[boogers]

The Scottish Variable Rate is useless and even if used to the full, it would not raise enough money in the context of the whole Scottish budget to make a dramatic change in anything.

I was talking about the additional power in Smith, which allows more flexibility over banding (so you could, in theory, raise the lower rate threshold and get the middle classes to cough up). Realistically the biggest issue remains the size of the Scottish deficit, which of course is why the SNP have suddenly shut up about FFA.

[Fiverings]

Absolutely. Don't forget, I'm not a Tory and I didn't vote for them in this election.
 
I think the key point - that you are missing - is that Scotland is no more "socialist" than the rest of the kingdom. You guys like to say you are, but actual research show that this isn't the case.

And that is why I hate the idiotic and divisive nationalist twaddle. It's an attempt to create boundaries where there is no natural division.

  Which research? The evidence of the ballot since Universal Suffrage trumps any other consideration. Money, power and influence are centralised in the South east of England, regardless of where in the UK it is generated. That is why there are clear social boundaries. Scotland has the institutional machinery to articulate them due to our separate legal, religious, academic and local government institutions which were fairly robust until the early 20th century but now thankfully are underpinned by a national government.

[boogers]

Which research?

There are frequent attitudinal surveys which delve into this very question. This editorial from the spectator is a nice gentle overview, and this blog goes into more detail. The Guardian has a brief piece as well.

The basic overview is that, whilst there are some differences, they are very minor indeed.

[Iluvandy]

Hah. I am thinking for myself - and using data to support my views. What I hear when you write things like that is "I can't find anything which supports my own version of reality, so it's not fair *stamps feet*". The reality of the situation is that much of the "debate" in this thread follows the exact pattern althusser pointed out.

Nobody is forcing you to participate.

Of course you can find data to support your views.   What I can't understand is your implicit trust in data.   As for what you read into some of the posts on this thread, you certainly see statements that I don't, such as "I can't find anything to support my views......".       That's because you see the name, that's a Nat, and you read what is not there.    You once accused me of not knowing the Scottish Government's ability to vary tax when I had said something totally different.     Posts are repetitive - on both sides - several people chunter on about not using tax varying powers.     Read Colincro above.    They are as much using for redistributing wealth as a sticking plaster when your leg is falling off.     

[boogers]

To be fair, it is not only the SNP who posture one way for sections of their support but do something different in government.  Reports today that Cameron is now opposing his ministers who want to leave the European Convention on Human Rights. Glad to hear that.

Indeed. Gives more credence to the theory that part of the Tory manifesto was written with a coalition in mind.

[Fiverings]

Change of subject: the EU and immigration!

There's a brewing crisis in Germany, where the demographic trends point towards a massive workforce crash in the future. The UK and France are - in this respect - currently in much better shape because birth rates are significantly higher, mainly as a result of immigration (recent immigrants tending to raise bigger families)

It raises an interesting paradox. Cutting immigration will ultimately mean cutting state pensions, and possibly other social services like public healthcare.

  LOL Did a double take at first because I thought you were giving a heads-up about an upcoming shortage of German beer, but this explains why Germany is fairly relaxed about  refugee quotas, and their general relaxation around Gastarbeiters

[althusser]

Why?  I didn't say I WAS Anglophobic, because I'm not, merely that I can see why some people are.  There is a difference.  Also I have lived and worked in England and spent holidays there, and the only problem I ever had was racist comments directed at me because I was Scottish - and that really was appalling.

If Boogers was black, and you had said 'I am not a racist but...'
Or if I had said in reply to one of your political comments 'I don't hate women, but I can see why some people do'...

Your post was equivalent to either of the above. I expect you made the comment in an angry moment without thinking it through, we can all make mistakes. But please don't dig yourself in any further by trying to defend what you said.

[Fiverings]

Charles Kennedy dead - I can hardly believe it. Always quite liked him despite his self-abuse in recent years. Almost symbolic of the death of true Liberal values too.