Labour plan to reward drivers who do what they are supposed to do....

Ok, I know the Festive Period is sometimes referred to as 'Silly Season' but the best has been saved til almost last (only one day left of 2010 - there is still time!) by Labour MP Maria Eagle, the new Shadow Transport Secretary.

"Drivers who observe the speed limit could have their road tax reduced or see points wiped from their licence, under plans being considered by Labour. (Click to read article)

As someone currently taking driving lessons, I find this a blindingly bonkers suggestion.

I don't see why I should be rewarded when I pass my Test and drive as I have been taught - safely and within the Law!

Another crazy idea, but after 13 years of Nanny State Government, nothing surprises me any more...

Funding boost for Local Communities with Scotwest

Community groups across the Uddingston & Bellshill Constituency can now apply for an cash injection - thanks to a new North Lanarkshire wide community fund.

The Make a Difference fund has been launched by Scotwest credit union and allows small groups to apply for grants of up to £250.

This is a fantastic iniative and with many voluntary organisations relying on handouts and members dipping into their own pockets, any financial boost to help keep them delivering in the community is a bonus. This initiative is warmly welcomed at a time when businesses are making difficult decisions in tough trading conditions.

As Scotland’s biggest credit union, Scotwest has 5000 members across North Lanarkshire and any member can apply for support for any community based activity – such as a football team needing a new kit.

Any organisation who wants to apply for the grant should go to their website to download a form. Scotwest welcome all applications, as long as they have a personal connection to the cause they are looking to support.

Missed Appointments Cost NHS Lanarkshire £1.9m

Missed new outpatient appointments in Lanarkshire NHS hospitals cost the taxpayer £1.9m in the quarter ending June 2010 according to figures obtained by the Scottish Conservatives.

Over 10% of all new outpatient appointments across the Nation’s hospitals are being missed by patients with the Scottish Government estimating that every missed appointment costs the NHS £110.

Lanarkshire NHS Board’s 11.9% figure of ‘no-shows’ in the period saw a total of 17,284 missed appointments out of 145,397 new appointments made. This compares to 167,968 out of 1,576,359 outpatient appointments in Scotland missed, a total of 10.7%.

Sadly, every missed appointment hurts mine and your NHS. It denies another patient an appointment that they might desperately need.

Not only will it waste precious time for our hard working nurses, doctors or consultants, it contributes to bureaucratic gridlock as administrative staff have to devote time to arranging appointments that will ultimately be broken.

Nanette Milne MSP, Shadow Minister for Public Health, who uncovered the figures, said: "We need a pro-active approach from the SNP Government and a move towards more sophisticated ways to remind patients with text message and email reminders.

"In these difficult times caused by Labour's legacy of debt, we cannot afford to throw money away."

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "In the current economic climate it is even more vital that NHS boards reduce any waste in their budgets.
"It is every patient's responsibility to keep their appointments but we recognise that the NHS has to be flexible in helping make appointments convenient for patients.

"That is why boards in Scotland have been given a 2% target for efficiency savings and are all working on implementing policies to reduce missed appointments.

"This includes text and phone reminders, more choice over the time of an appointment and a poster campaign reminding patients of their responsibilities in using NHS services."

Scottish Conservatives pledge enhanced health visiting service

Murdo Fraser MSP, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health & Wellbeing, has pledged the Scottish Conservatives to a £20million boost for enhancing health visitors.



Murdo Fraser MSP said:

"Scottish Conservatives are absolutely committed to an enhanced health visiting service attached to GP surgeries. That's why Scottish Conservatives have pledged to direct £20 million from the health budget towards providing more and better support for new parents through a massive increase in home health visiting services.

"Children deserve a decent start in life, so a guaranteed level of support will be offered to mothers until their child reaches the age of five.

"At this time of crisis in our public finances thanks to Labour's debt legacy - when delivering essential public services is proving hugely challenging – the SNP's aim of giving people like myself and Alex Salmond universal free prescriptions is a misuse of scarce resources and politically irresponsible. This money could be much better spent.

"The First Minister must commit to some of the money we would save if we ditched that plan, to improve provision of health visitors across Scotland instead."

Lord Sanderson's Commission Report 2010 to herald a new dawn for the Scottish Conservatives

The Scottish Conservative 2010 Commission has published its final report.

Andrew Fulton, Scottish Conservative Chairman, said:



"I welcome this thoughtful and comprehensive report and thank Lord Sanderson and his colleagues for all their hard work. I asked his team to come up with concrete proposals to take our Party forward, and now we have them.

"The Party Executive now has much to consider. Our party's future is important, and so too is the future of our country. We have a vital election to fight in 5 months time and we are all determined that the first priority is to get more Conservative MSPs elected.

