tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post1828380270044973779..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: Part of the Union?Iain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-70154761027051988442007-10-25T23:39:00.000+01:002007-10-25T23:39:00.000+01:00Englandism - I am Barry (The Elder) from the CEP, ...Englandism - I am Barry (The Elder) from the CEP, I researched this about 18 months ago, we have someone in the CEP (ex Navy) currently looking into this. I have lost all documentation but you can start by searching 'scotland act 1999', but when I get some free time ( heavy workload at this time) I will look it up, you can contact me via the CEP website.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-4399070516726644812007-10-25T17:14:00.000+01:002007-10-25T17:14:00.000+01:00Hi anon (the last one).'under International Mariti...Hi anon (the last one).<BR/><BR/>'under International Maritime Law but Britian has not signed up to it) then some 30-35% of the fields would be in English waters, but under the Scottish Maritme act of 1999 the border now runs parallel to the 35 degree putting some 85-90% in Scottish waters, and who were the parties in negotiation to this act? the British Govt and the Scottish Parliament,'<BR/><BR/>I have being trying to track down this data. Can you point me in the right direction?<BR/><BR/>It blows the argument out of the water, literally.<BR/><BR/>Cheers,<BR/><BR/>www.englandism.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-67310763012271426312007-10-25T04:14:00.000+01:002007-10-25T04:14:00.000+01:00OK there are lies damn lies and statistics, so let...OK there are lies damn lies and statistics, so lets look to an independant source for a judgement, and I quote from the Economist May 2006 "The English are now subsidising each Scot by about £1000 per year, and they are beginning to notice it". Regarding the oil revenue situation, all the carbon fuel revenue comes to the UK treasury because of the gas/oil fields that are in UK waters, if the maritime border follows the land border (as it should under International Maritime Law but Britian has not signed up to it) then some 30-35% of the fields would be in English waters, but under the Scottish Maritme act of 1999 the border now runs parallel to the 35 degree putting some 85-90% in Scottish waters, and who were the parties in negotiation to this act? the British Govt and the Scottish Parliament, so the Scots led British Govt gave 20% of the fields to Scotland, this is just another reason why England needs her own parliament because the British one will always give in to Scots demands. Barry (The Elder)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-21127876498916542422007-10-24T19:07:00.000+01:002007-10-24T19:07:00.000+01:00I couldn't see anything that was factually incorre...I couldn't see anything that was factually incorrect in the video. Online searches will reveal the sources and the statements are based on published articles. If it's in the public domain via the media then don't attack the video producer or Iain.<BR/>Accusations of "racism" are beneath contempt. This accusation is bandied about so much these days that nobody takes any notice. For such an accusation to come from Scots is pathetic. Anti-English bigotry has been the Scottish national sport for 300 years or more. A search for "act of union 1707" will show the anti-English and anti-union prejudice ingrained in the Scottish collective psyche.<BR/>The attacks levelled at iain just show that the Scots can dish it out but certainly can't take it.<BR/>The so-called "Union" has had its day. How anyone can actually believe the United Kingdom will survive without an English Parliament beggars belief.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-74077542226727451522007-10-24T17:53:00.000+01:002007-10-24T17:53:00.000+01:00Gerry you’re wrong, a clear majority of the rank a...Gerry you’re wrong, a clear majority of the rank and file in England want Scotland to leave the union, see here… http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/11/26/nunion26.xml <BR/><BR/>The problem is, Scottish independence goes against Labour’s vested interests, so you’re not allowed to leave (bit like that hotel in California) while they’re in power.<BR/><BR/>Plenty of you voted SNP but the PR system meant no overall control, so you didn’t get the promised vote for independence. Brown reacted by turning the gushing tap down a little (it’s still gushing though) just to show you who’s the boss. I believe it was because of Scotland that the Brown Bottler chickened out of an early election. <BR/><BR/>Keep your resolve and vote SNP in the next GE because that uses FPTP and it’ll make all the difference. In the meantime, take it easy with the cheque writing pen please.Terry Heathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08613235351379818011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-40027511577863969482007-10-24T16:02:00.000+01:002007-10-24T16:02:00.000+01:00The funny thing here is that you English Tories ca...The funny thing here is that you English Tories cannot stand to think that the Scots are getting better treatment thyan our southern neighbours yet you wont let us leave the union. And you're right toque we rabid nationalists don't like it up us and neither do you whinging unionists which is why you came on here to rant. We get less than our fair share and we want what is rightfully ours and we can achieve that by keeping all the revenues raised in Scotland for spending in Scotland.