Latest news with #Reform
Scotsman
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Readers' letters: Lower the voting age, but make sure all votes count
Readers have differing opinions over Labour's changes to electoral law, such as reducing the voting age to 16 Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Westminster Parliament is slowly, but steadily, catching up with parliaments in the rest of the UK, by extending the vote to 16-year-olds at the next general election. It is long overdue. Surely 16-year-olds, who are allowed to marry, enter parenthood and fight for their country, among other things, should be offered a vote. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The second stage in this process is to ensure that their vote counts. The rest of the UK can show the way. The Labour government is making changes to electoral law - including lowering the voting age in general elections to 16 (Picture: John Devlin) The first-past-the-post system, with which the Westminster parliament is still lumbered, infamously presented Labour with a landslide majority in last year's election, with a mere 34 per cent of the vote. Significantly, it offers Nigel Farage's Reform UK a majority with as low as 28 per cent of the vote. Both the Scottish and Welsh parliaments have adopted, successfully, a form of proportional representation, ensuring that our votes really matter. Surely it's well past the time for the Westminster parliament to catch up and offer reform, if certainly not, Reform. Ian Petrie, Edinburgh Voting system The Labour government is making some changes to election law, but the really serious one, the voting system, remains unchanged. First-past-the-post only works well with two parties in contention, but we are well beyond this in both the UK and Scotland. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad We need not turn to proportional representation (with its resultant problems); an alternative majoritarian system can be used, and it would be fairer than the one on offer, which recently produced a government on one-third of the votes giving two-thirds of the seats. William Ballantine, Bo'ness, West Lothian 'Seismic' reform The UK government's press release of 17 July on giving 16-year-olds the right to vote says this will be part of 'seismic changes to modernise UK democracy'. It includes the phrase 'UK democracy' 11 times, but ignores the fact that because of the unelected House of Lords, the UK is not, never has been, and never can be, a full democracy. The House of Lords' website states that it emerged in the 14th century in England. The press release also says 'the government will bring the UK's democracy into the 21st century'. But the Labour party said in the last century, in 1910, that 'the Lords must go'. Achieving that would be 'seismic change'. E Campbell, Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire Social breakdown Reading and seeing the latest news in The Scotsman and elsewhere, there is no doubt in my mind that the overly-liberal approach towards society that has been progressed over the last 20 years, has most definitely resulted in social breakdown. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In an era when our youngsters are routinely influenced by social media, why are we giving 16-year-olds with so little actual life experience the right to vote in the election of our govennment? These same children are not allowed to purchase or consume alcohol at the age of 16, among other restrictions applicable. The story is that it is their democratic right to be treated 'equally' to the rest of the population. If that's so, then why not extend this farce to 12-year-olds and upwards? True democracy occurs in a disciplined society, but we are seeing constant 'protest' parades on our streets. In a truly democratic and peace-loving country, people who have a problem with government policy or action should be 'protesting' through the office of their relevant MP or MSP. No wonder our police service is in such disarray trying to deal with these street protesters who achieve nothing other than boosting their own self-importance. All in all, our country is in an uncontrolled mess. Derek Farmer, Anstruther, Fife Cabal's successes Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There is surely little point in David Millar (Letters, 17 July) asking other correspondents to provide examples of what the Scottish Government 'cabal' (as he puts it) has done well if he simply disregards whatever they come up with. I pointed out a week or so ago that in terms of levels of poverty (surely one of the key measures of any government) Scotland had been lower than England and Wales for about 20 years but Mr Millar seems unwilling to accept even hard facts if they do not fit his Scottish Government bad narrative. Anyway, a few 'achievements' that come to mind are: Free tuition; free prescriptions; the Scottish Child Payment; free bus travel for almost two million people in Scotland; free school lunches for all primary 1-5 pupils; highest number of GPs per person in the UK; best performing core A&E services in the UK; free NHS dental care for under-26s; Scotland was the first country in the world to make sanitary products available free of charge to those who need them; Scotland has more police officers per head than England and Wales; free eye tests. I could go on, but will Mr Millar read this far? Alan Woodcock, Dundee Forsyth saga Joyce McMillan ('Starmer is wedded to Thatcher's flawed, reactionary ideology', 18 July) classifies Michael Forsyth as a reactionary proto-Thatcherite deregulator. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Despite regarding myself as left-leaning ever since the days of Attlee, I feel obliged to write in his defence. In 1996, when Secretary of State, he appointed me to chair an expert group to learn lessons from the lethal O157 outbreak in central Scotland and make recommendations. He accepted them in full and became an arch regulator, even though the food safety regime we proposed was going to cost Scottish butchers many thousands of pounds for equipment alone. And on a separate note, Joyce's opinion that neoliberalism regards a rule-based international order with contempt, but this doesn't obtain much in food safety. The system that Forsyth drove forwards was HACCP-hazard analysis and critical control points – developed by Nasa to stop astronauts getting diarrhoea in space and now universally employed worldwide. When I worked for the UN World Food Program we made its application mandatory for all donated foods. Maybe Joyce will have reservations about it because the partners who collaborated with Nasa to develop it were a commercial food company and the US army. Hugh Pennington, Aberdeen Personal ideology I look forward to reading articles by Joyce McMillan in The Scotsman, mainly because I have to reach for the dictionary to understand some of the phraseology and the context they bring to the article. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Examples from yesterday's article had me reaching for enlightenment several times. For example, 'neoliberalism' and 'reactionary' leapt out, 'progressive' and 'green-democratic revolution' had me puzzled. 'Far right' who are at the root of all evil in this country apparently, I understand – except when used in the context of the Reform party who appear to be just another populist, spend party! Be that as it may, to understand the article we have to realise that 'neoliberalism' is apparently based on reducing government influence in the economy: ie low taxation, small government, personal self-reliance and responsibility. 'Reactionary', however, suggests a slightly different viewpoint, an opposition to change and associated with restoring values such as discipline, respect for authority and hierarchy We have to understand that both of these words lead to bad outcomes whereas 'progressive' and 'green-democratic revolution' outcomes are good in that they generally lead to greater control by government, higher taxation all spent by a government that understands ordinary people's needs, wants and desires, thus relieving us of any responsibilities except to accept what is good for us. Please don't think that I criticise as I enjoy reading Joyce McMillan, although I personally don't agree with her far left, progressive slant being more of a neoliberal, and partly reactionary type of person. A Lewis, Coylton, South Ayrshire Cleaning up Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Many thanks to Paul Dimarco whose letter (18 July) is timely and appropriate. I have often felt disgusted at the state of statues around Edinburgh. Can our beloved council truly not afford the services of a dedicated statue washer, who might have a round of all memorials around Edinburgh and give them a regular wash? Jenny Martin, Edinburgh Cash cow The UK Government abandons an energy zonal pricing plan that would have meant much cheaper energy prices in Scotland, where the energy comes from. That would have been much fairer as it is our landscape blighted by the infrastructure. Our communities damaged and our tourism damaged. Our people's health compromised and our wild Highlands plastered with concrete and steel. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The UK Government is never of a mind to work in favour of Scotland. Ed Miliband, after delaying the decision in a three-year consultation period on zonal pricing ignored the experts including Octopus Energy who have said in recent times that some areas in Scotland could have free energy. The huge debt Westminster has now accumulated amounts to trillions. They expect the poorest in society and Scotland the cash cow to pay for it. Scotland is moving in a different direction from England, and we can't finance their incompetence any more. Herbert Petrie, Dyce, Aberdeen Write to The Scotsman
Glasgow Times
18 hours ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Labour accuses Reform of threatening almost one million jobs with net zero plans
