Road tolls poll finding forces LibDems into an abrupt U-turn
The Liberal Democrats yesterday performed a spectacular U-turn on charging motorists for road use in Scotland, ruling out the policy for at least a decade.
The abrupt change of direction appeared to be made on the hoof in response to tolls emerging as one of the most unpopular policies with voters in a BBC survey on election issues.
Tavish Scott, the party's election campaign director, had in his capacity as transport minister talked up the possibility earlier this year of Scotland becoming a pilot area for the UK introduction of road pricing.
More recently, he had to concede that there was no agreement on this with their Labour coalition partners, but yesterday his party leader ditched the idea entirely.
Asked about the BBC poll putting road tolls at the bottom of the popularity list, Nicol Stephen said: "We have listened to the public. We are not going to proceed with any road toll scheme in Scotland and we will only support such a scheme across the UK if the proposal is tax neutral."
Such a UK scheme, involving satellite tracking of vehicles to charge them for using different stretches of road at different times, was a decade away said Mr Stephen. Denying that yesterday amounted to a U-turn, he said it was a "change of policy" based on listening to the public.
Mark Ballard, who speaks on transport issues for the Greens, said: "Two months ago Tavish Scott was arguing his green credentials in the parliament based on his support for road-user charging, and here he is climbing down yet again - and remember this is the same party that campaigned against congestion charging in Edinburgh.
"On this track record, they can't be trusted or believed. The environmental credentials of the LibDems are now in even more disarray."
Both BBC Scotland and STV commissioned separate surveys to discover what the electorate's priorities were and both put public services at the top of the agenda.
The BBC Scotland poll found the top priority was ensuring all state schools and hospitals are built and run by public bodies, not private companies.
Next came more police on the streets. Cutting council tax payments for pensioners was third and fourth was a demand to stop closing local hospitals.
Meanwhile, replacing the council tax with a local income tax - something both the SNP and Liberal Democrats propose - came twelfth on the list of priorities and an independence referendum came in at number 17 out of 25. The least popular proposal was motorway tolls.
Scottish Opinion carried out the STV survey. As well as discovering health and education were the top two, the survey found law and order came a close third, the environment and the economy were joint fourth, ahead of council tax.
The SNP's Angus Robertson said the polls showed health, education, a fairer system of taxation and more police were key for voters.
Tory leader Annabel Goldie said the polls showed people wanted the parties to focus on "bread and butter issues", asking: "Why else is a separation referendum 17th out of 25 on the list of people's priorities?"
© All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without
permission is prohibited.
Posted by: Jimmy, Glasgow on 11:38pm Thu 5 Apr 07
So the fliip flop party has flipped and flopped again. Typical of there usual tactucs in elections of saying what people want to hear but this time they have been caught out big time.
So the fliip flop party has flipped and flopped again. Typical of there usual tactucs in elections of saying what people want to hear but this time they have been caught out big time.
Posted by: Seannair on 12:08am Fri 6 Apr 07
Once again Tavish Scott has been exposed as a politician divorced from reality. This is the Minister for Transport who led the doomed Tendering Exercise for West Coast ferry services that cost more than £15 million and acheived absolutely nothing. In a poorly performimg Executive the LibDems have been oustandingly poor.
Once again Tavish Scott has been exposed as a politician divorced from reality. This is the Minister for Transport who led the doomed Tendering Exercise for West Coast ferry services that cost more than £15 million and acheived absolutely nothing. In a poorly performimg Executive the LibDems have been oustandingly poor.
Posted by: Jimmy, Glasgow on 12:24am Fri 6 Apr 07
To be frank the the Lib Dems have taken all of whatever credit there has been and none of the blame for the doings of Scotland's administration in the last 8 years. They are as culpable as the Labour Party and I really hope that the SNP has enough seats that they dont have to do any deal with these "wide boys".
To be frank the the Lib Dems have taken all of whatever credit there has been and none of the blame for the doings of Scotland's administration in the last 8 years. They are as culpable as the Labour Party and I really hope that the SNP has enough seats that they dont have to do any deal with these "wide boys".
Posted by: Brian Blessed, Glasgow on 12:49am Fri 6 Apr 07
Fib Dems in unprincipled sell-out shocker! Any party thinking about doing a deal with these clowns needs their heads examined.
More at: fibdems.blogspot.com.
