22 April 2021 - Scotland Matters

1 in 5 SNP MPs Have Quit, Been Sacked, Are Under Investigation or Suspended – Guido Fawkes

22 April 2021/in Politics Matters /by sm_admin

1 in 5 SNP MPs Have Quit, Been Sacked, Are Under Investigation or Suspended

This morning came the inevitable naming of the second SNP MP facing investigation for harassment against a member of staff: Patricia Gibson. Gibson is accused of “grabbing” the 22-year-old staffer’s hand, pulling at him, and saying “things like ‘You should come home with me’”. The naming of Gibson comes shortly after the naming of former chief whip Patrick Grady over harassment claims from two young male staffers. Intriguingly, according to The Herald, Gibson has been provided with information from MP witnesses – submitted as part of the investigation – which doesn’t sound compliant with a standard complaints process…

The sheer onslaught of SNP scandals prompted a look at the current parliamentary MP cohort, which is in a sorry state. Of the 44 MPs elected less than two years ago:

Two (Neale Hanvey and Kenny MacAskill) have defected to the Alba party
Neil Gray has resigned to fight for a seat in the Scottish Parliament
Neale Hanvey was elected as an independent after being suspended by the party during the election for antisemitic social media posts
- (He was re-admitted in May 2020 only to quit for Alba in February)
Margaret Ferrier was sacked after travelling to and from London with Covid, subsequently arrested and charged by Police Scotland in February
Joanna Cherry was sacked from the front bench for “unacceptable behaviour” in February
Drew Hendry was named by the Speaker and suspended from the Commons in December 2020 after stealing the mace during a debate
Patricia Gibson faces allegations of harassment
Patrick Grady has been suspended and faces two separate allegations of harassment

While this list excludes controversies that didn’t see repercussions – such as Douglas Chapman claiming the British Army was “attacking” Scots online – it totals 18% of the SNP’s 44-seats won at the last election. Guido can’t recall so many casualties from a single party in such a short space of time…

SNP’s broken promises should make you doubt their manifesto of uncosted freebies – The Scotsman

22 April 2021/in Election 2021, Politics Matters, Scottish Independence, The Scotsman /by sm_admin

Those with long memories will recall previous SNP pledges to abolish council tax, reduce class sizes in primary school to no more than 18, and introduce a cash grant for first-time house buyers – none of which have been delivered in 14 long years of SNP government in Scotland, despite a parliamentary majority at one point which would have enabled them to do just that.

A similarly cynical view might be taken to last week’s launch of the SNP manifesto for this coming election, offering a range of ambitious – and expensive – policy commitments. There are pledges to explore a four-day working week, to pilot a universal basic income for all citizens, new funding for the NHS, free dental care, a free bicycle for every child, and so the list goes on. There is, it seems, something for everyone.

But how, exactly, will all this be paid for? Analysis carried out by the Scottish Conservatives shows that the Scottish budget would need to at least double for the SNP to implement their manifesto in full, given their spending commitments total some £95 billion in a single year.

All this at a time when they are saying that rates of taxation in Scotland would not require to rise (although, of course, they made the same promise back in 2016, and swiftly broke it).

But do not just rely on Conservative criticism of the SNP’s figures. The independent and widely respected Institute for Fiscal Studies states: “The manifesto does not provide information on how much these various pledges will cost altogether… but the list of policies included clearly has significant net cost. Paying for this in the context of what will likely be a tight fiscal environment in the coming Parliament would require tricky trade-offs, and potentially either (as yet unspoken) tax rises, or cuts to at least some areas of public spending.”

The same IFS has already pointed out that the SNP are utilising one-off Covid money coming in cash grants from the British Treasury to fund ongoing policy commitments. This diversion of vital resources infuriates business owners desperate for support funds, particularly when they see similar enterprises south of the Border able to reopen when they are still closed. Moreover, it is simply not sustainable in the long run, and will require – as the IFS fairly point out – either future tax rises, cuts elsewhere, or a mixture of both.

SNP economic policy is taking us backwards to penury, not forwards to prosperity – ThinkScotland

22 April 2021/in Economic Matters, ThinkScotland /by sm_admin

THE SCOTTISH ECONOMY is in a desperate state. It has long been lagging behind the UK economy but now the prognosis must be considered as dire. In 2019 Scotland’s GDP was 8 per cent lower that of the UK as a whole. While GDP in the UK grew at a rate of 1.7 per cent between 2000 and 2019, in Scotland it grew at a much smaller 1.3 per cent. Employment from 2000 to 2019 grew at 0.9 per cent in the UK as a whole, but only at 0.6 per cent in Scotland.

