I read in the Daily Record a fortnight ago that politicians in Glasgow were concerned that "Many folk's are not engaging with the local election's so far."
As with the Holyrood Elections last year, activity amongst political parties here in Springburn appear's to be non-existent.
We have had two election newsletters through the door. One from The SNP, the other from Labour. That was a fortnight ago.
Perhaps they feel thats enough as folks will vote as they have for years.
As for the other parties, do they feel it's not economic to spend money for third and fourth place?
I haven't been up to the Shopping Centre on a Saturday recently so I dont know if any of the parties have been canvassing there on that day.
Any day during the week that I have been there, I have seen no-one canvassing at all.
So who, exactly, is not engaging with the local election's, do you think?
I now wonder if the parties think we are the ones who should make the effort.
As it's only a week to the election, maybe they think it's all over bar the shouting!
Whats it like elsewhere in the City?
Alex
Full Version: There's An Election Next Week?
Your lucky Alex to get 2 election newsletters. I live in Maryhill and have only had 1 and that was from the Green Party, haven't seen hide nor hair of any other party. And they say the voters are apathetic . Is it any wonder when the people standing for election can't be bothered to tell us what they stand for or what their policies are. I will use my vote next week but as yet I don't know who to give it to. Mary 
Interesting Alex, I have had newsletters from Labour, SNP and Libdems, can't think why there has been nothing from the other parties. I have also had a canvasser on behalf of the Labour party at my door and a woman conducting a survey to find out if we knew how to fill in the new ballot form.
She did go a little green (no party pun intended) when I suggested I might be using my old football pools perm of any 8 from 10
She did go a little green (no party pun intended) when I suggested I might be using my old football pools perm of any 8 from 10
The only candidate i've seen about is the ex Labour now independant one, there doesn't seem to be much of the usual lampost banners, which to be honest i'm very happy with.
I received my first Labour leaflet the other day and it doesn't even mention the SNP in it, they claim the fight is between them and the Tories (now stay in East Ren). Are they that scared of them they wont mention the name
I received my first Labour leaflet the other day and it doesn't even mention the SNP in it, they claim the fight is between them and the Tories (now stay in East Ren). Are they that scared of them they wont mention the name
I was thinking about this as well earlier this week when George Galloway in his Daily Record column claimed that "the bookies say the SNP will take Glasgow at next week's council elections." While I'm not so sure that they will, I'm even more unsure that bookies are bothering to offer odds on who takes the city. Maybe George has a direct line to his turf accountant?
Here's the brief manifestos from the two big parties:
LABOUR
SNP
GG.
Here's the brief manifestos from the two big parties:
LABOUR
QUOTE
- a Glasgow Oyster Card to work across trains, buses and the Subway
- a free wi-fi network across the entire city
- a Glasgow carers’ champion and new carers’ discount card
- a public petitions committee and live online broadcasting of council meetings
- use Community Payback Orders to clean and maintain residential back lanes
SNP
QUOTE
- Get the basics right – better maintained roads and cleaner streets through tough action on dog fouling and fly-tippers.
- Keep council tax frozen until 2016, giving a helping hand to families in these tough times.
- Ensure a more open and accountable Council with a Petitions Committee to give citizens a direct say in decision making.
- Guarantee at least 600 hours per year of flexible free nursery education for every 3 and 4 year old.
- Lead a systematic school building refurbishment programme and a new drive to raise attainment in schools.
- Guarantee every 16-24-year-old a place in education or training, through additional investment and more support for small businesses to create jobs.
- Deliver new green energy schemes for the city and improve recycling rates – saving you money as well as helping the environment.
- Appoint a Carer's Champion, to promote carers in the policy process and to consider how more support can be targeted by the Council to carers and the organisations that support them.
- Deliver faster assessment and better integrated delivery of care across health and social work, providing people with real choice and control over their support.
- Pay a living wage to council employees - and encourage other employers to do the same - and guarantee no compulsory redundancies.
GG.
And there's also the Lib Dems; from a press release today:
GG.
QUOTE
The Liberal Democrats have endured a difficult time lately. The state of the party is so low they decided not to put up even a single candidate in Clydebank. But it is a different story on the other side of the boundary.
Paul McGarry is hoping to oust one of the four Labour councillors currently representing Drumchapel. The party’s campaign slogan is ‘Creating a fairer Glasgow’ and 27-year-old McGarry is highly focused on the needs of his home district and the wider city.
