Sordid, corrupt, immoral.
The definition of sleaze, that is.
Not an apposite description of the Tory Party, right? The political party claiming to best represent the Union and its interests.
A party now apparently in tune with the aspirations of the majority of the Scottish people, if you believe the "expert" commentaries which followed on from the Scottish Conservative Party conference in Troon last week.
At the conference, SNP bashing reached new heights - almost messianic in its fervour - revealing yet again a party blinkered and bereft of any visionary ideas.
Yet, as verbal attack after verbal attack was launched in Troon, a crisis of titanic proportions was unfolding some 500 miles away, in Westminster, which has all but deluged the perceived green shoots of Tory political recovery in Scotland.
The timing of the 'cash for access' crisis couldn't be bettered as a conference backdrop and aftermath.
It's forced prime minister David Cameron to publish a list of major party donors who have attended dinner at 10 Downing Street in a bid to draw a line under the whole sordid affair. But the latest move has not stopped opposition howls for a public inquiry.
Former Tory co-treasurer Peter Cruddas sparked the crisis when he claimed in secret filming by undercover Sunday Times reporters that individuals could secure meetings with ministers and influence policy formation in return for a “premier league” donation of around £250,000.
Mr Cruddas resigned.
Mr Cameron denounced the revelations as "completely unacceptable" and there would be an internal party inquiry into the affair.
Same old, same old.
Sordid, corrupt, immoral.
The definition of sleaze.
It's time to ditch the Union.
Showing posts with label SNP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SNP. Show all posts
Monday, 26 March 2012
Saturday, 24 March 2012
Scottish independence scaremongering increases in volume
Unionist scaremongering continues to increase in shrillness and volume as Conservative leader and UK prime minister David Cameron, home secretary Theresa May and even former Northern Ireland first minister Lord Trimble all lined up this week to add their political tuppence worth to the Scottish independence referendum debate.
As expected, negativity dominated the Scottish Conservative Party conference, held in Troon in Ayrshire, and proved beyond doubt the Tories have learned little from their massive defeat at the hands of the SNP in last year's Scottish Parliament elections.
Of course, the same can be said of Labour and the Lib Dems, the two other mainstream unionist parties. All three have consistently shown they are little more than parties of fear.
Mr Cameron told the party faithful for too long they had allowed the SNP to claim ownership of patriotism. The Scottish Saltire, he said, the flag of a proud nation, was not the symbol of one party.
He accused the SNP of spreading the idea loving your country meant you had no choice but to go it alone and believing in the Union was somehow treasonous.
Ms May warned an independent Scotland would mean an open border and mass immigration; Lord Trimble attacked separation claiming it was tantamount to "doing violence" to the "British component" of every Scot.
There were other vitriolic anti-SNP voices raised at the conference, too. These included Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson who implored Labour and Lib Dems to put differences aside and join her in a united stand against the SNP.
So there we have it, the whole might and power of the British and Scottish establishments ranged against one solitary party. Stand by for a summer dominated by scare stories, dirty tactics and character assassinations.
However, a word of caution for those hiding behind the scenes, pulling the strings. Should by your conniving and underhanded tactics you actually win, and Scotland votes to retain the Union, don't think for a moment it spells the end of the independence campaign. Far from it. It'll just be the beginning.
As expected, negativity dominated the Scottish Conservative Party conference, held in Troon in Ayrshire, and proved beyond doubt the Tories have learned little from their massive defeat at the hands of the SNP in last year's Scottish Parliament elections.
Of course, the same can be said of Labour and the Lib Dems, the two other mainstream unionist parties. All three have consistently shown they are little more than parties of fear.
Mr Cameron told the party faithful for too long they had allowed the SNP to claim ownership of patriotism. The Scottish Saltire, he said, the flag of a proud nation, was not the symbol of one party.
He accused the SNP of spreading the idea loving your country meant you had no choice but to go it alone and believing in the Union was somehow treasonous.
Ms May warned an independent Scotland would mean an open border and mass immigration; Lord Trimble attacked separation claiming it was tantamount to "doing violence" to the "British component" of every Scot.
