open Democracy News Analysis - Brown backs fiscal powers for Scotland, Tom Griffin - Comments

padav on "Brown backs fiscal powers for Scotland"

padav — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:39:44 +0000

I am happy to see that the direct relationship between accountability and revenue raising capacity (something I have argued for many years) is finally being acknowledged (officially) within the highest government circles.

However, I am doubtful that this apparent volte face will signal the step change in devolution policy formulation so desperately required across the entire UK.

Peter Davidson, Alderley Edge, NW.England

Stonemason on "Brown backs fiscal powers for Scotland"

Stonemason — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 06:16:52 +0000

A reply to Ken Waldron .....

Salmon is creating a crisis for his and the SNP benefit at the expense of Brown. I am no supporter of Brown, likewise I am no supporter of Separatism, from any quarter, I see greater benefits in the Union.

I also see smoke and mirrors used skillfully by the likes of Salmon, to project a country (Scotland) oppressed by Westminster, when historically the oppression has been at the hands of its own nobility, whether landed gentry or Industrialists. What is generally omitted from SNP's scurrilous propaganda are the benefits accrued by the general population over many decades of cooperation in Westminster for the benefit of all, labour laws that offer protection to the young for example.

I hope that you do stay in the Union, it will annoy me not at all, what annoys me are the likes of Salmon gaining parochial political points at the expense of the whole, points gained from information presented as fact, disingenuous.

Ken Waldron on "Brown backs fiscal powers for Scotland"

Ken Waldron — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:06:16 +0000

That would be the same Lib Dems who want a 4p cut in income tax, at the same time: ' ...to be offset by a new local income tax ( add on your 6p) that would replace council taxation '

which is... um a 2p rise?

So the SNP are trying to create 'crisis' with a 3p rise, because you think its far too low, but the Lib Dems are somehow the voice of sanity with... a 2p one?

As to the rest of your post, why don't people like you stop pontificating about what Scotland 'should do'. All that "decide- once-and-for-all-ary " makes me want to stay in the Union just to annoy the likes of you.

Stonemason on "Brown backs fiscal powers for Scotland"

Stonemason — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:18:10 +0000

It was calculated by the Liberal Democrat's several years ago that to replace Council tax would require a LIT of approximately 6 pence in the pound across the United Kingdom.

Salmon and his colleges have set the LIT at 3 pence in the pound, what is the motive setting it so low, it must be to create a crisis, the only answer to the crisis is to cut the Scots free, December the 31st this year. It's what Salmon wants, make them the offer, give them a simple referendum, "in" or "out" of the Union, have the referendum on the last day of October. It is time to ask the Scots to "Put Up or Shut Up", they have more than a fair share of the pot, it's time to consider the whole of the British Nation, not just the Scottish Nationalist Elite.

No bluffs, if they want it, cut them free, ask them if they would like Gordon "wimp" Brown while they are about it.

Toque on "Brown backs fiscal powers for Scotland"

Toque — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:28:55 +0000

As I mentioned in my submission to the Calman Commission,
there is a problem for Gordon Brown in making the Scottish Parliament
more financially accountable. Theoretically, if Scotland funds its own
education system directly through taxes raised in Scotland, then the
taxes spent on education in England are minus any Scottish
contribution. Why, therefore, should a Scottish prime minister, or
indeed any MP from Scotland, have any say whatsoever in how those taxes
are spent? It is a widening of the democratic deficit.

Obviously this is a matter of degrees because I expect that Westminster will want to partly fund the devolved portfolio, just to keep its hand in - but even so.

The CEP also submitted to the Calman Commission. The fact that English people in England are permitted (and encouraged) to sumit makes a mockery of Jim Wallace's signature to the Scottish Claim of Right.

Brown backs fiscal powers for Scotland, Tom Griffin

Tom Griffin — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:21:47 +0000

Tom Griffin (London, OK): Gordon Brown has been coming around to the case for giving more tax powers to the Scottish Parliament for some time, as Brian Taylor notes, but last night's speech to the Scottish CBI puts fiscal devolution more firmly on the agenda.

"First of all," he told Scottish business leaders, "devolution has worked but I do see one problem. While there have been good reasons why this is so, the Scottish Parliament is wholly unaccountable for the budget it spends but not for the size of its budget. And that budget is not linked to the success of the Scottish economy. That is why we asked the commission to look carefully at the financial accountability of the Scottish Parliament and this is a critical part of Calman's remit."

Earlier this week, Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond complained about his lack of economic powers while introducing his annual programme for Government. Salmond's spokesman suggested that Brown's comments were a bid to court Scottish opinion ahead of the forthcoming Glenrothes by-election.

"Only last year, Gordon Brown was rejecting all calls for any increase in the powers and responsibilities of the Scottish parliament," he said.

"Since then, we have had SNP success in the Scottish parliament election and in Glasgow East, and now Gordon Brown is singing a very different tune.

"With the Glenrothes byelection around the corner, Gordon Brown is caving into pressure from the SNP and the people of Scotland."

The longer term significance of Brown's speech may lie in the political context it provides for the Calman Commission on Scottish Devolution, which is currently considering the case for more tax powers.

The Commission recently published the submissions received by its consultation, and is about to embark on a round of public meetings, beginning in Glasgow on 10 September and Dumfries on 25 September.

Gordon Brown's intervention has boosted the case for fiscal devolution in principle, but hugely significant questions remain, such as who controls oil revenue and the rate of corporation tax. The Commission's first report, due by the end of the year, will be an important step in those debates.