Rasmie

The Supreme Court can only look at the law and simply say if it’s within the law or outside it.  Currently, apparently, the law can only be changed by the UK parliament. I would suggest that this needs amendment as unless the rUK wants rid of Scotland then that can not be achieved. If in fact indyref one had voted overwhelmingly to leave the UK, it did not mean independence automatically and it still would have to be discussed and agreed by the UK parliament. Although I am not sold on Scottish Independence, I agree people have the right to self-determination , and this refusal to allow a referendum is a great rallying call for the independence parties. It is all very divisive, especially as the people’s of the different parts of the UK are so interconnected by business and family. 

No need to apologise for Putins actions. The only need for NATO or an EU army is the fear of Russians trying to get the ex Soviet territories to rejoin his union.
The EU and UK made the mistake of buying oil and gas from Russia. As well as market forces, probably hoping that by doing so the Russians might pass on some money to their own people, which would in turn enable them to join the capitalist world and buy goods. (Tory Dream)

I use a MacBook, you can install Firefox or chrome, shouldn’t cause a problem

Are you a Tory, now, George? Using Britain and us in the same sentence! Must have had a change of heart.

This is a fairly comprehensive list of evidence re: Russian interference / influence on Brexit > https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_interference_in_the_2016_Brexit_referendum 

"....the report leaves open the possibility that Moscow-based information operations, especially through social media and Russian state-funded broadcasters like Sputnik and RT—and backed up by targeted support to influential voices within UK politics—may well have been a significant factor. Crucially, the UK Government is accused of making a deliberate effort not to find out how Russian influence may have affected the June 2016 vote." https://www.csis.org/blogs/brexit-bits-bobs-and-blogs/did-russia-influence-brexit
"the government had reason to suspect a violation of our democratic processes and ignored it. An admission of such a breach would have caused embarrassment" https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jul/21/russian-meddling-brexit-referendum-tories-russia-report-government
 

Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU.
Remain     Leave
1,661,191     1,018,322
https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/who-we-are-and-what-we-do/elections-and-referendums/past-elections-and-referendums/eu-referendum/results-and-turnout-eu-referendum/eu-referendum-results-region-scotland
 
In Shetland
Remain  Leave
6,907    5,315
 

Lot of where Putin was involved depends how much you believe in manipulating the voting population.
Social media (unfortunately) plays a huge part in where people formulate their opinions and viewpoints. Russians amongst others can create popular social media accounts that appears British and spout "proper British attitudes" that buy into pre-existing opinions and bias. Look how many accounts popped up going on about how British veterans couldn't get a home yet someone who came from another country could. All largely stoness but it started to whip up anti immigration sentiments at a time we were having a vote about continuing to be in a union that promotes unity with others. Our own governments Russia report has been suppressed, I can only imagine because it isn't especially flattering about how much Russia was involved in our government between cash donations to down right manipulation.
If you don't want to see it, you won't see it. If you wonder how this country became the xenophobic, backward thinking cesspool it is then you take more interest in what might have caused it.

It appears that Putin has manoeuvred us into leaving the EU. No doubt aided by his oligarchs greasing the palms of the Conservative party. The current clique running the Tory party, and thereby the government, no longer seem to be Unionist, in the way they speak of the smaller nations of the UK.
The EU by comparison seem to have woken up to the world situation and are handling the Ukraine crisis well.
Perhaps its time we rejoined the EU, and for that reason I will vote for Scottish Independence for the first time when next we get the chance.

Another minor difference: one 'side' is a partnership of independent sovereign democracies who voluntarily cooperate for mutually beneficial economic, social and defence reasons, and the other 'side' isn't.
And I'd question Ghostrider's assertion that "the end result is little different." The end result for whom, and comparing what?

My otherwise healthy relatives who ended up fighting for their lives in hospital with Covid, my friends sheltering underground in Ukraine, and my own eyes which have seen the satellite imagery, are at odds with your posturing. I assume you are either misinformed or trying to provoke reaction.

One minor difference, Putins method involves killing thousands,if not millions of people.

Putin is worried that western democracy infects his Russia. It’s ok for the wealthy class in Russia to go to the West and enjoy their billions. Ukraine was in danger of becoming a wealthy European nation and that would create  discontent among their friends and relations over the border. They’ve already stripped their own Russian populace of  wealth, so when they want to splash the cash they come to places like London and keep our (Tory) government in treats, parties and expensive holidays. It looks as if it’s Moldova next. He’s also threatening neutral neighbours like Sweden and Finland. And yes it looks like you either join NATO or start learning Russian.

Putin is worried that western democracy infects his Russia. It’s ok for the wealthy class in Russia to go to the West and enjoy their billions. Ukraine was in danger of becoming a wealthy European nation and that would create  discontent among their friends and relations over the border. They’ve already stripped their own Russian populace of  wealth, so when they want to splash the cash they come to places like London and keep our (Tory) government in treats, parties and expensive holidays. It looks as if it’s Moldova next. He’s also threatening neutral neighbours like Sweden and Finland. And yes it looks like you either join NATO or start learning Russian.

In view of recent events it strikes me that we (UK and Europe ) should step up our own gas and oil production. It seems a falsehood  ceasing our own production to fight climate change, and then buy from despots and dictators.  Surely it is better to have our own controlled source, than to support unscrupulous foreign oligarchs. Until the renewables are all built and commissioned the only way reduce oil and gas  usage in places like Shetland is to switch off electricity, never mind go electric.

He’s a smiling snake, used to think he was a comic, now he appears to be a vindictive character. Almost Trumpesque. Yet the longer he remains as PM the more damage he does to the tories and has probably done more for Scottish Independence than the SNP.

Perhaps they could get Liz Truss to come and negotiate a deal.

He’s a smiling snake, used to think he was a comic, now he appears to be a vindictive character. Almost Trumpesque. Yet the longer he remains as PM the more damage he does to the tories and has probably done more for Scottish Independence than the SNP.

He’s a smiling snake, used to think he was a comic, now he appears to be a vindictive character. Almost Trumpesque. Yet the longer he remains as PM the more damage he does to the tories and has probably done more for Scottish Independence than the SNP.

He’s a smiling snake, used to think he was a comic, now he appears to be a vindictive character. Almost Trumpesque. Yet the longer he remains as PM the more damage he does to the tories and has probably done more for Scottish Independence than the SNP.

I seem to remember a referendum on joining the Common Market. I think Shetland was one of the few places that voted against! Even my Up tally ho squad had a skit about it. Edwards Economic Cock-up. But referendums aren’t democratic. IMHO 

I use the Sandwick Bakeshop for a) the bakery products  and b) the post office. While i'm there i tend to buy a few other items such as meat.
I see anything that endangers a and b as a threat to my lifestyle. I am also concerned that the owners might simply say say "muck it" and close.
If the Co-op have any empathy for the community they would try and do deal to guarantee the continuance of a and b.
 

There are very clever (racist) people on social media drip feeding their bile. Some of it is very convincing. Of course it happens on this platform too with anti-English comments.

https://www.edfenergy.com/electric-cars/costs
 
heres a quote of 5p a mile from EDF

I don't think there will be any choice. It will be drive electric, or get the (electric) bus. The price of diesel and petrol will be forced up so that people can't
afford them. Most people will probably end up leasing as the cars are so expensive, and like a mobile phone will just be a monthly bill.

By what metric?