Brian Finlay
The Canary
United Kingdom
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Past articles by Brian:
Here's one of the most 'disgraceful' Tory moments of the election so far
"The Conservatives have no answers to the poverty they have caused in our communities" → Read More
The latest Scottish polls predict an SNP ‘landslide’ and people are buzzin’
More good news for Scottish independence supporters → Read More
Nicola Sturgeon sets out exactly why nuclear weapons have no place in Scotland
"I have a moral objection to weapons of mass destruction" → Read More
Watch Mhairi Black magnificently call out Theresa May's 'irresponsibility'
The SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South Mhairi Black has done it again. She delivered another magnificent speech during the debate to extend Article 50 on 14 March. As usual, Black didn’t hold back in the House of Commons: Continue reading below... That’ll be the unionist’s telt anyway. “The UK is about to get a rude awakening” Black opened her speech by saying: > the UK is about to get… → Read More
Jeremy Corbyn's conference speech fails to reach out to Scottish voters disillusioned with Westminster-centric politics
Support us and go ad-freeI was fortunate and privileged to watch Jeremy Corbyn address the Scottish Labour conference on 8 March. As he walked out onto the stage, the audience of around 500 at the Caird Hall in Dundee rose to their feet cheering and clapping to welcome their leader to Scotland. As I watched from the press gallery, I thought it might just be a turning point in Scottish politics.… → Read More
Tory councillor lives it up in Dubai but keeps in contact with constituents 'from the beach'
A Scottish Conservative councillor has come under fire after failing to attend any meetings since September 2018. The National reported that Brett Hunt, who represents the Bridge of Don Ward on Aberdeen City Council, currently resides in Dubai. Hunt is on “secondment” as a general manager for the oil and gas company National Oilwell Varco. But the Conservative councillor defended himself, saying… → Read More
Isabel Oakeshott tries to drum up support for 'an unpopular view' and Twitter isn't having it
On 21 January, Theresa May confirmed the government’s U-turn on a key home office policy. EU citizens will no longer have to pay £65 to apply for “settled status” in the UK. This is great news for The 3 Million campaign and its supporters. But not everyone was happy with the news. Political commentator and self-described “professional feather ruffler” Isabel Oakeshott was among the critics: The… → Read More
May cancels Brexit talks with Scotland. No one is even slightly surprised.
Theresa May’s government has cancelled Brexit talks with senior politicians from Scotland and Wales. But the news seems to have surprised no one. SNP strategist Ross Colquhoun summed things up in just a couple of tweets: > 2016: Tories will listen to the devolved administrations – they didn't 2017: Tories will listen to the devolved administrations – they didn't 2018: Tories will listen to… → Read More
It only took Nicola Sturgeon one tweet to expose Lib Dem hypocrisy
Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon has played a blinder on Twitter. She took down Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie with just one tweet. Rennie said Sturgeon should be pursuing a People’s Vote not “another unwanted independence referendum”. But Sturgeon had a stunning clapback: > Second referendums after material changes in circumstances are fine, so long as they are the… → Read More
Mhairi Black doesn’t pull any punches as she tears the government a new one
Speaking in the House of Commons on 10 December, SNP MP Mhairi Black tore the government a new one. The Paisley and Renfrewshire South MP didn’t hold back on Theresa May’s Brexit deal. Black also highlighted how poorly Scotland has been treated during the Brexit process: > Time is running out for the UK Government in Scotland pic.twitter.com/DATGbaTcso — Mhairi Black MP (@MhairiBlack) January… → Read More
Scottish Labour says the review into the miners' strike 'should consider pardons'
Scottish Labour MSP Neil Findlay has called for an independent review of the miners’ strike to consider issuing pardons to miners. The Scottish government announced the review at Holyrood last year. As reported by the National, former justice secretary Michael Matheson told MSPs the government would “do what it can to do right by those affected by the dispute”. But Scottish Labour now says that… → Read More
