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Petition Tag - scotland
1. Stop a methadone clinic in Campbeltown 
Campbeltown has a very minor problem with heroin, if this clinic goes ahead it will ruin the town which is improving all the time, it has new housing schemes, a new ferry service, new golf course, a new sea front.
The town has a very friendly attitude towards tourist's and it is also trying to make this more attractive for that very cause, which is badly needed. The town's people don't want all those things ruined with the problems that a clinic would bring. It would cause an influx of heroin user's, bring crime to the area, danger to health.
It has been proven in other town's in Argyll and Bute, so why cant NHS Highland take note and also listen to report's from police and the knowledge of the town's 6 local doctors and stop these clinics ruining Scotland's towns.
What closure would mean for Whithorn and the local area:-
Loss of 7 jobs.
Loss of spend in the local shops – the Whithorn Trust spends in the region of £2,500 in Whithorn shops annually with a further £2,500 at least spent in Dumfries and Galloway.
Loss of the only visitor facility in the Machars which advertises across the region and beyond. Consequential loss of visitors to the area.
Loss of a major visitor attraction open daily to visitors visiting the Machars
Loss of the museum which displays objects from Whithorn in Whithorn – these will be returned to Council and placed in store or returned to Edinburgh. Although the excavations were done by the Whithorn Trust the Council claimed the objects and these are loaned back to be displayed in Whithorn itself to bring visitors to the site.
Loss of 7,500 visitors per year and their associated spend in Whithorn as part of their visit.
Loss of over £500,000 to the local economy.
Loss of a museum which demonstrates the nation’s identity and diversity and display of a collection of international importance.
Loss of focus for local events and projects – Junior Tour Guides, Whithorn Events Group, art exhibitions.
Loss of meeting place for U3A, Whithorn Art and Crafts Trail, Whithorn and District Business Association.
Loss of visitor information point and café open all week.
Loss of funding raised for special projects – in 2011/12 the Trust raised £75,000 for the Machars Archaeology Project.
3. Stop goose devastation in Uist
Stop the devastation of reseeded and arable land in Uist.
Time to protect crops and to change the law regarding geese control and meat sales. There is a catastrophe unfolding and officialdom appears to have failed to recognise this and to take action.
4. Save Millie and her mum from deportation
A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD Scots schoolgirl will be forced to move 7500 miles to the other side of the world because her mum is being deported.
Millie Canales, who was born in the UK and has lived in Scotland since she was a baby, is being sent to South America.
The P3 pupil, who speaks with a broad Scots accent, now faces a life of poverty in an earthquake zone in Chile with her pregnant mum Francisca.
Millie has only made two short trips to Chile and speaks no Spanish, so will be unable to communicate with anyone there.
She has known no other life apart from her semi-detached home in Stirling and her circle of friends at the city’s Braehead Primary School.
Millie said yesterday: “If I lose all my friends, I’ll be very sad. That is what the baddies want to do.”
Francisca, 27, who first came to the UK as a student when she was 16, said of her daughter, whose full name is Millaray: “She would be lost if we had to go to Chile now.
“She is like any other wee Scots girl, with a Scots accent and Scots friends.
“She has only been to Chile twice on holiday to see her gran and cannot read or write Spanish.”
Francisca added: “Scotland is my home, and my daughter has known no other home, but I feel everything I’m trying to do for my family is being sabotaged at every turn.
“I’ve never tried to hide from the UK Border Agency. I’ve always had the right visas and always kept them informed.
“I’ve always worked, paid my taxes and I’ve always tried to do the right thing for my family.
“The Human Rights Act states that all children are a priority and should always be protected.”
The UK Border Agency’s bombshell means Millie will be forced to live with her mum and grandmum in a cramped flat in the Chilean city of Talca, which was virtually destroyed by a massive earthquake in 2010.
The family’s plight is made even worse by the fact that Francisca is five months pregnant.
Francisca was first told to leave the UK when she applied to extend her visa in June last year.
The Home Office based their decision on the fact that she was no longer living with Millie’s father, a Spanish national she met in the UK and who now plays no role in her daughter’s life.
Francisca claims she was given only days to quit the country but she then applied for permanent residence based on human rights laws.
This application was rejected in February and Millie now knows her fate and is terrified of losing her pals.
