Tory U-Turn on Care Costs Reveals "Weak and Wobbling" PM

Strong SNP Voices Needed to Stand Up for Older People
Commenting on Theresa May’s embarrassing U-turn on the costs of social care – where she announced a consultation on a cap on care costs following intense criticism of the Tory manifesto provisions – SNP Depute Leader and candidate for Moray, Angus Robertson, said:

“This is an utter humiliation for Theresa May, and the U-turn betrays the reality of the Tory leadership – that of a weak and wobbling Prime Minister.

“Just four days after launching their manifesto, Mrs May has crumbled under criticism and announced this embarrassing reverse.

“Today’s U-turn follows the climb down over National Insurance policy in the last Budget. So the question now is what else is set to be ditched from an unravelling manifesto, by a Tory party which is clearly in panic?

“The manifesto policy on care costs has clearly bombed with voters on the doorsteps. And older people are right to be horrified by the Tories’ attacks on pensioner incomes – while cutting taxes for the rich, the Conservatives want to slash winter fuel payments and are refusing to guarantee fair state pension increases.

“The more this campaign continues, the more the Tory mask slips and the more we see the cruel consequences of their policies – no wonder the Prime Minister is afraid to face voters.

“On June 8th, the people of Scotland have a chance to elect strong SNP voices who will stand up for Scotland’s pensioners – protecting free personal care for the elderly, supporting the triple-lock on pensions and protecting winter fuel payments.

“Now more than ever, it is vital that we have strong SNP voices standing up for Scotland at Westminster.”

Angus Robertson: SNP MPs Will 'Always Put The People Of Scotland First'

The Leader of the SNP at Westminster Angus Robertson has said that only SNP MPs will ‘put the people of Scotland first’ and continue to be a ‘stronger voice for Scotland’.

On the day the current Westminster parliament is dissolved, Angus Robertson has highlighted the SNP’s effective opposition to the Tories in the last parliament – and stressed that only by returning SNP MPs on June 8th can Scotland be protected from an emboldened Tory government with a disastrous Hard Brexit agenda, while Labour languish in the polls and stumble from crisis to crisis.

Angus Robertson commented :

“The SNP will stand up for Scotland in the next parliament – and continue to be the stronger voice for Scotland against the possibility of an emboldened, right-wing Tory party taking us off the cliff edge of a disastrous and deeply damaging Hard Brexit.

“It is becoming clearer by the day – following the revelations from the Juncker-May dinner – that the level of incompetence and incoherence from the Tories is staggering and that the prospect for Brexit negotiations with Tories in charge is deeply alarming.

“It is the SNP who have led the only effective opposition to the Tories at Westminster over the last two years, and in the next parliament we continue to do so – Scotland can only be protected from an unfettered Tory majority by electing SNP MPs on June 8th. The SNP’s record at Westminster demonstrates how essential it is that the SNP continues to stand up for Scotland.

“On Brexit - the SNP put forward amendments to the Article 50 Bill, including requiring the UK government to consider the interests of devolved administrations and protect the rights of EU citizens in the UK. However, the unamended Bill was passed with Labour’s support, once again giving the Tories a blank cheque for their Hard Brexit plan.

“On a whole raft of other issues it is also the SNP who challenge the Tories – from the disgraceful dilemma and injustice of the WASPI women to the opposition to the abhorrent rape clause.

“The SNP has been the only effective opposition whilst Labour have been sitting on their hands and continue with their endless in-fighting and leadership challenges. The latest figures show that SNP MPs have continued to outperform Labour and Tory MPs by participating in far more debates at Westminster than either party.

“The figures show that SNP MPs each contributed to an average of eight debates in March this year – while Labour and Tory MPs contributed to just five each – and in 2015-16, SNP MPs spoke in an average of 61 debates. This is almost double the number of their Scottish Labour predecessors, who spoke in an average of just 27 debates in 2014-15.

“This election offer a clear choice for the future. The more Tory MPs there are at Westminster, the heavier the price Scotland will pay.

“This is a Tory party who think they can do anything to Scotland and get away with it – the SNP won’t let them.

“The SNP will always put the people of Scotland first – and between now and June 8th we will work harder than ever to retain the trust of the people.”

Angus Robertson's Challenge to Tory PM: Give Pensioners What They Deserve

SNP Westminster Leader Angus Robertson has challenged Theresa May as she visits Scotland, calling on the Prime Minister to ensure senior citizens get the pensions they deserve.

