Assuage and parry
There have been times, in truth, when relations between Holyrood and Westminster have been less than amicable.
This should not come as a particular surprise. They are different, even to some extent rival, institutions, competing for public attention.
Today, however, was different. The new Scottish secretary, Michael Moore, offered an exercise in smooth diplomacy as he met senior MSPs at Holyrood.
Respect? This was adoration. He smiled, he assuaged, he parried. Every word, every gesture was designed to assure the MSPs of their elevated place in the political firmament.
In essence, Mr Moore followed a dual strategy. He closed nothing down with regard to the individual topics pursued by the committee conveners and business managers in his audience.
Fossil fuel levy cash? We're on to it and are sympathetic. Scotland's voice in Europe? Ditto.
At the same time, he had an extremely blunt message to deliver with regard to public spending.
Awkward questions
The body politic, he said, was dealing with "brutal stuff" in terms of the deficit and the action needed to address it.
For the avoidance of doubt, he repeated this tough message at various points during the exchanges.
This was an assured performance by the new secretary of state. He contrived to sound both collaborative and purposeful - while, in practice, giving nothing away.
He faced awkward questions on Calman - both from the MSPs and, subsequently, from the wicked media.
His message was that, if it proved necessary, the UK Government was prepared to alter and enhance elements of the Calman package on new powers for Holyrood.
However, that did not in any way mean that Calman had been ditched - or that the debate started from zero. Calman was the core. Calman was government policy.
Questioned by the media, Mr Moore indicated that Calman itself represented a compromise. His own Liberal Democrats, he conceded, had favoured further taxation powers.
Budget thinking
But their manifesto had featured Calman and it was the function of coalitions to pursue agreed positions.
Back, finally, to spending. Chancellor George Osborne will spell out his Budget thinking on Tuesday. But, with regard to spending, that is the beginning, rather than the end.
It's thought the Chancellor will set out the Total Managed Expenditure for the UK for the next three or four years.
What the UK Government plans to spend. That will indicate how quickly they plan to shrink the deficit and debt.
Within that, he may indicate what percentage will be devoted to Annually Managed Expenditure - that is demand-led spending on items like pensions and benefits - and what percentage goes to discretionary spending by individual departments.
Those are Departmental Expenditure Limits.
There then follows detailed face to face negotiations involving the Whitehall departments and the Chief Secretary, Danny Alexander.
Protecting health
We get the outcome of that in the autumn statement following the Comprehensive Spending Review.
Only then will we know the shape of future Scottish spending. That is because the Scottish total is dependent on Barnett comparisons with Whitehall departments which handle matters which are devolved to Scotland.
For example, if health is protected (devolved) and defence slashed (reserved), then Scotland's budget gains a relative advantage. If it's the other way round......you get the concept.
After we get the broad Scottish total, Finance Secretary John Swinney can begin the process of settling Scottish departmental spending in detail although he can, of course, start working on assumptions after we get the UK TME on Tuesday.
It's expected that Mr Swinney's department will be consulted during the CSR as to priorities - rather than simply being told the outcome after the process.
Ministers at Holyrood are hopeful that this promise by the UK Government will be delivered. Respect and all that.
PS: At least one MSP was unhappy with Mr Moore. Or, more accurately, with the arrangements for meeting him. Margo MacDonald had hoped to participate to represent her own enthusiastically independent approach.
There had been a minor rammy behind the scenes as to whether the meeting should involve conveners, business managers or both.
In the event, a settlement was wisely reached - but still without a place for the Lothian MSP.
Margo, who manages her own business extremely expeditiously, remains discontented and is now writing to the Holyrood authorities seeking clarification before any such meeting recurs.
I'm 
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~48~RS~)
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Brian,
One of your longer blogs and not a single mention of the word "labour". What could have come over you? Have you used up your allocation for the month? No wait, you're talking about spending cuts, and that is not labour's fault.
John
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And they run faster and faster away from any notion of fiscal autonomy which everyone in Scotland wants. Again whichever unionist party is in power what ever London says goes!
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I'd be interested to know who the majority of the BBC Scotland staff and journalists are going to vote to be Labour leader?
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Welcome back Brian. You are back to your thoughtful best, IMHO.
