Cat Among the Pigeons

Written By: - Date published: 9:56 am, March 14th, 2017 - 94 comments
Categories: International, Nicola Sturgeon, Politics, referendum, uk politics - Tags: , ,

Full length video of announcement.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReYB_ysgN_Y

94 comments on “Cat Among the Pigeons ”

  1. Sabine 1

    Go Scotland.

    🙂

  2. Wow… she’s a gutsy , to the point speaker on the issue, … seems like it divides into two basic issues, one being that there’s no way one country can determine the political and economic outcome by association / implication for another… that just wouldn’t be right , fair or democratic. And that’s going to force the next issue , which logically is one of independence. Very turbulent times for Scotland ahead.

  3. Ad 3

    Westeros lives!

  4. tc 4

    England were on the verge of scottish financial independance when the GFC came along and they had to bail out RBS.

    Scotland benefits from westminster derived education, welfare the NHS etc and england were on the positive side had scotland gone its own way at that point.

    A complex and emotive issue in the hands of tories and the mess cameron/johnsons arrogance caused …..interesting times folks.

  5. McFlock 5

    heh. Nice.

  6. Liminal 6

    Not sure that the person responsible for the image of the UK countries and the flag has quite got it. If Scotland and Wales have their own flags shown (by the way, Wales voted, overall, for ‘leave’ in the Brexit vote along with England) why has England been represented by the Union Flag, not the St George’s Cross.

    I await the torrent of Anglophobia that will probably be a response to this article on Scotland’s potential 2nd Independence referendum.

    • dukeofurl 6.1

      Wont be a second independence referendum – not without Westminister approval

      This came up for the first referendum, the Scottish law lords, all said it would illegal with out House of Commons approval as it wasnt covered by devolution.

      Every strategy she proposes , she loses and yet a referendum is another losing one. It wasnt even close last time like the Brexit vote was.

      No way will Scotland vote for the euro, the limit on budget deficits etc that the EU demands.

      • Bill 6.1.1

        Hello there DoF. Fancy seeing you pop up on this thread!

        Did you watch the link or even read the text from the front page? You’re first two points are covered and are in no way controversial. It’s kind of why authority is being sought to enter into dialogue with Westminster.

        Sturgeons strategy in the last UK General Election panned out really quite well, don’t you think?

        The Euro. No decision has been made on currency options. That’ll be a fraught set of discussions, but yes, if the only option is to adopt the Euro upon independence then…Schauble or Hammond? Not a decision I’d like to be making.

        • dukeofurl 6.1.1.1

          She says ” Seek an outcome where Scotland remains within the single market”

          She wants everything but what is possible. The EU has ruled out that out and only a clown could even think it would ever be on the table.
          In the single market, but out of the Euro zone, and so it goes one.

          As well one thing that I think could be a good idea , independent Scotland out of nato ( as Ireland is ), she wants to remain there as well. keep the monarchy when the SNP was founded as a republican group.
          SNP is very cunning in appearing as limited change with independence, but of course they want more. Their model is the Irish Republic.

          The Tories have got over their fascination with referendums, so they wont get another one.
          of course the timing and details of the vote would be for Scotland, as it was last time.
          Without Westminister action the SNP can kiss a binding referendum goodbye.

          A Scottish Parliament bill to organise an independence referendum without the approval of Westminster would not be legal, the advocate general has warned.
          Lord Wallace of Tankerness, a former deputy first minister, said such a vote could be challenged successfully in the courts.
          He told BBC Scotland Holyrood does not have the power to create legislation which relates to the constitution.
          http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-1663874

          I get it, that She and SNP want another referendum. They have wanted that since they lost the last one. That was even before Brexit.
          Scotland is not going to vote for the Euro, a hard border with England, and restrictions on movement to the UK.

          To me an re-united Ireland will happen, and should happen, long before Scotland gets independence.

          • Bill 6.1.1.1.1

            So I’m going to by-pass a lot of your unlinked smash and just point out this one thing.

            The referendum isn’t about the SNP or Nicola Sturgeon and what they may want won’t necessarily be adopted by the campaign they will be but a part of. Just saying.

          • Matthew Whitehead 6.1.1.1.2

            You’re an idiot.

            So, as an English citizen of the UK, who arguably benefits if Scotland stays in the union, I support them becoming independent if that’s genuinely what the Scottish people want.

            The First Minister wants to go through the correct channels for a second referendum, (ie. she is asking for a vote in Holyrood to negotiate with Westminster for another referendum, so your objection that Holyrood can’t do this unilaterally is irrelevant, because that’s not what she’s trying to do) and Westminster will find it very hard to fight the argument that she has attempted to engage them constructively and that a second referendum is warranted due to the change in circumstances and bevy of broken promises that have happened since the first one. Scots were promised a system that was essentially federalist in nature, and got slightly less confiscation of their taxes instead, along with the UK government literally going to court to ensure they didn’t need Scotland’s (or Northern Ireland’s, nor even Wales’, which actually supported Brexit) agreement on their Brexit deal, despite the law saying they did need to do that, and the EU membership being integral to the No campaign’s successful argument in the first referendum. In short, the UK’s promises to Scotland have shown to not be worth the paper they were written on, they’ve had no regard to the principles on which the pro-union campaign won the first referendum, and Scotland has a highly persuasive argument to the public in favour of another referendum, which will hurt the UK government if they ignore it.

            Scotland saying they wanted to remain in the single market would have been feasible with a “soft Brexit” strategy. That is, Nicola isn’t actually insisting on staying in the EU, but she is insisting on staying in the single market, which the UK government has now ruled out. She is saying there were acceptable methods to Brexit that Scotland would have not required a referendum, but that English politicians have ridden roughshod over that discussion and necessitated that Holyrood now needs to ask permission to get a referendum to leave, again. Good luck to Theresa May if she tries to Thatcher up and deny it, I look forward to the SNP basically owning every single Scottish constituency after that, which will make it increasingly hard for Westminster governments to succeed without making concessions to Scotland. (Besides, while a loss of face, Scottish independence basically guarantees Tory government forever in the remaining UK countries, given that Scots are the bulk of progressive constituencies in the UK)

            • weka 6.1.1.1.2.1

              Thanks for that.

              What’s the difference between the EU and the single market?

              Do you think that following Scottish independence, that NI and/or Wales would try and follow suit esp given the Tory nature of England? Or is that Tory nature spread across all the other countries evenly?

              • Essentially, it’s down to the obligation to follow EU mandates on issues other than free trade and immigration. The Single Market is the part of the EU that relates specifically to free trade. What people need to understand about the EU is that it’s not actually one thing with clear in-out boundaries, rather it’s a collection of treaties of which the UK is part of some and not others, and it can leave some of them without leaving all of them, so long as the other EU nations agree. (which is going to be tough, there is a very real mood among the EU to punish the UK for its Brexit vote to set an example to other countries considering following its example, such as France) New nations entering (which presumably includes Scotland) will need to agree to many MORE of the treaties than the UK had.

