RISE NOW AND BE A NATION AGAIN !

[Toddy]

Shock as Labour MP launches foul- mouth tirade in zhouse of a Commons

A Scottish Labour MP has stunned onlookers in the House of Commons after launching an unprovoked foul mouthed tirade against a political opponent.

East Renfrewshire MP Jim Murphy (pictured) lost control when SNP MP Pete Wishart appeared in the voting lobby as Mr Murphy and some of his Labour colleagues took part in a vote on the Bedroom Tax.

According to Mr Wishart, the Scottish Labour MP muttered something inaudible before going berserk, shouting and swearing at the nationalist MP.

Describing the episode, Mr Wishart said: "I was just taking a note of Scots Labour MPs who were voting in the bedroom tax motion after their famous failure to turn up last time. They didn't like it much but it was mainly banter with them as they came through the lobby.

According to the SNP MP, Mr Murphy muttered something as he went to walk past, to which Mr Wishart responded, 'nice to speak to you Jim'.

Explaining that neither men had spoken for years, the SNP MP added: "He then went beserk coming right up to my face and just repeating 'fuck off, fuck off, fuck off' at me.

"At one point I thought he might take a swing. He then retreated to a group of Labour MPs and I went up to ask him what that was all about? And he did the same again.

"I was angry and shaken and just asked him to say it again, in which he duly obliged."

Newsnet Scotland understands that a number of high profile Labour MPs witnessed the episode including Gordon Banks, Russell Brown, Ian Murray, Anne Begg and Fiona O'Donnel.

Wishart added: "They just watched on amazed."

The incident will be a major embarrassment for Mr Murphy who has repeatedly claimed to have been the victim of online abuse at the hands of independence supporters. Last December the Labour MP claimed to have been the victim of what he described as vile abuse at the hands of "cybernat trolls".

"If people want to criticise my politics, no bother. But I'm no longer just going to go with the flow when it comes to the worst of the internet insults," Murphy wrote on his own blog.

He added: "Politicians have got to have a thick skin and rightly be open to criticism; it’s part of the job and I have absolutely no problem with any and all political criticism. […] But enough is enough now when it comes to the personal poison devoid of any politics.

"No-one should be bullied out of their opinions nor right to speak. 2014 is going to be a gigantic year for Scotland and everyone who wants to be involved in the debate should be able to. And before anyone says 'all sides in all debates do it' I'm clear that it's wrong no matter where it comes from and no matter who it's aimed at.

"And I worry that folk who aren't currently involved in politics will be scared to do so for fear of getting screamed out of the referendum debate."

The incident comes almost two years to the day after one of Mr Murphy's collegues lost control in a House of Commons bar, lashing out at opposition MPs.

Eric Joyce MP was dragged away in handcuffs after going berserk in a House of Commons bar and headbutting a fellow MP. The Scottish Labour MP flew into a rage and hit at least three MPs, including a Labour whip. Joyce was later convicted of assault and resigned from the Labour party.

 

[Deleted account 210516001]

Wishart is my local MP. If he comes to my door with his independence propaganda I can confidently predict that this incident is not the last time he will be told to Fuck off.

 

[Captain Black]

Royal Bank of Scotland.

Soon to be Bank of Scotland ?

 

[Deleted account 231002001]

BBC News.

Standard Life is putting in place contingency plans to relocate funds, people and operations to England if Scottish people vote for independence

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

Time for the Yes vote to

 

[Devon]

BBC News.

Standard Life is putting in place contingency plans to relocate funds, people and operations to England if Scottish people vote for independence

I see also salmon's best mate, Fred Goodwin's monumental feck up at RBS continues to haunt UK tax payer with another £8.2 billion loss but bonuses all round.

The trouble is it's easy to forget the majority of Scots don't want independence and are sick of all the shite being heaped on them.

 

[Captain Black]

I see also salmon's best mate, Fred Goodwin's monumental feck up at RBS continues to haunt UK tax payer with another £8.2 billion loss but bonuses all round.

The trouble is it's easy to forget the majority of Scots don't want independence and are sick of all the shite being heaped on them.

Will Gordon Brown run for president ?

