Tax cut pledge opens rift with London The Scotsman: Tax cut pledge opens rift with London

The First Minister [Jack McConnell] told Holyrood yesterday that if Gordon Brown, the Chancellor, bowed to pressure to cut corporation tax in the province, he would argue for the same for Scotland.

If Scotland had indepenedence we wouldn't need to go on our knees begging to London when we wanted to do something like this.  ¶ 23:27 0 comments

  It speaks for itself Posts that I've seen recently that simply speak for themselves.

• Scotland independence movement united around referrendum demand

  ...perhaps be grateful to Straw for his honesty. What he is effectively saying is that countries like Scotland and Wales are expected to give up their unique voices in the international community so England can enjoy ‘amplified’ ie undeserved international status. The case for union then is simple if, like Gordon Brown, you support England’s interests over Scotland’s then as Straw says there is an excellent case for retention of the union because it was designed to amplify England’s voice and it still does today. If however you support Scotland’s right to have our unique voice heard then the only logical choice is independence....

  
  
• Is Scotland an oppressed nation?

  Since the clear indication is from opinion polls that support for the union is now in the minority it is a simple matter of democracy that the people of Scotland must be asked directly if they want the union to continue or not. Obviously this executive hope that they can ignore this issue and it will go away particulary if the press can be convinced to completely ignore it or treat it as a footnote. The Press Association covered the issue yesterday but almost every newspaper has completely ignored it. What a disgrace, the Scots ARE an oppressed nation but because of our biased media, they don't realise it yet.



• Worried Labour attack SNP on defence

  It is Tony Blair and his illegal Iraq war against imaginary weapons of mass destruction which has made Britain a target of international terrorists who have come to believe that the West is waging a war against their culture and religion and are trying to steal their oil. Britain want us to 'share the pain' of their foreign policy which basically entails sucking up to George Bush without any benefits to Scotland whatsoever. Scotland is an energy rich country we don't need to interfere in the affairs of other nations in the middle east and we don't want to either. Scotland does not have an imagined post imperial role nor do we want to share in an American empire. We need our own seat in the UN and our own independent foreign policy.

  ¶ 13:00 0 comments

  Independence is the Solution An article called Scotland Alone by Michael Fry in this month's edition of Prospect Magazine puts the case for Scottish Independence by a former member of the Scottish Conservative Party.

He writes:

All my adult life I had been a member of the Conservative party. I have been a Tory candidate for election to both the British and the Scottish parliaments. I was still committed enough to believe that the party's comeuppance in 1997, when it lost all its seats in Scotland, could be the prelude to an ascent from the ashes. I thought the implosion might purge the party of all it had got wrong as Thatcher stomped with heavy boots over the conventions that had grown up inside the union. I was deluding myself. The Scots Tories, nine years on, neither uphold their old policies nor seek new ones—they prefer to have no policies at all.
...
An inflated public sector... accounts for nearly 50 per cent of Scottish GDP, 10 percentage points higher than the British figure. In depressed areas, the state and its agencies are often the only major employers—in East Ayrshire they provide over two thirds of jobs. Across Scotland, spending rains down on groups organised enough to lobby the government... Much more importantly, this undoubted pre-emption of resources by the state is squeezing out the private sector and immobilising a good part of the Scottish workforce—how else could tens of thousands of Poles arrive and immediately get jobs the natives have no incentive to do? In other words, all the public spending is designed—just in a different way from before—to keep Scotland dependent, therefore voting Labour.

And that is the important bit. The unionist Labour Party are intent on keeping Scotland dependent on government hand outs that independence will look a very unattractive proposition.

Personally, I don't think Labour do this solely to keep Scotland dependent - they do it so that everyone is dependent on the state. However, the fever in which they are creating dependencies in Scotland is amazing.

Michael Fry also writes:

I have no doubt independence would make the Scots happier. It is a shame that from their subordinate position in the union, so many feel they have to hate the English, and that this feeling is coming to be reciprocated south of the border.

And he is absolutely right. I have met very few English people that I actually disliked. But there is a kind of peer group pressure simmering away that makes it very difficult to publicly like the English. It is an issue that can be avoided if you are skilled enough, but if cornered it is easier to discharge a volley of profanity aimed at the English than it is to argue the case that there are a few eejits in England, just like anywhere else, but on the whole they are a pretty good bunch of people.