He told Clydebank Live: “As a youth worker I saw first hand how having an active councillor could make a big difference to an area. As a representative of a community a hard-working councillor can get a lot of things done.
“Some areas really benefit from the efforts of their councillor but others miss out. Drumchapel hasn’t had the kind of active councillors it needs. I want to be an accessible, active representative for the community and get things done to make Drumchapel a better place for residents.
“Improving facilities in the area would be my number one priority. People here deserve better than what the Labour administration has given them. Drumchapel deserves more local facilities and services.
“One of the things I’d try to achieve is getting the next administration to give communities a playpark guarantee. These facilities cost a lot of money and are meant to give our children and families a place to go, but vandalism and anti-social behaviour often make parents think they’re unsafe.
“The Council should guarantee that any vandalism to our community play-parks will be fixed within 24 hours. It would allow families to use the facilities and help encourage our young people to live active, healthy lifestyles.”
Paul McGarry is hoping to oust one of the four Labour councillors currently representing Drumchapel. The party’s campaign slogan is ‘Creating a fairer Glasgow’ and 27-year-old McGarry is highly focused on the needs of his home district and the wider city.
He told Clydebank Live: “As a youth worker I saw first hand how having an active councillor could make a big difference to an area. As a representative of a community a hard-working councillor can get a lot of things done.
“Some areas really benefit from the efforts of their councillor but others miss out. Drumchapel hasn’t had the kind of active councillors it needs. I want to be an accessible, active representative for the community and get things done to make Drumchapel a better place for residents.
“Improving facilities in the area would be my number one priority. People here deserve better than what the Labour administration has given them. Drumchapel deserves more local facilities and services.
“One of the things I’d try to achieve is getting the next administration to give communities a playpark guarantee. These facilities cost a lot of money and are meant to give our children and families a place to go, but vandalism and anti-social behaviour often make parents think they’re unsafe.
“The Council should guarantee that any vandalism to our community play-parks will be fixed within 24 hours. It would allow families to use the facilities and help encourage our young people to live active, healthy lifestyles.”
GG.
Must admit that there is little in any of these manifestos to rave about, and many of the intentions are empty gestures in my opinion. Big words that mean nothing.
When it comes to local elections my vote goes to that person who I believe will serve the area best, regardless of their party politics. At the last election, for instance, I voted for a person that I have had personal knowledge of for nearly thirty years. They had been involved in doing various community tasks during that time and, irrespective of their party politics, I considered they would do a good job. This time round that person has been replaced by their party with a failed MSP, for no good reason other than to get this chancer a voice. You can probably guess they will not be getting my vote this time.
When it comes to local elections my vote goes to that person who I believe will serve the area best, regardless of their party politics. At the last election, for instance, I voted for a person that I have had personal knowledge of for nearly thirty years. They had been involved in doing various community tasks during that time and, irrespective of their party politics, I considered they would do a good job. This time round that person has been replaced by their party with a failed MSP, for no good reason other than to get this chancer a voice. You can probably guess they will not be getting my vote this time.
Well hopefully that person you know is standing as an Independant.
Is it Bill Butler or Frank McAveety thats taken their place as Labours candidate?
Is it Bill Butler or Frank McAveety thats taken their place as Labours candidate?
John, thankfully it is neither of them I think, as far as it possible, folk should have a councillor they can trust to work for local people on local issues. For my money there has been too much game playing and politicians who are either not up to the task or seeking self promotion. As it happens I know a number of current councillors representing all parties (excluding Tories of course) and several MSPs, again of all parties (again minus the Tories). My experience is that some are good and some aren't, in a few cases I've been astounded to see some folk get elected. It really is up to voters to find out who they are supporting in local elections and why (and forget about party politics).
I think, as far as it possible, folk should have a councillor they can trust to work for local people on local issues. For my money there has been too much game playing and politicians who are either not up to the task or seeking self promotion. As it happens I know a number of current councillors representing all parties (excluding Tories of course) and several MSPs, again of all parties (again minus the Tories). My experience is that some are good and some aren't, in a few cases I've been astounded to see some folk get elected. It really is up to voters to find out who they are supporting in local elections and why (and forget about party politics).
I really dont know who to vote for as I am very unhappy with Labour and everything to do with the Stephen Purcell disgrace. But the more I look at it the more I dont really see that the SNP getting in will change things very much. The SNP are just not doing enough to convince me that. I have written to two of my councillors over the last few years and have not been happy with the responses I got. One letter was about the litter around the local school and the other was about a graffiti issue. Neither the Labour councillor or the SNP councillor got things sorted out to our satisfaction.
