00:05: SNP describe election as "very good" for them, saying that they have made "great strides."00:32: BBC saying it looks like SNP candidate John Mason may have won, although remains to be confirmed.00:45: Nicola Sturgeon, Deputy Leader of the SNP, says it is looking more and more likely that they have scored a victory, but refuses to...
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I’ll not tell you what I thought it said after initially glancing at the back end of this Edinburgh bus on Sunday......
Nearly two years ago I wrote a piece outlining why I believe that the House of Lords is undemocratic and untenable in a modern democracy. I'd be interested to hear what EU's readers think. Rather unfortunately, Charter88's Elect the Lords campaign seems to have stalled last August.Powered by...
The Assembly has rejected any suggestion that the IRA's sectarian murder campaign was a war. A good thing, and fairly unsurprising.
I've always liked Danny Kennedy, but his performance since devolution has impressed me, and he is clearly im proving as time goes on. I enjoyed this contribution during the debate:
Mr McCartney: The Member made an intervention and stated that Ireland was only ever united under the British Crown. Is that an acceptance that uniting Ireland is a worthy cause?
Mr Kennedy: Yes — under the British Crown. If the Republic wants to rejoin the British Commonwealth and renegotiate the terms and conditions for the union, I would withhold any objection.
Here here. Unionism should never be afraid to espouse Irish unity, it should probably be Unionism's...
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http://www.everythingulster.com/blogs/index.php/2007/12/06/the_implications_of_separationWhat would a 'Divorce' of the United Kingdom mean for Scotland and for the rest of us?
In advance of a radio show on Radio 4 entitled "The Beginner's Guide to Separation", the BBC web site has a quick look at some of the implications of Scotland leaving the United Kingdom, some of which I wouldn't have necessarily considered.
Some highlights
Firstly, while Scotland would seek it's fair share of oil and gas, they would also be entitled to a population-based share of other resources (public property, essentially) and, on the other hand, their share of the national debt. They'd most likely have to re-apply to join the EU (and I'd guess this wouldn't be immediate). In fact, I wonder if the newly...
Surprisingly, Saint Andrew's day is not officially a holiday at present. Why not?
I couldn't figure out at first why my ISP had what at first sight appeared to be an error icon placed on their logo on their site today. I then realised that the strange looking round symbol was a saltire and the figures beside it were some kind of pipers or Scots Guards.
Next to Google where they often decorate their logo on their home page for special days and holidays. Nothing. So a quick search for "saint andrews day" revealed that it was in fact Saint Andrews Day today (me of Scots ancestry too not knowing that: the shame!).
Anyway, it turns out that despite my faint recollection of some English folk complaining that everybody else in the UK gets a holiday on their Saints day but them (maybe I'm...
I've finally recovered from the Edinburgh Fringe, but still have plenty of material to edit from the ConstantComedy.com scouting expedition. The clip above is from that shoot, something I developed with Susan McIntosh, previously seen on LTA here: Edinburgh...
The smiling gentleman above is Richard Sandling; winner of this year's 'So You Think You're Funny?' competition. As I was in town talent scouting for ConstantComedy.com I of course attended the various heats and watched the finals with interest....
The Fringe is over Dear Reader. Thank Christ. 3 Weeks on the trot getting at most 5 hours of sleep a night is a lot to ask of this old, old man. Snapped the above photo right before seeing...
Had the pleasure of working with Zoe Lyons a couple of months back for 'Project X' - great to hear she's just been nominated for the IF Best Newcomer Award at the Fringe this year! The IF used to...
Ok. Am still here. Running on 3 hours of sleep a night, espresso and comedy. Oh, so much comedy Dear Readers. I have many an anecdote to share with you but will save it for the Podcast. Ok. Here's...
Hey there Dear Listeners - where are the daily Podcasts I hear you ask? Well, as usual I was too ambitious. To scout talent, record and edit video for ConstantComedy.com and do a daily podcast is a lot to...
Shot in our fabulous flat here in Edinburgh - the Fringe action just keeps on...
Fascinating article by Stewart Lee that could practically be a ConstantComedy.com Manifesto: Edinburgh Festival Fringe: The greatest comedy event in the world (Thanks to Nick Magerrison for sending me the link. Photo above taken today outside the C Venue...
More photos from the Udderbelly here at the Edinburgh...
People say to me: Oh, sure Jett, it's great to go to Edinburgh for the Fringe Festival, but is it worth going any other time? Yes, my friends - it is worth visiting off-season, if only so you can...
Ran into Nick Margerrison at last night's 'So You Think You're Funny' heat at the Gilded Balloon, (was there to cheer on Neil Cole who I worked with on this video). You may remember Nick as the 'How to...
