jimtoggleJim O’Neill condemns the Prime Minister for appeasing Donald Trump over the state visit, and condemns the Scottish Greens for appeasing the SNP over their austerity budget.

 

So, he targets Muslims, kills agreed trade deals, attacks Obamacare, supports torture including waterboarding, undermines NATO, signals attacks on the LGBT community all the while proclaiming his “Christianity”. Pope Francis condemns him. The French condemn him. Even the usually mouse-quiet Canadians condemn him. And what does the Prime Minister of the country who created the Declaration on Human Rights do? Why, she rewards him with a state visit, an honour only awarded to two previous presidents, and then only in the late part of their first term.

And he has gone on. Nominating a Supreme Court Justice with an extreme right wing history of judgements; offending and repudiating America’s biggest ally in the southern hemisphere and, worst of all, breaching the 1951 Refugee Convention, signed by almost every country in the world. Indeed, both the US under Truman and the UK under Churchill ensured that it was incorporated into the body of law of their countries. Has he broken his own country’s laws in this?

1.8m (and rising) citizens of the United Kingdom took the time to sign a petition to Parliament calling for the state visit to be withdrawn. So what does Theresa May do? So desperate for friends and for trading partners post Brexit, she rejects each and every call for her to reverse her premature invitation, even blaming a “working group at the Foreign Office” for the framing of the invitation. So, it is all Boris’ fault. You could not make it up.

But what makes her think that Trump will be accommodating of a free trade deal with the UK post Brexit? After all, he was elected on a slogan of “America First” and his first act was to cancel the Trans-Pacific Partnership, leaving 12 Asian and Australasian nations and allies in the lurch. And when she comes round to seeking such a deal, in the summer of 2019 by her calculation, he will be in the middle of another major election, trying to hold on to control of the Senate and House of Representatives, and avoiding becoming a “lame duck” President. Not the time, one would think, for him to be reversing his fundamental policy to help out a comparatively small trading partner such as the UK.

I signed the petition, not because I had any real belief that the Tory government would just fold and withdraw the application, thus destroying what relationship they have with Trump, but because I wanted to help trigger the debate in the House of Commons which will smoke out those who have the courage of their convictions and those who are appeasers at heart. Remember, it was a Tory Government from 1936 to 1939 who had a policy of appeasement towards Hitler, cheered on by the Daily Mail. Well, the Daily Mail continues to suck up to bullies. We will see on 20 February which of our parliamentarians will follow suit.

But we don’t have to look as far as Westminster to find appeasers. Little Derek Mackay has thrown a bone to serial SNP appeasers, Patrick Harvie and the Greens, to get his austerity budget through Holyrood. Harvie has said that they “pushed the minority Government beyond its comfort zone”. Well Patrick, I can’t see that you managed to push them very hard when you went into the negotiations saying that you would not vote down the budget. Where was the threat there?

Mind you, while not allaying all the cuts in local government, any reduction in level of cuts is welcome, although the policy of refusing to say whether they would accept or reject the government offer, formulated by North Ayrshire’s own Joe Cullinane, has shown that local government were right to reject that particular poison chalice. It is clear that the Government will not compromise any further, although Nicola Sturgeon’s boringly regular use of the word “ashamed” in reference to all parties except the Greens maybe suggests that she protests too much.

As for Patrick Harvie, I am reminded of the Spitting Image puppet of David Owen with David Steel living in his top pocket. Teddy Roosevelt once said “Talk softly and carry a big stick”. Patrick Harvie talks loudly but carries a feather duster.

Related Posts

21 thoughts on “The appeasers

  1. I suspect you’re secretly glad there’s been a deal, Jim. It allows you to continue trying to blame the Scotgidh government for austerity, even though your party waved it through at Westminster. More importantly, it takes you away from the danger of the end game of another election where you would likely be reduced to single figures, thus putting you in the humiliating position of being on the wrong end of two grubbings in the same calendar year.

  2. You just cant help yersell can you Jim Bob. Cant write a single thing without yer compulsive SNP BAD theme.
    Never mind the fact that the Greens saved Labour from another catastrophic election result from committing political suicide yet again, attacking any other party on the subject of appeasement is just beyond hypocrisy even by your own worthless corrupt reality denying standards.
    We have lost count of the number of times Labour in Westminster has appeased the Con Tories instead of opposing.
    The latest example of course being voting with the Tories AGAIN to vote down the SNP amendments to the Tories Brexit bill.
    Or was it voting with the Tories in the Scottish Parliament AGAIN to block the SNP budget? I cant keep track of all these appeasements.

