The world's most-read Scottish politics website

Wings Over Scotland


The meaning of power

Posted on May 09, 2019 by

We see that giving you chores to do and calling it a present” is back:

Sigh.

As we’ve been pointing out ever since it was first mooted, the “assignation” of VAT receipts to the Scottish Government is neither a power nor a gift, but a trap. Holyrood will not have the ability to alter VAT in any way, and nor will it be given “control” of any new money. The cash in question is currently part of Holyrood’s block grant, and calling it an “assignation of VAT receipts” is nothing more than giving old money a new name and sneakily cutting Scotland’s budget by the back door.

And by non-trivial amounts:

Everyone’s always known it was a terrible and unworkable idea dreamed up in order to make it LOOK as though Scotland was being given new powers without actually doing it, and now that the only sensible and responsible course of action possible has been taken, the media and opposition can leap on it as a failure of the Scottish Government and proof that independence couldn’t work.

VAT, of course, is fundamentally a function of the economy, and Holyrood doesn’t control the Scottish economy, so it was always a con even in principle. But the main reason the plan is so complex and unworkable is precisely BECAUSE it’s being attempted under devolution rather than independence.

As with delayed welfare administration, the problems arise because the new proposals have to be half-integrated with the UK system, which is obviously far more complicated and difficult than simply having arrangements that only have to worry about Scotland.

In an independent country, companies would have to make Scotland-specific VAT declarations and all the figures would be known. Benefits wouldn’t be all tangled up in a mess of conflicting responsibilities where one government is spending its time and money trying to undo the impact of decisions of another government, as with the bedroom tax. Devolving only PARTS of things is the least efficient and most wasteful approach conceivable.

It’s a bit like, say, trying to leave the EU but while still retaining all the access and privileges of membership. And we all know how that’s working out.

519 to “The meaning of power”

  1. schrodingers cat says:

    i’m all right jack, i live in the top flat 🙂

    Reply
  2. yesindyref2 says:

    @cat
    It’s more serious than we thought, there’s more than one of them!

    https://www.tvovermind.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Troll-Dolls-750×422.jpg

    Reply
  3. schrodingers cat says:

    lol
    the 77th division class photo of 2018 aka the gonks 🙂

    Reply
  4. Ken500 says:

    The SNP members finance the YES movement. Without the SNP members their would not be a YES movement. They finance the YES campaigns. They put their money where their mouth is and organise fund rraising all the time. All year long. Instead of just complaining. Ordinary people who care about the world and their fellow citizens. They get out and do it.

    That is why the SNP Gov can follow through with good extensive programmes. Without fear or favour. The have a manifesto and stick to it. Do not lie but carry it thriugh to the best of their ability. Despite Westminster unionist imbeciles trying to hold Scotland back at every opportunity, The psycho bastards, Their own description,

    Some of the YES/Green incompetents wasted it. The SNP stood aside to be inclusive. The YES appointed imbeciles mucked up the Campsign. They could not run a piss up at a brewery. The SNP got the blame as usual. The Green in fighters and the rest took £Millions of SNP money and wasted it. On campaign nonsense not worth the paper it was written on and vast salaries. They were even leaking e-mails etc. A fifth column of imbeciles. They hang into the SNP coat tails. Then put the boot in when it suits them. Not very nice.

    The SNP is funded by it’s members. Ordinary people who want a better world and believe in fighting injustice. Westminster unionist imbeciles who spend their time ruining the world causing death and destruction everywhere. Even the Tories heirs engage in illegal wars, killing people’s mothers. To protect their vast Ill gained fortune. Going to Church services to celebrate Trident, What an absolute disgrace. Total hypocrites.

    The Royals caused the 1WW which led on to the 11WW. ‘Divine right to rule now gone. Not one apology. The Westminster unionist imbecile would start WW111 in a minute. Brexit will cause world catastrophe. The absolute clueless Westminster unionists and interfering head of state, supposed to be impartial. Intent on killing every citizen that they can. Absolute shambles the Westminster unionist way. They could not make a bigger mess. Brexit, They are shameless.

    Vote SN/SNP. Vote for Independence. Do not let the Westminster unionist criminals destroy the world, The SNP members can only fund on Campaign at a time. Fighting two or more campaign at one time could lose both. Strategy. One day at a time. One campaign at a time. To win it.

    Campaign, donate, do everything folk can to make the world a better place. Put the Westminster unionists in their place. Vote them out. The Tory unionist fools going down. Big time.

    Reply
  5. Does anyone know what being `woke` means,seems to be the new buzzword used by the chattering classes.

    Reply
  6. Ken500 says:

    @A few commas would not go a miss.

    Bloggers trolling Wings. Away back to their own back yard. Instead of causing trouble with their ego postings. Trying to justify their inconsistencies. Doing no one any favours. Putting the boot in when it suits, After they got funded out of a tight spot by SNP members. The manky Mail deceivers. Another muck up. No thanks but an apology to low lives. The Mail lying distractors. Lie, after lie, after lie.

    Every criticism is right into the unionists barrel. The Tories now fighting like rats in a sack to get out of their stinking mess. What a total muck up. It could finish them off for good. With a bit of luck. Lying imbeciles.

    Reply
  7. schrodingers cat says:

    official wfi statement re natalie mcgarry

    link to womenforindependence.org

    nuf said

    Reply
  8. Ken500 says:

    LIBDem lying leaflet went in the recycling rubbish. Not worth the paper it is lied upon. Rennie stop sending them. Giving folk indigestion. Do people a favour for once. Keep your rubbish to yourself. Do not contaminate others with it. 3rd rate losers. Voters who are sick at the sight of them, can’t get rid of them. They illegally mucked up the voting system in Scotland. PR advocates, without a mandate. Cheating liars.

    The ConDems/LibDems caused Brexit and austerity. In with Cameron. The Tory liar. Causing mental health problems and starving people. The LibDems covered up child abuse. An absolute disgrace.

    Reply
  9. Ken500 says:

    Bringing Women for Independence into disrepute. Some of the organisers statements.

    Reply
  10. HandandShrimp says:

    Scott

    It is the somewhat colloquial way of saying “raised consciousness”.

    Dumbing down isn’t just for Christmas, it is a 24/7 job.

    Reply
  11. HandandShrimp says:

    Re HIGNFY, if the guest had been Farage or Gove or similar it would have gone out. Heidi would have sent out the wrong message so she was pulled.

    The rules are very simple and predictable.

    Reply
  12. chicmac says:

    WOKE. With Online Knowledge Expertise.

    Reply
  13. cassandra says:

    @Cubby

    Haven’t you worked out who I used to be yet?

    We used to be such good pals on here.

    What is it you think us ‘plants’ are trying to do if we are so obvious?

    Look at the smear attempt against Joanna Cherry now? Don’t you get it?

    Anyone who doesn’t toe the party line gets the treatment eventually. Start thinking for yourself and stop being so fearful of ‘Unionists getting ideas’ or ‘demoralising the troops’. People aren’t stupid, this isn’t 2014. They can see when a party starts to lose its way. Maybe if you stopped supporting every daft move the SNP are taking , they would take stock and rethink their disastrous strategy.

    I have tried from within the party but it is impossible when it it seems dominated by children who are going through an identity crisis or authoritarian old men yelling at clouds.

    And yes, I am beautiful…

    Reply
  14. chicmac says:

    HandandShrimp

    Re HIGNFY

    Here is Purdah where you are, except for viewers in Scotland.

    Purdah is supposed to prevent the government announcing changes or new plans during an election campaign which could influence the vote.

    She is not a member of the government.

    Also it is not statutorily backed, it is a matter of convention, kinda like a Vow 😉

    Reply
  15. Cubby says:

    Cassandra@11.29 am

    You are Nicola Sturgeon and I claim my prize. Or is it Robert Peffers. LOL

    If you knew me you would know I have said on many occasions I am not a member of the SNP. I do not go around supporting every daft move the SNP make and whether I did or not I am not so full of self importance as to think, as you say, “they would take stock and rethink their disastrous strategy”.

    I have my own opinions and I do not post on Wings to make friends so we would not have been pals as you claim. I do think for myself. An independent mind for Scottish independence.

    Next thing is you will be saying GERS has merit.

    As you claim to have been a member of the SNP the beautiful yellow dahlia is appropriate.

    Get well soon.

    Reply
  16. cassandra says:

    @Cubby

    Are you Dr Jennifer Jones?

    Reply
  17. Cubby says:

    Cassandra@12.15pm

    No. So where’s my prize?

    Get well soon.

    Reply
  18. cassandra says:

    My claims are as valid as yours. Keep digging, nice weather for it.

    Your prize is the last word. Go on – take it, I know it’s really important to you.

    Reply
  19. Cubby says:

    Cassandra@1.20pm

    Weather is nice at the moment so I am in the garden planting some divine Dahlias – some yellow ones as well as other colours.

    Watching the Wizard of Oz later.

    Have a nice day.

    Reply


Comment - please read this page for comment rules. HTML tags like <i> and <b> are permitted. Use paragraph breaks in long comments. DO NOT SIGN YOUR COMMENTS, either with a name or a slogan. If your comment does not appear immediately, DO NOT REPOST IT. Ignore these rules and I WILL KILL YOU WITH HAMMERS.


  • About

    Wings Over Scotland is a thing that exists.