Fib Dems in unprincipled sell-out shocker! Any party thinking about doing a deal with these clowns needs their heads examined.
More at: fibdems.blogspot.com.
Posted by: www.savemonklandsa-e.org.uk, Lanarkshire on 12:52am Fri 6 Apr 07
Some party's are giuded by founding principles - others will flip-flop according to public opinion polls.
Many people forget that the Liberal Democrats voted to close Monklands A&E and that the Lib-Dems have an MSP in central Scotland.
But don't worry, i will remind everybody by May 3!
Some party's are giuded by founding principles - others will flip-flop according to public opinion polls.
Many people forget that the Liberal Democrats voted to close Monklands A&E and that the Lib-Dems have an MSP in central Scotland.
But don't worry, i will remind everybody by May 3!
Posted by: George Laird, Glasgow on 12:56am Fri 6 Apr 07
The idea of road charging on the pretext of climate change is nonsense.
So Tavish Scott and the Lib quislings are ruling it out for a decade, is this because they are waking up to the reality that although stupidity is attractive to some it repeals others.
One can only imagine stupidity that must have ben generated by attempting to seize the low ground, instead of forward thinking we have measures designed to punish the poorest.
What is needed are restricted city centre zones that force people to use public transport at a cost effective price. Knock on effect is lower carbon emissions and cleaner air quality.
People would buy into this and at the same motorists would feel ripped off. Everyone can accept the same as everyone else but not less.
One can only wonder what nuggets and fruit loops are tempted into politics.
Yours sincerely
George Laird
The idea of road charging on the pretext of climate change is nonsense.
So Tavish Scott and the Lib quislings are ruling it out for a decade, is this because they are waking up to the reality that although stupidity is attractive to some it repeals others.
One can only imagine stupidity that must have ben generated by attempting to seize the low ground, instead of forward thinking we have measures designed to punish the poorest.
What is needed are restricted city centre zones that force people to use public transport at a cost effective price. Knock on effect is lower carbon emissions and cleaner air quality.
People would buy into this and at the same motorists would feel ripped off. Everyone can accept the same as everyone else but not less.
One can only wonder what nuggets and fruit loops are tempted into politics.
Yours sincerely
George Laird
Posted by: james on 1:32am Fri 6 Apr 07
It's not the best policy out there, but now they're left with nothing at all on transport except road-building. Hard to see how that'll tackle climate change..
It's not the best policy out there, but now they're left with nothing at all on transport except road-building. Hard to see how that'll tackle climate change..
Posted by: Peter, Edinburgh on 1:48am Fri 6 Apr 07
Well, that's what we expect from the Lib Dems, isn't it?
Flip-Floping all over the place!
What's next! An SNP admission of clearly nonsense sums and planned tax rises?
Seems sure that both yellow-ish parties will come under scrutiny in the next few weeks...
Well, that's what we expect from the Lib Dems, isn't it?
Flip-Floping all over the place!
What's next! An SNP admission of clearly nonsense sums and planned tax rises?
Seems sure that both yellow-ish parties will come under scrutiny in the next few weeks...
Posted by: craigy, s lanarks on 2:04am Fri 6 Apr 07
particularly james.
you lot have been well had by the green lobby, go do some research and read up on the subject bfore blaming the planets ills on human emitted co2. co2 is a tiny percentage of the total atmosohere and man made co2 is an even tinier %age than that, so even in the unlikely event it has a bearing on percieved global warming, i dooubt that building a few miles of extra roads in scotland is gonna make a **** of a lot of difference!!
particularly james.
you lot have been well had by the green lobby, go do some research and read up on the subject bfore blaming the planets ills on human emitted co2. co2 is a tiny percentage of the total atmosohere and man made co2 is an even tinier %age than that, so even in the unlikely event it has a bearing on percieved global warming, i dooubt that building a few miles of extra roads in scotland is gonna make a **** of a lot of difference!!
Posted by: craigy, s. lanarks on 2:11am Fri 6 Apr 07
why do you insinuate that the snp's "sums are clearly nomsense peter, are you an expert on the subject?
why do you insinuate that the snp's "sums are clearly nomsense peter, are you an expert on the subject?
Posted by: Tom Minogue, Dunfermline on 8:21am Fri 6 Apr 07
Willie Rennie the Lib/Dem victor in the Dunfermline By-election won the poll on his ability to get his message of total opposition to the then proposed £4 toll over to the electorate.
