Everyone loves a good soundbite. Even when they think it isn’t the right time, they just can’t help themselves (‘hand of history on my shoulder’ anyone?)
I suspect, with the starting gun for the independence referendum once again fired, we’re about to be hit with a blizzard of them with the various parties’ press teams having rhyming dictionaries bursting at the seams.
So, for a fun challenge on this day after the historic day before, and whether you’re pro-Indy or pro-UK or something else (pro-Devo Max I suppose), let’s have an open competition to get ahead of Salmond, Lamont, Cameron and co and find the best Scottish soundbite out there with 2014 in mind.
A (very) quick run through the past 13 years of devolved Scotland can get the ball rolling with several zingers from the past:
“we are in London not to settle down but to settle up for Scotland” – Alex Salmond, SNP, 2010
“Journalists have called me “the conscience of the Scottish parliament”, a role which I have been happy to fulfil.” – Robin Harper, Greens, 2003
“If you cut me in half, I’m a believer in the United Kingdom, it’s tattooed on me like a stick of rock” – David Cameron, Conservatives, 2010
“This parliament is the settled will of the Scottish people and I think we all have an obligation to make it work.” Tom McCabe, Labour, 1999
“We in Scotland will not be all that we can unless we lift our eyes to the horizon and look beyond our own set of circumstances.” – Jack McConnell, Labour, 2003
“”It’s not how you got there it’s what you do when you get there,” David McLetchie, Conservatives, 1999
“We’ve got what it takes” – SNP, 2009
‘My reason for being in politics is all about Scotland and its future. It is no secret that, as a teenager, I thought that the political creed of nationalism might offer that future. I also believed in Santa Claus.’ – Jack McConnell
“You can vote for more of the same, for business as usual, for another four years of the stale, grey porridge. Alternatively, you can vote to set Scottish politics on fire by voting for a dynamic new party that dares to be different.” – Tommy Sheridan, 2003
So go on then, what’s yours? Or if there are any from the past that are worth remembering, do add them below.
I have a soft spot for: ‘Scotland stands ready to embark on its unique choose your own adventure story’
If there’s enough takers, I’ll put out a shortlist one by one on twitter with the most RT’d being the winner. So do it, your nation needs you.
#1 by @RossMcCaff on October 16, 2012 - 1:53 pm
“Scotland stands on the edge. Not of a precipice, or of a slide to some indeterminate ruin, but on the edge of history; and on the edge of a better nation, a better future for oursleves, our children, our people”
That cheesy enough for you? Might focus group it
#2 by Jeff on October 16, 2012 - 1:56 pm
Ooft, goosebumps Ross, a strong start. And if there isn’t an element of cheese in an entry then I’m modding it into the trash bin. (not really)
#3 by Doug Daniel on October 16, 2012 - 1:58 pm
Well if you want to “go negative” and don’t mind swear words, “It’s YES in 2014 or we’re f….” is pretty unequivocal and to the point.
Actually, Limmy comes out with some right crackers. I think they should let him write a speech for Eck sometime…
#4 by Braco on October 16, 2012 - 2:18 pm
Oh go on then Jeff. How about first to go negative….. ‘Vote no. Get nothing!’ Not mine and can’t remember where I read it. Definitely the sign of a good soundbite don’t you think?
#5 by Braco on October 16, 2012 - 2:27 pm
Beat me to the negative Doug (damn!), congrats.
#6 by Gary on October 16, 2012 - 2:48 pm
What about “because it’s worth it”? Could be used by either side. Might get sued by a certain haircare company though….
#7 by Duncan Hothersall (@dhothersall) on October 16, 2012 - 2:52 pm
“Say no to conjuring up old battles and settling old scores. Scotland’s future lies in co-operation, not competition. Scotland and the UK – we’re better together.”
#8 by Richard on October 16, 2012 - 3:08 pm
“Better Together” – there’s a cheesy, empty soundbite right there!
#9 by Jeff on October 16, 2012 - 3:17 pm
Oh dear, negative cases outweighing positive cases already. We’re only a day in people, come on now…
#10 by Richard on October 16, 2012 - 3:24 pm
Sorry, will try harder this time 🙂
“Better together as neighbours, not bedfellows. Independent and Interdependent.”
#11 by Doug Daniel on October 16, 2012 - 3:32 pm
How about Pat Kane’s one for a positive: “Be the Scotland you wish to see”.
Chimes nicely with the soundbite this blog is named after (which, to be perfectly honest, is hard to top anyway).
#12 by James on October 16, 2012 - 3:55 pm
It’s too long, but this, from Patrick, pleased me. Disclaimer: I worked for him at the time.
#13 by Chris on October 16, 2012 - 8:34 pm
Favourites from the past
“Devolution will kill independence stone dead” (George Robertson) I think he was trying to convince himself…
“You can no more trust the Scottish Labour Party to deliver a Pizza than a Scottish Parliament” (Alex Salmond). Ah the joys of opposition
“If nominated, I would decline. If drafted, I would defer. And, if elected, I will resign.” (Alex Salmond) Deciding that Westminster was more fun than Holyrood
“I changed my mind” Alex Salmond (on above) Changing his mind
“unreconstructed wankers” Tony Blair on the Scottish Press just in case any nationalist thinks press hostility is personal
I can’t find the Blair quote contrasting the powers of the Scottish Parliament with a Parish Council. Suffice to say that he has been deliberately misquoted ever since.
“If you repeat a lie often enough it becomes the truth” Joseph Goebbels – in respect of the above
Soundbites for these times:
“The campaign for independence will be won or lost in Easterhouse and Wester Hailes, not in Facebook and Twitter” I made that up…
#14 by Richard on October 17, 2012 - 2:37 pm
The “parish council” comparison seems to have been a bit of an urban myth. Here’s BT’s take on it, from his “Scotland’s Parliament: Triumph and Disaster”:
“In an interview with The Scotsman, Blair had pointed out that the lowliest parish council in England had a certain degree of discretion over finance. Would it not be ridiculous, he argued, to deny financial discretion to the powerful Scottish Parliament. Blair was, in truth, contrasting one with the other, stressing that the Scottish Parliament was an influential and significant body by comparison with the humble parish council.”
Although how seriously you take Brian’s blethering is a matter of personal choice.
#15 by James on October 16, 2012 - 11:39 pm
Sticks of rock don’t have tattoos, and nothing has tattoos in the middle. Basically, Dave, that’s a piss-poor attempt to echo Queen Elizabeth the first and presumably zeroth.
#16 by Reluctant Hero on October 17, 2012 - 12:22 am
Independence – phenomenOIL
#17 by Edinburgh observer on October 17, 2012 - 7:15 pm
Re “”It’s not how you got there it’s what you do when you get there,” David McLetchie, Conservatives, 1999
When/where did he say this? Given the date cited is five years before resigning, it was rather prescient of future issues with travel arrangements!
#18 by Jeff on October 17, 2012 - 9:00 pm
Haha, good point. I only saw it on a BBC’s list of quotes, so can’t provide context I’m afraid.