I recall many of the debates in the Scottish Independence Referendum
Those with young people
Were some of the best
Those with young people
Were some of the best
See also Danny Alexander (yes yellow lunchbox man)
"Some of the best debates and discussion I have had about the Scottish referendum have been with young people in schools and Newsbeat's Big Debate."
"Some of the best debates and discussion I have had about the Scottish referendum have been with young people in schools and Newsbeat's Big Debate."
Here is someone else who supported votes at 16 
And also
To focus on part of her words
"In the weeks following the referendum, the debate has inevitably shifted onto whether the franchise should now be extended to all other elections."
"In the weeks following the referendum, the debate has inevitably shifted onto whether the franchise should now be extended to all other elections."
Now the question is not whether 16 to 18 year olds are mature enough
They are
Scotland already led the way in establishing that
They are
Scotland already led the way in establishing that
The question becomes
Why do you fear them voting?
That's the simple one
To David Cameron and his party
Why did you fear them?
Was it just that you knew you would never get your party to vote to support their enfranchisement?
Why do you fear them voting?
That's the simple one
To David Cameron and his party
Why did you fear them?
Was it just that you knew you would never get your party to vote to support their enfranchisement?
Because again
I just want to know
Why did you fear 16 - 18 year olds?
In a referendum that was SO significant
Why did you fear them?
I just want to know
Why did you fear 16 - 18 year olds?
In a referendum that was SO significant
Why did you fear them?
There's a fuller paper on votes for 16 - 18 year olds and the experience of Scotland here
journals.openedition.org/rfcb/4963
journals.openedition.org/rfcb/4963
3. Cheating
So first of all we start
With well brexit hardman steve baker
theguardian.com/technology/201…
So first of all we start
With well brexit hardman steve baker
theguardian.com/technology/201…
"Our own courts have said: “In elections, as in sport, those who win by cheating have not properly won and are disqualified.” "
theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
A Conservative MP on Steve Baker
"It just reveals what the extreme Brexiteers have been about all along.
“It’s not enough to take the UK out of the EU. They want the entire thing to fall apart
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
"It just reveals what the extreme Brexiteers have been about all along.
“It’s not enough to take the UK out of the EU. They want the entire thing to fall apart
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
and a reminder of Steve Baker
And how he wanted to fast track the sacking of civil servants
We will come back to civil servants later
civilserviceworld.com/articles/news/…
And how he wanted to fast track the sacking of civil servants
We will come back to civil servants later
civilserviceworld.com/articles/news/…
For 4 plus years
The cheating of leave campaigns
Has been well established
All that is left is the question of how you defend it
Which as always in brexit
It's the how you defend the behaviour that is fascinating
The cheating of leave campaigns
Has been well established
All that is left is the question of how you defend it
Which as always in brexit
It's the how you defend the behaviour that is fascinating
See Theresa May
Who sacked a whistleblower on electoral cheating
Imagine doing that
Imagine being silent as a Prime Minister did that
Why I would have thought at least some of her cabinet would raise objection and resign on principle
Or even her party of MPs
But no
Who sacked a whistleblower on electoral cheating
Imagine doing that
Imagine being silent as a Prime Minister did that
Why I would have thought at least some of her cabinet would raise objection and resign on principle
Or even her party of MPs
But no
Oh her office outed him as well on his sexuality
That apparently was something Theresa May was offended at being done
But firing him
That was ok
The questions that spring from that dichotomy
Simple simple questions
That apparently was something Theresa May was offended at being done
But firing him
That was ok
The questions that spring from that dichotomy
Simple simple questions
You can of course go back to late March 2018
When the Daily Telegraph got really really upset at the concept of cheating
..... in cricket
When the Daily Telegraph got really really upset at the concept of cheating
..... in cricket
Or when Theresa May similarly got really upset at cheating
"The Prime Minister is clear that cheating has absolutely no place in cricket or indeed in any sport.
mirror.co.uk/news/politics/…
"The Prime Minister is clear that cheating has absolutely no place in cricket or indeed in any sport.
mirror.co.uk/news/politics/…
Or of course you have Michael Gove
Who is so so proud of his role in the campaign
His role in Core Group of Vote Leave
Yet cannot recall any detail of what he did
It all fades into the fog of memory
Who is so so proud of his role in the campaign
His role in Core Group of Vote Leave
Yet cannot recall any detail of what he did
It all fades into the fog of memory
I wrote a really really long thread on Michael Gove
I would suggest people come back to that later
Or read it now
Up to yourself
I would suggest people come back to that later
Or read it now
Up to yourself
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1260571730751471616
4. Scapegoating
Now this is a fascinating topic
Because touches on a range of history
If one thing is true
Sadly of history
In so many countries
Not just the UK
It is that othering
And scapegoating
Is a familiar theme
Now this is a fascinating topic
Because touches on a range of history
If one thing is true
Sadly of history
In so many countries
Not just the UK
It is that othering
And scapegoating
Is a familiar theme
It is an easy go to route
To well
Encourage anger and fear
To well
Encourage anger and fear
After all
We all understand anger
To borrow a phrase
Righteous anger
We all understand anger
To borrow a phrase
Righteous anger
Because we all want our lives to improve
For ourselves
For our children
For others
For ourselves
For our children
For others
See David Dimbleby below
A key point
"Everything had happened over 25 years suddenly coalesced because of one simple question"
A key point
"Everything had happened over 25 years suddenly coalesced because of one simple question"
https://twitter.com/Channel4News/status/1334833758177026050
Now I agree somewhat with David Dimbleby
It is all about coalescence
It was always about that
As Dominic made clear
(we haven't touched on the red bus yet)
That comes later in a subsequent point
It is all about coalescence
It was always about that
As Dominic made clear
(we haven't touched on the red bus yet)
That comes later in a subsequent point
The question is around what are you coalescing
actually I would go to a larger point
The last decade
Has been defined
By fear
By people who are afraid
By people who incite, encourage and exploit fear
The last decade
Has been defined
By fear
By people who are afraid
By people who incite, encourage and exploit fear
After all
Thank god we haven't faced chaos with Ed Miliband
Have you seen how he eats a bacon butty
Thank god we haven't faced chaos with Ed Miliband
Have you seen how he eats a bacon butty
See also: other countries
This coalescence
Is not an issue related specifically to the UK
This coalescence
Is not an issue related specifically to the UK
https://twitter.com/FrankLuntz/status/1331635111763144711
See here
Where I tackle the issue of a politician spreading lies, mistrust and misinformation
Where I tackle the issue of a politician spreading lies, mistrust and misinformation
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1334141344030339072
See also
Russian ads designed to create social and political divisions reached around 10 million Facebook users in the US, the company has revealed.
independent.co.uk/life-style/gad…
Russian ads designed to create social and political divisions reached around 10 million Facebook users in the US, the company has revealed.
independent.co.uk/life-style/gad…
How you sow the seeds
"Russian trolls posing as Americans made payments to genuine activists in the US to help fund protest movements on socially divisive issues, according to a new investigation by a respected Russian media outlet."
theguardian.com/world/2017/oct…
"Russian trolls posing as Americans made payments to genuine activists in the US to help fund protest movements on socially divisive issues, according to a new investigation by a respected Russian media outlet."
theguardian.com/world/2017/oct…
a reminder
“We have been clear that we believe our own electoral system is amongst the most robust in the world,” the spokesman told reporters. “I don’t think we’ve seen any evidence of any successful direct interference in UK democratic processes.”
uk.reuters.com/article/uk-bri…
“We have been clear that we believe our own electoral system is amongst the most robust in the world,” the spokesman told reporters. “I don’t think we’ve seen any evidence of any successful direct interference in UK democratic processes.”
uk.reuters.com/article/uk-bri…
A simple point
Of course you haven't seen evidence
BECAUSE YOU HAVEN'T FUCKING INVESTIGATED IT
Of course you haven't seen evidence
BECAUSE YOU HAVEN'T FUCKING INVESTIGATED IT
https://twitter.com/StewartMcDonald/status/1326200651387449345
Your reminder
Not only did a British Prime Minister suppress a report into foreign intereference into British democracy
But a Conservative Prime Minister did
Can you imagine Tory outrage had a Labour leader e.g. Corbyn done so?
theguardian.com/politics/2020/…
Not only did a British Prime Minister suppress a report into foreign intereference into British democracy
But a Conservative Prime Minister did
Can you imagine Tory outrage had a Labour leader e.g. Corbyn done so?
theguardian.com/politics/2020/…
Anyway back to that coalescence question
Now I think Russian interference is an important story
But its not the only story
The Russians are just another player in the game
We did this to ourselves
Now I think Russian interference is an important story
But its not the only story
The Russians are just another player in the game
We did this to ourselves
The key points:
"Bob's problem is that he can't sell it!"
"He is interested in two things, and two things only: making you afraid of it, and telling you who's to blame for it"
"Bob's problem is that he can't sell it!"