There were other vitriolic anti-SNP voices raised at the conference, too. These included Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson who implored Labour and Lib Dems to put differences aside and join her in a united stand against the SNP.
So there we have it, the whole might and power of the British and Scottish establishments ranged against one solitary party. Stand by for a summer dominated by scare stories, dirty tactics and character assassinations.
However, a word of caution for those hiding behind the scenes, pulling the strings. Should by your conniving and underhanded tactics you actually win, and Scotland votes to retain the Union, don't think for a moment it spells the end of the independence campaign. Far from it. It'll just be the beginning.
Thursday, 11 November 2010
No Minimum Pricing For Alcohol In Scotland
Alcohol minimum pricing.
Golden opportunity.
Gone.
Rejected by the Scottish Parliament.
Now we can look forward to more drink-related deaths, blighted streets, alcohol-fuelled crime and anti-social behaviour. We see the consequences of boozed-up Scotland every day.
The police made clear their support for alcohol minimum pricing. So did the medical profession and others. But the majority of MSPs chose to ignore calls for the move.
Arch-opponent Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour health spokesperson, claimed in parliament it was untried, possibly illegal and would put £140 million into the pockets of supermarkets.
She denied Labour opposed minimum pricing on political grounds. They opposed the move because they believed it wouldn't work.
Fair enough. But where's the evidence for such a belief? I've certainly not heard it uttered.
Little wonder the SNP government is accusing Labour of 'politicking'. What else are we to make of Labour's illogical stance?
The SNP government has vowed to continue the alcohol minimum pricing campaign.
Speaking in the parliamentary debate, SNP Health Secretary and Depute Leader Nicola Sturgeon said, "When we have the opportunity to save not just money but lives, then we have a duty to listen and to act.
"That is exactly what people outside this parliament want us to do - people who know what they're talking about. Doctors, nurses, the police, public health experts, children's charities, churches, key players in the alcohol industry, and growing numbers in the population all believe that this is a policy whose time has come.
"And yet inside this parliament we have an obstinate refusal to listen - a mentality that says 'we are right and everyone else is wrong'.
"The truth is that, for Labour, this policy really only has one fatal flaw - and that is that it is proposed by the SNP. It is pathetic, and Labour - a party with such a proud record on public health - should be deeply ashamed of itself today."
I couldn't agree more.
Golden opportunity.
Gone.
Rejected by the Scottish Parliament.
Now we can look forward to more drink-related deaths, blighted streets, alcohol-fuelled crime and anti-social behaviour. We see the consequences of boozed-up Scotland every day.
The police made clear their support for alcohol minimum pricing. So did the medical profession and others. But the majority of MSPs chose to ignore calls for the move.
Arch-opponent Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour health spokesperson, claimed in parliament it was untried, possibly illegal and would put £140 million into the pockets of supermarkets.
She denied Labour opposed minimum pricing on political grounds. They opposed the move because they believed it wouldn't work.
Fair enough. But where's the evidence for such a belief? I've certainly not heard it uttered.
Little wonder the SNP government is accusing Labour of 'politicking'. What else are we to make of Labour's illogical stance?
The SNP government has vowed to continue the alcohol minimum pricing campaign.
Speaking in the parliamentary debate, SNP Health Secretary and Depute Leader Nicola Sturgeon said, "When we have the opportunity to save not just money but lives, then we have a duty to listen and to act.
"That is exactly what people outside this parliament want us to do - people who know what they're talking about. Doctors, nurses, the police, public health experts, children's charities, churches, key players in the alcohol industry, and growing numbers in the population all believe that this is a policy whose time has come.
"And yet inside this parliament we have an obstinate refusal to listen - a mentality that says 'we are right and everyone else is wrong'.
"The truth is that, for Labour, this policy really only has one fatal flaw - and that is that it is proposed by the SNP. It is pathetic, and Labour - a party with such a proud record on public health - should be deeply ashamed of itself today."
I couldn't agree more.
Friday, 5 November 2010
Labour Dumps Woolas
Labour Party worthies moved quickly today to distance themselves from former colleague Phil Woolas.
The one-time immigration minister was unceremoniously dumped by the party after an election court ruled he lied about an opponent during the general election campaign earlier this year.
It's the first time in nearly a century such a ruling has been made.
The ruling sends out a clear signal to all political candidates there is a line which must not be crossed. Otherwise there may be consequences.
Good news for politics in general and for Scotland in particular.
Political campaigns north of the border have been dogged by bitter rivalries in recent years, especially between the SNP and Labour.
Reasoned argument and debate has all but disappeared. Democracy deserves better.
So do the people of Scotland.
The one-time immigration minister was unceremoniously dumped by the party after an election court ruled he lied about an opponent during the general election campaign earlier this year.
It's the first time in nearly a century such a ruling has been made.
The ruling sends out a clear signal to all political candidates there is a line which must not be crossed. Otherwise there may be consequences.
Good news for politics in general and for Scotland in particular.
Political campaigns north of the border have been dogged by bitter rivalries in recent years, especially between the SNP and Labour.
Reasoned argument and debate has all but disappeared. Democracy deserves better.
So do the people of Scotland.
Thursday, 4 November 2010
Edinburgh Trams "hell on wheels"
Oh dear me, Edinburgh's troubled trams project is...er...in trouble, yet again, it would appear. What a surprise. You couldn't make it up!
The latest setback involves the resignation of trams project chairman David Mackay.
In media interviews, Mr Mackay hits out at German contractors Bilfinger Berger and describes the project as "hell on wheels".
Now there are calls for trams project bosses to explain themselves to the Scottish Parliament.
Edinburgh MSP Shirley Anne Somerville said the latest developments confirmed the SNP's warning the tram project was being pushed for political and not practical reasons.
Ms Somerville added, "The SNP warned our political opponents that forcing the Scottish Government to implement this project would lead to funding problems and chaos for people in Edinburgh. It is deeply unfortunate that with David MacKay’s resignation we are seeing our worst fears realised."
In a resignation statement, published on Edinburgh Trams website, Mr Mackay makes no reference to the "hell on wheels" jibe widely reported in the media.
Instead, he describes the project as being "enormously absorbing", adding there was never going to be an entirely ideal time to step aside.
He says, "In the past few months I have been keen to see a number of milestones set in place and this I have now done. I believe that for every Chair there comes an important juncture when the most powerful action you can take is to pass the controls to a successor and to then watch that organisation develop further under a new champion.
“The last few years have been stimulating and challenging and I believe that considerable progress has been made across many fronts and particularly, on Trams, where our imperative to protect the public purse has been notably successful.
“The time has now come when it is appropriate for me to move on which should allow me to refocus my energies on to a better, and probably much overdue, calmer work/life balance.
“I would particularly like to pay tribute to the many colleagues and peers I have worked with and those at Edinburgh Trams in particular who have shown remarkable resilience and energy in the face of what has been at times, a very difficult and complex situation”.
Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, Councillor Jenny Dawe, says she is "obviously disappointed" to be losing the drive, commercial expertise and commitment which Mr Mackay brought to his chairmanship of Transport Edinburgh, Lothian Buses and TIE ( the council's Transport, Infrastructure and Environment committee).
She adds, "However, I would like to express my sincere thanks to David and pay tribute to the pivotal role he has played on this enormously important project for the city. I was aware that we were unlikely to retain David until full project delivery and fully appreciate his reasons for standing down at this point.
“Urgent steps will be taken to ensure that we build upon the very substantial foundation that David Mackay has built.”
No mention there of any "hell on wheels". Time for some real answers, surely. The people of Edinburgh deserve nothing less.
The latest setback involves the resignation of trams project chairman David Mackay.
In media interviews, Mr Mackay hits out at German contractors Bilfinger Berger and describes the project as "hell on wheels".
 |
| David Mackay. Photo: Edinburgh Trams |
Edinburgh MSP Shirley Anne Somerville said the latest developments confirmed the SNP's warning the tram project was being pushed for political and not practical reasons.
