KNEES BEND, ARMS STRETCH
Sometimes you
have to look twice at newspaper headlines before you can
actually believe what you’re reading. “Compulsory exercise
for three-year olds” I read at the weekend. It’s a while
since I was regularly in the company of three year olds but
when my own children - and grandchildren - were that age my
problem was more likely to be getting them to stay still! Of
course the headline was nonsense. The content seemed to be
talking about a report which said that young children in
nursery and the early years of school should be encouraged to
take part in exercise on a daily basis in an attempt to combat
the fact that some children are overweight and a few are very
overweight. Of course this is a problem and has to be dealt
with but, although I am very enthusiastic about daily exercise
in school, I doubt that exercise alone will provide the
solution to the weight problem.
Thirty years
ago, while I was teaching in the Greater London area, the
Infant School in which I taught took part in a pilot scheme to
test the benefits of daily exercise on a generation of
children who, it was feared, had forgotten how to play, and
work off their excess energy, because of the amount of time
they spent watching television. Sounds familiar? The
teachers grumbled as we re-worked timetables and muttered
about what would have to be cut to make time for 30 minutes of
physical activity every school day and how we were all going
to fit this activity into the space available. We had also to
consider how to vary the activities so that we did not have
children doing the same thing too often and becoming bored.
Fitness exercises, outdoor games, working with PE apparatus,
jumping and climbing, dance and drama. And guess what? We
all loved it. The children loved it because they were out of
class and on the move and it was fun. The teachers loved it
because we discovered that it actually improved the children’s
educational performance and classroom
behaviour and if we managed things well nothing had to be cut
from the curriculum.
The pilot scheme was completed and the research submitted to
the powers that be but nothing more happened. Our little
school continued to keep the daily exercise going but we saw
no signs of the idea spreading.
I would
welcome more physical activity for children in school. I
would like to see more children walking to and from school and
I would like to see school playgrounds designed in such a way
that they encourage children to play. However I would also
like to take a look in the backpacks and lunch boxes. If I
mis-time things and land in my local shop at the same time as
the children of the nearby primary school I watch with
incredulity the turnover of crisps, chocolate bars, other
sweets and fizzy drinks. It takes a strong mother to stand out
against the universal cry of the child that “everybody has
crisps and a chocolate bar except me”. I know. I’ve
been there. But I think that’s what will actually make the
difference. Governments can, and should, do many things for
us. And it’s time they did something about advertising aimed
at children. But at the end of the day it’s down to parents
and families to tackle this particular problem.
TALES FROM THE ELECTION
CAMPAIGN
The European
Elections are not exactly setting the heather on fire here in
Glasgow. We are doing our best with leaflets and letters to
voters but it’s difficult to engage with people on the street.
And then just as I am getting depressed about turnout,
something happens to boost my campaigning morale. During the
last week I have attended two lots of European Election
Hustings with Douglas Henderson, the candidate leading our
campaign in Glasgow. The first was
organised
by
a group called “Churches Together” and attracted an audience
of more than 70 people. I can’t remember when I last saw so
many people at a pre-election meeting. 6 candidates were
present on the platform, with the United Kingdom Independence
Party in the audience, and I thought it was a very worthwhile
evening for everyone who attended.
The second
Hustings was organized by the Scottish Coalition for Justice
not War focusing on the topics of Iraq and Palestine – not in
themselves European matters but constantly being raised as an
election issue when we talk to people. Again we had the
candidates from the 6 main parties and an audience of 50
electors, most of whom came from
organisations
or political parties who were against the war in Iraq and had
fairly strong views on the Palestine situation. This was a
very lively meeting and I did not envy the Chairperson her
job. She had to cope not only with heckling from the audience
but also heckling between candidates and had at one point to
stop candidates heckling the audience.
The Labour
representative took an incredible amount of stick on behalf of
Tony Blair and the London government despite trying to
bodyswerve the issues at hand and assuring us all that this
election was about sending members to the European
Parliament. The audience was not persuaded and question after
question focused the platform speakers back to international
affairs. Apart from the Labour candidate and the Tory
candidate all the other speakers had anti war views and the
main point of difference was the role of the United Nations.
It was admitted by all except the Scottish Socialist Party
that the UN needed reform but that there had to be such an
organisation to represent the international community in
circumstances like these. The SSP called the UN flawed and
called for it to be done away with but could not suggest an
alternative. The issue of Palestine made for an equally lively
debate and it became clear that the audience was far from
happy with American intervention in middle East affairs and
really wanted a strong United Nations which could take strong
action against countries which ignored UN Resolutions and
desperately wanted to see Israel and Palestine sign up to a
peace process.