                The United Kingdom could “soft Brexit” by remaining in the EU treaties relating to immigration (except Schengen, which the UK is already exempted from) and free trade, but exiting the EU proper and thus not having to follow most EU law, (they would presumably still be obliged to follow some parts of it to guarantee free trade, but nowhere near as much) and no longer being subject to decisions from EU courts. (which is actually rather horrifying, as they’ve been a critical stopgap in the UK acting like an authoritarian state in a number of different arenas, such as spying on their citizens)

                That’s what Scotland wants to make Brexit work, and it’s what most experts were assuming Brexit would mean before the vote actually happened and before May became Prime Minister, because there was no real precedent for leaving a free trade deal once one was passed. Opting for “hard Brexit,” where the anti-immigration rhetoric of Leave campaigners is taken as the primary reason for the Brexit vote and thus leaving the EU treaties around freedom of movement is necessary, has been very controversial, especially given that it’s rather disputed that the anti-immigration rhetoric was why the Brexit vote succeeded. A lot of the remain criticism of the very idea of Brexit was that it was a choice between backing down on controlling immigration and acknowledging the reality that the only sensible Brexit was a soft Brexit, or plunging Britain into a recession as financial services leave for the EU proper as Britain loses the advantage of being a pro-corporate pro-America English-speaking gateway into the EU.

                Wales is unlikely to split over Brexit itself, given that Wales actually voted Leave. It arguably might split if Irish re-unification and Scottish independence both succeed simply due to the perception that the Union is no longer viable and the age-old tension between Wales and England, (seriously, go there, and wait to tell them you’re a kiwi. Your reception will be significantly warmer once it’s revealed you’re not English, lol) but despite being very clear about Not Liking England, Wales actually does agree with England a lot more than Northern Ireland and Scotland do, and of the three, it has arguably benefitted the most from Union, and been bullied the least. I think it’s far more likely that May has set the UK down a path where it may end up the United Kingdom of England and Wales than that a Welsh split would succeed, but we should wait and see whether Indyref2 actually eventuates, and if it does whether it succeeds, (although odds look more likely now, it’s still not consistently polling as a winner yet, despite how badly the UK government has treated the Scottish one after Indyref1) and whether the Irish Republic calls for a border poll if it does. (the Irish Republic’s government has said Sinn Fein’s calls for one are premature, but that’s par for the course as basically whenever someone sneezes at Sinn Fein, they call for a border poll. A Republican call for a referendum is far more likely than a Northern Irish one- if there’s a Northern Irish referendum campaign that actually bumps the odds of success up a lot closer to Scottish independence) I don’t rate the possibility of Wales leaving as siginificant unless both Scotland and NI leave in a highly successful fashion, and even then I don’t know if it’s still a likelihood.

                While Scottish independence is still no guarantee despite the UK immediately going back to ignoring its promises to Scotland in the wake of the first Indyref, it’s actually still more of a sure bet than Irish re-unification. There’s huge barriers to be crossed in terms of that happening, even though the UK’s mishandling of the EU situation has arguably opened the doors. Were I asked to bet at this point, I’d bet on independent Scotland post-brexit, but that Irish re-unification would fail at some point. Unlike Scottish independence, there is a legitimate risk of violence from either camp, too, as there are incredibly high feelings on both sides of the issue of Ireland’s relationship to the UK, and peace is still a relatively new phenomenon that could be disturbed by the prospect of re-unification on the unionist (pro-UK) side, or even be broken by hard feelings if moves toward re-unification fall through from catholic minorities in Northern Ireland, or United Irish nationalists.

                I think Irish re-unification is only really on the menu if Scotland succeeds in independence, but I could be being a bit conservative there. I would bet on it failing even if IndyRef2 is pulled off without a hitch and Scotland is fast-tracked into the EU just because it’s not as straightforward a process, but the fact that people are seriously considering it should seriously worry politicians in England. If they were smart, they would be giving real concessions to both Scotland and Northern Ireland to preserve the union, perhaps even debating real federalisation of the UK government, (right now it acts like a country of countries that can tell its vassals what to do, instead of a country of states where there are clearly delineated local and federal authorities) and establishing a seperate English parliament to match the devolved administrations.

                • Well, technically it’s one treaty now, but for anyone who joined prior to it being one treaty, it functions like it’s several. 😉

                • SpaceMonkey

                  Interesting. FWIW… I was over in Ireland and England just after the Brexit vote and I met and had a very good conversation on Irish reunification with a member of the Fianna Fail party. It was his view that the possibility of Irish reunification is very real now that the subsidies that Westminster used to provide Northern Ireland have reduced significantly enough that Ireland can now afford to bring in the Northern Irish counties. Obviously there’s a great deal of “it depends” but it would’ve been unthinkable 20-30 years ago… amonng other things, Ireland literally couldn’t afford it.

                  An example he used of how Ireland and Northern Ireland are slowly aligning was the fact that anyone born in Northern Ireland (I believe since 2005) is now entitled to an Irish passport as a birthright.

                  That said, there are a still a significant number of people in Northern Ireland who are quite happy to remain part of the United Kingdom.

                  Similarly, many of the English people I spoke with while over there were more than comfortable with the prospect of Scottish independence and Northern Irish independence/reunification with Ireland. The overwhelming attitude was “if that’s what they want… then they should go for it”.

                  I realise my sample size was small… 🙂 …but I know that the people I spoke with were both Conservative and Labour supporters… not one (in England) had been in favour of staying in the EU – all voted for Brexit. Primarily it was about self-determination and border control, the currency was a non-issue (of course) as the UK never joined the Euro.

  7. Enough is Enough 7

    Northern Ireland is going to be very interesting as well.

    One of the fundamental parts of the Good Friday Peace Agreement is the right of “the people of Northern Ireland” to “identify themselves and be accepted as Irish or British, or both” (as well as their right to hold either or both British and/or Irish citizenship) was recognised.

    How that will play out with the need for a hard border between the UK and the EU is a concern considering the very fragile peace that exists in Northern Ireland.

    Any restriction placed on Republicans will in my view facture the peace.

    • Can of worms opening indeed!

    • Phil 7.2

      There appears to be a narrow majority in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Island in favour of reunification. If Scotland successfully leaves the UK, i’d say it’s certain that within a decade the work required to undertake Irish unity will be in progress.

      • Enough is Enough 7.2.1

        And given the terms of the Good Friday Peace Agreement how do you think Unionists would react to Northern Ireland becoming part of the Republic?

        The majority of the past 50 years they have fought a civil war to ensure they stay part of the UK. Don’t you think they would resort to armed resistance rather than be subjected to Dublin rule?

        • Nobody knows, which is why it’s incredibly stupid that Theresa May is pushing ahead with a hard Brexit when there’s no indication that that’s even what the public wanted. There are ways to handle the negotiations with the EU that wouldn’t have resulted in fueling the northern independence movements within the UK, but May hasn’t chosen any of them.

          It’s possible that Irish reunification could result. It’s likely that talks to do so would fail, but not impossible for them to succeed. And yes, it would violate the terms of the good friday agreement, and unionists who are newly in the minority right now would be upset. That’s degenerated to violence before, but we honestly don’t know if it would again. I hope someone’s doing some good reporting to look into that possibility.

    • Peroxide Blonde 7.3

      Game on.

      There will probably be a General Election the Republic of Ireland soon that will bring Sinn Fein into government with Fianna Fail, both committed to an early Plebiscite.
      A Border Plebiscite would require the consent of the Dublin and London governments.

      http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/sinn-fein-demands-border-poll-in-wake-of-sturgeons-call-for-second-scottish-independence-referendum-35526368.html

      • dukeofurl 7.3.1

        Please, thats complete nonsense. A Sinn Fein – Fianna Fail government?

        Currently they have a Fine Gail Coalition with ‘reverse’ support from Fianna Fail- – total enemies for the last 80 years, to keep Sinn Fein out of government. ( 3rd largest party)

        Fianna Fail has committed to abstain on confidence and supply- a very Irish solution.

