Leadership Rules – nothing more than faffage?

With the news that someone has dobbed Ruth into the information commissioner for allegedly misusing a party e-mail list we have to ask about why the party has put so many strange rules into the process for selecting a new leader. Isn’t more information to be encouraged – shouldn’t we expect our leadership candidates to send us e-mails and letters?

Members will get only one “official” communication from each of the candidates and an invite to the hustings. Looking at the rules for the hustings members will basically see 4 press conferences, one after another. This all serves to severely restrict the interaction between members and leadership candidates and for no apparent reason (is it sheer bloody-mindedness, or does someone actually think that less information serves the membership well?)

The Sanderson Report made comment on the way the party selection procedures stymied debate and stopped constituency associations from making the best choices of candidates. Why are we pursuing the same format to select a leader?

Some of you will know that I was involved in an open primary selection meeting in Stirling which members of the public could engage with. During that meeting the panel sat together and had a good debate, airing a number of issues and challenging each other.

The decision we as a party are about to take is going to have repercussions for at least 10 years – we are looking for someone to lead us into the future. Without good information and good discussion how are we going to do this. It’s time for the party leadership to rethink the rules on hustings and give candidates as much access to the membership lists as they want.

 

Ring Fencing’s back

Localists everywhere cheered when the Scottish Government ended the ring fencing of Council budgets four years ago when the "historic" concordat was signed. Local Government would make certain commitments in exchange for a removal of the constraints put on them over many years.

This allowed local government to change their financial priorities and set local policies about how they spend their money. While many local councils didn't do anything about it - some (including my own) took the opportunity to set some local policies.

Of course, the Scottish Government still wants to do things, is still held accountable for the things that councils do and will inevitably encroach on the freedom of local decision makers. Last year we saw ring fencing for police numbers and new teaching posts in schools.

This year the budget flavour of the month is the "change fund" - it will redirect funds towards early years intervention in social services and changing the balance of care for our elderly (from care homes to care at home). All very worthy, but the fact that councils have to spend this money in the way stipulated by the Scottish Government gives it a certain smell of "ring fencing".

While the Scottish Government may have presented a very shiny and nice-smelling turd, a turd it is nonetheless. Ring fencing goes against localism - it reduces the freedom of locally elected politicians to act and promotes a one size fits all attitude. What works in Edinburgh won't work in Highland (insert generic tram based joke!).

So today's finance statement includes ring fencing for policing, teacher numbers, social care, early years education and council tax. Councils need to be freed up to identify their local needs, not burdened by national direction.

News 16/9/2011 – Parliament considers changed hours

Tricia Marwick, presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament has asked the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments committee to look at the sitting pattern for the parliament. It’s remit will be to “to consider how the parliamentary week can best be organised to allow the Parliament to be effective in its key roles of scrutiny and debate”.

More information at the Scottish Parliament website.

First Ministers Questions – 15/9/2011

Europe dominated First Ministers Questions with much conversation about last week’s rammy during question time on the issue of whether the SNP would join the Euro or not. The first minister brandished his copy of “Your Scotland Your Voice” several times during proceedings. Let’s face it, FMQs has taken on a slightly despondant air since Iain Gray and Annabel Goldie announced their intentions to stand down.

Gray led on the issue of tax competition and corporation tax, quoting recent comments by the CBI and the STUC that devolution of taxes is not necessarily a good thing. He also raised the question as to whether the SNP still believed in independence in europe.

Annabel also went in to bat on Europe – asking if Scotland would be part of the eurozone. She quoted Alan Smyth (The SNP MEP) who had been talking up europe and the eurozone (as MEPs are wont to do) claiming that the crisis would make the euro stronger.

Christine Graham (SNP) raised a question about regional broadcasting in the south of Scotland.

Willie Rennie (the lib dem leader – it’s not that well know) started with a general question, as usual, about the next meeting of cabinet. Salmond tried to broadside him saying that the cabinet would be discussing a “threatening letter” from Danny Alexander over the Scottish Government’s public sector pensions provision. Ignoring this, Rennie asked a question about the supreme court and whether the Scottish Government would continue to fund it given the McCluskie report on the justice process.

