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Stop talking about Salmond so much, Labour would-be leaders urged



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Published Date: 29 August 2008
THE three candidates vying for the Scottish Labour leadership were urged to stop talking about the SNP leader last night.
Iain Gray, Cathy Jamieson and Andy Kerr appeared before 150 people in Glasgow for the latest in a series of hustings meetings.

A questioner asked: "Would you stop using Alex Salmond in your speeches? You're giving him a platform he doesn't deserve."

Mr Gray told her:

"The thing people like about Alex Salmond is not his policies but that his leadership is confident.

"The Labour Party has to rediscover its own confidence, because our values beat his values into a cocked hat."

Ms Jamieson said:

"It's time to reassert Labour values of fairness, social justice and opportunity for all."

Mr Kerr said: "I think that role of taking on Salmond and holding him to account for all his policy failures and broken promises is a significant role for the leader."





The full article contains 161 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 28 August 2008 11:40 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Scottish Labour Party
 
1

8/10 Cats,

29/08/2008 00:03:50
Why shoudl the opposition "oppose" the government? eh, clearly an SNP pleb trying to stop people asking awkard questions like why did your manifesto turn out to be a pile of lies?
2

FrancesP,

29/08/2008 00:05:23
Not a surprise to see Andy Kerr come out on top in the STV debate tonight - debating is one of his stronger points - although it did seem to me that Michael Crow gave him less time to speak than the others.
3

Coileach an taobh Tuath,

29/08/2008 00:05:31
1 8/10 Cats, 29/08/2008 00:03:50

Actually sounded more like a frustrated Labour Supporter sick of Labour's negative approach and wanting to find what it Labour actually stand for..

What alternative are Labour advocating?



4

,

29/08/2008 00:10:12
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5

Brian S,

Edinburgh 29/08/2008 00:24:27
Medication time 8/10!
6

Jimmy Le Pie,

29/08/2008 00:25:45
Seeing as the Hootsmon no longer does 'news', only printing what Labour HQ tell them,

From The Independent

"Cabinet ministers will give Gordon Brown "one last chance" to save his premiership but will try to oust him by November if he fails to improve Labour's prospects."

Oh well looks like a leaving party soon??

Now lets get rid of the rest of the occupants of the rats nest.

VOTE SNP - The ONLY party for ALL the people of Scotland
7

ptdoug,

29/08/2008 00:33:05
8/10 cats...

Ok... Salmond is evil.

We get it, really, we do.???

But what everyone wants to know is...What are Scottish Labours policies for improving Scotland??? (... he asks in exaspration!)

You'all keep telling us about the SNPs "flawed" policies and record.

But no one ever, EVER, wants to talk about Labours policies.

Do they actualy Have any.

If so, can you enlighten us?

Or is your total game all whinge, whine and stamp?

Is there ANYTHING positive to say regarding Labour at all?

Pleeeeeese tell us... I'm begging you.....
8

8/10 Cats,

29/08/2008 00:37:24
7

The SNP are in government, it's more important to talk about their policies as they effect more lives.

Where are the 1,000 police officers?

And so on...

The SNP lied to get votes and it is only fair they are held to account by the opposition, even Labour shoudl be able to do that.

The SNP are running scared. Anything but their own policies on teh agenda. Plebs like you beg and beg and beg to talk about labour policies because all you know how to do is bark like a dog.

Well, the shoes on the other foot for the SNP. It is their turn for scrutiny. And they don't like it!

Charlatans, the whole bunch of them.
9

Brian S,

Edinburgh 29/08/2008 00:39:20
Where is nurse Nurse Mildred Ratched when you need her?
10

Senga Jean,

29/08/2008 00:45:46
Police officers are like the 26 bus you wait hours and a thousand come along together. The timetable said 2011 too!
11

Senga Jean,

29/08/2008 00:48:40
8/10Cats Are you son of AM2 because your rants sound just as desperate . The SNP will triumph because Scotland itself wishes it to do so and usher in an age of fairness and justice and independence.
12

Robbie 2,

New Zealand 29/08/2008 00:52:56
8/10 Cats
As I asked you yesterday:
Why do you spend so much of you time spouting bile and negativity about a minority government who only had their budget passed a few months ago.
Why not discuss and enumerate all the positive wonderful things Unionist parties have done or will do for Scotland and the UK - if that’s what you believe? As any good salesperson knows ‘don’t keep knocking the opposition’ you only make the customer more aware of their existence. Always demonstrate the benefits and unique features of you own product (party). It’s a poor and potential failed person or party that just simply criticises the opposition as their only means of debate and has always been the disappointment of adversarial politics.
13

Wisnaeme,

29/08/2008 00:54:12

So they are going to ignore the man more, then?