"He is interested in two things, and two things only: making you afraid of it, and telling you who's to blame for it"
So
Again as I said earlier
No brexiteers
I do not think you are all racist
Sadly - those selling brexit to a nation
Decided to employ scapegoating, racism, xenophobia and islamophobia
To sell their snake oil
Again as I said earlier
No brexiteers
I do not think you are all racist
Sadly - those selling brexit to a nation
Decided to employ scapegoating, racism, xenophobia and islamophobia
To sell their snake oil
I couldn't care less the political affiliations of a racist
I am more concerned at whether they are racist
At whom they are racist
And why
All racism matters
To borrow a phrase
I am more concerned at whether they are racist
At whom they are racist
And why
All racism matters
To borrow a phrase
And also to clarify
I do not think that racism did not exist prior to 2016
And suddenly came into being
Either during the sell of brexit
Or because of the win of brexit
There has always been racism
I do not think that racism did not exist prior to 2016
And suddenly came into being
Either during the sell of brexit
Or because of the win of brexit
There has always been racism
I am glad Sir Bill Cash cleared that up
Oh meanwhile back in reality
Here are EU citizens being proposed to be used as "main cards"
From a man who only recently clarified that he never meant brexit is the easiest deal in history but that it *should be*
theguardian.com/politics/2016/…
Oh meanwhile back in reality
Here are EU citizens being proposed to be used as "main cards"
From a man who only recently clarified that he never meant brexit is the easiest deal in history but that it *should be*
theguardian.com/politics/2016/…
Why I am old enough to remember Vote Leave promising EU citizens and British citizens living in the EU that nothing would change
Oh and also
See Windrush (no not Theresa May and recent times)
But the original days
telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/04/1…
See Windrush (no not Theresa May and recent times)
But the original days
telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/04/1…
Why imagine as a Home Secretary
Suppressing the reports about the benefits migration brings to the UK
It's almost like Theresa May has a common theme there she is trying to peddle
But hey - yay for wheatfields being the worst thing every
civilserviceworld.com/professions/ar…
Suppressing the reports about the benefits migration brings to the UK
It's almost like Theresa May has a common theme there she is trying to peddle
But hey - yay for wheatfields being the worst thing every
civilserviceworld.com/professions/ar…
As to her successors
Well the Prittster
She is busy inciting attacks on "do-gooder" "lefty" or "activist" lawyers
You should thank her
She higlights she can't play the ball
So plays the profession
Thatcher would be ashamed of her
Well the Prittster
She is busy inciting attacks on "do-gooder" "lefty" or "activist" lawyers
You should thank her
She higlights she can't play the ball
So plays the profession
Thatcher would be ashamed of her
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1330838685605093377
even worse
is when you cut funding for language courses
and then demonise refugees for their language skills
ein.org.uk/news/refugee-a…
is when you cut funding for language courses
and then demonise refugees for their language skills
ein.org.uk/news/refugee-a…
Now it has always been the case throughout history that there are those who seek to use the opportunity of a crisis
To demonise the other
To demonise the other
"It's a story of chaos, mass hysteria, profiteering and racist violence – but it is also a story of some heroism and charity, from royal and commoner alike."
telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/0…
telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/0…
If only Jacob Rees Mogg had been around during the Great Fire to provide us with his invaluable common sense fire safety advice
No wonder he was made to hide during a general election campaign
Perhaps he gave Boris the inspiration to use his common sense and hide in a fridge
No wonder he was made to hide during a general election campaign
Perhaps he gave Boris the inspiration to use his common sense and hide in a fridge
Why there are even those who think a Prime Minister who cares about the common good is a danger to brexit Britain
Great to see how far the UK has travelled in terms of religious discrimination
inews.co.uk/essentials/new…
Great to see how far the UK has travelled in terms of religious discrimination
inews.co.uk/essentials/new…
Now not only do you weaponise immigrants
But you go for refugees AS WELL
Because both are useful pawns to exploit and confuse the fears over
A reminder
Developing countries host 86% of the world's refugees
The UK 1%
ctbi.org.uk/facts-about-re…
But you go for refugees AS WELL
Because both are useful pawns to exploit and confuse the fears over
A reminder
Developing countries host 86% of the world's refugees
The UK 1%
ctbi.org.uk/facts-about-re…
Now of course you have Nigel Farage and his merry company
whatever the fuck they call themselves today
As they desperately rebrand to profit from whatever the latest trend is they can weaponise
theguardian.com/politics/2016/…
whatever the fuck they call themselves today
As they desperately rebrand to profit from whatever the latest trend is they can weaponise
theguardian.com/politics/2016/…
You also have Vote Leave
Yes
A reminder of how they exploited the fear of the Turks are coming
theguardian.com/politics/2016/…
Yes
A reminder of how they exploited the fear of the Turks are coming
theguardian.com/politics/2016/…
Those people who wax lyrical about Parliamentary sovereignity
They doctored a video of the Turkish parliament to incite racism, xenophobia and islamophobia
Ask - why would they do that?
What were they seeking to gain?
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
They doctored a video of the Turkish parliament to incite racism, xenophobia and islamophobia
Ask - why would they do that?
What were they seeking to gain?
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
A reminder
The Turks are coming
The Turks are coming
A reminder the Turks are coming
They were right
A Turk did come
A Turk did come
Oh and a reminder
On brexiteers so desperate
They lie about a vaccine approval process
huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/coronavi…
On brexiteers so desperate
They lie about a vaccine approval process
huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/coronavi…
Anyway enough about Turkey
As I don't want people to think that it was just specifically Turkey that was used to exploit racism, xenophobia
Turkey just handily provided a key one that also tied in with islamophobia
Got to be afraid of those letter boxes and bank robbers
As I don't want people to think that it was just specifically Turkey that was used to exploit racism, xenophobia
Turkey just handily provided a key one that also tied in with islamophobia
Got to be afraid of those letter boxes and bank robbers
“Donald Trump’s take on immigration … Vote to Leave the vicious snake that is the EU on June 23”.