It follows a challenge at Prime Minster's Questions this week when Theresa May refused to protect pensioners who are now facing a pensions bombshell - she was unable to give a clear and unambiguous promise to continue the 'triple lock' on state pensions.

A ‘triple lock’ would ensure the value of the state pension rises in line with inflation so older people are not left out of pocket.

Pension inequality and unfairness is also a massive issue for two and a half million women in the UK who are affected by the decision to equalise the state pension age by 2020.

Tory Pensions Secretary Damian Green wrongly claimed on Question Time on Thursday that the Scottish Parliament could use new social security powers to introduce a new benefit for WASPI women in Scotland, despite the legislation on powers for the Scottish parliament explicitly preventing the provision of pension benefits. Neither can the Scottish Parliament top-up the pension for WASPI women because the UK government has made the WASPI women ineligible for any pension payments.

Angus Robertson MP said:

"When Theresa May comes to Scotland, she needs to tell pensioners they will get what is rightfully theirs.

“The only reason to not guarantee the pensions triple lock is to spend less on pensions. The public and senior citizens are right to fear a pensions bombshell by the Tories.

“Too many women already face pensions inequality, and despite many campaigning across the country for what is rightfully theirs, Theresa May is refusing to listen.

“Theresa May's Pensions Secretary tried to mislead the public and shamefully tried lay blame with the Scottish Parliament.

"In Scotland the election is a straight fight between the SNP and the Tories, and there can be only one winner in that battle.

"A vote for the SNP keeps the Tories in check, strengthens Scotland's hand at Westminster and stops Scotland's voice from being silenced.

"But one of the many questions Theresa May will try and dodge on her flying visit north is this - is she gearing up to short-change older people across the country by scrapping the 'triple lock' on pensions?"

SNP amendments to force Westminster to go beyond Smith

KEY ECONOMIC POWERS MUST BE IN SCOTLAND'S HANDS
Ahead of the Second Reading of the Scotland Bill tomorrow (Monday), the SNP has today confirmed that the party will seek to strengthen the Scotland Bill to go beyond the recommendations of the Smith Commission.

The SNP Amendment reads :

That this House, while agreeing that there is a pressing need to further enhance the powers of the Scottish Parliament, nevertheless believes that the measures proposed in the Scotland Bill are not an adequate response to the election result in Scotland and fall short of what people in Scotland want and what Scotland’s economy and society needs; regrets that the Bill does not take into account the recommendations of the cross-party Devolution (Further Powers) Committee of the Scottish Parliament and therefore does not fully implement the agreement reached by the five political parties in the Smith Commission; further regrets that the UK Government retains an effective veto in key areas; believes that the legislation would be strengthened by the inclusion of additional devolved powers over job creation, taxation, welfare and wages as early priorities as Scotland moves to a position in the medium term where the Scottish Parliament and Government are responsible for all revenue raising; and therefore considers that the Bill will require substantial amendment as it moves forward.

Commenting, SNP Westminster Leader Angus Robertson MP said:

"The Scotland Bill published by the UK Government is woefully lacking - failing to meet even the limited powers set out in the Smith Commission and falling far short of the aspirations of people in Scotland as expressed so firmly at the General Election.

"The Smith powers are widely seen as the bare minimum which should be delivered to Scotland and yet every party in the Scottish Parliament - even the Scottish Tories -have
backed the view of the cross-party Devolution Committe that the Bill as it stands simply doesn't measure up.

"It is abundantly clear that there needs to be substantial changes and improvements to bring the Bill up to scratch - and to deliver the powers people in Scotland want to see.

"As it stands, major powers over social security, the minimum wage and other key economic powers would remain in the hands of David Cameron and George Osborne - it is time these powers were delivered to Scotland to allow us to take real action to grow our economy and tackle poverty.

"Just last month, people in Scotland spoke loudly and clearly in demanding substantial new powers and gave the SNP an unprecedented mandate to pursue them. Westminster now must show that it has listened to Scotland's voice - and agree to these changes to stengthen the Scotland Bill."

SNP Welcome Final Polls of Campaign

SCOTLAND CAN UNITE TO WIN POWER AT WESTMINSTER
Commenting on the final polls of the General Election campaign in Scotland - YouGov in the Times and Survation in the Record, following on from Panelbase earlier in the day - the SNP's campaign director Angus Robertson said:

"These are very encouraging polls, which show that if people unite to elect a big team of SNP MPs, Scotland will have more power and influence at Westminster than ever before.

"But we take nothing for granted, and will be working hard right through to 10pm to ensure that we can lock the Tories out of government and end austerity."

