thecommongreen

thecommongreen, 1 month ago to random

New Policy Paper!

We've developed a Scottish Land Tax that could raise £450 million a year and close the projected budget gaps of many of our Local Authorities.

https://commonweal.scot/policies/taxing-land-in-scotland/

thecommongreen, 8 months ago to random

It should be fairly obvious why this is a bad idea but if they want to do it, how about some bad rules to go with it:

1. Positions to be allocated by a committee of working class folk, migrants and other disadvantaged folk.

2. Refuseniks to be barred from royalty, elected public office and noble title.

3. The scheme shall not be rolled out until all participants in the pilot successfully complete it.

4. The pilot scheme shall consist of those who vote for the scheme.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/08/30/penny-mordaunt-great-british-national-service-volunteering/

thecommongreen, 7 months ago to UKpolitics

Delegates at the UK Labour conference voted overwhelmingly to reaffirm the party's commitment to public ownership of railways and the energy industry.

Asked if the party would follow the vote, shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: "No."

#UKPolitics #Energy #Democracy

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-67056005

thecommongreen, 10 months ago to random

Another Monday, another day spent carefully explaining the principle of subsidiarity to a government that says it abides by it but keeps designing local tax bills that ride roughshod over it.

Closing date for the Scottish Government's proposed tax premiums on second and vacant homes closes tomorrow. Get your response in.

#ScottishPolitics #LocalDemocracy #SecondHomes

https://consult.gov.scot/local-government-and-housing/council-tax-second-and-empty-homes/

thecommongreen, 8 months ago to politics

My latest column in this week's Common Weal newsletter is a long one but possibly the most important I've written.

Due to a loophole that must be urgently closed, Common Weal has been forced to delete from the public record several attempts to tell you how we've lobbied MSPs. We have no idea how many orgs deliberately exploit this loophole to hide their lobbying.

#Politics #ScottishPolitics #CommonWeal #Transparency

https://commonweal.scot/lobbying-transparently/

thecommongreen, 6 months ago to random

The UK Government is now proposing that citizens have "a duty to work"

This will absolutely lead to a rise in worker exploitation.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/rishi-sunaks-autumn-statement-to-push-benefit-claimants-into-work-xnnxdwklp

thecommongreen, 10 months ago to random

The analysis of the consultation on ScotGov's proposed tax cuts for Freeports is out.

Common Weal's response is quoted a few times, but despite significant objections ScotGov are ploughing on with only minor technical amendments to the legislation.

https://www.gov.scot/publications/land-buildings-transaction-tax-proposed-relief-green-freeports-scottish-governments-response-summary-responses/documents/

thecommongreen, 8 months ago to random

"I'm rich enough, why should my kids get free school meals?"

1. Universal provision means for the price of giving food to your kids who "don't need it", kids who need it definitely get it. No barriers. No forms. No questions or tests.

2. Your kids won't bully the "free meal kids".

3. You have an interest in ensuring that your kids are not just fed but fed well. This means you won't put up with the "poor kid gruel" that you might campaign for to "save money" if you're not using the service.

thecommongreen, 11 days ago to random

Rishi Sunak drumbeating war as an election stunt at an event hosted by a think tank that scores the lowest possible rating for financial transparency.

https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/who-funds-you/policy-exchange/

thecommongreen, 7 months ago to random

It's a big policy day for
@common_weal today.

Time for the indy movement to set out in a new direction.

Read our new paper on a strategy to revitalise the indy campaign.

#CommonWeal #ScottishIndependence #ScottishPolitics

https://commonweal.scot/policies/direction/

thecommongreen, 2 months ago to random

Today marks five years of the Common Weal Policy Podcast and this week saw us hit Episode #200!

Thank you to everyone who has listened to and supported the show, especially if you've been with us from the start.

Listen to this week's show at: https://commonweal.scot/podcast/the-common-weal-policy-podcast-episode-200/

thecommongreen, 7 months ago to random

Anti-science waffle from the Energy Sec.

"But when pressed on what makes a new licence acceptable, Gray pointed to technology in carbon capture and storage, and the electrification of offshore platforms."

Carbon capture doesn't work and "electrifying the rigs" is only "Net Zero" if you pretend that they don't extract oil.

https://www.holyrood.com/news/view,neil-gray-im-not-opposed-to-new-oil-and-gas-developments

thecommongreen, 7 months ago to random

Lisa Cameron - my own MP at the moment - has quit the SNP and joined the Conservatives.

https://www.thenational.scot/news/23850245.snp-mp-dr-lisa-cameron-quits-party-joins-conservatives/

thecommongreen, 23 days ago to random

The Vote of No Confidence in the Scottish Government
Yes - 58
No - 70
No Abstentions

The vote fails. Parliament retains confidence in the Government. The SNP shall continue a minority administration.

SNP and Greens voted against.
Labour, Conservatives, Lib Dems and Alba voted for. There were no rebels.

thecommongreen, 10 months ago to random

Moments like this would be the perfect time for the Scottish National Energy Company* to take over the running of these turbines as part of a long term strategy to bring all energy production in Scotland into public ownership.

*You know..if we had one..

#ScottishPolitics #Renewables #Nationalisation

https://www.thenational.scot/news/23613189.bid-extend-lifespan-borders-windfarm-facing-closure-2025/

thecommongreen, 7 months ago to random

Today in "Carbon Capture still doesn't work" news

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/10/23/the-great-cash-for-carbon-hustle

thecommongreen, 6 months ago to random

I often say that as a staff member of a progressive and pro-Scottish independence think-tank my full time paid job would, in some countries, be illegal and result in severe sanctions.

Sounds like extremist UK is undermining its own values to try to come for folk like me.

thecommongreen, 9 months ago to random

Three philosophies that aren't outright climate denial:

Green Transition - Inequality remains but we reduce carbon.

Green Deal - Here's an insulation loan. It's your fault if you don't change.

Green New Deal - A collective solution to climate change AND inequality.

http://robinmcalpine.org/the-three-philosophies-which-arent-climate-change-denial/

thecommongreen, 11 months ago to Scotland

Temperature change in Scotland since 1884.

In my lifetime, there have only been six years that were cooler than the 1971-2000 average, all but one of them were in the 20th century.

I do not expect to live to see another one.

Source: https://showyourstripes.info/c/europe/unitedkingdom/scotland

#ShowYourStripes #ClimateChange #Scotland

thecommongreen, 7 months ago to writing

Random question.

I'm trying to both pacify and decarbonise my language.

Can anyone suggest a good metaphor equivalent to "At the front line", "At the spear-tip" or "At the coalface" that doesn't relate to war or fossil fuels but which wouldn't require me to explain that metaphor to the reader?

#Writing #Language

thecommongreen, 4 days ago to random

If you believe that war crimes should only be prosecuted when your enemies commit them, you are complicit in the war crimes of your allies.

thecommongreen, 10 days ago to random

Go on Rishi. Declare Belfast a "foreign court". Do it. XD

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/huge-blow-rishi-sunak-court-32798530

thecommongreen, 14 days ago to random

My column in this week's @Common_Weal newsletter is directed at the Scottish Government's new and returning Cabinet Secretaries. For each of you, here are the Common Weal policy papers that should be at the top of your In Tray.

https://commonweal.scot/the-in-tray/