Salmond and Sturgeon Want the English Fish for More Fat Subsidies

Generali

Shakethedisease wrote: »

Oh I don't disagree with you. It's a perfectly legitimate tactic. I just think that standing on a platform saying 'Vote for us, so they don't get in' is pretty dull and uninspiring for any voter in deciding who to cast their vote for. However, every seat counts this time round, so I guess they all have to do what they have to do to get them.

Obviously they're scared they're going to lose. But a few months ago Labour were counting on 41 seats that they can't count on now. And the fact that there was a good possibility of gaining some seats from the Tories. However, it's a bit rich of David Cameron to be gloating about how 'Labour will get into power hanging on to the coat tails of the SNP'... when he only gained power himself hanging onto the coat tails of Lib Dems. Under what was supposed to be extremely favourable political conditions for the Tories in 2010.

It may well be that FPTP has to be revisited. As this time round government may end up either side, relying on either weak minority governments, or ones based loosely on deals between 2/3 or even 4 parties in order to gain a majority.

Lots of ascribed emotions in there. You have no idea whether Cameron is 'gloating' or the parties are 'scared'. It's just another spin you're putting on the ball.

TBH I'd be very surprised if Tory strategists are scared: tbey are professionals doing a job. Having read quite a lot of Finkelstein, a Tory strategist, emotional reactions to news good or bad during a campaign seem unlikely.

Generali

CLAPTON wrote: »

what do the SNP say the govt debt and borrowing are?
do they materially differ from the ONS?

we have been spending more that we tax (both the UK and Scotland) since 2001/2 funded by ever more borrowing.

do you think we should simply continue for ever?
what would happen when (not if) interest rates rise?

when do you think we should stop borrowing (even if we don't actually repay any of the debt)?

STD's mate went through the numbers with a fine comb and found a whopping 0.1% difference between the assumptions made by GERS and a completely different set of assumptions she'd made up in her head.

Shakethedisease

CLAPTON wrote: »

what do the SNP say the govt debt and borrowing are?
do they materially differ from the ONS?

we have been spending more that we tax (both the UK and Scotland) since 2001/2 funded by ever more borrowing.

do you think we should simply continue for ever?
what would happen when (not if) interest rates rise?

when do you think we should stop borrowing (even if we don't actually repay any of the debt)?

Roll back the swivel eyes for a minute. I was pointing out that English 'taxpayer's largesse' was probably a bit of a misleading thing to say. But hey, fill your boots if you think that 'English Taxpayer Largesse' actually means UK wide debt and borrowing. Up to you.

Shakethedisease

Generali wrote: »

Lots of ascribed emotions in there. You have no idea whether Cameron is 'gloating' or the parties are 'scared'. It's just another spin you're putting on the ball.

TBH I'd be very surprised if Tory strategists are scared: tbey are professionals doing a job. Having read quite a lot of Finkelstein, a Tory strategist, emotional reactions to news good or bad during a campaign seem unlikely.

Ascribed emotions. Ok Cameron was hypocritical if you prefer. And puuuulease. Labour doing badly ( especially in Scotland ) isn't something I'm exactly worried about. I don't need spin for that.

TBH I'd be very surprised if Tory strategists aren't scared. Things are on a knife edge. They could be out of power for five years or more. Hardly something to be taking lightly.

Shakethedisease

Generali wrote: »

STD's mate went through the numbers with a fine comb and found a whopping 0.1% difference between the assumptions made by GERS and a completely different set of assumptions she'd made up in her head.

Yes, almost as good as you calling BS on Scottish opinon polls, having no idea what a hung parliament means and stating boldly that the SNP will have no influence if it's the third biggest party in one.

Still, am sure we'll both learn from our 'mistakes' and move on shall we.

CLAPTON

Shakethedisease wrote: »

Roll back the swivel eyes for a minute. I was pointing out that English 'taxpayer's largesse' was probably a bit of a misleading thing to say. But hey, fill your boots if you think that 'English Taxpayer Largesse' actually means UK wide debt and borrowing. Up to you.

