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SNP budget set to be approved by MSPs 'tomorrow'

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Published Date: 03 February 2009
THE Scottish Government's £33 billion budget is likely to be passed by MSPs tomorrow, it emerged today.
A deal with the Liberal Democrats that will see the spending plan approved is close to completion.

MSPs rejected the SNP administration's budget proposal last Wednesday.

But since the vote – in which Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens voted against the SNP – ministers and opposition leaders have been discussing how to reach an agreement.

A spokesman for First Minister Alex Salmond said: "We are very close to finalising an agreement with the Liberal Democrats to secure support for the passage of the budget.

"It is my expectation that the budget would pass through its three stages tomorrow."

Mr Salmond met Labour leader Iain Gray this morning in continuing efforts to reach a deal.

The First Minister's spokesman said the private meeting "was very constructive".

Ministers are seeking the "broadest possible support" for the budget, he added.

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1

webwise,

Scotland 03/02/2009 12:50:42
It has just been revealed that the register of those who actually voted in the recent Glenrothes by-election has disappeared.

The SNP have been asking to see this register since the result was announced, they never received it.

There is now NO RECORD of who took part in this by-election !!
2

alanh,

ek 03/02/2009 12:58:46
I wonder of any "journalist" will bother to show u8s thick voters what CHANGES have been made to the budget to get the universal support that the opposition parties now seem to be giving?
or is that too much like work?
3

Wardog™,

03/02/2009 13:04:33

1. 5000 additional postal votes apparently....

Someone should get the police involved, it be dynamite if there's been foul play.


4

TheDisplacedGlaswegian,

Edinburgh 03/02/2009 13:10:35
#1 yeah - the rumour at the time was that there was a massive postal vote, miles out of proportion with respect to normal voting practices. It is no wonder the lists are missing given that they would have contained all the evidence needed to ask all those who "voted" by post if they actually intended to vote.
As far as I'm aware, no-one could tell us how the postal vote turned out (i.e give a breakdown of the number of votes cast for each party) . For weeks after the elections many posters were asking for a breakdown but no-one could supply the information... how convenient that all details are now 'missing'.
5

Observer,,

Glasgow 03/02/2009 13:11:55
2 Probably very few changes. It's all been a big bluff by Labour and the Libs really. As soon as they thought there was the real possibility of an election they went into reverse-'bring it on mode' as fast as they could.
6

Observer,,

Glasgow 03/02/2009 13:13:13
4 Unless I am mistaken it is an SNP Council in Glenrothes ? Councils run elections. So what are people saying here ?
7

Gtj,

03/02/2009 13:15:10
Was Glenrothes rigged?
8

Scottish 'N British,

03/02/2009 13:27:35
It was a conspiracy, Was having an absolutely dreadful day at work, so thanks for the laugh, folks.

An Executive that can't steer through a vote and a bunch of paranoid numpties on speed.

Only the SNP, only its intellectually-challenged supporters.

hehehe

9

Billiam Wallace,

03/02/2009 13:38:21
#8 And only a ranting, mumping Onionist villain with the intellectual capacity of a rotten turnip and the odour to match would keep posting the kind of pathetic, pro-union drivel that you keep spouting on here, day in, day out. Do you actually have any arguments in favour of the union? What does Scotland get out of it, Oh yes, debt, illegal wars and the lowest life expectancy in Western Europe, (and by Europe I have to include the Gaza Strip). Where are the fantastic government policies of Strangely Brown that make your life worth living, do enlighten us poor humble pathetic Scotchmen (sic), who are so inferior to you enlightened unionists. It must be such a joy to be a unionist, always right even when you are dead wrong.
10

Astonished,

Inverclyde 03/02/2009 13:41:24
Observer - I think you are correct however I have a minor correction : COUNCIL STAFF run elections.

A full investigation is neccessary although unlikely under labour.

Labour have a history of rigging postal votes. I remember something about a "banana republic".

I am certain the whitewash commission will be asked to step up to the plate.
11

Number 6,

Germany 03/02/2009 13:59:28
Once again the hopeless unionista parties and their scottish flocks, make a complete fool of themselves .

Their No ! No ! No ! has been thrown back in their faces . Salmond has wrung rings around them and all it took was the suggestion that we may have to go to the people to bring them slithering back to the table.

Just as we see with the ever-increasing cases of Labour sleaze and corruption down south, the scottish detatchment are no better. If it's not gutsy Labour councillors stealing tax-payer's money to enrich their sons, it's wholesale electoral fraud.