Michael Shanks said Reform's opposition to net zero amounted to a 'war on jobs', saying working people 'would lose jobs and opportunities if Farage's party was ever allowed to impose its anti-jobs, anti-growth ideology on the country'. His comments come after Reform deputy leader Richard Tice wrote to energy companies urging them not to invest in the latest round of green energy contracts, known as Allocation Round 7 (AR7). Mr Tice said he had put the companies on 'formal notice' that their investments were 'politically and commercially unsafe' as a future Reform government would seek to 'strike down all contracts signed under AR7'. But he later told the BBC that Reform would not renege on contracts, only oppose any 'variation'. Michael Shanks described Reform's policies as an 'energy surrender plan' (Peter Byrne/PA) Mr Shanks called the letter an 'energy surrender plan that would leave bills high for families and businesses, keeping the UK stuck on the rollercoaster of fossil fuel markets'. Labour also pointed to estimates from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), which suggested the net zero sector now supported 951,000 jobs across the country. That figure includes almost 138,000 jobs in the East Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber, areas where Reform has enjoyed electoral success including in this year's Greater Lincolnshire mayoral contest and Mr Tice's own Boston and Skegness constituency. Mr Tice said: 'Labour's reckless net zero fantasies are destroying hundreds of thousands of industrial jobs, costing taxpayers £12 billion a year in renewable subsidies, and leaving us with some of the highest energy bills in the world. 'The OBR (Office for Budget Responsibility) confirms that £30 billion of taxpayer money is being poured into net zero projects. These policies are crippling our economy and driving people out of this country.' In a report published last week, the OBR estimated tackling climate change would cost the Government £30 billion a year, largely in lost income from taxes such as fuel duty. But it also warned that failing to act presented a 'more significant fiscal cost' because of damage caused by climate change. Mr Shanks's intervention is the latest in a series of Labour attack lines against Reform, which Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer now regards as his real opponents. Reform has made opposition to net zero a major part of its platform since the last election. Earlier in the year Mr Tice pledged to 'wage war' on the policy while Greater Lincolnshire mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns told Times Radio on Thursday she did not believe climate change was real. But Labour believes this could be a weakness for Mr Farage's party, as polls indicate net zero continues to enjoy significant support. One survey conducted on behalf of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit ahead of the local elections in May found 54% of Reform voters backed 'policies to stop climate change'.
Rhyl Journal
18 hours ago
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Labour accuses Reform of threatening almost one million jobs with net zero plans
Michael Shanks said Reform's opposition to net zero amounted to a 'war on jobs', saying working people 'would lose jobs and opportunities if Farage's party was ever allowed to impose its anti-jobs, anti-growth ideology on the country'. His comments come after Reform deputy leader Richard Tice wrote to energy companies urging them not to invest in the latest round of green energy contracts, known as Allocation Round 7 (AR7). Mr Tice said he had put the companies on 'formal notice' that their investments were 'politically and commercially unsafe' as a future Reform government would seek to 'strike down all contracts signed under AR7'. But he later told the BBC that Reform would not renege on contracts, only oppose any 'variation'. Mr Shanks called the letter an 'energy surrender plan that would leave bills high for families and businesses, keeping the UK stuck on the rollercoaster of fossil fuel markets'. Labour also pointed to estimates from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), which suggested the net zero sector now supported 951,000 jobs across the country. That figure includes almost 138,000 jobs in the East Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber, areas where Reform has enjoyed electoral success including in this year's Greater Lincolnshire mayoral contest and Mr Tice's own Boston and Skegness constituency. Mr Tice said: 'Labour's reckless net zero fantasies are destroying hundreds of thousands of industrial jobs, costing taxpayers £12 billion a year in renewable subsidies, and leaving us with some of the highest energy bills in the world. 'The OBR (Office for Budget Responsibility) confirms that £30 billion of taxpayer money is being poured into net zero projects. These policies are crippling our economy and driving people out of this country.' In a report published last week, the OBR estimated tackling climate change would cost the Government £30 billion a year, largely in lost income from taxes such as fuel duty. But it also warned that failing to act presented a 'more significant fiscal cost' because of damage caused by climate change. Mr Shanks's intervention is the latest in a series of Labour attack lines against Reform, which Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer now regards as his real opponents. Reform has made opposition to net zero a major part of its platform since the last election. Earlier in the year Mr Tice pledged to 'wage war' on the policy while Greater Lincolnshire mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns told Times Radio on Thursday she did not believe climate change was real. But Labour believes this could be a weakness for Mr Farage's party, as polls indicate net zero continues to enjoy significant support. One survey conducted on behalf of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit ahead of the local elections in May found 54% of Reform voters backed 'policies to stop climate change'.
