logo
Findlay: I'll cut taxes and end SNP 'toxic era of secrecy'

Findlay: I'll cut taxes and end SNP 'toxic era of secrecy'

He will unveil plans for a new Taxpayer Saving Act which will 'rein in wasteful public spending and slash bureaucracy'.
The additional funds would then be used to bring down taxes.
The Scottish Tories have been taking aim at John Swinney's party in recent weeks, over what they describe as financial mismanagement.
The legislative proposals by Mr Findlay would reduce the number of quangos by a quarter.
Official figures from the Scottish Government showed there was 131 quangos in Scotland, up from 119 in 2015.
Mr Findlay said his party would bring in businesspeople to identify where savings can be made by slashing red tape in the NHS and other public bodies.
Read more:
Kemi Badenoch: Defectors leaving the Tories for Reform UK is a 'good thing'
Kemi-geddon or a fresh start? The mood behind the scenes at Scottish Tory conference
John Swinney responds to concerns SNP figures are briefing against leadership
In his first conference speech as leader, he is expected to say: 'Putting a stop to wasteful spending is top of our agenda.
'We need to urgently streamline bloated government.
'Improving services means treating people's money with respect.
'Today I can announce that our party would introduce a Taxpayer Savings Act to get the books in order and deliver better value.
'This proposal would save £650 million by cutting red tape, getting a grip on spending, and harnessing business expertise.
'We would then use that money to bring down people's taxes.
'By doing that, we would start to restore trust.
'We would shut down quangos that don't deliver value.'
He will add: 'We'd tackle the SNP's culture of cronyism through strict new rules on public appointments.
'No more jobs for the boys, and we would reduce the number of ministers and advisors.
'We would introduce a Scottish Agency of Value and Efficiency – run by business leaders.
Read more:
Loyalist supremacy, hatred, racism and poverty: I know elements of Ulster riots well
Badenoch calls for 'electoral defeat' of SNP at Tory conference
Andrew Bowie: Coalition with Reform is worst thing we can do
'People in the real world who know how to get things done.
'They would be tasked with wielding a claymore on waste.
'We would introduce an Accountability and Transparency Index.
'This would shine a light on every organisation that receives public money, and would begin to dismantle the SNP's toxic era of secrecy.'
SNP MSP Kevin Stewart described Mr Findlay's remarks as 'increasingly desperate'.
He said: "The Tories will say anything in their increasingly desperate attempt to remain relevant. In 14 years in power they wrecked our economy, presided over soaring household bills and ripped Scotland from the EU against our will.
"And now they're lurching further and further to the right as they haemorrhage support to Nigel Farage.
"Only the SNP is focused on tackling the real issues and only independence gives Scotland the chance to escape Westminster chaos and build a fairer, more progressive country.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

UK will 'potentially' support Israel in Iran conflict, says Rachel Reeves
UK will 'potentially' support Israel in Iran conflict, says Rachel Reeves

The National

time22 minutes ago

  • The National

UK will 'potentially' support Israel in Iran conflict, says Rachel Reeves

Israel has unleashed air strikes across Iran for a third day and threatened even greater force as some Iranian missiles evaded Israeli air defences to strike buildings in the heart of the country. Planned talks on Iran's nuclear programme, which could provide an off-ramp, were called off. The region braced for a protracted conflict after Israel's surprise bombardment of Iran's nuclear and military sites on Friday killed several top generals and nuclear scientists. READ MORE: Why did Israel attack Iran and have they again broken international law? Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that if the Israeli strikes on Iran stop, then 'our responses will also stop'. Reeves told Sky News that she was 'not going to rule anything out at this stage' given the 'fast-moving situation'. Asked whether the UK would come to Israel's aid if asked, the Chancellor told Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips: 'We have, in the past, supported Israel when there have been missiles coming in. 'I'm not going to comment on what might happen in the future, but so far, we haven't been involved, and we're sending in assets to both protect ourselves and also potentially to support our allies.' Pushed again on whether the UK would deploy assets in support of Israel if asked, she said: 'What we've done in the past (…) is help protect Israel from incoming strikes. So a defensive activity.' She added: 'I'm not going to rule anything out at this stage (…) it's a fast moving situation, a very volatile situation. 'But we don't want to see escalation, we want to see de-escalation.' Iran said Israel struck two oil refineries, raising the prospect of a broader assault on Iran's heavily sanctioned energy industry that could affect global markets. The Israeli military, in a social media post, warned Iranians to evacuate arms factories, signalling what could be a further widening of the campaign. READ MORE: Ian Murray 'does not understand how devolution works', SNP minister says US president Donald Trump has expressed full support for Israel's actions while warning Iran that it can only avoid further destruction by agreeing to a new nuclear deal. New explosions echoed across Tehran and were reported elsewhere in the country early on Sunday, but there was no update to a death toll put out the day before by Iran's UN ambassador, who said 78 people had been killed and more than 320 wounded. In Israel, at least 10 people were killed in Iranian strikes overnight and into Sunday, according to Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service, bringing the country's total death toll to 13.

