Well, what would you know! Having let speculation build and build over the last two weeks or so, Gordon Brown turned around today and announced that there would not be an election.
There can be no other explanation than he has totally bottled it. If he was never going to call an election, he would have stopped all the speculation stone dead. Brown had totally backed himself into a corner, where the only option seemed to be to call an election. Yet he has stunned us all.
The leaders of the other political parties must be thinking all their Christmases have come at once, as this gives them unlimited ammunition in which to attack Brown. The SNP have got the ball rolling by calling Brown a "feartie"!
On a personal note, I m quite disappointed. As the prospect of a GE increased I was getting quite excited. There is nothing like the buzz that election day gives you. I was looking forward to a long night in front of the TV and Peter Snow's Swingometer. However it is not to be. Having two elections in one year would have been a bit greedy though.
Wonder if Brown will live to regret this decision though?
Saturday, 6 October 2007
Wednesday, 3 October 2007
General Election?
Barely have we managed to catch our breath after the last election, than another election is potentially about to be unleashed upon us.
At one stage it seemed as if it was full steam ahead for an election with anyone connected with Labour stoking the fires that pointed to an early poll. With the Comprehensive Spending Review and pre Budget report being brought forward ahead of schedule and Labour bods scurrying about trying to raise money an election seemed inevitable.
However, the last three opinion polls have caused Brown to have second thoughts. Indeed in one of the polls, Labour's lead has been wiped out. Will he still want to go for it or will he revert back to type. Becasue for long enough, he had the chance to make his move on Tony Blair, but decided to remain in the background. Will he do the same in deciding to shy away from an election?
However, there is a shadow chasing Brown. He was the most successful Chancellor in recent history, if not ever. But he is aware, perhaps more than anyone, that an economic boom cannot last for ever. Therefore pretty soon, we are going to be facing some tough economic times. Perhaps we are seeing the start of it with the demise of Northern Rock. So he will want to get an election out of the way before the real effect of that kicks in.
Also with Gordon Brown refusing to quell speculation that an election is imminent, it now seems impossible for him not to call one. David Cameron at the Tory Party conference, added to the voices calling for an early challenge to Brown's leadership. This is surely only false bravadoism by Cameron as he has next to no chance of winning. Then it will be bye-bye for him as party leader (could we see the return of William Hague?)
So if there is going to be one, when will it be? The popular thinking of everyone who is remotely interested in politics is that November the 8th is the most likely date of the poll.
But will Gordon Brown have the guts to call it? After all the hype that has been built up, I am now rather looking forward to the prospect, so he had better bl**dy call it!!
At one stage it seemed as if it was full steam ahead for an election with anyone connected with Labour stoking the fires that pointed to an early poll. With the Comprehensive Spending Review and pre Budget report being brought forward ahead of schedule and Labour bods scurrying about trying to raise money an election seemed inevitable.
However, the last three opinion polls have caused Brown to have second thoughts. Indeed in one of the polls, Labour's lead has been wiped out. Will he still want to go for it or will he revert back to type. Becasue for long enough, he had the chance to make his move on Tony Blair, but decided to remain in the background. Will he do the same in deciding to shy away from an election?
However, there is a shadow chasing Brown. He was the most successful Chancellor in recent history, if not ever. But he is aware, perhaps more than anyone, that an economic boom cannot last for ever. Therefore pretty soon, we are going to be facing some tough economic times. Perhaps we are seeing the start of it with the demise of Northern Rock. So he will want to get an election out of the way before the real effect of that kicks in.
Also with Gordon Brown refusing to quell speculation that an election is imminent, it now seems impossible for him not to call one. David Cameron at the Tory Party conference, added to the voices calling for an early challenge to Brown's leadership. This is surely only false bravadoism by Cameron as he has next to no chance of winning. Then it will be bye-bye for him as party leader (could we see the return of William Hague?)
So if there is going to be one, when will it be? The popular thinking of everyone who is remotely interested in politics is that November the 8th is the most likely date of the poll.
But will Gordon Brown have the guts to call it? After all the hype that has been built up, I am now rather looking forward to the prospect, so he had better bl**dy call it!!
Tuesday, 4 September 2007
Fantasy Football League Table - Week 5
Here is the latest Our Scotland Fantasy Football league table. Why not come over and check it out?
| Name DanaBC SLG Reluctant Hero azzuri macnumpty Rinty Scott2006 | Played 5 5 5 5 5 4 1 | Average 6.6 6.2 4.8 4.6 4.2 4.5 2 | Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 | High 1 1 3 2 3 1 3 | 3pts 6 6 4 2 2 2 0 | 1pt 15 13 12 17 15 12 2 | Score 33 31 24 23 21 18 2 | Week Sc. 7 3 5 4 6 6 0 |
Saturday, 25 August 2007
Fantasy Football League Table Week 4
Here is the table for the fantasy football league at Our Scotland after week 4. Why not come over and try it out?
Name SLG DanaBC azzuri Reluctant Hero macnumpty Rinty Scott2006 | Pld 4 4 4 4 4 3 1 | Avg 7.00 6.50 4.75 4.75 3.75 4.00 2.00 | Pos 1 2 3 3 5 6 7 | High 1 1 2 3 3 1 3 | 3pts 6 5 2 3 1 1 0 | 1pts 10 11 13 10 12 9 2 | Score 28 26 19 19 15 12 2 | Week_Score 7 9 4 6 4 6 0 |
Friday, 24 August 2007
100 Not Out
Doesn’t 100 days just pass as quick as a flash?
Barely have we recovered from the excitement/trauma (delete as appropriate) of the election, than Alex Salmond is celebrating his 100th day in office.
Of course the SNP had set out what they were going to achieve in their first 100 days a way back in March. This amounted to 49 pledges ranging from scrapping tuition fees to a white paper on independence.
Not to be outdone, Labour also counted the number of pledges in the SNP document released at their spring conference and confounding critics who say arithmetic is getting better, they came up with over 60 pledges. Of these 60 plus pledges, Labour claim only 20 have been delivered and 10 partly delivered.
Two things struck me about this.
Firstly, has Labour not learned anything from the election? Negative politics doesn’t work anymore. They should concentrate on what they would do, how they would do things different and not take cheap shots at their opposition parties. That is how the SNP won the election.
The second thing is that no-one expects a party to implement the majority of policies they laid out before the election, within the first 100 days, no matter what the party says. The important thing is to see if the party is committed to delivering the majority of their policies within the four years period or if they were just electioneering.
From where I am sitting, it would appear that the SNP are committed to delivering the majority of the election promises. Throw in the way Salmond handled the recent foot and mouth crisis and the first suicide attack on Scotland, then I have been satisfied that the Scottish electorate indirectly chose the best candidate to be First Minister.
The Labour party did actually comment on the SNP’s plans for their first 100 days in office back in March. Then First Minister, Jack McConnell, said the SNP were planning chaos and turmoil. Well they can’t have it both ways. They complain that the SNP’s plans would be disastrous, then they complain that they haven’t delivered them!
Labour should concentrate less on the SNP and more on themselves. They need to change. Is Wendy Alexander the person to deliver this change? Or is the Labour Party destined to become the Tory Party Mk II. A party that thinks it has a divine right to be in power but faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Time will tell !
Barely have we recovered from the excitement/trauma (delete as appropriate) of the election, than Alex Salmond is celebrating his 100th day in office.
Of course the SNP had set out what they were going to achieve in their first 100 days a way back in March. This amounted to 49 pledges ranging from scrapping tuition fees to a white paper on independence.
Not to be outdone, Labour also counted the number of pledges in the SNP document released at their spring conference and confounding critics who say arithmetic is getting better, they came up with over 60 pledges. Of these 60 plus pledges, Labour claim only 20 have been delivered and 10 partly delivered.
Two things struck me about this.
Firstly, has Labour not learned anything from the election? Negative politics doesn’t work anymore. They should concentrate on what they would do, how they would do things different and not take cheap shots at their opposition parties. That is how the SNP won the election.
The second thing is that no-one expects a party to implement the majority of policies they laid out before the election, within the first 100 days, no matter what the party says. The important thing is to see if the party is committed to delivering the majority of their policies within the four years period or if they were just electioneering.
From where I am sitting, it would appear that the SNP are committed to delivering the majority of the election promises. Throw in the way Salmond handled the recent foot and mouth crisis and the first suicide attack on Scotland, then I have been satisfied that the Scottish electorate indirectly chose the best candidate to be First Minister.
The Labour party did actually comment on the SNP’s plans for their first 100 days in office back in March. Then First Minister, Jack McConnell, said the SNP were planning chaos and turmoil. Well they can’t have it both ways. They complain that the SNP’s plans would be disastrous, then they complain that they haven’t delivered them!
Labour should concentrate less on the SNP and more on themselves. They need to change. Is Wendy Alexander the person to deliver this change? Or is the Labour Party destined to become the Tory Party Mk II. A party that thinks it has a divine right to be in power but faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Time will tell !
Sunday, 19 August 2007
Our Scotland Fantasy Football League Table - Week 3
Here is the table for the fantasy football league at Our Scotland after week 3. Why not come over and try it out?
Name SLG DanaBC azzuri Reluctant Hero macnumpty Rinty Scott2006 |
| Avg 7.00 5.67 5.00 4.33 3.67 3.00 2.00 |
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Friday, 10 August 2007
Poll Axed
Poll Axed
The latest opinion poll for the Daily Mail was published today and it could not have been better news for the SNP. Support for the party has reached an unprecedented 48% with Labour lagging way behind on 32%. The Lib Dems and Tories are not even in the picture with 8% each.
Labour is still in limbo until they get rid of McConnell and elect a new leader. Who is that leader going to be? Well, the hot favourite in the press is Wendy Alexander. Would this be a step forward for Labour or a step back? Well only time will tell, but what I am interested in at this stage is whether there is going to be an actual leadership contest or will it be yet another coronation?
The Lib Dems must be severely regretting the fact that they did not enter the coalition discussions. For if they had, they may have benefited from this upsurge in support for the SNP and who knows, may even be challenging Labour for second place.
Those are the decisions you live and die by. I just wonder how long Nicol Stephen will remain in his post?
Alex Salmond seems to be making all the right decisions at the moment. Demanding a Scottish Six, visiting flooded areas of Scotland, hosting a function for people responding to the attempted suicide attack on Glasgow Airport, overturning A&E closure decisions and much more.
Even when the SNP were defeated over its transport policy and were forced to support the Edinburgh tram plans, they managed to turn this into a victory of sorts, capping the expenditure budget at £600m.
There are no doubt going to be numerous other challenging moments over the next 3.75 years the SNP have left in government, not least the potential impending recession. However, if Salmond continues in the same manner as he has over the last three months or so, then he will have nothing to fear from Alexander or whoever Labour elect as their next leader.
Over at Our Scotland, there are numerous political and other topics up for debate. Not only that there is a chance to play Fantasy Football, predicting the scores of the SPL every week. We have teamed up with two other messageboards to have an inter-forum league. Why not check it out?
The latest opinion poll for the Daily Mail was published today and it could not have been better news for the SNP. Support for the party has reached an unprecedented 48% with Labour lagging way behind on 32%. The Lib Dems and Tories are not even in the picture with 8% each.