Bizarrely, this over-powering stench of failure has not yet permeated the nostrils of the scottish unionista movement, still waving their little Labour issued union jacks while their dreadful party sinks
further and further into the mire.

It would be hilarious if it was not so pathetic.

Witness the haverings of Scottish N'British . By the way S&B, what do you think of your dear leader cancelling "Britishness Day?"
12

Scottish 'N British,

03/02/2009 14:10:28
9

"Bilious" Wallace, mair like.

Where was Salmon to help

Malawi
Kosovo
Northern Ireland
Indonesia

Westminster. London. England.

Jings, we can't get wee Eck to keep his promises to us!!!

13

Brian Hill,

03/02/2009 14:15:06
Witness the haverings of Scottish N'British . By the way S&B, what do you think of your dear leader cancelling "Britishness Day?"

Glad you brought that up Number 6 @ #11

I have rit a strong lettre of protest to his Brownlyess informing him of my dismay that he has cancelled BRITISHNESS DAY wot I was so looking forward to.

I have specifical asked for a refund on my Brithisness Day Union Jack wot I paid one and thruppence for from a dodgy, not to mention scruffy looking street vender wot gave me a mouthful of #@**%$ when I casual like asked to see his street vendering license.

Fairs fair your Brownlyness...cough up....
...or I might start thinking about voting for that nice Mr Salmondella. At least his blue and white flags are free!!
14

Scottish 'N British,

03/02/2009 14:23:51
11

"Slumber" 6, mair like.

As you wallow in triva, nearly 100 skilled Scots dyson workers have lost their jobs.

I'm far more interested in hearing what Eck plans to do for the Scots unemployed.

15

Scottish 'N British,

03/02/2009 14:42:37
13

"Bitter Pill" , mair like.

Hijacking Homecoming aside, there will be no parties in Eck's Free Alba.

Parties are banned, as are birthdays. Eck will be a' place, even taking his mum for wee saunter doon Broadway every April.

The sun won't shine and it will rain - continuously.

And Separatist's like bad self will continue to blame EVERYTHING on England!!
16

Nevsky;,

Moscow 03/02/2009 14:51:24
Labour rigged it then ditched the evidence, shocking!
17

bully wee alba,

Edinburgh 03/02/2009 14:54:07
The law regarding the retention of documents pertaining to the elections to the Westminster Government may be different to the law which applies to Holyrood.

However, here is a wee extract of the relevant legal position as it applies to Scotland.

Retention and public inspection of documents
69.—(2) The sheriff clerk shall retain for a year all documents relating to an election forwarded to him in pursuance of these Rules by a constituency returning officer, and then, unless otherwise directed by order of the Court of Session, shall cause them to be destroyed.
(2) Those documents, except ballot papers, counterfoils and certificates as to employment on duty on the day of the poll, shall be open to public inspection at such time and subject to such conditions as may be determined by the sheriff clerk with the consent of the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament.
(3) The sheriff clerk may, on request, supply copies of or extracts from the documents open to public inspection on payment of such fees and subject to such conditions as may be sanctioned by the Treasury.

I note the use of the term “the Treasury”
Perhaps one of our Unionist friends can point to when the Court of Session approved the destruction of the documents in question?
18

Billiam Wallace,

03/02/2009 15:26:51
#s12,14 & 16. Unionist and a nazi more like. You have a nerve insulting anyone. It's ironic that all the bilious drivel that you spout on here about the SNP being unpopular, sneaky and corrupt actually applies exactly to NuLiebore to a far greater extent. You are either delusional, a NuLiebore party stalwart or a troll, perhaps all three and sectioned in a mental health facility to boot. Note to the staff, please increase the thorazine for this one.
As you almost certainly a troll, incapable of reasoned debate, I hereby banish you to the Herald site where you can do no harm. BEGONE!
19

Billiam Wallace,

03/02/2009 15:28:44
This doctored video was released at the time of the Glasgow East by-election but it is just as relevant to the Glenrothes debacle. Enjoy.

