The MP for North East Fife will serve at Westminster, not Holyrood.

There are important local matters that an MP can fight on: For example, our landscape is changing, with wind turbines becoming an increasingly obvious and mostly unwelcome feature. That happens because Westminster has accepted EU renewable energy targets and carbon footprint thresholds. And sanctions paying subsidies for uneconomic wind energy systems which the people who are now setting them up know that they would not pursue if they had to pay foot the bill. Instead, energy users have their bills loaded with a surcharge to bung the wind industry - FITs or Feed In Tariffs cost all of us and benefit the few. Westminster should stop that nonsense.

Defence too, matters locally. Changes at Leuchars will be sorted out in the medium term as the Army replaces the RAF as the main unit there but the change was a mistake. Ming Campbell said it was a strategic mistake. In a way, but not as he meant it, he was right. The strategic error is in the dangerous cut in defences, the reduced size of the RAF fast jet fleet, not so much where the vestiges of the RAF as we knew it are based.

But even on his own measure, that closing RAF Leuchars was a strategic error, the Liberal Democrat's past Leader and Defence Spokesman, rolled with the decision and continued to support the coalition which made, in Ming's terms, the disastrous mistake. He should have really stood up for us and resigned the whip, not back off on a matter of principle. He must have known he was going to retire, so he had little to loose, surely? The impact of a senior resignation would have rattled a cage or two.

We have to restore defence spending to at least meet the agreed NATO targets; it does many things beyond the obvious necessary restoration of defence capacity. It is one of the few real ways in which a government can create real jobs, in the armed services, and in the defence industry. My manifesto, written in March, also advanced my view that we need to strengthen the RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) with hospital ships - in fact with purpose built hospital, rescue and support ships. They would be roled to do what the Prime Minister has now tasked HMS Bulwark to do - a humanitarian mission to rescue and help people in distress; they'd be able also to deploy Field Hospitals ashore (useful for Refugee situations, or for survivors of Natural Disasters), produce water and supply energy, whilst still having the ability to carry out their normal role of RAS (Resupply At Sea).

There are many issues for your MP to address, like those above. It is, now, for your MSP and councillors to try to get the NHS and Education right in Scotland: I assume all the other candidates do accept the existence of the Scottish Parliament.

What is going on?

An interesting slant of politics in Scotland.  I was asked to comment on the apparent status of the Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath seat.

What on earth is our focus now in Scotland?  

In my view, Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath cannot be regarded as Labour’s safest seat – Gordon Brown is the reason it had that status.

No other Labour figure left in Scotland matches up to his reputation. 

The same lesson holds now for the other parties – the Conservatives, for example, field Ruth Davidson as their asset – perhaps that is true – but who is their top slot leading light actually standing for Westminster?  And that question also applies to the Liberal Democrats.  Of course, Salmond has been outshone by Nicola as well.

None of this is surprising – even the media seem only to be capable of raising Scottish Parliament and Council issues. 

The whole devolution exercise has caused a schism in politics with a loss of focus here of what matters outside of Scotland; it all plays into the hands of the SNP. 

I do not believe that all of the electorate are taken in by this drift – after all is said and done, the SNP lost the referendum.  All Scottish Parties need to remember that.

Make the Big Breaks for Small Business

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), small business to you and me, are the true creators of real, productive jobs in the United Kingdom.   They provide more jobs than do the PLCs.

David Cameron has promised to create 2 million jobs – promised – that word again.   Hard to believe particularly as the only jobs government creates are those in the public tax payer funded sector.   That is not entirely nugatory of course, we sell medical training to overseas student through NHS teaching hospitals, for example, and employing armed forces leads to creation of jobs in industry, manufacturing equipment and building ships.  That said, it is really the private sector which has the potential  to create jobs.

The business environment, however, can kill small business.   We now have EU procurement rules that makes selling to the public sector a game for the multi-nationals, we have all too tight restrictions, often unnecessary, in the work place and restrictions like the working time directive. 

