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CAMPAIGNING FOR SCOTLAND
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Compiled by Jim Lynch
[Issue 95 -  29th March 2002]

These stipulations are because I believe all the hyperbole and hypocritical cant over the pay issue is claptrap, and as I have no axe to grind I can say this. It is my firm belief that all MSPs, even including the numpties, whose name is legion (but not as many as at Westminster) are doing a good job , and in fact are working harder than the Westminster ones. The amount of hysteria whipped up by the media was and is totally disgraceful, and treats the public as morons; which newspaperman, or woman, would not award themself a 13.5% pay rise, if asked? Which member of the public would not vote themself a 13.5% pay rise if asked? I am a pensioner, and if I was asked to vote a 13.5% rise for myself, I would do so, even though that would be public money; I have never yet met anyone who would not do the same, but maybe the Second Coming is not far away, and I will meet one before I die.

As to the Telephone Poll which showed that 99% were against the rise and 1% for, I was totally astonished; where on earth did they find 1%! Margo MacDonald MSP had it right for once when she asked if the vote was on whether MSPs should be beheaded the result would be the same. The other point I find bizarre is that the general public have a very low opinion of politicians (but not as low as their opinion of journalists) so why all the righteous indignation when they apparently do what people expect?

The whole issue should not have come before the MSPs at all, and should have been laid down at the beginning, but it did and we have all the various stances which have caused further confusion; some MSPs voted against, and having salved their consciences, then took the money; some voted for, and are giving the money to charity, but the public do not remember that distinction, and some abstained, but will take the money anyway. The Blessed Tommy Sheridan voted against, but we do not know if he is taking the extra money or not; he already takes his full whack, claiming he exists on the average wage, and gives the rest away. His problem is that, as someone pointed out, he does not give the money to a charity, but to the Scottish Socialist Party, which exists mainly to get him re-elected; a true case of charity beginning at home.

A lot of what we have seen and heard was because MSPs genuinely were very uncomfortable to be put in the position of having to vote for their own wages; in conclusion, I would like to think that I would have had the moral courage to vote for the increase if I was in that position, but I was not, so I can pontificate as much as I like, just like a journalist!

THE FIRST 1000 DAYS

Sometimes, I wonder at just how many unfortunate things have happened to the Scottish Parliament since it was launched in a blaze of glory, and whether they are all accidental? First, the Parliament met, and then there was a dispute about expenses for list MSPs, which was a housekeeping issue that should have been settled beforehand; then there was the attempt to take away the money allocated to the Opposition, which Labour tried but again this should have been settled long before. The claim that the MSPs had awarded themselves medals also received great bad publicity; in fact this was a Civil Service decision that commemorative medals should be struck for the Parliament’s opening, and had nothing at all to do with MSPs. How typical that this canard is still going about !

A month or two back, Murray Ritchie wrote in the Herald that this was the only national legislature in the world with its own inbuilt fifth column; he was referring to the press, which loses no opportunity to attack the Parliament. The Daily Discord’s attitude in particular, leads me to paraphrase the late Cardinal Winning when he was talking about homosexuality; he said "Love the sinner, hate the sin", and the Daily Discord "Loves the Labour Party, hates the Parliament", blithely ignoring that it is the Labour Party which was and is responsible for most of the problems. The other disaster is the new Parliament building, where the costs are soaring; this was decided by the Westminster Cabinet. They laid down where it had to go, and it was decided before the Parliament even met; now it is the fault of the Parliament, when it is the fault of the Labour Party.

Five years ago, the Labour Party’s General Secretary, a young man called McConnell, called a press conference to announce details of the voting procedure for the Scottish Parliament . The electoral plot had been cooked up by Donald Dewar, and agreed by Labour and the Liberals; when Mr McConnell was asked if the Additional Member System, now in use, "had been expressly designed to stop the Nationalists", he snapped back "Correct". (First recorded occasion of him telling the truth at a press conference.) Jack McConnell is now the First Minister, after his predecessor resigned over a scandal connected with his Westminster expenses; this had no connection with the Scottish Parliament, but again the Parliament got the blame! There is currently a local government by-election being held in Mr McLeish’s constituency, as a Labour councillor also resigned due to her involvement in the scandal, but although a number of politicians are mentioned, Mr McLeish is a non person and has now been airbrushed out of current Labour election literature; one might have thought their local MSP would have merited a mention. Is he a dead man walking?

