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Thursday 9 February 2012

Are the SNP even more deluded than Labour? Why, yes, they are!

Wednesday, 22nd April 2009

Scottish public spending has essentially doubled (albeit in absolute terms) since Labour came to power. (To what end, you ask? To very little end, I reply.) Now the British government has run out of money and it is obvious that there are going to have to be spending cuts if the public finances are ever going to be restored to some semblance of stability. This is obvious, I should say, to everyone but the SNP for whom any suggestion that it might be possible to cut even a tiny sliver of cash from the Scottish Government's £35bn kitty is the vilest sort of anti-Scottish treachery.

Then again, the Nationalists aren't responsible for raising revenue, so it's no great surprise they howl whenever any budget is threatened. And therein lies the great problem with the devolution "settlement"; power absent the requirement to raise revenue is all but bound to become power that is bloated, feckless and irresponsible. That this should come to pass should surprise no-one.

This also applies, one should add, to the Tories' "localism" agenda. If local councils remain dependent upon Whitehall for 85% of their income then there can't be a real - let alone a successful - localist revolution.

UPDATE: Richard Thomson, SNP candidate for Gordon, takes issue with me, arguing that a cut in the block grant doesn't take account of "efficiency savings" the Nats are pursuing anyway:

In fact, the Scottish Government is looking for savings of 1.5% each year within its budget, and using the savings to help fund initiatives like the council tax freeze and the Small Business Bonus scheme. Rather, what's coming down the line is an actual cut to the Scottish budget, which will mean having to find even more efficiencies over and above those already being found if current spending lines are to be continued.

It's a legitimate argument to say that more efficiencies could be found, but to start from the premise that none are being found currently and will only occur as a result of a budget cut, is misleading to say the least. I don't suppose it will stop Jim Murphy trying to argue it, though.

No, I don't suppose it will. Of course, I'd like to see public spending in Scotland cut anyway but at the very least those responsible for spending ought also to be responsible for raising the cash too. On that, mind you, Richard and I might agree...

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ndm

April 22nd, 2009 9:23pm Report this comment

-- Then again, the Nationalists aren't responsible for raising revenue, so it's no great surprise they howl whenever any budget is threatened. And therein lies the great problem with the devolution "settlement"; power absent the requirement to raise revenue is all but bound to become power that is bloated, feckless and irresponsible. That this should come to pass should surprise no-one.

I think the California Republican Party shows that the power to deny revenue raising can also be pretty feckless and irresponsible.

Andrew K

April 22nd, 2009 10:27pm Report this comment

Ditto Wales.

Wilhelm

April 22nd, 2009 11:20pm Report this comment

Alex, why are you so full of self loathing of your own country, Scotland ?

Richard Thomson

April 23rd, 2009 12:01am Report this comment

"but at the very least those responsible for spending ought also to be responsible for raising the cash too. On that, mind you, Richard and I might agree..."

I'm pleased to confirm we agree entirely on that front, Alex. Thanks for the mention.

Ronnie

April 23rd, 2009 7:37am Report this comment

Let's nip this in the bud right now Wilhelm by not starting down the road of accusing those who may disagree with the SNP on anything of being self-loathers.

I think we see enough of that childish crap from Melanie and her pals who regard any disagreement with Likud as 'hateful' and 'self-hating'.

For God's sake grow up kid.

Let's try to discuss the proper governance of Scotland, as it develops, in a mature manner. The Scottish parliament must at least have revenue raising powers as soon as possible, then it too can mature.

tommyt

April 23rd, 2009 9:24am Report this comment

There is of course a simple answer to this, to which Alex alludes. Give Scotland the power to make its own revenue raising/cutting decisions and have the Scottish electorate agree or disagree with them. Given that the Scottish government are already pursuing efficiency savings indepent of yesterdays budget they are now being hit by a "double dunt". Also worth remembering that vast sums of money raised in Scotland do not count as "Scottish money" one small step to simplifying matters might be to sya that all money raised in Scotland (or England) stays in Scotland (or England)

Wiilhelm

April 23rd, 2009 1:12pm Report this comment

Ronnie squeeks '' of accusing those who may disagree with the SNP on anything of being self-loathers.''

They are. So there !

Kittler

April 23rd, 2009 2:24pm Report this comment

A you state Alex, the Scottish Government has no fiscal powers, they cannot tax or borrow.That is not their business or concern, but having more rather than less to spend is.
That is their remit and function, not help manage the UK's finances.

Gordon Brown

April 25th, 2009 2:29am Report this comment

can England really afford Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland?. English taxpayers are paying for Celt Navel gazing. Either cut them loose or close down these parliaments.

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