But I consider that the biggest problems for Small Business to overcome are rates and slow or late payers.   We can tackle both.

Business Rates need to be simplified, and divided into two bands; a band for PLCs, which the chancellor can see as a reasonable source of revenue, and a band for SMEs.  Given that we have a large SME sector, it is acceptable for them to pay rates as a resource for the common good, but the system must not weigh against them in favour of PLCss as now. A corner shop pays more in proportion than does a supermarket.  Those hit thus, will know that.

I propose a simpler system based on a straight forward levy per square foot for both PLCs and SMEs, regardless of location. That will help city centre businesses and encourage revitalising small traders in town centre etc.  Secondly, the rate set for SMEs would be in a band factors lower than the PLC band.    I support local responsibility local authorities should be the rate setters for their areas.

Now the big one – dealing with late payers, by whom I mean PLCs, and even local authorities, who keep SMEs waiting for payment.  Indeed, bigger SMEs might well be guilty too.  

The man with the power and tools to sort this out is our dear friend the VAT man.  VAT registered businesses have to render their dues to the VAT man on a regular basis and can be hammered if they do not pay.  All the VAT mand needs to do, is to require VAT payers to include in their returns on VAT , the additional information of how much they owe their creditors beyond a 30 day limit.  There would be an automatic fine by the VAT man on that figure (helping his public pot) and inducing the slow payers to pay on time.   Being a slow payer would be highly uneconomic, and would probably dry up.

To Barnett or not to Barnett?

The Barnett Formula works for the UK - if Scotland gets FA (Fiscal Autonomy) as well, as they all seem hell bent on, Scots will have extra taxes to pay.

Any pleas by Scots for a reduction in UK taxes to balance our personal budgets would mean less spent in Scotland from UK taxes - a reduced slice of Barnett being the most obvious option. Before any tinkering with Barnett, we MUST be told what Full Fiscal Autonomy entails.

How many tax bills is Scotland asking to have levied here?

Is FA so much smoke and mirrors? Sturgeon, Murphy and Davidson MUST clarify this if they want an honest ballot result.

AN INDEPENDENT’S MANIFESTO

Mike Scott-Hayward

AN INDEPENDENT’S  MANIFESTO FOR AN

Independent Sovereign Democratic Britain

26 March 2015

OVERARCHING PRINCIPLES

Independent Britain

                Independent, to emphasise that British sovereignty shall no longer be shared or surrendered.

Britain Governing herself, not governed by any supra national authority – and therefore not in the EU.

Britain represented only by the British Government abroad and in all international organisations – such as the UNO, IMF, IMO, NATO, EFTA, et al.

Sovereign Britain

                The Sovereign-in-Parliament final arbiter over British Citizens

Democratic Britain

Democratic not Bureaucratic

POLICY GUIDELINES

·         Defence

o   SLBM based Nuclear Deterrent.

o   Carrier Force – cover roles across Atlantic/Mediterranean, Asian and Pacific regions.

o   Home Based and Quick Reaction Mobile Regular Forces.

o   National Service including Civilian Overseas Service and Volunteers.

o   Reserve Forces for Emergencies and to provide a Resilience Corps.

o   Commonwealth Links – establish Commonwealth Naval Task Groups/Squadrons etc

o   East of Suez Base/s

o   Strengthen the Royal fleet Auxiliary – emphasise on new additional Disaster Relief role, including hospital ships.

·         Overseas Aid and Development: 

o    Switch to predominance of assistance provided through Armed Forces, National Service, RFA and Civilian Overseas Service and Volunteers on development and aid  projects coordinated by FCO and MOD.

o   Minimal Financial Support through partial funding of projects delivered by British Companies

·         Security, Intelligence and Surveillance – better resources.

