Oct 312014
 
Aberdeen Voice Armed Rozzers

Armed police, Inverness. Photo reproduced with permission of Deeside Piper.

Christian Allard, MSP, has recently criticised the Liberal Democrats for not paying  an overdue £800,000 bill owed to Police Scotland. Andrew J Douglas reports.

On Monday October 6 Mr Allard wrote to Lib Dem justice spokesperson, North East MSP Alison McInnes and deputy leader Sir Malcolm Bruce (Gordon MP) calling on the politicians to sort out their unpaid policing bills for last year’s Lib Dem conference in Glasgow.

Mr Allard contacted papers and media outlets across the North-east last week saying that he was yet to receive a response from either Alison McInnes or Sir Malcolm Bruce.

He said:

“Every penny counts in the battle to keep our communities safe and the Lib Dems’ unpaid bill leaves an £800,000 hole in the Scottish police budget. This is deeply irresponsible behaviour.

“Malcolm Bruce and his party are showing contempt for Police Scotland which does a fantastic job protecting our communities. My message to the Lib Dems – pay up.”

However, in a letter published in The Deeside Piper on Friday, October 24, their response was quite clear.

The letter, signed by both Sir Malcolm Bruce and Alison McInnes, said: “In line with ACPO guidelines, the Home Office absorbs the majority of policing costs for party conferences held elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

“As policing is devolved, it is the responsibility of the Scottish Government and Police Scotland to safeguard these events when they are held in Scotland.

“In 2013, Police Scotland introduced a new system of charging for its providing policing services for commercial, private and community events.”

The Liberal Democrats’ federal conference in Glasgow in 2013 was organised prior to the introduction of the new charging regime and thus on this occasion the organisation applied the existing rules, based on the legacy framework established by ACPOS.

Contrary to Mr Allard’s claims, no contribution to policing costs was therefore sought directly from the Liberal Democrats.

According to the letter, this means that plans for the Liberal Democrat federal conference in 2014 did not require permanent police presence or patrols so none were deployed and thus no bill incurred.

The party also claim that they increased their own security provision and worked with Police Scotland to keep any associated costs down and say that they have written confirmation from Police Scotland that this was appropriate given the security situation.

The letter concludes with a barrage of shots at Mr Allard himself and the SNP government’s involvement in  negative changes to Scottish policing.

It said:

“While Christian Allard, therefore, was ill-informed and embarking on little more than shameful opportunism, we suppose our constituents will, to a limited extent, welcome his finally taking an interest in policing having previously done nothing to prevent local police stations from closing to the public, emergency control rooms shutting, the rate of stop and search across the North-east rising significantly – many without sound legal basis – and police with guns attending routine incidents…these are policies which Scottish Liberal Democrats challenged and succeeded in part in reversing.”

Andrew J. Douglas graduated from Robert Gordon’s University Journalism course in 2011. He has worked on titles up and down Scotland including The Glasgow Herald and Evening Times and he currently works full time as a reporter, photographer and sub editor for Johnston Press, specifically The Deeside Piper. He writes in his spare time and enjoys anti war music.

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Oct 102014
 

SalmondHamletBy Bob Smith.

Wee Eck wull hae time on his haans
Fit wull he noo dee ti wow aa his fans
Foo aboot performin on shows like X-Factor
A singer a duncer or maybe an actor

“I Dreamed a Dream” is a sang he cwid sing
Or in a braw kilt he cwid dunce Heilan Fling
An actor o coorse wid bi richt up his street
Tho’ his latest performances made lots o fowk greet

A lion tamer in a circus wid suit Wee Eck fine
He’s weel used ti wheep crackin ti keep fowk in line
A reader o palms –noo fegs ‘ere’s  a thing
“Gypsy Rose” Salmond aat his a braw ring

On Strictly Come Duncin cwid oor Eck dee a twirl
He micht be mair suited ti an Eichtsome Reel birl
In tails an bow tie he cwid ay dee a Valeta
Or maybe a tango wi a quine ca’ed Conchita

They say auld politeeshuns niver dee they jist fade awa
Auld politeeshuns nivver dee but fae office can fa
Wull Wee Eck fade awa or inti the sunset micht ride
The mannie likes the limelight so aroon he wull bide

©Bob Smith “The Poetry Mannie” 2014
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Sep 052014
 

