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By G.A.Ponsonby 
 
Labour Health Spokeswoman Jackie Baillie is facing calls to apologise after admitting to making false claims against a Scottish NHS Hospital.
 
Local MSP George Adam has written to the leader of the Scottish Labour party, Johann Lamont, urging an investigation after Ms Baillie told a Labour conference that patients at Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital had been forced to share blankets because of SNP cuts – a claim she subsequently admitted was false.

In his letter, also sent to NHS GGC Chief Executive Robert Calderwood, Mr Adam claimed that NHS workers deserved an apology from Ms Baillie.

Urging Scottish leader Johann Lamont to take action, Mr Adam wrote: “I am writing to you to urge an investigation into why Scottish Labour’s health spokesperson Jackie Baillie continued to make false allegations about an NHS hospital despite the health board confirming they were untrue.

“The false claims about NHS patients sharing blankets in the Royal Alexandra Hospital in my constituency were refuted, with proof provided, several weeks ago by the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board.  Yet Ms Baillie continued to assert them – and even later admitted to the Sunday Herald that they were wrong.”

He added: “I am urging Labour to make an immediate apology, to those who work tirelessly to ensure they deliver the best health service possible, to reassure them that at no point have patients been forced to share blankets.”

In a speech to Labour party delegates in Dundee on Saturday Ms Baillie said: “And the SNP can’t even get the basics rights.  In one hospital, in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, patients are even having to share blankets because of the cuts.”

Within hours, a spokesperson for Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC) hit back pointing out that the claims had been addressed weeks ago and had been proven false.

“This matter was raised with us a few weeks ago, and we were able to provide proof that there was no truth in this claim.

“Extra blankets are available in all our hospital as and when patients need them.” said the spokesperson.”

A spokesman for the Labour MSP hit back at GGC and implied a cover-up by the board and said: “If the Health Board tries to cover this up rather than deal with it, that is an extremely serious matter.”

However, on Sunday Ms Baillie was reported to have admitted the claims were false.  In an article in the Sunday Herald, the journalist wrote:

“Baillie later admitted that this claim was wrong: no patient had been left without their own blanket, only that some patients wanted more blankets.”

Mr Adam said the false claim had generated: “significant – inaccurate – media coverage which has caused needless alarm among staff, patients and their families across my constituency.”

The SNP MSP pointed out that it wasn’t the first time Ms Baillie had made claims against NHS staff that had subsequently turned out to be without foundation and he added:

“This is not the first time Ms Baillie has made totally baseless allegations against Scotland’s health service.  In December, she tried to pass off “new figures” for infection rates as ones gathered under the SNP, when in fact they were collected in 2005/06, when Labour were last in power.”

Ms Baillie had issued a press release that was broadcast by BBC Scotland just after new year in which she claimed that Scotland had the worst hospital infection record in Europe.

On January 3rd Ms Baillie faced calls to apologise after a press release, issued by her and attacking the SNP’s record on hospital infections, was exposed as being out of date and used data from a time when Labour were in office.

The press release issued by Ms Baillie claimed that official figures showed that Scotland was now the “superbug capital of Europe”.

Ms Baillie claimed that research from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre showed that Scotland had the highest rate of bugs in Europe, hitting 9.5 per cent.

Speaking on BBC Scotland, Ms Baillie said: “Being the superbug capital of Europe is an accolade no country wants.

“These figures show that, despite recent progress, the SNP government still has a long way to go in the battle against healthcare-associated infections.”

However, it emerged that the data had been collated in 2005/6, at a time when Labour were in power at Holyrood.

Official statistics released in October last year showed that cases of MRSA and MSSA were in fact at their lowest level since records began.

The bogus claim resulted in both Scottish Labour and BBC Scotland’s actions being condemned by an independent statistics watchdog.

Mr Adam, SNP MSP for Paisley and a Member of the Scottish Parliament’s Public Audit Committee, said:
 
“To knowingly make incorrect claims in her conference speech beggars belief.  She should be ashamed of herself for talking Scotland’s health service down yet again.
 
“Ms Baillie knew her allegations were wrong as NHS GGC had addressed them weeks before.
 
“I have written to Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont, asking her to investigate these remarks and apologise to the staff of the Royal Alexandra for her health spokesperson’s false statements.
 
“Ms Baillie is a repeat offender in smearing Scotland’s NHS. It was only in December she tried to pass off “new figures” for infection rates as ones gathered under the SNP, when in fact they were collected in 2005/06, when Labour were last in power.
 
“And this follows her infamous “Winter Watch” campaign last year, which had nothing to do with improving the NHS, and everything to do with her finding new ways to talk down the NHS and its hard-working staff.
 
“She must explain why she made an assertion in her conference speech which had already been comprehensively rebutted by the Health Board several weeks before.

“This is not only disrespectful to our health professionals – it has caused alarm among patients and their families.  Labour’s health spokesperson should instead be acknowledging the hard work and dedication of our NHS workforce.”


Comments  

 
#
Robert Louis
2012-03-05 23:58

So here’s your big chance Lamont. Let’s see you leadership skills in action. Or not.
 
 
#
admiral
2012-03-06 08:16

Quoting Robert Louis:

So here’s your big chance Lamont. Let’s see you leadership skills in action. Or not.



Yes, but Lamentable in her own “speech” to the same conference said Labour had to stop apologising. I for one never realised they had started.

 

 
#
Islegard
2012-03-06 00:01

Health Care professionals should be horrified and disgusted that Labour are deliberately lying to the press about conditions in the NHS. Things are difficult enough within the NHS facing cuts due to years of Labours financial mismangement at national and local level. Front line staff bear the brunt of stories to the press some are legitimate. However to find Labour’s Health Secretary is deliberately lying and inventing stories to the detriment of our health care workers is a disgrace. As well as cuts brought about as a result of Labour in government we are looking at health budgets being increasingly swallowed up with Labour PFI projects. In Fife alone there is the new Victoria Hospital and St Andrews Hospital. These were financed by Labour’s failed PFI project which will see millions going from the health budget to private contractors.

Thanks Labour!
 
 
#
Hirta
2012-03-06 00:02

I look forward to Ms Baillie’s apologetic press release which the BBC will broadcast.

As per:

Quote:

Ms Baillie had issued a press release that was broadcast by BBC Scotland



Somehow I doubt it, and that’s a sad indictment of both Labour and the BBC.

Why can’t STV News get more involved in this?

 
 
#
Wee-Scamp
2012-03-06 00:04

Undoubtedly the Scottish Commissariat will close ranks and deny everything.
 
 
#
Vincent McDee
2012-03-06 00:16

The next Nationalist winning the lottery should retain a good QC and start suing all these difamators, scaremongers and assorted dependentists, for lying through their teeth.

And them, their spokeagency aka BBC Pathetic Quay Branch for the legal equivalent of “adding insult to injury”, I’m quite sure you all get what I mean.

It doesn’t matter if they lose, at least we should see the baillierites and lamentists having to explain themselves publicly. As Lance-Corporal Jack Jones would put it: Fuzzi Wuzzies “they don’t like it up ’em!”.

Because this is starting to became tiresome. Helpfully, there is less than 8 weeks till their next “better stop apologizing” once they get swept from all 32.
 
 
#
doonhamer
2012-03-06 03:59

After much consideration and soul-searching I have decided to volunteer for this mission. Please advise the lottery.
 
 
#
Vincent McDee
2012-03-06 07:04

Duly advised. Thank you kindly.
 

 
#
Marga B
2012-03-06 00:27

I still say where are the unions or even other MPs or councillors? Why should it be an SNP MP who has to raise this issue?

Now no doubt the script will be the SNP is making political capital out of the health service.
 
 
#
tartanfever
2012-03-06 00:30

I doubt there will be an apology, or any comment in any media outlet.

Thats why labour don’t have to apologise, they think the public don’t notice. If it’s not reported on BBC Reporting Scotland, STV or the labour supporting newspapers then the majority of people won’t notice because thats where they get their information from. If politicians can lie and get away with it, then thats what they will do.

The lies will continue, the false rhetoric, the bias reporting, the missing of facts. We have a labour party in scotland being held together and band-aided by the media.

It’s an absolute disgrace that every walk of life and profession can be reported, dissected, held to account and action taken – but when it comes to the BBC and the press – the most influential organisations in the country outside of government, then there are no barriers, no watchdog, and no one is accountable. They can’t even be questioned.

Two and a half years to go and this is where we are at – it’s an absolute travesty of democracy.
 
 
#
dogcollar
2012-03-06 09:03

[This discussion has been temporarily suspended, while Newsnet considers the implications of this being discussed on our threads. – NNS Mod Team]
 
 
#
dogcollar
2012-03-07 07:46

No problem NNS Mod Team. Please accept my apologies I did not quite think that one through.
 

 
#
lumilumi
2012-03-06 00:31

Quote:

Urging Scottish leader Johann Lamont to take action, Mr Adam wrote…



And the reaction of the Labour “leader” in Scotland will be another bout of deafening silence…

Most of all, I feel sorry for the hard-working and dedicated staff who are being besmirched in this way to gain a few cheap political points. Jackie Baillie, a repeat offender, really owes them an apology.

I hope all the staff so denigrated remember this when they go to the polls in May, and in autumn 2014.

 
 
#
RTP
2012-03-06 00:46

Lamont says ‘stop saying sorry’

Now we know Lab will say anything and wont say sorry because Lamont leader of all Scottish MPs MSPs Councillors says its ok to say what they want.
 
 
#
Dubai_scot
2012-03-06 03:02

Has anyone noticed the trend in misinformation coming from the SLP? Just saying it may be a dastardly plan by the nats? Do they have an insider in the SLP ranks feeding the SLP mouth pieces tripe?
LOL!
 
 
#
D_A_N
2012-03-06 03:17

Had to think for a second who the SLP were.. As I don’t usually associate labour with Scottish.

One would think there are undercover nats within. lol. But I honestly just think they are that stupid.

Repeating lies over and over has worked in the past. With the internet it doesn’t work so easily any more. Although there is still a long way to go as many people still get their news from the online MSM.
 
 
#
admiral
2012-03-06 08:19

Quoting Dubai_scot:

Has anyone noticed the trend in misinformation coming from the SLP? Just saying it may be a dastardly plan by the nats? Do they have an insider in the SLP ranks feeding the SLP mouth pieces tripe?
LOL!



Not misinformation – just good old-fashioned scare stories, designed to put fear into enough of the electorate to maintain Labour’s “rightful” (as they see it) stranglehold over Scottish public life.

Independence, NHS, cuts, defence, steel manufacture, shipbuilding, employment, education, welfare, pensions, you name it, they’ll have a scare story ready made.

Fortunately, much of Scotland has seen through them and moved on. We need to be careful though, because they will not give up easily, the craving for power for power’s sake is too inured in them.

