Scottish Referendum / Independence - Vol 7

Scottish Referendum / Independence - Vol 7

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Axionknight

8,505 posts

136 months

Thursday 23rd July 2015
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Nah man, third time is the charm

Failing that, the fourth time may do the trick.......

Sway

26,325 posts

195 months

Thursday 23rd July 2015
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Edinburger said:
NoNeed said:
Edinburger said:
If Barnett was unfair then it would have been replaced some time ago.

I don't think it is unfair.
If it was fair the Scottish Nazi party would have campaigned for its abolition long before now, they hate fairness.
Let's say you have children aged 4, 6 and 8. Can you justify paying them all £2 pocket money each week? Or would you calculate the weekly pocket money pro rata to their ages (time on the planet) and index linked (in line with inflation)? No? Yes?

You see, the population density of Scotland and therefore the cost of providing reasonably consistent levels of transport links, health care, edication, etc., etc., is a main reason why Barnett exists.

So tell me why it's unfair? And don't quote a pathetic headline like "Jocks get £1K more in their pocket each year".
When it was used to give consistent levels of service across those areas in Scotland compared to most of England, then it was fairer than it is now. Still not truly fair, as not replicated in any of the many other areas of the UK with similar geographies and population densities...

Now, when the cash is used to provide political points for the SNP, and demonstrably does not provide even remotely comparable levels of service it is not. Not even closely related to the word 'fair'.

When did the people of Scotland vote for appalling levels of cancer treatment in order to give everyone free prescriptions? When did they vote for huge cuts to university funding to permit Scots and Europeans to have a free, but low quality tertiary education? When did those in the whole of the UK vote for this wealth redistribution to allow such variations in quality of service?

Of course, you've heard all this before. I know I've written similar posts in response to a question from you in a similar vein before. You didn't respond to any of the salient points then, I'm certain you won't this time.

Barnett is not fair. Scotland wants tax raising powers and a level of autonomy? Fine. Have it, but take the good and the bad that provides. If Scotland's geography and population density make that hard, well you've got what you asked for.

The formula should have died the day the ScotParl was founded...

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

199 months

Thursday 23rd July 2015
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Thing is SNP will never raise taxes to mitigate Westminster policy - why? The age old arguement "We've paid for it once why would we pay for it twice?"

Mojocvh

16,837 posts

263 months

Thursday 23rd July 2015
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"When did the people of Scotland vote for appalling levels of cancer treatment in order to give everyone free prescriptions?"

yes

technodup

7,584 posts

131 months

Thursday 23rd July 2015
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Welshbeef said:
Let's say that a second vote does happen and again the same result (a loss) is it then a once in a life time/done for good question legally or....
I kind of want a second vote for the same result just to shut the mouthy plebs up once and for all.

I can't see them going for it unless they are sure of success, and I've not seen anything which would lead them to think they would win this time. No big poll lead, no answers to the big EU and currency questions, oil revenues down, 56 MPs doing a clown show down the road. Sturgeon's ugly but she's not stupid.

Troubleatmill

10,210 posts

160 months

Thursday 23rd July 2015
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Mojocvh said:
"When did the people of Scotland vote for appalling levels of cancer treatment in order to give everyone free prescriptions?"

yes
This.

It is very close to home, and it is quite upsetting.

Sway

26,325 posts

195 months

Thursday 23rd July 2015
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Troubleatmill said:
Mojocvh said:
"When did the people of Scotland vote for appalling levels of cancer treatment in order to give everyone free prescriptions?"

yes
This.

It is very close to home, and it is quite upsetting.
Apologies if I've brought upset - sure you understand it wasn't my intention.

All the best buddy, hope everything works out well.

Borghetto

3,274 posts

184 months

Thursday 23rd July 2015
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The SNP have many parallels with Syriza in Greece. We've all heard their promises, bogus economics to back up their claims and the other garbage they spout. The SNP's only objective is to poison the relationships on this little Island of ours and on this, they are doing a good job. The sooner we heap all the powers they claim to want on them and the fiscal discipline that goes with it, the better. Barnet has become a dirty word in the parts of the UK who are paying for it.

With Iran about to start exporting huge quantities of oil again and the Fracking revolution underway; expensive North Sea Oil Fields will struggle to attract the sort of investment needed to bankroll the SNP's independence wish list. If you look at Mexico's recent failed offshore licence auctions, it can be seen that unless the deal is very,very sweet, the big oil explorers will not invest. So how will an independent SNP Scotland ensure the hoped for income from the oil/gas sector, when they will be competing with other areas of the world with much lower production costs?

Today there was a spokesman for the wind energy sector bellyaching about the withdrawal of the subsidies that have driven their industry. As usual he was full of promises of a future when they will be able to compete without subsidy - no dates given of course and don't hold your breath for this lot voluntarily giving up the Government teat it has come to rely on. So if the Scots are foolish enough to go independent, God only knows what sort of compromises the SNP will be forced to make - much like Syriza and like Tsipras, Sturgeon will be able to blame the big bully that's been subsidising them.

Troubleatmill

10,210 posts

160 months

Thursday 23rd July 2015
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Sway said:
Troubleatmill said:
Mojocvh said:
"When did the people of Scotland vote for appalling levels of cancer treatment in order to give everyone free prescriptions?"

yes
This.

It is very close to home, and it is quite upsetting.
Apologies if I've brought upset - sure you understand it wasn't my intention.

All the best buddy, hope everything works out well.
Not a problem fella smile
It is those in power in Holyrood that are causing the problems.

Low hanging fruit and soundbite popular policies are their currency.

Long term though - cancer touches 1 in 3 of us.

Twilkes

478 posts

140 months

Thursday 23rd July 2015
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Axionknight said:
Nah man, third time is the charm

Failing that, the fourth time may do the trick.......
One for sorrow, two for sorrow.

Three for sorrow, four for - oh hang on, they've kicked us out.

fluffnik

20,156 posts

228 months

Friday 24th July 2015
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Welshbeef said:
What about Fluffnick - he's the chap who wired £500 to a Pro Yes support group run by a Vocar based in Bath smile.
I'm enjoying life and occasionally dropping in here for a giggle.

I remain delighted by the VFM that the Bath based boy fae Bathgate continues to offer. smile

anonymous-user

55 months

Friday 24th July 2015
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Fae Bathgate? That's a girl's name...

r11co

6,244 posts

231 months

Friday 24th July 2015
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I've not read the whole Jeremy Corbyn thread, but the more I think about it the more I reckon that, for Labour and Conservative, he would be a great short-term choice as leader for one simple reason - he would completely neutralise the SNP!

Their 'Red Tory' myth and campaign mantra which so successfully turned Scottish voters off the Labour party would instantly have to be shelved, and the SNP's pseudo-left wing posturing would be exposed.

I reckon Mhairi black's head would explode when she realises she's campaigning against the epitome of left-wing politics she espoused in her maiden speech, either that or she would become the first high-profile defection from the SNP to 'New Old Labour' as I believe she's a Commie first and a Nationalist second.

The job would be complete when the SNP MPs realise they've been found out and have no real political platform to stand on, and Tasmina Ahmed Sheik joins UKIP! biggrin

Edited by r11co on Friday 24th July 08:01

technodup

7,584 posts

131 months

Friday 24th July 2015
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fluffnik said:
I remain delighted by the VFM that the Bath based boy fae Bathgate continues to offer. smile
Strange though that one of the loudest advocates of independence won't actually be affected in any way given he resides in what would be (and is to him) a foreign country.

Reading hs poxy blog yesterday it appears SNP supporters want higher taxes. I suspect that's higher taxes for people earning more than they do- don't they realise England is a mere hour down the road with it's lower rates? He might find a few more Scots in Bath if it happens.

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

199 months

Friday 24th July 2015
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technodup said:
trange though that one of the loudest advocates of independence won't actually be affected in any way given he resides in what would be (and is to him) a foreign country.

