Yes another comeback for the blog, a bit like Frank Sinatra some might say, and I've decided to spruce this up a bit with a new look for this esteemed organ! Its been quite a summer, having got married to the Good Lady, been involved in lengthy negotiations with the employer over changes to working practices, and of course campaigning, where we have reduced a 44% deficit four years ago to 3% in the European Elections. Now to kick on and overtake.
Despite all the negative attacks placed on the SNP by our opponents recently, we seem to still be ahead in recent polling which spells trouble for our friends in the British Labour Party (Scotland Region).
The Summer has also been dominated by New Labour double speak no more so than with the release of Al Megrahi. In football parlance its been a dreadful pre-season for them, and one can only wonder if they can up their game in time for the Westminster election. Can this authors prediction that they could suffer the same fate as Lloyd George's Liberals really come true?
The first double speak was over comments from some Tories over privatising parts of the NHS, whist at the same time consider papers designed to do exactly that in Engand and Wales, hence the aforementioned suspension of funding from UNISON. Of course they still campaign in Scotland for outsourcing and more PFI, when the rest of us look on in utter bewiderment.
They continue to shout about cuts, when at the same time prepare for shaving £1 billion from the Scottish Budget.
Equally they scream about SNP councils and terms and conditions, whilst for the last 10 years Gasgow City Council have issued redundancy notices to change terms and conditions in an effective sign or be sacked policy as a matter of course.
Today was the ultimate. To send a signal that they are at the very least comfortable at Westminster with the compassionate release of Al Megrahi, we have their Scottish Branch saying something entirely different. They must think the electorate are fools. To suggest that an organsation which cannot sneeze with out their Bosses in London telling them what to do, can now have separate opinions is risible.
Today we can only assume they have no values. Values will decide the winner of the Westminster elections in Scotland. That is the lesson from the American Presidential elections. New Labour can only do negative because they have no values to share.
On the otherhand the people have a choice. They can choose world class public services and the principles of social justice, peace and yes compassion. They can choose to rebuild an economy where massive job losses are not seen as a price worth paying.
The people of Scotland are not leaving New Labour. New Labour have already left the Scottish people.
Voters who wish the choice of values can only now turn to the SNP.
03 September 2009
18 June 2009
FEEDING THE HAND THAT BITES
I am down for the UNISON Conference in Brighton, for what is a unified conference so far, after General Secretary, Dave Prentis delivered a devastating attack on New Labour, and received a standing ovation midway through his speech when he announced that he was requesting that the Labour Link section suspend funding Labour Party Constituency Development plans.
There is little doubt that this move is symbolic, and underlines the frustration of workers in the Public Sector. In a poll commissioned by UNISON 70% of Public Sector workers will not vote for Labour. Correctly the move to suspend funding is due to New Labour's attitude to public services, and for the way New Labour MP's have conducted themselves with their expenses.
How will Labour respond? If the last few weeks are anything to go by, they will have learned nothing. At a time when the PFI scam has been revealed, where more goes to private companies than is actually invested in public services, we see New Labour in Westminster and Holyrood argue that PFI is the way forward!
As Dave Prentis said "We must demand a manifesto that puts limits on privatisation. …. a manifesto that rebuilds public provision. We cannot tell our members to campaign and vote for a party whose manifesto promises more competition and more privatisation of our public services.” That why UNISON are sick of feeding the hand that bites.
Trade Union members and the public at large support Public Services being delivered by the Public Sector. They believe that privatisation only benefits the private investor.
I am glad I am a member of a political party that supports the Public Sector principle too.
There is little doubt that this move is symbolic, and underlines the frustration of workers in the Public Sector. In a poll commissioned by UNISON 70% of Public Sector workers will not vote for Labour. Correctly the move to suspend funding is due to New Labour's attitude to public services, and for the way New Labour MP's have conducted themselves with their expenses.
How will Labour respond? If the last few weeks are anything to go by, they will have learned nothing. At a time when the PFI scam has been revealed, where more goes to private companies than is actually invested in public services, we see New Labour in Westminster and Holyrood argue that PFI is the way forward!
As Dave Prentis said "We must demand a manifesto that puts limits on privatisation. …. a manifesto that rebuilds public provision. We cannot tell our members to campaign and vote for a party whose manifesto promises more competition and more privatisation of our public services.” That why UNISON are sick of feeding the hand that bites.
Trade Union members and the public at large support Public Services being delivered by the Public Sector. They believe that privatisation only benefits the private investor.
I am glad I am a member of a political party that supports the Public Sector principle too.
22 May 2009
PERCEPTIONS
Three months since my last blog, as I have been very busy dealing with an employer that appears to have taken complete leave of its senses, pre-occupied with Thistle's ultimately unsuccessful promotion push, Campaigning across the whole of South West, and of course helping with preparations with my forthcoming wedding.
