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”.
