<A totally honest answer from myself would be (Should she stand - and I think it may be something she has considered) "I would vote for Princess Anne for president of a Scottish Republic before I would vote for any film star.">>>

That is a most confusing statement!
It sounds like you are a "reluctant republican"
Or a confused monarchist!
Or you're playing your cards close to your chest, despite asking everyone which way they'll vote!

When did Princess Anne consider being the Princess head of state of a republic?!?

BTW - I stood literally 4 feet from her in Murrayfield, Edinburgh (but you may already know that!). Aparently her son was wll known on a certain Scottish rugby team ;-)

To Anonymous: That's a nice description of Islam, thank you. I wish I knew why some people pervert it in such a way that they justify the killing of innocent lives. I also wish spokespeople for Islam organisations could be more forthright and less 'prompted' to voice disgust at certain events.

Andy spaketh the word, and that word was: "Steve, as a 'moderate' I'm surprised you give imperial/metric as one of the 3 main reasons to vote for a party."

Answer: Next time you see Blair and howard together speaking about other issues, see if you can slide a piece of very thin paper between them.

"For me, this election is very much about hoping the lesser of two evils gets back in. I really fear for the future of this country if the Tories win."

You have nothing to fear then, since you will get up to 5 more years of Blair.
Nice.


P.S. I assume you still blame the tories for current issues, regardless of the number of years Labour have been in to "correct all those wrongs".

<<<I assume you still blame the tories for current issues, regardless of the number of years Labour have been in to "correct all those wrongs".>>>

No I blame Labour for lots of things.

However, they haven't done so badly. I do think that this country is in a much better state than when the tories were last in power.

The economy is doing well, considering.

And it was handed over to Labour on a plate in that way.

Opportunities to lower taxes have been squandered by Labour who are lucky to have a good economy to mismanage (ie, it still looks good because it's very good underneath).

Apart from that you are saying:-

Hospitals are better.
Crime is lower.
Immigration and Asylum are under control.
Britain is doing well in the EU.

etc

(I won't list them, listen to the radio and TV)

Tony Bennett: "REPLY: Stan, I suggest that for a quick reality check on 'inclusiveness' and intolerance, you should try living in a decadent Western lifestyle in Saudi Arabia and see how long you last!

If you take your wife or girlfriend, remember she won't be allowed to ride a bicycle or drive a car there.

Do you tolerate Islamic militant fundamentalism and its virulent anti-Semitic and anti-Western attitudes and suppression of women in our midst?

I don't - just as I hope I wouldn't have tolerated Nazism in 1930s Germany"

Stan: I wasn't thinking of any particular ethnic group nor does the Veritas policy statement mention any. I was just pointing out it's ambivalence. If those who drafted it had particular concerns in mind about unhealthy trends in our society - suppression of women, antisemitism etc - then why not highlight them directly and just pledge to do something about it?

You can see the reaction it provokes when you attack religous faiths (the anonomous posting above). I'm not saying whether or not these things are happening in Britain, frankly I don't know, but it's better to focus on behaviour rather than group indentity. In any case, these things are already outlawed in Britain so what can Veritas do were it to form a government?

Thought that my mild-mannered original post might start a bit of a hornets nest!

Tony

Why are no reasons given for your switch from UKIP to a brand new party?

Apart from that, I hope you win the votes you deserve!

Steve

Camilla is now officially "The Dutchess of Rothesay" up here. Even though Rothesay Community Council have said "we still recognise Di", Argyll & Bute Council have offered an official invite to the newly-weds.

"Queen Mum"

A guid Forfar Quinie (or Quine) - search Google! If she was male - she would be a Loon, and that is not offensive!!!!!!

"Or you're playing your cards close to your chest, despite asking everyone which way they'll vote!"

No, I'll vote SNP, but I will never vote for Shir Sean for President. My son took 007's (frankly embarassing) tape-recorded "vote-raising" call from the SNP. I think it's a vote-loser.

