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Labour to attack SNP choice for by-election over cuts



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Published Date: 23 August 2008
By David Maddox
PETER Grant, the leader of Fife Council, was expected to be confirmed as the SNP candidate for the Glenrothes by-election last night.
Labour, which will be defending the Westminster seat left vacant by the death of former council leader John MacDougall, is set to unleash a personal attack on Mr Grant and his political record.

Following the SNP's victory in Glasgow East last m
onth, the party is hot favourite to win the seat, with the bookies offering odds of just 1/4 on an SNP victory, even though Labour had a majority of 10,500 at the last election.

But Labour plans to fight hard not to lose another seat. If the SNP does clinch it, then Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, will be left isolated as Labour's only MP in Fife.

Labour proposes to focus on Mr Grant's record as council leader in Fife, a post he took on after the 2007 Scottish council elections.

The party hopes to portray him as the man responsible for closing schools in the region and slashing services over the past year.

A Labour source said: "There is no doubt that, as leader of the council, Mr Grant has the blood of service cuts on his hands.

"But we all know that he is obeying his master's voice and we need to show the link between his actions as council leader and the decisions of Alex Salmond and the Scottish Government."

The SNP has always argued that cuts were the result of actions by the Labour government in Westminster. It says that for the year 2008-9, Scotland was awarded the lowest block grant settlement since devolution.





The full article contains 285 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

 
1

Darien,

Panama 23/08/2008 00:10:49
Let's hope the good people of Fife stick it right up Broon and his damned Union.
2

Oldnat,

23/08/2008 00:13:04
Ooh! Incisive reporting from the Scotsman! Labour will attack him - might be worth their while to get a candidate first.

Does the Hootsmon feel at all embarrassed at having been spun so effectively by Iain Dale?
3

Senga Jean,

23/08/2008 00:15:09
The lies and distortions of the Labour supporting press in Scotland defy belief. However the new age means that the SNP can reply on the internet. Isn't technology wonderful!
4

Jwil,

23/08/2008 00:15:10
Mr Maddox has shown once again that he has his ear to the ground! Wonderful. I hope we will be hearing Mr Grant's side of the story soon.
5

Marky Bhoy,

Dunfermline 23/08/2008 00:25:06

SNP cuts oh yeah

Would I love magnificent local services OH YES

Can I as a council tax payer afford to pay for them OH NO .

The Labour candidate Mr Grant needs to enter the real world .

Ok Mr Grant lets have your local services please tell me my options as you increase council tax by 15% do I light and heat my house and feed my family .

pay increased council tax Or let the kids freeze and starve

YES IT IS GETTING TO THAT YOU LABOUR MUPPET
6

Trident,

Dunfermline 23/08/2008 00:43:11
As a Fifer, I've seen first hand the closure of nursery schools, community centres and public toilets that Cllr Grant has personally endorsed, the extra car park taxes that he (unsuccessfully) championed and the huge hikes in home care charges for the elderly and disabled. no wonder his boss Mr Salmond confessed to being a fan of Mrs Thatcher - they've cared even less for ordinary Fifers than she did.
7

Rob - Honest Toun,

23/08/2008 00:46:13
"The Labour candidate Mr Grant needs to enter the real world."

Somebody cannae read!
8

Oldnat,

23/08/2008 00:46:28
We all know that Trident can't be fired without authorisation from abroad.
9

Christina, Aberdeen,

23/08/2008 00:47:23
Excellent Labour Press Release by their Spin Doctor David Maddox.

I heard he's a certainty for the Order of the Brown Tongue in the New Year Honours list.
10

Edwards Legend,

23/08/2008 00:47:59
God save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save the Queen:
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us:
God save the Queen.
O Lord, our God, arise,
Scatter her enemies,
And make them fall.
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks,
On Thee our hopes we fix,
God save us all.
Thy choicest gifts in store,
On her be pleased to pour;
Long may she reign:
May she defend our laws,
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice
God save the Queen.
11

a proud doonhamer,

Dumfries 23/08/2008 00:48:54
Amazing isn't it how Maddox seems to have the news about Labour hours before even Labour sends it out. He must be clairvoyant. He must have powers that are beyond those of ordinary journos.... or he could just be a Labour stooge masquerading as a Scotsman journalist and simply doing the job of his political masters.


No prizes for guessing which is more accurate.
12

a proud doonhamer,

Dumfries 23/08/2008 00:50:19
10

You forgot a stanza... something about destroying Scots.