 

[Toddy]

Standard Life

People in all walks of life have passionately held views on both sides of the referendum debate. Each deserves respect, and to be heard and engaged with. That’s no more or less true of those in our boardrooms and running small businesses.

However, we need to listen carefully to what people are actually saying and that's very much the case for comments by Standard Life today. Standard Life wants to see agreements on currency, regulation and taxation, which is exactly what the Scottish Government has proposed. They want a formal currency union and so do the Scottish Government. The only threat to that comes from the refusal of the No campaign and the UK Government to get involved in sensible discussions.

But we know common sense will win the day, just as David Cameron has agreed that the UK would support Scotland as an independent member of the EU, in the same way there will be a Sterling Area after independence because it is clearly in the best interests of both Scotland and the rest of the UK and that means companies like Standard Life will continue to flourish and operate fully in Scotland. Why wouldn't they? After all Scotland is one of the wealthiest nations on the planet, with higher economic output and healthier finances than the UK.

We know it’s in the No campaign and the UK Government’s interests to create uncertainty for business. Twenty years ago the No campaign wanted us to believe that a Scottish Parliament with minor tax powers would create uncertainty for business. For some businesses like Standard Life, that No campaign tactic then meant they became concerned that devolution would “have an adverse effect on their business” (as was said in 1992). The No campaign is trying to do the same today with their campaign tactics over currency.

The fears built up by the No campaign were misplaced then and they are misplaced now. A Sterling Area is the common sense position and is in the best interests of Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales - to think otherwise is to believe that the UK government will decide to do big damage to businesses elsewhere in the UK.

Alongside today’s comments from Standard Life, yesterday we heard the views of people in Scotland’s wealth-creating manufacturing sector. Clyde Blowers’ chairman Jim McColl, giving evidence to the Economy Committee of our now well-established Scottish Parliament, said: "We have an opportunity here to get more powers for the Parliament. This isn't an SNP issue, this is an issue to give the Scottish Parliament more powers to decide its own destiny and to run the country in a way that suits Scotland.

"The issues in Scotland are quite different from the issues that face London and the south east, and I think the Parliament needs those powers to address those issues. And the only way to get the additional powers we need is to vote Yes, because there is nothing being put forward by the No campaign.



Mr McColl concluded: "Why any politician in the Scottish Parliament of any persuasion would not want have to more control over what happens in their own nation, it beats me."

 

[gerarddwatts]

'However, we need to listen carefully to what people are actually saying and that's very much the case for comments by Standard Life today. Standard Life wants to see agreements on currency, regulation and taxation, which is exactly what the Scottish Government has proposed. They want a formal currency union and so do the Scottish Government. The only threat to that comes from the refusal of the No campaign and the UK Government to get involved in sensible discussions.'

The SNP can propose as much as it likes.

It has been told, in no uncertain terms, by both the current UK government, and those representing any possible alternative UK government, that monetary union is not in the best interest of the UK, and wont happen. How many more times do you need to be told for the message to sink in? Nothing to discuss.

Sadly, Eck doesn't seem to understand either. His only option is to provide a credible alternative. He hasn't. He can't. He blusters. He is winging it. Scotland deserves better.

If we walk away from the UK, we walk away from the institutions of the UK. That's what the voters need to understand.

 

[Toddy]

Standard Life. .... More BBC and media lies.

Here's the statement from Standard Life. Nowhere does it say they are leaving Scotland...........just more media and BBC lies.

27 February 2014
Scottish referendum



On 18 September 2014 a referendum will be held to decide whether Scotland should become an independent country. In recent months some of our customers have been in touch with us to ask what impact this would have on their savings and investments with Standard Life.

Our key priority is to continue serving the needs of our 4 million UK customers, wherever they reside and regardless of any constitutional change. The same applies to our customers in other parts of the world.

As a business we have a long-standing policy of strict political neutrality and at no time will we advise people on how they should vote, but we have a duty and a responsibility to understand the implications of independence for our customers and other stakeholders and to take whatever action may be necessary to protect their interests.

