Chris D

It always frustrates me that opinions about Irish Protestants are all through a post 1916 prism. Ignores the rebellious Hearts of Steel, the push for Irish Parliamentary reform & independence by the Volunteers in the 1780s and of course the Protestants who formed and rebelled in the United Irishmen

I have absolutely loved the energy of the new #Corbyn party launch. What do we want, a party name, when do we want it, after a committee has deliberated public suggestions because we aren't imaginative enough.

But they broke into an RAF base and damaged 2 aircraft. That’s not peaceful protest

That’s not true. We have first past the post for the constituency vote & a regional list system. So it’s not a PR system & we don’t get the same number of seats as votes. Greens are over represented as they gamed the list & SNP got the majority of constituencies on 47% of the vote. So you’re wrong.

But I vote in Scotland and have never had the government I voted for in Scotland, so how do you square that or is Scotland just you?

What government would that be? SNP don’t have a majority but we are stuck with them.

What tax are you referring too that isn’t included in the figures?

What taxes would those be?

Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) 2023-24 Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) is an Accredited Official Statistics publication. It estimates the revenue raised in Scotland and the cost of public services provided for Scotland.

It’s called the Government expenditure and revenue Scotland www.gov.scot/publications...

except that is demonstrably nonsense.

And the narrator quietly says “But Labour did win this by-election” 🌹🌹🌹

It’s almost like you are a politician!

Good, so there was a way to do it after all and about time they did.

An FOI showed the Scot Gov had not even asked for the data.

Fair enough, simply pointing out that is secondary to my original question which has not been answered.

I am not shifting goal posts, this was my original point.

If you knew me you would know that my relationship with Labour is anything but beloved.

Haven’t done it yet though has he? And why previously say the Gov doesn’t have the powers if he is now saying it does?

Just a coincidence then?

I do & I also understand that Scotland now has its own benefits system on top...child payment etc. So you could argue it did have the power it just, in my view, chose not to use it and is just doing so now because the UK Gov is reviewing it. But we are never going to agree on this and I accept that

Baby box is wasteful but free lunches, bus travel and the child payment are all good. But there is no coherent policy on poverty. Health and educational outcomes for those in poverty are worse than ever. Life chances and opportunity have to improve to truly deal with poverty the Gov is found wanting

you are forgiven, but only for the spelling

I live and vote in Scotland, I have a democratic right to question the government and I also have a right to care about why they have held off implementing a policy (that I think is essential) until it started being considered by the UK Gov. It doesn't mean I agree with the UK Gov.

agree its worth it. Without wanting to get into another debate I was just questioning why now, when they previously said they could not. It feels like its just because Labour are talking about it, rather than because they have an actual child poverty strategy and that is cynical.

yes and?

1. It is 2. I asked a question and then you responded to me not the other way round. 3. You clearly did and continue to do so. 4. That is where I am from in my accent, you are making a lot of assumptions about my politics.

1. My account is not anonymous 2. I asked a question, I haven't trolled or insulted anyone. 3. You messaged me, not the other way round. 4. Only one of us has a flag or any symbols in their profile. But that aside, have a lovely evening

sorry you feel the need to insult me rather than answer my question.

That doesn’t answer my question. Why did they say they didn’t have the “powers” to do it but they do now? And if they did have the power why did they not prioritise it before? Are you saying they couldn’t afford it but can today?

Can you show me the source for that, so that I can get it?