Reading hs poxy blog yesterday it appears SNP supporters want higher taxes. I suspect that's higher taxes for people earning more than they do- don't they realise England is a mere hour down the road with it's lower rates? He might find a few more Scots in Bath if it happens.
Thing is what do they do about the people who under their new higher tax rules simply move to RUK and commute up into a Scottish job.... This not paying the higher income tax rate plus Scotland losing all the income tax from that individual. It's a delicate matter which I'm not sure is tryely workable.

Imagine your faced with having to pay maybe £5-10k more tax a year... Move south same job little longer commute save most of that higher tax. Depending on the absolute £ impact to individuals it's a huge motivator


In theory it's a lovely idea but practically not workable.

Slartifartfast

2,122 posts

233 months

Friday 24th July 2015
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Welshbeef said:
Thing is what do they do about the people who under their new higher tax rules simply move to RUK and commute up into a Scottish job.... This not paying the higher income tax rate plus Scotland losing all the income tax from that individual. It's a delicate matter which I'm not sure is tryely workable.

Imagine your faced with having to pay maybe £5-10k more tax a year... Move south same job little longer commute save most of that higher tax. Depending on the absolute £ impact to individuals it's a huge motivator


In theory it's a lovely idea but practically not workable.
Apart from shepherding, there's not really that many commutable jobs, unless you weekly commute. It would certainly open up opportunities for the good ol' boys of Borders and Dumfriesshire running liquor across the county line, manning the customs and checkpoints. Be an improvement on counting sheep.

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

199 months

Friday 24th July 2015
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Slartifartfast said:
Apart from shepherding, there's not really that many commutable jobs, unless you weekly commute. It would certainly open up opportunities for the good ol' boys of Borders and Dumfriesshire running liquor across the county line, manning the customs and checkpoints. Be an improvement on counting sheep.
Really?

Cornhill-On-Tweed to Edinburgh (city centre) is 49.8miles and 1hr13mins. That's city centre

Or
Cornhill -On-Tweed to Dalkeith is 42.6. Miles 58 mins.


That's not knowing the area at all so those are normal commuting times /retry light commuting times.

Sway

26,325 posts

195 months

Friday 24th July 2015
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Welshbeef said:
Slartifartfast said:
Apart from shepherding, there's not really that many commutable jobs, unless you weekly commute. It would certainly open up opportunities for the good ol' boys of Borders and Dumfriesshire running liquor across the county line, manning the customs and checkpoints. Be an improvement on counting sheep.
Really?

Cornhill-On-Tweed to Edinburgh (city centre) is 49.8miles and 1hr13mins. That's city centre

Or
Cornhill -On-Tweed to Dalkeith is 42.6. Miles 58 mins.


That's not knowing the area at all so those are normal commuting times /retry light commuting times.
Ha! I've commuted for extended periods between Southampton and Edi! Half hour down the A27 to Southampton airport, straight through to the gate, 90 minute sleep on the plane, then another half hour to the office. Work through lunch and it's tough but not too bad. Hardly like a serviced apartment near the Gyle is expensive either...

It's pretty much the same length commute (awake!) as me getting into Liverpool Street from my village on the South Coast.

simoid

19,772 posts

159 months

Friday 24th July 2015
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The SNP's borders railway could be the nail in their fiscal coffin hehe I assume they'll not be keen to dual/motorway the A1 any time soon.

Even Belfast to Glagow/Edinburgh could be a shorter commute than Glasgow to Edinburgh I'd think.

Edinburger

10,403 posts

169 months

Friday 24th July 2015
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simoid said:
The SNP's borders railway could be the nail in their fiscal coffin hehe I assume they'll not be keen to dual/motorway the A1 any time soon.

Even Belfast to Glagow/Edinburgh could be a shorter commute than Glasgow to Edinburgh I'd think.
Nonsense!

Do you get out much, simoid?

The route of the A1 and the route of the borders railway aren't comparable.

I can only suspect you don't fly to Belfast or do the Glasgow/Edinburgh commute either.

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