Eddie Barnes: All things to most people

Published on Wednesday 8 February 2012 00:00

RIGHT from the moment that Alex Salmond told the country the morning after the SNP’s victory last May that he did not have a “monopoly of wisdom”, the majority SNP Government has guarded against the appearance of hubris.

Today, finance secretary John Swinney presents the new majority government’s first budget to the Scottish Parliament. He remains keen to show he is no bulldozer. He was on the phone to his opponents yesterday evening, promising to let them know his final offer on any of their demands by lunchtime today.

The Lib Dems and the Tories are both open to backing the SNP today if cash for further education colleges and housing is made available – although the SNP’s £30 million-a-year tax grab from supermarkets angers Tories.

Labour, however, believes the budget is beyond any last-minute redemption, designed to be neither too sweet – which might demonstrate that independence isn’t therefore required – nor too salty, which might dent confidence in the SNP administration.

They will oppose.

If Mr Swinney gets the Lib Dems and the Tories onside today, the danger for Labour is they once again appear to be the unreasonable oppositionists.

Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont may need to make a coherent argument on her priorities to turn his case on its head.

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Alicia Murray

Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 11:01 AM

Johan is starting the long goodby to the last 23%. I've recently read that their MPs are starting to believe the worst oh no more Darling, Murphy and Alexander.

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7

Hearthammer

Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 10:22 AM

Hmm, I wonder what that's all about?

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6

Hearthammer

Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 10:22 AM

Pending Moderation

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5

ItsTime

Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 09:57 AM

John Swinney is a much more reasonable man than ALex Salmond. That is why he is not leader. People prefer loudmouths to deep thinkers. Ming Campbell was sidelined for the same reasons.

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4

douglas-home rule

Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 09:12 AM

No matter how Joe stutters or stumbles, for some "journalists ", her words will be as honey dripping from her ruby lips.

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3

billalba

Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 08:43 AM

2 - I know you believe...but then you have no real thoughts or ideas..a bit like labour in Scotland vote against everything in the hope someone will believe you.

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2

The Shitesman

Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 01:25 AM

I believe that Johan Lamonte will again make toast of Salmond as she does every week and I believe that people will see now that Labour are against SNP dictairship and for the ordinary people as I believe we will see in May soon.

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1

Marga

Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 12:25 AM

What a hilarious article - so whether the budget is sweet or sour, Labour have decided "they will oppose". But wait, they are also said to be worried about being seen as "unreasonable oppositionists". Then again, the threat that Johann Lamont may need to make a coherent argument for this has us trembling.

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