14th June 2021: A Week in parliament

Tory Corruption Continues

Yet another high court ruling has confirmed that the Tories acted illegally in the way they handed out lucrative contracts to friends and cronies, as well as hiding the extent of this. How damning is it that a secret contract worth millions of pounds was awarded directly to a company owned by friends of Dominic Cummings?

It has also emerged that the UK Government also illegally set up a secret department whose operation was to block information requests from “troublesome” journalists. This is another move to an authoritarian state. We really have to be careful given that the UK Government are taking away rights to protest; have tried to create a snoopers’ charter and are continually found to be acting illegally when it comes to transparency. They have also set up a deal for the English NHS to data share patient information with private companies. So, they want to take away individual freedoms while doing their best to cover up what they do themselves. It is actually quite sinister.

Overseas Aid

While talking of acting illegally, the plans to cut overseas aid may be illegal given it breaks the law without even a parliamentary vote. The Speaker has indicated there should be a vote, but the Tories have refused so far, frightened of a rebellion. I am sure many people accept the argument that with financial pressures within the UK, then the Overseas Aid budget can be seen as a “nicety”. However, as the budget is supposed to be 0.7% of gross national income, by default, as the UK’s income falls, then the 0.7% value falls. So, slashing it further to 0.5% is unnecessary. Meanwhile, they are finding money for additional nuclear weapons for example. They have maintained tax breaks for the richest in terms of inheritance tax and capital gains taxes. So, there are many other sensible ways to restructure the economy to protect the poorest in the UK and maintain the 0.7% overseas aid and help protect the poorest around the world. When we have a global pandemic, then only by getting the entire world vaccinated will we all be safe – the so-called Indian variant is proof of this.

Scotland Euros
Here is hoping that Stevie Clarke works his magic with the Scotland team at the Euros. It really would be a feel-good fillip for the country after the effects of the pandemic. There has been a backlash with the creation of a fanzone in Glasgow. On one level I can understand people saying “why is this allowed when Glasgow hospitality has just been allowed to re-open?”. However, some of the people complaining are also the ones who have been arguing the Scottish Government ease restrictions quicker. Therefore, they need to be careful what they wish for. Surely, we want more test events to go ahead as we try to get more outdoor events underway? So, let’s hope it is a success and again, that the team do well. C’mon Scotland!