13

Marky Bhoy,

Dunfermline 23/08/2008 00:51:38

Trident

Are you somehow in the know as it seems you are alledging Labours main candidate Mr Grant has defected to the SNP BECAUSEthat is the only way Mr Salmond can be his boss

If you have it wrong until a year ago fife was controlled by Labour hence the cuts
14

Edwards Legend,

23/08/2008 00:51:56
12 Salmond will do that shortly

Rule Britania!
Britannia rule the waves.
Britons never, never, never shall be slaves.

Rule Britannia!
Britannia rule the waves.
Britons never, never, never shall be slaves.

The nations, not so blest as thee,
Must in their turn, to tyrants fall,
Must in ,must in, must in their turn, to tyrants fall,
While thou shalt flourish, shalt flourish great and free,
The dread and envy of them all.
(Chorus)
Rule Britannia!
Britannia rule the waves.
Britons never, never, never shall be slaves.

Rule Britannia!
Britannia rule the waves.
Brittons never, never, never shall be slaves.


Rule Britannia (with pronuciation singing guide)

When Britain first, at heaven's command,
Aro-o-o-ose from out the a-a-a-zure main,
Arose, arose, arose from out the a-azure main,
This was the charter, the charter of the land,
And guardian A-a-angels sang this strain:

Rule Britannia!
Britannia rule the waves. Britons never, never, never shall be slaves.

Rule Britannia!
Britannia rule the waves.
Britons never, never, never shall be slaves.

The nations, no-o-o-o-ot so blest as thee,
Must i-i-i-i-in their turn, to ty-y--yrants fall,
Must in ,must in, must in their turn, to ty-y-rants fall,
While thou shalt flourish, shalt flourish great and free,
The dread and e-e-e-e-nvy of them all.
(Chorus)
Rule Britannia!
Britannia rule the waves.
Britons never, never, never shall be slaves.

Rule Britannia!
Britannia rule the waves.
Britons never, never, never shall be slaves.
15

weeberti,

Cumbernauld 23/08/2008 00:57:14
A Labour source said: Whit! Who! When! do we no whit planet this source is from or is this source wait lets take a guess no lets not, lets work out the puzzle. D_v_d Mad__x. Anyone who can work this one out and posts first gets to take sole control of the Scotsman newspaper and do as they wish with all the reporters with the exception of Brian Barnes who we all love? if you no what i mean.

16

a proud doonhamer,

Dumfries 23/08/2008 00:57:53
What is a Briton? Where is Britannia?

Are we seeing a new novel... the Chronicle of Britannia..the Liars, the Bitch and the Red rose?
17

Marky Bhoy,

Dunfermline 23/08/2008 00:58:58

I made a tube of myself in getting the candidates mixed up

whoever the two parties opt for are not as well known as Walter Smith and Gordon Strachan are they

Looking for a red faced smiley but wading more into the treacle yes

I wish some other posters could be more honest
18

SlyFifer,

Somewhere west of Scotland 23/08/2008 01:00:43
Someone, somewhere else suggested that all that needs to be done by the SNP in Glenrothes is to mail out to every household a photograph of Maggie and Brown on the steps of #10. No words needed. Pic says it all. Onward SNP success.
19

Edwards Legend,

23/08/2008 01:00:53
We get a great deal from the Union , is still better to be independent but broke ?

See below

New research by IPPR North on the Barnett formula reveals the true extent of the funding disparities between the constituent nations of the UK. Spending per head in Scotland is 24 per cent higher than that spent in England. This means that Scots receive £1,161 more per head than the English.

What's more, we find little evidence of the so-called "Barnett squeeze" taking place. In theory Barnett is supposed to bring about equal spending per head across the four nations but between 2004 and 2008 the spending gap between England and Scotland rose.

20

Marky Bhoy,

Dunfermline 23/08/2008 01:04:46
19

What is Scotlands GDP in otherwords oil Whiskey Potatoes Barley tax intake = What do we give to the UK economy = a damn sight more than we get back via barnett
21

Christina, Aberdeen,

23/08/2008 01:08:57
There is a photo of Maggie and her pal Gordie at http://www.scottishpolitics.org/glenrothes/index.html
22

Edwards Legend,

23/08/2008 01:14:19
20 , really how much then ?

have you looked in to the figures ? done any research on the tattie bonanza we are enjoying ?

figures please
23

Marky Bhoy,

Dunfermline 23/08/2008 01:19:11

No figures but logic prevails here if you wish to contradict show me your figures

I included the tatties but missed the carrots and mushrooms so include them as well
24

Christina, Aberdeen,

23/08/2008 01:23:05
I think voters have realised that all Labour stands for is corruption.

We've seen a Glasgow MP claiming £500,000 over 5 years for a constituency office and staff, despite having neither.

In the Glasgow East by election, Labour candidate Margaret Curran told voters she had worked and lived in the east end of Glasgow all her life. Was anybody actually surprised that she was telling lies?

You'd think people like Edward the Legend would realise that people can't be conned any more!

New Labour. Same Old Lies!








25

Gregor Addison,

Glasgow 23/08/2008 01:28:55
Nice to see David Maddox still has a job now that all Labour leadership hopefuls support an end to Council Tax. What was that months long Scotsman campaign about that it came to an end so quietly?
26

weeberti,

Cumbernauld 23/08/2008 01:40:58
19 Please work out how much that would be if an independant Scotland sent a couple of thousand of the best soldiers in the world as there contribution to world peace, against IPPR North calculation with Scotland part of a nuclar power country like England and i mean no disrespected as i can understand why England would persue their nuclar course, do they really need us....well it costs billlllllions of pounds to be a nuclar power and me thinks oil might be needed to generate such income. If this particular income was to be found on the devanshire coast i could understand the calculations and not feel as though i was being lied to, and i think that people in Scotland through choice of media has now got a better understanding of politics and power and can see through the funding disparities you speak of.

27

Derick fae Yell,

The self-respecting Independent Hoose 23/08/2008 01:56:41
I take it Edwards Legend is AM2 back in yet another tedious guise.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
28

ptdoug,

23/08/2008 02:00:35
"Nothing makes me angrier than people who deprecate the abilities of their own country, their own people. It's insidious and damaging." Alex Salmond.

Vote in the new poll at www.cybernatcentral.
blogspot.com

WHO IS CLOSER TO THATCHER. IN POLICIES AND FRIENDSHIP?
Gordon Brown, or, Alex Salmond.

See our pictures of the Labour/Thatcher love-in....
29

alba nach,

Tarbert 23/08/2008 02:21:43
Hang on, Brown took credit for all the economic good times. If inflation's running high and hospital budgets are stretched as a result, surely it's the UK government's fault.

They can't have it both ways.
30

Sierra Foothills Scot,

Diamond Springs 23/08/2008 02:23:24
#s 10 & 14 Edwards Legend: ;
Thank you for your childish attempt to hijack this thread.

#s 19 & 22 Edwards Legend:
It's a shame that you really believe the delusion that the Barnett figures have any significance. FYI, they do not say anything about Scotland's real revenues and real expenses. Try the GERS Report 2006-2007 for these meaningful figures.

GERS Report 2006-2007 is still biased toward reducing revenues and increasing expenses, but at least it is more meaningful than Barnett figures.

The bias of GERS 2006-2007 will be exposed in the forthcoming "The Great Obfuscation" by Niall Aslen. It will be published on tinyurl.com/5ck6wr.




31

Pulitzer,

Edwin's Burgh 23/08/2008 02:47:18
Hi all
I've no' read a' the posts so sorry to say I cannot really comment on the full content of the thead but what I wil say, controversially probably, is that Scotland deserves to be an independent nation - if that is what the peeps want...
32

tartangladbach,

edinburgh 23/08/2008 03:10:57
10 & 14
yet more misty eyed unionism! you can tell independance is not far off, when this is the standard of argument for keeping the union? scots have had enough of the old, stuck in the past parties! they have nothing to offer but the status quo and negativity! why? cause people with power fear change!
33

Greatscot....,

London 23/08/2008 03:23:21
Would you Nat numpties please keep in mind that the vast majority of Scots still want to remain in the Union and do not want to be EuroSlaves like you.

We are NOT voting FOR the SNP but we ARE voting AGAINST Labour. I know it's difficult for you, but try not to get confused.
34

Sierra Foothills Scot,

Diamond Springs 23/08/2008 04:19:01
I see that the Scotsman has again stopped allowing comments on readers' letters. That is a pity, because it would have been instructive for online readers to read the response by Alistair Buchanan, Chief Executive if Ofgem, to the editorial "Plug must be pulled on this absurd electricity levy" in Friday's Scotsman.