·         Immigration

o   Principle that the UK Border Controls and Immigration are wholly subject to the sovereign will of Parliament which alone sets and alters law and rules as required from time to time.

o   Immigration Quotas will be set when and if necessary based on impact on UK infrastructure and needs.

o   Refugees – People seeking Asylum will always be treated as special case with decisions taken under the Royal Prerogative.

o   Immigrants

§  People seeking permanent British Residential Status and Citizenship, either: 

·         Having British Roots:  Will become British Subjects and Citizens of UK and Colonies upon proof of connection which meets  criteria set by Parliament from time to time, or

·         Not having British roots but seeking full British Citizenship:  May become British Subjects and Citizens of UK and Colonies on application and meeting criteria set by Parliament from time to time, after 5 year qualification and contribution period during which time they must have held an appropriate Entry Visa.

§  People seeking Limited Residential Status (Renewable periodically), for the purpose of work, study or investment:

·         Entry Visa conditional upon holding proof, and continued applicability, of full medical insurance cover and proof of:

o   Employment Position covered by Employers Certificate of necessity and  remunerated sufficiently so as to ensure the entrant will be fully self-financing in respect of all own living, accommodation needs and of any admissible accompanying dependents; or

o   Fully funded University (or other approved establishment) place including full living and accommodation expenses or

o   Fully Self Financing in all respect, including medical insurance and ability to maintain investment or bank deposit holdings at level set from time to time by Parliament.

o   Tourists – Time limited Visas subject to proof of Medical Care Insurance and sufficient holding of funds for intended visit activities.

·         The Commonwealth. 

o   Renew emphasis on cooperation with Commonwealth in international affairs

o   Renew and encourage trade with and within the Commonwealth.  Propose a Commonwealth Free Trade Agreement.

·         Small Business:

o   Solution to Late Payment Problem – HMRC penalise late payers, via VAT returns.

o   Business Rates – based directly on premises size (area/square footage), not location, use, etc, in two bands: PLCs and SMEs

·         NHS: 

o   NHS UK – stronger Hospital Based structure with autonomous GP practices

o   Care Homes – sourced by Hospitals, from Council, Social, Charity and Private Sector (Nanny cannot do it all)

·         Democracy

o   Parliament

§  Cohesive Parliamentary Structure 

§  Westminster integrated with four National Parliaments – MPs sit at Westminster and in National Parliaments, with additional National Members for PR balance.

§  Repeal the Coalition clamp on motions of confidence and the fixed term restriction of democracy.

o   Recall - Simple system of by election called when 30% of registered voters sign petition.          

o   Binding Local Referenda: Council Decisions, including Planning Consents, overturned by referendum of voters in affected wards when appeal called by 20% of the relevant voters.

·         Smaller Government – Guiding Principle should be to not legislate unless doing so is only solution.

·         Housing – Remit of the National Parliaments but need for a UK regime encouraging first/single home ownership.

·         International Trade –Engage in full trading relationships worldwide with an emphasis on trade with the Commonwealth, EFTA and the USA.

·         Energy

o   Full mix led by nuclear with clean oil, gas and coal technology, fracking, tidal, solar and riparian power.

o   No subsidy, support or targets for intermittent wind or wave power but no bar to private development if Planning Consent, decided “in county”, is agreed. (See Planning).

·         Railways

o   HS2 becomes United Kingdom High Speed Railway (UK HSR):  Floated for public and private investment, build from both ends (and even the middle outwards), including Scotland and Wales.  Must have high freight capacity.

o   Encourage investment in new rail links using fiscal leniency.

o   Review Rail Franchises- longer term investments 

·         Personal Taxation and Welfare Support

o   Properly establish system as advocated by the tax Payers Alliance, whereby a choice between a Citizen Benefit and a Tax free Allowance, removes benefit trap and encourages people to take employment without facing claw-backs.

·         Space Exploration:  Tax free unsubsidized environment to encourage British ventures.

