Clannasaor Manifesto

Policies

Constitution

Clannasaor is a Social Democratic political party committed to a wholly Independent Scotland outside the European Union. Clannasaor intends to accomplish this by wholly democratic means through the ballot Box alone. By liberating the vitality and energy of the people of Scotland, Clannasaor intends to replace the ancient nation of Scotland back into the world of Modern Nation States. Scotland is a rich and prosperous nation, well endowed with plentiful resources and industrious as well as intelligent people.  We Scots will create a fair and just society for all citizens of Scotland, supporting the less well off and helping the disadvantaged to achieve their full potential.

1. Agriculture.
2. Air Traffic Control.
3. Constitutional Matters
4. Currency unit.
5. Defence and defence infrastructure.
6. Diasporan Scots
7. Disabled People
8. Education and Further Education
9. Efficient Government
10. Environmental Issues.
11. Europe
12. Financial Services Sector.
13. Fishing and Conservation.
14. Foreign Affairs and Trade.
15. Forestry.
16. Green Energy.
17. Immigration
18. Independence.
19. Industry
20. Law and Order
21. Media
22. Multinational Monopolies.
23. Nuclear Power.
24. Postal Services.
25. Public Transport.
26. Public Utilities and Water.
27. Rural Economy and depopulation.
28. Scottish Health Service.
29. Shipping & Safety at Sea.
30. Social Policy
31. Taxation.
32. Tourism
33. Women in Politics.

The recent outbreak of BSE and Foot and mouth disease has called Intensive farming practices into question. Clannasaor is committed to leaving the E.U. with it’s Wasteful, Profligate and corrupt CAP (Common Agricultural System) system. As a Nation we Scots can and should be able to feed ourselves and supply most of our demands for Meat, Fruit and Vegetables. More exotic produce will be imported as formerly through our Trade links. However, it will have to be grown naturally and be free of Pesticides, herbicides and Insecticides for human consumption. Unhappily in Scotland much of the Soil has become exhausted and poisoned through ever more intensive farming and by 2061 if nothing is done the soil will be unable to produce crops. It is a fact that modern farming practices are using more and more fertilizers just to stand still with increased pollution of water sources as the result.

Clannasaor leans positively towards Green Policies, and the cleaning up of our Countryside and its restoration for Wildlife will achieve this balance. Farming is to encouraged to the old fashioned yet workable mixed arable Organic type farming which should reach 45% Organic by 2020. This is a fact of life which must be grasped by the people of Scotland as the single most important threat to continued human habitation in Scotland. This policy will be linked to the Environment Department in a Partnership or ‘Think Tank’ of Farmers, Foresters, Estate Managers, Government Scientists and Wildlife Interest groups to restore the best features from the past and institute the best that the modern world can offer, such as Green Energy sources. By Organic, Clannasaor mean Crops grown in tradition Composts and manures rather than artificial fertilisers. Making sure Animal welfare standards are Rigorously enforced. The total ban on imported meat which has been given artificial growth hormones. Likewise a strict ban on the non Veterinary use of antibiotics as is illegally practised in the E.U. The Total ban on Genetically modified Plants and organisms without strictly controlled trials in isolation. Normal cross hybridization will be exempt as Farmers have been doing this for 6000 years.

Farming Communities have suffered badly in the past, especially the Crofting communities by the continual neglect of their special requirements by Central Government and the European Union. Clannasaor intends to follow the Norwegian example by having a Minister responsible for Farming and Crofting affairs. The free market approach will have to be scrapped and a instead the setting up of Community Markets and or Credit Unions which have worked successfully in the past, to guarantee fair prices for farmers and producers, not the greedy wholesalers and Supermarket buyers as at present. Any decision which would affect Rural communities, such as the closure of a primary school, will be referred to the Minister who can then institute co-operation with other Ministries to regenerate that particular area.

Clannasaor policy will be proactive to build up our Farming and Crofting so that the fragile infrastructure which depends on them can grow stronger and make its contribution by employing more People. To this end, there will be financial bias in favour of rural areas of 5% above the population level to encourage small business start-up (thus reducing rural unemployment) and growth allied to cooperatives as have proven to work so well in the Inner Hebrides, (Case point Islay Cheese and Butter) and in the Northern Norwegian Islands. They will provide the necessary infrastructure to encourage Tourism and reduce Transport and Living Costs through Post Code Excise Duty and Rates Rebates. The Ultimate aim being to double the Rural population by 2020 which would be broadly in line with the Population levels of 1920. Once this level is reached, it is anticipated that the population would become stable and self sustaining as Older people Die off, Children are born and the inevitable movement of some young people to the Urban areas. The Highlands and islands are a special case and the Government will set up Abattoirs and freezing plants on each major Island to allow the Crofting communities to market their livestock without a long and very expensive ferry journey.

Air Traffic Control is judged to be too safety critical to be privatized. Therefore Air Traffic Control will be a joint responsibility of the Armailt nan Adhar (Scottish Air Force) and the Department of Civil Aviation (D.C.A.)

It should be noted that Scotland houses the two busiest Aerodromes in the UK namely Lossiemouth and Aberdeen and is responsible for the Eastern Atlantic, Northern Atlantic and Polar Routes. With the coming of Independence and a New International Airport in the Free Trade area the amount of Air Traffic will increase by at least 35%.

One important matter will be the choice of a republic or a constitutional Monarchy including election of the Monarch by the Ancient court of tanistry. The Clannasaor Party will leave the decision to the Scottish People by means of a referendum. Of which 60% of those eligible to vote have to vote either for change, or the status quo. This is to take place after Independence has been won. There are THREE possible outcomes,

(3) A return to the Ancient law of tanistry whereby an elected constitutional Monarch known as the ‘Aird Righ’ and a ‘Righ’ to deputize are elected by the People of Scotland for a fixed period of Four Years. No Aird Righ can serve for more than two consecutive terms. The Aird Righ will be supported by a council of 20 Mormaors to act as a second house and reforming chamber elected by the people of Scotland by proportional Representation.

In addition Clannasaor will introduce a written bill of rights on the USA Model and a written constitution to safeguard and underpin the Human Rights, Civil rights and liberties of the Scottish Nation. Many issues which are contentious will be subject to compulsory Referenda. Items like Capital Punishment for certain Crimes, membership of NATO or the EU will be decided by the Scottish People who will then have a direct democratic say in the direction of Scottish affairs.

There will also be a full Freedom of Information Act written into the Bill of Rights and the Constitution of Scotland, to ensure that secrecy is kept to an utter minimum and that the people of Scotland have the right to know what has been decided in their name. Civil servants will be held fully accountable to the Dail for their actions and decisions and will not be able, as at present, to hide behind the official Secrets Act.

All Elections will be by Proportional Representation to ensure the Dail is truly representative of the wishes of the Scottish People. The Electorate are legally required to vote unless in Prison or Mental institution and there are alternative methods of voting by Post, Electronically, or by proxy.