    Stats: 6,859 Posts, 1,233,402 Comments

  • Recent Posts

  • Archives

  • Categories

  • Tags

  • Recent Comments

    • 100%Yes on The Curious Fringes: “Judas betrayed Jesus and was given money for doing it, Judas said I didn’t do it for the money, but…Dec 30, 16:00
    • Andy Ellis on The Curious Fringes: “@ Northcode 3.31 pm That’s ye telt aff by Professor Baird nou, Ellis, ye linguicidal maniacque ye. The phrase “like…Dec 30, 15:50
    • Andy Ellis on The Curious Fringes: “@ Northcode 1.03 & 1.43 pm Surely this is your area of expertise, Andy Inglis, is it not? Attempting to…Dec 30, 15:48
    • Northcode on The Curious Fringes: “That’s ye telt aff by Professor Baird nou, Ellis, ye linguicidal maniacque ye. Witches kin mak folkes tae becom phrenticque…Dec 30, 15:31
    • factchecker on The Curious Fringes: “It doesn’t seem logical that the SNP should support a continuation of the status quo. They have had full access…Dec 30, 15:01
    • James Cheyne on The Curious Fringes: “It just needs a bit of analyses regards Scotlands actual position, Scotlands 1707 treaty is with the parliament of England,…Dec 30, 14:58
    • Northcode on The Curious Fringes: ““The smart mind in Scotland says…” Aye, James, but the Scots have been fooled across many generations these past three…Dec 30, 14:52
    • Alf Baird on The Curious Fringes: ““a language the majority don’t understand” Despite being prevented by our colonial educators from learning Scots, it remains that oor…Dec 30, 14:49
    • James Cheyne on The Curious Fringes: “North Code, And you know what is Strange about the Colonised mind in Scotland. It accepts when the Great Britain…Dec 30, 14:25
    • Northcode on The Curious Fringes: ““The mind of the coloniser. Thinking England’s borders end at the top of Scotland.” Aye, James. And some of them…Dec 30, 14:10
    • Saffron Robe on The Curious Fringes: “James Cheyne says: “So you vote in Scotland to maintain the pretence and fool ourselves we have democracy, all the…Dec 30, 13:59
    • James Cheyne on The Curious Fringes: “North Code, That is the problem, the Scots do not have a parliament, ” The Scotland act ” turned the…Dec 30, 13:43
    • Northcode on The Curious Fringes: “Perhaps you’re right, Ellis, perhaps I should depart this place… I don’t feel particularly welcome here, even as an indigenous…Dec 30, 13:43
    • Northcode on The Curious Fringes: “Your wit astounds me, InsiderDec 30, 13:42
    • 100%Yes on The Curious Fringes: “Its time to act before its to late.Dec 30, 13:35
    • Alf Baird on The Curious Fringes: “““Holyrood is the conduit through which Westminster controls and manipulates Scotland…”” Itherwise kent as ‘indirect rule’, i.e. a second layer…Dec 30, 13:15
    • Northcode on The Curious Fringes: ““…I’m not sure spamming BTL comments with a language the majority don’t understand…” Surely this is your area of expertise,…Dec 30, 13:03
    • Insider on The Curious Fringes: “Northcode… So sorry to see you’ve apparently suffered a stroke. Hope you get well soon and best wishes for 2026…Dec 30, 12:54
    • Andy Ellis on The Curious Fringes: “Actually it saddens me to hear people saying they’ll vote for Reform, even if only tactically or as a way…Dec 30, 12:50
    • Andy Ellis on The Curious Fringes: “Or perhaps you could take it to your own thread, or off topic? Since a minority of people actually use…Dec 30, 12:42
    • 100%Yes on The Curious Fringes: “The factors to look at is Liberate Scotland has no polling statistics and that’s because they aren’t aloud any MSM…Dec 30, 12:41
    • Northcode on The Curious Fringes: ““Scots are a thrawn race who don’t like to be bullied…” If only that were true and us Scots weren’t…Dec 30, 12:40
    • Northcode on The Curious Fringes: ““Not voting means you do not have any right to an opinion on what sort of government we get as…Dec 30, 12:28
    • Northcode on The Curious Fringes: “Since nothing much is happening in this joint the nou… here is some braw Scots to pass this vacant time:…Dec 30, 12:18
    • 100%Yes on The Curious Fringes: “I agree with you totally.Dec 30, 12:05
    • Marie on The Curious Fringes: “I feel your frustration. It absolutely sickens me that I continued to give the SNP my vote post referendum. Never…Dec 30, 11:56
    • Rob on The Curious Fringes: “I am most likely to vote reform next year despite the bad taste in my mouth. The current politicians have…Dec 30, 11:39
    • Andy Ellis on The Curious Fringes: “The use of the term far right might be contested – not least by some within Reform who are scared…Dec 30, 11:37
    • Rob on The Curious Fringes: “The greens wont win votes in the highlands while they oppose the A9 and A82 upgrades and other issues like…Dec 30, 11:01
    • 100%Yes on The Curious Fringes: “Next year I will be voting for Reform for the sole reason off destroying the greens and stopping the SNP.…Dec 30, 10:59
  • A tall tale



↑ Top