A legal first achieved by Wendy Alexander, the only person to plead guilty only to get a not proven verdict (from the electoral commission), the utter chaos that poses itself as New Labour in Scotland (Or the British Labour Party Scotland Region as my avid readers like me to call it!), where their Westminster, Holyrood and Council Groups appear to be at odds with each other, and a disgraceful slur by a North Lanarkshire Labour Councillor on the SNP have all gained headlines recently.
The main issue to dominate however, is the excellent news that Scotland's local authorities have signed up to freeze the Council Tax, perhaps the second most hated piece of taxation in Scottish history - with its predecessor being the first.
My thoughts have concentrated on Glasgow, where unforgivably local government workers find that their jobs are under threat via the media, rather than through consultation and negotiation with the Trade Unions. This is completely unacceptable in a modern and democratic society.
The tax freeze and the concordat between the Scottish Government and Scotlands Councils give the SNP an opportunity to show local communities our priorities. A more accountable Council, will provide the local electorate a focus on priorities.
Accountabilty can only boost the party, with a message of hope, ambition, vision and ideals, Scotland's communites know the SNP care.
Whilst our opponents detest accountablity as an inconvenience, Scotland's Party know that being more accountable, and transparent is the correct way forward, and right for the good governance of the nation as a whole.
17 February 2008
07 February 2008
TACTICS ARE A PEPPERMINT
The above is the only analysis to describe the behaviour of New Labour MSP's today in the vote for Scotland's budget.
Having lodged an amendment which was accepted by the Scottish Government, they then decided, inexplicably, to abstain in the final vote. They obviously believe that tactics are a peppermint!
However, whilst BLP (Scotland Region) go full steam ahead into the iceberg, it is worth considering the many benefits of the budget, which they were unable to support:
Freezing the unfair Council Tax
More Nursey provision
Reducing Class sizes
Extending the free school meals pilot
Funding to cap Public Transport fares
Phasing out of prescription charges
To name just a few....!
The irony of course is that New Labour were making a demand which only a few days ago was agreed between the STUC and the Scottish Government, which is now incorporated into a Memorandum of Understanding between them. This will involve utilisations of skills, and dealing with Poverty and Health Inequalities. The STUC have produced a number of press releases over the last few weeks broadly supporting the objectives of the Scottish Government.
Whilst New Labour in Holyrood make gestures and indulge in posturing in dealing with Social issues which blight our country, the SNP are getting on with the job of banishing poverty and injustice for all.
Elections can't come quickly enough.........
Having lodged an amendment which was accepted by the Scottish Government, they then decided, inexplicably, to abstain in the final vote. They obviously believe that tactics are a peppermint!
However, whilst BLP (Scotland Region) go full steam ahead into the iceberg, it is worth considering the many benefits of the budget, which they were unable to support:
Freezing the unfair Council Tax
More Nursey provision
Reducing Class sizes
Extending the free school meals pilot
Funding to cap Public Transport fares
Phasing out of prescription charges
To name just a few....!
The irony of course is that New Labour were making a demand which only a few days ago was agreed between the STUC and the Scottish Government, which is now incorporated into a Memorandum of Understanding between them. This will involve utilisations of skills, and dealing with Poverty and Health Inequalities. The STUC have produced a number of press releases over the last few weeks broadly supporting the objectives of the Scottish Government.
Whilst New Labour in Holyrood make gestures and indulge in posturing in dealing with Social issues which blight our country, the SNP are getting on with the job of banishing poverty and injustice for all.
Elections can't come quickly enough.........
03 February 2008
THE MELTDOWN
The official meltdown of the British Labour Party (Scotland Region) has begun. News that both Wendy Alexander and Andy Kerr have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal for failing to register gifts/donations, show quite clearly that they have learned nothing from last years election defeat.
Indeed the comparisons between them and a former French Royal who proclaimed "let them eat cake" are completely founded upon. The contempt and arrogance since May never ceases to amaze.
Firstly, for a then health minister to accept hospitality from the worlds biggest fast food company really says it all about their priorities. As for Wendy, her leadership has been a disaster from day one. Only the most ardent Wendy fan suggests she can survive. I for one cannot understand why an expericienced politician did not adopt the safety first rule. If you are unsure of whether something is registerable, register it anyway.
The devastating headlines today, show up the lack of political talent that exists in the Holyrood New Labour Group. An irony, probably not lost on my Westminster opponent Ian Davidson, who was declared as "not being good enough" by Labour for the list of Holyrood hopefuls 8 years ago. Whether this is an example of how bad the process of selecting candidates is within that party, or of my opponents talents is a matter for others to judge.
What remains is a political party that is rotten and lost touch with the Scottish people. The party of Hardie and Wheatley has been destroyed by careerists. However the mantle left by these fine men remains - and only the SNP can lay claim to it. As New Labour dies, the SNP Scottish Government have a unique opportunity to transform this country into a better place to live. This weeks budget will be the start............
Indeed the comparisons between them and a former French Royal who proclaimed "let them eat cake" are completely founded upon. The contempt and arrogance since May never ceases to amaze.
Firstly, for a then health minister to accept hospitality from the worlds biggest fast food company really says it all about their priorities. As for Wendy, her leadership has been a disaster from day one. Only the most ardent Wendy fan suggests she can survive. I for one cannot understand why an expericienced politician did not adopt the safety first rule. If you are unsure of whether something is registerable, register it anyway.
The devastating headlines today, show up the lack of political talent that exists in the Holyrood New Labour Group. An irony, probably not lost on my Westminster opponent Ian Davidson, who was declared as "not being good enough" by Labour for the list of Holyrood hopefuls 8 years ago. Whether this is an example of how bad the process of selecting candidates is within that party, or of my opponents talents is a matter for others to judge.
What remains is a political party that is rotten and lost touch with the Scottish people. The party of Hardie and Wheatley has been destroyed by careerists. However the mantle left by these fine men remains - and only the SNP can lay claim to it. As New Labour dies, the SNP Scottish Government have a unique opportunity to transform this country into a better place to live. This weeks budget will be the start............
02 February 2008
WHINGERS AND WRECKERS
A very busy week for me and a very busy week in Politics. I was sad to hear the news that fellow uncompromising left winger John Edwards had pulled out of the US Presidential race. I feel that Edwards was the candidate who had an appealling message, and certainly brought Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama to focus on the issues that matter to people. Unfortunately, money talks in US politics and it was clear that the war chest amassed by Clinton and Obama were always going to out spend the former Senator for North Carolina.
In Scotland however, a charge that used to be thrown at the SNP, has boomeranged and hit our Unionist oppononets square in the eyes. Yes ....... Whingers and Wreckers!
Here we have New Labour and the Lib Dems who wish to destroy the most socially democratic budget to effect Scotland in over 30 years. A move towards free prescriptions, giving local authorities the freedom to set their own priorities to meet their local needs, increased free nursery provision, increased police on our streets and a freeze on the unfair Council Tax, are all to be targetted. From political parties who claim to be centre left, you couldnt make it up.
The people of Scotland will not forgive or forget should they succeed in bringing down this budget.
Then we have the extraordinary performace from Nicol Stephen who, having claimed that the NHS in Scotland has hidden waiting lists, saw this move backfire, after it was uncovered that the date of the letter was before the Scottish Governments announcement to remove such lists.
So there we have it. With a recent poll showing a 71% approval rating for the Scottish Government, the British Labour Party (Scotland Region) and the Fib Dems are reduced to whinging from the sidelines, and seriously putting the improvement of public servies under threat.
Who's the whingers and wreckers now?
In Scotland however, a charge that used to be thrown at the SNP, has boomeranged and hit our Unionist oppononets square in the eyes. Yes ....... Whingers and Wreckers!
Here we have New Labour and the Lib Dems who wish to destroy the most socially democratic budget to effect Scotland in over 30 years. A move towards free prescriptions, giving local authorities the freedom to set their own priorities to meet their local needs, increased free nursery provision, increased police on our streets and a freeze on the unfair Council Tax, are all to be targetted. From political parties who claim to be centre left, you couldnt make it up.
The people of Scotland will not forgive or forget should they succeed in bringing down this budget.
Then we have the extraordinary performace from Nicol Stephen who, having claimed that the NHS in Scotland has hidden waiting lists, saw this move backfire, after it was uncovered that the date of the letter was before the Scottish Governments announcement to remove such lists.
So there we have it. With a recent poll showing a 71% approval rating for the Scottish Government, the British Labour Party (Scotland Region) and the Fib Dems are reduced to whinging from the sidelines, and seriously putting the improvement of public servies under threat.
Who's the whingers and wreckers now?
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