By Willie BainWell, it's less than two weeks to go until polling day - time flies when you're having fun. The campaign has been going strong and it's full steam ahead until the 12th of November.
This week I've been highlighting how the SNP government in Edinburgh is ripping off Glasgow. For example, I've been campaigning against the SNP's decision to scrap the Glasgow Airport Rail Link, costing over a 1,000 jobs, as well fighting against the impending cuts to the housing and regeneration budget.
I want to thank each and every volunteer who has helped me take this message to the doorsteps in the constituency.
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Here's a snippet you could also consider from www.oilof scotland.org:
"UKIP are doing very well in this European Election with their simple message
"It costs the 60 million population of the UK £40 Million a Day to be in European Union".
If it was not for the controlled media in the UK the SNP could get a similar message out
"It costs the 5 million population of SCOTLAND £32 Million a Day to be in the UK Union - in oil and gas revenues alone"
It would cost an Independent Scotland £3.33 million a day to be in the European Union, based on population. This is less than a tenth of the money we generous Scot's give to London, lock stock and barrel. A sum of money which is in excess of £32 Million a day. It currently costs the entire United Kingdom £40 Million a day to be part of the European Union."
thanks for your last post, it amazes me that the ability to raise tax can be part of an act but not actualy enforceable! It makes me wonder what MP's are actually doing if they can pass Acts that can't be actioned!
Oh, yes I remember now! They are busy bleeding the tax payer dry with their claims for biscuits, bath plugs, duck houses, parental houses and cleaners. Silly me.
On a more general point, I have been trying to resolve whether the net flow of money goes north of the border in the form of English tax payers subsidising the Scot's or south in the form of taxes on oil income.
I've read a few sites but am still unclear - can anyone recomend one or send a link?
I know it's already been answered for you, but by way of an explanation, it may be worth a quick read of this.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisking
The Treasury can say what it likes; it's wrong. Additional fiduciary legislation is not required from Westminster as it has been devolved. The required Treasury approval for fiduciary legislation applies only when the Act is presented in Westminster, thus it was granted when the Scotland Act got Royal Assent. Scottish Parliament legislation is sufficient to vary the tax rate. That is what the Act says, and the Queen in Parliament is supreme...
This sounds like an excuse on Salmond's part. Much better to say he's been denied by Brown than actually try to have Scotland pay for what Scotland's government wants to spend...
The Treasury can say what it likes, it's wrong. Additional fiduciary legislation is not required from Westminster as it has been devolved. The required Treasury approval for fiduciary legislation was granted when the Scotland Act got Royal Assent. Scottish Parliament legislation is sufficient to vary the tax rate. That is what the Act says, and the Queen in Parliament is supreme...
This sounds like an excuse on Salmond's part. Much better to say he's been denied by Brown than actually try to have Scotland pay for what Scotland's government wants to spend...
Wee Eck of the SNP suggested using this tax collecting ability to do away with the Scottish Council Tax and replace it with a Local Income Tax. He was told by the Treasury (Brown) that it would cost too much to do, cause Scottish businesses an extra administration burden and anyway the IRS did not have the regulatory capacity or means to make this payment direct to Holyrood and he could block it as Chancellor, so he did.
Funny that, the power is in the 1998 Scotland Act but it actually has no supporting fiduciary legislation from Westminster to allow its use.
If the Scottish Government feels its current budget is inadequate it possesses the means to raise more revenue. It has tax altering powers as per the Scotland Act 1998 to raise (or lower) the income tax rate for Scots by 3%...
That apart Greater Glasgow gets more per head from Holyrood than anywhere else in Scotland ... then there is the £500 million Scottish Enterprise grant Glasgow got to get Chase Manhattan to set up there ... the money and inward investment that goes alongside the Commonwealth Games - aye right, Glasgow is being really ripped off....
Willie - do you support the findings of the Calman Report? Do you agree the only way to head off the SNP is to give Holyrood fiscal autonomy as Calman has proposed? Are you happy to know that the BNP will be campaigning alongside you to prevent independence for Scotland in any future referendum?
Apart from the daft idea that Glasgow is being ripped off and a load of stuff that is the responsibility of the local MSP and councillors ... what do you actually stand for as far as the Scottish socialist ideal and policy goes? Are you just another New Labour, Millbank clone or do you have your own voice?
So far all you have come across as is 'bland' and simply appear reliant on the 'red rosette' to see you into what you think is a safe seat.
Thanks , I thought it was a typo .
ricki
The problem is our message doesnt wash with voters .
Biscuts will be bought
ricki
In dealing with the BNP you only have to be honest, straight and have time. The comments by som many on my article some time ago are bearing fruit.
When Labour minded, Tory Trolls and neutral added their input I adopted it. I am having great success on the doorstep and am not afraid of speaking with those did/do/don't vote BNP. I have had one compete conversio so far and that is good, because now is the time to do it. During a General Election campaign there just isn't time.
Labour is stronger when it builds more long-term relations with voters.
Tories do it too in places where they rule supreme.
Oh just the plain Gingers for me ;) thank you.
Hi Ricki, its a referenece to Robert Fisk the journalist. Its what smug people do when they can't just put forward an argument but have to make it all about themselves.
To defeat the BNP we must be brave , How else will they be shown up to be the real nasty party .
Is that the ones with cream in the middle ?
ricki
Ginger biscuits are my favorite (sorry GB).
This is where i depart from Labour policy , I do dislike the laws on freedom of speech , Its abouslote or cenership . If you feel intimtated from the BNP then if you want to be a MP you will need to grow a thicker skin .
ricki
Ps What biscutes do you want ?
Will Straw: Fisking John Howard's defence of capitalism - Left Foot Forward
Shouldnt that be Frisking ?
I know i am the last person to point out typos
ricki
Ps Alex can i submit another post for comment next week ?
At the moment I have to ensure that nobody is placed at risk because of them knowing where I shall be, should they choose to rely on their medieval methods of antagonising campaigners. They have done this in Barking, which of course is more reason for the Labour Group to fully unite.
When they start living to the principles of Clause IV, once they apply the "Common Endeavor" in campaigning the BNP would not last two minutes.
The kettles always warm , And dont worry about the BNP thugs , Speak free , if you restrain from promting your views then they have won .
And if Mr Griffin and his mob see this , They can go to gitmo , they might more welcome there .
ricki
Ricki I have to apologise to you as I will not be able to campaign in Becontree this weekend. I SHALL get to Becontree over the next few months as we are completing Ward after Ward in a sweep. I have to be elsewhere. So keep that tea hot!
Campaigning in winter is a cold business.
The BNP are noting everything I write now on Labourlist. So when I do arrive with the team in Becontree I will ask Alex to contact you and let you know ;)
Isnt the cuts because Labour in london cut the Scotland budget? , I want to wish you luck but can iask what are you views on Id cards and following the party whip ? Would you serve you voters or the Labour party ?
ricki