Another good day in Glenrothes yesterday where there appears to be little sign of the Brown Bounce, and the SNP vote looks like holding.
I have now seen with my own eyes the infamous "The Fifer" newspaper, which contains no fewer than 28 references to the SNP, and only 1 which mentions Labour, yes folks its a Labour leaflet. I have now come to the view that if New Labour were a football team, they would be so negative they would be playing a 8-1-1 formation!
Their latest efforts have turned to SNP led Fife Council's Social Work Care charges. 10 Labour Controlled Councils charge for care services but this doesn't stop the hypocrisy. Despite the fact that 94% of people in Fife who receive care in Fife will not pay a penny, New Labour in Fife are engaging in Scaremongering, that would shame a US Republican.
They claim that people will be paying £11 an hour for care, when in reality the few who are paying will contribute £17 a week. Interestingly, of the two Councils who don't charge for care, one of them is Shetland - largely due to them having an Oil Fund!
Sadly, New Labour have learned nothing from their disastrous negative campaign in Glasgow East. Until people know what they stand for, what they believe in - apart from bashing the SNP, and scaremongering vulnerable people in society, they continue to be shown the door by the voters.
Only the SNP provide a positive vision and campaign in Glenrothes, and the whole of Scotland.
27 October 2008
22 October 2008
END OF OUTSOURCING...
A very good SNP Conference in Perth, with a good fringe meeting for the Trade Union Group, and despite what I thought was a little nervousness at the start, I believe that all delegates left with a spring in their step as the FM delivered a speech which will resonate across Scotland. For my avid readers, they can see my speech to Conference on the Sunday morning at the BBC website.
Indeed if the opinion poll for Channel 4 news is a reflection then Gordon Brown is getting the blame for the present Credit Crunch.
The best news for me, was the announcement by Nicola Sturgeon to end the outsourcing of Cleaning and Catering contracts in the NHS. A similar move put in place by the Welsh Assembly has seen hospitals being viewed by the public as cleaner, and the reported number of secondary infections being slashed in number.
For me this backs up Jimmy Reid's view, sadly Jimmy was unable to attend Conference, that the SNP Government are adopting the values of the Labour Government of 1945/51. Arguably the greatest British Government ever, their legacy is still felt today as they ushered in the Welfare State and the NHS. Today's Labour Party are a very pale imitation.
The importance of Public Sector provision, is at the heart of SNP philosophy in dealing with Public Services. Universal Public Health Services provision is among them.
You only have to watch Michael Moore's excellent documentary film "Sicko", where an American man is viewed stitching up his own leg, as he cant afford the health insurance, to realise the importance of Universal Health Care.. Perhaps most disappointingly for Americans, only Obama was the top Democrat to not support implementing this in the Presidential Primaries.
Like the great post war Labour Government, the Scottish Government is values led, and even with limited powers is achieving a lasting legacy on health.
The NHS is safe in the hands of the SNP.
Indeed if the opinion poll for Channel 4 news is a reflection then Gordon Brown is getting the blame for the present Credit Crunch.
The best news for me, was the announcement by Nicola Sturgeon to end the outsourcing of Cleaning and Catering contracts in the NHS. A similar move put in place by the Welsh Assembly has seen hospitals being viewed by the public as cleaner, and the reported number of secondary infections being slashed in number.
For me this backs up Jimmy Reid's view, sadly Jimmy was unable to attend Conference, that the SNP Government are adopting the values of the Labour Government of 1945/51. Arguably the greatest British Government ever, their legacy is still felt today as they ushered in the Welfare State and the NHS. Today's Labour Party are a very pale imitation.
The importance of Public Sector provision, is at the heart of SNP philosophy in dealing with Public Services. Universal Public Health Services provision is among them.
You only have to watch Michael Moore's excellent documentary film "Sicko", where an American man is viewed stitching up his own leg, as he cant afford the health insurance, to realise the importance of Universal Health Care.. Perhaps most disappointingly for Americans, only Obama was the top Democrat to not support implementing this in the Presidential Primaries.