The bit on the budget process got me thinking. Years ago, I had a dispute with the owners' association in a block of flats. After several years getting nowhere using the "he said, she said" approach, I detailed the situation in a letter. When I was finished, I looked it and asked myself "How the (insert your own expletive here) did I let this go so far without resolving it?"
For any nation, a budget is probably the single biggest matter for a government to undertake that affects people's daily lives. So how on earth did the nation of Scotland allow itself to be reduced to the status of a government department? If this fine piece of writing does not switch on a few lightbulbs in doubters' minds I really don't know what will.
I am interested to see how the Margo MacDonald situation plays out. Of course, here in the USA an independent would be required to align themselves with one of the big two parties if they wanted any privileges at all (look at US Senators Sanders and Lieberman for instance, who both caucus with the Democrats). I cannot imagine that ever satisfying Ms MacDonald.
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2. At 5:03pm on 17 Jun 2010, Vakov2000 wrote:
And they run faster and faster away from any notion of fiscal autonomy which everyone in Scotland wants.
***********************************************************************
Everyone in Scotland? Have you asked everyone in Scotland if this is in fact the case?
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Zzzzzzz Zzzzzzzz Zzzzzz Zzzzzzz Zzzzzzz
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Any sign of that SDS document Brian?
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7. Robin Ruisseaux
Your spelling is atrocious!
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Two things if I may.
1. My apologies for the many spaces in 8 above. One of my Yorkies, sleeping on my desk, moved (onto the space bar) as I was submitting comment. Mea culpa.
2. Brian. You choose to present the above drivel - for that is what it is - instead of FMQs where Ian Gray, once again attacks an SNP (Education) Minister.
Time for you to be promoted Brian. You are far too good for this blog.
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"The body politic, he said, was dealing with "brutal stuff" in terms of the deficit and the action needed to address it."
Are we broke then? Who spent all the money? In the Prime Ministerial elections broadcasts where 3 well dressed men asked me to vote for them to be Prime Minister, none of them mentioned there would be this much cuts to my services. They did say there would be some - a wee bit - but we couldn't possibly quantify what or how much - trust us it will be OK. As the well known phrase goes 'that'll be shining bright'.
Has somebody run away with all my taxes that I paid? I remember immigration being a biggie in these broadcasts! and something about twits using twitter in an 'inappropriate' manner. Did I miss the program telling me the levels of cuts and the remedies - surely the defenders of the free state and workers rights would put away a wee bit for a rainy day to tide us through? surely? No? Nothing under the bed in an old biscuit tin (oops sorry that's Celtic isn't it) Not even a nice wee renaissance painting hanging in a union office somewhere, or a wee georgian building to sell on when times got tough.
Ah well there you go - that slight breeze there was my trust going flying past you as I realize that all three 'big / old' (delete as appropriate) parties would not tell me the truth.
Anyway,
Any news on papers being waved in Edinburgh Parliaments?
Any word on who let the cat out of the bag about the paths round Lizzies highland hoose?
Any news on ex leaders of Large City Cooncils?
Any news on 'rent a tent' in Lothian?
Any news? Anything?
No even any new signings down Tanadeechy way!
The boredom is killing me.
Not much traffic on this blog these days. I'll tune in again tomorrow after moderation curfew to see if anything has been announced through the media of investigative journalism.
Brian. I think this blog is in danger of dwindling away to nothing - 10 reply's in 6 hours - in the good old days just a few months ago there used to be 10 waiting for moderation in 6 minutes. Jim Spence is outdoing you these days. Time to fight back. Be controversial. Stir up a little dust. Care Brian - Just Care!
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"highland rab" put it beautifully :
"Anyway,
Any news on papers being waved in Edinburgh Parliaments?
Any word on who let the cat out of the bag about the paths round Lizzies highland hoose?
Any news on ex leaders of Large City Cooncils?
Any news on 'rent a tent' in Lothian?
Any news? Anything?"
Brian - you only report what yer telt. And to emphasis my point I don't even have to say who is doing the telling.
Yeah, Even I know this wont get past the moderators/thought police.
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Why should Brian care?
His salary is getting paid and there will be plenty parachutes for the apparatchiks if things go pear-shaped.
Things won't always be this way Brian.
Our day will come.
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8. At 8:12pm on 17 Jun 2010, bmc875 wrote:
"Any sign of that SDS document Brian?"
Don't know about Brian but I know what I'd like to see happen to the said document if it ever surfaces - the words 'stick it' and 'where the sun don't shine' spring to mind'
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So Michael Moore and hid LibDem co-horts are to speak in the Scottish Parliament.
Will 'Call Me Dave' stop at nothing to win the approval of the Scottish voters.
Pathetic!!
Next they'll be telling us they represent Scotland. Joke!!
Whatever this mob say beggers belief!!
Might go to the land of nod now where the ConDems hail from - just hope I don't meet any on the way!!
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11. highlandarab
"Brian. I think this blog is in danger of dwindling away to nothing - 10 reply's in 6 hours - in the good old days just a few months ago there used to be 10 waiting for moderation in 6 minutes. Jim Spence is outdoing you these days. Time to fight back. Be controversial. Stir up a little dust. Care Brian - Just Care!"
I decided to stroll through on my way elsewhere and found myself impelled to point out that it caused a bit of a stooshie the last time Brian tried to "stir up a little dust" (or was it mud slinging as our American friends term it).
Who remembers this little comment from Brian's May 30 entry:
UPDATE AT 1644: Still more. Labour at Holyrood has now produced documentary evidence to back up its claim.
It has published a document dated 27 April this year which appears to be a detailed plan by Skills Development Scotland to phase in the use of The Works in signage, letterheads and the like.
Ah, yes. The famous published document that much searching has yet to find.
Brian, where is it we can find that published document?
We know that you value your reputation as a truthful, unbiased and accurate journalist. Do you not?
I'm sure you want to point the way to such a valuable document.
More to follow.
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Now on my way to getting myself banned from this valuable source of Scottish news, let me point out that there are very serious allegations that anyone who links to a website -- a very popular one -- that contains the words 'Scotland' and 'Net' and 'News' is banned.
Is this possible? This is a website to which very reputable journalists are known to contribute, one that is solely devoted to serious news. Now one may disagree with its nationalist bent, but surely that would not cause so fair-minded and unbiased an organisation as BBC Scotland to ban anyone linking to it.
I find this hard to believe and yet numerous people who formally posted here have suddenly disappeared. I shall experiment since I don't really care one way or the other.
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Good lord. It won't even pass the profanity filter
Since when is news OR net OR Scotland a profanity?
What sad days for our nation. I long since lost any confidence in the BBC but this is beyond tragic. I would make a comparison to Pravda but -- honestly, it is worse than that because so many people TRUST the BBC. It is censorship of the most blatant nature.
Well, since I can't get myself banned by using it I will once more say fare you well. Good luck to us all because we need it.
Sealbh math dhuit
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3 Wansanshoo.
Post 3 contains no profanity, no insults and no material that is not in the public domain.
It refers to, as does Brian, to the Condem flexibility to Calman and the new powers being given to the Mayor Of London.
This is further proof that donating my television tax to the SNP was entirely the correct decision.
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# 17 Grannie,
Yoy are spot on in what you say had posts removed myself for using news****scot I won't doing much posting on here again although I will still read the report as it is always good to know what the enemy say,also would like to have some clarity on the document that was waved about in Parliament and spoken about by Brian not much chance though.
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Assuage and parry
Brian,
Is it neccessary for the state broadcaster to sterilize, through censorship, the thoughts of it's, and I use the term loosely, customers?
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7. At 6:56pm on 17 Jun 2010, Robin Ruisseaux wrote:
Zzzzzzz Zzzzzzzz Zzzzzz Zzzzzzz Zzzzzzz
...Those bloomin' annoying Vuvuzelas !!!
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Dear Grannie Annie,
I have come to the conclusion that you should have your own Blog specifically to comment on this one. You are a star and I just tune in here now to read you. Well done and keep going you are making a difference even if you feel you are not. The tide of state propaganda will rise as we approach next May, you are more important and precious than you may imagine. Good luck and please keep going.
Yours sincerely Hen.