By Bob Smith.
SaltireJacklo

If ye canna git some kip
Read some referendum papers
Ye’ll seen fa faist asleep
Bored ti tears wi aa the capers
.
Debates here an debates there
Jist the same auld bliddy crap
We’ll be neen the wiser
Nae maiiter fa cums oot on tap
.
A really cwidna gie a shit
Fegs ae lot’s as bad’s the ither
Faimilies throweoot the lan
Hiv noo brither agin brither.
.
We’ll aa be better aff
Yes camp es are sure o
Awa ye go the No lot say
We micht hae ti use the Euro
“McFlannel” an “Ditherling” hid a spat
It aa wis maist unseemly
Wi fowk syne cairryin on
It hisna bin aa aat freenly
.
Es his bin pit upon us
Wiv bin forced ti pick a side
Efter the eichteenth o September
The result we maan aa abide
.
The vote michtna be conclusive
Hivven save us fae es fate
If the result’s ower close ti ca
Aa think a micht emigrate!!!
.
Instead o haen anither vote
Jist hae pluffers drawn at dawn
T’wull save aa the bliddy palaver
An aathing’s a bliddy yaaaawn

©Bob Smith “The Poetry Mannie” 2014

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Aug 192014
 

Scottish currency reportsqWith thanks to Aberdeen Group of Positive Money Supporters.

Positive Money’s ‘A Scottish Currency? 5 Lessons from the Design Flaws in Sterling’ highlights the necessity of limiting the creation of a Scottish currency to a Scottish Central Bank.

The report is helpful in pointing out some of the pitfalls of a Sterling-type currency,
namely:

1. The amount of money in the economy currently depends on the confidence of bankers.

Bank of England Bulletin recently explained:

‘Broad money is made up of bank deposits — which are essentially IOUs from commercial banks to households and companies — and currency — mostly IOUs from the central bank. Of the two types of broad money, bank deposits make up the vast majority — 97% of the amount currently in circulation. And in the modern economy, those bank deposits are mostly created by commercial banks themselves.

‘Commercial banks are the creators of deposit money…rather than banks lending out deposits that are placed with them – the act of lending creates deposits – the reverse of the sequence typically described in textbooks.’ (p15)

Every new bank loan creates new money. Since some economics/finance textbooks do not portray money creation in reality, some people may have (through no fault of their own) incorrect assumptions on this matter.

2. Any attempt to reduce household debt can lead to recession

Since banks create new money when lending, money is destroyed upon repayment. This can shrink the amount of money available in the wider economy.

3. The economy can only be stimulated through encouraging further indebtedness

Most broad money is created as a debt when people borrow, so the fastest way to create an economic recovery is to encourage people to keep borrowing. The only real alternative is something like Quantitative Easing (and even then – please target the real economy!)

4. Proceeds of money creation is captured by the banking sector rather than taxpayers

The Bank of England sells the notes and coins it creates at face value. Between 2000 and 2009, this profit on newly-created money (‘seigniorage’) added up to £18 billion. These profits are passed on to the Treasury.

Between 2000-2007 banks increased the amount of money in the UK by £1 trillion. However the law does not extend to cover seigniorage on this form of money. Banks gain interest from issuing those funds. The Treasury gains nothing.

5. Banks cannot be allowed to fail – if they did the payments system would collapse.

Under one roof you have one bank performing three functions. Firstly, a payments system to receive and transfer money (through your current account). Secondly, providing investment and savings vehicles for the longer term. Thirdly, access to loans and mortgages.

The bank deposit money or electronic money that we use today is simply the accounting liabilities of banks, meaning that if a large bank fails, our money is frozen and can no longer be used to make payments. Hence the need for a government scheme to guarantee deposits in case the bank fails.

Potential Solutions

Scotland could design a better currency and banking system. For instance, at the height of the Great Depression a number of leading U.S. economists advanced a proposal for monetary reform that became known as ‘The Chicago Plan.’  With this –

1. Deposits would be backed 100% by money at the central bank.

2. Banks could not finance loans by simply creating new money.

3. The payments systems would be separated from the savings and loans functions.

4. Under appropriate controls government would issue money directly at zero interest.

Irving Fisher (1936) claimed four major advantages –

1. It would eliminate bank runs

2. Better control of credit cycles

3. A dramatic reduction in private debt

4. A dramatic reduction in net government debt

In 2012 this was tested by the IMF’s Michael Kumhof and Jaromir Benes who modelled the US economy in ‘The Chicago Plan Revisited’. (It has answers to common questions too.)  They found fully capturing seigniorage (the proceeds from creating money) would consistently bring in 3.5% of GDP every year (p84). In the UK context that amount could half the deficit. (2013-14 borrowing is 6.6% of GDP)

