Fiscal Framework: Labour Must Back Scotland Over Treasury

First Minister "Aghast" That Labour Could Back A Bad deal
Labour has been challenged today to make clear that they will join the SNP in only backing a Fiscal Framework deal that is fair to Scotland.

Responding to a question from Kenneth Gibson MSP at First Minister's Questions, the First Minister said that she was “aghast” that Labour appeared to be suggesting that the Scottish Government should sign up to a Fiscal Framework deal – the financial package that is needed before the new powers promised to Holyrood can be delivered through the Scotland Bill – with the Tory Treasury that would be bad for Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon said that the Scottish Government was negotiating in “good faith” but that they “won’t sign up to a deal that systematically cuts Scotland’s budget regardless of anything this government or future Scottish governments were to do.”

Commenting, Mr Gibson said:

“It will come as no surprise to anyone that Tories in the Scottish Parliament are calling for the Scottish Government to back a Fiscal Framework deal that would be bad for Scotland but it is simply astounding that Labour appears to be doing the same.

“The SNP government is committed to securing the powers Scotland was promised, underpinned by a financial deal that is fair to both Scotland and the rest of the UK.

“It is plain common sense, however, that no government would sign up to any deal that would systematically cut their budget, or that any member of our national parliament would back such an arrangement.

“Kezia Dugdale needs to make clear that when it comes to the Fiscal Framework, Labour are on the side of the people of Scotland and not the Tory Treasury.”

Three-Quarters of New 'Lords a Leaping' from Party to Peerage

Corbyn Must Honour Commitment To No New Peers
The SNP has highlighted new analysis showing that almost three-quarters of peers created since the UK election are ‘party insiders’ – including former MPs, Special Advisors or party aides – and has called on Jeremy Corbyn to honour his commitment to not appointing any new peers until the House of Lords is reformed.

Since the General Election 62 new peers have entered the House of Lords, including four new hereditary peers and two bishops. However, by far the biggest group of new peers are retiring, former or deselected MPs and MEPs – 28 of the total. Four former UK Government Special Advisors and a number of Conservative party officials have also been introduced to the House of Lords. In contrast, only four academics and two third sector figures have become peers over the same period.

Commenting, Kenneth Gibson MSP said:

“Supporters of the unelected House of Lords often argue that it allows expert, outside experience to scrutinise legislation – these figures put lie to this myth and show that it is nothing more than a house of cronies.

“The facts speak for themselves – House of Lords appointments are overwhelmingly being used to reward loyal politicians and advisors or as a consolation prize for losing elections. And to have 26 Bishops – the ‘Lords Spiritual’ – in the House of Lords is a nonsense. It is beyond belief that this is tolerated in a democratic country.

“The SNP has never, and will never, accept seats in the unelected House of Lords. Prior to his election as Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn backed an SNP call for parties not to appoint new peers until the House of Lords is reformed – he must honour this commitment.

“Ending the absurdity of new Lords ‘a leaping’ from party positions to peerages would be a start – but it’s long past time that the House of Lords was reformed and this whole farce ends for good.”

Cameron Fails on Promise to Re-Balance Economy of UK Away from London

WESTMINSTER FAILURES HOLDING SCOTLAND BACKAS LONDON SUCKS IN MORE WEALTH
New research has shown the Tories’ “abject failure” to rebalance the UK economy– making the case for full economic powers to be in Scotland’s hands rather than Westminster’s, to build on the Scottish Government’s strong record on the economy with currently devolved powers.

New data from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) shows that Scotland’s proportion of the UK’s Gross Value Added (GVA) stands at 7.9 per cent excluding oil production – at exactly the same level as it was in 2008. This is despite David Cameron promising that he would “rebalance” the UK economy.

In his first major speech as Prime Minister (28th May 2010), David Cameron said: “We will help to rebalance our economy, ensuring that success and prosperity are spread more evenly across regions and industries.”

In contrast, London’s share of the UK’s GVA has grown by 2 per cent – while other regions in England such as the North East and Yorkshire and The Humber have remained static. The GVA figures in Scotland have remained static despite the Scottish Government’s strong record on investment and jobs – which sees employment in Scotland outperforming the rest of the UK and standing at a record high.