I just might vote for Daniel O'Donnell.... bit of a come down for him though!!
I just might vote for Daniel O'Donnell.... bit of a come down for him though!!
I watched the party political broadcast last night on behalf of SNP last night. I found their explanation on how to vote was very misleading.
They did not say "...If you wish to vote SNP.......tick 1,2,3, beside the SNP candidates name etc."
They just said "To VOTE, find the SNP candates names and tick 1,2,3,....etc"
They did not say "...If you wish to vote SNP.......tick 1,2,3, beside the SNP candidates name etc."
They just said "To VOTE, find the SNP candates names and tick 1,2,3,....etc"
Unusual for the Economist to bother with Glasgow:
Full story here:
http://www.economist.com/node/21553491
GG.
QUOTE
The SNP senses Labour weakness in a former redoubt
IT IS not merely a party stronghold, but a place where history was made. Glasgow was one of the cities in which Labour began to take shape a century ago. The party has ruled the city council for the past 32 years. If Glasgow is seized by the Scottish National Party (SNP) in local elections on May 3rd it will be an acute humiliation for Ed Miliband, Labour’s leader—worse even than the party’s trouncing by George Galloway, an independent left-winger, in a parliamentary by-election in Bradford West last month.
Labour’s local problems first emerged in 2007. The introduction of proportional representation on the single transferable vote system to Scottish council elections that year ended the tradition by which Labour won roughly nine-tenths of the council’s 79 seats. But Labour still managed to get 45 councillors elected, a comfortable enough majority. The SNP was in second place with 22 seats.
Then things began to go seriously wrong. Faced with spending cuts, Labour accelerated a programme of devolving services, including housing and building work, to arm’s-length bodies that were meant to run things more commercially. But opponents and the media soon began questioning the contracts, and pointing out that Labour councillors were earning fat salaries on the boards of those bodies. The council leader resigned in 2010, citing exhaustion. In the 2011 Scottish Parliament elections the SNP won seven of Glasgow’s 17 seats, equalling Labour’s tally. ...
IT IS not merely a party stronghold, but a place where history was made. Glasgow was one of the cities in which Labour began to take shape a century ago. The party has ruled the city council for the past 32 years. If Glasgow is seized by the Scottish National Party (SNP) in local elections on May 3rd it will be an acute humiliation for Ed Miliband, Labour’s leader—worse even than the party’s trouncing by George Galloway, an independent left-winger, in a parliamentary by-election in Bradford West last month.
Labour’s local problems first emerged in 2007. The introduction of proportional representation on the single transferable vote system to Scottish council elections that year ended the tradition by which Labour won roughly nine-tenths of the council’s 79 seats. But Labour still managed to get 45 councillors elected, a comfortable enough majority. The SNP was in second place with 22 seats.
Then things began to go seriously wrong. Faced with spending cuts, Labour accelerated a programme of devolving services, including housing and building work, to arm’s-length bodies that were meant to run things more commercially. But opponents and the media soon began questioning the contracts, and pointing out that Labour councillors were earning fat salaries on the boards of those bodies. The council leader resigned in 2010, citing exhaustion. In the 2011 Scottish Parliament elections the SNP won seven of Glasgow’s 17 seats, equalling Labour’s tally. ...
Full story here:
http://www.economist.com/node/21553491
GG.
QUOTE (Alex Saville @ 25th Apr 2012, 06:36pm) 
... So who, exactly, is not engaging with the local election's, do you think? ...
Alex, I think the Telegraph comes close to answering your original question in their concept of the 'politics of de-alignment'...
QUOTE
[...] The battle for Glasgow next week will pit Labour supporters, who can barely name their latest Scottish leader, against a band of nationalists for whom taking Glasgow City Chambers would represent a historic victory. Not so long ago, the Conservatives and the Labour Party represented a cause which had nationwide appeal. The problem is that neither, at present, really do.
For all the talk about political realignment, the larger problem in British politics is de-alignment – a steady decoupling of the priorities of an increasingly professional political class from those of the nation as a whole. Appointing a “Minister for Liverpool” won’t help the Conservatives, any more than Mr Miliband will lure back Blair-era voters by peppering his speeches with the word “aspirational”.