Uh huh, a new Labour ignorance policy reveiw promise, then?

Ach, puir souls. Recent events never really happened and it's all just a bad dream.

Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock. Diiirrriiinnnggg.

Wakay wakay..., Its time.
.

14

ptdoug,

29/08/2008 01:04:50
8/10 cats..

Just as I thought.

You cant say anything positive about Labour, or the Union..... because you can't find anything positive to say... because THERE IS nothing positive to say.

It's easy to hurl insults from the sidelines.... a lot harder to be constructive and positive.

Yes the SNP is in power and requires scrutiny.... but Labour is in opposition and to stand any chance whatsoever of ousting the SNP they, and YOU, better had start telling us what they intend to do if elected.

So how about balancing your posts... by all means attack the SNP... but when trashing THEIR policies, tell us what LABOUR intend to do that is better.

I'm guessing you wont, 'cause you can't, and because it requires no effort to just sit back throwing insults. Are you too lazy to work at it?
15

ptdoug,

29/08/2008 01:05:50
Prove me wrong.
16

Matt there,

somewhere 29/08/2008 01:06:58
8/10d, Cats?

Your posts are not even worth 6d!


17

,

29/08/2008 01:12:37
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18

ptdoug,

29/08/2008 01:13:07
Tube.
19

8/10 Cats,

29/08/2008 01:18:15
Ptdoug

You say some rubbish about Labour needing to tell us what they will do.

The SNP told us what they would do, got elected by a whisker, and then dumped all the promises. What is the point of lying?

Just holding the current government to account and scrutinising them would be far more helpful to Scotland than having another party that lies, lies and lies for a vote and then dumps the promises.

The SNP manifesto was a disgrace. There should be laws and technical resignation of government if you refuse to impliment more than 51% of your manefesto and instead give millions to gay groups, half millions for Islam parties and have photo shoots with sausages.
20

Robbie 2,

NZ 29/08/2008 01:19:34
8/10 Cats from another forum.
I have only recently notice your posts and so excuse me if you have already explained the following:

1 You say “ The SNP are running scared.” Do you really believe this? If so what does it say for your political understanding of present day Britain?
2 You are verdantly against Alex Salmond and the SNP - but what are you for?
3 Are you against countries (large or small) having sovereignty?
4 If you are for the Union - what do you believe (not counting warfare and conquest) have been it’s benefits for Scotland over the last 300 years?
5 If Alex Salmond is such a self-centred and ambitious politician why didn’t he join a party that would have made his route to political success easier (he’d have been a big fish among Scottish Labour) if he lied and toed the line in the that Party - (might have become UK PM)?
6 Why are you against independence - remember as before, Schumacher in his famed book, ’Small Is Beautiful’ observes,
“…if we make a list of all the most prosperous countries in the world, we find most of them are very small [UN figures substantiates this] whereas a list of all the biggest countries in the world show most to be very poor indeed”.
Do you personally believe that this great economist and writer was wrong and you right?
21

,

29/08/2008 01:22:25
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22

Jock 1O7,

29/08/2008 01:34:12
The "questioner" quoted in the article is exactly right.

These guys are pleading to their electorate (labour members), and they just want to stop the rot of their performance.

What's important? Policies AND RESULTS on poverty, health, Iraq, education, safety and many others. Not just performance in parliamentary jousting. Labour - must do better.

BTW, the nats have it easy, being in government and not in government at the same time. Continue to blame the big guys, Labour or Tory.

C'mon - where are your ideals? or is just the fun of bickering?
23

ptdoug,

29/08/2008 01:40:33
"give millions to gay groups, half millions for Islam parties and have photo shoots with sausages."

I can take anything.... but HOW VERY DARE YOU!!!!

Suasages... as you well know, have no means by which to defend themselves... yet you begrudge them their short moment of well deserved fame!

Again...HOW VERY DARE YOU!!!

Your cowardice, sir, is exceeded only by your shocking halfwittedness.
24

ptdoug,

29/08/2008 01:41:19
And you're still a tube...
25

ptdoug,

29/08/2008 01:42:05
yes... I mean YOU 7/5 Rats.
26

ptdoug,

29/08/2008 01:45:01
Robbie2, NZ

Spot on Robbie.

The fact you nailed his ass to the floor is amply demonstrated by his inability to answer a single one of your points... instead, resorting to the usual, tired,sad unionist tactic of insult and evasion.

