David Younger looks at the mass of contradictions ahead of the SNP at the next general election and questions the strategy many on the Yes side have moved towards. No disrespect to the pollsters he…Peter A Bell's insight:The key word here is “options”. The most valuable commodity in politics. To put it as simply as … Continue reading Can Scottish MPs Make a Difference In Westminster?

In bleeding England to fuel traditional spending giveaways, has the Scottish Labour leader signalled his surrender to Scotland’s unsustainable status quo?Peter A Bell's insight:Health is devolved. While Henry Hill touches on the fact that MSPs at Holyrood cannot possibly ring-fence any part of the so-called Mansion Tax for spending in Scotland, he fails to acknowledge … Continue reading Red flag or white? Murphy’s latest pledge hurts Labour and the Union | Conservative Home

Like most people, I suspect, I saw this latest piece of campaign material from British Labour in Scotland and immediately dismissed it as a spoof. A rather clever spoof, admittedly, but a spoof nonetheless. Imagine my slack-jawed wonder when I discovered that it was genuine. They really did say that!If there is one form of … Continue reading The ultimate Santa

"The essential English leadership secret does not depend on particular intelligence. Rather, it depends on a remarkably stupid thick-headedness. The English follow the principle that when one lies, one should lie big, and stick to it. They keep up their lies, even at the risk of looking ridiculous." Joseph Goebbels See on peterabell.blogspot.co.ukvia Tumblr http://ift.tt/1BBeLur

NEW Year’s Day meals served in some Scottish hospitals cost less than half those dished up to prisoners in the nation’s jails, it has been revealed.Peter A Bell's insight:Is Murdo Fraser really such a buffoon as to suppose that the cost of providing a meal reflects only the quality of the food? Is he really … Continue reading Prison meals cost more than Scottish NHS patients’

Ian Birrell: The two parties have more in common with each other than with the insurgents. A national government would prevent a constitutional crisisPeter A Bell's insight:A few days ago there were a small number of people, including myself, positing the possibility of a Tory/Labour coalition after the UK general election. I initially asked the … Continue reading A Tory-Labour unity coalition may be the only way forward after 7 May

As we begin 2015, there is the customary air of gloom, dread and uncertainty.Peter A Bell's insight:Reasons to be cheerful. We might also add the fact that Scotland is now closer to independence than ever. See on heraldscotland.comvia Tumblr http://ift.tt/1Bd1U35

The 2015 General Election campaign is about to begin in earnest.The result is difficult to predict but in the closing days of 2014 Ladbrokes offered 7/4 on Labour winning the most votes. The Tories were on 1/2.Peter A Bell's insight:If wishful thinking, self-deception and vacuous sloganeering could be weaponised then British Labour in Scotland would … Continue reading Catherine MacLeod: SNP are not a progressive party

NICOLA Sturgeon visited a maternity ward to deliver a New Year message that spoke of her commitment to creating a fairer country that would enable children to fulfil their potential.Peter A Bell's insight:The contrast between Nicola Sturgeon’s dignified, positive message and the naked, anti-SNP electioneering of the British parties stands as an excellent metaphor for … Continue reading Happy New Year messages from Scottish politicians

THE SNP leadership has for the first time acknowledged that it could form a new UK Coalition with Labour in a bid to keep the Tories out of power, should the electoral arithmetic present the opportunity after next May’s General Election.Peter A Bell's insight:Another misleading headline in the British media. Quite intentionally misleading, no doubt. … Continue reading SNP leadership talking of coalition with Labour for the first time