They concluded (p68):

‘Our analytical and simulation results fully validate Fisher’s claims….We find that the advantages of the Chicago Plan go even beyond those claimed by Fisher. One additional advantage is large steady state output gains…. Another advantage is the ability to drive steady state inflation to zero… This ability to generate and live with zero steady state inflation is an important result, because it answers the somewhat confused claim of opponents of an exclusive government monopoly on money issuance, namely that such a monetary system would be highly inflationary. There is nothing in our theoretical framework to support this claim.

Kumhof commenting on it all said:

‘We can think of only one serious disadvantage, namely that the transition could be complicated and risky. But earlier thinkers, including Milton Friedman, did not share this concern, and the risks would have to be enormous to justify not giving the Chicago Plan very serious consideration.’

Implications for Scotland

With its own currency and central bank Scotland could create a system where –

1. Deposits would be backed 100% by public reserves.

The Chicago Plan leaves bank deposits completely unchanged; what changes is what deposits represent : indestructible public money rather than volatile destructible private money. Banks would borrow from the Treasury to obtain full coverage for all deposits. Rather than money being destroyed when repaid as at present, it accrues to the government as seigniorage.

2. Credit could not be financed by creation, ex nihilo (out of nothing), of bank deposits.

For money, it requires 100% backing of deposits by government-issued currency, combined with a strict money growth rule to control inflation. Today’s deposit creation out of nothing would be made illegal, the financing of new bank credit could only take place through banks retaining earnings or borrowing funds in the form of government-issued money.

The government is therefore fully in charge of controlling the broad money supply. The power to create and destroy money is taken away from banks, and returned to a democratic transparent and accountable process. And without banks’ rapidly changing attitudes towards credit risk (largely via asset bubbles) the amount of money in the economy would be more consistent reducing business cycle volatility.

3. The monetary and credit functions of banking would be separated.

The state is therefore fully in charge of controlling the broad money supply, but private financial institutions would remain in charge of determining the credit supply of real investments. Financial institutions concentrate on their strength, the extension of credit to investment projects that require monitoring and risk management expertise. Badly-run banks could be allowed to fail.  Meanwhile the payments system of the economy would be fully secure with a 100% reserve.

4. The government would be allowed to issue money directly at zero interest

This allows more money to enter the economy without there also being more debt. Spent rather than lent.  The central bank would decide on how much funds could be created which would then be passed on to the government. What it would be used for would depend on government policies.

Issuing money debt free rather than having to borrow it from banks at interest should help public finances and private debt levels. This could evidently contribute to reducing economy-wide financial fragility.

To conclude, Scotland (or any country for that matter) could have a brighter future with its money under the full control of its central bank alongside a better banking system.

Martin Wolf of the Financial Times has already suggested earlier this year to ‘Strip private banks of their power to create money’. The English and Welsh Greens have a very similar economic policy. There is currently a very small but growing cross party awareness amongst MPs of the monetary and banking issues discussed above.

Positive Money is a movement to democratise money and banking so that it works for society. This article was brought to you today by the Aberdeen Group of Positive Money Supporters.

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Aug 152014
 
Alex-Salmond-MSP

Alex Salmond MSP on a recent visit to an Aberdeenshire food bank

Aberdeenshire East MSP Alex Salmond says Scottish pensioners will be better off in an independent Scotland after considerable cuts to Savings Credit by the UK Government. Submitted by Ann-Marie Parry, Parliamentary Assistant, Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSP

Benefits for the north-east’s poorest pensioners have been reduced by £3million since 2010, with a cut of £90million for Scotland as a whole.

Research by the House of Commons Library has shown 50,000 Scottish pensioners have lost benefits since 2010 with a cut of £90 million to Savings Credit, and pensioners across Scotland will lose out further as the benefit is to be scrapped for all new pensioners in 2016.

The cut has had a substantial impact on pensioners in every part of Scotland with 1,900 fewer people receiving it in Aberdeenshire – a reduction of £3,075,344.