theguardian.com/politics/2016/…
theguardian.com/politics/2016/…
"vicious snake"
Yup of course Farage and his company of racists went there
So here's a reminder from Churchill
Yup of course Farage and his company of racists went there
So here's a reminder from Churchill
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1110855444296290304
Now of course
Racism was not invented during or by brexit
As I have pointed out in my previous points
Scapegoating is not new
It is one of the oldest tricks in the book
Racism was not invented during or by brexit
As I have pointed out in my previous points
Scapegoating is not new
It is one of the oldest tricks in the book
And by god is that book well used
"Politicians are to blame for the rise of "respectable racism""
theguardian.com/politics/2016/…
"Politicians are to blame for the rise of "respectable racism""
theguardian.com/politics/2016/…
Now I want to talk about politicians who exploited racism for party political gain
Yes
I don't want to talk about Nigel Farage
He is just a racist hustler
Someone seeking to make profit from people's misery for his political gain
I don't want to talk about Nigel Farage
He is just a racist hustler
Someone seeking to make profit from people's misery for his political gain
Instead I want to focus on the Conservative Party
Now I know David is quite well aware of what racism and xenophobia is
After all see his words on "fruitcakes and racists" when trying to smear others
Now I know David is quite well aware of what racism and xenophobia is
After all see his words on "fruitcakes and racists" when trying to smear others
So
In the aftermath of a global financial crash
Yes a global one
David Cameron and his party
In coalition with the Liberal Democrats
Chose a path of austerity
In the aftermath of a global financial crash
Yes a global one
David Cameron and his party
In coalition with the Liberal Democrats
Chose a path of austerity
Now you can argue the Liberal Democracts had the best of intetions as they went into coalition and that they softened austerity
You can argue that had they not and a election repeat had given Cameron a majority government
That it would have been Cameron Unleashed
You can argue that had they not and a election repeat had given Cameron a majority government
That it would have been Cameron Unleashed
So
David Cameron pursued a policy of austerity
A policy
That was always a political choice
Not an economic one
Here is a "one nation" Baroness explaining
David Cameron pursued a policy of austerity
A policy
That was always a political choice
Not an economic one
Here is a "one nation" Baroness explaining
Here is the aunt and mother of the Prime Minister
Explaining the effects of the policies of her son/nephew
The local council ALSO leader making it clear
Central government cuts have their consequences
theargus.co.uk/news/14262322.…
Explaining the effects of the policies of her son/nephew
The local council ALSO leader making it clear
Central government cuts have their consequences
theargus.co.uk/news/14262322.…
Here is a reminder on David Cameron and his words on social housing
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
Here's an example of Liz Truss - we will come back to her in a moment
"Minister Liz Truss seemed unsure when asked how many of 200,000 starter homes pledged by the Conservatives in 2014 had been built."
bbc.co.uk/news/av/electi…
"Minister Liz Truss seemed unsure when asked how many of 200,000 starter homes pledged by the Conservatives in 2014 had been built."
bbc.co.uk/news/av/electi…
Here a reminder of the "value of education" and Tory cuts to education
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1095616667663720448
Oh and here
A reminder those Tories who complain that Black Lives Matter are going to defund the police
Well
That mission was already done by the Conservatives
Mission accomplished
A reminder those Tories who complain that Black Lives Matter are going to defund the police
Well
That mission was already done by the Conservatives
Mission accomplished
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1271797931604131841
I am not even going to go into all the health tourism and other bullshit scapegoating nonsense from Leave sellers
I am tired of this topic
So so tired
I am tired of this topic
So so tired
Now as of today on December 2020
Apparently Liz Truss is somehow showing a good standing amongst ConHome supporters
Now that is a surprise
It is such a low bar
Apparently Liz Truss is somehow showing a good standing amongst ConHome supporters
Now that is a surprise
It is such a low bar
https://twitter.com/lewis_goodall/status/1334801218804314112
Here she is demonstrating her ability to answer a simple question
Every time a Conservative says they are going to level up
Ask them a simple question
From whom?
And from what?
Every time a Conservative says they are going to level up
Ask them a simple question
From whom?
And from what?
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1302688553424637953
Anyway sorry back to scapegoating
The main question you should ask
Is why would someone exploit a crisis to spread lies and disinformation
Why?
What do they seek to gain from it?
Or
What do they seek to hide by it?
The main question you should ask
Is why would someone exploit a crisis to spread lies and disinformation
Why?
What do they seek to gain from it?
Or
What do they seek to hide by it?
https://twitter.com/NafeezAhmed/status/1334854086714421248
The frenzy of scapegoating, racism and xenophobia
Amidst a frenzy of of jingoism and nativist nationalism
Was used deliberately
By those who believed they needed it to win
Amidst a frenzy of of jingoism and nativist nationalism
Was used deliberately
By those who believed they needed it to win
And at the last on this scapegoating topic
We touch on the murder of Jo Cox MP
Here's the BBC live stream for that day
That sad day
bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-p…
We touch on the murder of Jo Cox MP
Here's the BBC live stream for that day
That sad day
bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-p…
Where the anger inflamed
Incited
Fanned
Fuelled
Spilled over
With one man
Who decided the ends justify the means
Incited
Fanned
Fuelled
Spilled over
With one man
Who decided the ends justify the means
Those who peddled the bile
Of course really don't like being reminded of the effects it has
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
Of course really don't like being reminded of the effects it has
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
" This calculated and sick murder took place at the end of one of the most divisive and dirty political campaigns ever waged in this democracy."
blogs.lse.ac.uk/polis/2016/11/…
blogs.lse.ac.uk/polis/2016/11/…
" This juxtaposition between the patriot and the traitor and the legitimisation by the Brexit-campaign of a xenophobe agenda undeniably provided the moral context in which the political murder of Jo Cox took place, but apparently this cannot be said as such."
