I remember watching Gordon Brown's famous speech before the referendum. When he said that a No vote would give Scotland home rule/near federalism, I remember thinking that Labour's fortunes are going to hang on that promise. If it turns out to be a lie, simply to swing votes, then the party is finished.
But instead of home rule, the Smith Commission recommended devolving 30% of tax, 15% of welfare, and full control of road signs. And Labour, it turns out, were against handing even these pitiful powers to Scotland. The promise was a lie after all. And looks what's happened to Labour as a result.
That's not how politics should work. You can't lie to people just to get the vote you want.
All I can say is Thank God Alex Salmond is returning to politics. We need people who care about Scotland to go down to Westminster and get the best deal for Scotland. Yesterday the SNP joined with the Greens and Plaid Cymru to vote against the government's plans to let companies frack under our homes and land without needing to seek our permission. Labour abstained from the vote. We have a new, massive nuclear waste recycling plant planned next to the Gare Loch, to deal with all the radioactive submarine waste from renewing Trident. They are going to discharge that waste into Gare Loch. This is the Trident that both Labout and the Tories want.
If we don't get MPs into Westminster who care about Scotland, then Scotland is really going to suffer. Alex Salmond would be a formidable weapon against these Westminster bullies.
And yet some people are even arguing *against* getting the best deal for Scotland!
@Mathew
Just to point out young fella that Devo Max was indeed promised by Alistair Darling to your very own BBC Newsperson Jackie Bird on Reporting Scotland LIVE!...I Thank You...I'm here all week....Forgot to say, Improve relations is it? Remember this is the country who did'nt want you to have any Devolution in the first place and are now on the verge of being out of Europe because they can't improve relations with them, have you ever wondered why every terrorist in the world wants to inflict damage on America and Britain, but not really anywhere else, i mean there are plenty of countries to choose from so ask yourself why? Maybe if you get to my age it might dawn, i'm almost 66 years old and i've been sucking up this unpleasantness for a long time , oh and by the way i'm also half English, so no luck with the racism thing
Robbie Shannon - 9 years ago
alex salmond is a true patriot of all the scottish people
He will not give up until he succeeds in his quest to free scotland from the shackles of the corrupt Westminster establishment
Never before have we seen such devotion and honesty in a politician than in wee eck
I believe he will shake Westminster to its core and expose it for what it really is
@Mathew
Just to point out young fella that Devo Max was indeed promised by Alistair Darling to your very own BBC Newsperson Jackie Bird on Reporting Scotland LIVE!...I Thank You...I'm here all week....
ronnie anderson - 9 years ago
People of the whole of Britain need to wake up before the politicians in Westminster HoC / HoL totaly destroy this country. Alex Salmond is a catalist for that change of the political landscape in Britain & Scotish Independence.
Ian Mac - 9 years ago
Alex will help put the squeeze on the WM government to give us full fiscal control. Once we have that and are able to demonstrate that we can make a better fist of it than Westminster ever could, we'll have a second referendum. That or the UK's decision to pull out of the EU against our wishes in Scotland. Either scenario will do as long as we gain our independence.
Derek Mcgregor - 9 years ago
Best early Christmas present ever. The entirety of Westminster and all their unionists MPs are not worth this man's farts!! Lead the Charge Alex!!
Matthew - 9 years ago
Devo max was never promised. Salmond is slippery and nasty, and since Scotland voted no we should be working to improve relations with England. The SNP do not want to. Disgraceful.
Jane sneddon - 9 years ago
After doing some online research on new powers for Scotland i wont be voting labour or lib dem again the new powers for the parliament in Scotland are very weak i will give mr salmonds party the vote in may he sounds sincere and honest that will get my vote
D Mcewan - 9 years ago
Fantastic news. He will ensure that Scotlands needs are put first at WM and that the Unionist parties (and architects of the 'Vow') are kept well and truly toastie.
Duncan Fraser - 9 years ago
He didn't go anywhere, despite the P&J's fervent wishes.
Zoe Wallace - 9 years ago
I think it's great he's back and I'll stand by him always and I'll always stand by snp
james douglas - 9 years ago
This guy is so passionate about Scotland i too was not a big fan of his but he is starting to win me over due to his commitment to Scotland and wanting the best for his country i think i will join the snp i am starting to see through the Scottish labour party i wanted more powers for scotland which where promised through full devo max
w boyd - 9 years ago
I want a fan of the man a few months ago but i have changed my mind on him he really cares about all Scottish people and want the best for scotland
Sandra Bennett - 9 years ago
Alex Salmond cares about the People and his Country, he and his Government at Holyrood have done more for Scotland than the Uk Gov ever has, The support he has gained over the past years is commendable,What you see is what you get and as a New SNP member and hundreds more like me ,surely must show why we support him.I hope he stays in Politics for years to come.
