A letter in the Herald With Scotland’s public wanting independence or full fiscal control by the Scottish Parliament, the grand pledge by Cameron, Miliband and Clegg remains anchored to minimal devolution of some income tax powers and additional responsibilities for housing benefit. This would give Holyrood control of less than 30% of tax revenues raised in Scotland and not even full control over income tax - the tax which UK political parties treat as if toxic, routinely committing to not increase, and reducing to gain electoral advantage. Scottish Labour Leader, Johann Lamont, said recently[1] that the things she wanted from the income tax proposals were “fiscal accountability … sharing in resources … and (avoiding) unnecessary tax competition.” The devolution proposals are not therefore intended to provide opportunities for creative investment to support the development of the Scottish economy. They are not to help us find ways to improve our NHS, education and other public services. They are designed to deliver the means to shift the blame for the UK budget cuts planned by all three Westminster parties on to a newly “accountable” Scottish government, even though Westminster will still more than control 70% of Scottish tax revenues. They are designed to prevent any boost to the Scottish economy involving tax differences with other areas of the UK. They are designed to ensure that, as one of the UKs wealthier areas, Scotland will be still sending our resources to Westminster to subsidise priorities, which are not ours. Fundamentally, the pledge is still driven by the wish to retain Westminster control and support the electoral position of the UK political parties in the south of England, facing UKIP pressures. The party leaders will talk up the minimal devolution proposals they have been dragged into making, but cover-up the austerity economics and devastating public service cuts they are all planning. Labour’s own recent conference rebranding as a party of big reform, not big spending also signals that, in common with views expressed by David Cameron, Labour has no intention of rebuilding public services as the economy picks up. Both Labour and the Tories are looking to become parties of small government, deserting the welfare state and universal services, and leaving the “big society” to look after vulnerable people. Scottish independence offers the only opportunity of something much better. (1) https://youtube/watch?v=oEaPYWvvioY#t=11 Andrew Reid
Posted on: Sat, 09 Aug 2014 07:59:34 +0000
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