Clouding Over?
Our First Minister apparently was an economist by occupation prior to his climb up the greasy pole of British politics. Economics is known as the Dismal Science, and by the look of news coming from Scotland, any comment our FM makes has an edge to it. Despite his consistently cheerful image posture, there is already just a touch of the world growing greyer with his breath.
Take the simple matter of his salary. Since his election he has been drawing in two, one as a Westminster MP, the other as a Holyrood MSP, taking one third of the latter. Prior to his election, he assured prospective voters that he would struggle along on one salary only. Like all reminted politicians he probably aspires to learning, listening, honesty in government, transparency, all the clichés that go with the condition. Time for the Leaping Salmond to give a lead, and time he paid back the excess salary payment together with any accrued interest.
Take too the matter of North Sea oil and gas revenues. “It’s Scotland’s oil” has been the mantra of choice for SNP activists since oil was discovered in British territorial waters. Salmond has pledged to claim this money which runs into billions annually. With it, SNP creative thinkers have speculated on the range of possibilities within the reach of an SNP-driven Scotland, and its possession would finally crown the Leaping Salmond as the man who delivers. Only the still-dazed-from-election-victory SNP footsoldier can imagine the Treasury submitting meekly to such demands. Only the slightly demented British politician would want to agree to a possible Hugo Chavez type situation on his doorstep. And what it would do to the Barnett Formula (the method whereby the British government finances Scottish devolution) is unthinkable. No. This sounds like a bid to become McGazprom rather than McGasbag, which is what it is. With the best will in the world, the Leaping Salmond and the SNP are currently enjoying the privileges of proven inexperience - challenges, defiance, demands. Time to grow up?
Take the simple matter of his salary. Since his election he has been drawing in two, one as a Westminster MP, the other as a Holyrood MSP, taking one third of the latter. Prior to his election, he assured prospective voters that he would struggle along on one salary only. Like all reminted politicians he probably aspires to learning, listening, honesty in government, transparency, all the clichés that go with the condition. Time for the Leaping Salmond to give a lead, and time he paid back the excess salary payment together with any accrued interest.
Take too the matter of North Sea oil and gas revenues. “It’s Scotland’s oil” has been the mantra of choice for SNP activists since oil was discovered in British territorial waters. Salmond has pledged to claim this money which runs into billions annually. With it, SNP creative thinkers have speculated on the range of possibilities within the reach of an SNP-driven Scotland, and its possession would finally crown the Leaping Salmond as the man who delivers. Only the still-dazed-from-election-victory SNP footsoldier can imagine the Treasury submitting meekly to such demands. Only the slightly demented British politician would want to agree to a possible Hugo Chavez type situation on his doorstep. And what it would do to the Barnett Formula (the method whereby the British government finances Scottish devolution) is unthinkable. No. This sounds like a bid to become McGazprom rather than McGasbag, which is what it is. With the best will in the world, the Leaping Salmond and the SNP are currently enjoying the privileges of proven inexperience - challenges, defiance, demands. Time to grow up?
posted by JPK @ 4:38 pm
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home