Scotland's Role in a "Balanced" Parliament

[RyeSloan]

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There are 1039 more police officers in Scotland since the SNP came to power.

Class sizes in Primary Schools are at a record low, although they haven't met the target of 18 yet.

Of the 4 main parties (SNP, Lab, Lib, Con) the SNP are the only social democrats, and the only party really fighting for issues that matter to common people IMO.

From the Scottish Govermnents own website:

The average primary class now has 23.2 pupils. In 1996, the average was 24.9. We don't collect data on the size of secondary classes.

Hardly a vindication of the now abandonded 18 pupil per class pledge...which if anyone is being honest everyone knew was not acheivable but did not stop the SNP claiming as a pledge then when not acheived simply blamed on local councils.

Of course the fact that this pledge would need substantial investment, larger schools and more teachers is glossed over by claiming the mimimal increases given to local authorities who, almost to a man, were all facing substantial budget pressures across their operations were supposed to deliver this fanciful ideal.

As ever with a lot of SNP policies they claim they are for the 'common man' but really they are simply poplularist moves that are either not costed, a slight of hand or in the case of bridge tolls provide severe restrictions on future investments.


Prescription charges - Reduces revenue to the NHS just when all budgets are coming under pressure, effectively this policy has meant reduced spending elsewhere in the NHS.

Free hospital parking - Zero infrastructure upgrades to allow all the extra cars that now try to park meaning people who HAVE to drive to hospitals can now no longer get parked

No bridge tolls - Has removed the easiest and most effective way of raising revenue to maintian the infrastucture and of course to build more (new forth bridge crossing)


Salmond was on the TV two night ago saying that he could maintain current spending and not raise taxes by simply growing the economy to cover the deficit. This is not even school boy economics and is a down right lie, still didn't stop him spouting it on national TV though did it!?!