Nearly 900,000 People Who Voted No Say More SNP MPs "Mean Scotland's Interests Better Represented"

The Scottish National Party pointed to Survation polling commissioned by the SNP indicating that nearly 900,000 people who voted No in last September's referendum believe that "electing more SNP MPs to the House of Commons at the General Election on 7 May will mean Scottish interests will be better represented".

The poll was conducted from 22-27 April among 1,015 people aged 16+ in Scotland.

Overall, the poll shows 63 per cent believe Scotland's interests would be better represented with more SNP MPs, compared to just 16 per cent who think they would be worse represented.

Among No voters, 45 per cent think Scotland's interests would be better represented, compared to 26 per cent who think they would be worse represented.

The 45 per cent figure equates to some 893,000 of those who voted No last September.

SNP General Election campaign director Angus Robertson said:

"Our message for Scotland to come together to elect a big team of SNP MPs - making Scotland stronger at Westminster than ever before - is popular and appealing right across Scottish society, encompassing all age groups and people who have previously voted for other parties.

"Significantly, the polling indicates that nearly 900,000 people who voted No last September share the view that electing more SNP MPs on Thursday will mean that Scotland's interests are better represented at Westminster.

"Our campaign can unite Scotland - and if we unite the country to vote SNP on Thursday, every part of Scotland will benefit."

Poll Showing Rising SNP Support Adds to Momentum and Energy of Campaign

A new poll in today’s Sunday Times has shown growing support for the SNP as backing for Labour has fallen further.

The Panelbase poll of 1,006 adults in Scotland put support for the SNP at 45 per cent – up 4 since the last Panelbase poll in January – while backing for Labour has slumped by 2 to 29 per cent. The poll puts the Tories on 14 per cent, the Lib Dems on 4 per cent, UKIP on 4 per cent and the Greens on 2 per cent.

The same poll also found that 55 per cent of people in Scotland believe that the SNP is strongly in favour of equality compared to just 14 per cent of people who believe that Labour is.

Commenting, SNP General Election Campaign Director Angus Robertson said:

“This poll is a welcome indication that people across Scotland are responding positively to the SNP’s message of delivering jobs and growth in place of Westminster cuts.

“Following on from Nicola Sturgeon’s impressive performance in the Leaders’ Debate, this poll further adds to the momentum and energy of the SNP campaign.

“As welcome as this latest poll is, we take absolutely nothing for granted and are working extremely hard across Scotland win people' trust.

“More anti-Tory MPs than Tory MPs at the election means that we can lock David Cameron out of Downing Street. And electing a strong team of SNP MPs will also ensure that Scotland has real power at Westminster to ensure that Scottish interests are served - and progressive politics delivered across the UK.”

SNP Welcomes Strong Poll Result Showing Major Swing from Labour to SNP

PARTY TO WORK ‘HARDER THAN EVER’ TO LOCK CAMERON OUT OF DOWNING STREET

The SNP is today welcoming the results of a new opinion poll for ITV News showing strong backing for the party in Labour-held seats across Scotland – but is taking nothing for granted and continuing to work hard for every vote.

The ComRes poll conducted in constituencies won by Labour in 2010 shows a 19-point swing to the SNP from Labour – as SNP support in the 40 constituencies stands at 43 per cent.

Commenting, SNP Campaign Director Angus Robertson said:

“This latest poll is another welcome indication of the strong backing for the SNP we are seeing in communities across Scotland, as Labour continues to pay the price for working hand in glove with the Tories during the referendum – and for lining up with them at Westminster to vote for George Osborne’s plans for another £30bn of cuts.

“While this poll is very welcome, we are taking absolutely nothing for granted and we will work harder than ever to win people’s trust on 7th May – so we can deliver jobs and investment, instead of yet more Westminster austerity cuts.

“Electing a strong team of SNP MPs is Scotland’s opportunity to hold real power in the House of Commons, to ensure the things that matter to people in Scotland are firmly on Westminster’s agenda – and to advance the cause of progressive politics across the whole of the UK.

“And by electing more anti-Tory MPs than Tory MPs we can lock David Cameron out of Downing Street – and put an end to the ideological commitment to austerity which is hurting communities across Scotland and elsewhere in the UK."