She said: “I don’t want to live in Chile because it is so far away.
“This is like goodies and baddies. We are the goodies but the baddies won’t put a stamp on my passport or my mum’s passport.”
Like most girls her age, Millie’s loves princesses. She’s got posters of princesses plastered over her bedroom walls and loves the book Princess Smartypants.
She also enjoys school, where her favourite subject is history and her favourite teacher is Mrs Muir.
Heartbroken Francisca said: “We didn’t plan this situation, it just happened.
“Millie was born in the UK, for goodness sake. We’ve not tried to bend the rules or cheat. We’ve always been honest and open.”
The UK Border Agency’s ruling that Francisca is in Scotland without permission has led to her being fired from her £17,500-a-year job in the insurance industry.
It means her family also face a financial struggle in the run-up to her baby’s birth.
Their last hope is an appeal tribunal hearing, due to be held on June 3.
Francisca said: “If I lose, I’ll need to return to live with my mum in Chile.
“I’ll have no choice but to take Millaray with me. That will be devastating.
“Chile is a foreign country to her, and I’ve not lived there since I was 16.”
5. Wales: Lower business rates for small firms, higher for supermarkets
Wales has the most expensive rates in the UK for small firms, while supermarkets are given the cheapest rates in the UK.
In Scotland, supermarkets pay more than small firms.
We want a similar and fairer two-tier business rate system and call for the devolving of business rates to Wales.
6. Keep Scotland part of the UK
The SNP want to stop Scotland being part of the UK - show Britain is still united.
7. Jail Woman Who Stole From Dying Girl
Olivia Downie was a 7 year old girl from Aberdeenshire, Scotland. In January 2009, Olivia started complaining of severe backaches and tiredness, she looked very puffy and lethargic, she screamed in sheer agony for weeks and weeks.
We phoned NHS 24, paid numerous visits to the GP and outpatients department. Then we took Olivia to Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital. They diagnosed cancer within 24 hours and then went onto diagnose Neuroblastoma Stage 4. We were shocked and horrified to the core, devastated..... how could our sweet innocent child have cancer??!
Doctors started Olivia on chemotherapy straight away to shrink the main tumour on her left adrenal gland. The treatments had horrible side effects, such as losing her beautiful blonde hair, violent sickness, loss of appetite, made her tired, confused and angry and gave her gastrionomitus. After chemotherapy, they operated to remove the tumour, which was the size of a grapefruit. Olivia had more chemotherapy to try to rid the bone marrow disease, and then high dose chemo, the hardest of all chemotherapies. Olivia remained unconscious over her 5th birthday on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2009. It was heartbreaking and soul destroying to watch our precious little girl go through all of this.
Her dad and I just wanted to take her pain and suffering away, do anything to stop it, but there was nothing we could do, except be there for her. Olivia then had radiotherapy and was sent home for a short break.
Through months of research, we discovered Immunotherapy, a new trial drug available to stop Neuroblastoma in its tracks. The survival rate for Neuroblastoma stands at a terrifying 20%. Unfortunately, Olivia was not eligible for the UK trial. With the help of Olivia's consultant, our local MP and sheer persistence, we got the ok to take Olivia to Germany for Immunotherapy. The local community came together through different fundraising ideas and raised money to help send Olivia for 6 cycles of treatment. All seemed well, until scans performed at Olivia's 4th cycle discovered 2 new tumours. This was a huge setback for Olivia.
Olivia's disease was stubborn, and although the treatment in Germany clearly helped Olivia, it progressed in other areas of her body. We were running out of options and our last real hope for a cure lay in Sono Photo Dynamic Therapy. Olivia was accepted onto a course of treatment at a clinic in Mexico, that has years of experience of helping children with Neuroblastoma, including UK children, but they didn't have enough funds to cover the costs. Olivia's disease has been stubborn, and although the treatment in Germany clearly helped Olivia, it has progressed in other areas of her body. Olivia arrived safely in Mexico after a difficult flight. Treatment began as soon as possible. Sadly Olivia took a turn for the worse early on in treatment and was transferred to a hospital near by. Olivia was now dying and we had to bring her home. Olivia managed to get back to a hospital in Scotland where she passed away peacefully.