When we consider all the above, is it not good that conspiracies only occur in political novels, and never happen in real life?

DING DONG THE WITCH IS DEAD

It would not be true to say that we rejoice because she is ill, as illness is not a condition to be wished upon anyone, but her continued presence on the political stage was a definite hindrance to the Tories ever mounting any form of opposition in Westminster. What is it about these Tory leaders? Ted Heath never made peace with Margaret Thatcher after she beat him for the leadership of the Tories, an attitude for which he was roundly criticised by his own party. She, in her turn, never really accepted that she was no longer the leader of the Tories, but made life a misery for John Major, carping at his decisions, which as far as Europe was concerned, were dictated by her own decisions when in power. She patronised William Hague, and was preparing to try more of the same with Iain Duncan Smith.

Her legacy is alive and well, and the Blessed Tony Blair is the real son of Thatcher; to this end Alex Salmond, MP, has tabled the following Motion in the House of Commons:

"That this House notes the retiral of the Rt Hon Baroness Thatcher from public life, but believes that she doesn’t need to make any more political speeches anyway, since the Rt Hon Member for Sedgefield, the Prime Minister, speaks and acts on her behalf every day of the week."

We are not sure how many Hon Members will sign the Motion, but we are also sure that a majority of Labour Members would like to. Tut, tut, Alex, you have a nasty streak in you!

Mrs Thatcher was idolised by the Tories, and generally hated by the Scots, principally because of the Poll Tax, which was Malcolm Rifkind’s idea, but we should perhaps remember her as the Mother of the Scottish Parliament, in the same way as we remember Edward I, King of England, and Hammer of the Scots was credited with forging the Scottish nation; it was her image and attitude that made Scots vote for a Parliament not dominated by the English ,but unfortunately that was what we got, another reason for the low standing of the Parliament today. The Tories have not forgotten us, though; last week their leader paid a highly publicised visit to Easterhouse, and all of a sudden they’ve become a caring party, determined to look after the poor and the dispossessed. Two remarks I always remember , both from James Halliday, author, historian, and a former leader of the SNP; "So long as mankind is subject to avarice and greed, so there will always be a future for the Tory Party.", and the other one was to the effect that those calling for reduced taxes were starving public services to the less well off in our society. (I remember where I read it, in James Halliday’s column in the Scots Independent, but not when, so it is paraphrased.) In democratic terms, the Tories are necessary, in England ,as they now appear to have more socialist leanings than New Labour, and democracy is never served by one-party states.

However, all is not lost; the British Olympic Association is backing Alain in his fight to clear his name; he is appealing to the Court of Arbitration in Sport, and the BOC has said publicly that he has their support. The whole affair is due to a mix up with a nasal inhaler; Alain used a Vick’s inhaler to clear his nose, but he left it in Austria. He bought the same one in America, a straightforward over the counter purchase, assuming that it was exactly the same; unfortunately it was not. The American one had a minute quantity of an amphetamine, which is a banned drug; what makes it more bizarre is that this particular drug was not performance enhancing! However, the rules are the rules are the rules, so he loses his medal.

So now, Michael Russell, MSP, SNP shadow sport and culture minister, has written to Sir David Steel, presiding officer, suggesting that the Scottish Parliament should award him a medal of honour, as we are very proud of him and believe he has been unfairly treated. Mike said "The medal of honour should be the Scottish Parliament’s way of acknowledging those who have made an outstanding contribution to Scottish life. Alain Baxter’s sporting achievement, together with the dignity with which he has handled this terrible injustice makes him a worthy winner of the first medal."

TALKING INDEPENDENCE

Independence is full control by the people of Scotland over all their own affairs, apart from control in any areas where they have freely agreed to share power with others.

Independence will enable the people of Scotland to take control of their lives by taking control of how Scotland is governed and how our money is raised and spent, which we need to do if we are to make Scotland the prosperous, socially just place it should be.

Westminster and the London parties may oppose Independence, but ultimately it is the people of Scotland’s right to decide.