·         Human Trafficking:   Human trafficking has increased; it is abhorrent and a prime cause involves prostitution.    Prostitution cannot be stopped but a safer environment can be created to protect for sex workers as well and creating a disincentive, taking the profit out of human trafficking. 

o   Regulation a preferred,  safer and better route than unenforceable wholesale prohibition

o   License sex workers’ register, approved and held by local authority.

o   Human Trafficking (for any purpose) to carry minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment without parole

·         Coalition- in extremis only – supply and confidence support

Dumb, not smart

An IoD report highlights a number of key concerns about Smart Meters:

Despite the EU Directive, 11 nations have ruled out electricity smart meters and only 5 are pushing ahead with the 2020 target for gas meters. 

In contrast, as is so often is the case, the UK has gold-plated the Directive.

The government refuses to publish any of the reports on the programme by the Major Projects Authority.

The cost-benefit analysis conducted by the Department for Energy and Climate Change is so heavily redacted as to be almost unreadable.

The Smart Meter network would be vulnerable to cyber-attack and disruption.
Introducing time-of-day pricing to shift consumer demand will only work with price increases that are not politically realistic. 

Retail consumers really can’t change their energy consumption that much.

AN INDEPENDENT’S MANIFESTO

Mike Scott-Hayward

AN INDEPENDENT’S  MANIFESTO FOR AN

Independent Sovereign Democratic Britain

26 March 2015

OVERARCHING PRINCIPLES

Independent Britain

                Independent, to emphasise that British sovereignty shall no longer be shared or surrendered.

Britain Governing herself, not governed by any supra national authority – and therefore not in the EU.

Britain represented only by the British Government abroad and in all international organisations – such as the UNO, IMF, IMO, NATO, EFTA, et al.

Sovereign Britain

                The Sovereign-in-Parliament final arbiter over British Citizens

Democratic Britain

Democratic not Bureaucratic

POLICY GUIDELINES

·         Defence

o   SLBM based Nuclear Deterrent.

o   Carrier Force – cover roles across Atlantic/Mediterranean, Asian and Pacific regions.

o   Home Based and Quick Reaction Mobile Regular Forces.

o   National Service including Civilian Overseas Service and Volunteers.

o   Reserve Forces for Emergencies and to provide a Resilience Corps.

o   Commonwealth Links – establish Commonwealth Naval Task Groups/Squadrons etc

o   East of Suez Base/s

o   Strengthen the Royal fleet Auxiliary – emphasise on new additional Disaster Relief role, including hospital ships.

·         Overseas Aid and Development: 

o    Switch to predominance of assistance provided through Armed Forces, National Service, RFA and Civilian Overseas Service and Volunteers on development and aid  projects coordinated by FCO and MOD.

o   Minimal Financial Support through partial funding of projects delivered by British Companies

·         Security, Intelligence and Surveillance – better resources.

·         Immigration

o   Principle that the UK Border Controls and Immigration are wholly subject to the sovereign will of Parliament which alone sets and alters law and rules as required from time to time.

o   Immigration Quotas will be set when and if necessary based on impact on UK infrastructure and needs.

o   Refugees – People seeking Asylum will always be treated as special case with decisions taken under the Royal Prerogative.

o   Immigrants

§  People seeking permanent British Residential Status and Citizenship, either: 

·         Having British Roots:  Will become British Subjects and Citizens of UK and Colonies upon proof of connection which meets  criteria set by Parliament from time to time, or

·         Not having British roots but seeking full British Citizenship:  May become British Subjects and Citizens of UK and Colonies on application and meeting criteria set by Parliament from time to time, after 5 year qualification and contribution period during which time they must have held an appropriate Entry Visa.