While everyone was frantically raising money for treatment to save this little girls life. One woman decided to steal from the cause. She collected hundreds of pounds from Fraserburgh and surrounding areas telling them that she was doing a sponsored walk for Olivia's appeal. She never handed the money over or paid it into Olivia's Appeal.
Olivia's family wanted to press charges, they wanted the money paid into Logans Fund (a charity that helped Olivia) and this woman to be sentenced for theft and fraud. So the case was to be taken up in court until without reason the case was dropped with no charges pressed. This woman hasn't even been given a warning, she has been allowed to walk free and enjoy this money she stole from a dying child.
We need as many people as possible to stand up against this and say we want her taken to court and charged. The courts are sending out a message that its okay to steal from charities as this woman has not been made an example of.
8. Scotland should become Independent
Should Scotland become independent? Have your say!
Britain is now in a Double-Dip recession. Now we have a four day weekend and many other bank holidays due to the royal family. This cannot be helping local businesses, and the economy will get worse.
If we ditch the monarchy perhaps we can focus our efforts on better things to boost the economy, for example we could sell the castles and royal homes as tourist attractions, or they could be used to shelter those who don't have homes in Britain at the moment, the royal family can get proper jobs to help or get the normal retirement money like everyone else.
In the 21st century we should not have "Royal" people, everyone is equal, most other monarchy's are now gone and they're probably doing a lot better than we are.
10. Bring forward Gateway Kintore: facilities needed now
Indicative plans have been drawn up for the Gateway Kintore development on site G60 adjoining the Broomhill junction on the A96 at Kintore.
These plans include a supermarket and filling station, along with hotel, restaurants, nursery, play barn, business and sports facilities, benefitting Kintore, Kemnay, Blackburn and other Garioch communities.
The plans include a proposal to upgrade the Broomhill roundabout, retaining direct access to Kintore for traffic from Aberdeen. Under the alternative plans, this traffic would be diverted.
Wherever you live, if you can see the benefit of Gateway Kintore, please sign the petition.
11. Equality in Business Rates for Pre-School Nurseries
Business Rates are supposed to be a Property Tax, however the evidence that we have collated shows that Rates Assessors have appeared to ignore this, for example Careshare who have a purpose built nursery in Dunfermline, registered for 89 spaces, are paying the equivalent of £811.80 per registered child place compare this to another Careshare nursery which is also purpose built located at Port Hamilton in Edinburgh in the heart of the Capital’s financial district which is registered for 90 spaces, who are only paying the equivalent of £550.00 per registered child place.
The above is exacerbated by the fact that Careshare in Edinburgh charges more per day than the Careshare in Dunfermline, which is understandable, however the affluent area of St Andrews which is the location of the purpose built Wonderyears Nursery registered for 127 spaces, also charges the same per day as Careshare in Edinburgh, but is charged less than half the amount of Business Rates per registered place. The property in St Andrews is particularly relevant as this property is currently up for sale for over a seven figure sum. If Business Rates are a property tax then the above 3 examples clearly show the current system does not work.
It would appear that the Rates Assessor has based their calculations on the rental information provided by the Tenants, however not all Tenants have provided this information and even when they have, the Rates Assessor does not have the manpower to check that the information supplied is correct.
In cases where no rental figure is provided, the assessor has to effectively guess what the rental figure should be, this has lead directly to a dramatic variance in Business Rates. For example the previously mentioned nursery located on the desirable waterfront at East Sands, St Andrews, is not only 80% bigger than the Building Blocks Nursery located in an Industrial Estate in Rosyth, but has a Rateable Value of £8,600.00 lower. In this case either a mistake has been made in the calculations to ascertain the Rateable Valuation of these two properties or incorrect information has been submitted by the businesses to the local rates assessors.
Companies who have invested in new property are being held at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to Business Rates. It appears that the policy of Rates Assessors is that nurseries operating from old converted houses pay 2/3rd and those operating from “portacabin”s pay 1/3rd of the business rates which a purpose built building pays.
This Policy will effectively put an end to the investment and development of new build nurseries, and will result in older stock properties being adapted, which will not always result in the best environment for children, as they will not have disabled or environmentally friendly features etc. Surely as a modern society we should be encouraging the development of high quality sustainable premises to help nurture future generations.
