SNP revert to language of the desperate and deficit deniers

In what can only be described as a predictable and unimaginative move, the SNP is to follow Labour and use the phrase “Conservative" or "Tory-led" Government in every / any attempt in describing the UK Coalition Government.





The SNP has announced that it intends to use the phrase “Conservative-led” as often as possible.

During last week’s Westminster debate on the Scotland Bill, the SNP’s Pete Wishart described the Coalition as the “Conservative-led government” a number of times, despite his comments being mainly addressed to Michael Moore, the LibDem Scottish Secretary.

The Labour Party has even had the audacity to write to broadcasters calling for them to also adopt the phrase “Conservative-led Government” and insisting that “Coalition” should not be considered a neutral description.

Ed Miliband has told all members, from activists to front bench MPs to stop using the word “Coalition”. It seems that making up names is more useful than taking ownership for the £2 trillion deficit that his Party left the Coalition Government to come along and pick up the tab for.

The Electorate must be offered greater respect from the Politicians! What response would there be in the media if the Conservatives started calling the "Union-led Opposition"?

The £120m daily deficit interest payments currently cost the average taxpayer in Uddingston & Bellshill some £1400 per year. Money that would be back in their pocket had Labour not run riot with the Country's chequebook and credit card!

So, away from the name calling and school playground politics, lets look at the facts. Without the Scottish Conservatives we would not have 1,000 more police, a freeze in Council Tax, tax cuts for our smallest businesses or a new national drugs strategy.

We have delivered – and we will again.

BMI flights suspension will do nothing to promote Scottish economy

BMI has announced the ‘suspension’ of daily flights between Glasgow and Heathrow airports from the end of March 2011 citing forthcoming rises in domestic passenger charges at the London airport.

This announcement means that the only flights for the route will be provided by British Airways however BMI do hope to be able to look at the route again in the future.

Jackson Carlaw MSP, Shadow Minister for Transport, said:

“This news from BMI is a huge disappointment.

“Scottish Conservatives believe that BAA at Heathrow should have reconsidered the timing of their new landing charges. This would have given BMI time to increase the onwards transit percentage of their passengers travelling through London from Glasgow. Also, BMI should have allowed more time for an equitable solution to be negotiated.

“In the event, Scottish business and domestic passengers are now faced with a reduced service to and from Glasgow which will do nothing to promote the Scottish economy.”

SNP Government Budget - Full of Scottish Conservative policies but still room for more

Derek Brownlee MSP, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance & Sustainable Growth, spoke in today’s Budget Bill Stage 1 debate where he called for a greater focus on job creation & reform of public services as MSPs decide on the 1 year budget.



There are things in this budget with which we agree:

The pay freeze on salaries over £21,000, to protect jobs

The protection of the NHS budget

The funding for the additional Police

The maintenance of the cuts in business rates for small and medium sized businesses

And the Council Tax Freeze

All Conservative policies. But there is always room for more.

In common with other parties, we have been in dialogue for some weeks with the Scottish Government over the Budget.

We have outlined our main concerns on where the Government needs to act to improve the budget – a greater focus on job creation in the private sector to support and rebalance the Scottish economy, and reform of public services to enable them to be protected as budgets fall.

Although this budget is for one year, it cannot be viewed in isolation.

On Monday, the Scottish Government published longer term spending figures, as required by Parliament.

However, although the First Minister was keen to boast about how the NHS budget would be protected – I wonder where he got that idea – Mr Swinney makes clear that “actual budgets will vary from the illustrations”.

If the SNP's answer is to increase public funding, then from which other areas where the Government is currently projecting a cash freeze will we see the substantial reductions made?

Will it be the NHS?

Or schools?

Affordable housing?

Aren't we entitled to know?

The First Minister used to get terribly excited about cuts of £500m; just not when they are his own doing.

The Budget is not perfect, but nor is it beyond redemption. To borrow a phrase from the First Minister, it remains in purgatory. In order to allow cross party dialogue on the budget to continue, we will support the Budget Bill today.

Pathetic start to 100 Days to Holyrood with #Labour and #SNP embroiled in immature mud-slinging on Twitter

Annabel Goldie warned that this election would descend into vitriol and she has already proved to be right.

On Burns Day of all days, the SNP and Labour decided to enter into the Punch and Judy politics that the public frankly have had enough of.



Using Social Networking site Twitter to embrace with the electorate, Scottish Labour offered this online diatribe treat: "Over the next 100 days Labour will publish our plans for a better Scotland, but today we are using our Twitter feed to highlight 100 broken SNP promises"

Whilst they may be factually correct in some of their Tweets to be fair, is it just me who thinks Labour are somewhat rich in highlighting broken promises and preaching about successful Government practice?

In response, the SNP, were talking about their achievements & future plans in on their Twitter profile. Interestingly they highlighted success and results that could only be delivered via concessions granted to the Scottish Conservatives including Council Tax Freezes and a 1000 more Police on the Scotland's streets.

The SNP of course today unveiled their 'Re-elect us' Campaign.