§  People seeking Limited Residential Status (Renewable periodically), for the purpose of work, study or investment:

·         Entry Visa conditional upon holding proof, and continued applicability, of full medical insurance cover and proof of:

o   Employment Position covered by Employers Certificate of necessity and  remunerated sufficiently so as to ensure the entrant will be fully self-financing in respect of all own living, accommodation needs and of any admissible accompanying dependents; or

o   Fully funded University (or other approved establishment) place including full living and accommodation expenses or

o   Fully Self Financing in all respect, including medical insurance and ability to maintain investment or bank deposit holdings at level set from time to time by Parliament.

o   Tourists – Time limited Visas subject to proof of Medical Care Insurance and sufficient holding of funds for intended visit activities.

·         The Commonwealth. 

o   Renew emphasis on cooperation with Commonwealth in international affairs

o   Renew and encourage trade with and within the Commonwealth.  Propose a Commonwealth Free Trade Agreement.

·         Small Business:

o   Solution to Late Payment Problem – HMRC penalise late payers, via VAT returns.

o   Business Rates – based directly on premises size (area/square footage), not location, use, etc, in two bands: PLCs and SMEs

·         NHS: 

o   NHS UK – stronger Hospital Based structure with autonomous GP practices

o   Care Homes – sourced by Hospitals, from Council, Social, Charity and Private Sector (Nanny cannot do it all)

·         Democracy

o   Parliament

§  Cohesive Parliamentary Structure 

§  Westminster integrated with four National Parliaments – MPs sit at Westminster and in National Parliaments, with additional National Members for PR balance.

§  Repeal the Coalition clamp on motions of confidence and the fixed term restriction of democracy.

o   Recall - Simple system of by election called when 30% of registered voters sign petition.          

o   Binding Local Referenda: Council Decisions, including Planning Consents, overturned by referendum of voters in affected wards when appeal called by 20% of the relevant voters.

·         Smaller Government – Guiding Principle should be to not legislate unless doing so is only solution.

·         Housing – Remit of the National Parliaments but need for a UK regime encouraging first/single home ownership.

·         International Trade –Engage in full trading relationships worldwide with an emphasis on trade with the Commonwealth, EFTA and the USA.

·         Energy

o   Full mix led by nuclear with clean oil, gas and coal technology, fracking, tidal, solar and riparian power.

o   No subsidy, support or targets for intermittent wind or wave power but no bar to private development if Planning Consent, decided “in county”, is agreed. (See Planning).

·         Railways

o   HS2 becomes United Kingdom High Speed Railway (UK HSR):  Floated for public and private investment, build from both ends (and even the middle outwards), including Scotland and Wales.  Must have high freight capacity.

o   Encourage investment in new rail links using fiscal leniency.

o   Review Rail Franchises- longer term investments 

·         Personal Taxation and Welfare Support

o   Properly establish system as advocated by the tax Payers Alliance, whereby a choice between a Citizen Benefit and a Tax free Allowance, removes benefit trap and encourages people to take employment without facing claw-backs.

·         Space Exploration:  Tax free unsubsidized environment to encourage British ventures.

·         Human Trafficking:   Human trafficking has increased; it is abhorrent and a prime cause involves prostitution.    Prostitution cannot be stopped but a safer environment can be created to protect for sex workers as well and creating a disincentive, taking the profit out of human trafficking. 

o   Regulation a preferred,  safer and better route than unenforceable wholesale prohibition

o   License sex workers’ register, approved and held by local authority.

o   Human Trafficking (for any purpose) to carry minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment without parole

·         Coalition- in extremis only – supply and confidence support

Mike Scott-Hayward

Independent Sovereign Democratic Britain

I simply cannot find a party for which to vote which adequately covers all the bases I consider necessary; moreover, those that come close on some points have gained track records of breaking promises.

All I want is an Independent Sovereign Democratic Britain:

Independent Britain

Independent, to emphasize that British sovereignty should no longer be shared or surrendered: Britain governing herself, not governed by any supra national authority – and therefore not in the EU. Britain represented only by the British Government abroad and in all international organisations – such as the UNO, IMF, IMO, NATO, EFTA, et al.