Like the great post war Labour Government, the Scottish Government is values led, and even with limited powers is achieving a lasting legacy on health.
The NHS is safe in the hands of the SNP.
14 October 2008
SHAMELESS GLEE
A busy time as always with a Pay Dispute, Restructures, preparing for Conference and of course campaigning in Glasgow South West.
My shock today at Gordon Brown's rant is only matched by what I understand to be wide spread alarm at my last post prior to editing, where I understand one avid reader suspected that Steven Purcell, was resigning from the Council!
Today's suggestion from Gordon Brown that an Independent Scotland would not be able to deal with the emerging financial crisis is wrong, but more than anything else, it is partisan party political politics at its worst, and at completely the wrong time. To insult other countries is crass as it is stupid. Norway and Ireland in their own specific ways have managed to deal with the crisis, and indeed it was Ireland who led the way by securing savers money in their banks which led to Irish Banks being flooded with applications from UK customers.
Norway with its dedicated fund from Oil and Gas Taxation has managed to ease concerns.
Engaging it partisan politics now, when the voters wish to see politicians come together is a gross error of judgement. Just when, after some dithering mind you, Brown starts to piece the jigsaw, it comes with disbelief. However, with the Lloyds TSB takeover of HBOS starting to unravel as a bad deal for Scotland, you would think that he has more important matters to contend with rather than having cheap shots at his opponents.
However he is not alone. Jim Murphy's Arc of Insolvency remarks will not help him and is up there with Gus McDonald's "Dublin nice place for a stag do' " in insults to your neighbours. If you add the constant anonymous New Labour briefings suggesting that this global economic crisis is good for them, and gleefully stating at every opportunity, there can only be one conclusion.......They are not fit for office.
The Fib Dems gain to marks for gross stupidity for its 2p income tax policy that would equate to £800 million being chopped from the Scottish budget. What public services are they going to slash?
The Conservatives are saying not very much, exposing their policy vacuum.
Meanwhile the SNP Government is putting together a plan within the limited powers at its disposal, looking at fast-tracking infrastructure programmes for instance, and quite rightly is requesting £1 billion from Westminster. For Glasgow South West, based on population, this would equate to around £15.5 million. Add that figure to £800 million plus being invested in a new hospital, it its clear that in Glasgow South West and elsewhere;
ONLY THE SNP IS ON YOUR SIDE.....
My shock today at Gordon Brown's rant is only matched by what I understand to be wide spread alarm at my last post prior to editing, where I understand one avid reader suspected that Steven Purcell, was resigning from the Council!
Today's suggestion from Gordon Brown that an Independent Scotland would not be able to deal with the emerging financial crisis is wrong, but more than anything else, it is partisan party political politics at its worst, and at completely the wrong time. To insult other countries is crass as it is stupid. Norway and Ireland in their own specific ways have managed to deal with the crisis, and indeed it was Ireland who led the way by securing savers money in their banks which led to Irish Banks being flooded with applications from UK customers.
Norway with its dedicated fund from Oil and Gas Taxation has managed to ease concerns.
Engaging it partisan politics now, when the voters wish to see politicians come together is a gross error of judgement. Just when, after some dithering mind you, Brown starts to piece the jigsaw, it comes with disbelief. However, with the Lloyds TSB takeover of HBOS starting to unravel as a bad deal for Scotland, you would think that he has more important matters to contend with rather than having cheap shots at his opponents.
However he is not alone. Jim Murphy's Arc of Insolvency remarks will not help him and is up there with Gus McDonald's "Dublin nice place for a stag do' " in insults to your neighbours. If you add the constant anonymous New Labour briefings suggesting that this global economic crisis is good for them, and gleefully stating at every opportunity, there can only be one conclusion.......They are not fit for office.
The Fib Dems gain to marks for gross stupidity for its 2p income tax policy that would equate to £800 million being chopped from the Scottish budget. What public services are they going to slash?
The Conservatives are saying not very much, exposing their policy vacuum.
