The final cut?
He said it. Finally, he uttered the word "cut".
In truth, though, Gordon Brown's declaration on public spending, issued at the TUC, was carefully finessed.
Labour, he said, would "cut costs, cut inefficiencies, cut unnecessary budgets".
Scarcely a dramatic new direction there. Isn't that what responsible government should be doing all the time?
There was more, though. Labour would also cut "lower priority budgets". One can see the potential for dischord where different people have different priorities.
His union audience liked the promise to protect "vital front line services". They will have noted the challenge implicit in his determination to secure "realistic public sector pay settlements".
So, finesse. Far from aligning himself with a broader cross-party movement to endorse the necessity for cuts in public sector spending, the prime minister was out to depict contemporary UK politics as offering a choice.
Underlying objective
A choice, he argued, between intervention in the economy from Labour as against what he characterised as potential neglect by the Conservatives.
The Tories, of course, would not depict the choice in these terms. It is important, though, to understand the PM's underlying objective.
Labour strategists calculate that, if the next UK election amounts to a referendum on the immediate past, a period of economic decline, then Gordon Brown has had it.
If, however, they can contrive to get the voters to think about the election as a choice between two futures, rather than a verdict on recent history, then Labour may have a chance.
For Scotland, today's speech at the TUC should have a direct and immediate impact, particularly with John Swinney due to issue his draft Budget on Thursday.
For consistency, Labour in Scotland might now be expected to shelve its attempt to argue that the resources available to the Scottish Government for the period ahead are anything other than relatively tight.
If Gordon Brown is telling, as he put it, the "tough truth about hard choices" on the economy and spending, then surely that is also the case with regard to the Scottish Budget which presently is a subset of the wider UK fund.
It would seem logical, at least, that the debate which will follow Thursday's publication might focus upon the best use of relatively constrained resources - not on whether such constraint exists.
I'm 
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~24~RS~)
Comments
Sign in or register to comment.
Brian
If it has yaken Labour this long to wake up to the reality of cuts, how much longer do we have to wait for them to realise that the SNP are the Scots Government?
Complain about this comment
The final cut will be when British Labour are cut out of UK Governance by the UK voting public.
So, Brown talked for over 30 minutes but stated little of substance.
He did state what they not cut some things without actually specifying examples.
He did state that they would cut unnecessary budgets. And these are?
He did state they would cut waste? Parliamentary expenses perhaps or was he hinting on an increase in recycling?
It is like paraphrased deja-vu with Donald Rumsfield talking budget instead of intelligence:
"because as we know there will have to be cuts, these are known cuts; there are things we know we will cut. We also know there are known unknown cuts; that is to say we know there are some things we need to cut but do not know which or how much but will not be front-line. But there are also unknown unknown cuts -- the ones we don't know and wont tell we don't know or wont cut"
Complain about this comment
So what you were saying, Brian, is that AS's statement of there being a cut in the Scottish budget was right all along? Now that Brown has let his Scottish poodles off the leash, concerning the word 'CUTS', does this mean we will now see Labour in the Scottish parliament attacking the SNP over what 'CUTS' they will have to produce because of Brown's incompetence in managing the economy?
Complain about this comment
A smart move by Swinney might be to say "The National Conversation and the Calman Commission have done their jobs. The constitutional debate is at the centre of Scottish politics, and needs no more public funding. The debate will contine throughout the land, and Unionists who wish to promote the benefits of the UK Union are encouraged to post on the excellent 'Blether with Brian' blog, where they will receive a warm welcome."
Complain about this comment
The Scottish Government should focus on the interface between public and private sector. Specifically, the use of private sector firms in delivering "professional services" to teh public sector. If you examine this landscape you'll find that firms like PwC, Deloitte, Ernst & Young and KPMG are making millions from the public sector in Scotland and the wider UK.
For example, Transport Scotland employs a raft of civil servants as project managers across the various infrastructure schemes they have on-going at any one time. But on top of this they contract a number professional services & technical firms to advise and monitor on these contracts. For example, PwC are part of the Performance Audit Group who monitor performance of individual contracts in relation to finance, with a civil engineering firm employed to monitor technical progress. This begs the question: "what is the role of the Project Manager and internal finance staff with Transport Scotland?"
The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow?? It would be interesting to know how many of the "Big 4" have got their claws in there?? They have been all over the Olympic Games in London, that's for sure.
The lack of progress in delivering shared financial services within local government and the NHS is breathtaking. This is an area where real efficiencies can be made. Local Government Finance departments in Scotland don't even operate the same finance system...in a small country that could, in reality, have one public sector finance system operating efficiently to deliver the necessary information to manages the various departments.
The NHS also contract out a number of internal audit contracts to the private sector. The provision of a central internal audit service would generate financial efficiencies and allow a consolidation of knowledge centrally, rather than the current inefficient model that operates.
VAT advice is another area that professional services firms focus on to leech millions from the public sector. Surely it is not beyond the wit of the public sector providers to set up acentral VAT advisory service and cut out these professional service firms to ensure funding stays within the public sector rather than going externally to fund some partner's boat or porsche or such like.
It would be an interesting freedom of information exercise to ask how much has been spent on fees from the big 4 over the past 5 years across the whole of the public sector; splittingt it out across internal audit, external audit and advisory/consultancy work.
And what is Audit Scotland's role in all of this?? The danger for them is that they are too close to these firms to stand up to them and report on the inefficient manner in which the public sector is spending its funding employing these firms. A number of senior staff in Audit Scotland come from these firms, which may lead to a conflict of interest.
Complain about this comment
Labour are finished.
The next decades are SNP and tory.....moahahahahahah
On a serious note now:
Brian when you say "The Tories, of course, would not depict the choice in these terms" why don't you do your journalistic duty and ELABOURATE?
Or is New Labour in control of the Beeb, and your typing fingers?
I mean honestly, no attempt to explain, highlight the hypocracy of Brown, no attempt to draw attention to the fact that it is the tories who would protect NHS frontline services by channeling all efficiency savings back into frontline services (keeping the money in the hosptitals)
Labour want to borrow borrow borrow and Scotland is paying the price.
The SNP have a dramatically cut budget for Scotland, and Labour continue to pretend in Holyrood that no such cuts exist- just listen to little Barker (his bark is hardly a concern).
Labour has done enough damage to my country, I want rid of this corrupt party once and forever.
If I had to make a straight choice between SNP and Labour (with no other options) then by the gods it would be Nationalist for me (at least they offer up a REAL social-democratic alternative to my centre-right values).
Complain about this comment
Oh what a tangled 'tweed' we weave
Click Here
Complain about this comment
Brian, I imagine that as per normal with Gordon Brown the devil will be in the detail.
We need to know just who is "vital front line" and who isn't?
Nick Robinson picked up on two other phrases as well in a similar vein being items which are either unnecessary or lower priority
I imagine there are quite a few people who may well be surprised to find that they aren't vital or front line and equally may find that they are also low priority or unnecessary.
Complain about this comment
More doublespeak from Broon, the man with the broken compass.
"....Gordon Brown has had it."
He has had it. No matter what he does or says short of creating a state of emergency and involking martial Law, he has had it. The English have decided they don't like him, full stop.
Complain about this comment
Maybe Gordo's happy pills are wearing off? Did he just manage to utter the word 'cut'?!
Complain about this comment
Everything in Moderation!!!
as someone once said.
Well Brian, there goes the basis of Labour's usual posturing against the SNP budget - and there goes the 'Man Who Saved The World'.
