HOLYROOD will be allowed to run up debts and the controversial Barnett Formula will be consigned to history in dramatic recommendations by the commission set up to review Home Rule in Scotland, The Scotsman can reveal.
In a long-awaited report, the Calman Commission will call for a new financial set-up which will make MSPs more accountable – but could see Scotland's budget severely reduced. The commission also believes the Scottish Government should be granted limited borrowing powers which would be wide-ranging enough to raise £2 billion for a new Forth Road Bridge.
It is proposing no new tax-raising powers for Holyrood and also argues against "assigning Scotland's share of the oil and gas revenues directly to the Scottish Government".
It's probably better waiting to see the full proposals on the 15th before making a more educated comment, but at very first and superficial glance it looks like a report that's going to make the Scottish Adminstration more accountable, whilst falling a long way short of any kind of "Home Rule" or "Devolution Max"- an outcome which as a Unionist you can only but welcome surely?
8 comments:
The question is, does what Calman is recommending need a clear mandate from the Scottish people?
How would the unionist parties say no to a refernedum that includes:
1. Status Quo
2. Calman
3. Independence
Do you think the 'unionist' vote would be divided between 'status quo' and 'calman'?
Minority votes lead to independence against the will of the Scottish people? Wardog you do live a fantasy world. Just because the entry into the Union was decided by a minority doesn't make it right that an exit would be.
I wonder if England will be able to have an overdraft too, and Wales and Northern Ireland?
Unbelievably this would fall short of what even London led new labour want. It will be funny to see them defend implementing this(if they do) Or they could just flip flop ............again. It matters not as they will not be in power in Holyrood or Westminster.
If true, all this report does is give us the responsibility to account for irresponsibly running up debt. Why not at the very least give us tax raising powers? Why not at the very least give us our natural resource money?
The obvious answer to the whole muddle is let's settle amicably and go our own ways. I don't think I like the idea of Scotland being treated like a teenager whose pocket money has been cut yet is given (perhaps) carte blanche with a credit card.
A ridiculous state of affairs!
London Scot led new labour I think you mean Tony. (Have to get the London AKA English Labour bit in otherwise we might think that there might be some Scottish influence in the party).
We already have tax raising powers. But you're right it's always been about the oil money and we wouldn't be talking about leaving the Union if England had got the oil and we didn't.
"HOLYROOD will be allowed to run up debts and the controversial Barnett Formula will be consigned to history in dramatic recommendations ---------"
my heart sinks . Sounds like a licence from the British for the Scots to go and spurge as much money as they want to be funded by the same as Barnett was funded by ie by the English.
Only equitable solution is to end Barnett and not replace it at all. Scots can raise their own money via tax and bonds - just like grown up countries do!
Fiscal independence of England and Scotland at the very least.
So the (Scottish) Calman Report is going to decide what will replace Barnett - with little or no input from England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Now what was that comment about our being ruled by a Scottish Raj again...?
Anonymous 5:25 PM
I ommited to use the word 'extra' when reffering to tax powers ma man. And if you believe that our loyalty is to Scottish oil rather than Scotland then I wouldn't know where to begin your edjimacatin.
We all know that there is a big Scottish influence in the labour party, same with the Lib-Dem's. So what! The plain uncontested facts are that they are not acting in Scotland's interests. Any student of politics would happily point out the 'Billy Britain' performance of Gordon Broon of late to ingratiate himself with the English. Jim Murphy, who would have grown up singing the same songs as me denouncing the British empire is killing himself to help keep England's home colonies bound to her,(how he can show his face at Paradise again I don't know). These guys are dancing to a London tune, Scottish or not.
Do you have an opinion on these suspected Calman proposals?
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