Why not Scotland?

New Member States

Last Saturday was “Accession Day” for the ten new full members of the European Union.   As John Swinney welcomed our new European colleagues he asked, “Why not Scotland?”  We know the answer.  As long as we are represented by UK ministers, or ministers who are members of UK parties, Europe will not hear the true voice of Scotland.  The ten new member states will now have a seat at the top table in Europe, able to protect their national interests and with the power of veto.  Meanwhile Scotland has to rely on the UK government which has failed to properly represent us, failed to protect our fishing industry, failed to get the best possible deal for us in terms of structural funding. 

It has always been obvious to the SNP that for Scotland to make the best of Europe we need to have our own seat at that top table, we need the same economic powers as other small European nations, we need Independence.  We should now be shouting from the rooftops that Scotland needs Independence to operate effectively in the new Europe.  The new enlarged single market offers great opportunities for the economy of Scotland but it could be so much better if we had the tax and economic powers that all full EU members enjoy, the powers that would enable us to really compete for jobs and investment, the powers that come with Independence. 

I remember a work colleague teasing me years ago with the taunt “How many nationalists does it take to change a light bulb?  Answer?  Independence in Europe – because that’s the answer to all their problems!”  Well in this instance he was not far wrong.  Of course it’s not the answer to all our problems but it’s a key that could gain us access to a huge economic market enabling us to compete on our own terms, Independently.

So welcome to our new European colleagues – Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovak Republic and Slovenia - Independent in Europe.  One day, in the not too distant future, we will be able to contribute and compete on the same terms as you – Independently. 

This is an excellent opportunity to advance the cause of Independence in the run up to the European Elections.  The European Union is not the best – of course it’s not.  We’re not getting a great deal from it – of course we’re not.  We’re being represented by UK ministers who do not speak for Scotland.  But the potential is enormous for a small independent nation and we should be promoting the Independence argument as hard as we can for Scotland – Independent in Europe.

RELIANCE

As a company name it’s got such a good, solid, ring to it, has it not?  Especially for a firm taking on the responsibility of court security.  But Reliance has gone into the nation’s joke book because their performance failed to live up to their name and folk who were supposed to be in custody were going walkabout.  I make a joke about it but there are serious issues of public safety and failure by the Scottish Executive to get a grip of the situation and get it sorted.  Over the last few weeks we have seen a catalogue of blunders and the Minister in charge, Cathy Jamieson, has taken a lot of criticism – perhaps justifiably.  She told us that she was taking a direct, hands-on role and would sort it out – and then another prisoner was mistakenly released.

I don’t really have a problem with the work being contracted out but it seems to me that not enough care was taken at Scottish Executive level to ensure that the firm that got the contract was fit for the job.  The Minister tells us that the previous system was not perfect either and that mistakes were made then.  I’m sure she’s right and that mistakes were made from time to time.  But that does not excuse the current farcical situation.  If you are going to change a system surely you want one that is better than you currently have and if it works out as badly as this then questions have to be asked – and answered.  

On Thursday Nicola Sturgeon MSP moved to force the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Prison Service to publish the contract with Reliance Custodial Services after the latest in the line of wrongful releases.  Almost a month ago Cathy Jamieson first promised to publish the Reliance Contract but nothing happened. Then, two weeks ago, she told Parliament that the contract would be made public, yet it still has not happened.

Nicola has written to the Freedom of Information Commissioner invoking the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information.  Under this code, the Executive is obliged to release information relating to how public services are run, how much they cost, who is in charge, and what complaints and redress procedures are available.

Nicola says "It is becoming increasingly difficult to avoid the conclusion that Cathy Jamieson fears the contract will prove to be the final chapter in her Ministerial career. The growing suspicion is that she is desperate to avoid publication because she knows she cannot avoid responsibility for what it says. She signed off on this privatisation and now has to tell us how much profit Reliance are taking, and what penalties they face for their repeated mistakes.

EC to probe DU pollution

This card is issued to British troops in Iraq.  It warns that Depleted Uranium can cause ill health.  Over 1,000 tonnes of DU weapons were used during the war in Iraq and will contaminate the land for hundreds of years.  DU weapons are tested at the Kirkcudbright ranges near Dundrennan in Galloway.  There have been almost 100 misfirings, land is still contaminated and shells are littering the seabed in the Solway Firth.  Did the Ministry of Defence warn local residents?  No. 