Not much chance of him saving himself now! :-)
Complain about this comment
It seems there was more to the Libyan deal than Al-megrahi here
Complain about this comment
#6 Deanthetory
"When you're born to be a tory,
Without the vim and verve,
But I could show my prowess,
Be a lion, not a mow-ess,
If I only had the nerve"
Well Dean I'm afraid you do show sign of right wing attention deficit.
Put them up! said the cowardly tory.
Complain about this comment
There is not a government in the world that isn't planning cuts of some sort, that's the reality of the situation.
Now the tories and the SNP want to continue with tax cuts for the rich in terms of freezing the council tax and cut deeper into the education budget and health budget's.
Thatcher economics is all to real as the right wing whingers play masters of the universe.
Complain about this comment
The man is in denial, his government is the epitome of incompetence, he is bereft of direction integrity and any sense of responsibility for what he has done to the economy. Sometimes it seems his sanity must be called into question. It seems he has a desire to be a teacher after he is removed from office, teaching what? Surely not economics, certainly not honesty and since he is qualified as a sports reporter, possibly he could teach table tennis or something equally benign.
Complain about this comment
9. At 4:49pm on 15 Sep 2009, hamish42
"He has had it. No matter what he does or says short of creating a state of emergency and involking martial Law, he has had it. The English have decided they don't like him, full stop."
Just the English?
I'd say most of Scotland, Wales are rapidly seeking out alternatives to Browns Britain!
Complain about this comment
Re 5 efficiency man
I agree with your post. As someone who who works in conjunction with councils and the NHS I recognise much of what you say.
I also must say while the SNP have got to grips with a lot of problems in government many in an admirably different way from their predecessors, but this gravy train goes on unchallenged. Not surprising really, the large consulting firms have their sources in the SNP just as they have in the other parties.
For example the work the SFT are doing, which is effectively tinkering with the contracts in place in England to provide public buildings and calling them something else, will do nothing to stop what you say.
The money wasted on consultants is jaw dropping. But no political party has ever got to grips with this issue and I don't see anything changing.
NHS / Council joint working is a good idea in principle, but in practice will just slow everything down in more bureaucracy. It is the ethos of these organisations that has to change and that is a very difficult task. The example you use in transport Scotland is relevant, what you find is the project manager is lacking confidence both internally and from his masters. Changing this is the key to better public services.
Complain about this comment
Am I a visionary? No, but I had marked Bungler Brown's card way back.
He cares more about his own pitiful legacy than the collective well being of 60 million people.
He has no conviction other than hanging on to power for power's sake.
How do Scottish regional labour supporters look themselves in the face when they shave
Lets hope thay don't cut themselves as deep as Brown will cut Scotland's budget!
D McN
Complain about this comment
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Scots-still-don39t-know-who.5622259.jp
"But when it comes to other issues, Mr Gray is more willing to side with his colleagues in Westminster, against what many see as the Scottish interest.
In particular, he will not attack the UK government for alleged cuts of £500 million to next year's Scottish budget.
[b]He denies there will be any cuts[b], arguing that Scotland's budget will be bigger than before, if not as big as expected. He points to the bail-out of the banks with a £36bn direct cash injection and £300bn of credit."
Ha Ha hahaha!!!
Complain about this comment
Ok, how does all of this budget discussion relate to the Barnett Formula or for that matter calls from a few months ago to reform it?
Or does it?
Complain about this comment
"If, however, they can contrive to get the voters to think about the election as a choice between two futures, rather than a verdict on recent history, then Labour may have a chance."
Delicately put, Brian. Could you try to get your colleague Mr Campbell on board with the idea that there might just be logical alternatives to NuLab?
Post or reactive moderation for all except CBeebies, please!
Complain about this comment
have you ever seen some of the "skills" of these consultants? fast-tracked graduates who do not understand the realities of whatever process they are dealing with, nor do they always understand the term "risk assessment".
there are many people out there who are experienced in their field and efficient with it who would make far better decisions.
and a lot cheaper too.......
Complain about this comment
#6 deanthetory
"Brian when you say "The Tories, of course, would not depict the choice in these terms" why don't you do your journalistic duty and ELABOURATE?"
What a felicitous mistype. I fear that the BBC in general and particularly in their North British region do little but ELABOURATE. I do agree, though, that it would be appropriate for them to elaborate more of the alternatives.
Post or reactive moderation for all except CBeebies, please!
Complain about this comment
I must admit it took a while before I got around to reading Mr. Taylor's article. When I did THIS stood out rather starkly:
"If, however, they can contrive to get the voters to think about the election as a choice between two futures..."
Has it totally escaped Mr. Taylor's notice that there are more than two parties in Scotland?
It would seem so. A FASCINATING slip--or perhaps simply an honest admission of his thought processes. This says much more about Mr. Taylor and the BBC than anything else.
Complain about this comment
The first cut should be in MP's pay and abolish their expenses if they wish/need extra payments to carry out their duties let them fill in a claim form to the DHSS and wait in line for them to called and explain why they think that they justify these claims.
Why no word about the lone stranger sailing to save the western isles from MOD cuts, Tonto had more credence back in the 50's "gimme savy".
Complain about this comment
evening, I was most surprised to see Mr Brown attending the TUC this year , but then the penny dropped . He had a very large prompt on stage with him ,all he needed was to keep on looking into one of his legendary Mirrors that way he could remember what he was talking about
TUC ------mirror image = CUT
Sid
PS will he go to the STUC ------ CUTS.
Complain about this comment
24. JRMacClure
"Has it totally escaped Mr. Taylor's notice that there are more than two parties in Scotland?"
I've a good mind to go to the SNP conference in Inverness shortly to see how he conducts himself in real life, or he honestly believes that we're a flash in the pan.
More tricks from the BBC how much longer can the BBC survive as an honest/impartial broadcasting corporation when these obvious biases are becoming more in the public domain.
Complain about this comment
#20 JRMacClure
You get a free PhD if you can answer that question! Basically what the Scottish Government is given to spend is determined by the Barnett Formula. It was devised 30 years ago by a Labour Treasury minister, Joel Barnett, as a, added emphasis "a", way of apportioning expenditure between England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is relatively simple as it was intended really as a vehicle to show that Scotland was subsidised by England and so the oil ought to go to England as recompense. Unfortunately, it didn't work out like that and as anything more accurate just makes the English position worse there has been no impetus in Whitehall to come up with anything better. Even so special expenditure like the Olympics and the cost of all those Olympic overspends has had to be excluded from the Barnett Formula as otherwise Scotland might get even more. 20,000 words in a thesis concluding that - there are several aspects of the interactions of the Barnett Formula on UK expenditures that require futher detailed study - will get you a Social Sciences PhD anywhere!
Complain about this comment
MORIDURA
Derek must of been having a quiet word in someones ear.
Complain about this comment
#24 JRMacClure
To be fair to BT, he was talking about the Labour strategy in the UK to polarise the debate between the UK big two (Tweedledum and Tweedledee), to squeeze the other parties. It's a tactic as old as time (or at least as old as modern elections).
In a UK election it has previously squeezed the SNP - hence the lower polling for them in UK as opposed to Holyrood polls. But we talked last night about the "critical mass" that the SNP needs to achieve to make them one of the "squeezers". I reckon that we may be there, and that for many Scots the next election could see it as being exactly as one "between two futures". A sitting SNP Government in Edinburgh on the one hand, and a campaign between the "Tweedles" which will be fought on largely English social policies of no relevance to us on the other.
Complain about this comment
Mr MacClure @24 wrote:
"I must admit it took a while before I got around to reading Mr. Taylor's article. When I did THIS stood out rather starkly:
"If, however, they can contrive to get the voters to think about the election as a choice between two futures..."
Has it totally escaped Mr. Taylor's notice that there are more than two parties in Scotland?
It would seem so. A FASCINATING slip--or perhaps simply an honest admission of his thought processes. This says much more about Mr. Taylor and the BBC than anything else."
This is post is worth repeating. Even the BBC now accept labour are finished and their only hope is if the voters in Scotland can be conned into thinking the election is a red/blue onionist two horse race. This is unacceptable.
Brian ; You must start to ask Mr Gray and the rest of British Labour the difficult questions. You must never forget that Scotland is changing and that the old lies will no longer fool enough of the people.
And finally is it not "discord" rather than "dischord" ? Nats : We're here to help.
Complain about this comment
#30. At 9:56pm on 15 Sep 2009, oldnat wrote:
#24 JRMacClure
To be fair to BT, he was talking about the Labour strategy in the UK to polarise the debate between the UK big two (Tweedledum and Tweedledee), to squeeze the other parties. It's a tactic as old as time (or at least as old as modern elections).
In a UK election it has previously squeezed the SNP - hence the lower polling for them in UK as opposed to Holyrood polls. But we talked last night about the "critical mass" that the SNP needs to achieve to make them one of the "squeezers". I reckon that we may be there, and that for many Scots the next election could see it as being exactly as one "between two futures". A sitting SNP Government in Edinburgh on the one hand, and a campaign between the "Tweedles" which will be fought on largely English social policies of no relevance to us on the other.
-----------------
While I can see your point and can't argue that you're wrong--none the less the fact that he is (is he not?) "BBC Scotland's political editor" I suppose I expected some reflection of the realities of Scotland's politics rather than it to be totally ignored.
Silly of me, I know. =)
Yes, we did have that discussion. I'm still unsure of the exact point of "critical mass" but if it hasn't been hit--it has to be close.
Complain about this comment
As another winter approaches and the world economy remains on tender hooks, can we expect the big energy producers like Russia and Norway to hike their energy prices?.
As we try and argue over who can best control the public purse, I'm afraid we are losing sight of who can best plan for the forthcoming needs and requirements.
Any nation that relies on another for it's entire fuel and food needs, will most certainly face a very harsh and uncertain winter.
Complain about this comment
#33. tenterhooks ;) Tenterhooks were used as far back as the fourteenth century in the process of making woolen cloth and thus, tense like cloth stretched to keep it from shrinking. Now having done my duty as a pedant--
Interesting question. Oddly enough, fuel prices did not drop as much in the US during the summer as they usually do supposedly because of investor interest and a weak American dollar. We could be hit hard if there were now drastic rises. But I haven't heard any speculation about it either.
Another interesting question--Why should Scotland have to depend on another for its fuel?
Between oil and wind power shouldn't Scotland be quite self-sufficient? Or perhaps not. I'm not sure the fuel needs and its output capabilities.
By the way, derek, I'm glad you decided to return if it's not indelicate to say so. You do make some interesting points.
Complain about this comment
i see that fathers can now take 6 months paternity leave! i've got kids myself, but took two weeks leave each time. how many will be able to afford to take so much time off, even if the mothers have returned to work?
spot the "get the votes in" policy.
on the budget cuts, why not shelve trident and adopt smaller nuclear weapons? still a deterrent and small cruise missile can be launched from submarines. and a hell of a lot cheaper as well. plus they are easier to guard and maintain.
brown could also stop giving other people our money until we sort out our own problems.
no 33 derek:
good point. stand by for huge increases with the usual feeble excuses.
Complain about this comment
#33 derek
When we throw away one third of all the food we buy, we can't be relying entirely on others for our food needs. Also with the obesity that is a growing problem (pun not intended but its too late to think of a clearer way to say it) what we do eat is too much for the life we live. Maybe half of what we "use" now would do.
Of course it is bound up with the fuel as useing the car and central heating the houses is part of why we need less food. I remember the war when, it wasn't cold if you went out and played but then if you played too long you were hungry. But if you didn't play it was cold so you went to bed as soon as you could.
Complain about this comment
33. derekbarker
I agree which is why they have been trying to get the Hydro schemes in the Highlands linked up with down south with a new Pylon Scheme, a new Hydro plant has been built at the south end of Loch Ness, the gas pipeline has gone in from Norway to the South East coast of England, Scotland is energy rich which is why Westminster is determined to keep hold. One question I asked a prospective SNP MP was , if Scotland gains its independence do you anticipate taking control of the oil while it lasts? and the other that springs to mind is will Westminster force some of the UK debt onto Scotland if there was independence ?
Complain about this comment
#16 Dean
"...Just the English." It goes without saying that Brown is not the most popular person in Scotland either, but there is a visceral dislike of him south of the border and it is the English who are going to put him out of government.
Complain about this comment
Will be interested to watch the cuts unfold. Interesting to note both here and on NR's blog the usual shred the public sector quotes. If we are to emerge the other side of this recession with a sustainable plan for future prosperity then we need to begin considering how we redraw the line between community and the rush for profit, between public assets and private gain. Now is the time to direct investment into our social structures and our communities to begin reversing the damaging effects of the failed monetarist agenda of the past three decades. Maybe, just maybe if we have politicians brave enough to look beyond the next elections we will be able to put in place the foundations for a more equitable society with growth measured in terms of fulfilment rather than GVA.
Complain about this comment
I remember as a kid growing up in the 70's we had one coal fire, in the winter there would be ice in the inside of our bedroom windows in the morning. We had hot water bottles though. In the evening when the fire would be roaring the back boiler would heat hot water , and then there was the mad dash to get a bath so as not to waste the hot water. Of course we were far better off than my parents were those were the days of 7 in a bed and take turns wearing the good shoes to school:)
Did anyone catch newsnight tonight ? it was worth watching
Complain about this comment
I thank you JRMacClure,
Handclapping, Glad you picked up on the conflict point and the reality of food and fuel shortage, I'm sure you will agree as winter draws nearer, there are several hot stops all over the world, not to mention the Ukraine and Russian dispute every winter over fuel.
What we do know is disputes lead to big prices rises and every action has a reaction to those who are dependent.
I believe J. Swinney wants to be collective on the importance of planning ahead, lets hope he can bang heads together and find a consensus on the reality of this depression.(it's not over by a long shot)
Complain about this comment
#37 romeplebian
There aren't that many precedents for the dissolution of a former state - the Czechs and Slovaks were the latest. Their solution was to divide both debta and assets between them in proportion to population.
Complain about this comment
38. At 00:05am on 16 Sep 2009, hamish42 wrote:
#16 Dean
"...Just the English." It goes without saying that Brown is not the most popular person in Scotland either, but there is a visceral dislike of him south of the border and it is the English who are going to put him out of government.
----------
Your right. It does go without saying that the English 'home counties thatcher' type must hate him- with a bleeding passion.
I understand this, and I equally hate them (not to show solidarity with Brown however you understand, merely that its THEM).
I sometimes think, as a moderate Unionist (i.e. iam, open to the idea of independence if it makes my childrens lives better than mine own) then surely it makes more sence FROM A SCOTTISH TORY point of view that independence would be the best thing to happen to us, freeing us from the homecounties 'nutter' type.
Complain about this comment
in note to my 43, i will say that an extraordinary level of real ale is setting in (back from a 'CAMRA' night out) and I am thinking of oldnats idea that independence might help a centre-right SCOTTISH party more than hte vasselage we have to Cammie and Osborne (damn Oxford type, if I wanted that I'd vote for Alec Douglas-Holme!)
So honesty is present more than usual
;)
Ah the curse of student life!
Complain about this comment
#41. At 00:25am on 16 Sep 2009, derekbarker wrote:
I believe J. Swinney wants to be collective on the importance of planning ahead, lets hope he can bang heads together and find a consensus on the reality of this depression.(it's not over by a long shot)
-------------
Well if this doesn't amuse you I don't know what will. "The Federal Reserve chairman, Ben S. Bernanke, said Tuesday that it was “very likely” that the recession had ended..."
Not that I've noticed mr. Bernanke.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/16/business/economy/16bernanke.html?em
Complain about this comment
#42. At 00:41am on 16 Sep 2009, oldnat wrote:
#37 romeplebian
There aren't that many precedents for the dissolution of a former state - the Czechs and Slovaks were the latest. Their solution was to divide both debta and assets between them in proportion to population.
Sounds like a reasonable solution but the devil is always in the details.
Complain about this comment
For example the north sea oil *could* be classed as an asset but I don't really see Scotland being willing to give the majority what's left of it to England--can you? lol
Complain about this comment
Oldnat:
#42.
Your forgetting the Czechs and Slovaks are reasonable people. The Scots and British will look for the better deal. It would be interesting to watch but I suspect most will be done behind closed doors, but I wonder and worry what we will get if Scottish Labour are in power.
Considering Scottish Labour will still have strong ties to British Labour, will they actually stop to support Scotland or give a wink and a nod and allow the remaining United Kingdom to have some sort of advantage?
Complain about this comment
#48. At 01:08am on 16 Sep 2009, Thomas_Porter wrote:
Oldnat:
#42.
Your forgetting the Czechs and Slovaks are reasonable people. The Scots and British will look for the better deal. It would be interesting to watch but I suspect most will be done behind closed doors, but I wonder and worry what we will get if Scottish Labour are in power.
But isn't that a bit of a stretch of the imagination? I have a hard time seeing Scottish Labour being in power at this point. Perhaps I'm totally off there.
Complain about this comment
I just do not see Alex Salmond doing deals with Labour. I really don't. Maybe I give him undue credit because, for someone who intently dislikes politicians, I have this strange admiration for the man.
Complain about this comment
#46 & 47 JRMacClure
These things sometimes have to go external arbitration. However, I think we can get a better one than in 1291!
Or maybe Scotland and England will have to submit to the overlordship of the USA before Obama will agree to arbitrate? :-)
Complain about this comment
Some people have been waiting along time for Browns moment at the TUC conference yesterday and Brendan Barber duly delivered with the bonkers remark.
I don't think there is any more delusional front with the position of the labour party, Brown has clearly pinned himself down with an admission of an overspend on unnecessary schemes.While only months or even weeks ago he defended his expenditure position as the right thing to do as opposed to cuts,Mandelson is the ghost of nulabour past, John Cruddas and John McDonnell respectfully know in which direction labour should steer.
It's a sobering thought for a nation to be left barren and empty of a left wing political party, these are dangerous times and only a real labour party can offer help to that element of society that always suffers hardest when a right wing party takes office, newlabour has failed dreadfully and common sense and common purpose now! demand a return to real labour and core values.
Complain about this comment
#51. At 01:46am on 16 Sep 2009, oldnat wrote:
#46 & 47 JRMacClure
These things sometimes have to go external arbitration. However, I think we can get a better one than in 1291!
Or maybe Scotland and England will have to submit to the overlordship of the USA before Obama will agree to arbitrate? :-)
-----------------------
*ponders* Since WWII, PMs seem to have meekly accepted US overlordship so they shouldn't have a problem with it. That's a done deal. I'm not so sure about Mr. Salmond. But Scots have always been stubborn like that.
I do suggest a better deal than 1291. Definitely.
Complain about this comment
Derek, the only left wing party left actually functioning in Scotland is the SNP. I'm pretty sure I'm safe in saying that.
The US has been devoid of an actual left wing party for quite some time now--the Democrats giving only the faintest pretense so I do sympathize.
Complain about this comment
JRMacClure, I remember a time when a young Alex Salmond was a marching socialist, however JRMacClure, it is pretty thin to relate to Thatcher economics as a guidence to follow.
http://news.scotsman.com/politics/Alex-Salmond-Scotland-39didn39t-mind39.4411586.jp
Complain about this comment
#54 JRMacClure
Actually Scotland has a plethora of Socialist left wing parties. If they actually combined they might get a respectable vote and, at least, be a conscience for how the nation treats the disadvantaged in our society. At best they could be an influence within the Parliament.
However, as so often on the left, they are fractured by ideological and personality differences which stop them achieving anything. I find it very sad that the beliefs of derek and fourstrikes don't have a voice in Parliament.
Complain about this comment
#56. At 02:54am on 16 Sep 2009, oldnat wrote:
#54 JRMacClure
Actually Scotland has a plethora of Socialist left wing parties. If they actually combined they might get a respectable vote and, at least, be a conscience for how the nation treats the disadvantaged in our society. At best they could be an influence within the Parliament.
Sorry, I wasn't being clear. I was really referring to major parties.
Like Scotland (and the UK), the US has left wing parties but they are totally splintered. Whether they would get a respectable vote if they combined--frankly I doubt it. The US is just unbelievably conservative, politically. But I suspect you know that. Even our left wing is actually right wing compared to everyone else in the world.
Derek, thanks for the link. That was an amusing and interesting article. I hadn't read that one.
Complain about this comment
The Scotsman's standards of journalism seem to have fallen even lower, while I detect the "green shoots of the recovery" in the Herald.
This from the Hootsmon
http://news.scotsman.com/politics/New-Megrahi-questions-as-NHS.5649461.jp
"LIBYAN doctors are to be trained by the NHS as a result of a controversial deal that has raised more questions about the UK government's relationship with Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi's regime and the release of the Lockerbie bomber.
Politicians questioned an arrangement brokered by the former health secretary Alan Johnson in spring last year that will enable Libyan medical staff to receive a year's instruction in Britain."
Does Peterkin not even know that there is no such thing as "the NHS" in the UK. Alan Johnson was only in charge of the NHS in England?
Is tis simply shoddy inaccurate and incompetent Scotsman journalism? (has to be a strong possibility!) or yet more Unionist attempts to diminish Scotland by linking the Megrahi release to the UK's dealings.
JR You were quite clear. I was simply making a point to the Socialists here that the answer lies in their own hands - and using a reply to you to do it. Quite a common ploy on this blog!
Complain about this comment
#57 JRMacClure
I wonder how much a part prohibition played on America and it's faliure to grasp a left wing significant party, many good decent trade union minds came from America, however, their politics were often undermined by the MOB. I remember a colleague referring to the hard ball trade unionist in America would play with their employees however I think my colleague never realised just how hard and dangerous trade unionistist in America were pressured.
Complain about this comment
I was surprised to see the headline in the Times for this article - until I saw who wrote it.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article6836188.ece
"Jim Murphy’s behind-the-scenes manoeuvring won day for Benbecula
Lorraine Davidson"
Complain about this comment
The Times acting as a propaganda organ is surely no surprise though. I don't even remember the last time I saw them do something I would class as news.
