The Scottish Government

"Referendum - Result - Official - Fife" (1681) writes (in reply to my message number 1673) "FOR independence 23% AGAINST 77%".

Look, just because you choose to put "OFFICIAL" on it doesn't make it true!

RROF also writes (again, specifically in response to me) "Face it you are the party repository for voters to keep Westminster on its toes!"

Am I?

Wow! That IS a surprise!
I'm not even a member of any political party!
I never have been!
It seems you are jumping to wrong conclusions about who you are arguing with.........

"If you want to keep the job" - what job? I'm an old age pensioner. I'm happily retired.

Never mind your irrelevant party-political posturing. What I am campaigning for is very simple, and could be supported by people of any party, or, like myself, of none. If you are genuinely sure that support for independence is a minority, then presumably you will have no problem in joining with me in demanding

REFERENDUM NOW! - INDEPENDENCE - YES OR NO.

People quite rightly form their individual opinions, but only those with the shortest of memories will quickly forget the catalogue of self-interest, sham, spin and sleaze which has been the hallmark of Labour in government, and for even longer as the dominant party of Scottish politics.

A government fit for the people should be about raising standards and aspirations, encouraging and empowering people with strong, effective democracy, and pushing the envelope to optimise and enable the realisation of new achievements within practical restrictions.

It is heartening to observe the majority of opinion showing faith in the aims and values of the new Scottish government, sensibly recognising that a radical strategy must be rolled out over a period of years, as opposed to within 6 months – against a background of cynical and reactionary sniping from parties whose time in government was singularly uninspiring, who kept the people’s aspirations on a short leash, and who, now struggling to adapt to life in opposition, are seeking to have the parliamentary rules changed in their favour!

The unionist parties have clearly demonstrated, both before and since the election, that they are prepared to use any ploy, including jumping into bed together, to try to oppose or discredit the SNP in order to shore up their own diminishing credibility and crumbling powerbase.

These are surely the early days of a better nation; but there is still a long way to go.

Yea or Nay wrote:
“With respect, I didn't say that a massive chunk of SNP voters are opposed to separation: I said a massive chunk of those who voted SNP on May 3 and are otherwise pro-Union, voted for Salmond, in preference to McConnell. Not the same thing.”

I think that it is, but I suppose we have to agree to differ. The main thrust of my point remains that we know not what the outcome of a referendum on independence will be until we have one.

Your suggestion that The Herald and in particular The Scotsman are not pro-Union is genuinely laughable. There is one political journalist in Scotland who appears to be writing from a purely objective standpoint and that is Iain MacWhirter. The lack of balance within not just the Scottish press but the whole Scottish media is very unhealthy.

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I also note that there appears to be quite a number of recent posts focussing on SNP unfullfilled manifesto pledges. I suppose that this is fair enough comment but I would suggest that these people at least acknowledge that this is inevitable given the make up of Holyrood where the opposition can compel a minority Government to commitments not in their manifesto. It also demonstrates the limitations of relying on a grant from Westminster instead of having full fiscal control over your own revenue. However, if we must criticise then let it be with an even hand, the current Westminster Government are also guilty of this same ‘broken pledge’ practice as were the previous Lab/Lib Scottish Government. What is surprising however is that the proven and arguably more sinister lies from some Scottish Unionist politicians does not appear to trouble these posters.

I would suggest that on balance the current Scottish Government are now taking a more radical approach with their policies and that the general public appear to be supportive. Do any posters believe that Scotland was better governed under Labour and the Liberals?

Many posts have criticised the new Scottish government for not carrying out their manifesto commitments within their first 6 months in power. How many commitments have Central government reneged on after 10 years in office? The latest is the denial to the electorate of the promised referendum on the European Constitution. The difference between aspiration and fulfilment in the latest Scottish budget statement is due only to lack of cash and their inability to control this aspect of government either through taxation or borrowing.

The more serious and long term problems have occurred since Scotland was dragged kicking and screaming into the Act of Union three hundred years ago by a privileged few subverted by promises from London. For only about 60 years of this Union has Scotland fared well - during the days of the British Empire where we were able to find markets for our goods - i.e. from about 1890 to 1950. The rest of the time we have been cursed by depopulation, lack of opportunity, unemployment, resultant sickness, low life expectancy and low self-esteem. The end of Empire saw the beginning of endemic unemployment and the loss of the work ethic, which the Scots had in abundance.

The only region of the UK to have really prospered since the end of empire is London and the South East. It has achieved this by diverting a large amount of the country’s wealth into the development of its own infrastructure, in sport, culture, transport, housing,offices and communications. The area is awash with Government sub-contractors, quangos, all the government departments, and Parliament itself, all being fed public money and that feeding in turn into the local economy.

This has gone on since the end of empire to such an extent that this region of Britain has an economy atypical of the rest of the UK and can be considered to be a different state within a state. Furthermore, the poverty gap between London and the Home Counties and the rest of the country has increased under this New Labour government, contrary to their promises on election. Consider this: The 20 richest areas in the UK, all bar two, occur in the London and the South East, with average salaries ranging from £59,600 pa (Sevenoaks) to £101,600 a year (Kensington and Chelsea).

It would be ok if the economy was run in such a way as to allow the regions a fair chance to expand their own industries. As it is now, if the London economy overheats , interest rates are raised regardless of the fact that many regions could be struggling out of recession. This pushes them back into recession and many firms go to the wall.

