Inquiry needed into Trump claims

Following the letter sent by Donald Trump to the First Minister, in which he claims that he was “repeatedly promised” that a wind development near Trumpton-On-Sea would not go ahead, I have called for an inquiry into the implied misuse of the planning system.

You might think of course that misuse of the planning system in relation to this development would be nothing new. You would be right. But if promises of this nature were made, effectively trading off a renewable energy development against Trump’s private interests, this must be made public. If one the other hand Trump is demonstrating… how shall we say… a creative relationship with the truth, then this also should be publicly acknowledged.

So here’s the letter I’ve sent to the First Minister today:

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Alex Salmond MSP, First Minister
Scottish Government
St Andrews House
Edinburgh

22nd September 2011

Dear First Minister,

I refer to a letter, dated September 14th, which you have received from Mr Donald Trump. This letter makes a claim that promises were repeatedly given to Mr Trump, as an incentive for him to proceed with his golf resort development in Aberdeenshire, that a proposal for offshore wind turbines in Aberdeen bay would not go ahead.

Leaving aside other matters which Mr Trump’s letter raises, and our own disagreement about his development, the suggestion that such promises were made represents a serious allegation of misconduct in the planning system. Regardless of whether such promises are alleged to have been made before or after your administration came to power, I would make the case that the veracity of this allegation must be determined and publicly acknowledged.

In short, if Mr Trump is telling the truth then the source of such promises must be identified. I am of course prepared to accept the possibility that Mr Trump may not be telling the truth, however if this is the case he is certainly taking the office of First Minister for granted in using his correspondence with you to propagate his claim in this manner.

Yours sincerely,

Patrick Harvie MSP

NEWS RELEASE – Trump clubhouse is only for the super-rich

Greens argue that today’s release of images of the clubhouse planned for Donald Trump’s golf development in Aberdeenshire is totally insensitive to the local residents whose homes and lives have been repeatedly disrupted by the tycoon’s activities.

Last week Greens hosted a screening in the Scottish Parliament of the film ‘You’ve Been Trumped’, which catalogues the appalling way in which Donald Trump has treated Menie residents. The film is currently screening across Scotland.

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

“It doesn’t much matter whether Trump builds the most beautiful clubhouse in the world or a tacky little Disneyworld sham. The fact is that most people on ordinary incomes won’t even see inside – this development is not being built for them. Trump’s vision is one where the super-rich fly in for a round of golf and drinks at the bar before jetting off again, and the most that local people might get is the chance to carry their bags.

“Trump can spend as much money as he likes on ‘luxurious Scottish interiors’ but the stunning Scottish outdoors that he’s bulldozing is completely priceless. It’s scandalous that the Scottish Government brushed aside the highest level of environmental protection to allow this disgraceful project to go ahead.”

NEWS RELEASE – Greens back call to protect language funding

Green MSPs today urged SNP Ministers to ensure that vital language funding is maintained in tomorrow’s Spending Review and backed the petition being presented to the Scottish Parliament by Sir Tom Stoppard calling for targeted funding for lesser taught languages and cultures.

In January, the British Academy presented a compelling case for protecting language courses and yet under pressure from multimillion pound budget cuts, Glasgow University is proposing to reduce its language provision to just two or three courses. Earlier this year, Greens lodged a motion in the Parliament calling for the Scottish Government to protect language teaching from the cuts agenda.

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

“We can’t afford to see language courses under continual threat. The anger with which students and academics alike reacted to the reckless cuts proposed by Glasgow University must be turned into a positive force for change, to protect higher education in Scotland and the place of languages within it.

“I fully support this petition and I urge the Scottish Government to use tomorrow’s spending review to reassure all those involved in language teaching that the work they do is funded and promoted for the benefit of everyone.”

NEWS RELEASE – Tax rates should reward responsible companies

Green MSPs today argued for business tax rates to be linked to a wide range of social and environmental criteria, while supporting the Scottish Government’s call for control over corporation tax to be moved to Holyrood. In an amendment* lodged ahead of tomorrow’s debate on corporation tax, the party argues that company policies such as maximum wage ratios and payment of a living wage as well as their environmental performance and local purchasing policies should be reflected in their tax bill.

The amendment also calls for much stronger safeguards against corporate tax avoidance, in particular given recent moves by a number of large businesses operating in Scotland, including two companies praised last week by the First Minister.

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

“At a time when the Scottish economy is under serious pressure, it is surely right that we should reward companies who act responsibly and are a positive force in our society. Companies that pay a living wage to workers or make serious efforts to reduce their carbon impact should see a reduction in their taxes to reflect the contribution they make to society and the wider economy.

“It’s also right that we create incentives for Scottish companies to source as many services and goods as locally as possible and challenge the mantra that cheaper is always better. There’s not a mention in the SNP’s strategy of the Sustainable Procurement Bill promised in their manifesto, but moving quickly on this issue could multiply the economic and social benefits of every pound of public money spent in Scotland.

