Alex effin Salmond

[madandra]

Stu, besides cheap prescriptions (£3 per item) and free car parking in hospitals what else have the SNP done?

Since you asked

Council tax freeze

Introduced Small Business Bonus

Abolished tolls on the Forth and Tay Road Bridges

Reversed decision to downgrade A&E at Monklands and Ayr hospitals

Delivered funding for 1,000 more police and focused resources on community policing

Published a White Paper and draft Bill on Scottish independence

Launched the Saltire Prize

Gave asylum children in Scotland rights to education

Doubled the international development budget

Delivered funding to phase out prescription charges

Convened a Council of Economic Advisers and National Economic Forum

Abolished the Graduate Endowment Fee

Made the decision on a replacement for the Forth Bridge

Introduced HPV vaccination for all girls aged between 12 and 14

Increased the payments for free personal and nursing care

Introduced a Climate Change Bill with 3% annual targets and minimum of 80% reduction by 2050

Delivered annual efficiency savings equivalent to 1.5% of the Scottish budget

No new nuclear power stations or dumps

Created a £10 million national life sciences institute in Dundee

Cut number of Departments and launched a review of our agency structure

Introduced Road Equivalent Tariff pilot in Western Isles

Accelerated proposals for electrification of the rail network

Took steps to reduce red-tape and widen access to public procurement contracts for small businesses (Public Procurement Portal)

Supported Scotland’s bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games

Issued guidance to health boards to reduce excessive charges for car parking

Delivered 50% increase in provision of free nursery education to 3 & 4 year olds

Introduced proposals on science and language baccalaureates

Implementing current school building programme

Introduced a not-for-profit Scottish Futures Trust

Introduced a legislative presumption against the closure of rural schools – proposals launched 1 May 2008, on SG website

Reviewed modern apprenticeships to make sure that skills being taught match skills gaps and that the system is flexible enough to encourage maximum participation. Introduce sectoral based initiatives and maximise the number of small businesses taking part

Created a £2 million ‘Edinburgh Festival Expo Fund’ to promote Scottish work at the Festivals

Trebled funding for community and micro-generation

Introduced conservation credits – to involve fishing community more closely in conservation policy

Implementing Curriculum for Excellence – long term strategy

Set up a Zero waste fund and are tackling commercial and industrial waste as part of our plans to work towards a zero waste Scotland

National Drugs Commission established to develop a long term drugs strategy

Ensuring business rates poundage doesn’t rise above England

Promoting energy crops in Scotland’s agriculture and forestry sector

Reviewed flood legislation – ensuring adequate funding for flood prevention – and passed Flooding Act

Seeking ways to reduce the burden on the farming community. Pilot schemes which ensure agencies work in partnership, making single visits to farms

Developed North Sea super-grid project

Committed to the long-term future of Peterhead Prison

Established Scotland Performs based on the Virginia model of governmental performance management

Announced promised Public Inquiries into infection of Hep C through NHS treatment and the Shirley McKie case

Cancelled Edinburgh Airport Rail Link in favour of more cost effective option

Reviewed Right to Buy legislation. Legislating to make it more responsive to local needs

Introduced Criminal Justice and Licensing Bill – which will enable a number of the legislative changes which will deliver on manifesto commitments

Introduced Marine Bill in April 2009 and achieved Executive devolution, giving Scotland a greater say over offshore zone to 200 nm

Introduced a £10 million (over 6 years) new entrant support scheme for farmers

Establishing a Scottish Investment Fund with income from the fund allocated to support business start ups, research and social enterprises

Refocused the Enterprise networks to provide a more streamlined service for the Scottish business community and support key industries such as tourism

Met 2-month waiting target for cancer patients to be diagnosed and treated

Introduced direct elections to Health Boards

Enforcing more strictly the legislation prohibiting sales of tobacco to people under age

Maintained a moratorium on GM planting in Scotland – no cultivation of GM crops in Scotland (whether commercial or research)

Who is paying for all this?