Defections to Reform smack of political opportunism
Defections to Reform smack of political opportunism

The Herald Scotland

time2 hours ago

  • The Herald Scotland

Defections to Reform smack of political opportunism

The party has also bled support in the Scottish Parliament when MSP Jamie Green joined the Liberal Democrats in April. Of course, this phenomenon is not limited to the Tories. In March 2021, SNP MPs Kenny MacAskill and Neale Hanvey followed former FM Alex Salmond to the newly-formed Alba Party. Ash Regan followed suit in 2023 after coming a distant third in the race to become Nicola Sturgeon's successor. Ash Regan is a high-profile defectee. (Image: PA) In some cases, the mental gymnastics required to swap one party for another are quite impressive. Former MP Lisa Cameron famously deserted the SNP for the Tories in October 2023, as the East Kilbride parliamentarian faced a staunch selection contest. Reform councillor Jamie McGuire serves as a recent example of this drastic ideological seesaw. Read more: The former Labour apparatchik worked as a Parliamentary Researcher for Paisley & Renfrewshire North MP Alison Taylor and was a past chair of Glasgow University's Labour club. He dramatically swapped sides in early June, announcing his defection as Nigel Farage visited Scotland ahead of the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election. McGuire's former colleagues have shared their shock at the defection. A fellow Glasgow University graduate who was on the committee of the Labour society alongside Jamie told The Herald that the defection came as a 'slap in the face'. 'I am quite shocked,' the source said. 'He was so deep within the Labour circles and organised some decent events too for the society. 'He got elected as a councillor and trained by the party to be a candidate so it does feel like a slap in the face. It is shocking.' Jamie McGuire is a former Labour councillor. (Image: Newsquest) The decision came as a surprise to another Glasgow University politics alumnus, who took classes alongside McGuire. The source said they thought the announcement was a joke at first. They told The Herald: 'I was bored scrolling on Reddit, then saw his picture in a Glasgow-related page with Reform background logos. I assumed some SNP cybernat made it up as a joke but when I found out it was real I was beyond floored. 'The guy was the biggest Labour party advocate I knew at university, I even spoke to him last year and he was talking to me about his excitement about what the Labour party was going to do in government and his excitement for the Scottish elections. It feels like a fever dream. 'He's one of the most lovely guys I've met and I'm really curious to hear more about his decision and hopes for the party's future.' Another person who knew McGuire at university said: 'I'll tell you this, it was coming. He was setting himself up to be a Labour MP. 'Clearly he sensed the way of the wind and jumped ship.' In a tweet that now appears to be deleted, McGuire shared a photo of himself alongside Jeremy Corbyn at an event he organised during COP26. The post reads: 'It was a surreal experience tonight to share a stage with Jeremy Corbyn for my GU Labour Club COP26 event. Thank you to the Corbyn Project for showing us that another future is possible.' Jeremy Corbyn was hosted at an event set up by McGuire. (Image: Other) McGuire also served as Secretary of Scottish Young Labour and Scottish Labour Students in recent years. The Renfrewshire councillor cancelled a scheduled interview with The Herald last week, and did not respond to subsequent requests for comment. However, speaking to the Local Democracy Service last week, McGuire pushed back against claims made by his former group leader on the council. Councillor Ian McMillian of Labour said: 'His politics have, shall we say, always been a bit fluid and, since being elected three years ago as a Labour councillor, he has at times struggled to be a team player.' McGuire retorted: 'I've always been a team player, I've always been in politics to try and make a difference. 'I wish everyone well. I've always thought it was about the community, that was the reason I got involved in politics. 'I've always tried my best and I don't think anyone could disagree with the fact I put 100 per cent in all the time.' He said he joined Reform because it was a 'genuine opportunity' to tackle 'deep structural issues' affecting the UK. Read more: McGuire's story is far from unique. Indeed, it feels as if defections are occurring with increasing regularity. Some of that is to be expected as new political parties come to the forefront. Yet, far too often, ideological consistency is abandoned for political opportunity. Where does the average voter stand amidst all of this? Is it fair that the people of Renfrew North, who elected a Labour councillor four years ago, are now represented by a member of Reform UK? Or what about the constituents of West Scotland, who elected Jamie Greene as a Tory, and now have a Lib Dem MSP? After each high-profile defection calls for by-elections abound; in our nation's newspapers, radio stations, and social media sites. And while the noble thing would be to defend one's seat, or at least to stand down, politics is ultimately about power. Fairness is not top of mind for most politicians. Yet, sooner or later; in 2026, 2027, or 2029, our happy band of defectors will face the voting public. And like Julius Caesar, now they have crossed the Rubicon, there is no going back.

