THE leaders in the Scottish Parliament of the Tory and Labour parties, Jackson Carlaw and Richard Leonard, week after week try to press the Scottish Government to spend more money on something or other. They both completely ignore the fact that the only money the Scottish Parliament has to spend is that provided by the Tory government in London. This is a fixed amount each year, and has frequently been reduced in real terms.
READ MORE: Jackie Baillie: Scottish Labour fighting for survival in 2021 election
Jackson Carlaw and Richard Leonard would therefore have more credibility if they were prepared to admit that the parliament’s funds are limited, and to suggest where they would like to see cuts in other services in order to pay for the increases in spending that they propose without any apparent thought given to where the money is going to come from.
Peter Swain
Innerwick, Dunbar
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel