http://shortstraw.blog.co.uk/

In response to:UK buses?

2007-10-26T06:58:26+02:00

I don't drive and so am dependent on public transport. I have to agree with your assessment that bus fares in the UK are far too expensive. Several years ago when I was active in the local community doing voluntary work there were a couple of times when a person couldn't afford the bus fare into town (about ten per cent of weekly income/benefit) and had to walk the eight miles or so.

In response to:Injustices in the UK university system

2007-09-11T23:11:46+02:00

On the contrary, a Scottish person who attended an English university is exactly who I would look to attract here: I do not blame the Scottish people for the failings of the university system; rather the Labour MPs who took it upon themselves to vote in the party line despite the fact that those they would affect had absolutely no voting power: they were "safe". Contrary to the impression given that, because I am no longer a unionist, I "don't like Scotland", I believe that the SNP have proved responsible and Salmond regards England as a potential neighbour, not a rival.
My point is that more is spent per head in Scotland than in England- and in a "United" kingdom I simply believe that all citizens should have the same access to any state benefits in the same state.
I agree with the potential solution of federalising the UK, but with over investment in London I believe that it will always distort the real needs for English people. Instead, I believe that the office of the Mayor of London should have a "London State" whilst an office is made for the Midlands and the South (Birmingham) and one for the North (Manchester). It would be expensive to start, but would cater much more specifically for the needs of the people in those areas and each would govern as many as, or more, people than the Scottish Parliament or the Welsh Assembly and would have more power than city councils.

In response to:Injustices in the UK university system

2007-09-11T14:16:51+02:00

Short,

As someone from Scotland who went to an English university, I may be the opposite of the person you are looking to attract here. However, your points are very interesting and in a lot of cases, spot on.

You are absolutely correct in saying it is a scandal where MP’s for Scottish (and Welsh) constituencies can vote on matters that will not affect their constituents and I am absolutely amazed there is not more disquiet about it. Its not like no-one saw this coming (Damn, it hurts praising Tam Deyell) and provisions should have been put in place deal with it. The problem with devolution is that it was dealt with in a Scottish and Welsh vacuum – no-one did anything about how it would affect the UK government.

The obvious solution (other than the break up of the UK, and it doesn’t look as if people are anxious to vote for that soon) is to take away Scottish and Welsh MP’s voting rights on English only issues. The problem with this is, it could lead to a government who cannot get through any legislation on certain issues, meaning certain areas – such as health – being neglected to the detriment of everyone.

The other, I’d say better, solution is to federalise the UK and build an English parliament in Manchester or something to deal with English only issues. This would totally revolutionise UK government and bring about another set of elected officials, which I’m pretty sure there’s no public appetite for, so its probably a no go.

So, as for what to do about this – dunno, but we should have sorted it out before doing anything.

With regard to the discrimination against English students by Scottish universities, I’d say it’s more an incentive for foreign students. The Scottish government is very keep for EU and non-EU students (See the FTI scheme) to come and study in Scotland, with the hope that they will stay and contribute to the country and the end of their studies. With education matters being devolved, this is just a matter of the government in Edinburgh being more proactive than the one in London and creating a competitive advantage for Scotland. My question would be, why have the UK government not created similar schemes?

Whether Scotland is a net tax receiver or not is debatable. We certainly receive more public spending per head, but that is not the same thing. See http://www.alba.org.uk/index.html for a different reading than the government on Scotland’s contributions to the UK economy. I’m not going to claim to be able to vouch for its authenticity, but it’s certainly well researched. Go to the menu and click on ‘Scotching the Myth’ and then ‘The Great Deception GERS 2005’. The direct link doesn’t work – I don’t know why. If you don’t want to read all that, the edited highlights are that we get charged for Trident and they don’t count the oil as ours.

The Student Loans Company is an interesting point, but you have to remember that the SLC was set up when the playing field was even. Also, Scottish students do incur debts, trust me I know. Even if you were to move the SLC to somewhere in England, the cost would be enormous. You’d either have to pay hefty relocation packages (and even then the same people would be in the jobs) or you’d lose years of accumulated knowledge, making the whole operation indefinably more inefficient meaning costs would go through the roof. And, as a rule, UK-wide agencies tend to be run from England, putting Scotland at a severe jobs disadvantage, so even if this one is slightly unfair, it’s not exactly balancing the scales.