"When did Princess Anne consider being the Princess head of state of a republic?!?"

It has been suggested.......
.......and not denied. She has unofficially campaigned for it for years, while officially maintaining the "family" line.

As I say, should no better (preferably non political) candidate stand.......

Personally, I think more of Anne than I do any of the rest of the Windsors. And when it comes to closeness to her in rugby, I would suggest you ask John Jeffrey......

Do you actually speak Lallans/Scots natively, Beranger, or just a form of Scottish English (there is a difference, you know)?

<<Camilla is now officially "The Dutchess of Rothesay" up here. Even though Rothesay Community Council have said "we still recognise Di", Argyll & Bute Council have offered an official invite to the newly-weds.>>

Eh? That "we recognise" bit don't make no sense guv!
That's like me saying "I still recognise Victoria" because I prefer her to Elizabeth! (which I don't, btw)

<<"Queen Mum"
A guid Forfar Quinie (or Quine) - search Google! If she was male - she would be a Loon, and that is not offensive!!!!!!>>

You lost me there - even after the google search that I did!

<<My son took 007's (frankly embarassing) tape-recorded "vote-raising" call from the SNP. I think it's a vote-loser. >>

There are a lot of "Hello? You've won a prize in a raffle" calls down here. I'd slam the phone down on a recording of Shir Shorn as quickly as them!

<<"When did Princess Anne consider being the Princess head of state of a republic?!?"
It has been suggested.......
.......and not denied. She has unofficially campaigned for it for years, while officially maintaining the "family" line. >>

That makes very little sense! It's like calling for your own abolition!
I know she's a hard-working royal but I can't imagine her trying to bring thousands of years of monarchy to an end.

<<As I say, should no better (preferably non political) candidate stand.......>>

Don't forget - we *are* talking fantasy here!

<<Personally, I think more of Anne than I do any of the rest of the Windsors.>>

I rate her and the Queen very highly.
However I note how quickly most people forget about the Prince's trust and exactly how much he does for kids.

And William has singlehandedly secured the monarchy's future! (IMHO)

<<And when it comes to closeness to her in rugby, I would suggest you ask John Jeffrey......>>

Indeed, I was already told this story on a cold evening in March, in Edinburgh!


I note that C&C got a warm welcome from Saltire waving Scots on their honeymoon.

Makes me feel all posh thinking that whereas I went to the Caribbean they went to Scotland.

Nothing against Scotland, mind!

Congrats to LibDem leader Charles Kennedy and his wife for producing a 6lb 9oz kiddy this morning (as was announced by LibDem HQ).

(Erin: 'No it wasn't')

I was going to vote for them, but I may have to reconsider now

LOL!

Very funny, Andy!

re (Beranger): "Apart from that, I hope you win the votes you deserve!"


REPLY: What a sweet message. I'll respond to your hope by expressing my sincere hope that the party that wants Scotland to be 'independent' despite 70& of its laws being made by the European Union will also have the electoral success it merits

I have this say to all those people who go on about Di...


Charles is not the anti-christ. Neither is Camilla. Diana herself committed sins during her marriage.

By berating Camilla, by berating Charles, you only betray the memory of Diana. How so? Because Diana would have wanted for nothing more than for her two sons to be happy. And I am sure nothing would make the young princes happier than to see their father now with his true love. Furthermore, all of these attacks on Charles, suggestions that him or the Queen were implicated in some kind of plot (as many people believe) must be deeply upsetting and Disturbing to William and Harry. The fact that they have taken this so well goes to show the stuff that they are made of.

I'ld humbly suggest that any members of the Diana brigade shut up and grow a brain. THEN and only then may they resume talking about this (or anything).

This post is not neccessarily aimed at anyone here, but is rather an expression of my frrustration with the flids that we seem to have in this country.

I found it quite interesting that in order to legalise the marriage they had to invoke the Human Rights Act. This was to override the clause in some act of parliament (1949 marriages act I think) that exempted the Royal Family from the right to marriage by civil authorities.