Oh, union and mob connections are and were shameful. Even today it exists. AFL-CIO, Teamsters, major unions were infected. Whether it came from prohibition, I'm not sure. To tell you the truth, I'm a bit weak on modern history.
Complain about this comment
JR You were quite clear. I was simply making a point to the Socialists here that the answer lies in their own hands - and using a reply to you to do it. Quite a common ploy on this blog!
-----------
Pfffft. I much prefer my own guise of innocent ignorance as I ask loaded questions.
Complain about this comment
#59 derekbarker
My wife's uncle was active in the (mob-run) Teamsters Union in the 60s. When he decided to stand for office, he was quietly told that his house would be firebombed if he did.
Not surprisingly discretion was the better part of valour, and he didn't put his name forward.
A rather more violent form of control by the corrupt leadership than the New Labour Party, I admit! But philosophically and morally, I sometimes struggle to see the difference.
Complain about this comment
I wonder if Oldnat will be pleased to tell me that J Edgar Hoover received his 33rd degree and Scottish Freemanson rite.;)
Complain about this comment
Not sure I follow that line of reasoning. Went right over my head but he was indeed a dedicated Freemason I understand.
I can tell you that stories of mob involvement in unions in this country can not be exaggerated it has been so bad. Totally discredited unionism. Whether that was the downfall of the left wing, very possibly. I can't say I'd made the connection, but as I said, my modern history is weak.
Complain about this comment
What happened? Last published post #64 at 04:27. What did JR say?!
Complain about this comment
Is there a problem with # 65 as it seems to still be awaiting moderation after 5 hours?
Complain about this comment
# 64 derekbarker
He'd already be used to dressing strangely ;-)
Complain about this comment
Brian
With John Swinney making his Budget announcement tomorrow, he should put down a marker for the Health Service. Yes, if you play ball with the rest of society, it is with you and for you from cradle to grave but if you want to near kill yourself with alcohol, drugs, obesity and any other social "diseases" don't expect the NHS to pick up your pieces.
Conversely I do think he should include that he is changing the measure of the effeciveness of Scottish Government expenditure to include the effect on Scots' happiness. Maybe in time we will end up with a society where people don't need alcohol, drugs and overeating to get them through the day.
Complain about this comment
Thanks to Oldnat for the article at #60.
So Wee Jim saves us again! It strikes me as peculiar that the MoD wouldn't have had to discuss this possible closure with the SoSfS BEFORE they announced the closure.
Strikes me that this is another vote catching setup to lead us to believe that Wee Jim the Sleekit is worthy of our support.
Complain about this comment
#7 Online_Ed
Brian Wilson is heavily involved with the West Highland Free Press; and you should see some of the nonsense he contributes. Originally founded as a left-wing weekly newspaper, you could make the inference that Brian Wilson was at one time left-wing; well not anymore; further to the right than a certain Mrs Thatcher, I would say. I'm reminded of the final chapter of Animal Farm when I consider Scottish Labour politicians.
Regarding cuts; maybe Labour will follow David Cameron's idea and cut the number of MPs. Expect boundary changes in Scotland to suit a Unionist agenda and return less MPs overall but more Unionist MPs in Scotland. They wouldn't do that, surely not?
Complain about this comment
Brown said:
"Labour will cut costs, cut inefficiencies, cut unnecessary programmes and cut lower-priority budgets".
What on earth have Brown and the labour party been doing for the last decade?
He is the main architect for the current financial debacle in Britain.
As of last month Britain owes £801,000,000,000.
The shadow chancellor George Osborne said the Prime Minister was being "shifty".
Osborne is being more than a trifle generous. Brown is so devious he would make a used car salesman appear a paragon of probity (apologies to used car salesmen).
Complain about this comment
sorry guys this is a coment on job seekers and people out of work i couldnt see a place to say this anywhere else
I have been looking for work in Glasgow.
I seem there are no jobs there as I have looked on the jobcentre plus website
I seen 3 jobs for call centre and they were all over 10 miles away from me would cost me more to get there
I am on Jobseekers allowance and I am finding it so hard. I have to be careful of the job I take as I have been made bankrupt and most jobs these days do credit searches and if you don’t match up you don’t get the job.
I live on something like £60 a week and this is to pay £30.00 to electricity and gas per fortnight
I also have to work out what food I can eat as I only get very little to spend on it.
I don’t think people actually realise how hard it is and on most occasions at the end of the 2 weeks that I have to budget this money out I have been without food
I have had to sit in my house with no electricity and no food
I have been wise to keep my Gas up to payment but I will run out of that soon as well.
I run my own house and I live alone with no kids therefore I get no help as I’m seen as a single man and I don’t fit the priority to be in need.
I have no family to help me out.
I have seen me going without food for over 2 weeks as I have a phone bill to pay and as I said gas and electricity.
The bills are mounting up and I can see I am not going to make any way forward.
I question whether this is a 3rd world country or not now I so want to get back to work but until then I will not eat
I have applied for crisis loan till I get by but I do have to pay this back and again I have to justify this and make myself beg literally for £5.00
I would like to see the government cut their wages as I don’t think they actually know what it’s like to be hunger.
I have a few ideas how to help people but I don’t know who to tell them to and they are as follows
1, calling jobcentre plus helpline to find a job is a 0845 number we could make this a free number and more would call it.
2, we could reward people for going for interviews if you have more than 1 interview a week and you can prove this you could get more money on your benefit
This would help people actually look for a job instead of lying around and wondering what if
And if they get a job they can contribute to the country
3, the job centre could actively send jobs out to people that are unemployed and ask what happened when the candidate goes in to sign on to get benefits.
4, this is a very good idea I think , we could change the way we look at the country we could look at all the spare ground that just sitting in our towns and cities and dig it up plant food like potatoes and carrots etc and once this is done at least there will be food
There are so many places that just sit and no 1 does anything with the land this could be used to feed people or get them off benefits to dig the land.
Each one of these ideas would help people not only in their self esteem but would feed them or get them off benefits
Remember when people work and are not on benefits they actually make a contribution to the country.
It looks like to me no 1 cares how many people are out of work and this is getting worse.
I believe people don’t want to be sitting around I don’t.
we could put those job centre machines that u look for a job on in every town centre and not just in the job centre that way if your passing it you can look
We could get people from job centre to actually help people in and out of work as when you’re in a job it’s just as hard as when you are out.
I say this because when you are in a job you don’t get a lot of help and you have to make do on a low wage. Will someone look over this and maybe we could add more ideas to get people jobs
Complain about this comment
Anyone waiting on a resurgence of socialist or left-wing aspirations amounting to anything politically in the UK in the near future is dreaming.
As 'the masses', we now want what we get, rather than get what we want - it is the basis of the consumerism which currently drives our economy, politics, media and ulimately society.
People's daily lives are now precarious affairs where simply managing a family and jobs are enough to keep anyone fully occupied. No chance then for masses taking to the streets to demand real change. Matt Taibi does a nice bit on the peasant mentality still living in the USA, it lives on here too! It's why the divide between rich and poor accelerates, but mentioning class war is taboo. Meanwhile we chalk up national debt to gift to the banking sector - nominally to save the economy, the private sector. Who pays? the public sector, the public (oh, and please read Ian Hamilton QC's blog post on debt, just in case you're hypnotised by the drama and sexing up of the 'credit crunch'). What do we have? just enough to keep us off the streets and in our seats, but to little to stop worry about our families and jobs.
