THE GORDON BROWN REFERENDUM ROADSHOW

CHEQUES, DRAWN ON ANY OF THE BANKS THAT HE PERSONALLY SAVED, SHOULD BE MADE PAYABLE TO GORDON BROWN. CASH PREFERRED (BANK OF ENGLAND NOTES ONLY)

So, according to this letter on Labour for Independence Facebook page, North Briton, Gordon was wheeled out to make a speech for Better Together Alone, and apparently refused to take any questions, not because of lack of time in his busy schedule, but because he wanted to sell books.

It seems to me that speaking on the referendum is a commercial opportunity for Gordon. Grubby New Labour Neolib moneymaker with no time for the concerns of plebs and frightened to have to justify his right wing agenda to proper Labour people.

Hope no one bought it.

Robin Cook's dream of an Ethical Foreign Policy could become reality in an Independent Scotland

I thought that Robin Cook's idea of an ethical foreign policy was a pipe dream when he announced it in 1997. If you are as dependent for your world power (or "clout") on another state as Britain is, it follows that you can't really control your foreign policy objectives. 

Additionally if one of your few export successes is weaponry, then selling to the highest bidder is always going to be on the cards.

But here is LABOUR for INDEPENDENCE's take on the subject. I encourages me to think that, in an independent Scotland we could seriously reimagine our foreign policy, unencumbered by the need to please the USA. 

An ethical foreign policy was the mission statement of then Foreign Secretary Robin Cook. Within this piece, the late Mr Cook outlined the future of British foreign policy under New Labour. In it he set out four goals which would change the nature of the U.K's international commitments and responsibilities. These goals were; the security of all nations, the prosperity of Britain, the quality of life and environment in the U.K, and securing the respect of other nations.

There can be no doubt that Cook's vision did have its successes, UN intervention in Rwanda, reaching out to work with Ireland in the peace process and removing Milošević in Kosovo. Yet with the continued selling of arms to the highest bidder and subsequent war in Iraq led to what the Foreign Policy Centre cited as a 'lack of moral authority.' In truth the achievement of an ethical foreign policy will always prove impossible in the United Kingdom.

As part of the UN Security Council, Britain is more often than not beholding to the demands of our 'special friendship' with the United States. In recent times we have moved from an imperialist empire to a second string back up in supporting the superpowers doctrine of intervention and greed. It is perhaps unsurprising that both the U.K. And United States do not have the moral authority for their demands of Russia's removal from the Ukraine to be met with anything other than derision in the Kremlin.

Lest we forget, before Iraq, the U.S, imposed a military dictator in Chile after a democratically elected government did not suit their interests. Hamas were legally elected in Palestinian Hamas region and were decried a terrorist group. In Cambodia in the 1980's after mass slaughter of 3 million of their own people, The Khmer Rouge were sent weapons by the US, UK and Germany to retake their country from the Vietnamese Communists. One need only look to how Hugo Chavez was described as a dictator despite winning 4 elections inspected by international observers. All of this was before the decimation and destruction of the sovereign nation of Iraq under the pretence of WMD's

In Foreign Policy Britain is stuck between a rock and a hard place, desperate to remain a major player on the world stage, it no longer has the influence, military might or moral authority to do so. This is why it will be intrinsically aligned and subservient to the United States.

In an independent Scotland we would not seek to exert such authority over the world. As a small country we realise, as Britain must also begin to accept, that hard power politics will not be possible, more to the fact it seldom works without the need for bloodshed. Scotland must and will accept it's responsibilities on the world stage, we will work within the UN to promote a safer, fairer and more secure society. While the SNP promote our membership in NATO, we would seek to remove ourselves from this nuclear club. Beginning with removing Trident from our soils, this effort alone has been labelled by some academics as the broken link in the nuclear chain which can lead to mass disarmament or at the very least see them removed from the British Isles, a case supported by John Ainslies 'Nowhere to Go.'

