- Joined
- Jun 28, 2002
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hope even your no' trying tae blame the SNP for this one G. EU directive that a government of any persuasion wid be legally bound tae conform tae
The SNP govern to a large extent Scotland and now have more powers to do so. I support anything they do that benefits workers and their families T and will be the first to say so. I did when Blair was in power in the UK, however as a Labour Party member never held back and would never do so opposing vigorously anything which was not.
Do you really think that the Abellio the international arm of the Dutch national rail operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen, were not amazed that the Scottish government did not choose to delay the recent tendering process for Scotrail, which the RMT asked be put back until after the full extent of the powers contained in the Scotland Bill were finalised. That was a lack of political will in my opinion. Here ye go amigos 10 year contract to a Dutch State owned rail operator. Others have more noose and determination.Nederlandse Spoorwegen, which I travelled on extensively last week, holds the concessions for main lines until at least 2025 and I expect that will be extended despite any EU directive. Where there's a will there's a way as they say.
As to CalMac, the SNP could have more fully explored the Teckal Exemption, which the Dutch and other Governments have used, which allows publicly run companies to operate services without the need for a tendering process. I have never once heard the SNP speaking out loudly saying that our public services should remain public.I've heard bloody rhetoric and seen the opposite in action in the here and now. I don't think that they believe it or perhaps havenae the balls to say so. Hiding behind EU regulations, or 'we have to make cuts because it's Westminster's fault' may sit nae bother with Nats but it disnae with me. Even the cuts/job losses which the Community charge freeze has undoubtedly contributed to in my opinion does not exempt Labour and Nat cooncillors in the Coalition in Edinburgh getting off their erses and to campaign against the Scottish Government strategy. I guess it's easier to blame than do something about it.
It goes without saying that most Nats will have read the much heralded ' Scotland's Future - The Scottish Government' which is the SNP's White Paper on Independence two years ago this month. I did and it was apparent to me that that they have zero commitment to bringing Scotland's rail network into public ownership getting instead some woeful baloney, and I've looked it up to remind myself, after Independence they will look at, quote “the best ownership model for rail and track for the benefit of the people of Scotland.” Well if I were a Nat activist or Corbyn for that matter, I would be asking if they will publicly match Labours commitment to do so.
SNP members of which there are a huge number more than this time last year should be reminded that the SNP have the same position as the Tories on regulation of buses. This is already devolved so nae excuses. Just a recap. The rank and file delegates, ordinary SNP members voted at their 2007 Conference to re-regulate the Scottish bus network. Another progressive move I supported. Alas and to the astonishment of many activists it did not get a peep in the SNP manifesto. The same year Stagecoach co-owner businessman, philanthropist and fucking homophobe Brian Souter donated £500,000 at the SNP's pre-election conference in Glasgow.
That's just the way it is.
BIG G