    Like I said before Jim Bob yer an idiot. A performing monkey for Labour in Scotland.

    1. Are you including the tacit deal between the SNP and Annabel Goldie to keep the SNP in power during the first minority Government?

      1. No, that was where the Tories accepted the reality of how the Scottish Parliament worked and used it to promote one of their policies e.g. extra Police Officers. Are extra Police Officers such a bad thing?

        Labour on the other hand would rather abstain or vote against something even if they agreed with it, just for the sake of opposing the SNP, which is utterly pathetic.

        To be honest, that’s the only policy Labour have, oppose the SNP regardless of the cost to Scotland or the Scottish people. Voters in Scotland are sick fed up with that mind set, and that’s why you are paying the price for it in elections.

      2. You’re comparing a minority Government forced by circumstance to do deals in order to Govern with Labours VOLUNTARY UNNECESSARY cooperation with a vile Government in a capacity as the official “OPPOSITION”?

        Ive never seen anybody so keen to compound stupidity.

        Had the Greens not agreed to the budget Labour would be looking at an almost complete wipeout election result on proportion to the Lib Dems with a Net gain to the SNP and Conservatives.

        Labour in Scotland would rather lose their own seats to the Conservatives than support an SNP budget.

        Is this seriously how Labour plan to reverse their fortunes in Scotland? Give their seats to the Conservatives?

      3. Whit? Jeremy Purvis and Andy Kerr totally caved in on the rerun of the 2009/10 budget.
        A “game of chicken” which had Scottish Labour squawking and clucking for the rest of that parliament.

  3. The Labour Party have been steadfastly FOR austerity (indeed stating cuts did not go far enough) and sometimes AGAINST austerity—a little bit like their position on BREXIT.
    And so the polls/by-elections are reflecting their flip flopping. 15%, and falling, in the latest opinion snapshot.
    Every local election now showing a swing away from Labour, some for the SNP( who cant have much more of Labour support left to gain), but mostly for the Tories.
    Yet after every Davidson soundbite, no matter how ludicrous or against Scottish interests, Labour jump up and down, shouting “me too”!

    We are watching the political suicide of a Party which recently held hegemony over all aspects of Scottish political/media life, yet they seem totally unable to change tack.
    History in the making!

  4. I thought the SNP were presiding over a one party state and yet now you are complaining they have to do deals with other parties. I can’t keep up!

  5. SNP appeaser’s, Patrick Harvie & the Greens, probably better that, than being the “Torys Little Helpers” like labour.

  6. As Labourhame’s premier spokesman Jim, please explain to the rest of us the background to Mike Dially’s abandonment of Slab. All the rest of your comrades appear to be hiding.

    1. You will have to ask Mike. I disagree with his choice, but that is what it is…choice. That’s still allowed in politics

      1. Will Scottish Labour allow members to campaign for Scottish self government at Indyref2? As previously promised.

  7. I think it was more with Brexiit on the go . Our PM was in the USA with the begging bowl out On the Trump visit if it goes ahead and we demonstrate give him the silent treatment. The Speaker has said he does not want to see Trump addressing MPS and the Lords in Westminster Hall. I agree but remember Trump is thin skinned he does not forget. The SNP budget is not standing up to scrutiny. Where did the extra money come from. Why was it not there the first time. Patrick took the pressure of when he said he would not let the budget fall. And remember Nicola says she wont deal with Ruth Alec did it with Annabelle to get his budgets through because Annabelle did not want a Labour Government. Also on Brexit Michael Russell says Scotland is being lied to .David Mundell no no it would have helped if they had not been caught in the background on camera arm in arm and patting each other on the back. An old pals act like Nicola and Patrick who I believe will now be holding the government to ransom.Everytime a deal has to be done

  8. Your attempts to discredit the SNP are getting more and more desperate.
    To conflate Trunp with the SNP is jst plain daft.
    No one ca take it remotely seriously.

  9. The United States of America held an election Donald Trump had policies that were publicised as part of his campaign and he then won the presidential election under the constitution of the United States of America and was duly elected as president in a fair democratic election, with that in mind what has it got to do with people and politicians in the UK instead of moaning about other countries they should have a look around the many towns and city’s in the UK that have loads of ex service personal who are homeless and living on the streets and what about the thousands of people of the UK who have to go to get help from foodbanks Jim I dont think you should worry about another country just concentrate on the UK remember charity begins at home that’s the UK.