Freedom of Religion is a right to practice a religion of their choice is to be enjoyed by all Scottish Citizens without any other person or group seeking to overthrow or subjugate their religion. All Connections between Church and State will be severed and there will be no State subsidy for Sectarian Schools which only perpetuates Sectarianism amongst the youngest and most impressionable of our children. Only in this way will the terrible open sores caused by the past 500 years of sectarian in fighting be cured for all time.

The Clannasaor Party are fully committed to an Independent Currency and a decision will need to be taken shortly after Independence as what to call it. Retain the Pound? There are good historical precedents for the name, perhaps the Scots Dollar, or ‘Merk’. It would be prudent to stick with the Pound until the economy is firmly on its feet, possibly renaming it the ‘Merk’ to differentiate it from the English Pound Sterling. This would also give the Nation time to establish a National Mint and produce enough Coinage to satisfy the demand and withdraw the old coinage for repatriation to England. Pensioners and older persons will be more comfortable with the pound/Merk. With the Financial expertise of the Finance Houses in Edinburgh and Glasgow, the Scottish Pound/Merk could well be the Swiss Franc of the future. It would be highly unwise to enter the Euro with all the concomitant problems of being unable to set your Tax rates, regulate your economy, set Interest rates and the iniquitous E.U. ‘Aquis Communitaire.’ (Or ‘Common E.U. ownership of all national assets’ such as oil fields, fishing and mining, along with national Gold reserves and pension Funds).

Scotland has many thousands of kilometres of Strategic Coastlines, Islands and tens of thousands of square Kilometres of Sea area. In the event of a major confrontation between say Russia and the USA, Control of Scotland, Iceland, Faroe Islands and Norway would give any potential aggressor or defender control over the Atlantic Convoy routes and the Northern flank of NATO. The Scottish Defence Forces will be modelled on the Swiss Armed Forces, which entails a small cadre of regular servicemen for training and administration purposes, backed up by a large part time reserve militia. (It should be noted there would be a requirement for special forces such as the SAS, SBS and Marines for asset protection especially in the case of International Terrorism). National Service would also be a requirement, but would not just be confined to the Army, Navy and Air Force, but also to the Police, Fire, Ambulance and Voluntary Service Overseas. Civil Defence which would include Civil engineering squads for rescue, Decontamination of Chemical and biological weapons and Nuclear specialists.

In addition there will be a voluntary Observer Corps which would be responsible for backing up the Air Defence radars by reporting aircraft well inland. Coast watching for enemy or criminal infiltration, and the plotting of Nuclear or biological weapons fallout. Scotland has a choice of three possible postures. (1) Armed Neutrality, with NO Nuclear weapons or WMD (Weapons of Mass destruction) which is Clannasaor's preferred option. (2) Non Nuclear Membership of NATO which has American and British Nuclear weapons at its disposal, and also has the advantage of being able to offer hardware to its smaller members at reduced cost and also makes a contribution to the costs of Infrastructure or (3) Membership of the European Armed forces which will be French led and dominated by French Nuclear weapons.

The Scottish Defence Forces should be prepared for anything, however unlikely, in a world where international conflicts and Terrorism are commonplace. The Greatest threat is posed by international Terrorism and the Scottish Defence Forces must be ready and prepared to defend the Scottish People and Assets. The use by terrorists of Chemical and Biological weapons (WMD. Weapons of Mass Destruction) could lead to massive casualties not seen since the barbarism of mass poisonings of medieval populations in the dark ages. Even though Scotland is neutral, this may NOT deter some fanatical extremist group if they perceive Scotland to be a soft target as the means for striking at the western world.

The defence of our National land territory, Airspace and Maritime Areas, is a fundamental problem which Scotland must face up to. Scottish Sovereign territory as currently defined is all the land, Sea Areas and Airspace subject to and within the jurisdiction of the statutes and competence of Scottish and International law. This covers our maritime zones and airspace in equal measure. Scottish National Territory encompasses the Orkney and Shetland archipelagoes as well as all western island groups offshore of the Atlantic Coastline. including St. Kilda and Rockall.

A Major problem which Scotland faces, is the shortage of facilities for accommodating Men and materiel as well as weapons and training areas. The UK Government used the ‘Peace Dividend' to drastically reduce defence spending in Scotland. Bases and barracks were sold off for development, Training areas released back to the original owners, with the result that there is a serious shortfall in the facilities required for a Neutral Scotland, let alone a full member of NATO. It is envisaged that some Civilian facilities will also have to be shared with the military such as Scatsta Airfield in Shetland and as many of these facilities lay disused for many years after WWII, a great deal of work and Money will have to be spent on them to provide Flying surfaces and barrack blocks etc. It is envisaged that this will take upwards of TEN Years to fully implement and this timescale will also apply to the building up to full strength in the Scottish Defence Forces. The tables that follow on the next few pages are for a NON NATO Defence force. If the people of Scotland decide on a NATO Stance then numbers and types of equipment will have to be changed. It should be noted that most of the equipment is old, but well proven in service and reliable. Much cheaper to purchase and maintain in front line service and is suitable for upgrading of the weapons systems well into the 21st century.

It is Clannasaor's contention that IF the people of an Independent Scotland should decide that Scotland should be a full member of The NATO Defensive alliance There is one important proviso, There will be NO Nuclear, Biological or Chemical weapons of mass destruction, based in, or transiting through Scotland. Membership of NATO does have some financial merits. In that a large proportion of the Scottish Military Infrastructure costs will be borne by NATO thus saving the Scots Exchequer 1.2 Billion pounds per annum as well as ensuring supplies of military hardware and training at greatly reduced prices. Whether or Not NATO Membership is sought or Swiss type Neutrality is the chosen path, there must be built up a defence Infrastructure which will effect budget reductions in purchasing hardware and munitions. A Good case can be made for investing in military industrial infrastructure such as Shipyards to build and modify warships, an Aircraft Factory or assembly plant to carry out assembly work and modifications, (Such as Scottish Aerospace at Prestwick). Munitions Plant to Provide small arms ammunition, shells etc (Means reopening the Nobels plant), and heavy vehicle assembly units to assemble Armoured fighting vehicles and do upgrades etc.

There are some specific tasks and responsibilities of the Cabhlach nan Alba - Scottish Navy, which have to be addressed, such as: The protection of North Sea Oil Rigs, pipelines and Gas platforms, It should be noted, there are a high number of unstable Asian, middle Eastern and Eastern European nations which actively support Terrorism. Drug smuggling, Money laundering and arms sales are commonly used as a source of funds for these organisations. The Scottish Defence forces will in future be working closely with the Customs, Police, Exchequer to interrupt their sources of supply. Certain highly vulnerable installations such as gas plants on the Coastlines will require constant security 24 hrs day. The Scottish Navy will have the overall responsibility for Fisheries protection and policing. To borrow from the Fisheries portfolio, Coastguard vessels will be required to enforce the ‘No Industrial Fishing' ban in Scottish waters and to police the Fishing grounds to intercept and investigate cases of illegal fishing or piracy.

The following proposals are for the composition of the Scottish Navy. - Cabhlach nan Alba.

This is the most important Military Service, due to the protection of Oilfields, Fisheries, Inter Island ferry routes and Convoys. Other vessels may be required to fulfill NATO Northern Flank duties if the people of Scotland decide to be members of NATO.