What Willie did not say was that Nichol Stephen the Transport Minister of the Day was the architect of the £4 toll who also insisted that it feature in FETA's plans or they would not get Executive grant assistance.
The Lib/Dems obviously realise that they got away with it in a By-election but would not get away with it in the May elections.
Mr Stephen can obviously do his sums when it comes to votes if not when it comes to mortgage expenses.
Willie Rennie the Lib/Dem victor in the Dunfermline By-election won the poll on his ability to get his message of total opposition to the then proposed £4 toll over to the electorate.
What Willie did not say was that Nichol Stephen the Transport Minister of the Day was the architect of the £4 toll who also insisted that it feature in FETA's plans or they would not get Executive grant assistance.
The Lib/Dems obviously realise that they got away with it in a By-election but would not get away with it in the May elections.
Mr Stephen can obviously do his sums when it comes to votes if not when it comes to mortgage expenses.
Posted by: Craigie, falkirk on 9:13am Fri 6 Apr 07
lol, again the lid dems have been caught out !! now with them being an actual party of some say in Scotland they might stop the tactic of saying one thing in one area then the complete opposite in another!
craigy you must be an expert yourself on the greenhouse effect and CO2 in the atmoshpere, or did you just watch that show a few weeks back given a different view on the cause of the shift in the worlds environment
lol, again the lid dems have been caught out !! now with them being an actual party of some say in Scotland they might stop the tactic of saying one thing in one area then the complete opposite in another!
craigy you must be an expert yourself on the greenhouse effect and CO2 in the atmoshpere, or did you just watch that show a few weeks back given a different view on the cause of the shift in the worlds environment
Posted by: archie, aberdeen on 9:17am Fri 6 Apr 07
Craigy, nobody needs to be an 'expert' to work out that the SNPs sums don't add up.
On local income tax, even on their own figures, the SNPs proposals raise[bold] £450 million[/bold] [bold]less[/bold] than the council tax - and it only gets this close because they assume that people will continue to claim council tax benefit after council tax is abolished, and voluntarily hand it over to their local council.
Craigy, nobody needs to be an 'expert' to work out that the SNPs sums don't add up.
On local income tax, even on their own figures, the SNPs proposals raise
£450 million less than the council tax - and it only gets this close because they assume that people will continue to claim council tax benefit after council tax is abolished, and voluntarily hand it over to their local council.
Posted by: DJ, Glasgow on 10:00am Fri 6 Apr 07
This Lib Dem policy is exactly the same as the policy oulined by Nicol Stephen on Question Time a few weeks ago. Nothing like an election to arouse mock outrage!
This Lib Dem policy is exactly the same as the policy oulined by Nicol Stephen on Question Time a few weeks ago. Nothing like an election to arouse mock outrage!
Posted by: David, EK on 10:04am Fri 6 Apr 07
VOTE SNP 3rd May...
Posted by: JLM, Dundee on 10:30am Fri 6 Apr 07
This is just typical Lib Dem flip flopping at their best! Do they even know what their own policy is? They take all the credit for what the Scottish Executive has done and no responsibility!
As for the SNP, it is clear that their spending plans don't add up. Anyway, they wouldn't be concentrating on public services if elected only wasting our money on independance.
This is just typical Lib Dem flip flopping at their best! Do they even know what their own policy is? They take all the credit for what the Scottish Executive has done and no responsibility!
As for the SNP, it is clear that their spending plans don't add up. Anyway, they wouldn't be concentrating on public services if elected only wasting our money on independance.
Posted by: Cynic, Edinburgh on 10:54am Fri 6 Apr 07
My goodness - 2 'flip-flops' and 3 'sums don't add up' jibes in the space of 16 comments. More unemployed Labour researchers running round trying to look like a crowd?
My goodness - 2 'flip-flops' and 3 'sums don't add up' jibes in the space of 16 comments. More unemployed Labour researchers running round trying to look like a crowd?
Posted by: Maxie, Clydebank on 2:32pm Fri 6 Apr 07
Is there no end of shame to the Scottish Liberal Democrats?
They wouldnt recognise principle if it came up and hit them on the nose!
Is there no end of shame to the Scottish Liberal Democrats?
They wouldnt recognise principle if it came up and hit them on the nose!