5 Million of us up here?

Or the UK?

 

[Iaing]

If there is a referendum on independence will all the scots south of the border get a vote??

Wouldn't imagine so.
Just Scottish residents, I'd think.
Which would include all the thousands of english living up here.

 

[haplesshacker]

It's a very intersting thread whilst it's still friendly.

If the Scots and Welsh want indepedence, fine. But I have a feeling that when push comes to shove, they need the UK's money, and hence won't be able to go it alone.

Strange though that if England had an 'English National Party' it would be percieved as a racist non inclusive organisation by the media. Regardless of it's actual policies.

I'm all for national pride and patriotism, but it shouldn't be at the expense of common sense. I don't know if the countries of the UK would be better off as independant states or not. But the income from each country would have to support itself and not have handouts from the neighbouring countries. Could Scotland and Wales really do this?

 

[HughJars]

If there is a referendum on independence will all the scots south of the border get a vote??

Of course not. But anyone English, Irish or Mongolian in Scotland will.

 

[madandra]

I have heard it said that if all the water north of the border was 'Scottish' then the revenue from the gas and oil would make it as rich as Saudi but whether or not thats true is up for discussion.

My big question would be defence? Would we have a wee mob of weegie chavs cutting about in shell suits carrying a chib that we call an army? We could be invaded by Luxembourg FFS

 

[StuartD]

. Now he claims the SNP have been dealt "a mighty hand" (6 seats, really?) and that Labour should seek a coalition with Plaid Cymru, the SNP and Liberals. Do the maths man, even the 4 of you combined wouldn't have majority.

Ah but they will have the majority I think. 326 is quoted as the magic number but as the 5 Sinn Fein MP's will never swear an oath to the queen they will not be allowed to sit or vote in parliament.

As for SNP policies

"Scraping the Edinburgh Airport Rail link for cheaper options"

What’s this, the Tram Line!!!! SNP had the chance to ditch the tram line but allowed it through so the other parties would back scrapping the tolls. (this is what a hung parliament does for you) and we are now left with a falling down bridge without money to replace it and no income to repair it. I paid the toll fee for years and would be quite happy still to do so. Money from the tolls gave us the new M9 spur.

and

"No New Nuclear Power Stations"

Sounds all nice and green but we currently don't produce enough electricity from elsewhere as wind/tidal technologies are not as far advanced. When Torness is mothballed we could be in a situation where we would have to buy from elsewhere if we were an independent country

 

[HughJars]

. Now he claims the SNP have been dealt "a mighty hand" (6 seats, really?) and that Labour should seek a coalition with Plaid Cymru, the SNP and Liberals. Do the maths man, even the 4 of you combined wouldn't have majority.

Ah but they will have the majority I think. 326 is quoted as the magic number but as the 5 Sinn Fein MP's will never swear an oath to the queen they will not be allowed to sit or vote in parliament.

Correct, effectively you only need 323 to govern.

As for SNP policies

"No New Nuclear Power Stations"

Sounds all nice and green but we currently don't produce enough electricity from elsewhere as wind/tidal technologies are not as far advanced. When Torness is mothballed we could be in a situation where we would have to buy from elsewhere if we were an independent country

The SNP have two big question marks for me, one being their desire to be closer to Europe, which seems to fly contrary to their main aim of independence, and secondly their over-greeness.

I suppose there is no such thing as a perferct manifesto, but these two areas are a major question mark.