Earlier in the
day the SNP had tabled a motion on Iraq in the Scottish
Parliament. There were four amendments in the names of the
Labour group, the SSP, the Lib Dems and the Tories. Nobody
“won” but Labour certainly lost as you can see in the press
statement further on.
Apart from
these hustings the SNP team have been out on the streets.
We’ve had Neil MacCormick and Gordon Wilson out to support
Douglas Henderson. There’s only one more Saturday to go and
we’ll be doing all we can to raise awareness of the election
and to persuade folk to turn out to vote. I’ve already filled
out my postal ballot paper and sent it off so I can spend
Polling Day – June 10 – persuading others to go to their local
Polling Place to cast their votes.
Meanwhile I
reckon I’ve another three mornings up with the lark and out
with the postman delivering letters from John Swinney and
copies of the SNP manifesto to help persuade electors to vote
SNP.
If you want to
know more about the SNP’s campaign please go the SNP website (www.snp.org)
and click on the button “Euro ‘04”. This will take you to the
site for the European Campaign. Happy reading. And don’t
forget to vote!
STOP THE WORLD,
SCOTLAND WANTS TO GET ON
These were
Winnie Ewing’s first words to the crowd outside the count
after her victory in the Hamilton By-Election on 2 November
1967. It is appropriate that it is also the title of her
recently published autobiography. It is a really good read
and I am enjoying it greatly. Winnie’s is a fascinating story
of a working mother with a legal practice who entered
political life after her by-election win and has represented
the SNP at Westminster, in Europe and in the Scottish
Parliament. She has done remarkable work for Scotland and I
recommend her story to you all. I attended the Glasgow launch
of the book and Winnie kindly signed a copy for me. It was a
lovely evening and a chance to catch up with people I have not
seen for a while many of whom have played a significant part
in the Independence cause.
THE COD CRUSADERS -
GUTTED
The BBC had
scheduled a documentary about the Scottish Fishing Industry to
be shown on Wednesday 2 June. It charts a year in the life of
the Cod Crusaders who are campaigning for the future of
Scotland’s fishing communities and is titled “Gutted”. On
Sunday 30 May the BBC announced their decision to postpone the
showing of the film until 16 June “because of the need to have
‘balance’ during the European Election campaign”.
This is just
nonsense. Under Electoral Law broadcasters have a duty to
provide balance between candidates and political parties
during the election period but there is no law prohibiting
material dealing with general political matters and issues
during that time. It is the job of broadcasters to present
the issues of the election to the public. If they are using
candidates or political representatives to comment then that
has to be done with stopwatch in hand but that is not the case
in this instance.
“Gutted” is
not party political but it is about an issue that some would
say is closely identified with the Scottish National Party
because we are the only party that has constantly and
consistently highlighted the fact that the Westminster
government has failed to protect this vital Scottish interest
and has, in fact, sold the fishing industry down the river.
Do you
remember the story that came out just a week or so ago about
how the
Govan
Shipyards were “saved” in the run up to the 1999 Scottish
Parliament elections because the Westminster government was
afraid of the rise in support for the SNP? Is the BBC
altering its scheduling to suit the Government?
Alex
Salmond
MP for Banff and
Buchan,
a key fishing constituency, has written in very strong terms
to the BBC demanding a full explanation of the criteria used
by BBC Scotland to justify the postponement of the
documentary. He accuses the BBC of running scared of the
Government following the publication of the Hutton Report and
calls the statement about balance in the election period
absurd and irrelevant.
He says “The
fight of Scotland’s fishing communities for a viable future is
an entirely legitimate issue to be discussed anytime. I find
it extraordinary that the BBC should have suppressed this
important national issue until after the European Election.”
I wish the Cod
Crusaders well in their campaigning. They started out as a
group of relatively inexperienced women fighting to retain
jobs in the fishing industry for their families and
communities. They have tackled politicians and officials at
all levels, they have taken their case to groups,
organisations and conferences all over the country. They have
developed into first class campaigners and done a power of
good for the fishing communities. They deserve the thanks of
all concerned Scots.
POLICY POSTCARDS
We continue our publication of the SNP Policy
Postcards; 4 remain which have particular relevance to the
European election. I could not make up my mind which to
choose so I have included2 of them. We will publish a new one
every week, each one dealing with a different aspect of SNP
policy. The full list can be seen on the SNP website under
"Vision" and "Policy".