In summary Business Rates is a property tax, however the table below shows that is not the case as we have highlighted in the examples above. Six of the top ten Nurseries on the chart below are located in Dunfermline and the surrounding area, despite the fact that in a recent report from HBOS, Dunfermline along with Kettering in Northamptonshire has suffered the highest fall in property prices in the UK.
12. Let UK citizens vote in a Scotland Idependance Referendum
I believe this is the ideal opportunity to decide what United Kingdom citizens collectively wish to happen with regard to Scottish Independence.
It costs the UK billions every year to support Scotland. Similarly Scotland would be left with huge debt following separation.
The implications are serious for all UK citizens so it should be the decision of all United Kingdom citizens.
13. Please bring Celtic Thunder to Tasmania
The aim of this petition is to encourage Celtic Thunder's promoters to include Tasmania in their upcoming Australian tour.
Celtic Thunder are an international group of note that have toured widely but this is their first tour of Australia. The group and the music they play have many fans and many potential fans in Tasmania where their music is widely available.
It can be inconvenient and not within all of their fan's budgets to travel to the mainland for a show so please Celtic Thunder management consider a concert in Tasmania for those that support Celtic Thunder.
If you're one of them and don't want to be left out (or have the expense of travelling to the mainland) please sign our petition.
14. Recognise Irvine as a Former Medieval Administrative Centre
(Potted History & Video)
A HISTORY ERASED
Irvine New Town and IDC
Between 1966 and 1985, the magnificent medieval history of Irvine was inexplicably erased upon the introduction and implementation of Scotland's New Town vision - a plan that saw the evocative title "Ancient Royal Burgh of Irvine" transformed into the much-maligned "Irvine New Town".
We now know that the former council-endorsed version of Irvine’s history has failed to properly communicate, incorporate or connect with numerous game-changing royal sources from the years 1128 to 1406. The result is tragic and heartbreaking; modern Irvinites have been told that Irvine launched itself as a settlement in the late 14th and early 15th centuries.
SCOTLAND'S LOST MEDIEVAL CAPITAL
David I, John Balliol, Robert II & Robert III
Recent research (MRLabs 2009) has proven that Irvine began operating as an administrative centre for David I in the early 12th century, when he issued at least two charters (the primary hallmark of all medieval Scottish capitals) from his palace somewhere in the town (c.1128 & c.1138). Numerous subsequent charters were signed by the overlord of Irvine, the High Constable of Scotland, who had established his national HQ, or "military caput" (Military capital) somewhere in the town around the same time.
John Balliol, the legitimate Lord of Cunninghame, was feudal overlord of Irvine before and during his short reign as King of Scots in 1292-1296.
The first Stewarts, Kings Robert II and Robert III – descendants of the Dundonald-based High Stewards of Scotland - both issued numerous charters from Irvine between the 14th and 15th centuries.
A CENTRE OF GENIUS
Literature, Invention & Praise
In common with London and Edinburgh, and all other capital cities, Irvine in later years would help shape the minds and works of some of the world’s greatest historical characters; James Boswell was “quite comfortable” there. Daniel Defoe thought it one of the finest towns in one of the finest counties in the British Isles and was sore to leave it.
Like St. Andrews, Stirling, Edinburgh, Scone, and Glasgow – our more famous high status royal centres - Irvine culturally and economically outperformed almost every other settlement in Scotland for almost a thousand years.
The first Scots translation of the Bible was made in the Irvine valley. One of the oldest Syrian Gospels was discovered by twin sisters from Irvine. Mary Queen of Scots probably did stay at least one night in Irvine. William Wallace probably did go fishing on the River Irvine. Edgar Allan Poe went to school in Irvine’s kirkgate. The current deputy First Minister of Scotland, as well as the previous First Minister, were both born in Irvine.
A hotspot for local inventors, Irvine gave us the Pneumatic Tyre, water heated beds, a screw propeller and helped develop and enhance one of the first passenger railways in the world. A high speed suspension railway was invented and tested in Irvine shortly after the advent of train travel. A snow plough was devised. A tidal gauge, invented by a local man, was constructed at the coast. We could go on...
