ST ANDREW'S DAY - 2011

ST ANDREW'S DAY - 30th November 2011

 ST ANDREW THE PATRON SAINT OF SCOTLAND, ROMANIA, RUSSIA, AND GREECE is now recognised by the Scottish Government via the initial proposal by independent Member of the Scottish Parliament Dennis Canavan - Mr Canavan's proposal was at first rejected but there is little doubt that his initiative started the ball rolling enough that the then First Minister, Jack McConnell believed in recognising the importance of St Andrew's day and a compromise to Mr Canavan's original Bill was made. Scotland has now recognised that since 2006 St Andrew's day is an official bank holiday.
The Scottish Government regulations say that the "Flag of Scotland", (The Saltire") will be on each flagpole on St Andrew's Day and if the building flying "The Saltire" has another flagpole then you may also see the Union Jack, if the building has only one flagpole then the Union Jack will be removed and replaced with the "Flag of Scotland", (The Saltire).
It should be noted that the British Army refuses to fly the "Flag of Scotland" on St Andrew's Day above Edinburgh Castle, yet in their recruitment literature the Union Jack is replaced by the "Saltire", this has been suggested as hypocritical by the Scottish Government.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 14th November 2010

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 14th November 2010

The day when those killed in wars from 1914-18 and 1939-45 and later conflicts are commemorated.

POLL - SCOTS BLAME LABOUR FOR RISING UNEMPLOYMENT

POLL - SCOTS BLAME LABOUR FOR RISING UNEMPLOYMENT

ANOTHER SURVEY PUTS LABOUR ON THE SPOT FOR RECESSION & JOB LOSSES

Commenting on another poll which shows that most Scots blame Labour for the economic problems Scotland faces the SNP’s Deputy Whip Angela Constance, and MSP for Livingston, said:

“This is a bad poll for Labour coming in the week that they hold their Scottish conference. It also confirms the previous Mori poll showing most Scots blame Labour for the spending cuts.

“The SNP is the only party offering better for the people of Scotland. An alternative to the dismal cuts and risk of double dip recession coming from London with a call for economic powers for Scotland to continue investment in training, apprenticeships and support for employment.

“While Alex Salmond and the SNP's experienced team are working hard to help households through the recovery Iain Gray cannot escape the fact that the recession happened on Labour’s watch.

“Gordon Brown may be gone but Labour’s legacy will not be forgotten and Cameron's cuts are risking thousands more Scottish jobs.  Voters will not allow Labour, the Tories or LibDems to escape from their responsibility for the economic mess and the cuts coming Scotland’s way."

1. The poll results are as follows:

YouGov / Scottish Daily Mail Survey Results     

Sample Size: 1405 Scottish Adults        

Fieldwork: 18th - 20th October 2010      

           

QUESTION:

Unemployment levels rose in Scotland in the three months to August, with an extra 13,000 people out of work. Which of the following politicians, if any, do you blame the most for rising unemployment in Scotland?          

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown	32
Prime Minister David Cameron	27
First Minister Alex Salmond	8
None of these	19
Don't know	13

2. Details of the Mori poll showing Scots blame the former UK Labour government for forthcoming spending cuts can be sought form here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11516478

   
www.twitter.com/theSNP

  
www.snp.org

  
www.bepartofbetter.net

CHANCELLOR SAYS MOD MUST PAY FOR TRIDENT

CHANCELLOR SAYS MOD MUST PAY FOR TRIDENT

TRIDENT BECOMES DEFENCE DANGER TO CONVENTIONAL FORCES

Confirmation from the Chancellor that the costs of replacing Trident
will come from the Ministry of Defence's core budget has been met with
concern by SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus
Robertson MP, who warned that inclusion of Trident into the MoD core
budget changed the terms of the Strategic Defence and Security Review.

In an interview during his visit to India, Osborne is reported saying:
"The Trident costs, I have made it absolutely clear, are part of the
defence budget. All budgets have pressure. I don't think there's
anything particularly unique about the Ministry of Defence. I have
made it very clear that Trident renewal costs must be taken as part of
the defence budget."

Mr Robertson said:

“George Osborne’s announcement fundamentally changes the context of
the strategic defence review which began on the assumption that the
cost of Trident would be met centrally by the Treasury.

“From being a deterrence during the Cold War, Trident has itself now
become one of the biggest defence risks we face with the cost of
replacement threatening the future of conventional forces and bases.

“Absorbing Trident into the core defence budget is unsustainable and
would have a devastating impact for spending on conventional forces,
which are already overstretched. The implications of this decision
could not be more serious.

“The strategic review is about choices for the future and prioritising
our defence needs in a changed world. Conventional forces, which have
already been cut back, should not be forced to compete with Trident
for resources.

“Anyway that you look at it; on moral, economic or political grounds,
renewal of these weapons of mass destruction is untenable.

“The SNP believe it should be scrapped and more so, at a time when
public spending faces savage cuts across the board, the time has come
to accept that Trident can no longer be treated as some sacred cow.
The majority of Scots oppose Trident along with the Scottish
Parliament and civil society. In these financially difficult times why
should Scots pay for the London parties' obsession with weapons of
mass destruction?”