In view of the uncertainty that is likely to remain around this issue, there are steps that we can and will take now based on our own analysis. For example, we have started work to establish additional registered companies to operate outside Scotland, into which we could transfer parts of our operations if it was necessary to do so. This is a purely precautionary measure, and customers do not need to take any action. We are simply putting in place a mechanism which, in the event of constitutional change, allows us to provide continuity to customers and to continue serving them, wherever they live in the UK.

Customers can find further details in our 2013 Annual Report and Accounts from our Chief Executive David Nish and Chairman Gerry Grimstone.

 

[Packer]

I thought for one minute that Toddy had actually written something himself, it was the lack of quotation marks that did it along with no text attributing the piece.

Sometimes I shock myself with the naivete and stupidity that I display

 

[gerarddwatts]

Here's the statement from Standard Life. Nowhere does it say they are leaving Scotland...........just more media and BBC lies.

27 February 2014
Scottish referendum



On 18 September 2014 a referendum will be held to decide whether Scotland should become an independent country. In recent months some of our customers have been in touch with us to ask what impact this would have on their savings and investments with Standard Life.

Our key priority is to continue serving the needs of our 4 million UK customers, wherever they reside and regardless of any constitutional change. The same applies to our customers in other parts of the world.

As a business we have a long-standing policy of strict political neutrality and at no time will we advise people on how they should vote, but we have a duty and a responsibility to understand the implications of independence for our customers and other stakeholders and to take whatever action may be necessary to protect their interests.

In view of the uncertainty that is likely to remain around this issue, there are steps that we can and will take now based on our own analysis. For example, we have started work to establish additional registered companies to operate outside Scotland, into which we could transfer parts of our operations if it was necessary to do so. This is a purely precautionary measure, and customers do not need to take any action. We are simply putting in place a mechanism which, in the event of constitutional change, allows us to provide continuity to customers and to continue serving them, wherever they live in the UK.

Customers can find further details in our 2013 Annual Report and Accounts from our Chief Executive David Nish and Chairman Gerry Grimstone.

Delusion heaped upon blind delusion!!

 

[Toddy]

John Swinney comments on Standard Life

Thu, 27/02/2014 - 12:23


Responding to today’s comments on the referendum from Standard Life, Finance Secretary John Swinney said:

“Standard Life’s comments show exactly why our proposals for a formal currency area are the right proposals, why they are in the best interests of business on both sides of the border and why that is what will be implemented by both governments.

“This also shows why the UK Government have a duty to engage properly with the issues instead of issuing irresponsible threats. The Governor of the Bank of England has already agreed to further technical discussions with the Scottish Government on a currency union, and there is no reason the Treasury cannot do likewise.

“If the people of Scotland exercise their democratic right to vote Yes in the referendum, it is incumbent on the UK Government to respect the terms of the Edinburgh Agreement, to which the Prime Minister is a signatory.

“The UK Government are engaged in a systematic campaign of bluff, bluster and bullying, but we have already seen the UK Government accept that it will remain legally liable for all UK debt, and the PM offer his support for Scotland’s membership of the EU – the issue of currency will be no different.

“In terms of Scotland’s position in Europe, an independent Scotland will remain in the EU, and the biggest threat to that membership comes from Westminster’s proposed in-out referendum.

“The way to provide clarity and certainty is through common sense, mature discussions which will take place in the 18 months following a Yes vote – and technical discussions could and should take place now, similar to the on-going technical discussions with the Bank of England.

“Scotland has a strong and diverse economy and the point of independence is to win the powers we need to build on those strengths and create a more prosperous and secure economy – which is good for the financial sector and everyone else.

“When Standard Life previously expressed concerns about the consequences of devolution, these concerns ultimately proved to be unfounded and the company has successfully continued to grow its business here, underlined by the announcement just this month of a £75 million acquisition in central Edinburgh described as a ‘long-term investment’. Standard Life’s strengths lie in its workforce here in Scotland. We are very happy to engage with the company to address the issues raised in their annual report, and we look forward to the company continuing to play its part in building that strong Scottish economy in the future.”

 

[E. Buygum]

Here's the statement from Standard Life. Nowhere does it say they are leaving Scotland...........just more media and BBC lies.