Commenting, SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson said:

“These figures show David Cameron has completely and utterly failed on his promise to spread prosperity evenly across regions and nations of the UK. In fact, London has become even more dominant since the Tories came to power – sucking in even more of the UK’s wealth and investment while other regions are left to stagnate.

“This is damning new evidence of the extent of the Tory government’s abject failure to rebalance the UK economy – and shows that the Westminster establishment will always prioritise jobs and investment in London rather than in Scotland.

“This is despite the hard work of the Scottish Government – whose stewardship of the currently devolved economic powers is delivering real results – boosting small businesses, securing investment and supporting employment which now stands at a record high.

“Unfortunately for people in Scotland, Westminster’s obsession with London and South East England means Scotland is operating with one hand tied behind its back – which is why full economic powers should be in the hands of a Scottish Government committed to growth and jobs, rather than in the hands of George Osborne and David Cameron.

“A strong team of SNP MPs elected in May will be a strong voice for an alternative to austerity and real powers over employment and the economy – these powers are essential to build on the Scottish Government’s record and make our country a fairer and more prosperous place for everyone who lives here.”

Ex Labour PM Brown Wants Control of Scottish Education Transferred to London Control

BROWN UNDERMINES NO CAMPAIGN 'MORE POWERS' PLEA

A UK-WIDE EDUCATION SYSTEM WOULD MEAN GOVE IN CHARGE
Commenting on the speeches being delivered by Alistair Darling and Gordon Brown today - in which Mr Brown expressed support for a UK-wide education system Kenneth Gibson MSP said:

"Having undermined the No campaign last week by calling for David Cameron to debate with Alex Salmond, Gordon Brown has done it again. This week, he has endorsed the idea of a UK-wide education system - which could only mean taking powers away from Scotland and giving them back to Westminster - on the very day Alistair Darling and the No campaign are desperately trying to say that they stand for more powers for Scotland.

"In bizarrely arguing against having the Scottish education system, Gordon Brown makes the Yes case for us. If education was controlled by Westminster, not in the Scottish Parliament, Michael Gove would be deciding education policy for Scotland - I doubt if a single person in Scotland would want that, other than Gordon Brown. And students in Scotland would be paying £9,000 a year tuition fees as is the case south of the border, instead of enjoying the benefits of free education.

"We are better off taking decisions for Scotland in Scotland - and by becoming independent we can apply these benefits to the rest of our national life currently controlled by Westminster, including job-creation, getting rid of nuclear weapons, and representing ourselves in Europe.

"That is the real international outlook for young people and everyone in Scotland - instead of having our horizons limited by Westminster, which doesn't represent Scottish votes or our interests.

"The Yes campaign published a new poll today showing that only a third of people in Scotland trust the Westminster parties to deliver more powers - and no wonder, when Gordon Brown is praising an idea that would actually strip the Scottish Parliament of powers!

"We already know that three-times as many people in Scotland trust the Scottish Parliament, rather than Westminster, to make the right decisions for Scotland - and that is the essence of what a Yes vote is all about."

SNP Welcomes Common Sense on Currency

Welcoming Bank of England Governor's speech on currency today, SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson, who convenes the Scottish Parliament Finance Committee, said:

"The Governor of the Bank of England has made it perfectly clear that he will implement what is agreed between the Scottish and Westminster governments, should we achieve a Yes vote in September - underling that a sterling area between an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK is entirely achievable. Or, to quote Alistair Darling, the head of the No campaign, a currency union between the two independent countries is 'desirable' and 'logical'.

"It is time for the UK Government to accept that common sense position - which is also backed by 71 per cent of people in the rest of the UK.

"The UK Government has already accepted the common sense position on Westminster's debt, and in light of the Governor's speech there is no reason - other than trying to spread uncertainty on behalf of the No campaign - not to take the same sensible approach in relation to currency. Presumably they would wish Scotland to pay its share of the UK's debt in pounds, after all.

"Under devolution, Scotland controls just 7 per cent of our tax revenues. The difference a Yes vote for independence makes is that we control 100 per cent of our nation's abundant resources, so that we can implement economic and social policies which reflect our needs and priorities - such as on childcare, North Sea revenues, corporate tax, air passenger duty, pensions and benefits.