I've long held the view that the hereditory principle violates the human rights of Royal Family members to marry the person they really love. I'm reluctant to say that Charles should never have married Diana, because they produced William and Harry, and it would unfair on them to say so, but I do feel it was a shame he had to wait this long and go through all he did to finally marry the one he really wanted in the first place.

Whatever happens to the Monarchy in future I just hope they (and the rest of the country) reflect on that when it comes to the two Princes, especially William (coz he'll be under the same pressure as his dad).

" I'm reluctant to say that Charles should never have married Diana, because they produced William and Harry, and it would unfair on them to say so, but I do feel it was a shame he had to wait this long and go through all he did to finally marry the one he really wanted in the first place."


Hear, Hear!

Despite the crap that you read in the papers etc....

Dare I say it, but Charles and Camilla's relationship and subsequent marriage have all the hallmarks of a best-selling love story. Think about it, it's got it all.

Seriously - think of all the ingredients in there.

And the fact that Charles has grown old and has waited and waited but is now able to express that affection and and loving admiration gives the vital "lump-in-throat" moment in the story. That bit is only for the ladies though, you understand. Ahem.

Apparently Charles had tears in his eyes when he spoke very emotionally about his wife in one of his speaches at the wedding - that bit will be for the movie-film release!

=======================

Bryan: "but is rather an expression of my frrustration with the flids that we seem to have in this country"

Nice to see political correctness being shoved in the bin quite firmly by someone from the "next generation".

:-D

Steve, God broke the mould when he made me.... ;) :P :D

And ITV is making/has made a drama about Charles and Camilla's long relationship. Going to be shown rather shortly.

Steve

"So you reckon that the sitting tory MP Peter Duncan in Galloway & Upper Nithsdale will be ousted?"

The boundaries have changed in most Scottish seats. It was suggested that he would have lost at the last election had the new boundaries been in force.

However, (and this is from memory) yesterday's Scotsman had the current William Hill odds

Tory MP's in Scotland after election
1 seat - 7/4
2 seats - 9/4
0 seats 3/1
3 or more seats - bigger odds - can't remember exactly what they were!

"Eh? That "we recognise" bit don't make no sense guv!"

I know, but Bute (main town Rothesay) is a strange place! Why do you think the County Council very quickly distanced themselves from the views expressed!

"Queen Mum"

It was a reference to the Queen Mum being brought up at Glamis, just outside Forfar (population 14000). There are approx 7000 Loons in Forfar, and another 7000 Quines. Need more clues? - check out Forfar Athletic FC's website. Try "nickname"

"Anne"

Yeah, we are talking hypothetical situations. And obviously Anne won't ever succeed to the English/British throne. More learned commentators than me have speculated on her motives in courting Scotland.

I wouldn't say I'm a closet monarchist, but if it came to an election, she would be ahead of any film star when it came to my vote.

Bryan

"Do you actually speak Lallans/Scots natively, Beranger, or just a form of Scottish English (there is a difference, you know)?"

Quine & Loon are Doric, not Lallans. There is a difference you know! :-)

And it has nothing to do with phonetic spellings of English words. As I explain above, there are 7000 quines in Forfar. It does not mean "queen"

At Uni, I discovered that many words that I considered to be standard English were not understood by English, Welsh or Irish friends. An obvious example is "burn", as in a small stream that the M90 crosses just outside Stirling (near the Ochil silvermines) It is called the Bannock Burn.

Tony

I'm hurt. You rejected my message of support!

Anyway, 70% (and I would dispute that figure) of laws made by a foreign entity is still better than the situation prevailing in Scotland until a few years ago - 100% of laws were made outside Scotland.

Btw, have Veritas released a manifesto or done anything at all yet? There has not been one mention of them in the press I read! Even UKIP got a mention of their Scottish launch - 60 people turned up - including the 20 candidates & their wives!!!!!

re (Beranger): "Btw, have Veritas released a manifesto?"


