Chamber
Plenary, 22 Mar 2007
22 Mar 2007 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
First Minister's Question Time
Budget
The only robbing going on in the chamber at the moment is the robbing of statistics by the SNP and, of course, the deception that it tries to pull on the people of Scotland whenever it talks about such matters. We all know what the SNP stands for—it stands for disinvestment and a backward step for Scotland in relation to economic growth, whereby Scotland could become the highest-taxed part of the United Kingdom.
Over recent weeks, the SNP has come along to the chamber and claimed that it has business support for its policies, but it has not been willing to defend them and explain them properly in the chamber. I have only to quote one of the SNP's supporters, Mr Crawford Beveridge, who was hailed again by the SNP last week at its conference as one of the business figures who speak for the SNP and therefore is an advocate for independence. Just five short months ago he said:
"I advocate the policy that Scotland should raise the money that it spends. I know that could potentially plunge the place into recession".
That shows how the SNP fails on independence. Its ability and willingness to cover up independence over the next six weeks will be exposed by my party and, I am sure, by others. The SNP is not fit to govern Scotland. It is playing fast and loose with the Scottish economy, and the Scottish people will reject it.
Over recent weeks, the SNP has come along to the chamber and claimed that it has business support for its policies, but it has not been willing to defend them and explain them properly in the chamber. I have only to quote one of the SNP's supporters, Mr Crawford Beveridge, who was hailed again by the SNP last week at its conference as one of the business figures who speak for the SNP and therefore is an advocate for independence. Just five short months ago he said:
"I advocate the policy that Scotland should raise the money that it spends. I know that could potentially plunge the place into recession".
That shows how the SNP fails on independence. Its ability and willingness to cover up independence over the next six weeks will be exposed by my party and, I am sure, by others. The SNP is not fit to govern Scotland. It is playing fast and loose with the Scottish economy, and the Scottish people will reject it.
In the same item of business
4. Margaret Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab):
Lab
To ask the First Minister what impact the Chancellor of the Exchequer's budget will have on Scotland. (S2F-2794)
The First Minister (Mr Jack McConnell):
Lab
The budget is, of course, set against a backdrop of unprecedented economic prosperity in Scotland and the UK. We have a record number of Scots in work, a his...
Margaret Jamieson:
Lab
I thank the First Minister for his reply.Yesterday's budget provides the lowest basic rate of income tax in 75 years, which of course will be of benefit to m...
The First Minister:
Lab
I should make clear that my Liberal Democrat coalition partners would take a different approach on this issue. Having made that clear, I am delighted to defe...
Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
Does the First Minister realise that, as a result of Gordon Brown's budget yesterday, low-paid workers earning only £7,500 a year will see their income tax b...
The First Minister:
Lab
The only robbing going on in the chamber at the moment is the robbing of statistics by the SNP and, of course, the deception that it tries to pull on the peo...