UK MoD has Questions to Answer Over 'Embarrassing' Capability Gap

Commenting on today’s reports that an alleged Russian submarine was possibly operating in UK territorial waters off the Western Isles, SNP Westminster Leader and Defence Spokesperson Angus Robertson said:

“These worrying reports highlight once again the embarrassing capability gap which successive UK Governments have allowed to develop – despite its status as a maritime nation, the UK doesn't possess a single Maritime Patrol Aircraft which is the exact thing you need in this situation. They can’t confirm or deny the presence of Submarines because they simply do not know where they are.

“The MoD have a duty to ensure that Scotland’s coastline is properly protected and this goes to show that they are failing on every level as their cuts agenda continues to leave us exposed.

“Instead they'd rather spend £100bn on a new generation of Trident nuclear weapons while cutting conventional naval and other defence forces to the bone – which confirms that Westminster has its priorities entirely wrong when it comes to defence.”

SNP MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar Angus MacNeil added:

“The capability gap in our naval forces the UK Government has presided over will be deeply worrying to people across Scotland – but particularly in our island and coastal communities. It’s vital that the MoD remedies this situation to ensure the safety of our coastline – rather than blowing billions on weapons of mass destruction.”

Academic Survey Finds Referendum Spirit Of Engagement Lives On

ALMOST SEVEN IN TEN SCOTS BELIEVE INDEPENDENCE WILL HAPPEN
A survey carried out by researchers at the University of Edinburgh due to be published today (Monday) has found that people across Scotland are highly motivated to vote in the General Election – a legacy of last year’s referendum.

The percentage of people in Scotland saying they will vote in the upcoming General Election was by far the highest of all the regions in the UK. 76 per cent of those polled in Scotland said they will vote – compared to 64 per cent in Wales, 63 per cent in England and 55 per cent in Northern Ireland.

And the percentage of 18 and 19 year olds in Scotland who said they will vote was also by far the highest in the UK – with 65 per cent saying they will vote compared to just 34 per cent in England.

57 per cent of those polled in Scotland also believed the Scottish Parliament influences how the UK is governed.

The survey also found that 69 per cent of people in Scotland and 59 per cent in England believe Scotland will one day become an independent country.

Commenting on the ESRC survey, SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson said:

"This research showing that people in Scotland are highly motivated to vote in this coming election is a positive legacy of the referendum and Scotland's experience of being able to choose our own future.

“The fact that 65 per cent of 18 and 19 year olds in Scotland plan to vote compared to just 34 per cent south of the border is proof of the fantastic spirit of engagement that lives on after last year’s historic vote.

“It is also positive that the role of the Scottish Parliament has strengthened, with nearly 60 per cent of people believing itinfluences how the UK is governed. Now people are determined to use their vote to elect MPs who will put their interests first - which is why poll after poll has shown the SNP riding high.

"A strong team of SNP MPs will use their clout to protect Scotland's NHS from the effects of austerity, patient charging and privatisation at Westminster and secure the powers Scotland needs to make our country a fairer, more prosperous place to live."

People in Scotland Back SNP to Keep Tories Out

As the Tories gather for their Scottish conference, the SNP has highlighted polling evidence that people in Scotland say that voting SNP at the General Election is the best way to prevent another Tory Government.

A YouGov poll published on the 3rd of February found that 43 per cent of respondents believe the SNP is best placed to prevent another Conservative Government, compared to just 33 per cent who believe Labour is best placed to do so.

In her first conference address after becoming leader, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon made clear that “the SNP will never, ever, put the Tories into government”.

Previewing the Tory conference, SNP Westminster Leader Angus Robertson MP said:

"The Tory Government has been a disaster for people the length and breadth of Scotland, and they are set to be rejected but Scots yet again in May.

"In 1970, 1979, 1983, 1987, 1992 and 2010, Scotland voted Labour - and we got Tory governments that we didn't vote for. No wonder most people in Scotland now trust the SNP to stop the Tories.

"The key issue in May is who will best represent the people of Scotland - the General Election is a wonderful opportunity for Scotland to have power by electing a strong team of SNP MPs to a hung parliament at Westminster.

"By voting SNP, people can support a party that has the key goal of best representing the people of Scotland - and can also help deliver progressive politics across the UK, including an alternative to austerity.

"SNP success means that Scotland's priorities will be priorities at Westminster - including the real powers of Home Rule, and an economic policy focused on jobs, growth and fairness."

Labour's New Donor says Thatcher was 'Fantastic and Wonderful'

FURTHER LABOUR EMBARRASSMENT ON CASH FOR HONOURS ROW DONOR
Jim Murphy has faced further embarrassment after it emerged that the new Labour donor David Garrard previously donated to the Tories – because he thought Margaret Thatcher was “fantastic and wonderful”.

