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FINANCIAL
SERVICES SECTOR.
Scotland has
a highly successful financial services sector based in the capital
City of Edinburgh. Scotland is extremely fortunate to have such
a degree of financial excellence at its service and this bodes well
for the Financial management of the country. The levels of expertise
available to Scotland are second to none and it is anticipated by
Clannasaor that the Independent Scottish Senate (Aird Comhairle)
will work closely with this sector for the reinvestment of Surplus
Oil and Tax revenues. To further develop trading links with the
rest of the world and increase the National Wealth to the benefit
of ALL Scotland's Citizens.
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FISHING
AND CONSERVATION.
The Coastal Towns
and Villages of Scotland are facing an unprecedented crisis due
to the disastrous E.U. Common Fisheries Policy. Reduced Catches
have meant that the Fish processing sector and the Fishing Fleet
is slowly being laid up with a steady haemorrhage of Jobs. Well
over 55,000 Jobs are direct and indirectly dependent on the Scottish
Fleet. This decline is now most obvious than ever since 1971 when
Scotland's fishermen were cynically betrayed by the Conservative
government of Edward Heath giving all Scotland's fishing rights
up to the EU in exchange for advantages that were of direct benefit
to English Interests. The E.U. Common Fisheries Policy with its
unrestricted Industrial Fishing and quotas system has seen a steady
decline in the number of Fish species and quantities. The E.U. has
also failed to address the severe heavy metals pollution problems
in the southern North Sea caused by the efflux of the Rivers Elbe,
Weser, Maas and Rhine with the addition of shiploads of English
waste dumped at sea (information directly from SEPA).
Our fishermen
are now suffering their worst crisis ever. Back in 1970, our once
proud Scottish fleet was landing around 400,000 tonnes of cod a
year in Scottish ports. In 2002, following the recent savage cuts
in TACs (Total Allowable Catches) and quotas, Scottish boats will
only be allowed to land 20,000 tonnes this year. By Comparison,
The Huge Danish Industrial fishing fleet which catches, sprats,
Sandeels and pout (to make animal feedstuffs with, usually to fatten
up pigs in steel cages which is banned in Britain as being very
cruel.) Their total allowable by catch of Cod is 35,000 Tonnes.
This is Madness!
Since Britain
signed up to the EU in 1971, we have lost over 3000 vessels from
our fleet and many thousands of jobs have been destroyed round our
coastline, both at sea and on land. The core objectives of the Common
Fisheries Policy - to protect the livelihood of fishermen and to
sustain fish stocks have failed utterly and abysmally. Madcap policies
imposed by desk bound bureaucrats in Brussels have ensured the rundown
of and eventually will ruin our fishing sector. The quota system,
which forbids the landing of fish for which a skipper has no licence,
has led to the dumping of over 2 million tons of healthy fish each
year in the EU. 25% of all the fish caught in the EU are simply
dumped dead over the side, back into the sea, because skippers would
face hefty penalties if they tried to land them. This catastrophic
waste, at a time when fish stocks have fallen to unsustainable levels,
beggars belief. Now the Spanish, with their huge, modernised fleet
of 18,000 trawlers, much of it paid for by British taxpayers, are
agitating to abolish our 6 and 12 mile limits and rape our fish
stocks right up to our shoreline.
The E.U. Fisheries
Commission have actually increased the TAC for the Danish industrial
fishing fleet to 1,000,000 ( One Million) Tonnes when it is a well
known fact that Sandeels are a staple part of the diet of Cod, Hake
and haddock. Had they thought of consulting the University of Aberdeen's
Torry research station, they would have found the following statistics
available. The research vessel Scotia examined the stomach contents
of Cod and found that Sandeels were present in 100% of cod in the
3rd quarter in 1985, 97% 1st quarter in 1986, 65% and 75% in 1st
and 3rd quarters in 1987. In addition Puffins on may Island in the
Forth and Hermaness head in Shetland depend on sandeels to feed
their young. Overfishing round the 'Wee bankie' in the Forth estuary
and off Shetland has drastically reduced the numbers of puffins
and it is estimated that mortality amongst the puffin chicks has
in some years exceeded 90%.
