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	The Flag in the Wind A weekly online newspaper bringing you information on the political scene in Scotland: part of the monthly Scots Independent.
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CAMPAIGNING FOR SCOTLAND
(Owned, Edited and Printed in Scotland since November 1926)
"Promoting all that is best in Scottish Nationalism and all that is best in Scotland."
Content of the Flag in the Wind Web Site is the copyright of the Scots Independent Newspaper.

[ Issue 318 - 7th July 2006]

Compiled by Allison Hunter

TEACHER VACANCIES UP SINCE 2003

It is generally agreed, and not just by the SNP, that smaller class sizes are necessary for our children to have a firmer foundation for learning. It is essential particularly in early primary years when early intervention can make a world of difference to a child’s achievements. It is also desirable in early secondary when the difficult transition from primary to secondary can lead to problems.

So you can imagine my dismay when the publication of new statistics showed an overall increase in the number of teaching vacancies since 2003. There was an improvement in recruitment in primary school teachers – but no sign yet of smaller class sizes. At secondary school level vacancies in English have almost doubled since 2003 and vacancies in Maths have not improved. Meanwhile we have reports that S2 pupils are struggling with basic literacy and number skills.

Probationer teachers are struggling to find appropriate places for next year and post-probationer teachers are finding it difficult to find a permanent post. There is no point in having these new names added to the teaching register if they are not actually employed in classrooms to bring down class sizes. We must see more teachers actually employed in the classroom in order to reduce class sizes if we are to deliver the best possible education for Scotland's pupils.

OPINION POLL

MORI has published a Scottish Opinion Poll showing the SNP 2% ahead of Labour in both the constituency and regional votes.

	Constituency	Regional List
Conservative	15%	16%
Labour	28%	26%
Lib Dem	19%	19%
SNP	30%	28%
SSP	1%	1%
Green	4%	6%

At this stage in the game there is no room for complacency. The SNP is in a neck and neck contest with Labour for political leadership in Scotland next year.

We will have to work very hard, harder than our political opponents. We will have to get round the villages, towns and cities presenting our vision of a new Scotland. A Scotland where the government focuses on building a better life for families and communities, that puts the needs and interests of Scotland first.

We won the Moray By-Election convincingly. We have won 9 out the last 16 local government by-elections. The signs are good. Scotland is a country with great potential and, as this poll suggests, more and more Scots believe that it is time for change.

SCOTLAND IN SURPLUS

Jack McConnell apparently supports the myth that Scotland is subsidised by the rest of the UK following his admission in last week’s First Minister's Questions in the Scottish Parliament. Rather than standing up for the people of Scotland he has accepted the false argument coming up from the London establishment that Scotland is subsidised by the rest of the United Kingdom.

Nothing could be further from the truth. People in Scotland more than pay their way in the UK. In fact they subsidise the rest of the United Kingdom to the tune of £853 per Scot for 2006/2007.

A new paper, “Scotland in Surplus”, published by Alex Salmond MP and Stewart Hosie MP demolishes the argument that Scotland is subsidised in the UK using official Government data as its basis. It also puts to rest the argument that Scotland could not survive economically as an independent country. (We know from the publication of “secret” papers in the 1970s that their own economic advisers were telling a different story then in private.)

This paper shows that the fact of the matter is that for this year Scotland, compared to Westminster, is in relative surplus to the tune of £4.34 billion and in absolute surplus by some £1.01 billion. These figures show not only that Scotland is in surplus in the current financial year, but that the immediate economic benefits of Independence would mean an additional £853 for every man woman and child in Scotland.

Only Independence can allow Scotland to meet our full economic potential by giving the Scottish people responsibility over our own finances.

CONFUSED?

Jack McConnell says that until we find a solution to the storage of nuclear waste we will not have any new/more nuclear power stations in Scotland. But just a minute – that’s the First Minister of the Lib/Lab Executive speaking, the position agreed in the pact that set up the Lib/Lab Executive. What does he really think?

