It wont have escaped anyone's notice that the current selection procedures are in place for the next/forthcoming Westminster elections.
Hopefully SNP selections will be a lot cleaner than those currently experienced by our opponents.
just a thought, Have the Labour Party selection procedures which gave them a right wing war monger called Tony Blair, given to a lesser degree, the current MP for East Lothian?!
28 August 2007
THAT £5000 TAX BILL
Remember in May we got a lecture about a £5000 tax bill? Well now we know.
Thanks to Jamie Hepburn, a fellow jagophile as well as a good SNP MSP, who asked for the current costs, we discover that the cost of PPP/PFI contracts in Scotland are just shy of £5000 for every Scot, or £22.3 billion if you prefer.
As has been pointed out by the Herald today, some of these projects will be privately run after the payments are made, a bit like your mortgage lender insisting they still own your house after you've made all your payments.
This report is complemented by those commissioned by UNISON over the last few years as to the cost of these projects. The costs represent a serious challenge to any Scottish Government who will be unable to alter these figures as they are ring-fenced.
The good news of course began this week, with the announcement by Kenny MacAskill to drop plans for a £100 million private prison.
These figures show quite clearly the need to a more effective and efficient means of borrowing.
The need for Scottish Futures Trusts cannot now be more stark. The need for Scotland to control its macroeconomic policy becomes more profound
The British Labour Party (Scotland Region) must be brought to book for this scandal. Gordon Brown cannot escape this one either given that these projects were created under his stewardship of the economy.
Public Sector funding must be a major campaign issue for the next Westminster Election.
Thanks to Jamie Hepburn, a fellow jagophile as well as a good SNP MSP, who asked for the current costs, we discover that the cost of PPP/PFI contracts in Scotland are just shy of £5000 for every Scot, or £22.3 billion if you prefer.
As has been pointed out by the Herald today, some of these projects will be privately run after the payments are made, a bit like your mortgage lender insisting they still own your house after you've made all your payments.
This report is complemented by those commissioned by UNISON over the last few years as to the cost of these projects. The costs represent a serious challenge to any Scottish Government who will be unable to alter these figures as they are ring-fenced.
The good news of course began this week, with the announcement by Kenny MacAskill to drop plans for a £100 million private prison.
These figures show quite clearly the need to a more effective and efficient means of borrowing.
The need for Scottish Futures Trusts cannot now be more stark. The need for Scotland to control its macroeconomic policy becomes more profound
The British Labour Party (Scotland Region) must be brought to book for this scandal. Gordon Brown cannot escape this one either given that these projects were created under his stewardship of the economy.
Public Sector funding must be a major campaign issue for the next Westminster Election.
27 August 2007
THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
A shockingly long time since my last blog, as I've been extremely busy with work, family and other engagements, as well as being very impressed with Ian McCall's reign at Glasgow's No.1 football team, yesterdays result notwithstanding, and the comparison with the performance of the SNP and the new silky soccer being witnessed at The Stadium of Dreams - Firhill, is something i am sure will become a regular feature on this blog.
My attention whilst browsing through the newspapers was drawn to another recurring theme, namely, The Unionist Alliance/Empire working together to do the SNP down.
It is reported that Nicol Stephen wishes to lead talks with the leaders of the Conservatives and BLP (Scotland Region) to discuss new powers for the Scottish Parliament and block any notion of discussing Independence. Interestingly, a New Labour spokesperson (pictured!) seems to suggest that discussion should take place regarding which powers should be transferred back to Westminster. No doubt this suggestion is to give their MP's something to do.
This looks very much how the political landscape of Scotland is shaping, with the Empire on one side wishing to exercise their dark arts, versus those of us who wish to see Scotland move on to better things.
On the one hand we have the National Conversation with a positive vision on our future, as against the National Talkdown, telling us how we couldn't survive without Westminster rule.
Perhaps their is now scope for some of the Unionist parties to merge given how much they appear to have in common with each other, as all 3 have centre right anti -Independence tendencies.
The next few months will be very interesting indeed.....
BRING IT ON!
15 August 2007
GAME ON
The National Conversation has begun! What promises to be one of the finest political debates perhaps in Scotland's history will go to the people, and roadshows and public meetings will be carried out over the next 3 years.
The case for more powers for the Scottish Parliament is unanswerable, the case for Scottish Independence grows by the day.
and what have we had from our political opponents? A joint statement denouncing the Scottish Government for carrying out this exercise! You couldn't make it up!
As always, when it comes to blocking the SNP, New Labour, The blue Tories, and the Fib Dems join together, perhaps they should merge?
Today we are expecting the resignation of Jack McConnell, to be shortly replaced by the Wendy House. The speculation that Wendy was taking command of the British Labour Party (Scotland Region) had such an effect on the Scottish people, they have given the SNP a 16% lead in a recent poll!
