[tphj]

At every given opportunity Alex Salmond states that the UK Government has reduced the block grant to Scotland by varying amounts.
Is he telling me the truth ?
Are the figures being massaged to suit his purposes?
Isn't it good to listen to a politician not answer the question

[Shadowfax]

Alex Salmond whilst engaging and personable, is a one-stringed banjo ( independance)

I woudnt take a word he said at face value

[Am_Fìobhach]

My understanding of it is that (a) he's wrong, in that the amount of block grant is more this year than it was last; and (b) he's right, because his finance minister (John Swinney) has already dipped into "next year's money" meaning that, while the amount is up, some's been spent already so there's actually less.

Would those posters from the more southern reaches of the UK favour Scotland granting the rest its independence? Remember that England, Wales and Ireland were annexed on the death of England's Queen Elizabeth. Remember, also, that the "Jacobite risings" were not about Scottish independence but the restoration of a Stuart monarch as King of England & Wales, as well as Ireland and the Scots.

Alex Salmond has many strings to his bow, not least of which is a generally effective (if somewhat old-fashioned and overly macho) debating style. What hasn't got more than one string to its bow is the SNP. Within it, one can find views represented that would fit well with those of Leon Trotsky, or Adolf Hitler, or Jo Grimond, or - practically any politician/political viewpoint you care to consider. There is one, and only one, thing holding this disparate bunch together, and that is a UKIP-like clinging to some concept of "independence" in a multifarious, multicultural and heavily interconnected world.

At present, the prevailing viewpoint within the SNP is towards the right, as is graphically illustrated by its ability to get legislation through Holyrood with the support of the Conservative Party. This is generally the case with parties that seek to accentuate the difference between one sod of earth and another, though the Party of Wales is currently an exception to this, being in alliance with the Labour Party.

[tphj]

Thank you for your reply.Thought that some money had already been advanced to the Scottish Government,but listening to the FMQ today where he mentioned more than once that the UK Government had reduced the block grant and no one challenged him,I thought I was wrong.

I must wake up,as I must be dreaming if I think a politician is going to tell the truth!!!!!!!

[adam republican]

As a Englishman i want rid of the scottish millstone around our neck. The vast majority of the English care little of scotlands constant moaning just background noise. The most pleasing thing for me is that if/when independance is obtained it will because England has granted it!!! the final insult. Keep your dwindling oil, smashed steel and ship building, endless grey council houses misplaced sense of importance, once proud fishing fleet, flooded coal mines and deep fried mars bars. im sure youll get by on shortbread,tartan,bagpipes american tourists buying the odd bottle of whisky but dont come crying to us when you want bailing out go see your traditional freinds the french.

[AMcHarg]

Quote:

adam republican: As a Englishman i want rid of the scottish millstone around our neck. The vast majority of the English care little of scotlands constant moaning just background noise. The most pleasing thing for me is that if/when independance is obtained it will because England has granted it!!! the final insult. Keep your dwindling oil, smashed steel and ship building, endless grey council houses misplaced sense of importance, once proud fishing fleet, flooded coal mines and deep fried mars bars. im sure youll get by on shortbread,tartan,bagpipes american tourists buying the odd bottle of whisky but dont come crying to us when you want bailing out go see your traditional freinds the french.

I have never read so much nonsense in my life. Your comments have a strong stench of bitterness which is both ignorant and immature.

You fail to realise that many Scottish people want independence not because they dislike English, but because they feel it would be in their best interests. You are mixing the two concepts up and taking it personally. I advise you to relax, calm down and then read some decent newspapers.

Regards
A.McHarg

[Shadowfax]

AMcHarg wrote:

You fail to realise that many Scottish people want independence not because they dislike English, but because they feel it would be in their best interests. You are mixing the two concepts up and taking it personally. I advise you to relax, calm down and then read some decent newspapers.

I would prefer Scotland remain part of The U.K. I believe it is better for Scotland and also better for England, Wales and N.Ireland.

However, I am sick to death of Scots, whipped up dickheads like Alex Salmond and memories of historical battles that the rest of the world cares little about, whittering on about Independence.

I read somewhere that every English person would be £2,500 per year better off if Scotland left the union so I for one, would like them either to stfu or leave.

I believe that if they left, the Scots would be back to living in mud huts within 20 years, so be careful what you wish for.

[AMcHarg]

Quote:

Shadowfax: I would prefer Scotland remain part of The U.K. I believe it is better for Scotland and also better for England, Wales and N.Ireland.

However, I am sick to death of Scots, whipped up dickheads like Alex Salmond and memories of historical battles that the rest of the world cares little about, whittering on about Independence.

I read somewhere that every English person would be £2,500 per year better off if Scotland left the union so I for one, would like them either to stfu or leave.

I believe that if they left, the Scots would be back to living in mud huts within 20 years, so be careful what you wish for.

If you look carefully at your comment you will notice that you contradict yourself. In the first sentence you point out that you think it would be better for everyone concerned that Scotland remain in the union and then go on to say that you ‘heard’ that every English person would be better off by £2500 if Scotland left the union. Firstly; quite a contradiction is it not, and secondly you can’t honestly believe this? If England was going to be so much better off then why is there such a strong support in England for Scotland to remain in the union?

I also think that it’s very ignorant to suggest that Scotland would be living in ‘mud huts again within 20 years’, even said tongue-in-cheek it’s still indicative of your general view. There is absolutely no reason why Scotland cannot run itself as an independent nation and to suggest otherwise is simply unfounded nonsense.

Whichever way you look at it a referendum would solve the dispute. I find it disgusting that the people of Scotland are denied their right to decide for themselves. I am a nationalist and would vote for independence but if the rest of Scotland chose otherwise then I would absolutely respect that democracy has prevailed. In the current situation democracy is being denied. There is enough support for independence to justify settling it with a referendum but the truth is that the present government fear that the outcome will not suit them.

Regards
A.McHarg

[Am_Fìobhach]

You're absolutely spot on when you say that "the truth is that the present government fear that the outcome will not suit them", which is why it's rather gone back on its plans to have a referendum.

Do you realise to what extent vast tracts of Scotland were depopulated, deliberately, by Scots, in pursuit of commercial gain? Far more important than the precise political status of a patch of ground is whether everybody gets to benefit - or not. I, for one, do not like having a government financed by a few well-heeled business folk, whose influence has (e.g.) caused the scrapping of a multi-modal Forth crossing (now only a road one is proposed), the scrapping of rail links to Scotland's two principal airports, burgeoning class sizes, a freeze on new build for schools and hospitals...need I go on?

Anybody who really holds Scotland dear will vote to get rid of the present bunch of charlatans at the first opportunity. They're wrecking it.

[Shadowfax]

AMcHarg wrote:

If you look carefully at your comment you will notice that you contradict yourself. In the first sentence you point out that you think it would be better for everyone concerned that Scotland remain in the union and then go on to say that you ‘heard’ that every English person would be better off by £2500 if Scotland left the union. Firstly; quite a contradiction is it not, and secondly you can’t honestly believe this? If England was going to be so much better off then why is there such a strong support in England for Scotland to remain in the union?

Absolutely no contradiction whatsover.

You are making the incorrect assumption that I am purely looking at the financial aspect. I am not.
I do believe that its in everyones interest that Scotland remain part of the Union. I believe that its in Englands interests even though the English would be financially better off if Scotland were independant.
The U.K is stronger and more influencial with Scotland (and Wales and N.Ireland) in it.

My objection is purely one of, please stop whinging about the English or if you cant- leave and give us our money back. I dont like you moaning and taking my money at the same time.

[Am_Fìobhach]

Shadowfax wrote:

I dont like you moaning and taking my money at the same time.

I'll leave aside the reality or otherwise of that perception for now: let's just look at the implication.

Many people pay taxes (indeed, almost everybody once you include indirect taxes, but let's restrict it to things like income tax etc - the sort that you pay more of the more earnings you declare). There are also many people who receive various benefits, due to economic circumstance (unemployment), disability or retirement. One might argue, then, that the relatively well-off are subsidising the relatively badly-off.

What you are saying in the quote above, effectively, is that those who are relatively subsidised should not complain about their situation vis-à-vis those who are not. This is to deny a voice to the unemployed, the disabled and the retired, for instance. It's fundamentally opposed to the very basis of democracy.

So, regardless of whether you feel that Scots are somehow "subsidised" by English, Welsh and Northern Irish, there is no excuse whatsoever to criticise us for "moaning".

[Uncle Vanya]

Why is it that every time Mr Salmond appears on TV or gives a Radio interview as First Minister of the Scottish Parliament/Assembley, he gives the impression that the SNP are the 'Major Party' in that Assembley?

It's almost as if he has convinced himself that he is some sort of 'Prime Minister' of Scotland and has a 'Massive Mandate' - why?

The SNP is in a minority government in the totallity of the Scottish Assembly, and they do NOT have a 'Massive Mandate'.


(Edited due to dyslexic keyboard and rubbish typing)

[Shadowfax]

Uncle Vanya wrote:

It's almost as if he has convinced himself that he is some sort of 'Prime Minister' of Scotland and has a 'Massive Mandate' - why?

The only thing "massive" about Alex Salmond is his ego and the love he holds for the sound of his own voice

[Am_Fìobhach]

I've got no time for Alex Salmond. However, I've even less time for those who seek to pervert the truth, and that is that, at present, the SNP is the largest party in the Scottish Parliament. Yes, it is a minority administration, kept in power with the support of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, but it IS the largest party. Indeed, I've a feeling that precisely the same arrangement - but with the Conservatives in government relying on the loyal support of the SNP - is quite likely to be the upshot of the forthcoming UK election.

[Shadowfax]

^

Yup.


Entirely true

[Uncle Vanya]

Wow! Mr Salmon, like Papa Broone seems to have been very noticable by his absence in recent days..... nae mair publicity.

A total revision of the Scottish spending plans. 'The Ego has landed.....' ... maybe...!!