Labour is still in limbo until they get rid of McConnell and elect a new leader. Who is that leader going to be? Well, the hot favourite in the press is Wendy Alexander. Would this be a step forward for Labour or a step back? Well only time will tell, but what I am interested in at this stage is whether there is going to be an actual leadership contest or will it be yet another coronation?
The Lib Dems must be severely regretting the fact that they did not enter the coalition discussions. For if they had, they may have benefited from this upsurge in support for the SNP and who knows, may even be challenging Labour for second place.
Those are the decisions you live and die by. I just wonder how long Nicol Stephen will remain in his post?
Alex Salmond seems to be making all the right decisions at the moment. Demanding a Scottish Six, visiting flooded areas of Scotland, hosting a function for people responding to the attempted suicide attack on Glasgow Airport, overturning A&E closure decisions and much more.
Even when the SNP were defeated over its transport policy and were forced to support the Edinburgh tram plans, they managed to turn this into a victory of sorts, capping the expenditure budget at £600m.
There are no doubt going to be numerous other challenging moments over the next 3.75 years the SNP have left in government, not least the potential impending recession. However, if Salmond continues in the same manner as he has over the last three months or so, then he will have nothing to fear from Alexander or whoever Labour elect as their next leader.
Over at Our Scotland, there are numerous political and other topics up for debate. Not only that there is a chance to play Fantasy Football, predicting the scores of the SPL every week. We have teamed up with two other messageboards to have an inter-forum league. Why not check it out?
Friday, 6 July 2007
You've Got Mail
I got a letter from Nicola Sturgeon yesterday. Now of course, it wasn’t a personal letter. It wasn’t addressed just to me. It was addressed to every single staff member of the NHS in Scotland. From cleaner to consultant, the letter thanked us for efforts, particularly over the last week or so.
Now this is hardly anything worthy of the BBC running a special news bulletin on, but I think it is extremely significant. It shows, in my opinion, the massive difference between the SNP in government and the Labour Party in government.
But this is just the tip of the iceberg. The whole way the SNP has conducted itself in government has been a revelation. Scotland now has a government that is looking out for the interests of Scotland and not just some two bit organisation that answers cap in hand to their masters in London.
Many political commentators who were opposed to the SNP have been taken aback by how well the SNP have adapted to government. Even Iain McWhirter the Sunday Herald political columnist, who spent the run up to the election hoping for a Labour victory wrote, "Perhaps if Donald Dewar had entered government with the same imagination and panache as Salmond, the story of devolution might have been very different."
And Alex Salmond has the perception of how to address issues that Jack McConnell could only dream of. The way he handled the terrorist attack on Glasgow Airport was first class.
Now, of course, it is only early days in a new administration. The honeymoon period some might say. The SNP have announced a raft of initiatives which they are looking to pursue. And the public seem to like it. The SNP have pushed ahead in the latest opinion poll ratings.
However, they shouldn’t get too complacent. Announcing initiatives is the easy bit. It is the subsequent pursuit and delivery of these objectives which will prove a rocky road. How the SNP negotiate this road will hold the key to the next election and very possibly Scottish independence
Now this is hardly anything worthy of the BBC running a special news bulletin on, but I think it is extremely significant. It shows, in my opinion, the massive difference between the SNP in government and the Labour Party in government.
But this is just the tip of the iceberg. The whole way the SNP has conducted itself in government has been a revelation. Scotland now has a government that is looking out for the interests of Scotland and not just some two bit organisation that answers cap in hand to their masters in London.
Many political commentators who were opposed to the SNP have been taken aback by how well the SNP have adapted to government. Even Iain McWhirter the Sunday Herald political columnist, who spent the run up to the election hoping for a Labour victory wrote, "Perhaps if Donald Dewar had entered government with the same imagination and panache as Salmond, the story of devolution might have been very different."
And Alex Salmond has the perception of how to address issues that Jack McConnell could only dream of. The way he handled the terrorist attack on Glasgow Airport was first class.
Now, of course, it is only early days in a new administration. The honeymoon period some might say. The SNP have announced a raft of initiatives which they are looking to pursue. And the public seem to like it. The SNP have pushed ahead in the latest opinion poll ratings.
However, they shouldn’t get too complacent. Announcing initiatives is the easy bit. It is the subsequent pursuit and delivery of these objectives which will prove a rocky road. How the SNP negotiate this road will hold the key to the next election and very possibly Scottish independence
Saturday, 30 June 2007
Au Revoir, Auf Wiedersehen, Arrivederci
This week Tony Blair left the office of Prime Minister for the last time and also resigned as an MP. He is now classified as one of the most "successful" Prime Minister’s in history. But what does successful mean? Is simply being able to win 3 elections enough to be classified as successful? What has he actually done for the country?
Probably one of the biggest changes in Scotland has been devolution. This has hopefully sent Scotland on the rocky path to independence. Ironically, Labour MPs thought devolution would kill independence stone dead.
However, that is about as good as it gets for the Blair administration. Embroiled in controversy after controversy, culminating in a disastrous war in Iraq. This week in Prime Minister’s Questions, Blair was in ebullient mood. Getting the serious bit out of the way first, acknowledging British forces fighting in wars, he then concentrated on treating the Commons as a stage for his act.
But the effect of the Iraq War, which Blair and his chum Bush instigated, cannot be that easily forgotten for some people. For instance, it is estimated that in the region of 70,000 civilians have been killed, as a result of military intervention in Iraq.
Regarding the military, Tony Blair had barely left number 10 Downing Street, when it was announced that another 3 British soldiers had been killed in Iraq. This brings the total to 156.
And what has it all been for? So Blair can look big in front of his old friend George? So George can secure oil supplies and multi-million re-generation contracts for American companies?
If the death of Scottish soldiers isn’t bad enough, today saw the potentially more serious way things are progressing with an attempted suicide attack on Glasgow airport.
So, good riddance Mr Blair. Good luck in your new job as Middle East envoy. With your history, you have about as much chance as bringing about Middle East peace as a scud missile.
Probably one of the biggest changes in Scotland has been devolution. This has hopefully sent Scotland on the rocky path to independence. Ironically, Labour MPs thought devolution would kill independence stone dead.
However, that is about as good as it gets for the Blair administration. Embroiled in controversy after controversy, culminating in a disastrous war in Iraq. This week in Prime Minister’s Questions, Blair was in ebullient mood. Getting the serious bit out of the way first, acknowledging British forces fighting in wars, he then concentrated on treating the Commons as a stage for his act.
But the effect of the Iraq War, which Blair and his chum Bush instigated, cannot be that easily forgotten for some people. For instance, it is estimated that in the region of 70,000 civilians have been killed, as a result of military intervention in Iraq.
Regarding the military, Tony Blair had barely left number 10 Downing Street, when it was announced that another 3 British soldiers had been killed in Iraq. This brings the total to 156.
And what has it all been for? So Blair can look big in front of his old friend George? So George can secure oil supplies and multi-million re-generation contracts for American companies?
If the death of Scottish soldiers isn’t bad enough, today saw the potentially more serious way things are progressing with an attempted suicide attack on Glasgow airport.
So, good riddance Mr Blair. Good luck in your new job as Middle East envoy. With your history, you have about as much chance as bringing about Middle East peace as a scud missile.
Thursday, 21 June 2007
I'm back!!
I am back after my brief blog hiatus.
Don’t know about the rest of you, but the lead up to the election and the election itself just zapped all my energy and it has taken until now to recover.
The SNP has wasted no time in setting about government and have announced a series of voter pleasing policies. Re-instatement of A&Es, scrapping of graduate endowments and cutting of class sizes have all been announced in the last month. Who said government was hard?
A hard choice that will no doubt be coming down the track faster than another reality TV show is who is going to be the next Labour leader. Jack McConnell is making all the right noises, “I like opposition,” etc etc, but the writing is surely on the wall for him. Who will be voted in to try to halt the SNP juggernaut? Wendy Alexander? Andy Kerr? John Reid?
One position that has definitely been filled is that of Prime Minister. As Teflon Bliar prepares to hand the baton over to Gordon Brown, will anything actually change? Will Brown continue to bribe Scots as Bliar admitted to only last week? He said that giving Scots a higher percentage of funding via the Barnett Formula is a small price to pay to keep us in the Union.
But is the Union not in terminal decline anyway? Now that we have different parties controlling Holyrood and Westminster, we are now seeing the different directions the two parliaments are taking. Scrapping endowment fees for Scottish students, reducing class sizes, rolling out cervical cancer immunisations. It is all taking its toll and the English BBC are doing their best to draw it to the attention of people down south.
One thing they would be better focussing their attention on is the shocking statistic that 10% of Scottish kids live in “severe poverty”. Now, while severe poverty doesn’t mean the same as it did a couple of generations ago, it is all relative. I’ll be interested in seeing what the SNP’s plans are for this after they have got all the easy decisions out of the way.
One man with big plans is Gordon Smith, the newly appointed SFA Chief Executive. In recent interviews he has, amongst other things, talked about tackling cheating and potentially lifting the alcohol ban on Scottish football grounds. Justice Minister, Kenny MacAskill, announced that the alcohol ban would be lifted at Murrayfield for rugby internationals and Smith hinted at the same for Scottish domestic football games. Sounds good to me. I could have down with at least 10 pints down me watching Ross County last season.
Join in the debate on Scottish life and politics at Our Scotland.
Don’t know about the rest of you, but the lead up to the election and the election itself just zapped all my energy and it has taken until now to recover.
The SNP has wasted no time in setting about government and have announced a series of voter pleasing policies. Re-instatement of A&Es, scrapping of graduate endowments and cutting of class sizes have all been announced in the last month. Who said government was hard?
A hard choice that will no doubt be coming down the track faster than another reality TV show is who is going to be the next Labour leader. Jack McConnell is making all the right noises, “I like opposition,” etc etc, but the writing is surely on the wall for him. Who will be voted in to try to halt the SNP juggernaut? Wendy Alexander? Andy Kerr? John Reid?
One position that has definitely been filled is that of Prime Minister. As Teflon Bliar prepares to hand the baton over to Gordon Brown, will anything actually change? Will Brown continue to bribe Scots as Bliar admitted to only last week? He said that giving Scots a higher percentage of funding via the Barnett Formula is a small price to pay to keep us in the Union.
But is the Union not in terminal decline anyway? Now that we have different parties controlling Holyrood and Westminster, we are now seeing the different directions the two parliaments are taking. Scrapping endowment fees for Scottish students, reducing class sizes, rolling out cervical cancer immunisations. It is all taking its toll and the English BBC are doing their best to draw it to the attention of people down south.
One thing they would be better focussing their attention on is the shocking statistic that 10% of Scottish kids live in “severe poverty”. Now, while severe poverty doesn’t mean the same as it did a couple of generations ago, it is all relative. I’ll be interested in seeing what the SNP’s plans are for this after they have got all the easy decisions out of the way.