Savings Credit is paid to poorer pensioners who have saved for their retirement. A single pensioner could receive up to £20.52 per week, or £27.09 per week for a couple.

As set out in the White Paper Scotland’s Future, following a Yes vote the Scottish Government will provide Scotland’s pensioners with a guaranteed pension of £160 a week from 2016-17, a triple lock and the continuation of Savings Credit.

Mr Salmond said:

“Scotland’s pensioners who have worked hard for their retirement are being hit hardest by these cuts.

“The UK Government has taken away £90million from some of Scotland’s most vulnerable residents since 2010 and in Aberdeenshire alone the benefit has been slashed by more than £3million.

“There are now 1,900 fewer recipients of savings credit in Aberdeenshire than there were four years ago despite Scotland paying more in taxes in each of the last 30 years than the rest of the UK.

“It is a pity that the people who have made these contributions and are now in retirement are not enjoying the benefits of their hard work.

“A Yes vote in September will mean that Scotland’s wealth can work for the people who live here – which includes a fairer welfare system and greater protection for our pensions.”

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Aug 152014
 

FergieRisesBy David Innes.

I feel sorry for Aberdeen’s intensely loyal and still proud younger generation of fans. In the same way as I would listen in awe to older relatives recount the 1947 Cup triumph and the 1955 title win, these young people can now only gain an insight to the triumphs of 35 years ago through dewy-eyed reminiscences of washed-up, ageing curmudgeons like me.

To them, and to those of us who were there, Fergie Rises may be almost biblical, as it tracks the UK’s most successful-ever manager’s genesis as he turned the Scottish and European game on its head during eight riotously-successful and controversy-packed years.

Wordsworth was probably a Barrow or Workington fan, but he predicted the 1980s for Dons fans,  ‘Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive, But to be young was very heaven.

Michael Grant, Chief Football Writer at The Herald, has, for once, put aside his neutrality and written directly from his red heart about the most exciting time of our fitba lives.

Like his BBC colleague, Richard Gordon, Grant, on air, does not hide his allegiance, and whilst others purport to be fans of Partick Thistle or Dumbarton or St Mirren whilst toeing the media party line, the pair take the jibes in their stride and remain coolly professional, honest and unbiased. Fergie Rises has allowed this Highland loon the opportunity to cast aside neutrality and produce a labour of love.

The outline tale is familiar and bears no re-hashing here, but the author, as much out of interest as research, one imagines, has added significantly to the known narrative by interviewing those involved and several opponents of the era. With the benefit of elapsed time, the insights are fresh and new and the through-gritted-teeth admiration expressed by then bitter adversaries add a new dimension.

We weren’t popular, having shattered the incestuous and expected duopoly of you-know-who, but where there was bitterness, there is now an appreciation of Sir Alex’s single-mindedness in making Aberdeen the force that everyone feared, Scotland’s most successful-ever European representatives.

But above all that, it is Grant’s own passion that permeates and defines Fergie Rises and makes it the book that all of us would have loved to have written. Chapter titles like, ‘Be arrogant, get at their bloody throats’, ‘Ipswich fall to the Jock Bastards’ and ‘This season’s target is two trophies…minimum’ give a flavour of the content and the author’s personal buy-in.

Fergie Rises can rightfully take up position on your shelves next to your Leatherdale, Rickaby, Gordon and Webster tomes as an indispensible chronicle of the defining common sporting cause of NE Scotland.

Michael Grant will be signing copies of Fergie Rises at Waterstones, Union Street, Aberdeen on the evening of 27 August. We’re hoping to arrange an interview with him too

FERGIE RISES
Michael Grant
Aurum Press
ISBN 978 1 78131 093 9
319pp

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Aug 132014
 

Aberdeen get hammered by their New Firm rivals, rants Voice reporter Andrew Watson.

merkalndpic2It was an overcast afternoon, not too hot and not too cold. Perfect conditions for Scottish football.

Initially it was end to end stuff from both teams.  Unfortunately this would be pretty much the best the Dons could muster offensively, unsuccessfully able to break the deadlock despite a plethora of opportunities.

Dundee United then got into their stride, pouncing upon a poor pass back by Dandies’ new boy Ash Taylor.

0-1 Dundee United (Ryan Dow) on the 29 minute mark.

“There’s only one Jamie Langfield,” the Arab Army sarcastically sang.