It’s no wonder the people of Scotland turfed out the McConnel administration. They mirrored New Labour in London, leaving the traditional labour support in Scotland far behind. They grovellingly supported the London Government in the retention of Trident in Scotland, in the disastrous war in Iraq, in rampant privatisation, in lock-'em-up-and-throw-away-the-key justice, in increased surveillance in increased inequality and decreased social mobility. In hanging on the coat-tails of the rapacious Uncle Sam, the Blair government diminished Britain in the eyes of the world. We were a world power. We can no longer afford it Its time to join the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty. Scotland should split and emulate the Scandinavians, not the USA.

Any region in the UK could declare UDI from London rule. Not many of them seem inclined, with one exception - Scotland - where a significant percentage of the population who see themselves as a nation would wish it and many more who would demand far more powers for the existing Scottish Government.

This year a monument to the memory of the first two soldiers to die in war was erected in our town. On the appointed day dignitaries were assembled to pay their respect to the men and women who gave their lives in defence of our freedoms. Their comrades in arms, the British Legion were in attendance to pay their respects in accordance with established tradition. The British Legion and the citizens of this land do not pass judgement on the theatres or the justification but pay due respect to the sacrifices, the survivors, and the bereaved.

Deputy Provost Alf Patey (SNP), decided, quote ‘in no uncertain terms’ unquote (Glenrothes Gazette), to ORDER the British Legion to remove their standards (Flags). The British Legion maintained their dignity and did not create a confrontation, but did not join the after memorial gathering.

As a citizen of this country I am entitled to my own opinion and may or may not agree with DP Patey’s view on the legitimacy of the Iraq war. If I was an elected representative I would feel it my responsibility to represent the community I was elected to SERVE and conduct myself appropriately. There have been calls for this man to resign for his behaviour, and I would expect that the SNP leadership would back this call. If not they have demonstrated their arrogance and ignorance of the peoples’ feelings.

This follows on the heels of a certain Councillor Ross Vettraino (SNP) who, as elected representative for the good people of Milton of Balgonie, pledged to fight with them to preserve their village green from being sold for housing. However at the planning meeting to discuss this item voted FOR the sale of the land which was passed by a 31 to 29 majority. After the meeting Mr Vettraino told the press representatives he STILL SUPPORTED RESIDENTS in their protest!!!

Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. It looks like the SNP are absolutely corrupted when they are in a minority at ALL levels.

Thought to ponder, when the SNP government passed to buck to local councils to meet their Governmental promises, (school buildings, class sizes, more police?......) knowing that they would expected to take the blame when they failed, did they realise that the failing councils were, in the main, SNP coalitions??

I don’t think so.

The chickens are coming home to roost early in this parliament!!!!!

#1701

With respect, I didn't say that a massive chunk of SNP voters are opposed to separation: I said a massive chunk of those who voted SNP on May 3 and are otherwise pro-Union, voted for Salmond, in preference to McConnell. Not the same thing.

Anecdotal evidence and various polls taken at the time also indicated that the SNP drew a lot of voters who were otherwise against separation. What I deduce from that is that supporters of separatism are rabidly keen to use polls when it suits and dismissive when it doesn't.

The position taken by The Scotsman and The Herald is based on realism. Hopefully both will continue to show up the SNP's failings (as they did the last lot!). The Herald before the election decided to pitch its tent with the SNP in an attempt to win a circulation battle with The Scotsman. Time will tell if it succeeds.

Isn't the “rabidly” biased Scotsman you speak of the same broadsheet that has as contributors the likes of Henderson Scott, Aileen Campbell, George Kerevan, Margo McDonald and Duncan Hamilton, and carries regular pro-SNP letters.

How odd that you should forget to mention that.

#1717

Surprise, surprise, London's to blame for the SNP's broken promises!!

#1717

So the SNP didn't know this was going to be a tight budget did they not. Well if they didn't know that after 8 years of cranking up public expenditure the UK government were having to hold the spend increases down to inflation plus, they must have been the only ones!!

If they really didn't know how could they have made the commitments they made?

The trams project was approved because they could not show, as they claimed, there would be a serious cost overrun.

Their own civil servants proved the reverse to be true.

In fact they refused to cover any possibilty of a cost overrun by passing this potential on to the ratepayers of the capital city!! I haven't seen any intentention of passing on the announced savings back to the coucillors of the same city!!

You may not have noticed, WE HAVE.

'Dog' 1708

Well, one thing is for sure-you are the genuine article! Not only that, but you are confused too. How can I go back to Labour and end up a pretend SNP voter? Make your mind up!

Your party leader made an unequivocal promise to recruit 1000 more police officers. It was one of several reasons that I voted SNP. To make this promise and go back on it is an insult to voters, even if it means nothing to apologists like yourself. You are happy to see nothing hear nothing and say nothing. Perhaps your future posts will be changed from 'Dog' to 'Monkey'.

I will think seriously before even thinking about voting SNP again and I bet there are loads of others especially students, OAP's, first time buyers who will be thinking exactly the same.

My question to you is this- stop havering on about the previous government. They are gone it is the SNP who are now in government. So when does this government intend to face up to the responsibility by sticking to its promises?

BTW, my user name is an abreviation of my forename, a point that obviously went waaaaay over your head. Miaaaow!

Re the budget - people should remember that the SNP have had to work within a tight budget - a pot of money dished out from London, over which they have no control.
All things considered, as far as I can see the SNP are doing a good job & long may it continue. With the powers of Independence, we can achieve even greater things, not least full fiscal control.
P.S.Don't forget, the SNP were forced into agreeing an expensive Edinburgh Tram project, by Labour and others at Holyrood.I am sure this was not within their manifesto and yet how much is this going to cost ?? Little wonder the budget is tight.