Cuts are not inevitable (Ian Scott)
It is patently absurd for councillor Angus to state that the current consultation exercise is being carried out in a complete political vacuum. It is, however, true to say that it is being carried out in a complete intellectual and moral vacuum – but a political vacuum … no! These consultations are nothing more than a morbid farcical sideshow designed to somehow justify the forthcoming cuts and job losses.
We have been told the cuts are inevitable, we are all in this together. The truth of the matter is this: the cuts are only inevitable if you support the Tories and their Liberal allies. They are not inevitable and they are not necessary, and as a community, we must fight these people and their dangerous ideas.
And as for this rubbish – we are all in it together. This is as absurd as it is meaningless. It is akin to saying that the executioner and the condemned prisoner are in it together. Puerile drivel such as this, should not be given the time of day. We are also bombarded with equally meaningless analogies concerning Rolls Royces and Volvos, seamlessly leading on to the belief that the private sector is the answer to all our health care problems. Alas, it’s the same old story. Because it doesn’t affect them, because they are all right, because they’ve already had their grants and aids, pull up the ladder Allison – we’re ok.
And in conclusion I’m sure we’re all surprised that Allison and his crofting councillor friends haven’t been in the forefront in the call for an end to the handsome subsidy that they all receive from us for their fertiliser. After all, yes, we are all in this together.
I remain prospective councillor.
Ian Scott
Scalloway.
Gordon Harmer
The public finances are in a poor state, in simple terms we as a country are broke, which means we are all in it together. In the 2009-10 financial year the budget deficit hit a record £155bn, meaning the Labour government spent significantly more than it earned from taxes. That meant the government had to borrow money to fill the gap, adding to the UK’s growing debts. Total debt is expected to reach £900bn (70% of GDP) in the next few years. Big cuts to spending are therefore necessary to reduce the budget deficit and allow this country to start paying back its debts.
Tax increases are being introduced, but they account for less than a quarter of the £86bn target. The previous Labour government are responsible for most of the tax increases adopted by the coalition. The UK has been running a budget deficit for many years, financing spending programmes through borrowing.
Ian if what you have written is some kind of manifesto I hope for the good of Shetland and all those who live here you remain a prospective councillor for the foreseeable future.