"Very many successful and fully independent countries share a currency in the 21st century, including France, Austria and the Netherlands - and a sterling area would be in the overwhelming interests of the rest of the UK as well as an independent Scotland."

Scotland Wealthier Than UK Since 1980

Scotland has been wealthier than the rest of the UK for every single year since 1980, new analysis of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures has shown.

The figures, obtained from the UK and Scottish Governments and released by the SNP, show that on average Scotland’s GDP per head has been £1,905 (14.34%) higher than that of the rest of the UK – and that gap has grown to £3,804 (14.34%) per head since the Scottish National Party came to office in 2007.

The figures come as a bitter blow to anti-independence campaigners who have consistently argued that Scotland would be worse off being a normal independent nation.

Commenting on the figures, Kenneth Gibson – Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Finance Committee - said:

“These figures totally demolish the bogus claims of the anti-independence parties, because they prove once and for all that Scotland more than pays its own way in the UK.

“Even during the Thatcher years with the closure of some of Scotland’s biggest industries, productivity continued to be higher in Scotland than the rest of the UK.

“On average, Scots were more than 14% more productive per head than their counterparts in the rest of the UK since 1980, equal to £1,905 per person.

“The figures have improved further since the SNP took office in 2007, which underlines the hard work being done by the Scottish Government to improve the Scottish economy even with the relatively limited financial powers currently available.

“With the full economic powers Scotland would have as an independent country we will do even better still, with the ability to boost recovery, create jobs and deliver a wealthier and fairer society.

“The questions are now stacking up for the anti-independence parties and the No campaign which has real questions to answer about the credibility of their campaign.”

Sources:

Scottish National Accounts Project - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/
Scottish population - http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/
UK population - http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/pop-estimate/

Survey Shows 52% of Small / Medium Size Businesses in Scotland Favour Independence

New research from AXA Business Insurance has revealed that 52% of Scottish small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Scotland surveyed favour independence.

Welcoming the survey, SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson said:

"This is a welcome report which shows that among the SMEs surveyed in Scotland, a clear majority favour independence. On the day that the UK Government presents its latest 'Project Fear' report, this survey indicates that the negative approach of the No campaign is backfiring.

"Business men and women on the ground know that deciding economic policies in Scotland means better policies for Scottish business - for example the small business bonus scheme, creating the most competitive business rates environment anywhere in the UK. And with the full powers of independence, Scotland can achieve even more.

"Business growth and investment are at the heart of our policies to secure economic growth. And while the SNP Government will continue to do all it can to help our businesses thrive within Scotland's current powers, it is only with the full fiscal and economic powers of independence we could do even more to support companies, strengthen our economy and create jobs.

"Scotland is out-performing the rest of the UK when it comes to employment and investment. Our labour market figures are better than those of the UK as a whole, and the Ernst and Young survey on foreign direct investment showed that inward investment projects coming to Scotland at their highest level for 15 years.

"Scotland is open for business - and we can build on our strong foundations and enable our businesses to flourish with a Yes vote next September."

Link to details of the survey http://www.businessreviewindia.in/

Secret Thatcher Files Highlight Reasons to Vote YES

Secret files that reveal the role Margaret Thatcher played in shutting down the Invergordon aluminium smelter at Christmas in 1981 highlight how Westminster made decisions and didn't care about the consequences for Scotland.

Tory cabinet minutes released today also showed that devolution was deemed "dormant" in Wales by the Thatcher government just three years after the lost 1979 referendum.

SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson said:

"These secret documents demonstrate the need to vote Yes in 2014 - leaving important decisions to be made in Westminster leaves Scotland at such a disadvantage.

"It is only with the powers of an independent Scotland that we will be able to ensure that Scotland is not damaged by the failings of a Tory Government that simply cannot be trusted.

"Just as it turned out that the real danger from all the scare stories ahead of the 1979 referendum was in fact Tory Governments at Westminster, the real danger to Scotland on many issues today comes from the same source.

"If Scotland's interests are to be looked after, then we need to ensure that decisions affecting this country are taken by those with the greatest stake in our future - the people of Scotland themselves. Only a Yes vote in 2014 will give us that opportunity and ensure that decisions are taken by a parliament 100% elected in Scotland."

Notes:

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/

Anti-Independence Say Triple-A Isn't an Issue

"NO CAMPAIGN SCAREMONGERING UNRAVELS"

With reports the UK is facing a downgrade in its credit rating and senior figures in the UK government expressing the view that the credit rating is unimportant and that a downgrade would not affect the mortgages and borrowing costs paid by individuals, SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson questioned the No campaign’s arguments over the rating an independent Scotland would receive.

Embarrassingly for the No campaign and the UK Government, these comments downplaying the importance of the UK’s triple-A rating come just weeks after UK Government Minister Danny Alexander MP attempted to whip up fears over what credit rating an independent Scotland would have.

Almost two-thirds of the countries that currently hold triple-A status have populations of less than ten million, including Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway.

Scotland has stronger public finances than the rest of the UK, with the most recent GERS figures [Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland] showing that Scotland contributes 9.6% of public revenues but receives 9.3% of public spending. The SNP Government has balanced Scotland’s budget in every single year since 2007 while the oil & gas sector boosted the UK’s balance of trade by £40 billion. On an internationally comparable basis Scotland’s share of UK debt in 2010 would have been 64% of Gross Domestic Product [GDP], compared to the UK’s 76%, the EU’s 80% and the G7’s 114%

The G7 countries are: France,
West Germany, Italy, Japan,
United Kingdom,
United States, Canada

Commenting, SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson said:

“The ill-judged comments that anti-independence politicians have readily engaged in are really coming back to haunt them now.

“The UK government has failed to learn the lessons of economic history, and has taken the wrong approach to the recession. First we heard how important it was to cut the deficit and pay off debt to avoid a downgrade. Now - with austerity in the UK projected to last at least six more years - we are told that ratings are unimportant.

“The No campaign can’t have it both ways - the scaremongering simply doesn’t stack up and is unravelling. Not only is there no reason why Scotland - with a stronger financial position than the rest of the UK and a clear record of strong fiscal management - wouldn’t secure the highest rating, but they now expect us to believe it doesn’t matter for the UK.

“The record of our neighbours shows that small, well managed independent countries can have every expectation of enjoying the highest credit rating and more importantly favourable bond yields.

“Scotland is in a stronger financial position than the rest of the UK, and that is a positive starting point from which to grow and develop the economy of an independent Scotland."

Davidson Must Withdraw Her 12% Slur on Scotland

  TORY LEADER ‘FIDDLES EVERY FIGURE’ TO TALK DOWN ECONOMY

Ruth Davidson must withdraw her claims that only 12% of Scots are net contributors to the economy, the SNP has said, after analysis of the claims proved them to be written on the back of an envelope.

With the Conservatives seemingly unable to explain where the figure comes from, analysis by the SNP suggests that everything has been done to maximise the expenditure in Scotland, while minimizing the revenue generated. It appears that:

• She has included groups who would not reasonably be expected to be ‘net contributors’ at that stage in their lives - such as pensioners and students.
• She has included non-identifiable public expenditure – such as Defence – which have questionable benefit for individual households.
• She has not included non-identifiable public revenue – including Corporation Tax, Business Rates and North Sea Oil revenue, greatly underestimating the revenue generated in Scotland.

Commenting, SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson said:

“Ruth Davidson has made a pretty bold and eye-catching allegation which, unsurprisingly, has turned out to be complete bunkum.

“She appears to have counted all of the expenditure, but ignored most of the revenue – including corporation tax, business rates and North Sea oil revenues.

“So with a stroke of the pen, Ms Davidson has erased all of the wealth that Scots generate when they go out to work in the morning!

“These claims from the Tory leader suggest that she is either completely incompetent, or that she deliberately set out to fiddle every figure and talk Scotland’s economy down."

Scotland Wealthier Than Rest of UK Since 1980

GDP PER HEAD 17% HIGHER IN SCOTLAND THAN RUK SINCE SNP TOOK OFFICE

Scotland has been wealthier than the rest of the UK for every single year since 1980, new analysis of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures has shown.

The figures, obtained from the UK and Scottish Governments and released by the SNP, show that on average Scotland’s GDP per head has been £1,905 (14.34%) higher than that of the rest of the UK – and that gap has grown to £3,804 (14.34%) per head since the Scottish National Party came to office in 2007.

