This is just a place where I will be putting all the nice general comments about the website and the party that have been inadvertently left in the wrong places.
Submitted by theweeman on Thu, 08/05/2008 - 17:21.
I voted snp for the very first time last year, up till then I was a labour voter like my Dad, I'm 41. I can honestly say it was and most definitely still is the best thing I have ever done with a penciled cross in my life.
Go on Alex and all your other snp colleagues, you're the best thing to happen to Scotland for a very long time and I will support you in all you do for and on behalf of us Scots, now and for the forseeable future.
Submitted by G Blacklock on Tue, 01/07/2008 - 18:05.
After finding out its costing Scottish tax payers around £32,000 per prisoner per year do you not think its about time the political correct, and humans rights are re-written to make it possible for prisoners to do work on roads or paint fences lay paths etc so 1) they are actually getting punished 2) they are saving the goverment money and lastly 3) learning how to work alongside people even if it is other prisoners, even if they had to smash rocks in the jail grounds I would feel my taxes are being better spent than them just sitting in there cells than playing there playstations, in one paper I even read that in Kilmarnock jail the staff had to appoligise to a prisoner because they had to share a telly?????????????
Submitted by Brian McCulloch on Fri, 02/05/2008 - 15:49.
It was most unfortunate that the First Misister had a stomach bug yesterday. What an opportunity for Nicola to wipe the floor with Ms Alexander. And boy! Didn't she do well!!
Submitted by Helen Little on Sat, 31/05/2008 - 12:19.
Hi. I'm not sure who is the farthest flung member. Last November, I left to work in Qatar for two years.
I see here what the Qatari goverment are doing with their oil and gas revenues. Every Qatari is guaranteed a job (with a tax-free salary!) and a house and a good education. Investment is being made to ensure that Qatar thrives once the gas runs out.
Why have we let the revenues from North Sea reserves go to Westminster for the last 40 years? I have been so impressed by the positive changes that the SNP have made in the Scottish government this past year. Long may it continue. I'm fed up hearing that the Scots can't govern themselves. Mr Salmond - keep up the good work. Slowly but surely, Scotland will see a better future under your leadership.
I was a scottish liberal democrat voter until I learned of their opposition to back a referendum on independence and hence their opposition to form a coalition with the SNP. They might not agree with independence, but they should have trusted the Scots people to make that decision for themselves. Well, the last laugh goes to the SNP who are doing just fine on their own. Bravissamo!
Submitted by Gordon Whitefor... on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 15:11.
I have been an snp member and activist for over 30years.Allthough i now live in england ,cheshire i still try and help at elections.I wonder if other members in northern england might be interested in teaming up,even forming a branch.Iam currently considering going to the glasgow east by election but the costs are a worry.
Submitted by colin parker on Sun, 04/05/2008 - 18:49.
I just wanted to congratulate Mr Salmond et al. What a great job so far. I'm don't really take an interest in politics all that much as I felt like I had no place; I wonder how many more Scottish folk are now sitting up and taking an interest.
I think it is time for us to govern ourselves; the SNP have given Scottish people a voice. Lets make history and remove ourselves from London. It is about time Scotland stood on its own feet and screams from the top of its voice 'Independance'. Lets move away from that comfort blanket of London and with confidence move forward. Become the Country 'we all' can be proud of.
I am really in favour of abolishing the council tax and moving toward an income based taxation; it makes sooo much sense. Giving hard working families who find it difficult to make ends meet!
I'm dissapointed that student debt hasn't gone as yet, as this really affects me to the tune of around 20k. However, SNP have scraped the graduate endownment, doesn't help me as I wasn't elligable to pay anyways but thats almost 3k a difference :-)
I listen to Mr Salmond and the guy inspires me. If he can get me to stand up and listen, then I bet there are plenty others who are too.
Submitted by W. Wallace on Mon, 12/05/2008 - 22:41.