Well done dude!
27

ptdoug,

29/08/2008 01:45:34
Again, I refer to 6/3 Prats.
28

ptdoug,

29/08/2008 01:47:13
;-)
29

Richardinho,

29/08/2008 02:51:17
ordinary labour party member:" pleee-ze could we start talking about our own policys for a change?!"

labour hierarchy: " NO-shut up you pleb and give us your donations!"

Seriously, no wonder no one wants to vote for them.
30

,

29/08/2008 02:55:12
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31

donald anderson it's me,

weegieland 29/08/2008 02:55:26
The Three Stooges are going to get a doing aff o' Alex Salmond when they get back into the playgrun' and they know it.
32

Richardinho,

29/08/2008 03:14:32
"It's time to reassert Labour values of fairness, social justice and opportunity for all."

when I hear this awful term 'social-justice', I want to reach for my pistol.
It is completely meaningless, and why are the labour party always needing to 'rediscover' it?
33

Alan Reid,

NZ 29/08/2008 03:26:39
8/10, you need to vist your kitty litter tray.
34

Alan Reid,

NZ 29/08/2008 03:30:17
F,A,O.: 8/10 halfwits prefer Labour.

1)it was brown that said on tv that he would not work with the scottish government.
2)it was brown who the media say will not return Salmonds calls
3)it was brown that did not congratulate Salmond on his vicotry last yr until embarrassed by the media. Blair did not at all.
4)it is brown who has tried to scupper the LIT policy of the snp, rather than leaving it to be argued out in holyrood.
a) disgracefully trying to withhold scotlands money through the council tax rebate.
b)and used the treasury to declare the policy illegal when it is the remit of the preciding officer to do so.
5) it brown who would not compensate our farmers while compensating english farmers
6)it was brown who delivered the lowest increase in the scottish block grant since the start of the parliament (many think as a punishment for voting snp)
7)it was brown who is try to not pass on the consequentials to the scottish parliament as a result of spending on english prisions.

Serious where exactly has Salmond tried to pick a fight. We should expect politicians of different parties to have different views and policies. We should expect them to let the people decide. And we expect them to work together to this end.
35

Alan Reid,

NZ 29/08/2008 03:38:18
8/10 retarded cats prefer:

Have a look below, and ask yourself why is Scotland NOT allowed to have control over these issues???
What is wrong with Scotland running it's own affairs?
I await your answer.

The Constitution
Political parties
Foreign affairs
Public service
Defence
Fiscal, economic and monetary policy
Misuse of drugs
Data protection
Elections
Firearms
Entertainment
Immigration and nationality
Scientific procedures on live animals
National security, interception of communications, official secrets and terrorism
Betting, gaming and lotteries
Emergency powers
Extradition
Lieutenancies
Business associations
Insolvency
Competition
Intellectual property
Import and export control
Sea fishing
Consumer protection
Product standards, safety and liability
Weights and measures
Telecommunications and wireless telegraphy
Post Office, posts and postal services
Research Councils
Designation of assisted areas
Industrial Development Advisory Board
Protection of trading and economic interests
Electricity
Oil and gas
Nuclear energy
Energy conservation
Road transport
Rail transport
Marine transport
Air transport
36

Embra Don,

29/08/2008 03:45:12
C'mon cats! Just ONE positive Labour policy - not asking much is it?
37

Embra Don,

29/08/2008 03:49:06
Keep the CT maybe? Bring on a referendum? Replace trident? There must be one you can pick? Team GB football squad for the Olympics? Bomb Russia?
38

Embra Don,

29/08/2008 03:50:30
Imagine I'm a floating voter - persuade me.
39

Col. Blimp­IV*,

29/08/2008 05:38:57
#35 Alan Reid,NZ

Re "Tiddles"

"Scientific procedures on live animals"

I reckon if control over that subject moves to Scotland...We won't see him for dust.
40

tommy M,

29/08/2008 07:29:17
Salmond is not the one inviting Thatcher to tea.
41

Rulesbutnotrulers,

Federation, not separation 29/08/2008 07:45:48
Shrek IS SNP! If he dies there's no one waiting in the wings who can adequately replace him (look at why he had to make a come-back!)

The SNP has one policy only, and that is a nonsense. Many independent nations fail miserably so, to succeed, far more than independence is needed. So far the SNP have offered us nothing more than failing oil reserves.

I agree the Union has passed its sell-by date, but the answer is federation, not separation.
42

MacGillicuddy,

29/08/2008 08:00:28
It is abundantly clear that the three Liebour candidates for leadership of their MSPs have absolutely NOTHING to offer the people of Scotland. Hence the ONLY subject they can talk about is the SNP and Oor Eck!