The surest route for a party to break out of its heartland is to focus less on the Westminster chess match, and more on finding an agenda that enough people think is worth voting for.
For all the talk about political realignment, the larger problem in British politics is de-alignment – a steady decoupling of the priorities of an increasingly professional political class from those of the nation as a whole. Appointing a “Minister for Liverpool” won’t help the Conservatives, any more than Mr Miliband will lure back Blair-era voters by peppering his speeches with the word “aspirational”.
The surest route for a party to break out of its heartland is to focus less on the Westminster chess match, and more on finding an agenda that enough people think is worth voting for.
Full story here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9...arty-lines.html
GG.
HAPPY FREEDOM DAY everybody.
Its a public holiday here today to mark the 18 years since the elections that brought Nelson Mandela to power.
I remember standing in the sun for about 3 hours in a queue waiting my chance to vote, and I must say it was all worth while.
Its a public holiday here today to mark the 18 years since the elections that brought Nelson Mandela to power.
I remember standing in the sun for about 3 hours in a queue waiting my chance to vote, and I must say it was all worth while.
Many thanks Dave, and the same to you. Good opportunity to remind folk here that every day is freedom day
I got a leaflet through my door a few minutes ago and it said "reelect ******** for another 5 years". Unfortunately I've never heard of her, or anything she has done during the preceding 5 years. No number going against her name next week then
I got a leaflet through my door a few minutes ago and it said "reelect ******** for another 5 years". Unfortunately I've never heard of her, or anything she has done during the preceding 5 years. No number going against her name next week then
The same here ashfield!!
I knew one of my councillors by name until I had to look them up on the internet and then found out I had four!! Thing is that having four hasnt meant that four times the work gets done by them.... vote the lot out and get people in who will work for the area and not a political party!!
I knew one of my councillors by name until I had to look them up on the internet and then found out I had four!! Thing is that having four hasnt meant that four times the work gets done by them.... vote the lot out and get people in who will work for the area and not a political party!!
the only thing you can vote for on thursday is the lesser of the evils, in my case that will be labour to stop the Arch evil SNP getting in
Alex Salmond? no thank you
Alex Salmond? no thank you
Labour, a lesser evil? I would rather have the Looney party.
QUOTE (GG @ 25th Apr 2012, 09:24pm)
I was thinking about this as well earlier this week when George Galloway in his Daily Record column claimed that "the bookies say the SNP will take Glasgow at next week's council elections." While I'm not so sure that they will, I'm even more unsure that bookies are bothering to offer odds on who takes the city. Maybe George has a direct line to his turf accountant?
Not residing in the city of my birth I know who I would vote for but....................... where's the money coming from to pay for it all..............So Now Pay.
QUOTE
‘Jobs for all’ promise from Ed Miliband
Ed Miliband joined the political battle for Glasgow yesterday, insisting the Labour party is setting out a “different choice” for Scots after last year’s Holyrood’s election defeat.
The party leader joined Labour council leader in the city, Gordon Matheson, on the local election campaign trail, along with Scottish leader Johann Lamont, as the party desperately attempts to ward off a challenge by the Nationalists who have made the city their top target in next Thursday’s vote.
[...] But the Nationalists campaign chief Derek Mackay reminded Mr Miliband that every seat visited by the London Labour leadership in 2011 was lost to the SNP.
He insisted Labour’s problems at local council level – where almost one tenth of councillors elected in 2007 have defected – are most acute in Glasgow. In Johann Lamont’s constituency of Pollock, more Labour candidates from 2007 are standing against Labour in 2012 than standing for them. ...
Ed Miliband joined the political battle for Glasgow yesterday, insisting the Labour party is setting out a “different choice” for Scots after last year’s Holyrood’s election defeat.
The party leader joined Labour council leader in the city, Gordon Matheson, on the local election campaign trail, along with Scottish leader Johann Lamont, as the party desperately attempts to ward off a challenge by the Nationalists who have made the city their top target in next Thursday’s vote.
[...] But the Nationalists campaign chief Derek Mackay reminded Mr Miliband that every seat visited by the London Labour leadership in 2011 was lost to the SNP.
He insisted Labour’s problems at local council level – where almost one tenth of councillors elected in 2007 have defected – are most acute in Glasgow. In Johann Lamont’s constituency of Pollock, more Labour candidates from 2007 are standing against Labour in 2012 than standing for them. ...
Full story here:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/scot...iband-1-2261810
GG.