34. Coastguard Cutter US Naval Design.12 Off. First 6 bought off shelf, 6 self build. First Crews trained in USA, then home trained after 8 Coastguard vessels are operational. Fisheries and Oilfield protection duties. Carries one Helicopter and Marine detachment for boarding as well as two 40mm Bofors guns and smaller Oerlikon 20mm Cannon and 7.62mm GPMG’s
35. Modified type 42 Frigate. 6 Off All Built in Clyde yards. To replace 6 Older ships Taken over from R.N. Designed for Convoy escort, Anti submarine and anti Aircraft duties. Convoy Protection. Ground Support (bombardment) duties.
36. Fast Inshore patrol craft 14 Off. 4 Taken over ex RN, 10 Built in small shipyards on Vosper Thorneycroft MTB Design To be used mostly for Training reservists. Giving Sea Cadets Sea time and training and to be allocated to the NATO Kattegat, Skagerack and Western Baltic areas for Anti Submarine and convoy escorts.
37. Diesel Electric conventional Submarines.(U. Boats) 10 Off 2 purchased Germania yard Bremen, rest Clyde built under license. Purpose Anti Submarine, convoy protection and Enemy shipping interdiction. Armed with 8 Torpedo Tubes plus SAM Missiles and short range Surface to Surface Missiles such as Exocet.
38. Mine Countermeasures sweepers. 8 Off. 3 Taken over, ex RN and 5 built in Clyde yards. Part Reserve fleet 4 vessels used for training.
39. Assault ships / Harrier/ Helicopter Carrier.2 Off Clyde Built modified Ark Royal Design to take marine landing Craft and provide Air support .for ground troops. Also Convoy Escort and protection.
40. Macdonnell Douglas AV8E Harriers 24 Off First six bought off shelf, 18 assembled at the Prestwick Facility from kits of parts with manufacturing offsets. This will provide the Navy with Fighter and Surface shipping attack capabilities
41. Lockheed Orion Maritime patrol A/c 20 Off All ex USN bought & refurbished ex USA. It would not be cost effective to take over Nimrod Aircraft from the RAF due to the inherent unserviceability problems which keeps half the current fleet grounded. The Orion is reliable, economical and highly efficient
42. Blackhawk Helicopters for Assault /Anti/submarine and Search & Rescue 32 Off first two bought from USA rest self assembly with some local manufacturing offsets. plus reserve aircraft in kit form for rapid assembly to replace casualties.
43. Ocean going trawlers fitted for Minesweeping and Anti submarine warfare 6 Off. For reserve fleet and reservist training purposes. Also to give Sea cadet units sea time. In wartime would form the nucleus of a 50 strong force taken up from the fishing fleet.
44. Conversion of Civilian Trawlers with basic fittings for minesweeping and Anti Submarine duties. It is envisaged that some 50 will be so modified to provide an immediate war reserve
45. Fleet Oilers and Supply ships 16 Off Taken over from RN on Independence. To include at least two Ocean going tugs, two Survey/Hospital ships and four Accommodation/cross channel ferry types.
46. Sail training ships 3 Off. For Sea cadet training and Citizenship training for Scottish young people and youth groups such as Scouts and Boys and Girls Brigades.
47. Sea Cadet Units. 12 Off. Existing units taken over from the UK Sea Cadet Corps, and incorporated as pre service training for Young People with an active interest in the Navy and maritime life in the merchant marine service.

1. Marine Commando, Parachute, Arctic Warfare and Small boat trained with reserve Commando at Arbroath and detachments at Scapa Flow and Scatsta in Shetland. Primary task, Oil and Gas field protection with detachments to Coastguard Fisheries vessels for policing Fishing vessels. Some ceremonial duties. Specialist personnel such as Naval Gunfire Officers, Helicopter Pilots for the Scottish Navy and forward observers will be drawn from the ranks of the marines to give a small force an interesting and versatile career profile.

NOTES.

As stated earlier, the standing army concept has no place in an Independent Scotland. There will be regular cadres in each Battalion which will be composed mostly of conscripts. These conscripts will in addition to weekend and evening duties have to give One months service each year as a reservist when the reserve Battalions are fully activated. Each Reservist will have his personal weapon and will draw ammunition from the armoury in times of national emergency. Scotland’s fledgling democracy has nothing to fear from arming its citizens unlike some of our near neighbours. It has worked well in Switzerland for 300 years and Clannasaor is convinced that strict armed neutrality is the only way forward. Clannasaor Has decided that Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun’s discourse on Militias (1698) makes an ideal blueprint.

The reader will note that Infrastructure and facilities have been spread out across the length and breadth of Scotland. This has a threefold purpose. (1) To Provide Employment in sparsely populated areas as well as providing extra services such as Air Travel from service airfields. (2) To act as Economic ‘Nodal Points’ to regenerate local economies, by increased spending on wages, services and supplies. (3) To disperse vulnerable installations and make it more difficult for a prospective enemy to mount a successful pre-emptive strike.

It will take at least five full fiscal years to build the Scottish Defence forces up to their planned levels and this will also help build up and on the strategic Industrial front as Scotland builds up her Shipbuilding, Aircraft Factories, Armaments Factories, Munitions factories. Well over 97% of our southern neighbours spending on defence is spent in the South of England. Scottish Facilities and Units have been run down badly to the detriment of the economy of Scotland. There is a lot of rebuilding to take place and all this has been budgeted for in the provisional Financial Planner for 2005 to 2015.

There are many Scots from Overseas who support Clannasaor and Clannasaor can understand the Pride our Scottish Diasporan friends have in their Scots ancestry, their loyalty to their ancient homeland, their love of the culture, music and ways of life of their forebears. Many, if not most of the Diasporan Scots are descended from Scots who were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands. The emigrations whether they were forced quite unethically or through sheer economic necessity began when the British Empire had sufficient overseas colonies on which to dump ‘Undesirable’ elements. The descendants of those Scots have not forgotten their Homeland.

In many respects their patriotism shows many of our native born Scots up in a poor light,. Anyone who loves our language, Culture, music and literature and wishes to help in the task of freeing our Country is welcome to join Clannasaor in the struggle for Independence and preserving our unique Scottish character and culture. what does matter is that we Scots are Brothers and Sisters of a very large extended family and that we Scots work TOGETHER for the benefit of all, so that eventually our extended family will have a FREE homeland once again. Clannasaor propose that any member of the diaspora who has actively worked for the cause of independence will be entitled to a Scottish Passport and an automatic right of residence in Scotland and Green Card.

Unlike our neighbours to the south, Scotland will not treat its disabled folk as unwanted burdens to be hidden out of sight. People with disabilities just have some bigger problems to overcome than their able bodied brethren and Clannasaor intends to give these people a chance to live a fulfilling and dignified life as an equal of any able bodied person. A Basic disability allowance will be paid with either working benefits for the Employed or Self employed or the alternative in the case of severe disablement, a Severe disablement living allowance equal to One half of the average wage.

Elementary and Secondary Education in schools.

