A very busy week or so, campaigning and Trade Union work, ensures that I have been unable to blog, however, i hope to put this right in the next few days.
Like many i tuned in to "Thriller Thursday" or the result from Crewe and Nantwich!
New Labour are finished. Like the liberals last century they have alienated their core base of support. David Cameron, the author of the most right wing manifesto in living memory, has no philosophical differences with Gordon Brown. Privatisation, PFI, means tested benefits, regressive taxation, and imperialist wars are all key components of both their economic programme.
New Labour got what it deserved for running a campaign of class politics as a student stunt, rather than on a political programme, and for running a xenophobic campaign that alienated many of its supporters.
There is now only one way to stop the Tory vultures from ruling Scotland from Westminster, and that is to elect as many SNP Candidates as possible. Only the SNP represent a social democratic programme that chimes with the views of most Scots.
An NHS free at the point of use, the ending of PFI/PPP and ensuring that Public Assets remain in public hands, Taxation based on fairness and the ability to pay, show that the Scottish Government and the SNP represent the only social democratic route to ensure the Tories do not govern Scotland.
New Labour are reaping the rewards of abandoning everything the Trade Union and Labour Movement stood for.
The Conservatives would bring disaster to Scotland, and an even more right wing agenda, which would punish the most vulnerable in our society.
Only the SNP can stop them.
24 May 2008
11 May 2008
THE EGO'S HAVE LANDED....
What a disastrous Sunday for New Labour. After the historic ultimate u-turn announced last Sunday by Wendy Alexander, today's newspapers announce that Wendy has effectively been slapped down by Gordon Brown, emphasising the British Labour Party (Scotland Region) at its very worst. A u-turn on a u-turn.
Wendy's bizarre performance on television today, does nothing to bring to clarity to New Labour's position on an Independence referendum.
To suggest that the SNP are running scared is the most ridiculous political spin since Comical Ali was briefing the press during the Iraq invasion.
For BLP (Scotland Region), the most worrying part of this episode is the clash of ego's, for it shows that the Labour Party in Scotland can't make any strategic decisions without Brown's say so. For Wendy, she needs to explain to the public why she told Newsnight Scotland on Tuesday night that Gordon Brown approved of her plans. Both being control freaks, their ego's have combined to make New Labour in Scotland reach unparalleled depths of popular support. New Labours press coverage over the last week look like an unedifying Jerry Springer episode, which has the rest of us gawping in shock at our TV screens.
The Conservatives of course fully believe that they are now the only party who can defend the Union in any coherent way.
There shall be a referendum on Independence in 2010, with the SNP selling a positive message on why this is the best for Scotland. Whether Clunking fist or Comical Wendy are around by then remains to be seen.
Wendy's bizarre performance on television today, does nothing to bring to clarity to New Labour's position on an Independence referendum.
To suggest that the SNP are running scared is the most ridiculous political spin since Comical Ali was briefing the press during the Iraq invasion.
For BLP (Scotland Region), the most worrying part of this episode is the clash of ego's, for it shows that the Labour Party in Scotland can't make any strategic decisions without Brown's say so. For Wendy, she needs to explain to the public why she told Newsnight Scotland on Tuesday night that Gordon Brown approved of her plans. Both being control freaks, their ego's have combined to make New Labour in Scotland reach unparalleled depths of popular support. New Labours press coverage over the last week look like an unedifying Jerry Springer episode, which has the rest of us gawping in shock at our TV screens.
The Conservatives of course fully believe that they are now the only party who can defend the Union in any coherent way.
There shall be a referendum on Independence in 2010, with the SNP selling a positive message on why this is the best for Scotland. Whether Clunking fist or Comical Wendy are around by then remains to be seen.
07 May 2008
.....THE ULTIMATE UTURN...
I have been thinking a lot about last year, but even I could not have foreseen the ultimate uturn as displayed in the last few days by Wendy Alexander and New Labour in Scotland, for they now support a referendum on Independence for Scotland!
Only a year ago, Wendy was lecturing the Scottish people that the Scottish Parliament could not legislate for a referendum, now obviously things has dramatically changed. Interestingly, the British Labour Party (Scotland Region) was lagging in the polls until 2 weeks before the election, when someone had a brain wave in John Smith House, and decided to remove Wendy from our screens - cue New Labour fightback, and removing the threat of a Nationalist landslide.
Where this leaves other Unionist parties will the source of some debate, but to put in my tuppence worth, it signals the end of the Calman Commission before it has even started! A fact that was emphasised by both Annabel Goldie and Nicol Stephen tonight.
More importantly, the media have extracted that there was a complete miscommunication between the BLP in Scotland and Downing Street.
For Wendy, this appears to be the last throw of the dice in a controversially laden leadership, the end game for Wendy and the Union. With New Labour in a mess, Wendy has added to the chaos. Given the Scottish Government have committed to a referendum in 2010, many impartial observers will see this move as needless, except that this is the last desperate act by a very desperate person.
One thing is for sure, New Labour have surrendered the constitutional debate in Scotland for a least a generation.
As Wendy says..... Bring it on!
Only a year ago, Wendy was lecturing the Scottish people that the Scottish Parliament could not legislate for a referendum, now obviously things has dramatically changed. Interestingly, the British Labour Party (Scotland Region) was lagging in the polls until 2 weeks before the election, when someone had a brain wave in John Smith House, and decided to remove Wendy from our screens - cue New Labour fightback, and removing the threat of a Nationalist landslide.
Where this leaves other Unionist parties will the source of some debate, but to put in my tuppence worth, it signals the end of the Calman Commission before it has even started! A fact that was emphasised by both Annabel Goldie and Nicol Stephen tonight.
More importantly, the media have extracted that there was a complete miscommunication between the BLP in Scotland and Downing Street.
For Wendy, this appears to be the last throw of the dice in a controversially laden leadership, the end game for Wendy and the Union. With New Labour in a mess, Wendy has added to the chaos. Given the Scottish Government have committed to a referendum in 2010, many impartial observers will see this move as needless, except that this is the last desperate act by a very desperate person.
One thing is for sure, New Labour have surrendered the constitutional debate in Scotland for a least a generation.
As Wendy says..... Bring it on!
03 May 2008
ONE YEAR ON.......
Out campaigning with Glasgow Pollok and Glasgow Govan SNP, and a sensational poll reveals that the SNP are now scoring at 45% in the latest opinion polls. Whether in Cardonald, Govan or Cessnock, SNP support is rising as the scare stories from those prophets of doom, New Labour, are no longer believed by the electorate.
One year ago, we could only dream about an SNP Government and what it could achieve. Today, the report card reads;
(1) Keeping Health Services local - including announcing a £842 million package for the Southern General - all from public funds.
(2) More visible police on our streets.
(3) Froze the deeply unpopular Council Tax, a fact emphasised by people on the streets today.
(4) Committed to abolishing prescription charges - ending the tax on the sick.
(5) Ending the Graduate Endowment - restoring the principle of free education.
Whilst the SNP achieve, New Labour appear to now be on life support, and it is somewhat ironic that the biggest casualty yesterday was Ken Livingstone. The election of Boris the Barmy, shows that London and England are preparing for a Conservative Government. Scotland must not allow this ragbag of hard right wingers to grab their hands on our country, or our finance.
The case and need for Independence grows stronger with each passing day.....
One year ago, we could only dream about an SNP Government and what it could achieve. Today, the report card reads;
(1) Keeping Health Services local - including announcing a £842 million package for the Southern General - all from public funds.
(2) More visible police on our streets.
(3) Froze the deeply unpopular Council Tax, a fact emphasised by people on the streets today.
(4) Committed to abolishing prescription charges - ending the tax on the sick.
(5) Ending the Graduate Endowment - restoring the principle of free education.
Whilst the SNP achieve, New Labour appear to now be on life support, and it is somewhat ironic that the biggest casualty yesterday was Ken Livingstone. The election of Boris the Barmy, shows that London and England are preparing for a Conservative Government. Scotland must not allow this ragbag of hard right wingers to grab their hands on our country, or our finance.
The case and need for Independence grows stronger with each passing day.....
23 April 2008
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.
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.
20 April 2008
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.........
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.........
15 April 2008
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