Dear Friends,
I strongly support your cause, and wish you all luck in achieving Your goal.I think that Scotland has all the right to gain independence from the UK. Comparing to the self declared independence of Kosovo in Serbia, You have at least three reasons to gain independence from the UK.1) Scotland is a democracy comparing to Kosovo which is a mafia ruled province in southern Serbia and cannot survive without external supervision.2) Scotland is already an economically independent state and can only gain form independence by adjusting its budget according to its own needs, comparing to Kosovo which is economically completely instable, where the black market, trafficking and narcotic industry is flourishing.3) The historical reason is probably the most important. Kosovo Albanians already have a country in their native home country Albania that is bordering to Serbia and its province Kosovo that Albanians populated during a long period of a couple hindered years, comparing to the Scottish people that have no other country but Scotland.In order to be consequent the UK government has to recognize the Scottish independence in the same fashion as they did recognize the independence of the self declared Serbian province Kosovo.W. Wallace Belgrade
Submitted by Joseph Ashwood on Thu, 08/05/2008 - 13:32.
In the first year we have seen significant progress in common sense government but mor eimportantly a Scottish based approach to Scottish problems.
I am a new member and I detect the early signs of a new attitude in Scotland because the 'bogey man' of labour has been found out and exposed. I also detect a new awareness among the English who (in spite of inaccurate anti Scottish propaganda) are now asking why they can't have some of the same. Whether it be prescriptions, bridge tolls, student debt, personal care, business rates, or potential abolision of the community charge, they are taking note.
We have a long way to go in the next 3 years but a great start has been made. Sure we are up against the media who continue to portray us as troublemakers but in truth they are digging their own grave. Every lie we expose diminishes their future credibility so we have to continue to do things which are popular.
We must also make Scotland a streamlined part of the UK for now because in this way business growth will flourish. GDP will only come from this sector and not from public funded jobs. We have to streamline the planning system and reduce the power trip of the bureaucrats like SEPA, SBS, SNH, Scottish Water and all councils who hold things back.
We also have to improve the infrastructure and we have to clean up our towns that are becoming dirtier and are not effectively maintained by councils who take our money.
We have to project ourselves abroad as a forward thinking country because we already enjoy a great appreciation of what Scots have done in the world.
We have to nurture the developing idea that Scotland does not need labour anymore. People are recognising this slowly but thet are recognising it. Labour thrives by keeping people in poverty, brainwashing them into thinking that it is somebody else's fault even although they have been in authority for a long time. Many years ago I worked for Glasgow City Council and at that time the tories pumped money into Glasgow but got no credit.
We will have to operate in a position where there is a louder voice downcrying us for a while but we must remain resolute. We have to watch what we do because the slightest weakness will be probed and exagerated. It is a bright future but only if we deal with it to our advantage over the next few short years. We must operate to our own timetable and not to one set by others.
Carry on the great work Alex and Nicola plus all the team.
everrything we hear about the snp is good--------everyone we talk to,thinks its the best thing that happend to scotland..i have a friend over from uganda,the only problem i have with him is-----he wants to join the snp.......[he must have heard about bendy wendy]
Submitted by possiblycertain on Mon, 19/05/2008 - 12:00.
I'm a student in Sheffield, with Scottish parents but I've never lived in Scotland myself. Would I have the option of choosing Scottish nationality after independence?
Submitted by Susan Ruddick on Mon, 19/05/2008 - 12:12.
Hi Chris,
Thanks for your question.
In the context of EU citizenship, the SNP has an open and inclusive approach to citizenship.
The automatic right of citizenship will be open by right to all those living in Scotland, all those born in Scotland, and all those with a parent born in Scotland.
All others are free to apply, and dual citizenship would be an option.
Submitted by fluttereyes on Tue, 27/05/2008 - 09:55.
I have no SNP representative to talk to in my area in the west end of glasgow. I want to tell somone about what life is like for me in this country. I am a disabled student who is now in so much debt that it's impossible for me to do my last year at university, this will lead me back to a life on benefits, with no hope of being an independent member of society.