Sovereign Britain

The Sovereign-in-Parliament - the constitutional framework which should be final arbiter over British Citizens

Democratic Britain

Democratic not Bureaucratic: Decision making should wherever possible require or be subject to the endorsement of the people most affected. Our Parliament, as our supreme sovereign authority, subject as it has always meant to be, subject to the democratic will of the British People; its members, our MPs, sitting subject to the goodwill and support of their electing constituents, and hence liable to recall if that goodwill is lost.

It seems to me that my only choice is  to stand again; to stand for North East Fife at the General Election on 7th May 2015.

So today I am launching my appeal to raise money for a deposit and for leaflets if possible.  

Moreover, I have submitted a registration application to the Electoral Commission though they are unlikely to clear it as a "party registration" in time. 

If registered, I will be able to use the description "Independent Sovereign Democratic Britain" on the ballot paper - otherwise I will simply be an Independent.

I will publish a Manifesto here soon. 

Views or comments etc to me via email: independentsovereigndemocraticbritain@outlook.com

Mike Scott-Hayward

Where's the Navy?

The cry used to be "The Navy's here!" - as when HMS Cossack intercepted the Altmark.

Where's the Navy now?

We need ASW destroyers or frigates, as we used to have, in sufficient numbers to patrol not only in support of our shipping worldwide, but our home waters, do we not?

And what excuse does the Coalition have for scrapping Nimrod now?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/11487625/Did-Russian-submarine-nearly-drag-Scottish-fishing-trawler-to-watery-grave.html?WT.mc_id=e_DM7091&WT.tsrc=email&etype=Edi_FAM_New&utm_source=email&utm_medium=Edi_FAM_New_2015_03_22&utm_campaign=DM7091

Old Lessons to Remember

Cold War II would be a much better option than WW III.

A cold war brings stabilized tension, constant vigilance and constant caution - and with nuclear deterrence at its core - a permanent stand-off.

We face these new choices simply because the EU's little demagogues do not understand the innate fear of a Russian nation which was brought close to extinction by Napoleon and Hitler.

The old "spheres of influence" have been disregarded by the EU, Merkel and the woman the Russians call "that English woman", Baroness Ashton. A British Army subaltern doing War Studies would get it.

And let's not go near to even discussing Sturgeon's Stupidity on Trident.

Scottish Nanny Party

The Scottish Nanny Party is starting its next roll towards total state insanity. The unbelievable legislation to appoint a state nanny for every child will be one of the biggest steps ever taken anywhere to undermine family life, individual rights and democracy.

The very concept of handing control and coordination of your child to the state from shortly after its conception, to age 16, is now a virtual certainty. I wish No to a Named Person (NO2NP) every success – they will need all of our support.


As yet, I have not seen any mention or answers to some issues that will worry all sane folk:

• Will this idiocy apply to the children of all EU citizens in Scotland?
• Will this idiocy apply to the children of non- EU citizens in Scotland?
• Will parents have the right of access to the personal records of the named person, to ensure they are not criminals or potential paedophiles?
• For how many children will each named person have responsibility?

That’s for starters.

It seems to me this is a policy designed to send the sane south.

United Nations is not fit for purpose

The United Nations Organisation is not fit  for purpose.

How is it that all of the independent sovereign nations of the world there gathered cannot act effectively against ISIL? 

ISIL, after all,  is an unrecognised self-proclaimed rogue “state” which stands condemned by all.

The UN, surely, if able to muster near unanimity, should have the necessary authority to act.

One bar to unanimous action may be the veto wielded by key states in the Security Council.  But do any of those support ISIL?  That is surely inconceivable.

Why no action? Perhaps some reform is needed in any event: should the General Assembly have the power, if wielded by a very high majority, say 80 or 90%, of all member nations, be able to overrule a minority view of just one veto wielding power, or to compel the Security Council to act?

Consensus versus Democracy

There are some issues on which the whole nation needs to pull together - such as in war, when defending our existence against an enemy seeking to overwhelm or destroy us.