 
 
#
hiorta
2012-03-06 20:53

Could we have a bit of fun listing Unionist scare stories with marks out of ten for the best of them?
 

 
#
clootie
2012-03-06 08:38

I do not think Labour have yet woken up to the new media forms.
The old tactic:
a) leak rumour to the Daily record and then quote from article.
b) BBC scotland slant takes up Labour concern on an issue taken from a media source.

They have failed to notice the very effective communication taking place that kills these lies within hours. However I for one would prefer that they kept digging the hole.
 
 
#
patrickotic
2012-03-06 08:48

It really is disgusting ! where is Unison in all of this ? Why aren’t they shouting from the rooftops ? Why do they not respond to this insult to their hard working members ?

It might come as a shock to any hard pressed tax payer on here that a number of Unison staff are paid by the NHS !!! not only paid but office’s and running costs are also provided.
This comes because of some deal that happened (That the general public were not informed about) but i can’t find when it started. Recently it was reported in the Sun in England that some local councils were paying Unison staff and they (councils)respo  nded by saying that this agreement works because it helps resolve issues and prevents strikes or disputes. This is garbage (Ive got written evidence).
I haven’t saw the fact the NHS (tax payer) pays for Unison staff reported anywhere so maybe Newsnet can get an exclusive ??? 🙂

Be carefull though, because I’m not sure how they have set themselves up in Scotland, or if Unison even have this agreement in Scotland, but it definately happens down here, and Scotland helps pay for this, so it’s a story.

Remember Unison is one of the labour parties main source’s of finance, so it doesn’t take a genius to work out that the labour party has been shafting the British public again !
 
 
#
Islegard
2012-03-06 09:33

In the hospitals a lot of Unison reps are quite cosy with management some of them are management.
 
 
#
Marga B
2012-03-06 11:07

Are there any Unison members here who could bring this to their attention?
 

 
#
twinpowr
2012-03-06 09:10

I’ll bet that FMQ’a will be interesting this week. Ms Lamont is quick to fire shots across the FM’s bow (I guess that’s her job). But I would be prepared for a few shots coming right back at ya.

This is nothing short of a cheap stunt to try and discredit the SNP, Labourv have got their front page story, and of course the admission that the story was face was buried somwhere on page god knows where.

Come on Labour, at least fight clean, or is that not possible for you.
 
 
#
alicmurray
2012-03-06 09:39

Thought you might like to read latest from Spectator.

spectator.co.uk/…/…
 
 
#
Holebender
2012-03-06 10:41

Alex Salmond, actually worked as an economist.

Gordon Brown, history graduate.

Nuff said.
 
 
#
Briggs
2012-03-06 10:45

Very similar to articles from the Telegraph.

Ignorance is bliss.
 

 
#
Macart
2012-03-06 09:46

Contrary to conference speeches Labour have apologised for nothing and admitted culpability for nothing. Its all the SNPs fault as far as they are concerned and if they repeat this mantra often enough they fondly hope that the public will eventually agree. They don’t see that this is the politics of the lost and desperate.

Lies, smears and fear is all they have left and they are wielding it like an angry drunk with a hammer. We’ve seen two out of four conferences so far playing to empty halls and dwindling support lets see the contrast when the SNP take the stage to a full hall and a positive message.

We’re done with scare stories.
 
 
#
Keep UTG
2012-03-06 10:02

They are totting up a nice little list of lies that can be used against them,from Bed Blankets,Infect  ions,Rape,Steel  ,Letters about signs etc.

Let them carry on,they`re signing their own death warrant
 
 
#
Saltire Groppenslosh
2012-03-06 10:52

Hi alicmurray,

This article has been penned by a “journalist with a tired unionist mind.

Everyone of his arguments are either “Alice in Wonderland” or where they were issues in the past, have been dealt with effectively. And the old “nugget” about the banks, that’s laughable. Just in case you didn’t know, within the first year of the credit crunch, European Banks which span several nation states had to be bailed out. Very complex you’d think? Not at all. The calculation as to who paid what came from the trade that the bank did within a nations borders and that created a proportion that each nation had to pay up to keep the bank going.

The Royal Bank of Scotland ceased to be a Scottish bank years ago. The bank trades internationally and is owned by international interests. If the same proportionality was employed to calculate Scotlands end of the bail-out it would work out to be about 5%. Yet again people are getting confused with the Bank of England (which is owned by everyone in the UK) having the word “England” in its name and similarly the Royal Bank of “Scotland”. Everybody thinks one is English and the other one is Scottish. And on the other one – “Lloyds TSB Halifax Bank of Scotland” or whatever its called this week, is to be treated in exactly the same way as the RBS.

It’s funny how a unionist will always name this bank as “Bank of Scotland” and not Lloyds HBoS as it is.

In other words the author of this “article” has just made up a load of p**h in the vain hope that someone would believe him. They earn money for doing this you know. I would hate to be a journalist working for an editor who wants the publication to support the unionist stance. I would be like having to prove black is white and visa versa.

I prefer to tell the truth and that’s why writing articles in support of independence is easy. I don’t have to make stuff up. That’s the other lot’s job.
 
 
#
alicmurray
2012-03-06 12:12

Hello Saltire,

Thank you for the post. I agree with you 100% but I like to keep up with what anti-independent supporters are getting printed.
 

 
#
Embra
2012-03-06 10:53

Every post here has summed up Jokey Baillie and Labour’s scaremongering.
The one quality she has is, she is perfect caricature material but as an artist I wouldn’t waste my time on her, these guys however – different class!
(sorry O/T).. my drawings..

stars-portraits.com/…/…

stars-portraits.com/…/…

Doing my bit for the A-Team!
 