I would like to present my problems to someone to enable the SNP to address this issue in a realistic manner. The more you know about what life is like for individuals the more power you will have. You will be able to then cover these issues when asking people to vote for an independent Scotland.
I would absolutely love to be able to communicate with Alex Salmond but I know he wouldn't get any letters I send him. Disabled people and students are a large section of the voting public and the issues I face being part of both are immense. An investigation into these problems by the SNP would obviously be beneficial to the party. I have seen little things being mentioned about abolishing student loans but this is only the tip of the iceberg. It's a massive debt when you leave higher education and have to pay back, but the getting there is even harder, for me right now, impossible. Who can I communicate with on this?
Submitted by Susan Ruddick on Tue, 27/05/2008 - 10:29.
hi Fluttereyes,
Thanks for your comment.
The SNP has 4 regional MSP's in Glasgow: Bashir Ahmed, Bob Doris, Bill Kidd and Sandra White.
You can find their details through our People pages or by typing in your postcode in the box on the right hand side of the screen.
I'm sure any of these MSP's would be happy to discuss your problems and see if they can help you to find a solution.
In the mean time, please do feel free to write to Fiona Hyslop, the Cabinet Secretary for Education, who will be able to tell you what the Scottish Government are doing for students.
its about time we had a voice for scottish people too long have we been silent and too long the rest of the world have been having a good laugh at our expense.The labour party have kept us down for too long and finally we have a man in Alex salmond who can fight not just for scotland but fight for a proud country that can once again be called scotland and that name can mean something again
Submitted by SNP VOTER on Mon, 02/06/2008 - 09:47.
I have just registered on this website and one of the previous emails got me thinking. I have just attended a school reunion - 34 years since I left school at 18. That is the first year that I voted for the SNP and coincedentally the voting age changed that year from 21 to 18 - ( I'm sure that it was 1974 - long time ago, so apologies if I've got it wrong ).
However my point is this. I was glad at leaving school but in the back of my mind was the 'old' argument that You could be legally married and have children at 16, you could join the forces to fight and even loose your life at 16 - BUT YOU STILL COULDN'T VOTE.
Submitted by PHILANDER on Sat, 14/06/2008 - 05:58.
Hi , can you help with a topic wich came up at work ,how is it oil cartels can get together and fix the price for how much per barrel for crude oil when any other company's get together to price fix there goods its illegal ?
Submitted by william howat on Fri, 27/06/2008 - 16:40.
As a newbie poster I am sadly a little fascinated by this dry subject as I am aware of most countries our size having higher taxes than us and sometimes lower wages.I was in New Zealand a few years ago and found people there getting half the wages I was getting for doing the same job and paying 33% income tax into the bargain.But they all seemed happy enough because the cost of living was so much lower.Similarly in Denmark I had some good friends who conversely had high wages and prices but paid massive amounts in direct and indirect tax to both the local and central government.I am curious as to where we will end up on the spectrum to fund our brave new world as we seem to be cutting all sorts of taxation with a vengeance.Can anyone point me in the direction of policy which will square this circle?
Submitted by Matt_Neil _Mata... on Wed, 02/07/2008 - 05:24.
Hello i am 16 from Glasgow and i am very proud that i am 'scottish' and i was wondering if the SNP would be looking to put Gaelic as the main secondary language to learn insted of French which i learnt in school because if that was implemented i think that would save what use to be our main language and that it would enforce our national pride even more. From what i have seen from surveys there is only a couple of thousand Gaelic speaking people left in scotland and them being restricted to up north in the Highlands and Hebrides only.
I am a 44 year old married man from Dundee and this morning just joined the
S.N.P and feeling pretty chuffed with myself. I hope I could use this platform
to vent my spleen when needs be, put over a few ideas and and get some feedback
which I hope will filter through to our Government.