From the Times (London) today:
GG.
QUOTE
Milband cautious as Labour and SNP draw level in Glasgow
The Labour leader ducked the opportunity yesterday to say that his party would retain control of its local government fortress in Glasgow, saying that he was "not in the prediction business".
Mr Miliband is facing a major test of his leadership in the council elections in Glasgow, where Labour has ruled for about 40 years. With less than a week to go until polling day, Labour and the Scottish National Party are said to be neck and neck.
If Labour were to lose control of Glasgow to the Nationalists, it would be seen as more evidence that they had been overtaken by the SNP as the main political party in Scotland. ...
The Labour leader ducked the opportunity yesterday to say that his party would retain control of its local government fortress in Glasgow, saying that he was "not in the prediction business".
Mr Miliband is facing a major test of his leadership in the council elections in Glasgow, where Labour has ruled for about 40 years. With less than a week to go until polling day, Labour and the Scottish National Party are said to be neck and neck.
If Labour were to lose control of Glasgow to the Nationalists, it would be seen as more evidence that they had been overtaken by the SNP as the main political party in Scotland. ...
GG.
QUOTE (Alex Saville @ 25th Apr 2012, 06:36pm)
... I haven't been up to the Shopping Centre on a Saturday recently so I dont know if any of the parties have been canvassing there on that day. ...
Hi Alex, I was there this morning, and there were no political parties or politicians canvassing at all. The only organisation present was the Army; kind of says it all when politicians give up and the army moves in ... I'm sure there's a message there somewhere!
GG.
I believe that this hits the nail on the head right enough Martin.
I want to vote for someone with a clear socialist ideology where I believe that that individual will serve for the good of the majority. There seems little to divide Labour and Tory these days.
They all appear to be self serving and basically I feel that I have nobody to vote for these days.
They are all lack lustre in my view.
QUOTE
[...] The battle for Glasgow next week will pit Labour supporters, who can barely name their latest Scottish leader, against a band of nationalists for whom taking Glasgow City Chambers would represent a historic victory. Not so long ago, the Conservatives and the Labour Party represented a cause which had nationwide appeal. The problem is that neither, at present, really do.
For all the talk about political realignment, the larger problem in British politics is de-alignment – a steady decoupling of the priorities of an increasingly professional political class from those of the nation as a whole. Appointing a “Minister for Liverpool” won’t help the Conservatives, any more than Mr Miliband will lure back Blair-era voters by peppering his speeches with the word “aspirational”.
The surest route for a party to break out of its heartland is to focus less on the Westminster chess match, and more on finding an agenda that enough people think is worth voting for.
For all the talk about political realignment, the larger problem in British politics is de-alignment – a steady decoupling of the priorities of an increasingly professional political class from those of the nation as a whole. Appointing a “Minister for Liverpool” won’t help the Conservatives, any more than Mr Miliband will lure back Blair-era voters by peppering his speeches with the word “aspirational”.
The surest route for a party to break out of its heartland is to focus less on the Westminster chess match, and more on finding an agenda that enough people think is worth voting for.
I want to vote for someone with a clear socialist ideology where I believe that that individual will serve for the good of the majority. There seems little to divide Labour and Tory these days.
They all appear to be self serving and basically I feel that I have nobody to vote for these days.
They are all lack lustre in my view.
Yes, GG, I was there just about 12 myself, as you say, no canvassing.
So here we are with just over 4 days to go and, it would seem, no interest from the main parties.
Maybe all the talk in the newspapers about Labour wanting to keep power and the Nats wanting to topple them is just that, all talk!
Alex
So here we are with just over 4 days to go and, it would seem, no interest from the main parties.
Maybe all the talk in the newspapers about Labour wanting to keep power and the Nats wanting to topple them is just that, all talk!
Alex
The Herald today is predicitng that the turnout could drop to as low as 25%! I won a wee bit of money at the 2009 Glasgow North East by-election by predicting that the turnout would be below 35% (it was 33%), but a turnout of 25% of registered voters would surely be the biggest message that the poilitical system should get ... regardless of who wins?
One possible result which might worry Glaswegians is that of the Tories – who are concentrating their resources on only the three wards of Pollokshields, Newlands/Auldburn and Partick West – could emerge as major political influencers in the city should their be no outright winner from Labour or the SNP.
Tory Councillor David Meikle said yesterday:
GG.