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=iMi776jah1w

PS. Hope all the unionist trolls watch and enjoy it too.
20

im brian and so is my wife,

edinburgh 03/02/2009 16:09:53
postal votes rigged?,hmm reminds me of the muirhouse ward,all those at silverlea old folks home who had postal votes,and had either bad eyesight or arthritic hands,were asked by a staff member who they wanted to vote for,and of course wrong boxes got ticked ie the one for the red flag waver
also the dead person drop
this involved a red flag waver who worked as a postie,to deliver the voting card to the deceased empty home,just before a large sheet of the old type edinburgh news,was slipped under the door,thus pulling the sheet through also brought the mail that had landed on the paper
on polling day the dead had voted very early
great to see lazerus was re-enacted then
21

,

03/02/2009 16:14:27
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
22

Reiver,

Galashiels 03/02/2009 17:00:35
Can the Scotsman have some educational entry level for anyone posting on this site ... it is a travesty for the UK and Scotland that the vast majority of posts are by those who are considered to be 'numpties' by the general populace.
23

Observer,,

Glasgow 03/02/2009 17:10:09
24 Don't be so harsh on yourself.
24

JenJen,

03/02/2009 18:14:49
Billiam and ScottishnBritish, you two sound like that Blackadder episode where Le Comte de Frou Frou was arguing with the French prison guard soldier.


Soldier: [to Frou Frou] ...and you, aristo-pig, are trapped!!!

Frou Frou: Peeg? Hah! You will regret your insolence, revolutionary deug!

Soldier: Dog? Hah! You will regret your arrogance, royalist snake!

Frou Frou: Sneag? Hah!

Frou Frou: How dare you, you filthy weaselle!

Soldier: Weasel? Hah! You're one to talk, aristo-waat-heug!

Frou Four: Warthog? Hah!

Soldier: Hah!

And on and on for months on end ...
25

Liberal for life,

Dunblane 03/02/2009 18:55:00
Perhaps if nothing else its made the SNP remember they are just a MINORITY goverment who rely on cross party support.

I trust they will never again treat the Green MSP's with a contempt they little deserve.

And well done Tavish and co for using this opportunity to help enhance the likelihood of an increased rate in Scotlands economic recovery.
26

Jock Tamson,

Scotland, Caledonia, Alba 03/02/2009 20:02:21
Just goes to show.

Tweak a LibDumb and who needs Labour (Scotland) these days?

Will Labour (Scotland) vote for, against or abstain again? Who cares?
27

brownlie,

03/02/2009 21:03:16
28 Liberal

A lone voice, crying in the wilderness.
28

Jimmy Le Pie,

03/02/2009 21:05:29
I see from the Daily Mail that us Scots are not the only people ditching the Butchers Apron. ;-)

Outrage as police station ditches Union Jack... for a gay rights flag

http://tinyurl.com/cvxucf
29

Daveunderwater,

Broon's Bailout Britain 03/02/2009 21:52:59
Apparently the two sherrifdoms in the locallity were in the process of merging when the papers may have been destroyed along with waste paper....
30

Daveunderwater,

Broon's Bailout Britain 03/02/2009 21:54:29
Lets hope there are no sherrifdom mergers during the next General Election
31

Curley Bill,

03/02/2009 23:07:54
Re the article: Once again the Mighty Eck shows up the Unionistas for the imperialist nonentities that they are.
He schmoozes Annabel, who swoons as she writes her agreement.
He doles out crumbs to the LIBDUMS who are grateful for the pittance they receive.
He gives the Dame Margo her desires.
He courteously displays forgiveness to the wee Greenie who had a tantrum.
And finally, he even discourses with the Labour Morlock.
The Mighty Eck, Master of Holyrood!

Re Glenrothes: why is anyone surprised? There are plenty of Labour placemen in local government. They will be found out, sleekit though they might be.
32

pehman,

sussex 03/02/2009 23:24:40
Good news for the budget, slab are on their own, billy no mates.

Re the postal votes, lets not forget the 10,000+ postal votes that went "missing" in the may 07 election along with the 140,000 votes that couldn't be counted, or for that matter the arival of the "late" boxes at Glasgow east that cut the SNP majority.

In Glasgow East slab called a quick election - even before the candidate resigned- (btw is he strong enough to face the court yet) why do you think they held off fighting Glenrothes?
33

pehman,

sussex 03/02/2009 23:30:31

Has anybody found out what grey promised harvie yet ?
34

pehman,

sussex 03/02/2009 23:35:11

28 Liberal for life,Dunblane 03/02/2009 18:55:00

Perhaps if nothing else its made the SNP remember they are just a MINORITY goverment who rely on cross party support.

Maybe then the LD'S (lap dogs) will remember they are ABOUT TO BECOME EXTINCT
35

,

03/02/2009 23:36:57
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
36

Billiam Wallace,

04/02/2009 02:02:36
#26 JenJen: I love Blackadder and I see what you mean. I lost the rag a bit with that twonk and went on a rant but no wonder. They really are trolls who have no reasoned arguments and no debating skills, just bile and hatred.

 

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