BBC lies? Don't know about that. They just said Standard Life "could quit Scotland". Standard Life said they have "started work to establish additional registered companies to operate outside Scotland, into which we could transfer parts of our operations if necessary".

I think it's Standard Life that are being a bit slippery here. They need to reassure investors without appearing to desert Scotland but if fiscal uncertainty started to affect their share price and through that their bonus pot, they would be heading South faster than Alex Salmond could hoist a Saltire after an Andy Murray victory.

 

[The Stimulator]

Toddy, it would be nice to actually read some of your own thoughts rather than chunks of copied articles or links.

Regarding Standard Life, what bit of "we have started work to establish additional registered companies to operate outside Scotland, into which we could transfer parts of our operations if it was necessary to do so." is so difficult to understand? They aren't going right now, but they are putting mechanisms in place so that they can if they feel it is in their best interests.

 

[Captain Black]

Toddy, it would be nice to actually read some of your own thoughts rather than chunks of copied articles or links.

Regarding Standard Life, what bit of "we have started work to establish additional registered companies to operate outside Scotland, into which we could transfer parts of our operations if it was necessary to do so." is so difficult to understand? They aren't going right now, but they are putting mechanisms in place so that they can if they feel it is in their best interests.

He's an SNP party worker with strict instruction to post up as much pro media information he can find, but make no personal comments.

 

[Deleted account 210516001]

People in all walks of life have passionately held views on both sides of the referendum debate. Each deserves respect, and to be heard and engaged with. That’s no more or less true of those in our boardrooms and running small businesses.

However, we need to listen carefully to what people are actually saying and that's very much the case for comments by Standard Life today. Standard Life wants to see agreements on currency, regulation and taxation, which is exactly what the Scottish Government has proposed. They want a formal currency union and so do the Scottish Government. The only threat to that comes from the refusal of the No campaign and the UK Government to get involved in sensible discussions.

But we know common sense will win the day, just as David Cameron has agreed that the UK would support Scotland as an independent member of the EU, in the same way there will be a Sterling Area after independence because it is clearly in the best interests of both Scotland and the rest of the UK and that means companies like Standard Life will continue to flourish and operate fully in Scotland. Why wouldn't they? After all Scotland is one of the wealthiest nations on the planet, with higher economic output and healthier finances than the UK.

We know it’s in the No campaign and the UK Government’s interests to create uncertainty for business. Twenty years ago the No campaign wanted us to believe that a Scottish Parliament with minor tax powers would create uncertainty for business. For some businesses like Standard Life, that No campaign tactic then meant they became concerned that devolution would “have an adverse effect on their business” (as was said in 1992). The No campaign is trying to do the same today with their campaign tactics over currency.

The fears built up by the No campaign were misplaced then and they are misplaced now. A Sterling Area is the common sense position and is in the best interests of Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales - to think otherwise is to believe that the UK government will decide to do big damage to businesses elsewhere in the UK.

Alongside today’s comments from Standard Life, yesterday we heard the views of people in Scotland’s wealth-creating manufacturing sector. Clyde Blowers’ chairman Jim McColl, giving evidence to the Economy Committee of our now well-established Scottish Parliament, said: "We have an opportunity here to get more powers for the Parliament. This isn't an SNP issue, this is an issue to give the Scottish Parliament more powers to decide its own destiny and to run the country in a way that suits Scotland.

"The issues in Scotland are quite different from the issues that face London and the south east, and I think the Parliament needs those powers to address those issues. And the only way to get the additional powers we need is to vote Yes, because there is nothing being put forward by the No campaign.



Mr McColl concluded: "Why any politician in the Scottish Parliament of any persuasion would not want have to more control over what happens in their own nation, it beats me."

Toddy is this Your Own opinion, thought out researched and reasoned or is it another you were fed to put on here from this lot?

http://www.yesscotland.net/news/scotland-wealthy-nation-and-will-be-great-place-do-business

If all reasoned argument fails......................

 

[Toddy]

May as well give you Derek Bateman's view.........

Standard Life – Standard Procedure. What did you expect from a financial company – altruism? Presented with any change they can’t manage themselves, they panic. Oh yes, the do have to plan for eventualities, but they don’t need to make public announcements coordinated with a political campaign.