Clannasaor proposes
that an Independent Scotland severs all links forged whilst she
was part of the U.K. Scotland will however retain all or some of
their trading links with the E.U. Scotland is then in the position
to take control of it's own fisheries and Fisheries policies without
outside interference for the exclusive benefit of its own fishermen
and also serve the traditional needs of the Northern English, Irish
and Manx fleets who have traditionally enjoyed a reciprocal arrangement
for many centuries. Industrial fishing of Sandeels and Pout by the
Danes, Germans and Dutch will be completely banned in Scottish Waters
and this will be strictly policed by the Coastguard vessels and
helicopters. (This industrial fishing to feed Farm Animals, is the
single largest factor in the decline of Cod and haddock stocks.)
Each Boat whether Scottish or Foreign licenced will have a Satellite
Positional indicator accurate to 50 metres which can be monitored
by Satellite and Lockheed Orion P3 Surveillance Aircraft of the
Cabhlach nan Alba (Scottish Navy). Seal population Numbers which
have exploded in the past 30 years must be culled to 50% and maintained
at that level thereafter.
Historically
it has been noted that during periods of conflict, such as the First
and Second World Wars fishing was curtailed and stocks recovered
sharply giving plentiful catches in 1919-1922 and 1946-1949. It
is proposed to have a moving 'Box' (based on the dubious ICES areas
currently in use) in order to safeguard the spawning grounds and
no Fishing will be permitted until the shoals have moved on. Net
Sizes will also play a useful role, but discards of Dead fish will
be permitted to land at the expense of future quotas which will
be reduced pro rata. Obsolete fishing methods such as 'Long Lining'
will be permitted without restriction in areas such as the Minches
and Shetland Box. It is proposed to use the facilities of the Torry
Research Fisheries Labs in Aberdeen (Part of the University of Aberdeen)
to monitor the health of the fishing grounds and they will advise
the Department of Fisheries as to the T.A.C. (Total Allowable Catch).
In addition the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, (SEPA)
will be responsible for advising the Department of Fisheries on
Pollution levels in all Scottish waters and shellfish stocks. Clannasaor
will temporarily bring a halt to all new fish farming applications
on the west Coast until the severe pollution problems (Fish Sewerage
equal to 9.4million people) are cleaned up and more environmentally
aware methods and practices of Fish Farming are instituted.
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FOREIGN
AFFAIRS AND TRADE.
'Peace,
Commerce, and Honest Friendship with all nations, entangling alliances
with none!' - Thomas
Jefferson.
Clannasaor envisage
that Scotland's main trading partners will be England, North America
(NAFTA) the E.U. and the old commonwealth. In addition it is proposed
to establish a Free Trade area in the central belt with a New International
Airport Runway and the widening and deepening of the Forth Clyde
Canal to allow ocean going shipping to travel from the Forth to
the Clyde. (Note. This idea has been frequently proposed since 1848
and just as consistently rejected by Central Government in Westminster.)
The Scots have always been aware of the advantages of trade and
of drawing off of the wealth of Nations (Scottish economist Adam
Smith, the founder of political economy as a separate discipline.
In The Wealth
of Nations 1776, he argued that individual self-interest is the
prime motive of human action, but that this leads naturally through
the creation of prosperity and a healthy economy to the good of
society as a whole.) Thus Scotland grew rich on trade much to the
avarice of their near neighbours; and in addition to the Flemish
trade, also traded with Europe, in particular with Denmark and N
Germany with some trade in the low countries. By 1100 AD the Scots
had twelve Trading Ports, the three major Trading ports being Rattray,
Leith and Berwick on Tweed whose combined income and taxation was
double that of the whole English Economy. Scots even today are highly
successful traders and much of Britain's prosperity is due to them,
and an Independent Scotland can be expected to repeat this earlier
success. A quick look at European Guildhalls will show how popular
Scottish stone and craftsmanship were.
Earlier in the
preamble a Free Trade Area or Freeport was mentioned. A Freeport
provides manufacturer-shippers with duty-free, in-transit storage
and assembly of products for re-export. Dedicated sites within the
Freeport will have been set aside for this purpose and general light
manufacturing. Available land and warehouse space, combined with
an energetic and skilled local workforce, makes a Freeport an excellent
choice for manufacturers exporting to other countries or serving
Scottish markets. Additionally, a Freeport enjoys the convenience
of on-site customs to expedite traffic. Under Freeport Concessions
businesses in the free trade zone pay low taxes on profits, capital
gains, inheritance, income, earnings, distributions, gifts, and
none on imported and exported goods. In addition, Rates on land
and buildings will be half of those normally levied. It should
be noted that free ports are Employment hot spots and one of the
prime objectives is to get as many Scots into work as possible.
