A TALE OF TWO COUNTRIES....

A very difficult few working weeks, and some campaigning in both Glenrothes, and Baillieston, as well as watching the jubilant scenes from America.

What a contrast!

I have not met anyone who is not happy at Obama's victory, though I have to confess that I was surprised by the margin, as I had expected the result to be a lot closer. One thing is for sure, only McCain or Guiliiani could have the Presidency for the Republicans. The main reason why the Republicans didn't is due entirely to the vision and hope which an Obama presidency offers. It was truly inspirational to watch black Americans describe how much an Obama win means to them. A message of hope over fear won the day. Having listened to McCain's concession, you have to wonder how close the result could have been if he had not wandered to the right during the last three months of the campaign. One wonders if Guiliiani had been the running mate, how many other states would have been in play in the electoral college.

Then we have the opposite end of the spectrum, Glenrothes. The vicious and brutal nature of New Labour's campaign would shame many, but not it seems the deployers of the dark arts within New Labour. The lies and half truths over home charges, seem to have won the day, however, I believe that the Bank of England interest rate announcement at midday probably had an effect that could not be countered. Baillieston on the other hand can be put down to voter fatigue, which was clear to me when doing knock up. One wonders how a council by-election on the south side of Glasgow would have panned out, after the disgraceful decision by the GHA to award the Housing Repair contract to the a private sector company, apparently nicknamed CANNOT.

Rather than be a Garscadden moment, I believe this was the reality check. Like Jim Sillars, I believe New Labour's problems will continue after the New Year, when it is expected that the economy will be hit with further job losses, particularly in the banking sector.

So a three nil win for New Labour on Thursday, they held onto a Council ward in Edinburgh, but rather than being a crucial cup final, it is the equivalent of a defeat with a long promising season ahead (The mighty Jags are now unbeaten since their last 3-0 defeat!).

So how have the triumphant forces of New Labour reacted? Well they have learned nothing if it is true that the Calman Commission receive a dossier (another dodgy one perhaps) from Downing Street as reported today, that the Scottish Parliament should not receive any new powers. As in the last few by-elections I have campaigned in, many voters regardless of their political voting intention would vote yes in an Independence Referendum. Our political opponents are sadly mistaken if they believe that the Constitutional question is over.

So a victory of vision, ambition and hope in one country, and a victory of fear in this one.

Everyone in the SNP should hold their nerve, and react positively to this setback. Scotland is a social democratic nation, if not a socialist one. The politics of hope, and a positive outlook will always triumph.

Now I can return to our campaign in Glasgow South West, where I have already consoled myself with opening a large postbag of voters pledging to the SNP in the next Westminster election.....