When we have internal disputes, even conflict, however, it is only by obtaining the majority democratic view of a free society that we can have some assurance that we, the people, will not be brought to heel by a government or establishment dictatorship.

That is why I cringe when I hear self-interested MPs or vested interest groups say that the only way to handle an issue which is becoming too hot to handle, is not by courageous democratic debate, but by "all parties coming together in a non-partisan way".  

That is the route to putting all power, unchecked and unscrutinised, into the hands of bureaucrats and subservient politicians, or, worse, at first into the hands of an elite clique and then of a demagogue.

Raucous debate across the floor of the House, and widely varying opinions during election campaigns, is a better way, the British way, than cosy, closed door coalition.

Democracy Diminshed.

The Coalition Government has  diminished the political influence of MPs even further than had the Blair Government.

  

Today’s Parties want puppets and clones on their books.  Few MPs dare to act in keeping with the stance they professed when elected.   

Indeed, because of the Act passed by Blair’s government, the Parliamentary Parties, Elections and Referendum Act (PPERA), few candidates dared to put any view at variance with the Party Orders, lest they be forced to stand without Party endorsement, as Independent candidates, unable even to aspire to a description on the ballot paper.

PPERA was introduced because of the introduction of the system of Lists required for the proportional representation for elections to the Scottish Parliament, The Welsh and Northern Ireland Assemblies and the European Parliament.  

For the first time in British history, parties had to register with the state authorities in order to be eligible to field candidates for Parliament.  Prior to that, anyone or any group or party, could be or field candidates who were able to adopt a description, be it a Party Name, or something as simple as ”Independent  Communist”, to fight their corner to take a seat in Parliament.

But no more – since PPERA, only registered parties can have party names or descriptions and the candidates need the specific endorsement of a Nominating Officer, from the registered Party, in order to have the description on the ballot paper.

The exception, for a candidate not accepted to stand for a party, or not wishing to, is to stand as an "Independent”.  So what, you ask?

Well, in the past, a free spirit could distinguish his or her “independent”  status with some description – for example, “Independent Communist”,  "Independent For A Free NHS”, “Independent Conservative” etc.   The rule now is that the only default description is the single word “Independent”.  So two, or three, independent candidates on the same ballot paper cannot explain or describe themselves as in any way different from the others – are they to the left, right or centre?

A small, harmless shift, one night say. Especially if one is a bureaucratic party, determined to keep MPs in line -  lose the label, lose the seat.  Power has shifted, in this as in so much else, towards  the controllers at the centre – party bosses and bureaucrats.

  

That is not good for democracy. 

And the Coalition bent the constitution even further – gone now are the good old days when a Prime Minster had to command the confidence of a majority of individual MPs in the House of Commons. 

Losing an important vote meant being unable to govern as pledge; but the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives in coalition sorted that –  they fixed the term of parliament so that they retain power even if they lose the support of MPs – and that has happened in this parliament. And adjust the margin by which dissent or dissatisfaction amongst MPs is needed before the cosy cartel can be challenged.

Are all our MPs now wimps? Why do they accept all of this?  To keep the job, regardless?

We must restore the convention we had when we were British, that is, that the Government must have the confidence of the House in order to govern, that MPs should not fear for their futures more than they do for the country, and that free spirits can stand as Independents but with some description,  so that the electorate can distinguish their intent.

Bigmouth

Quite the unacceptable face of UKIP: There are uncomfortable people in all parties and sadly the balance seems quite high in UKIP in Scotland.  More's the shame, as years of "co-operation" forced on them by the Party List system, has weakened clear strong policy-making amongst the SNP's main opponents.

http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/scottish-politics/ukip-in-nazi-jibe-over-new-paper.25999221?utm_source=headlines&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email%2Balert

EU Benefits Ruling

A "win" on one issue in an EU court is not a restoration of our sovereignty or a "victory" - hooting hurrah for this result is understandable but the next EU legal decision may equally go the "other" way.  They are deciding - we are ruled.