People might think this is small beer, that the economy will naturally pick up or there are other issues that must take priority – such as secession from the UK – but whatever one’s political views the hard fact is it is only a growing economy that makes it possible for public services to help the disadvantaged – while a shrinking economy must result in belt-tightening austerity.

Tightening the belt around your waistline might be uncomfortable in the belief you might adjust or be able to loosen it in time, but tightening a straitjacket that restricts your ability to exist is beyond sense. The economic statistics now tell us we have moved from the former to the latter.

Call for Scottish Government to consider £200 million north-east rail improvements ‘an urgent priority’ – Aberdeen Evening Express

22 April 2021/in North East Matters, Transport Matters /by sm_admin

Call for Scottish Government to consider £200 million north-east rail improvements ‘an urgent priority’

North-east Conservative politicians have launched a campaign urging the Scottish Government to set out £200 million plans for the region’s rail and infrastructure as “an urgent priority”.

In 2008, the SNP under former first minister Alex Salmond said it would invest £200m on rail infrastructure upgrades, to speed up trips between Aberdeen and Edinburgh by 20 minutes.

Landscaper fears potholes in popular Ayrshire seaside village will catch visitors out – Daily Record

22 April 2021/in Daily Record, The West Coast Matters, Transport Matters /by sm_admin

An ex-landscaper has hit out at the conditions of roads in his Ayrshire village fearing they will catch visitors out when lockdown is eased.

Kevin Gardiner, of Maidens, is fed-up looking at the state of the roads around the village which faces onto the stunning North Carrick coastline.

The idyllic spot for dog walkers and families has become plagued with potholes with Kevin’s street Ardlochan Road covered in 15 mixed-sized craters.

The 65-year-old former fisherman has lived in the village all of his life but he has become dismayed by the lack of action on the roads.

And he has asked South Ayrshire Council leader Peter Henderson to put pressure on road bosses for action.

Kevin told Ayrshire Live: “The potholes in the village have been a real problem for too long.

“We are local people and have gotten used to it, but the worry is when visitors come down to enjoy the beach.

“A few weeks ago here was a total stranger who drove past me on Ardlochan Road and swerved at the last minute to avoid a pothole and nearly took the side off my car.”

Ardrossan: Residents ‘living in fear’ due to anti-social behaviour – Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald

22 April 2021/in The West Coast Matters /by sm_admin

AN ARDROSSAN resident says she has been forced to look for a new home due to the ongoing anti-social behaviour in Central Avenue.

Last month the Herald revealed that 22 deliberate fires had been started in the street in the space of just eight weeks with a fire crew also attacked on March 16.

The resident who wishes to remain anonymous said: “The situation is terrible. It’s just constant. It’s got to the stage where people have stopped phoning the fire service.

“There are no bins anymore as those starting the fires would put fireworks in them and they would explode. There is also smashed glass everywhere in the park. It’s that bad that I am trying to move.”

Police are currently conducting enquiries into the incidents with officers encouraging parents and guardians to speak to their children to encourage responsible behaviour that does not leave residents “living in fear”.

Inspector Alison Wilson, of Police Scotland’s community policing team, said: “Attacks and threatening behaviour towards emergency service staff will not be tolerated.

“Officers are currently conducting enquiries into the circumstances surrounding incidents in Central Avenue, Ardrossan, and we would encourage anyone with any information to come forward and speak to police.

North Ayrshire libraries and community buildings face cutbacks as council review 40 properties – Daily Record

22 April 2021/in Daily Record, The West Coast Matters /by sm_admin

The fate of 40 community centres, libraries and halls in North Ayrshire will be decided in June.

People have until Wednesday, May 5 to comment on future proposals for the buildings and the council is inviting more feedback.

The council is considering closing Dreghorn Library near Irvine and moving it to Townend Community Centre.

Irvine Library could also be relocated to Bridgegate House under proposals with the building rented out. Meanwhile, bosses are looking at using Springside Library for another function and lending books through click-and-collect services.

They are also looking at community asset transfers for Kilwinning’s Whitehirst Park Community Centre and Woodwynd Hall and Irvine’s Bourtreehill Library.

A resident commenting on the Bourtreehill proposal said: “I am concerned that the council will not be able to identify individuals who are willing to take on the building and run the library which would result in the library closing which would be devastating for the local community.”