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.
23 April 2008
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.
30 March 2008
UNDERSTANDING THE POLITICAL COMPASS
A number of months ago I took a test on a website which it stated would tell me where I am on the political compass. I was placed right next to Nelson Mandela which is not a bad accolade at all.
After her address to the Conference in Aviemore, it is clear that Wendy Alexander doesn't have a clue about what a political compass is.
I watched her speech live, and to be honest flat would be a polite description. Firstly there was the wee jokes at the beginning and trying to obtain a touchy feely image - cue tumbleweed (in true shooting stars tradition!)
Her constant sniping at the SNP was woeful, and to describe the SNP as right wing and herself as a socialist shows she ain't got a scooby doo about a political compass.
Wendy is the same person who gave Glasgow the great white elephant that is the GHA, supports private sector involvement in education and health, and like Gordon Brown believes in the free market, with little state involvement, and her international agenda is akin to George.W.Bush because yes she supported the Iraq War. Some socialist!
As Iain McWhirter concludes today, The Scottish Government has introduced a freeze on the Council Tax across Scotland, therefore, sending a signal that regressive tax is bad, is on the way to delivering free prescriptions, abolished student fees, begun a pilot for free school meals, given equal rights to children of asylum seekers to name just a few. Not very right wing is it.
The fact is that the SNP has delivered the most socially democratic programme for Government for a generation.
Silly smears wont work just as they didn't work in May last year. Whilst Wendy and her band of followers continue to snipe and obtain ridicule for their analysis of Scottish politics and Scottish life, The SNP will continue to deliver, and continue the legacy of Hardie, Wheatley and others who brought major positive change to the Scottish people.
After her address to the Conference in Aviemore, it is clear that Wendy Alexander doesn't have a clue about what a political compass is.
I watched her speech live, and to be honest flat would be a polite description. Firstly there was the wee jokes at the beginning and trying to obtain a touchy feely image - cue tumbleweed (in true shooting stars tradition!)
Her constant sniping at the SNP was woeful, and to describe the SNP as right wing and herself as a socialist shows she ain't got a scooby doo about a political compass.
Wendy is the same person who gave Glasgow the great white elephant that is the GHA, supports private sector involvement in education and health, and like Gordon Brown believes in the free market, with little state involvement, and her international agenda is akin to George.W.Bush because yes she supported the Iraq War. Some socialist!
As Iain McWhirter concludes today, The Scottish Government has introduced a freeze on the Council Tax across Scotland, therefore, sending a signal that regressive tax is bad, is on the way to delivering free prescriptions, abolished student fees, begun a pilot for free school meals, given equal rights to children of asylum seekers to name just a few. Not very right wing is it.
The fact is that the SNP has delivered the most socially democratic programme for Government for a generation.
Silly smears wont work just as they didn't work in May last year. Whilst Wendy and her band of followers continue to snipe and obtain ridicule for their analysis of Scottish politics and Scottish life, The SNP will continue to deliver, and continue the legacy of Hardie, Wheatley and others who brought major positive change to the Scottish people.
28 March 2008
AN EXERCISE IN DELUSION
Gordon Brown's address to the British Labour Party (Scotland Region) at its Regional Conference in Aviemore, and Wendy Alexander's self appraisal can only be described as a wasteful exercise in self delusion.
The main crux though is that they have learnt the square root of nothing since their election defeat in May. Hearing Gordon Brown today attack the SNP was also an exercise in rewriting history. For him to lecture anyone on Local Government cuts when he presided over Tory spending plans in his first few years as Chancellor which meant real cuts in Local Government, and jobs, is complete hypocrisy. He also seems to forget that he is responsible for allowing globalisation to grow without state interference in the market. In addition it is he who wrote the cheques for the Iraq War, and we will take no lessons from him on International affairs.
It is the SNP Government who are the real protectors of the National Health Service, cutting prescription charges, and reducing them still further until they are free, saving vital accident and emergency services from closure, and ensuring Health Boards become more accountable by ensuring that board members become elected, are just some of the achievements that the Scottish Government are doing to ensure that the NHS in Scotland is free at the point of need.
Turning to Wendy. In fairness she was almost right, it's just that no one told her there wasn't anything behind the zero in out of ten!
So far, and its only Day 1, New Labour are attacking the SNP, producing scaremongering tactics, and generally suggesting that the world will end if the Nats got in. Someone will really need to tell them that the SNP are elected, doing a very good job, and are well ahead in the polls. A fact underpinned in Glasgow South West when the postie arrives with more survey cards with more voters identifying themselves as voting SNP at the next Westminster election.
Who knows what more hysterical nonsense will be produced over the next 2 days, though the smart money is on Johann Lamont to be the most outrageous in contribution.
Negative, scaremongering, and delusional - its as if time hasn't moved!
On a weekend when the clocks go forward, New Labour in Scotland are going backwards!
The main crux though is that they have learnt the square root of nothing since their election defeat in May. Hearing Gordon Brown today attack the SNP was also an exercise in rewriting history. For him to lecture anyone on Local Government cuts when he presided over Tory spending plans in his first few years as Chancellor which meant real cuts in Local Government, and jobs, is complete hypocrisy. He also seems to forget that he is responsible for allowing globalisation to grow without state interference in the market. In addition it is he who wrote the cheques for the Iraq War, and we will take no lessons from him on International affairs.
It is the SNP Government who are the real protectors of the National Health Service, cutting prescription charges, and reducing them still further until they are free, saving vital accident and emergency services from closure, and ensuring Health Boards become more accountable by ensuring that board members become elected, are just some of the achievements that the Scottish Government are doing to ensure that the NHS in Scotland is free at the point of need.
