Opening the government's purse
Bear witness, at Holyrood, to a tentative little political quadrille.
Nothing much at stake - just £33bn of public spending for the coming year.
For the Liberal Democrats, Mike Rumbles is having a chat with John Swinney, the Finance Secretary.
The advance billing from Mr Rumbles sets out his own party's demand for a tax cut to stimulate the economy.
Do not expect Mr Swinney to be over-sympathetic.
Beneath such understandable grandstanding, however, there are also detailed negotiations under way.
These are relatively early days - and so the various parties, including the Scottish Government, are reluctant to show their hand.
At this stage, however, it looks as though the political strategy picture may be somewhat different from last year when Mr Swinney struck a deal with the Tories - while Labour and the LibDems voiced sharp criticism but then abstained in the final vote, attracting howls of derision from the government benches.
I understand that Mr Swinney is quietly sounding out all the opposition parties, Labour included.
Again no details - but my guess is Labour might want to advance their case for training cash and for more action teams to help communities struggling with job losses.
Wouldn't mean they support the SNP's budget strategy - but might mean they seek an opportunity to lever productive change.
We'll learn a bit more tomorrow when Mr Swinney tables the Budget Bill.
The debate on that is a week hence. Ministers hope to get the Budget through by the end of January.
Will they succeed? Frankly, yes. This is a mid year - not a full-scale review period, meaning that the scope for innocent political merriment is limited.
Further, MSPs know that a Bill of some sort must, in reality, be passed.
Governments cannot govern at all without a licence to spend.
Further still, the political climate has changed with the calamities afflicting the economy.
No party wants to be seen behaving irresponsibly with public spending, particularly when one of the declared objectives is to revive that economy.
Further yet more, Mr Swinney and Bruce Crawford proved last year that they are adept politicians. I expect they keep a copy of "The Prince" by their respective bedsides.
In publishing the Bill, Mr Swinney will also give further details re the £260m of capital expenditure which he is accelerating, following agreement with the Treasury.
My guess is he'll seek to answer queries raised by the Finance Committee as to guarantees that this spending will help boost the construction industry in particular - and hence provide much-needed jobs.
PS: And if you want to know more about the parties' various stances on the Budget, be sure to watch Newsnight Scotland this very evening.
I'm 
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~09~RS~)
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Hasn't Brian a beautiful bedside manner ?
I've been trawling through a whole range of BBC blogs, and no other blogger comes close to Brian's deft touch for humour and warm informality.
Even today, when there is not much substance to report, he gives a real insight into what is going on behind the scenes and why.
We Scots are truly blest.
Viva Brian !
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Happy New Year Brian!
My first time on your blog this year and to the point as always - informed and informative.
Almost as good as United in the second half on Saturday!
More please for 2009.
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I'm afraid this is posturing by the LibDems. Even if Scots were to spend all their LibDem income tax cut, the additional VAT revenue would go straight to London and stay there. Meanwhile there would be £800m sucked out of the Scottish economy through cuts in public spending here.
Salmond is said to be a believer in the Laffer Curve, but he also knows that the way Scotland is funded means that Scottish tax and spend is a zero-sum game.
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We all know what to expect on Newsnicht .
Independent journalists and presenters - Labour party members and sympathisers.
Independent political pundits - Labour party members and sympathisers.
Independent economic experts - Labour party members and sympathisers.
Independent legal experts - Labour party members and sympathisers.
Yes the NBBC (North British Broadcasting Corporation) version of Newsnight is a real hoot.
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An interesting analysis of the situation. Could Labour surprise all and act in a grown-up manner by trying to cut a deal?!
If only we could rely on Newsnight for such detailed and thoughtful interpretation; rather than the bias commonly peddled by Wark, Paxman and Glenn Campbell amongst others.
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Delighted to see that at least one party, namely the Lib Dems, have a clear view of how to stimulate the economy and a tax cut would certainly be much better than the LabourGovernment cut in VAT or the SNP subsidising the middle classes by having fee prescriptions and free meals for all of p1 to p3.
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Re Tax cuts
I don't believe that the tax cuts proposed by the lib dems would achieve much.
But at least they are making a positive contribution. What we really don't want is a repeat of last year where labour and lib dems went off in a huffy and never took any part in the process. The SNP won the right to host the show fairly and squarely at the ballot box.
I hope Ian Gray does a little better and makes a positive contribution. What should be important just now is doing the best for the nation with what we have available.
Very important that politicians realise this what ever party they come from. No spin, no false promises just some good honest effort from all to work together.
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This will be very interesting.
I do hope that it goes smoothly. It would be upsetting to see major clashes between parties and their leaders over this, especailly when the recession is currently the way that it is.
Let's all hope for the best.
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I'm hoping for some mature debating and agreements by the parties. However, no doubt the SNP will be castigated for the bridge issue (not one of Swinney's best approaches but no credit to Darling either).
Then Labour will be castigated for blocking some project or other. The Greens, provided they haven't torn themselves apart with infighting (UK wide anyway) will come up with some nonsense like making everyone pay half their salary to drive a car. Lib Dems as usual in another universe.
As noted by #7 north highlander, here is an opportunity for all the parties to come to a sensible agreement, and stopping the childish antics from all sides.
One thing I want to see: prescription charges reinstated in full for those who can afford them (me included). The drug companies need tackled on the costs. I was out of work due to illness a few years ago and got free prescriptions then. I feel it only fair to pay my share when I can. I do expect exemptions for those who are chronically ill and require constant medication though, even if they do work.
But there should not be a charge for each item. One charge per treatment, even if that means four different medicines.
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The SNP has already cut taxes( the council tax freeze) and local business rates.
They also plan to cut 281 million from local taxes by introducing the local income tax.
All without trashing the overall budget.
LIB Dumbs strike again. Idiots.
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Many will be aware that I predicted a plethora of anti SNP stories from the Scottish press in an attempt at redressing the balance after Labour's howler over the Forth bridge funding.
Well, The Scotsman have picked up the gauntlet with a vengence and will lead tomorrow with yet another attack on ...................... LIT. There are others of course but yet another rehash of the criticisms by Iain McMillan, director of the CBI in Scotland, is hilarious.
BBC Radio Scotland at ten are at this moment running a piece on The Homecoming. It is focussed around critics of the event and has Angus Macleod of The Scotsman denouncing it as a modern day 'Brigadoon'.
Lewis Macdonald has just described the advert as awfull and full of SNP supporters (Brian Cox anyone?).
Nice to see everyone getting behind the event!!
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no surprises there greenockboy. The unionists love The Homecoming the way that Jenny Hjul loves Alex Salmond.
Of course the " I myself have yet to be persuaded about the merits of independence brigade" will be along to tell you in a minute you're paranoid :o)
Incidentally any truth in the rumour that Gordon's
a) taken up jogging
b) getting botox injections
c) taken up pilates
d) saved the world
I think we should be told.
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Well, it's about time I thought that I bothered to watch Newsnight Scotland bearing in mind what you and others have said.
I am the typical dumb**** observer and this is what I thought.
The most important thing I noticed come from anyone's mouth was a very audible short "groan/sigh" from the anchor, let out as the SNP guy twice mentioned the constraining circumstances his government was working under re helping business and the economy in the budget. Don't think it was done deliberately as part of the interview, so I'd have to rewatch to ask if it was telling.
Didn't matter anyway as SNP guy successfully monster-trucked over the 2 Ls. He could have dusted his hands.
LibDem guy - assumes he knows better but lacks the accompanying substance, could only gather momentum in a negative way, stalled when asked to back up the good idea.
Looks - lacking a powerful presence, too smartly presented (bad combination), ineffectual nagging uncool younger brother, a pain.
Labour guy - arrogant, dictating (as though in charge) that John Swinney must listen to HIM or be judged, point scoring, point scoring, had to fall back on gloating over action his lot did last time.
Looks - (poor) a bit 'that'll do' / 'I don't buy into all that posh stuff', rough, unrefined, not someone to aspire/look up to (unless you want to be in charge of the other storemen).