Mr Buchanan is, of course, based in London. Perhaps he might find the National Grid's network more profitable if its operations were limited to Southeast England and the power needs of Southeast England were satisfied by several nuclear generators in that same area -- preferably one at Battersea.
35

Alan Reid,

Aberdeen 23/08/2008 04:49:36
33 Greatscot....,But we don't want to be slaves to Westminster which we have been for the last three hundred odd year, P r i c k!
36

Snuffy Ivy,

Aberdeen 23/08/2008 05:39:35
Labour's desperation coming to the fore once again.
They are such poor losers.

Let's face it...the game is over for New Labour and I believe the Fifers will put the boot in really hard!

Brown's down and OUT!
37

tartangladbach,

edinburgh 23/08/2008 05:43:21
33 greatscot? there is no more union! the lisbon treaty will see the end of it! wake up!! think of the best way to fight for a vioce in europe! if we let westminster do the talking! we will get nothing! at least let our own politicans negotiate something!! the united kingdom has already signed up to be disolved! scottish independence is the only option left for scots! westminster will not deliver anything for scotland! they will give all our resources away to the highest bidder! that is the sad truth!
38

Castaway,

23/08/2008 05:44:44
#33-You are correct and we should keep reminding ourselves what Margaret Thatcher said "because we English who are marvellous people are really very generous to Scotland and very generous to Wales".10 Feb 1990
So if it wasn't for the Union the English would have been less than generous to Scotland which begs the question why if we have been such a drain on English resources for so long, why didn't they kick us out years ago ?
39

tartangladbach,

EDINBURGH 23/08/2008 05:58:42
well said 38! the tory's sold off everything else, why did they not just sell off scotland? tell sid if you see him "it's all gone pear shaped"
40

LEAL,

23/08/2008 06:12:42
14 Edwards Legend
"When Britain first,at ENGLANDS command"
41

Pocket Dictionary,

23/08/2008 06:22:12

And who will condemn the party that introduced the national 08451 number for calling Fife Council?

Previously it was a local code number and the most you had to dial was six numbers. If you had inclusive minutes with your home phone or mobile - it came off of that. No problem if it was engaged just rang out, you weren't charged.

Now to get through to the council you have to dial eleven numbers, 17 if you know the extension. They all kick into recorded messages, so you get charged right away. Adding to the financial misery of those on low incomes.

No thought here for elderly or disabled Fifers having to dial 11 or 17 numbers. The council claims it costs 2p - 6p per minute to phone. Hello.....before, we could have had our call taken off of our allowances.

Mobiles are worse. Some PAYG users get loyalty bonuses of 'free' calling minutes for topping up. Can't use these to call Fife Council. Mobile rates? 15p - 35p for just connecting to this number, after that prices for calling 08 numbers vary from 25p per minute up to an incredible £2.50 per minute depending on the mobile network.

Meanwhile, I don't know any Fife Council employee who is paying for personal phone calls, when at work.

Once again the vulnerable and those on low incomes have been hit by a "stealth tax". Because these are the people who are most likely to need to contact Fife Council on a regular basis for a service.

.....................
42

LEAL,

23/08/2008 06:23:36
Labour are going to attack the SNP candidate over his record on Fife council.They must see this as their only hope because they have no argument against the SNP core policy of independence.For years Labour have bombarded us with claims that Scots are to stupid/lazy to survive without England to prop us up.More and more people are realising these claims were all lies.People in Glenrothes and surrounds want something different and better,and thats why they will vote for Scotland.
43

tartangladbach,

edinburgh 23/08/2008 06:33:32
41 how many times does the average person phone the council in a week? the phone companies don't supply the phone lines for free to the council! do they? why should a council supply a free phone service? council workers want a pay rise, where will the "magic" money come from??? a stealth tax on everyone else by gordon??
44

Me, myself and I,

Livingston 23/08/2008 06:36:59
The SNP gimps are huddled over their keyboards from midnight ready to get on first and attack anyone who criticises the blessed Saint Salmond.

My excuse is I'm feeding a baby and would rather be in bed.

Get a life you sad people.

Oh and before the accusations fly I'm no Labour/Unionist stooge ... blah, blah, blah.
45

Me, myself and I,

Livingston 23/08/2008 06:48:31
#42 It is "too" stupid/lazy. Not "to" stupid/lazy.

Draw your own conclusions.
46

Boy Wonder,

23/08/2008 07:11:52
"Labour to attack SNP choice for by-election over cuts"

Spearheaded by this personal attack from Mr Maddox, maquerading (poorly) as a Hootsmon article!

