Chamber
Plenary, 22 Mar 2007
22 Mar 2007 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Scotland in the United Kingdom
Phil Gallie's timing is perfect. I was about to say that we have tackled the tough issues—in the face of much resistance. We recognised, as the Tories did not, the existence of antisocial behaviour and were determined to tackle it. We gave voice to people who had found no one who would listen to them. We empowered communities with the force of law. We introduced tough powers on knife crime and licensing and we introduced tough powers to help the victims of crime.
We have taken social justice to the top of the political agenda. Some 130,000 children have been lifted out of poverty; the number of pensioners in poverty has been reduced by 46 per cent; and older people's lives have been improved by the provision of free central heating and free travel. We have regenerated our most disadvantaged communities by targeting funding and transforming our cities. All that has been delivered by devolution—a strong Scotland with a strong United Kingdom.
When Scotland was isolated by the Tories, when the Tories did not listen to us and Mrs Thatcher did not respond to issues in Scotland, what did members of the Executive parties do? We reframed the constitutional settlement and we campaigned for devolution. Where were the Tories and the SNP then? They were nowhere to be seen. We delivered devolution.
Where has the Scottish National Party been as we worked hard to fulfil the promises of devolution? More particularly, where has Alex Salmond been? We all know the mantra of the SNP—we have heard it often enough. For SNP members, this Parliament is never good enough, more powers are always the answer to complex issues and separation is always the solution. The SNP wants to break up Britain—first, last, and always.
I have laid out some of the achievements of devolution. Let us consider the other road that Scotland could take. We are entitled to examine the consequences of a vote for the SNP. Last weekend we found out that the SNP would introduce tax increases in Scotland with immediate effect. That is what separation would mean for us: everyone else gets a tax cut, but we would get a 3p increase.
What about the other costs?
We have taken social justice to the top of the political agenda. Some 130,000 children have been lifted out of poverty; the number of pensioners in poverty has been reduced by 46 per cent; and older people's lives have been improved by the provision of free central heating and free travel. We have regenerated our most disadvantaged communities by targeting funding and transforming our cities. All that has been delivered by devolution—a strong Scotland with a strong United Kingdom.
When Scotland was isolated by the Tories, when the Tories did not listen to us and Mrs Thatcher did not respond to issues in Scotland, what did members of the Executive parties do? We reframed the constitutional settlement and we campaigned for devolution. Where were the Tories and the SNP then? They were nowhere to be seen. We delivered devolution.
Where has the Scottish National Party been as we worked hard to fulfil the promises of devolution? More particularly, where has Alex Salmond been? We all know the mantra of the SNP—we have heard it often enough. For SNP members, this Parliament is never good enough, more powers are always the answer to complex issues and separation is always the solution. The SNP wants to break up Britain—first, last, and always.
I have laid out some of the achievements of devolution. Let us consider the other road that Scotland could take. We are entitled to examine the consequences of a vote for the SNP. Last weekend we found out that the SNP would introduce tax increases in Scotland with immediate effect. That is what separation would mean for us: everyone else gets a tax cut, but we would get a 3p increase.
What about the other costs?
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Mr George Reid):
NPA
Good morning. Our first item of business is a debate on motion S2M-5779, in the name of Margaret Curran, on Scotland in the United Kingdom.
The Minister for Parliamentary Business (Ms Margaret Curran):
Lab
I am delighted to be back in the chamber to open this morning's important debate. On the eve of the election, let us address the fundamental question that wi...
Mr John Swinney (North Tayside) (SNP):
SNP
Can the Executive get its motion right?
Ms Curran:
Lab
From a sedentary position, Mr Swinney is trying to provoke me.
Mr Swinney:
SNP
It has worked so many times in the past.
Ms Curran:
Lab
I was about to say that that is not a difficult thing to do. However, although the SNP talks about the words of the motion, Labour members are happier talkin...
Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP):
SNP
Can the member clarify for the chamber which version of the motion she will discuss?
Ms Curran:
Lab
We will focus on the substantial issues that face the Scottish electorate, not the words of a motion. It is clear that the road to separation will be costly,...
Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
Will the minister take an intervention?
Ms Curran:
Lab
No. Scotland's separatists argue that our partnership in the United Kingdom has failed Scotland; apparently, we have been held back and undermined for many y...
Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con):
Con
I want to support the minister today, but I am not sure that her going through the Executive's record is the best way of getting me to do that. Where do her ...
Ms Curran:
Lab
Phil Gallie's timing is perfect. I was about to say that we have tackled the tough issues—in the face of much resistance. We recognised, as the Tories did no...
Mr Swinney:
SNP
Will the minister give an accurate statement to the Parliament by acknowledging that the SNP's commitment is to abolishing the despised council tax, which ha...
Ms Curran:
Lab
Mr Swinney is easily provoked, too. I think that he is so animated because we have exposed the real consequences of SNP policy, which would mean not only a 3...
Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (Ind):
Ind
Is the minister arguing that the SNP's economic policies would bring penury or that independence, if the Scots chose that, would impoverish us?
Ms Curran:
Lab
It is sad that the SNP never gave Margo MacDonald the opportunity to advocate her policy for independence. The policies of the SNP will be disastrous for Sco...
Christine May (Central Fife) (Lab):
Lab
Does the minister recognise that many of my constituents who receive pensions from Westminster are very worried about what might happen to those pensions und...
Ms Curran:
Lab
That is a very good point, and it was very well put. That is an example of exactly the kind of issue and detail that we need to think through. This is the ke...
Alex Neil:
SNP
Where is Jack?
Ms Curran:
Lab
I have one fundamental question: where is Alex? I am not sure why the Scottish Parliament was not good enough for Alex Salmond before, and I am not sure why ...
The Minister for Education and Young People (Hugh Henry):
Lab
With three jobs.
Ms Curran:
Lab
Yes, with three jobs.This debate illustrates the real choices before the Scottish people: tax and turmoil or prosperity and progress; improving education or ...
Alasdair Morgan (South of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I will move the only amendment in my name. Behind this debate is the question whether a constitutional arrangement devised three centuries ago, in questionab...
Bristow Muldoon (Livingston) (Lab):
Lab
Will the member give way?
Alasdair Morgan:
SNP
It is a bit early in my speech. I hope that I have said something controversial already.
Bristow Muldoon:
Lab
Does Mr Morgan not recognise that Scotland has a new constitutional settlement that is only 10 years old, not 300 years old? Is it not time to allow that con...
Alasdair Morgan:
SNP
That is one of the questions that I will address in my speech. It is interesting that Bristow Muldoon's coalition partners do not seem to agree with him on t...
The Minister for Health and Community Care (Mr Andy Kerr) rose—
Lab
Alasdair Morgan:
SNP
I am glad to give way on that point.
Mr Kerr:
Lab
The member does not focus on the substance. Geoff Hoon pointed out that House of Commons library research says that if Scotland were independent, referendums...