 

[Basher]

Since you asked

Council tax freeze

Introduced Small Business Bonus

Abolished tolls on the Forth and Tay Road Bridges

Reversed decision to downgrade A&E at Monklands and Ayr hospitals

Delivered funding for 1,000 more police and focused resources on community policing

Published a White Paper and draft Bill on Scottish independence

Launched the Saltire Prize

Gave asylum children in Scotland rights to education

Doubled the international development budget

Delivered funding to phase out prescription charges

Convened a Council of Economic Advisers and National Economic Forum

Abolished the Graduate Endowment Fee

Made the decision on a replacement for the Forth Bridge

Introduced HPV vaccination for all girls aged between 12 and 14

Increased the payments for free personal and nursing care

Introduced a Climate Change Bill with 3% annual targets and minimum of 80% reduction by 2050

Delivered annual efficiency savings equivalent to 1.5% of the Scottish budget

No new nuclear power stations or dumps

Created a £10 million national life sciences institute in Dundee

Cut number of Departments and launched a review of our agency structure

Introduced Road Equivalent Tariff pilot in Western Isles

Accelerated proposals for electrification of the rail network

Took steps to reduce red-tape and widen access to public procurement contracts for small businesses (Public Procurement Portal)

Supported Scotland’s bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games

Issued guidance to health boards to reduce excessive charges for car parking

Delivered 50% increase in provision of free nursery education to 3 & 4 year olds

Introduced proposals on science and language baccalaureates

Implementing current school building programme

Introduced a not-for-profit Scottish Futures Trust

Introduced a legislative presumption against the closure of rural schools – proposals launched 1 May 2008, on SG website

Reviewed modern apprenticeships to make sure that skills being taught match skills gaps and that the system is flexible enough to encourage maximum participation. Introduce sectoral based initiatives and maximise the number of small businesses taking part

Created a £2 million ‘Edinburgh Festival Expo Fund’ to promote Scottish work at the Festivals

Trebled funding for community and micro-generation

Introduced conservation credits – to involve fishing community more closely in conservation policy

Implementing Curriculum for Excellence – long term strategy

Set up a Zero waste fund and are tackling commercial and industrial waste as part of our plans to work towards a zero waste Scotland

National Drugs Commission established to develop a long term drugs strategy

Ensuring business rates poundage doesn’t rise above England

Promoting energy crops in Scotland’s agriculture and forestry sector

Reviewed flood legislation – ensuring adequate funding for flood prevention – and passed Flooding Act

Seeking ways to reduce the burden on the farming community. Pilot schemes which ensure agencies work in partnership, making single visits to farms

Developed North Sea super-grid project

Committed to the long-term future of Peterhead Prison

Established Scotland Performs based on the Virginia model of governmental performance management

Announced promised Public Inquiries into infection of Hep C through NHS treatment and the Shirley McKie case

Cancelled Edinburgh Airport Rail Link in favour of more cost effective option

Reviewed Right to Buy legislation. Legislating to make it more responsive to local needs

Introduced Criminal Justice and Licensing Bill – which will enable a number of the legislative changes which will deliver on manifesto commitments

Introduced Marine Bill in April 2009 and achieved Executive devolution, giving Scotland a greater say over offshore zone to 200 nm

Introduced a £10 million (over 6 years) new entrant support scheme for farmers

Establishing a Scottish Investment Fund with income from the fund allocated to support business start ups, research and social enterprises

Refocused the Enterprise networks to provide a more streamlined service for the Scottish business community and support key industries such as tourism

Met 2-month waiting target for cancer patients to be diagnosed and treated

Introduced direct elections to Health Boards

Enforcing more strictly the legislation prohibiting sales of tobacco to people under age

Maintained a moratorium on GM planting in Scotland – no cultivation of GM crops in Scotland (whether commercial or research)

Mostly at the British tax payers expense!!! What the hell do we English get out of it?

 

[birdieman]

Mostly at the British tax payers expense!!! What the hell do we English get out of it?

Erm.....a nice warm glowing feeling inside from being a generous giving neighbour?
Lots of our lovely whisky?
Sir Alex Ferguson, the best football coach in UK history?

Tssk, what more do you want?

 

[colint]

Mostly at the British tax payers expense!!! What the hell do we English get out of it?

Erm.....a nice warm glowing feeling inside from being a generous giving neighbour?
Lots of our lovely whisky?
Sir Alex Ferguson, the best football coach in UK history?

Tssk, what more do you want?

Can we have all of your oil as well ?

