Skip to main content

Holyrood - Rackets and Fiddles (August 20,2021)


 Lucerne Festival - Roger Federer: Racket vs. Violin? - YouTube

Here's a reminder of other crazy 'rules' followed by the Holyrood Parliament - tens of thousands paid to MSPs in hugely generous severance payments even if:

  • the MSP's conduct/performance has been poor, questionable or unacceptable (Derek Mackay - SNP) 
  • the MSP in question is taking up a new job (Aileen Campbell - SNP) 
  • the MSP is retiring with a handsome pension (Mike Russell - SNP)
  • the MSP resigns in disgrace after lying to the public, the press and the Scottish Parliament (Michael Matheson)

The Westminster Parliament said it was only 'following the rules' of course when the great MPs expenses scandal was exposed, but that didn't cut any ice in the court of public opinion - and nor should this golden goodbye racket at Holyrood.

 

SNP Golden Goodbyes - A Racket - Not A Fiddle (July 11, 2021)

Tom Gordon hits the nail on the head with his description of Holyrood's golden goodbye payments scheme as a 'racket'.

The current scheme was put in place by MSPs back in 2008 and the SNP has presided over the same lousy system ever since.

Westminster has changed its rules, as have Wales and Northern Ireland, but the Scottish Parliament retained its scheme which is really the equivalent of money for old rope.

The latest beneficiaries include the former SNP finance minister, Derek Mackay (£54,000), along with outgoing SNP ministers Aileen Campbell (£75,000), Mike Russell (£76,500) and Roseanna Cunningham (£76,500) - and the first £30,000 is tax free.

As Tom Gordon observes:

"Our system is bloated, out-dated, inflexible and unfair."

So while MSPs may be following the 'rules' the fact is the rules are not fit for purpose and the SNP should be ashamed of allowing the public purse to be shamelessly ripped off in this way.

What in the World is Zyex, Anyway? - Squash Magazine

Definitely a racket not a fiddle!

 


 

   



 

Popular posts from this blog

Kentucky Fried Seagull

Hugh Fearnley Whitingstall is one of my favourite - and endearingly bonkers - TV chefs. The River Cottage chef has a some imaginative ideas for adding seagulls to the national diet - including a recipe for Kentucky Fried Seagull - would you believe. Here's what HFW has to say on the subjecy -  I think I'll contact Hugh - and ask if he'll join the TAPAS campaign. "Vermin with wings? Chicken of the sea? Or just an opportunity missed?" "First and foremost, before we all go on a mad seagull killing frenzy. In the U.K it is against the law to kill seagulls or interfere with their nests under the countryside and wildlife act. Some Councils are allowed to cull them however, and usually do this by either poisoning or shooting them. How to catch your seagull. Remember this is against the law in the U.K. I don't want the Men in Blue knocking at the door because someone said that Foodimum told them it was okay to catch and eat seagulls. It isn...
Read more

Can Anyone Be A Woman?

Image
"All we ask... is FULL RIGHTS as women" 🤡 The legal lunacy that led to the recent Tickle V Giggle judgement was fought for as far back as the 30s. The Trans Takeover of Womanhood - 100 Years of Madness premieres this eve at UK time 🍿 https://t.co/1nzx8gxNA3 #Womanhood … pic.twitter.com/cZOkBrKPof — MrMenno 🏳️‍🌈🎶 (@MrMennoTweets) October 2, 2024 Mr Menno's response to the absurd 'Trans Takeover of Womanhood' - is intelligent, well researched and hilarious into the bargain. A must watch!    
Read more