The Scottish Education Department of the Dail will devolve the power of Administration and teaching policy to individual schools, leaving them to set their own teaching priorities and Curricula out with the CORE Curricula. The Core Curricula being, Language Skills, Comprehension (Reading and Writing) and mathematics. Pupils will be expected to study at least 5 compulsory and three voluntary subjects from a menu of subject choices. Each School will be run by a board of Governors made up of Headmaster, Bursar, Parents, Teachers and local Councillors representing all the catchment areas the School draws its pupils from. Budgets will be devolved from central Government to individual schools to spend as they see fit, on one proviso; that the education of the students entrusted to their care is thereby enhanced to the best of their capabilities. Each School will have a bursar who is responsible for the spending of funds and accounting for same to the central Government.

Performance tables that actually reflect the Schools’ true strengths will be instituted for the guidance of Parents of prospective students. Schools with budget surpluses will be allowed to keep them (Unlike at present) and carry them forward to future years. For example, surplus funds could be invested in more library books or gymnasium facilities. Pupils from Elementary Schools will be expected to be bi-Lingual in two of the three Legally recognised languages, i.e. English, Gaelic and Lowlands Scots. This should present no difficulty as in Switzerland where a native of a french Speaking Canton moves to a German speaking Canton.

Clannasaor Propose to hold a conference of Teachers, Educationalists and others concerned with Education to thrash out a LONG TERM Policy for Schools. This conference will take place soon after Independence and once a policy is decided on, to restore the somewhat tarnished reputation of Scottish Education and regain the trust and confidence in the worth of Scottish Qualifications amongst the Business Community who rightly accuse the Schools of slipping standards and NOT equipping the pupils for life in the Business World.

University Education.

Standards have slipped under the Tory and New Labour Governments. With the emphasis being solely on numbers gaining a qualification, this has led to the diminishing of excellence in the courses concerned. This will be tackled head on by a root and branch reform of the courses needed to obtain degree level qualifications. Full Maintenance Grants and Bursaries will be made available to impoverished students undertaking Socially Useful courses such as Medicine, Veterinary Science, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Forestry, Agriculture, Marine, Ocean sciences and similar courses.

Courses such as Law, Accountancy, Sociology and politics would not attract funding from general taxation at the time of application. However all university courses will be reviewed every three years to ensure changing National Needs and priorities are correctly addressed. Universities will be encouraged to give first choice to Students who reside in Scotland, in order to end discrimination on the basis of financial gain for the University concerned. It is recommended that not more than 15% of the Student body be from fee paying foreign Governments unless there is a shortfall in the number of Students taking up places.The Integrity of the Scottish 4 Year degree will be preserved to maintain its academic pre-eminence.

The most efficient Government is the Government that interferes least in the affairs of its people. Multi layers of Government serve only to perpetuate gross inefficiencies and these layers need to be stripped away. For example, is it necessary to have so many separate police forces? Surely one single Police administrative authority is justified? Clannasaor intend that ‘there will be minimal Government with the fewest possible laws’. Many duplicated local Government functions will be taken over by Central Government, with the safeguards of Totally Independent Local Councillors to oversee the various local functions such as Education, Police , Fire, Ambulance and Environmental Health. (Party Politics at local level, which often lead to petty in-fighting amongst the various parties, will be abolished). Abolition of party Politics is further justified by the revelations of wide-scale corruption, nepotism and gross inefficiency in the One party local authorities.

Local Councillors who will be independent of Party Politics will receive a stipend and expenses incurred and will be tasked with ensuring the locals area’s priorities are properly known and catered for. They will have duties on the Police and Local School Boards as well. The Civil Service will be totally independent of the executive and subject to proper public scrutiny by means of an independent Civil Service Commission. All Civil servants will be recruited and trained by a central Authority at a College. The freedom of information act will ensure that the Civil service cannot hide its mistakes and wrongdoings behind a veil of secrecy as is current common policy amongst most European bureaucracies and is especially prevalent in the UK. This will ensure that anonymity and protection is given to ‘Whistle Blowers.’

All Civil Servants will be trained in several disciplines instead of being specialized as at present and there will be a government Office in each Town and Large village to handle enquiries, problems and payments, thus ensuring that an Office is within easy reach of all the citizens. In addition Government departments will be dispersed to locations throughout Scotland which will have several tangible benefits. Local employment is enhanced, there are increased employment opportunities and the pressure of traffic in large conurbations will be thereby reduced. This concept is extremely viable in the light of modern telecommunications equipment Members of the Dail are prohibited from accepting any paid or unpaid remuneration from any Business organisation, firm or Corporation to prevent corruption and sleaze.

These have been partly tackled under the headings of Agriculture, and also under Fishing, Forestry, Green Energy, Industry, Nuclear Power and Public Utilities. In the central belt of Scotland, Greenpeace have estimated that 80% of all land is polluted seriously enough to affect the health of the people living there. The Independent Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA.) have also confirmed these figures. Vehicle emissions and other sources of pollution are making the position steadily worse. Drastic steps must be taken to clean up the land and bring derelict areas (Brown Field Sites) back into use. Sources of Pollution such as Motor vehicle emissions will have to be tackled fairly. People now appreciate the freedom a Motor car gives them and the failed previous policies of taxing fuel have not cut the numbers of Motor vehicles down in any noticeable way. Accordingly, Clannasaor will actively promote the use of clean Electric Vehicles as well as alternatives to petrol and diesel fuels through the Taxation system.

It can only be a matter of a few years before improvements in Photo Voltaic Cells, battery capacities and recharge rates make Electric vehicles a practical proposition (not to mention fuels such as LPG currently being used in the Islands), and to encourage their use Road fund duty will be kept at £10 per annum to cover administration costs whereas road fund duty for Fossil fuelled vehicles will be increased to £200 Per annum. Research and development grants will be made available to inventors and possibly a competition held for the first Electric car holding 4 adults to travel from John o’ Groats to Gretna Green without needing to recharge. Gaining advances in this new technology could be the seed corn of a completely new industry. Research grants will be funnelled through the Universities and technical Colleges with individual grants to private inventors who have made significant advances in this field. Buses will be phased out in the towns and Cities to be replaced by Electric Trams and light railways. However, due to the sparsely populated rural areas, such a move to phase out buses and cars would be highly impracticable as they are often the only means of transporting people and goods.

Full recycling of Household Refuse will be encouraged by reductions in the Council Tax for people who compost vegetable wastes (rather than leaving this to town and city areas), sort Papers into bundles and recycle Cans. Recycling of Chemicals and oils which can often be used in other processes could be licensed to commercial contractors. This includes the safe disposal of Toxic chemicals and materials. Manufacturers are to be encouraged to use Glass bottles and Jars as well as tins instead of plastics and paper packaging. This would reduce our dependence on Oil (for plastics) and also provide impecunious children with a new source of pocket money! The Safe long term disposal of Toxic wastes will need to be addressed as will the decommissioning of Nuclear Power installations. The Laid up Nuclear Submarine hulks presently at Rosyth Dockyard will have to be uplifted by the English Royal Navy and removed from Scottish waters immediately Independence is signed as Scotland refuses to become a dump for nuclear waste materiels.