All my life I have felt I have come second fiddle to our southern neighbours,
lets take it back to my School days, the only thing I can recall from history
lessons was William the Conquerer, The battle of Hastings 1066 and Henry The
Vlll and all his Wifes. School holidays, well for the first three weeks we all
watched school and colleges programmers, then for the last three weeks we got
Robinson Crusoe, Hergé Adventures Of Tin tin and Clarence the cross eyed lion,
the last three weeks of the Scottish schools holidays over lapped with the first
three weeks of the English schools holidays, hence all the good TV for kids.
Both my Grandfathers fought in WW2, you'd be forgiven for believing that no
Scot's took part in the war, time and time again on the national media people
phoning/texting or emailing will make quotes like "When England was at war, or
listen to the lyrics to Dads Army, "When you think old England's done" its an
insult to every Scottish, Irish and Welsh Soldier
After leaving school I would hear reports on the UK media about the North Sea
oil being of a poor quality, the wrong sort of oil, the oil wont last, we don't
have the technology to extract the oil or we don't have the funds to extract the
oil. Watching the BBC documentary Truth, Lies Oil & Scotland, Bernard
Ingham near had a tartan fit when describing the greed of the Scot's for wanting
money from the Oil in Scottish waters in the North Sea, how dare we want money
from a Scottish commodity. If Scotland is such a burden to the UK, why fight
tooth and nail to hold on to us.
We can watch a national media report on Sky news and the English football
team is refereed to as our boys, I don't think Irish, Welsh and Scottish viewers
to Sky news think they are there boys, the radio station I listen to is so anti
Scottish, only in the past two weeks they have talked about on several occasions
how the Scott's are the biggest burden on the UK tax payers purse, more Scot's
join the army as we are all on the dole up here and Talk sport, a national
station always refers to London as the capital. The Late sports minister Tony
Banks said of well behaved Scottish fans during the France 98 world cup that
Scottish fans did not mis-behave just to make English fans look bad, how vain
was he.
I want to put Scottish on an application form, its what I am, Scottish and
damn proud of it, I want to see our Saltire on every public building, schools,
colleges, library's, fire stations, Police stations, Hospitals. I go to Canada
often and you cant turn a corner without seeing the Maple leaf flag, they are so
proud of there flag and ours is the oldest flag in the world, the blue in the US
flag takes that blue form out Saltire, and lets see our flag in its proper
colour witch is pantone 300 and not that dark blue colour we have been lumperd
with, I am sure we would hear about it if we got the red on Georges flag wrong
and made it a pink shade instead of red.
I work in the building trade and I am so impressed with the amount of Schools
being build just now, lets educate our kids, free University places all helps
and the next generation won't let us down, they will take an independent Scotland
forward, even now the changes are being felt, folk south are envious of our health services, its well over due that this union should be dissolved, I can understand why Mr Salmond is deferring an Independance referendum for a couple of years, can you imagine the state we will be in by then, now please excuse me, Lewis Hamilton has just won Silverston and has just walked onto the podium, I am pleased for him but its the music that is about to follow that has forced me to jump off the sofa, fetch the remote and mute the telly.
Submitted by Lee Roberts on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 09:15.
I voted for the SNP for the first time in the last election and joined the party. I am a member of the Skyle branch. Although I would like to be active, I am not especially talented in membership drives, leafletting etc. I am now retired but worked for twenty years for the World Bank in Washington DC, and for much of that time I was involved in policy analysis. I worked mainly in the social sectors, but also on issues related to transition in the couple of years in which I supervised the World Bank program in Slovenia and Croatia. I am an occupational psychologist by training (Birkbeck College), and my specialties are evaluation methodologies and survey design and analysis. I also designed and managed a number of World Bank projects, including a $800 million reconstruction project in Ethiopia, and a social fund. Most of my work was in Africa, but I also worked in China, as well as Croatia dn Slovenia. My last task before retirement was to design for the President of the World Bank a survey program in which senior officials of member countries had the opportunity to anonymously provide feedback on the Bank's products, processes, and behaviour.