However it is now possible that radioactive pollution from depleted uranium shells fired into the Solway is to be investigated by the European Commission.  Last month Neil MacCormick MEP (SNP) expressed concerns in the European Parliament and the commission have now agreed to look into possible pollution stemming from the firing from Dundrennan range.  The MoD is exempt from domestic legislation covering radioactive substances, but, says Neil McCormick, it still has to live up to international obligations

The MEP had claimed in the European Parliament that depleted uranium shells littering the seabed in the Solway Firth breach international law. He said that dumping low-level radioactive waste in the sea was illegal, even if there was no conclusive evidence that it is harmful.

Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstrom has agreed that this kind of waste is not covered by the regular waste legislation, and has asked her colleague Commissioner de Palacio, who is responsible for issues related to radioactive protection, to look into the matter.

Alasdair Morgan, MSP for the South of Scotland (SNP) agrees.  He has always argued that, whether or not DU is proven to be harmful to human life or to the environment, the MoD should not be littering the Solway with their waste. It would be a matter of serious concern were an organisation to dump thousands of any object in the Solway, let alone a substance which the MoD themselves have warned their troops might be harmful.

So we’re back to double standards again where the UK government feels obliged to warn its troops of dangers but says nothing to local residents.  What was that stuff about “openness and transparency”?

YOUR VOTE WILL COUNT

There’s a strong European trend in this week’s “Flag” and I make no apology for it.  Thursday 10 June is Polling Day for the elections to the European Parliament and I hope that all of you who are eligible will be going out to vote.  If, for any reason, you won’t be around or find that  it’s going to be difficult for you to vote in person, then apply for a postal vote NOW.  Contact your local electoral Registration Office (it’s in the phone book) and ask for a form to be sent to you.  You can have a postal vote for this election only or for all elections. 

When the ballot paper arrives by post remember that SNP Members of the European Parliament are renowned for speaking up for Scotland and put your cross in the right place.  During the course of my door knocking these past few weeks I’ve discovered that most electors to whom I’ve spoken recognise that while we’re not blind to the difficulties, and can be relied on to point them out – and even offer solutions - the SNP is basically a pro-European party.  It’s also widely recognised that SNP members speak up for Scotland and fight the corner in Europe.

Although we may not realise it, decisions taken in Europe affect us all in our daily lives.  It’s important that we use our votes to help shape that parliament.  No vote is wasted.  In this election every vote counts because it is a proportional representation election. 

POLICY POSTCARDS

We continue our publication of the SNP Policy Postcards; we will publish a new one every week, each one dealing with a different aspect of SNP policy. The full list can be seen on the SNP website under "Vision" and "Policy".

Draft EU constitution - giving Scotland a voice

The SNP has published a draft bill requiring the Scottish Executive to conduct a referendum on the proposed EU constitution, if it ever reaches the stage of ratification. We want to put the people of Scotland in charge of deciding their constitutional future - while Labour is trying to prevent the Scottish Parliament from even discussing it.

·        The SNP is a pro-European party but we recognise that the EU's greatest weakness is its perceived remoteness from its citizens. That is why it's time to put the people, not the bureaucrats, in control of Europe's future.

·        The draft constitution enshrines the EU as it should be - a confederation of nation states, choosing to share sovereignty in certain areas, for mutual benefit.

·        But for Scotland it has one fundamental flaw. It would give exclusive competence over fishing to the EU. For that reason the draft constitution as it stands is unacceptable.

·        If Scotland were an independent member state, with a seat at the top table, we would have the right to veto the fishing clause.

·        Until that day Scotland must find another way of making our voice heard. That is why the SNP will campaign to ensure that the people of Scotland have a right to vote on the final draft of the constitution, if EU leaders agree on one.

SYNOPSIS

Shadow First Minister Mr John Swinney MSP has renewed his commitment to defending the national interests of Scotland with regard to the European Constitution. Mr Swinney said:

"The SNP is totally committed to defending the national interests of Scotland. Just like Tony Blair we have our red line issues and that means the fishing industry must be protected.

"We must do everything in our power to stand up for the people of Scotland, which is why the SNP will meet with the Westminster Government so that we can ensure that the European Constitution will benefit our country."

On the day of European Union enlargement to take in 10 new member states, the Scottish National Party's Westminster Home Affairs Spokesperson Ms Annabelle Ewing MP called for the Scottish Parliament to gain control over immigration policy in Scotland.