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 Dail 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.

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).

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.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE.

Clannasaor envisage that Scotland’s main trading partners will be 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. 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.  Clannasaor anticipate that this would be a 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 (Especially if several  championship standard 18 Hole Golf Courses are built for our Japanese  and American friends).

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.

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

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 accidental in being 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.

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 through marriage, largely because their relatives are already here, will be abolished. Each and every immigrant will be admitted or refused entry on his or her meeting the entry requirements.

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 once the sentence is served..

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.

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, Singapore and Trinidad. 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 Superstate 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.

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.

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 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) IST 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 Dail, 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 cannot be members of the Order of Freemasonry, Orange Order, Knights Templar, Knights of St. Columba and similar organisations in order to prevent accusations of Sectarianism, biassed 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.

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.

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 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.  This is a great pity and reveals a narrow minded bias..  A great pity really as there are some good articles in their archives The 'British' Papers publishing under pseudo Scottish names are nothing more than Government propaganda organs, pushing Party political dogma from the Tories and Blair's new Tories and are strangers to the truth, quite often reporting inaccurately about the true situation in Scotland even to the point of disseminating outright lies!

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.

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.

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 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 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. More Arts than media, but small theatre companies are vital to the rural areas and the tourist trade.  Theatre companies can also carry a political message, has anyone on this forum Not seen the 7.84 Company's production of 'The cheviot, the Deer and the Black, black Gold'? There are Tourism spin-off's from Opera and more importantly, educational benefits for our people and Schoolbairns.

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.

It should be noted that the policy of Clannasaor is to scrap or phase out all nuclear Power stations and to hold the British Governrnent responsible for the decommissioning of Dounreay which is a Military reprocessing facility. The two existing stations will be decommissioned once their capacity has been replaced on the national Grid by Hydro Electric schemes. Clannasaor state that it is a firm policy that there shall be no further investment in Nuclear Power or technology in Scotland due to the frightful legacy of pollution which will be inflicted for hundreds of generations on our future children.

The Towns and Cities of Scotland desperately need modern public transport. The days that a city corporation could afford to finance this from public funds have long since past and of necessity it falls to the private sector to make good the shortfall. Public transport usually is of the rail and road type such as light electric railways and trams, road transport such as bus and mini-bus with the ubiquitous taxi filling in the gaps.

The advent of the motor car has given the individual a great deal of freedom which he or she refuse to give up and this has led to overcrowding of the roads thus making all traffic move more slowly. Recently the Aberdeen Press and Journal sent a cyclist and a motor van from Ellon to Aberdeen a distance of sixteen miles to see how long it took each form of transport, the cyclist beat the van by three full minutes. Park and ride methods have been tried with varying degrees of success whereby cars left on the outskirts of the City and the driver takes the bus into the city centre. This has helped the problem but pollution from vehicle emissions is still a major drawback which will not be resolved until reliable electric vehicles have been developed. Clannasaor have consulted the public and the major turnoff from using public transport is the high cost of fares, bad timekeeping, and infrequency of service. Therefore it is proposed to lower excise duty on diesel engined buses and trains to zero per cent this factor alone would reduce fares by twenty five per cent. Despite the high Initial capital cost of setting up an electric tram system , this promises the most cost effective measure at reducing fares also the major conurbations should seriously think about charging tariffs on none electric engine vehicles.(disabled drivers will be exempt)

Under this heading Clannasaor includes Water and Sewerage services, Power Generation, Scottish Railtrack and ports, ferry terminals and Airports. The Post Office and Roads.

These are still fully owned by Local authorities in full public ownership. This will continue. Water and Sewerage are far too important strategically to be trusted in the hands of big business. Even into the hands of a Public / Private partnership. Properly managed after shameful years of mismanagement, neglect and chronic under investment by Central and National Government, the Water Authority should return a net profit on the export of fresh water to our southern neighbour beginning in 2025 - 2026.

The British Government still holds a large stake in the Power Generation Utilities in the form of Shares and these will be handed over on Independence to the Government of Scotland. If it is necessary to build the share holdings up to 51%, then that can be accomplished by purchasing shares on the open market. With Private and Public Investment, the implementation of Further Hydro Electric Schemes and Green Energy policies can take place to the benefit of Scotland. It is the aim of Clannasaor to see Scotland completely self sufficient in Power and a nett exporter of power to the English National Grid.

The British Government still holds a large stake in the Gas Production and distribution Utilities in the form of Shares and these will be handed over on Independence to the Government of Scotland. A Similar scenario to Power Generation, on share holdings may also be necessary. Gas production is finite and conservation measures may extend the useful life of the gas fields for another 85 years or so, necessitating a sea change in peoples cooking and heating habits, possibly to electricity.

Scottish Railtrack.

Clannasaor intend to take Scottish Railtrack back under full public ownership on the grounds of safety and Public confidence. Full upgrading of the West coast line to Carlisle and the Electrification of the East Coast Rail Links to Aberdeen will be proceeded with. Furthermore where it is adjudged viable and in the Interests of the travelling public, disused Railway lines and Stations will be re-activated. This is especially true of branch lines leading into the major cities from ‘Dormitory Villages or Towns.’ A Case in point would be the reopening of the Carlisle, Dumfries, and Stranraer Lines to make catching the ferries easier.

Upon Independence, the Airports owned by the British Government through the British Airports Authority will be transferred to the Scottish Airports Authority. Airports are considered to be strategic Assets and economic node points vital to the Rural Economies. In addition the Authority will take over the burden of maintenance of existing Islands and Highlands airstrips from the local Authorities and in light of projected policy on repopulation and regeneration of Rural Areas will extend and improve these facilities which are especially important in the Orkney Islands. Local authorities will be prevented from levying exorbitant Rates and Taxes on Airports and Airfields as they do at present. These result in very high landing and passenger charges which is stultifying the growth of Air Travel. An International Airport whose facilities will rival those of Heathrow will be built as part of the Central Belt Freeport proposals to handle all International and Holiday traffic. This will remove the discrimination on Scottish Travellers having to pay surcharges, because their flight overseas starts or ends in England. This will make Travelling and Holidays much cheaper for them and will also make it cheaper for overseas tourists to visit Scotland thus benefiting Scottish Tourism.

Clannasaor intend that all Ferry and Port Terminals are subsidized to defray the effects of the central Belt Freeport and encourage greater use of the Ferries themselves. This is part of the strategy for repopulating the Rural Areas. All Ferries and Ports are to be encouraged to handle Container Traffic which can either be forwarded by Rail or Road (HGV). In the Highlands, many roads are not capable of taking the extra traffic generated due to Single tracking, Bridge weight limitations and poor maintenance caused by arcane fiscal rules by Central Government and decades of chronic under investment. It should be noted as part of the Rural regeneration plan, that specially subsidized Livestock ferries will be run twice each year to allow outer Isles and Western Isles Crofters to sell their animals on mainland markets at economic returns.

The Post Office.