A CRUSHING ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW
Four years ago architecture critic Tom Dyckhoff (The Guardian) called Irvine a “droopy port” that hadn’t “seen its heyday in a century or two”. He reckoned the main shopping precinct was “one of the worst in Scotland” and observed that while “dour estates” like Broomlands, Bourtreehill and Dreghorn offered genuine “new-town bargains”, they should still be considered “bleak” by today’s standards. Published nationwide and republished worldwide on the net, the added testimony of one unimpressed resident (“much of the town is the pits”) no doubt added sea-salt to the wound. After all, this was part of Dyckhoff’s “where no one goes” series.
THE "OFFICIAL" HISTORY OF MEDIEVAL IRVINE
The current medieval history formally adopted by North Ayrshire Council comes from the Irvine Burns Club. In stark contrast to the above revelations, the Burns Club states that medieval Irvine was "created a Royal Burgh in 1372 by Robert II" and "was a major West of Scotland seaport before the dredging of the Clyde".
That's all they have to say about medieval Irvine. The 12th to 13th centuries have been completely cut out. No Wallace. No Bruce. No Balliol. No David I. No Robert II. No Robert III. No High Constables. No High Stewards.
We need to replace - as soon as possible - all descriptions of medieval Irvine that begin (and end) with the misleading supposition that Robert II founded a Royal Burgh there in the late 14th century.
A NEW FUTURE, A NEW IRVINE
We want the Ancient Royal Burgh of Irvine to be recognised for its contribution to Scottish history as a centre of learning, technology, agriculture and medieval administration.
We want you to want it too.
To all those brilliant people who choose to sign this:
All signatures will appear on the "I Saved Irvine" page on our website.
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See links for more information:
MRLabs: http://www.wix.com/mr_labs/mortonresearch
Royal Irvine: http://mr-labs.wix.com/royalirvine
Visit us on Twitter: https://twitter.co/#!/MortonResearch
Visit our Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MortonResearchLabs
15. Keep ERS Racing as an official Ducati Service Centre
ERS Racing has been working hard to provide the Ducatista of Scotland with an alternative to Main dealer Servicing.
Surely the Ducati Fans in Scotland have the right to more than one option of where we can take our beloved Ducatis for a little TLC.
16. Save Scotland's Seals from being Killed!
This year the Scottish Government have granted licences to kill 1298 seals at fish farms around Scotland.
17. Give us a Referendum on Proportional Representation
The public are unhappy with the current voting system and the proposed AV system is too complicated and of little interest to the majority of the public as will be shown by today's low turn out. The public have become disenfranchised with politics and our patriotism has been shaken.
Many other countries with excellent governments and economies use Proportional Representation voting systems such as Party List Voting, e.g. Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, Portugal and South Africa. It can be implemented simply with little if no additional costs. Other PR systems are still in use in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Germany on of the strongest economies in Europe. Voting turn out is getting lower and lower every election, the public are not happy with the current situation and revolts will become more common.
The public need to know and SEE their votes and opinions count, AV is not enough and people think you are not listening to them. They need honest politics where a coalition works together and is honest when they dislike or like the others policies. Please give us a referendum on PR so we can show you how we feel and listen to the results so we know you have our interests at heart.
18. Ban the forcing of Halal meat on to the People of Great Britain!
!!!PLEASE BE SURE TO CLICK ON "SIGN PETITION" AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE!!!!
The killing of animals is a shame but as the slaughter of animals is necessary to feed the many millions of meat eaters living in Great Britain it is vital that these animals are slaughtered in the most humane (Painless) way possible.
In a FSA approved slaughter house all animals are stunned prior to slaughter so the animal feels no pain or suffering at all.
But in a FSA exempt slaughter houses I.e Halal slaughter houses animal are not stunned prior to slaughter. Slaughter is carried out with a single cut to the throat, rather than the more widespread method of stunning with a bolt into the head before slaughter. Under Islamic law, an animal must be slaughtered by having its throat cut while it is conscious. The person carrying out the killing has to recite an Arabic verse at the time. Campaign group the Christian Institute, said: ‘The idea of having Islamic ritual said over meat would be objectionable to some Christians. I would find it objectionable, so it should be labelled as Halal.’
The Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC), which advises the government on how to avoid cruelty to livestock, says the way Halal meat is produced causes severe suffering to animals. They say “cattle can take up to two minutes to bleed to death - amounting to severe pain and distress to the animals”.