What about his party? Well, Elaine Murray MSP came out saying that Labour will promise not to block new nuclear power stations when it fights the Scottish election next May. Does this show that the Labour Party in Scotland has not ruled out new nuclear power stations or is it a one woman protest from the MSP whose constituency holds Chapelcross?

On the one hand we have Jack McConnell who has repeatedly failed to come clean on his nuclear ambitions and on the other hand we have Labour MSP Elaine Murray campaigning for new nuclear power stations.

Scots deserve straight answers to straight questions from their politicians, so Jack McConnell must come clean on his position now. Anyone who is opposed to a new generation of dirty, dangerous and unnecessary nuclear power stations in Scotland cannot afford to gamble with the Scottish Labour Party.

A WINNING TEAM FOR 2007

The voting’s over. The Party has decided. The Regional Lists are out. There are surprises and disappointments. But the Party has democratically decided, with a one member one vote ballot, the rankings of this year’s Regional Lists.

Next year’s Scottish election presents the people of Scotland with a straight choice between the SNP and the complacent Labour Party. All the evidence shows that only the SNP can beat Labour to become the largest party at Holyrood next year.

In Glasgow Cllr Bashir Ahmad gained second place. Were he to be elected he would be the first Asian member of the Scottish Parliament. Second on the South of Scotland List is Mike Russell, a sad loss last time round.

Good luck to them all and may they be a winning team for 2007.

FUEL POVERTY

The basic Winter Fuel Allowance has not risen since 2000 and that for the over-80s hasn’t risen since 2003 - its value is falling. The most recent price increase from Scottish Power alone put up the average bill by £130, which puts the value of the £200 winter fuel allowance in perspective, and that was the third rise in one year.

In energy rich Scotland pensioners are worried about fuel bills. It’s all right now when the sun is shining but what will it be like in four month’s time, in November, when, for all we know, there may be other increases in the pipeline.

And it’s not just pensioners who are worried. Families on low incomes are worried too. The Energywatch report “Are Fuel Poverty Targets Out of Range?” notes that, mainly due to rocketing energy prices, fuel poverty levels in Scotland are worryingly close to where they were in 1996.

Mike Weir MP asked Douglas Alexander, Scottish Secretary, about this at Scottish Questions. The answer was “the matter is kept under review”. Mike said

“The Minister displays extraordinary complacency in the face of the dreadful rises in fuel costs faced by Scotland’s pensioners. Scotland’s pensioners need action now to tackle the scourge of fuel poverty. The minister displays no understanding of the worry that is being caused across Scotland by the relentless rise in energy prices.”

TRIDENT

Mr Alex Salmond MP, Leader of the SNP, has written to all opposition leaders to rally support for a Parliamentary vote to be required to approve any replacement for the Trident missile system.

With reports that Gordon Brown’s ‘long term’ support for a nuclear missile system has caused widespread dismay amongst Labour backbenchers, and the Conservative’s Oliver Letwin signalling on Question Time that he supported a Parliamentary vote on replacing Trident, the SNP Leader believes the time is right to introduce a Cross-Party Bill giving the House of Commons the final say over any Trident replacement.

The Chancellor’s inadvertent comments have opened up an opportunity to ensure any new nuclear missile system becomes subject to democratic approval. Not only do we have Labour backbenchers calling for Parliamentary approval but the Conservatives have signalled their support.

Along with the SNP, Plaid Cymru, the Liberal Democrats and Northern Irish parties there is a golden opportunity for ensuring the expense and need for a son-of-Trident is not only fully debated but subject to democratic approval.

Alex said, “We may not all agree on whether we need these weapons but it is looking clear to me that we all agree that it should be subject to democratic approval. I will now be looking at gathering the support of all the opposition party leaders to ensure a cross-party Bill giving the Commons the final say over expenditure on any new nuclear missile.

What is incredibly ironic is that both Blair and Brown will argue that these weapons will be used to protect democracy when they don’t even commit themselves to allow a democratic vote in the House of Commons.”

SYNOPSIS

SNP OFFERS ONLY CREDIBLE SOLUTION TO WEST LOTHIAN QUESTION

TORIES PLAY THE ANTI-SCOTTISH CARD

Commenting on Tory plans to only allow English MPs to vote on English matters as their answer to the West Lothian Question are unworkable and simply a means to play the anti-Scottish card , Pete Wishart Constitutional Affairs spokesperson at Westminster said,

Pete Wishart "This just shows the Tories have given up for the 2007 elections which are now firmly established as a two-horse race between the SNP and Labour. They are now only concerned with gaining votes south of the border. The Tories would perhaps secure a little credibility on this issue if they ever get round to apologising for the Thatcher years in Scotland.

They have conveniently forgotten about the time when they ran Scotland without a Scottish mandate imposing their right wing and ideologically driven agenda in the face of overwhelming Scots opposition.

Yes, the West Lothian Question should be answered, but the anti-Scottish Tories won’t be the ones that will provide the answer. That opportunity will be given to the Scottish people next year at the Scottish elections.

The only answer to the West Lothian Question is independence with a relationship of two self governing nations regarding each other with mutual self respect

MCCABE ANNOUNCES 800M POUND ELECTION WAR CHEST

'WE NEED GOOD GOVERNMENT, NOT PRE-ELECTION BRIBES'

The SNP's Shadow Finance Minister John Swinney MSP today called for good government rather then pre-election bribes funded by the taxpayer. Mr Swinney was speaking following the announcement by the Finance Minister Tom McCabe on the Scottish Executive's End Year Flexibility for 2005-6, when it was revealed that Labour and the Lib Dems have built up an 800 million pounds election war chest prior to the Scottish Parliament elections next year.

Mr Swinney said:

"We need good government, not election bribes. Tom McCabe has spent years denying to Parliament that he was building up a war chest for the elections next year, and has now contradicted himself by admitting a pre-election public spending splurge.

Labour and the Lib Dems are planning to buy the next election with public cash, but the people of Scotland will not put up with their hard-earned taxes being squandered by a washed-up Scottish Executive."

MATHER ON POPULATION SURVEY

Commenting on the Annual Population Survey in Scotland 2005, SNP Shadow Enterprise Minister Jim Mather MSP today (Thursday) said:

Jim Mather "Today's report shows that under a Labour and Lib Dem Government Scotland is failing to meet its potential and we continue to see many areas in Scotland with unacceptably high levels of unemployment. The fact that the employment rate in Glasgow city is just 65.9 per cent is utterly unacceptable, and a sad reflection of the failures of this Labour and Lib Dem government.

While Labour and Lib Dem Ministers fail to treat the core problem of our lack of economic powers, they will continue to be unable solve problems such as deprivation, which cruelly prevents too many of Scotland's youngsters achieving. We only have to look at the high proportion of Scottish 16-19 year olds, who are Not in Employment, Education or Training to see the extent of the problem.

The Lib-Lab Executive has failed to raise its game and produce the opportunities needed to get more young people into employment, education or training. This will only be achieved by tackling poverty, growing the economy for employment, introducing maintenance grants for education, and ensuring that colleges are geared up to provide adequate training.

Scotland is in real need of an economic policy that focuses on delivering Scottish success. Only an SNP Government can bring the proposals needed to boost growth and make Scotland much more competitive and much more prosperous."

ROBISON ON NHS AND DENTAL STATISTICS

Commenting on the publication of the NHS Scotland Workforce Statistics, SNP Shadow Health Minister Shona Robison MSP today (Thursday) said:

Shona Robison "It is clear from these figures that this Labour and Lib Dem Government is failing to attract enough midwives and nurses to the NHS, with an increase in vacancies of 59 per cent since 2001. As a result many NHS services in Scotland will have to rely on agency nursing which is not best value for taxpayers’ money.

