A PLAYWRIGHT’S prophetic words from 2015 are being applauded for summing-up Scotland’s financial situation within the Union.
The writer Alan Bissett penned a Facebook post in November 2015 describing his feelings about the promise of new powers for Scotland in the wake of the 2014 independence referendum and where it would ultimately lead the country’s finances.
After being re-shared on X/Twitter, many have highlighted how prescient they seem in the wake of Scotland’s Budget on Tuesday.
He wrote: “This is the reward for our loyalty to the UK.
“The Tories cut whatever they like for the ten years they’ll likely remain in power. Labour demand the SNP protect Scots from the cuts.
It's worth remembering Alan Bissett's prophetic words from 2015 in light of yesterday's Scottish budget: pic.twitter.com/e62dDVXWa2
— Alan Ferrier (@alanferrier) December 20, 2023
“The SNP are then forced into raising income tax - since it is the only main tax-power devolved by the Scotland Bill, cos they know it hurts workers - or else finding money from elsewhere in the Scottish budget to offset Tory cuts.
“No opportunity for growth or 'doing things differently'. The Tories are making us pay - literally - for the same policies which Scots rejected at the General Election.
“Labour will gleefully use it to needle the SNP: 'What yese gonnay do, eh? What yese gonnay do?'
"That's it. That's the future of Scotland.
“If we point this out, the Unionist parties will on cue shriek, 'Grievance hunters! Move on!'
“Their hope is that the public will become so disillusioned with the SNP that we boot them out, allowing the Unionist parties to inherit the ruins.
“The key point about the No vote was that it *gave away power*. We might've thought it was demonstrating our trust and faith in Britain. To Westminster, it only demonstrated our weakness and vulnerability.
“They have taken advantage of that. They were always going to.”
It comes after Finance Secretary Shona Robison's Budget announcement on Tuesday, which included the creation of a new income tax band for high earners.
A new band of 45% is set to be introduced for those earning more than £75,225.
As Bissett predicted, the move to raise income tax was harshly criticised by opposition parties.
Scottish Labour - who have a "presumption against" any income tax rises - claimed it was an "incompetent" budget from a "chaotic" government and blamed the SNP for not prioritising economic growth over tax rises.
However, much like Humza Yousaf's government, the Labour-run government in Wales blamed difficult budget decisions on cuts in funding from Westminster.
