Yes45Fife Submission to Smith Commission As an unregistered group of 2730 members covering the geographical area of the kingdom of Fife we submit the following: We fully support home rule and self-governance. We endorse the Smith Commission submissions by the SNP, Scottish Green Party and Scottish Socialist Party. Supporting all groups who share the view that Scottish should be independent. We would also like to highlight and recommend what we feel is important. Furthermore, given that between the closing dates for submissions, until the end of November you will have had 10,000 plus submissions to work through. We would be very surprised to have any acknowledgement given, to what we have prepared as follows: We would like all tax devolved: Income Tax Air Passenger Duty Inheritance Corporation Tax Capital Gains V.A.T National Insurance Contributions Excise Duties Wealth Taxes Aggregates Levy Business Rate The taxes raised in Scotland should stay in Scotland. Complete fiscal autonomy and revenue control. Scotland to have the ability to opt out of any inappropriate trade agreements. Scotland to have the ability to stay in the EU if England opts out. All Scottish farming, agriculture and fisheries run by Scotland to be given a stronger negotiating voice. It is vital, nothing less than full devolution of all farming matters. Scotland must have its own place as a separate entity in the EU negotiations to ensure Scottish farmers do not get a raw deal that they have to cope with. The Scottish Government must get full autonomy to administer grants and subsidies direct. The territorial waters of the east coast given back. This needs to be in line with international maritime laws in order for a redrawing of the off shore boundary (pre 1999). Devolution of all powers over fracking. The people of Scotland do not want this or need it. We would like an immediate halt to any further licenses being granted. It is unacceptable to remove the right as householders to refuse permission for fracking beneath our homes and this must be revoked. We the people of Scotland were not consulted. This undemocratic move was underhanded given the serious nature and implications for everyone. We believe you will be fully aware of the public reaction and share in the concerns Fife residents have. Given Lord Smith you are the Chairperson of the Weir Group we believe any discussions around Fracking must be impartial. So, we insist that you are removed from debating this matter. We believe in fairness and the bill of Human Rights. We are looking at insisting on full control of environmental and energy policies. The plans to ignite sub-sea coal and the license which has already been granted to Cluff Natural Resources needs to be revoked. The technique is largely untested and never been attempted off shore. Fife will not be used as a test for UCG. It does not have proper rules and regulations. Although, concerns have been raised in the Scottish Parliament nothing has been done. We would also like to see a ban on glyphosate and neonicotinoids. The power to ban GM animal feed. We already have devolved power to ban cultivation of GM crops but this is not enough. We do not want to relay on promises made by Westminster environmental minister to speak on behalf of the Scottish people regarding our anti GM position, then not to raise these questions when asked to do so. There is yet again a conflict of interest given the environmental ministers father-in-law is a major GM lobbyist. We need to trust a fairer and democratic society; as yet the present leadership and the politicians whose constituents they serve in delivering this are failing the people of Scotland. We would like the dismantling and removal of Trident. The monies invested into the education of our children and the complete eradication of child poverty. End Crown Estate Commissioners involvement in Scotland and devolve responsibilities to the Scottish Government and all land reforms to be placed in the hands of the Scottish Government. We insist in Scotland managing the welfare state and pensions. Full power covering health, education, employment and social security. We request Media and Culture reserved for Westminster to be fully devolved. Given the clear media bias the balance needs redressed to prevent the Scottish people experiencing in short a ‘state broadcasting service.’ As a ‘45’ group we are appalled by the exclusions, which have been made for the upcoming General Election debates. This is undemocratic and essentially detrimental to the Scottish people who are entitled to make a democratically informed choice as to how they will choose to vote. This, Lord Smith is a matter of significant importance as to how we address the issue regarding the integrity of the media in Scotland. We insist on decisions involving electoral matters, and the ability to hold future referendums into the hands of the Scottish people. Electoral review and reforms need to take place given the recent referendum on independence and the company in charge of conducting the count. We insist on impartiality and encourage gaining the confidence of the people of Scotland. We need to vote in future elections and referendums and trust that the process is conducted efficiently and professionally. For future elections, we would like 16 and 17 year olds to have the opportunity to vote in time for 2016 elections. Our young people aged 16-17 more than proved their capabilities to vote. They made an important decision around Scotland’s future through voting in the recent referendum. There were no objections to this inclusion at the time and rolling this out would be a way forward for Scotland and our young people. On matters of privatisation, we do not wish our NHS to be broken up and given to private contractors. We also do not want to see this with our rail service. Lastly, given that Gordon Brown proposed the vow. The three unionist parties published a declaration signed by the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. The vow was introduced at a late stage and after postal vote deadline had past. We were told that if the Scottish people voted ‘No’ then powers, described as being extensive would be given to the people of Scotland. Yet these powers are not extensive and we believe the Scottish people were conned and misled. Their needs to be an investigation and all those that proposed, signed endorsed through publishing the ‘vows’ and the declaration to be held to account. Yes45Fife would like to thank you for taking the time to read over this e-mail submission to the Smith Commission on behalf of our group. Authors Barbara-Anne Haig Stuart Baxter
Posted on: Wed, 29 Oct 2014 21:45:37 +0000
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