  10. Agreed with every bit of the Trump stuff. Shook my head in exasperated resignation with the predictable SNPbad/Green stuff.

    I’ve noticed the Tories and their supporters (see Letters pages in MSM) appear to have morphed into the Obsequious Apologists for Trump movement. It is quite sickening to see. That is the real divide in Scottish politics now. Its between right-wing, “Populist”, Tory Unionists and centre-left, “Liberal” Nationalists. Labour have to decide who their real enemy is. At the moment, they’re targeting the wrong ones.

  11. The Declaration OF Human Rights”. The creators principally were France, India, Panama and Lebanon.
    “SPEAK softly and carry a big stick”

  12. I agree with what you say about Trump . He is enacting the policies he said he would. He caught onto the fact that that ordinary Americans are fed up with politicians not doing what they said they would. Make America great again and build the wall were simple and effective slogans. So was lock her up.. In the UK I think that brexit is a disaster. It was a UK wide vote although I do understand and support to a certain extent the Scottish Governments concerns. . I see mps demanding more time for brexit debate. At last passion I don’t see it from anyone normally. I think The PM was in the USA with the begging bowl out. Take our country back another simple slogan. Nigel Farrage who is now making money out of the result is an adviser to Fox News told more fibs than any other politician for years . I voted remain I looked past immigration. I believe that people coming in should be welcomed. I do understand terrorism concerns but I don’t want the actions of the very few to affect the many. I think it was immigration that swung it. No plan or thought given to dealing with or explaining it. Between 14 and 16 I was in 3 hospitals. My family were told I might not get survive the first night . In Crosshouse Hospital my doctor was from Greece my consultant India . In Gartnavel and the Queen Elizabeth the staff were all over the world.. Great people working in our country. The night I nearly died and afterwards do you think I asked where do you come from no I was grateful they were there to treat me. I have had continual medical treatment since then My GP came today Asian a lovely woman and I felt that bad today I was glad to see her .We need and should be thankful they are here caring for us. I agree and have said we must concentrate on local issues there is a local election coming up . Everyone taking part will get told that . The public no matter how they are going to vote or not vote will tell us that and that’s how it should be

  13. Got a local election leaflet today from the Conservative candidate today. Apart from the usual tory rubbish on the front .On the back they have a survey. 1 are you satisfied with bin collection and street cleansing .2 are you getting value for council tax. 3 how do I feel about a second independence ref. 4 local issues from Public Transport to local health services. 5 voting intentions. They have a bloody cheek they destroyed local services .As I am about to write I have major differences with the SNP but I will never accuse them off destroying anything like the Tories did. I know what Maggie did to people like me. I walked along the road crying after we were paid off at 2am not even allowed to finish our shift. We were escorted of the premises by a security company who turned up at midnight. My parents and me were devastated. I swore I would never cry like that again over a job loss. I used to look at the text everyday. It was to see if Maggie had been killed when she had not I put the tv off. I still cant speak to a Tory . I don’t want todays generation to go through that or feel like that. The reason I voted for a Sccottish Assembly both times was to protect us from another Maggie. Now for the nats .My local paper reports that our new council leader Joe Cullinane Labour after refusing to be bullied into accepting the draft budget cuts. Labour got 3 and a half million returned to the council . That still leaves the council with 5 million in cuts. This has serious implications for local services and jobs. Guess what our SNP MSP and SNP group leader think its a great deal I don’t. Then we have the Brexit debates in the Commons and Holyrood . In the Commons the SNP were quite rightly raging at not having enough time to debate. At last I saw MPS speaking with passion . Over at Holyrood our MSPS were taking part in a debate our FM has called one of the most significant in the parliaments history. So where was she left after the opening speaches only came back for the closing speaches and the vote. The PM did the same and watched the Commons on tv. An SNP Tory leaders Alliance perhaps. Today we are being told Edinburgh and London are both gearing up for Indy 2 .None of this has been before either parliament. Are backroom negotiations going on we don’t know about. The baby box I agree with that but Naomi Eisenstadt who watered down a major report on shifting the curve has called the baby box a gimmick. Her original shifting the curve draft report included criticism of the council tax freeze .She also wrote about the bad effect of the cuts to local government funding. Her remarks did not appear in the final report after she spoke to our FM and other ministers wonder why. I have just seen Alec Salmond doing a brilliant job on brexit and the SNP whistling and singing during a vote great

Comments are closed.

.