The Post Office will remain in the public sector due to its high social value in maintaining small Rural Communities by the provision of vital services such as Postal services, Pension disbursements and acting as a clearing house for paying bills. In the Highlands and islands the post buses are vital lifelines. The Postal services will not be Privatised for the reason that Postal Companies will cherry pick the Cities and big towns and write off the Rural areas as uneconomic. This is part of the Clannasaor strategic plan for regenerating the Crofting Counties and islands

Clannasaor has noted the ever steepening decline in our Rural population with the attendant run down of the local economy. The following measures are proposed to rectify this position. Clannasaor have made it a central plank of policy to withdraw from the E.U. With it’s profligate and wasteful CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) which takes no account of different conditions such as those in Shetland and southern Greece. The years of wilful neglect by the Westminster Government have allowed the Crofting Counties to slowly decay because of slowness to respond to change and then applying the inappropriate remedies. It is Clannasaor’s intention to take into public ownership any sporting estate whose policies are adjudged to be adding to the problem of depopulation. The land will be offered to Crofters and hill farmers with grants to undertake Forestry Projects and similar projects which will enhance the local economy and cause the population to grow.

It is proposed to spend 5% more per head in the Rural Areas such as the Highlands and Borders to help this process and the cost of transport, Ferries, Road and Rail services will likewise be rebated to encourage people to settle and raise their children. It is anticipated that some of the Scots Diaspora may wish to avail themselves of this opportunity to reverse the ‘Clearances.’

This Policy is a Proposal for investment in the Scottish Health Service with increased funding. This Policy is reformation with far reaching changes across the SHS. The purpose and vision of this SHS Policy is to give the people of Scotland a health service specifically tailored for Scotland and fit for the 21st century: a health service designed around the patient. When Clannasaor look at the Pre Independence UK NHS which Clannasaor have at present, Clannasaor can see over the years that the service has delivered major improvements in health but it falls far short of the standards patients expect from a modern Health Service that staff really desire to provide. If you were to ask members of the Scottish Public what they want from the Health Service you will usually find the following crop up time after time. More and better paid staff using

However, investment has to be accompanied by reform. The NHS has to be redesigned around the needs of the patient. Local hospitals cannot be run from Whitehall. There will be a new relationship between the Department of Health and the NHS to enshrine the trust that patients have in frontline staff. A new system of devolved autonomy will devolve power from the Government to the local health service as modernisation takes hold. The Department of Health will set national standards, matched by regular inspection of all local health bodies by an independent inspectorate, the Scottish Commission for Health Improvement. A Scottish Institute for Clinical Excellence will ensure that cost effective drugs like those for cancer are not dependent on where you live. A Modernisation Agency will be set up to spread best practice

For the first time Social Services and the NHS will come together with new agreements to pool resources. There will be new Care Trusts to commission health and social care in a single organisation. This will help prevent patients - particularly old people - falling in the cracks between the two services or being left in hospital when they could be safely in their own home.

if operations are cancelled on the day they are due to take place the patient will be able to choose another date within 28 days or the hospital will pay for it to be carried out at another hospital of the patients

.For the first time there will be a concordat with private providers of healthcare to enable the NHS to make better use of facilities in private hospitals - where this provides value for money and maintains standards of patient care. NHS care will remain free at the point of delivery - whoever provides it. These far reaching reforms to the service will result in direct improvements for patients. Patients will see waiting times for treatment cut as extra staff are recruited:

How is this to come about? You have the right to ask. Over the years Hospitals have tended to be located in the Cities and become bigger. Small hospitals in the towns have become smaller and are eventually closed as ‘Uneconomic’ to operate while the huge hospitals breed larger and larger numbers of Bureaucrats and administrators just to barely stay in control. Clannasaor are very impressed with the Norwegian model whereby each community has its own fully equipped health centre staffed by the local Doctors who can carry out small routine operations. Each centre has a small number of Hospital beds which cater for Childbirth and accident recuperation for the locals. Because weather conditions are so extreme in winter Major Hospitals are located just 40 to 50 Kilometres apart. Compare the distance from Sleat in Skye to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness which is about 146 Kilometres by Road. Clannasaor propose that living accommodation for Doctors, Nurses and ancillary staff be located on the premises and this has several important benefits. Staff whose earning power is limited, can live more comfortable, by not having to fork out huge sums in rents of accommodation in Cities, do not need to clutter up the roads twice a day with motor vehicles or fork out large sums in Bus or train Fares.

The Scottish Health Service will be backed up by the Reserve Military Medical and Hospital units in a crisis such an Influenza epidemic or sorting out the aftermath of a major disaster or Terrorist outrage.

Scotland has a large Sea area and considerable land masses or archipelagoes. Many major Sea-lanes or shipping routes are to be found therein, as are major Oil Fields, with the resultant need for safety at sea for all shipping. Many but not all Oil Rigs and Platforms are registered in Places like Panama and Liberia. Standards in these flags of convenience ports are very slack and there have been too many instances in recent years such as the ‘Braer’ and the ‘Green Lily’ where badly maintained vessels have foundered with great pollution and damage to the environment and in the latter cost the life of a brave winch man.

Clannasaor therefore propose that all Oil Rigs and Platforms shall be registered in a Scottish Port and shall have a Scottish Certificate of Safety and seaworthiness similar to the Lloyds of London and Det Norske Veritas of Norway certificates. In addition, any Vessel plying Scottish Waters for Passengers and or Trade shall comply in all respects to the Scottish Certificate of Seaworthiness. In addition all Vessels shall carry Insurance to indemnify the Government of Scotland against all the costs of clearing up Pollution spills and making full restitution to third parties such as salmon Fishermen whose livelihoods have been damaged or destroyed. This policy is to be policed by the Scottish Coastguard Service who will have the powers of arrest even in International waters, if the alleged offence has been carried out in waters under Scotland’s National Jurisdiction.

Clannasaor are of the opinion that not enough debate has been given to the Philosophy which will effect the lives of our Citizens after the fight for Independence has been achieved. For a start Socialism runs from the one extreme of Communism, through Anarchism right down the scale to Social Democracy with many shades of opinion in between. Let us start by defining these main ideas of Socialism.

1. State socialism a political system in which the state has control of industries and services.

2. Social market economy (also social market) an economic system based on a free market operated in conjunction with state provision for those unable to sell their labour, such as the elderly or unemployed.

The term ‘socialism’ has been used to describe positions as far apart as anarchism, Soviet state Communism, and social democracy; however, it necessarily implies an opposition to the untrammelled workings of the Capitalist economic market. (Free Market) The socialist parties that have arisen in most European countries from the late 19th century have generally tended towards social democracy, especially Clannasaor should note, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Switzerland and Denmark.