 
#
Macart
2012-03-06 10:59

Nice work. 🙂
 
 
#
Embra
2012-03-06 13:49

Thanks! :¬D
 

 
#
call me dave
2012-03-06 16:15

Very nice work I’m impressed.
Talent is a wonderful thing.

Scotland has it’s share of talented folk.
#;)
 

 
#
Saltire Groppenslosh
2012-03-06 10:55

O/T Who’s going to the SNP Spring Conference at the weekend in Glasgow?

BE SURE TO VISIT THE NEWSNETSCOTLAND STAND WHILE YOU ARE THERE, WE WOULD LOVE TO MEET SOME OF OUR CONTRIBUTORS!
NNS – Mod Team
 
 
#
snowthistle
2012-03-06 11:03

I’ll be there!
 
 
#
Saltire Groppenslosh
2012-03-06 12:13

How do we recognise each other when we’re using nomme d’ plumes?

Perhaps we should wear our nomme d’ plumes as a name badge.

That might work………
 

 
#
Saltire Groppenslosh
2012-03-06 12:00

I will. I look forward to it.
 
 
#
Macart
2012-03-06 12:15

Are conferences open to non party members?
 
 
#
D_A_N
2012-03-06 13:29

I’m not sure.. Will ask for you
 
 
#
Macart
2012-03-06 14:12

Cheers D_A_N. Never done the whole conference thing, never been attached to a party either. But I’d like to see for myself what its all about.
 

 
#
clootie
2012-03-06 18:08

You would not be allowed in the closed sections (membership card only).
 

 
#
Holebender
2012-03-06 12:14

Quote:

BE SURE TO VISIT THE NEWSNETSCOTLAND STAND WHILE YOU ARE THERE




I wonder if the stand will be shown on any BBC Scotland footage from the conference? 😉

 
 
#
pictic-1
2012-03-06 12:54

Quoting Saltire Groppenslosh:

O/T Who’s going to the SNP Spring Conference at the weekend in Glasgow?

BE SURE TO VISIT THE NEWSNETSCOTLAND STAND WHILE YOU ARE THERE, WE WOULD LOVE TO MEET SOME OF OUR CONTRIBUTORS!
NNS – Mod Team



How about some photos of the event/stand so that distant supporters can applaud ;-)Permanant fixture.

How about some merchandising for the cause. T-shirts with various indie slogans? Wear them and provoke people into getting in to a conversation with you, that way you can spread the word.

Someone on another paper (DR …!!) suggested t-shirts with “Read the McCrone report” on the front and a map of the stolen North Sea on the back.

 
 
#
J Wil
2012-03-06 16:39

BE SURE TO VISIT THE NEWSNETSCOTLAND STAND WHILE YOU ARE THERE, WE WOULD LOVE TO MEET SOME OF OUR CONTRIBUTORS!

Incognito of course.
 
 
#
clootie
2012-03-06 18:07

I’ll be there – I’ll wear a clootie 😀

Doh!
 
 
#
Holebender
2012-03-06 18:14

As lang’s ye dinna wear a clootie dumplin! 😀
 

 
#
RTP
2012-03-06 11:27

I’m afraid I wont be there but hope you will get plenty of visitors and maybe we might see your stand on the BBC?? stop laughing.
 
 
#
Saltire Groppenslosh
2012-03-06 12:16

A publicity stunt!

Perhaps Mr Ponsonby could do a strip tease in front of the stand. The Beeb would be sure to film that.

Then again…maybe not.(:D)
 

 
#
Old Smokey
2012-03-06 11:52

Saturday 10 March 2012
14:00–16:00 Scottish National Party Conference
Spring Conference 2012,
The SNP Conference including keynote speech from First Minister Alex Salmond
on BBC2 Scotland
Not sure if they are going to do a live webcast as they did for the labour conference
 
 
#
Mac
2012-03-06 11:54

Once a politician gains a reputation for telling untruths it becomes impossible to get the political message across. I suspect that Ms Baillie will be reshuffled at the earliest opportunity.
 
 
#
Old Smokey
2012-03-06 11:55

A bit O/T
We are all invited to put in suggestions to name the new Forth Crossing Bridge
May I suggest you all get your thinking caps on .
Perhaps something with an independent Scotland theme, but links to either Fife or Edinburgh?
 
 
#
chicmac
2012-03-06 12:09

a BIT OT? Oh well I suppose there is such a thing as a Baillie Bridge.

First thing that occurred was simply the ‘Third Forth Bridge’. Any seconders?

I’ll get my hat and coat.
 
 
#
Holebender
2012-03-06 12:12

May I be the first to second the Third Forth Bridge?
 
 
#
chiefy1724
2012-03-06 12:36

Hang on, wouldn’t that Make it

The 75% Bridge.

Because, as any fule kno’, three-fourths is 75%

[My coat was on the peg next to Chic’s]
 

 
#
Legerwood
2012-03-06 17:31

I think it is actually the 6 or maybe even the 7th Forth bridge.
Stirling Bridge,
Clackmannan Bridge,
Kincardine Bridge
Forth Road bridge,
Forth Rail Bridge and the
New bridge.

The M9 also bridges the Forth just north of Stirling and there is a railway bridge over the Forth at Stirling as well.

Pedantic of me I know but…
 
 
#
oldnat
2012-03-06 20:31

Just to out pedant you ….