The figures show that there has been nearly a 40 per cent increase in spending on agency nurses in last five years. Instead of paying the price for costly agency nurses this Executive should be concentrating on filling the vacancies to provide better and more consistent care which is less of a drain on the public purse.

Commenting on the Dental Workforce statistics Ms Robison said:

"These figures show that the NHS is 100 dentists short this year so it is highly unlikely that the Lib-Lab Executive will meet their target to recruit enough dentists to meet the needs of the NHS by 2012. The Executive have failed to tackle the problem of recruitment and retention of dentists within the NHS. Only by working harder to make the NHS a more attractive proposition for dentists can we reverse this trend."

KNIFE AMNESTY ALONE WON'T ERADICATE SCOTLAND'S KNIFE CULTURE

Commenting on the end of the knife amnesty, SNP Deputy Justice Spokesperson Stewart Stevenson MSP said:

"We welcome the success of the amnesty. However an amnesty alone will not eradicate the knife culture which is plaguing Scotland's streets. Recent figures have shown that the number of under-18s being convicted of carrying knives has more than doubled in last decade which is extremely worrying.

The scourge of knife crime has blighted Scotland for too long, and will only be tackled when the courts impose tough sentences and the law on selling knives to those underage is enforced. We must make people know that carrying knives is not worth the risk."

We are now into the seventh year of notable dates in Scottish history and have built up a time-line of some 1100 dates spanning our long history.

7 July 1537
Death of Madelaine, wife of James V, King of Scots, shortly after her arrival in Scotland.

7 July 1814
The first authentic historical novel, Sir Walter Scott’s ‘Waverley’ was published.

7 July 1925
Glasgow’s Kelvin Hall was destroyed by fire.

7 July 2005
Following terrorist bombs in London which killed over 50 and injured 700, Prime Minister Tony Blair left the G8 summit at Gleneagles and returned to Downing Street. He condemned the attacks on 3-underground tubes and a Stagecoach bus as ‘barbaric’.

8 July 1837
Birth of Donald Dinnie, outstanding athlete who competed world-wide, at Balnacraig, near Aboyne, Aberdeenshire. An tremendous competitor at Scottish Highland Games he won more than 11,000 contests: these included 2,000 prizes for throwing the hammer, 1,800 prizes for putting the stone, more than 2,000 for wrestling, 300 prizes for throwing weights, 1,400 prizes for tossing the caber, 1.800 prizes for jumping, and about 500 for running.

9 July 1917
HMS Vanguard, a veteran of Jutland, accidentally blew up in Scapa Flow, with the loss of more than 800 men.

10 July 1469
15-year-old Margaret of Denmark, bride-to-be of James III, King of Scots, arrived at Leith.

11 July 1274
Birth of Robert I, King of Scots (1306-1329), at Turnberry, Ayrshire.

12 July 1746
Flora MacDonald was arrested for her part in aiding Prince Charles Edward Stewart to escape capture and sail from Benbecula to Skye disguised as her Irish maid ‘Betty Burke’.

13 July 2005
Scotland defeated Ireland by 47 runs to win the ICC Trophy at Castle Avenue, Clontarf. The Scots rattled up a mammoth 324 runs for eight wickets, their highest ever one-day total and restricted Ireland to 277 for 9. Batsman Ryan Watson’s score of 94 was Scotland’s best individual effort of the tournament. The Scots qualified for the International 2007 One-Day Cricket competition in the West Indies.

See Dates in History in our Features Section

SCOTTISH QUOTATIONS

I like to have quotations ready for every occasions - they give one's ideas so pat and save one the trouble of finding expression adequate to one's feeling.