Posted by: Stuart Douglas, Glasgow on 2:48pm Fri 6 Apr 07
Of all the parties standing on May 3rd the Lib Dems must be the most hypocritical bunch of chancers ever. And that's something when you consider Labour is standing!
Whether you agree with road-charging or not what we need is politicians who stand by their principles - something the Lib Dems are completely incapable of doing.
How anyone can vote for them is beyond me - they are the political equivalent of beige!
Of all the parties standing on May 3rd the Lib Dems must be the most hypocritical bunch of chancers ever. And that's something when you consider Labour is standing!
Whether you agree with road-charging or not what we need is politicians who stand by their principles - something the Lib Dems are completely incapable of doing.
How anyone can vote for them is beyond me - they are the political equivalent of beige!
Posted by: FlipDems on 4:02pm Fri 6 Apr 07
Doesn't surprise me at all. You never know if the Lib Dems are coming or going. I can't stand the SNP, but at least with them you know what they are all about - a costly divorce from the UK.
Doesn't surprise me at all. You never know if the Lib Dems are coming or going. I can't stand the SNP, but at least with them you know what they are all about - a costly divorce from the UK.
Posted by: doonhamer on 4:06pm Fri 6 Apr 07
[quote]My goodness - 2 'flip-flops' and 3 'sums don't add up' jibes in the space of 16 comments. More unemployed Labour researchers running round trying to look like a crowd?[/quote]
That is absolutely not true, there are not a group of unemployed Labour researchers running round trying to look like a crowd.
[bold]There is ONE employed Labour researcher at Party HQ with multiple ID names on his computer trying to appear to be a crowd.[/bold]
My goodness - 2 'flip-flops' and 3 'sums don't add up' jibes in the space of 16 comments. More unemployed Labour researchers running round trying to look like a crowd?
That is absolutely not true, there are not a group of unemployed Labour researchers running round trying to look like a crowd.
There is ONE employed Labour researcher at Party HQ with multiple ID names on his computer trying to appear to be a crowd.
Posted by: doonhamer on 4:09pm Fri 6 Apr 07
My god, all that nasty Labour rhetoric against the LibDems!
Were all the meetings of the Scottish Executive just the same? I didn't notice in the last eight years. I thought all you lads and lassies got along well.
How could I have been so mistaken? Well, that's the last time I depend on the Parliamentary Voting Record for my facts.
One policy, two parties... Didn't Red China have something like that?
My god, all that nasty Labour rhetoric against the LibDems!
Were all the meetings of the Scottish Executive just the same? I didn't notice in the last eight years. I thought all you lads and lassies got along well.
How could I have been so mistaken? Well, that's the last time I depend on the Parliamentary Voting Record for my facts.
One policy, two parties... Didn't Red China have something like that?
Posted by: Robert East Kilbride on 10:33pm Fri 6 Apr 07
Libdem New Labour's lape Dogs do any for a few crumes of the masters TABLE
Libdem New Labour's lape Dogs do any for a few crumes of the masters TABLE
Posted by: craigy, s lamarkshire on 12:52am Sat 7 Apr 07
craigie falkirk
would'nt say i was an expert craigie, but i do have an interest and have done some broad study into the subject, yes i did watch the show on channel four ,what self respecting cynic would'nt have,?
craigie falkirk
would'nt say i was an expert craigie, but i do have an interest and have done some broad study into the subject, yes i did watch the show on channel four ,what self respecting cynic would'nt have,?
Posted by: craigy, s.lanarks on 1:05am Sat 7 Apr 07
archie,
dont know about that , you obviously have done some research into it and come up with your figure and annalysis on the matter. however what is'nt in doubt is that labours sums dont add up either, for as well as the biggest tax burden in living memory, gordon has also given us the biggest debt burden ever witnessed. so my question to you is, who's he to lecture anyone financial responsibility?
archie,
dont know about that , you obviously have done some research into it and come up with your figure and annalysis on the matter. however what is'nt in doubt is that labours sums dont add up either, for as well as the biggest tax burden in living memory, gordon has also given us the biggest debt burden ever witnessed. so my question to you is, who's he to lecture anyone financial responsibility?
Posted by: John Jamieson on 9:12am Sat 7 Apr 07
How is Tavish going to sell the about face in Shetland, his own constituency. It is only weeks since he was telling them that under the Lib Dems they would be paying less per mile than anywhere else in Scotland and much less than they do now with road tax.
