tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post7577899976873538211..comments2024-03-28T07:16:39.621+00:00Comments on Lallands Peat Worrier: Independence Quotation of the Day...Lallands Peat Worrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18276270498204697708noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-34420266175901749202013-01-02T11:47:11.861+00:002013-01-02T11:47:11.861+00:00Lamont is not actually arguing anything. She is u...Lamont is not actually arguing anything. She is using the language of managerialism to say we can't afford this that and the next thing but she is not actively arguing for anything as yet.<br /><br />We will wait and see what amendments Labour put forward in the Budget - that will demonstrate whether they are actually serious about proposing major changes to public spending. It will be interesting to see if they do put forward amendments or simply abstain while saying "we need to have a debate". <br /><br />If that is what happens they will have absolutely no credibility left. It is actually fair enough to move away from a previous policy position if you have something else to put in its place. But if you are too scared to do that and instead just repeat ad nauseum that we need to have a debate about spending priorities that is just weak and meaningless.<br /><br />For me however the underlying flaw with the way Labour has approached this is that it has involved absolutely no consultation with public service users as far as I can see. With public service providers - yes. You could find managers in local authorities across the land who would agree with Johann Lamont on why universal services should be scrapped. <br /><br />But what of the users - the taxpayers who actually fund the services? There appears to be no consideration of them. Just a brusque instruction that they must stop expecting services which they pay for to be provided to them. <br /><br />You couldn't make it up really. If you sat down and thought what is the worst possible reaction to austerity, what would guarantee that you would lose the next election, what could best undermine trust in the Union to provide ordinary families with confidence in the ability of public services to meet their needs, this would be it.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-83367526587637372482012-12-31T14:29:42.079+00:002012-12-31T14:29:42.079+00:00"It's interesting that we all agree, but ..."<b><i>It's interesting that we all agree, but some want to make an argument of it.....</i></b>"<br />Which suggests you are mistaken when you say "we all agree"?Ronnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-55994369771058154912012-12-31T11:15:20.090+00:002012-12-31T11:15:20.090+00:00I'd have thought that the whole purpose of ind...I'd have thought that the whole purpose of independence was to take the difficult decisions ourselves. It is pretty obvious that we'd have to have our own rules about asylum seekers, etc.<br /><br />What's the problem with that?douglas clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11422060678908705962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-80650549825236187032012-12-30T19:34:42.377+00:002012-12-30T19:34:42.377+00:00braveheart clutching at straws!
Maxwell is highlig...braveheart clutching at straws!<br />Maxwell is highlighting the fact that we the Scots would be able to choose what WE want and yes nowhere to hide!<br />Lamont on the other hand is simply following policies to from Westminster designed to appeal to 'One Nation' middle England , at the same time suggesting that the SNP are promulgating the unaffordable. The fact that these policies totally contradict their policies for the 2011 elections tells you something else.<br />So please don't insult Maxwell by association with a lightweight like Lamont!Fourfolksachehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12651190231842907126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-51740264602340246042012-12-30T18:55:42.201+00:002012-12-30T18:55:42.201+00:00It's interesting that we all agree, but some w...It's interesting that we all agree, but some want to make an argument of it.....Bravehearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07223196805548966030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-91626901730983887192012-12-30T12:07:37.224+00:002012-12-30T12:07:37.224+00:00Well lets suppose for a moment that this writer do...Well lets suppose for a moment that this writer does agree with Lamont, and examine it a length.<br /><br />Here he is talking about Scotland facing up to its own responsibilites and the arguments that will come from them.<br />What he does not do, however, is state what Scotland would choose to do. The question is open because its not for him to answer it.