David Garrard previously said that he was “not a political animal” but did “support the Conservatives because I thought Margaret Thatcher was fantastic and wonderful” – and made “irregular donations” to the Tories during the eighties and nineties including donating £70,000 in the lead-up to the 1997 General Election.

Mr Garrard was also involved in the cash for honours row – after being nominated for a peerage in 2005 but asked for his name to be withdrawn after the House of Lords appointments commission barred his ennoblement when it emerged that he was among those who had given Labour secret loans.

Commenting, SNP Westminster Leader Angus Robertson said:

“This revelation will have those remaining Labour Party members in Scotland squirming with embarrassment.

"As Jim Murphy’s ‘reverse honeymoon’ as new leader continues, Labour are now turning to a millionaire, a former Tory donor who thinks that Margaret Thatcher was 'fantastic and wonderful' - and who was embroiled in the cash for honours scandal.

“It speaks volumes that a millionaire who donated to the Tories during the 1980s and 90s when Mrs Thatcher was in power, now chooses to put his money on the Blairite Jim Murphy. Mr Garrard clearly sees Labour as the same as the Tories – and given Labour support for £30 billion more Tory austerity and £100 billion for Trident renewal, that's no surprise.

“Left to their own devices, Labour have made it crystal clear they would continue with Tory austerity. A strong team of SNP MPs holding the balance of power at Westminster will use our clout to be the force for change – as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon made clear earlier this week, the SNP would invest in growth to make Scotland’s families better off and protect them from the impacts of unfair Tory cuts.”

Blunkett: 15 Years of Tory Rule Could Follow Labour General Election Defeat

CAN’T RISK ANOTHER YEAR OF TORY RULE – NEVER MIND ANOTHER 15
The SNP is today highlighting the fact that only a Yes vote will give Scotland the government it votes for, following a warning from Labour MP David Blunkett that a Labour General Election defeat could see the Tories in power for another 15 years.

With the latest polls showing Labour and the Tories neck and neck, David Blunkett – who is stepping down as an MP ahead of the next election - warned that losing the vote next year would see Labour “in the wilderness for as much as 15 years”. He also warned that a renewed Tory government would bring in changes that “would actually not be about fairness or equity”.

David Blunkett’s comments follow two polls in the past fortnight which have found a majority in favour of independence when faced with the prospect of another Tory government.

A Survation poll for the Daily Record found a majority of 54 per cent supported independence when faced with the prospect of another Tory government in 2015. Meanwhile, another poll carried out by Panelbase found support for a Yes vote at 55 per cent on that basis.

SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson said:

“The fact that the Tories only have one MP north of the border has not stopped them inflicting unprecedented cuts on Scotland. Over the past four years we have seen the poorest hit hardest by austerity that is forcing thousands to rely on food banks - we cannot risk another year of this, never mind another 15.

“David Blunkett is absolutely right to say that 15 more years of Tory rule would ‘not be about fairness or equity’ – and it’s clear that people in Scotland agree with him, with two polls in the last fortnight showing that when faced with the prospect of another Tory government, a majority of people would vote Yes.

“Only a Yes vote can put an end to Scotland being governed by Westminster parties that we did not elect. With independence, Scotland will get the government we vote for every time and we can work toward building the fairer Scotland we all want to see.”

World Whisky Day: UK Government Criticised for 'Penalisation' of Scotch Whisky Industry

On World Whisky Day the Scottish National Party has criticised the UK government for charging Scottish organisations to promote whisky in UK embassies, despite Scots taxpayers contributing to Foreign Office hospitality.

The UK government has charged Scottish organisations to promote whisky, which is one of the UK’s biggest exports, despite other UK trade and investment groups holding similar events being allowed to use the facilities for free.

William Hague has previously been ridiculed for claiming foreign embassies would charge to promote whisky after Scotland becomes independent- only for it to emerge that they already charge Scottish Development International £3000 a time for receptions promoting whisky.

Commenting, SNP Westminster Leader and Moray MP Angus Robertson MP said:

“Scots taxpayers are being double-charged by the Foreign Office to promote one of the UK’s biggest exports.

“Scotland’s whisky industry has being going from strength to strength- but with little thanks to the UK government. Scottish Development International has done fantastic work to promote Scottish trade and investment worldwide, but the charges they have faced by UK embassies is an example of how Scotland is losing out because of decisions made at Westminster.”