Turning to Wendy. In fairness she was almost right, it's just that no one told her there wasn't anything behind the zero in out of ten!
So far, and its only Day 1, New Labour are attacking the SNP, producing scaremongering tactics, and generally suggesting that the world will end if the Nats got in. Someone will really need to tell them that the SNP are elected, doing a very good job, and are well ahead in the polls. A fact underpinned in Glasgow South West when the postie arrives with more survey cards with more voters identifying themselves as voting SNP at the next Westminster election.
Who knows what more hysterical nonsense will be produced over the next 2 days, though the smart money is on Johann Lamont to be the most outrageous in contribution.
Negative, scaremongering, and delusional - its as if time hasn't moved!
On a weekend when the clocks go forward, New Labour in Scotland are going backwards!
17 March 2008
THINGS CAN ONLY GET BITTER
An adaptation of their song of 1997, is probably the correct synopsis to describe the current state of affairs within the British Labour Party (Scotland Region).
A 75% polling lead for First Minister, Alex Salmond over Wendy Alexander is even better than yours truly predicted in my beginning of the year predictions for 2008! However, it does show that Wendy may be mortally wounded politically. An sizeable lead in the polls for Westminster and Holyrood show the malaise that is creeping into New Labour. Indeed the positive returns with my current survey show more and more people deserting New Labour for the SNP.
Since May, the Holyrood New Labour group has found itself on the wrong side of every debate affecting the lives of the Scottish people. It is little wonder then that they are so far behind.
The latest mistake being their opposition to Local Income Tax and their stupid defence of the Council Tax, arguably the second most detested piece of taxation in Scottish history. A right wing alliance with the Tories, they are the last defenders of the Council Tax, opposing the introduction of a progressive tax that is based on the ability to pay.
More and more Scots are no longer fooled by a Party that increased Council Tax by 60% in 10years.
The BLP (Scotland Region) gathering at Aviemore, where they have already insulted the host!, will be an interesting gathering. Many will surely attend, concerned at their current plight, and many will blame the Holyrood Group for their current downfall, though Alastair Darlings anti-Scottish budget will not have helped. It is surely only a matter of time before they descend into civil war, indeed things can only get bitter!
A 75% polling lead for First Minister, Alex Salmond over Wendy Alexander is even better than yours truly predicted in my beginning of the year predictions for 2008! However, it does show that Wendy may be mortally wounded politically. An sizeable lead in the polls for Westminster and Holyrood show the malaise that is creeping into New Labour. Indeed the positive returns with my current survey show more and more people deserting New Labour for the SNP.
Since May, the Holyrood New Labour group has found itself on the wrong side of every debate affecting the lives of the Scottish people. It is little wonder then that they are so far behind.
The latest mistake being their opposition to Local Income Tax and their stupid defence of the Council Tax, arguably the second most detested piece of taxation in Scottish history. A right wing alliance with the Tories, they are the last defenders of the Council Tax, opposing the introduction of a progressive tax that is based on the ability to pay.
More and more Scots are no longer fooled by a Party that increased Council Tax by 60% in 10years.
The BLP (Scotland Region) gathering at Aviemore, where they have already insulted the host!, will be an interesting gathering. Many will surely attend, concerned at their current plight, and many will blame the Holyrood Group for their current downfall, though Alastair Darlings anti-Scottish budget will not have helped. It is surely only a matter of time before they descend into civil war, indeed things can only get bitter!
08 March 2008
PALTRY MINIMUM WAGE RISE
A long time since my last post, due to some technical hitches this week.
One of the biggest stories for me was the Paltry rise of 21p announced by the Westminster Government, which quite rightly drew criticism from the Trade unions. This rise is below the current RPI rate of inflation which stands at 4.1%. This poor rise will be one part of a double whammy to hit low paid workers in April, when the Westminster Governments plan to abolish the lower rate of income tax kicks in.
In addition, a paltry rise does nothing to address the folly of the state effectively subsidising major corporations who insist on paying workers low wages. In effect, anyone on the NMW csan claim benefit, and work for say MacDonalds.
This shows clearly that New Labour have no interest in dealing with Poverty. With rising prices in food, energy and travel, this paltry rise will not help low paid workers in Scotland.
The SNP has a proud record of supporting a real Minimum wage having established a minmum wage at half male median earnings as party policy since the early 1990's. Currently that rate would be £6.75 an hour which would lift more families out of poverty.
Only under Independence with a SNP Government at the helm, will have the vision, ambition and ideals to lift Scotland families out of poverty.
One of the biggest stories for me was the Paltry rise of 21p announced by the Westminster Government, which quite rightly drew criticism from the Trade unions. This rise is below the current RPI rate of inflation which stands at 4.1%. This poor rise will be one part of a double whammy to hit low paid workers in April, when the Westminster Governments plan to abolish the lower rate of income tax kicks in.
In addition, a paltry rise does nothing to address the folly of the state effectively subsidising major corporations who insist on paying workers low wages. In effect, anyone on the NMW csan claim benefit, and work for say MacDonalds.
This shows clearly that New Labour have no interest in dealing with Poverty. With rising prices in food, energy and travel, this paltry rise will not help low paid workers in Scotland.
The SNP has a proud record of supporting a real Minimum wage having established a minmum wage at half male median earnings as party policy since the early 1990's. Currently that rate would be £6.75 an hour which would lift more families out of poverty.
Only under Independence with a SNP Government at the helm, will have the vision, ambition and ideals to lift Scotland families out of poverty.
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