In It For The Long Haul?

Kerron Sat Jan 13, 2007 at 04:10:08 PM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

Can I ask: Have the Tories totally lost the plot with Scotland?

You'll remember that they are trying to oust their leader in the Scottish Parliament with someone more right of centre (in the belief a return to Thatcherite policies will win back disaffected voters North of the Border); they want to replace that leader with someone who has been accused of making racist jokes; they want to keep schoolchildren in the dark; and now they want to stop people taking short haul flights to Scotland.




Now I'm all for having a debate about whether we need to tackle short haul and long haul flights to make them more environmentally friendly - but the Tories are advocating that we do nothing about long haul flights whilst clamping down on those travelling to Scotland.

A cynic may say that this is so they can still travel cheaply for their business trips to the USA and to their holiday homes in Barbados etc - whereas none of them actually have any cause to travel to Scotland...as they gave up on trying to win anywhere outside of England (and the South East of England in particular) ages ago.

I should point out that I have made train trips and taken a flight to Scotland in the last month. (Flying is far cheaper and far more convenient.)

I also take regular flights to the Isle of Man, which despite technically is outside the UK, would still be one heck of a train journey! ;-)

It reminds me very much of when Cameron announced that they wanted to build more houses, and made the announcement in Cardiff. As if to say, yes we want more housing, so long as it doesn't affect our voters in the South East of England (where we actually need the new housing). Again with the clampdown of flights, it will be a hat-tip to helping the environment, whilst not actually affecting those who will turn out rain, shine or global warming to vote Tory.

Perhaps I am just a cynic.


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In It For The Long Haul? | 3 comments (3 topical)

Re: In It For The Long Haul? (#1)

by AJScobbie on Sun Jan 14, 2007 at 01:17:14 PM GMT

Sorry Kerron but I think it is unacceptable to tolerate the short haul flight situation with Scotland. Why does it take me 2hrs from Manchester to London on train but double from Manchester to Edinburgh? The rail network north of Manchester needs serious investment and upgrading. East Coast Line is a little bit better but until we have a high speed rail link between our major cities then there is no incentive to ditch the plane. Yes its cheaper and faster now but it is not something we should live with. Lets reverse it.

But in general I agree with you about the Scottish Tories being a bit mad. Just a shame the Scottish Labour Party is almost as socially conservative! How well reported was the labour defeat the other month on gay adoption? Thankfully there are still some on the SPLP who still favour equality before political favour with the church.


Re: In It For The Long Haul? (#2)

by Andrea on Sun Jan 14, 2007 at 03:38:39 PM GMT

"Just a shame the Scottish Labour Party is almost as socially conservative! How well reported was the labour defeat the other month on gay adoption?"

which defeat? I thought that the Adoption and Children Bill was approved by Holyrood Parliament and the attempt to exclude gay couples were rejected


[ Parent ]

Re: In It For The Long Haul? (#3)

by Kerron on Sun Jan 14, 2007 at 04:33:10 PM GMT

As I said, we can have a debate about how we persuade people away from short haul flights - and that has to be an improvement in price and time it takes to take the train. So I agree with you in that respect.

What I was trying to draw attention to was the Tories position that long haul flights are completely OK (because they use them) and short haul to Scotland aren't (because they don't!).

Incredibly Guido, of all people, underlines my point here:

http://5thnovember.blogspot.com/2007/01/tim-yeo-flies-back-from-another-golf.html


In It For The Long Haul? | 3 comments (3 topical)