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GaryMcLean

Listed below are comments made by GaryMcLean between Monday, 5th May 2008 and Wednesday, 23rd July 2008.

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Seldom pure 4:36pm on 23 Jul 2008 Welcome boack - but it would have been nice to know where you were. You know, a small note somewhere saying it's ok, Brian isn't dead. Also it has deprived the site of this blog during a vital election campaign. Not very good, BBC! But now you're back, Brian, how about working overtime and letting us know what you think about the questions about the former MP (whom I think you said you liked a great deal) and the financial allegations we read of elsewhere in the media? Telling more on the subject after Thursday isn't good enough.
Labour lagging in by-election race 4:54pm on 05 Jul 2008 Even when I disagree with Brian, his blog is wonderfully well-written and his use of language very satisfying. And as for the matter in hand today - it's simply remarkable. The people in the East End of Glasgow will definitely defect in great numbers to the SNP, what with all the latest goings-ons (and perhaps especially so if Ms Curran enters the ring). That much is sure. But it's not, really, that the people are or will be leaving Labour. It's simply and unavoidably that Scottish Labour has 'left the Scottish people behind', far behind, as they followed disastrous policies led by, amongst others, Gordon Brown. The SNP deserve to win and the people of Glasgow East deserve a committed, dedicated MP: the SNP candidate looks like just such a man.
Where's your referendum now? 1:33pm on 07 May 2008 I feel genuinely sad for Wendy Alexander. What a terrible mess. Who is briefing her? It's no wonder the SNP government and their ministers are being admired by the electorate and business: this is spotlight on Labour and it's... painful. I hope Alex Salmond steers Scotland through this in a commanding and statesman-like way as Labour are not doing our country any favours by looking so lamentably ridiculous.
Taking a risk 12:18pm on 07 May 2008 #90 edinchris

You write that you've yet to hear a single argument why 'independence' would be a good idea. What about single word arguments like... oh, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Ireland, Austria, New Zealand...

Scotland's a great place but it has huge problems socially including shocking poverty and housing. Quality of life for many here isn't good enough.

Independence would unleash the power to put Scotland first and solve some of our issues before Scotland is corroded further.

We would also have a voice in Europe, unlike just now. The UN will be changed in the years ahead. And we would be at the G8 as part of the EU.

And as part of a new 'United Kingoms' we'd still be twinned in many respects with England.

It's an opportunity.
Calculation and fear 1:58pm on 05 May 2008 I very much like the idea and name as mentioned above by Thomas_Porter, of 'United Kingdoms'. It makes a great deal of sense and reflects the fact that most Scots would like some sort of continued partnership or union with England - albeit very different, one of equal states, one where we in Scotland decide for ourselves the issues currently decided for us in London. The United Kingdoms is an expression that would emotionally work and would enable the country to embrace independence and all its advantages and yet retain in a popular way a bond, headed by the crown, with England. With Wendy Westminster now staggering round to common sense in agreeing that the people should decide if the people want to, it's surely time to plan out what Independence is. The day of the United Kingdom becoming the United Kingdoms is coming, and Scots can be encouraged to embrace it if the details and terminologies are simply and clearly explained in the SNP proposal. Not the one from the unelected Calman 'commisson', though that may now unravel. As a firm SNP member and a longtime supporter of Alex Salmond I am sure that this is the way forward to an all-embracing settlement Scotland can win.

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