What Clannasaor should be aspiring to is Social Democracy in which wealth is created not only for the wealth creators, but the disadvantaged members of Society can participate as well, thus making Scotland an 'Inclusive Society.' The Old Clan system was socialistic rather than paternalistic and for thousands of years Celtic Society was based on the premise of, to Each according to his needs, from each according to his means. Although the Clans were mainly composed of Warrior - Farmers who were vitally needed to fight off the depredations of the Teutonic barbarians, Romans, Saxons, Vikings and any one else who fancied their chances in a punch-up, the Clans did practice a Social system that was very enlightened for its day and in many respects still is. The Clan was made of many extended basic family units, who lived in one area and owed allegiance to their chief or Toiseach. The Toiseach would allocate plots of ground to each family depending on the numbers to be fed and animal fodder required. The Toiseach would also allocate the common grazings, the Starna Ceapach where the cattle, sheep and goats would be pastured, and looked after by more mature children to ensure the animals did not get among the growing crops. The head of the Family had to pay rental for this land, both in Kind, say 10% of his crops and in Military service. In Return he received the protection of the Clan. Should he die in Battle or in the service of the Toiseach, then his sons would be adopted and his wife and dependants provided for by the clan.

The Clansman was responsible for maintaining the fertility of the land to ensure it was in as good condition as when he received it. Old people were revered for their wisdom and were always provided for, with a roof over their heads, food and fuel to keep them alive and warm. Surpluses were always distributed to the neediest members of the Clan. Things changed for the worse in the gaidhealtach, when a succession of Scottish Kings and Lowland lairds imposed the Norman Feudal system on the Clans, thus undoing all the good work of King Robert the Bruce in unifying the Highlands and Lowlands. So let us skip a few centuries forward to the Industrial Revolution and its effects on Scotland bringing forth the birth of the Socialist Movement.

The Industrial Revolution was a time of sheer drudgery and virtual slavery for millions of Scots, working in the Mines, Iron foundries, Shipyards, Jute Mills, Linen Weaving and building the infrastructure of Industrial Scotland and the pervasive message of Socialism was extremely attractive to the downtrodden working classes who lived in the poorest social conditions in the western world. There are numerous records of whole families living in a single squalid Tenement room, One child in five died before they reached 6 years of age. Many prominent men such as the Marxist John Maclean came into public view. Also in the 1920's and 30's the Labour Party managed to get it's stranglehold on local politics which it is still maintaining without making any real impact for good in the lives or Social conditions of our citizens, thus there is still much misery and deprivation today. During the 1950's to the 1970's, Labour party dogma destroyed much of Britain's industry and extremely high levels of taxation, caused an exodus of wealth creators to shut up shop and move to more pleasant financial climates like Australia, NZ, Singapore, Canada, The USA, Japan and S.E. Asia. Many UK Taxpayers were faced with anomalous Tax demands for £1.03p in the pound on each £1 earned which is the main Reason the 'Beatles' moved to the US with its benign Tax regime.

Dennis Healey the Labour Chancellor made a statement in Parliament that he 'would Squeeze the rich until the pips squealed!' One Week later the outflow of capital was unstoppable, the value of the pound went into a nosedive and six months Later Britain was bankrupt and sitting outside the World monetary Fund with a begging bowl. Next on the scene was Margaret Hilda Thatcher with her ideas on Free market economics which resulted in the unfettered march of Capitalism which in turn was highly destructive of Community life and Social Cohesion. Market forces under the Toraidhs and New Labour Toraidhs with their emphasis on mass markets and Globalization have been let rip and the one's who are suffering, are the Poor, the Old, The Disadvantaged and the Disabled.

To make Clannasaor’s position clear, Clannasaor is implacably opposed to unfettered Market forces in just the same way that Clannasaor Opposes Communism and the madness that some forms of Socialism engender. Clannasaor believe that Scotland must have a caring Social Democratic Government harnessed to the wealth creation of Capitalism for the good of all our people. Our Independent government must create the right conditions for Trade to flourish, (Such as a Freeport) businesses to be created without Taxation killing the goose that lays the Golden Eggs.

We must have the long overdue fair treatment of our Old people, that gives them a decent living pension, affordable, well heated yet cheap to run housing and the restoration of dignity by recognizing their contributions in the past. The Sick NHS, Disabled, Unemployed. Reducing the cost of housing by building more Council housing and encouraging Industrial Firms to do like wise with tax breaks. In our vision of a Social Democratic Scotland, Railtrack is re-nationalised, Air Traffic Control remains under state control. Water is kept as a public utility. Clannasaor will have a Scottish Health Service, free to all. Councils will be free to build more Cheap Housing and rid our Countryside of the eyesore view of young families living in cramped unsanitary caravans, by giving them modern homes. Remote communities will receive help to reduce ferry costs such as making the Fuel Oil duty free, free berthing charges and abolition of Passenger taxes. The building of a modern infrastructure, in Roads, Railways, Ferry Terminals, Air Links and Digital communications.

All these things will cost a great deal of money, and it can only come about when the Social Democratic Government of Scotland works hand in hand with Business to create wealth which lubricates the economy of all countries. The more wealth that is created, the greater the Taxation revenue. Provided Scotland is not greedy and does not levy extortionate rates of taxation. Clannasaor would keep the basic rate at 20% for the first £10,000, 25% for the next £20,000, 30% for the Next £20,000, 40% for the next £50,000 and 50% on all earnings over £100,000. Clannasaor would restore the Married Couples allowance and give each person a personal allowance of £6,000 and a Married Couple with three children a personal allowance of £11,000 so that Taxation does not take so much, that second jobs are needed. Other Socially useful ideas would be Tax breaks for businesses using renewable energy resources. Initially all these reforms will be financed by Oil Revenues, but as these are finite, they must be replaced by Trade.

Scotland has historically been a strong trading nation and the Customs revenues from just three Ports were often greater than all the revenues raised in England. No wonder English merchants financed Edward Ist's War against the Scots, they wanted the lucrative continental markets for themselves. Clannasaor should take the Example of Singapore, a Socialist Country with a Freeport economy, Population of 4 Million people on a landmass of barely 200 Square Miles. They have no natural resources so they exist purely by trade and if you wish to see how successfully, try the following URL.:

http://www.singstat.gov.sg/FACT/KEYIND/keyind.html

We Scots have so much going for us, Great natural and Human resources. An entrepreneurial outlook on life, great expertise in running other Countries economies and banking systems for them (including England's <g>) So Clannasaor are uniquely placed to run the Scottish economy if only Clannasaor are given the chance.

We start first of all with The Scottish Customs and Excise and the most easily recognized Tax of all: Value Added Tax. This is a tax on spending such as white goods, Alcohol, services and Motor fuel. Due to the high costs of transport in the Highlands and Rural areas, this tax will be ‘post coded’ or Reduced in ‘Enterprise zones’ and certain areas to help defray the higher cost of living and also to encourage tourism.

Hydrocarbon Oils is more properly not a Tax but an Excise duty. Excise Duty is payable when the Fuels leave the Refinery and again to help the rural areas, there will be rebates in certain post code areas.

Tobacco Duty is an excise duty on the import and manufacture of Tobacco products. To encourage people to give up smoking and to defray the Scottish health service spending on smoking related diseases the levels of taxation will be set at the present high U.K. Levels.

Alcohol including Whisky. This duty is charged on all home produced alcohol especially whisky. To stimulate growth in Scotland’s Rural and Highland areas where distilling is an important employer, duty will be set at 10% less than the current UK Tax levels.