ADDITIONAL
More discussion on Michael Fry's article:

• http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/david_goodhart/2006/11/jocks_away.html

  ¶ 19:47 0 comments

  SMH: Scotland thinking about divorce from UK From Sunday's Syndey Morning Herald: Scotland thinking about divorce from UK

There are a few things that it says to which I take exception. Now, they are perfectly free to say those things, but they just rub me up the wrong way.

"Perhaps it's just a passing midlife crisis, but two new polls have found for the
first time a majority of Scots say they would prefer independence to remaining
part of Britain."

Really? In 1979 a referrendum returned a 55% majority (of those that actually bothered to get out and actually vote) in favour of independence. And more recently in 1998 an ICM opinion poll suggested 52%.

"separatist sentiment"

Nice alliteration, but I feel that the words have a very negative and xenophobic connotation. I don't like "separatist" because the Scotland that I live in is a very culturally diverse place. We welcome, and have done for centuries, people of all nations to Scotland. We recognise that we are stronger through that diversity. That is hardly a separatist agenda.

ADDITIONAL
Curiously, I also discovered this almost identical article published by the Kansas City Star.  ¶ 01:00 0 comments

  Independence First Independence First is an umbrella organisation that brings together everyone that believes Scotland should be independent. It has only one purpose and that is to campaign for a referrendum on Scottish Independence. As it has just one purpose, it brings together all the political parties that support Independence regardless of their other policies.

Links:

• Scottish independence movement united around referendum demand
• Indepdendence First

  ¶ 00:39 1 comments

  The Union is there for the Sake of the Labour Party I just spotted this post over at Britnat Watch. The crux of his argument is that Scotland and Wales are ballot fodder for the British Labour party so the union serves the Labour party very well. It also mentions that England would do much better for themselves if the Labour party were forced to tailor its policies towards just one nation. It isn't surprising that Labour are fighting to keep the union right now. But, fighting against change to keep the status quo is ultimately a losing battle.  ¶ 00:53 0 comments

  Just catching up on my reading I started this blog back in July with all good intentions. Then I stopped after a few posts and suddenly I've managed to find the time to post all this stuff. So, I'm just catching up on my reading.... Unlike this poor guy: Murder in Samarkand… Confiscated

It is utterly absurd to confiscate a book at an airport like that. I really don't know what Luton airport security were thinking. Really... I have no words to describe the utter ineptitude of the staff at Luton Airport.  ¶ 13:57 0 comments

  It's time! Just spotted this video from the SNP



You Tube: SNP 2006 Conference - It's Time

Transcript

Alex Salmond:
As I travel around our country hearing people's views it is clear that
Scotland is at a turning point. More and more I'm told "it's time", time to take
a fresh direction, time for Scotland to make progress.

After 8 years of devolution Scots want to reach a new and higher level.
Scots are aware of the success of our neighbours, independent nations like
Ireland and Norway. People know that with the right policies and strong
leadership, we have the ability and resources to match these success
stories.

I agree. For Scotland to flourish, Scotland's economy must be free from
London control. We must have our own voice in the world. Scotland can and must
be safer with more local police, fairer with our cut in local taxes, and
healthier with local hospitals kept open. Our young people should have the best
start in life. Our older people should have the respect that they deserve.

That is why the SNP has been working hard. Listening to what people care
about. Gearing up to deliver progress. Progress for Scotland.

With your support the Scottish National Party can deliver the policies to
ensure a bright future for all of Scotland. There are 202 days until the
election next May. Scotland has had enough of Labour. They've had their chance.
But now the clock is ticking.

It's time for the SNP.

It's time for a parliament with real power. It's time for strong
leadership.

Nicola Sturgeon:
It's time for a government Scotland can trust.

Alex Salmond:
It's time. Time for the SNP.

The comments on You Tube in relation to this video are great.

JHunter22 says:

Whoever says we're too wee does not know Europe at all. Scotland is bigger than eight states of the EU at the moment, and that includes Ireland. At a pinch, we're comparable with Denmark, Finland and Slovakia, and they even have their own languages.

darrencassidy says:

The SNP's economic policies have received unanimous support from top business leaders and entrepreneurs. Recent by-election victories with huge vote swings & opinion polls are proof of the SNP's rising popularity. Scotland needs independence, there are no two ways about it.