Meanwhile the SNP Government is putting together a plan within the limited powers at its disposal, looking at fast-tracking infrastructure programmes for instance, and quite rightly is requesting £1 billion from Westminster. For Glasgow South West, based on population, this would equate to around £15.5 million. Add that figure to £800 million plus being invested in a new hospital, it its clear that in Glasgow South West and elsewhere;
ONLY THE SNP IS ON YOUR SIDE.....
08 October 2008
SUPER THURSDAY....
So it now looks certain that the 6Th November will "Super Thursday" with potentially four by-elections to keep political interest in Scotland. The first of course will be held in Glenrothes, which I had the privilege of visiting on Sunday. I was out canvassing in Buckhaven, and if that is the strongest Labour area, it should be a good night for the SNP. No one of course should take anything for granted.
The second is of course the Forth ward in Edinburgh, caused by the death of a Labour Councillor. This one will be hard to call, but my Edinburgh comrades remain upbeat.
The third will be held in Baillieston, caused by the death of Dougie Hay, Labour Councillor who passed away only a few weeks ago. This will be third by-election in which the voters of this ward will be heading to a polling station, the third in as many months - which must be a record.
Potentially there is a fourth to be held on the same day with news that the Leader of the Labour Group in East Ayrshire has resigned his seat.
Will it be a single, a double, a treble or will the SNP go for the quad?
One thing is certain is that the last few weeks have once again found Gordon Brown and Alastair Darling dithering over the state, and what a state, of the economy. Whilst Ireland and Greece, and now Germany take action, Brown and Darling have been found wanting.
The turmoil in the economy is hitting everyone, and the sooner New Labour take action to address economic concerns, the better.
If it is four to be held on the same day, only a quad will send a message to Downing Street that they need to buck up their ideas....
The second is of course the Forth ward in Edinburgh, caused by the death of a Labour Councillor. This one will be hard to call, but my Edinburgh comrades remain upbeat.
The third will be held in Baillieston, caused by the death of Dougie Hay, Labour Councillor who passed away only a few weeks ago. This will be third by-election in which the voters of this ward will be heading to a polling station, the third in as many months - which must be a record.
Potentially there is a fourth to be held on the same day with news that the Leader of the Labour Group in East Ayrshire has resigned his seat.
Will it be a single, a double, a treble or will the SNP go for the quad?
One thing is certain is that the last few weeks have once again found Gordon Brown and Alastair Darling dithering over the state, and what a state, of the economy. Whilst Ireland and Greece, and now Germany take action, Brown and Darling have been found wanting.
The turmoil in the economy is hitting everyone, and the sooner New Labour take action to address economic concerns, the better.
If it is four to be held on the same day, only a quad will send a message to Downing Street that they need to buck up their ideas....
03 October 2008
IS THE NEW OFFER ENOUGH....
The above is the very question that will be occupying every Local Government office this morning. The employers late yesterday afternoon offered a two year package of 3% and 2.5% respectively, enough the Trade Unions say to consult.
From first impressions, having discussed the offer with colleagues who were due to take art in selective action, I have my doubts. We will wait and see what consultation brings.
What remains clear is that the Westminster Governments public sector pay policy of holding pay rises to 2% needs to be scrapped. A policy that is restricting local councils and devolved administrations has inevitably led to industrial action, as administrations who receive budgets from Westminster have to fund pay awards over the 2% figure from elsewhere in their finances.
The argument that public sector pay leads to a rise in inflation is in tatters as the economic events of the last few months have shown.
To eliminate further strife, Westminster need to change this policy very quickly, but with all other economic matters recently, we shouldn't hold our breath.
From first impressions, having discussed the offer with colleagues who were due to take art in selective action, I have my doubts. We will wait and see what consultation brings.
What remains clear is that the Westminster Governments public sector pay policy of holding pay rises to 2% needs to be scrapped. A policy that is restricting local councils and devolved administrations has inevitably led to industrial action, as administrations who receive budgets from Westminster have to fund pay awards over the 2% figure from elsewhere in their finances.
The argument that public sector pay leads to a rise in inflation is in tatters as the economic events of the last few months have shown.
To eliminate further strife, Westminster need to change this policy very quickly, but with all other economic matters recently, we shouldn't hold our breath.
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