The SNP were up to their old tricks at FMQs yesterday . When asked to give details on an assertion about an independent Scotland's currency they delayed and obfuscated until they could hold off no longer. This is a tactic they've successfully used before; most recently with their ludicrous lie that they had delivered 86 of 96 unidentified 'headline' manifesto commitments in the election campaign of 2011. Like yesterday, they refused to identify those 'headline' commitments until the very last moment and by that time the lie had done its work.
The fact that they have to adopt these tactics shows just how desperate the SNP are becoming on the subject of currency in an independent Scotland. By finally admitting that their policy is to retain sterling and the Bank of England as a lender of last resort any attempt by the SNP to claim financial independence in these circumstances are at best naive and at worst cynically unprincipled. Put simply, if the SNP have their way an independent Scotland's fiscal and monetary policies will be under the supervision of the UK treasury and Bank of England. See Martin Wolf's excellent article in the FT on the subject here: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f2abe5a2-428b-11e1-97b1-00144feab49a.html#ixzz1lIww0swR.
The procession of SNP high heidyins denying this simple truth is beginning to ring alarm bells with the Scottish public. Opinion polls on separation have been pretty much static since the election, however the one thing showing a dramatic change is the First Minister's approval ratings. They are on the slide and will continue to slide as long as he and his deputies present themselves as whackjob fantasists who cannot face inconvenient truths.
And finally: I see another SNP MSP has claimed that opposing SNP policies is 'anti-Scottish' - this time it's not a bonkers back bencher but a government minister. Don't these clowns realise that accusing your opponents of being unpatriotic is about the most anti-Scottish thing you could possibly do?
The SNP are desperate Graham?
ReplyDeleteNot quite as desperate as a Labour party member quoting that bastion of socialism the Financial Times, in a "Laboured" attack on the left wing Government of Scotland.
Forgive the pun. A cannae help it.
WV "Bilia"
FFS, he canna even get the formatting right on his posts. Grahamski's chance to probe and explore a new labour future is descending rather quickly into a gurn fest. Nae ideas, nae vision, nae knickers, plenty o fur coats.
Deletewww.greetnfacedgrahamski.gov.uk
"..in a "Laboured" (ho ho) attack on the left wing Government of Scotland..."
DeleteConan, please explain what is 'left wing' about freezing council tax and demanding the power to cut big business's tax in half.
I thought it a reasonable response to "quidding" which had me wetting myself...
DeleteEr, poor people spend more of their income on cooncil tax in proportion of their income, freezing it sounds socialist to me. But not you?
Tax breaks for big business? You'll have to expand on that.
I'm on holiday just now and I'm doing this by phone so you'll have to forgive my typos.
DeleteThe poorest people don't pay council tax but rely disproportionately on the services being cut to pay for the middle classes council tax cuts. Even the Tories didn't have the brass neck to propose such a redistribution of wealth from the poor to the rich.
cuts on corporation tax are tax breaks for big business. Hardly left wing policies...
"He is old enough to know better.", clearly a claim that is a lie.
ReplyDeleteIf only....
DeleteIt is anti-scottish to fight against a Scottish state. Your clearly anti-scottish, you do not recognise us as a normal nation and instead despite complete and utter fantasy claims to be on the left your a troy boot licking bellycrawling cheerleader of a tory clown. I'm off out for tea.
ReplyDelete"It is anti-scottish to fight against a Scottish state."
Deletewtf?
Graham, old bean, " the poorest people don't pay council tax" you cannot be serious? - but then again you seldom appear to be. Congrats on your blog which will give me an opportunity to mention the illegal Iraq invasion when I've got a little more time.
ReplyDeleteMr Brownlie
DeleteYikes, you really want to debate the legality of Iraq'a liberation rather than separation for Scotland?
This is becoming something of a habit for those who support separation. Anyhoo, since you're so determined that everything should be done legally I'm sure I can count on your support to oppose any 'illegal' referendum plans put forward by the Scottish Executive.
In the meantime, welcome and feel free to comment as you see fit. I intend to run this blog with a light touch moderation policy.
Obviously nothing actionable will be tolerated nor personal abuse or sweary words that I don't like. Apart from that this blog is your oyster.