tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346310154784158602.post8510175582914526239..comments2023-09-28T08:44:10.623+01:00Comments on The Sound of Gunfire: Ending the budget chaosBernard Salmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756716991445396009noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346310154784158602.post-70522242561656214722009-01-30T16:13:00.000+00:002009-01-30T16:13:00.000+00:00Heaven forbid that anyone should be found posturin...Heaven forbid that anyone should be found posturing in this situation, especially on Newsnight with a pink tie.James Mackenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07707473889170111139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346310154784158602.post-16525704749770328032009-01-29T15:50:00.000+00:002009-01-29T15:50:00.000+00:00I would suggest that reform of public sector pensi...I would suggest that reform of public sector pensions would probably yield a good saving but that would lead to a world of political pain.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346310154784158602.post-21254556903945264802009-01-29T15:30:00.000+00:002009-01-29T15:30:00.000+00:00In a similar vein, Bernard, I'm delighted that the...In a similar vein, Bernard, I'm delighted that the posturing over a 2p income tax cut has been dropped. The hand can be extended when the fist is unclenched, as someone said recently. <BR/><BR/>Here's to some fruitful discussions - though I do like the idea of being labelled a Gnat by someone from a party led by a Clegg :-)Richard Thomsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00380671811598211337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346310154784158602.post-52597325354486687702009-01-29T15:22:00.000+00:002009-01-29T15:22:00.000+00:00Richard: We are adopting a constructive approach t...Richard: We are adopting a constructive approach to the budget negotiations, but it does require the SNP to do likewise if a new budget is to be passed. And that means less of the posturing they've been indulging in over the last few weeks.<BR/>Stephen: I agree that the cut in income tax does require cuts to public spending, and I made some suggestions on that earlier this month.<BR/>On the small retailer thing, I think the two are certainly complementary but are not the same, because as I understand it the Tory proposal was just focused on town centre regeneration, whereas the Lib Dem one is about supporting small retailers wherever they are, not just in town centres.Bernard Salmonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16756716991445396009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346310154784158602.post-63362869356664486472009-01-29T14:56:00.000+00:002009-01-29T14:56:00.000+00:00Bernard, I forget the detail of this but if the Sc...Bernard, I forget the detail of this but if the Scottish Executive lowers income tax, don't they get less in the block grant from Westminster (and conversely more if they were to raise taxes)?<BR/><BR/>If that is the case, then, not having the powers to issue debt to cover any shortfall, isn't the drop in income from lowering taxes going to have to be come from present public spending? <BR/><BR/>Don't get me wrong - I'm in favour of tax cuts and I'm glad the Lib Dems are calling for them but I'm not sure how the books balance in this situation and what the political fallout would be.<BR/><BR/>Wifi towns? I think <A HREF="http://www.reason.com/blog/show/130813.html" REL="nofollow">this kind of experience</A> from the US is pertinent and, anyway, <A HREF="http://www.wired.com/gadgets/wireless/magazine/17-02/lp_10coolapps" REL="nofollow">GPS</A> is poised to be the data connectivity solution of the future (and it works in remote rural mountainous areas like the Highlands). In other words, nice idea but I suspect it could be better spent.<BR/><BR/>You'll know from our conversations that I'm a critic of the SNP/Tory idea of splitting some of HIE's functions off to councils. I think some councils are poised to take on the role very well but I fear that many are not.<BR/><BR/>Also, how is a small retailer fund that different from the towns regeneration fund that the Tories 'sold them so so cheaply for'?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346310154784158602.post-64950745391666696322009-01-29T14:54:00.000+00:002009-01-29T14:54:00.000+00:00Bernard - somce reasonable ideas in there but with...Bernard - somce reasonable ideas in there but with the best will in the world, you'll catch more flies with honey than you ever will with vinegar.<BR/><BR/>Regards,<BR/><BR/>RichardRichard Thomsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00380671811598211337noreply@blogger.com