Tory guy - ordered and organised, comfortable in so being, cooly and effectively put steady points across, sounded reasonable, constructive, made sense! Looks - didn't have to try too hard, still looked respectable, as if comfortable in a top job, played it down so did not alienate, looked confident in the right suit.
SNP guy - gets the 2Ls in his sights, aims, fires, scores, remains positive, fair and reasonable, comprehensively discredited LibDem guy's plans while keeping sympathy for the intendeds, used info. from Tory guy about working together on last budget to box in Labour guy.
Looks - a bit professor or lecturer, clothes more an afterthought, makes him seem unnecessarily distant, possibly a little bit too nutty to trust, looks like he's been indoors too long, could do with more colour in his style (and maybe more style).
PS greenockboy
Last comment in previous thread was just flicked out there. If it doesn't float your boat, fine, let it fly away! Neil hasn't given me a mandate to patronise - I suspect it might be genetic.
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Re. Newsnight. Well done Neil for dealing with those four Unionist representatives opposing you.
I also notice that all the Unionist parties and especially Nulab are desperate to talk up the Scottish government's (isn't it great to hear them have to say those words each time they attack) responsibility as though it had full powers when obviously it doesn't. This bodes well for the SNP long term I have no doubts because at some point the logic of simply having those powers will come to bear.
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morning all, listened to, the labour party broadcast, sorry, GMS this morning and listened to Mr Gray tell us all that labour would only support the budget if the snp took on board every single suggestion that they make. they obviously still have not cottoned on to the fact that they are not in power.
we had over 50 years of all the labour party's idea's and look where it has got us. so if labour come up with something NEW that is actually going to improve our country then yes it should be considered but quite frankly i won't hold my breath.
#4 - minuend - excellent post
anyone know when the great GB is coming to north Britain as part of his tour of the regions or is he just not bothering?
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#4 Minuend = PARANOID
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I'm interested that people see cancellation of the proposal for free prescriptions as a sensible economic measure. The prescription charges are expensive to administer; abolishing them saves unnecessary beurocracy. Reinstating the charges does not necessarily mean much for the exchequer, but hits people when they are vulnerable.
All taxes cost money to collect; small taxes - like the radio license and the dog license and now the prescription charge - may simply not be worth collecting.
Oh - and - I too would count myself among Brian's fans. Witty, good humoured, incisive and knowledgeable journalism - who could ask for more?
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#17 Simon.
I'm for re-instatement of prescription charges, but with caveats as per my post #9.
There is still a level of bureaucracy (I hate trying to spell that word!) as I would pharmacists have to invoice the Scottish Government.
I see Nick Clegg has reshuffled is front bench. Can anyone see the point?
#6 angus, the Liberals/Lib Dems whatever have not been in power for many decades. Scotland does not count as Labour brought them in for a majority. They are the one party who will do anything for power.
The SNP at least stick to their principles more often than the other parties. (Labour only control South Lanarkshire Council because a Conservative councillor agreed to a coalition.)
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#11 greenockboy
It wouldn't need a look into mystic meg's crystal ball to predict a plethora of anti SNP stories in the media. The fact of the matter is that the minority guv is severely under-performing, only hardened activists like yourself, bluelaw etc. would have the cheek to argue otherwise.
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Reinstatement of prescription charges (or the deferral/abandonment of their elimination) would ignore the fact that some (many?) people avoid seeking appropriate medical care at an early point to some degree because of the cost of prescriptions (or do not in fact fill the prescriptions issued to them).
The knock-on effect is that their condition deteriorates to the extent that when medical care is belatedly implemented, the costs - to the NHS (if hospitalisation is required) and the economy at large (days off work, etc.) - are massively greater.
Short-term pain, long-term gain (as far as NHS Scotland finances are concerned).
How anyone can argue against free prescriptions (as part of universality of health care free at the point of delivery) fails me...
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#17, Simon_Brooke wrote:
"Witty, good humoured, incisive and knowledgeable journalism - who could ask for more?"
Accuracy, perhaps....
(Not that I'm accusing our esteemed host of lacking in that department, but I would certainly include it in a wish-list re blogworthiness.)
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Further to my #21:
Silly me!
Journalism AND accuracy - what WAS I thinking?
Most media outlets nowadays give the impression that the two wouldn't know each other if they passed in Princes Street.
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#19 salmondella
"It wouldn't need a look into mystic meg's crystal ball to predict a plethora of anti SNP stories in the media."
Who would know? Whether it can be proved is beside the point. As long as there are people (and the more the merrier) who do believe it, the damage is already done - helping the SNP.
I suspect many would be comforted by the amount of evidence greenockboy can produce, and go with it. Now, if he used the mass media to spread his point, well...
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#19
As someone who is not a party activist, I can state unequivocally that I am confident that the not very convincing opposition attempts to make people think that the SNP government is "severely underperforming" will not achieve the result which hardened unionist activists desire despite the UK media support that they appear to be able to call upon, as one would call upon one's faithful dog, Spot, or, better still, Fido.
Here, Fido, run with this, fetch that. The best thing about Fido, from hardened unionist activists' point of view, is that he knows better than to bite the hand that feeds him. There's a good boy. Good old faithful Fido.
In any case, a "severely underperforming" SNP government, were such a thing ever likely to see the light of day, which it is not, would still represent an improvement on what preceded it, and I think the people know that, you know.
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re my #23
Oh, and it's not cheeky, is it, for greenockboy (for example) to argue anything, unless he is of lesser status and referring to his superiors or others commanding respect?
I take it you checked in the mirror? ;-)
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Salmondella far more cheekily believes that Unionist parties and self proclaimed World Saviour Big Gordo are doing a good job...
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re my #25
Ah, bluelaw's just shown it to you!
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#23 aye_write
Aye right!!
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Well hello you lot.
I have been keeping an eye on you for some time now. I am sorry to say I am not that impressed with the vision demonstrated.
It is quite interesting tho, that everything seems to take on a royalist/unionist - nationalist tangent. Sometimes I cringe at the tit for tating between you. I wish someone could just say it like it IS.
Does one country wage war, bribery, brainwashing and corruption on another - for centuries by the way - because they wanted to be our friends and to help us find our true potential by subsidisng US and TELLING us (and the rest of the world for that matter) what principals and morales we should be living by? No country in their right mind (so to speak) would scarifice so much energy, time and drain of resources. Why would one country do that? All sides are guilty of dodging barefaced truths like that, either through ignorance, arrogance or confusion or even fear that they may upset someone dithering on a fence.
As for the newsnicht program I can't comment. I gave up watching such sickenly biased channels a long time ago. Hear the English cricket team have a bit of a problem tho. Hope they get it sorted soon so that the whole world can go about its business again.
BBC Scotland is only so in name, and as long as that is so insultingly obvious I will grudge every single penny of the horrible tax known as the licence. I can't think of anything more insulting to a nation than the disgrace of the scotland/england football teams matches coverage. And it will make people like myself even more determined to get our country back. For better or for worse (materialisticly speaking).
Best regards to you all though ;-)
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#28 salmondella
............Like it! :-D
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#19 ah still rattling those pots n pans ella
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#24 lily_hammer- one of the best post's of the year so far.
as has been said many a time on these blogs to have an excellent government you must have an excellent opposition. time will tell if we have an excellent government, but unfortunately we can already see , time after time there is no opposition to talk about and almost every single one of them should be getting done for fraud because they are not doing the job they are being paid handsomely for.what is more important the country they are supposed to be serving or their very large EGO'S
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The Herald disgraces itself on a daily basis now headlining a story plucked straight from the Labour party armoury as does Ceefax Scotland every day.
It is therfore pretty useful to have Brian's blog which is usually pretty fair and which allows the utter nonsense being spouted by the rest of the media to be contested. The Herald headline today is implying huge SNP cuts in councils' budgets because of the £500 million efficiency savings John Swinney has asked them to make.
The Herald neglects to point out that ALL OF THE £500 MILLION IS TO BE KEPT BY THE COUNCILS TO BE SPENT MORE EFFICIENTLY. The SNP is not taking anything away from the Councils at all.
In fact, like last year, the SNP, despite the worst financial settlement from Scotland since devolution and the presant financial woes, is giving the councils extra money.
In fact those of you who know the workings of local councils will fully understand just how much money these organisations have got used to wasting on a continuous basis.
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#32
And the biggest ego's belong to Alex Salmond, Wendy Alexander and Nick Clegg.
Wendy has been disposed of, but they might have chosen a better successor; Nick will probably explode being the angry young man; and I'd suggest Nicola to replace Alex as comes across a lot sharper.
Prediction time: how many posts before we go completely off-topic? :p
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#19. salmondella
ISA does not affect humans
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I see Wee Eck again wiped the Holyrood floor with the North British factions of the Unionist parties.
Don't expect the NBBC to report as such...........................................and so they haven't.
The NBs (North Britons) at Pacific Quay certainly don't like it up'em.
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No.11
Has everyone else noted that all those who attack LIT never finish with the true reasons for their attack -
"Personally, I will pay much more"
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Salmondlla says;
"hardened activists like yourself..."
I may or may not be a hardened activist, it really doesn't matter. What matters is that a prediction that I made some three days ago has come spectacularly true.
The post from sneckedagain is a case in point. These headlines are routinely produced whenever the SNP have scored a political 'victory' or Labour are in need of good press.
Since I made my prediction we have seen headlines and articles formed around statements from Jim Murphy, Iain Gray, Andy Kerr, Tavish Scott, Annabelle Goldie and more. We have seen stories re-hashed again (LIT), we have seen non stories like the Labour MSP's 'granny 8 hour bed wait' embelished into a major article, the Record, Scotsman and Herald all carried the pathetic Salmond - Connery correspondence 'story'.
Glen Campbell's behaviour on Scotland at Ten on Radio Scotland this week when he harrangued Nicola Sturgeon was disgracefull. The attacks on the 'Homecoming' that followed in last night's programme were equally one sided.
A couple of days ago I had an online exchange with a Unionist who suggested that anyone prescribing to the theory that there was bias in the Scottish media against the SNP was mad. This Unionist then stated that listing evidence of this bias
was proof of the madness.
I said at the time that this was the political equivalent of the witches trial, accusations of bias suggested lunacy - providing evidence of the bias proves the lunacy.
How very convenient a stance - too right I'm mad!!
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#33
I've seen local authority budgets controlled by bosses always trying to think of ways to spend all of it, however recklessly, apparently so they didn't get any less next year (= an insult to their manhood?).
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#33,
This SNP administration has received MORE MONEY than any of the previous devolved administrations from the Westminster settlement. How can you possibly say it is the "worst financial settlement.....since devolution"?
From 2007 CSR
2007/08 - 26,059 million
2008/09 - 27,224 million (+4.5%)
2009/10 - 28,399 million (+4.3%)
2010/11 - 29,784 million (+4.9%)
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"I said at the time that this was the political equivalent of the witches trial, accusations of bias suggested lunacy - providing evidence of the bias proves the lunacy."
The problem is you're cherry-picking stories which match your pre-conceived ideas. It's not a random sample. Furthermore, Scottish nationalists (probably other kinds of nationalist too) swap 'biased' stories, so if just one nationalist finds something to object to, it will get passed around pretty quickly.
All political parties think the media is biased against them. Heck, most identity groups think so; feminists think the media is biased against women, masculists think it's biased against men.
What would what a non-biased media acceptable to nationalists would look like? All too often, you seem to want 50:50 representation at the very least, even though that in no way represents the population.
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Bingowings87:
#40,
The Scottish Government has received the lowest increased budget since devolution.
Inflation has also ruined the budget since it increased unexpectedly.
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Labour tells Salmond: Go ahead and quit as Gray wants to become FM! Silly boy your going nowhere fast.