PQ answer showing hospitality costs can be found here:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmhansrd/cm121213/text/121213w0003.htm#12121360000069

Details of embassies charging to promote Scotch Whisky can be found at
http://www.whisky-drinker.com/2012/01/28/whisky-industry-already-paying-for-embassy-support/

Embarrassment for Alistair Darling as Labour Movement Step Away from the NO Camp

DONORS REVEAL NO CAMPAIGN IS “TORY FRONT ORGANISATION”

The No campaign faced fresh embarrassment over its donations today after a senior trade union leader condemned its Tory ties, and its commitment to a Westminster system that attacks the most vulnerable in Scotland.

GMB Scotland official Richard Leonard told the Guardian newspaper that his union had decided to effectively boycott Better Together in protest at UK government policies.

Mr Leonard said:

"The GMB's decision not to join the Better Together campaign was made for political not financial reasons. It was determined because of the policies of the coalition government, especially their attacks on the poorest in society, rather than the financial coalition supporting Better Together.

"However there will be concern across the Labour movement about the political outlook and track record of many of these donors."

Earlier this year, the No campaign’s biggest donor Ian Taylor announced that he would no longer be supporting the No campaign financially. The decision followed a string of bad publicity over Mr Taylor’s company’s activities in Iran, Serbia, Libya, the Congo and elsewhere.

Commenting, SNP Westminster Leader Angus Robertson said:

“It is little wonder that significant figures from within the Labour movement are distancing themselves from the No campaign. In financial terms, the No campaign is little more than a Tory front.

“Indeed, the list of donors to the No campaign is an embarrassment to Alistair Darling and adds further proof that the anti-independence campaign is Tory to the core.

“That is no doubt one reason why Labour movement figures such as Charles Gray, Alex Mosson and Lorna Binnie are recognising the benefits of a Yes vote – a fairer and more just society is only possible with the decision making powers that independence will deliver.”

Westminster Business Secretary Says Scotland Could "Do Well" as Independent Country

Giving evidence at today’s Scottish Affairs Committee hearing at Westminster into Scottish independence, Business Secretary Vince Cable said that in his view, along with other small European countries, there is "no reason a well run Scotland should not do relatively well."

Commenting, SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson MP said:

"Vince Cable's acknowledgement that Scotland would do well as an independent country was revealing and of course accurate - it reflects the views of a clear majority of people in Scotland that we could be a successful independent country.

"This is the reality that Project Fear has tried and failed to undermine - and why we know we can achieve a Yes vote next September."

NO Campaign's Project Fear Rumbled Once Again - Cost of Ridding Scotland of Trident Just £150m

ROBERTSON WRITES TO DEFENCE SECRETARY OVER FASLANE FIASCO

The No campaign’s Project Fear has been rumbled yet again today, after it was revealed that it would cost just £150m to get rid of Trident from Scotland.

Despite claims that the cost to decommission Faslane could run into ‘tens of billions’, today’s Sunday Herald reveals that the UK Government has previously put the cost for ridding an independent Scotland of Trident at £150m. To put this figure in context, this is significantly less than Scotland’s share of Trident’s running and replacement cost of £250m a year.

The No campaign’s claims on the cost on Trident are the latest in a series of scare stories to completely unravel, including:

• That Scots mobile phone users would have to pay roaming charges to call England –even though the EU has voted to abolish roaming charges well ahead of the date of Scottish independence.
• That the prospect of independence was deterring inward investment - when an Ernst & Young report found that the opposite appeared to be the case, with investment reaching a 15-year high.
• That UK embassies would stop promoting whisky abroad - even though it was revealed they already charge £3000 a time to do so.
• That Scotland would lose the giant pandas at Edinburgh zoo – even though a 10-year agreement has been signed.

Now even senior figures in the No campaign are questioning the strategy, with Jackson Carlaw describing some of the scare stories as ‘silly’ and Henry McLeish stating that the campaign was treating Scots like idiots.

This week the UK Government is expected to publish its long-awaited review into Trident alternatives – just two days before Westminster rises for its long summer recess – which would leave weapons of mass destruction on the Clyde for another 50 years.

The report will follow a week of controversy at Westminster after MoD sources claimed that they were working on a plan to annex Faslane as sovereign UK territory after Scottish independence in order to keep Trident based there. Downing Street were forced to issue a swift denial that any such plan was being considered.

Despite Downing Street’s denial, MoD sources were quoted in the Guardian as saying that the plan is ‘an option’. The Scottish National Party's Westminster leader and defence spokesperson Mr Angus Robertson MP has written to UK Defence Secretary Philip Hammond, demanding a full investigation into Ministry of Defence plans.

