A PARTY FOR THE WORKERS

The last two days at the STUC Congress has once again exposed the differences between the SNP and the British Labour Party (Scotland Region). It has also confirmed that New Labour has still lost the plot with no signing of waking up.

Firstly, we had Gordon Brown re-writing history in respect to Scotland's Trade Union Leaders. To omit Jimmy Reid from a list of Trade Union greats is a disgrace. What is also a disgrace is to suggest that all Trade Union leaders supported the Union. Indeed, Mick McGahey who was a member of Democratic Left, an organisation which supported Scotland's right to self determination, is incorrectly put on that list.

On the same day, John Swinney addressed Congress and met with rail unions, a meeting arranged through the SNP Trade Union Group, to discuss the recent Scotrail extension. Two things are clear. The contract agreed by the Labour/Lib Dem administration was a scandal, which put the Scottish Government in a weak position. However, i believe the Government have negotiated a good package in difficult circumstances. I also agree with John that consultation could have been better, and that the Government will look at ways of dealing with this in future, however, I do believe that the advice given in this respect was incorrect. Second thing that is clear is that the Unions would not have been entertained had the Lab/Lib Dem Executive had made the extension decision.

Yesterday, the STUC was addressed by the First Minister, Alex Salmond, who spent some time talking to Trade Unionists and visited stalls before his address, something Jack McConnell never did.

The announcement of the new Southern General Hospital being funded exclusively form Public Sector funding, and not PPP or PFI, is a fantastic boost to the city of Glasgow, to Govan, and fantastic boost to the Westminster campaign in Glasgow South West. This announcement is a clear signal from the Scottish Government that PPP/PFI is "the only game in town" as New Labour have consistently called it.

The rest of the First Minister's speech concentrated on themes consistent with Trade Union values, and was well received by the delegates at the STUC.

This of course is compared to the strange ranting of Wendy Alexander, who exposing her hypocrisy, suggested that the SNP Government was made up of special interests. Given that 80% of New Labour funding comes from those who are later awarded with a Peerage or other bawbles, it seems that Wendy is still engaged in some parallel universe.

At Congress I counted that criticism of the UK Government compared to criticism of the Scottish Government was a 8 to 1 ratio, which suggests that the STUC are more comfortable with the Scottish Government.

A move towards free prescriptions, a freeze on a regressive tax, no private prisons, Public sector capital funding of a new hospital are hardly the choices of a right wing government. SNP policy of removing the Thatcher anti Trade Union laws which New Labour have kept is longstanding.

The values of the Scottish Government are equal to those of the Scottish Trade Union movement.

The SNP is clearly the Party for Scotland's Workers.

MOVING FORWARD

Moving forward was the theme for this years Spring Conference, and the recent developments regarding Scotland's constitutional future shows that the country is indeed moving in positive direction.

Many achievements which have been covered here ad nausem, and recent polling show the SNP are indeed at its most popular in its history. One example given by Nicola Sturgeon was the fact that under the New Labour Executive only 6 Council Houses were built, and yet 250 Council houses have been built under a SNP Government within less than a year.

It is fair to say that the rubbish espoused last month by Labour that they are Socialist and the SNP are right wing was firmly laid to rest.

It was a busy conference for me personally and for the SNP Trade Union section, and we will be heading up to Inverness tomorrow in a positive frame of mind.

This weekends press coverage was interesting, but 2 particular stories gained my attention.

Firstly, the news that Steven Purcell, a New Labour Sith Lord from Yoker, believes that Independence should be discussed, debated and shares a prominent part in Scotland's future political direction was stating the bleeding obvious. However, I suspect that the British Labour Party's (Scotland Region) Holyrood Group will continue to bury its collective heads in the sand and denounce him in vitriolic terms, in what will be a predictable outcome.

Talking of the Holyrood Group, my opponent in the Holyrood elections, one Johann Lamont will have been choking on her muesli with the coverage that she ignored what appears to have been sage advice to call in a PPP deal in Stirling, whilst being a Minister. This story smacks of the arrogance which is legendary within New Labour. One suspects that we will hear more of this and the story will continue to run.

All in all, a good weekend which hopefully will be a launch pad for the STUC Congress this week. In a year where the SNP have broken new ground, new ground will be broken with both John Swinney and Alex Salmond addressing the Congress. Scotland's political landscape has changed forever as both Steven Purcell and the Trade Unions note (not normally bedfellows it must be said!).

Onwards and upwards.........

INDEPENDENCE SUPPORT IS RISING

A very good week for the SNP with support for Independence rising, and a new poll showing that Independence is ahead of the status quo.

The news that Independence support is growing, at a time when many of you will know I'm losing mine ( I got engaged recently for those who do not read the Herald), is perhaps ironic.

This news complements the excellent work done by the SNP Government in Holyrood, whose main difference with the previous administration is that it looks like a Government, looks like it has bright people in charge, following a social democratic programme, the first such Government in 30 years.

With New Labour launching a viscious assault on the low paid by scrubbing the 10p lower rate of Income Tax, appearing to look like it has lost total control of the economy, and in Glasgow hiving off Council Services, more trouble looms, for a party stuck in a parallel universe.

The fact that the First Minister, Alex Salmond appears as one poll put it "assertive", only goes to show that the Scottish people want and expect the First Minister to stand up for the Scottish interest.

This message is clearly hitting home in the Westminster Boundary of Glasgow South West, which produces a bigger mailbag every time survey cards are distributed.

Independence is coming, with a strong government and an ethos in helping the disadvantaged, support can only get bigger.