Kevin Stewart (SNP) asked a question on the changes to the oil tax regime, claiming that investor confidence had been harmed by the new treasury policy – Salmond took the opportunity to claim that the unionist parties had always tried to mislead the Scottish people on resources.

Lewis MacDonald (Lab) raised a point about non-domestic rate relief and whether the first minister regretted it. He didn’t.

Patricia Fergusson (Lab), raised europe again, on the question of EFTA v EU and how integrated Scotland would be if it was independent.

Christina McKelvie (SNP) raised another europe point asking if representation of Scottish ministers in europe should be enshrined in the Scotland bill. Salmond had a good long rant about how he was currently being excluded.

Margo MacDonald (Ind) also pressed on europe asking in the context of the recent Franco-German comments about integration whether sovereignty could be maintained for an independent Scotland. Salmond reiterated the “independence within europe” line.

Murdo Fraser (con) raised a question about the Scotch Whisky industry and whether minimum pricing could be perceived as a trade protection issue. Salmond quoted Jackson Carlaw who has recently come out supporting the government’s policy on minimum pricing making a jibe about Murdo’s plans for the party.

Bob Dorris (SNP) made a strange point comparing the UK excise rates for whisky and cider, stating that Murdo was being hypocritical as the UK government was already penalising Whisky. As always the answer for Mr Salmond was independence”.

Poll finds positive reaction to Murdo’s seperation plans

Conservativehome have commissioned a poll asking whether leadership candidate, Murdo Fraser’s plans for seperating the party would be a positive thing for the party. The survey of 1,030 Scottish voters found that 33% thought that the change would have a positive affect while 20% thought it would have a negative effect.

More information at Conservativehome -

http://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2011/09/a-yougov-poll-finds-positive-reaction-to-murdofraser2011s-idea-of-separate-scottish-party.html

News Summary 15/9/2011

Tories Best on Economy

A NEW poll has shown that the Tories have increased their lead in being the most trusted party on the economy, despite the number of unemployed in the UK creeping over 2.5 million for the first time since the 1990s.

Scotsman

Government Takes over Trams Project

The Scottish Government is stepping in to oversee Edinburgh’s troubled trams project, despite its long-standing opposition. A team of project managers from government agency Transport Scotland will fill “key senior roles” to help complete the line between Edinburgh airport and the city centre.

Herald

U-Turn Imminent?

Rumours are rife of Osborne U-turn on cuts, says SalmondAlex Salmond has cranked up the pressure on Chancellor George Osborne to change course on the economy as unemployment fell in Scotland, but soared across the UK to 2.51 million.

Scotsman

Maude for Murdo?

A senior Conservative minister publicly endorsed Murdo Fraser’s plan to disband the Scottish Tories yesterday as he suggested the party looked like the “tail end” of an English organisation.

Herald

 

Uncertainty Hangs over Moray Base

Yesterday SNP defence spokesman and Moray MP Angus Robertson confronted Mr Moore with the issue during Scottish Questions in the Commons, arguing that the closure had taken £30 billion out of the economy.

Scotsman

 

 

 

Scottish Unemployment Down? Kind of!

The latest round of unemployment figures came out this morning showing a decline in the number of people seeking work, putting the unemployment rate at 7.5% in comparison to the 7.9% UK average figure.

The number of people claiming jobseekers allowance is, however, up.

Both the Scottish Government and the Coalition Government in Westminster claimed credit for the  jobs figures. Michale Moore, the Secretary of State said:

“Despite the difficult finances that this government has inherited, we are taking the decisions that create jobs and opportunities in the long-term.

“Our macroeconomic policy includes major measures to boost growth, with the creation of the most competitive business tax system in the developed world as we cut corporation tax progressively to the lowest rate in the G7.”