Robert Burns

We continue our new Feature in this section of the Flag - Scottish Quotations - statements in prose and verse which reflect all aspects of Scottish life and outlook from the 13^th century to the present day. New quotes added every week. The quotations are not restricted to native Scots but include observations from abroad which help us, in the words of our National Bard, Robert Burns, "To see oursels as others see us"

Robert (Bob) John Graham Boothby (1900-1086)

A statesman is judged by results. If his policy fails he goes. It may be unfair, but there is a kind of rough justice about it.

Sir Nicholas Hardwick Fairbairn (1933-1995)

My two worst dreads were dancing-class and parties. Both caused me acute embarrassment. Dancing was cissy, and I had to wear my kilt, which was cissy too, although I have worn it with pleasure ever since.

Hugh MacDiarmid (Christopher Murray Grieve) (1892-1978)

For we ha’e faith in Scotland’s hidden poo’ers,
The present’s theirs, but a’ the past and future’s oors.

(Gairmscoile, Penny Wheep 1926)

Alastair Reid

That Scotland is a part of the United Kingdom is an almost inevitable accident: at the same time, the unity of the English and the Scots should never be assumed. It was Sir Walter Scott who pointed out that the Scots and the English had fought three hundred and fourteen major battles against one another before their Union; this kind of historical animosity does not disappear overnight. The fact remains that the two countries are altogether distinct in temperament and manner, and their conjunction, although it is by now a working one, has never been resolved to the satisfaction of either.

(The New Yorker 1964)

See Scottish Quotations in our Features Section

SING A SANG AT LEAST
(compiled by Peter D Wright)

"That I for poor auld Scotland's sake
Some useful plan or book could make
Or sing a sang at least ........"

- Robert Burns

ROLLING HOME
Traditional

Chorus:
Rolling home, rolling home,
Rolling home across the sea;
Rolling home to Caledonia,
Rolling home, dear land, to thee.

For ten thousand miles behind us,
And ten thousand miles before,
Ancient ocean heaves to waft us
To the well-remembered shore.
And we will join in joyous chorus
In the watches of the night,
For we’ll see the shores of Scotland
When the grey dawn brings the light.

Up aloft, amid the rigging,
Blows the loud exulting gale,
Like a bird’s wide-stretched pinions
Spreads on high each swelling sail;
And the wild waves cleft behind us,
Seem to murmur as they flow,
There are loving hearts that wait you,
In the land to which you go.

Footnote: An English sea shanty with any reference to ‘The Auld Enemy’ changed to Scotland/Caledonia – well traditional songs change all the time and it is a rattling good song!

See the SING A SANG AT LEAST in our features section

SCOTTISH FOOD, TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS

See our Scottish Food, Traditions and Customs in our Features section

A KIST O FERLIES
A Keek at the Guid Scots Tung

By Peter & Marilyn Wright
(Note: All words underlined in this section are RealAudio links)

droukit: drenched ; soaked

guddle: grope with hands for fish ; do dirty work; meddle

hap: cover; wrap; blanket; shawl; screen

hae: have

rug: drag; tug; twinge

whyles: now and then; sometimes

Cowp somedody's hurlie: Upset someone's plans

Aweill, we staund bareheidit in the haar,

murnin a man that gaed back til the pool

twa-hunner year afore our time. The glaur

that haps his banes glowres back strang, present dool

ruggs at my hairt. Lichtlie this gin ye daur:

here Robert Burns knelt and kissed the mool.

frae "At Robert Fergusson's Grave" - Robert Garioch

COMPLETE POEMS

THE LAND O' THE LEAL

by Carolina Oliphant, Lady Nairne
Read by Marilyn Wright

Lady Nairne and her son

Listen to this in Real Audio here

Daughter of a Perthshire Jacobite, Carolina Oliphant ( 1766-1845 ) married William Nairne and called herself 'Mrs Bogan of Bogan' to write her songs, many of which are still widely popular today, including 'Caller Herrin', 'Willye no come back again?' and 'The Auld Hoose'.