Commenting, Mr Robertson said:

“Another day, another scare story from the No campaign’s Project Fear is rumbled. They are rapidly becoming a laughing stock with their ever-more ridiculous claims falling apart under the slightest scrutiny.

“Instead of potentially running into tens of billions of pounds as was claimed this week, it would actually cost less than the amount Scotland is forced to pay each year to run and replace Trident.

"If we achieve a Yes vote next September, these figures underline that the UK Government would do well to follow the wise advice of Hans Blix and scrap Trident altogether, rather than waste money dumping it anywhere else."

Commenting on his letter to Philip Hammond, Mr Robertson said:

"The Tory government at Westminster and its helpers in the No campaign have run a mile from this crazy and offensive idea, but the people of Scotland are entitled to know where it came from in the first place.

"We know from media reports that someone in the MoD emailed the BBC last Wednesday night to say: 'The sovereign base area is an option. It is an interesting idea.'

"Westminster annexing Faslane can only have been considered an 'option' if work had been conducted within the MoD into this scenario, and presumably other scenarios that we don't yet know about.

"I am calling on Mr Hammond to mount a full investigation into who commissioned this work, whether any government minister approved it, which ministers were aware of it and when, and to give a commitment to make the findings public."

Notes:

• Today’s Sunday Herald article: http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/
• Guardian on Faslane: guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/jul/
• The MoD emailed the BBC to say: "The sovereign base area is an option. It is an interesting idea."

Anti-Independence Case is 'Falling Down About Their Ears'

AN INDEPENDENT SCOTLAND WILL NOT HAVE NUCLEAR WEAPONS
The SNP has said the anti-independence case is “falling down about their ears” after the UK government said Scotland would be banned from having nuclear weapons after a Yes vote in 2014 at the same time as talking about keeping them in Scotland.

Commenting on an article in the Scotland on Sunday, SNP Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP said:

"First the UK Government's own legal adviser agreed that the Scottish Government's timescale for independence was 'realistic', and now the paper published by the coalition says that nuclear weapons won't be allowed in an independent Scotland - which will be music to the ears of the Scottish people.

“The SNP already propose to make weapons of mass destruction illegal in the constitution of an independent Scotland.

"The Tory-led Government's anti-independence case is falling down about their ears - how on earth can they talk about keeping nuclear weapons in a country that isn't allowed to have them?

"This underlines that the way to get rid of Trident nuclear weapons from Scotland as quickly as possible, and ensure that Faslane has a secure future as Scotland's naval base, is to vote Yes for independence next autumn."

SNP Seeks Answers on Tory/Independent Budget Strategy

“WRONG CHOICES MADE IN WRONG BUDGET” - CLLR PEARL PAUL
SNP Councillors and Moray’s MP and MSP are taking forward the deep concerns of Moray’s communities following last week’s ‘outrageous’ budget from Independent and Tory Councillors.

SNP Councillors have called on Independent and Tory Councillors - the majority of whom have been in the Council’s administration for most of the last 6 years - to make clear the extent of their efforts to share services with other authorities and to take forward leisure trust proposals.

The SNP says the Independents and Tories have paid lip service to these key structural measures over recent years but have manifestly failed to act on them.

Tory Leader Ruth Davidson has also been attacked by Richard Lochhead MSP, who said she clearly had little knowledge of Moray on her recent visit where she claimed that the closure of libraries was mitigated by extending the mobile library service.

Something that is impossible when the mobile library service has been reduced to a single vehicle by successive Tory led budgets in Moray since 2007

SNP Opposition Leader Councillor Pearl Paul said:

Ward 1
Speyside Glenlivet

“What we saw last week was an outrageous budget from Independent and Tory Councillors that was cobbled together at the last minute when they realised the strength of the storm of protest from Moray’s communities.

“The SNP has encouraged the Administration to take forward a shared services agenda and from our own discussions with councillors in other authorities we know there is a willingness to do that. Most of the Independent and Tory Councillors in Moray have spent several years in the Council’s Administration and the very obvious question that they have failed to answer in any meaningful way, is what have they done to seriously take shared services forward and reduce the impact of cuts on frontline services?

“Instead we have seen a host of frontline service cuts ahead of structural changes - that is very clearly putting the cart before the horse."

Commenting on ill-informed comments by Tory Leader Ruth Davidson Cllr Paul continued:

“The Tory Leader breezed into Moray last Friday just two days after her own councillors in Moray announced the closure of seven libraries, the removal of large numbers of classroom assistants, major cuts to public transport and the wiping out of the arts budget.