I have been meaning to post for a few weeks now, however, my opponent for Glasgow South West has given me the ultimate inspiration. I am not going to attack Ian Davidson for his individual expenses claims which have featured in the media, as that is a matter for him. However, he has got it completely wrong with his comments in the Scotsman regarding the new Interim Expenses arrangements. To suggest that "He wishes he had a larger mortgage so he could claim more in allowances" sends the wrong signal in the current expenses crisis.
Politics is often about perception, and at this moment many members of the public think that Westminster politicians are on the take. Suggesting you wish you had a larger mortgage only re-enforces that view. In all the telegraph coverage on expenses the real scandal is the property "flipping" i.e. pocketing the profits of a sold house which the public paid the interest for, and then buying another property.
What has to come from this morass, is more accountability. In that spirit, I have decided that if I am given the honour of being elected, I will rent a property, and publish my expense claims so voters can judge for themselves if they are getting value for money.
There must be a general election soon, so that people can express their verdict on the Westminster system, and to restore confidence.
I have been meaning to post for a few weeks now, however, my opponent for Glasgow South West has given me the ultimate inspiration. I am not going to attack Ian Davidson for his individual expenses claims which have featured in the media, as that is a matter for him. However, he has got it completely wrong with his comments in the Scotsman regarding the new Interim Expenses arrangements. To suggest that "He wishes he had a larger mortgage so he could claim more in allowances" sends the wrong signal in the current expenses crisis.
Politics is often about perception, and at this moment many members of the public think that Westminster politicians are on the take. Suggesting you wish you had a larger mortgage only re-enforces that view. In all the telegraph coverage on expenses the real scandal is the property "flipping" i.e. pocketing the profits of a sold house which the public paid the interest for, and then buying another property.
What has to come from this morass, is more accountability. In that spirit, I have decided that if I am given the honour of being elected, I will rent a property, and publish my expense claims so voters can judge for themselves if they are getting value for money.
There must be a general election soon, so that people can express their verdict on the Westminster system, and to restore confidence.
03 February 2009
SCOTTISH READERS FOR QUALITY NEWS
Just my suggestion for a campaign which I feel is needed to rescue Scotland's beleaguered media, and particularly the ongoing shenanigans deployed by Newsquest who own the Herald, Sunday Herald and Evening Times.
I am sure I am not the only one to recognise the downgrading of standards at these newspapers. This is not a criticism of the journalists employed at these titles, but a direct shot at the management. The disgraceful decision to terminate all staff contracts and then issue them with new (worse) terms and conditions, has resulted in experienced staff looking for the exit doors, with the result being that a voluntary trawl ended with so many wanting to leave, Newsquest are now in a panic. At one time working for the Herald was a badge of honour, now journalists do not have that feeling.
It is also my understanding that staff who are offered redundancy are being asked to effectively sign a clause stating that they will not pursue a tribunal against the management.
To use antediluvian anti worker legislation does Newsquest no credit.
Newsquest is not a company facing difficult times. Their profits are soaring. The parent company Gannet publicly state that they see reader contributor stories as the way ahead. Readers do not expect this at the longest established English language newspaper in the world. The Evening Times is fast becoming an extended edition of the in-house Glasgow City Council magazine.
Perhaps it is time to seriously consider the Irish Times model, which is owned by a Trust as the way forward for these titles.
All of us as readers need to voice our concerns at the outrageous employment practices deployed by Newsquest, and the dumbing down of our media, particularly at what was once the best titles in the Country.
I am sure I am not the only one to recognise the downgrading of standards at these newspapers. This is not a criticism of the journalists employed at these titles, but a direct shot at the management. The disgraceful decision to terminate all staff contracts and then issue them with new (worse) terms and conditions, has resulted in experienced staff looking for the exit doors, with the result being that a voluntary trawl ended with so many wanting to leave, Newsquest are now in a panic. At one time working for the Herald was a badge of honour, now journalists do not have that feeling.
It is also my understanding that staff who are offered redundancy are being asked to effectively sign a clause stating that they will not pursue a tribunal against the management.
To use antediluvian anti worker legislation does Newsquest no credit.
Newsquest is not a company facing difficult times. Their profits are soaring. The parent company Gannet publicly state that they see reader contributor stories as the way ahead. Readers do not expect this at the longest established English language newspaper in the world. The Evening Times is fast becoming an extended edition of the in-house Glasgow City Council magazine.
Perhaps it is time to seriously consider the Irish Times model, which is owned by a Trust as the way forward for these titles.
All of us as readers need to voice our concerns at the outrageous employment practices deployed by Newsquest, and the dumbing down of our media, particularly at what was once the best titles in the Country.
02 February 2009
A BUDGET VERDICT
So I have decided to blog again to keep my avid readers occupied. A very busy January for me in both work, and campaigning around North Pollok, and and in the Greater Pollok area. I am pleased to say that the voters of Glasgow South West continue to give positive feedback to the SNP.