The debate in Scotland over the next 3 years is now poised to be a choice of greater powers, more progressive government, and of ambition, versus the hectoring, you're no good enough mantre of the Alexanders.
Just 2 words to every SNP activist out there for the next 3 years....
GAME ON!
The case for more powers for the Scottish Parliament is unanswerable, the case for Scottish Independence grows by the day.
and what have we had from our political opponents? A joint statement denouncing the Scottish Government for carrying out this exercise! You couldn't make it up!
As always, when it comes to blocking the SNP, New Labour, The blue Tories, and the Fib Dems join together, perhaps they should merge?
Today we are expecting the resignation of Jack McConnell, to be shortly replaced by the Wendy House. The speculation that Wendy was taking command of the British Labour Party (Scotland Region) had such an effect on the Scottish people, they have given the SNP a 16% lead in a recent poll!
The debate in Scotland over the next 3 years is now poised to be a choice of greater powers, more progressive government, and of ambition, versus the hectoring, you're no good enough mantre of the Alexanders.
Just 2 words to every SNP activist out there for the next 3 years....
GAME ON!
11 August 2007
TRADES UNIONS = POWER TO THE PEOPLE
My Internet access is now back up and running, after being down for almost a week, hence the lack of posts on the blogosphere.
It had been my intention for a while to comment on the recent dispute concerning Social Care Workers in Glasgow, but as the situation was changing and developing, I felt I should hold off. The Dispute ended on Friday, after a packed lunchtime meeting, after accepting an increased offer from the Council.
It is unusual for a group of workers to strike indefinitely these days, and the spirit and solidarity showed by the workers was inspirational.
The dispute of course, surrounds the ongoing saga of Single Status and Equal Pay. Whilst Glasgow City Council are not blameless, and have approached the issue in a cack handed manner, the real blame must lie with the previous Executive who ensured that Local Government was the only part of the Public Sector not to receive additional funding.
As reported previously the previous Executive handed back £1.5 BILLION back to the Westminster Government. The cost to fully fund Single Status across Scotland's 32 Councils is estimated at £500 million.
This Scottish Government needs to give Scotland's Councils the finances to address this legal headache.
Elsewhere of course, the NUJ have been successful in bringing The Herald Group back round the negotiating table, as have the CWU with the Post Office.
These events show that Trade Unions are needed more now than ever, to highlight bad employment practice anywhere, regardless of which part of the economy.
It had been my intention for a while to comment on the recent dispute concerning Social Care Workers in Glasgow, but as the situation was changing and developing, I felt I should hold off. The Dispute ended on Friday, after a packed lunchtime meeting, after accepting an increased offer from the Council.
It is unusual for a group of workers to strike indefinitely these days, and the spirit and solidarity showed by the workers was inspirational.
The dispute of course, surrounds the ongoing saga of Single Status and Equal Pay. Whilst Glasgow City Council are not blameless, and have approached the issue in a cack handed manner, the real blame must lie with the previous Executive who ensured that Local Government was the only part of the Public Sector not to receive additional funding.
As reported previously the previous Executive handed back £1.5 BILLION back to the Westminster Government. The cost to fully fund Single Status across Scotland's 32 Councils is estimated at £500 million.
This Scottish Government needs to give Scotland's Councils the finances to address this legal headache.
Elsewhere of course, the NUJ have been successful in bringing The Herald Group back round the negotiating table, as have the CWU with the Post Office.
These events show that Trade Unions are needed more now than ever, to highlight bad employment practice anywhere, regardless of which part of the economy.
01 August 2007
MORE NONSENSE FROM THE CBI
I could have been less polite with the title of this blog, but i am still completely amazed at the latest rant from the CBI, regarding a possible deal on pension provision for Local Government workers in Scotland.
A spokesperson for CBI Scotland, and incidentally who do they represent? how many Scottish Big Businesses are there now anyway? if you can name more than 5 you are doing well, responds in an article that the burden of paying for pensions for local government rests with the private sector and business.
BOLLOCKS!
Scotland's Local Government workers already contribute to their pension scheme, in effect deferred pay. In addition, this may come as a surprise to the CBI, but public sector workers pay tax too!
The Trade Unions are engaging with their membership over the coming months once the final proposals are published.
More on this as it happens.
A spokesperson for CBI Scotland, and incidentally who do they represent? how many Scottish Big Businesses are there now anyway? if you can name more than 5 you are doing well, responds in an article that the burden of paying for pensions for local government rests with the private sector and business.
BOLLOCKS!
Scotland's Local Government workers already contribute to their pension scheme, in effect deferred pay. In addition, this may come as a surprise to the CBI, but public sector workers pay tax too!
The Trade Unions are engaging with their membership over the coming months once the final proposals are published.
More on this as it happens.
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