“In addition, the UK government has boosted tax relief for start-up companies and seen lending to businesses broadly on target through Project Merlin.”

 

13/9/2011 News Review

With the UK government braced for newspaper revelations about the past of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, it’s been like a day waiting for the thunder to break. The SNP continue to put down the foundations of their legislative programme, specifically on balancing the books on education.

The McCormac review of teacher pay and conditions came out today setting the stage for a battle royale between the Scottish Government and the teaching unions over what is and is not affordable in Scottish Education. There was some evidence of back-peddling on the part of the Scottish Government, but this will be a big issue in the coming months. Needless to say the report has little that will set the heather on fire, but instead months of haggling for local authorities, teaching unions and the education secretary over detail.

Jack McConnell (his Lordship, these days) has said that there should be a popular leader for the pro-union cause. He rules out party politicians, but hasn’t made any suggestions himself, although rumours that Archie from Balamory could be roped in have not been confirmed by Labour sources.

Meanwhile in Brussels the European Commission have approved UK Government plans to give a 5p discount to fuel duty on remote British Islands. In Scotland this means discounts for the Inner and Outer Hebrides, Orkney, Shetland and the Islands of the Clyde.

Ed Milliband addressed the Trades Union Congress Conference in London – the comrades booed the Labour leader for seeming to agree with some of the Coalition’s policies. Red Ed no Longer?

 

McCormac Review Signals Teacher Reforms

More flexibility from teachers is the main highlight extracted by the press from the McCormak Review of teacher conditions - with no change to the 35 hour working week. An end to the Chartered Teacher qualification is also mooted in the long-awaited review.

The report has been broadly welcomed by the Scottish Government although that support is heavily caveated by promises of meetings and discussions.

Scottish Government Press Release:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2011/09/13110556

The EIS response has been less fulsome in it's praise, criticising the reforms as "anti-professional" - referring to both the end to the Chartered Teacher qualification and a suggestion that non-qualified teachers can get involved in teaching. You can find their response here:

http://www.eis.org.uk/public.asp?id=1667&parentid=2&dbase=2

You can find the full report with all 34 recommendations on the Scottish Government website:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/09/13091327/0

 

News Summary 12/9/2011

newpapers

While Scotland has spent the day being battered by the hard to pronounce Hurricane Katia it’s been a day of big policy announcements in both Edinburgh and London.

The independent Commission on Banking reported today making recommendations that would see the banking industry reformed by separating investment from retail banking. Sir John Vickers report also promises an easier way for consumers to change their current accounts and loss absorption of certain banking assets. The full report can be seen here:

http://bankingcommission.s3.amazonaws.com/wp content/uploads/2010/07/ICB-Final-Report.pdf

 

Meanwhile the Scottish Government also focussed on the economy by launching their economic programme. Cabinet Secretary John Swinney launched the programme highlighting the green economy and investment in carbon reduction technology. It also includes the setting up of Enterprise Areas – how these will differ from the Coalition Government’s Enterprise Zones is not yet clear. More pledges on super-fast broadband are also made and another attempt to utilise public procurement to help Scottish Firms will come up against EU procurement law.

More information can be found at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/357703/0120861.pdf

In other political news the PM is in Russia, whilst the ramification of the new boundary review to equalise parliamentary constituencies are being felt round the country. The TUC have rather absurdly suggested that the cuts caused the riots – presumably the looting and thefts from JB sports has a political significance.

Two of the Lords convicted of expenses fiddling have been released early from jail, Lord Hanningfield and Lord Taylor now enjoy electronic tagging. This leaves former MPs, David Chaytor, Eric Illsey, Elliot Morely and Jim Devine languishing in jail.

In Scotland, the Roman Catholic Church has waded into the argument over gay marriage with Bishop of Paisley, Philip Tartaglia making a submission to the current Scottish Government consultation on the issue. They have often voiced their opposition to gay marriage and Cardinal O’Brien recently said that such a policy would “shame Scotland in the eyes of the world”.