                                I'm wearin' awa', John,

                                Like snaw-wreaths in thaw, John,

                                I'm wearin' awa'

                                    To the land o' the leal.

                                There's nae sorrow there, John,

                                There's neither cauld nor care, John

                                The day is aye fair

                                    In the land o' the leal.

                                Our bonnie bairn's there, John,

                                She was baith gude and fair, John,

                                And, oh! we grudged her sair

                                    To the land o' the leal.

                                But sorrow's sel' wears past, John,

                                And joy is comin' fast, John,

                                The joy that's aye to last

                                    In the land o' the leal.

                                Sae dear's that joy was bough, John,

                                Sae free the battle fought, John,

                                That sinfu' man e'er brought,

                                    To the land o' the leal.

                                Oh! dry your glist'nin' e'e, John,

                                My saul langs to be free, John,

                                And angels beckon me

                                    To the land o' the leal.

                                Oh! haud ye leal an' true, John,

                                Your day it,s wearin, thro', John,

                                And I'll welcome you

                                    To the land o' the leal.

                                Now fare ye weel, my ain John,

                                This warld's cares are vain, John,

                                We'll meet, and we'll be fain,

                                    In the land o' the leal.

See Scots Language in our Features Section
for other poems, stories, songs, sayings, jokes and words in the Scots language

SCOT WIT

Enjoy a Scottish Joke every week and listen to it as well

Pride of an Exile

The young domestic had been in London for a long time before her mistress discovered that she came from Aberdeen.

" Why didn't you mention this before, Annie ?" she asked

"Weill Madam" came the spontaneous reply " A didnae like fir ti boast."

Click here to listen to this joke

Read and listen to Jokes in our Scot Wit section

AND AS WE CONTINUE...

If you read our first issue of The Flag in the Wind you will know that this is a weekly Internet commentary on the Scottish political scene; if you desire further erudition click on Archives.

SOME OF OUR FEATURE SECTIONS....

About Us
Our mission is to fight for an Independent Scotland and to promote its history, heritage and culture. Learn all about us here.
The Scots Language
A great introduction to the Scots Language, produced by Peter and Marilyn Wright, and added to each week both in text and RealAudio. Enjoy listening to words, poems and stories told in a real Scots accent!
Scottish Quotations
A variety of quotations in prose and verse reflecting all aspects of Scottish life and outlook.
The Rebels Ceilidh Songbook
An excellent introduction to traditional songs from Scotland.
Sing A Sang At Least
Our collection of Scottish songs. A new song is added to the collection each week.
Scottish Food, Traditions and Customs
Enjoy our collections of recipes and our comments on them.
Notable Dates in History
Each week we add three new notable dates in history building this into an historic timeline for Scottish history.
Features
Lots more stories, recipes, historical articles and even whole books are added here on a regular basis.
The Oliver Brown Award
An annual award given to an outstanding Scot(s) each year. Also included picture galleries from the annual lunch.

THE SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY

The Scots Independent Newspaper is independent of the Scottish National Party, but we support the Party in its drive for Independence; while space precludes us commenting on all the issues raised by the 27 MSPs, 5 MPS and 2 MEPs, also the Party Office Bearers, we have provided a link to the SNP Website.

THE FLAG IN THE WIND

The above was the title of a book written in the early Fifties by John MacDonald MacCormick, one of the founder members of the Scottish National Party in 1934. The sub-title was "The Story of the National Movement in Scotland". His comment in the book said "It is perhaps in the symbols which men use that their deepest sentiments are most readily expressed. Flags as well as straws show which way the wind is blowing". A fuller account appears under Features.

WE WOULD WELCOME YOUR FEEDBACK

The Flag in the Wind would welcome your feedback on what you think of this weekly service. Happy to receive any comments or suggestions. Simply email webmaster@scotsindependent.org.

The Working Life of Linda Fabiani MSP