I'd rather the whole media dropped their political affiances ... and became what they were meant to be ... non-partisan and treating everyone on a level playing-field of equality.

Not going to happen though, is it? The Johnston Press have tied their colours to the mast!
47

i a n,

Edinburgh 23/08/2008 07:40:34
A nameless Labour MP told The Scotsman:

"We should be running a positive campaign and we need good policies in place to do this.

We have lost three by-elections in a row, largely due to the fact they were run negatively."

[Reported in The Scotsman on 15 August.]

I guess Labour realises that it still doesn't have any 'good policies'!

Our 'spend now, pay later' Labour government doesn't seem to comprehend the concept of living within your means and that ignorance has contributed to the mess that the country is currently in.

Yet again, Labour will leave it to the government of another party to clear up its mess and it will then attack that government for making cuts that are necessary.
48

BIG EYE,

Paisley 23/08/2008 07:57:36
Mr Grant is especially vulnerable over the Council Tax!

Labour increased it by 60% in four years and Mr Grant's party have not managed a single per cent yet!

Take that you nats!
49

Ananurhing,

23/08/2008 07:58:02
"Labour to attack SNP"

Oh aye, Labour, pinned to the floor, belly up, wind pipe exposed, wildly gnashing from side to side.

Oh I see. THAT kind of attack. "Attack" in the " Haud me back" sense.

It would seem Maddox has been brought to heel. Shame really. He occasionaly showed promise of aspiring to be a real journalist over the past year and a half.
50

MacGillicuddy,

23/08/2008 08:02:18
It would seem that Maddox gets his information from the Brothers Grimm News Agency.
51

Ananurhing,

23/08/2008 08:06:11
#46 Boy Wonder

I think the Johnston press mast is part of a makeshift raft right now, and their colours is a semmit with SOS scrawled on it. Slowly drifting towards Malaysia.

Malaysia. Another wee backwater country which has thrived since gaining its independence from westminster.
52

Climate change is a fraud,

23/08/2008 08:40:04
The only true alternative in the Glenrothes by-election is UKIP. Only they can take us out of the EU and give Scots the independence they crave.

VOTE UKIP
53

jarmon,

23/08/2008 08:44:27
Can i get some opinions please? When scotland gets her independence,would the scots ever accept having a king in scotland,even if just a figurehead?
54

MacGillicuddy,

23/08/2008 08:45:17
#52
Voting in Scotland for the UKIP-BNP is simply flogging a dead English horse.
55

brownlie,

23/08/2008 08:47:07
There must be a few Labourites in the Fife Area who are terrified that the finger from the "big clunking fist" points at them and says "It's You!!!"
56

MacGillicuddy,

23/08/2008 08:47:37
#53
Initially yes, but can be permanently decided by a future referendum.

The present monarch is Queen of England and Queen of Scots. Note, NOT Queen of Scotland. There is a difference.
57

brownlie,

23/08/2008 08:50:29
53 Jarmon

Doubtful, especially if his name was Billy.
58

Mr. Lachie Todd,

Edinburgh 23/08/2008 08:56:30
The bookmakers may have made the Nationalists favourites for Glenrothes but it is inconceivable that the Labour Party in Scotland will loose this seat?

IF, the Nationalists should somehow manage to win this Westminster seat in the heart of Fife then it will only further destabilise Gordon Brown's position.

Worryingly, the contest for the leadership of the Labour Parliamentary Group at the Scottish Parliament has been a dull affair without any real substance, and the calibre of candidates does not bode well for the party in Scotland.

Where are the outstanding Labour politicians of the future like Willie Ross and Donald Dewar?



59

Soup kitchen,

23/08/2008 09:01:38
Labour are just warming up.

They are going to fight every election on the other candidates "spending cuts".

Labour just tax and waste, tax and waste. Paris Hiltion is the only one who oppose Labour in Scotland because she knows how to spend.
60

Nikostratos,

23/08/2008 09:12:59
After Alex Salmonds calamitous admission to being a ardent Thatcherite labour will hold this seat with ease.
61

weh,

23/08/2008 09:13:17
STOP PRESS!!

Correction-headline SHOULD read:-

SNP attack labour for being dead from the neck up!

62

Nikostratos,

23/08/2008 09:15:34
#59 Soup kitchen

Yes well my wife could show Paris Hilton a thing or two about spending.
63

Nikostratos,

23/08/2008 09:23:53
#61

Headline from daily 'unionist enquirer'



................Exclusive photos of Alex Salmond reading...................