One man with big plans is Gordon Smith, the newly appointed SFA Chief Executive. In recent interviews he has, amongst other things, talked about tackling cheating and potentially lifting the alcohol ban on Scottish football grounds. Justice Minister, Kenny MacAskill, announced that the alcohol ban would be lifted at Murrayfield for rugby internationals and Smith hinted at the same for Scottish domestic football games. Sounds good to me. I could have down with at least 10 pints down me watching Ross County last season.
Join in the debate on Scottish life and politics at Our Scotland.
Saturday, 19 May 2007
Rollercoaster
Phew!!
What a last couple of weeks it has been in Scottish Politics.
Firstly we probably had the biggest rollercoaster ride in the world. i.e. The Scottish Elections. Lack of postal ballots, breaking down machines, suspended counts, sellotape and a man swinging a golf club. It was certainly memorable.
Not to mention a pretty pathetic turnout, two elections, using three different ways to allocate seats and of the ones that did turn up to vote, a significant number couldn't make head nor tail of what they were expected to do.
Once some results did finally start to come in, there was no way to predict a winner until the very last seat was read out. Just as a result came in that you thought, "right that's it, it is bound to go their way now," along would come another result which would fly in the face of the previous one.
At the end of it all, we had a change of government, which I think the majority of Scotland wanted to see. Although, was it going to be a coalition or minority government? The Lib Dems intransigence made sure that there was going to be no coalition despite the Greens appealing to their better nature.
Salmond has already got down to business and has elected his front bench, slashing the number of departments that the previous administration had left. This is supposed to be a slicker government to work towards making Scotland "Healthier, Wealthier, Safer and Better Educated." Certainly Salmond is going about his business with the confidence expected of a national leader, which I think was slightly lacking form the previous incumbent.
At the UEFA Cup Final which was held in Glasgow on Wednesday, Salmond was rubbing shoulders with UEFA president Michael Platini. Barely 24 hours later, Salmond was staking Scotland's bid to host the European Championships in 2016.
He has also highlighted the fact that Scottish companies have to pay substantially more money to get their electricity onto the national grid than their London counterparts.
Although these two things don't amount to very much in themselves, I think it points to the direction Salmond is taking Scotland. Standing up for its interests and not just lying down and accepting normal practice.
More of the same Alex.
What a last couple of weeks it has been in Scottish Politics.
Firstly we probably had the biggest rollercoaster ride in the world. i.e. The Scottish Elections. Lack of postal ballots, breaking down machines, suspended counts, sellotape and a man swinging a golf club. It was certainly memorable.
Not to mention a pretty pathetic turnout, two elections, using three different ways to allocate seats and of the ones that did turn up to vote, a significant number couldn't make head nor tail of what they were expected to do.
Once some results did finally start to come in, there was no way to predict a winner until the very last seat was read out. Just as a result came in that you thought, "right that's it, it is bound to go their way now," along would come another result which would fly in the face of the previous one.
At the end of it all, we had a change of government, which I think the majority of Scotland wanted to see. Although, was it going to be a coalition or minority government? The Lib Dems intransigence made sure that there was going to be no coalition despite the Greens appealing to their better nature.
Salmond has already got down to business and has elected his front bench, slashing the number of departments that the previous administration had left. This is supposed to be a slicker government to work towards making Scotland "Healthier, Wealthier, Safer and Better Educated." Certainly Salmond is going about his business with the confidence expected of a national leader, which I think was slightly lacking form the previous incumbent.
At the UEFA Cup Final which was held in Glasgow on Wednesday, Salmond was rubbing shoulders with UEFA president Michael Platini. Barely 24 hours later, Salmond was staking Scotland's bid to host the European Championships in 2016.
He has also highlighted the fact that Scottish companies have to pay substantially more money to get their electricity onto the national grid than their London counterparts.
Although these two things don't amount to very much in themselves, I think it points to the direction Salmond is taking Scotland. Standing up for its interests and not just lying down and accepting normal practice.
More of the same Alex.
Thursday, 17 May 2007
What's the price?
Cost of Scottish parliament fit for the 21st century - £414,000,000
Cost of Trident nuclear system capable of human annihilation - £26,000,000,000
Getting rid of Jack McConnell and Tony Blair - Priceless
Cost of Trident nuclear system capable of human annihilation - £26,000,000,000
Getting rid of Jack McConnell and Tony Blair - Priceless
Friday, 4 May 2007
Election 2007 – SNP Victorious
As a famous song once went, "Oh, what a night!"
We had it all. Excitement, drama, controversy, heated exchanges. And that was just in the BBC studio!
There are two big stories emerging from Election Night.
Firstly there is the disaster relating to the issue of votes and how these votes have been counted ( or not counted ).
Secondly, we had an historic result as the SNP emerged as the biggest single party in Holyrood.
First things first though. Let’s look at the issue of the actual vote and all the issues emerging from it.
Postal Votes
It is simply unforgivable that people who have registered to get a postal vote are left wondering where it is when election day arrives. Everyone who is entitled to vote, should have the opportunity to vote and this opportunity has simply been taken away by incompetence somewhere along the line.
Counting System
Last month, I raised concerns about the electronic voting system. At that point I was more concerned about the integrity of the vote and could never imagine the total fiasco that was played out last night in regard to the counting system. Count after count was suspended as the computer software involved failed to function properly. Apparently it was due to the volume of votes!! Well heaven help us if the turnout had been around 80%.
STV/Council Elections and all that
People have got to decide what they want. Do they want council elections turnout to be 20 odd percent? If so let’s have it on a separate day. Do they want proportional representation where every vote counts, or do they want first past the post?
Somewhere along the line people have got to take responsibility for themselves. Despite numerous advertisements in the press and media, despite clear instructions on the ballot paper, despite Labour guys handing out "sample" voting papers, there was still something like 10% of the ballot papers not counted because they were filled in wrong.
What happened to the sophisticated Scottish electorate? Did it let its brother or sister, who are 99 pence short of a pound, vote for them by proxy?
Result
But onto the result and what a result!
For the first time in over 50 years, the Labour Party are no longer the largest party in Scotland. Given the negative campaign the media have bombarded the SNP with and considering how many seats they were behind after the last election, this result is nothing short of sensational.
Alex Salmond should be smiling like the proverbial Cheshire cat, given this result and in his own constituency of Gordon where he came from third place in the previous election to take it. But Salmond is too shrewd for that. He knows there are still a lot of politics to go under the bridge before he is rightly installed as First Minister of Scotland.
The result also saw the bigger parties re-establish themselves and saw the virtual disappearance of the smaller parties. Both the SSP and Solidarity paid the price for their bitter fall out and didn’t gain a seat. The parliament has possibly lost its greatest speaker in Tommy Sheridan. Global warming has taken its toll on the Green vote as this has been cut back to 2 MSPs.
But this election has belonged to one party and one party only. They have constantly been one step ahead of the rest throughout the campaign.
Step forward the SNP.
We had it all. Excitement, drama, controversy, heated exchanges. And that was just in the BBC studio!
There are two big stories emerging from Election Night.
Firstly there is the disaster relating to the issue of votes and how these votes have been counted ( or not counted ).
Secondly, we had an historic result as the SNP emerged as the biggest single party in Holyrood.
First things first though. Let’s look at the issue of the actual vote and all the issues emerging from it.
Postal Votes
It is simply unforgivable that people who have registered to get a postal vote are left wondering where it is when election day arrives. Everyone who is entitled to vote, should have the opportunity to vote and this opportunity has simply been taken away by incompetence somewhere along the line.
Counting System
Last month, I raised concerns about the electronic voting system. At that point I was more concerned about the integrity of the vote and could never imagine the total fiasco that was played out last night in regard to the counting system. Count after count was suspended as the computer software involved failed to function properly. Apparently it was due to the volume of votes!! Well heaven help us if the turnout had been around 80%.
STV/Council Elections and all that
People have got to decide what they want. Do they want council elections turnout to be 20 odd percent? If so let’s have it on a separate day. Do they want proportional representation where every vote counts, or do they want first past the post?
Somewhere along the line people have got to take responsibility for themselves. Despite numerous advertisements in the press and media, despite clear instructions on the ballot paper, despite Labour guys handing out "sample" voting papers, there was still something like 10% of the ballot papers not counted because they were filled in wrong.
What happened to the sophisticated Scottish electorate? Did it let its brother or sister, who are 99 pence short of a pound, vote for them by proxy?
Result
But onto the result and what a result!
For the first time in over 50 years, the Labour Party are no longer the largest party in Scotland. Given the negative campaign the media have bombarded the SNP with and considering how many seats they were behind after the last election, this result is nothing short of sensational.
Alex Salmond should be smiling like the proverbial Cheshire cat, given this result and in his own constituency of Gordon where he came from third place in the previous election to take it. But Salmond is too shrewd for that. He knows there are still a lot of politics to go under the bridge before he is rightly installed as First Minister of Scotland.
The result also saw the bigger parties re-establish themselves and saw the virtual disappearance of the smaller parties. Both the SSP and Solidarity paid the price for their bitter fall out and didn’t gain a seat. The parliament has possibly lost its greatest speaker in Tommy Sheridan. Global warming has taken its toll on the Green vote as this has been cut back to 2 MSPs.
But this election has belonged to one party and one party only. They have constantly been one step ahead of the rest throughout the campaign.
Step forward the SNP.
Friday, 27 April 2007
The Time Has Come
This is it! This is it!
After what seems like weeks of campaigning, we have entered the final phase of the election campaign and at this stage no one is quite sure which way it is going to go. The latest opinion poll shows the SNP 9% ahead. Can they follow through and make this lead count when it comes to polling day? Will we see Alex Salmond unveiled as the new First Minister?
You can be sure on one thing, the unionist press will be pulling all kind of tricks in the last week in order to swing the vote back to the Unionist parties. But is the public sick of hearing of Labour’s prophecies of doom? That is all we have heard throughout the election from Tony and his cronies.
While the other parties, like the SNP, have outlined their vision for the future of Scotland, all Labour has done is wheel out Tony Blair and Gordon Brown and then constantly berate the SNP policies. Why are they not talking about their own policies?
Labour has been constantly one step behind in this campaign. Releasing their list of supporters of the Union a couple of days after the SNP released their list of businessmen and women who support independence. Also making swift changes to their plans (or lack of plans) on the council tax after the SNP amongst others said that they would scrap it.
Could this be the start of the end of Labour’s stranglehold on Scotland? Are we seeing the entrance of a new political order?
One thing is for sure, this week is going to be the busiest week ever at Our Scotland. Have your say on what you think the outcome is going to be in our predictions thread and join us on Thursday night as we discuss the events as they unfold and what implications it has for the election result and indeed Scotland’s short term future.
After what seems like weeks of campaigning, we have entered the final phase of the election campaign and at this stage no one is quite sure which way it is going to go. The latest opinion poll shows the SNP 9% ahead. Can they follow through and make this lead count when it comes to polling day? Will we see Alex Salmond unveiled as the new First Minister?
You can be sure on one thing, the unionist press will be pulling all kind of tricks in the last week in order to swing the vote back to the Unionist parties. But is the public sick of hearing of Labour’s prophecies of doom? That is all we have heard throughout the election from Tony and his cronies.
While the other parties, like the SNP, have outlined their vision for the future of Scotland, all Labour has done is wheel out Tony Blair and Gordon Brown and then constantly berate the SNP policies. Why are they not talking about their own policies?