REPLY: The VERITAS Manifesto launch is at 11.00am tomorrow (14 April) and the full manifesto is on the website - click on' Manifesto' and then on 'Full Manifesto'

>>>>>>
Quine & Loon are Doric, not Lallans. There is a difference you know! :-)
<<<<<<


Ahh, fair dos. There seems to be a debate about whether "Scots" itself is not only several dialects, but also perhaps two languages. Most folks seem to say that Doric is just a very different Scots dialect. A lot of folks seem to refer to Doric as still being a part of "lallans".

I find is fascinationg as, contrary to most (English) people's beliefs, Scots is not a degenerate form of English, but a different "language" grown from northern Old English with Gaelic and French influences.

The true weight of young master Kennedy was 3.0 kg and he would have been weighed on metric scales.

The 6 lb 9 oz figure will have been converted by means of a chart next to the weighing machine.

The NHS now have a policy of recording both metric and imperial for personal weight. This is allegedly for the benefit of parents or patients who (it is assumed) cannot understand kilograms for this purpose.

Never mind that they understand them perfecty well for most other things like bags of sugar or potatoes, equipment etc, they obviously have this mental block that a human kilogram is somehow different or more obscure than a vegetable or mineral one.

The following site might interest you, Ber: http://www.scots-online.org/

Bry

I'm not a huge fan of "written" Scots/Lallans/Doric. Yes, it has its place (try the Neil Munro "Para Handy Tales" - which I am currently rereading) It would not be as funny in Standard English.

On occasion on this site, I attempt to use Scots spellings, but I do not write letters to the papers (or to anyone else!) in the "Scots Tung"

I accept that the English language is becoming the universal language, but, should my mobile phone display show <<<younger brother>>> when I answer it, I will answer him with the Doric "Fit like, min?", even though he is in London, and I am at least 150 miles away from any Doric area.

(It means "How are you, my friend")!!!!!!!!

And I have a few words of the Gaelic. Dougie would tell you if he wass chust here........ (Para Handy again!)

It's a shame, Ber, because Scots will die out in which case. :(

"7000 Loons in Forfar, and another 7000 Quines. Need more clues?"

I've found out that that means girls and boys.

Stan: Believe it or not there are some of us (probably only a few 10s of millions) that refer to vegetables in imperial as well as our own (or our children's) bodyweight.

But thanks for dropping the usual extremist line of "they say it for granny" - considering she should be dead now - as that excuse is decades old!

re (Beranger): "I'm hurt. You rejected my message..."


REPLY: Beranger, go to Google - or any other search engine - and type in 'Counselling' 'Services' 'Scotland' and you will find a few sources of support available.

I just hope Alex Salmond doesn't say the same thing on May sixth

Tony

LOL - nice one!

I would rather spend May 6th looking for a hangover cure though (Yeah, I know it's unlikely)

Fancy a wee side bet on SNP seats v Veritas seats in New House of Commons - I think that Veritas are fighting more seats, but I'll accept that handicap.....

Bryan

I was referring more to people writing entire letters in Scots (there is someone from the "Scots Tung" who continually writes to the Scotsman).

I enjoy well written works where characters speak in Scots/Lallans/Doric.

"there is someone from the "Scots Tung" who continually writes to the Scotsman"

Really? That's quite interesting to me. :)

Bry

Scots Tung website is at

uk.geocities.com/rfairnie@btinternet.com/

R Fairnie is definitely the lad that writes to the Scotsman.

I don't know what is on the site as I seem to get kicked off the net every time I try to access it.

Hope it's of interest to you.

"I would rather spend May 6th looking for a hangover cure though (Yeah, I know it's unlikely)"

Try a product called "NAC":-

http://www.truestarhealth.com/Notes/2888006.html

Get it in your local health store.

It's not designed for hangovers from a manufactring point of view - but it DOES work.