My fervent hope is that an newly independent Scotland will allow us to foster the genuine, deeply radical thinking that can help our society get out of this progressively damaging relationship between society and the systems which bleed it.
Why should it be that independence will foster this motivation to new ideas for how we live as a people in the world? We'll be a smaller more coherent polity, bottom up initiatives will become effective more quickly, small networks of people working together will be more potent in a smaller population. More than being independent though, i think the event of becoming independent could provide a brief window in time where people will sense a great opening of the range possiblities which we could aim for. If so, I hope we are ready for it and don't squander the gift of that opportunity.
Complain about this comment
# 69 handclapping
That's a dangerous path to go down and I don't think that I'd be able to support that idea. What about those tourists, whom the government are keen to attract, who climb our mountains and injure themselves. Nobody asked them to climb mountains or people who go sailing and injure themselves, or people who injure themselves doing jobs at home because they can't afford a tradesman. The mark of a civilised society is that we care for all the people who need help.
Saying that I understand where you are coming from and hope that your last sentence comes true.
Complain about this comment
Our esteemed professor and friend of Scotland has been up to his old nonsense again
You should really check this article in the Wall St Journal out and prepare to be astounded by the vitriol and inaccuracy that this man can fit into one piece of 'journalism'
What exactly is his raison d'etre?
http://mobile2.wsj.com/device/article.php?CALL_URL=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB40001424052970204884404574362801080600762.html?
Complain about this comment
Is there only one wee moderator left in the BBC struggling away in some dark dank basement chained to a dusty desk, struggling to see the postings by a flickering candle. You would think so with the amount of time that postings are taking to pass moderation.
Rebel you Mods and stand up for your rights against the BBC bosses and Orwell's bureaucratic vision of hell!
Complain about this comment
Given the government funded BBC's reported lack of impartiality that some on this blog highlight, is anyone else worried by the article in the Herald (basically they want to fund regional news on ITV as well):
Minister defends plan to spend licence fee on regional news
I am not normally this paranoid, but maybe it is worth highlighting the possible lack of an independant local news network if this proposal is rubberstamped.
John
Complain about this comment
More uninformed pap.
Complain about this comment
Benbecula story:
Westminster plan to close the range then effectively drop the plan - 'U' turn or not, it is clear that Labour have altered their plans.
Angus McNeil the SNP MP thanked the campaigns task force the council as well as the House of Commons select committee.
Seems OK to me, no attacks on anyone.
However, Labour have once again turned a cross party campaign into an attack on the SNP, again dutifully reported by the BBC who also manage to slip in their own less than flattering description of the SNP's input to the campaign (Reporter Angus MacLeod). Peter Peacock's statement was particularly galling as he accused the SNP of "playing politics with peoples jobs".
Yes, this from a member of the party who had planned to close the range and were only persuaded to keep it open as a result of a local campaign.
Labour are fortunate that the SNP are behaving responsiby in the midst of these latest Labour rants. It follows similar statements from Labour after the Diageo campaign failed.
If I was a local who relied on the range then how would I view each party's behaviour. One plans to close the range then at the eleventh hour decides it should be 'saved'.
The other joins a campaign right from the outset in order to keep the range open.
It looks like one party has indeed been playing fast and loose with the local community at Benbecula.
Oh, Jim Murphy surely has to be one of the most distastefull individuals ever to hold the SoS position.
Complain about this comment
#76 Gavinahill
Thnaks for the link.
What a load of rubbish - how can the Wall St Journal even consider that to be true. I shudder to think what the rest of his book contains if this is a typical excerpt. When is the SNP going to take action against slanderous crap like that. They seem to be trying to play fair and not get into slanging matches but at some point somebody is going to have to say enough is enough.
Complain about this comment
#75 gedguy2
I didn't say we shouldn't help them, I don't think its the NHS' job, that's all. Doctors like to think of themselves as masters of the universe, don't worry we can fix it, though they have known about diabetes for 3000 years and haven't fixed it, and politicians are only too happy to agree and avoid the responsibility of doing something about the social conditions that cause the problems. Injuries, no worries even for tourists. However medical tourism, coming here as you've got cancer or so you can "suddenly" develop the symptoms of an operation you can't afford in your own country, nope, that's not what the NHS is for.
Complain about this comment
#78, John__ wrote:
"Given the government funded BBC's reported lack of impartiality that some on this blog highlight"
Government finance is the ultimate in prestidigitation, notwithstanding which BBC funding is even less indirect than usual: licence fee-payers fund the BBC.
The idea that I am paying for even a fraction of a penny of Glenn Campbell's salary causes much gnashing of teeth...
Complain about this comment
I was driving along listening to the news on BBC Radio Scotland yesterday morning when Mhairi Stuart announced that Secretary of State Against Scotland Jim Murphy might have some good news for the people of the Western Isles.
Yippee I thought Skeletor's resigning to spend more time with his sickle, but alas no. He was simply employing the time worn Labour tactic of leaking bad news to gauge reaction then stepping in to announce self- righteously that the feared thing wouldn't be happening afer all.
Mhairi was obviously forewarned that Skeletor was going to be calling off the dogs and was therefore able to trail the happy announcement for him.
I was thinking that if Labour are to be allowed their own taxpayer funded state broadcaster couldn't the other parties rent time from the BBC as well. Say 3 months each for the SNP, Lib Dems and Tories where all News and political reporting gives their party the best possible gloss.
When you heard Mhairi, Glen or Bill being outrageously rude to Iain Gray, you'd think "oh I'd forgotten it was the Tories turn this quarter". When mudslinging Miss Goldie was getting a pasting you'd remember it was of course the Lib Dem's turn to be the Beebs favourite party.
Obviously when it was the SNP's turn to be favourites the shock of hearing balanced reporting may lead to a short term increase in Scottish Ambulance call outs as previously jaded supporters are stretchered out their front door in shock but it would be worth it.
Re the Harris Tweed debacle, it occured to me that the revolting neologism "De-Scottishify" is precisely what Labour up here and their Great Helmsman Broon have been trying to do to our country for years.
Complain about this comment
80 - Online Ed your comments are again spot on !
I also heard this disgraceful piece of reporting from Mr MacLeod. Labour lies again presented as fact.
Who do you complain to - Brian ?
In light of the frequency and number of posts complaining about BBC reporting bias a boycott of the licence fee is a distinct possibility.
Complain about this comment
# 74 mrbfaethedee
This is a very good question put by Hamilton QC; 'Who are we in debt to?'
The obvious answer is the banks as in any normal transaction we would borrow money from the bank and therefore we are in debt to them. Surely we can't be in debt to the banks as the banks have borrowed money from us. If that is the case then the banks have gotten themselves into trouble, borrowed the money off us at a set interest then lent that money back to us, at a higher interest rate than they borrowed it, to pay for the money that they have borrowed off us. So we end up paying for a debt used to help the bankers to screw us out of our future taxes because we helped them when they got into trouble and while this is going on they, the bankers, who are in debt to us, walk away with billions of our money to pay themselves wages and bonuses because they borrowed money off us.
The UK governemnt under Brown must think that we are idiots!
Complain about this comment
Comment 81:
They seem to be trying to play fair and not get into slanging matches but at some point somebody is going to have to say enough is enough.
