commonwealth games

[Michael Ramsay-Fraser]

Posted by Prop Nut on 03/08/2014 12:15:46:

The reception's sure to be back to 'normal' for the next Calcutta Cup. England won it 20-0 this year and, from its inception, 68 times to Scotland's 39 (with 14 draws). They have also won 19 out of 22 matches since 1990.

Ok. Don't rub it in. I'm all too painfully aware that Scottish rugby is plumbing the depths at the moment.

[Michael Ramsay-Fraser]

Posted by Erfolg on 03/08/2014 12:17:37:

What will shock many English Northerners, is the visualisation of the vast differences in Government spend per head of the Scottish population, that is visible in the infrastructure compared to us English Northerners. Perhaps with independence we could get our fair share?

I very much doubt it. The money spent in Scotland and how it is used is decided by the Scottish government and not Westminster (Not always to the approval of all Scots).

I agree that the North of England suffers badly at the hands of central government. Scotland has been given a lot in attempts to reduce the demand for independence, perhaps the north should demand the same. As it is, you'll never get a fair share in comparison to the money that gets spent in the South East.

[Erfolg]

Michael

I am not suggesting that Westminster decides how central government money is spent. What is known is the differences in spend per head of population and a to a limited extent in which areas the spend per head is spent. On all accounts the North of England does badly.

Just considering the North of England, you can see a massive difference per head spend in many of the cities, relative to other areas.

It does seem that the organisers of the Commonwealth Games have learnt and built and much that the London Games did. The helpers, being conspicuous without being intrusive and definitely none of the bureaucratic tendencies that bedevil the UK.

Again where credit is due, is in not selecting Edinburgh as the venue (except for the odd event). Again in England, only London is seriously put forward, and supported with complete Government support.

You make a very strong case for rationalisation of the UK (or what will be left), as you can see that with the right incentives and guidance, the North of England would have retained and gained many businesses. I have seen many major improvements in Scotland over the years, visiting twice monthly over 10 years, when my daughter lived in Edinburgh, Inverness and Aberdeen all for the better.

A great games, much to be proud off.

[Andrew Price 2]

You may find that the geographical differences in per capita spending in England are more to do with the party holding the seats. It was a Tory policy to punish those socialist voting constituences who were refusing to convert to Thatcherism, but, about which New Labour later did little to rectify.

Your perception of extra resources north of the boarder are almost certainly well founded. When the polls told Blair that he wasn't doing well in Scotland during an election he promised a devolution referendum. A blatent bribe. We then had the horrific spectacle of him and numbers of ministers and others, Darling, Brown and the West Lothians travelling up from Westminster and mounting a massive yes campaign, telling anyone that cared to listen that Scotland would be so much better off - with more money washing around They only had to say yes. Guess from whom these extra funds were to come? Guess who were never consulted - or considered?

I've been really too busy to follow the Games but I do understand that they were indeed a great games.

[Martin Harris - Moderator]

Wasn't this a thread about enjoying the Commonwealth Games?

For what it's worth, I did - and particularly enjoyed seeing the spirit of competition being combined with many examples of friendship and respect between athletes from competing nations.

Perhaps some of us could learn something?

[Dai Fledermaus]

Here in Wales, we often regard England as the old enemy, but I've a feeling - a hope, that the well deserved feel good factor after these Games will influence the majority of Scottish people to vote No in the independence referendum.

[Lee Smalley]

i have to say a massive well done to Glasgow they have held a top notch games, and properly rescued the games from the dirge that was Deli, the passion to support the atmosphere all absolutely brill, well done all really raised the commonwealth games up to a level it deserves to be, very impressed

my one gripe has to be with the BBC coverage some of the presenters are just terrible (Sharon Davis, a brick wall has more empathy and emotion) Gobby Logan, sometimes talking utter balderdash (well slapped down by Bolt)

and what the hell is tonight at the games, i love Claire Balding but her co-presenter was shocking all he ever rabbited on about was psychology,this mental that, every interview was the same, is he an amateur psychologist or sommat, and in general the whole night time show was like the BBC let a university student loose on it, the walk down the carpet at the start, the incessant music, the stupid cuts to some unsuspecting pleb in the audience whilst an interview is going on, seriously BBC take the work experience lad out of the cutting room it was really cringeworthy at times, other than that ....loved it

Edited By Pete B - Moderator on 04/08/2014 12:58:56

[Mogs]

Posted by Colin Ashman on 04/08/2014 09:04:15:

Here in Wales, we often regard England as the old enemy, but I've a feeling - a hope, that the well deserved feel good factor after these Games will influence the majority of Scottish people to vote No in the independence referendum.

I'm also in Wales and I take the opposite view, and for purely selfish reasons. They propose the removal of Nuclear submarines. Many of the financial companies if what one reads is true,would have to move out. Well Wales could have 'em all.

[Mogs]

Nation/territory	Population (2014)	Medal Points	People per Medal Point
Scotland	5.2m	106	49,057
New Zealand	4.4m	87	50,575
Wales	3m	57	52,632
Australia	22.5m	277	81,227
Northern Ireland	1.8m	19	94,737
England	54m	349	154,728
Canada	34.8m	162	214,815
South Africa	48.4m	76	636,842
India	1.2bn	124	9,677,419
Pakistan	196.2m	7	28,028,571

Source: **LINK**

I really like this table - Thank you Aunty Beeb

[Michael Ramsay-Fraser]

Posted by Colin Ashman on 04/08/2014 09:04:15:

Here in Wales, we often regard England as the old enemy, but I've a feeling - a hope, that the well deserved feel good factor after these Games will influence the majority of Scottish people to vote No in the independence referendum.

I have my doubts, Colin. I'm not in favour of a 'yes' vote and feel Scotland should remain part of the UK but I think the games have shown many Scots that we're quite capable of organising things ourselves. The lack of public support from the Government was staggering. Particularly in comparison to that shown by Cameron and Johnson at the time of the Olympics. Perhaps that's because the games were held in a Labour controlled area. I appreciate that the Commonwealth Games are not on the same scale as the Olympics but a bit more support from the powers that be might have had the effect you hope for.

[Mogs]

The Commonwealth is a club of mostly countries that are doing okay without the former colonial power telling them what to do, - doesn't the games draw focus on this.

[Lee Smalley]

can we drop the politics and get back to the games

[Erfolg]

The games are over now.

I am very surprised that some do not see that sports is a very political arena, from the controlling bodies, to Governments, even the public. It is one area where nationalism still thrives, look at how medal tallies are viewed. How lobbying for more support on the basis of sporting triumphs for their sport, through to politicians bathing in the after glow of sporting triumphs.

There is even politics in modelling, when you look at various aspects of our hobby.