The figures come as a bitter blow to anti-independence campaigners who have consistently argued that Scotland would be worse off being a normal independent nation.

Commenting on the figures, Kenneth Gibson – Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Finance Committee - said:

“These figures totally demolish the bogus claims of the anti-independence parties, because they prove once and for all that Scotland more than pays its own way in the UK.

“Even during the Thatcher years with the closure of some of Scotland’s biggest industries, productivity continued to be higher in Scotland than the rest of the UK.

“On average, Scots were more than 14% more productive per head than their counterparts in the rest of the UK since 1980, equal to £1,905 per person.

 “The figures have improved further since the SNP took office in 2007, which underlines the hard work being done by the Scottish Government to improve the Scottish economy even with the relatively limited financial powers currently available.

“With the full economic powers Scotland would have as an independent country we will do even better still, with the ability to boost recovery, create jobs and deliver a wealthier and fairer society.

“The questions are now stacking up for the anti-independence parties and the No campaign which has real questions to answer about the credibility of their campaign."

Sources:

• Scottish National Accounts Project -http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/SNAP/expstats/aggregates/GDPlongrun
   
• Scottish population - http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/theme/population/estimates/mid-year/time-series.html
   
• UK population - http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/pop-estimate/population-estimates-for-uk--england-and-wales--scotland-and-northern-ireland/population-estimates-timeseries-1971-to-current-year/index.html

Parliamentary Answer Reveals Scotland Fifth Richest in EU GDP per Head League Table

OTHER SMALL EUROPEAN NATIONS OUTPERFORMING UK

ANTI-INDEPENDENCE POLITICIANS LEFT LOOKING FOOLISH
Further evidence that an independent Scotland will be wealthy has been provided from figures published which show that Scotland would be the fifth richest country in the EU on the latest GDP per capita ranking table produced by Eurostat. SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson’s parliamentary question also revealed that the UK would 11th in the table of 28 countries.

Official Scottish Government figures already show that, with independence, Scotland would climb to sixth position in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) wealth per capita league table – where the UK is currently ranked sixteenth.

Those EU member states above Scotland also undermine the anti-independence campaign’s argument that Scotland needs to be part of a big state, since all have populations significantly smaller than the UK’s, and two of them have populations smaller than Scotland:

• Luxembourg - Half a million 
• Austria - Eight million 
• Ireland - Four and a half million 
• Netherlands - Seventeen million 
• Scotland – Five million 
• UK – Sixty-two million

The Tory-Labour pact is also looking foolish since both anti-independence parties initially tried to claim that these figures supported their case, as they neglected to include offshore oil and gas resources in the Scottish GDP figure - while they are included in the UK’s GDP.

Commenting Mr Gibson said:

“These official figures yet again show the wealth of Scotland and demolish the credibility of the anti-independence attempts to talk down Scotland’s economy and ability to make decisions for itself.

“The example of other successful small independent European nations is an overwhelming vote of confidence in the economic case for an independent Scotland.

“Official figures already show that Scotland continues to contribute more to the UK Treasury than we receive in public spending. In 2010/11, Scotland generated 9.6% of UK revenues with 8.4% of the population.

“Despite the Tory-Labour anti-independence pact twisting the figures to talk Scotland down - by omitting Scotland’s share of its oil and gas reserves - they are a glowing endorsement of the case for independence. The Tory-Labour twins are now left looking foolish by their attempts to distort these figures.

"With responsibility for our own finances and our own vast natural resources, we will be able to make choices in our own best interests. With independence, we would control the fiscal levers we need to suit our own economic circumstances, and maximise Scotland's potential to secure new investment and jobs.”

Boris Shows The Tories' True Colours

'RATTLED' LONDON MAYORAL CANDIDATES COMMENTS REVEAL CONTEMPT FOR SCOTLAND
The SNP have said that Boris Johnson has been "rattled" by the First Minister taking his jobs for Scotland campaign to the heart of London this week.

Mr Johnson has let the Tories true colours show in disastrous fashion after claiming that the best way to create jobs in Stathclyde was to invest in Croyden.

Mr Johnson told the Huffington Post UK news website:

"I'm making the argument to the Treasury that a pound spent in Croydon is far more of value to the country than a pound spent in Strathclyde. You will generate jobs in Strathclyde far more effectively if you invest in parts of London."