So keep it up!
43

MacGillicuddy,

29/08/2008 08:01:42
#42
Could the mighty Flinn tell us EXACTLY how a federated structure will be achieved?
44

gus1940,

Edinburgh 29/08/2008 08:02:41
Is there any truth in the rumour that The 3 Stooges will shortly be appearing in Glenrothes?
45

Rev. S. Campbell,

Bath 29/08/2008 08:04:09
#42 What? Federation, not separation, you say? Why on Earth didn't you mention this to us before?

You've got a cheek accusing the SNP of having only one policy...
46

,

29/08/2008 08:15:11
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47

Galalean,

Mission 29/08/2008 08:21:09
If the Scots keep whining about Brown & his government Mr. Bush may come & free you, or maybe he will just send Trump.
48

Mr. Lachie Todd,

Edinburgh 29/08/2008 08:34:20
According to the IMF, the UK is now the fifth largest economy, after slipping well behind China.

In the next decade, it is expected that China, India,
Singapore, and many other emerging new economies are expected to overtake the UK in both GDP and GNP rates!

According to the IMF, in the past 10 years Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, Canada, China, Russia, India, and many of the former Soviet republics, including the 3 Baltic States, and the Czech Republic and Slovakia, have all exceeded the U.K.'s average 3 percent growth rate per year.

However, the greatest example of a successful "independent nation" is the former British colony of the USA, the world's only economic, political and military superpower!


Ireland, Norway, Rissia, and India have economic growth rates that a UK Chancellor would die for!

49

Linda,

Edinburgh 29/08/2008 08:40:25
Should read Peter Jones in Business Section on More Tax Powers for devolution.

But didn't see any reference in Herald or Scotsman to-day that Hendersons became the third large UK company this year to move to Ireland to benefit from lower Corporation tax .

Yet we are told by Unionists that Ireland was now a basket case and not a good as UK at riding out recession.
50

Boy Wonder,

29/08/2008 08:42:22
#9. She's having a hard time with constant abscondee, Chuckles Linskaill.
51

Mikey,

29/08/2008 08:44:02
Major parties in Scotland and their policies;

SNP: To otland join the world's independent nations and thereby regain it's self respect.

Tories: To grant the SP more powers but still keep it ruled from England.

Liebaah: Just lemme phone London and see whit the policy is the day.

Lib Dum: Whatever Liebaah wants as long as they don't tax sandals and beards.

I think that about sums it up!
52

Robbie 2,

New Zealand 29/08/2008 08:54:08
42 Rulesbutnotrulers, - you claim:
“Many independent nations fail miserably…”
Where did you get that information?
A very sad aspect of the Scottish media and many posters is to make spurious statements or unsubstantiated claims. In all respectable written correspondence it is imperative that citations are given to prove the veracity of a major statement
Please Rulesbutnotrulers name even some failed Western independent nations. Then compare the quality of life in small sovereign nations (they have been so often listed)with large countries such as China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Brazil; even the USA and the UK do not compare in quality of life to so many smaller independent western nations. (Economic magazine list of ‘Quality of Life' - happy to look out actual dates and correct citation as I have before)
53

Linda,

Edinburgh 29/08/2008 09:19:09
English donations keep Scottish Labour afloat. Of the £41,213 reported in last 3 months for Labour in Scotland (There is no Scottish Labour party) all of it, except for £1340 donation from Dundee Councillors to shore up Dundee East, was received from Unions or other organisations with English addresses.

Add to that the Newcastle Call Centre and Direct Mailing from Cramlington then "Scottish" Labour are the buggest subsidy junkies North of the Border.
54

watcher4,

Edinburgh 29/08/2008 09:23:19
You can`t help talking about mr. Smug. Salmond has broken that many promises, Police, Quango`s, the Council Tax, the list is endless. Why would we wan`t to forget the Thatcher of Scotland.
55

Calum10,

29/08/2008 09:30:41
This Labour leadership battle has been reduced to a SNP-HATE-FEST.

We know a lot about what Gray, Kerr and Jamieson detest about Alex Salmond and the SNP government by the amount space given to them in the Hootsmon, but no one has any idea what these three contenders believe in or what they will stand up for.