There are also bridges over the Forth on the A84, B8075, B822, B8024, A81 – and perhaps others as well.

The obvious name is the Independence Bridge.
 
 
#
hiorta
2012-03-06 20:58

Dont forget the one in Aberfoyle.
 
 
#
oldnat
2012-03-06 22:06

If there are 12 bridges, then they could be the Apostles. Trouble is that the twelfth would be Judas Iscariot!
 
 
#
chicmac
2012-03-07 01:55

To out pedant the pedants, isn’t there just two ‘Forth’ bridges, i.e bridges with ‘Forth’ in their common name? Namely ‘The Forth Road Bridge’ and ‘The Forth Railway Bridge’.

Bridges over narrower bits of rivers tend to just be named after the locale. e.g. Friarton Bridge, or Perth Railway bridge, or ‘Perth Bridge’ (sometimes Smeaton Bridge) at Perth but ‘Tay Road Bridge’ and ‘Tay Railway Bridge’ at Dundee where the river is far wider.
 
 
#
oldnat
2012-03-07 02:14

However, Legerwood, hiorta and I aren’t “common”.

We operate at a higher level of pedantry! 🙂
 

 
#
Saltire Groppenslosh
2012-03-06 12:11

Alba Freedom Bridge

or

Bridge to the future

or

Wallace Bridge

or

Eck Bridge

or

Salmond Forth Crossing

or

Forth Bridge Mk2 (couldn’t think of anything else more inspiring lol)
 
 
#
ScotInNotts
2012-03-06 12:34

Adam Smith Bridge (He was born in Kircaldy and internationaly reknowned)

William Rankine Bridge (He was born in Edinburgh and was an engineer)

James Watt Bridge (Internationaly reknowned engineer).

Or, there is also Jim Clark or Andrew Carnegie as other notable Fifers.

Robert Burns Bridge? Hmm, maybe not that one, conjours up pyromania.

Just as long as it’s not the Gordon Brown Bridge
 
 
#
Old Smokey
2012-03-06 12:55

Good suggestions
The reason behind asking is that for so long Scot’s have not been encouraged to name anything that would instill pride in being Scottish (after all, were told, we just do that do we)
Its time to claim back our heritage.
The only problem I see, is ..we have so much of it, it will be difficult to choose.
We should for example claim back
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, perhaps the Arthur Conan Doyle Bridge (he spent quite a bit of time in Edinburgh and its considered that he wrote much of Sherlock Holmes in Edinburgh)
or how about the Alexander Graham Bell Bridge.
The Andrew Carnegie Bridge
The Joseph Lister Bridge
The Sir James Simpson Bridge
The Robert Louis Stevenson Bridge
The John Witherspoon Bridge (Born in Gifford, East Lothian , educated at Edinburgh University and a signatory to the US declaration of Independence)
 
 
#
Blanco
2012-03-06 13:09

Stevensons were great engineers so that would be a good name.

How about Brig o’ Bodotria?
 
 
#
ScotInNotts
2012-03-06 13:09

I agree that we should celebrate our culture; I had been trying to think of any “deserving” contemporary Scots figures rather than relying on our historical past such as the enlightenment. That said I am partial to that era of our national history with many choices to make. Also, as an engineer/scientist I do like the idea of naming the bridge after one of our many great scientsits/engineers.

How about James Maxwell? Or as it is a road crossing John McAdam?

How about our nautical past in Thomas Cochrane, inspiration for Jack Aubrey and Horatio Hornblower, he would also get my vote. If the Chilean navy can name their flagship after the man then surely we can name something meaningful after him here?

On the subject, any famous Scots hailing from the fairer sex might be a shout too?

Mary Slessor, Elsie Inglis & Jessie McGregor?
 
 
#
nottooweeorstupid
2012-03-06 13:44

Lesley Riddoch? 🙂
 
 
#
Holebender
2012-03-06 13:48

Winnie Ewing

Nicola Sturgeon
 

 
#
Robabody
2012-03-06 14:48

The William Speirs Bruce bridge (Antartic polar explorer, oceanographer, naturalist) – Scots dad, Welsh mother, born in London, studied in Edinburgh, lived in Portobello, sailed from Dundee, Led the privately funded Scottish national Antartic expedition (sailed from Troon) denied the polar medal by “the establishment” despite all his work. Ticks a lot of the inclusive boxes while making up for not getting the medal.
 
 
#
Keep UTG
2012-03-06 19:41

The Kingdom Bridge perhaps?
 

 
#
Somerled
2012-03-06 15:25

As all these people did what they did and flourished within The Union, why not call it “The Union Bridge” ?
 
 
#
Holebender
2012-03-06 15:41

All? Many of them had to emigrate before they could succeed! Maybe the Bridge of Sighs would be more appropriate.
 

 
#
cynicalHighlander
2012-03-06 14:51

Destination Bridge.
 

 
#
FREEDOM1
2012-03-06 12:45

Independence Bridge
 
 
#
nottooweeorstupid
2012-03-06 15:34

That’s the one for me. Nice and simple.

Otherwise I was going to say Bridget the Bridge but that would just be completely bonkers.
 
 
#
Blanco
2012-03-06 16:14

Not daft at all. After all, the Danube may have a ‘Chuck Norris Bridge’:

reuters.com/…/…

What about calling it Jeff Bridge?
 
 
#
Holebender
2012-03-06 17:02

If we rename the original road bridge the Beau Bridge we could have the Beau and Jeff Bridges!
 
 
#
chicmac
2012-03-07 01:22

How about Kevin?
 