We would act as a soft power nation, allowing our country to be used as a neutral place for international disputes to be resolved. We will be responsible and friendly neighbours to the rest of the U.K and our partners in Europe. We will not seek intervention or aggression against any nation, but will support, with military intervention if necessary any breach of international law of powers imposing genocide on their peoples. We will work within the UN framework for this ensuring a secure and safe world in this globalised time.
By removing ourselves from the 'special relationship' with the United States we will step away from terrorist threats to our nation, working to build stronger relationships in the middle east built on understanding and peace rather than trade, oil and imposition of our will. An independent Scotland should immediately recognise the state of Palestine and offer our nation as a home where negotiations can take place to resolve the peace process.

Scotland at present contributes £3.3billion to defence, yet only receive £1.5 billion on defence in this nation. Scotland has a proud military tradition which is being quashed by proud battalions having to merge under UK cost cutting measures. We would increase defence spending to £2.5 billion (just under Danish levels) to end these merges from occurring. We will maintain and seek to increase our ship building industry by creating a naval defence force to protect our oil fields and fishing from attack. It is astonishing that for all the U.K's pomp there is not one cruiser or battleship protecting our maritime borders. Such an issue was highlighted by Russian fleets reaching 40 KM from the Scottish Coast before the Ministry of Defence found out about it on Twitter. The fact these ships are docked in Portsmouth and Plymouth suggest they are not for defence, rather battle ready for the next intervention.

Currently the UK government has two aircraft carriers under construction, only one is needed and the other will be either left to rust or sold at a huge discount to a foreign county. I support Jim Sillars plan that in the interest of shared assets, Scotland should take the second one and equip it as a Scottish overseas hospital and International rescue ship. This would provide onboard medical experience to young doctors while providing humanitarian aid to nations suffering natural disasters, or countries with health epidemics. The vessel will be docked in Faslane for maintenance and improvements, increasing jobs within the region. This vessel would be the flagship (pardon the pun) of Scottish International policy of soft power and humanitarian conviction rather than policy based on bullets and bloodshed.

In terms of overseas aid, we have a responsibility not only as a developed nation but as human beings to continue to send aid to those who need it overseas. We already have the facilities and trained staff in East Kilbride Department for International Development to continue this. There must, however be a restructuring of how we send aid. There is no doubt of the abject poverty and inequality many in India suffer but by providing the aid directly to the government we are not tackling the suffering. People in the UK rightly complain that the aid is being sent to the country which uses it to fund a space programme. Any money sent as such is seen more as targeting trade than genuine humanitarian objectives

We must rethink our overseas aid and how we can be most effective in producing results. By working with not only governments but also NGO's we will set reachable targets and ensure the money is being spent correctly. Scotland is a small nation and as such our aid budget would be stretched by trying to cure all ills in all countries. I propose we adopt a buddy system of nations with each developed nation working with at least one undeveloped nation to improve poverty levels and inequality. Such measures have already proved workable with our relationship and aid efforts in Malawi. This system would promote closer ties between countries and ensure our overseas aid is put to good effect. As a member of the UN we would promote this idea and work with our partners to ensure the development of such processes.

The introduction of Cook's ethical foreign policy was not without its merits. It was not an idealistic unachievable target, just unrealistic in a British system. An independent Scotland could be seen as a beacon and a starting gun of such a system. We will be good neighbours and good friends with other nations. We will promote peace, stability and development within the world. We will work within international institutions such as the UN and commit to our responsibilities on the world stage. We will defend ourselves and our interests through a strong maritime force and military defence. We will be on the side of what is right and will not shirk when genocide occurs in this world.

Most importantly we will lead by example and use this influence to promote peace and prosperity. We are for a peaceful, humanitarian soft power foreign policy not one based on bullets, bloodshed and greed. We will have an ethical foreign policy, one which Mr Cook would be proud of. 

SNAPS ON SUNDAY

Yes. Danny Alexander and all the other people who think that it is fair
 that THEIR kids have to have bedrooms in the housing the state pays for them,
despite not living there full time, and that we should pay for visits

I'm incredibly rich and frankly neither I, nor any of my toff cabinet
gives a stuff how you live, or indeed IF you live

Odd that!