As for leadership qualities we can conclude that nothing has been revealed that we didn't know before. Gray is a charisma free zone, Kerr is completely untrustworthy, and Jamieson is that moaning wee wifie in the Bingo queue.
56

Robbie 2,

New Zealand 29/08/2008 09:35:16
49 sm753, “Well since you're in NZ, why don't the North and South Islands declare independence from each other and run all these things separately?”
NZ choose to be independent of Australia (if not we would now be involved in Iraq and not be able to choose to be nuclear free or our own destiny). New Zealanders (or Kiwis) have from the far north to Invercargill and Stewart Island in the south always considered themselves as belonging to one nation, and are internationally accepted as such (as are Americans). Historically the has been a international perception that England and the UK are synonymous (check any history book - it is England this, the island of England - and Scotland has so often by historians and overseas politicians (even your European partners) been ignored or at least its place in the UK misunderstood. If a similar perception had happened here eg., if people had talked about the ‘North Island as representing all of New Zealand or that there was just one island of New Zealand - then there would most likely have been a more rigorous movement or political party for the South Island being a separate sovereign state. Also the quality and standard of life even the way of speaking is homogeneous through out the country - the differences within NZ and the understanding between NZers is not at all like the differences within the UK and the understanding between different parts of Britain. New Zealand inherited great problems from its colonial past such as the appropriation of Maori land - which all political parties and virtually all NZers are been intent to rectify at the cost of millions of dollars. NZ lost it’s greatest market when the UK decided to join Europe - and did we have some ‘gloom and doom’ merchants (you all know the type you have plenty in Scotia, “we cannae dae it ourselves we huv tae be grateful tae takin money frae the English tax payers) But NZ found and developed new markets and like EVERY nation we have problems but as a people ma
57

Robbie 2,

NZ cont 29/08/2008 09:36:26
NZ found and developed new markets and like EVERY nation we have problems but as a people make our own decisions and endeavour to forge our own destiny.

58

Foresight,

By the Water of Leith 29/08/2008 09:37:31

The question is not about political parties (after all they all lie through their teeth) bur about the willingness of the SCOTTISH NATION to rise to the challenge of INDEPENDENCE. We are a NATION and in a democracy deserve the right of self determination. However in a nation feather bedded with government handouts in one form or another the question will always remain as to whether the SCOTTISH NATION is truly prepared to stand on its own two feet, go it alone and not be bought off by English gold. I for one would relish the challenge.
59

Senga Jean,

29/08/2008 09:43:34
~56 You score "Pants on Fire" in the "truth-o-meter" (Ack CNN) The SNP put Scotland first Labour..same old...same old.
60

danielrober,

29/08/2008 09:51:55
Alec.S is NOT a confident politican. If he was he would be seen more across Europe, debating with other people and trying to establish deals - in public.

No Alec.S is a master of distraction. He distracts people and competition again and again from asking him real questions. 'Most importantly' he will not answer direct questions and instead he distracts, distracts and distracts.

Its a slight variation of how young people treat each other in relationships to avoid commitment i.e. 'I promise to - oh look at that. Can you belive it'.

He distracts that Scotland will need jobs, after 2016.
61

Linda,

Edinburgh 29/08/2008 09:54:09
Now, even in the Olympics, we can see how badly Scotland does in terms of sheer poverty of representation.

Just look at these population figures and the number of athletes that countries have sent to the Beijing Games in 2008.

Country Population Athletes

Iceland 0.3 million 28
Estonia 1.3 million 49
Slovenia 2.0 million 62
Latvia 2.3 million 50
Lithuania 3.4 million 76
New Zealand 3.9 million 209
Ireland 4.0 million 56
Norway 4.6 million 92
Finland 5.2 million 69
Denmark 5.4 million 87
Slovakia 5.4 million 58

Scotland 5.2 million 26

So Scotland is 17 times the size of Iceland, yet sends fewer athletes to the Olympics.

We’re almost four times bigger than little Estonia, yet they send almost twice the number we do.

We’re two-and-a-half times bigger than Slovenia, yet they send two-and-a-half times the number of athletes we do.

In fact, per head of population, Scotland is far and away the worst represented of the smaller European countries.

Once again, that’s the ‘Union squeeze’ at work.

62

danielrober,

29/08/2008 10:00:56
# 64

Ahhh your soo funnnie.
63

Finnz,

29/08/2008 10:04:33
These three candidates appear to be rooted to the spot like sheep being dazzled by the glare of Salmonds aura.
And like sheep, they haven't got an original thought amongst them.
They bleat about the need to 'reassert Labour values of fairness, social justice and opportunity for all'. Aye just tell that to the voters of Glasgow east who have been let down time and again by this 'caring' party and are now fully aware of what Labour values really entail. Lies and thievery.
It is now obvious that every time one of these contenders opens their mouths to vent their spleen at the 'unfairness' of their situation (ie not being in power anymore) their suitability to hold on to any government position becomes demonstratably more laughable.
64

Darien,

Panama 29/08/2008 10:23:53
#62 and other Unionist/BritNats: Differentiation in politics is key. Any Unionist/BritNat party in power in Edinburgh is always going to act puppet/Quisling-like as far as Big Brother Westmonster is concerned. Any SNP Government in Edinburgh is not. This very obvious and clear differentiation between the options is something the ordinary punter can identify with. Straight choice now for everyone - Puppet Government or Real Government. (mmmm...let me think...)
65

"Hoots" Fandango,

29/08/2008 10:33:50
Pash peesh p¡sh.
66

"Hoots" Fandango,

29/08/2008 10:36:20
JOB APPLICATION FORM FOR LABOUR LEADER IN SCOTLAND.