The media are the defacto police when it comes to the bahaviour of a political party. Witness the coverage and vitriol aimed at the BNP from those within the media. When a political party's irresponsible behaviour and public utterances are such that they could conceivably harm our fragile civil democracy then the media step in.
The party is effectively forced into altering it's behaviour and rhetoric as a result, otherwise they become unelectable.
The SNP cannot afford to drag itself down to Labour's level and must behave like a responsible government; that said I do believe that TV resenters like Campbell should have the tables turned on him when he oversteps the mark.
Jim Murphy made a comment last night on the Benbecula reprieve. His interview was going the way of typical interviews, nothing controversial, when he suddenly stated "The SNP have been going around the country politicising this issue". The interviewer let the remark go without asking Murphy to justify it. It angered me not just because it was a lie, but once again Labour were allowed to accuse the SNP of behaviour that only, I repeat ONLY Labour had been guilty of.
This kind of stuff needs to be stamped out, but our media aren’t just ignoring it, they are at times encouraging it and even promoting it.
Campbell's remark n the evening of Megrahi’s release that "Kenny MacAskill is tonight the toast of Tripoli" should have seen him carpetted by the BBC.
Complain about this comment
73. My heart goes out to you. During the 1980s I experienced what you are experiencing now. I hope that your job search soon proves fruitful. Perhaps you could get involved in some sort of local charity group or organisation as a volunteer. It will give you some current experience for your CV, will show potential employers that you're not one to sit about doing nothing, and the experience will allow you to meet new people and make new contacts and perhaps will give you new ideas about your future. It also gets you out of the house so you spend less money on electric and gas. I got involved with a local arts project when I was unemployed in the 80s, it helped keep me sane.
Some of your suggestions to give job seekers better incentives are very good ideas, but I am afraid that both this so-called Labour government and the Conservatives who will follow prefer to use the stick and not the carrot. One reason I want independence is because I hope that Scotland will treat its unemployed with more dignity and respect than the British government has. Scotland is a rich country, it's an obscenity that so many Scots are forced to live in poverty whilst our resources are ransacked to pay for London Crossrail, the Olympics, nuclear warheads and bank bailouts. Many Scots are forced into emigration. We don't just pay for the Union with our oil, we pay with our sons and daughters too - and we're laughably told this is a 'Union benefit'. Eventually I had to move to London in order to find work, my skills were acquired because Scotland paid for my education, but London got the benefit.
Today the news reported that unemployment was at its highest level since 1995 and is expected to increase to 3 million before the next election. Sadly there are going to be many more people in the same boat as you.
Good luck and I hope things work out for you.
Complain about this comment
gedguy2:
#75.
"That's a dangerous path to go down and I don't think that I'd be able to support that idea. What about those tourists, whom the government are keen to attract, who climb our mountains and injure themselves."
Please come back to the real world! I would like you to travel more often because you should also purchase insurance that helps cover your medical bills when your abroad. Since not all country's offer medical to all, including tourists.
Therefore your comment is quite misleading as it's a privilage that Scotland cares for all, regardless of being native or not, however I will point out that if you admitt your not from Scotland then you are actually charged for your medical care.
"The mark of a civilised society is that we care for all the people who need help."
I find this statement rather insulting too. Perhaps in your ideal world we care for all, but I would rather not waste resources on quite a substantial part of the population (Don't want to go into too much detail) but I will always seek to progress mankind forward as I believe we have are capable of anything and everything. That's certainly not realistic if I am forced to adopt the cradle to the grave attitude, which has created the me, me, me attitude where people don't contribute but still are a burden on our limited resources.
I'd like to see the NHS change altogether. It will remain state owned but it will no longer be free. Instead it's subsidised so your paying a fraction of the actual costs. This will hopefully ensure none of those outside of Scotland take advnatage of our free medical care. Of course some treatments are not one-off and background checks are be done to ensure the visitors are actually paying taxes here, so those types of treatment can and should remain free to all.
Complain about this comment
Why has the BBC News Scotland Politics front page still got a link for "Ed Balls - None of us wanted release" audio piece sitting in the middle when it happened way back on Monday, 7th Sept (ten days ago)?
Is this the latest audio you have? Or are you trying to make a statement?
Complain about this comment
# 89 Thomas_Porter
First of all, the majority of people who climb in our mountains are not from the mountainous areas but are still British. At this moment in time we are all part of the UK and are entitled to free medical help whenever we need it. This is not my idea, although I support it, but this is the principles on which the NHS stands. I will assume, and therefore ignore, your statement that only those from Scotland should have the benefit of free medical care because # 69 handclapping was not talking about an independent Scotland, at least, he never made any reference to that so I assumed he was talking about Scotland within the UK. The reference to mountaineers etc. was an extension of his idea in relation to his posting about removing care from those who find themselves in the position of being junkies, alcoholics or obese. Can I assume that you agree with him on this point as you seem to be defending his position by attacking mine?
Your 'me,me'me' attitude is in reference to people who find themselves in need of medical care and that is where you and I differ. Not everyone is designed to function within this type of society and therefore there will be casualties. I don't see why we shouldn't help those that fail to function in the way that you seem to assume is a prerequisite for being human. Try and remember that a time may come when your world collapses around you, for whatever reason, and you need help and encouragement instead of being ignored in your time of plight and allowed to fester on the scrapheap.
Complain about this comment
# 82 handclapping
'I didn't say we shouldn't help them, I don't think its the NHS' job'
Whose job is it then?
'coming here as you've got cancer or so you can "suddenly" develop the symptoms of an operation you can't afford in your own country'
As far as 'medical tourists' are concerned you have my support on that.
Complain about this comment
# 88 InfrequentAllele
I've been in that situation more than once myself. However, he can't do charity work as he is then making himself unavailable for work and will be thrown off the dole. Sad but true.
Complain about this comment
#76 and #81 - You don't dignify the street corner ravings of a daftie by responding to them as if they had merit. (The Wall Street Journal is pretty much Fox News for people who can read and write. Imagine if Daily Telegraph website posters actually ran a newspaper...) I would have thought that using demonising rhetoric to a far right audience, baseless slander, and mudslinging at religious minorities would be the sort of tactics that Professors of Peace Studies would disapprove of, as a general rule. Hmmm.....
Complain about this comment
89. No one has the right to decide whether one person's life is worth more than another's. There is no such thing as the deserving ill and the undeserving ill. Everyone who is in medical need is entitled to treatment. End of story.
After the event we can haggle over whether the bill for treatment should be sent to a foreign government or health insurer.
93. I don't know what the current regulations are, but you used to be able to do volunteer work as long as it was less than 16 hours per week. I may be wrong though. The rules have changed a lot since I was unemployed.
Stopping people from doing volunteer work is another way in which the benefits system traps people in a cycle of poverty and hopelessness. They can't enter full time education either, in effect they have to choose between their benefits or doing a course or taking volunteer work that will give them the skills and experience to find a decent job. The state will pay to keep people on the poverty line, but won't pay to help them escape poverty.
Words fail me when it comes to making jobseekers call a premium rate phone line in order to seek assistance finding work. That really is obscene. And how very New Labour.
Complain about this comment
86. gedguy2
"The obvious answer is the banks as in any normal transaction we would borrow money from the bank and therefore we are in debt to them."
Which will be abstracted out as 'the money markets', just to make it seem like something different. The rest of your post sounds about right to me, it's not much different to how central banks produce money backed by the resources of their respective states, then charge them interest on it.