And of course
Well there are those who even after the murder of an MP
Reveal there eternal lack of basic decency
theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/m…
Well there are those who even after the murder of an MP
Reveal there eternal lack of basic decency
theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/m…
So I think that's scapegoating covered
It's such a huge topic
The range of scapegoats employed and used
After all
Why settle for just one scapegoat
When having so so many multiple available distractions
Aids your cause
It's such a huge topic
The range of scapegoats employed and used
After all
Why settle for just one scapegoat
When having so so many multiple available distractions
Aids your cause
5. Lies
So now we move onto lies
I will put this back up from point 1 on the media
If only I could think of an ex-prominent "journalist" at the Telegraph
Who enjoyed his job and the freedom it gave him to spout lies
A reminder
So now we move onto lies
I will put this back up from point 1 on the media
If only I could think of an ex-prominent "journalist" at the Telegraph
Who enjoyed his job and the freedom it gave him to spout lies
A reminder
He will be back there soon
He has a nanny he needs to afford after all and the miserly salary he receives as PM and the grace and favour residences and lifestyle he has does not make him happy
He needs his Telegraph hourly rate back
theguardian.com/politics/2018/…
He has a nanny he needs to afford after all and the miserly salary he receives as PM and the grace and favour residences and lifestyle he has does not make him happy
He needs his Telegraph hourly rate back
theguardian.com/politics/2018/…
Sorry back to lies
These are easy to get lots of places that provide summaries of such
gq-magazine.co.uk/article/list-o…
These are easy to get lots of places that provide summaries of such
gq-magazine.co.uk/article/list-o…
So I am going to focus on just a few of those lies
1. a bus
2. on audits
3. on company movements
4. on protectionism
1. a bus
2. on audits
3. on company movements
4. on protectionism
First of all
Let's get that damn red bus out of the fucking way
I can hear the groan's from brexiteers
not that f***ing red bus
It wasn't a promise
It didn't persuade anyone
Let's get that damn red bus out of the fucking way
I can hear the groan's from brexiteers
not that f***ing red bus
It wasn't a promise
It didn't persuade anyone
Ok
It didn't persuade anyone
Why was it used then?
For fucks sake
Really?
The red bus was tuned and focus group polled specifically BECAUSE of its target desired effect
A reminder Dominic Cumming's OWN FUCKING WORDS
It didn't persuade anyone
Why was it used then?
For fucks sake
Really?
The red bus was tuned and focus group polled specifically BECAUSE of its target desired effect
A reminder Dominic Cumming's OWN FUCKING WORDS
You know what is worse
Not that people believed
But that liars had such contempt for taking people for fools that they would believe it
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
Not that people believed
But that liars had such contempt for taking people for fools that they would believe it
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
The £350 million a week figure was a lie
The promise was a lie
The promise was a lie
If you are still defending it
Then you are confirming to liars - that their contempt for you was correct
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
Then you are confirming to liars - that their contempt for you was correct
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
Fact Check UK would be proud of you demonstrating the contempt they have for you not only is correct
Sorry @CCHQPresso
Sorry @CCHQPresso
Now
There is a question
Who was an MP you most admired during the referendum campaign
Well
I have mine
Sarah Woolaston MP
There is a question
Who was an MP you most admired during the referendum campaign
Well
I have mine
Sarah Woolaston MP
For her action on one small thing
Just one small thing
She was prepared to change her mind
And
She was prepared to challenge a lie
Just one small thing
She was prepared to change her mind
And
She was prepared to challenge a lie
whereas other in the campaign
well they knew what they were peddling
and thought it a "price worth paying"
See Conservative MP Stephen Phillips
well they knew what they were peddling
and thought it a "price worth paying"
See Conservative MP Stephen Phillips
2. on audits
"The fact is that, contrary to the convincing assertions by some UK media, the EU accounts have been passed by the independent auditors every year since 2007 as accurate, legal, regular and reliable."
britishinfluence.org/it_s_the_briti…
"The fact is that, contrary to the convincing assertions by some UK media, the EU accounts have been passed by the independent auditors every year since 2007 as accurate, legal, regular and reliable."
britishinfluence.org/it_s_the_briti…
3. on company movements
You spout some utter deluded lies about how the EU has encouraged other countries to "steal" British factory locations
ilovetheeu.co.uk/trade/no-the-e…
You spout some utter deluded lies about how the EU has encouraged other countries to "steal" British factory locations
ilovetheeu.co.uk/trade/no-the-e…
This has also been covered by one of the best (amongst so so many) of the commentators on brexit
https://twitter.com/emporersnewc/status/895966891684048897?lang=en
4. on protectionism
That old the EU is protectionist trope
"There is one country that imposes more protectionist measures than any other.
It isn't China, Mexico, or Japan. It is the US."
businessinsider.com/the-us-is-the-…
That old the EU is protectionist trope
"There is one country that imposes more protectionist measures than any other.
It isn't China, Mexico, or Japan. It is the US."
businessinsider.com/the-us-is-the-…
"Tariff rates in Eurasia are the lowest, thanks to freer cross-border trade promoted by the European Union. The dawn of the millennium brought with it a preference for non-tariff barriers, as the WTO actively discouraged the levy of tariffs. “
The United Kingdom
Category 2 Above Average openness
In Position 30 for openness
30
World beating eh?
Category 2 Above Average openness
In Position 30 for openness
30
World beating eh?