Kathy Anderson - 9 years ago
Of course he shouldn't (and probably couldn't) leave - the passion for Scotland will never die in this man. I am not even his biggest fan, but all credit where it is due, his heart is truly in it.
I remember watching Gordon Brown's famous speech before the referendum. When he said that a No vote would give Scotland home rule/near federalism, I remember thinking that Labour's fortunes are going to hang on that promise. If it turns out to be a lie, simply to swing votes, then the party is finished.
But instead of home rule, the Smith Commission recommended devolving 30% of tax, 15% of welfare, and full control of road signs. And Labour, it turns out, were against handing even these pitiful powers to Scotland. The promise was a lie after all. And looks what's happened to Labour as a result.
That's not how politics should work. You can't lie to people just to get the vote you want.
All I can say is Thank God Alex Salmond is returning to politics. We need people who care about Scotland to go down to Westminster and get the best deal for Scotland. Yesterday the SNP joined with the Greens and Plaid Cymru to vote against the government's plans to let companies frack under our homes and land without needing to seek our permission. Labour abstained from the vote. We have a new, massive nuclear waste recycling plant planned next to the Gare Loch, to deal with all the radioactive submarine waste from renewing Trident. They are going to discharge that waste into Gare Loch. This is the Trident that both Labout and the Tories want.
If we don't get MPs into Westminster who care about Scotland, then Scotland is really going to suffer. Alex Salmond would be a formidable weapon against these Westminster bullies.
And yet some people are even arguing *against* getting the best deal for Scotland!
@Mathew
Just to point out young fella that Devo Max was indeed promised by Alistair Darling to your very own BBC Newsperson Jackie Bird on Reporting Scotland LIVE!...I Thank You...I'm here all week....Forgot to say, Improve relations is it? Remember this is the country who did'nt want you to have any Devolution in the first place and are now on the verge of being out of Europe because they can't improve relations with them, have you ever wondered why every terrorist in the world wants to inflict damage on America and Britain, but not really anywhere else, i mean there are plenty of countries to choose from so ask yourself why? Maybe if you get to my age it might dawn, i'm almost 66 years old and i've been sucking up this unpleasantness for a long time , oh and by the way i'm also half English, so no luck with the racism thing
alex salmond is a true patriot of all the scottish people
He will not give up until he succeeds in his quest to free scotland from the shackles of the corrupt Westminster establishment
Never before have we seen such devotion and honesty in a politician than in wee eck
I believe he will shake Westminster to its core and expose it for what it really is
A corrupt boys club for the elite
GO GET EM ECK!!!
@Mathew
Just to point out young fella that Devo Max was indeed promised by Alistair Darling to your very own BBC Newsperson Jackie Bird on Reporting Scotland LIVE!...I Thank You...I'm here all week....
People of the whole of Britain need to wake up before the politicians in Westminster HoC / HoL totaly destroy this country. Alex Salmond is a catalist for that change of the political landscape in Britain & Scotish Independence.
Alex will help put the squeeze on the WM government to give us full fiscal control. Once we have that and are able to demonstrate that we can make a better fist of it than Westminster ever could, we'll have a second referendum. That or the UK's decision to pull out of the EU against our wishes in Scotland. Either scenario will do as long as we gain our independence.
Best early Christmas present ever. The entirety of Westminster and all their unionists MPs are not worth this man's farts!! Lead the Charge Alex!!
Devo max was never promised. Salmond is slippery and nasty, and since Scotland voted no we should be working to improve relations with England. The SNP do not want to. Disgraceful.
After doing some online research on new powers for Scotland i wont be voting labour or lib dem again the new powers for the parliament in Scotland are very weak i will give mr salmonds party the vote in may he sounds sincere and honest that will get my vote
Fantastic news. He will ensure that Scotlands needs are put first at WM and that the Unionist parties (and architects of the 'Vow') are kept well and truly toastie.
He didn't go anywhere, despite the P&J's fervent wishes.
I think it's great he's back and I'll stand by him always and I'll always stand by snp
This guy is so passionate about Scotland i too was not a big fan of his but he is starting to win me over due to his commitment to Scotland and wanting the best for his country i think i will join the snp i am starting to see through the Scottish labour party i wanted more powers for scotland which where promised through full devo max
I want a fan of the man a few months ago but i have changed my mind on him he really cares about all Scottish people and want the best for scotland
Alex Salmond cares about the People and his Country, he and his Government at Holyrood have done more for Scotland than the Uk Gov ever has, The support he has gained over the past years is commendable,What you see is what you get and as a New SNP member and hundreds more like me ,surely must show why we support him.I hope he stays in Politics for years to come.
Of course he shouldn't (and probably couldn't) leave - the passion for Scotland will never die in this man. I am not even his biggest fan, but all credit where it is due, his heart is truly in it.
He never left! And he is here to stay! :-)
Alex Salmond never left politics!