I have a fairly busy life painting, and involvement in the Skye Peace and Justice Group, fair trade, organic food etc. However, I would very much like the opportunity to do some voluntary research for the SNP. Let me know what you think.
Submitted by Robert Liddell on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 09:18.
Is it not time for a campaign to have Preswick Airport renamed "The Robert Burns Airport" they named airports after football player George Best and John Lennon, In "The Year of Homecoming" 2009 would it not be right to have Ayshire's airport named after the World famous local poet.
Alex is The man
I voted snp for the very first time last year, up till then I was a labour voter like my Dad, I'm 41. I can honestly say it was and most definitely still is the best thing I have ever done with a penciled cross in my life.
Go on Alex and all your other snp colleagues, you're the best thing to happen to Scotland for a very long time and I will support you in all you do for and on behalf of us Scots, now and for the forseeable future.
theweeman
South Queensferry
Welcome to the cause,
Welcome to the cause, theweeman. The more the merrier and its never too late to join, X marks the spot!
"It's coming yet, for all that"
-------Robbie Burns------
Prison Sentences
Nicola and Wendy
Members outwith Scotland
I have recently joined the Party. Living in Birmingham, I would be interested to know how many members of the SNP live outwith Scotland.
JJM
members outwith Scotland
make that 500+1
Hi. I'm not sure who is the farthest flung member. Last November, I left to work in Qatar for two years.
I see here what the Qatari goverment are doing with their oil and gas revenues. Every Qatari is guaranteed a job (with a tax-free salary!) and a house and a good education. Investment is being made to ensure that Qatar thrives once the gas runs out.
Why have we let the revenues from North Sea reserves go to Westminster for the last 40 years? I have been so impressed by the positive changes that the SNP have made in the Scottish government this past year. Long may it continue. I'm fed up hearing that the Scots can't govern themselves. Mr Salmond - keep up the good work. Slowly but surely, Scotland will see a better future under your leadership.
I was a scottish liberal democrat voter until I learned of their opposition to back a referendum on independence and hence their opposition to form a coalition with the SNP. They might not agree with independence, but they should have trusted the Scots people to make that decision for themselves. Well, the last laugh goes to the SNP who are doing just fine on their own. Bravissamo!
snp members in england
SNP Members in England are
A new Scotland
I just wanted to congratulate Mr Salmond et al. What a great job so far. I'm don't really take an interest in politics all that much as I felt like I had no place; I wonder how many more Scottish folk are now sitting up and taking an interest.
I think it is time for us to govern ourselves; the SNP have given Scottish people a voice. Lets make history and remove ourselves from London. It is about time Scotland stood on its own feet and screams from the top of its voice 'Independance'. Lets move away from that comfort blanket of London and with confidence move forward. Become the Country 'we all' can be proud of.
I am really in favour of abolishing the council tax and moving toward an income based taxation; it makes sooo much sense. Giving hard working families who find it difficult to make ends meet!
I'm dissapointed that student debt hasn't gone as yet, as this really affects me to the tune of around 20k. However, SNP have scraped the graduate endownment, doesn't help me as I wasn't elligable to pay anyways but thats almost 3k a difference :-)
I listen to Mr Salmond and the guy inspires me. If he can get me to stand up and listen, then I bet there are plenty others who are too.
Well done SNP.
You're doing justice for the people of Scotland.
Makes me proud.
