CHANCELLOR SAYS MOD MUST PAY FOR TRIDENT

CHANCELLOR SAYS MOD MUST PAY FOR TRIDENT

TRIDENT BECOMES DEFENCE DANGER TO CONVENTIONAL FORCES

Confirmation from the Chancellor that the costs of replacing Trident
will come from the Ministry of Defence's core budget has been met with
concern by SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus
Robertson MP, who warned that inclusion of Trident into the MoD core
budget changed the terms of the Strategic Defence and Security Review.

In an interview during his visit to India, Osborne is reported saying:
"The Trident costs, I have made it absolutely clear, are part of the
defence budget. All budgets have pressure. I don't think there's
anything particularly unique about the Ministry of Defence. I have
made it very clear that Trident renewal costs must be taken as part of
the defence budget."

Mr Robertson said:

“George Osborne’s announcement fundamentally changes the context of
the strategic defence review which began on the assumption that the
cost of Trident would be met centrally by the Treasury.

“From being a deterrence during the Cold War, Trident has itself now
become one of the biggest defence risks we face with the cost of
replacement threatening the future of conventional forces and bases.

“Absorbing Trident into the core defence budget is unsustainable and
would have a devastating impact for spending on conventional forces,
which are already overstretched. The implications of this decision
could not be more serious.

“The strategic review is about choices for the future and prioritising
our defence needs in a changed world. Conventional forces, which have
already been cut back, should not be forced to compete with Trident
for resources.

“Anyway that you look at it; on moral, economic or political grounds,
renewal of these weapons of mass destruction is untenable.

“The SNP believe it should be scrapped and more so, at a time when
public spending faces savage cuts across the board, the time has come
to accept that Trident can no longer be treated as some sacred cow.
The majority of Scots oppose Trident along with the Scottish
Parliament and civil society. In these financially difficult times why
should Scots pay for the London parties' obsession with weapons of
mass destruction?”

SNP ON INDEPENDENT BUDGET REVIEW

SNP ON INDEPENDENT BUDGET REVIEW
 
LABOUR FAIL TEST OF OPPOSITION – NEVER MIND GOVERNMENT
 
Commenting on the Independent Budget Review produced by a team led by Crawford Beveridge  SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson said:
 
“This report exposes the true scale of the cuts Scotland will face as a result of Labour’s mismanagement of the UK economy and the Tory and Lib Dems desire to cut too quickly and deeply.
 
“Labour’s pathetic response fails the test of opposition – never mind government.  They are responsible for two-thirds of the cuts, and are desperate to dodge saying what they would do.    Their ridiculous notion of publishing a draft budget in September before we know what the budget is in October – a daft idea which parliament specifically rejected in a vote on 1 July – would  leave  no time to consult on any of this with anyone!
 
“Labour crashed the public finances – and they are left with absolutely nothing sensible to say on one of the biggest issues of our times.
 
“Labour, the Tories and the Lib Dems have put Scotland’s public sector and our valued public services in real danger.   Labour in particular must lift their heads out of the sand, face up to the situation they created, and join a real discussion to minimise the impact on jobs and public services of Labour, Liberal and Tory cuts.
 
“When spending in Scotland is directly controlled by first Labour and now a Tory / Lib Dem Government in London they cannot escape responsibility for this situation.
 
“Labour’s long list of extra spending pledges – added to daily – must now be scrapped and they along with the other parties must set out where they stand on the review’s recommendations.
 
“The SNP has a long standing commitment to free personal care and concessionary travel as part of the debt we owe our older generations.
 
“Just as we opposed Tory plans to privatise Scotland’s water in the 1990’s we will not give way to Tory pressure to privatise Scotland’s water now – a damaging idea which the Review rejects.  The Scottish people have invested in Scottish Water and there is no good reason why the private sector should get billions of pounds in benefit from taxpayers investment.
 