Sinking without a trace. Water Rats.

Incase someone like me is saying that you're a chancing old Spiv?

Yer on your own Ken. No one else gives a toss

Glad it is working out for someone.

Little things mean a lot Johann

It's not all about the SNP

Johanns wee things keep on rearing their ugly head... and will for some time

That's the bloke. Probably soon to be an ex-MP , but don';t worry folks,
he'll just go into the retirement chamber. Lord Clegg of Fudge

Yep... just imagine. No more Blair.
No more pandering to the rich south east

But even from here you can see the cut is
 altogether better on the panto dame

Does anything our MPs say ever make any difference at all?
Nope, thought not.

What complete and utter hell. Nope can't be done.

Completely Simples

Hmmm, that died a death, Dave. Prepare for withdrawal.
Monsieur Hollande's not for turning! 

SNAPS FOR STEVEN'S FEAST

FRACKING MAP
So is this why we heard that the house of aristocrats and clergy removed the Scottish government's rights in respect of green energy?
Might get in the way of them making money

We are always hearing how many foreigners come here.
There are a lot of Brits who go there.

Still, it is one way of getting rid of the poor.
Only a one-off funeral grant to pay

Like Eton Boy would do it himself...

That's before we start saving on being big nobs in the world

Ah yes, these are all the things they prophesied in 1978
Let's see... No, no, no, no, Ha ha ha,
unfortunately no, we never had one (indeed is there one),
no, no, ooops, she did anyway,no, no.
Nothing out of twelve. Try again.
Oh wait, that's what they are doing! However, in fairness, 
as CH points out below, it's probably a spoof, 
given that the logo of the Lancaster Rose didn't appear till years after 
this poster would have appeared.

And  merry Christmas to you too Dave and Nick, you bastards.

Farce maybe?

What a happy Christmas that will be.

Are you old enough to remember when there was work for
thousands of men in these plants?

But clearly while the UK keeps its WMDs there,
you lot can just starve

Oh to be Icelandic, or at least to have their
autonomy to deal with thieves their way

It was Dave's idea; what did you expect?

Democracy? And how many of the Lords are millionaires?
And how many of the royals?

It's NOT all about the SNP or Alex Salmond

Two particularly repugnant specimens of  Tory

Some people have very strange friends

See, even St Vince says so

What a brilliant idea. We should have more like that.

Respect man. You get on down with the poor people, Dave.
Give him a hug, I dare you!

If you could call any of them "real"

So, when ukok tells you that Scotland, unlike Norway,
couldn't afford to pay the pensions, they are talking garbage.
The British government took the money for our pensions.
Just because they spent it on sucking up to George Bush
 and Ronnie Reagan doesn't make any difference.
They owe it to us.

Labour has said that Barnett  needs replaced with a "needs" formula, based no doubt in the Westminster Government's interpretation of need. So that will be like they didn't think we needed electric trains, or motorways, or television till years after England. Cameron says he has no plans to revise Barnett, but then, he had no plans to put up VAT just days before he put it up by 2.5%, and in any case, is there anything he hasn't lied about so far? As Marcia rightly points out, as  Scotland already pays more than £824 per person more than the rest of the Uk population the total subsidy would be £1,574 if their was a £4bn cut.

A STATEMENT FROM CHARLES GRAY...

...in support of the Labour voice in the independence campaign. 

This was written exclusively for use for Labour for Independence. 

(Please share far and wide. Allan)

Even as the Festive Season approaches there is still a continuing interest in next year's Referendum to decide Scotland's future. It's subject to sometimes intense discussion in pubs and clubs, in homes and carefully, but formally in schools, colleges and universities. While many may still have to make up their minds, a fast growing number of Labour Party members and voters, and many more Trades Unionists are already determined to vote YES.

Older persons are mindful of the early Labour & TU movement of Hardie, McLean, Gallacher, Wheatley and Johnston and their like: men who birthed a vision of social equality and equal rights for all and in whose simple, but ardent ambition was Home Rule for Scotland.

