After all these years it seems that Maggie Thatcher is still the bogeywoman of Scottish Politics, and even though they have fallen in love with her politics, New Labour have been trying to kick up a fuss over comments Alex Salmond made this week.
As Ian Dale, whose interview has stirred up this farce, quite rightly says, you must be delusional to believe that the SNP is Thatcherite.
Alex Salmond quite rightly pointed out that the social devastation of her policies are what is mostly resented by the Scottish people. For Labour politicians and bloggers to kick up a stink, is simply ludicrous. For it is they who have supported her legacy, through STILL arguing for more privatisation and PFI schemes, STILL supporting regressive taxation policies, STILL giving low income households a kicking, STILL pursuing a foreign policy that is based on greed, lust of power, and disregarding human rights, and STILL leave Scottish workers with less protective employment legislation than Dubya's America.
It is the SNP who are commanding the left of centre, and centre left of Scottish politics.
Even now, after its humbling in Glasgow East, New Labour think that to smear opponents with unbelievable statements is going to bring back electoral success. They are wrong.
Having taken Industrial Action this week, it was surreal seeing the contenders for British Labour Party (Scotland Region), Scottish Parliament Branch Leadership contest, there, showing their support. Pity they showed little regard for Public Sector pay in office and under better economic conditions than now. More and more, the analysis of New Labour's record when the economy was allegedly booming will come back to haunt.
Still, they never complained when the bogeywoman, was invited by New Labour leaders for tea either............
24 August 2008
17 August 2008
THE COST OF LIVING......
Preparations for my sisters wedding, and preparations for a National Strike have restricted my capacity for blogging, however, today me and my campaign team were out in Cardonald, which should keep, as recent polling is suggesting, New Labour on its toes.
More and more the cost of living is leading the political debate. Firstly, though I was saddened to hear of the death of John McDougall the MP for Glenrothes from mesothelioma, a horrific disease for which only two years ago a friend and fine trade union activist died from. Tragically, families of victims of this disease do not receive the compensation they deserve as companies who were to blame are no longer in trading, some decades ago. I firmly believe that all of us involved in politics can and should do more for families who have lost loved ones due to industrial injury and disease.
This week on Wednesday Scotland's Local Government workers will undertake Industrial Action, quite rightly, due to a paltry pay offer of 2.5% each year for the next three years. Quite what the rate of inflation will be in three years time is anyone's guess. Scottish Power's scandalous 35% increase in the cost of electricity and gas compound the feelings of workers as to the necessity of the dispute. The often trotted out argument from the right wing press that public sector wages affect inflation is risible, as today's events show.
It is my belief that more and more people see the SNP as being on the side of the people, whereas New Labour seem to be erupting into internal chaos and civil war. As recent polling evidence shows that the SNP have never ever been more popular, indeed more popular than ever, the Scottish Government's determination to utilise powers to help families appears to being reaping dividends in the polling stations. Two recent polls showing the SNP having a 19% lead for Holyrood, and a lead in Westminster voting intentions, can only give tribal New Labourites, Ian Davidson and Johann Lamont, and others sleepless nights.
The next few elections, by-elections included, will be decided by who voters believe is helping them through these current economic difficulties. New Labour appear to be offering no solutions whilst the SNP is, given the limited powers of Scotland's Parliament. More and more, people in Scotland realise that a parliament in Scotland with more powers is the best option.
More and more the cost of living is leading the political debate. Firstly, though I was saddened to hear of the death of John McDougall the MP for Glenrothes from mesothelioma, a horrific disease for which only two years ago a friend and fine trade union activist died from. Tragically, families of victims of this disease do not receive the compensation they deserve as companies who were to blame are no longer in trading, some decades ago. I firmly believe that all of us involved in politics can and should do more for families who have lost loved ones due to industrial injury and disease.
This week on Wednesday Scotland's Local Government workers will undertake Industrial Action, quite rightly, due to a paltry pay offer of 2.5% each year for the next three years. Quite what the rate of inflation will be in three years time is anyone's guess. Scottish Power's scandalous 35% increase in the cost of electricity and gas compound the feelings of workers as to the necessity of the dispute. The often trotted out argument from the right wing press that public sector wages affect inflation is risible, as today's events show.
It is my belief that more and more people see the SNP as being on the side of the people, whereas New Labour seem to be erupting into internal chaos and civil war. As recent polling evidence shows that the SNP have never ever been more popular, indeed more popular than ever, the Scottish Government's determination to utilise powers to help families appears to being reaping dividends in the polling stations. Two recent polls showing the SNP having a 19% lead for Holyrood, and a lead in Westminster voting intentions, can only give tribal New Labourites, Ian Davidson and Johann Lamont, and others sleepless nights.
The next few elections, by-elections included, will be decided by who voters believe is helping them through these current economic difficulties. New Labour appear to be offering no solutions whilst the SNP is, given the limited powers of Scotland's Parliament. More and more, people in Scotland realise that a parliament in Scotland with more powers is the best option.
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