“This report has very serious recommendations and puts the challenge Scotland faces into stark perspective.  It must be properly discussed and debated just as other parties must face up to the need for full financial responsibility in Scotland so investment in our public services is no longer left to the whims of Westminster politicians.”

BLAIR SHOULD BE RECALLED AFTER DANNATT EVIDENCE TO IRAQ INQUIRY

BLAIR SHOULD BE RECALLED AFTER DANNATT EVIDENCE TO IRAQ INQUIRY

Commenting on evidence from the former head of the Army to the Iraq
Inquiry today (Wednesday) SNP Westminster leader and Defence
spokesperson Angus Robertson MP said the testimony underlined the
impact the Iraq quagmire had on operations in Afghanistan.

Gen Sir Richard Dannatt told the inquiry that the Army had come close
to "seizing up" over Iraq and that the decision by Tony Blair to
increase British troops to Afghanistan at the same time as the force
in Iraq was facing a growing insurgency represented a "perfect storm"
for the Army.

Mr Robertson said:

“General Dannatt’s testimony underlines the real effect of the Iraq
quagmire on operations in Afghanistan. We are living with the
consequences of that decision even now, and Tony Blair must answer for
his decisions.

“The evidence is mounting against Tony Blair, and it would seem
incredible if the former prime minister was not now recalled to
explain his decisions.

“Tony Blair’s last appearance raised more questions than it answered
and I would hope, with considerations of the general election now
passed, that he will be totally straight with people on what was going
on in Downing Street -  this is a time for total candour on the worse
foreign policy decision in recent history.”

SCHOOL CLOSURE HYPOCRISY FROM LABOUR

 

 

SCHOOL CLOSURE HYPOCRISY FROM LABOUR

 

LABOUR PROPOSED AND VOTED FOR KILMARNOCK CLOSURE

 

The closure of Crossroads School in Kilmarnock, reported in today’s Herald was proposed and voted for by Labour in East Ayrshire.

 

The SNP MSP for the area Willie Coffey today condemned the utter hypocrisy of Labour’s education spokesman after it was revealed the closure motion was put forward by a Labour councillor and that Labour voted for the closure throughout the process.  Mr Coffey also said it was ridiculous to claim that this closure meant other rural schools would close and it exposed how Labour's Holyrood group would stoop to any level of dishonesty.

 

Mr Coffey pointed out that:

 

* The key vote on the closure of the Crossroads school was moved by the leader of the Labour group on East Ayrshire Council, Maureen McKay, at the council Cabinet meeting of 23 June and it was passed unanimously by the Council Cabinet – which includes Labour members. It was also unanimously backed by all parties, and local education and church representatives.

 

* Labour MSPs also voted in favour of the Schools (Consultation) Scotland Bill on 19 November 2009 which was passed unanimously by the Parliament.

 

* Between 1999 and 2007 Labour closed 64 rural schools.

 

* Labour’s manifesto did not offer a commitment to any additional protection for rural schools. Under the old legislation that Labour would have left in place, the school would not have been referred to Ministers for a decision and the closure would simply have gone ahead on the basis of the Council’s decision.

 

Mr Coffey, who represents Kilmarnock said:

 

“Des McNulty’s comments are misleading and utterly hypocritical.

 

“This is typical of the unsavoury depths Labour have sink to in opposition. No one can trust a word they utter. They voted for a closure so they can protest about it afterwards.  Labour have been misleading parents and children.

   

“No one likes closing schools and this was a very difficult decision.  But Labour MSPS should have the guts to admit that their councillors proposed the closure and that Labour voted for it’s closure. 

   

“The unanimous decision was backed by education and church representatives because of the circumstances of the school and the alternatives on offer.

   

“This decision has no bearing on any other school.  Each case is unique as each school, and the local circumstances will be unique.

   

"The SNP Government has put in place steps to support parents and children in rural areas in making the case to save their school.  Labour simply closed 64 rural schools without question.

 

"In this case the planning, the consultation and the proposals for future education for children from Crossroads in Kilmarnock ensured the best possible education."