Category Archives: Scottish Independence

Brokenvow Sign

So It’s Devo F*&k All Then

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The Smith Commission has given it’s considered views on which powers should be granted to the Scottish Parliament. That’s all well and good but these proposals fall somewhat short of the mark, they amount to nothing in reality (apart from full control of road signs). Oh how Unionists must be laughing at their cocaine and whore parties tonight.

Brokenvow Sign

Brokenvow Sign

The Smith Commission Report is available here. The ins and outs of this report will be pored over for some time I’d imagine, with Unionists giving us all the “Vow Delivered” clap trap and “Now the Scottish Government must tell us how it’s going to use these significant new powers.” The simple fact is that although some new powers are being offered they all come with caveats. If the Scottish Government makes efficiency savings in one area and saves some cash, then the block grant from Westminster will be cut. If the Scottish Government chooses to use some devolved power which costs a bit more, the money will have to be found from within the existing block grant.

The most striking part of the report for me is in paragraph 76 which says, “Within this framework, the Scottish Parliament will have the power to set the rates of Income Tax and the thresholds at which these are paid for the non-savings and non-dividend income of Scottish taxpayers.” Which means that the Scottish Government can tax the workers, but not the rich. That’s a nice touch of Tory there.

 

Duncan McPhee Says No Thanks

How Do You Feel Duncan McPhee?

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Duncan McPhee is (or was) the Unite Shop Steward at the BAE Systems Scotstoun yard. During the run up to the referendum he went on Sky News with his Unite Shop Steward chums and came out in favour of a No vote warning that 10000 jobs could be lost if Scotland voted Yes. He even appeared on a No Thanks Poster:

Duncan McPhee Says No Thanks

Duncan McPhee Says No Thanks

He even visited the Imperial Masters down south: this from the Scottish Affairs Committee:

The Type 26 frigate contract represents the final part of the Terms of Business Agreement between BAE Systems and the MoD. (We discuss the TOBA more fully below.) Duncan McPhee, Unite Shop Steward, BAE Systems, Scotstoun, gave evidence to the Committee following a meeting between the shipbuilding unions and Peter Luff MP, Minister responsible for procurement at the MoD. Mr McPhee said:

The specific question that was asked to get the UK Government’s position on this was, “In an independent Scotland will we be allowed to tender for the contracts?” It was made quite clear that we would not because we will be a foreign country. I believe that under article 346, if they [the MoD] were considering placing that order in a foreign country, it would have to be opened up EU-wide and possibly worldwide. […] That, to me, would mean that, unless an independent Scottish Government could provide equivalent-type orders, we would be greatly reduced or completely finished as a shipbuilding industry.

The other Shop Stewards were Henry Wilson and Tam Mitchell. Henry also works for BAE Systems and Tam works for Rolls Royce, who recently announced 2600 job cuts.

Here is what Ian King, Chief Executive of BAE Systems had to say during the referendum campaign, “This shows clearly that, as we have previously stated, the only guarantee for the future of shipbuilding on the Clyde is for Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom.”

Changed days then readers. For now we find out that the Type 26 frigates could be built elsewhere. Maybe even not built at all.

So how do you feel about Duncan McPhee now? What about the union he, and his chums, represent? Do you still think it’s a good idea to pay them a subscription, knowing that they pay for the Labour Party?

 

Keep Calm Learn Your Command Words

The UK Government Commands

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The government has issued its commands to the Smith Commission today, and what a right riveting read it is too. The “Command Paper” was published to “set out the range of proposals that have been made on further devolution.” So what’s it all about?

In a nutshell it re-iterates the main Unionist parties’ preferred options for further devolution to the Scottish Parliament.  Can you remember what went down before the referendum? Each of the main Unionist parties had a wee bit of a get together and , between the champers and caviar, came up with a range of proposals. They then published them:

Scottish Conservatives and Unionist Party: Commission on the Future Governance of Scotland

Scottish Liberal Democrats: Federalism: the best future for Scotland

Scottish Labour Party: Powers for a purpose – Strengthening Accountability and Empowering People

Now, as we all know, the word “Scottish” means nothing in those party names. We know that they take their orders from London. So whatever view is expressed in those papers is the settled view of the Westminster holding party. The commands are therefor issued directly from Westminster. If we think back to composition and remit of the Smith Commission, which was discussed in an earlier post, we can see that it is 60% Unionist – 40% Pro Independence and a consensus has to be reached (in a very short timeframe). Which means that whatever the Unionist parties agree to will be the consensus.

Having had a read of the document that means that Air Passenger Duty will be devolved. Ace, the only increase in tax raising powers will be the ability to vary the rate of tax on air passengers. There are various proposals for the devolution of spending money, but you can’t spend what you haven’t got. But we might be able to borrow a bit from the treasury, if they let us. Of course, the Barnett Formula will be adjusted to reflect the taxes raised in Scotland.

I’m looking forward to the Unionist crow fest tomorrow when the House of Commons will get to shove the referendum result down our throats again. That’ll be just dandy. Oh, don’t forget Gordie Broon’s wee debate on Thursday either. Then we will have to wait until the end of the month for the Smith Commission to report, but I wouldn’t expect anything of substance to come from it. So much for “Devo-Max” Gordie; you’ve been played for a fool and so have the people of Scotland.

 

Big Beas Gordie Broon

The Big Beast’s Wee Debate

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One week from today the Big Beast o Labour, Gordie Broon, is holding his well publicised debate in the House of Commons which was part of the much vaunted “Vow”. Our lords and masters in Westminster have set aside valuable commons time in order to fulfil this part of their promise to the people of Scotland. The subject of the debate is the “UK Government’s relationship with Scotland,” and the debate is sponsored by none other than the Right Honourable Gordon Brown MP. The debate will be held at 6pm next Thursday and I for one will be watching it on catch up TV.

But, there had to be a but didn’t there,? But the debate will be held at the end of the commons business for the day. It is a so called “Adjournment Debate“, this is a type of debate which allows “backbench MPs to raise constituency issues or other matters relating to government administration or policy”. But, there’s that word again, there will be NO VOTE. Just a wee chat over the mace, that’s all. Here’s another but, the debate will last for a whole HALF HOUR! Yes, you read that right, 30 minutes to discuss Westminster’s relationship with Scotland then it’s off the club for a spot of dinner on expenses. I’ll bet most of our MPs will already be there before the debate begins.

So that’s all we’re worth to Westminster. 1.6 million Scottish people voted for Independence, countless more voted against after being told that there would be more powers, delivered to a timetable, and all we’re worth is half an hour. Gordie Broon could fill that time with endless waffle himself. So what chance do we have of getting any meaningful powers?