Please list below all your strengths and say why you'd be a good leader.

1 I don't like Alex Salmond.
2 Geeza job.
3 SNP are bad for Scotland.
4. I really don't like Alex Salmond.

Pash - peesh - p¡sh.
67

danielrober,

29/08/2008 10:50:20
Look SNP guys many engineers have real questions. Mainly about where work will come from.

Your leader has aleady ruled out nuclear power, he will close the nuclear sub base, he will not maintain a bule water navy. So after three huge employers have gone, where will the jobs come from.

Sure you guys can dominate the internet, play tag team with comments but where will the work come from. Scotland needs jobs after 2016 when many of the current contracts, from the Blair years, run out. What then?
68

Benarty,

Fife 29/08/2008 11:25:21
The SNP at Local Government level is busy eroding Labour policies. Here in Fife, I know that my mum now has to pay for her community alarm. Her carers have less time to spend with ech of their elederly patients, and have to leave them and move on even is they are in distress - eg through alzheimers.

The new schools building programme has lost momentum. Bus routes are being axed unopposed by the council as whole. Nearly half the public toilets in the county have been closed or are set to close. My niece plays in the Fife Youth Orchestra - music funding in schools has been cut.

Labour's policies were, and are, about providing public services free at the point of use to the people who need them. About representing the people in the chamber of the elected body be it council or parliament - rather than representing the elected body to the people.

Here's some of the things Labour DID do in Local, Scottish, and UK government:

Built 2 new schools every week in Scotland
Introduced free nursery provsion for pre school children all over Scotland
Banned smoking in public places
Introduced free community alarm schemes in councils they controlled
Brought in free personal care for the elderly
Free bus passes for the elderly
Supported the development of renewable technologies - unlike in SNP controlled areas
Campaigned for and helped secure the Rosyth - Zebrugge ferry
Established a Co-operative development agency
Demolished poor post war housing and built new rented sector houses in places like Easterhouse in Glasgow, and Abbeyview in Dunfermline
Allocated houses to scottish soldiers, sailors and air personnell on leaving the service
Introduced and delivered on insulation and central heating schemes
Virtually eliminated rough sleeping in Scotland's towns and cities
Introduced pilot Domestic Abuse Courts, and funded provision across Scotland for children and young people experiencing domestic abuse

I don't work for the Labour Party, I'm not a councill
69

Embra Don,

29/08/2008 12:20:43
#71 danielrober

Renewable energy development (we have the best resources in Europe)

Replacing and upgrading our transport infrastructure

Developing "clean" oil, gas and coal technology - we have huge riches in all of these resources.

We will still need navy, army and air force to defend us and will be able to concentrate on that rather than "projecting coercion" with Trident and Aircraft Carriers. i.e. real defence rather than state terrorism.
70

Embra Don,

29/08/2008 12:28:04
#73

At last a positive post in support of Labour. I would take issue with some of it, if I had time, but at least its a step in the right direction. Just think how much better they could have done if they had been free of head office restriction.
71

Darien,

Panama 29/08/2008 12:36:38
#71 Danielrober - The Scots would prefer to see Scotland building for trade and peace, not for aggression, war and destruction. A dominant concentration in any economy on war production reflects an outdated empire mindset. The new Scotland will have a rather different emphasis thank you very much. Alex Salmond has already stated his desire for Scotland to work together with all other nations for peace. That is a totally different mindset from the typical UK approach. And onother very attractive differentiation factor for the Scots electorate to think about. An Independent Scotland would develop a respected role in international diplomacy.
72

Calum Crubag,

29/08/2008 12:42:26
All Labour can do is talk about Salmond - bitter sniping non-stop. They know they failed in the past decade and have nothing new to offer.