 
#
Mark
2012-03-06 15:50

I like “Independence Bridge” it.
 

 
#
Holebender
2012-03-06 12:50

Anything but the Gordon Brown Bridge!
 
 
#
Robabody
2012-03-06 14:27

The ABGB bridge…not bad HB.
 

 
#
Dundonian West
2012-03-06 12:58

Quoting Mac:

Once a politician gains a reputation for telling untruths it becomes impossible to get the political message across. I suspect that Ms Baillie will be reshuffled at the earliest opportunity.



OH! I disagree with you. Our Scottish Labour Leader,Johann, at the weekend,promise  d us decisive leadership.

Do it now,not later.Scotland,and our NHS deserve better.

I work in the NHS,and I don’t wish to have any future Scottish Health Minister lying to me about blankets.
What of the future financing,resou  rces,contracts etc.,for which she would be responsible?
Did she not check, or double check her source re blanket sharing?

Has she apologised? Perhaps/perhaps not,but if anyone on one of our wards behaved so unprofessionall  y,the consequences could be dire for the patient.
Go now,and Johann—give us someone we can respect,before we leave Labour in droves.

 
 
#
Holebender
2012-03-06 13:03

Just what does it take to get some people to leave Labour? I can’t understand anyone continuing to support them on their record so far.
 

 
#
pictic-1
2012-03-06 13:07

“The Bannockburn Bridge”

Short and sweet, steeped in history, a symbol of modern Scotland.

The first great step forward from the past after independence.
 
 
#
Jiggsbro
2012-03-06 15:33

How about – to commemorate that this may be the last bridge built in Scotland with UK currency – the Sterling Bridge?
 
 
#
Holebender
2012-03-06 15:43

😀
 

 
#
RTP
2012-03-06 13:11

Tongue in cheek how about the Willie Rennie Bridge he he
 
 
#
Old Smokey
2012-03-06 14:28

yeah but wouldnt that be the ‘bridge to no where’?
 
 
#
gopher3
2012-03-06 18:40

We’ve already got 1 of those in Glasgow. 😀
 

 
#
xyz
2012-03-06 13:14

OT – POLL www.inverness-courier.co.uk/…/

Some of you may not have voted and it is still live .. not sure how long they will run it .. but I’ve been watching the Yes vote being slowly eroded over time. Probably some labour zombies have learned how to remove their cookie to have multiple votes. I imagine that the poll has been live long enough for all legitimate voters to have had their say by now. .. so might be worth giving it a nudge in the right direction. If only to point out that we are the majority.
 
 
#
PrideoftheClyde
2012-03-06 13:38

www.hamiltonadvertiser.co.uk/

Poll still going here also but its comfortably in the ‘yes’ result. Doesn’t hurt to add a few more though.

Does anyone have a list of these online polls? I know there are more out there as I have voted on a few.
 
 
#
xyz
2012-03-06 14:55

voted!
As long as somebody ‘adopts’ a live poll and keeps an eye on things .. but these little internet polls are too simple.

I’d prefer to put my name and address on a pledge to vote yes so that come the referendum there can be no jiggery pokery by the anti-Scots independence brigade in the counting process.
 

 
#
brusque
2012-03-06 14:19

Quoting xyz:

OT – POLL www.inverness-courier.co.uk/…/

Some of you may not have voted and it is still live .. not sure how long they will run it .. but I’ve been watching the Yes vote being slowly eroded over time. Probably some labour zombies have learned how to remove their cookie to have multiple votes. I imagine that the poll has been live long enough for all legitimate voters to have had their say by now. .. so might be worth giving it a nudge in the right direction. If only to point out that we are the majority.



I voted, it is standing at 58 yes and 41 no, so there is still a very believable lead as of today.

 
 
#
xyz
2012-03-06 14:39

It was yes:57.3% when I posted here (currently 58.4) .. so that’s a pretty good response considering the power of each vote to change the percentages gets less and less as more votes are added and this poll has been collecting votes for quite some time already.
 
 
#
clootie
2012-03-06 18:17

After careful consideration I voted YES
 

 
#
K Mackay
2012-03-07 00:56

61.9% in favour of independence on the Inverness Courier poll now, nice turnaround.

I know these news paper polls aren’t anything to get excited about but it’s good even just to show folk who see it that support for independence is on a roll. I’ve started talking (almost constantly) about ‘when Scotland is independent’ and all the amazing things we’ll be able to do with our nation. I think a sense of it being an inevitable and wonderful thing is a very good thing to spread.

Basically everyone I have spoken to from the rest of Europe (excluding England) can hardly believe that we’re still not independent.

Could NNS start some sort of permanent thread where we can discuss successes and failures in winning folk over to voting yes? We should all be setting targets for how many people we’ll win over each week 🙂 If the MSM won’t spread the truth then it’ll be up to us in everyday life. NNS and Bella etc are great (I’d be banging my head against a wall till 2014 without them) but I reckon they’re pretty much preaching to the choir. I think it’ll be the conversations we all have each day that will make the real difference.


Sorry, rant over, got a bit carried away there
 

 
#
cokynutjoe
2012-03-06 13:29

XYZ, tried it but no go!
 
 
#
xyz
2012-03-06 13:35

Remove your browser cookie for that site. Then you’ll get another go.
 
 
#
cynicalHighlander
2012-03-06 14:48

Open a private tab window depending on your OS.

Private tab: help.opera.com/…/tabs.html

Private tab: mozillalinks.org/…/…
 

 
#
Marga B
2012-03-06 14:37

D_A_N – congratulations on your BBC initiative. A similar move is needed on the Scotsman.

Just read the latest disgusting episode in the opposition parties’ policy of slander and smear:

“Salmond ‘must reveal any Murdoch tax-cut deal’”

Note that there is no known deal, it is an invention of speculators, but the opposition is already at it – “SNP accused”. Rennie and MacIntosh should really listen to themselves, they come over as complete cretins.
 
 
#
J Wil
2012-03-06 16:29

If Andrew Neil said it then it must be right!!!

Even if it is true why should Wee Willie Rennie be getting all animated about a “grubby deal” because there is an advantage to Scotland. It is true then. He is anti-Scottish.

Independence Bridge is my choice.

Because the BBC seem to be sponsoring this competition it would be a great result if the overwhelming choice of the people was Independence Bridge.

Comment edited by NNS Mod Team
 
 
#
Holebender
2012-03-06 17:04

Ah now… given the stushie about grubby tax deals, and given that the BBC’s involved, how about calling it the Sky Bridge?
 
 
#
amfraeembro
2012-03-06 17:47

How about the overwhelming choice of the people being Independence Triumphs Despite BBC Bias Bridge
 
 
#
Diabloandco
2012-03-07 13:23

its no very catchy , if you dont mind me saying!
 

 
#
Marga B
2012-03-06 14:54

O/T but related to Nicola’s comments on the NHS and also on the MSM and their behaviour. It seems there’s been another news blackout by Downing Street, no MSM will cover this story, but the Huffington Post has now published the video of the incident straight from the blog in question (related in a comment in the Guardian on Milliband’s speech) – nb, I see it’s now come up on the Guardian, only 1 day late!:

“This is a leaked video of Lansley’s visit to the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead London today. I had reported earlier on in the day that there had been an incident at the hospital but no national media outlet would run with the story. When the Minister for Health runs scared from medical professionals such as the doctor shown in the picture you know that his faith in Tory reforms must be limited indeed if he cannot have the courage of his convictions to stand and discuss the issues. It is a disgraceful example of modern day censorship that some obscure blog (mine) is bringing you this video and not a national media outlet. I am ashamed of the democracy the UK has become. If incidents such as these are not reported by our national press, how can we claim to be any better than Russia, for example?”

eoin-clarke.blogspot.com/…/…

Newsnet, you are part of the future!
 
 
#
Saltire Groppenslosh
2012-03-06 17:33

The “establishment” will take care of its own eh?
 

 
#
Fungus
2012-03-06 15:27

I wonder if there is a Subway next door.
 
 
#
creag an tuirc
2012-03-06 17:29

OT: So we are stronger together, aye right!

bbc.co.uk/…/…
 
 
#
Robert Louis
2012-03-06 17:38

No surprises. Which country in Europe has the highest debt per capita?? The UK, by a very large margin.

No wonder they desperately want to keep a hold on our oil and gas.
 
 
#
PrideoftheClyde
2012-03-06 18:31

Poor old Britain. Anyone worked out where they would stand without Scotland? Love the comments below the story the collective reassurance is like a mid-life crisis support group.
 

 
#
Robert Louis
2012-03-06 17:36

I’d personally favour the Robert Louis Stevenson Bridge.

Eventually, over time, this would likely, I’d guess, be shortened to the ‘Robert Louis’ bridge.

Marvellous!
 
 
#
Dundonian West
2012-03-06 17:52

O/T.A wee reminder-“I’m not saying that Scotland couldn’t make it on her own, of course Scotland could”.

Just a wee reminder of the words of Her Majesty’s First Lord of the Treasury on 16th of February,2012.

Words spoken in Scotland.

Does anyone know of Lord Forsyth’s response to his leader’s momentous words?
 
 
#
Glasgow
2012-03-06 18:15

Quoting Dundonian West:

O/T.A wee reminder-“I’m not saying that Scotland couldn’t make it on her own, of course Scotland could”.

Just a wee reminder of the words of Her Majesty’s First Lord of the Treasury on 16th of February,2012.

Words spoken in Scotland.

You mean Gideon?

 
 
#
Jiggsbro
2012-03-06 18:49

The UK FM, Davie Cameron.
 

 
#
Arraniki
2012-03-06 17:54

“Tusitala” by any other name, RL.
 
 
#
Fungus
2012-03-06 20:36

Quoting Arraniki:

“Tusitala” by any other name, RL.



RLS was a jumping spider? 🙂

 

 
#
Legerwood
2012-03-06 18:01

O/T Story in the Telegraph that gthe LibDems now want councils to pay students Council Tax.

telegraph.co.uk/…/…

And this story in the Guardian about the barracking Ed Milliband got today on a radio phone in programme. It is also in the Telegraph but the Guardian article has a clip from the show so you can listen to some of it.

guardian.co.uk/…/…
 
 
#
Dundonian West
2012-03-06 18:08

Quoting Legerwood:

O/T Story in the Telegraph that gthe LibDems now want councils to pay students Council Tax.

telegraph.co.uk/…/…



“Mr Clegg later commented:“ In politics, just as in life, sometimes the things that you want to do, it turns out that you just can’t do them.”Daily Telegraph.

DO I DETECT THE BEGININGS OF A DONALD RUMSFIELD FORM OF SPEECH?

 
 
#
Legerwood
2012-03-06 19:17

I should read my post shouldn’t I. It should have said that the the LibDems want students to pay council tax.
 

