I have decided to start blogging
again, which is now my 3rd blog.
I have been meaning to do this for quite some time, and have been
encouraged to do so by many, though the last catalyst was actually a family
member who told me that I should be doing more political writing. Hope you
enjoy reading the first effort. Here
goes;
The Scottish National Party has
dominated political debate in the last decade culminating in an extraordinary
electoral result in 2011. It had been
coming and certainly the runes were there for all to see. It has been said that 2012 was a bad year for
the Party, and whilst there have been a few bumps as should be expected for a
party which has been in power for
five years, its polling and electoral performance still outstrips that of 2007.
Still firmly camped in the Social
Democratic Centre Left in the European tradition, it has not been challenged
adequately in the Scottish Parliament from the left, and with a Labour Party
fixated in its Cuts Commission, cheered on by the Tories – who are using it to
bash the Labour Party in Wales, it doesn’t look like it will be.
The positioning of the unionist
parties into sharing the same vision on welfare, the economy, and the role of
the public sector opens I believe many opportunities for the Party and the Yes
Campaign for Independence. Rather than
different visions of Independence being a hindrance, it exposes the narrowness
of the No campaign, and how little can change by being part of the Westminster
system.
The Tory led Westminster Government’s
efforts on the economy have demonstrated that austerity is a failure, and that
rather than growing the economy to cut deficit, cutting public spending is
growing the deficit.
The recent proposed changes to
redundancy legislation, which cuts the statutory notice to 45 days, will
inevitably lead to more unemployment, and a culture of short term
employment. A deregulated labour market
will encourage large employers to close operations in the UK, in times of
difficulty, as it is easier to sack workers here than elsewhere.
It is my hope that in 2013, the party
develops some of the following in its thinking and vision of Independence;
(1) Tax and Economic Growth
A progressive taxation system and a
starting point a comprehensive review of all taxation, to help make the tax
system fairer and more progressive, with less reliance on regressive taxes. Alongside this an economic strategy founded
on growing the economy, and developing this narrative as an alternative to
austerity.
(2) Extending the Social Contract to Non Devolved Areas
As part of the above of course, and
moving into areas like employment law, as a means of securing long term
employment and encouraging fairness at work.
Some of the strongest economies in the world have better employment
rights than the UK.
(3) Regulation
Developing themes of stronger regulation
on energy and fuel prices.
(4) Tackling Poverty
The Westminster’s Government’s
Welfare Reforms will be disastrous for the poor and disadvantaged, as well as
harming the overall economy, as a recent Glasgow City Council paper alluded
to. Tackling poverty and developing
policies such as a Citizens Income will contrast positively against the current
Westminster thinking.
(5) An International Agenda based on Justice and Peace
The UK Government’s foreign policies
in the last decade from entering from entering illegal wars and provide
military aid to regimes who have a cavalier attitude to human rights is a
disgrace. Independence provides an
opportunity for a different approach, and one based on the protecting human
rights. In Europe, a positive outlook
rather than the Tories whose price for staying in will be an opt out of the
social chapter, based on fairness and opportunity will ensure Scotland is
welcomed into the EU with open arms.
These are of course only my
suggestions, and I will play my small part to help develop similar thinking.
All in all, I firmly believe there is
a lot to be optimistic about the SNP and the Independence Campaign, into what
many consider to be a defining point in the party’s history.
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