The Union Dividend - Debunked

2025-04-04

In this thought provoking interview, Marlene and Fiona sit down with data analyst Stuart Donald to discuss his fascinating research on the "union dividend". Stuart's research delves into the origins of the Barnett formula and even further back to pre war economics to unpack the myths and misconceptions about the financial benefits Scotland supposedly receives from England and how much better off we would be if we were able to make our own political choices.
Stuart also highlights how the Westminster First Past The Post electoral system disproportionately favours the right and disenfranchises poorer communities. Could Proportional Representation hold the key to a fairer system?
Will independence come soon enough to save Scotland from the demographic time bomb created by Westminster mismanagement?

Main chapters

00:01:27 What is this Union Dividend?

00:03:10 Why does Scotland get more funding than England?

00:06:48 The Barnett formula

00:08:50 Unionist Spin

00:11:50 Debunking the myths

00:18:47 Europe to the rescue

00:26:05 FPTP, a spiral of doom

00:37:28 Prospects for PR

00:43:06 Getting the message across

Find detailed research presentations on this and other topics on Stuart's website here https://sdonald4pr.com and read his papers for Bylines Scotland https://bylines.scot/politics/a-right-turn-that-put-first-past-the-post-onto-a-precarious-path/
and https://bylines.scot/news/economics/scotlands-union-dividend-if-ever-there-was-a-misnomer/

#Scotland #UnionDividend #BarnettFormula

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Music:

Inspired by Kevin MacLeod
Industrial Cinematic by Kevin MacLeod

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