It's Common Sense - I'm Not Just Another Politician!

The Scottish Parliament has been dissolved & the starting gun has been fired for the Holyrood Election on May 5th.

Let's dispel the myths before a punch has been pulled, a Labour leaflet has been popped through the letterbox to see if anyone recognises Iain Gray, a Nationalist sells Independence to the electorate like a second-hand car salesman or a Lib Dem Candidate is even selected!

Here I am: Mark Brown - The Ordinary Guy.

- I grew up on a Council Estate, had two newspaper rounds at 13 and wore my Cousin's hand me downs as a teenager (my cousin Scott that is, not Pamela!). I went to a state school and graduated from the School of Life. No silver spoon for Broon!!

- I live in the real world. I am involved in volunteering, raising funds for charities. I work with Scotland's Small Businesses helping them in these tough economic times.

I'll stand up for what I believe is politically & socially right for Scotland.

I'll also bring a human element to the campaign. I'm flawed. I don't have all the answers. I sincerely hope that each and every one of my opponents will have the honesty to admit it also. If they don't, won't or can't - then I'll let you make up your own mind!

What Scotland needs is a change. Scottish Politics needs more than career politicians. It needs those who have a wealth of real life experience to draw from. It needs people who are honest & transparent. It needs Mark Brown.

Putting it simply: I'm not just another politician.

Scottish Parliamentary Election & Referendum Information from North Lanarkshire Council

Ahead of the Election and Referendum vote, North Lanarkshire Council have prepared some useful information:

On Thursday 5 May 2011 elections will be held for the Scottish Parliament. There will also be a referendum on the voting system used to elect MPs to the House of Commons

How do I vote in the Scottish Parliamentary election?

You will receive two ballot papers. There will be a lilac coloured ballot paper to elect your constituency member and a peach coloured ballot paper to elect your regional members.

Use the lilac ballot paper to vote for a candidate to represent your constituency. To vote, mark a cross (X) in the box opposite the name of one candidate. The candidate with the most votes wins.

Use the peach ballot paper to vote for a party or individual candidate to represent your region. To vote, mark a cross (X) in the box opposite the name of one party or individual candidate. In each region, parties and individual candidates win seats based on:

•the number of votes they receive in this regional ballot, and
•the number of constituency seats that parties win in the region.

How do I vote in the Referendum?

A referendum asks you to vote yes or no to a proposal. For this referendum, you will receive a ballot paper with this question:

•At present, the UK uses the 'first past the post' system to elect MPs to the House of Commons. Should the 'alternative vote' system be used instead?
You show your choice by putting a cross (X) in the 'Yes' or 'No' box on your ballot paper.

Put a cross in only one box or your vote will not be counted.

If more people vote 'yes' than 'no', the 'alternative vote' system will be used for future elections to the House of Commons.

If more people vote 'no' than 'yes', the 'first past the post' system will continue to be used.

Information campaign

The Electoral Commission will send an information leaflet to every household in the UK explaining more about the elections taking place on 5 May and the referendum. There will also be a multi-media advertising campaign.

Useful links


North Lanarkshire Council Election Page

Electoral Registration

Constituency Ballot Paper

Regional Ballot Paper

Electoral Commission Leaflet

Conservative PPC Mark Brown Pledges to VoteforSport

At the Scottish Conservative Conference the Scottish Sports Alliance’s VoteforSport Pledge received a host of new supporters as Mark Brown joined fellow Conservative MSPs and PPCs in signing up to the Pledge.

The campaign was launched on September 21 with the support of Margo MacDonald MSP and Rhona Martin MBE.

The VoteforSport campaign is designed to raise the profile of sport throughout the Scottish Parliamentary Elections in 2011. The campaign will encourage MSPs and Prospective Parliamentary Candidates (PPCs) to pledge to the following statement;

“I pledge to recognise the unique role, value and potential of sport in Scottish society and upon my election to the Scottish Parliament I will act as a Scottish Sporting Champion throughout my term in Parliament.”

After signing the VoteforSport pledge Mark Brown stated “I’m delighted to sign up for this fantastic campaign. As someone who has spent half my life involved in grassroots rugby and cricket - both playing and as an office bearer, I truly understand exactly what part sport has in shaping our Nation.

Scottish Sports Association Board Member & former Scotland Rugby International Scott Hastings commented that “if this campaign is to succeed we need to encourage sport in all areas of society and recognise the huge impact that sport has on our nation. There are many things that need to be done but having sport on the political agenda could significantly benefit the health of our country whilst promoting Scotland’s sporting profile.

“2011 is a huge opportunity for all those involved in sport, from the local community clubs up to the highest stage to promote sport as a campaign issue. I urge everyone who plays, spectates or just loves sport to log on to www.VoteforSport.com and pledge their support to show Scotland truly cares about sport.

“My vision is to see every school child playing sport in Scotland on a regular basis every week and that sport is accepted as part of Scotland’s future well being.”

Scottish Conservative Party Leader Annabel Goldie signed up to VoteforSport on behalf of the whole Conservative Party in November:

"I warmly congratulate the Scottish Sports Alliance for producing this sports manifesto and for all the hard work they have undertaken in encouraging Scotland to get fit.

“A healthier, fitter Scotland is essential to secure a positive and productive future for our country. Existing problems with the lack of Scots taking exercise and looking after themselves are largely cultural, so it is through tackling this culture that we will see results.

“Improving the fitness of the nation will be right at the heart of the Scottish Conservative manifesto for the Holyrood elections in May 2011 and that is why our MSPs are signing the VoteforSport pledge.”

Deputy Party Leader, Murdo Fraser commented:

“I am a strong supporter of the Scottish Sports Alliance’s VoteforSport Pledge and campaign.

“We must raise the profile of sport in our schools and get everyone in Scotland more active and involved in sport. Sport and getting people more active will be at the centre of the Scottish Conservative manifesto for next year’s Scottish Parliamentary elections.”

Brian McKelvie, Chair of the Scottish Sports Association, stated, “the campaign has been received very positively and it’s great to see such a demonstration of support for sport here at the Conservative Conference”.

The campaign will not only encourage MSPs and PPCs to sign the Pledge but will also utilise the power of the some 900,000 men and women who take part in sport through the 12,000 sports clubs in Scotland. Policy Director of the Scottish Sports Association, Kim Atkinson highlighted that “sport is undoubtedly Scotland’s greatest social movement; with 1 in 5 people in Scotland a member of one of our 12,000 sports clubs. VoteforSport will give this constituency a voice for the first time in Scottish elections.”

Editorial:

The Scottish Sports Alliance is the collective voice of the Scottish Sports Association, Scottish Universities Sport and the Scottish Association of Local Sports Councils. Collectively the three organisations represent 54 Governing Bodies of Sport; 18 Associate Sporting Organisations; 55 Local Sports Councils; 16 Scottish Universities encompassing 150,000 regular volunteers, 12,000 sports clubs and 900,000 men and woman who regularly participate in sport in Scotland.

2011 Scottish Conservative Party Conference - Speech on Prescription Charges

Ladies and Gentlemen

Welcome to the Dewar Centre for the 2011 Scottish Conservative Party Conference.

When asked if I’d speak to the hall regarding Health, I needed some inspiration. Who would have thought it would have come from the First Minister Alex Salmond!

Yes – Alex Salmond. Thought that would get your attention. No, I haven’t had leave of my senses or had a heavy night out in Perth last night. I’m talking about the abolition of Prescription Charges in Scotland.

The Scottish Conservatives are clear on this issue. Giving away free prescriptions to those who can well afford to pay for them is politically irresponsible and a drain on public resources at this time of huge financial challenges in the NHS.

The abolition of prescription charges is nothing but sheer populism by the SNP and unworkable and unaffordable in the current economic climate.

Unfortunately, it is an absolute necessity to seek a reverse of this universal freebie in order to deal with Labour’s debt legacy.

The young, the elderly and those on benefits are already exempt.
Using millions of Scotland’s health budget to reduce the cost of prescriptions to zero means it simply can’t be spent elsewhere.

Ahead of April’s free for all, some 50% of people who are exempt from prescription charges account for 92% of all prescriptions.

Once again, the Conservatives are the Champion for Common Sense and for the Common Good of the people of Scotland.

Both Labour and the SNP are failing to face up to financial reality.
In these difficult economic times, we have to make tough decisions and prioritise what we need most.

Free prescriptions for those who can afford it are NOT a priority – it is simply absurd that all the other parties cannot see this.

Using a further £70 million of much needed funds to abolish charges - £50m for loss of income and £20m to allow for increased take up – will not help knock Scotland of the top of the Sick Man of Europe League Table.

These much needed funds are therefore simply nothing other than further reward for middle class people who can clearly afford to pay the charge. The money being taken out of the Health Budget to give free prescriptions to people like Alex Salmond could be much better spent elsewhere maintaining and enhancing frontline services.

When will Alex Salmond and his Minority Government wake up from the fantasy politics and blatent election opportunism that is clearly pushing a Socialist agenda?

The Scottish Conservatives will continue to argue for a return of a Prescription Levy. Remember this, only 6% of prescriptions are paid for. It makes no sense to take money out of the NHS as we tackle Labour’s legacy.

By restoring prescription charges to £5 for those 6% who currently pay prior to next month’s changes, the Scottish Conservatives would be in a position to invest £20m per year in providing more Health Visitors in Scotland.

It’s really is time for the Scottish Government to get their priorities in place and deliver for all.

Finally, in the time it took to deliver this speech, some £330k in National Debt Interest repayments courtesy of Labour’s legacy have been racked up - money taken away from essential front line services. This is nothing short of a disgrace.

Fellow Candidates and foot soldiers, whether you are out canvassing on the streets of Scotland or speaking at a local Hustings, never ever let Labour forget about the mess they have left us to clear up in the run in to May 5th.