What a pleasant surprise I had today Dear Listener. At the suggestion of a lovely young lady working at the Pleasance I went and saw Pegabovine's 'Coat of Arms'. At first my heart sunk - at first it seemed...
Holy Cow, We've Chained Ourselves to Podcasts with Letter to America - Chapter 69 - The Edinburgh Fringe Festival Podcast - Day 1! In which in Wayne has recovered, we recommend the Edinburgh Fringe Show on the Podcast Network,...
Right, am off now to Edinburgh for the Fringe per this post. I've always loved Scotland and have luckily worked there many times over the years. Now, my plan for this post was to type 'Scotland' into the very...
Am off to the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh this Saturday for 3 weeks to see some 'ha-ha', direct for ConstantComedy.com and keep y'all informed on the best shows to see via a daily LTA podcast. If there's anything you...
Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are catching up to England for levels of broadband uptake according to figures released by Ofcom this week.
In 2005 England was leading the way with 36% of homes connected to broadband. Scotland followed with 31% while Wales and Northern Ireland brought up the rear with 25% and 24% respectively. In 2006 though, England was just in front with 45% while Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were all just behind on 42%. The Republic was still lagging well behind with just 13% of homes connected to broadband.
The UK average of 44% is just above mid-table for European countries which is led by Holland with 66% and propped up by Greece with just...
http://www.everythingulster.com/blogs/index.php/everythingulster/2007/02/27/reinforcing_the_language_barrier_that_seGovernment research on the mainland is indicating that providing public services in foreign languages for non-English speakers is not only costing upwards of £100m a year (including £55m in the NHS), but isolating communities from each other. Meanwhile, Sinn Fein and their new MOPE poster-girl "Maire Nic An Bhaird" are continuing their efforts to create language barriers where none presently exist.
Remember, these millions are being spent on translating for people who can't speak English; by pushing for the new Irish Language Act to be rights-based one, republicans are demanding that the government spend proportionally similar sums translations for people who...
Something of an alarming (or alarmist) poll in the Sunday Telegraph today (coinciding with the discussion here at EU about the various nationalisms in the UK) stating that 68% of voters in England want Scotland to leave the Union while 48% want to see England break away from Wales and Northern Ireland as well.
I won’t go into the details because you can read the rest yourselves, but I thought I’d highlight one response in particular.
The union between England, Scotland and Wales is good for us all and we are stronger together than we are apart. The last thing we need is yet another parliament with separate elections and more politicians spending more money.
David Cameron, Conservative Leader
The union between who Dave? I’ll be interested to see if the Northern...
EU’s third guest post sees Paul of N. Irish Magyar fame once again returning with his thoughts on some of the different nationalisms found on the Celtic fringe of the United Kingdom.
The continuing diversity of the United Kingdom is today threatened by primarily three types of nationalism from within its borders; Irish, Ulster and Scottish. All three have the capability, given the correct circumstances, of destroying the Union.
You may find surprising for me to say, but I suspect that Irish nationalism is the version which poses the least danger. If the last decade or so, since the cessation of the IRA’s campaign, have shown anything, it is that Irish nationalism/republicanism have as little idea as political unionism about how to garner electoral support beyond its own...
http://www.everythingulster.com/blogs/index.php/everythingulster/2006/08/10/violent_separatism_spreads_to_scotlandJamie Hoggan, a (rather geeky looking) 16 year old, who has declared himself to be a member of the "Scottish Freedom Force" (inspired by Mel Gibson's famous line in the completely historically accurate Braveheart, per chance?) has been convicted of carrying out a petrol bomb attack on Clackmannanshire Council buildings.
It wasn't the most successful petrol bomb attack ever, while trying to burn down the council buildings in Alloa, Hoggan only managed to singe a few shrubs. No doubt he there would be a few other separatists in the UK who wouldn't mind teaching him how its done.
He still denies the charges, although his friend has been freed after admitting his involvement and...
Jamie Hoggan, a (rather geeky looking) 16 year old, who has declared himself to be a member of the "Scottish Freedom Force" (inspired by Mel Gibson's famous line in the completely historically accurate Braveheart, per chance?) has been convicted of carrying out a petrol bomb attack on Clackmannanshire Council buildings.
It wasn't the most successful petrol bomb attack ever, while trying to burn down the council buildings in Alloa, Hoggan only managed to singe a few shrubs. No doubt he there would be a few other separatists in the UK who wouldn't mind teaching him how its done.
He still denies the charges, although his friend has been freed after admitting his involvement and testifying against him....