<BR/>Now what do you want? The status quo is what leaves us contributing to this blog yet you wont give up the union. Why is that, what makes Scotland so valuable to you? Especially as you think that you are subsidising us!! Stop ranting and start the process of ending the union you can keep all your public spending and we'll keep ours then we'll see who spends it wisely!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-81449615938220137422007-10-24T15:00:00.000+01:002007-10-24T15:00:00.000+01:00Mr Dale, keep speaking up for England!, i commend ...Mr Dale, keep speaking up for England!, i commend you sir!.<BR/><BR/>Now if only the Conservatives would commit to an English Parliament and a referendum on EUSSR MEMBERSHIP!.<BR/><BR/>Contrast this to McLabours message:<BR/><BR/>Don't break up the "Union" (although they already have for their bosses in Brussels).<BR/><BR/>Break up England instead!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-23149617062488202762007-10-24T13:28:00.000+01:002007-10-24T13:28:00.000+01:00This thread is a joy to read. The Scots don't lik...This thread is a joy to read. The Scots don't like it up 'em do they?<BR/><BR/>Rabid nationalists almost to a man for years, but when the English show any sign of sticking up for themselves it's suddenly racist propoganda.<BR/><BR/>Great video, pathetic Scottish belly-aching.Garethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10021800974251370747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-2184438909939381042007-10-24T12:07:00.000+01:002007-10-24T12:07:00.000+01:00The comments are more interesting than the video -...The comments are more interesting than the video - which like all political videos is simplistic probably to the point of innacuracy.<BR/><BR/>Complex calculations result in complex answers - and to those who say that 'it is Scotland's oil', I suggest that you actually have a look at the international treaties relating to so-called 'national' waters - Evan Davis assumed in his calculations that 95% of the oil fields would fall into Scottish waters, I have seen other academic papers (some time ago, it is true) that suggest that the correct answer will lie somewhere between 60 to 75%. Whatever the truth, the argument about oil is just 'so much guff' - the reserves are running out and the revenues are starting to fall. <BR/><BR/>To those of you who say that Scotland 'gets' what England doesn't - if one looks at the results of Scottish policies rather than the political aspirations, the truth lies somewhere between the myth and the reality. <BR/><BR/>Yes, devolution does throw up consitutional questions about how we are governed ... the West Lothian question (and its equivalent in Wales) will need to be answered; and it seems to me that an English Grand Committee and constitutional convetion would be the simplest and cheapest way to provide those answers.<BR/><BR/>In devolution, and in giving power to communities, we will all have to accept that there will be differences in the way in which the 'cake' is sliced depending on where you live. This is derided as a 'post-code' lottery; but it is an inevitable result of devolving real power to communities, whether at regional, national or truly local level. <BR/><BR/>As to funding; there will be a need to ensure that local politicians are truly accountable for the decisions that they make - and so link the true additional cost of certain commitments to the people who make the decisions regarding those commitments. Having said that, there will always be a real need for 'transfer' payments - payments between affluent to less affluent parts of the UK. Otherwise we will end up with deserted cities and even more massive migration ...<BR/><BR/>The Union is worth defending ... unlike Scots Nats or Welsh Nats or Irish Nats, I believe very strongly that the Union is more than the sum of its parts. We benefit in terms of culture, in terms of influence and in terms of economics. There are those that will try to use devolution as a means to achieve separation ... but the cost of separation will be vast - and in my view it is a cost that I am not prepared to pay!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-77093517631532321932007-10-24T10:36:00.000+01:002007-10-24T10:36:00.000+01:00"The video makes an excellent case" says mein host..."The video makes an excellent case" says mein host. If it does so (big pause for critical thought ... nah) but if it does it does so with errors and omissions aplenty. These English separatists are pulling our puddings and if you cannot see that then you must be going blind.