The Red Army were to suffer more at the hands of the Tangerines, though. Not before Niall McGinn volleyed off the post, mind. Typical.

0-2 Dundee United (Gary Mackay-Steven) just before half time.

“There’s only…”

You know the rest.

Barry Robson came off for Adam Rooney after the break. Nicky Low then came on for Andrew Considine at 81 minutes.  Neither substitution really seemed to make a difference.

0-3 Dundee United (substitute Chris Erskine) punishing the dismal Dons at the death thanks to a tactical switch by boss McNamara.

One can only hope that this crap display is only due to missing key players like captain Russell Anderson and wingman Jonny Hayes.  Hopefully the problems don’t lie any deeper than that.

On the other hand, a squad seemingly as strong as Aberdeen’s should fare well against most teams without their ideal starting eleven all the time.

Final score:  0-3.

Jun 062014
 

1656206_672162342847660_436365328_nWith thanks to Paul Robertson. 

Banff & Buchan campaigners for independence have thanked visitors following a good turnout at a Yes Coffee Morning in Macduff on Saturday, May 31.

Dozens of residents turned out to ask questions, speak to political representatives, and learn more about the benefits of independence for Scotland at the event in Buchan Street Hall.

Among those in attendance was local Yes campaigner Ross Cassie, who welcomed the turnout and said that momentum was now clearly with the campaign for a Yes vote.

He said:

“It was a great day with a fantastic turnout. Many people who have not previously engaged in the political process are energised by the debate we are having just now. There were a lot of undecided people who came to find out the truth – and the truth is that Scotland is uniquely well equipped to be a successful, independent country.

“We will be heading out around Banff and Buchan in the weeks ahead to make sure that undecided voters get the answers they want and the information they need to cast a Yes vote for an independent Scotland on 18 September.”

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May 122014
 

merkalndpic2All Aberdeen needed to secure second place and a good crack at the Europe League was a draw, but this was snatched from them in the dying seconds of the game, reports Andrew Watson.

It was a wet affair, and some players losing their footing on the pitch was testament to that.
Motherwell fans were rowdy throughout, and let fly silver streamers onto the pitch at kickoff.

The Reds had a large chunk of the possession and the most chances on goal, but never quite had the precision to finish the job.

Things really only changed when the Steelmen brought on James McFadden after 76 minutes.

That said, Peter Pawlett had a clear cut chance chalked off for offside. However, seconds from the death, Motherwell whipped in a free kick that eluded Jamie Langfield.

Upon closer inspection, it looked as if he were barged off the ball. Russell Anderson made a vital clearance off the line, but this came to no avail on account of the rebound.

The ball then somehow crossed the line. Dejection.

0-1 (Craig Reid).

They feasibly had one last chance at attack to level the game, but time, and what little of it, was of the essence. As the ball approached the final third, the game was over.

Aberdeen still has a Europa League place, but it’s been a somewhat frustrating end to the season, especially since they missed out on that Scottish Cup Final spot.

Having beat champions Celtic on the way there, it was considered a formality that they’d at least make an appearance on May 17.

Saying that, although missing out on second place is gutting, it’s a fair few years since they last finished in the top three; let alone the top six!

Final score:  0-1.

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Apr 282014
 

merkalndpic2A practically full strength Aberdeen side struggled make an impact in a rather torrid game, notes Voice reporter Andrew Watson.

It was a misty day with not too bad a wind blowing. Dons fans in the South Stand unfurled a banner simply stating ‘Derek McInnes Manager of the Year’.

It didn’t take long to break the deadlock.

Clark Robertson made a poor pass back trying to find Mark Reynolds and the Saints jumped at the opportunity.

0-1 St Johnstone (Stevie May) on the 8 minute mark.

It was twenty three minutes later before Aberdeen suitably responded. A similar mistake was made in the McDiarmid Park men’s box and Adam Rooney leapt to beat the keeper, coolly knocking the ball into the net.

1-1

Barry Robson came on for Clark Robertson come 57 minutes. Peter Pawlett then came off for Cammy Smith eleven minutes later.

Aberdeen made their final substitution four minutes from fulltime, with Calvin Zola replacing Niall McGinn.

Keeper Jamie Langfield almost threw the game away after he misjudged a pass back.

The only positives this weekend in the Reds race for Europe was the 5-1 demolition of Motherwell by the hands of a rampant Dundee United at Tannadice.

Final score:  1-1.

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