Labour has been constantly one step behind in this campaign. Releasing their list of supporters of the Union a couple of days after the SNP released their list of businessmen and women who support independence. Also making swift changes to their plans (or lack of plans) on the council tax after the SNP amongst others said that they would scrap it.
Could this be the start of the end of Labour’s stranglehold on Scotland? Are we seeing the entrance of a new political order?
One thing is for sure, this week is going to be the busiest week ever at Our Scotland. Have your say on what you think the outcome is going to be in our predictions thread and join us on Thursday night as we discuss the events as they unfold and what implications it has for the election result and indeed Scotland’s short term future.
Monday, 23 April 2007
Can you count on it?
With this year’s election looking like it is going to go down to the wire, every vote will be absolutely crucial in determining not just which MSPs get elected, but also who will be installed as First Minister and depending on how many seats his/her party win, the bargaining power it would hold over potential coalition partners.
With this in mind it would be reasonable to expect that the system for counting these votes would be thoroughly tested and a certain amount of confidence could be placed in it.
In the past, manual hand counting was the tried and tested way of counting votes. Whilst in no way was this 100% accurate, there was a sufficient level of accuracy to provide a fair result. Very close results were automatically recounted in any case.
In June 2006, the Secretary for State and the Scottish Secretary announced that the 2007 Scottish Parliament and council elections would be counted electronically. This is to be the UK’s biggest test yet of the electronic vote counting system. The change was mainly to do with the fact that the council elections will be decided by STV proportional representation and this electronic counting system would be easier to use.
Fair enough. But safeguards have to be in place to ensure the integrity of the vote. For instance, in California, 1% of the vote has to be hand counted as well as machine counted to ensure that the machines are counting properly.
Does the Scottish elections have a similar check in place? No.
Two US experts on the accuracy of electronic counting systems have said that the Scottish system lacks enough independent safeguards.
However, deputy Scottish Secretary, David Cairns said, "People should have the confidence to know that if things do go catastrophically wrong, we will still have the bits of paper and could do a manual recount if needed."
I think Mr Cairns is spectacularly missing the point. In this election things don’t need to go "catastrophically" wrong to change the outcome. It is too close for that.
If that wasn’t enough to test the confidence of the most optimistic person, then along comes more bad news in the form of postal votes.
With the police being alerted to election fraud, the Scotsman reported that, "The Holyrood election has been left wide open to fraud on a potentially massive scale after ministers scrapped checks designed to prevent abuse of postal votes."
And why did ministers scrap checks designed to prevent abuse of postal votes? You guessed it! Because of the new electronic counting system. It was feared that too many innovations might overwhelm the system!
It’ll be interesting to see what happens….
With this in mind it would be reasonable to expect that the system for counting these votes would be thoroughly tested and a certain amount of confidence could be placed in it.
In the past, manual hand counting was the tried and tested way of counting votes. Whilst in no way was this 100% accurate, there was a sufficient level of accuracy to provide a fair result. Very close results were automatically recounted in any case.
In June 2006, the Secretary for State and the Scottish Secretary announced that the 2007 Scottish Parliament and council elections would be counted electronically. This is to be the UK’s biggest test yet of the electronic vote counting system. The change was mainly to do with the fact that the council elections will be decided by STV proportional representation and this electronic counting system would be easier to use.
Fair enough. But safeguards have to be in place to ensure the integrity of the vote. For instance, in California, 1% of the vote has to be hand counted as well as machine counted to ensure that the machines are counting properly.
Does the Scottish elections have a similar check in place? No.
Two US experts on the accuracy of electronic counting systems have said that the Scottish system lacks enough independent safeguards.
However, deputy Scottish Secretary, David Cairns said, "People should have the confidence to know that if things do go catastrophically wrong, we will still have the bits of paper and could do a manual recount if needed."
I think Mr Cairns is spectacularly missing the point. In this election things don’t need to go "catastrophically" wrong to change the outcome. It is too close for that.
If that wasn’t enough to test the confidence of the most optimistic person, then along comes more bad news in the form of postal votes.
With the police being alerted to election fraud, the Scotsman reported that, "The Holyrood election has been left wide open to fraud on a potentially massive scale after ministers scrapped checks designed to prevent abuse of postal votes."
And why did ministers scrap checks designed to prevent abuse of postal votes? You guessed it! Because of the new electronic counting system. It was feared that too many innovations might overwhelm the system!
It’ll be interesting to see what happens….
Sunday, 22 April 2007
Uncharted Territory
If election time wasn’t exciting enough, this election has the potential to be the most hotly contested election in recent memory. For the first time ever, the SNP are leading the opinion polls with less than two weeks until the election.
The Sunday Times published a poll today, 22nd April, showing the SNP a commanding 7% clear of Labour in both the constituency vote and the regional vote. The paper claims that Labour need, "a seismic turnaround in its fortunes to avoid defeat."
Campaigning on the basis of no extra powers for Holyrood, whilst 83% of Scottish people are opposed to the status quo, seems like a spectacular own goal on the part of the Labour Party. This is compounded by parading Gordon Brown and Tony Blair around promoting Labour’s agenda. Who still thinks those two are electoral assets?
Tony Blair said recently that this election shouldn’t be about giving him a good kicking. That he would be gone soon. Well sorry to shatter your over inflated ego Mr Blair, but this election is not about you. It is more important than just being about you. The short term and possibly long term future direction of Scotland will be decided on May the third.
Will the decision be legitimate though, or is there a risk of the result being manufactured? Questions continue to remain unanswered about both the electronic counting system that is to be used on the night and the authenticity of postal votes. With the Herald reporting today that 20,000 voters in the Helensburgh area were issued with polling cards for West Dunbartonshire instead of Argyll and Bute, it hardly inspires confidence.
Some people that usually have their finger on the pulse are the bookies and they have installed the SNP as favourites to come out of the election with the most seats. If that were to happen, what would happen next? Would the Lib Dems drop their resistance to an independence referendum? Would the SNP drop their commitment to a referendum? Or would the SNP go it alone with a minority government?
So many questions that everyone has an opinion on. State yours at Our Scotland.
The Sunday Times published a poll today, 22nd April, showing the SNP a commanding 7% clear of Labour in both the constituency vote and the regional vote. The paper claims that Labour need, "a seismic turnaround in its fortunes to avoid defeat."
Campaigning on the basis of no extra powers for Holyrood, whilst 83% of Scottish people are opposed to the status quo, seems like a spectacular own goal on the part of the Labour Party. This is compounded by parading Gordon Brown and Tony Blair around promoting Labour’s agenda. Who still thinks those two are electoral assets?
Tony Blair said recently that this election shouldn’t be about giving him a good kicking. That he would be gone soon. Well sorry to shatter your over inflated ego Mr Blair, but this election is not about you. It is more important than just being about you. The short term and possibly long term future direction of Scotland will be decided on May the third.
Will the decision be legitimate though, or is there a risk of the result being manufactured? Questions continue to remain unanswered about both the electronic counting system that is to be used on the night and the authenticity of postal votes. With the Herald reporting today that 20,000 voters in the Helensburgh area were issued with polling cards for West Dunbartonshire instead of Argyll and Bute, it hardly inspires confidence.
Some people that usually have their finger on the pulse are the bookies and they have installed the SNP as favourites to come out of the election with the most seats. If that were to happen, what would happen next? Would the Lib Dems drop their resistance to an independence referendum? Would the SNP drop their commitment to a referendum? Or would the SNP go it alone with a minority government?
So many questions that everyone has an opinion on. State yours at Our Scotland.
Friday, 13 April 2007
Shifting Gear
With the election now less than three weeks away, there has been no shortage of talking points at Our Scotland.
This week the election battle moved up a gear as all of the big parties have now released their manifestos and the campaign has begun in earnest. At the forefront of the SNP manifesto is Scottish independence, closely followed by a proposal to abolish the inherently unfair council tax and replace it with a local income tax.
The Lib-Dems are proposing a similar tax scheme to replace the council tax, however they vehemently oppose being coalition partners with anyone who is proposing Scottish independence.
The Labour Party meanwhile have focussed their attention, after 8 years in power, onto education and because the other parties are shouting so loudly about it, they felt it necessary to tweak the Council Tax system adding a few extra bands in.
The Tories, well let’s face it, are the Tories still relevant in Scotland? Not according to think-tanks at Tory HQ, who have floated the idea of a divorce of the Scottish and UK Tory Party. Would this give the Scottish Tories a new lease of life, no longer associated with the events in the 80’s and 90’s?
Another divorce that has been hotly discussed at Our Scotland this week is the potential break-up of the BBC if Scotland were to be granted independence. How would it work and is it really the best broadcaster in the world?
At least Scottish Labour is the best in the world at something. They are the best in the world at clutching fictitious figures from the air and using them to berate their opposition policies. Is the Scottish public listening anymore and if they are do they believe them?
Belief – That is what this election is coming down to. Who do you believe the most? Do you believe that Scotland can smash the chains that have been holding us back for the last 300 years? Do you believe that Scotland can be a confident, healthy and prosperous country? Do you believe that Scotland can once again rise and be at the forefront of the developing world?
Or do you want another 4 years of Lib-Lab coalition?
One thing is for sure, you can have your say on all this and much more both before and after the election at Our Scotland.
This week the election battle moved up a gear as all of the big parties have now released their manifestos and the campaign has begun in earnest. At the forefront of the SNP manifesto is Scottish independence, closely followed by a proposal to abolish the inherently unfair council tax and replace it with a local income tax.
The Lib-Dems are proposing a similar tax scheme to replace the council tax, however they vehemently oppose being coalition partners with anyone who is proposing Scottish independence.
The Labour Party meanwhile have focussed their attention, after 8 years in power, onto education and because the other parties are shouting so loudly about it, they felt it necessary to tweak the Council Tax system adding a few extra bands in.
The Tories, well let’s face it, are the Tories still relevant in Scotland? Not according to think-tanks at Tory HQ, who have floated the idea of a divorce of the Scottish and UK Tory Party. Would this give the Scottish Tories a new lease of life, no longer associated with the events in the 80’s and 90’s?
Another divorce that has been hotly discussed at Our Scotland this week is the potential break-up of the BBC if Scotland were to be granted independence. How would it work and is it really the best broadcaster in the world?
At least Scottish Labour is the best in the world at something. They are the best in the world at clutching fictitious figures from the air and using them to berate their opposition policies. Is the Scottish public listening anymore and if they are do they believe them?
Belief – That is what this election is coming down to. Who do you believe the most? Do you believe that Scotland can smash the chains that have been holding us back for the last 300 years? Do you believe that Scotland can be a confident, healthy and prosperous country? Do you believe that Scotland can once again rise and be at the forefront of the developing world?
Or do you want another 4 years of Lib-Lab coalition?
One thing is for sure, you can have your say on all this and much more both before and after the election at Our Scotland.
Friday, 6 April 2007
Kick-off
If the first week of the election campaign is anything to go by, then the next three and a half weeks will be an absolute rollercoaster.
The week started with the leaders of the main political parties participating in a live televised debate. Annabel Goldie gave a confident performance and even joked about the unmentionable poll tax.
