tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post1292712321000971792..comments2023-10-16T15:59:02.445+01:00Comments on NEIL HARDING: The "English Grand Charade" As Proposed By The Tories.Neil Hardinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333739272733802133noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-51576476577762126482007-11-04T20:51:00.000+00:002007-11-04T20:51:00.000+00:00Neil, I read it as far as "key European, national,...Neil, I read it as far as "key European, national, regional and local policy drivers" and then I thought 'no, that's not right'.<BR/><BR/>People know when their bins need to be emptied. The do not need all these drivers.Mark Wadsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733511175178098449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-80166416637259257442007-11-04T12:19:00.000+00:002007-11-04T12:19:00.000+00:00When will Labour admit that they only stay in powe...When will Labour admit that they only stay in power by relying on Scottish and Welsh over-representation at Westminster?<BR/><BR/>Funny how the poorest regions of the UK are left-wing, relying on the state both for jobs and benefits!Snafuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16069053283344578792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-92156465018696550432007-11-03T20:24:00.000+00:002007-11-03T20:24:00.000+00:00Mark, read this report into waste disposal in Lond...Mark, read <A HREF="http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/environment/waste/docs/lswa/policy-drivers.rtf" REL="nofollow">this report</A> into waste disposal in London and see if you still think it sensible to have different policies between boroughs.Neil Hardinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01333739272733802133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-9829749701928934862007-11-02T22:09:00.000+00:002007-11-02T22:09:00.000+00:00As to transport, yes, this goes way beyond the bou...As to transport, yes, this goes way beyond the boundaries of any particular borough - a London-to-Birmingham high-speed rail link will never get built if we wait fot fifty different local councils to reach an agreement.<BR/><BR/>As to refuse collection, nope, this is all up in the air what is the right thing to do. Let's let councils experiment with different stuff, and hopefully after five or ten years, the shit ideas will get binned and the good ideas (whatever they are - don't ask me) will win out.Mark Wadsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733511175178098449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-48798776810155955882007-11-01T20:38:00.000+00:002007-11-01T20:38:00.000+00:00Mark, there are a lot of powers that work well at ...Mark, there are a lot of powers that work well at local council level (and they certainly need a lot of power returned that was taken in the 80s) but some things like transport and refuse collection (as just two examples from many) are best organised regionally. Having one borough do one thing and another borough another, can be too small minded and leave no space for a region to think more long term and strategically. <BR/><BR/>We are the most centralised nation in the developed world. I don't see how having an English parliament is any less just 'another level of government' (a big criticism of regional government) and when nearly 90% of the population will be dictated to from London, I don't see how an English parliament addresses the centralisation problem either. It seems to me, the worst of both worlds.<BR/><BR/>Still searching for the regional spend stats, will post link when I find them. But believe me, they did show per capita spend in Scotland as less than their tax per capita (maybe it is all that booze and fags).Neil Hardinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01333739272733802133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-80865400857531002032007-11-01T18:52:00.000+00:002007-11-01T18:52:00.000+00:00Neil, that is the problem, the stat's are all over...Neil, that is the problem, the stat's are all over the place. No dispute that North of England (probably) gets more per capita than Scotland, for example, but as to the rest, who knows? We'll never find out 'til we try. <BR/><BR/>As to this regional crap, bollocks, devolve power to local councils, we've got a system in place already. Good point re Simon Jenkins BTW.Mark Wadsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733511175178098449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-5223287183479617522007-11-01T13:31:00.000+00:002007-11-01T13:31:00.000+00:00Mark, I was not using the SNP's calculations, I wa...Mark, I was not using the SNP's calculations, I was using the regional breakdown of tax and public spending (I was amazed myself when I saw the figures which sadly I haven't found on the net - so no link yet) which shows the Scots pay more in tax then they receive in public expenditure.