Appreciation and Interest, The Rate of Interest, and The Purchasing Power of Money - Irving Fisher
64

brownlie,

23/08/2008 09:25:01
60 Nikos

Oh dear! Time you asked your dog to take you for your morning walk. I hope he remembers to bring your scoop.
65

brownlie,

23/08/2008 09:27:26
63 Nikos

Headline from "Unionist Enquirer"

WTF do we do next???
66

tartangladbach,

edinburgh 23/08/2008 09:31:31
60 nikers? you keep clutching they straws fella! keep telling yourself "it will all be back to normal soon, and these horrible snp people will go away"
67

FLUB,

a rocky outcrop in eastern central Scotland. 23/08/2008 09:34:40
I see in another article that two men are in custody for making death threats against Gordon Brown PM and Tony Blair. we're not permitted to comment, but on reading the article, it states the two are related to an extremist jihadi website.

Given the tone of some of the Scot Nat posts that appear in this publication, I half expected to see that they had been traced to here!
68

Geoff,

sa 23/08/2008 09:43:20
Jarmon and MacGillicuddy-in the highly unlikely event that Scotland shud ever become Independent( :) )then she can look forward To King Charles and King William as future Monarchs of the Scots. What fun with all the historical echoes contained therein, will that future be!
Off to see the Boks give the Convicts a good hiding this am at the Absa Stadium D'Urban! On the subject, Labour will have to pull something special from the hat to hold this one. In the interests of the Union,the Tories and libDems shud withdraw.
Rgrds to all
69

lulach mac gille coemgain,

23/08/2008 09:56:17
‘Labour proposes to focus on Mr Grant's record as council leader in Fife’

So they’ve gave up on getting on with the business of running the country then ?

When it comes to Labour they are getting on with the business of RUINING the country !

When it comes to London based politics here is the missing ingredient aforded Scotland . . .

The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own.
Benjamin Disraeli
70

Geoff,

sa 23/08/2008 09:56:36
10 Edwards legend-I am a Monarchist like yourself but i have always smiled at the lines
"Thy choicest gifts in store
On her be pleas'd to pour"
I get this image in my head of one of our Republican friends from this forum arriving suitably attired at Buck Palace, bottle of finest Highland malt in hand, and proceeding to empty the contents over the personage of her Majesty!
Dereck fae Yell or AJ Fife might volunteer the task!!
71

lulach mac gille coemgain,

23/08/2008 09:58:22
#68 Geoff Mind you there has never been any form of oppression or tainted politics in SA tho ehhh?
72

ThomasP,

23/08/2008 10:01:18
#19

You are an idiot.

People within London get more money spent per head then those in Scotland.
73

Soup kitchen,

23/08/2008 10:10:00
72

It is *you* that is the idiot.

The SNP introduced extra revenue to compensate Edinburgh for being the capital city of Scotland.

So, why is it you think Londond shouldn't have extra money for being the *capital*?

Would be fasinated to know. Is it corruption? Greed? Or just money to recognise it's the captial?

In an independent Scotland, in fact in a devolved Scotland, the SNP would/do recognise that the capital needs extra revenue.

What problem is it you have with this? Or just a deliberate misrepresentation of facts to stir up spite and jealousy to suit your narrow seperatist agenda?

If humans didn't have spite, jealousy, greed, irrational hatred the SNP vote would dissapear overnight.
74

European Scot,

23/08/2008 10:18:52
68 Geoff

Good morning again Geoff !

" -in the highly unlikely event that Scotland shud ever become Independent "

Oh dear, I fear you have been influenced by recent scenes of Union flags being raised, accompanied by your favourite anthem, whilst athletic figures clad in red white and blue stand to attention.
When the images of this event are all over, it will be back to reality !
As one G. Brown is about to find out.
Enjoy your rugby !
Two Independent Nations competing in a sport, now that's a much healthier image !
75

ThomasP,

23/08/2008 10:52:28
#73

Nope, you appear to be the only idiot here.

Have I spoken out against the spending levels at all? No, I have only stated that there are parts of England that actually receive more money then Scotland and only by average is it seen that Scotland receives more money.
76

ThomasP,

23/08/2008 10:58:18
#73

"If humans didn't have spite, jealousy, greed, irrational hatred the SNP vote would dissapear overnight."