  ¶ 13:14 0 comments

  US Consul on Scottish Independence A week ago the Sunday Herald (US consul questions wisdom of Scottish independence) reported:

THE US government has made a dramatic intervention into Scottish politics after a senior diplomat said the Bush administration would “probably” prefer independence not to happen. Lisa Vickers, the new US consul in Scotland, questioned the effect of separation on American energy firms.

I know that most people tend to think about themselves first, but for a diplomat to come out with such a statement is hardly likely to help her engage with the locals.

Now, as I've said before, I'm all for free speech, so the US Consul is entitled to say what she likes. However, it does seem to me to be a most politically naïve statement to make. Anyway, who am I to complain - It must be obvious by now that I'm all for Scottish Independence and anything the US can to to help, however unintentional, must be welcomed.

It can be seen from the letters page this week what people think of her comments.

Mary McCabe from Glasgow wrote:

It is disappointing to see the new consul, right at the start, falling into the stereotype of the American bully, blundering into other countries’ affairs and telling them, from a position of apparent ignorance, what to do, expecting deference as a matter of right and assuming that other countries will prioritise America’s (erroneously perceived!) self-interest over their own.

Dr Alasdair Allan from the Isle of Lewis wrote:

Her claim that Bush isn’t too keen on Scottish independence is unlikely to win many Scottish hearts and minds. In fact, it is likely to prove, on the basis of Bush’s previous record in the areas of foreign policy thinking (and thinking in general), that Scottish independence is a sensible option.

  ¶ 11:24 0 comments

  An independent scotland needs to be more business friendly In order to stimulate the economy an independent Scotland will have to be more business friendly. If Scotland becomes independent and scares off business we won't find ourselved in a very pleasant situation, however, SNP's Jim Mather has some excellent ideas for ensuring business support for independence - and it might even mean the return of some businesses to Scotland.

"Countries like Sweden, Finland, Greece in the 10 years to 2000 cut
corporation tax by an average of a half. Over the same period, their corporation
tax take increased by 87.5%."

• Scotland on Sunday: Tartan Tiger earns his stripes

Meanwhile, this blog entry by the Irish Tribesman sets out the reasons why an independent Scotland needs to be a more capitalist country.

  ¶ 10:33 0 comments

  Which party is for you?

You scored as SNP. You should vote for the Scottish National Party. The party is led by Alex Salmond, and Nicola Sturgeon in Scotland. This centre-left party wants an independent Scotland. SNP 75% Lib Dems 65% Greens 50% SSP 45% Tories 35% Labour 15% UKIP 10% Which political party in Scotland should you vote for? created with QuizFarm.com

Well, no surprise that the SNP is up on top. I'm surprised the SSP (Scottish Socialist Party) got so high up - I would have thought my beliefs on small entrepreneurial businesses would have put them towards the bottom. I guess the only reason the LibDems made it so high was that I am sympathetic to some of their official policies but unfortnately I was completely disgusted by the down right dirty campaign they used in the Dunfermline West by-election. (If you don't know, they campaigned on devolved matters, things that their new MP has absolutely no influence over whatsoever.)

  ¶ 14:24 0 comments

  Celebrate or Commiserate Should we celebrate the 1707 Act of Union or commiserate the loss of a once independent nation next year. Personally, I won't be celebrating because it wasn't a fully democratic vote that got Scotland into the Union. Some of those whose descision it was were blackmailed into supporting the union under threat that England would disrupt their trade with the emerging Americas. Some were bribed ("bought and sold for English gold, what a parcel o rogues in a nation"). Ireland got independence over 80 years ago and is now one of the most successful economies in the world. I think Scotland can do the same.

The BBC has a "Have your say" forum open on the questions: Should the Act of Union be celebrated or is it past its sell by date? Is it now time for the country to debate the future of the Union? Are there enough days of celebration for Scotland and does the country make enough of St Andrew's Day, which falls on 30 November?