This idea was floated in the late 1970's for the Clyde Valley and
Prestwick but got no further. Why? The Idea was shot down
by senior figures in the Conservative Party under Margaret Thatcher
for the simple reason it would take away too much business from
the Cities of London, Liverpool and Manchester. The Money
men of Threadneedle street will always protect their investments
through their MP chums or Old Boy network. They could not
do this with a truly Independent Scotland.
Important free
ports include The Bahamas, Singapore, Copenhagen, New York,
Gdansk, Macau, San Francisco, and Seattle. You will notice
they sit astride important trade routes and the success of the Copenhagen
Freeport induced the Danes to reject the Euro in their last referendum
as EU Community Taxation rules would work against the concept of
free ports due to the desire to harmonise taxation revenues. On
present performance, our single biggest trading partner is the United
States of America, closely followed by the E. U, then Scandinavia,
The far East such as Japan, and the old commonwealth countries.
Even if an Independent Scotland remains free of formal involvement
with the E.U. as in the case of Switzerland, there is no reason
at all why Scotland should not prosper through trade. There
are No conceivable reasons why Scotland should not have an agreement
with N.A.F.T.A. (North American Free Trade Area) as well as
a special trade agreement with the E.U. which would be more to Scotland's
advantage. A Freeport will make this a reality far more quickly
and allow Scottish Merchants / Entrepreneurs to grasp all trading
opportunities and everyone gains in the resulting prosperity. A
prosperous Scotland would then develop trade more and more as the
Oil reserves are depleted and the manufacture and export of developments
of Green energy technology and Electric vehicle technologies are
prime examples.
How much will
this Cost? It should be noted that this will be a major feat of
civil engineering to widen and deepen the existing Forth-Clyde canal
for two way Ocean going traffic and provide turning basins. There
is also the need to build a new International Airport with 3500
Metre Runways on the site of the present Edinburgh Airport and provide
the necessary Road and Rail links. There is also a need for
a second Runway at Prestwick and the main Runway to be extended
to 3500 Metres and strengthened to take the new class of jumbo Jets
due to come into service in 2010.The whole Central Belt will benefit
from the rentals and taxes raised and would regenerate many run
down areas on the Clyde and Forth valleys. Though opposed
to PPP for internal infrastructure, Clannasaor anticipate that this
would be an International Public, Private partnership where the
state retains a 51% Controlling share. In our view, it is
this kind of Business opportunity that our American Cousins and
the Japanese love and Clannasaor expect that finance will be found.
Depending on Finance being available, a nine year inception period
looks likely, but after that, it would be the gateway to Europe
for North America and the Far East
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FORESTRY.
Thanks to far
sighted Scots, Such as the Buchan Countryside Group Scotland has
made major strides in regenerating our Native woodlands and providing
raw lumber for Building, Paper and Joinery Manufacture. Scotland
used to be densely covered in a thick forest of Caledonian Pine
(Pinus Silvestris) as well as thick woodlands of Oak and beechwoods
in the Borders and Lowland areas. In the Highlands Birch trees proliferated
until the coming of the Industrial revolution which saw great swathes
of trees being felled to provide charcoal for Iron smelting. The
Oak woods were felled to provide shipping for a voracious Royal
Navy and Merchant Marine especially during the Napoleonic Wars.
Regeneration was slow, and the First and second World wars also
saw widespread felling of Trees, especially shelter belts established
hundreds of years ago which radically altered patterns of Agriculture
in Scotland. Even today Scotland has less than 21% of the tree cover
she enjoyed in 1700.
Forestry will
be give a high priority with the long term view being taken of growing
the traditional Native species once again to achieve 60% afforestation
cover over the next 150 years. Careful planning will allow the forests
to benefit agriculture by providing 'shelter belts' so that Wheat
can be grown again in the mearns and Buchan. This will play its
part in reducing frost damage to winter sown crops such as malting
barley and soft fruits. Large forests will also have an environmental
impact by providing 'Carbon Sinks' and sucking up CO2 emissions
near Towns and Cities. Forestry operations also cause some pollution
problems but these can be kept in check and balanced against the
benefits. It should be noted that re-afforestation will lead to
Scotland's climate becoming wetter with greater benefits to agriculture.
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GREEN
ENERGY.
Clannasaor has
planned that 100% of Scotland's energy will come from renewable
energy sources by 2030. But at present less than 30% of Scotland's
electricity comes from alternative sources.