        The politics dont work. Fianna fail and Fine Gail are broadly centre Right parties, Sinn Fein is definitely left wing
        en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Irish_government_formation

        • Peroxide Blonde 7.3.1.1

          Dearest Duke of Url
          Enda Kenny is going to retire next week after he comes back from St Patrick’s day in The White House etc. There will be a party vote for a new Fine Gael leader.

          Fianna Fail are doing very well in opinion polls. Sinn Fein are almost non-toxic after their success in Stormont last week.

          It is highly likely Fianna Fail will not support the new Fine Gael leader for Taoiseach. That will lead to an election.
          Fianna Fail will won’t be able to form a govt with Fine Gael as the election campaign will be about the failure of their “reverse” support for Fine Gael.
          Labour are @#$%ed.

          Hence: Fianna Fail will form a Govt with Sinn Fein. (there is a chance that Sinn Fein will be bigger than Fine Gael!)

          QED.

          • Matthew Whitehead 7.3.1.1.1

            Not supporting Fine Gael is insufficient. They also need to not abstain. Is there any positive indication that they have changed their position on abstaining to negate the influence of Sinn Fein?

            • Bill Drees 7.3.1.1.1.1

              Fianna FĂĄil the Republican Party. That is their name and core identity.
              The polls have
              Fianna FĂĄil on 29%, Micheal Martin on 37%
              Fine Gael on 28%, Enda Kenny on 31%
              Sinn Fein on 21% , Gerry Adams on 29%
              Labour on 4%,
              Good stuff here.
              http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/poll

              Irish politics are based on the division of the 1922/23 Civil War. The difference between Fianna FĂĄil and Fine Gael is based on approaches to the existance of Norther Ireland. Left v right doesn’t come into it. Duke of URL knows nothing.
              Fianna FĂĄil are the Natural Party of Power in Ireland. They will sell their mother to regain power. They had a very very painful loss of power after the GFC. The voters, correctly, blamed them for overspending and poor regulation prior to the GFC and for miss handling the banking collapse. They lost every seat in Dublin, bar one held by a guy dying of cancer!

              Sinn Fein are now close to both of these Civil War parties in voter support and could easily overtake them. The success of Sinn Fein in the Stormont elections last week will give the a huge boost in the polls in the Republic. Arlene Foster, the arrogant DUP First Minister, not only made Sinn Fein voters come out in Northern Ireland. She would have reminded voters in the south why a Sinn Fein was needed.

              Sinn Feins public faces in Dublin, Mart Lou McDonald and in Belfast, Michelle O’Neill, are not directly associated with the “Troubles” and don’t have the whiff of Semtex or gunpowder about them. They are pulling middle class vote. However their main strength are among the youth where they out-poll the other parties. The IRA cease fire is now 20 years old: that is ancient history to anyone under 35.

              Back to your question.

              Fianna FĂĄil would do a pact with the devil to get power without having to share with the sanctimonious Fine Gael. While they would prefer to be on their own they will have no problem with Sinn Fein. Neither would non-Fine Gael voters.
              Sinn Fein Government ministers will be negotiating Brexit with Tory ministers very soon. Love it!!!!

              • I agree with the background you’ve provided, not that I closely follow Irish politics.

                While I’d be very interested to see what a Sinn Fein coalition government would be like, I’m not sure I agree with your analysis that Fianna Fail is ready to share power with them. If they are, it could be a very interesting development and would make the case for Irish re-unification a lot stronger with a strong (but not outright majority) pro-reunification bloc in both Irelands.

        • SpaceMonkey 7.3.1.2

          Fianna Fail see themselves more as centre-left, to Fine Gael’s centre-right.

  8. Wayne 8

    Phil,

    From what I have read there is still a strong majority in Northern Ireland for staying in the UK. On this issue only the people of Northern Ireland get a say. What the citizens of the Republic think does not matter, and never has.

  9. james 9

    So a “Once in a generation referendum” is held.

    They knew there was a brexit vote coming, and that leaving was a possibility.

    Yet they still voted to remain part of the UK.

    Then Brexit vote happened and they dont like the result.

    Rerun the “Once in a generation referendum” again looking for a different result.

    Yet in polling since the brexit vote – the majority of scots still vote that they should not be a seperate country. (http://whatscotlandthinks.org/questions/if-held-tomorrow-how-would-you-vote-in-a-scottish-independence-referendum#line)

    I doubt she will get an opportunity – and shes just another pain in the &&& trying to stop brexit against the will of the people.

    Even if she does get it – data points to it providing the same answer.

    • Draco T Bastard 9.1

      I doubt she will get an opportunity – and shes just another pain in the &&& trying to stop brexit against the will of the people.

      Scotland voted to stay in the Euro. Leaving is against their will.

      • james 9.1.1

        Sorry Draco – did they not vote in the same referendum as everybody else?

        The winner was leave. And that was the will of the people.

        • Draco T Bastard 9.1.1.1

          But if Scotland leaves the UK then are they not allowed to then make their own decisions on being in the EU?

          • dukeofurl 9.1.1.1.1

            London voted to remain too . Should they break away to stay within EU ?

            After all they have the region wide Mayor of London and London Assembly.

            • weka 9.1.1.1.1.1

              Would be kind of hard, given they’re not an actual country. But not impossible. But London didn’t vote to Remain, 60% London did, so that would be tricky.

              Cut the cable I say! There are advantages to decentralising.

              • SpaceMonkey

                I don’t know… City of London seems to act as though they’re a law unto themselves…

          • James 9.1.1.1.2

            In that case they should have voted for that before the brexit vote. As it is the majority want to stay one country.

            Usual thing a group of sore losers.

        • weka 9.1.1.2

          “Sorry Draco – did they not vote in the same referendum as everybody else?”

          yeah they did but they’re actually another country and a minority vote. Imagine if Māori were allowed their own vote for the things that matter to them. I’m sure you would be against that too, but it’s not hard to see why it’s attractive to the people that it affects.

    • Bill 9.2

      Who said it was “a once in a generation” referendum?

      Who knew BREXIT was coming?

      And does the will of the Scottish electorate (68% – 32% in favour of ‘Remain’) not count when judging ‘the will of the people’ that Sturgeon is apparently ignoring?

      Data – before any campaigning the split is about 50/50. That means the previous levels of support for independence are solid and have grown. (Remember how so many supposedly knowledgeable commentators opined that peeps would just go home after the referendum and forget all about independence?) I do. 😉

      • dukeofurl 9.2.1

        Please 50:50 isnt what it says. Thats just a losing number.

        “There was an expectation that the polls would begin to show a shift towards independence after Brexit, but data from the polling website What Scotland Thinks shows that this hasn’t taken place.
        The latest polling on Scottish independence suggests that the country would still vote in favour of remaining in the UK, with 52 per cent of Scots backing the union.
        It implies that, if a referendum were today, the result wouldn’t be very different from the last vote in 2014, when 55.3 per cent voted against independence. Polling has consistently reflected this outcome across the last year.”

        Polling before the vote underestimated the independence vote. but 10% difference in reality,

        http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/0/scottish-independence-polls-say-nicola-sturgeons-bid-second/

        • Actually it was 51/49 after a 55/45 split.

          That may suggest a trend towards a more positive view for Scottish independence, and like last time, actual political debate did move the vote closer together, it was only saved by a bunch of now-broken promises. I wouldn’t discount the possibility of Indyref2 succeeding.

        • Bill 9.2.1.2

          Polling data link from “What Scotland Thinks”at 10.1.2 below. 50/50 split.