Ms Ewing's call reflects the conclusion of a new report by Professor Robert Wright of the Scottish Economic Policy Network, which argues that only by winning full powers over immigration can Scotland reverse our population decline.

"Scotland is the only nation in the UK with a falling population - and we have the fastest population decline in the whole of Europe.

"It is a calamitous situation, which can only be solved by giving the Scottish Parliament full control of immigration and economic policy. Unless we have these powers in Scotland, we will be mere onlookers as our nation decays."

The Westminster leader of the Scottish National Party Mr Alex Salmond MP said that the referendum on a European Constitution marked the likely timescale of Tony Blair's exit from Downing Street. Mr Salmond said:

"Win or lose, the referendum signposts Tony Blair exit from Downing Street. If he loses, he has to go. If he wins, it is likely to be his swansong.

"Very dangerously for any Prime Minister, Tony Blair has put a timescale on his political mortality - which means that his authority starts to drain away as of now, as jockeying for the succession starts."

Shadow Local Government Minister Mr Fergus Ewing MSP has criticised the Scottish Executive for putting forward amendments to the Local Governance Bill without carrying out any kind of consultation, which could end the independent status of the Local Government Boundary Commission.

These changes would give Ministers the power to interfere in any review process and give councillors two months notice about any recommendations regarding changes to constituency boundaries in Scotland. Commenting Mr Ewing said:

"These changes mean that Ministers will have power of direction so they can tell the Electoral Commission what to do, which smacks of a backstairs deal done by Labour's Andy Kerr to appease his reactionary Labour councillor cronies.


"This is tantamount to gerrymandering and shows that Andy Kerr and his Labour cronies have as much respect for democracy as Al Capone had for prohibition."

At a Westminster Lobby Briefing, the SNP’s Chief Whip Mr Pete Wishart MP detailed the amendments that the SNP have tabled to the Scottish Parliament (Constituencies) Bill. The Bill retains the number of MSPs at 129, and will be debated in the House of Commons next Tuesday.

The SNP's two amendments provide that (1) the Bill must have the approval of the Scottish Parliament itself, and (2) it proposes that the Scottish Parliament should be elected by the Single Transferable Vote. Mr Wishart said:

"Any parliament worthy of the name should be able to decide on its own numbers and its method of election - and that it why the SNP propose to amend the Bill to ensure that nothing can be decided without the agreement of the Scottish Parliament itself. We believe that the powers in this area should be transferred from Westminster to Edinburgh.

"We also want to ensure that the case for the Single Transferable Vote for the Scottish Parliament - by far the fairest method of election - is advanced in the debate."

SNP Member of the European Parliament, Ian Hudghton, responding to reports of plans to locate a controversial TETRA mast in the heart of Broughty Ferry, says the City Council needs to take on board public concerns about this as-yet untested technology.

The MEP, in response to Perthshire campaigners, has already tabled an urgent question to the European Commission, pointing out that current regulations have failed to keep pace with recent developments like TETRA. Today he repeated his call that a moratorium on TETRA masts be imposed until the technology is properly evaluated on health grounds.

Speaking from Parliament in Brussels , the MEP said:

" Let’s face it, when public health concerns over BSE were to the fore, they were not slow in getting a beef ban in place. We are urging the Commission to act on TETRA now."

Central Scotland SNP MSP Alex Neil will join with a group of protestors from the village of Greengairs and surrounding areas who plan to protest outside of Bute House, where the Cabinet will gather for its weekly meeting. They will be there to voice their anger at the proposed new landfill site that Eden Waste Recycling Ltd wish to place in the village.

Greengairs is already unduly overburdened with landfill sites and Mr Neil has been campaigning hard along with his SNP colleagues locally to try and ensure that no more are situated within the village's vicinity. The quality of life for Greengairs residents is already lessened by the presence of
those existing landfill sites and they do not need this burden added to by the addition of another.

Shadow Environment Minister Ms Roseanna Cunningham MSP has called on the Scottish Executive to rethink their strategy for affordable housing in Scotland after survey results from the Scottish Council for Single Homeless show that there is a shortfall of 7,600 new rented homes being built each year across the country. Ms Cunningham said:


"My main concern is that if the shortfall is greater than the number of homes that are being built each year then more and more families will be left with nowhere to go which will increase the number of people being forced to live in temporary accommodation or move away from Scotland altogether.

"The Scottish Executive must rethink their affordable housing policy otherwise their intention to reduce homelessness and provide adequate housing will not be worth the paper it is written on."