The RSPCA believes that religious beliefs and practise should be respected but also believe that animals should only be slaughtered under the most humane conditions.
Halal food is everywhere. According to recent news reports, it is being "secretly" snuck into your sandwich or fed to your child in their school dinner. It's also found in hospital canteens, pubs, sporting venues and most fast food out lets.
Britain's biggest supermarket chains are selling Halal lamb and chicken without telling unsuspecting shoppers. Those stocking meat slaughtered according to Islamic law include Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Somerfield and the Co-op. But the UK’s second-biggest supermarket, Asda, has refused to confirm or deny whether it sells Halal meat.
Most lamb imported from New Zealand by British supermarkets has been slaughtered according to Islamic law, but this is not mentioned on packaging. Some lamb from British abattoirs is also Halal.
The country’s biggest hotel and restaurant group, Whitbread– which owns the Beefeater and Brewers Fayre chains – was also selling Halal food, as were well-known sporting venues such as Ascot, Twicken¬ham and Wembley.
The Jewish faith have a similar slaughter method call Shechita but there are no Shechita slaughter houses in the UK. Members of the Jewish faith respect our laws and import their own Shechita meat to be sold only in registered Jewish supermarkets.
Why is it that a blind eye is being turned to the Halal labelling of food? Because it is politically correct not to say anything about it incase it offends the Islamic community within Britain?
Sorry but that is wrong. Halal products and outlets must be labelled so that the general public can have a choice. Why force it upon people. Why can it not be treated the same as Shechita meat! Well labelled and sold only in Jewish shops! If followers of Islam want Halal meat why can they not do the same as Members of the Jewish faith?
PLEASE SIGN IF YOU WANT YOUR MEAT LABELLED!
19. Halt the destruction of Argyll's most precious asset
Residents of Argyll know that we are very lucky to live in an area of great visual amenity and ecological importance. This is also our main economic asset, as it is the reason people visit our area and tourism is our most important industry.
Argyll & Bute Council has obliged itself to recognise this and in terms of its own planning policy ENV 10 states that development in, or adjacent to, a designated "Area of Panoramic Quality" will be resisted where "its scale, location or design will have a significant adverse impact on the character of the landscape unless it is demonstrated that any significant adverse effects on the quality for which the area has been designated are clearly outweighed by social and economic benefits of National or regional importance;"
Despite this the Council has granted permission for speculative housing development in parts of these designated areas, most recently on the Kames Peninsula, where two large houses have been allowed on a conspicuous and ecologically-sensitive site between a major tourist route and the sea, in breach of the above policy.
Once the quality of the landscape is destroyed by development it is lost forever. For the sake of the environment and present and future generations we must call on Argyll & Bute Council to halt this destruction.
Follow the Party on Facebook and on Twitter
WE OWN 84% of Royal Bank of Scotland
WE OWN 41% of Lloyds (Bank of Scotland)
Join the online petition to guarantee AGM control so that we stop bonuses at RBS and Lloyds and lend to deserving small businesses who can safeguard and create jobs.
ALSO
VOTE THE BAN BANKERS BONUSES PARTY
at the forthcoming Scottish Parliamentary elections on Thursday, 5 May 2011.
In the Highlands & Islands region:
Kit Fraser, Owner of Award-Winning Pub & Live Music Venue Hootananny, Inverness
and the West of Scotland region:
Willie McLaughlin, Clydebank, Independendent Councillor West Dunbartonshire Council
Please also see the pledge to RBS & Lloyds at:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/rbs-lloyds-customer-pledge/sign.html
21. Patrick Harvie should not be included the Holyrood 2011 leader debates
The Green Party think that they should be included in the Scottish Leaders debate. They have only two MSPs which by anyone’s standards makes them a fringe party in Scottish Politics. If the Greens are included in this debate then the Leaders debate would have to include other fringe parties such as the SSP, Solidarity, UKIP, Respect or even the BNP.
Say no to this dangerous precedent that the Green Party in Scotland are trying to set. No one wants to see parties like the BNP on the leaders debate but this could happy if the fringe Green Party get their way.
22. Introduce a Fuel Duty Regulator
East Kilbride SNP is backing calls for a Fuel Duty Regulator to tackle constant escalations in fuel prices.