Adios to the union.
73

Arfur,

29/08/2008 12:57:33
Stop talking about Alex Salmond and consentrate on policies????........you can't ask them to do that, it will just confuse them even more - seeing as Scottish Labours one and only policy at this time is to attack Alex Salmond and the SNP about absolutly everything (I mean forget about the fact that it is for the good of Scotland and all that...attack).
74

MacGillicuddy,

Fife 29/08/2008 13:16:19
#73
I suspect you have been reading a VERY old flier put out by the Liebour Party.
The record of the Liebour Party is actually appalling both at local and national level when their half century of dominating Scottish politics is studied. You also forgot to include in your list that the Liebour Party is squandering BILLIONS of pounds of public money prosecting TWO wars, (one of which is illegal) and which have proven to be futile).
You forgot also to include that the Liebour Party has now abandoned its traditional core support by introducing a tax regime which will penalise them far more than the Liebour Party's new found friends amongst the better off who are given the tax breaks.
75

lulach mac gille coemgain,

29/08/2008 13:20:27
Good to see everybody talking about Alex on the comment board - seems everyone just can’t help themselves !

Hee Hee !

C’mon Scotland ! Today our Country - Tomorrow the World Cup !
76

Gere,

Scotland 29/08/2008 13:23:26
Freedom for Scotland!!!!!
77

danielrober,

29/08/2008 13:58:49
# 72 Hawkeye the Noo and to a lesser degree 75 Embra Don

Every country in western Europe is running after these RE jobs. The investment been put in by the big four countries is massive and well supported by other engineering sectors.

A guy working nuclear in France will also build HydroElectric.
A guy working missiles in Italy will also build SolarElectric.
A guy working on Tanks in Germany will also build CHP.

Yep you guess it, a guy working on nuclear power, sudmarines and aircraft carriers in the UK will also build complex renewable energy systems.

Alec.S is going to remove these opporunities from Scotlands new engineers, turning them into installers of other peoples systems. Nothing wrong with that but why should a French leader pay the bill for a an engineer from Scotland when that government will not pay their share. In the long run thats not fair, its cheap.

So where will the jobs come frm after 2016.
78

danielrober,

29/08/2008 14:00:21
# 77 Darien,Panama

So Alec.S is going for a strange mix of thatcherisum and international socialisum. Funny thing is both failed to deliver jobs.
79

Armstrong Cowan Again,

Secret -having escaped Glasgow's one party State 29/08/2008 14:07:24
It's time to reassert Labour values of fairness, social justice and opportunity for all."


Sorry as far as I know these are standard conservative values - infact they are universal values backed no doubt by the SNP and the Liberals.

Labour for me means old fashioned, chip on the shoulder, envy , what's in it for me, graft, corruption, we tell you what to do , nannie state, interference, wasted resources, zero initiative, blame it on everybody else, shirk from responsibilty.

oh let's have 'labour values for another n years in Scotland. goodbye labour you are about to disappear
80

Darien,

Panama 29/08/2008 14:15:28
#84 danielrober "So Alec.S is going for a strange mix of thatcherisum and international socialisum. Funny thing is both failed to deliver jobs."

Aye, and with Team GB unemployment heading for 2 million, you can add Comrade Broon to that list.

Aside from this you seem to have completely missed the point I made so I will restate:
"The Scots would prefer to see Scotland building for trade and peace, not for aggression, war and destruction. A dominant concentration in any economy on war production reflects an outdated empire mindset. The new Scotland will have a rather different emphasis thank you very much. Alex Salmond has already stated his desire for Scotland to work together with all other nations for peace. That is a totally different mindset from the typical UK approach. And onother very attractive differentiation factor for the Scots electorate to think about. An Independent Scotland would develop a respected role in international diplomacy."

81

Hen Broon,

29/08/2008 14:34:03
How refreshing to hear Milliband so strongly supporting the sovereignty of the new European nations of the old USSR. His recognition that the dead hand of imperialism is finished, will go a long way in galvanising support for our Scottish nation when the time comes, which is not far of. Alex Salmond will strike when the iron is hot.

The latest attempt to stop candidates referring to the SNP is a sad joke, what else do they have to talk about. The SNP are the mainstream in Scotland. They are leading the way and showing the ex shop stewards what they should have been doing which makes them even more bitter.
82

wattie>x 1,

PLYMOUTH 29/08/2008 14:34:07
Any person, with a legitimate question off opposition to offer oo the lying, corrupt New Labour Party *purveyors of social and economic destruction that " they have inflicted on the dis-united UK since 1997, would find it easier, to enter Fort Knox (or,maybe the Kingdom of Heaven") than get admission into one off New Labour's carefully stage managed and rigidly controlled so-called publiic meetings !
83

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29/08/2008 14:40:32
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84

Greatscot....,

London 29/08/2008 14:46:19
I am completely baffled by the attitude of most of the posters on here. Many are of the belief that Labour are somehow an English and therefore Unionist creation. Please. From the rest of the world's perspective, Labour are almost a 100% Scottish invention. Its the Scots who invented Labour and have foisted them on the rest of the UK for the better part of the last 60 years. And the SNP? Just another Labour party but this time with a kilt.

These must be the most juvenile posts of any newspaper in any country on Earth. Please. Do Scotland a favour and stop talking utter tosh. The vast majority of Scots want to stay in the Union. Respect their wishes.
85

The Spook in Leith,

29/08/2008 14:58:36
It appears from the labour mafia that they can only look up to the first minister in admiration, no wander they cant stop talking about him..
86

WHISTLEBLOWER,

gdgdg 29/08/2008 15:03:20
How are they supposed to provide an effective opposition without mentioning the Government?

The mind boggles.
87

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29/08/2008 15:03:41
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88

Saruman,

29/08/2008 15:31:55
#91: he is something else! Just hope for the sake of you devoted Nats that he doesn't decide to retire from leadership again any time soon.
89

The Spook in Leith,

29/08/2008 15:43:32
#94

Well in that case i shall step in, are you okay with that wee man ?
90

Armstrong Cowan Again,

Out of voting range 29/08/2008 15:50:03
# Great Scot

"These must be the most juvenile posts of any newspaper in any country on Earth. Please. Do Scotland a favour and stop talking utter tosh. The vast majority of Scots want to stay in the Union. Respect their wishes."

Yes- but it is a lot of fun and Yes,at the moment polls may indicate this to be so - However let the debate continue and in due course we shall see what the majority want in Scotland. One common theme is the resentment of many folk in Scotland whether left, right or in the middle to the abysmal record of Labour since the war.
91

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29/08/2008 15:57:42
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92

,

29/08/2008 16:18:59
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29/08/2008 16:19:24
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29/08/2008 16:19:44
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95

Shredder,

29/08/2008 17:04:39
#101: but that would be on the basis of the Nats' rigged question, n'est-ce pas? No one believes all the tosh about how it is so phrased for legal reasons, btw.
96

FrancesP,

29/08/2008 17:11:03
102. "but that would be on the basis of the Nats' rigged question, n'est-ce pas?"

That is categorically NOT the case. If you go to YouGov's site, you'll see that the question they use bears no resemblance to the one the SNP propose to ask - in fact you and AM2 would be proud of it, because it uses ridiculously biased language like 'separation'. No surprise that the wording was devised by Anthony King, who for years has staked his reputation on his dubious analysis that devolution would make independence less likely. Now he's (perhaps, to be fair, unconsciously) skewing the polls to try and make his prediction come true!
97

Shredder,

29/08/2008 17:18:40
#103: if no third option of giving more power to the SP was included, then it's not very impressive if that's the most support for separation after the Nats have supposedly been playing a "blinder" in the SP.

98

FrancesP,

29/08/2008 17:30:10
104. Au contraire, if 'separation' is such a scary concept (and the unionist parties obviously believe it is otherwise they wouldn't keep banging on about it) it's truly remarkable that as many as 36% of the public declare themselves to be in favour of it. But whatever YouGov and Anthony King think, it's highly improbable that such a blatantly biased word would ever make the ballot paper, even if the SNP were forced to compromise on the wording. The more neutral wording of the System 3 polls offers a far better guide, and they've put support and opposition to independence at level pegging for several months now.

Note to YouGov - however scrupulous your sampling methodology, your polls on independence will only be credible when they're devised by someone neutral - ie. someone who's not got a vested interest in trying to make the facts fit his own personal analysis.
99

brusque,

29/08/2008 17:52:17

73 Benarty..

""Here's some of the things Labour DID do in Local, Scottish, and UK government:""

Built 2 new schools every week in Scotland......


That would be 104 schools a year, and 832 new schools built over Labour's most recent period in Government??

Surely that statement was something of a slip of the "finger"?

However, as someone else has already pointed out, the list you typed is woefully short when you consider the number of years they were in Government!!

"Virtually eliminated rough sleeping in Scotland's towns and cities" That may be the case where you live, but it is most definitely the case across Scotland - and furthermore, the Labour run Council withdrew the funding from the Homeless Shelter Project, which was staffed entirely by volunteers.

Labour have been a scourge in Scotland, between bent Councillors, doing dodgy land deals, and Labour MPs claiming expenses the equivalent of the cost of running a small country - and then going on the sick when they get found out, Scotland is not willing to put up with it any longer.

They are finished in Scotland, they just don't know how to make a graceful exit, so they will go out scrapping like wild pigs at a trough.

A fitting description.