Above us in openness
Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands, Ireland, Switzerland, Iceland, Sweden, Estonia, Denmark, Malta, Norway, Slovakia, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany, Latvia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Finland, Bulgaria
Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands, Ireland, Switzerland, Iceland, Sweden, Estonia, Denmark, Malta, Norway, Slovakia, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany, Latvia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Finland, Bulgaria
Oh yes
And to those who peddle the EU protectionism trope
At the same time as Operation Vaken and the Chagos Islands and how did Boris put it - oh yes picanninies and water melon smiles
There's the Commonwealth trope BS
theguardian.com/news/2018/apr/…
And to those who peddle the EU protectionism trope
At the same time as Operation Vaken and the Chagos Islands and how did Boris put it - oh yes picanninies and water melon smiles
There's the Commonwealth trope BS
theguardian.com/news/2018/apr/…
And I am not even going to get fucking started on the CANZUK bullshit
I would talk about America
And how one man fanned the flames of birtherism and racism
Against one President B. Obama
But you know that already
You know what a racist desperate charlatan Boris was and is
And how one man fanned the flames of birtherism and racism
Against one President B. Obama
But you know that already
You know what a racist desperate charlatan Boris was and is
Here's a reminder
Of that "god given opportunity" to steal trade from brexit Britain
cnbc.com/2016/12/27/bre…
Of that "god given opportunity" to steal trade from brexit Britain
cnbc.com/2016/12/27/bre…
Oh yes and another reminder
Whether a Trump presidency
Or a Democrat one
The UK is desperate, weakened, enfeebled
The only question is how worse it will be
Whether a Trump presidency
Or a Democrat one
The UK is desperate, weakened, enfeebled
The only question is how worse it will be
6. Expertise
Now
Where to begin
Well first lets focus on a man who whilst a minister
Sought a fellowship of experts to advise him
civilserviceworld.com/professions/ar…
Now
Where to begin
Well first lets focus on a man who whilst a minister
Sought a fellowship of experts to advise him
civilserviceworld.com/professions/ar…
Here is one of those experts
And how she was forced out by Michael
"Natasha Devon explains why the rise of mental health problems in children can be traced to the education policies of Michael Gove."
lbc.co.uk/radio/presente…
And how she was forced out by Michael
"Natasha Devon explains why the rise of mental health problems in children can be traced to the education policies of Michael Gove."
lbc.co.uk/radio/presente…
You can also think back to a time when Michael Gove praised experts
Yes he praised them
huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/ifs-prop…
Yes he praised them
huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/ifs-prop…
Roll onto a referendum campaign and Michael Gove decided to tackle the evidence and argument from experts
Not by playing the ball
But by playing the people/profession
“people in this country have had enough of experts”.
ft.com/content/3be497…
Not by playing the ball
But by playing the people/profession
“people in this country have had enough of experts”.
ft.com/content/3be497…
Thatcher said something once about people who did that
Roll on to December 2020
And according to Gavin Williamson we have the best well experts
"I just reckon we've got the very best people in this country and we've obviously got the best medical regulator,
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politi…
And according to Gavin Williamson we have the best well experts
"I just reckon we've got the very best people in this country and we've obviously got the best medical regulator,
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politi…
You smear an entire profession
Again - showing you can't play the ball
By the way - those economists were correct
Again - showing you can't play the ball
By the way - those economists were correct
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1034127151874957319
You exploit coronavirus to hide brexit within
Yes that "massive success" as Boris calls if of covid
June 2020
Yes that "massive success" as Boris calls if of covid
June 2020
Thank you
For attempting to hide brexit
Because to hide it
You admit
You have something to hide
For attempting to hide brexit
Because to hide it
You admit
You have something to hide
The fact you are hiding it amidst the dead and socio-economic damage from covid
Well shame on you
But that presumes you care about shame
Well shame on you
But that presumes you care about shame
I would go back to the Tory First Batallion
Or to Fact Check UK
Sorry @CCHQPress
But the attack on professions , on institutions
Well there are so many who seek to do that
independent.co.uk/news/world/asi…
Or to Fact Check UK
Sorry @CCHQPress
But the attack on professions , on institutions
Well there are so many who seek to do that
independent.co.uk/news/world/asi…
7. Simplism / 8. Plan
It's quite difficult to separate 7 and 8
So I am going to combine them into one
Now once upon a time
Dominic Cummings warned of the danger of having a plan
It's quite difficult to separate 7 and 8
So I am going to combine them into one
Now once upon a time
Dominic Cummings warned of the danger of having a plan
And therefore it was quite surprising
When lo and behold
Before the 23rd June 2016
Who should pop up
But Messrs Gove and Johnson
To pronounce that they had a plan
When lo and behold
Before the 23rd June 2016
Who should pop up
But Messrs Gove and Johnson
To pronounce that they had a plan
14th June 2016 Daily Telegraph
"To that end, Boris Johnson and Michael Gove, the two leading figures in the Leave campaign, have drawn up a blueprint for implementing a Brexit. Sensibly, it calls for flexibility and a period of reflection."
"To that end, Boris Johnson and Michael Gove, the two leading figures in the Leave campaign, have drawn up a blueprint for implementing a Brexit. Sensibly, it calls for flexibility and a period of reflection."