Jack McConnell struggled with the occasion whilst Nicol Stephen looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights of an oncoming artic lorry.
It was left to Alex Salmond to rise to the occasion and articulately command the stage.
It has emerged during the week that one command that might come from Tory HQ is that the Scottish Tory Party may be hived off and called something different. However nothing will be decided prior to the election.
One thing definitely decided according to Annabel Goldie is that the Scottish Tories will not form any part of any coalition that may be proposed after May 3rd. Maybe she is fearing a 1997 style wipeout!
Perpetual coalition partners, the Lib Dems, have also been in the news this week. Despite the planet collapsing around us, the Lib Dems have abandoned their green credentials in a dramatic U-turn on their road pricing policy.
Changing policies willy-nilly sniffs a bit of New Labour to me and the most senior members of New Labour were in Scotland this week. Dumb and Dumber were here to support Jack McConnell kick start his election campaign. With friends like these..........?!
A friend of independence is businessman Tom Farmer and he re-iterated Scotland's ability to go it alone in a Newsnight Scotland interview.
With virtually every media outlet supporting the bland, inertia of the current set-up, it is refreshing to see Newsnight Scotland at least trying to keep neutral. Unlike the Herald, who published a poll despite it being a week and a half late and the polling organisation not even being a member of the British Polling Council. The poll showed Labour in the lead despite ten polls already conducted this year showing the SNP leading. However in a bizarre anomaly, the same poll showed that the majority wanted Alex Salmond as First Minister!
Hold on folks, the ride has just begun!!
Discuss this and much more at Our Scotland
The week started with the leaders of the main political parties participating in a live televised debate. Annabel Goldie gave a confident performance and even joked about the unmentionable poll tax.
Jack McConnell struggled with the occasion whilst Nicol Stephen looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights of an oncoming artic lorry.
It was left to Alex Salmond to rise to the occasion and articulately command the stage.
It has emerged during the week that one command that might come from Tory HQ is that the Scottish Tory Party may be hived off and called something different. However nothing will be decided prior to the election.
One thing definitely decided according to Annabel Goldie is that the Scottish Tories will not form any part of any coalition that may be proposed after May 3rd. Maybe she is fearing a 1997 style wipeout!
Perpetual coalition partners, the Lib Dems, have also been in the news this week. Despite the planet collapsing around us, the Lib Dems have abandoned their green credentials in a dramatic U-turn on their road pricing policy.
Changing policies willy-nilly sniffs a bit of New Labour to me and the most senior members of New Labour were in Scotland this week. Dumb and Dumber were here to support Jack McConnell kick start his election campaign. With friends like these..........?!
A friend of independence is businessman Tom Farmer and he re-iterated Scotland's ability to go it alone in a Newsnight Scotland interview.
With virtually every media outlet supporting the bland, inertia of the current set-up, it is refreshing to see Newsnight Scotland at least trying to keep neutral. Unlike the Herald, who published a poll despite it being a week and a half late and the polling organisation not even being a member of the British Polling Council. The poll showed Labour in the lead despite ten polls already conducted this year showing the SNP leading. However in a bizarre anomaly, the same poll showed that the majority wanted Alex Salmond as First Minister!
Hold on folks, the ride has just begun!!
Discuss this and much more at Our Scotland
Tuesday, 3 April 2007
Labour's Campaign
What do you do if your election campaign is stalling before it has barely begun? That is the question that Jack McConnell must be asking himself as he continues to trail the SNP in poll after poll.
The last thing I would do would be to be associated with two of the most untrustworthy men in Britain.. Yet that has been Jack McConnell’s campaign strategy as he let Tony Blair and Gordon Brown do his talking today.
Voting for the SNP would , "inject uncertainty and instability," claimed Mr Blair. But Mr Blair has a history of making false statements to the world. Do you remember Iraq having weapons of mass destruction?
Gordon Brown claimed that independence would be a, "dangerous risk." Yes we all trust your judgement Mr Brown. Your decision to change pension tax rules 10 years ago has contributed £75 billion to the black hole in pension funds.
If this is the best Mr McConnell can come up with, Alex Salmond will be laughing all the way into Bute House.
Here’s hoping!
The last thing I would do would be to be associated with two of the most untrustworthy men in Britain.. Yet that has been Jack McConnell’s campaign strategy as he let Tony Blair and Gordon Brown do his talking today.
Voting for the SNP would , "inject uncertainty and instability," claimed Mr Blair. But Mr Blair has a history of making false statements to the world. Do you remember Iraq having weapons of mass destruction?
Gordon Brown claimed that independence would be a, "dangerous risk." Yes we all trust your judgement Mr Brown. Your decision to change pension tax rules 10 years ago has contributed £75 billion to the black hole in pension funds.
If this is the best Mr McConnell can come up with, Alex Salmond will be laughing all the way into Bute House.
Here’s hoping!
Friday, 30 March 2007
Poles Apart
POLES APART
There is one thing that the SNP and Labour are poles (or should that be polls!) apart on and that is Independence. Labour, despite all the evidence to the contrary, continue to berate Scotland’s chances of becoming an independent prosperous nation, whilst the SNP would openly embrace it.
So much so, that they have indicated precisely when they would go to the Scottish people to ask them if they share the same vision. That referendum is pencilled in for 2010 and even the exact wording of it has been agreed.
Just the small matter of gaining a sufficient number of seats in the elections in a little over a month’s time to overtake Labour and become the largest party. However, the way every opinion poll is looking, this may be the easy bit. The hard bit might be to persuade a coalition partner to come on board.
What will happen to Jack McConnell if Alex Salmond does become First Minister? If last week was anything to go by, I wouldn’t look to any of my colleagues for help if I were him. Ironically, in an event to show how well Westminster and Holyrood was working together, Patricia Hewitt, a senior Labour figure, continued to get his name wrong. McDonald? McConnell? Scotland?
Never mind Jack! We still trust you. Well that is according to Margaret Curran MSP who told the Newsnight Scotland presenter last night that of course the Scottish electorate still trusted Jack. Well I trust that you will show up to a debate being hosted by STV for party leaders on Sunday, Jack. No excuses now.
However, I probably won’t be seeing Jack at the Independence First march tomorrow, given his antiquated views on independence. However, I will be there at 12.30 to lend my voice for the campaign to have a say on our future. Another person due to be there and perform his song "Caledonia" is Dougie MacLean.
Hopefully it will be a good day and you can discuss this and a lot more at Our Scotland.
There is one thing that the SNP and Labour are poles (or should that be polls!) apart on and that is Independence. Labour, despite all the evidence to the contrary, continue to berate Scotland’s chances of becoming an independent prosperous nation, whilst the SNP would openly embrace it.
So much so, that they have indicated precisely when they would go to the Scottish people to ask them if they share the same vision. That referendum is pencilled in for 2010 and even the exact wording of it has been agreed.
Just the small matter of gaining a sufficient number of seats in the elections in a little over a month’s time to overtake Labour and become the largest party. However, the way every opinion poll is looking, this may be the easy bit. The hard bit might be to persuade a coalition partner to come on board.
What will happen to Jack McConnell if Alex Salmond does become First Minister? If last week was anything to go by, I wouldn’t look to any of my colleagues for help if I were him. Ironically, in an event to show how well Westminster and Holyrood was working together, Patricia Hewitt, a senior Labour figure, continued to get his name wrong. McDonald? McConnell? Scotland?
Never mind Jack! We still trust you. Well that is according to Margaret Curran MSP who told the Newsnight Scotland presenter last night that of course the Scottish electorate still trusted Jack. Well I trust that you will show up to a debate being hosted by STV for party leaders on Sunday, Jack. No excuses now.
However, I probably won’t be seeing Jack at the Independence First march tomorrow, given his antiquated views on independence. However, I will be there at 12.30 to lend my voice for the campaign to have a say on our future. Another person due to be there and perform his song "Caledonia" is Dougie MacLean.
Hopefully it will be a good day and you can discuss this and a lot more at Our Scotland.
Friday, 23 March 2007
The Choice Is Yours
What do the following events have in common?
Event 1 – Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, questions people’s intelligence when he says, "It is not as straight forward as people suggest. They sleep soundly in their beds at night because we have nuclear weapons."
Event 2 – Margaret Becket, Foreign Secretary, saying that it is a, "complete nonsense," in response to the internationally respected Hans Blix’s comments that other than the removal of Saddam, everything else in Iraq has been a disaster.
Event 3 – Tony Blair’s comments after Sir George Mathewson, former chairman of RBS, came out in support of independence. Blair said that Mathewson’s comments were, "self indulgent and absurd."
Event 4 – Gordon Brown trying to fool everyone with his 2p cut in the basic rate of income tax, yet because he scrapped the 10p lowest rate, there is effectively no difference.
What have all these events got in common? Yes that is right it is Labour’s latest attempt at pulling the wool over our eyes and completely losing its grip on reality.
For a start, the RBS is the fifth largest bank in the world. I think that a former chairman of such a bank would be pretty well qualified to talk on the financial merits of independence, yet Blair disregarded them out of hand.
Similarly, Hans Blix, the former Chief Weapons Inspector, has more than enough experience to know what he is talking about when it comes to international affairs, especially Iraq. Yet Margaret Beckett seems to think that hundreds of people getting killed each week is not a disaster.
Then we have Des Browne and Gordon Brown who have both in their own inimitable way tried to show that they are a cut above us mere mortals. Browne trying to suggest that Joe Public does not understand the intricacies of nuclear weapons whilst Brown tries to pass off a tax rise as a tax cut.
So what has this got to do with Scotland? Well for a start, the above mentioned Labour politicians are amongst the most powerful people in British politics, controlling the items that are not devolved to Scotland.
They are also the people pulling the strings of that political puppet, Jack McConnell, our very own First Minister.
Why do we still want to be represented by these political megalomaniacs?
Scotland has a choice in six weeks.
Make it count.
Event 1 – Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, questions people’s intelligence when he says, "It is not as straight forward as people suggest. They sleep soundly in their beds at night because we have nuclear weapons."
Event 2 – Margaret Becket, Foreign Secretary, saying that it is a, "complete nonsense," in response to the internationally respected Hans Blix’s comments that other than the removal of Saddam, everything else in Iraq has been a disaster.
Event 3 – Tony Blair’s comments after Sir George Mathewson, former chairman of RBS, came out in support of independence. Blair said that Mathewson’s comments were, "self indulgent and absurd."
Event 4 – Gordon Brown trying to fool everyone with his 2p cut in the basic rate of income tax, yet because he scrapped the 10p lowest rate, there is effectively no difference.
What have all these events got in common? Yes that is right it is Labour’s latest attempt at pulling the wool over our eyes and completely losing its grip on reality.
For a start, the RBS is the fifth largest bank in the world. I think that a former chairman of such a bank would be pretty well qualified to talk on the financial merits of independence, yet Blair disregarded them out of hand.
Similarly, Hans Blix, the former Chief Weapons Inspector, has more than enough experience to know what he is talking about when it comes to international affairs, especially Iraq. Yet Margaret Beckett seems to think that hundreds of people getting killed each week is not a disaster.
Then we have Des Browne and Gordon Brown who have both in their own inimitable way tried to show that they are a cut above us mere mortals. Browne trying to suggest that Joe Public does not understand the intricacies of nuclear weapons whilst Brown tries to pass off a tax rise as a tax cut.
So what has this got to do with Scotland? Well for a start, the above mentioned Labour politicians are amongst the most powerful people in British politics, controlling the items that are not devolved to Scotland.
They are also the people pulling the strings of that political puppet, Jack McConnell, our very own First Minister.
Why do we still want to be represented by these political megalomaniacs?
Scotland has a choice in six weeks.
Make it count.
Friday, 16 March 2007
Who is bankrupting who?
With less than seven weeks to go until polling day, the independence movement is riding on the crest of a wave.
But what is this?
Surfing up alongside is none other than Sir George Mathewson, the former Chairman of the Royal Bank of Scotland. He has added his credence to the independence debate by declaring that he sees, "no circumstance where independence would be a serious disadvantage." Now this guy knows what he is talking about having guided the Royal Bank of Scotland to become the fifth biggest bank in the world.
There are other prominent businessmen surfing alongside Independence, but a glance over the shoulder sees Tony Blair, dangerously close to a Trident submarine, surfing a board that is shaped like the United Kingdom with Scotland cut off the top. He is not doing very well as he and his UK surf board appear to be sinking.
"Help, help," splutters Tony, "we can’t manage without Scotland. We would end up broke without them," he says as he did in his speech in Edinburgh today.
How can that be possible though Independence asks? Your recent argument for Scotland not going alone was that Scotland was bankrolled by London. Was this just a myth all along? Now Scotland could bankrupt Britain if it went alone? How do you answer that Tony?
But it’s too late, because Trident, which the UK parliament voted to keep this week, despite the majority of Scottish MPs voting against it, has destroyed Tony.
Those pesky rogue states with nuclear weapons Independence utters as he surfs towards a safe and exciting independent future.
Discuss all this and much more at Our Scotland
But what is this?
Surfing up alongside is none other than Sir George Mathewson, the former Chairman of the Royal Bank of Scotland. He has added his credence to the independence debate by declaring that he sees, "no circumstance where independence would be a serious disadvantage." Now this guy knows what he is talking about having guided the Royal Bank of Scotland to become the fifth biggest bank in the world.
There are other prominent businessmen surfing alongside Independence, but a glance over the shoulder sees Tony Blair, dangerously close to a Trident submarine, surfing a board that is shaped like the United Kingdom with Scotland cut off the top. He is not doing very well as he and his UK surf board appear to be sinking.
"Help, help," splutters Tony, "we can’t manage without Scotland. We would end up broke without them," he says as he did in his speech in Edinburgh today.
How can that be possible though Independence asks? Your recent argument for Scotland not going alone was that Scotland was bankrolled by London. Was this just a myth all along? Now Scotland could bankrupt Britain if it went alone? How do you answer that Tony?
But it’s too late, because Trident, which the UK parliament voted to keep this week, despite the majority of Scottish MPs voting against it, has destroyed Tony.
Those pesky rogue states with nuclear weapons Independence utters as he surfs towards a safe and exciting independent future.
Discuss all this and much more at Our Scotland
Friday, 9 March 2007
History In The Making
It has been an historic week. The House of Commons voted in favour of electing members to the House of Lords, bringing about potentially a huge constitutional change.
However it may not be the constitutional change in the air as the SNP are still riding high in the polls. Is this partly due to our very own First Minister instructing everyone to vote for them. He is quoted as saying, "There isn't a safe vote for Nationalism. If you believe it, vote for it."
With such a glowing endorsement, Alex Salmond has been busy deciding how he is going to spend his time when he takes over as First Minister. As well as marching Scotland towards independence, he will retain his seat at Westminster, according to the Herald. Is this to ensure Scotland gets a good deal in both parliaments?
One party not getting a good deal at the moment is the Tories. In a memo published by a daily paper, despite it being eight months old, Shadow Scottish Secretary, David Mundell has criticised the lack of talent amongst Tory MSPs.
However, some people with plenty of talent are those at Independent First who are busy organising their second march, which is taking place on 31st March. If you believe in Scottish Independence make sure you are there. Will there be any media coverage? Let’s hope so.
But one thing is for sure, all this and much more will be covered at Our Scotland.
However it may not be the constitutional change in the air as the SNP are still riding high in the polls. Is this partly due to our very own First Minister instructing everyone to vote for them. He is quoted as saying, "There isn't a safe vote for Nationalism. If you believe it, vote for it."
With such a glowing endorsement, Alex Salmond has been busy deciding how he is going to spend his time when he takes over as First Minister. As well as marching Scotland towards independence, he will retain his seat at Westminster, according to the Herald. Is this to ensure Scotland gets a good deal in both parliaments?
One party not getting a good deal at the moment is the Tories. In a memo published by a daily paper, despite it being eight months old, Shadow Scottish Secretary, David Mundell has criticised the lack of talent amongst Tory MSPs.
However, some people with plenty of talent are those at Independent First who are busy organising their second march, which is taking place on 31st March. If you believe in Scottish Independence make sure you are there. Will there be any media coverage? Let’s hope so.
But one thing is for sure, all this and much more will be covered at Our Scotland.
Monday, 5 March 2007
Posted Missing
In the last month, lots of things have gone missing and at Our Scotland we have done our best to try and locate them.
For a start, in the recent BBC Question Time programme from Edinburgh, every major Scottish political party had their leader present on the forum except the Labour Party. Where was Jack McConnell? In the run up to the election, you would have thought that politicians would be only too glad of the air-time to express their views. Is this a shrewd political move by Mr McConnell, or is he scared of sharing the same platform as Alex Salmond?
Also gone missing was some common sense. With Jack McConnell unwilling to accept the Question Time invitation, Lord Foulkes took his place and used the platform to announce that the SNP were xenophobic. This was barely a few days after the Lib Dem MSP Jamie Stone had to make a public apology for a similar remark.
The Scottish Lib Dems also seems to be missing an internet link to their very own website. For in that website they claim to “champion freedom”, they believe in “fundamental values of liberty” and they want individuals to “take part in decisions which affect their lives”. Yet Nicol Stephen, their Scottish leader has said that they would block a referendum unless pro-independence parties gained a majority at Holyrood.
If it wasn’t lost already, Tony Blair’s credibility was also shot to pieces this month when he pleaded with Alex Salmond to stop calling him names and stop mentioning the Iraq war.
Finally the last thing to be posted missing is subtlety. With an election just two months away councils have announced an average council tax rise of just 1.9% which is below the rate of inflation. Are councils efficiently using our money, or is this just an enticement to give them our vote?
However, it is not all bad news as a few things have been found during the month. We found out that the final bill for the Scottish Parliament was $414 million. Was this money well spent? We also found out that MSP expenses have risen by twice the rate of inflation to £9.8 million. Are they value for money?
The next two months could potentially be the most important in recent history for Scotland. There is a strong wind getting behind the independence movement and this could potentially deliver significant gains come election time.
Discuss this and much more at Our Scotland.
For a start, in the recent BBC Question Time programme from Edinburgh, every major Scottish political party had their leader present on the forum except the Labour Party. Where was Jack McConnell? In the run up to the election, you would have thought that politicians would be only too glad of the air-time to express their views. Is this a shrewd political move by Mr McConnell, or is he scared of sharing the same platform as Alex Salmond?
Also gone missing was some common sense. With Jack McConnell unwilling to accept the Question Time invitation, Lord Foulkes took his place and used the platform to announce that the SNP were xenophobic. This was barely a few days after the Lib Dem MSP Jamie Stone had to make a public apology for a similar remark.
The Scottish Lib Dems also seems to be missing an internet link to their very own website. For in that website they claim to “champion freedom”, they believe in “fundamental values of liberty” and they want individuals to “take part in decisions which affect their lives”. Yet Nicol Stephen, their Scottish leader has said that they would block a referendum unless pro-independence parties gained a majority at Holyrood.
If it wasn’t lost already, Tony Blair’s credibility was also shot to pieces this month when he pleaded with Alex Salmond to stop calling him names and stop mentioning the Iraq war.
Finally the last thing to be posted missing is subtlety. With an election just two months away councils have announced an average council tax rise of just 1.9% which is below the rate of inflation. Are councils efficiently using our money, or is this just an enticement to give them our vote?
However, it is not all bad news as a few things have been found during the month. We found out that the final bill for the Scottish Parliament was $414 million. Was this money well spent? We also found out that MSP expenses have risen by twice the rate of inflation to £9.8 million. Are they value for money?
The next two months could potentially be the most important in recent history for Scotland. There is a strong wind getting behind the independence movement and this could potentially deliver significant gains come election time.
Discuss this and much more at Our Scotland.
Thursday, 1 March 2007
9.2 Billion Reasons For Change
Water. It is plain. It is simple. Yet it keeps life on this planet alive.
You would imagine that such a vital item to the very survival of human life would be free and readily available. However, just like every other basic human need such as shelter and clothing, water is just another commodity in this capitalist world in which we live.
This is the same capitalist world that openly embraces The Royal Bank of Scotland’s (oh sorry that should be RBS) announcement that they have made profits of £9.2 billion in one year.
Out of this £9.2 billion, £2.29 billion has been screwed out of the average man on the street.
How on earth can this be justified when Scotland as a nation has a third of children living under the poverty line?
How many hospitals would £9.2 billion be able to build? How many people would it take of Scotland’s streets? How many new schools or affordable housing would it build? It would even build 22.2 new Scottish Parliament buildings.
Not to be outdone, the Bank of Scotland (oops sorry I mentioned Scotland again, business types don’t like that word, HBOS) announced profits of £5.7 billion. However business analysts were "disappointed" with those figures. They expected HBOS to fleece more money out of us.
These two companies alone made £15 billion PROFIT this year alone. Now think of how many companies you deal with in the year. Now that is a lot of companies charging us a lot more for products than it actually costs. Where is all this profit going to? Whilst a very small amount may go to good causes, the vast majority goes to shareholders and big bosses, who will have more than enough money than they know what to do with already.
So why do we allow this to continue happening? Why do we blindly hand over our hard earned money and get very little in return?
Fairer wealth redistribution may not happen over night, but incremental steps can be taken to step towards this goal. For instance, changes to the council tax system, could bring about significant change for a lot of people.
With the Scottish elections now only 9 weeks away, perhaps it is time to vote for parties that are looking to change Scotland for the better, instead of voting for parties that will keep it as one of the most unhealthy, impoverished nations in Europe.
You would imagine that such a vital item to the very survival of human life would be free and readily available. However, just like every other basic human need such as shelter and clothing, water is just another commodity in this capitalist world in which we live.
This is the same capitalist world that openly embraces The Royal Bank of Scotland’s (oh sorry that should be RBS) announcement that they have made profits of £9.2 billion in one year.
Out of this £9.2 billion, £2.29 billion has been screwed out of the average man on the street.
How on earth can this be justified when Scotland as a nation has a third of children living under the poverty line?
How many hospitals would £9.2 billion be able to build? How many people would it take of Scotland’s streets? How many new schools or affordable housing would it build? It would even build 22.2 new Scottish Parliament buildings.
Not to be outdone, the Bank of Scotland (oops sorry I mentioned Scotland again, business types don’t like that word, HBOS) announced profits of £5.7 billion. However business analysts were "disappointed" with those figures. They expected HBOS to fleece more money out of us.
These two companies alone made £15 billion PROFIT this year alone. Now think of how many companies you deal with in the year. Now that is a lot of companies charging us a lot more for products than it actually costs. Where is all this profit going to? Whilst a very small amount may go to good causes, the vast majority goes to shareholders and big bosses, who will have more than enough money than they know what to do with already.
So why do we allow this to continue happening? Why do we blindly hand over our hard earned money and get very little in return?
Fairer wealth redistribution may not happen over night, but incremental steps can be taken to step towards this goal. For instance, changes to the council tax system, could bring about significant change for a lot of people.
With the Scottish elections now only 9 weeks away, perhaps it is time to vote for parties that are looking to change Scotland for the better, instead of voting for parties that will keep it as one of the most unhealthy, impoverished nations in Europe.
Friday, 23 February 2007
Stand Up And Be Counted
I was doing the crossword today when I came across this clue.
Ten-letter word used by the Unionists to try to discredit the Nationalist cause but is likely to backfire spectacularly. First letter X.
Two vivid images came to me.
Firstly, the Liberal Democrat MSP Jamie Stone. The Lib Dem leader, Nicol Stephen had barely finished delivering his party conference address saying that this should be a clean campaign free of name calling, when Mr Stone called the SNP xenophobic.
Incidentally, this is the same leader that in the Scot Lib Dems raison d’être states that he wants citizens to "contribute fully to their communities and to take part in the decisions which affect their lives," yet is dead set against letting the Scottish public have their say in a referendum on Scottish independence.
The second image that comes to me is that of former Scottish Office minister Lord George Foulkes. Barely had the dust settled after the first xenophobic comment when Lord Foulkes made a similar remark on the BBC’s Question Time programme.
Accusing the SNP of being xenophobic is taking the Unionist argument to the lowest level and Alex Salmond rose above it with this apt retort, "To argue for and seek independence for your country is something that people have done the world over. It is entirely legitimate and it is honourable. Some of the greatest figures in history have done it and we should not belittle that debate by throwing about names like xenophobic."
Coming so close to the election, the Question Time programme must have been an excellent opportunity to promote your party to the electorate. Alex Salmond leader of the SNP thought so as he was there. Also there was Annabel Goldie leader of the Scottish Conservative Party and Nicol Stephen leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrat Party. Where was the leader of the Scottish Labour Party, Jack McConnell though? After all, he was invited. Is he not interested in debating things that matter to Scotland ahead of the election?
Asked on BBC News what he made of Lord Foulkes remarks, Mr McConnell stated that he had, "not seen the programme." Come on Jack, do you really expect us to believe that? And if it is true, then how out of touch are you? Perhaps as much as your colleague currently residing in Number 10 Downing Street?
Well perhaps Jack McConnell might be suffering the same fate as Tony Blair this year.
Vacating office.
Ten-letter word used by the Unionists to try to discredit the Nationalist cause but is likely to backfire spectacularly. First letter X.
Two vivid images came to me.
Firstly, the Liberal Democrat MSP Jamie Stone. The Lib Dem leader, Nicol Stephen had barely finished delivering his party conference address saying that this should be a clean campaign free of name calling, when Mr Stone called the SNP xenophobic.
Incidentally, this is the same leader that in the Scot Lib Dems raison d’être states that he wants citizens to "contribute fully to their communities and to take part in the decisions which affect their lives," yet is dead set against letting the Scottish public have their say in a referendum on Scottish independence.
The second image that comes to me is that of former Scottish Office minister Lord George Foulkes. Barely had the dust settled after the first xenophobic comment when Lord Foulkes made a similar remark on the BBC’s Question Time programme.
Accusing the SNP of being xenophobic is taking the Unionist argument to the lowest level and Alex Salmond rose above it with this apt retort, "To argue for and seek independence for your country is something that people have done the world over. It is entirely legitimate and it is honourable. Some of the greatest figures in history have done it and we should not belittle that debate by throwing about names like xenophobic."
Coming so close to the election, the Question Time programme must have been an excellent opportunity to promote your party to the electorate. Alex Salmond leader of the SNP thought so as he was there. Also there was Annabel Goldie leader of the Scottish Conservative Party and Nicol Stephen leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrat Party. Where was the leader of the Scottish Labour Party, Jack McConnell though? After all, he was invited. Is he not interested in debating things that matter to Scotland ahead of the election?
Asked on BBC News what he made of Lord Foulkes remarks, Mr McConnell stated that he had, "not seen the programme." Come on Jack, do you really expect us to believe that? And if it is true, then how out of touch are you? Perhaps as much as your colleague currently residing in Number 10 Downing Street?
Well perhaps Jack McConnell might be suffering the same fate as Tony Blair this year.
Vacating office.
Friday, 16 February 2007
Jostling for Position
The election is approaching with the relentlessness of a long distance runner. And it looks like the Party which has the most stamina will come out on top in May. Have some parties gone for too much too soon?
For instance, the Labour Party have wheeled out their "Big Gun" this week, or should that be smoking gun? As Tony Blair made his annual visit to Scotland. He ignores Scotland for 95% of the year, only turning to them for their votes in parliament or when there is an election approaching, yet expects them to listen when he talks.
One person that is listening is Alex Salmond. Tony pleads to Alex, "Stop attacking me over the Iraq War. Let’s debate Scotland’s future."
"OK," says Alex and challenges Tony to a debate on Scotland’s future, like he has to Tony’s friend Jack on numerous occasions.
"Um, arrgh, well……," Tony says as he has no vision for Scotland, just like his friend Jack.
One man that does have a vision for Scotland is Scottish Lib Dem leader Nicol Stephen. But this vision does not include independence. Despite phrases like, "we champion freedom," "we aim to disperse power," and "we want to enable citizens to take part in the decisions that affect their lives," contained in their raison d’etre on their website, Mr Stephen has said that the issue of a referendum on independence is non-negotiable. He does not want one. The question that needs asked is he speaking for himself or his party?
The same question could be levelled at the SSP. Is their manifesto a serious attempt at getting MSPs elected or is it simply cheap shots at Tommy Sheridan?
Cheap shots are exactly what Noel Gallgher is now having at Tony Blair. Has all that alcohol during the nineties given him a case of amnesia for I recall back in 1997, during the "Cool Britania" era, he was sipping champagne, laughing and joking with Mr Blair. Who needs enemies when you have friends like that, I am sure Mr Blair is thinking.
Some people who are definitely our friends at the moment are those nice councillors. The average council tax bill has risen less than the rate of inflation. Have they been taking generosity pills? O h, no, wait a minute. That is right there is an election around the corner and this is their pathetic attempt to win our vote.
For a nation with amongst the worst child poverty and worst male survival rates in Europe, surely it is time for change. Have your say.
Let someone else have a go.
For instance, the Labour Party have wheeled out their "Big Gun" this week, or should that be smoking gun? As Tony Blair made his annual visit to Scotland. He ignores Scotland for 95% of the year, only turning to them for their votes in parliament or when there is an election approaching, yet expects them to listen when he talks.
One person that is listening is Alex Salmond. Tony pleads to Alex, "Stop attacking me over the Iraq War. Let’s debate Scotland’s future."
"OK," says Alex and challenges Tony to a debate on Scotland’s future, like he has to Tony’s friend Jack on numerous occasions.
"Um, arrgh, well……," Tony says as he has no vision for Scotland, just like his friend Jack.
One man that does have a vision for Scotland is Scottish Lib Dem leader Nicol Stephen. But this vision does not include independence. Despite phrases like, "we champion freedom," "we aim to disperse power," and "we want to enable citizens to take part in the decisions that affect their lives," contained in their raison d’etre on their website, Mr Stephen has said that the issue of a referendum on independence is non-negotiable. He does not want one. The question that needs asked is he speaking for himself or his party?
The same question could be levelled at the SSP. Is their manifesto a serious attempt at getting MSPs elected or is it simply cheap shots at Tommy Sheridan?
Cheap shots are exactly what Noel Gallgher is now having at Tony Blair. Has all that alcohol during the nineties given him a case of amnesia for I recall back in 1997, during the "Cool Britania" era, he was sipping champagne, laughing and joking with Mr Blair. Who needs enemies when you have friends like that, I am sure Mr Blair is thinking.
Some people who are definitely our friends at the moment are those nice councillors. The average council tax bill has risen less than the rate of inflation. Have they been taking generosity pills? O h, no, wait a minute. That is right there is an election around the corner and this is their pathetic attempt to win our vote.
For a nation with amongst the worst child poverty and worst male survival rates in Europe, surely it is time for change. Have your say.
Let someone else have a go.
Tuesday, 13 February 2007
Missing The Point
It is symbolic of the times that every few weeks we hear that the police have been given increased powers.
According to a BBC report, Scottish Police have been given extra powers to impose on-the-spot fines to "tackle anti-social behaviour."
The Scottish Executive think that these fines would tackle crimes such as drunkenness and vandalism! What planet are they on? Issuing a £40 fine is as likely to have as much an effect on social issues as me trying to become First Minister. And since when did drunkenness become an offence?
These increased powers simply serve 2 purposes:
1. Further eroding our civil liberties
2. Revenue generation
The Scottish Executive should be diverting funds into looking at the underlying problems causing people to turn to "crime". One of the major problems is poverty. The fact that a developed country has a third of its children living below the poverty line is shameful.
The Deputy Justice Minister has even said that crime is falling and this is despite of the policies employed by the Executive. So forgot your, "We want to see more police on the streets." Use that money to tackle poverty and guess what? You’ll be tackling crime at the same time.
According to a BBC report, Scottish Police have been given extra powers to impose on-the-spot fines to "tackle anti-social behaviour."
The Scottish Executive think that these fines would tackle crimes such as drunkenness and vandalism! What planet are they on? Issuing a £40 fine is as likely to have as much an effect on social issues as me trying to become First Minister. And since when did drunkenness become an offence?
These increased powers simply serve 2 purposes:
1. Further eroding our civil liberties
2. Revenue generation
The Scottish Executive should be diverting funds into looking at the underlying problems causing people to turn to "crime". One of the major problems is poverty. The fact that a developed country has a third of its children living below the poverty line is shameful.
The Deputy Justice Minister has even said that crime is falling and this is despite of the policies employed by the Executive. So forgot your, "We want to see more police on the streets." Use that money to tackle poverty and guess what? You’ll be tackling crime at the same time.
Friday, 9 February 2007
The Choice Is Yours
Eleven billion. Four Billion. One Billion. Pick a figure. That is what the Labour Party is doing in its latest attempt to discredit the SNP campaign. What will the figure be next week? Labour are currently running scared and have reverted to the age old tradition of scare tactics as their primary weapon to fight the elections. However, I think that the public are getting pretty sick of it. The public want to see a party that has a vision for Scotland. They want to see a party that are positively campaigning to bring about progressive change to Scotland. Not a party that revert to negative statements and downplaying Scotland’s capabilities in a vain attempt to cling onto power.