Labour's 1970s employment rights bill could send Britain over the edge
Labour's 1970s employment rights bill could send Britain over the edge

Telegraph

time2 hours ago

  • Telegraph

Labour's 1970s employment rights bill could send Britain over the edge

Rachel Reeves made vast spending pledges last week in a bid to placate fellow ministers, Labour MPs and party activists and save her political skin. She made no effort whatsoever to explain how she will pay. Yes, this was the Chancellor's spending review. We will get more detail on taxation and borrowing, the other side of the Government's ledger, during her next annual Budget, expected in late October or early November. Given how borrowing has ramped up over recent months, though – with debt interest payments surging as gilt yields have soared – it's astonishing that Reeves said absolutely nothing to reassure financial markets during her House of Commons speech. Back in March 2024, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecasted borrowing for the financial year from April 2024 to April 2025 of £87bn. After the first Labour budget in 14 years last October – during which Reeves increased borrowing and taxation by a combined £70bn, green-lighting hefty public sector pay deals, net zero projects and much else on her party's ideological wish-list – the year's borrowing forecast ballooned to £127.5bn. Spool forward to the March Spring Statement and estimated 2024-25 borrowing was up another £10bn, to £137.3bn. And by the time the financial year ended a month later, the total had surged again to £148.3bn, a rise in our national debt in a single year more than £60bn up on the forecast Labour inherited on entering government last July. Reeves claims endlessly to have 'discovered a £22bn black hole in the public finances left by the Tories' on taking office. This is fictitious nonsense, used by ministers to justify tax rises not mentioned in Labour's election manifesto. But even if you accept this rhetorical tosh, which I don't, the £60bn-plus rise in borrowing in 2024-25 alone is almost three times bigger. The more Reeves drones on about 'the black hole we inherited', as she did yet again at the top of her speech last Wednesday, the more she undermines her fast-diminishing credibility in the eyes of financial markets. That's yet another thing she simply can't afford. Before last October's budget, the 30-year gilt yield – the rate of interest charged by investors to lend the UK government long-term money – was about 4.35pc. Yields in recent weeks have moved in a range of 5.25-5.5pc, having been above the 4.85pc peak during the height of the 'Liz Truss mini-Budget crisis' for the whole of this year. Yes, sovereign bonds yields have risen in other highly-indebted Western nations since last autumn. But 30-year yields in France, Germany and Italy are all considerably lower and have gone up far less (by less than half a percentage point in each case). Plus, about a quarter of the UK's sovereign debt is index-linked, far more than other G7 economies, which makes us uniquely vulnerable, with debt-service costs spiralling rapidly upward as inflationary pressures rise. After what shadow chancellor Mel Stride rightly called a 'spend now, tax later' spending review, we're now in for 'a cruel summer of speculation'. Cash-strapped companies and households will now angst about yet more Labour tax rises in this autumn's Budget. The fine print of last week's Treasury documents shows Reeves's plans are predicated on council tax in England rising by 5pc every year during the rest of this Parliament. The only way the UK can avoid a really serious fiscal crisis is to get economic growth going on – with more consumption and investment driving tax receipts up and a larger economy then more able to shoulder our huge national debt stock. Yet the day after Reeves's statement came news the economy shrank 0.3pc during April – the first monthly drop in headline GDP for six months and the worst single month since October 2023. Labour's 25pc rise in employer national insurance contributions (NIC), implemented from April, has seriously hammered hiring. Provisional data shows payroll employment fell by a vast 109,000 in May alone, with employment having fallen every single month since this ill-judged NIC rise was announced last October. And now, just as we really need to get people back to work, to kick-start growth, Labour's employment rights bill is set to clear Parliament. Deeply counterproductive, this legislation takes the UK back to the 1970s by significantly increasing trade union influence, a sure-fire route to stagnation. Championed by 'Red Queen' Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, this bill removes qualifying periods for sick pay, maternity pay and unfair dismissal, granting all of these from day one of employment. No wonder countless employer surveys point to fears of lawsuits and greater reluctance to take on more staff. The legislation repeals plenty of the trade union controls from the early-and mid-1980s onwards that rescued Britain from the dystopian and destructive industrial relations of my childhood. The 50pc threshold for strike ballots is set to go, along with vital minimum service levels during industrial action, handing ever more bargaining power to Labour's trade union paymasters. Creating new finger-pointing quangos to chide employers, and requirements for companies to implement endless 'equality action plans', there are also insidious 'opt out' clauses designed to maximise worker contributions to unions and therefore the Labour party, with scant disclosure. It is yet another example of how the Government is determined to replace enterprise, prosperity and opportunity with regulation, entitlement and state overreach. I'm amazed this ghastly legislation has attracted so little media attention. It must be vigorously opposed and called out by the leadership of both the Tories and Reform, the only two parties likely to acknowledge the dangers. Because unless the economy gets going, and the UK escapes this low-growth, high-borrowing, high-tax doom loop, we're heading for a serious fiscal crisis.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store