Hydroelectric
power
Almost all of
Scotland's electricity generated from renewable sources comes from
the two large hydroelectric dams in Scotland. Benefits: Very powerful.
A tried and tested form of energy production which has already proved
successful. Problems: Requires a dam to be built which environmentalists
say risks disturbing river or estuarine ecosystems. The structures
are also large and expensive to build. Nonetheless Scotland will
have to bite the bullet and build three more large hydro Electric
Dams by 2030 by which date the Magnox Nuclear power stations will
have exceeded their useful lives and are due to be closed down
Wind
Wind power has
created a lot of interest in recent years and is one of the world's
fastest growing energy technologies. There are about 14 wind farms
around Scotland. The use of wind power is rising rapidly
however, just
3.5 of Scotland's energy needs are currently met through wind power.
Benefits: Scotland is one of the windiest countries in Europe so
it makes sense to harness the energy..Clannasaor could rely more
heavily on this source in the winter when the weather is windier.
Places like the Hebrides and Northern Isles could be made energy
self sufficient with the use of Wind Turbines. It is also cheap
to harness. Problems: Each wind turbine is large - about 70m across
- and some people object to the idea of them dotting the landscape.
They generate a relatively low amount of power and Professor Fells
reckons another 1,500 turbines would have to be built by 2030 for
25% of our energy to come from the wind. The wind does not blow
all the time so Clannasaor would need to use a battery technology
to store the energy, which is expensive to do. Tidal and wave energy
Waves can be used to turn a generator or turbine - as on Islay where
the Scotland's first, and only, commercial wave power station was
opened last November. Tides can be used to fill a hydroelectric
dam. Benefits: As an island nation, Scotland has a huge coastline
which it could use for these forms of power. The Islay power station
only generates 500kw - a relatively low rate of power. 10,000 such
stations would be needed around the Scottish coast to create as
much power as the two nuclear power stations in Scotland. There
are few sites with a great enough difference between low and high
tides to make harnessing tidal power possible.
Solar Energy
from the sun can be harnessed in solar cells - also called photo-voltaic
cells. These can be small enough to meet specific energy needs such
as heating a house's water or grouped together in large banks. Solar
energy is expensive at present Benefits: While solar energy is expensive
to harness at present, it is rapidly coming down in price. If present
trends continue it should be as cheap as wind within a decade. Scotland
could rely on this source more in the summer although at least one
company has developed a cell which can be used in low light and
possibly even moonlight. Problems: It is expensive to harness so
it would need a high level of subsidy to make it viable. As with
wind, this is an intermittent source of energy which might need
a battery technology to make it reliable.
Biomass or crop
fuel Fast growing plants such as willow or elephant grass can be
harvested and turned into woodchips which can then burnt in power
stations. Benefits: It is cheap, easy and quick to develop. It could
also be hoped that biomass could be a way to rescue the rural economy,
In a combined heat and power plant (CHP), as well as turning a turbine
in the same way as fossil fuels, the heat created, which is normally
discarded as a worthless byproduct, could be used to provide steam
for industrial processes or hot water and heating for rooms at the
power station. This would greatly increase energy efficiency. Problems:
Huge amounts of crops would need to be grown in order to make the
use of biomass worthwhile. "To provide half the electricity which
comes from Torness nuclear power station in Lothian, you would have
to cover the whole of Galloway with trees
Clannasaor intend
to back up the use of Green Energy with a side by side policy of
energy conservation. By means of Grants and tax breaks. Architects
will be encouraged to follow Scandinavian Insulation practices and
standards, thus saving half of Scotland's domestic energy costs.
Industry will be encouraged to make similar savings. The two policies
will mean that by 2030 Scotland will be a Net exporter of Energy
as well as water to our southern neighbours
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IMMIGRATION
The purpose of
Clannasaor's immigration policy is designed to benefit the Scottish
Nation. In the Past successive waves of immigrants such as the Flemings
and the Northern Italians have enriched the commercial and cultural
life of Scotland. Over time they have integrated with the Scots
and at the same time have passed on some of their traits to us.
Who has not been to Ayr and NOT sampled a Zardini's Ice Cream?
As immigration
shapes the country, immigration policy should be set by careful
forethought and action, not forced by circumstances after the event.
This requires firm policies to be thought out before any event and
each policy is set by laws that are strictly enforced. There
is no legal right for non-citizens to remain in Scotland whatsoever.
Non-citizens enter Scotland as guests and may be removed at will
by the Government of Scotland.
It is incumbent
for the Government of Scotland should keep track of guests while
they visit, be they on Holiday, Education or any other reason. This
is important in Crime prevention to avoid having Terrorist cells
or Criminal Activities taking place. Those who
enter Scotland illegally or remain beyond the terms of their visas
are commiting a crime and should be treated as such. Anyone
doing so should be permanently barred from entering Scotland for
any purpose.
There must be
fixed numerical limits on immigration as it is impossible for everyone
in the world to live in Scotland. To this end, certain minimum qualifications
must be attained before the Issue of a Green card (5 Year Work Permit
renewable on application). As for the Minimum qualifications
expected of those applying for immigration, Clannasaor would suggest:
Offering placement
to suitably qualified people in fields where there is a scarcity
of skilled people. Scotland may offer them the right to immigrate
to a fixed number of suitably qualified people who can make a significant
contribution to the life of the nation. Provided that, Potential
immigrants must possess fluency and literacy in one of Scotland's
official languages either by producing documentary evidence, say
GCSE 'O' Grades or Highers or by sitting an independently supervised
examination of the relevant Boards in their home country at the
Consulate or Embassy prior to emigrating to Scotland. Failure to
prove fluency would mean an automatic refusal of entry.
Potential immigrants
must possess skills and qualifications which are relevant to the
needs of the Scottish economy. Proof of possession of these skills
will be required such as Diploma, University Degree etc. At the
time of application in their home country. Immigrants must also
have a clean Criminal Record, minor Road traffic infringements excepted.
Potential immigrants
must have the means to support themselves in Scotland. They must
be in possession of a Job Offer which will be supported by the grant
of a green card. Immigrants will be placed on probation for 5 years,
after which they can apply for Naturalization. Once the probation
period has ended, those who elect to become citizens, before they
are accepted will be expected go through a thorough naturalisation
process before becoming Scottish citizens, including education about
Scotland's culture, history and political system. Prior to becoming
citizens, immigrants will not be eligible for welfare payments of
any kind unless they are eligible by reason of Government Service.
I.e. National Service. Those who refuse to complete the naturalisation
process may be returned to their country of origin.
The current system
of immigration nepotism, where immigrants are able to enter the
country because their relatives are already here, will be abolished.
Each and every immigrant will be admitted or refused entry as an
individual, on the basis of his or her meeting the entry requirements.
Principles
for dealing with the question of asylum seekers
Clannasaor recognises
and upholds the principle that people fleeing persecution should
be granted asylum in safe countries.
However, it is
an unfortunate fact that the current asylum systems of many Western
countries are being overwhelmed by huge numbers of people who are
not genuinely fleeing persecution. Clannasaor sympathises with people
from poorer countries seeking a better standard of living in Scotland.
However, world poverty cannot be solved by inviting the
world's poor to live in Scotland. The asylum system is designed
to offer a safe haven to those seeking a safe haven from political
persecution and warfare. It cannot continue to be blatantly abused
by economic migrants for very much longer.
Faster procedures
must be put in place to determine whether or not asylum seekers
are genuine cases. One factor which should be taken into account
is whether or not the asylum claimants passed through a string of
safe countries en route to Scotland, as is often the case. In such
instances, legitimate questions must be asked about the claimant's
motives for coming here.
Asylum seekers
who are accepted on a temporary basis should be obliged to return
to their countries of origin (or at least, leave Scotland) once
the danger of political persecution in their home countries is judged
to have receded. Asylum entails offering a safe haven to political
refugees, not permanent welfare payments. Therefore, asylum seekers
who are accepted as genuine refugees should only be eligible to
receive temporary, emergency financial assistance from the Scottish
taxpayer. Beyond that, they will be expected to support themselves
in gainful employment. Asylum seekers who engage in criminal activities
will be prosecuted and then deported along with their dependents.
An Immigration
and Naturalisation Service (INS) will be set up to ensure effective
enforcement of Scotland's asylum and immigration laws, including
prosecuting unscrupulous employers who take advantage of illegal
immigrant labour.
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INDEPENDENCE.
It is the intention
of Clannasaor to lead Scotland as soon as possible into full independence
as a Nation State on the same lines as Norway. Switzerland, and
Singapore. Scotland will sever all formal ties with the European
Union, such as Fishing Grounds, negotiated whilst she was part of
the UK and make her own arrangements for Trade links, Alliances
and treaties. Clannasaor utterly rejects the European Commissions
vision of a European United States of Europe as the experience of
a peripheral Scotland up to now has been one of acute disappointment.
