"If I started to list the policies that were negotiable, that would undermine the credibility of the whole manifesto" - Nicol Stephen, Lib Dem leader.
"This was an astonishing statement from Nicol Stephen which simply confirmed that there is a list of negotiable policies - he just didn't want to tell us what they are" - deputy Tory leader Murdo Fraser.
"They have halitosis of the brain - their ideas stink" - Scots novelist Iain Banks describing the BNP.
"Spin has now brought the Armed Forces, just about the only institution in Britain that still works, if allowed to do so, to a new low" - Sir Bernard Ingham, former press secretary to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, attacking the original decision to allow the captive sailors in Iran to sell their stories.
"It's very flattering, but it's important that you don't let flattery go to your head. I'm not going to be seduced" - David Miliband, Environment Secretary, insisting he is resisting blandishments from colleagues urging him to stand for the Labour leadership.
"The Welsh don't pay prescription charges; the English do. The Scots don't pay tuition or care home fees; the English do. So, is everybody happy in the Union?" - Richard L Wilson, of Fareham, Hampshire, in a letter to the Daily Mail."He is so dull that even ditchwater is thinking of lodging a libel action" - Political pundit Ann Treneman on Defence Secretary Des Browne.
Richard L wilson, is absolutely correct. Even "MY" MP is embarrassed about it, to the extent that he will not talk, write or refer to the fact.
ReplyDeleteSpin has now brought the Armed Forces, just about the only institution in Britain that still works, if allowed to do so, to a new low
ReplyDeleteThis whole episode could be the straw that breaks the camel's back.
This is nonsense - the Scots do pay care home fees - it is the personal care element that may or not be free depending on the local council - another myth.
ReplyDeleteEr... does Murdo Fraser (or any Tory north or south of the border) actually know what a policy (negociable or otherwise) is, let alone HAVE one (or more)?
ReplyDeleteFree prescriptions in Wales have come at the expense of health cuts across Wales.
ReplyDeleteModern treatments such as brachytherapy, treatments for Alzheimers and treatments for cancer, which are available in England, are not available in Wales.
The Scots also pay tuition fees but the Lib Dems fudged it and called it a Graduate Endowment Fee.. not paid up front at the beginning but waiting for you at the end.
ReplyDeleteMurdo Fraser is clearly a bit dim. Of course policies are negotiable - we've just had two Scottish Parliamentary terms in which a coalition government was set up each time. It's hardly a bolt out of the blue that to form a coalition, you have to negotiate.
ReplyDeleteWhile rejecting coalition (which, by the way, I consider to be a perfectly respectable position to take), Annabel Goldie has made it clear that the Scottish Tories will vote on an issue-by-issue basis. It would be extraordinarily naive to belieCve that no horse-trading would be conducted in such circumstances.
Tartan Hero is simply wrong to suggest that the Graduate Endowment Fee is simply the tuition fee in another form. If you don't graduate, you don't pay it, and the money raised from it is used to provide maintenance support for poorer students. Clearly such support is not of interest to the SNP.
""The Welsh don't pay prescription charges; the English do. The Scots don't pay tuition or care home fees; the English do. So, is everybody happy in the Union?" - Richard L Wilson"
ReplyDeleteThis kind of comment really annoys me but inadvertently it shows us the truth. The Scots don't pay tuition fees, but the English do and that explains why English Universities are seeing a lot more investment than the Scottish!
If you want the same deals on offer in Scotland or Wales then bloody well lobby or vote for the right candidate or party for government.
But remember what we have found in Scotland "there is no free lunch", if they give with one hand then they take it back from somewhere else.
Lets have a bit more scrutiny and honesty rather than inflammatory myths!
Nicol Stephen's ego will be the undoing of the Lib Dems in Scotland. He's far too smooth for his own good - or thinks he is should I say.
ReplyDeleteLets have a bit more scrutiny and honesty rather than inflammatory myths!
ReplyDeleteHow much more public spending per capita is there in Scotland than England?
How do the tax rates differ between Scotland and England?
How much money is effectively earned in London and the SE and spent in Scotland & Wales?
Let's have some scrutiny and honesty.
"just about the only institution in Britain that still works, if allowed to do so": Sir Bernard must have meant "Government instiution". The RNLI still works.
ReplyDelete"How much more public spending per capita is there in Scotland than England?
ReplyDeleteHow do the tax rates differ between Scotland and England?
How much money is effectively earned in London and the SE and spent in Scotland & Wales?"
Totally agree with your questions Ed, but would widen the goalposts to include the North of England and any other Labour heartlands in the UK. You might find that this is not about Scotland & Wales vs England but rather about a Labour government preferring to spend more in its own constituencies.
Again it might blow up a few myths about who does better out of the Union and if it rebounds on those who think that Scotland punches below its weight in providing tax revenue to the treasury coffers all the better.