Betting and Gaming, Air Passenger Duty, Insurance premium Tax, Landfill Tax and other Excise Duties are lumped together. These taxes are not regarded as cost efficient to collect and will be abolished in the first session of the Dail (Scottish Parliament)

The Scottish Revenue Service levies the Income Taxes such as P.A.Y.E. and National Insurance contributions. It is proposed to make Scotland a low taxation regime with a large Freeport levying small duties on a much wider base. National Insurance contributions will continue to be set at the UK levels, but the system will be much simplified. Married couples allowances will be re-introduced to encourage the stability of marriage and larger child allowances paid to allow one partner to remain at home to mind children during their first formative years.

Non North Sea Corporation Taxes. This taxation will be reduced from the higher UK levels due to the relative profitability of Scottish Companies and firms and is especially true of Banking, Finance and Insurance. This will encourage firms to re-locate in Scotland and there will be taxation measures introduced to tax Profits which are drawn out of the business, rather than those which are retained.

North Sea Companies Corporation Taxes and Petroleum Revenue Taxes from the Scottish Sector .of the North Sea. It is proposed to give Tax breaks to companies to exploit marginal fields so increasing the viable reserves.

Capital Gains Taxes, Inheritance Taxes and Stamp Duties are all lumped together as Capital Taxes and these Taxes will all be reviewed as many in the Accountancy bodies and Business world believe them to be retrograde and do more damage to small family concerns such as farms.

Vehicle Excise Duty of reflects the Duty paid on a New Car or other motor vehicles. This Duty is probably the main reason why Cars cost more to buy in Britain than anywhere else. and Road Fund Duty which is the tax paid to use the roads. It is proposed to give Rural users a rebate and scrap the Duty on Motor Buses altogether to make public transport cheaper and more attractive.

Oilfield Royalties which reflects the cost of annual royalties on existing Oilfields still being worked in the Scottish Sector.

Business Rates of £2.257 Billion Pounds or 16.1% are a regressive tax on profitable businesses. They are abnormally high in Scotland, because the local Authorities have never implemented the Standard Business Rate Laws brought in by the Last Conservative government. Too many Labour Councils regard the Business rates as a milk cow to be exploited ruthlessly to make good their shortcomings, and this has led to far too many companies shutting up shop and moving south or onto the Continent where Rates or Land taxes are much cheaper. Scotland has the unenviable reputation of having the highest Business rates in the western world. Clannasaor intends to rectify this position in the first session of an Independent parliament.

Social Security Contributions will be set at current levels and there will be no upper ceiling as at present, so that an Employee on a Salary of £400,000 per annum will pay around £40,000 and his employer a like figure.

Council Taxes reflect the higher costs of Council services in Scotland and also the Water charges which are almost double the English norm. A thorough root and branch reform of local Government will see this tax much reduced in value and many of the services funded from Income taxes.

Finally Crown estate rents and Charges, Other Taxes and Royalties and Interest & Dividends. The Crown Estates have a large income from North Sea Operations and it is anticipated that these will be transferred over to the Dail on Independence. Clannasaor intend to re-instate the ‘Udal Law’ rights of the Shetlanders and Orcadians which have been arbitrarily thrown out in the last Land reform bill. Clannasaor will extend the rights of Udal Law to all Scots, overturning the Feudal priorities of the ‘Crown Estates.’

In Conclusion. Clannasaor can give our citizens a higher quality of life whilst investing part of the Oil revenues into an Oil Fund for future generations to come. Our pensioners can have pensions on which they can live in Dignity without poverty. Schools that can invest in new buildings and teachers. A Health Service, free to all which does not ration healthcare by postcode or age. Housing Associations that can build the type of houses people want to live in, not Labours Stalinist monobloc concrete deserts. Crofters and hill farmers can receive aid which stops the depopulation of our rural areas. Fishermen can rely on properly funded Fish conservation measures which will preserve stocks for their sons to fish in the future, protected by a small but efficient Navy, Army and Air Force. Businessmen can look forward to a vibrant economy fuelled by a freeport with lower rates and small taxes and in turn can increase the wealth of the nation as Adam Smith envisaged.

This is probably the most valuable industry in Scotland at the moment and it is in crisis through systematic mis-management by central Government and the failure to recognize that each area of Scotland is unique and deserves treatment on an individual basis. Tourism is underfunded yet at the same time is regarded as a taxation milk cow by many avaricious local Authorities. Scotland lends itself naturally to division into the following Boards. 1. Shetland and Orkney. 2. Northern Highlands and western Islands. 3. Southern Highlands, Argyle and inner Hebrides. 4. Aberdeen and Kincardine, 5, Dundee and Fife, 6. Greater Glasgow and Ayrshire, 7. Edinburgh, Central belt and Lothian. 8. The Borders and Galloway.

Clannasaor intend to have a Department of Tourism responsible for co-ordinating all eight tourist boards with the individual District Tourist Authorities by using the Internet for bookings. All Attractions will be advertised across the whole of Scotland unlike as happens at present and the Native Film Industry will be kept busy making promotional films on the Irish Model. There is also scope for promotional video’s being shown on the TV Networks as well, even dedicated Holiday programmes on adventure sports, Trekking, hill walking etc. Clannasaor intends that local Education Colleges run more courses on Hotel and boarding House management, Culinary arts and food preparation. How to give service and making customers welcome. By such means, Clannasaor intend to double the amount spent by visitors, thus making the Tourist Industry more profitable and encouraging entrepreneurs to invest more in the infrastructure. The Department of Tourism can also subsidise ferry services for visitors to encourage them to visit the out of the way places.

The Tourist Board will consult with other bodies on getting road repairs done, and in the location of new Roads and railways as well as the upgrading of communications links. The tourist board will work closely with Film and TV companies to maximise the long term impact of Films on the local area. A good example being ‘Local Hero’ set in Pennan, Aberdeenshire. Even today, thousands of visitors flock to Pennan to be photographed by the Phone box and to have a drink in the Public House.

Clannasaor are fortunate to have a number of highly Talented Ladies working in the Party Machine. On them falls much of the Policy work in the manifesto. It is the Policy of Clannasaor to attract as many talented Women into politics as possible and try to achieve a gender balance in the Dail. Clannasaor rejects the Politically correct route of placing Women in positions of power regardless of abilities for the following reasons. It is not fair on any person to ask them to do a job for which they have no training, skills and much understanding of. The Person, the Position and the Country suffers as a consequence. The Role of Women in the Dail is demeaned in the eyes of the General Public, and other opposition parties, thus lumping the highly competent and motivated, skilful Women in the same basket as the Incompetent, inept place-women. This is not doing the vital role of Women in Politics any favours at all.

Candidates for election to the Dail will be chosen on ability and personality alone and only the highest quality candidate will be selected for election to the seat regardless what current fashions dictate should be ideal attributes such as looking good on television and so on. Candidates for the Dail will have to earn the respect of their fellow Senators and the General Public the hard way, by demonstrating their competence and abilities in the cross-fires of debates and sheer professional hard work for the Country and their constituents.