<BR/><BR/>Even reading the wiki on the formula would give you enough food for thought to banish the white pudding from your brain for ever.Chris Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15679067503215414300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-47153486852370028882007-10-24T10:22:00.000+01:002007-10-24T10:22:00.000+01:00Jerry Macleod is quite right, this video is a very...Jerry Macleod is quite right, this video is a very poor piece of work. Much as Iain is right that regional funding needs a proper debate with the departed heads of London centrics displayed on poles to encourage parity - REAL parity according to what things cost, not some kind of year three long division.<BR/><BR/>There is an anti-Scottishness permeating the Anglo-Tory blogosphere despite the mcclannishness of the likes of Dale, MacKenzie, and Cameron. Wee Dougie this, McCavity that, McBroon here, "part of the union" there.<BR/><BR/>If you want a serious debate stick up something serious. This is a joke.<BR/><BR/>If you want to lose before you start refer to the "Abortion Industry" or post some half-arsed anti-Union vid.<BR/><BR/>On the other hand the Oil-Scotland question is also being simplified beyond reason is it not?Chris Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15679067503215414300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-29261149219162616232007-10-24T10:11:00.000+01:002007-10-24T10:11:00.000+01:00well just stand up and be counted and get yer ain ...well just stand up and be counted and get yer ain parley then!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-63286865416694136452007-10-24T09:52:00.000+01:002007-10-24T09:52:00.000+01:00oh alfie, what an anti Scottish/Welsh/Northern Iri...oh alfie, what an anti Scottish/Welsh/Northern Irish diatribe!<BR/>It is an international principal that the line for International waters runs parallel to the lines of latititude at the point the border between two countries meets the sea. It is our oil and we want our complete share.<BR/>I'm in favour of England having its own parliament and the easiest way to achieve that is give independence to Scotland/Wales/Northern Ireland and then Westminster will represent the needs of only English people. England will be independent!<BR/>Until that is achieved then yes there should be parity in the union when it comes to public spending. As long as that parity takes account of the fact that London and the South East receives more public spending per head than any other part of the UK. We Scots want parity with London's level of public spending.<BR/>And Iain Dale this video is full of errors. We Scots get our block grant from Westminster (not more than or equivalent to the total revenues raised in Scotland) and we spend it wisely and aspire (smaller class sizes, free personal care for the elderly, free prescriptions etc) to spend it more wisely in the future. Your Tories help Tony Blair's government win the vote on Trident - an unneccessary increase in nuclear capability. Stop bleating about unfair subsidies (they exist throughout the union and the worst excesses are where you live) and start supporting wiser public spending.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-15007781580229488622007-10-24T09:16:00.000+01:002007-10-24T09:16:00.000+01:00richard thomson wrote,Uni fees? Well, blame the EU...richard thomson wrote,<BR/><BR/>Uni fees? Well, blame the EU for English students not getting free tuition in Scotland. But please tell me: why should I pay the tuition fees of English students in Scotland, when no-one in England will pay the fees of Scots studying in the south?<BR/><BR/>I don't know if I'm understanding this correctly, but there has been a similar problem between Germany and Austria over university places and grants. As I understand it, the host country must provide the same conditions for other EU students as its domestic intake. <BR/><BR/>There has been, and still is, quite a serious problem here with German students exercising their right to study where they like within the EU. Austria is forced to accept students on a first come, first served basis, and many Austrian students have been elbowed out of the way, by thousands of Germans coming here. The fact that Austria has a population the size of London and the Germans 10 times that amount is hardly a fair situation. There are moves afoot to stop the crazy cross border rights of EU members and being quite frank, I'll be glad to see that happen asap.Vienna Woodshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03957194230173008975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-28263740178592837222007-10-24T08:25:00.000+01:002007-10-24T08:25:00.000+01:001. @ Alfie: Well said *applauds*2. Going to raise...1. @ Alfie: Well said *applauds*<BR/><BR/>2. Going to raise a few small points to think about regarding the statements that everything is run by and for London and the south-east of England:<BR/>a) Where are the Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells hospitals that have been doing such a good job of killing us?