The SNP has been campaigning for a Fuel Duty Regulator ever since 2005, when Alex Salmond moved an amendment to the Labour Government's Budget Bill. The SNP conducts this campaign in partnership with Plaid Cymru, its Welsh counterpart.
Before the 2010 election, the Tories and LibDems also called for action on fuel prices, but, since coming to office, have failed to act. Even worse, the coalition not only allowed Labour's planned Fuel Duty increases to go ahead, but added another 2.5 pence in VAT.
Before these increases, in a review of fuel prices in Europe in December 2010, the AA reported that the price of diesel in the UK is second only to that of Norway.
However, Norway, unlike Scotland, has control of its own oil and has much higher incomes than Scotland.
The Road haulage Association (RHA) supports the campaign for a Fuel Duty Regulator.
Speaking in support of a recent SNP/Plaid Cymru motion submitted to the Westminster Parliament, Phil Flanders, Director of the RHA’s Scotland and Northern Ireland Region, said:
“We have always supported the SNP’s proposals for a fuel duty regulator in order to bring stability to the costs of a haulage business where fuel can account for around 40% of running costs at today’s prices.
"Help is urgently needed for all hauliers and particularly those further from their market such as those in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland."
Speaking in support of the petition, Linda Fabiani, SNP MSP for Central Scotland, said:
“Under both Labour and the coalition, Westminster has let Scotland down over soaring fuel prices. Indeed, both governments made matters worse by taking windfall tax benefits from soaring oil prices.
“It is simply unacceptable that in energy-rich Scotland, motorists and businesses are facing pump prices of up to £1.40 a litre, the vast majority of which goes to the London Treasury.
“These record fuel costs put huge pressure on vital sectors of the Scottish economy and risk choking the recovery that Scotland needs to provide long-term jobs in our communities.”
“In the past year alone, fuel prices have gone up by at least 14% and in the last 28 months there have been 8 fuel duty hikes amounting, on their own, to a 25% increase."
"This petition is an important part of the campaign to reverse that trend and I urge you to sign it."
23. Make Scotland an Independent Nation
Pledge your support to make Scotland an Independent nation once again. Let us govern our own affairs and and let our people make our own choices and decisions.
The proposals would see Scotland becoming an Internationally recognised country, with the Queen as Head of State, governed by an elected Parliament and Prime Minister from Edinburgh, our ancient and current capital.
We would govern our own health system, education, travel, infrastructure, immigration, welfare, defence, culture, sport, and financial institutions. We can set our own tax rates and make the best decisions for everyone in our country, regardless off origin.
We will be a world leader in renewable energies and stabilise our economy with exports and the oil industry. Culture and good living would be encouraged by promoting our history and natural beauty. Gaelic would be heavily promoted and taught in all schools, bringing our national language back into the forefront of our society.
We would keep close and good relations with our neighbours in England and the other devolved countries, having minimal passport checks and good trade agreements.
24. Stop The Biomass Plant in Dundee
The associated health risks of living in close proximity to Biomass Waste incinerators is well documented. Scientific studies have detailed evidence proving that cancers, tumours, respiratory problems, infant birth defects, headaches and mood swings are linked to the toxic emissions from these plants to name but a few health effects.
A study conducted on 70 municipal waste incinerators in the UK operating between 1974 and 1987, and 307 hospital waste incinerators from 1953 to 1980, identified a 2-fold increase in the deaths from cancer of children living nearby. These results were consistent with a second study showing increased child cancers from hospital incinerators and large scale, high temperature combustion industries (study dates 1998
and 2000).
· In 1996, a study on residents living in an urban area near an incinerator in Italy found a 6.7-fold increase in deaths from lung cancer.
· A study in 1989 on people working at a Swedish incinerator between 1920 and 1985 found a 3.5-fold increase in deaths from lung cancer, and a 1.5-fold increase in deaths from cancer of the oesophagus. The same study also found an excess of ischemic heart disease, especially in workers with more than 40 years exposure.
Most recently in a study by Dr Jeremy Thompson and Dr Honor Anthony entitled The Health Effects of Waste Incinerators they found:
There have been five reports of increases in congenital birth defects abnormalities around incinerators. Most of these deformed babies were born in an area corresponding to wind-flow from the incinerator and other defects included hypospadius and spina bifida.