Nicola Sturgeon doesn't mince her words over the UK government's immigration white paper
On 19 December, Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon met with Theresa May. The meeting took place at 10 Downing Street to discuss Brexit and the UK government’s immigration white paper. Afterwards, Sturgeon took questions from the media and she didn’t hold back. The first minister claimed the UK government’s plans were “an act of vandalism on the Scottish economy and public services”.… → Read More
After a devastating setback, there's now good news for homeless people in Hull
On 15 December, Raise the Roof Hull Homeless Project took to Facebook to announce a devastating setback to their campaign. It had planned to house 28 homeless people in the Royal Hotel Hull over Christmas. Then the hotel, part of Britannia Hotels Ltd, cancelled the £1,092 booking for the 14 twin rooms with “no reason given”. But now the Doubletree Hilton in Hull has offered to put up the 28… → Read More
Thanks to a Hull hotel, 28 homeless people may be on the streets this Christmas
A Hull hotel has come under fire after cancelling a booking made for 28 homeless people over Christmas. The booking was made by Raise the Roof Homeless Project at the Royal Hotel, Hull costing £1092 for 14 twin rooms for two nights. The hotel, which is part of Britannia Hotels Ltd, cancelled the booking with “no reason given”: > After booking a hotel, paying in full and telling them it was… → Read More
Couple's imminent court hearing could see them ripped apart before Christmas
On 13 December, it’s crunch time for Brian and Ben Page. The couple will attend their final appeal in court that will decide if Brian will be able to stay in the UK. Brian, a US citizen, could be deported despite marrying Ben, a UK citizen, in 2014. So Home Office policy risks separating this married couple just before Christmas. How it got to this… In early December, the Pages spoke to The… → Read More
Theresa May delays key Brexit vote over 'widespread and deep concern' over the Irish backstop
On 10 December, Theresa May addressed MPs to formally delay the ‘meaningful vote‘ on Brexit. The vote on the prime minister’s Brexit deal was due to go ahead on 11 December. Delay to the meaningful vote May said during her statement that although the debate has gone on for three days it must be delayed over “widespread and deep concern” over the Irish backstop. As there’s no current Brexit deal… → Read More
Scotland is celebrating its patron saint by 'making someone's day'
St Andrew’s Day, on 30 November, is a day of celebration in Scotland and Scottish communities across the world. The Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon took part in a video to wish everyone a happy St Andrew’s Day. But that isn’t all. Sturgeon used this as an opportunity to encourage people across Scotland and beyond to do “small acts of kindness”: The first minister believes that St… → Read More
Here's the Scottish Tory MP who cheered on as Theresa May's cabinet crumbled
Scottish Conservative MP Ross Thompson had a busy day on social media on 15 November. He spent his time congratulating the various cabinet ministers who resigned over the Brexit deal on Twitter. He even called on the secretary of state for Scotland David Mundell to quit. Perhaps Thompson was channelling his “inner dictator”, as he has done in the past. “Thank you for your principled stance” The… → Read More
Scottish Parliament to vote on potential public ownership of ScotRail
MSPs will vote in the Scottish Parliament on whether ScotRail should continue to be operated by Abellio. The vote comes after continued criticism of the operator’s performance and low satisfaction rates. Abellio has been operating ScotRail since 2015. Scottish Labour will bring forward the motion on Wednesday 14 November. ScotRail and renationalisation If MSPs vote to scrap the current franchise… → Read More
Nicola Sturgeon calls out a Tory MSP for her ‘appalling’ and ‘ignorant’ DWP comments
During Scottish First Ministers Questions (FMQs) on 25 October, Nicola Sturgeon called out Conservative MSP Michelle Ballantyne. She did so after Ballantyne made “Dickensian” comments in the Scottish Parliament during a debate on “ending austerity, poverty and inequality” on 24 October. ‘Appalling’ DWP comments Ballantyne said during the debate: > It is fair that people on benefits cannot… → Read More