Notice how early warnings were issued to selected media including the BBC’s Robert Peston who worked hand-in-glove with Alistair Darling’s Treasury during the financial meltdown to get daily exclusives. He was on air this morning claiming special access – who would organise that? Is it significant that this “politically neutral” company was in recent weeks having its executive board undergo media training in case they faced interview?

And on Radio Four the thunderclap of doom was applied by James Naughtie from Edinburgh, transformed for the day from news presenter into Scotland correspondent, analysing the implications and calling Standard Life one of the Edinburgh “family”. The tone was set by the Today presenter whose opening question to him was: ‘So Jim, just how bad is this for the Yes campaign?’ That question tells you the BBC already had its narrative in place otherwise, as an impartial interviewer, she would have asked: ‘What’s the significance of this?’ It’s a subtle difference which gives the game away – London has made its mind up and is thrilled at having the nationalists on the run.

But are they right? For as Peston himself writes: ‘What brought this issue to a head for the company was the recent declaration by Chancellor George Osborne, Labour shadow chancellor Ed Balls and the Liberal Democrat Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, that they would all oppose formal monetary union with Scotland.’ Exactly. The contrived opposition to the logical course for the currency is the reason there is uncertainty yet it seems Standard Life is blaming instead the lack of a credible alternative. It seems no matter what Scotland does, it loses.

But there are unanswered questions here. This is NOT a declaration of departure, it is a statement outlining an alternative approach, presumably in response to shareholder requests for clarity caused originally by the independence campaign but deliberately fanned – undeniably so – by the British government refusing to negotiate in good faith as any administration should when faced with a non-violent, constitutional democratic movement for change.

These questions of uncertainty are clearly the responsibility of the No side designed as a political response, not an economic response.

I see nothing in the words issued which indicates that this company has sought clarification from either side.

Have they asked the Scottish government for reassurance on currency or just read the papers?

Have they asked for private discussions on the tax regime?

How much will it cost to relocate, to make redundancies and find new premises?

How can it operate in 50 countries with dozens of currencies but not in Scotland?*

Have they read the White Paper, which has a long and detailed outline of the regulatory proposals?

Have they asked the British government why it has ruled out a currency union, consequently putting the company in this predicament? I

If they are concerned about EU membership, why haven’t they mentioned the UK IN/Out referendum, or doesn’t that concern them?

Have they asked the British to comply with the EU’s offer of legal clarification on membership?

Has Standard Life consulted its own staff? Or has it unsettled them by openly discussing leaving? Is this corporate responsibility, is it duty of care?

I think the answers are all negative. Yet they have gone ahead to form holding companies in England. That is the clearest indication that far from neutrality, Standard Life has adopted an active programme of anglicisation and set its face against independence. Interestingly, nobody on either side is saying otherwise. They have identified themselves as English first and Scottish second, because they are by definition happy with whatever London decides on regulation, interest rates or taxation as they haven’t raised any questions with them, yet we know there will be tax increases whoever wins the next general election and Europe is moving towards a unified regulatory system and we don’t know if London be in or out. Only they’ll have to think fast if there’s a Yes vote.

It does seem a pity since what they company is calling for, as in clarification on these issues, is exactly what the Scottish government has demanded but has not received.

And doesn’t it turn your stomach as a Scot that a company started here and which has traded on its Scottish roots can dismiss its origins and associations midway through a political campaign? Have they no inherent pride in their company’s background…no belief that the Scots will find a way of sorting out our constitutional issues…have they forgotten how Scots rallied to support their mutual status 14 years ago, including all parties of MSPs?

You can understand a company sitting down after a democratic vote and looking at their interests but when you are Scottish by definition, it is surely incumbent to treat your own country with more respect than this. But then we know how debased the idea of finance has become in Scotland when the same greedy types ran RBS and sold out Bank of Scotland to Halifax. And after the Crash, there can few, if any, who retain admiration of any kind for the incompetents and crooks and overreached themselves in search of more profit.

This has become the recent hallmark of Standard Life. You may remember that while Scots suffered austerity, the executives under David Nish, pocketed millions in pay and bonuses.