<br /><br />Lamont on the other hand, has chosen her answer. Cuts. She will exclude people from benefits because they are paid too much, despite that fact that paying their taxes entitles them to said benfits. She wants introduce english style fees on education. Deprive the elderly of their bus passes. She wants people to pay for prescriptions, even though they have paid for them. She want's inflation busting rises in council tax. But she wants to keep spending more than we can afford on defence. She won't consider any reform of PFI or strip private firms of public subsidy. <br /><br />Maxwell is pondering the choices faced by an idependent nation, and they are hard questions, with nothing off the table.<br /><br />Lamont is making an argument,to allow her, as is Miliband, to triangulate the shrinking tory vote. She is not doing what she is doing because of some deeply held conviction. She is simply picking on easy targets just like the tories do.<br /><br />So in conclusion I would reject your assumption, as while Maxwell poses questions, he leaves the answers to the Scots themselves.<br />Lamont has already chosen what she wants regardless of how Scotland feels. Hope this clears it up for you Braveheart.<br />James Mortonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-66296563399903308402012-12-29T23:46:59.659+00:002012-12-29T23:46:59.659+00:00@Braveheart
"LPW quotes with approval one of ...@Braveheart<br /><i>"LPW quotes with approval one of Stephen Maxwell's judgements which seem to be in agreement with Johann Lamont's ideas as expresssed in the last six months and rubbished by many Nats."</i><br /><br />LPW quotes with approval one of Maxwell's arguments: that <b>independence</b> "<i>would remove the alibi for inaction provided by the Union and confront the voters with the consequences of their collusion in the politicians' rhetoric</i>"<br /><br />Is that Lamont's argument? Really?<br /><br />No. Lamont has not been attempting to discuss this topic at all. Lamont doesn't WANT to discuss it, because it's about what decisions would need to be made with <b>independence</b>. <br /><br />Lamont has instead been attempting to smear the SNP by claiming policies she and her party stood on in common with the SNP are suddenly "bribes" and "something for nothing". Nothing whatsoever to do with Maxwell's arguments about the shape of an independent Scotland, with full powers and control.Ronnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-2014756344477762242012-12-29T17:15:29.736+00:002012-12-29T17:15:29.736+00:00I mean;
LPW quotes with approval one of Stephen M...I mean;<br /><br />LPW quotes with approval one of Stephen Maxwell's judgements which seem to be in agreement with Johann Lamont's ideas as expresssed in the last six months and rubbished by many Nats.<br /><br />Or as I put it above.... "seems your hero agrees with Johann Lamont then...."Bravehearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07223196805548966030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-58595313881571337382012-12-29T16:52:28.758+00:002012-12-29T16:52:28.758+00:00b. whether, which and how social benefits can be a...<i>b. whether, which and how social benefits can be afforded.</i><br /><br />You mean like rubbish collection, primary and secondary education, access to libraries, fire and police forces, street lights etc which are all Benefits to the wider society.cynicalHighlanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06034325908473006163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-59877922599396289102012-12-29T14:52:00.283+00:002012-12-29T14:52:00.283+00:00Norman
the question is not about constitutional a...Norman<br /><br />the question is not about constitutional arrangments, it's about <br /><br />a. whether Scots are more inherently "socialistic" than the rest of the country<br /><br />b. whether, which and how social benefits can be afforded.<br /><br />You don't need "independence" to address these points. Johann Lamont is attempting to do it and being monstered by the Nats for the attempt.<br /><br />So much for Nat not being feart to face the issues...<br /><br /><br /><br /> andBravehearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07223196805548966030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-65179144467935003732012-12-29T14:31:23.714+00:002012-12-29T14:31:23.714+00:00Hardly, Braveheart. Merely that these things would...Hardly, Braveheart. Merely that these things would have to be decided by the Scots rather than UK.<br />Rhetoric is all very well, but reality waits in the wingsNormanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17617748247601696500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-13891266393855422382012-12-29T14:05:42.038+00:002012-12-29T14:05:42.038+00:00....agrees........agrees....Bravehearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07223196805548966030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-52847860303445643992012-12-29T13:49:16.957+00:002012-12-29T13:49:16.957+00:00LPW, seems your hero gres with Johann Lamont then....LPW, seems your hero gres with Johann Lamont then....Bravehearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07223196805548966030noreply@blogger.com