Not just immigration

Cameron putting immigration at the centre of his manifesto is not the winning trick - the EU issue is about all of our sovereignty.

World Security

An Independent Scotland might well not be a weak nation, will not be a poor state but will not gain top table status, especially if run by a centralizing, overspending and smug government.

The United Kingdom, broken up by the independence of Scotland, will doubtless be diminished, certainly in the short and medium term.  And that will have an adverse impact on world security and stability.

Any perception that the UK's break up weakens it, will weaken her impact and influence in NATO, multiplying the effect current force reductions.  The reality of Scottish Independence with the subsequent uncertainty over Trident basing will create a shock wave amongst  the allies, and some mirth to say the least in Putin's front office.

The UK's voice in the UN Security Council may be deemed to be toned down - and perhaps her veto questioned.

Scotland is not a colony growing up to make its own way in the world. Scotland is a partner in a Union that has been a world leader and possible the most successful force for good, security and stability, despite an imperfect past.  Churchill might have said that the Union might not always have been perfect, but it has made a most impressive contribution.

I hope Scots will not follow the narrow inward looking selfishness so smugly exuded by Salmond and his people.

No call for bad mouthing First Minister.

As a former Chairman of UKIP in Scotland, I am appalled at reports that Coburn, a UKIP MEP, speaking in London, called the Scottish First Minister a racist, and I deplore the language and rhetoric used by both Coburn and Thackeray, the current unelected chairman of UKIP in Scotland.  Being “in your face” is not the basis upon which a political party can build a respectable image.

UKIP proper has the right perspective on the key issue of British Sovereignty; the twin objectives of keeping the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland intact, and of regaining the sovereignty we have already lost to the European Union.  Those messages have created the momentum which is seeing the rise of UKIP as a major political party in the UK; indeed, the surge created brought its gain in Scotland too.  

Putting forward a positive message is needed; not the vindictive, puerile personal disparagement of elected government ministers.

A fine example of a positive pro UK message is one which, I have long advocated: That the United Kingdom’s MPs should represent us all both in Parliament in Westminster, and also in four national parliaments

It is as wrong to slate the First Minister as it was for idiots to mob Nigel Farage on the Cannongate in Edinburgh.

Unfortunately, UKIP in Scotland is now gaining a less than palatable reputation; something which UKIP elsewhere has with increasing success combatted.   Little wonder that Better Together are concerned the modus operandi of UKIP in Scotland, and the distraction their rally may cause.

Reflection of Farage/Clegg Debate - and the EUs peacocks.

It seems that Nigel Farage and I are in step in our thinking on the Sevastopol issue - the EU has to be careful not to tread deeply into the Russian sphere of influence. At least Obama and the EU are now tacitly acknowledging that military options must be ruled out.
In his debate with Clegg, Farage is reported to have accused the EU of having blood on its hands over the Ukraine. Clegg on the other hand praised the bloc's influence in Eastern Europe; he is reported to have said "It was the British governments that pioneered the enlargement of the European Union so we'd have more peace, more democracy and more rule of law in our European neck of the woods."

Mr Farage responded by saying "we can all hang our heads in shame. We've given a false series of hopes to a group of people in the west of Ukraine; So 'geed' up were they that they actually toppled their own elected leader. That provoked Mr Putin and I think the European Union frankly does have blood on its hands in the Ukraine and I don't want a European army, navy, air force or a European foreign policy."

I think that the way ahead now surely lies in the EU and the USA recognising Crimea as part of Russia, with Russia withdrawing troops from the Ukrainian border and all parties, the USA, the EU's member states, Ukraine and Russia agreeing on Ukrainian neutrality, recognised and guaranteed by all.

Otherwise, we are set for a Black Sea Freeze, if not a wider Cold War II.