Latest news with #SeamusLogan
The National
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Don't Tommy Sheppard's proposals risk drifting into political fantasy?
However, this proposal risks drifting into political fantasy in my view. READ MORE: Seamus Logan: Keir Starmer's rhetoric will push more Scots toward independence Westminster has consistently blocked requests for a second referendum, despite repeated democratic mandates from Holyrood. It retains ultimate constitutional authority and has no obligation – legal or political – to devolve referendum powers. More importantly, Westminster has a deep vested interest in retaining Scotland within the UK. From energy and oil to water, fisheries, and renewables, Scotland's resources are a major factor underpinning the current constitutional imbalance. To believe that a majority of independence-supporting MSPs would suddenly persuade Westminster to relinquish that control under 'political pressure' is to ignore both precedent and realpolitik. The power dynamics at play are rooted in economic and strategic priorities that mere parliamentary arithmetic in Scotland cannot easily overcome. READ MORE: SNP MP lists how Labour 'consistently' breach ministerial code Until there is a credible strategy to confront or circumvent Westminster's veto – through civil mobilisation, international pressure, or structural disruption – calls to 'push for a legal change' risk giving false hope rather than forging a genuine path forward. I speculate that direct action by indy supporters backed up by a determined indy-majority Scottish Parliament supporting and passing laws to thwart Westminster is the only way to break out of the UK prison! Peter Macari Aberdeen I AM not sure what point Tommy Shephard was trying to make. After 40 years in England I get the phoney 'I have the greatest respect for' intro followed by sticking the boot in, but after three years living in Scotland I'd expect him to be straightforward and say he hasn't a clue about his own party's strategy for independence. Kenny MacAskill has called for all independence-supporting parties to come together in a convention to agree a way forward. The Independence for Scotland Party has said yes, the Greens have other priorities (possibly to do with bathrooms). As far as I know, nobody from Tommy's gang has been so courteous as to respond yet. READ MORE: Scottish independence is a moral obligation, not a mere preference What I do know is that Alba are advocating a constituency party vote for any independence party, but asking people to vote for us on the list, because we are laser-focused on independence first and foremost and a prerequisite for anyone elected on our ticket is independence, full stop. If, as we believe is possible, the Holyrood 2026 delivers an independence majority, the price of our cooperation is not to plead with Starmer's Reform-lite party for a Westminster referendum but for Holyrood itself to hold a referendum with one simple question. Everything else – prioritising the health service, education, housing, affordable energy for our people – flows from that. We have no interest in establishing lengthy political 'careers' – all we want is to deliver what Alex Salmond devoted his life to achieving: a free and independent Scotland. What's not to like? Marjorie Ellis Thompson Secretary, Edinburgh Local Alba Campaign Unit I FEEL that I am being put in an almost impossible position regarding the Scottish election in 2026, providing I live that long. I am being asked to vote for another five years of the same by the SNP. They are openly against any action on independence, which is a gross dereliction of duty on their part! I cannot not vote for the party of which I am a member or risk being complicit in the Unionists taking control at Holyrood. I totally disagree with the stance being taken by John Swinney and the thought of electing the likes of Tommy Sheppard and Alyn Smith, who were among the casualties at Westminster, fills me with even less Hope. I am going to have to vote SNP 1 and any other indy party 2. This is a totally intolerable situation. How can the ruling party in Scotland not see what is happening to us, or do they just not want to see? As long as they are in government they seem to be happy with that. READ MORE: John Swinney: Scotland will have independence option while I'm leader I cannot thank John Swinney enough for steadying the ship. However, we must not forget that we are at the present time getting a benefit of the shocking performance of Sir Keir and chiefly Rotten Rachel. They are so dogmatic about their red-tory policies that we have got a Brucie bonus with them being so stupid. We cannot just hope that the ill will towards them will continue. We have to do things for ourselves, and offering the electorate who are desperate for a better Scotland nothing on independence except maybe a referendum if we do well in 2026 is not good enough. Maybe I am too old and too slow to pick things up, but how exactly are we going to get this referendum? I am sure we would all like to know. READ MORE: SNP demand full impact assessment of 'damaging' migration plans In conclusion, I would like to make an impassioned plea to the Angel of Independence to visit Mhairi Black and reinvigorate her love of Scotland, independence, and politics. I know Westminster broke her into tiny pieces but surely she cannot stand by and watch all this going on without getting itchy feet. At least if she got back to her firebrand self she would be a shoo-in to take on the intransigent SNP government we have at the moment. She has the political experience of the cesspit, would not be afraid to take them on and would move the dial forward on independence. For all of us, the choice is stark: Nigel Farage or Freedom. Which is it to be? Old John Ayrshire
Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Labour Party explains how it will cut £300 a year from UK energy bills
The Labour Party repeatedly made the pledge during its General Election campaign last year Labour has shed more light on its ambitious plan to slash energy bills by £300 annually by 2030. The party repeatedly touted this promise during its General Election campaign last year, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reaffirmed the commitment since taking office. SNP MP Seamus Logan queried the Government in Parliament about from what level the Government plans to bring down energy bills £300 when the change is achieved. Energy minister Miatta Fahnbulleh responded, saying: "The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently. "The creation of Great British Energy will help us to harness clean energy and have less reliance on volatile international energy markets and help in our commitment to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030. This, combined with our Warm Homes Plan to upgrade millions of homes to make them warmer and cheaper to run is how we will drive down energy bills and make cold homes a thing of the past." The Warm Homes Plan includes additional funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which offers grants to support the transition from fossil fuel heating systems to heat pumps or biomass boilers. Through this scheme, households can receive £7,500 towards an air source heat pump, £7,500 towards a ground source heat pump, or £5,000 towards a biomass boiler. Government figures indicate that switching to a heat pump could save families about £100 annually on energy bills in contrast to using a gas boiler, while insulating a home could result in even greater savings of roughly £200 a year. Ms Fahnbulleh further explained the Government's strategy, saying: "We recognise that we need to support households struggling with bills whilst we transition to clean power by 2030. This is why we are delivering the Warm Home Discount to around 3 million eligible low-income households this winter. "On February 25, we published a consultation on the expansion of the Warm Home Discount, giving more eligible households £150 off their energy bills. These proposals would bring around 2.7 million households into the scheme – pushing the total number of households that would receive the discount next winter up to around 6 million. "The consultation has now closed and the Department is evaluating the responses." The Warm Homes Discount offers a one-off £150 deduction from your electricity bill. Those who qualify include people on the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit as well as those on a low income or who are receiving certain means-tested benefits. Ministers are considering broadening the scope of the discount to include everyone on means-tested benefits. Most of the time, eligible suppliers will automatically deduct the discount from your bill — the funds aren't transferred directly to you. These suppliers are part of the scheme: 100Green (formerly Green Energy UK or GEUK) Affect Energy – see Octopus Energy Boost British Gas Bulb Energy – see Octopus Energy Co-op Energy - see Octopus Energy E - also known as E (Gas and Electricity) Ecotricity Next EDF Fuse Energy Good Energy Home Energy London Power Octopus Energy Outfox the Market OVO Rebel Energy Sainsbury's Energy Scottish Gas – see British Gas ScottishPower Shell Energy Retail So Energy Tomato Energy TruEnergy Utilita Utility Warehouse.
The National
23-04-2025
- Health
- The National
Labour minister dodges question on party's links to private healthcare
SNP MP Seamus Logan asked about Labour's connections with for-profit health companies, highlighting an investigation showing that the Health Secretary had taken £372,000 from such firms over the last decade. The Good Law project has calculated that Wes Streeting has taken £58,000 people and companies linked with private healthcare companies since entering Government last July. READ MORE: 'Important milestone' as SNP launch new disability benefit across Scotland Speaking at Scotland Questions in the Commons on Wednesday morning, Logan said: 'With cuts to public services coming down the line, is the Secretary of State or the minister worried about the influence of private health donors on his Cabinet colleagues?' Scotland Office minister Kirsty McNeill replied: '[He] says there have been cuts to public services. 'Let me put on record once again: this Labour Government pledged to end austerity and we have, with a record settlement for Scotland's public services, money that has been squandered by the SNP Government such that we are still in a situation where nearly one in six Scots are on a waiting list, whereas south of the Border, waiting lists have fallen for the fifth month in a row. READ MORE: Israeli police officers aimed guns at two British MPs in West Bank 'That's the difference a Labour Government with a plan and willingness to fund it makes.' Speaking after the publication of the Good Law Project's latest probe into Streeting's links with private healthcare, executive director Jo Maugham said: 'Those backers are not stupid and this is not a remarkable coincidence. What do those backers think they are getting for their money? It's our NHS and we have a right to know.'
