tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732919976442735382.post2907176363234165505..comments2023-10-08T10:24:24.396+01:00Comments on Stephen's Liberal Journal: The Trumpgate Gang of FourStephen Glennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03027718551675624433noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732919976442735382.post-29999932098614930512009-01-23T20:51:00.000+00:002009-01-23T20:51:00.000+00:00The liberals are in free fall in the North East, I...The liberals are in free fall in the North East, I suspect you'll see real damage inflicted in teh coming elections to all of there seats in this part of the word.<br><br>Tavish's Leadership has been an unmitigated disaster so far, the latest episode of which was putting mike rumbles in charge of budget talks.....<br><br><br>Can the liberals support LIT with a postponed variable rate ability?<br><br>Will they survive if they vote it down?Wardoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03882126439593623810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732919976442735382.post-86312513217754302502009-01-23T21:24:00.000+00:002009-01-23T21:24:00.000+00:00There are a number of issues there. The councillor...There are a number of issues there. The councillors attitude may have the same effect in Aberdeenshire council elections in 2012 as recently happened in the Borders. <br><br>I don't agree with you about Tavish's leadership however. He <b>is</b> the only real voice of opposition on a number of key issues at Holyrood. As a Wardog I'd have thought you'd have appreciated the sening of Mike Rumbles to talks.<br><br>For the record I actually backed Mike for leader as a felt we needed an agressive streak to regain some narritive. Therefore the Tavish lead with Mike as whip works surprisingly well IMHO.<br><br>To your to questions LIT isn't LIT without local accountabilty and local variable setting. In any other guise it is a national income tax. The concordate is showing the strains of Holyrood being Scotland's town hall. LA's are finding it hard to make ends meet.<br><br>So to the actual questions my answers are:<br><br>No.<br><br>Yes, because the people will see it as a principled stance for local fair taxation with local accountability. I have more faith in them than some Nats appear to.Stephen Glennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03027718551675624433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732919976442735382.post-23229555730275348182009-01-24T11:14:00.000+00:002009-01-24T11:14:00.000+00:00StephenI agree, if I had a vote, I'd have back...Stephen<br><br>I agree, if I had a vote, I'd have back Mike too, he actually believe in full fiscal autonomy unlike Tavish.<br><br>Tavish seems to be using it simply as a tool, but the fence sitting will need to end soon when Calman reports.<br><br>I see a split in the ramshackle 'unionist' alliance coming.<br><br>In short , such an alliance doesn't really exist, there is a vast difference of opinion within the 'unionist camp'..... will Tavish have the courage to u-turn on a referendum if it includes a 3rd question of his making?<br><br><br><br>With regards to LIT, it's all about what you define as 'local accountability'<br><br>Council tax is 20% of what Local government spends, the rest comes from central grant.<br><br>I find greater accountability in the spending rather than the raising at local level, a variable LIT would simply allow rich ares to benefit over poor areas.<br><br>Do the Liberals have any analysis about what the different rates would be, say orkney v glasgow for instance?<br><br>And what the costs to each council would be of collecting it?Wardoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03882126439593623810noreply@blogger.com