<BR/>b) Which area of the country gets most of the immigration with the resultant pressures on infrastructure? (And our council tax bills *mutters*)<BR/>c) Why do parts of London figure on the list of what are reckoned to be the worst places to live?<BR/><BR/>3. There are claims and counter-claims on both sides. Claiming anti-Scottish racism is pointless, since it isn't. Iain’s video is based on government figures and statements and intentions. You in Scotland don’t get everything the government claims, any more than we in England do. Remember, you’ve been ruled by Labour for a long time, same as us. You’ve got the same lies and spin, the same incompetence and waste and bloated bureaucracy. The difference is, you’re now able to make changes and do something about it because Scotland has its own established government and a vigorous national party. We, at the moment, have no power and no chance of altering anything via a regional assembly/national parliament. We’re disenfranchised, ignored, belittled, despised, and blamed for everything which is wrong. And English people are, at long last, getting angry about it.<BR/><BR/>4. Rather than wasting time sniping at each other, shouldn’t we rather be working together to get rid of Labour once and for all? And working towards a state where all 4 nations which form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland can actually have equal treatment, accept equal responsibility, and receive equal rights and recognition?Enterprising Mongbathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00488114403788923832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-61394836967753151112007-10-24T00:45:00.000+01:002007-10-24T00:45:00.000+01:00Oh dear - it appears some people are a bit upset w...Oh dear - it appears some people are a bit upset with the video. Chatterbox for instance - gives us a few paras of his/her experiences.<BR/><BR/>My advice is, don't even go there Chatterbox - If you want to cross swords with what you get and what we get, I am happy to oblige.<BR/>But I do hope you have broad band - it's a hell of a list.<BR/><BR/>All the video says is - if we live in a United Kingdom then all the benefits should be shared fairly amongst the members of that union. The whole emphasis of the video <BR/>contrasts the rhetoric of a spinned out politician - Tony Blair and the reality of what is actually happening within the union today, doesn't it?<BR/><BR/>Vision and reality.<BR/>Spin and lies.<BR/>Haves and have nots.<BR/>(and if Brown gets his way, never wills)<BR/><BR/>Blair said the Barnet Formula was a price worth paying. That's probably because he and his family would never pay the price, would they?<BR/>It's a facile proposition - and an insulting thing to say to those people who are suffering in England - right now. Cancer victims, students, old people... well, you get the idea, I'm sure.<BR/><BR/>It is just amazing how defensive the Scots get when the English demand parity - parity as an equal and integral member of the union. How easily they crow 'racist propaganda' at the very mention of equal rights for the English. How easily they rise at the very mention that England should be awarded anything? Far better we should be grateful for what Gordon and his 'English Lite Government' see fit to chuck at us.<BR/><BR/>National empowerment? National identity? National Parliament for the country that originated the modern 2 tiered model of democracy,<BR/>a system that has been copied throughout the world?<BR/> Not on your bloody nellie, mate.<BR/><BR/>No, not for England, far too 'complex' and 'big', apparently. Unlike Scotland or Wales, obviously. <BR/><BR/>Scotland has 2 languages, radically distinctive areas of habitation and industries that span the technology gap between crofting, heavy engineering and silicone glen - but amazingly, Scotland is deemed 'not too complex to have her own executive'<BR/>How convenient.<BR/><BR/>Devolution was not instigated as a great democratic act - it was purely political - a tactic to try and spike the nationalistic guns of the Welsh and the Scots. England was left in a vacuum - the arrogance of Blair and his great devolution architects in parking us in a democracy free lay-by and expecting us to accept it just takes the breathe away. If devolving power to the masses was the 1998 'must have' then it should have been considered in the round - a 360 degree solution involving everyone as equal partners. If we ended up with a federal Britain, then fine. Far better that than the 3 legged camel we have now.