One possible result which might worry Glaswegians is that of the Tories – who are concentrating their resources on only the three wards of Pollokshields, Newlands/Auldburn and Partick West – could emerge as major political influencers in the city should their be no outright winner from Labour or the SNP.
Tory Councillor David Meikle said yesterday:
QUOTE
"The best outcome would be to get two or three elected and for there to be a hung council and we hold the balance of power.
I believe Glasgow really needs change. Labour have been in power for 30 years and it's right that another party should be given a chance. The SNP would be the party I would be inclined to go to first to see what their plan was."
I believe Glasgow really needs change. Labour have been in power for 30 years and it's right that another party should be given a chance. The SNP would be the party I would be inclined to go to first to see what their plan was."
GG.
Who with a decent heart and soul could vote for more of this? It's sickening to read their Rich List on the same day as this. We all know how hard young people are struggling and they choose to turn a blind eye.
Bring down taxes shouts Boris, it's about time he and The Rich List were forced to return some of their money to the poor folk who are seriously struggling.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-ne...e-cost.17437224
They are doing quite nicely thank you.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17883101
Bring down taxes shouts Boris, it's about time he and The Rich List were forced to return some of their money to the poor folk who are seriously struggling.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-ne...e-cost.17437224
They are doing quite nicely thank you.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17883101
Kevin McKenna, in the Observer today, looks to be suffering memory loss:
Full blog article here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/20...tions-coalition
GG.
QUOTE
... Just a few months before the SNP's Holyrood triumph, Stephen Purcell, Labour's charismatic and brilliant group leader in Glasgow, suffered a nervous breakdown and the party's edifice began to sway. A bitter civil and acrimonious leadership election ensued and the winner, Gordon Matheson, has never since been able to command any semblance of outright support from his charges.
There are some in Glasgow Labour who wish that Purcell's demise had occurred before he had time to force through long overdue voting reform in the city. This resulted in the single transferable vote system, which means that, with multi-member wards, Labour now must work far harder for any majority. They need 40 seats out of 79, but currently have only 39, owing to a recent defection.
[...] There are still vast wildernesses of multi-deprivation in Glasgow untouched by any of the shallow and half-arsed economic and employment initiatives that previous administrations have launched. Drastic and radical measures must be taken in the next five years to prevent these precincts becoming detached forever. If Labour is the biggest party in a hung administration, it may be impelled to make overtures to the Greens. This would be perverse. The last thing my city needs is giving any power whatsoever to a party whose answer to life's vicissitudes is more cycle lanes and turning George Square into an allotment. ...
There are some in Glasgow Labour who wish that Purcell's demise had occurred before he had time to force through long overdue voting reform in the city. This resulted in the single transferable vote system, which means that, with multi-member wards, Labour now must work far harder for any majority. They need 40 seats out of 79, but currently have only 39, owing to a recent defection.
[...] There are still vast wildernesses of multi-deprivation in Glasgow untouched by any of the shallow and half-arsed economic and employment initiatives that previous administrations have launched. Drastic and radical measures must be taken in the next five years to prevent these precincts becoming detached forever. If Labour is the biggest party in a hung administration, it may be impelled to make overtures to the Greens. This would be perverse. The last thing my city needs is giving any power whatsoever to a party whose answer to life's vicissitudes is more cycle lanes and turning George Square into an allotment. ...
Full blog article here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/20...tions-coalition
GG.
An interesting angle on the elections:
Full story here:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/polit...ow-7689160.html
GG.
QUOTE
Not even the power of football is sure to save Labour in Glasgow
There is probably nowhere in Britain where a political party could wheel out two former football managers and hope that this one photo opportunity might win it the election. Nowhere, it seems, except Glasgow.
Last week, in a sign of how desperate things have got for Labour in Glasgow, Scottish Labour played its trump card in the city that means more to it than any other by presenting a former Celtic manager and a former Rangers manager to the press, both of whom endorsed the Labour campaign.
The SNP is pressing hard because it knows how important Glasgow is. This is the city of Labour's birth, of the Red Clydesiders, a city where, for generations, the Labour vote really did seem to be weighed and not counted. But both sides know that if the Nationalists can become the largest party in Glasgow, it will send the message that nowhere in Scotland is safe from the SNP. ...
There is probably nowhere in Britain where a political party could wheel out two former football managers and hope that this one photo opportunity might win it the election. Nowhere, it seems, except Glasgow.