Uddingston Award Winning Restaurant gets Margaret's Motion in Holyrood

Uddingston's Smiths Restaurant recently picked up a coveted Industry Award for it's fine fayre and this was recently recognised in the Scottish Parliament by Scottish Conservatives Central Scotland MSP Margaret Mitchell.

The Motion was as follows:


S3M-08112 Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): Smiths Uddingston, Restaurant of the Year— That the Parliament congratulates Smiths of Uddingston, South Lanarkshire, on being named both Urban and Overall Restaurant of the Year at the Scottish Restaurant Awards 2011 ceremony held on 28 February; notes that the awards recognise outstanding creativity, customer service and top quality dining and that Smiths faced competition from Michelin Star-rated restaurants Scotland-wide; further notes that the eatery was commended by competition organisers for serving what they regarded as delicious, well presented food at a reasonable price, and congratulates owner Michael Smith and his staff on their success and achievement in gaining what is considered this prestigious award.


Supported by: Michael McMahon, John Lamont, Sir Jamie McGrigor, Bill Aitken, Jamie Hepburn, Bill Kidd, Stewart Maxwell

On My Travels - Cardiff for Spring Forum

I've just returned from the fantastic Conservative Spring Forum in Cardiff.

I had a great chat with Dr Liam Fox the Defence Secretary on Saturday after he delivered a great address to the ConservativeHome/European Azerbaijan Society reception. Liam told me that he knows the Constituency very well - he was born in Bellshill!

George Osborne and David Cameron both delivered strong messages at the Sunday session, telling us that the forthcoming Budget would be all about measures to grow the economy. The Chancellor gave his strongest hint yet that he would try to help on the cost of fuel.

Both also gave strong messages of support for those fighting for democracy in the Middle East: The PM condemned the last Government's links with Gadaffi's government.

What came through well, was the Prime Minister's definition of four timeless Conservative values:

1. Responsibility: The Big Society;
2. Real Compassion: Supporting the most vulnerable. A ladder in which to climb, but a safety net to help those who fall;
3. Real Fairness: Stopping the 'easy case' - tough action against individuals who do the right thing, in order to fulfil targets and quotas;
4. Enterprise. Turning Britain into an Enterprise economy once again. Backing small businesses and entrepreneurs.

I liked this speech because it was easy to understand and remember. It was in plain language that was intended to reach out to people watching on their TV sets.

Watch David Cameron's speech here

Scottish Labour fail Scotland's motorists in Fuel Duty Debate

The Scottish Labour Party is in disarray after refusing tonight to back calls for a cancellation of the rise in fuel duty planned for April 2011.

Speaking after the debate, Jackson Carlaw MSP, Shadow Minister for Transport, said:

“The incompetence of Labour plumbed new depths this evening. A party which is asking to be taken seriously as a potential government in Scotland has proved itself to be leaderless, clueless and spineless.

“Given the opportunity to support a call for the UK Government to postpone the planned rise in fuel duty – a rise inherited from the last Labour Government – Scottish Labour astonished the parliament by abstaining.

“Motorists across Scotland can now see that Labour is not on their side. Whilst all the other main parties supported the call, Labour MSPs sat on their hands. How can anyone take them seriously when they collapse in the face of the big decisions?”

Below is the motion passed by the Scottish Parliament tonight, with Scottish Conservative, Lib Dem and SNP support. Scottish Labour did not vote for the motion.

S3M-8032 Keith Brown: Fuel Duty—That the Parliament notes that petrol and diesel prices in Scotland are among the highest in Europe and have reached record levels and that the planned rise in fuel duty by the UK Government in April 2011 could increase prices by a further 4p per litre; recognises that such increases impose an additional burden on households and businesses at a time of rising living costs and could undermine the economic recovery; notes the UK Government’s proposal to introduce a 5p-per-litre fuel discount scheme for island communities, and calls on the UK Government to cancel the rise in fuel duty planned for April and implement a fuel duty regulator that would ensure that some of the additional revenue that the UK Government will receive from increased revenues due to recent increases in oil prices is used to reduce fuel duty to help support Scottish households and businesses.

Life sentences ruling sends out completely the wrong message to victims of crime

A landmark legal ruling has cleared the way for people serving discretionary life sentences to challenge the length of time they must spend in Scottish jails. It follows appeals by rapist Robert Foye and paedophile Morris Petch.

Scottish Conservatives are calling for all parties to sit down and work out what can be done to stop this measure.

John Lamont MSP, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Justice, said:

“Like any right-minded person, I am extremely concerned about this. These two men committed sickening crimes and people will be very worried that time could be shaved off their sentences.

“What kind of message does this send out to victims of crime in particular, that the men who caused them such harm could find the law working in their favour? It could pave the way for a flood of appeals from the most dangerous criminals.

“Although sentencing must always remain the prerogative of the judiciary, I think the immediate priority would be for all political parties to sit down and work out what we can do to stop this. It cannot be allowed to happen.”