<BR/> <BR/>The union cannot continue in its current form - England has been entirely left out of the devolution process. We can no longer be denied a national voice - and if that upsets some of your readers, Iain - too bad. <BR/><BR/>How readily they forget that England has no First Minister, has no national parliament, has no national executive, has little cultural identity, has no national anthem, has no one to champion OUR needs and requirements. But, apparently, that's just fine and dandy - just as long as everyone else has their devolved apparatus, their First Ministers, their <BR/>national parliaments, their national executive, their culture celebrated, their anthem sung, their needs and rights being routinely championed, directly elected and responsible to their electorate.<BR/><BR/>But that's OK, then.<BR/><BR/>OK for England to be broken up into faux regional bits. OK for England to end up (if Prescott got his way) with 9 regional no-power assemblies fighting for scraps - and unable to resist the will of their UK Westminster honchos.<BR/><BR/>And to be honest, I am really fed up of the 'It's ooor oil' bleating.<BR/>Isn;t the union supposed to be a sort of co-operative? Everyone pools their resources for the greater good? Yeah, well that's the watery eyed vision - but it is not reality is it? <BR/>Back to oil - <BR/>It's funny how they never actually recognise the internationally recognised maritime north sea border - you know, the border that runs in a north east direction from Berwick. That border runs straight through the oil fields, thereby rendering some of those oil fields to be an English resource (around 40%)... but you guys don't want to know about that do you? Far better to continue with the accusations of 'oil-filching' and ne'r do oil wellery.<BR/>And if someone cries 'foul'? Great, use the racism card and the <BR/> frankly absurd comparisons with Goebells propaganda machine and the 'nasty racist fantasy drivel'<BR/>accusations from some of your more hyper contributors. Far better to believe that the union is the union - apart from the oil, which is all Scotland's obviously.<BR/><BR/>Honestly, hysteria breaks out on Dale's comment box because someone disagrees with the current constitutional status quo. Well, we are really sorry if your feelings have been hurt - but all we are asking is equality, fairness and respect. And if that is deemed as being somehow 3 requests too far by the sensitive brigade then we plead 'guilty' as charged.<BR/><BR/>What I find more amazing is that your supposed intellectual readership should find the video so, so shocking (apparently, one of your commentors couldn't actually finish watching it - so offended was he)- but they don't seem to have a problem with England's current democratic and fiscal deficits. They don't seem to have a problem with taking the money and getting their local MPs to shove their noses into English<BR/>health, education, planning and transport issues - issues that are devolved to their own executives....<BR/><BR/>But then again, they wouldn't would they?Alfiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04135869751268396259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-91284545513584907952007-10-23T22:46:00.000+01:002007-10-23T22:46:00.000+01:00Iain, you say the facts in the video are all corre...Iain, you say the facts in the video are all correct... this is not the case. It may be policy e.g. to have class sizes around 20, but in reality this is definitely not the case, similarly free elderly care and other things that people have mentioned in previous comments. Instead of taking the videos word for it, do some research of your own - and as someone said, maybe try the Scottish press.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-46948304319078328172007-10-23T19:44:00.000+01:002007-10-23T19:44:00.000+01:00Now I'm a English wo/manAmazed at what I amI say w...Now I'm a English wo/man<BR/>Amazed at what I am<BR/>I say what I think<BR/>That the EU stinks!<BR/>Yes I'm an English wo/man.<BR/><BR/>When we meet in the local hall<BR/>"Independence!" is the call<BR/>With a hell of a shout<BR/>Gordon's out<BR/>And the English have a ball.<BR/><BR/>Gord, you don't get me I'm part of England<BR/>You don't get me I'm part of England<BR/>You don't get me I'm part of England<BR/>Till the day I die, till the day I die.<BR/><BR/>As an English wo/man I'm wise<BR/>To Broon's spin and lies<BR/>And I don't get fooled<BR/>By the EU's rules<BR/>'Cause I always read between the lines.<BR/><BR/>And we English will get our way<BR/>We'll have our freedom back one day<BR/>No ID cards<BR/>No CCTV guards<BR/>This what I say.<BR/><BR/>Gord, you don't get me I'm part of England<BR/>You don't get me I'm part of the England<BR/>You don't get me I'm part of the England<BR/>Till the day I die, till the day I die.<BR/><BR/>Since EU and Gord appeared<BR/>We're a surveillance state, I fear<BR/>But we've got the power<BR/>To make England ours<BR/>Every day of the year.<BR/><BR/>So though I'm a working wo/man<BR/>I can ruin the government's plan<BR/>Iain Dale's mag<BR/>And the sight of our flag<BR/>Makes me some kind of superwo/man.<BR/><BR/>Gord, you don't get me I'm part of England<BR/>You don't get me I'm part of the England<BR/>You don't get me I'm part of England<BR/>Till the day I die, till the day I die<BR/><BR/>Auntie Flo'Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-46543246024025769932007-10-23T19:40:00.000+01:002007-10-23T19:40:00.000+01:00I think the payslips of all English taxpayers shou...I think the payslips of all English taxpayers should clearly state how much of the money we have earned is being taken out of our paypackets and given to a) Scotland and b) Wales (over and above the fair allocation based on population size).<BR/><BR/>Then we'll see whether people think it is a 'small price to pay' or not.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-51914274005760195362007-10-23T19:30:00.000+01:002007-10-23T19:30:00.000+01:00I was born in Wales and I'm proud of my identity. ...I was born in Wales and I'm proud of my identity. However, I am disheartened to know how much Wales relies on Westminster cash. If the Assembly could perhaps aid a reversal of situation I would be more supportive of it. Plaid and Labour didn't get my vote.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-75158824112619863712007-10-23T18:13:00.000+01:002007-10-23T18:13:00.000+01:00I believe that Scottish oil/gas revenues have only...I believe that Scottish oil/gas revenues have only exceeded the amount that Scotland recieved via the BF once since then came on stream, and now they are running out.......Scipiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06514885826616402615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-60494838710331867952007-10-23T18:11:00.001+01:002007-10-23T18:11:00.001+01:00throughout these comments there are many that disp...throughout these comments there are many that dispute the facts and you have chosen (thus far) to ignore these people. Richard Thomson has posted two excellent comments questioning your facts and inviting you to prove them or withdraw them and you have decided to ignore this in favour of spin. Your blog is poorer for this kind of behaviour.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-92227196349472696672007-10-23T18:11:00.000+01:002007-10-23T18:11:00.000+01:00Great video Iain, but then I am NO LONGER a unioni...Great video Iain, but then I am NO LONGER a unionist! <BR/><BR/>Why should I be, the Scots feel they have some right for me to subsidise their feckless spending of my money to make their life better and more comfortable than my own - and then seem to offer zero gratitude for it, instead rehearsing 300 yerar old grumbles about the clearences and William Longshanks conducted by people to whom I am not related. Jeez, like the Scots were models of restraint in war - try telling that to the Catholics of Ireland!<BR/><BR/>How long does it take for a nation to 'get over it'?<BR/><BR/>If we had a vote tomorrow, and I was allowed to vote, I'd vote for an independent Scotland.Scipiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06514885826616402615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-83720556842169477072007-10-23T17:56:00.000+01:002007-10-23T17:56:00.000+01:00Iain: To a Scot being pro English is being anti Sc...Iain: To a Scot being pro English <I>is</I> being anti Scotch.William Gruffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02434757003701117714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-44866186310876589132007-10-23T17:33:00.000+01:002007-10-23T17:33:00.000+01:00"It is also NOT anti Scottish. It points out how S..."It is also NOT anti Scottish. It points out how Scotland is benefitting from the largesse of the English taxpayer. What on earth is wrong with that? It's fact!"<BR/><BR/>Iain, that video is anti Scottish drivel designed to perpetuate the myth that the Scots are scrounging of the rest of the UK, it is certainly not fact! <BR/>I have watched you and others within own MY party try and push this argument that somehow Scotland is some utopian paradise cum socialist ghetto that sits back with its hand out while the rest of the UK pays for it, and suffers disproportionally as a result.<BR/>Every time I see a screaming headline perpetuating this myth about the latest *extra* that the Scots get while the rest of the UK is *denied*, I look in vain for the caveat which explains simply and clearly that Scottish politicians have decided to fund different priorities from those of their counterparts down South.<BR/>This type of video propaganda leaves a bad taste in my mouth and is narrow minded and short on facts. <BR/>I have never, not once, seen you grasp what benefits or contributions Scotland makes to the UK. You never seem to argue the point about why we choose to have different priorities for public spending, nor do you ever look past the headline to check the facts. Bit like what happened with the Independent last week on the EU, but then you wanted to those facts to be proved wrong. <BR/>Until you start putting forward a balanced and fair argument which takes all the facts into account, I will continue to put this kind of anti Scottish rant in the sin bin it deserves.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com