“Having arrived in Moray the she then proceeded to claim - completely wrongly - that the SNP’s concern over library closures ignored ‘increased mobile library provision’. Clearly the Tories need to go back to school if they think that halving mobile libraries from 2 to 1 to cover the whole of Moray is in any way, whatsoever, an ‘increased’ provision.

“The SNP asked on budget day what the strategic thinking was behind these cuts and there has been no answer to that - almost certainly because there is no strategic thinking.”

Commenting on the response from Moray communities to the budget Richard Lochhead MSP said:

“I have been inundated with concerns from constituents aghast at the Council's botched budget that has made Moray a laughing stock throughout the country and got us in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

“They are dismantling Moray's cultural fabric by closing libraries and wiping out in one swipe the whole arts budget.

“The out of touch Independent and Tory Councillors have targeted front line services and not dealt with structural change to find alternative savings, something they even admitted during the budget debate.

“I am seeking a meeting with Council Administration representatives to get across to them the issues that have been raised with me by many constituents and to urge them to review their flawed decision.”

Moray’s MP Angus Robertson says SNP representatives will be meeting with people across Moray to see what can be salvaged from the situation.

Angus Robertson MP said:

“SNP Councillors, Richard Lochhead MSP and I are seeking meetings with representatives of various community interests across Moray.

“The reputational damage to Moray from these crass decisions from the Independents and Tories has already gone far beyond Moray’s borders and I have personally been contacted by several prominent figures outside Moray who are incredulous at the decisions that have been made.

“The SNP at both Scottish Government and at a local level have been pushing hard for Councils to take forward major structural changes such as shared services but there is little evidence of action on this from Moray’s Tory Leader who has now presented his sixth budget in Moray with backing of Independent Councillors.

“What is the thought process that got them to this point? Frankly communities in Moray just cannot understand why they have chosen cuts in the areas that they have.”

FOI Reveals Scottish Companies Losing Out on MoD Contracts

A new Freedom of Information [FoI] response has revealed the scale of the continuing defence underspend in Scotland over recent years, which deprives Scottish businesses of public contracts.

Certain types of defence contracts are exempt from EU procurement laws in what is known as an article 346 exemption, allowing the Westminster Government to choose where it purchases equipment and services. However, it has been revealed that the proportion of contracts awarded to firms in Scotland has been far below Scotland's share of either population or Gross Domestic Product [GDP].

The figures show that of UK Government's Ministry of Defence [MoD] contract expenditure since 2007 which is exempt from EU procurement laws, just 5.3% was spent in Scotland. This equates to an underspend of over £1.8 billion in Scotland over the last five years compared to Scotland's population share.

The MoD figures raise serious questions for the Westminster Government after UK Defence Procurement Minister Peter Luff recently claimed in evidence to the Scottish Affairs Select Committee that 10% of defence procurement takes place in Scotland, despite official figures indicating that this is not the case.

A Parliamentary Question last year also revealed that in 2010/11 just 50 out of 6,000 MoD contracts placed with Small & Medium Size Enterprises [SMEs] went to companies in Scotland, a rate of just 0.83%.

Commenting, SNP Defence Spokesperson Angus Robertson MP said:

"In contrast to claims by Westminster politicians, that Scotland does well out of UK defence contracts, the reality is quite different.

"Scotland's defence footprint has been disproportionately cut over the last decade, with over 11,000 jobs lost and a £5.6 billion defence underspend which has seen the closure of bases and the creation of significant capability gaps.

"What is crystal clear from these new figures is that the choices made in Westminster mean that Scottish businesses are still seeing a far lower share of defence contracts than they should be.

"These shocking statistics makes a mockery of some of the statements that have been made by anti-independence politicians and suggests that they urgently need to get a grip of what is actually happening.

"Instead of attempting to come up with misleading figures, the Westminster Government would be well advised to actually look at the evidence their own civil servants are producing and address the fact that Scotland has seen a defence underspend for far too long.

"Instead of these decisions being made by a Westminster Government with its head stuck firmly in the sand, choices on Scotland's defence footprint should be made by an independent Scottish Government - which means getting rid of unusable and unwanted Trident nuclear weapons, and investing in strong conventional defence."

The following exchange took place during the Scottish Affairs Select Committee on 13 June 2012:

Q400 David Mowat: I was reflecting on the fact that you say 10% of defence procurement is done in Scotland.

Peter Luff (Defence Procurement Minister): That is the story I have today.