Given, and recalling, the suffering endured by hundreds of all ages in those not so far off days, it would be foolish to contend that the present Scottish Parliament would be sufficient to satisfy their hopes; hopes which had clearly contained the dream of an Independent Scotland.

And now there is the increasing call by folks from all walks of life: ordinary men
and women, scholars, business and young people all joining in the call for Independence for our beloved ancient land : SCOTLAND.

Hasten the day!

"YOUR TIME HAS COME , DARLING"

By Allan Grogan

Twa Rich Embra Lawyers

Going against the grain can be a daunting, yet sometimes, uplifting experience. But in politics it is often viewed as an ink blot on your copybook – by both sides. Disagreeing with the Labour Party in its opposition to independence and founding Labour for Independence guaranteed an uncomfortable ride. Suspicion among some Nationalists as to our intentions was to be expected. But it has been closer to home where we have faced our harshest critics.

Labelled a front for the SNP by no less a figure than our Deputy Scottish Leader Anas Sarwar, we at Scottish Labour for Independence (SLFI) have taken these accusations on the chin while insisting that independence will not only be good for Scotland, but for the Labour Party too.

Funnily enough, we never attended an SNP conference, meeting or social event. So it came as some surprise to me when I read that our former Chancellor, eminent Labour politician and Chairman of the Better Together campaign, Alistair Darling, was to appear at the Scottish Conservative conference in Stirling.

If nothing else comes from this referendum, surely this indicates a seismic shift within the Labour Party in Scotland. The sight of a senior Labour politician at a Tory conference must have Keir Hardie, Bevan, Smith and Dewar burling in their graves.

The Labour Party's very foundations are fairness and equality, so in the interests of these values let's ask: If I were to represent SLFI by speaking at the SNP conference, how many of my party members would call for my immediate expulsion?

Other questions about Mr Darling’s curious decision need to be asked. Was our Scottish leader Johann Lamont, for example, aware of this engagement? If so did she try to forbid it?

If the answer is yes, then surely Mr Darling’s actions present a clear and present danger to the Scottish Labour Party.

The truth is that many within Labour are no longer sure where their party lies within the No camp. Was it a voice of protest from within the membership calling for a removal of Labour from Better Together that prompted the creation of United with Labour? If this is the case, then why is Mr Darling still the head of BT? More importantly, why is he given carte blanche to speak at another party's conference?

One Posh Boy from Oxford

I accept that currently SLFI is in a minority within the Labour Party in relation to the referendum. I also concede that when I speak, I do not do so for the Labour Party; I do not have that mandate. But nor does the Labour leadership, because they have acted without a members’ vote on such a crucial issue.

Yet I want to make clear that our issue is not with the Labour Party, the members, supporters and voters... we are still among you. Our battle is against the top brass taking our party to the brink of the abyss in Scotland.

In Westminster we are seeing Labour chase the tail of UKIP and the Tories. The desire to gain election-winning votes in Southern England is causing Labour to be further removed from its values and founding principles. One need only look at Ed Balls for proof of this. Despite demanding a Plan B for three years, he now declares Labour will continue the austerity package. This means further cuts, harder days and nights ahead for the poorest and most vulnerable. Some of the poorest right here in this country.

This is not why I, nor most Labour members in Scotland, joined the party.

Independence is not, of course a silver bullet. There is no magic potion to Scotland's ills. But many a learner driver will tell you that the only way to succeed is to have full control of all the levers of power.

For those within my party who say that a change of government is all that's needed, let me say this: If the imposition of the Bedroom Tax, ATOS deciding disability benefits, and anti -trade union laws, are not enough to convince you Scotland can do better, then the fact that the Labour Party in Westminster either voted for or abstained on these issues surely must.

It occurs to me that the longer Labour for Independence has been in existence the further the UK Labour Party moves to the right. But the more this happens, the more it proves our message to be true. Labour for Independence doesn’t just believe in Labour policy. We believe in what Labour truly stands for. We believe in a vision of a society based on equality, fairness and justice. We believe in a society for all. This vision is not only shared by members of our party but by former members, voters and supporters yet to come.

