Anyone catch Alex “the precepts of Scottish justice” Salmond on the Marr show? He was allowed to weasel his way out of the Al Megrahi issue simply by repeating “precepts of Scottish justice” to a simpering Marr. He was also allowed to get away with his wild claims about “free” Education for Scottish students without any budget implications. Quite simply, Salmond comes on and lies through his teeth and Marr just sits back and lets him get away with it.
SALMOND WEASELING
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Love the choice of illustration!
🙂
For some reason the Scottish Assembly dropped the power that was given them at devolution to raise up to a 3p income tax.
The present government is proposing to reduce income tax in Scotland by 10p and also reduce the grant at the same time such that they will have to start setting there own income tax. With a bit of luck they will also take the opportunity to end the Barnett formula whereby 10% of the population get 11% of the cake. This 10% “bonus” explains much as to why things are “better” in Scotland.
Yes, even Barnett agrees his formula is outdated.
I’m surprised Salmond wasn’t congratulated by Marr for sorting out all the sectarian problems at last week’s Glasgow Old Firm match as well.
Here’s the message I got:
SCENE: Marr Production office, Saturday 12 March. The assistant producer is at her desk, on the phone with Salmond’s press rep.
MARR PRODUCER: Good afternoon. We were wondering if Mr. Salmond had an election platform he’d like to present on the show tomorrow. Any points he’d like us to cover?
SALMOND’S REP: Yes, we’re keen to remind everyone how the SNP will provide free prescriptions and free university education to Scottish voters. Most important is that we need to point out that the Government can find the funding to support free education for all. Mr. Salmond will want to lay out his policy of continuing the Scottish Enlightenment.
MARR PRODUCER: We’ll have to ask if the plans are sustainable in these tough economic times, of course. That will give Mr. Salmond the chance to mention the recent government funding given to Strathclyde.
SALMOND’S REP: Yeah, that’s great. Just make sure Andrew doesn’t ask how we’re actually going to pay for it. We need to stick to the facts about what the SNP will support.
MARR PRODUCER: Got it. Anything else?
SALMOND’S REP: Right, yeah, we want to talk about more fiscal independence for Scotland. Have Andrew bring up control over income tax and ability to borrow money. We need to be seen as getting more autonomy for Scotland and independence from the problems in the South, and being able to invest in Scotland.
MARR’S OFFICE: That’s fine. We can set that up, no worries. Andrew hates what they Tories are doing, so he’ll have no trouble getting that in. I think that’s it, then. Thank you very much.
SALMOND’S REP: Cheers, buh-bye.