<BR/><BR/>Where the Scots do well, is in receiving a higher percentage of public spending (relative to their wealth) than England receives. <BR/><BR/>The North of England for example, receives far more spending per capita than Scotland, but not as much as it could if its poverty relative to Scotland was fully taken into account (this is where the Barnett Formula boosts Scottish spending). Mainly it is the South East of England subsidising the rest of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. England is NOT subsidising Scotland, which receives less spending than it pays in taxes.Neil Hardinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01333739272733802133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-85738520262678656542007-11-01T12:18:00.000+00:002007-11-01T12:18:00.000+00:00Anon, As Simon Jenkins in the Guardian points out,...Anon, As <A HREF="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,2202036,00.html" REL="nofollow">Simon Jenkins in the Guardian points out</A>, it is only in the latter part of the 20th Century when English regions have not had powers similar to those of Scotland over education and health. If we returned to this regional power it would solve the West Lothian question. A move towards an English Parliament would inevitably lead to the break-up of the UK and English voters in some regions being ignored and getting increasingly agitated. If that is what you want, then fine, but the majority of voters want to keep the UK.<BR/><BR/>The 'no' campaign in the North East focussed its arguments primarily on the '<A HREF="http://www.northeastnocampaign.co.uk/reasons3.html" REL="nofollow">no real powers</A>', '<A HREF="http://www.northeastnocampaign.co.uk/reasons9.html" REL="nofollow">it is not real devolution</A>' and it is a '<A HREF="http://www.northeastnocampaign.co.uk/reasons8.html" REL="nofollow">talking shop</A>' arguments, the voters agreed and were right to reject what was on offer. This however was not a rejection of devolution per se. Offer the North East (or any other region) real power over health, education and transport and I am sure they will take it. They were not offered this and Labour must take the blame for holding onto too much power in London. Labour need to be bold and offer real devolution, like they have in Scotland and Wales (and from next year the extra powers for London). Why is devolution good for Scotland and Wales but not the regions of England?Neil Hardinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01333739272733802133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-51326975058081264272007-11-01T11:22:00.000+00:002007-11-01T11:22:00.000+00:00The English have already said they do not want reg...The English have already said they do not want regional assemblies,what part of no do you not understand? <BR/> creating Tensions beteen Northern England and Southern England will no doubt be on new labour's agenda<BR/>when it looks likely an English Parliament is to be convened.<BR/>In a post 2004 regional assembly referendum survey, many people in the North East of England said they did not want England broken up.<BR/>you new labour fuckers are just shit stirrersAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-75360774265087453842007-11-01T00:08:00.000+00:002007-11-01T00:08:00.000+00:00Neil! It's good to play around with your layouts, ...Neil! <BR/><BR/>It's good to play around with your layouts, but I think you've made the right hand bar a bit too wide (and the blood red background is a bit creepy!) and the actual middle bit is now too narrow.<BR/><BR/>Just saying. Others may differ.<BR/><BR/>The slidy boxes are way cool though, thanks for the tip.Mark Wadsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733511175178098449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-6797890008690504932007-10-30T21:49:00.000+00:002007-10-30T21:49:00.000+00:00I don't believe your tax/spend figures for one sec...I don't believe your tax/spend figures for one second - I checked the SNP's calculations that allegedly showed a roughly break-even position and they look pretty ropey to me, but hey, perhaps I am wrong, I am happy for Scotland to call my bluff. Not my problem. If they'd be richer by themselves, great, at least we've got cunts like Gordon Brown, Darling, Rifking et al off our backs.<BR/><BR/>The issue is not 'complex' at all, any more than the inner workings of a digital watch are complex. Either you want one or you don't.Mark Wadsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733511175178098449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-74538374871987629222007-10-30T15:59:00.000+00:002007-10-30T15:59:00.000+00:00At the end of the day I would agree with you. I am...At the end of the day I would agree with you. I am an internationalist, so all borders are arbitrary to me in the long term, but for those who want to see a UK nation, I just want to explain why this issue is more complex than the media are saying it is.<BR/><BR/>It would certainly be interesting to see Scotland with the Euro and playing a closer role in the EU. I believe tensions between north and south England would increase if England were independent.<BR/><BR/>Another point I forgot to mention is that Scotland actually pays more tax per head than it recieves in spending - so how English nationalists and David Cameron can have a go at spending levels in Scotland is beyond me.Neil Hardinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01333739272733802133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-86380806220772758492007-10-30T15:44:00.000+00:002007-10-30T15:44:00.000+00:00I think a break up of the UK would be a Good Thing...I think a break up of the UK would be a Good Thing, quite how we get there is of little interest to me.Mark Wadsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733511175178098449noreply@blogger.com