Nish saw his pay packet almost double, just months after the firm announced 490 job losses. He received a basic salary of £720,000, a bonus of £1.05 million, pension contributions of £179,000 and a further ‘benefit’ of £17,000. Unite union official Paul Neilson said: ‘These pay levels are obscene.’

Pat Connolly, Chase De Vere, said payouts on endowment policies have again been cut and overall returns remain much lower than they were five or six years ago .

‘Standard Life remains an average, middle-of-the-road with-profits provider…existing investors should take this opportunity to review their policies.”

And they have form in this duplicitous handling of customers and their own millionaire salaries. In March 2007 the company announced it would cut 1000 jobs in an attempt to save an additional £100 million per year in costs and a month later it was highlighted in the company’s annual report that three of Standard Life’s top executives were awarded more than £5 million in pay. You can see who these people are really interest in and it isn’t the Scots.

They haven’t been scrupulous either in their activities. A few years ago they were fined for dodgy behaviour. The Financial Services Authority hit them with a £2.45 million fine over the Sterling Pension fund fiasco, in which a fund was advertised as wholly invested in cash when in fact it was heavily invested in floating rate notes. Guess what? No one lost their job. ‘The FSA has identified that there were flaws in both our systems and controls however they have not identified any particular individuals. No heads are going to roll on the back of this fine from the FSA,’ they said. So, if we ever were dealing with moneymen on the side of the angels – and they did welcome devolution in in the 90’s – those days are long gone. Profit before patriotism is their motto.

We can expect more of this pro-Union outing. Weir Group will follow them I think. You know Weir, engineers and bribers of Saddam.



‘Glasgow-based engineering firm Weir Group admitted paying kickbacks to the dictator’s government a decade ago to secure lucrative business contracts. The High Court in Edinburgh heard this had contravened the Oil For Food programme aimed at helping Iraqis. Judge Lord Carloway also confiscated £13.9m of illegal profits from Weir.’ (I think it gives a little perspective when they lecture us about our democratic responsibilities). You could also remember that they can avoid tax – unlike you – by using offshore subsidiaries. From the Guardian: Lord Robertson, the former defence secretary and Nato secretary general, is a non-executive director of the Glasgow-based engineering firm Weir Group, which has subsidiaries in the Bahamas and the British Virgin Islands. He is also deputy chairman of the board of the Russian oil company TNK-BP, registered in the British Virgin Islands. Not bad for a former GMB official, eh?

I liked the following quote from 2000 when financial companies were hinting they were unhappy about devolution. Happily Standard Life and Scottish Widows indicated they were relaxed and plain George Robertson MP said: “It’s a bombshell which blows apart the Tory campaign efforts in Scotland since it shows that Scottish business is not taken in by Treasury scaremongering.” Would he like to repeat that today?

I think what the Standard Life business does is confirm for the fearties that they were right to be concerned. They would have considered a Yes so long as nobody objected and waved them through but they haven’t the stomach for their own independence. They would always wilt and vote No. But the real prize here is that it confirms more surely than ever that No is corporate, moneyed and selfish. Its largest support is outside Scotland, it’s money comes from the millionaires, even it’s boss Alistair Darling fills his pockets with corporate dosh on top of his full-time MP’s salary.

This is diktat. It is a sharp reminder of how Britain is structured and how it works and why we must get out and rebuild our own country. Corporate entities like Standard Life don’t care about Scotland or the Scots as they have confirmed today. They care about profits and will go anywhere and do anything to get them. They epitomize everything the burgeoning new democracy movement stands against. Forget their threats, they are another reason for voting Yes.

*One of those countries is Canada where the Standard Life head office is located in Montreal, Quebec, a place with a long history of separatists government and campaigning. It hasn’t bothered SL. Quebec even has different tax rates for personal, sales and corporate purposes and there isn’t a cheep of complaint from Standard Life who manage just fine.

 

[gerarddwatts]

Toddy...

you should change your byline...

'I can't think, so I'll use everybody else's thoughts to try and justify an increasingly untenable position'

 

[Deleted account 231002001]

Your just going to be so pissed when the rest of your lot decide they would prefer to carry on living under English rule.