 

[DMC]

Since you asked

Council tax freeze

Introduced Small Business Bonus

Abolished tolls on the Forth and Tay Road Bridges

Reversed decision to downgrade A&E at Monklands and Ayr hospitals

Delivered funding for 1,000 more police and focused resources on community policing

Published a White Paper and draft Bill on Scottish independence

Launched the Saltire Prize

Gave asylum children in Scotland rights to education

Doubled the international development budget

Delivered funding to phase out prescription charges

Convened a Council of Economic Advisers and National Economic Forum

Abolished the Graduate Endowment Fee

Made the decision on a replacement for the Forth Bridge

Introduced HPV vaccination for all girls aged between 12 and 14

Increased the payments for free personal and nursing care

Introduced a Climate Change Bill with 3% annual targets and minimum of 80% reduction by 2050

Delivered annual efficiency savings equivalent to 1.5% of the Scottish budget

No new nuclear power stations or dumps

Created a £10 million national life sciences institute in Dundee

Cut number of Departments and launched a review of our agency structure

Introduced Road Equivalent Tariff pilot in Western Isles

Accelerated proposals for electrification of the rail network

Took steps to reduce red-tape and widen access to public procurement contracts for small businesses (Public Procurement Portal)

Supported Scotland’s bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games

Issued guidance to health boards to reduce excessive charges for car parking

Delivered 50% increase in provision of free nursery education to 3 & 4 year olds

Introduced proposals on science and language baccalaureates

Implementing current school building programme

Introduced a not-for-profit Scottish Futures Trust

Introduced a legislative presumption against the closure of rural schools – proposals launched 1 May 2008, on SG website

Reviewed modern apprenticeships to make sure that skills being taught match skills gaps and that the system is flexible enough to encourage maximum participation. Introduce sectoral based initiatives and maximise the number of small businesses taking part

Created a £2 million ‘Edinburgh Festival Expo Fund’ to promote Scottish work at the Festivals

Trebled funding for community and micro-generation

Introduced conservation credits – to involve fishing community more closely in conservation policy

Implementing Curriculum for Excellence – long term strategy

Set up a Zero waste fund and are tackling commercial and industrial waste as part of our plans to work towards a zero waste Scotland

National Drugs Commission established to develop a long term drugs strategy

Ensuring business rates poundage doesn’t rise above England

Promoting energy crops in Scotland’s agriculture and forestry sector

Reviewed flood legislation – ensuring adequate funding for flood prevention – and passed Flooding Act

Seeking ways to reduce the burden on the farming community. Pilot schemes which ensure agencies work in partnership, making single visits to farms

Developed North Sea super-grid project

Committed to the long-term future of Peterhead Prison

Established Scotland Performs based on the Virginia model of governmental performance management

Announced promised Public Inquiries into infection of Hep C through NHS treatment and the Shirley McKie case

Cancelled Edinburgh Airport Rail Link in favour of more cost effective option

Reviewed Right to Buy legislation. Legislating to make it more responsive to local needs

Introduced Criminal Justice and Licensing Bill – which will enable a number of the legislative changes which will deliver on manifesto commitments

Introduced Marine Bill in April 2009 and achieved Executive devolution, giving Scotland a greater say over offshore zone to 200 nm

Introduced a £10 million (over 6 years) new entrant support scheme for farmers

Establishing a Scottish Investment Fund with income from the fund allocated to support business start ups, research and social enterprises

Refocused the Enterprise networks to provide a more streamlined service for the Scottish business community and support key industries such as tourism

Met 2-month waiting target for cancer patients to be diagnosed and treated

Introduced direct elections to Health Boards

Enforcing more strictly the legislation prohibiting sales of tobacco to people under age

Maintained a moratorium on GM planting in Scotland – no cultivation of GM crops in Scotland (whether commercial or research)

Mostly at the British tax payers expense!!! What the hell do we English get out of it?

Neighbours who are laughing at tax payers from englandshire