“We want to reward responsible companies but we must also clamp down on those who seek to avoid paying their way. Greens back the campaign for control over corporation tax to shift to Holyrood, but new powers need new safeguards and we must create robust rules against corporations who move offshore to avoid corporation tax. If Holyrood does win control of business taxation proper regulation will be essential to ensure Scottish public services don’t lose out at a time when they are under pressure as never before.

“Last week the First Minister sung the praises of multinational companies, one or two of which have worked hard to ensure they don’t pay full UK tax rates, including Amazon, who in 2007 paid less than £20,000 in corporation tax. Greens cannot support this kind of activity, and it’s time for the First Minister to be clear where he stands on tax avoidance.”

* The amendment in Patrick Harvie’s name replaces the end of the Scottish Government motion with the following wording:
“support a wide range of social, economic and environmental objectives, including the need for well-paid, skilled and genuinely sustainable jobs, by allowing the Government to link tax rates to a wide range of criteria such as maximum wage ratios, payment of a living wage, local procurement, and reductions in waste generation or carbon emissions; further agrees that if corporation tax was devolved to Scotland there must be clear and robust safeguards against the kind of tax avoidance and evasion practices which have placed additional pressure on public services across the UK.”

NEWS RELEASE – Deepwater oil

Today’s vote in the European Parliament on the regulation of deep-water drilling continues to leave Scotland’s environment dangerously exposed, argue Scottish Greens. The text passed claimed that an EU-wide moratorium on new drilling would be disproportionate, although the European Parliament did agree to extend impact assessments, independent inspections and mandatory insurance for companies applying for new licenses. Proposals for a new European regulator for offshore activities were also rejected.

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

“The European Parliament have simply failed to take account of the risk posed by deepwater drilling in Scotland’s waters. Greens continue to argue for a moratorium on new drilling after BP’s Gulf of Mexico disaster and Shell’s leak in the North Sea this summer, but it looks as if MEPs have been persuaded by the oil lobbyists that the safety of their profits should come before the safety of the marine environment.”

Green factors?

A while ago a friend got in touch to ask if there was any such thing as a Green factor in Glasgow. Sick of the service he’s getting from his current factor, he wanted one with an eco-friendly approach to building management to start making improvements in his tenement.

Sadly I had to say that I couldn’t help. It’s not just that I’ve never heard of a property factor making any attempt to talk up their environmentally responsible approach… for most of us the factor is just another bill to pay with little in the way of proactive management to show for it. There have been moves to weed out the worst factors, and the most exploitative practices. But we really shouldn’t stop there – let’s demand the best, not just accept a disappointing and overpriced bog-standard service.

This is such a missed opportunity, because the potential of Glasgow’s tenements is fantastic. The fragmented ownership of most tenement buildings and nature of the physical space we share (typically smelly and poorly maintained bin sheds) makes it hard to create any sense of community. But if we can take some greater control over our buildings, and demand a higher standard of services for our hard-earned cash, we could do what only a handful of tenement communities have acheived so far and create a space that’s playful, productive and healthy. We could be meeting our neighbours more, growing food, generating our own energy (and investing in the fabric of our buildings so that we waste less of it) or just enjoying a quiet green space away from the noise and the traffic of the street.

Over the last few years, the Greens have pushed hard for investment in Scotland’s housing stock. We started where the cheapest and easier measures were waiting to be done – like loft and cavity wall insulation. But tenements need a very different range of measures to achieve the transformation that’s possible, and during this new session at Holyrood I’ll be making that approach a priority. Watch this space!

NEWS RELEASE – Consultation opens on same sex marriage

Greens welcomed the accelerated consultation into same-sex marriage launched today by SNP Ministers (1), and argued that strong support for the move shown over the summer recess has helped to move the timetable forward. Formal consultation had not been expected until spring 2012, but the party believes that the cross-party backing for Patrick Harvie’s amendment (2) has given confidence that a Parliamentary majority exists for the principle of equality. The party believes all couples should have the right to civil partnerships or marriage, as suits them, and that faith groups which wish to conduct same-sex marriage ceremonies should be permitted to do so.

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

“Marriage and family law should be about love and commitment, and the perception of same-sex relationships as somehow wrong or second class is destined for the dustbin of history. There are practical issues about how to get the details of legislation right, and this consultation will resolve those matters. But the principle must be clear – and I call for a commitment for legislation to be introduced in 2012.

“The initial view expressed by SNP Ministers is welcome, but we now need to keep up the pace and ensure that the law catches up with public opinion. There is no reason why we should be waiting till halfway through the current Parliament before we see legislation passed at Holyrood, and if we move quickly we will put real pressure on the UK Government to act as well.

“If Scotland moves before the rest of the UK, coalition Ministers must either give full recognition to same-sex marriages, including those of English and Welsh residents who travel north of the border for their ceremonies, or leave themselves facing a charge of prejudice and hypocrisy. This could be another issue where Scotland’s Parliament leads to progress throughout the whole UK.”

Notes

1. See:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/law/17867/samesex

2. Motion S4M-00586.1 – Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Scottish Green Party) : The Equal Marriage Debate attracted the support of 47 other MSPs. With the addition of Government ministers, this suggests a Parliamentary division on the issue would gain a minimum of 67 votes, two more than is needed for a majority.