    • Peroxide Blonde 9.3

      “They knew there was a brexit vote coming, and that leaving was a possibility.”
      nonsense James.
      ALL parties thought that Remain would win.
      A major plank of “Better Together” campaign was that too leave the UK meant leaving the EU. That was repeated ad-nauseum by Labour and by the Tories.

      Me thinks you are being a bit disingenuous.

      • James 9.3.1

        Are you seriously saying that they had no idea that remain was not a possibility?

        I call bullshit on your nonsense claim.

        • You mean leave, presumably, not remain.

          And no, nobody seriously thought at the time of the independence referendum that Leave was a likelihood. Even the Leave campaigns were surprised that they won, hence Boris’ disastrous bid to be PM.

  10. Draco T Bastard 10

    It would be good if Scotland did leave the UK.

    • james 10.1

      well – the majority of Scottish do not seem to think so – but I guess you know better.

      • Draco T Bastard 10.1.1

        It wasn’t that much of a majority and many may have changed their minds since the Brexit vote.

        Surely their will should be taken into account now?

        That’s the thing about laws and democracy – they’re not static the way you RWNJs think they should be which really is the most basic reason as to why you RWNJs are always the worst in government. You always try to put things back the way they were despite the failure that lead to the change in the first place.

        • weka 10.1.1.1

          A national referendum was held in Scotland on 18 September 2014. Voters were asked to answer either “Yes” or “No” to the question: “Should Scotland be an independent country?”55.3% of voters answered “No” and 44.7% answered “Yes”, with a voter turnout of 84.5%.

          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_independence

          A second referendum seems appropriate given Brexit.

          One of the things I liked about Sturgeon’s stance (have only seen the Q and A afterwards) is that she’s placing a lot of emphasis on it being an informed debate, so people need to be given all the information about the issues.

          • Wayne 10.1.1.1.1

            I reckon Sturgeon would lose a second referendum. It won’t be held at the time she wants it, which is next year. It will be held after Brexit is complete, or at least when it is fully negotiated. That way people will know the implications of their vote.

            So why will she lose?

            1. Most of Scotland’s trade is with England, as are the easy employment opportunities.
            2. The oil has almost run out.
            3. Joining the EU will take time.
            4. It means having the Euro.
            5. An independent Scotland without oil means big tax increases (or fewer govt services).
            6. Several thousand naval ship building jobs go (the UK is about to start a 20 frigate build programme in Glasgow, but they will go south if there is an independent Scotland).

            So all in all independence will come with a high cost. The Scots might go for it, but I reckon they won’t. It actually looks economically a lot riskier than in the last referendum.

            • Ovid 10.1.1.1.1.1

              Scotland’s GDP is US$233 billion, compared to New Zealand’s US$173 billion and their population is only about half a million more than us. They’ll be fine.

            • Bill 10.1.1.1.1.2

              Well, trade with England would continue and there’s the possibility that companies would re-locate north of the border to get market access.

              Oil is not a part of the equation.

              Scotland is already a part of the EU and may not need to leave and re-join.

              It may or may not mean adopting the Euro.

              Oil was only ever something like 15% of GDP or whatever. A ‘nice to have’ but not crucial.

              English government pulling contracts is purely speculative (as is a joint defence force)

              But sure. I expect Project Fear to rise up and stumble forth…it’s worked so well on its previous outings afterall 😉

            • weka 10.1.1.1.1.3

              “1. Most of Scotland’s trade is with England, as are the easy employment opportunities.”

              Why do you think an independent Scotland wouldn’t be able to trade with the UK or England?

            • Matthew Whitehead 10.1.1.1.1.4

              1) England would still trade with Scotland if they leave the Union and re-enter the EU.

              2) And they’ll be dealing with that problem either way. At least if they exit, they’ll get the remainder of the oil revenue.

              3) Yes, although there is definite EU support not only for Scottish re-entry, but also for fast-tracking the process given Scotland was previously a member. I’m surprised you didn’t also mention that Scotland would likely need to adopt the Schengen treaty to re-enter as well, which in my mind may be the bigger obstacle to an Independent Scotland in the EU.

              4) Yes, it likely will, although compared to a Scottish pound that might actually be a better option. There are advantages and disadvantages to being part of the Euro, most of which are that it implies guaranteeing the debt of other EU countries, or suffering EU-wide recessions.

              5) Scotland currently is likely a net recipient of funds from the overall UK, (nobody actually knows for sure) but it’s also subject to the fiscal decisions of far more conservative UK governments, ie. they’re likely to have a more sound economic policy if they leave. Most of the arguments that Scotland would be badly off rely on the assumptions that UK subsidy of Scottish spending would put them in an untenable position, but nobody even knows if such subsidy would continue post-Brexit, which is looking increasingly likely to crash the UK economy.

              6) Sure, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be new opportunities. It’s a matter of whether Scotland feel they want to back themselves or continue on in the Union. There are fiscal challenges to leaving, but they may be offset by the ability to actually control Scotland’s own policy a lot more than before.

            • One Anonymous Bloke 10.1.1.1.1.5

              I reckon the last time you confidently predicted the outcome of a poll you reckoned Hillary Clinton would win the US election. No, wait, I don’t reckon that: it’s a fact.

              And then there’s the fact that just the other day you had no clue how Kiwisaver savings can be accessed.

              I reckon you swallowed too many lies.

        • greywarshark 10.1.2.1

          It’s interesting to see how the whatscotlandthinks polls seem to reflect indecision before Christmas, going into January and then change again. And the movements will be as much as 5 per cent which when it is so close is important.

          And every quarter? they take 3 polls in the one month perhaps to test the strength of the results. Haven’t seen that before.

      • SpaceMonkey 10.1.3

        If I recall correctly, there was a marked difference across generational lines with older Scots more in favour of staying in the UK as opposed to younger Scots more in favour of independence.

  11. weka 11

    Never mind Sanders and Corbyn, where’s our Sturgeon?

    • Bill 11.1

      Or Roza Salih

      Or Mhairi Black

      Or, I suspect, any number of others.

      • Peroxide Blonde 11.1.1

        The SNP is blessed with a lot of excellent talent.
        Angus Robertson , their leader in the house of Commons, is the only effective Opposition Leader in the house of Commons.
        https://twitter.com/theSNP/status/841357081420664832

        Peter Murrell, Nicola Sturgeon’s husband, is the CEO of the SNP, one of the most successful political parties around.

        John Swinney, the Education minister, and previously the Finance Minister has a brilliant Strategic mind and is part of the “Kitchen Cabinet”.
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m0B0jM_Mys

        Alex Salmond, former leader and the Foreign affairs spokesperson has been compared by Bill Cash MP, to Charles Stuart Parnell, the greatest ever orator in the House of Commons.
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaTxCH0SSoE

        Tommy Sheppard is also excellent Commons speaker and an interesting charachter. Heere is his maiden speech.
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2wSGjjHXfQ

        Their line up in both Holyrood and in Westminster is deep. These above are older than the average. They have talent for generations to come.

      • dukeofurl 11.1.2

        Mhairi Black ?

        Shes totally disillusioned with parliamentary politics and wants to leave ( I dont blame her)
        Are you sure she is your torch bearer ? being part of the SNP lobby fodder wouldnt be fun. As she seems to get along well with ‘old time labour Mps’

        • Peroxide Blonde 11.1.2.1

          All, each and every SNP MP wants to leave Westminster.

          SNP stands for Scottish National Party: i.e they want to be a sovereign state that does not send MPs to Westminster.