We are proud of Labour's trade union links, not because they fund us, but of who and what they represent. Most importantly we are proud to support Scottish independence, not as a final destination, but a starting point to a better, fairer and more socially just society.

At the Stirling Conference there were those listening to Mr Darling - and there were many more outside protesting the UK Government’s actions.

Labour for Independence was outside, with the people, where Labour belongs.

  

This is the full version of the extract that appeared in the Daily Record on Saturday 15th June, 2013 and has been lifted by me (Tris) from the Labour for Independence site.

FROM THE DAILY RECORD...AND THE HERALD

*CLICK  TO ENLARGE

AND....Poor old Ruth.

According to this report in the Herald, right at the start of his speech Cameron had to make a plea for the Tory's Scottish leader...

"We will only succeed if we are in touch and in tune with modern Scotland and in Ruth, you've got the ideal leader.

"Ruth wasn't born into the Conservative Party. She chose it and she understands that to win we've got to be a party for all of Scotland, a party focused on securing Scotland's place within a strong UK, but not afraid to look at how devolution can be improved. I back her every step of the way."

AN OLD FASHIONED LABOUR...REMEMBER THIS?

**********

GOOD NEWS FOR SCOTTISH FARMERS, BUT WHAT ABOUT THOSE WHO CAN'T AFFORD FRESH MEAT?

"It may look like a load of bull, but this image makes a serious point. For many years, since the days of the BSE crisis, the Scottish meat industry has worked tirelessly to make its products totally traceable. Every steak or sausage on a butcher's shelf can be traced back to the farm, and even the animal, from which it came.

Scotland has long had a reputation for producing the finest meat products on the planet and now it (rightly) has a reputation for producing the safest too. This of course comes at a cost and Scottish meats carry a premium over lower quality equivalents.

Large retailers, including many in the UK, have been moving away from Scottish producers, in favour of other cheaper sources, in a drive to reduce prices for consumers. This 'race to the bottom' has caused many corners to be cut and has even promoted widespread fraud, as we have seen in recent weeks.

Scottish butchers have seen increases in sales of over 25% since the 'horsegate' scandal began, as consumers have returned to buying higher quality and safer products. Now we should all begin to put pressure on the supermarkets to source their own products from traceable Scottish sources and stop using 'dodgy' ingredients of uncertain provenance."

(From Yes To An Independent Scotland)

The butchers' shops around our way have certainly had queues out the door this weekend, but we need to remember that not everyone can afford to do that kind of luxury. 

There was a government minister on QT who was all for shopping locally, but of course she collects £300+ tax free every day as an aristocrat (incidentally, one which was dumped by her Commons constituency and promptly sent to the Lords to show that no matter how much the stupid voters didn't want her in parliament, they were going to get her one way or the other). Then she has her ministerial salary on top of that, so exorbitant prices probably don't phase her much. 

When you feed your kids value burgers, because that's all you can afford, I'm not quite sure where you go once you find out that they are dodgy and quite possibly lethal. 

When you sit in the House of Lords, the answer is probably ... your local high quality butchers.

Once again while the aristocrats are safely shielded from the misery, ordinary commoners find themselves badly let down.

*********

SNAPS ON SATURDAY

Well, what did you expect?

How many of his houses did we do up?

I seriously couldn't think of a better name for it

Of course they do: And they always have. But it's true. If they see  keeping the UK together as a part of their remit, a policy of honesty would help

Dead Wood, more like

Well, can anyone deny it?

£1,100,000,000,000,000 why that's even more that a banker's pay off.

He lied through his teeth: they are not.

ROAR

Thank heavens for a proper Labour Party

Oh bugger ... that's the ba' in the slates!

And now, for Jim: (cover the caption)

Everyone has the right to happiness, but no one has the right to destroy the happiness of others  The goal of human existence can not be in any case to cause anyone suffering.