Scotland Debate

[Old Skier]

Becuase we use the democratically correct electoral procedure up here called Proportional Representation, everyone is fairly represented up here, something The UK could learn from.

Was that the same electoral procedure used in Eygpt.

 

[EuanRoss]

Yes we have PR here but it's long been the feeling of people in the North that any money in Scotland doesn't go far beyond the central belt. Look how long it's taken for AWPR to get going. Christ, even the Edinburgh trams were done before then. The high speed rail link between Glasgow and Edinburgh was another central belt centric policy, what was it going to cut off journey times, 10 minutes or something, when there is a service every 15 minutes. Surely dualling the A9 should be another priority and the A96 is a disgrace as well.

 

[Foxholer]

Becuase we use the democratically correct electoral procedure up here called Proportional Representation, everyone is fairly represented up here, something The UK could learn from.

H'mm. Unconvinced that PR is 'democratically correct'! Actually dead certain that it's not! It's merely a different method, with advantages and disadvantages compared to any other.

 

[Adi2Dassler]

Yes we have PR here but it's long been the feeling of people in the North that any money in Scotland doesn't go far beyond the central belt. Look how long it's taken for AWPR to get going. Christ, even the Edinburgh trams were done before then. The high speed rail link between Glasgow and Edinburgh was another central belt centric policy, what was it going to cut off journey times, 10 minutes or something, when there is a service every 15 minutes. Surely dualling the A9 should be another priority and the A96 is a disgrace as well.

I think you'll find not one human living in an EH postcode who disagrees with your assertion on the trams, Edinburghs new disgrace.As for the Aberdeen bypass, was that held up by a land owner or the route chosen?And the a9 dualing should be done before any other infrastructure project in Scotland, that road is a disgrace.

 

[EuanRoss]

The A9 is shocking but the A96 is as bad, for a road that's supposed to link two cities. The A9 probably is the slightly worse of the two.

I guess my point is that the central belt appears to get cash thrown at it regardless of whether things are needed or not. Any infrastructure project north of Stirling seems to be absolutely necessary and overdue by at least 20 years before consideration is even given to building it.

 

[Adi2Dassler]

I guess my point is that the central belt appears to get cash thrown at it regardless of whether things are needed or not. Any infrastructure project north of Stirling seems to be absolutely necessary and overdue by at least 20 years before consideration is even given to building it.

Maybe, maybe not.The tram fiasco was the making of our council, before the govt had to step in and save it.I'm not aware of any high speed rail link getting the go ahead either?I've heard it discussed but nothing more?Maybe if Scotland had full powers of its 'economic levers', these projects would be done sooner....

 

[lex!]

The A9 is shocking but the A96 is as bad, for a road that's supposed to link two cities. The A9 probably is the slightly worse of the two.

I guess my point is that the central belt appears to get cash thrown at it regardless of whether things are needed or not. Any infrastructure project north of Stirling seems to be absolutely necessary and overdue by at least 20 years before consideration is even given to building it.

Never mind all that! Luxury! You should see the Borders mate. We get NOTHING.

 

[EuanRoss]

Never mind all that! Luxury! You should see the Borders mate. We get NOTHING.

Thats what you get for being so close to England.

 

[lex!]

Yeah, the one shining light is that I will be able to nip across the border to get my tinnies after the joyless Salmond has ramped up the minimum alcohol pricing. Will have to join the queue at the Longtown Spa.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Just watched Patrick Harvie on the Kelso TV debate.
Totally agree with you Adi, Salmond should parachute him into his cabinet.
Decent show by Hosie for the SNP against some pretty hostile questioning.
Ruth Davidson always looks like she is sucking a lemon and the Labour MSP seemed totally out of her depth.
I cannot understand how the Tories and Labour seem to have given up any hope of power in Scotland. They could not even respond when asked by an audience member what they would do if they were in power after a yes vote

Looked like a 50/50 audience and a lively debate.


PS Patrick Harvie is Green

Agree - Patrick Harvie is a good proponent of the YES argument - comes across well

 

[Old Skier]

Maybe if Scotland had full powers of its 'economic levers', these projects would be done sooner....

I see, its all the RUK fault that those North & South of the central belt are saying they feel they are being disadvantaged by the Scottish Parliament.

 

[Foxholer]

Maybe, maybe not.The tram fiasco was the making of our council, before the govt had to step in and save it.I'm not aware of any high speed rail link getting the go ahead either?I've heard it discussed but nothing more?Maybe if Scotland had full powers of its 'economic levers', these projects would be done sooner....

Did anyone take responsibility for the horrendous cost of the Parliament?

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Did anyone take responsibility for the horrendous cost of the Parliament?

Seemed a not particularly unreasonable amount to spend on a nations parliament building - and one designed to last a bit longer than your average prefab. And architecturally I think it is pretty splendid - exciting and adventurous.

 

[Old Skier]

Did anyone take responsibility for the horrendous cost of the Parliament?

That will be RUK fault as we let them have their own Parliament and then gave them enough pockey money to cock it all up. Bit like the tram fiasco.

 

[Old Skier]

Seemed a not particularly unreasonable amount to spend on a nations parliament building - and one designed to last a bit longer than your average prefab.

I presume your joking - fancy digging up the overspend costs on the project.

 

[lex!]

Did anyone take responsibility for the horrendous cost of the Parliament?

Yes, taxpayers in London and SE England.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I presume your joking - fancy digging up the overspend costs on the project.

First you should ignore IMO the finger-in-the-air consultants initial £40m estimate that would have resulted in a ten storey Cold War days East European office block. There was a very significant overspend - but the overspend was justified by those seeking a significant and lasting architectural statement. And that is what Scotland has got. I don't know how much it is costing each and everyone these days - but one a week-by-week basis I'm guessing that the cost overspend is not that significant an impact on the individual. And it's there now and can't be un-there'd

And note that the Scottish parliament building isn't the only iconic or statement building that has been subject to massive overspend. Try Sydney Opera House for one.

 

[Foxholer]

Seemed a not particularly unreasonable amount to spend on a nations parliament building - and one designed to last a bit longer than your average prefab. And architecturally I think it is pretty splendid - exciting and adventurous.

:rofl:

The, slightly smaller, Welsh Assembly cost less than 20% of the Scottish one - and there was serious criticism of the excessive cost of that too!

 

[Old Skier]

And note that the Scottish parliament building isn't the only iconic or statement building that has been subject to massive overspend. Try Sydney Opera House for one.

The Sydney Opera House did not come out of my pocket money or other UK taxpayers.

Finger in the air estimates, you don't work in the public sector do you. When public money is involved are you happy that those responsible for the Scottish Parliament relied on finger in the air estimates.

 

[Adi2Dassler]

If we're going to discuss obscene over spend by govt it's only fair to bring Olympics,refurb of Westminster or channel tunnel into the equation....