Archive for August, 2011
What do you think will be the outcome of the next general election?
Tuesday, August 30th, 2011
Dare George Osborne grasp the Scottish spending nettle?
Tuesday, August 30th, 2011
Should the Scots continue to get a better deal?
Some months before the 2001 general election I found myself sitting next to the young George Osborne, then not even an MP, at a dinner in Oxford and we talked about the coming fight.
One of his ideas, which at the time seemed particularly smart, was for the blues to “play the English card” focussing particularly on the subject that’s the main lead in the Mail this morning, the big difference in state spending in Scotland compared with England.
The paper’s calculation is that UK government spending in Scotland averaged £10,212 per person last year – or £1,624 per head more than in England. The Mail reckons that each English family is having to pay £420 per year so that Scots can benefit from extra spending.
This is the stuff of powerful Daily Mail headlines and something that can really niggle – but is it practical for anything to be done about it?
For things like free prescriptions and the beneficial Scottish university fees arrangement with those from England excluded, are going to be a continuing irritation. My guess, however, is that they will continue.
For the onset first of devolution and now the SNP having a majority at Holyrood makes this even more sensitive. With an independence referendum due to take place premature action on the Scottish spending formula could damage the union?
Osborne knows this and will tread very carefully. The winner? Alex Salmond of course.
@MikeSmithsonPB
Should the Scots continue to get a better deal?
Some months before the 2001 general election I found myself sitting next to the young George Osborne, then not even an MP, at a dinner in Oxford and we talked about the coming fight.
One of his ideas, which at the time seemed particularly smart, was for the blues to “play the English card” focussing particularly on the subject that’s the main lead in the Mail this morning, the big difference in state spending in Scotland compared with England.
The paper’s calculation is that UK government spending in Scotland averaged £10,212 per person last year – or £1,624 per head more than in England. The Mail reckons that each English family is having to pay £420 per year so that Scots can benefit from extra spending.
This is the stuff of powerful Daily Mail headlines and something that can really niggle – but is it practical for anything to be done about it?
For things like free prescriptions and the beneficial Scottish university fees arrangement with those from England excluded, are going to be a continuing irritation. My guess, however, is that they will continue.
For the onset first of devolution and now the SNP having a majority at Holyrood makes this even more sensitive. With an independence referendum due to take place premature action on the Scottish spending formula could damage the union?
Osborne knows this and will tread very carefully. The winner? Alex Salmond of course.
@MikeSmithsonPB
It’s the PB Nighthawks Cafe time again…
Monday, August 29th, 2011
Welcome to what’s become our nightly open thread – an ides created by PB’s cartoonist, Marf, who produced the picture above.
I am told that prints will soon be available to buy – I’ll let you know when that happens.
Have a good night – for many it’s back to work in the morning after the long bank holiday weekend.
@MikeSmithsonPB
Welcome to what’s become our nightly open thread – an ides created by PB’s cartoonist, Marf, who produced the picture above.
I am told that prints will soon be available to buy – I’ll let you know when that happens.
Have a good night – for many it’s back to work in the morning after the long bank holiday weekend.
@MikeSmithsonPB
Is Guido going to get beaten in the hanging race?
Monday, August 29th, 2011
Will either petition get to 100,000 by February?
The chart features today’s update in the race between the two petitions on capital punishment – one sponsored by Paul Staines (aka Guido) calling for its restoration for specific categories of murder. The other petition, which was started on the same day is calling for the ban on capitial punishment to be retained.
This afternoon’s totals were 17,875 for the restoration of capital punishment and 25,665 for those who want the ban to be retained.
Both were posted on the official web-site on August 4th and both have received a fair bit of media attention.
Once a petition reaches 100,000 verified “signatures” within six months then the issue becomes eligible for a Commons debate.
Interestingly the difference between the two petitions, with the abolitionists maintaining a solid lead, is not mirrored in the polling. Almost all surveys show that most people want the death penalty to be restored.
I’ve been surprised by the way this has developed – but there’s still five months left. Guido could still come out on top.
@MikeSmithsonPB
Will either petition get to 100,000 by February?
The chart features today’s update in the race between the two petitions on capital punishment – one sponsored by Paul Staines (aka Guido) calling for its restoration for specific categories of murder. The other petition, which was started on the same day is calling for the ban on capitial punishment to be retained.
This afternoon’s totals were 17,875 for the restoration of capital punishment and 25,665 for those who want the ban to be retained.
Both were posted on the official web-site on August 4th and both have received a fair bit of media attention.
Once a petition reaches 100,000 verified “signatures” within six months then the issue becomes eligible for a Commons debate.
Interestingly the difference between the two petitions, with the abolitionists maintaining a solid lead, is not mirrored in the polling. Almost all surveys show that most people want the death penalty to be restored.
I’ve been surprised by the way this has developed – but there’s still five months left. Guido could still come out on top.