THE debate about Scotland's future goes beyond the SNP government's National Conversation or the Calman Commission, argues MALCOLM BURNS.
The SNP goal is independence, while the opposition's commission is aimed at moving in the direction of devolution-plus, but, with the parliament on its summer holiday, there is plenty of discussion going on in civic Scotland and elsewhere which could take us beyond the headlock and deadlock of Scottish party politics.
The Scottish TUC, which called for a re-established constitutional convention at its recent congress, welcomed the publication last week of a new report on the Barnett formula by the northern branch of the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).
Barnett is the oft-disputed means by which public expenditure is divvied up between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland based on population.
The IPPR report, which is called, appropriately enough, Fair Shares, concludes that Barnett is not the best way to allocate funding and recommends that it should be replaced with a mixture of some fiscal autonomy and some needs-based distribution of UK funds.
It recommends stronger revenue-raising powers to "match Scotland's full legislative powers," something very much in line with Scottish public opinion.
The IPPR argues that the Scottish Parliament could have extended powers over income tax, building on the existing power to vary the rate by 3p up or down, and that this could be accompanied by assigning tax revenue, such as a proportion of VAT.
This mixture of tax revenues would be topped up with a grant based on a needs assessment.
Wales and Northern Ireland could follow a similar fiscal route as legislative devolution is strengthened in each country.
The STUC response is that it would be unwise to move too hastily in the direction of abolishing the Barnett Formula but that the IPPR alternative, a mixed formula for funding, merits serious consideration.
"Mixed funding for devolved government would mean increasing revenue-raising powers, but retaining a block grant based on need," said STUC deputy general secretary Dave Moxham.
"The IPPR North report on Barnett and the politics of public expenditure is a valuable contribution to the debate on Scotland's constitutional future and politicians who are committed to "listening" should not be dismissing its recommendations out of hand."
The IPPR report is available online at www.ippr.org
Fair Shares is worth a read, for sure, but if you want a meatier and broader political analysis, the CPB Scottish committee's policy document called Scotland's Future, which was launched last month, is essential. Visit www.scottishcommunists.org.uk
Glasgow Tory puzzle
THE Glasgow East by-election is trundling on nice and nastily enough now that the candidates are finally in place.
One of the more interesting candidates is Tory Davena Rankin. She's black, she's a single parent and she was brought up in Drumchapel, the Easterhouse of west Glasgow. So far, so much on Cameron territory.
Rankin even stood beside her dear leader the other day and didn't flinch when he was doing a "back-to-basics" rant about irresponsible single parents in the East End of Glasgow.
I guess that ritual humiliation is all part and parcel of being a by-election hopeful.
But perhaps the most surprising thing about Rankin is that she is a UNISON activist, chairing the branch at Glasgow Caledonian University and sitting on various Scottish and national committees of the union.
Nope. No-one else I know can work out why she's a Tory, either.
McGahey meets Bevan
I WAS pleased to hear last week that the largest health-care union in Scotland has commissioned a statue of Nye Bevan as part of the celebrations for the NHS 60th anniversary.
I was even more pleased that the NHS founder's memorial will be placed, together with the statue of miner's leader Mick McGahey, in George V Park, Bonnyrigg, Midlothian.
These two working-class leaders have provided inspiration for literally millions of people.
UNISON Lothian Health Branch has contracted sculptor Andrew McFetters, who produced the McGahey statue, to create the Bevan work too.
UNISON Scottish Health Group chairman Tom Waterson said: "It is entirely appropriate that the founder of the NHS will sit next to such an important Scottish workers' leader.
"The NHS was created to provide free care for all who needed it and stopped the crime of working people being unable to afford vital health care."
Mick McGahey's son Michael also works in the NHS and is the UNISON Lothian Health Branch chairman.
The statue is due to be unveiled later this year.
Join the activist army
THE much postponed Communities and Regeneration Conference will take place on Friday September 5 at the Scottish TUC Centre in Glasgow.
An array of activists and experts will lead the examination of policies at all levels of government which impact on regeneration and local democracy. The event will also explore community and campaigning initiatives with an emphasis on how trade unions, grass-roots community organisations and the voluntary sector can work together.
Speakers will include Kait Laughlin of the Scottish Anti-Poverty Movement, Stephen Maxwell of Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations and John Carragher from the Scottish Tenants' Organisation, academics Mike Danson, Geoff Whittham, Chik Collins and Sarah Glynn plus leading Scottish trade unionists.
The conference will be chaired by Dundee TUC's Mike Arnott. If you're involved in a union or if you are in a community, campaigning or voluntary organisation, contact the STUC to register.
Visit www.stuc.org.uk for more details.
Subscribe to the Morning Star online
For peace and socialism - the only socialist daily paper in the English language
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment