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Original poster

Scottish Labour

195 replies

ClopySow · 01/04/2016 18:43

I've voted snp for the last while, but would align my political views with a traditional labour government, not new Labour. I can get on board with Jeremy Corbyn, but can't get past Kezia Dugdale. Are Scottish Labour more Corbyn or milliband?

OP posts:
peggyundercrackers · 02/04/2016 19:09

I think all drugs which can be bought over the counter should be bought over the counter even if prescribed by a GP - that would cost nothing to administer as it could be carried out at point of sale. I do think that £8.20 or whatever it is now is too expensive for a prescription but I guess at that price it puts people off getting prescriptions willy nilly and wasting them - I would also imagine people will also buy cheaper over the counter medicines instead of getting a prescription.

OneMagnumisneverenough · 02/04/2016 19:18

sorry peggy, I don't think I said what I meant to say there. What I meant was that on picking up a prescription (of something that can't be bought over the counter) those who were able to pay but couldn't as there is no system for them to do so, could instead make an appropriate donation to the pharmacy. The pharmacy could then use that donation in order to provide things such as painkillers or dressings or things where there is no prescription required, back for use directly in the NHS. I'm sure it's not workable in quite that way, but what I mean is that there is always someway to make things work with a bit of imagination.

I think all over the counter stuff should be bought without prescription unless there is a need to supply it for people who genuinely can't afford it. Though at about 25p for a packet of paracetamol that at least could be purchased by most people. I'm sure the NHS prescription stuff costs a lot more to supply.

peggyundercrackers · 02/04/2016 19:45

Magnum no I understood what you meant but I think it needs to be more formal - it doesn't need to be complicated though. 2 different prescriptions - one to be paid for, one exempt. GP would tell patient which one they have and why e.g. It's available over the counter. I think paid for prescriptions should be capped at something like £4 so they are still affordable for most.

I think more people should use pharmacists as well instead of using gp all the time - in a lot of cases pharmacists are more experienced than a GP and can give better advice - also frees up GP time.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 02/04/2016 20:03

can you list some of the things that the SNP have done to redistribute wealth (one of the main socialist principles

The SNP are neither socialist or left as I have repeatedly said. They are just the most left of the main parties.

IMO the SNP have been very disappointing - they could pretty much do whatever they want with the support they have, and they are just tinkering around the edges Sad

OneMagnumisneverenough · 02/04/2016 20:12

The SNP are neither socialist or left as I have repeatedly said.

Last time I looked you weren't the only person on this thread.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 02/04/2016 20:17

Last time I looked you weren't the only person on this thread.

Hmm I was replying to this comment which was addressed to me:

itsall can you list some of the things that the SNP have done to redistribute wealth (one of the main socialist principles)?

OneMagnumisneverenough · 02/04/2016 20:26

Ahh - on the piece you pasted the bit addressing you wasn't there and I didn't scroll back up to the original - apologies.

I'd posted a similar open question earlier in the thread no addressed to anyone in particular and presumed (wrongly) that this one was similarly open to all.

AnthonyBlanche · 02/04/2016 20:55

To rephrase my question itsall, what is it you think is left wing about the SNP?

Superjaggy · 02/04/2016 21:21

Regarding issues like free prescriptions for all, and free school meals for all p1-3s: these decisions were taken because the costs of administering means-tested systems for payment / non-payment would have been prohibitive.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 02/04/2016 21:23

To rephrase my question itsall, what is it you think is left wing about the SNP

I don't think they are left wing Confused

They are further left on the scale than other parties, but still very much centre.

Superjaggy · 02/04/2016 21:25

Sorry Magnum, I see you addressed this in a previous post. Not sure if a voluntary contribution system for prescriptions would get much public or political support, but I agree that it would be good if those able to pay could do so.

OneMagnumisneverenough · 02/04/2016 21:30

Superjaggy - the school meals thing is a red herring though as they clearly already have a system in place as children in p4-7 either get free meals or pay - why that would cost more to do with P1-3 I'm not sure. Confused

As for the prescriptions, they used to do it as well, It was a self regulating thing and yes, people would cheat and it would cost to investigate all that, however there are surely enough honest people who would pay appropriately to make it worthwhile collecting the money?

Superjaggy · 02/04/2016 21:31

Hang on though. Isn't this a thread about Scottish Labour? Why are the usual posters bashing the SNP again?

OneMagnumisneverenough · 02/04/2016 21:37

Ah, I missed your comments about Labour there then super...Hmm

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 02/04/2016 21:37

Re prescriptions etc, does it not make more sense to "means test" taxes and then have universal provision of other things. The state should provide a minimum standard for all, that is paid for more by the rich than the poor.

Hang on though. Isn't this a thread about Scottish Labour? Why are the usual posters bashing the SNP again?

I guess there is no point discussing other parties as they have pretty much been obliterated and are scrapping over who is opposition? By bashing the SNP maybe it is hoped that they can sway a few voters, and its not like there is anything positive you can say about other parties?

OneMagnumisneverenough · 02/04/2016 21:41

does it not make more sense to "means test" taxes and then have universal provision of other things.

I don't disagree to be honest here but I don't think many people will be happy to pay the rates of tax that people who live in societies where that occurs (scandi countries?) pay.

If we were all living in lovely society with a decent standard of living for everyone I would absolutely take the tax hit for that.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 02/04/2016 21:43

If we were all living in lovely society with a decent standard of living for everyone I would absolutely take the tax hit for that.

Problem is, you need to take the tax hit before that can happen...

OneMagnumisneverenough · 02/04/2016 21:48

I would take the tax hit for it to happen but I'd need to see some commitment and honesty from those in charge. It would be a good start if they had policies in place in order for us to start getting there and actually committed money towards it rather than wasting it on stuff like the named person debacle.

Cocoabutton · 02/04/2016 21:58

I think I previously would have argued for higher taxes and good service provision. But I have been (without going into details) so badly served by the NHS on grounds of my postcode that I had to wait until things were dire, nearly not functioning, and then go private, which I could only afford as I had no longer crippling childcare bills. I work FT. I am the sole carer for two DC. I no longer unquestioningly vote left - if there is a social contract, surely it is universal? Or else it is meaningless. It felt (feels) meaningless.

Superjaggy · 02/04/2016 22:04

You're right Magnum, I got drawn in again... Did reply about Labour a couple of days ago though.

ItsAll I think you're right too - the opposition in Scotland has obliterated itself and that's not healthy.

peggyundercrackers · 02/04/2016 22:12

I wouldn't be willing to keep paying more taxes - we are already taxed on tax on tax. Throwing money at issues never solves problems, service providers will always want more and more funding no matter how much you give them. A lot of services need redefined because we cannot continue spending the way we are - I don't believe the state should provide it all - they should provide the basics and they should do it well however anything over and above that should be on a pay as you go basis.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 02/04/2016 22:15

The problem is basic services done well probably requires a tax raise in itself Sad

HazyMazy · 02/04/2016 22:17

I just hope the SNP lose a few seats - don't think it matters who to, but anything to remove their majority vote.
So many extreme policies are getting rushed through without thorough debate.
Nicola is going to bring in new transgender policies - I'm all for equality for intersexs but I'd like some debate about letting men who feel they are women into women only changing rooms etc. Womens concerns are being ignored as transphobic.

OneMagnumisneverenough · 02/04/2016 22:19

True peggy - we already live beyond our means as a country and if we were independent then people need to get used to the idea of a big increase in contribution and/or a big reduction in spending as a nation.

The problem is people don't want to do either of those things but are still voting for independence. I'm not too sure what they think is going to happen tbh.

Original poster
ClopySow · 02/04/2016 22:20

Yeah, i did want to talk about Scottish Labour, but i guess it's impossible to talk about Scottish politics without the conversation being dominated by the SNP, who dominate Scottish politics.

I've learned enough from this thread to know that i need to do a bit more homework. I want to give my vote to a left wing party who can influence policy in Scotland, sadly i don't think Scottish Labour is it. I'm erring towards the greens now but like I said, there's homework to be done. I want my vote to be about who its getting in rather than who it's keeping out or creating a decent opposition but in the absence of a party i can really get behind, i'm probably going to vote that way.

OP posts: