In the red?

Alistair Darling presents his pre-Budget Statement to parliament today. Some of the main points have been heavily trailed already - the intention to increase taxes on the rich (but only after the Election) and the 2.5% VAT cut, but will either move really have the desired effect of kick-starting the economy? It's doubtful.
However I can't help but feel that the government is holding something back - another wee nugget kept secret and launched at the despatch box to wrong-foor the Opposition. My guess - a reduction in National Insurance. That would do more for small businesses than a reduction in VAT and would also help hard-pressed tax payers; it may even get them spending again.
Whatever route the Chancellor takes, we will ultimately all pay for these short-term tax cuts with higher taxes further down the line. The economy is still in dire straits, and our government must share some responsibility for that, but the problem for the Opposition is that they seem unable to pin the blame for the UK's finances squrely on Brown and Darling.
It seems now. though, that clear blue water is opening up between Labour and the Tories over how to handle the economic crisis. Labour's spend now, pay later plans or the Tories' alternative. Ultimately it's the economy that decides how voters will cast their ballot, so it's a question of: who do you believe, who do you trust? Things may become clearer this afternoon - as may the date of the next General Election if Darling's statement is well received.
But taxing the rich? Is it really the end of New Labour and back to socialism. Has Red Alistair returned to his toon cooncil roots? All will be revealed!

A little light in the gloom ...

You needed a strong stomach to digest the news this week. No, not the ups and downs of the economy - although the plunging pound and rising unemployment will make more than a few people queasy. No, I'm talking about the horrific stories about children that have featured so prominently this week - and it's hard to find the words to express just how truly awful these cases are.
The short, tragic life of Baby P in Haringay, the killing of two toddlers by their young mother in Manchester and the trial of Shannon Matthews' parents and guardians - each tragedy makes you question what kind of society we have become. Three young lives lost and another ruined by the very people who children depend on to love, nurture and protect them. Of course mistakes have been made, the inevitable enquiries will now follow and I'm sure that some official spokesperson will soon insist that 'lessons have been learned and we are already acting on the recommendations made in the report'. And I'm equally sure that it won't be too much longer before we hear of another Baby P. somewhere in the country - another wee life cut tragically short, failed by inadequate parents and a system that is over-stretched to the point where it cannot provide a safety net for our most vulnerable. It's deeply depressing.
Amid the gloom, I was fortunate enough to attend three events this week that did much to lift the spirits. One was the launch of our local Children's Parliament exhibition in North Edinburgh Arts Centre. Many of our young kids are a real inspiration and, as an Ambassador of the Children's Parliament, it was a particular pleasure to see lots of people (not only parents) attending the launch. The children were fantastic and they should feel justly proud of their work. The second was at Oaklands Special School, where the children - many with extremely complex special needs - thought about others and did their level best to 'move a mile' to support Children in Need. Humbling.
The other event was the Kind Kids Awards at Ocean Terminal - four local schoolchildren were among 30 to receive certificates from the Lady Provost to mark their special contribution to making the world around them a better place. The event took place on World Kindness Day, and I went along after watching a news broadcast filled with the horror stories I talk about above. So three real-life horror stories and three uplifting events. Confusing? You bet.

Domestically, my old cat has been in the wars. He's getting on a bit now (an 'elderly gentleman' acording to my vet) and came into the house last weekend with his nose and mouth covered in blood. At first we thought he'd been involved in a scrap, but we were later informed that he's been hit by something - I guess we'll never know what, but 'it' broke his jaw and forced the removal of six teeth. And - something else to restore your faith in human nature - the vet also discovered an air gun pellet in his leg when he was x-rayed. She tells me that she's sure that, if all the cats in the city were x-rayed a good percentage would contain airgun pellets. Sickening. Anyway, the old boy is back at home with his jaw wired up, very quiet but enjoying the attention and getting back to his old self - hopefully he will soon be fit enough to take the odd wild slash at me again; then I'll know his recovery is complete! While he recovers from his accident, I am slowly recovering from the £300+ bill - he's worth every penny, though ...

And finally, D Day is almost upon us. Yes, after months of waiting and postponements Forth Neighbourhood Partnership's Fairer Scotland Fund decisions will be made tomorrow. I've been to many 'important' meetings over the years, but this will undoubtedly be the most difficult I've ever taken part in. Seventeen projects to fund, £800,000 shortfall in the pot - not a lot to look forward to, I fear. However at least staff, boards and clients will at last know their fate come tomorrow evening - the waiting has become unbearable for many. It would be great to be the bearer of good news but I just can't see it: it's looking grim.

Sorry for being a bit downbeat this week - things, as the old song said, can only get better! To brighten things up just a little I've added add a nice autumn waterfall picture taken recently near Kinloch Rannoch, but I'm still using my old Mac and some functions don't appear to be accessible (including spell-check, so apologies for that) . If it goes pear-shaped t'll just have to wait until next week, when I also hope to make a somewhat jollier posting. We'll see ....

The blogger's return

Hello again, folks! I'm almost back on-line after a two week sojourn. I say almost because my home computer is still out of action and I'm making this post on my Mac at work (note to Pilton Sucks - this is my lunch break!)
I don't know how it will look when it's posted as all the formatting is a bit different, so look on this as a test message. If it turns out okay - I will return!
So what's been happening? Well, there were the jolly japes of our noble Lord Mandy with his privileged chum Gideon 'George' Osbourne on that nice Russian bloke's yacht, then there was that rare old kerfuffle with Russell Brand and Wossy's phone calls to Andrew Sachs - what a wizard wheeze that was, eh?
And just last night, Labour wins three seats in by-elections (and earned me a few bob into the bargain). Resurgent or just a temporary reprieve? We'll see.
I'm going to try to publish this post now - not much point in typing away for hours if it all just disappears into the vapor .. although perhaps it just does that anyway!

Here goes ...