Surrendering to neo-liberal ‘fiscal discipline’

Keith Ewing suggests that Scottish independence may come sooner than the high-speed rail link, partly because of ‘Labour’s extraordinary proposal to give quasi-constitutional status to Austerity.’ Unfortunately, Labour is not alone in this as the SNP manifesto betrays. (UK Constitutional Law Association)

He is right that the proposed ‘Budget Responsibility Lock’ – at least without a miraculous and spontaneous economic recovery – would effectively make some level of austerity legally compulsory, if it could be made to work at all.

Trident tangle and CND conundrum

Malcolm Burns' Morning Star criticism of Scottish CND's decision to throw their lot somewhat naively in with independence, has provoked a wee tizzie in the letters page from John Cox, CND vice-president. accusing the paper of 'giving comfort to the warmongers'. Those of us who are suspicious of independence and the SNP, but also opposed to Trident, are a wee bit insulted at this intemperate language. It is often the kind of language that surfaces when people find themselves in a mess of their own making.

Red Paper alternative- independence or people power

As the SNP again launches its independence campaign with no more detail than the last few launches, a new left campaign in Scotland rejects the SNP’s version of independence while also rejecting the policies of those content with the status quo. "The referendum offers an opportunity to ask more far reaching questions about the future of Scotland and what type of society we want to live in", says a  Red Paper Collective pamphlet.
..Redpaper.net is a group of trade union, academic and left activists looking at the national question in Scotland from a class perspective.

Where's Salmond taking Scotland?

If you examine Scottish independence using class as your starting point - it looks a lot less radical than some people make out. Once you start to look at the 'client capitalism' model of Scotland that the SNP want to create, it's not a pretty picture at all. Vince Mills argues in the Morning Star that the SNP is firmly committed to the neoliberal project. "A stronger Scottish Parliament is of no consequence if it does not house those who are prepared to use these powers to challenge the dominance of capital". http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/115708

UNISON exposes Edinburgh privatisation stitch-up

A packed public consultation organised by UNISON last night (27 June) heard calls for Edinburgh's Lib Dem/ SNP council to delay its £1 billion privatisation plans until the public is properly consulted.

UNISON Report: Case for PFI even weaker

UNISON has produced a new report that warns about the high cost of PFI. The report shows that PFI is not value for money but the Coalition and the Scottish Government are both continuing the “chronic waste of public money”, despite strongly criticising it in opposition.

SNP victory: What now for Labour and public services?

With the SNP winning an overall majority in the Scottish Parliament - the thing no party was ever meant to be able to do - what will this mean for Scotland’s public services and for public sector unions trying to defend those jobs and services?