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New Scottish Secretary addressing our glorified regional council! Simply that's what we have, and will only ever be allowed to play with. Those that wish it to be something else have just not convinced enough of us. The use of the coalition word 'Brutal' is an understatement certainly those at the blunt end will be reeling for the next 4 years....total anarchy will be avoided with a hardened core picking up the tab, and Mr Fred The Shred and cronies will re-appear in some new circus in town, granted not Old Smokey but I'm quite sure in some other far and distant pleasent land.
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GrannieAnnie has gone.... Yay, one less blinkered Nat on the blog
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Oh look its deliverednopoint
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6. Morrigan
Time and again the polls have shown a huge majority of people support fiscal autonomy. However to properly ask everyone in Scotland we would have to have a referendum. Unfortuanately the unionists refuse to allow the Scots to have referendums because they apparently know best.
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6. Morrigan
I note from previous comments you have made you are not Scottish and have a certain disdain for the Scots, Irish and Welsh. So I would suggest you're opinions on what Scots want are unimportant.
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25. Duncansdaddie
Grannieality ;-)
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#28 deducted
How about taking off your Brit-unionist blinkers??
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34. Last-of-the-Menie-Feu
Well, I'm the last person to don Brit-unionist blinkers (it's big frilly saltire bloomers 8-), and I thought Grannie was a seventies throwback raving loon!
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That is because the Scottish total is dependent on Barnett comparisons with Whitehall departments which handle matters which are devolved to Scotland.
At the heart of all the hoo-haa about a new parliament for Scotland and devolved powers is the problem that it lives on a block grant. It currently has the power to vary income tax by 3p in the pound and either keep the excess or lose the cut from it's block grant but that power has never been used.
All Calman does is raise that 3p limit to 10p. I suggest anyone who thinks that Calman means anymore than the 3p limit being raised to 10p should go and read the recommendations. It's very clear that for all the fuss about the transfer of fiscal powers that is all that it is and it's genius. Calman is touted as the next best thing to sliced bread but all it does is raise the limit on the unused 3p in the pound tax variation to 10p. Raise the limit on a tax instrument that's never been used and sell it as a huge change, brilliant.
So despite the fact that the Scottish Parliament can make laws on the areas Westminster has granted to it the all important budget has to be divvied up from a block grant. That means that the only thing that all the political parties can do in an election is promise to be better at divvying up the grant than the other lot.
The only exception is the SNP who view success in the Scottish Parliament as a stepping stone to independence and full fiscal and legal autonomy but the other three can only promise repeated visits from future Michael Moore's who'll tell them how it's going to be with their block grant.
#5 Skip_NC is right about Scotland's current financial status, as a nation the best our non-SNP MSP's can offer is for Scotland to be a Regional Council for ever.
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28. At 1:03pm on 18 Jun 2010, deducted4points wrote:
GrannieAnnie has gone.... Yay, one less blinkered Nat on the blog
At least she has the guts to stand up for her country and rather than being an non entity who continually criticises but never suggests any worthwhile answers to the problems the nation faces other than to wave a silly union flag around. p.s. i'm away to make some gravy with a new cube, which comes in a white wrapper with a red cross, its called 'laughing stock"
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Can the mods explain "Your comment was failed by the profanity filter." please.
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38. patchbruce
Aye "laughing stock", it's great to be a racist, makes us Scots look so good.....!
It's not having guts that matters, it can take also guts to be as raving as she was. Good riddance.
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40. cynicalHighlander
"This comment has been referred for further consideration. Explain"
Have you not been able to find a superior mod yet to give judgeement or are the you/mods willing to flout my rights to "Freedom of speech"? Yes/No.
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Completely off-topic old chaps (whatever the current topic may be) but I need a rant - and, oddly, this seems to be the only place on the Beeb available for an outpour. The story about 'Anybody but the English' shirts. The third time in about 8 months - each time the same thing. "Complaints from the public"...you mean some fruitcakes...followed by visits to shops from the police.... for goodness sake. we are all broke, and the cops go arseing about (on full pay) to shops that sell shirts taking the mick out of the English. Jesus.PLEASE someone explain to me why. Enough of this nonsense.
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I'm sure eye - right - never - wrong will be able to give an explanation.
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45. Confused_ID
HMV removes Anyone But England merchandise
The chain made the decision following complaints to police from the Campaign for an English Parliament (CEP) and other members of the public.
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