Here we see Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon launching the Campaign under the "A Scottish Government working for Scotland" slogan. Wouldn't this be the bare minimum you'd expect? Fancy messages don't cut the mustard. Delivering results do and the Scottish Conservatives will deliver again.

Speaking on the start of the 100 day countdown to the Scottish Parliamentary election, Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie MSP said:

"I fear that this election is going to be 100 days of vitriol between Alex Salmond and Iain Gray – senseless mudslinging.

They both think that the campaign is all about them. It's not. It's all about Scotland.



"Scotland needs its politicians to stand up and tell it like it is. Hope for the future, but realism about today.

"This must be the election where common sense and straight talking win. I pledge to lead the Scottish Conservative campaign with a focus on the issues which matter to Scotland, and that is not the battle of egos of Salmond and Gray. This is not just about who gets the keys to Bute House, but who will deliver for Scotland, and who will hold the balance of power after May.

"Without the Scottish Conservatives we would not have 1,000 more police, a freeze in Council Tax, tax cuts for our smallest businesses or a new national drugs strategy. We have delivered – and we will again."

Salmond’s super-tax suffers double blow

The Salmond super-tax on jobs has received a further double blow, after the Regulatory Review Group revealed that the decision not to carry out a Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment on the legislation was down to the SNP Government, presumably because they were afraid of potential findings.

The Scottish Grocer’s Federation has also criticised the consequences this tax would have for town centres the length and breadth of Scotland.

Gavin Brown MSP, Shadow Minister for Enterprise, said:

“This is a double blow for the Salmond Super Tax. The SNP Government’s own appointed regulatory adviser has replied to my letter of last week, pointing out that it was the SNP who chose not to carry out a Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment on the Non-Domestic Rates regulation, otherwise known as the Salmond super-tax.

“It’s clear that John Swinney banned a probe because he was afraid of what the assessment would find. He is only supposed to bypass an assessment in exceptional circumstances. He needs to tell us just what is so extraordinary about this jobs tax?

“The SNP also decided not to consult on the tax, again quite clearly for fear of being found out.

“Now the Scottish Grocer’s Federation has stated that town centres will suffer under the Salmond super-tax.

“As these developments prove, opposition to this damaging tax is not about backing big business, as Alex Salmond claims, but all about saving Scottish jobs. Many shops across Scotland face the Salmond super-tax, threatening jobs and investment. The First Minister is sending out a message that it doesn’t pay to be a business success in Scotland. If you are successful, he will punish you.

“If the First Minister really cares about Scottish business and Scottish jobs, and if he really wants to secure the Scottish recovery, he should scrap his tax on jobs now.”

100 days until Holyrood election – Scottish Conservatives will continue to deliver for Scotland

Today marks 100 days until voters go to the polls in the fourth Scottish Parliamentary elections to select their MSP for Uddingston & Bellshill and also List MSPs.



This will be an opportunity for the people of the newly formed Constituency to vote for what they believe in and to elect who they wish to represent them at Holyrood. I hope to that both myself and the Scottish Conservatives will put forward a compelling case to secure your vote.

Scotland must stand up to the challenges that have been forced upon us by the economic mismanagement of the former Labour UK Government. In turn, the SNP Government has failed time and time again to deliver with their manifesto of broken promises.

It's time for the petty politics to be left at the front door of Holyrood. It's time for the Scottish Government to act in the national interest, not it's own partisan interest.

It's time for change and only the Scottish Conservatives can deliver this change for Scotland.

These thoughts are echoed by Annabel Goldie earlier today:

“I’m going to fight a positive and vigorous campaign.

“The Scottish Conservatives can now be judged on what we are doing, how we perform and what we have achieved, rather than by the false image and caricature of us painted by our detractors.

“Without our influence, Scotland would not have 1,000 more police, a council tax freeze, lower business rates for our smallest firms, and more help for care of the elderly at home.

“From the fringe of Scottish politics we are back in the mainstream. For the first time since 1997, we are central to how Scotland is run.

“The Scottish Conservatives are delivering for Scotland and I look forward to putting our case to the people in May.”

Royal College of Nursing Scotland Manifesto launch

I was at Holyrood last night speaking to many of the nursing profession from around the Country as Royal College of Nursing Scotland launched their manifesto ahead of this year's Election.


The aim of the evening was for RCN members to discuss with politicians what they believe should be the health priorities for the next Scottish Government and this proved to be an extremely passionate and thought provoking debate.

The hard-working frontline staff of our NHS who have delivered good results deserve all the praise they can get. Gimmicks like free prescriptions for the wealthy are simply not affordable and must be scrapped.

The Scottish Conservatives are committed to protecting the health budget, but we must continue to find efficiencies and divert funds to frontline services. The latest figures show that NHS Health Boards are spending almost £700m a year on administration costs.

The latest figures, for 2008/9, show over £697m was spent on administration, compared to £670m the year before that, a rise of 4%.

This example clearly shows that there must be change. Change for the better of our NHS and change for the future of our Nation. Only by voting for the Scottish Conservatives in May can the Scottish Parliament deliver this change.

More on Nursing Scotland's Future can be found here - http://scottishelectiona.rcn.org.uk/