Cp
SUPPORT
Dear Friends,
I strongly support your cause, and wish you all luck in achieving Your goal.I think that Scotland has all the right to gain independence from the UK. Comparing to the self declared independence of Kosovo in Serbia, You have at least three reasons to gain independence from the UK.1) Scotland is a democracy comparing to Kosovo which is a mafia ruled province in southern Serbia and cannot survive without external supervision.2) Scotland is already an economically independent state and can only gain form independence by adjusting its budget according to its own needs, comparing to Kosovo which is economically completely instable, where the black market, trafficking and narcotic industry is flourishing.3) The historical reason is probably the most important. Kosovo Albanians already have a country in their native home country Albania that is bordering to Serbia and its province Kosovo that Albanians populated during a long period of a couple hindered years, comparing to the Scottish people that have no other country but Scotland.In order to be consequent the UK government has to recognize the Scottish independence in the same fashion as they did recognize the independence of the self declared Serbian province Kosovo.W. Wallace Belgradehere, here
One year on
In the first year we have seen significant progress in common sense government but mor eimportantly a Scottish based approach to Scottish problems.
I am a new member and I detect the early signs of a new attitude in Scotland because the 'bogey man' of labour has been found out and exposed. I also detect a new awareness among the English who (in spite of inaccurate anti Scottish propaganda) are now asking why they can't have some of the same. Whether it be prescriptions, bridge tolls, student debt, personal care, business rates, or potential abolision of the community charge, they are taking note.
We have a long way to go in the next 3 years but a great start has been made. Sure we are up against the media who continue to portray us as troublemakers but in truth they are digging their own grave. Every lie we expose diminishes their future credibility so we have to continue to do things which are popular.
We must also make Scotland a streamlined part of the UK for now because in this way business growth will flourish. GDP will only come from this sector and not from public funded jobs. We have to streamline the planning system and reduce the power trip of the bureaucrats like SEPA, SBS, SNH, Scottish Water and all councils who hold things back.
We also have to improve the infrastructure and we have to clean up our towns that are becoming dirtier and are not effectively maintained by councils who take our money.
We have to project ourselves abroad as a forward thinking country because we already enjoy a great appreciation of what Scots have done in the world.
We have to nurture the developing idea that Scotland does not need labour anymore. People are recognising this slowly but thet are recognising it. Labour thrives by keeping people in poverty, brainwashing them into thinking that it is somebody else's fault even although they have been in authority for a long time. Many years ago I worked for Glasgow City Council and at that time the tories pumped money into Glasgow but got no credit.
We will have to operate in a position where there is a louder voice downcrying us for a while but we must remain resolute. We have to watch what we do because the slightest weakness will be probed and exagerated. It is a bright future but only if we deal with it to our advantage over the next few short years. We must operate to our own timetable and not to one set by others.
Carry on the great work Alex and Nicola plus all the team.
everything
Scottish citizenship
I'm a student in Sheffield, with Scottish parents but I've never lived in Scotland myself. Would I have the option of choosing Scottish nationality after independence?
Chris
Scottish Citizenship
Hi Chris,
Thanks for your question.
In the context of EU citizenship, the SNP has an open and inclusive approach to citizenship.
The automatic right of citizenship will be open by right to all those living in Scotland, all those born in Scotland, and all those with a parent born in Scotland.
All others are free to apply, and dual citizenship would be an option.
I hope this answer helps,
Susan
2008 Party Conference
I have not yet seen details for the Party's annual (Autumn) Conference. What are the dates and the location? Thanks.
JJM
The dates are 16th-19th of
Who do I talk to?
I have no SNP representative to talk to in my area in the west end of glasgow. I want to tell somone about what life is like for me in this country. I am a disabled student who is now in so much debt that it's impossible for me to do my last year at university, this will lead me back to a life on benefits, with no hope of being an independent member of society.
I would like to present my problems to someone to enable the SNP to address this issue in a realistic manner. The more you know about what life is like for individuals the more power you will have. You will be able to then cover these issues when asking people to vote for an independent Scotland.
I would absolutely love to be able to communicate with Alex Salmond but I know he wouldn't get any letters I send him. Disabled people and students are a large section of the voting public and the issues I face being part of both are immense. An investigation into these problems by the SNP would obviously be beneficial to the party. I have seen little things being mentioned about abolishing student loans but this is only the tip of the iceberg. It's a massive debt when you leave higher education and have to pay back, but the getting there is even harder, for me right now, impossible. Who can I communicate with on this?A
Re: Who do I talk to?
hi Fluttereyes,
Thanks for your comment.