South Wales Guardian
18 hours ago
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Labour accuses Reform of threatening almost one million jobs with net zero plans
Michael Shanks said Reform's opposition to net zero amounted to a 'war on jobs', saying working people 'would lose jobs and opportunities if Farage's party was ever allowed to impose its anti-jobs, anti-growth ideology on the country'. His comments come after Reform deputy leader Richard Tice wrote to energy companies urging them not to invest in the latest round of green energy contracts, known as Allocation Round 7 (AR7). Mr Tice said he had put the companies on 'formal notice' that their investments were 'politically and commercially unsafe' as a future Reform government would seek to 'strike down all contracts signed under AR7'. But he later told the BBC that Reform would not renege on contracts, only oppose any 'variation'. Mr Shanks called the letter an 'energy surrender plan that would leave bills high for families and businesses, keeping the UK stuck on the rollercoaster of fossil fuel markets'. Labour also pointed to estimates from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), which suggested the net zero sector now supported 951,000 jobs across the country. That figure includes almost 138,000 jobs in the East Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber, areas where Reform has enjoyed electoral success including in this year's Greater Lincolnshire mayoral contest and Mr Tice's own Boston and Skegness constituency. Mr Tice said: 'Labour's reckless net zero fantasies are destroying hundreds of thousands of industrial jobs, costing taxpayers £12 billion a year in renewable subsidies, and leaving us with some of the highest energy bills in the world. 'The OBR (Office for Budget Responsibility) confirms that £30 billion of taxpayer money is being poured into net zero projects. These policies are crippling our economy and driving people out of this country.' In a report published last week, the OBR estimated tackling climate change would cost the Government £30 billion a year, largely in lost income from taxes such as fuel duty. But it also warned that failing to act presented a 'more significant fiscal cost' because of damage caused by climate change. Mr Shanks's intervention is the latest in a series of Labour attack lines against Reform, which Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer now regards as his real opponents. Reform has made opposition to net zero a major part of its platform since the last election. Earlier in the year Mr Tice pledged to 'wage war' on the policy while Greater Lincolnshire mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns told Times Radio on Thursday she did not believe climate change was real. But Labour believes this could be a weakness for Mr Farage's party, as polls indicate net zero continues to enjoy significant support. One survey conducted on behalf of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit ahead of the local elections in May found 54% of Reform voters backed 'policies to stop climate change'.
Powys County Times
19 hours ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
Labour accuses Reform of threatening almost one million jobs with net zero plans
Reform UK's 'war' on net zero would cost almost one million jobs, the energy minister has claimed, as Labour steps up its attacks on Nigel Farage's party over green power. Michael Shanks said Reform's opposition to net zero amounted to a 'war on jobs', saying working people 'would lose jobs and opportunities if Farage's party was ever allowed to impose its anti-jobs, anti-growth ideology on the country'. His comments come after Reform deputy leader Richard Tice wrote to energy companies urging them not to invest in the latest round of green energy contracts, known as Allocation Round 7 (AR7). Mr Tice said he had put the companies on 'formal notice' that their investments were 'politically and commercially unsafe' as a future Reform government would seek to 'strike down all contracts signed under AR7'. But he later told the BBC that Reform would not renege on contracts, only oppose any 'variation'. Mr Shanks called the letter an 'energy surrender plan that would leave bills high for families and businesses, keeping the UK stuck on the rollercoaster of fossil fuel markets'. Labour also pointed to estimates from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), which suggested the net zero sector now supported 951,000 jobs across the country. That figure includes almost 138,000 jobs in the East Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber, areas where Reform has enjoyed electoral success including in this year's Greater Lincolnshire mayoral contest and Mr Tice's own Boston and Skegness constituency. Mr Tice said: 'Labour's reckless net zero fantasies are destroying hundreds of thousands of industrial jobs, costing taxpayers £12 billion a year in renewable subsidies, and leaving us with some of the highest energy bills in the world. 'The OBR (Office for Budget Responsibility) confirms that £30 billion of taxpayer money is being poured into net zero projects. These policies are crippling our economy and driving people out of this country.' In a report published last week, the OBR estimated tackling climate change would cost the Government £30 billion a year, largely in lost income from taxes such as fuel duty. But it also warned that failing to act presented a 'more significant fiscal cost' because of damage caused by climate change. Mr Shanks's intervention is the latest in a series of Labour attack lines against Reform, which Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer now regards as his real opponents. Reform has made opposition to net zero a major part of its platform since the last election. Earlier in the year Mr Tice pledged to 'wage war' on the policy while Greater Lincolnshire mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns told Times Radio on Thursday she did not believe climate change was real. But Labour believes this could be a weakness for Mr Farage's party, as polls indicate net zero continues to enjoy significant support. One survey conducted on behalf of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit ahead of the local elections in May found 54% of Reform voters backed 'policies to stop climate change'.