          Mhairi Black said she was disillusioned with Westminster. She wants to be in Holyrood or Strasbourg parliaments.

    • In terms of nationalism, or republicanism?

      Because we have Winston in terms of successful nationalists, it’s simply that he’s a pro-Britain nationalist, rather than a pro-independence one.

      The republicans are spread out in the liberal wings of various political parties in New Zealand, and the only one that pays them any serious attention is the Greens. Labour and National both say it’s “not yet time to have that debate,” because they don’t want to split their own parties over it.

  12. Skeptic 12

    As someone who did Hons papers in Pols specialising in EU politics, I can see there’s a lot of misinformation being peddled here. Scotland can, under its EU treaty obligations become fully independent of UK if, following a clear referendum and Scottish Parliamentary vote, there is mandate to do so. Similar provisions exist for Wales, Northern Ireland and England. As the Scottish vote on Brexit was unequivocally to stay in EU, Westminster cannot stop any independence vote. The 1701 Union was not a Parliamentary or Populous vote, but an imposed Union decided on under quite different circumstances, before the UN was conceived. Under Article 51 of UN any part of any country can, provided certain conditions are fulfilled, become independent and no-one can stop them. This time round I think an independent Scotland is a distinct probability. Also look for a re-union of Northern Ireland with Eire with that whole country staying in EU. That’ll leave just England and Wales exiting EU.

    • Draco T Bastard 12.1

      Under Article 51 of UN any part of any country can, provided certain conditions are fulfilled, become independent and no-one can stop them.

      I think you’ll find that the Kurds disagree with that statement and people have certainly been implying that the Crimea couldn’t become an independent nation from the Ukraine.

      • Skeptic 12.1.1

        What part of “provided certain conditions are fulfilled” didn’t you understand?

        • Draco T Bastard 12.1.1.1

          Yes, it appears that a nation is only allowed to become ‘independent’ if the US allows it.

          So, Palestine isn’t allowed to be recognised as an independent nation. Neither are the Kurds.

          Crimea wasn’t allowed to because it was Russia rather than the US that accepted their independence.

          • dukeofurl 12.1.1.1.1

            Add to those South Ossetia and Abkhazia from Georgia. Trans Nistria from Moldova

    • Peroxide Blonde 12.2

      Dear Skeptic
      Ask you for your degree money back: there are some basic error in your post.
      Dear o’dear!
      Much as I’m a very strong supporter of Scottish independence and Irish Unity I can’t let you away with such inaccuracies.

      I suggest you update yourself at these links.

      http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/
      http://www.newsletter.co.uk/
      http://www.irishtimes.com/
      http://sluggerotoole.com/
      http://www.heraldscotland.com/
      http://www.thenational.scot/

      • Skeptic 12.2.1

        No errors. Facts are facts are facts!!!! History is history is history!!! Don’t put up silly innocuous newspaper opinions without facts. First rule of varsity research – go to prime sources and ignore the shit. All my statements are prime source facts – UN Charter Article 51 – EU conventions and law from Brussels – 1701 Act of Union. Disprove any of it and I might give your comment credence – no proof or evidence – you’re full of shit.

        • Phil 12.2.1.1

          History is history is history!!!

          I totally agree with the overall thesis of your post, but the pedant in me can’t let this slide. Our interpretation of history is always evolving and changing. It is not ever truly fixed or certain.

        • Peroxide Blonde 12.2.1.2

          oh don’t be like that. Be nice, you will live longer.

          “The Acts of Union were two Acts of Parliament: the Union with Scotland Act 1706 passed by the Parliament of England, and the Union with England Act passed in 1707 by the Parliament of Scotland. They put into effect the terms of the Treaty of Union that had been agreed on 22 July 1706, following negotiation between commissioners representing the parliaments of the two countries. By the two Acts, the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland—which at the time were separate states with separate legislatures, but with the same monarch—were, in the words of the Treaty, “United into One Kingdom by the Name of Great Britain”

          That is its legal status. In reality a useless and greedy Scottish ruling class,(a parcel of rogues as Robbie Burns called them) were cornered by the English and voted against the will of their people to get off the hook of a financial wreck called the Darien Scheme.
          read about it here.
          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darien_scheme

          • Peroxide Blonde 12.2.1.2.1

            btw. The Irish Act of Unions in 1801 was a similarly corrupt affair. George Osborne’s ancestor, Lord somebodyorother, was one who was not corrupted and voted against the Union!

        • DS 12.2.1.3

          Which 1701 Act of Union? Oh, you mean the 1707 Acts of Union.

    • Wayne 12.3

      Article 51 is the self defence provision of the UN Charter. Perhaps you mean the de-colonisation provisions. These would not apply to Scotland (or Catalonia or Quebec for that matter).

      Basically there are no UN provisions for the breakup of countries as such.

      Of course it does happen. Sometimes by war (Bangla Desh, South Sudan and I guess Timor Leste, even if there is also a vote). Also by vote, (Czech Republic). Sometimes in a chaotic breakup (Yugoslavia).

      The obvious analogy is the Czech Republic or Quebec. These were the obvious models used by the UK, and I guess will continue to be used.

      So I imagine Nicola Sturgeon will get her second vote, agreed to by the UK Parliament, but only after Brexit. Sturgeon will reluctantly agree with that. So either late 2019 or early 2020.

      Who will win? Well Bill and may have our views, but so what. They are just our views

      I imagine it will be quite close, but I reckon it will be on less favourable grounds for the Scottish independents than last time. However, it is really difficult to assess how much emotion will rule the day .

      Obviously Scotland can be independent. After all Scotland should be able to do as well as we do, and I reckon we do pretty well.

      But apart from distance we probably have more going for us. Distance matters less than it used to. International shipping is now incredibly cheap, and will be so indefinitely. Airfares are low and are still going lower.

      • Draco T Bastard 12.3.1

        Basically there are no UN provisions for the breakup of countries as such.

        Wrong – it’s guaranteed in the UN Charter Document that people have the right to self-determination and to choose their own government. So major a principle in fact that it’s the first one.

        Does seem to get forgotten all the time though.

        Of course it does happen. Sometimes by war (Bangla Desh, South Sudan and I guess Timor Leste, even if there is also a vote). Also by vote, (Czech Republic). Sometimes in a chaotic breakup (Yugoslavia).

        And sometimes, when the UN forgets its founding document, and goes round giving land that belongs to one people to another for the sake of a wrong committed by yet a third.

        • Right, but “self-determination” is a pretty broad term, especially given the UN doesn’t actually take issue with regimes like China. It’s very difficult to argue that “self-determination” guarantees a right to unilateral secession, in fact, New Zealand has taken the position that Independence movements should always try a multilateral approach to get their independence first in relation to situations like Kosovo.

          I’d actually be looking at 73b in Chapter XI rather than 51 for pro-democracy language, “to develop self-government, to take due account of the political aspirations of the peoples, and to assist them in the progressive development of their free political institutions, according to the particular circumstances of each territory and its peoples and their varying stages of advancement.” But even that doesn’t really guarantee secession movements the right to unilateral independence.

          There’s also the fact that a lot of states believe in something called “territorial integrity,” which is an actual principle under international law, and basically means that you’re not allowed to leave an existing country without their permission. If you believe in unilateral secession, technically Western Australia is de jure already independent, because they passed a law saying so. Never mind that the UK denied it.

        • DS 12.3.1.2

          We have case law that is quite explicit:

          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reference_re_Secession_of_Quebec

          International Law does not allow for unilateral secession. Self-determination must take place within the framework of existing states.

          Scotland is not a colony, which means it too does not have a right to secession, and must negotiate with Westminster,

          • Draco T Bastard 12.3.1.2.1

            Scotland is not a colony

            Correct – it’s its own country and always has been which means that if it leaves the UK it won’t be seceding.

            International Law does not allow for unilateral secession. Self-determination must take place within the framework of existing states.

            Then international law is wrong and needs to be changed. You can’t force nations together who do not want to be together.

            • DS 12.3.1.2.1.1

              Scotland united politically with England in 1707 (and with Ireland in 1801). Political power in Scotland remains vested in the Westminster Parliament, which has devolved powers to Holyrood – the Holyrood government gets its authority from London (Westminster could, legally, abolish the Scottish Parliament any time it likes). Which means Scotland leaving the UK is certainly secession.

              As for International Law, there’s such a thing as territorial integrity. Random provinces can’t just go splitting off at the drop of a hat because they dislike the central government. The Law isn’t forcing people to stay together, it just means that any secession has to be the result of bilateral negotiation, rather than one group of people declaring that they’re out.

              • Draco T Bastard

                Random provinces can’t just go splitting off at the drop of a hat because they dislike the central government.

                I don’t think that the Kurdish people would call themselves either random province or simply breaking off because they don’t like the central government. For them, the borders were enforced upon them by the European powers against their will.

                The Law isn’t forcing people to stay together

                Yes it is because it’s telling them that they have to either accept that which they don’t want to accept or to move from their homes of several centuries which they also don’t want to do.

                Which means that they are being forced against their will and against the UN Charter of Self-determination.

                As for International Law, there’s such a thing as territorial integrity.

                But that’s just it – it’s not a question of is there such a thing but should there be such a thing?

                And the answer to that latter question seems to me to be No there shouldn’t as it’s obviously not working.

                Why should the rest of the world force Tibet to stay in China? Same goes for Taiwan.
                Should Crimea be forced to stay as part of the Ukraine against their will especially considering that it was a political decision by the USSR BigWigs back in the 1950s and in which the Crimeans didn’t get a say?

                Territorial integrity is fine against an invader but even that gets overlooked in the case of Palestine their Jewish invaders. But, again, that was the European countries forcing a policy against the wishes of the Palestinians.

                Basically, we have all these injustices and we’re using the law that produced the injustices to defend those ongoing injustices.

                It’s the law that needs to change so that those injustices can be addressed.

                • DS

                  Not respecting territorial integrity is a recipe for anarchy. The Mongrel Mob could declare their HQ an independent republic.

                  You can have secession. That’s fine. The point is that it must be subject to *bilateral* agreement.

                  (Curiously, the biggest advocates of unilateral independence don’t tend to be Scottish, they tend to be American neo-Confederates out to demonise Lincoln).

                  • Draco T Bastard

                    Not respecting territorial integrity is a recipe for anarchy. The Mongrel Mob could declare their HQ an independent republic.

                    They could and within hours they’d be surrendering due to lack of water, food, waste disposal etcetera.

                    The Kurds, on the other hand, have a viable amount of land to support themselves.

                    You can have secession. That’s fine. The point is that it must be subject to *bilateral* agreement.

                    It should be but it should also start with the realisation that that populace and that area of land are going to break away. It shouldn’t be a unilateral stop to people who wish to break away from the country that they are now a part of.

    • dukeofurl 12.4

      Trouble is the Law Lords in Scotland dont agree. Perhaps you should ask for a remark of your Hons papers in european politics.
      http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-16638746

      A Scottish Parliament bill to organise an independence referendum without the approval of Westminster would not be legal, the advocate general has warned.
      Lord Wallace of Tankerness, a former deputy first minister, said such a vote could be challenged successfully in the courts.
      He told BBC Scotland Holyrood does not have the power to create legislation which relates to the constitution.

      Just so others can get an idea of your other claims
      This is Art 51 UN Charter

      ‘Article 51: Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defense if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security.’

    • Article 51 (in chapter VII) of the UN charter relates to self-defense, not independence. Do you have the number wrong, or am I missing some detail in Arcticle 51 that relates to territorial integrity or something?

  13. mosa 13

    So Scotland wants independence because it does not agree with the BREXIT vote and cant see that the people who voted for BREXIT wanted the same independence from Europe.

    Its a paradox.

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    Buzz from the Beehive  Not long after Point of Order published data which show the substantial number of New Zealanders (77%) who believe NZ is becoming more divided, government ministers were braying about a programme which distributes some money to “the public” and some to “Maori”. The ministers were dishing ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • MIKE GRIMSHAW: Election 2023 – a totemic & charisma failure?
    The D&W analysis Michael Grimshaw writes –  Given the apathy, disengagement, disillusionment, and all-round ennui of this year’s general election, it was considered time to bring in those noted political operatives and spin doctors D&W, the long-established consultancy firm run by Emile Durkheim and Max Weber. Known for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • FROM BFD: Will Winston be the spectre we think?
    Kissy kissy. Cartoon credit BoomSlang. The BFD. JC writes-  Allow me to preface this contribution with the following statement: If I were asked to express a preference between a National/ACT coalition or a National/ACT/NZF coalition then it would be the former. This week Luxon declared his position, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • California’s climate disclosure bill could have a huge impact across the U.S.
    This re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Andy Furillo was originally published by Capital & Main and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. The California Legislature took a step last week that has the potential to accelerate the fight against climate ...
    4 days ago
  • Untangling South East Queensland’s Public Transport
    This is a cross post Adventures in Transitland by Darren Davis. I recently visited Brisbane and South East Queensland and came away both impressed while also pondering some key changes to make public transport even better in the region. Here goes with my take on things. A bit of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    4 days ago
  • Try A Little Kindness.
    My daughter arrived home from the supermarket yesterday and she seemed a bit worried about something. It turned out she wanted to know if someone could get her bank number from a receipt.We wound the story back.She was in the store and there was a man there who was distressed, ...
    Nick’s KƍreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • What makes NZFirst tick
    New Zealand’s longest-running political roadshow rolled into Opotiki yesterday, with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters knowing another poll last night showed he would make it back to Parliament and National would need him and his party if they wanted to form a government. The Newshub Reid Research poll ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • September AMA
    Hi,As September draws to a close — I feel it’s probably time to do an Ask Me Anything. You know how it goes: If you have any burning questions, fire away in the comments and I will do my best to answer. You might have questions about Webworm, or podcast ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago
  • Bludgers lying in the scratcher making fools of us all
    The mediocrity who stands to be a Prime Minister has a litany.He uses it a bit like a Koru Lounge card. He will brandish it to say: these people are eligible. And more than that, too: These people are deserving. They have earned this policy.They have a right to this policy. What ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • More “partnerships” (by the look of it) and redress of over $30 million in Treaty settlement wit...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point of Order has waited until now – 3.45pm – for today’s officially posted government announcements.  There have been none. The only addition to the news on the Beehive’s website was posted later yesterday, after we had published our September 26 Buzz report. It came from ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • ALEX HOLLAND: Labour’s spending
    Alex Holland writes –  In 2017 when Labour came to power, crown spending was $76 billion per year. Now in 2023 it is $139 billion per year, which equates to a $63 billion annual increase (over $1 billion extra spend every week!) In 2017, New Zealand’s government debt ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • If not now, then when?
    Labour released its fiscal plan today, promising the same old, same old: "responsibility", balanced books, and of course no new taxes: "Labour will maintain income tax settings to provide consistency and certainty in these volatile times. Now is not the time for additional taxes or to promise billions of ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • THE FACTS:  77% of Kiwis believe NZ is becoming more divided
    The Facts has posted –        KEY INSIGHTSOf New Zealander’s polled: Social unity/division 77%believe NZ is becoming more divided (42% ‘much more’ + 35% ‘a little more’) 3%believe NZ is becoming less divided (1% ‘much less’ + 2% ‘a little less’) ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the cynical brutality of the centre-right’s welfare policies
    The centre-right’s enthusiasm for forcing people off the benefit and into paid work is matched only by the enthusiasm (shared by Treasury and the Reserve Bank) for throwing people out of paid work to curb inflation, and achieve the optimal balance of workers to job seekers deemed to be desirable ...
    5 days ago
  • Wednesday’s Chorus: Arthur Grimes on why building many, many more social houses is so critical
    New research shows that tenants in social housing - such as these Wellington apartments - are just as happy as home owners and much happier than private tenants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The election campaign took an ugly turn yesterday, and in completely the wrong direction. All three ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Bennie Bashing.
    If there’s one thing the mob loves more than keeping Māori in their place, more than getting tough on the gangs, maybe even more than tax cuts. It’s a good old round of beneficiary bashing.Are those meanies in the ACT party stealing your votes because they think David Seymour is ...
    Nick’s KƍreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • The kindest cuts
    Labour kicks off the fiscal credibility battle today with the release of its fiscal plan. National is expected to follow, possibly as soon as Thursday, with its own plan, which may (or may not) address the large hole that the problems with its foreign buyers’ ban might open up. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago
  • Green right turn in Britain? Well, a start
    While it may be unlikely to register in New Zealand’s general election, Britain’s PM Rishi Sunak has done something which might just be important in the long run. He’s announced a far-reaching change in his Conservative government’s approach to environmental, and particularly net zero, policy. The starting point – ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days ago
  • At a glance – How do human CO2 emissions compare to natural CO2 emissions?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    6 days ago
  • How could this happen?
    Canada is in uproar after the exposure that its parliament on September 22 provided a standing ovation to a Nazi veteran who had been invited into the chamber to participate in the parliamentary welcome to Ukrainian President Zelensky. Yaroslav Hunka, 98, a Ukrainian man who volunteered for service in ...
    6 days ago
  • Always Be Campaigning
    The big screen is a great place to lay out the ways of the salesman. He comes ready-made for Panto, ripe for lampooning.This is not to disparage that life. I have known many good people of that kind. But there is a type, brazen as all get out. The camera ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • STEPHEN FRANKS: Press seek to publicly shame doctor – we must push back
    The following is a message sent yesterday from lawyer Stephen Franks on behalf of the Free Speech Union. I don’t like to interrupt first thing Monday morning, but we’ve just become aware of a case where we think immediate and overwhelming attention could help turn the tide. It involves someone ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Competing on cruelty
    The right-wing message calendar is clearly reading "cruelty" today, because both National and NZ First have released beneficiary-bashing policies. National is promising a "traffic light" system to police and kick beneficiaries, which will no doubt be accompanied by arbitrary internal targets to classify people as "orange" or "red" to keep ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Further funding for Pharmac (forgotten in the Budget?) looks like a $1bn appeal from a PM in need of...
    Buzz from the Beehive One Labour plan  – for 3000 more public homes by 2025 – is the most recent to be posted on the government’s official website. Another – a prime ministerial promise of more funding for Pharmac – has been released as a Labour Party press statement. Who ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: The Vested interests shaping National Party policies
    As the National Party gets closer to government, lobbyists and business interests will be lining up for influence and to get policies adopted. It’s therefore in the public interest to have much more scrutiny and transparency about potential conflicts of interests that might arise. One of the key individuals of ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    6 days ago
  • Labour may be on way out of power and NZ First back in – but will Peters go into coalition with Na...
    Voters  are deserting Labour in droves, despite Chris  Hipkins’  valiant  rearguard  action.  So  where  are they  heading?  Clearly  not all of them are going to vote National, which concedes that  the  outcome  will be “close”. To the Right of National, the ACT party just a  few weeks  ago  was ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    6 days ago
  • GRAHAM ADAMS: Will the racists please stand up?
    Accusations of racism by journalists and MPs are being called out. Graham Adams writes –    With the election less than three weeks away, what co-governance means in practice — including in water management, education, planning law and local government — remains largely obscure. Which is hardly ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on whether Winston Peters can be a moderating influence
    As the centre-right has (finally!) been subjected to media interrogation, the polls are indicating that some voters may be starting to have second thoughts about the wisdom of giving National and ACT the power to govern alone. That’s why yesterday’s Newshub/Reid Research poll had the National/ACT combo dropping to 60 ...
    6 days ago
  • Tuesday’s Chorus: RBNZ set to rain on National's victory parade
    ANZ has increased its forecast for house inflation later this year on signs of growing momentum in the market ahead of the election. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: National has campaigned against the Labour Government’s record on inflation and mortgage rates, but there’s now a growing chance the Reserve ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • After a Pittsburgh coal processing plant closed, ER visits plummeted
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Katie Myers. This story was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. Pittsburgh, in its founding, was blessed and cursed with two abundant natural resources: free-flowing rivers and a nearby coal seam. ...
    6 days ago
  • September-23 AT Board Meeting
    Today the AT board meet again and once again I’ve taken a look at what’s on the agenda to find the most interesting items. Closed Agenda Interestingly when I first looked at the agendas this paper was there but at the time of writing this post it had been ...
    6 days ago
  • Electorate Watch: West Coast-Tasman
    Continuing my series on interesting electorates, today it’s West Coast-Tasman.A long thin electorate running down the northern half of the west coast of the South Island. Think sand flies, beautiful landscapes, lots of rain, Pike River, alternative lifestylers, whitebaiting, and the spiritual home of the Labour Party. A brief word ...
    Nick’s KƍreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • Big money brings Winston back
    National leader Christopher Luxon yesterday morning conceded it and last night’s Newshub poll confirmed it; Winston Peters and NZ First are not only back but highly likely to be part of the next government. It is a remarkable comeback for a party that was tossed out of Parliament in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    7 days ago
  • 20 days until Election Day, 7 until early voting begins
 but what changes will we really see here?
    As this blogger, alongside many others, has already posited in another forum: we all know the National Party’s “budget” (meaning this concept of even adding up numbers properly is doing a lot of heavy, heavy lifting right now) is utter and complete bunk (read hung, drawn and quartered and ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    7 days ago
  • A night out