This is also discussed by a Long Aye-lander in Glasgow. She said:

Not surprisingly, most of the people who posted on the forum said no. There was
an overwhelming call for an independent Scotland and a belief that the country
is entirely capable of being self-sufficient.

Other blogs discussing this:
* http://airiddh1.livejournal.com/248545.html

Some choice comments from the BBC forum:

Adam Mackie from Kirkcaldy, Fife says:

To those saying that Scotland has 'benefited' from the Union I say - how come Ireland since its independence has prospered? Its population is rising, it manages to stand on its own two feet, its rated as one of the best places in the world to live, with one of the highest standards of living in Europe? Hmmm, sounds like independence would be better.

Bill Hughes from Anstruther says:

We should celebrate the Act of Union by declaring independence. We should also demand reparation from Westminster for the theft and pillage of Scottish resources and industry.

John Docherty from Glasgow says:

The Union plays no part in my thinking and should not be celebrated. I believe Scotland has been subjugated and abused, economically and financially by our neighbours. We have been conditioned by them to be afraid of independence. We Scots should get rid of our dependence and apathy, find our courage and make a better future for this nation independently.

John Allen from Banchory says:

Throughout the world free peoples celebrate their independence days. No one celebrates the opposite.

Kenny McLean from Partick

The union ... serves absolutely no purpose in the 21st century and prevents Scotland from taking its place in the world community of nations. A day of mourning rather than celebration would be appropriate.

Oisin Plumb says:

It appears as if the only solid argument any of the unionist posters have put forward is that we have more influence internationally in the Union. Scotland (population 5 million)has 7 MEP's and no seat in the UN, whilst Ireland (population 3.5 million) has 13 MEP's and its own place in the UN in addition to having its own ambassadors around the world. This surely shows that the Union only hinders our international involvement.

Steven from Stirling says:

Scotland has more influence as part of the UK that it would outwith it? Really? Only when Scots happen to agree with our neighbours in England who are the vast majority of the UK population. When Scotland's priorities happen to be different, Scotland is silenced.The Union will not be celebrated as it represents a deep shame to the Scottish psyche. Our forefathers gave up their country. The inevitable pressure to make us celebrate will just be embarrasing.

Craig from Glasgow says:

Scotland has no real international voice at the moment, as we can only speak through London. As an independent nation we will be able to contribute directly to world affairs. Just look at the contribution other similarly sized nations such as Norway make to the world and I think you'll see how much better Scotland can do than we are at the moment.

Stephen McDade from Greenock

From a Scottish perspective,to celebrate the Union is to celebrate being subjugated and humiliated. England effectively annexed Scotland and has spent 300 years bleeding us of our young men and wealth. Someone mentioned the Darien Project and how England 'saved us'. I suggest he revisits the subject.The English crown was one of the major reasons the project failed by refusing to allow the settlers to trade locally. This bankrupted the country and forced us into financial slavery.

  ¶ 10:52 0 comments

  Interesting way to silence a cardinal I'm not particularly religious, but I do believe that if a Roman Catholic Cardinal wants to make some comments about Scottish Independence then I feel that he should have every right to do so without government heavies weighing in to "persuade" him to change his mind (or at least his statement).

From the press:
Scotland On Sunday - 15-Oct-2006: Mark Your Vote With A Cross

"I can see [scottish independence] coming, perhaps not in the next few years, but before too long," [Cardinal Keith O'Brien] adds. In further comments to this newspaper, in which he fleshes out his views, the cardinal expresses his personal "frustration" at the limits of the Scottish Parliament's current powers, particularly over the question of nuclear weapons. "We have no wish to pay host to these evil weapons, yet we have no power to remove them," he declares, with obvious irritation.

Scotland On Sunday - 5-Nov-2006: Cardinal under pressure from Brown to change mind on independence

LABOUR'S hierarchy has begun a behind-the-scenes offensive to persuade the leader of Scotland's Roman Catholics that his controversial backing for independence was wrong. However, one source described the charm offensive as "more offensive than charm". A source close to Brown said that the Chancellor had used his meeting to pressurise O'Brien over his comments on independence.

Some other comments on this topic:
* Labour arm twisting of cardinal pays off
* Gordon Brown - Enemy of free speech  ¶ 00:06 0 comments