On Wednesday I was scheduled to go to a meeting in the Scottish Parliament which was cancelled at the last meeting thanks to the Budget being voted down. This did surprise me somewhat as I did not think that some of the following was controversial enough to vote down;
- Extra funds for the NHS
- Real investment in delivering free personal care for the elderly
- A Second successive Council Tax freeze (in other words freezing a regressive piece of taxation)
- Investment in the Construction Industry creating 5,000 jobs.
However it seems that the people of Scotland have delivered their verdict to the Budget, and the behaviour of New Labour, the Lib Dems and the Greens. In a poll for the Sunday Times published today, it shows that If an election for the Scottish Parliament was called now, the SNP would have a 6% lead in both Constituency and Regional voting, higher than in 2007.
Sensationally, despite the fact that the key economic powers lie with Westminster at present, Alex Salmond is level with Gordon Brown in terms of handling the economy. A Westminster poll has shown the SNP vote shooting up by 10%.
This poll reflects many of the comments from voters, work and trade union colleagues who are all agreed that the opposition parties who voted the Budget down, got that decision badly wrong, and that the Scottish Government are right to press ahead and try for the sake of the nation to proceed with pushing a budget that will help the people of Scotland through one of the worst economic periods ever.
SNP - Still on your side!
On Wednesday I was scheduled to go to a meeting in the Scottish Parliament which was cancelled at the last meeting thanks to the Budget being voted down. This did surprise me somewhat as I did not think that some of the following was controversial enough to vote down;
- Extra funds for the NHS
- Real investment in delivering free personal care for the elderly
- A Second successive Council Tax freeze (in other words freezing a regressive piece of taxation)
- Investment in the Construction Industry creating 5,000 jobs.
However it seems that the people of Scotland have delivered their verdict to the Budget, and the behaviour of New Labour, the Lib Dems and the Greens. In a poll for the Sunday Times published today, it shows that If an election for the Scottish Parliament was called now, the SNP would have a 6% lead in both Constituency and Regional voting, higher than in 2007.
Sensationally, despite the fact that the key economic powers lie with Westminster at present, Alex Salmond is level with Gordon Brown in terms of handling the economy. A Westminster poll has shown the SNP vote shooting up by 10%.
This poll reflects many of the comments from voters, work and trade union colleagues who are all agreed that the opposition parties who voted the Budget down, got that decision badly wrong, and that the Scottish Government are right to press ahead and try for the sake of the nation to proceed with pushing a budget that will help the people of Scotland through one of the worst economic periods ever.
SNP - Still on your side!
11 December 2008
CUTS CUTS CUTS!
Yes indeed a month since my last blog post, and I am sure my avid readers have missed my musings.
Over last month a heavy workload, plus continuing campaigning around North Cardonald, Penilee, and Damshot, and the postie still delivers a sizeable mailbag, indicating more and more support for the SNP. No sign of the Brown bounce here!
With the Calman commission being a damp squib, the pre-budget report delivering nothing for households with low incomes, it is little wonder.
Today, John Swinney announced more money for Scotland's local authorities, which is of course very welcome. Interestingly New Labour fail to tell that last year the local government slice of the Scottish Budget was the first time it had increased in nine years. Wonder why?
The main danger of course is that the Party that is supposedly against cuts, or so they keep lecturing us, has delivered a £500 million cuts bombshell of their own, with the news that the pre budget report will see this half billion being eliminated from the Scottish budget over the next three years. This outrage makes the case for Scottish fiscal powers unanswerable, and makes the Calman report look naive to be polite.
The SNP government should continue to expose the effects of the downturn and how Scottish residents are being cheated. Union dividend? Price of the union more like!
With the Tory vultures ready to pounce and gain control in London, and the disastrous consequences that they would represent to Scotland, can anyone stop them? YES!
Only voting SNP at the Westminster elections will stop these disastrous cuts in their tracks. Only the SNP can and will protect the people and public services of our nation.
Over last month a heavy workload, plus continuing campaigning around North Cardonald, Penilee, and Damshot, and the postie still delivers a sizeable mailbag, indicating more and more support for the SNP. No sign of the Brown bounce here!
With the Calman commission being a damp squib, the pre-budget report delivering nothing for households with low incomes, it is little wonder.
Today, John Swinney announced more money for Scotland's local authorities, which is of course very welcome. Interestingly New Labour fail to tell that last year the local government slice of the Scottish Budget was the first time it had increased in nine years. Wonder why?
The main danger of course is that the Party that is supposedly against cuts, or so they keep lecturing us, has delivered a £500 million cuts bombshell of their own, with the news that the pre budget report will see this half billion being eliminated from the Scottish budget over the next three years. This outrage makes the case for Scottish fiscal powers unanswerable, and makes the Calman report look naive to be polite.
The SNP government should continue to expose the effects of the downturn and how Scottish residents are being cheated. Union dividend? Price of the union more like!
With the Tory vultures ready to pounce and gain control in London, and the disastrous consequences that they would represent to Scotland, can anyone stop them? YES!
Only voting SNP at the Westminster elections will stop these disastrous cuts in their tracks. Only the SNP can and will protect the people and public services of our nation.
09 November 2008
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.....
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.....
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