Ms Somerville added, "The SNP warned our political opponents that forcing the Scottish Government to implement this project would lead to funding problems and chaos for people in Edinburgh. It is deeply unfortunate that with David MacKay’s resignation we are seeing our worst fears realised."
In a resignation statement, published on Edinburgh Trams website, Mr Mackay makes no reference to the "hell on wheels" jibe widely reported in the media.
Instead, he describes the project as being "enormously absorbing", adding there was never going to be an entirely ideal time to step aside.
He says, "In the past few months I have been keen to see a number of milestones set in place and this I have now done. I believe that for every Chair there comes an important juncture when the most powerful action you can take is to pass the controls to a successor and to then watch that organisation develop further under a new champion.
“The last few years have been stimulating and challenging and I believe that considerable progress has been made across many fronts and particularly, on Trams, where our imperative to protect the public purse has been notably successful.
“The time has now come when it is appropriate for me to move on which should allow me to refocus my energies on to a better, and probably much overdue, calmer work/life balance.
“I would particularly like to pay tribute to the many colleagues and peers I have worked with and those at Edinburgh Trams in particular who have shown remarkable resilience and energy in the face of what has been at times, a very difficult and complex situation”.
Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, Councillor Jenny Dawe, says she is "obviously disappointed" to be losing the drive, commercial expertise and commitment which Mr Mackay brought to his chairmanship of Transport Edinburgh, Lothian Buses and TIE ( the council's Transport, Infrastructure and Environment committee).
She adds, "However, I would like to express my sincere thanks to David and pay tribute to the pivotal role he has played on this enormously important project for the city. I was aware that we were unlikely to retain David until full project delivery and fully appreciate his reasons for standing down at this point.
“Urgent steps will be taken to ensure that we build upon the very substantial foundation that David Mackay has built.”
No mention there of any "hell on wheels". Time for some real answers, surely. The people of Edinburgh deserve nothing less.
Sunday, 31 October 2010
You Don't Get It Mr Gray!
We've heard it all before, a string of so-called 'promises' or 'pledges'. A grand 'to do' list to be delivered if Scottish Labour comes to power in Edinburgh.
But maybe you missed the key-note speech delivered by Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray? Hardly surprising. His speech at the party's Scottish conference in Oban was completely overshadowed by the "ginger rodent" jibe fired by Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman at Lib Dem Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
A media frenzy followed, as did a swift apology from Ms Harman. Much more entertaining and noteworthy as far as the rest of the UK is concerned.
Perhaps it was just as well. If anyone outside of the venue had bothered to take note of what Mr Gray had to say, they would have heard the same old and worn-out tactic.
Bash the SNP. Hit them at every opportunity. Belittle everything they've done in the past, are doing now, or will do in the future. Just for the sake of it.
Make sure, too, there's always a hint somewhere anyone supporting, or even contemplating the idea of Scottish independence is in need of some mild psychiatric counselling at the very least.
The poor so-and-so. Not quite the full shilling. Lost a marble or two. More to be pitied.
And promise the people the world without telling them how you're going to pay for it all.
You don't get it Mr Gray. We've heard it all before. And we're sick of it. It's time for some grown-up politics.
But maybe you missed the key-note speech delivered by Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray? Hardly surprising. His speech at the party's Scottish conference in Oban was completely overshadowed by the "ginger rodent" jibe fired by Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman at Lib Dem Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
A media frenzy followed, as did a swift apology from Ms Harman. Much more entertaining and noteworthy as far as the rest of the UK is concerned.
Perhaps it was just as well. If anyone outside of the venue had bothered to take note of what Mr Gray had to say, they would have heard the same old and worn-out tactic.
Bash the SNP. Hit them at every opportunity. Belittle everything they've done in the past, are doing now, or will do in the future. Just for the sake of it.
Make sure, too, there's always a hint somewhere anyone supporting, or even contemplating the idea of Scottish independence is in need of some mild psychiatric counselling at the very least.
The poor so-and-so. Not quite the full shilling. Lost a marble or two. More to be pitied.
And promise the people the world without telling them how you're going to pay for it all.
You don't get it Mr Gray. We've heard it all before. And we're sick of it. It's time for some grown-up politics.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)