Green 2016 manifesto summary

Economy Green MSPs will push for fair pay, decent jobs, workers’ rights and opportunities for cooperative enterprise. We will support Scotland’s energy industries to begin a large-scale transition into renewable energy generation, design and research, creating over 200,000 jobs in sustainable industries. We call for better support to help people find work and an end to the sanctions that punish those who can’t find a job. Society and care Introduce a Living Wage Plus. We want to raise the basic rate of pay for all social care staff. Increase the Carer’s Allowance to recognise the — Read more →

Conservative 2016 manifesto summary

Independence “We will oppose any attempt by the SNP to hold a 2nd referendum during this parliament – no matter the result of the EU referendum this June.” “We will support a fresh, positive drive to promote the benefits of the Union.” “We will support the creation of a new UK-wide effort to promote the strengths and values of the Union, fostering greater ties and solidarity across the entire United Kingdom.” Tax and Welfare We will use “our tax powers to create a competitive and — Read more →

2016 Scottish Parliament Election Candidates

All major parties have now released their candidate lists for the Holyrood elections in May. Use the table below to browse the candidates in each constituency and check out the regional lists for each party at the end of the page. Constituency Candidates Constituency Region SNP Labour Conservatives Lib Dem Aberdeen Central NE Kevin Stewart Lewis MacDonald Sebastian Leslie Ken McLeod Aberdeen Donside NE Mark McDonald Greg Williams Liam Kerr Isobel Davidson Aberdeen South and North Kincardine NE Maureen Watt Alison Evison Ross Thomson John — Read more →

The Scotland that could have been

Had Scotland voted Yes in the independence referendum in 2014 today would have been the preferred date of independence as announced by the SNP Government and would have marked the start of Scotland’s journey on its’ own two feet. It’s hard to believe that it’s only 18 months that have passed since then; surely for Labour supporters it will feel like a lifetime ago.  Scotland has changed significantly since we voted on our future, and the terms of any future independence debate – and there — Read more →

The sour sugar tax

Yesterday George Osborne announced his latest Budget for the country and one of the key announcements was the introduction of a tax on sugary soft drinks that would come in to force in 2018. The tax, or “soft drinks industry levy” as it is officially known, will be paid by companies who produces soft drinks at a rate of 18 pence per litre above 5g of sugar per 100ml and 24 pence per litre above 8g of sugar per 100ml.  This could have major impacts — Read more →