    Everyone was asking, Are you nervous? and my response was various forms of God, yes.I've written more speeches than I can count; not much surprises me when the speaker gets to their feet and the room goes quiet.But a play? Never.YOU CAME! THANK YOU! Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago
  • A pallid shade of Green III
    Clearly Labour's focus groups are telling it that it needs to pay more attention to climate change - because hot on the heels of their weaksauce energy efficiency pilot programme and not-great-but-better-than-nothing solar grants, they've released a full climate manifesto. Unfortunately, the core policies in it - a second Emissions ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand resumes peacekeeping force leadership
    New Zealand will again contribute to the leadership of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, with a senior New Zealand Defence Force officer returning as Interim Force Commander. Defence Minister Andrew Little and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta have announced the deployment of New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 hour ago
  • New national direction provides clarity for development and the environment
    The Government has taken an important step in implementing the new resource management system, by issuing a draft National Planning Framework (NPF) document under the new legislation, Environment Minister David Parker said today. “The NPF consolidates existing national direction, bringing together around 20 existing instruments including policy statements, standards, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago
  • Government shows further commitment to pay equity for healthcare workers
    The Government welcomes the proposed pay equity settlement that will see significant pay increases for around 18,000 Te Whatu Ora Allied, Scientific, and Technical employees, if accepted said Health Minister Ayesha Verrall. The proposal reached between Te Whatu Ora, the New Zealand Public Service Association Te Pƫkenga Here Tikanga Mahi ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • 100 new public EV chargers to be added to national network
    The public EV charging network has received a significant boost with government co-funding announced today for over 100 EV chargers – with over 200 charging ports altogether – across New Zealand, and many planned to be up and running on key holiday routes by Christmas this year. Minister of Energy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Safeguarding Tuvalu language and identity
    Tuvalu is in the spotlight this week as communities across New Zealand celebrate Vaiaso o te Gagana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week. “The Government has a proven record of supporting Pacific communities and ensuring more of our languages are spoken, heard and celebrated,” Pacific Peoples Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Many ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori households
    Seven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilience
    The Government has approved new funding that will boost resilience and greatly reduce the risk of major flood damage across Te Tai Tokerau. Significant weather events this year caused severe flooding and damage across the region. The $8.9m will be used to provide some of the smaller communities and maraes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solar
    The largest public housing development in Napier for many years has been recently completed and has the added benefit of innovative solar technology, thanks to Government programmes, says Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods. The 24 warm, dry homes are in Seddon Crescent, Marewa and Megan Woods says the whanau living ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown initial Deed of Settlement I Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me...
    Māori: Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna i tētahi Whakaaetanga Whakataunga hei whakamihi i ƍ rātou tāhuhu kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi. E tekau mā rua ngā hapĆ« o roto mai o Te Whānau ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefit
    Regions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Immigration settings updates
    Judicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap increased by 500 Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement More roles added to Green List Three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders The Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga Hohepa
    Tangi ngunguru ana ngā tai ki te wahapƫ o Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Tārehu ana ngā pae maunga ki Te Puna o te Ao Marama. Korihi tangi ana ngā manu, kua hinga he kauri nui ki te Wao Nui o Tāne. He Toa. He Pou. He Ahorangi. E papaki tƫ ana ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Renewable energy fund to support community resilience
    40 solar energy systems on community buildings in regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events Virtual capability-building hub to support community organisations get projects off the ground Boost for community-level renewable energy projects across the country At least 40 community buildings used to support the emergency response ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • COVID-19 funding returned to Government
    The lifting of COVID-19 isolation and mask mandates in August has resulted in a return of almost $50m in savings and recovered contingencies, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. Following the revocation of mandates and isolation, specialised COVID-19 telehealth and alternative isolation accommodation are among the operational elements ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Appointment of District Court Judge
    Susie Houghton of Auckland has been appointed as a new District Court Judge, to serve on the Family Court, Attorney-General David Parker said today.  Judge Houghton has acted as a lawyer for child for more than 20 years. She has acted on matters relating to the Hague Convention, an international ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilience
    The Government has today confirmed $2.5 million to fund a replace and upgrade a stopbank to protect the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant. “As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, the original stopbank protecting the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant was destroyed. The plant was operational within 6 weeks of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-up
    Another $2.1 million to boost capacity to deal with waste left in Cyclone Gabrielle’s wake. Funds for Hastings District Council, Phoenix Contracting and Hog Fuel NZ to increase local waste-processing infrastructure. The Government is beefing up Hawke’s Bay’s Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up capacity with more support dealing with the massive amount ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Taupƍ Supercars revs up with Government support
    The future of Supercars events in New Zealand has been secured with new Government support. The Government is getting engines started through the Major Events Fund, a special fund to support high profile events in New Zealand that provide long-term economic, social and cultural benefits. “The Repco Supercars Championship is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • There is no recession in NZ, economy grows nearly 1 percent in June quarter
    The economy has turned a corner with confirmation today New Zealand never was in recession and stronger than expected growth in the June quarter, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said. “The New Zealand economy is doing better than expected,” Grant Robertson said. “It’s continuing to grow, with the latest figures showing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Highest legal protection for New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs
    The Government has accepted the Environment Court’s recommendation to give special legal protection to New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs, Te WaikoropupĆ« Springs (also known as PupĆ« Springs), Environment Minister David Parker announced today.   “Te WaikoropupĆ« Springs, near Takaka in Golden Bay, have the second clearest water in New Zealand after ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • More support for victims of migrant exploitation
    Temporary package of funding for accommodation and essential living support for victims of migrant exploitation Exploited migrant workers able to apply for a further Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa (MEPV), giving people more time to find a job Free job search assistance to get people back into work Use of 90-day ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Strong export boost as NZ economy turns corner
    An export boost is supporting New Zealand’s economy to grow, adding to signs that the economy has turned a corner and is on a stronger footing as we rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle and lock in the benefits of multiple new trade deals, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. “The economy is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Funding approved for flood resilience work in Te Karaka
    The Government has approved $15 million to raise about 200 homes at risk of future flooding. More than half of this is expected to be spent in the Tairāwhiti settlement of Te Karaka, lifting about 100 homes there. “Te Karaka was badly hit during Cyclone Gabrielle when the Waipāoa River ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Further business support for cyclone-affected regions
    The Government is helping businesses recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and attract more people back into their regions. “Cyclone Gabrielle has caused considerable damage across North Island regions with impacts continuing to be felt by businesses and communities,” Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Building on our earlier business support, this ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • New maintenance facility at Burnham Military Camp underway
    Defence Minister Andrew Little has turned the first sod to start construction of a new Maintenance Support Facility (MSF) at Burnham Military Camp today. “This new state-of-art facility replaces Second World War-era buildings and will enable our Defence Force to better maintain and repair equipment,” Andrew Little said. “This Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Foreign Minister to attend United Nations General Assembly
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will represent New Zealand at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week, before visiting Washington DC for further Pacific focussed meetings. Nanaia Mahuta will be in New York from Wednesday 20 September, and will participate in UNGA leaders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Midwives’ pay equity offer reached
    Around 1,700 Te Whatu Ora employed midwives and maternity care assistants will soon vote on a proposed pay equity settlement agreed by Te Whatu Ora, the Midwifery Employee Representation and Advisory Service (MERAS) and New Zealand Nurses Association (NZNO), Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. “Addressing historical pay ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • New Zealand provides support to Morocco
    Aotearoa New Zealand will provide humanitarian support to those affected by last week’s earthquake in Morocco, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “We are making a contribution of $1 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to help meet humanitarian needs,” Nanaia Mahuta said. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago
  • Government invests in West Coast’s roading resilience
    The Government is investing over $22 million across 18 projects to improve the resilience of roads in the West Coast that have been affected by recent extreme weather, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed today.  A dedicated Transport Resilience Fund has been established for early preventative works to protect the state ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago
  • Government invests in Greymouth’s future
    The Government has today confirmed a $2 million grant towards the regeneration of Greymouth’s CBD with construction of a new two-level commercial and public facility. “It will include a visitor facility centred around a new library. Additionally, it will include retail outlets on the ground floor, and both outdoor and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago
  • Nanaia Mahuta to attend PIF Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will attend the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, in Suva, Fiji alongside New Zealand’s regional counterparts. “Aotearoa New Zealand is deeply committed to working with our pacific whanau to strengthen our cooperation, and share ways to combat the challenges facing the Blue Pacific Continent,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

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