Westminster accused of 'running scared of Scotland' as Danny Alexander snubs Holyrood

Thursday, 16 May 2013 17:42

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By a Newsnet reporter

On the third anniversary of David Cameron's claim that his government would have a "respect agenda" towards the Scottish Parliament a Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander is under fire for failing to attend a parliamentary committee and appearing to give misleading reasons for his decision not to attend.

Wednesday's newspapers reported that Mr Alexander cancelled an appearance at the Scottish Parliament’s Finance committee at short notice, claiming he had business to do with the spending review – when he had instead chosen to take part in the Scottish Affairs Committee's politically motivated anti-independence inquiry.

Most Scots support keeping the pound after independence

Thursday, 09 May 2013 21:51

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By a Newsnet reporter

The majority of people in Scotland are in favour of keeping the pound following a Yes vote to independence in next year's referendum.

A YouGov poll commissioned by the SNP and published in Thursday's Herald newspaper shows 66% of people want to retain the pound as the currency of an independent Scotland.

Greens' Harvie dismisses 'reactionary' Queen's Speech

Wednesday, 08 May 2013 20:59

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By Angela Haggerty

The UK coalition’s attempts to use immigration to distract voters from economic failures should further prompt Scots to take control of their own affairs, the Scottish Green Party said on Wednesday in response to the Queen’s speech.

The ceremonial opening of parliament heard of the coalition’s legislative plans to clamp down on immigration by forcing short-term migrants to pay for NHS care and requiring immigration checks on tenants by private landlords.

Lawson comments leave anti-independence campaign 'impaled by its own arguments'

Tuesday, 07 May 2013 21:13

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By a Newsnet reporter

The anti-independence campaign has been "impaled by its own arguments", the SNP has said, following calls from ex-Chancellor of the Exchequer Nigel Lawson for the UK to leave the EU.

In an article in Tuesday's Times newspaper, Mr Lawson - who sits in the House of Lords as Lord Lawson - argued that the benefits of a UK departure "would substantially outweigh the costs", and added, "The case for exit is clear."

Anger over pro-Union blogger's racist tweet

Monday, 06 May 2013 20:13

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By a Newsnet reporter

A pro-Union blogger who regularly appears on BBC Scotland political programmes has caused anger after using a racist term in an online exchange.

Solicitor Ian Smart, who describes himself as a "Lefty lawyer and Scottish Labour Party hack", claimed 'Poles' and 'Pakis' would suffer if Scotland became independent and that a century of Tory rule was preferable to independence.

New poll shows Westminster is 'out of touch' on pre-referendum talks

Saturday, 04 May 2013 22:52

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By a Newsnet reporter

The SNP has published the results of a new opinion poll which shows there is overwhelming support amongst the Scottish public for the Scottish Government's attempts to seek pre-referendum talks with Westminster.

The poll finds that 67% of those asked were in favour of pre-referendum talks, with only 21% opposed, and that there is majority in favour amongst supporters of all political parties.

Lib Dem confusion and inconsistency on Scottish OBR

Wednesday, 01 May 2013 21:16

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By a Newsnet reporter

The SNP has highlighted what they describe as the confused state of the Libs Dems and the anti-independence No campaign's response to the announcement by Finance Secretary John Swinney that he is considering establishing a Scottish body equivalent to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).

Despite former Scottish Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott calling for the establishment of such an organisation on the grounds that "Scotland needs to judge where best to spend taxpayers' money", his replacement Willie Rennie has described the Scottish Government's plans for such a body as a "ministry of half truths".