The Scottish Parliament has made Scotland more democratic but, until Independence, it will be severely restricted in its powers. We should always remember that Westminster retains control over:

On a recent visit to Edinburgh, Jordi Pujol, the President of the devolved government of Catalonia observed how much less power Scotland had than Catalonia over taxation and spending. Mr Pujol said that the Scottish Parliament’s fiscal powers needed to be "more general" if it was to be in a position to improve the lives of Scots. (The Herald 10-7-01) Even the Scottish Parliament’s Presiding Officer, Sir David Steel has called for more financial independence: "This country is very low down the league of countries in terms of tax-raising powers. I actually believe the Scottish Parliament should try to acquire a little more fiscal responsibility for raising the money that it spends." (The Scotsman 06-06-01)

We already have the Parliament – now we need to complete its powers.

"I will appeal to Europe", she cried in despair.

Talks are going well with the Rail Unions and National Express over the Scottish rail strike; they were at a standstill for weeks, until First Minister Jack McConnell got angry.

Just sheer coincidence that the English Unions had discovered that they had called for one of the strike days to be the day of the European Cup Final at Hampden Park in Glasgow.

Shame on an Education writer in the Scotsman, who took some young Celtic supporters to see Celtic playing Dundee United at Tannadice; he said "For some obscure reason, Dundee United are nicknamed the Arabs."

Anyone not obsessed with Central Belt football would be aware that before the Second World War, Dundee United were called Dundee Hibernians, and after the war they wore black and white vertical stripes, ie Arabs, with a pejorative accent, probably ; always pleased to put a teacher right.

Pete Wishart, SNP MP for Tayside North, and a former member of Runrig, tried to obtain a place on the music committee of the House of Commons; the other parties carved up the committee, and Pete did not get a place.

His crime was that he had reported three Labour MPs to the Parliamentary Commissioner, because he believed they had been guilty of "financial impropriety"; as one of the fiddlers at the meeting said "He has now learned that this is a tough hard place." It obviously is - for an honest man.

The Scottish Executive’s decision to build three new private prisons has enraged the Prison Officers’ Union, and there are rumblings that the Union may cancel its sponsorship with Labour and sponsor SNP MSPs.

Bit odd if a party dedicated to freedom gets its first sponsorship from those who get paid for keeping people locked up.

SYNOPSIS

BRUCE CRAWFORD QUESTIONS LONGANNET MANAGEMENT OVER PIT CRISIS

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Bruce Crawford today said serious questions had to be asked of the management of Longannet about the competence of the mine operators. Speaking after Longannet, the last deep mine in Scotland, was flooded by more than 17 million gallons of water on Saturday Mr Crawford said, "Towards the end of last year 140 very experienced miners who knew the mine well lost their jobs. At that time I asked whether Health and Safety was being compromised and was given assurances that all was well. I want to know why the management let go of so many experienced workers who knew the mine very well, was important knowledge about the workings of the mine lost when these men were shown the door, what monitoring was being carried out and what training had been provided to those in charge? This is about management taking corporate responsibility for what appears to be one major problem after another". Mr Crawford said the closure of the mine which recently received £40 million to deal with geological problems would be a disaster not just for the economy of Fife but the whole of Scotland".

TRICIA MARWICK CLAIMS "THE NEXT STEPS" ARE BACKWARDS

Commenting on the publication of the Scottish Executive's White Paper on Local Government, Shadow Local Government Minister Tricia Marwick MSP said, it was clear that, "It suits the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats to kick the whole issue of fair voting into touch until after the results of the Scottish Parliament elections in 2003. Ms Marwick pointed out that it had taken the Lib-Lab Executive two years to even get this far, "The McIntosh Report into recommended PR in 1999 and Kerley recommended STV as the form of fair voting in June 2000. The next steps appear to be backwards however as the Minister has said that this is going to be a lengthy consultation exercise. This is just another excuse to delay the inevitable and now long overdue introduction of fair voting for Scottish local government elections.

COLIN CAMPBELL SAYS DEFENCE OVERSTRETCH PUTS JOBS AT RISK

Shadow Defence Minister Colin Campbell MSP TODAY said Rosyth workers were being threatened with further redundancies because of UK MOD delays in authorising refits, "New Labour never tires of telling us how much Scotland owes to the Ministry of Defence yet this week we had the announcement of the Faslane and Coulport privatisation, with the real threat of 500 job losses, and today we learn that there are delays in refits at Rosyth". Mr Campbell said it wasn't just short delays either but 61 week delays that meant planned work was being put off and that as many as half the Rosyth jobs could be at risk. "These are jobs in Gordon Brown's backyard," said Mr Campbell, "There is clearly Treasury pressure on defence. Blair is over extending the armed forces throughout the world, the UK is trying to do too much, there is insufficient cash to meet Blair's ambitions and Scottish workers are suffering again".