The SNP has 4 regional MSP's in Glasgow: Bashir Ahmed, Bob Doris, Bill Kidd and Sandra White.
You can find their details through our People pages or by typing in your postcode in the box on the right hand side of the screen.
I'm sure any of these MSP's would be happy to discuss your problems and see if they can help you to find a solution.
In the mean time, please do feel free to write to Fiona Hyslop, the Cabinet Secretary for Education, who will be able to tell you what the Scottish Government are doing for students.
With thanks
Susan
Hi..I'm New
Hi..guys..
i'm new to this society...
i feel very happy here...
i want to join with u all forever...
==========
bob
Don't be a victim. Stop credit card debt now. We can help.
http://www.stop-credit-card-debt.com
the voice of change
its about time we had a voice for scottish people too long have we been silent and too long the rest of the world have been having a good laugh at our expense.The labour party have kept us down for too long and finally we have a man in Alex salmond who can fight not just for scotland but fight for a proud country that can once again be called scotland and that name can mean something again
Old topic BUT when should the 'VOTING AGE' CHANGE?
I have just registered on this website and one of the previous emails got me thinking. I have just attended a school reunion - 34 years since I left school at 18. That is the first year that I voted for the SNP and coincedentally the voting age changed that year from 21 to 18 - ( I'm sure that it was 1974 - long time ago, so apologies if I've got it wrong ).
However my point is this. I was glad at leaving school but in the back of my mind was the 'old' argument that You could be legally married and have children at 16, you could join the forces to fight and even loose your life at 16 - BUT YOU STILL COULDN'T VOTE.
As an aside here are some interesting websites : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voting_age
http://www.writetothem.com/
to send your comments to your representative in government.
Sorry abouty the 'lame' username but it's all I could think of - 34 years of voting SNP is a fairly long time.
"NOW!" is a good time for Scotland.
OIL CARTELS
Hi , can you help with a topic wich came up at work ,how is it oil cartels can get together and fix the price for how much per barrel for crude oil when any other company's get together to price fix there goods its illegal ?
New Member
Hi All,
I am a new member living in Abernethy and i support the cause thru and thru keep it going Alex
taxation after independence
As a newbie poster I am sadly a little fascinated by this dry subject as I am aware of most countries our size having higher taxes than us and sometimes lower wages.I was in New Zealand a few years ago and found people there getting half the wages I was getting for doing the same job and paying 33% income tax into the bargain.But they all seemed happy enough because the cost of living was so much lower.Similarly in Denmark I had some good friends who conversely had high wages and prices but paid massive amounts in direct and indirect tax to both the local and central government.I am curious as to where we will end up on the spectrum to fund our brave new world as we seem to be cutting all sorts of taxation with a vengeance.Can anyone point me in the direction of policy which will square this circle?
School teaching languages ?
Hi all. From a new member.
Hi,
I am a 44 year old married man from Dundee and this morning just joined the S.N.P and feeling pretty chuffed with myself. I hope I could use this platform to vent my spleen when needs be, put over a few ideas and and get some feedback which I hope will filter through to our Government.
All my life I have felt I have come second fiddle to our southern neighbours, lets take it back to my School days, the only thing I can recall from history lessons was William the Conquerer, The battle of Hastings 1066 and Henry The Vlll and all his Wifes. School holidays, well for the first three weeks we all watched school and colleges programmers, then for the last three weeks we got Robinson Crusoe, Hergé Adventures Of Tin tin and Clarence the cross eyed lion, the last three weeks of the Scottish schools holidays over lapped with the first three weeks of the English schools holidays, hence all the good TV for kids.