Second-class
status
Scotland is
playing in the second division of Europe. While Ireland takes
her turn at the EU Presidency, Scotland’s First Minister has
to settle for chairing RegLeg— the Conference of European
Regions with legislative power. The SNP isn’t prepared to
settle for regional status in Europe. We believe Scotland’s
place should be at the top table of Europe—so we can help
build the kind of Europe we want to see, and play a full part
in it.
To have any
influence in Europe you have to be a member state but to be a
member state you have to be independent.
Under the terms
of the Treaty of Nice an independent Scotland would have SEVEN
votes at the Council of Ministers —currently we have NONE.
We would have
almost TWICE the number of MEPs to stand up for Scotland’s
interests.
And we would be
able to nominate a European Commissioner.
Size counts
- small is beautiful
Small European
countries (average population six million) are much more
successful than large ones like the UK. On all key economic
indicators, small countries in the EU are outperforming the
larger ones. What do they have that Scotland hasn’t? For a
start they have the advantage of a seat at the top table in
Europe where they can argue for their own interests and
industries.
Small EU
countries are 35% richer per person than large EU countries
and they are growing 64% faster.
Small EU
countries have 40% lower unemployment than large EU countries
and their deficits average three times less than large EU
countries.
Small EU
countries’ balances of trade are, on average, seven times more
favourable than large EU countries and their average R&D spend
outpaces large EU countries by 36%.
(Source: OECD).
SYNOPSIS
The SNP has
announced that its Euro-MPs elected next Thursday would
campaign in the EU for the establishment of a European Centre
for Peace and Reconciliation to assist with the process of
conflict resolution in global trouble spots, and for such an
institution to be based in Scotland. As
part of the campaign, SNP Euro-MPs will write to the new
President of the Commission making the case for such an
institution.
In his final address to the European Parliament, Nobel Peace
Prize Laureate John Hume called for the creation of a peace
and reconciliation department, with an EU Commissioner
dedicated to the tasks of conflict resolution.
SNP leader Mr John Swinney said:
"As a small nation within the European Union, Scotland can
play an important role in building peaceful and stable
international relations for the 21st century.
"That is why SNP Euro-MPs elected next Thursday will campaign
for the establishment of a European Peace & Reconciliation
Centre - and for such an institution to be based in Scotland"
The President
of the Scottish National Party Dr Winnie Ewing has intervened
in the European election campaign to urge the people of
Scotland to vote for "freedom and equality of status" in the
new European Union of 25 Member States.
Dr Ewing - who was the directly elected Euro-MP for the
Highlands & Islands from 1979 to 1999 - said that with the EU
dominated "more than ever" by small nations, there had never
been a better time for Scotland to move towards Independence
in Europe.
Speaking from her home in Miltonduff, Dr Ewing - who has
recently published her autobiography, "Stop the World" - said:
"This election is an opportunity for the people of Scotland to
look at the big picture of the European Union - an enlarged EU
of 25 Member States, 19 of them small nations.
"And it is an opportunity to vote for the big idea of freedom
and equality for Scotland, alongside all of the other historic
nations of Europe. Independence in Europe is an idea that is
as exciting as it is necessary.
"We have the situation of Malta - a country smaller than
Edinburgh – being a full Member State of the European Union,
and therefore having more of a say in EU decisions than
Scotland does.
"That is good for Malta - but absurd for Scotland."
Commenting on a
phone-in poll run by Scottish Television news last week- which
reveals that 87 per cent of respondents answered 'No' to the
question: "Do you support the presence of British troops in
Iraq?" - the leader of the Scottish National Party Mr John
Swinney MSP said:
"Tony Blair dragged us into war in Iraq on the basis of lies
about weapons of mass destruction.
"The people of Scotland were opposed to this illegal war, yet
the deployment of the Black Watch in Iraq shows that - yet
again – Scottish troops are in the front line of danger.
"Like the vast majority of Scots, the SNP believe that there
must be a phased withdrawal of US/UK soldiers from Iraq.
Regardless of their professionalism, it is not possible for
the troops who waged the war to run a credible peacekeeping
operation - which is why the SNP have proposed that they are
replaced by a United Nations stabilisation force comprised of
troops from Muslim countries.
"Instead of sending more Scots service men and women into
danger in Iraq, what we need is a credible exit strategy."
The Scottish
National Party's first-placed list candidate in the European
Parliament election Mr Ian Hudghton MEP has published an
"Economy Manifesto", at a breakfast hustings meeting in
Edinburgh organised by the Scottish Council Development &
Industry.