The Scottish National Party (S.N.P.) Vision of 'Independence in
Europe' is totally anathema to Clannasaor. So to is the S.N.P. concept
of holding a referendum on Independence once more than 50% of the
popular vote has been won by popular mandate. Clannasaor will immediately
declare Independence once more than 50% of the popular vote has
been won.
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INDUSTRY
It is the Intention
of Clannasaor to re-establish a broad manufacturing base for heavy
industry including the regeneration of Shipbuilding on the Clyde
and East Coast ports. It is also the intention to regenerate the
Scottish Borders woollen businesses. New Technologies will be exploited
such as the use of wool and spun wood wool as insulation materials
replacing the environmentally dangerous glass fibre and asbestos.
It is anticipated
that at least one major hydro electric scheme will be built in the
borders area along with extra water catchment facilities . It is
anticipated that these will provide a large number of jobs in the
power generating and water export businesses. As the borders region
becomes more forested it is anticipated that by 2050 well over one
hundred thousand new jobs will have been created in paper, lumber
and building materials. The east coast and the Mearns will continue
to be Scotland's main farming area with any industrial emphasis
being on light engineering and boat building . Aberdeen will remain
the centre of the oil industry and to facilitate this the airport
will be extended and the railway links will be electrified thus
putting right years of central government neglect. North east Scotland
and the moray firth coast will remain dedicated to farming and fishing
and any light industrial investment will be in these two fields.
Finally, Inverness
and the Highlands will continue in much the same way as it has before
with the exception that major investments into farming and Crofting
to increase population numbers with any industrial investment being
made into electronics or light engineering to support fishing and
fish farming . It is anticipated that tourism will become more important
in the Highlands and that many tourist attractions will be built
such as film and stage theatres , entertainments and winter sports
such as those at Aviemore . As can be seen from the foregoing that
a blanket panacea such as that tried by central government in years
past simply does not work. All industrial investment must be targeted
to the areas distinct needs.
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LAW
AND ORDER
The Clannasaor
position is that the whole subject of Policing in Scotland should
be fundamentally restructured. For example, the fundamental organisation
of the Police force should be changed.
All E.U. Napoleonic
Code Laws will be scrapped with the exception of the Human Rights
legislation which will be written into the constitution and Bill
of Rights.
Scottish common
law which has been developed from the ancient brahon law over a
great number of centuries will be fully restored to its pre-eminent
place at the heart of our legal System.
In future the
sentence served by the criminal should more accurately reflect the
sentence handed down by the Court. Judges and Sheriffs will in future
take into account the lasting effects of the trauma suffered by
the victims and their families before sentencing a Criminal. Justice
meted out will be of the 'Restorative' type whereby the perpetrators
have to physically make amends to the victims where possible and
appropriate. Scotland's prison population is far too high and needs
to be reduced by better sentencing alternatives for less serious
crimes, such as Community Service whereby the graffiti vandal repaints
the defaced property.
The people of
Scotland will have the right to a referendum on the re-introduction
of Capital Punishment for certain categories of crimes such as Child
abuse (Paedophilia) 1st degree Murder, serial rape and certain categories
of Drug Dealers (such as major suppliers of class 'A' drugs like
Cocaine).
The police will
be held directly accountable to the local communities they serve
through a local Police Supervisory board made up of At Least 3 Members
of the Senate (Aird Comhairle), 3 local Independent Councillors
and 3 from the general public via say the local chamber of commerce.
The Board is to have powers to set local policing priorities and
Policies as well as investigate complaints against the police themselves.
The Local Police chief is to be directly appointed on Merit alone.
The appointee will be selected on the basis of His or her accomplishments,
Leadership skills and experience. The Police can be members of the
Order of Freemasonry, Orange Order, Knights Templar, Knights of
St. Columba and similar organisations, provided they first register
such memberships first on a public register. This is necessary in
order to prevent accusations of Sectarianism, biased behaviour or
complicity in crimes.
Judges and Sheriffs
are to be appointed by an independent collegiate body appointed
by the second house (The Legislature or Second Chamber) to ensure
complete independence from Political control and impartiality. They
will be selected by a secret ballot and the ballot box will be passed
to the speaker to determine the results and announce the results.