Both my Grandfathers fought in WW2, you'd be forgiven for believing that no Scot's took part in the war, time and time again on the national media people phoning/texting or emailing will make quotes like "When England was at war, or listen to the lyrics to Dads Army, "When you think old England's done" its an insult to every Scottish, Irish and Welsh Soldier
After leaving school I would hear reports on the UK media about the North Sea oil being of a poor quality, the wrong sort of oil, the oil wont last, we don't have the technology to extract the oil or we don't have the funds to extract the oil. Watching the BBC documentary Truth, Lies Oil & Scotland, Bernard Ingham near had a tartan fit when describing the greed of the Scot's for wanting money from the Oil in Scottish waters in the North Sea, how dare we want money from a Scottish commodity. If Scotland is such a burden to the UK, why fight tooth and nail to hold on to us.
We can watch a national media report on Sky news and the English football team is refereed to as our boys, I don't think Irish, Welsh and Scottish viewers to Sky news think they are there boys, the radio station I listen to is so anti Scottish, only in the past two weeks they have talked about on several occasions how the Scott's are the biggest burden on the UK tax payers purse, more Scot's join the army as we are all on the dole up here and Talk sport, a national station always refers to London as the capital. The Late sports minister Tony Banks said of well behaved Scottish fans during the France 98 world cup that Scottish fans did not mis-behave just to make English fans look bad, how vain was he.
I want to put Scottish on an application form, its what I am, Scottish and damn proud of it, I want to see our Saltire on every public building, schools, colleges, library's, fire stations, Police stations, Hospitals. I go to Canada often and you cant turn a corner without seeing the Maple leaf flag, they are so proud of there flag and ours is the oldest flag in the world, the blue in the US flag takes that blue form out Saltire, and lets see our flag in its proper colour witch is pantone 300 and not that dark blue colour we have been lumperd with, I am sure we would hear about it if we got the red on Georges flag wrong and made it a pink shade instead of red.
I work in the building trade and I am so impressed with the amount of Schools being build just now, lets educate our kids, free University places all helps and the next generation won't let us down, they will take an independent Scotland forward, even now the changes are being felt, folk south are envious of our health services, its well over due that this union should be dissolved, I can understand why Mr Salmond is deferring an Independance referendum for a couple of years, can you imagine the state we will be in by then, now please excuse me, Lewis Hamilton has just won Silverston and has just walked onto the podium, I am pleased for him but its the music that is about to follow that has forced me to jump off the sofa, fetch the remote and mute the telly.
Voluntary Research
I voted for the SNP for the first time in the last election and joined the party. I am a member of the Skyle branch. Although I would like to be active, I am not especially talented in membership drives, leafletting etc. I am now retired but worked for twenty years for the World Bank in Washington DC, and for much of that time I was involved in policy analysis. I worked mainly in the social sectors, but also on issues related to transition in the couple of years in which I supervised the World Bank program in Slovenia and Croatia. I am an occupational psychologist by training (Birkbeck College), and my specialties are evaluation methodologies and survey design and analysis. I also designed and managed a number of World Bank projects, including a $800 million reconstruction project in Ethiopia, and a social fund. Most of my work was in Africa, but I also worked in China, as well as Croatia dn Slovenia. My last task before retirement was to design for the President of the World Bank a survey program in which senior officials of member countries had the opportunity to anonymously provide feedback on the Bank's products, processes, and behaviour.
I have a fairly busy life painting, and involvement in the Skye Peace and Justice Group, fair trade, organic food etc. However, I would very much like the opportunity to do some voluntary research for the SNP. Let me know what you think.
Best wishes
Lee Roberts
Weales Cottage, Barleyport , Duirinish
Kyle of Lochalsh, IV40 8BE
01599 544-448
Prestwick Airport
Is it not time for a campaign to have Preswick Airport renamed "The Robert Burns Airport" they named airports after football player George Best and John Lennon, In "The Year of Homecoming" 2009 would it not be right to have Ayshire's airport named after the World famous local poet.