The chance of dying from cancer at the turn of the 20th century was 1 in 33. It is now 1 in 4. WHO data has demonstrated that 80% of cancers are due to environmental influences, and evidence from migrant studies confirms that it is mainly the environment rather than the genes that determine the cancer risk.
(Detailed health risks and scientific studies of those most at risk available from website)
This petition wants to protect the health and well being of people over profit.
25. Save the National Centre for Excellence in Traditional Music
Although the Highland Council has now voted to withdraw the Centre's funding, it has also included the following statement in the minutes of its proceedings:
“The Council's aim is to secure its long term future, and to do so in the most financially efficient and effective way, given the severe financial pressure on the Council by exploring all possibilities and options.
“The Council propose to engage the Scottish Government, West Highland College and other interests in further discussions exploring how the Centre may play a role in supporting wider potential development in traditional music within the region.”
Pressure must now be brought to bear on the Council to make good on this statement.
The Highland Council has targeted the National Centre for Excellence in Traditional Music, based at Plockton High School, in its proposed cuts package. http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/2115087
If the cuts are voted through at the Highland Council meeting on February 10, the Centre could close as soon as July next year. Director Dougie Pincock was interviewed on the BBC this morning and said that while he expected the Centre to take its share of any cuts he 'hadn't anticipated it would be all of it.'
Plockton has been an integral part of Scottish Traditional Music for the past 10 years. It has started many of our best young musicians on the road to their career and provided training in traditional music and groupwork from some of Scotland's finest musicians. Our young folk could not have gained this level of training anywhere else.
26. Support a People's Constitution
1. Make a new people's constitution where all are accountable to the people;
2. A fully transparent system run by the people for the people with the environment taking the lead.
27. No to the ban on Sunday Salmon Fishing
The prohibition of fishing for salmon on a Sunday is contained in section 13 of the 1951 Act, as amended by the Freshwater and Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Act 1976 (section 7 and Schedule 3) and the Salmon (Weekly Close Time) (Scotland) Regulations 1988 (SI 1988/390) made under the terms of section 3(3) of the 1986 Act.
Whilst understanding the need to have some time per week to allow salmon to escape anglers, there is no practical or rational reason why this should be a Sunday.
Many anglers work Monday to Friday, leaving only Saturday and Sunday to participate in their chosen pursuit. The status quo prohibits them from fishing for salmon on half of their weekend.
The reason for the current close time being a Sunday has probably got something to do with some religious organisation. It is time that anglers stood up and argued against religious zealots interfering with our fishing.
By all means, have a 24 close time, but let the members of Angling Associations determine what these are to be, not some unelected God Squad.
Argyll and Bute Council is proposing to close Kilmodan School in the Clachan of Glendaruel. This proposal will deleterious affect our children's future and the future of the glen. If the school goes, we will lose services and amenities.
29. Keep Gamu Nhengu and Family in the UK
Gamu Nhengu, her mother and brothers are facing deportation to Zimbabwe as a result of administrative error. The family moved to this country in traumatic circumstances eight years ago. They are a well known and popular part of the community of Tillicoultry in central Scotland.
The nation has taken Gamu to it's heart following her recent appearance on the TV show X-Factor. Her brothers are settled in local schools and know Scotland as their home. Her mother is a hard working nurse known for her compassionate care for the elderly in the community.
We believe that the family should be allowed to remain together in the town they call home.
30. Stop Scottish State-Schools from Endorsing Specific Religions
Within state schools in Scotland there is a promotion of specific religions (dependent on the school) above others or irreligion. My belief is that there should be laws in place to prevent an unbalanced religious education for the children of Scotland as it goes against a diverse religious society in Scotland. Those who wish to follow their religion should do it in their own time and if they must during school day, they should make the choice to remove themselves from the class to do so.
To force those who don't wish to be part of a religious observance to leave the educational environment is discriminatory and ostracising against someone who has not made a religious choice at all.
Despite the majority of the country coming from Christian families, this does not mean we are a purely Christian country, 40% of the country follow no religion at all. Even if we are a 'Christian country' there is no reason for our faith to permeate into the educational system unless it is in a fair and balanced learning environment.