Impressive work. You are the perfect example on how to loose the Union support.
77

Boaby,

Glasgow 23/08/2008 11:14:45
Breaking News:

Labour are set to unveil their candidate for the Glenrothes By-Election at 1PM this afternoon. That is if Garry Glitter is over his jet lag!
78

somerferg,

perth 23/08/2008 11:38:49

Wow - lots of interesting comments, lots of stupid ones too and the occasional incomprehensible one yes #73. What the h@ll are you talking about apart from a nonsense rant about the SNP - oh that is your comment. Oh well thank goodness there are clever people like you around to keep us right!
79

,

23/08/2008 11:45:07
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80

,

23/08/2008 11:47:48
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81

,

23/08/2008 11:50:03
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23/08/2008 11:51:19
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83

Geoff,

sa 23/08/2008 11:59:13
71 Lulach Mac gille-yes we have had and continue to have our plentiful share of tainted politics!

European Scot-Good Day ES! One can have both-Scotland hammering England at Rugby AND the Brirish Lions giving the Convicts on behalf of britain and Ireland!
84

MacGillicuddy,

23/08/2008 12:01:20
#68
Oh ye of little faith.

Of course Geoff, in the unlikely event that you were HERE you might see the mood the country is ACTUALLY in. That change IS coming is beyond doubt and very very many of us believe that Scotland will be saying ta-ta to the union.
85

Geoff,

sa 23/08/2008 12:01:56
Got to get ready for the Game-remember-if you want a Nat neighbour dont vote Labour.
Sorry that wasnt very funny...
86

Geoff,

sa 23/08/2008 12:06:27
84 Mac-you are right of course-not being on the ground it is more difficult to make acurate comment. The only thing that will settle it is a referendum BUT you have to admit, as i have commented before, Labour is at disastrous failure stage and Alex Salmond is a charismatic and capable leader. It may JUST be about this point in time situation and not necessarily about independence.
87

Stuart505,

Stavanger 23/08/2008 12:12:13
I hope Traquir doesn't mind me re-posting one of his comments.

Soup Kitchen, aye us snivelling Scots get far too much from the English, care to comment on the below?

Speaking of economic we hear continually how well
Scotland does out of this benevolent Union all the time and in
fact Margaret Thatcher The Ruler of Scotland
1979-1990 stated it clearly herself

"we English who are marvellous people are really
very generous to Scotland"
see - tinyurl.com/4lowk7

I thought it would be interesting to see how well
London and the South East are doing out of the Union
over the last few years - rather well it would seem from
just a sample of the investments:

. £30 billion subway upgrade program
see - tinyurl.com/6sxrgv
. £5.9 billion on one London railway station
see - tinyurl.com/6yheht
. £16 billion For another London rail line
see - tinyurl.com/yphdwl
. £1 billion to upgrade an existing railway station
see - tinyurl.com/5sn8mm
. Three quarters of a billion on a Dome !
see - tinyurl.com/6h6ezn
. Followed of course by yet another London regeneration project
£5 billion
see tinyurl.com/5l3jp3
. £6 billion Channel Tunnel Rail Link
see - tinyurl.com/4pg53n
. £2.5 billion -Roads just around the Docklands in London
http://tinyurl.com/5
5wh6b
. £3.2 billion For Another Tube line
see - tinyurl.com/5qjoao
. £1 billion improvement to an existing Light Rail Line
see - tinyurl.com/6q2424
. £20 billion for a Second Thames flood barrier planned
see - tinyurl.com/5uf79a
. A £4 billion greenhouse tower over Battersea power station
see- tinyurl.com/6ac8hn
. At least £14 billion on the London Olympics
see - tinyurl.com/6p43bv
. £9.3 billion for the Channel Tunnel -
see tinyurl.com/6s4vsb
. £4.3 billion for a 5th Heathrow Terminal
see - tinyurl.com/2h5hx6
. £5 billion upgrade other London airport upgrades
see - tinyurl.com/5oe82n
. £10 billion Plans for Heathrow link to Channel tunnel
see - tinyurl.com/568dzq
. £13 billion for a third r
88

Stuart505,

Stavanger 23/08/2008 12:13:40
There was much more not shown, but you get the picture!
89

Brian Hill,

23/08/2008 12:14:19
A major and virtually insurmountable problem for the unionists is there has been an attitudinal shift in the Scottish psyche.

Attitude determines our thoughts and actions. When attitude changes, thoughts and actions do to. Worse still for the unionists is that what once frightened us and herded us back into our pens no longer works.