My post was about the increase in borrowing every year since 2012/3 which funded excess spending for the Uk as a whole including Scotland.
It had nothing to do with the fact that Scotland get a per capita higher block grant than the people who live in England.

So my question was about when you think the borrowing has to stop (if ever).

Presumably, as your leader has given you the party line yet, you reduce yourself to meaningless nonsense.

Sad really.

Leanne1812

Watching QT and listening to a member of the audience speak of any coalition with SNP as a betrayal of English voters leaves me saddened and frustrated.

If we scots, who are a supposedly valued part of this Union, are not free to vote for who we feel will best represent us without 'betraying' the rest of the UK what does this mean for us all?

For me it only serves to make me feel excluded and unwelcome.

Shakethedisease

CLAPTON wrote: »

My post was about the increase in borrowing every year since 2012/3 which funded excess spending for the Uk as a whole including Scotland.
It had nothing to do with the fact that Scotland get a per capita higher block grant than the people who live in England.

So my question was about when you think the borrowing has to stop (if ever).

I don't think it will probably ever 'stop'. Most countries in the EU, apart from Germany much, run deficits, and borrow. It's generally the way things work. However, there's a time when borrowing starts getting out of hand. None of that is down to the SNP, nor is how the Barnett formula is worked out and allocated.. that's Westminster's pigeon. If you're that bothered about it, look elsewhere for someone to blame, because it isn't anyone currently in Holyrood.

Presumably, as your leader has given you the party line yet, you reduce yourself to meaningless nonsense.

Sad really.

Not as sad as when you start getting onto the 'dear leader' tye of stuff. Trying to make out anyone voting SNP is some kind of brainwashed idiot. Really not nice.

March 12, 2015

Scottish voting intentions for the May 2015 UK general election (YouGov) :
SNP 46% (-2)
Labour 27% (n/c)
Conservatives 18% (+3)
Liberal Democrats 4% (n/c)
Greens 3% (n/c)
UKIP 2% (-2)

EXC YouGov/Times poll in Scotland: Lab makes NO progress since Feb 2. Westminster VI still on 27% unchanged from 8 weeks ago. SNP 46% (-2)

Sam Coates Times ‏@SamCoatesTimes YouGov Times in Scotland: Drop in Jim Murphy's approval. % thinking he's doing well as Labour leader 26%, down from 33% on Feb 1

Jim Murphy was the best thing that ever happened to the SNP.

CLAPTON

Shakethedisease wrote: »

I don't think it will probably ever 'stop'. Most countries in the EU, apart from Germany much, run deficits, and borrow. It's generally the way things work. However, there's a time when borrowing starts getting out of hand. None of that is down to the SNP, nor is how the Barnett formula is worked out and allocated.. that's Westminster's pigeon. If you're that bothered about it, look elsewhere for someone to blame, because it isn't anyone currently in Holyrood.

Not as sad as when you start getting onto the 'dear leader' tye of stuff. Trying to make out anyone voting SNP is some kind of brainwashed idiot. Really not nice.

March 12, 2015Jim Murphy was the best thing that ever happened to the SNP.

Yes indeed many countries borrow.

It has nothing directly to do with the corrupt Barnett formula that no-one that believes in social justice would support.

However the level of UK borrowing directly affects the amount of money Scotland has to spend.

Less UK borrowing, less spending in Scotland (unless they wish to raise taxes of course).

When do you believe the borrowing should stop?

Shakethedisease

Leanne1812 wrote: »

Watching QT and listening to a member of the audience speak of any coalition with SNP as a betrayal of English voters leaves me saddened and frustrated.

If we scots, who are a supposedly valued part of this Union, are not free to vote for who we feel will best represent us without 'betraying' the rest of the UK what does this mean for us all?

For me it only serves to make me feel excluded and unwelcome.

Well, in reality, it'll be like it or lump it and cut Scotland loose if the SNP are needed to make up the numbers in the HOC. There's nothing else inbetween if UK democracy is to be respected. But it is sad to see.