Before heading to work this morning I listened to Iain Gray's speech to the British Labour Party Conference, to a, it must be said, a sparse crowd in the Hall.
The speech proved one thing. New Leader, no change.
A speech littered liberally with distortions, including his dubious claim that he passed the first piece of legislation in the Scottish Parliament, but more specifically, the delusional claim that the SNP is a right wing party.
It is a bit like a bully calling someone else a bully.
It is utterly misguided to continue a line of attack that the public find as lacking credibility. A party who have allowed the markets to produce the current economic chaos, leading a country, where even Dubya Bush's America has better protection for Workers, a pathological love affair for regressive taxation, and a party who believe passionately that funds for public service assets should go into the pockets of privateers not remain in public hands, that is the right wing party Mr.Gray - the problem is YOU are a member of it.
I have to confess I did laugh at the thanks at the end, when the Chair of the session reminded him, he is Leader of the Labour Holyrood Group.
New Labour's hatred for all things SNP is continuing to lead New Labour to its decline. To continue a myth that the SNP are Tories is not only laughable, its also hypocrisy.
Another thing that doesnt seem to have changed is the dodgy practice of Labour gaining access to Trade union membership records as evidenced by Charlie Whelan's admission that Unite members in Glenrothes are more likely to vote SNP in the forthcoming by-election. This has happened before, and it is practice that must be stopped. One for the Data Protection Commission methinks.
New Labour, same old negativity, New Leader, same result.........
23 September 2008
19 September 2008
FOR JAMIE....
I have just returned from the sight of another SNP victory, as David Turner wins the Baillieston Council By-election, replacing John Mason. This of course makes David MacDonald the Senior SNP Councillor for the ward, which I am sure he would not have imagined when he was elected last year.
My thoughts however, turn to Jamie Williamson. For readers of my previous blog, Chris for pollok, will recall that Jamie passed away just weeks before the Holyrood election last year. Jamie of course was a father figure for many SNP members in the East of End of Glasgow, and beyond, and offered every encouragement of every SNP member. There was a poster in the campaign rooms during the Glasgow East by-election that said quite simply "lets do it for Jamie".
I make no apologies for sentiment. Jamie would have been so proud for us to win Glasgow East and then win the following Council By-election. I hope he is looking down on us, and feeling proud. Jamie we miss you.
My thoughts however, turn to Jamie Williamson. For readers of my previous blog, Chris for pollok, will recall that Jamie passed away just weeks before the Holyrood election last year. Jamie of course was a father figure for many SNP members in the East of End of Glasgow, and beyond, and offered every encouragement of every SNP member. There was a poster in the campaign rooms during the Glasgow East by-election that said quite simply "lets do it for Jamie".
I make no apologies for sentiment. Jamie would have been so proud for us to win Glasgow East and then win the following Council By-election. I hope he is looking down on us, and feeling proud. Jamie we miss you.
16 September 2008
AN HONEST ASSESSMENT....
An extraordinary day in the office and then out to Baillieston in the evening, and of course there was only one topic of conversation, Mr David Cairns.
His interview with the BBC was a heartfelt, brutal, but ultimately honest assessment of Brown's leadership. His assessment that the politicians and the public are discussing Gordon Brown's leadership qualities, or lack thereof, and when not if he will go is completely and utterly true.
His assessment that even though other European Government's are unpopular, that Brown is not doing enough to persuade people that he is on their side, is the correct one. The fact that Brown has been unable to show up the shallowness and the policy vacuum of Cameron and the Tories
The fact that David Cairns is usually an ultra loyalist is what makes this resignation more stark. As stated elsewhere, the leadership question is now compulsive viewing, a bit like a controversial moment in Big Brother, when it was popular. Pure Car Crash TV.
For Labourites, it seems that carrying a knife in Manchester for their upcoming Conference is compulsory.
The odds on a Westminster election being held in 2010 just got longer.
Friend and foe cannot dispute Cairns honesty or his assessment.
His interview with the BBC was a heartfelt, brutal, but ultimately honest assessment of Brown's leadership. His assessment that the politicians and the public are discussing Gordon Brown's leadership qualities, or lack thereof, and when not if he will go is completely and utterly true.
His assessment that even though other European Government's are unpopular, that Brown is not doing enough to persuade people that he is on their side, is the correct one. The fact that Brown has been unable to show up the shallowness and the policy vacuum of Cameron and the Tories
The fact that David Cairns is usually an ultra loyalist is what makes this resignation more stark. As stated elsewhere, the leadership question is now compulsive viewing, a bit like a controversial moment in Big Brother, when it was popular. Pure Car Crash TV.
For Labourites, it seems that carrying a knife in Manchester for their upcoming Conference is compulsory.
The odds on a Westminster election being held in 2010 just got longer.
Friend and foe cannot dispute Cairns honesty or his assessment.
13 September 2008
MORE OF THE SAME......
So the British Labour Party (Scotland Region) has elected its nightmare ticket to lead its Parliamentary Section. In what may very well be a signal to the future, I tried to log onto the BBC website to watch Mr.Gray's speech. The message "Sorry this isn't working" flashed across the screen!
Todays result very much reminds me of Joe Bidens speech to the Democratic Convention a few weeks ago. "That's not change that's more of the same".