How is Tavish going to sell the about face in Shetland, his own constituency. It is only weeks since he was telling them that under the Lib Dems they would be paying less per mile than anywhere else in Scotland and much less than they do now with road tax.
Posted by: DJ, Glasgow on 9:36am Sat 7 Apr 07
Re John Jamieson - Shetlanders still will. You need to divorce the mince in the news from the policy. The policy, which hasnt changed no matter what this article says, is to increase road charging, but make it tax neutral by reducing general car taxation elsewhere. This needs the co-operation of the UK Govt to work.
I note that no-one has disagreed with my comment above that there is no change in policy. Bring on more mock outrage!
Re John Jamieson - Shetlanders still will. You need to divorce the mince in the news from the policy. The policy, which hasnt changed no matter what this article says, is to increase road charging, but make it tax neutral by reducing general car taxation elsewhere. This needs the co-operation of the UK Govt to work.
I note that no-one has disagreed with my comment above that there is no change in policy. Bring on more mock outrage!
Posted by: J, Edinburgh on 10:09am Mon 9 Apr 07
[quote][bold]doonhamer[/bold] wrote:
[quote]My goodness - 2 'flip-flops' and 3 'sums don't add up' jibes in the space of 16 comments. More unemployed Labour researchers running round trying to look like a crowd?[/quote] That is absolutely not true, there are not a group of unemployed Labour researchers running round trying to look like a crowd. [bold]There is ONE employed Labour researcher at Party HQ with multiple ID names on his computer trying to appear to be a crowd.[/bold] [/quote] Actually your information is wrong. There are researchers in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Peebles whose only job is to come mainstream press boards and blogs and '[italic]up[/italic] ' the Labour Party whilst [italic]'slashing at[/italic] ' SNP - they are being run by Mr. Alexander's office in London and constantly being fed "factoids" through their internal and private blog.
doonhamer wrote:
My goodness - 2 'flip-flops' and 3 'sums don't add up' jibes in the space of 16 comments. More unemployed Labour researchers running round trying to look like a crowd?
That is absolutely not true, there are not a group of unemployed Labour researchers running round trying to look like a crowd. There is ONE employed Labour researcher at Party HQ with multiple ID names on his computer trying to appear to be a crowd.
Actually your information is wrong. There are researchers in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Peebles whose only job is to come mainstream press boards and blogs and '
up ' the Labour Party whilst
'slashing at ' SNP - they are being run by Mr. Alexander's office in London and constantly being fed "factoids" through their internal and private blog.
Posted by: Elsie, Fife on 9:15pm Wed 11 Apr 07
[bold]There is a woman called Susan Archibald standing for Dunfermline west, she has campaigned to get rid of the tolls, she is also a community activist and fights for her own community. She does more voluntary work than anyone I know she even sits on the cross party working groups in the Scottish parlaiment. She is behind the new party scottish voice. This party is ment to be right winged I can assure you if it was she would not be fronting it. She also campaigns for disabled people and changed the laws for disabled workers, this is the kind of person we need in the scottish parliament someone dedicated n scared of nobody[/bold]
There is a woman called Susan Archibald standing for Dunfermline west, she has campaigned to get rid of the tolls, she is also a community activist and fights for her own community. She does more voluntary work than anyone I know she even sits on the cross party working groups in the Scottish parlaiment. She is behind the new party scottish voice. This party is ment to be right winged I can assure you if it was she would not be fronting it. She also campaigns for disabled people and changed the laws for disabled workers, this is the kind of person we need in the scottish parliament someone dedicated n scared of nobody Posted by: Iain More, Moray on 11:54pm Sat 14 Apr 07
If we could shut up all the lying quislings - we could cut CO2 emissions a hundred fold! Saving Scotland and the planet at the same time! A sure fire vote winner with the greenies! Did no one think of that before!
A few less Lib Dems rushing about in Mondeos would also help the planet if not the over polluted High Street in Edinbugh - at least the air in Scotlands capital would be better to breathe!
If we could shut up all the lying quislings - we could cut CO2 emissions a hundred fold! Saving Scotland and the planet at the same time! A sure fire vote winner with the greenies! Did no one think of that before!
A few less Lib Dems rushing about in Mondeos would also help the planet if not the over polluted High Street in Edinbugh - at least the air in Scotlands capital would be better to breathe!
Politics
INDEX
Comment | Read Comments (30)