Mr Hudghton said: "In both political and economic terms, the
small nations are leading the European Union at the present
time.
"As Scotland looks on from the sidelines and languishes
economically as part of the UK, countries the same size or
smaller than Scotland are powering ahead.
"In terms of wealth per head, eight of the top 10 richest
nations in the European Union are small. Ireland, for example,
is now the second most prosperous EU country - and currently
holds the European Presidency.
"There is a direct connection between the clout in Europe that
statehood gives Ireland, and that country's phenomenal
economic success.
"Ireland's status as an independent member state of the EU has
transformed and enriched the country - and the 10 enlargement
nations know that only Independence in Europe will serve their
interests too."
A record number
of Life Prisoners have been released by Scotland’s Parole
Board, new figures revealed this week reveal, with the number
released now having doubled under devolution. The Annual
Report of the Parole Board shows:
·
A
record 55 Life Prisoners were released in 2003, up from 26 in
1999.
·
11 Life Prisoners were released in 2003 after less than 10
years, more than the total number released after less than ten
years since Labour came to power in 1997
·
The number of Life Prisoners recalled from license has jumped
from just 4 in 1999 to 28 in 2003
Commenting,
Shadow Minister for Justice Ms Nicola Sturgeon MSP said:
"Last week, the
Prisons Inspector told us hundreds of women were being locked
up unnecessarily. This week we learn that record numbers of
Life Prisoners are being paroled. "Fifty-five lifers were
released last year, but what is even more worrying, is that 28
had to be recalled. And, of those released a full fifth had
served less than ten years. That’s not what I call a life
sentence.
Our prisons
are bursting at the seams with people who should never have
been sent there in the first place. Fine defaulters who pose
no threat to society are being locked up, yet lifers are
being released. Something is very wrong with our justice
system."
Shadow
Education Minister Ms Fiona Hyslop MSP has called on the
Scottish Executive to consider other alternatives to PPP in
schools after it was announced that the privatisation
programme is being rolled out into four more Scottish
councils. Ms Hyslop said:
"The Scottish
Government are pressing ahead with the discredited PPP
programme, insisting that it brings value for money in spite
of all evidence to the contrary.
"We have the
Minister telling us that it is providing schools equipped for
the 21st century, equipped to meet modern needs and challenges
but it is becoming increasingly clear that this is not the
case.
"Only last
week, an EIS report stated that new PPP schools suffered poor
planning and shoddy workmanship and often had leaking roofs,
narrow corridors, cramped classrooms and playgrounds,
inadequate insulation and poor water supplies, and to make
matters worse, the advice of teachers had been ignored."
SNP MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Mrs Tricia Marwick has
called on the Scottish Executive to set out a date when the
new charities legislation will be introduced into the Scottish
Parliament. The long awaited draft bill was published this
week and is now out to consultation.
Mrs Marwick said: "The SNP broadly welcomes the draft
Charities Bill but of far greater importance is when the
legislation will be introduced into the parliament, because
the Executive has dragged its feet since 1999 on charity law
reform.
"Jean McFadden was appointed head of a review group into
charities law which reported in May 2001, yet the Executive
refused to act. It is at least arguable that if a statutory
framework for Scottish charities had been in place then the
recent scandals might have been avoided.
"Because of these scandals it is now going to be a big job to
restore public confidence in charities, the vast majority of
which do valuable work and have the public interest at their
core.
"The Executive must now give a firm date for implementation."
Labour suffered
their first defeat over the Iraq War today (Wednesday) after
the Scottish Parliament rejected the Government’s pro-war
position during an SNP sponsored debate on the conflict.
Commenting, Shadow First Minister Mr John Swinney MSP said:
"This is the
first time that Labour has suffered a defeat over the Iraq
War. Previously, both here in the Scottish Parliament and at
Westminster, they were able to muster a majority. Now, they
could only muster a mere 42 votes, less than a third of the
Parliament.
"The tide of
opinion both among MSPs and the general public has swung
heavily against this illegal war. They are sick of the lies
from Tony Blair’s government and want to see a return to the
principles of international law. It’s time for the UN to take
command in Iraq and for the coalition troops to be replaced by
a blue beret force drawn manly from Muslim countries.
"The Iraq War
has made the world a more dangerous place. It’s only by
putting the UN in command, ending the occupation, and
establishing a real Iraqi government with true sovereignty,
that we will see an end to the appalling cycle of violence
current besetting the country."