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MEDIA
NAN ALBA
Clannasaor propose
that a Civil Service commission be set up to oversee communications
and broadcasting, to set frequencies and broadcasting areas. To
set the basic rules regarding the amount and quality of Gaidhlig
and Doric broadcasting and the amount and content of home produced
and foreign imported programmes. The Commission will also act as
a Press complaints body with real teeth in fining newspapers and
in extreme cases closing them down for repeated Libels and slanders.
Television
Nan Alba.
In the Independence
negotiations, it is imperative the present BBC Facilities will be
handed over intact with sufficient working capital from licence
fees to maintain service. Renaming it to remove the 'Anglo
Saxon image and Bias and put in place a truly Celtic Image and Bias.
It is proposed rename the BBC to 'Telefios nan Alba'. It will
be financed by perpetuating the present License fee system
to guarantee it's independence. Clannasaor are of the opinion that
it is far too dangerous to fund broadcasting directly from the state
with the attendant risk of it becoming a propaganda organ for the
state as presently happens in Europe with state broadcasting.
Clannasaor proposes
to allow it to be run on commercially profitable lines with some
of it's income coming in from sponsorship and a smaller amount of
discreet advertising. (Pensioners will receive a free TV Licence)
which would ensure that high quality broadcasting and impartiality
is maintained. Telefios nan Alba would be run by a board of
trustees free of political interference and would be responsible
to the people of Scotland for ensuring the service is run on an
even keel and within budget or else they get a P45. As for the present
3 Commercial Stations, laws would have to be passed to ensure the
companies are registered in Scotland, make a certain quota of Gaidhlig
and Doric programmes and have a board of Scottish Directors who
are accountable to the people and not some faraway alien multi billionaire
with a pet axe to grind.
Radio nan
Alba.
Next let us consider
Radio. There is no real need to tinker with Radio, it is highly
popular and commercial radio seems to generate a great deal of advertising,
which appears to be less intrusive and even more effective than
Television Advertising. It would be financed as per Telefios nan
Alba. The present level of regulation appears to be about right
and the only restrictions to be put in place would be those proposed
for commercial television.
Newspapers.
Newspapers will
still play an important part in our lives. and Clannasaor have split
these up into National (Published, Edited and printed in Scotland)
such as the 'Daily Record' (Popularly known as the 'Daily Rectum'),
The Aberdeen Press and Journal, Dundee Courier, Glasgow Herald and
'The Scotsman', their evening and Sunday counterparts and British
(Published, Edited and Printed in England) Such as 'The Scottish
Sun', 'The Scottish Daily Express', 'The Scottish daily Mail', and
the 'Scottish Mirror'. As a general rule of thumb Scottish based
papers like the Aberdeen Press and Journal do reasonable job of
being truthful and the Business, Oil Industry, farming and Fishing
sectors are well covered. The 'Daily Record' is Scotland's largest
mass circulation newspaper and has been used very successfully as
an organ of propaganda for the New Labourites. Just recently
before the general Election, they ran a bogus story against Tommy
Sheridan of the SSP and regurgitated some old news about the SNP
having links with Hitler and the Nazi Party. They also printed
wild allegations about Siol-nan-Gaidheal at the time the Dunkeld
lectern was 'Liberated' and since that time with false accusations
of Terrorism, knowing full well that Siol-nan-Gaidheal could not
afford to sue them. The two big central belt 'Quality' papers are
also suspect in that they tend to reflect Big Business interests
and are seen as mouthpieces of the Blair propaganda machine.
There is one
more Scottish Paper and that is the monthly 'Scottish Independent'
- whose online weekly newsheet is 'Flag in the Wind' but this paper
is nothing more than the mouthpiece for the SNP, disseminating its
Skewed message and ignoring the wider Nationalist readership.
Newspapers.
Upon Independence,
a law will be passed making it illegal for any section of the media
to call itself 'Scottish' (Under the International convention that
'Scottish' and 'Scotch' are associated with products from Scotland).
unless it has it's Offices and presses are physically set up in
Scotland and employing a Scottish majority of it's workforce in
Scotland. Also at least 60% of their shares must be owned by Scottish
Citizens or Scottish Corporations. So if Express newspapers or the
'Sun' wishes to sell their rag's in Scotland, then it will have
to relocate from Manchester to a suitable Scottish location like
Auchenshoogle which is a figment of the imagination of 'Scotland
the What?' and so they should be at home in fairytale land. Clannasaor
are not in favour of censorship, so realistically all Clannasaor
can do is make it uneconomic for them to continue flooding Scotland
with falsehoods. Scotland vitally needs fair and unbiassed National
Newspapers, as this will show how healthy the public life of the
Country is. The recent Scandals with Henry McCleish, Jack MacConnell
and other Political figures were well known in Newspaper circles
but had not been reported for fear of rocking the political boat.
Local Newspapers
Most Local newspapers
are to be found in the rural areas and small towns. Privately
owned, existing on advertising revenue, they provide a vital service
in keeping people abreast of local events. Clannasaor's experience
of Local papers like the Fraserburgh Herald and Buchan Observer
is that they are impartial, unbiased, report truthfully and fairly.
These local papers are too small to be of interest to the
big media moguls.
Telecomms.
Telephone communications
should be deregulated to encourage competition. British Telecom
(BT) will have to form a separate company called say Scottish Telecom
or Telecom nan Alba. The Scottish government would take over
the UK Governments substantial shareholding pro rata to prevent
foreign take-over to safeguard strategic interests. Private Telecomms
firms will be encouraged to set up using Satellite as well as landline
and cable technologies on the premise that competition leads to
greater efficiency and lowered costs. It should be possible for
any crofter in the remotest outer Island to communicate across the
world on the Internet with anyone.
The Internet.
The Internet
is a very powerful means of communication and it enables one to
access Information very speedily. Clannasaor are totally opposed
to any censorship of the net except when it comes to Pornography
and terrorism. The present laws are sufficient to allow free
flow of information and this would be guaranteed under the 'Freedom
of Information ' clauses built in to the Constitution and Bill of
Rights.
Film Studios.
Film Studio.
This may not be such an unusual inclusion. Outside Television,
the cinema is the second most powerful Audio visual medium to get
one's message across. Scotland does have some small facilities,
but these are insignificant compared to Eire and England. Cast your
mind back to 'Rob Roy' and 'Braveheart,' the magnificent scenery,
the battle scenes etc, and then you realize that these were largely
shot in Eire. When a film is shot in Scotland, like 'Local
Hero' the spin offs in tourism can be substantial. Such as
Pennan where the Public house and the famous Telephone kiosk in
the film are located. Thousands of tourists make their way
to Pennan each year, just to have a pint in the Pub and to be photographed
beside the telephone kiosk. Film-making and Tourism are cousins
which is why Scotland's biggest Industry (Tourism) needs the spin
off from Film making. Eire has a highly professional approach
to selling itself and the promotional films are absolutely superb,
as anyone watching the 'Visit Ireland' adverts can tell you. In
terms of jobs, the numbers directly employed are quite small, it's
the spin offs in expertise which can be exported and tourism which
makes the case for Scotland having it's own Film studios. Scotland
has truly magnificent scenery and enough thrilling History to provide
scripts for many generations.
Theatre and
Opera.
Theatre and Opera.
More Arts than media, but small theatre companies are important
to the rural areas and the tourist trade. Theatre companies
can also carry a contemporary message, has anyone on this forum
Not seen the 7.84 Company's production of 'The Cheviot, the Stag
and the Black, Black Oil'? There are Tourism spin-off's from Opera
and more importantly, educational benefits for our people and Schoolbairns.
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MULTINATIONAL
MONOPOLIES
The recently
remembered Viacoms Systems debacle has focussed all of Scotland's
minds onto the vulnerability of big monopolistic corporations. There
have been cases of highly successful Scottish operations being closed
down in order to save the parent corporation money in the USA. It
should be noted with great caution that many multi national corporations
wield greater power that most individual national governments It
is incumbent on any national government to ensure that its freedom
and the rights of its citizenry are not put at risk by the power
of these corporations . Scotland's sad history in this field records
too many instances of companies making an investment, cleaning up
the market and then leaving for pastures new leaving behind hundreds
and sometimes thousands of lost jobs, destroyed hopes and ruined
businesses, All in the name of Globalization and Multiculturism
. Clannasaor intend to make it their policy to attract high quality
long term investment to avoid any more Viacom debacles.
Clannasaor propose
therefore that any Scottish Company that attracts foreign Investment
must limit this to a maximum of 49% (40% where an industry is judged
to be of strategic importance) and that there must be reciprocal
agreements in the investing Companies own countries allowing reciprocal
access for Scottish Investment in their countries.
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