"Mr Swinney will probably have to find £100 million to pay for the Greens' demand for free insulation to be provided for households across Scotland."
What will be Annabelle's price?
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#41 Anaxim
What you say about feminists and masculists (aw...) is to show that the media isn't biased against them. But of course it wouldn't prove the media is unbiased in all regards. I'm guessing you don't believe there to be such an ideal.
So are you saying the media cannot be said to be particularly biased against any group because, (by its very nature?) it's always biased to varying degrees in all respects at all times? (Or something along those lines but smarter?!)
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Anaxim:
"What would what a non-biased media acceptable to nationalists would look like? All too often, you seem to want 50:50 representation at the very least, even though that in no way represents the population."
Are you honestly suggesting that the media are not biased against the Scottish National Party?
And that certain BBC employee's act in such manner to ALL political party members, and not only SNP members?
If you choose to turn a blind eye then there is nothing anyone can say or do.
but there may be a time when you believe that something is wrong... and to those who you turn a blind eye against now see that, you'll find yourself in a lonely position.
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BBC Scotland tonight: Salmond "stumbled" at FMqs. I don't think so.
Salmond isn't egotistical at all. And he should hand over to Nicola once he's guided Scotland to independence.
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#42 Thomas, that is just politically motivated spin and you know it.
Let me use another example to illustrate.
Scottish Government budget rises 14.3% over 3 years. SNP response - "...a disgrace..", "...the tightest settlement...in history.."
Scottish Government funding for the 4 Scottish Science Centres increases just 5.3% over the same period. SNP position - "...record public support..."
Can you spot the difference?
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#47 bingowings87
It doesn't really matter. It still looks like arguing over child support with Scotland as the child...no?
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Perfect example of BBC bias on the Radio Scotland NewsDrive program around 5:30 last night......
"The Israeli government are set to receive a letter from Mr Salmond, (not that they are likely to lose much sleep over that), demanding a ceasefire"
That is a complete lack of respect for the elected First Minister of the country BBC SCOTLAND broadcasts to.
Further - this report came within hours of a debate in the scottish parliament in which all sides endorsed the call for a ceasefire. So the letter clearly represented the view of the Scottish Parliament, as well as that of the Scottish Government, SNP and Mr Salmond. Yet the presenter chooses to belittle the significance of the First Minister, and in doing so belittle the parliament and nation. Cringe Cringe Cringe!
Any similar asides when Gordon Brown has repeatedly demanded a ceasefire. After all the Israeli's have paid no more heed to his demands than to Mr Salmonds apparently.
No contest. In the BBC's eyes (even BBC SCOTLAND!) the unelected Gordon is the man, and the elected Alex is an insignificance.
Outrageous and disgraceful bias, as shown by the BBC day after day.
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#49 dear_wendy
In an independent Scotland the same would be seen not as biased but as an admission of the reality of the situation - i.e. they won't pay heed.
I'd rather have that view though than the over-inflated egotistical (now there's one!) of Westminster PMs, latest Brown, who think the whole world is waiting to see what they say with baited breath.
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#50 aye-right
I agree that the "as if they'll lose any sleep over that" statement could be taken as an indication of perceived intransigence on the part of the Israeli's.
However, if so, why on all BBC reports covering Gordon Brown's similar, and repeated, demands has there been no similar comment?
The significance and respect afforded the two offices, and the office holders, by the BBC, (even "devolved" BBC SCOTLAND!) are poles apart.
I do not recall that being the case when Jack McConnell, Henry McLeish or Donald Dewar held the office, so must come to the conclusion that it is either party politcal or personal bias.
It's been happening ever since SNP won the election (compare Kirsty Wark interviewing the First Minister on Newsnight, and Andrew Marr interviewing Gordon Brown - repeatedly - on his Sunday morning show).
No comparison. No even handedness. Let's call it blatant bias!
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#51 dear_wendy
I'll defer to your perspective on the other incidences you list as I haven't investigated - never did like Kirsty Wark!
I think there is something to be said for the two differing styles aswell though - Salmond v Labour. The latter convinced they are the world's babysitters wheras Salmond hopes to appear more realistic (albeit, and why not, from a Scottish perspective).
Off to my son's pal's mum's for coffee! :-P
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#48, oh yes it does matter! Why does everything have to come back to a critique of our constitutional position. Politicians will behave as Politicians regardless of whether we are independant or not.
Its about Politicians (of all shades btw) being consistent with the messages they give to Joe Public. A bit more candour from them imo would go a long way to rebuild credibility. Its about the continual feeling that they will all use the events of the day to their own advantage, and if the truth is obscured from the public along the way, then so be it.
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Given the carping over [perceived] BBC bias against the FM, does anyone know what the SNP position is over funding of the BBC (or a replacement) as and when Scottish independence is achieved?
Is it intended that the licence fee continue, or will the BBC be contracted out of Scotland?
Or will Scotland follow the Australian model and say that - given that almost everyone has a TV (and nearly all households are thereby liable to a licence fee) - the bureaucracy of fee collection will be avoided by the Government making a block grant to the BBC (or whatever comes after) covering the prior licence fee liabilities?
Alternatively, we could follow the US and fund 'social' TV (e.g. BBC ALBA) from fees levied on commercial TV (i.e. all other channels).
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Ladies and gentlemen, we are in danger of calling a spade a spade here!
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Does anyone know of the judge that apparently has given the SNP Government one month to hold an inquiry into the Hepatitis C blood disaster?
I have been unable to find any detail of this yet in any of the press or media yet this has headlined on BBC Ceefax Scotland for the last four days
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#53 bingowings87
"A bit more candour from them imo would go a long way to rebuild credibility."
candour - honesty or directness, whether refreshing or distasteful
Beware. I think I can safely say it must be used with caution!
A balance between us being sick of their using "the events of the day to their own advantage" and us feeling sick, is required perhaps. :-)
Stronger coffee...!
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Smashing vicory for the SNP and abject retreat from Labour.
SNP publishes list of people and organisations supporting its call for Westminster to reverse its spiteful obduracy and allow the Scottish Government to sensibly fund the new Forth Road bridge over twenty years.
Included in the list of supporters are the STUC and Henry McLeish.
Few hours later Jim Diddy (aka Murphy) announces Westminster will discuss a way forward on this issue with the SNP Government.
Labour blinked first.
Announcenment of supporters list on BBC Ceefax Scotland early this morning.
Announcement of proposed negotiation by mid morning.
By early afternoon this issue of huge national importance had been relegated down the list on Ceefax and replaced by a headlining piece from Frank "Pie and Beans" McAveety complaining that he SNP hadn't yet fulfilled its pledge to give free swimming to all Scots children .
Ye Gods!
I still haven't been able to ascertain who was the judge or when he judged that the SNP Government has a month to set up an enquiry on the Hepatitis C blood scandal which was headlined on BBC Ceefax Scotland for several days but appeared nowhere else.
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I invite contributors to this blog to monitor daily BBC Ceefax Scotland and the Scottish Labour website and see if they can see any connection! (and to the political coverage in the Herald).
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#56 & 58.
It was Lord Mackay
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7815433.stm
You obviously havent been trying very hard, as it took me about a minute to find it.
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#60
Thanks.
What I note from the piece is that the SNP Government has agreed to an enquiry that had been turned down and resisted furiously by the previous Labour administration but that he standing aside of Lady Cosgrove has held this up.
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hey heres a thought sell scottish water must be good for hmm 1 or 2 billion mind you what would happen french germans buy it bills go up ?well it would be a quick buck anyway
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Water is the new oil. Selling Scottish Water to commercial enterprise would be madness
They sold the water in England a few years ago.
Now none of it - that's right - none of it is British owned. The owners have no intention of building reservoirs to increase the badly neede storage capacity in England. They just put the price up and enforce hosepipe bans in the summer.
A new Scotland will have plenty of use of our bounty of cheap water - whether to grow plants or animals, or make drinks or use in industry.
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