CARE SYSTEM BUCKLES AS CHILD NEGLECT CASES SOAR

A massive increase in the number of child welfare cases caused by neglect, domestic violence and parental drug use is putting unbearable pressure on social workers and the children's hearing system. An investigation by the Sunday Herald shows that there are more than 2000 children in Scotland deemed officially at risk of abuse, neglect and death -- yet less than one fifth of council social work teams say they are staffed and equipped to deal with the crisis. Only seven of the country's 32 council social work departments said they were adequately staffed. The worst, in Aberdeen, said it had 172 children on the child protection register but only two social workers dealing with child protection. The SNP today criticised the time taken to process cases and called on the Executive to put more resources into improving efficiency and tackling persistent reoffending. Irene McGugan MSP, shadow deputy minister for children, said high levels of parental neglect were deeply concerning: "Children are an alleged priority of the First Minister and the Executive. Parents need a lot more support and we need to be lifting people out of poverty, not just talking about it. To have 2000 children on the child protection register while only a fifth of councils say they are staffed to cope is frightening and shocking." She said Executive claims to have children at the heart of policy were "empty rhetoric".

LABOUR MSP JUST A QC WHO CAN'T SAY NO

A leading Labour MSP who promised 10 months ago to give up his lucrative legal career to concentrate on his constituents is still accepting court work. Gordon Jackson QC, who once earned almost 240,000 pounds a year in legal aid fees, gave a clear undertaking in May last year that he would "leave the legal profession". The pledge followed criticism that Jackson faced a conflict of interest by working as an MSP scrutinising the legal profession while continuing to earn large sums in legal aid. Last night, however, Jackson admitted that he was still practising as an advocate. Last night Glasgow SNP MSP Nicola Sturgeon, a former lawyer, said: "I think that all members of the Scottish parliament should be full-time. I don't think it is a job that allows other activities. If he is engaging in legal work then it must raise questions whether he is adequately representing his constituents. I gave up law three months before I was elected precisely for that reason, and I have not practised since."

ANGER AT 2 MILLION POUND FIFE COUNCIL PAY-OFFS

Almost half the council tax rise being inflicted on homeowners in Fife is going to fund handouts to top officials, The Courier can exclusively reveal. Council chiefs are paying out 2 million pounds of public money to 18 officials to allow them to go early. The sum represents almost half the 5% council tax increase being imposed on homeowners in Fife this year. Five of the 10 officials who have already left were department heads, and another department head is due to leave soon. Last night politicians reacted with fury to the way council tax cash is being spent. Mid Scotland and Fife SNP MSP Bruce Crawford said, "It is the sheer inequality of all of this that angers me. If the school janitor or the bin man goes early they get nothing like these sums. It is time to break down the gulf between top earners and those at the coal face. Shadow local government minister Tricia Marwick said the SNP has always said that Fife Council is top heavy with top management. "Now we can see we were spot on," said the Mid Scotland and Fife MSP. "But the council tax payers in Fife must be absolutely horrified to see their money going on pay-offs to get rid of staff who have already had huge salaries since reorganisation."

LABOUR MEP UNDER FIRE OVER FISHERIES MOVE

A Scottish Labour MEP has come under fire after she voted against a move requiring the Scottish Parliament to be told of important European decisions affecting the fishing industry. Euro MPs on the fisheries committee in Brussels had been voting on a draft report on the Multi-Annual Guidance Programme for fishing fleets. SNP member Ian Hudghton expressed his disappointment that Catherine Stihler and the socialist group had felt unable to support the amendment. The socialist group's action, he said, meant that the Westminster Parliament only would have to be informed of decisions that could have major implications for Scots fishermen. "The SNP group's amendment would have brought the Scottish Parliament and, indeed the Executive, that bit closer to the European decision-making process," continued Mr Hudghton. "Jack McConnell has said ministers must do everything possible to raise Scotland's profile in the EU. It's a pity that he can't depend on his own MEPs to give him a hand." Richard Lochhead, the SNP's spokesman on Europe and fisheries at Holyrood, said: "Labour don't want Scotland to have a direct voice in Europe - and now they don't even want Scotland to hear directly from Europe."