Glenrothes will show that no matter what distortions and outright lies are thrown around in this campaign the SNP will take the seat with room to spare. This will be no 3 figure majority.

This new and growing Scottish confidence and can do attitude will gently guide us effortlessly to Independence.
90

European Scot,

23/08/2008 12:24:34
83 Geoff

British Lions, Celtic Lion economy ?
In the 'mane' it seems to be getting a bit zoological.
Anyway as far as your Rugby match goes, let's hope the opposition don't play with too much conviction !
91

Geoff,

sa 23/08/2008 12:30:22
90 ES-preparing a PUNishing reply to you on my return from the match!!!
92

European Scot,

23/08/2008 12:38:29
91 Geoff

As long as you get a kick out of it !
93

Steve,

Bo'ness 23/08/2008 13:29:00
when the SNP took charge of Fife Council it was £70 million in debt or something... so what would you prefer?

a)Some non-essential services to be cut?
b)Huge council tax hikes for decades to come?
c)Carry on Labour's shocking record, bankrupting Fife Council?

94

Derick fae Yell,

The hoose 23/08/2008 13:39:13
70 Geoff

I have absolutely nothing against Mrs Saxe-Coburg and certainly wouldn't waste a bottle of good malt on her head!! Anyway it would sting in the owld dears een.

Actually agnostic on the subject of monarchy. Suppose might be cheaper than electing a president if kept the allowance to a sensible level - but seems very unfair to the monarch - not much career choice there for the poor souls. Can you have an elected Queen?

On thread: Labour astound me with their negativity - do they have nothing, absolutely nothing, positive to say?????

95

Hamish Scott,

23/08/2008 13:58:32
lies, fears and smears
labour imploding
lies, fears and smears
scotsman imploding
lies, fears and smears
labour imploding
lies, fears and smears
scotsman imploding
lies, fears and smears
labour imploding
lies, fears and smears
scotsman imploding
lies, fears and smears
labour imploding
lies, fears and smears
scotsman imploding
lies, fears and smears
labour imploding
lies, fears and smears
scotsman imploding
lies, fears and smears
labour imploding
lies, fears and smears
scotsman imploding
lies, fears and smears
labour imploding
lies, fears and smears
scotsman imploding
lies, fears and smears
labour imploding
lies, fears and smears
scotsman imploding
lies, fears and smears
labour imploding
lies, fears and smears
scotsman imploding
lies, fears and smears
labour imploding
lies, fears and smears
scotsman imploding
lies, fears and smears
labour imploding
lies, fears and smears
scotsman imploding
lies, fears and smears
labour imploding
lies, fears and smears
scotsman imploding
lies, fears and smears
labour imploding
lies, fears and smears
scotsman imploding
lies, fears and smears
labour imploding
lies, fears and smears
scotsman imploding
lies, fears and smears
labour imploding
lies, fears and smears
scotsman imploding
lies, fears and smears
labour imploding
lies, fears and smears
scotsman imploding
lies, fears and smears
labour imploding
lies, fears and smears
scotsman imploding
lies, fears and smears
labour imploding
lies, fears and smears
scotsman imploding

anyone at labour/scotsman notice a pattern?
96

colin, crombie,

dunfermline 23/08/2008 14:10:37
at first hearing of this by election i immediately thought christine may would attempt a return. but then who amongst labour's names in fife would want their own records on fife council put under any scrutiny. almost bankrupting fife council despite 65% increase in council tax, massive cuts in services beyond comparison while labour councillors tour the world first class, and towns so run down under labour they are compared to beirut. and can someone remind me exactly how much it is costing us for the pay off they took on their 'retirement' at the council election last year, knowing they were not going to be re-elected?
97

The Tin Man,

23/08/2008 14:16:41
Labour is bad.
Westminster is bad.
The Scotsman is bad.

Scotland is good.
SNP is good.
Holyrood is good.

Please now stroke my ego.

98

The Tin Man,

23/08/2008 14:22:06
P.S. my comment #97 aligns with 80% of the comments on this tedious thread. ie. it is vapid, pointless, partisan, and irrelevent.
99

The Tin Man,

23/08/2008 14:23:29
Vapid, Pointless, Partisan, and Irrelevent Posters of the Scotsman, Unite!
100

Nikostratos,

23/08/2008 14:44:49
#95 Hamish Scott

didn't quite catch that Hamish do you mind repeating it
101

danielrober,

23/08/2008 14:45:26