"As regards implementation we will consider all the recommendations thoroughly and according to Party procedures and constitution. Where operational changes can be made they will be made, and I would hope sooner than later. Other aspects requiring wider consultation within the Party will involve due process and constitutional change. This is vital and important work which we must and will get right."

Annabel Goldie MSP, Scottish Conservative Leader, said:

"Scotland has now had the experience of nearly 12 years of devolution and just as I argued that there had to be a review of devolution to ensure that it was fit for practical purpose, so I backed the plan to review our party to ensure that we are fit for political purpose.

"I applaud Russell Sanderson and his team for the diligence and dedication with which they have undertaken the task they were set.

"This report is now in the hands of my Party and I do not at this stage intend to give a running commentary of its recommendations. However, I can confirm my agreement with the its broad principles which chart a way forward building upon our strengths, being honest about our difficulties, and optimistic about our future. The Party will now start the process of detailed analysis and consultation, and in the meantime I will put all my energies into the Holyrood elections.

"I am ambitious for my Party, but I am even more ambitious for my Country."

The Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Commission 2010 report can be viewed and downloaded by clicking here

Regional Vote offers chance of further Central success for Scottish Conservatives

When Central Scotland goes to the polls on May 5th next year, voters have the chance to make a difference.

With the Boundary Commission making a series of changes for 2011, the Scottish Conservatives have a fantastic chance to make sure your opinion is heard at Holyrood. With your help and your Regional Vote, a 2nd List MSP will be elected. A vote for any other Party will only benefit the SNP.

The Regional List for the Scottish Conservatives has been voted upon by Party Members and the results are below.

Annabel Goldie MSP, Scottish Conservative Leader, said:

“I am proud to be leading such a fantastic team into next year’s elections. We have an impressive blend of experience and fresh, young talent across all regions, all determined to take our strong, positive message to voters.

“We have delivered for Scotland over the last 3 and a half years – more police, a real terms cut in council tax, a new anti-drugs strategy, lower taxes for our smallest businesses and a multi-million pound town centre regeneration fund.

“These are challenging times for Scotland, as we have to deal with the twin effects of Labour’s debt legacy and four years of SNP broken promises. Our country is crying out for change and I am determined to deliver that. In all that we do, we shall make the difference for Scotland.”

The full ranking is as follows;

Central Scotland

1. Margaret Mitchell
2. Robert Crozier
3. Graham Simpson
4. Bob Burgess
5. Allan Finnie
6. Mark Brown
7. Jonathan Tidswell

Scotland deserves better next May.

On May 5th our Nation has a choice.

She can deliver a response to Labour that will not forgive them for 13 years of mismanagement and send the message to Iain Gray that Labour just can’t be trusted.

In fact, Gray himself can’t be trusted as press reports recently suggested that Red Ed is commandeering the Holyrood campaign from London to avoid any slip-ups!

Alternatively, she can stick with the devil she knows and re-elect an SNP administration which recently delivered a Draft Budget not so much in the National interest but in the Nationalists interest – a somewhat sizeable 244 pages of Electioneering Engineering to try ensure Alex Salmond’s future and not that of the Country.

Or, she can Vote for change!

When it comes to voting on 5th May 2011, I will be asking for your Vote. Please use your Regional Ballot Paper to vote Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party on the Regional List.

A vote for Labour would work in favour of the SNP and allow them to benefit once again from the List.

For a strong Scotland within the UK, the only way to vote is Brown and Scottish Conservatives.

Scotland deserves better. 5th May 2011. Believe.

Holyrood Election 2011: Mark Brown Selected as Conservative Candidate for Uddingston & Bellshill

Mistrust and malaise in politics today show that people want change.

The Electorate do not want 'just another politician'.



This is where I can offer the Electorate of Uddingston & Bellshill a difference.

I decided to become a Candidate not to glorify my CV but to put real life experience into practice in a new field. I come from a humble working class council scheme background and no, I've never seen a silver spoon or a duck house either!

With such a demographic diversity that will no doubt throw up some interesting political challenges, it is now time for the Scottish Conservatives to step with to that challenge.

Scottish Labour think they are the 'untouchables'. The Nats are just simply out of touch.

The Conservatives are the only Party in Scotland to offer real change. The only 'New' thing from New Labour over the last 13 years has been a NEW record deficit - and a legacy for each man, woman & child to remind them that Socialism has no place in modern politics.

The Nationalists have let the NHS down, they have let our Judicial system down, they have let our Teachers down, they have let our graduates down. They have let Scotland down!

Naturally, I am committed to representing everyone in the Constituency regardless of your political persuasion and my first priority is to find out what issues are important to you. I would like to hear from you!

Please feel free to email me: mark.brown@scottishconservatives.com