REGARDING your article “Greens say they’ll only back the SNP budget if it raises taxes and wages” (The National, October 23).
During an interview on Sunday Politics, Patrick Harvie claimed that a minimum of a three per cent pay increase for public servants would be needed before the Greens would support the SNP over the Scottish budget.
He refused to enter into any discussion on how this pay rise was to be funded, claiming that only the Scottish Government had the necessary information. The Greens are now no different from any other party making uncosted demands on the Scottish Government.
Surely he could have some idea of the amount involved, as Fraser of Allander have recently produced a report quoting a figure around £450 million. A couple of minutes on the internet revealed that the NHS wages bill is in the region £5 billion annually, so a three per cent increase for that group alone would cost at least £150m.
If Green Party researchers are unable to come up with even a rough figure for implementing their policy across Scotland, how can we believe that they have done research on any of the figures that they produce?
Hopefully the Green Party conference resolution that “Refusal by the Scottish Government to make further use of the powers available to it is unacceptable” is just sabre-rattling, as the Scottish Government has already embarked on a study into the use of the whole of their devolved tax powers.
The Greens may yet see the advantage of negotiating rather than threatening over the budget.
John Jamieson
South Queensferry
I HAVE to agree wholeheartedly with the views of George Kerevan (Holyrood has a clear obligation to support Catalonia as it defies Spain, The National, October 23) when he advocates that our Scottish Government and Parliament should support the Catalan government in the strongest possible way during its present difficulties.
Thinking back to 2014, I seem to remember that it was one Mariano Rajoy, Prime Minister of Spain, who was possibly the most vocal of all the European leaders objecting to our referendum and telling us in no uncertain terms of the fates that would befall us if we were so unwise as to vote for independence from Britain. We would never, ever be allowed anywhere near the EU. Sadly back then in 2014, we did not have the benefit of columns in The National.
This is the same man who is now in a position of using violence against the Catalans. Our Scottish voice must be heard.
There will those who say we should keep quiet and clear of controversy on this, but remember that Theresa May has already made it plain she is not going to “agree” to another referendum, and it is only a matter time before we reach this point ourselves, hopefully without the violence and bully-boy tactics seen in Catalonia.
George Mitchell
Sheriffmuir, Dunblane
I CAN’T help gaining the impression from the two Labour leadership contenders that, in keeping with Ruth Davidson, their candidacies seem to be less about what they can do for Scotland and more about personal ambition.
Like them, she is often heard to say that what she wants is to become First Minister of Scotland – as well as London Mayor, of course, and, if pushed, Prime Minister.
In passing I would like to compliment Martin Hannan on his excellent piece last Wednesday on Ruth Davidson’s Bake Off exploits. It was extremely funny and perhaps it takes the older generation to really enjoy the final joke. Us being old enough to know that it was in fact Fanny Craddock who was renowned for her infamous doughnuts.
Robert Johnston
Airdrie
SO, the glamorous Spitfire wins yet again against the poor wee Hurricane (Profile: 2nd Battle of El Alamein, The National, October 23). Astonishing really when you realise there were three squadrons of the former and 20 of the latter, many of which were equipped specially to destroy tanks.
They say “Every dog deserves its day”; well remember the Hurricane.
Ian Gilbert
Pitlochry
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