Now I have so many questions
Given Dominic's words
There must have been a lot of care, drafting and reviews went in to agreeing that plan
They must have found to borrow a word - a lot of reasonable people
Given Dominic's words
There must have been a lot of care, drafting and reviews went in to agreeing that plan
They must have found to borrow a word - a lot of reasonable people
It is therefore surprising
That 4 plus years on from announcing they had a plan
That not one trace of that plan has ever been published or found
After all
If brexit meant brexit
That would be to borrow a phrase the "Edstone" to which to refer to
That 4 plus years on from announcing they had a plan
That not one trace of that plan has ever been published or found
After all
If brexit meant brexit
That would be to borrow a phrase the "Edstone" to which to refer to
It would have been the perfect document
To have given to Prime Minister May
As the leader of the Leave campaign
To make it clear this is what was expected to be delivered as the result of that referendum victory
To have given to Prime Minister May
As the leader of the Leave campaign
To make it clear this is what was expected to be delivered as the result of that referendum victory
So again
All my questions
Are all really simple ones
Where is the plan?
Who wrote it?
Who agreed it?
That plan needs to be enshrined at the entrance to the Festival of Brexit Britain
So that all may gaze upon its glory
All my questions
Are all really simple ones
Where is the plan?
Who wrote it?
Who agreed it?
That plan needs to be enshrined at the entrance to the Festival of Brexit Britain
So that all may gaze upon its glory
Now lets just accept the lie of that plan
There never was one
As opposed to well
2014
Where those campaigning for Scottish Independence produced a plan
gov.scot/publications/s…
There never was one
As opposed to well
2014
Where those campaigning for Scottish Independence produced a plan
gov.scot/publications/s…
Dominic learnt from both the AV and Indyref campaigns
He & others learnt
That if you have no concrete target to attack
It makes it much more difficult for your opponents
He & others learnt
That if you have no concrete target to attack
It makes it much more difficult for your opponents
So in addition to being no plan
They had to make it sound easy
Hence
You had a wide spread of tropes
They had to make it sound easy
Hence
You had a wide spread of tropes
From we hold all the cards
To They Need Us More Than We Need Them
To the EU will bang on our doors on 24/6/16 to gift us unicorns
To the EU will collapse soon
To They Need Us More Than We Need Them
To the EU will bang on our doors on 24/6/16 to gift us unicorns
To the EU will collapse soon
e.g.
“Of course EU countries will continue trading with us on a tariff free basis - they would be damaging their own commercial interests if they didn’t. That’s why EU politicians would be banging down the door for a trade deal on Friday 24/6/16”
“Of course EU countries will continue trading with us on a tariff free basis - they would be damaging their own commercial interests if they didn’t. That’s why EU politicians would be banging down the door for a trade deal on Friday 24/6/16”
Boris likes saying he has a plan
See him on the steps of his first entry to No10
See him on the steps of his first entry to No10
All the brexit tropes utter bullshit of course
But it doesn't matter
Because they all achieved their goal
But it doesn't matter
Because they all achieved their goal
After all people don't want to hear how much you have as liabilities
- oh additional simplism
Our liabilities "buy" us a deal right don't they?
Anyone remember that one
Or we won't pay
Or we have zero liabilities
- oh additional simplism
Our liabilities "buy" us a deal right don't they?
Anyone remember that one
Or we won't pay
Or we have zero liabilities
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1331238588189696013
You get into the ridiculous position
Where in order to try and give extra weight to "promises" made during the referendum
You have this stunning bit of untenable logic from Sir Bernard Jenkin
Where in order to try and give extra weight to "promises" made during the referendum
You have this stunning bit of untenable logic from Sir Bernard Jenkin
Oh yes - if you want to see more on the damage to farming
https://mobile.twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1009051789335855104
If you want to see how well we did getting a deal to access Galileo
Well
We didn't
Not only did we not
But we damaged ourself in the process
Well
We didn't
Not only did we not
But we damaged ourself in the process
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1010121372335566848
You come to those who said there would be no risk to Sterling
Andrea "mother" Leadsom amongst so so many others
Not only did we have a "correction"
Apparently the pound "reset"
Why did it reset?
Andrea "mother" Leadsom amongst so so many others
Not only did we have a "correction"
Apparently the pound "reset"
Why did it reset?
https://twitter.com/RobDotHutton/status/914833131907239936
Still never mind
It was after all a "necessary" correction
Right?
That's what it was called after 23/6/16
uk.reuters.com/article/uk-bri…
It was after all a "necessary" correction
Right?
That's what it was called after 23/6/16
uk.reuters.com/article/uk-bri…
Still not to worry
There's going to be lots of savings in food prices right?
After all Jacob Rees Mogg likes to tell us that
(Same way he lies about coronavirus and MHRA vaccine approval)
There's going to be lots of savings in food prices right?
After all Jacob Rees Mogg likes to tell us that
(Same way he lies about coronavirus and MHRA vaccine approval)
https://mobile.twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1024895987876343808
Still not to worry
We are going to use our foreign aid budget not as charity to help the poorest and most needy
But as a trade tool to mitigate the damage of brexit
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
We are going to use our foreign aid budget not as charity to help the poorest and most needy
But as a trade tool to mitigate the damage of brexit
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
Sorry - we aren't
FOreign aid is being cut to provide fodder to the BNP/EDL/UKIP/Reform Party chuntering racist base of the Tory party
Jacob Rees Mogg celebrated that also
FOreign aid is being cut to provide fodder to the BNP/EDL/UKIP/Reform Party chuntering racist base of the Tory party
Jacob Rees Mogg celebrated that also
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1333364793579888640
Here's the Bank of England who had to launch a huge stimulus to mitigate Brexit damage
ft.com/content/f0c755…
ft.com/content/f0c755…
So
I scribbled a rough ball park a while back
£4.4bn brexit prep cost
£170bn BOE stimulus cost
>£130bn lost growth (so far)
£39bn liabilities
Cost of brexit *so far*
£343 billion
It's a crude ball park
I scribbled a rough ball park a while back
£4.4bn brexit prep cost
£170bn BOE stimulus cost
>£130bn lost growth (so far)
£39bn liabilities
Cost of brexit *so far*
£343 billion
It's a crude ball park
Not to worry
Jacob Rees Mogg doesn't like forecasts
He prefers horoscopes
Yes he cannot play the ball
So well....
theneweuropean.co.uk/brexit-news/ja…
Jacob Rees Mogg doesn't like forecasts
He prefers horoscopes
Yes he cannot play the ball
So well....
theneweuropean.co.uk/brexit-news/ja…
As of Nov 2020
"This year the government is spending a staggering £280bn on measures to fight Covid-19 and its impact on the economy."
So
So far
The cost of brexit
Has been
Overtaken by the cost of covid
bbc.co.uk/news/business-…
"This year the government is spending a staggering £280bn on measures to fight Covid-19 and its impact on the economy."
So
So far
The cost of brexit
Has been
Overtaken by the cost of covid
bbc.co.uk/news/business-…
I think that says more about Her Majesty's Government managed their first duty
We will come back to that later
We will come back to that later
A reminder
Economists were correct
Hence why it was necessary to demonise their profession and denigrate them
Economists were correct
Hence why it was necessary to demonise their profession and denigrate them
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1034127151874957319
Now to go back to that plan
One of the favourite deflections from brexit being done properly
Is that it was David Cameron's responsibility to plan for how to implement a brexit
This is utterly ridiculous
How could he?
It was an entire tissue of lies and unattainable bullshit
One of the favourite deflections from brexit being done properly
Is that it was David Cameron's responsibility to plan for how to implement a brexit
This is utterly ridiculous
How could he?
It was an entire tissue of lies and unattainable bullshit
That blame also gets spread to the civil service
Here a reminder
The civil service did do some prep work
But were hampered by the fact
there "wasn't an end state that we could plan against".
civilserviceworld.com/articles/news/…
Here a reminder
The civil service did do some prep work
But were hampered by the fact
there "wasn't an end state that we could plan against".
civilserviceworld.com/articles/news/…
Just think on that
The Head of the Civil Service
Agrees with Dominic Cummings
The Head of the Civil Service
Agrees with Dominic Cummings
Oh yes
And here's Lord Lawson
With his view on the attainability of a deal
And here's Lord Lawson
With his view on the attainability of a deal
And I couldn't do a thread without mentioning David Davis
https://mobile.twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1012780901313536000
9. Respect
Jesus I could go into so much on this topic
Into 4 plus years of rolling on of the lies and tropes of the original con of brexit
Of a never ending selection of insults and tropes flung at any critique of brexit
Jesus I could go into so much on this topic
Into 4 plus years of rolling on of the lies and tropes of the original con of brexit
Of a never ending selection of insults and tropes flung at any critique of brexit
Ignore the bullshit printed on a 50p piece
Friendship, respect and whatever the else it says
From insults aimed at our neighbours e.g. "french turds"
To those aimed internally e.g. remoaners
metropolitan
liberal
elites
saboteurs
enemies of the people
Friendship, respect and whatever the else it says
From insults aimed at our neighbours e.g. "french turds"
To those aimed internally e.g. remoaners
metropolitan
liberal
elites
saboteurs
enemies of the people
Again there is so much
So so much
So so much
Your reminder
Let the bells ring out
Boris Johnson could not even successfully crowd fund for a Bung A Bog For A Big Ben Bong
The state of his words
They burn
Let the bells ring out
Boris Johnson could not even successfully crowd fund for a Bung A Bog For A Big Ben Bong
The state of his words
They burn
https://mobile.twitter.com/pandascottish/status/1217031358939369473
10. NI Border
This one's really a short point
Vote Leave promised they had "many solutions" to the NI border
Not one
Many
This one's really a short point
Vote Leave promised they had "many solutions" to the NI border
Not one
Many
Some brexiteers like to claim that the NI border or its challenges were ever discussed
Imagine spouting such lies
Well they did
Imagine spouting such lies
Well they did
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1108307267575840769
Now after four years of eternal rotating lazy susan bullshit of to name a few
These included
Unspecified technology
Drones
Blimps
Blockchain
Look to the Norway/Sweden or USA/Canada or an unspecified South American border
These included
Unspecified technology
Drones
Blimps
Blockchain
Look to the Norway/Sweden or USA/Canada or an unspecified South American border
That point where you lose the thread continuinty
That
Here is the remainder of the thread
That
Here is the remainder of the thread
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1335505455934812161
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