Salmond and Sturgeon Want the English Fish for More Fat Subsidies

padington

After five years of the SNP I imagine a popular English sentiment might go along these lines ...

If Scotland looks like it's going to remain in the UK, it doesnt really matter too much if it gets a little too much than it deserves ( aka the Barnet formula ) However if it looks like it's going to Swan off one day anyway, maybe it's time to reconfigure our finances back to an equal footing forthwith.

I could see an ultimatum referendum - Do you want a referendum on independence or do you want the Barnet formula guaranteed for another thirty years ?

kabayiri

padington wrote: »

...
I could see an ultimatum referendum - Do you want a referendum on independence or do you want the Barnet formula guaranteed for another thirty years ?

Why shouldn't subsidy between regions be a fluid thing?

At the moment there is no doubt that London/SE is subsidising the NW region.

However, I hope that NW region can see a renaissance in fortunes. Sometimes it only takes a trigger like a Fracking boost to the regional economy inspiring more local industry. I don't want the NW to receive subsidy for ever, and I'm sure people in the NE/Midlands etc feel the same.

Tromking

The UK establishment will not countenance 50 odd separatists giving it the big one at Westminster. Expect FPTP to be consigned to the constitutional dustbin pretty quickly and an adoption of a form of proportional representation. This will unfortunately open the door to the lunatic fringes but you can`t expect Unionist Scots to put up with zero representation at Westminster.

elantan

the thing that seems to be forgotten or argued over by some people on line that I see is the fact that if Scotland votes in 59 SNP Mp's then that is their prerogative and the people that shout we wont do any deals with the SNP are sending a clear message to the Scots that chose to stay in the UK that their voices are not heard, and that WM does not care about them.

In the mean time if the SNP continue making strides in improving Scotland for the betterment of all, and finally plug those holes that were gaping during indy ref, the time may just come for there to be another referendum.... and this time the outcome will be different.

I imagine at that point many people will be happy and there will be more than just Scottish citizens that will be happy

CLAPTON

kabayiri wrote: »

Why shouldn't subsidy between regions be a fluid thing?

At the moment there is no doubt that London/SE is subsidising the NW region.

However, I hope that NW region can see a renaissance in fortunes. Sometimes it only takes a trigger like a Fracking boost to the regional economy inspiring more local industry. I don't want the NW to receive subsidy for ever, and I'm sure people in the NE/Midlands etc feel the same.

There is a very reasonable debate to be held about how funds should be transferred from the rich to the poorer parts of the UK, just as we tax the rich to provide services to the poor.

The situation with the Barnett formula is that it's purpose was to buy Scottish votes for the Labour party and is grossly unjust.

All people who feel that social justice and fairness is more important than narrow sectarian Thatcherite self interest would surely agree.

The distribution of grants should be based on equal shares for all adjust in a non-sectarian way for poverty and special needs. This will change over time and so should be adjusted in a non party manner.

Enterprise_1701C

elantan wrote: »

the thing that seems to be forgotten or argued over by some people on line that I see is the fact that if Scotland votes in 59 SNP Mp's then that is their prerogative and the people that shout we wont do any deals with the SNP are sending a clear message to the Scots that chose to stay in the UK that their voices are not heard, and that WM does not care about them.

In the mean time if the SNP continue making strides in improving Scotland for the betterment of all, and finally plug those holes that were gaping during indy ref, the time may just come for there to be another referendum.... and this time the outcome will be different.

I imagine at that point many people will be happy and there will be more than just Scottish citizens that will be happy

What everyone is upset about is the idea of having people in parliament who are promising to disrupt it and want nothing more than to no longer be part of it.

I still say the whole of the UK should be allowed to vote in an independence referendum.

Tromking

elantan wrote: »

In the mean time if the SNP continue making strides in improving Scotland for the betterment of all, and finally plug those holes that were gaping during indy ref, the time may just come for there to be another referendum.... and this time the outcome will be different.

Are you not falling into the trap of conflating a risk-free vote for the SNP in a GE with the somewhat riskier step into the dark of voting YES in any future indyref?

IveSeenTheLight

Generali wrote: »

No, the SNP with their hate fuelled, divisive policies are destroying the UK.

Why is it that people who oppose the SNP believe it is inspired because of a hatred.

It just simply is untrue.

As with any constituency, the electorate vote for the party whom they believe acts in their best interests.

It seems (and I still have doubts over the ability to win the majority of seats in a UK election) that the electorate are uniting behind one part to stand against the traditional UK parties.

Just because it is not in alignment with your own preferences, does not mean you should belittle the electorate which is backing those policies and that party.

IveSeenTheLight

Isn't it funny how media editors align their papers with where they believe the electorate are heading

The Sun and its sister paper, the Scottish Sun, have endorsed different parties in the general election.

Its London-based version urged readers to back the Conservatives and "stop the SNP running the country".

By contrast, the Scottish Sun said the Tories did not understand Scotland and praised SNP leader, Nicola Sturgeon, as "a phenomenon who inspires people".

Make you realise, you have to be wary of what you read in the press and consider where the allegiances lay by the editors

CLAPTON

IveSeenTheLight wrote: »

Why is it that people who oppose the SNP believe it is inspired because of a hatred.

It just simply is untrue.

As with any constituency, the electorate vote for the party whom they believe acts in their best interests.

It seems (and I still have doubts over the ability to win the majority of seats in a UK election) that the electorate are uniting behind one part to stand against the traditional UK parties.

Just because it is not in alignment with your own preferences, does not mean you should belittle the electorate which is backing those policies and that party.

There is no equivalent in NI, Wales, England of the all persuasive Scottish 'anyone but the English'.