 
#
Taighnamona
2012-03-06 18:23

clicked on the guardian link, cos I’d quite like to hear the millipede get trashed…only to find… this video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by British Broadcasting Corporation.

don’t they look after their own 🙂
 

 
#
Arraniki
2012-03-06 18:16

Pace Legerwood
And this story in the Guardian about the barracking Ed Milliband got today on a radio phone in programme. It is also in the Telegraph but the Guardian article has a clip from the show so you can listen to some of it.

guardian.co.uk/…/…


It has been pulled because of BBC copyright.
No surprise.
 
 
#
Taighnamona
2012-03-06 18:25

sorry Arraniki, our posts crossed…interesting though that we came to the same conclusion.
 
 
#
cynicalHighlander
2012-03-06 18:34

Listen here 1hr 27mins in.: bbc.co.uk/…/…
 

 
#
Legerwood
2012-03-06 19:15

Sorry it was there earlier but I see someone has given a link below.
 

 
#
clootie
2012-03-06 18:27

Sir Compton MacKenzie Bridge

Mackenzie went to great lengths to trace the steps of his ancestors back to his spiritual home in the Highlands, and displayed a deep and tenacious attachment to Gaelic culture throughout his long and very colourful life. As his biographer, Andro Linklater, commented, “Mackenzie wasn’t born a Scot, and he didn’t sound like a Scot. But nevertheless his imagination was truly Scottish.”

He was an ardent Jacobite, the third Governor-General of the Royal Stuart Society, and a co-founder of the Scottish National Party. He was rector of University of Glasgow from 1931 to 1934, defeating Oswald Mosley, who later led the British Union of Fascists, in his bid for the job.[18]
 
 
#
clootie
2012-03-06 18:29

Whisky Galore sounds a good enough reason 😀
 
 
#
Arraniki
2012-03-06 18:33

The “Whisky Galore Bridge!”

Yep, I’ll drink to that.
Obviously.
 
 
#
Mad Jock McMad
2012-03-06 18:35

The full skinning of the Moribund interview remains on the 5 Live web site if you wish a listen:

www.bbc.co.uk/…/p00prj13
 
 
#
Vincent McDee
2012-03-06 19:06

Our Bridge

Ar Drochaid

or better else: The Ar Drochaid Bridge.

Because who’s going to pay for it?
 
 
#
Mad Jock McMad
2012-03-06 19:26

Ar Drochiad ans an tuath?
 

 
#
D_A_N
2012-03-06 19:10

o/t

dl.dropbox.com/…/sign1hi.jpg

dl.dropbox.com/…/sign4.jpg

here’s a couple of rough designs for signs I made today for the protest.
 
 
#
clootie
2012-03-06 19:24

DAN

I think the first one is risky – I could see it back firing and a red banner with hammer and sickle being taken as the protestors not the BBC as intended.
 
 
#
D_A_N
2012-03-06 19:35

You think? It’s on the BBC logo. But you could well be right now that I think of it, they do like to twist things.. well.. These things can all be discussed etc beforehand.. But I think we should aim for the start of April to get the ball rolling.
 

 
#
pictic-1
2012-03-06 19:27

How about a name for the bridge in gaelic – that’ll really give the tourists something to chew on.

Any offers from speakers?

——————

Sorry I was too slow …
 
 
#
govanite
2012-03-06 19:39

I’m gonna need a smaller screen.
 
 
#
Fungus
2012-03-06 20:34

One Scot is responsible for saving more lives than anyone else on the planet. So how about the Alexander Fleming Bridge?
 
 
#
DonaldMhor
2012-03-06 21:03

Brig O Alba.

SaorsaBrig.

FreedomBrig.

SalmondBrig.

EcksBrig.

Brig O Eck.

Big Brig.

Newbridge.

Forth 2.
 
 
#
daveniz
2012-03-06 21:05

destiny bridge!

day of destiny bridge!

new beginnings crossing!

new dawn bridge!

freedom bridge!

independance bridge!

Walter Scott bridge!

bridge of Inspiration!
 
 
#
H Scott
2012-03-06 22:09

Just voted

Inverness Courier 60.9% Yes
Hamilton 64.2% Yes
 
 
#
H Scott
2012-03-06 22:16

The new Forth Bridge is due to open in 2016
Timetable for independence day, according to Alex Salmond, if we vote Yes is 2016.
Doesn’t take much working out…
 
 
#
EdinScot
2012-03-06 23:19

So theres still no sign of Baillie properly apologising, well what a surprise that is…Not.

Re the Bridge, I think it should be called the Homecoming Bridge, as wherever youre going to, you will still come back over to go home.
 
 
#
Marga B
2012-03-06 23:22

Another possibility – Brigadoon (“bring it on”) Bridge. No? Oh well …
 
 
#
Holebender
2012-03-07 13:45

There’s already a Brig O Don in Aberdeen!
 

 
#
Macart
2012-03-06 23:22

Howsabout

The Ian Hamilton Bridge
 
 
#
Mad Jock McMad
2012-03-07 00:06

Ar Drochaid anns an Dusgadh (The bridge of awakening)
 
 
#
Saltire Groppenslosh
2012-03-07 11:22

Enlightenment Crossing
 
 
#
Caadfael
2012-03-07 12:27

Close RL, but no cigar!
The Stevenson Bridge OTOH would acknowledge both the author and the builders of Scotland’s iconic lighthouses.
 
 
#
Diabloandco
2012-03-07 13:30

Och! You could have given RL a wee bit more time to indulge his fantasy!

I reckon the Stevenson Bridge is a winner.
 

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