What do you want to hear from politicians? Do you want to hear, "The so and so Party are rubbish and should never be given the chance to govern Scotland"? Or do you want to hear, " Scotland should have a thriving, prosperous population with the best housing, healthcare and working conditions in the world. We should have a transport infrastructure that supports such fundamental needs whilst exceeding environmental responsibilities. A sense of community will permeate through Scotland…….etc etc."
I know which one I want to hear. So if you are sick to death of hearing negative rubbish being spouted by the current politicians, there is only one thing to do. VOTE. On May the third, go to the polling station and get rid of this plague that is prohibiting Scotland from moving forward.
What do you want to hear from politicians? Do you want to hear, "The so and so Party are rubbish and should never be given the chance to govern Scotland"? Or do you want to hear, " Scotland should have a thriving, prosperous population with the best housing, healthcare and working conditions in the world. We should have a transport infrastructure that supports such fundamental needs whilst exceeding environmental responsibilities. A sense of community will permeate through Scotland…….etc etc."
I know which one I want to hear. So if you are sick to death of hearing negative rubbish being spouted by the current politicians, there is only one thing to do. VOTE. On May the third, go to the polling station and get rid of this plague that is prohibiting Scotland from moving forward.
Friday, 2 February 2007
So close - I can almost touch it!
The latest opinion poll was published this week and it is good news for the SNP. They still lead Labour in the Constituency and the Regional vote with less than 100 days to go until the election. Should Jack McConnell be preparing his final speech as First Minister?
Alex Salmond is so close, he can almost feel the comfy leather of the First Minister’s chair. Yet he is going to have to rely on some friends if he wants the keys to power. Yes, that’s right, due to proportional representation, it is highly unlikely a party will gain an overall majority so a coalition will have to be formed. Will Alex be able to persuade the Lib Dems to side with him?
One person not likely side with Mr Salmond, is Tony Blair. Phew, I can hear Alex saying! Then I can hear Alex popping open the champagne bottles when Tony Blair announces that he will be fronting the Labour campaign. Has no-one told him that he has no credibility left?
With all the odds stacking up against Labour, will voter apathy hand them a potential lifeline? What will the likely outcome of the election be?
The choice is literally yours!!
Join the debate on all these topics and more at Our Scotland.
Alex Salmond is so close, he can almost feel the comfy leather of the First Minister’s chair. Yet he is going to have to rely on some friends if he wants the keys to power. Yes, that’s right, due to proportional representation, it is highly unlikely a party will gain an overall majority so a coalition will have to be formed. Will Alex be able to persuade the Lib Dems to side with him?
One person not likely side with Mr Salmond, is Tony Blair. Phew, I can hear Alex saying! Then I can hear Alex popping open the champagne bottles when Tony Blair announces that he will be fronting the Labour campaign. Has no-one told him that he has no credibility left?
With all the odds stacking up against Labour, will voter apathy hand them a potential lifeline? What will the likely outcome of the election be?
The choice is literally yours!!
Join the debate on all these topics and more at Our Scotland.
Friday, 26 January 2007
The Countdown Has Started
With less than 100 days to go until the election, one of the big questions that needs answered is – Will the election take place at all? With EU rulings stating that criminals must get a vote and with no mechanisms in place to make this happen, is the election in jeopardy?
If the election does go ahead, then what is the most likely outcome going to be? Will we have another Lib-Lab coalition? Another 4 years of dreary government taking its orders from Westminster. Or will we have something new and exciting, such as an SNP led administration. Would they really impose a £1,000,000 tariff on every nuclear warhead transported to Scotland?
Perhaps we should ask the EU what they think of the implications of such a tariff. But then again, in a leaked report meant for Jack McConnell, Scotland is being routinely ignored, forgotten and dismissed by Whitehall officials.
Oooohhh, I feel a constitutional row brewing! Oh, I forgot! It has already erupted with the news after Ruth Kelly, the Communities and Local Government Minister at Westminster is trying to force Scotland to abandon its law of allowing gay couples to adopt children.
Money just can’t buy a good constitutional argument. Something else money can’t buy is a nomination for a peerage to the House of Lords. This was no doubt what Mr McConnell was telling the police when he got questioned about his nomination recently.
There is only one nomination Scotland will be focussing on in the next 100 days or so though and that is the First Minister. With the Lib Dems stating that they will not go into coalition with the SNP, it seems that the SNP quest has suffered a blow. But will the electorate really stomach another Lib/Lab coalition? Who is going to win the race Alex or Jack?
Discuss this and much more at Our Scotland, we look forward to seeing you.
If the election does go ahead, then what is the most likely outcome going to be? Will we have another Lib-Lab coalition? Another 4 years of dreary government taking its orders from Westminster. Or will we have something new and exciting, such as an SNP led administration. Would they really impose a £1,000,000 tariff on every nuclear warhead transported to Scotland?
Perhaps we should ask the EU what they think of the implications of such a tariff. But then again, in a leaked report meant for Jack McConnell, Scotland is being routinely ignored, forgotten and dismissed by Whitehall officials.
Oooohhh, I feel a constitutional row brewing! Oh, I forgot! It has already erupted with the news after Ruth Kelly, the Communities and Local Government Minister at Westminster is trying to force Scotland to abandon its law of allowing gay couples to adopt children.
Money just can’t buy a good constitutional argument. Something else money can’t buy is a nomination for a peerage to the House of Lords. This was no doubt what Mr McConnell was telling the police when he got questioned about his nomination recently.
There is only one nomination Scotland will be focussing on in the next 100 days or so though and that is the First Minister. With the Lib Dems stating that they will not go into coalition with the SNP, it seems that the SNP quest has suffered a blow. But will the electorate really stomach another Lib/Lab coalition? Who is going to win the race Alex or Jack?
Discuss this and much more at Our Scotland, we look forward to seeing you.
Friday, 19 January 2007
A Long Time In Politics
Harold Wilson once said a week was a long time in politics and at Our Scotland it is unbelievable the amount of topics that have been debated within the last week.
For a start, the last week has seen the 300th anniversary of the Act of Union and this has thrown up some actions and posts which some people find quite controversial.
The anniversary has ensured that the independence argument has continued to be at the forefront of any debate leading up to the election in May. Even Tom Devine perhaps our most well known historian has got in on the act. Is he edging towards independence?
Probably the most unlikely person you would find supporting Scottish independence would be Margaret Thatcher. Hanging onto her coat-tails would be David Cameron, yet the current leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party has perhaps offered an olive branch to the Scottish electorate. Is this the most unexpected U-turn since the "Iron Lady’s" demise or is it just blatant electioneering?
One person that looks like he needs to do no electioneering is Alex McLeish. Is he a stick on for the Scotland job? Has he got the right qualities to take Scotland to Euro 2008 ahead of the two World Cup finalists?
Talking of World Cup Finalists, the many times finalists Argentina beat the one time finalists England back in 1986 in the quarter finals. Who could forget it? Maradona scoring that brilliant goal, then five minutes later he scored again skipping past five England defenders and rounding Shilton in the process. However the legality of the first goal has been yet again called into question this week.
Finally, it is the goal of one of our board members to move to Scotland. Help her decide which Highland location is the best to live in.
There are little more than three months to go until the elections. The excitement is building. The outcome of the election is truly on a knife edge. Who’ll form the next government? Will it be a coalition or minority government? There will be so many points of view debated over the next three months, make sure you have your say at Our Scotland.
For a start, the last week has seen the 300th anniversary of the Act of Union and this has thrown up some actions and posts which some people find quite controversial.
The anniversary has ensured that the independence argument has continued to be at the forefront of any debate leading up to the election in May. Even Tom Devine perhaps our most well known historian has got in on the act. Is he edging towards independence?
Probably the most unlikely person you would find supporting Scottish independence would be Margaret Thatcher. Hanging onto her coat-tails would be David Cameron, yet the current leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party has perhaps offered an olive branch to the Scottish electorate. Is this the most unexpected U-turn since the "Iron Lady’s" demise or is it just blatant electioneering?
One person that looks like he needs to do no electioneering is Alex McLeish. Is he a stick on for the Scotland job? Has he got the right qualities to take Scotland to Euro 2008 ahead of the two World Cup finalists?
Talking of World Cup Finalists, the many times finalists Argentina beat the one time finalists England back in 1986 in the quarter finals. Who could forget it? Maradona scoring that brilliant goal, then five minutes later he scored again skipping past five England defenders and rounding Shilton in the process. However the legality of the first goal has been yet again called into question this week.
Finally, it is the goal of one of our board members to move to Scotland. Help her decide which Highland location is the best to live in.
There are little more than three months to go until the elections. The excitement is building. The outcome of the election is truly on a knife edge. Who’ll form the next government? Will it be a coalition or minority government? There will be so many points of view debated over the next three months, make sure you have your say at Our Scotland.
Friday, 12 January 2007
Our Scotland 2007
2007 is potentially going to be a very important year in Scottish Politics.
In the year of the 300th anniversary of the Act of Union, Scotland has the opportunity to vote for a party, which on getting into government, is committed to holding a referendum on independence.
At Our Scotland, Scottish Independence is a frequently debated subject and with the countdown to the elections in May, the debate is certain to get more intense. Is independence the best thing for Scotland? Will a referendum be legitimate? Will the English vote for independence first? Just one of the many threads on this issue is this one.
Read our featured blog section where macnumpty amongst others provides excellent analysis on the most recent Scottish political stories.
Also up for discussion are other aspects of Scottish news and Scottish life. For example, should the Stone of Destiny be returned to Scone Palace. Which bar is the best one in Glasgow?
And just as Scotland have become a force to be reckoned with on the football field again, the manager goes and jumps ship. Who is going to be the next manager?
But it is not just about serious debate. Our General Banter section is for anything you feel like talking about. From hangover cures to Limericks, it is all discussed.
So why not visit us to see what we are like and contribute to the debate. Everybody is welcome. Stay tuned for periodic updates on what is happening at Our Scotland.
All the Best.
2007 is potentially going to be a very important year in Scottish Politics.
In the year of the 300th anniversary of the Act of Union, Scotland has the opportunity to vote for a party, which on getting into government, is committed to holding a referendum on independence.
At Our Scotland, Scottish Independence is a frequently debated subject and with the countdown to the elections in May, the debate is certain to get more intense. Is independence the best thing for Scotland? Will a referendum be legitimate? Will the English vote for independence first? Just one of the many threads on this issue is this one.
Read our featured blog section where macnumpty amongst others provides excellent analysis on the most recent Scottish political stories.
Also up for discussion are other aspects of Scottish news and Scottish life. For example, should the Stone of Destiny be returned to Scone Palace. Which bar is the best one in Glasgow?
And just as Scotland have become a force to be reckoned with on the football field again, the manager goes and jumps ship. Who is going to be the next manager?
But it is not just about serious debate. Our General Banter section is for anything you feel like talking about. From hangover cures to Limericks, it is all discussed.
So why not visit us to see what we are like and contribute to the debate. Everybody is welcome. Stay tuned for periodic updates on what is happening at Our Scotland.
All the Best.
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