A LETTER TO PATRICK (HARVIE)

Dear Patrick

I'm sad you, once again, didn't feel you could vote for the Scottish budget today.  Surely you can understand why John Swinney cannot support your £100m request for your home insulation policy.  As I understand it (and it's been difficult to find the detail believe me), your policy concentrates on insulating lofts and cavity wall filling, both good ideas and essential to keeping heat inside out homes.  

But you see Patrick, your policy doesn't address the many thousands of Scottish homes which are stone built and I know you're aware stone built houses are unsuitable for cavity wall insulation. They require internal or external insulation don't they?  Why didn't you revise your policy to suit all the homes in Scotland and not just the ones built after the 1960s instead of relying upon a policy designed for homes in Yorkshire, England? 

When you didn't produce a Scottish policy, John Swinney offered you a pilot scheme, which would have assessed the cost of internally insulating tenements and stone built homes, but you turned it down. Then John offered you £22m but that still wasn't good enough.  I can understand your refusal in that case because there are many homes which do require lagged attics and filled cavities.  

Last week, during typical political negotiations, you refused an extra £11m because you didn't understand the detail you said. I'd have grabbed it and worked out the detail later, but that's the type of person I am.

Once last week's budget fell, you opened the door for the libdems and labour to get in.  The libdems (knowing how silly they were to have taken their ball away in the initial stages), played the game well, considering they thought the budget would pass on last week's vote.  That leaves labour - well what can I say?  They've gained nothing really, Andy Kerr's speech was just the usual spin, but with a difference - he also attacked the libdems, his old cohorts!

Patrick, I think John Swinney's offer to you was fair all things considered.  It's my view that the SNP (if they have any sense) will now develop your policy to suit all homes in Scotland and I do hope they give you a wee bit credit, but I doubt it.  As I write the BBC are saying John Swinney was in 'contrite' mood today.  I refute that.  He's held the stage with confidence and vigour, believing what he's put forward to the Parliament is the best for Scotland.

Patrick, all the electorate in Scotland are fond of the Greens to one degree or another. The fact that your vote last year was imperative is no longer valid. That's politics for you!

With fond thoughts

A Dundee Wifey

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