It's a dirty business that's been bedded in for hundreds of years. It looked like it was just about ready to eat itself, so we saved it. Now it can continue eating us.
Complain about this comment
93. gedguy2
"I've been in that situation more than once myself. However, he can't do charity work as he is then making himself unavailable for work and will be thrown off the dole. Sad but true."
Is that true of voluntary work too gedguy2?
Bad either way. It's sad that we only value one way of 'contributing' to society.
Complain about this comment
#92 gedguy2
Whose job is it then? Perfect example of the problem, politicians can't be bothered to talk or think about it so let's medicalise the problem and lumber it on the NHS. It's a social problem so just as the mentally handicapped come under the social so should the junkies of whatever drug of choice, grown, brewed or chemical. Having said that I do not think it is just a local problem, it emanates from the society we have made for ourselves so national politicians have to be involved in the changes that will be necessary to reshape society so that it can be enjoyed rather than endured. And that doesn't mean just cutting down on the prescribing of anti-depressants, it means finding out why so many are depressed for so long and changing things.
I didn't mention independence as it is a problem for all acquisitive societies but I raised it here as independence gives us a chance to change, hopefully for the better. These are the real politics, not Spud the Missile or Gordon as Global Saviour.
Complain about this comment
Yes, Jim Murphy's mantra, constantly wheeled out for every TV camera, "we are better together" and the "union saved the Scottish banks" should go down well with the people who have lost their jobs.
There seems to be a growing view that the big banks should be split up again to make them safer. (I even saw Alf Young nodding his approval for this last night). This is no more than companies do at the moment by making each part of a large company an autonomous part of the group. So why doesn't Darling and Brown want to do this? Their argument is that smaller units are no insulated against failure as some did fail in the current crisis, but how does that help with competition. I think their reluctance to do this is more to do egos and their not to be seen backtracking on their policy of merging Lloyds and HBOS. Nothing to do with what's best for the country of course. Similarly no policy change from them with the three organisations that failed to spot the dangers to the UK ecconomy and let the failures happen; viz. Bank of England, FSA and the Treasury, as set up by Brown.
Complain about this comment
# 95 InfrequentAllele
I suspect you are correct on the 16 hours.
Complain about this comment
I have been thinking myself about BBC bias and what the SNP should do about it. They have been very patient and gracious so far, perhaps because the BBC are actually doing the union more damage than anything else. Witness the incredible political difference between the 6pm news and Reporting Scotland for example, it leaves the BBC looking two-faced. Witness the recent polls and Euro elections. How labour must wish they had supported a Scottish-Six with which to brainwash us.
I'm not thinking about the hardline Labour vote here, I'm thinking about the voters who consider how to vote, those that will swing seats like Kilmarnock and Stirling.
People like that will not be fooled, they will probably even identify that they are being deliberately deceived.
As the election approaches and BBC Scotland becomes more partizan, the pretence of impartiality will no longer work. Perhaps BBC Scotland thinks it has nothing to lose, that independence will be its demise. Maybe, maybe not but if nationalists win the referendum I expect there will be a clear-out at BBC Scotland - but not wholesale. It would be sweeter to reward some and condemn others. That is exactly what will happen, it is the model used elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Mr MacAskill may just decide to stop pursuing licence fee refusniks. The courts are busy enough.
Complain about this comment
gedguy2:
#91.
"First of all, the majority of people who climb in our mountains are not from the mountainous areas but are still British. At this moment in time we are all part of the UK and are entitled to free medical help whenever we need it. This is not my idea, although I support it, but this is the principles on which the NHS stands."
I do apologise as I should have been more specific. I am not going to barr individuals from the other parts of the United Kingdom from free medical care, as we still remain together, but in future I would expect things to be different, I would be pleased if all sides could agree to my idea of the NHS though :D
"The reference to mountaineers etc. was an extension of his idea in relation to his posting about removing care from those who find themselves in the position of being junkies, alcoholics or obese. Can I assume that you agree with him on this point as you seem to be defending his position by attacking mine?"
To an extent I do not agree with using a public resource to help those who clearly understand the risks involved, yet persue that type of lifestyle. You get what's coming to you, you should live with the consequences with what you choose to do.
"Your 'me,me'me' attitude is in reference to people who find themselves in need of medical care and that is where you and I differ."
The me, me, me attitude is what exists while we create a nanny state, people want more and more but are unwilling to put anything into the system.
"Not everyone is designed to function within this type of society and therefore there will be casualties. I don't see why we shouldn't help those that fail to function in the way that you seem to assume is a prerequisite for being human."
I disagree to an extent, simply because as children through education and family we learn to act in the manner that we do. I like to think of myself as a product of society, I am who I am because of society. However I will point out that I would not refuse to help those who are unfortunate to go through a terrible phase which is out of there control, but why should I help those who do put themselves at risk?
"Try and remember that a time may come when your world collapses around you, for whatever reason, and you need help and encouragement instead of being ignored in your time of plight and allowed to fester on the scrapheap."
Technically I do not have a world, I am building my world through my vision of the perfect world. I am not made for this society, it's far to different to what I would say is perfect. However I do take responsibility for ensuring my success, it's why I build up contacts who I can call in favours/do favours for.
I am far more individualistic then you, so I don't see us agreeing any time soon :-)
Complain about this comment
#93, #95 - " he can't do charity work as he is then making himself unavailable for work and will be thrown off the dole. Sad but true."
Thankfully, no longer true. In fact, under Busted Flush Gordie's leadership, Jobcentre Plus actually encourage Jobseekers to do voluntary work to "keep them in touch with the labour market". The long term unemployed (i.e. over 6 months) can effectively do as much voluntary work as they like. And this doesn't have to be for a recongnised charity, it could be shelf stacking at the local corner shop. He's also just launched an initiative called "Backing Young Britain" (or something like that) that allows 18 years old to do the same straight from the off.
Complain about this comment
#95. "Words fail me when it comes to making jobseekers call a premium rate phone line in order to seek assistance finding work. That really is obscene. And how very New Labour."
That really is disgusting. There is a pretty good website, search 'saynoto0870' to find the local number alternatives to the premium numbers.
Complain about this comment
Gedguy2:
"I'm not too sure that I can agree with that as there are many situations where people can get into trouble without them realising that this is what can happen to them."
Then it's down to ignorance, should I be responsible for another persons stupidity? There is no excuse for smoking, drinking excessivly, taking illegal substances and for being 5 foot 5, but weigh 20 stones without realising the health risks involved. It's on adverts, in magazines, in the papers etc etc
"Remember that the NHS was started up to stop people from becoming infirm and dying from easily preventable deseases."
I said that I support cases in which it's out of our control. I want to help make people more responsible for their own actions at their own expence, not to criminalise everyone for catching the cold :-p
"I refer you to my previous answer but one above and I would add that not all of us in this society can be as strong as what you say you are."
I wouldn't say I am 'strong', but my mother always told me the world is mine and that I can do whatever I pleased, which was the only thing I was told growing up.
Complain about this comment
105. Thomas_Porter
"I wouldn't say I am 'strong', but my mother always told me the world is mine and that I can do whatever I pleased, which was the only thing I was told growing up."
Wow strong stuff if that is how you look at life that nothing else matters as long as you get your way and leave future generations to clear up after you. That's why the World is in such a mess now from that attitude.
Complain about this comment
73. jammaboy
The Food Bank Blythswood Care
Complain about this comment
View these comments in RSS