The election of Johann Lamont for Deputy seems bizarre. The nation was very fortunate on election night, as was she, that her speech did not make the elite club that makes the Glasgow You tube clips. Thankfully for the nation, the coverage went to Kilmarnock rather than listen to the most vile and ridiculous rant of the evening. Just like Wendy, plenty of TV appearances for Ms Lamont will see the SNP shoot up in the polls to unparalleled levels.
Now, UK Labour has Brown and Scotland has Gray. Both completely colourless.
Today is the final confirmation that New Labour in Scotland has learnt nothing.
Negative attacks that completely backfire - that's not change that more of the same.
A defence of PFI/PPP so that taxpayers money should go into the pockets of Private profiteers not the public - that's not change that's more of the same.
To be in favour of regressive taxation - that's not change that's more of the same.
To tell fellow Scots they do not have the capacity to run all of our affairs - that's not change that's more of the same.
The list will go on and on.......
Added to New Labours woes across the UK, the public will ask why someone who recently polled at 3% as the peoples choice for First Minister is the person New Labour believe will lead Scotland.
At least the Conservatives will provide some opposition in Holyrood. Which should suit those of us of an SNP persuasion, a typical left versus right debate.
All of us in the SNP must now press home that only we have the vision, ambition and ideals to make our Country a better place to live and work.
Todays result very much reminds me of Joe Bidens speech to the Democratic Convention a few weeks ago. "That's not change that's more of the same".
The election of Johann Lamont for Deputy seems bizarre. The nation was very fortunate on election night, as was she, that her speech did not make the elite club that makes the Glasgow You tube clips. Thankfully for the nation, the coverage went to Kilmarnock rather than listen to the most vile and ridiculous rant of the evening. Just like Wendy, plenty of TV appearances for Ms Lamont will see the SNP shoot up in the polls to unparalleled levels.
Now, UK Labour has Brown and Scotland has Gray. Both completely colourless.
Today is the final confirmation that New Labour in Scotland has learnt nothing.
Negative attacks that completely backfire - that's not change that more of the same.
A defence of PFI/PPP so that taxpayers money should go into the pockets of Private profiteers not the public - that's not change that's more of the same.
To be in favour of regressive taxation - that's not change that's more of the same.
To tell fellow Scots they do not have the capacity to run all of our affairs - that's not change that's more of the same.
The list will go on and on.......
Added to New Labours woes across the UK, the public will ask why someone who recently polled at 3% as the peoples choice for First Minister is the person New Labour believe will lead Scotland.
At least the Conservatives will provide some opposition in Holyrood. Which should suit those of us of an SNP persuasion, a typical left versus right debate.
All of us in the SNP must now press home that only we have the vision, ambition and ideals to make our Country a better place to live and work.
04 September 2008
PROGRESSIVE GOVERNMENT
So the new season has started, The Jags have started off quite well, and look to be competing for promotion. I have been watching both the US Presidential Conventions when I get the chance, which I believe will be extremely close, and the new season of the Scottish Parliament has kicked off with 15 proposed pieces of legislation to keep MSP's busy.
I am often asked why I joined the SNP. I joined in December 1989, as a third generation SNP supporter, inspired by the Govan By-election victory, and like many others in the party, joined to kill off the Poll Tax, as the feeble fifty as they became known, sat and did nothing. I have always been a passionate advocate of local income tax.
The unfairness of the Poll Tax was due to it not taking into account the ability to pay. The Council Tax was a quick fix, moved by Heseltine to get the Tories off the hook. Why New Labour in Scotland and particularly Andy Kerr defend it with such vigour remains a mystery.
The argument that Property is an indication of wealth is nonsense.
A progressive government means using progressive taxation to raise income. New Labour and Tories are passionate defenders of regressive, and stealth taxes. Additionally welcome is the decision, and will be universally welcomed in Govan for those who live near the Southern General Hospital, is to end hospital parking charges from 2009 onwards. Another tax on the ill allowed to be introduced by New Labour, finally brought to an end.
Whilst some detail needs to be modified to the LIT proposal, i.e. those who have "unearned" income, the Bill to abolish the Council Tax is and will be warmly welcomed by the Scottish people. A society where taxes are based on the ability to pay, is a key principle of SNP thinking.
Other parties only promote more of the same....
I am often asked why I joined the SNP. I joined in December 1989, as a third generation SNP supporter, inspired by the Govan By-election victory, and like many others in the party, joined to kill off the Poll Tax, as the feeble fifty as they became known, sat and did nothing. I have always been a passionate advocate of local income tax.
The unfairness of the Poll Tax was due to it not taking into account the ability to pay. The Council Tax was a quick fix, moved by Heseltine to get the Tories off the hook. Why New Labour in Scotland and particularly Andy Kerr defend it with such vigour remains a mystery.
The argument that Property is an indication of wealth is nonsense.
A progressive government means using progressive taxation to raise income. New Labour and Tories are passionate defenders of regressive, and stealth taxes. Additionally welcome is the decision, and will be universally welcomed in Govan for those who live near the Southern General Hospital, is to end hospital parking charges from 2009 onwards. Another tax on the ill allowed to be introduced by New Labour, finally brought to an end.
Whilst some detail needs to be modified to the LIT proposal, i.e. those who have "unearned" income, the Bill to abolish the Council Tax is and will be warmly welcomed by the Scottish people. A society where taxes are based on the ability to pay, is a key principle of SNP thinking.
Other parties only promote more of the same....
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