The Tories extrovert London Mayoral candidate's blundering comment has been heavily criticised by SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson, Convener of the Finance Committee.

He said:

"Boris is clearly rattled by the First Minister taking his jobs for Scotland campaign to the heart of London, in his presentation to the Institute of Directors conference at the 02 Centre.

"Scotland is ranked number one in the UK for inward investment in terms of job creation - and Boris knows this, so his silly comments only further highlight the facts, whether Boris likes them or not.

"He has given the game away and the mask has slipped, this is the true face of the Tory party now showing. Suggestion that you create jobs in Strathclyde by investing in Croydon is twisted logic only the Tories could come up with.

"The reality is Scotland's economy is outperforming the UK as a whole. Latest GDP figures show that under the Tory-led UK government's policies the UK has plunged into recession - whilst we have some positive indications in the Scottish economy, such as the recent drop in unemployment and this week's CBI Scotland Industrial Trends report showing business optimism in Scotland at an 18 month high.

"However we cannot escape the impact of the UK approach and more capital spending is vital to keep pushing jobs and recovery forward. We can't risk allowing Westminster to damage the recovery we are building in Scotland.

"The Scottish Government has already written to the Prime Minister with the list of 300 million pounds of 'shovel-ready' projects across Scotland to boost growth and support thousands of jobs.

"It is time for the Tories to recognise the compelling case for additional infrastructure investment to build sustained recovery - instead of putting forward extremely spurious arguments about helping Scotland by investing South East England.

"The actions of the Scottish Government and its agencies are paying dividends, and there have been very positive announcements recently - such as Gamesa's decision to bring their wind power manufacturing facility and 800 jobs to Leith, and GlaxoSmithKline's 100 million pounds expansion plans for sites in Montrose and Irvine."

Miliband Three Times More Unpopular Than Cameron

LABOUR LEADER’S DISASTROUS APPROVAL RATINGS LOWEST IN SCOTLAND
Ed Miliband will come to speak at Scottish Labour’s conference in Dundee this weekend in the knowledge that his disastrous approval ratings among Scots voters are lower than anywhere else in Britain, at a dismal -63 per cent. This is more than three times lower than David Cameron’s -18 rating among Scots voters, and even the Conservative heartlands in the South of England have a higher opinion of the Labour leader’s performance, according to the latest polling figures

Commenting, SNP MSP for Cunninghame North Kenneth Gibson said:

“These appalling polling figures are an unmitigated disaster for Ed Miliband. For a Labour leader’s approval rating among Scots to be far, far below an unpopular Tory Prime Minister says it all.

“It is clear that the people of Scotland are rightly appalled by Labour agreeing “100 per cent” with the Tories on Scotland’s future. Ed Miliband’s decision to join in a toxic pact with the Tories to stand in the way of job-creating powers and more responsibilities for the Scottish Parliament must be a key factor in this overwhelming negative verdict against him from Scots voters, who now know that a Yes vote to independence is the only sure way to secure these job-creating powers.

“Meanwhile, in the Scottish Parliament Labour are ganging up with the Tories again to vote against a Scottish Budget which delivered another year of frozen council tax, 25,000 apprenticeships for young people, and funding to build 5,000 new council houses.

“Their Scottish leader Johann Lamont has remained utterly silent on a series of scandals, from bullying in Glasgow City Council to criminal charges being filed against a Scottish Labour MP.

“Labour can’t even make up their minds where they stand on an important issue like the council tax. One minute they are calling for the popular council tax freeze to be scrapped, the next their councillors are cutting the council tax – and yet again Johann Lamont refuses to say where she stands.

“It’s no wonder that Scottish voters are deserting Labour in droves, and no wonder that Ed Miliband’s ratings are plumbing previously unimaginable depths for a Labour leader in Scotland. Labour has no credibility and nothing useful to say on the constitution, on the economy, or on any of the issues that matter to ordinary households in Scotland.”

A breakdown of the Sunday Times You Gov polling figures shows Ed Miliband’s approval rating in Scotland at -63%, compared to -42% for the whole of Britain. David Cameron’s Scottish rating is at -18% and Nick Clegg’s at -64%.