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Forsyth in attack on Tory MSPs

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Published Date: 10 February 2008
By Eddie Barnes
Political Editor
FORMER Scottish Secretary Lord Forsyth has attacked Conservative MSPs for backing the SNP in last week's budget, warning Britain now faced the real prospect of "disintegration".
The Conservative peer and opponent of devolution said it was "extraordinary" Scots Tory leader Annabel Goldie had decided to back First Minister Alex Salmond's spending plans.

He fears populist measures proposed by the SNP – such as free prescript
ion charges – will lead to resentment in England which will eventually lead to more support for separation.

Forsyth was speaking as he backed moves to reform the Barnett Formula – the 30-year-old scheme which calculates the sums of money given to different parts of the UK.

Forsyth said: "We are seeing the real prospect of the disintegration of the UK. Even the Conservative MSPs voted for the nationalist budget... which is extraordinary."

The call for the reform of the Barnett Formula is being led by its namesake Lord Barnett. He told the House of Lords last week: "There is an urgency about this, because if something is not seen to be done soon, people in England will start to demand separation."

However, one Scots Tory MSP who supported the SNP following concessions over tax cuts, drugs policy and on police numbers, dismissed Forsyth last night as "a dinosaur".





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1

Jimmy the Pie,

10/02/2008 01:42:24
Reminder - Forsyth? Oh yes Mrs Thatcher's pet Scotsman.

How did he leave politics? Oh yes he got gobbed at election time.
More irrelevant rubbish Eddie??
2

A Better Way,

Edinburgh 10/02/2008 01:54:48
Once more the voice of London bellows its instructions over the border to our democratically elected politicians.

How dare Annabel Goldie do what she says is the right thing to do. After all she is delivering a package that will suit her supporters, who are Scottish. Its the same thing with Nicol and Wendy, if London decides they are gone then its off they go.

Even the most ardent Britnat would admit that this state of affairs is how it is. Well NO ONE tells Alex Salmond and our SNP Scottish Government what they are allowed to do when it comes to Scotland except the People of Scotland. Yes they can rant their rubbish down south, but they shall never change our determination to guide our own Nations Destiny. Only the Scottish People can do this and by the way they are flocking to the Scottish Way, that will not be for much longer. I seriously believe that when Scotland frees itself from the chains of being run by a foreign power, we will in fact be freeing the English People from third rate Government, allowing them to blossom into a better society, with a government of English People making decisions for the benefit of English People.

We all know deep down that this UK race is coming to an end. The winning line is well in sight for all of us. Come over to the Scottish Way, because you can bet that the various Scottish Britnat parties will as a result of INDEPENDANCE.
3

Mercutio,

FALKIRK 10/02/2008 02:42:07
INDEPENDENCE is how one spells this word. The above writer must be some sort of agent provocateur, he cannot be serious surely, he also says Gerry Adams is a democrat in one of his other ramblings.
4

Jimmy the Pie,

10/02/2008 03:48:31
AM2
No comments on the latest scandel involving your pal Wendy? Yet another criminal investigation??
Might be sub-judice though???
5

donald,

glasgow 10/02/2008 06:48:30
Forsyth always did sound like a Labourite.
6

james 1st,

hamilton 10/02/2008 07:20:58
why should people in england look jealously at scotland, they should be demanding that the westminster government match the scottish initiatives,not feeling hard done by that the scottish people may benefit, ...demand from westminster politicians, if they dont come to heal vote them out
7

glassbenmhor,

10/02/2008 07:59:08
I'm very interested to here the comments of the former Secretary of State for Scotland,he once gave me a commendation at Edinburgh Castle.
Firstly the man should think before opening his gob,one of the concessions gained by Annabel was small business tax relief,a thing at the core values of Thatcherism.
Secondly,I don't know if he is still employed by Flemings or not,but if still he would do well to shut his trap,this is an honorable financial organisation that has calmly and carefully cruised the tumultious waters of finance for well over a centuary,and did not do so by outbursts and incoherant ramblings.Incidently I was once employed by Mr R Fleming,a gentleman of the first order and the finest employer I'll ever have known.
Thirdly the Scottish Conservative Party is gaining the trust and respect of the Scottish people slowly but surely.
And finally Lord Forsyth would do better to take the guidance of My Lord Astor before opening his mouth.
8

Padraig,

10/02/2008 14:16:47
Freedom for Scotland (8) said "Forsyth? Who?"

Michael Forsyth, formerly known as "Magic Flute" when he was a minister (you dance to my tune)has disappeared from the public gaze. No reason why anyone should listen to him now.

Lord Barnet is concerned that the English will demand seperation? Good! We might get it if they want it!

I wouldn't hold my breath though - England's wealth, enhanced by the British Empire, is based on the extraction of value from other countries - and Scotland is the last colony. They would have to stand on their own feet if they went solo. No chance.
9

John Blackley,

Winter Garden, FL 10/02/2008 21:11:56
Darn it! Fooled by a headline again!

I was looking forward to reading Brucie's opinion of Scots Conservatives. I'm sure it would've been more entertaining than this "drivel as usual" piece.
10

snecked,

Argyll 10/02/2008 22:06:35
Inflation of such nonsense to headline stuff is exactly why I stopped purchasing the dreadful Scotland on Sunday. You get more balanced political reporting in the Sunday Post.

 

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