Last week, in a sign of how desperate things have got for Labour in Glasgow, Scottish Labour played its trump card in the city that means more to it than any other by presenting a former Celtic manager and a former Rangers manager to the press, both of whom endorsed the Labour campaign.
The SNP is pressing hard because it knows how important Glasgow is. This is the city of Labour's birth, of the Red Clydesiders, a city where, for generations, the Labour vote really did seem to be weighed and not counted. But both sides know that if the Nationalists can become the largest party in Glasgow, it will send the message that nowhere in Scotland is safe from the SNP. ...
Full story here:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/polit...ow-7689160.html
GG.
Why on earth anyone would vote for a so called Labour party that's done nothing for their communities over the years escapes me. I was once a member of the Labour Party, but they have become no better than the Tories and fill me with disdain nowadays. When was the last time you heard a Labour MP stating that they supported strikers? I for one cannot wait until Scotland becomes Independent. We may not get everything right, but at least they will be OUR mistakes and not the ones created by a London mob that don't care about what they call the regions like Wales, Scotland and N.I. to go off topic a bit, billions of pounds have been spent on the London Olympics yet very few will be able to attend he events and many organisations have lost out on funding becuause the focus has been on London.
According to the Sunday Times yesterday:
And the other Murdoch paper, the Sun, had this in England only... I believe:
GG.
QUOTE
Labour is bracing itself for the loss of control of Glasgow city council, one of its last bastions, in this week's local elections.
While the party claimed yesterday that polls show it has momentum in the run up to Thursday's contests, party sources privately fear defeat in Scotland's biggest city for the first time in more than 30 years.
Party strategists are also concerned that losing control to the SNP could expose years of bad practices under Labour rule. Steven Purcell quit as the council's Labour leader in 2010 after it emerged he had battled with alcohol and drug use and concerns have been raised about the award of contracts while he was in charge.
SNP sources say the party intends to look closely at the council books if they emerge as the biggest party. ...
While the party claimed yesterday that polls show it has momentum in the run up to Thursday's contests, party sources privately fear defeat in Scotland's biggest city for the first time in more than 30 years.
Party strategists are also concerned that losing control to the SNP could expose years of bad practices under Labour rule. Steven Purcell quit as the council's Labour leader in 2010 after it emerged he had battled with alcohol and drug use and concerns have been raised about the award of contracts while he was in charge.
SNP sources say the party intends to look closely at the council books if they emerge as the biggest party. ...
And the other Murdoch paper, the Sun, had this in England only... I believe:
QUOTE
... And what of Glasgow City Council? Who else can Labour blame for presiding over 40 years of incompetence and neglect of a crumbling city apart from themselves? The Glasgow Labour Party have axed a dozen of their councillors for the May elections. The only problem is some were recognised locally as being hard-working.
Last February, Labour's Glasgow budget meant £43million of cuts.
Eight Labour councillors resigned as a result, with the budget only scraping through with one vote - although it was opposed by the SNP. ...
Last February, Labour's Glasgow budget meant £43million of cuts.
Eight Labour councillors resigned as a result, with the budget only scraping through with one vote - although it was opposed by the SNP. ...
GG.
QUOTE (GG @ 30th Apr 2012, 12:15am)
[i]An interesting angle on the elections:
QUOTE
Not even the power of football is sure to save Labour in Glasgow
There is probably nowhere in Britain where a political party could wheel out two former football managers and hope that this one photo opportunity might win it the election. Nowhere, it seems, except Glasgow. ...
There is probably nowhere in Britain where a political party could wheel out two former football managers and hope that this one photo opportunity might win it the election. Nowhere, it seems, except Glasgow. ...
I must have missed this story last week, can anyone tell me who the two former old firm managers were?
2 days till the election and I still haven't seen anyone, don't even know who is standing or for what they are standing. A card was posted through my letterbox from the SNP but without the name of the SNP person Standing, another came from the Lib Dems once again no nome and a third batch of posters was chucked under the close door and spread all down the close from the Scottish Socialists (the only one with a name on it, never heard of them). Seems the Politicians are even more lethargic than the voters....
I haven't had so much as one leaflet from any party. We're not so much taken for granted any longer, just taken for fools!
QUOTE (JAGZ1876 @ 30th Apr 2012, 12:04pm)
I must have missed this story last week, can anyone tell me who the two former old firm managers were?
I think it was Walter Smith and Billy McNeill
From the LibDems today:
Full press release article here:
http://www.glasgowlibdems.org.uk/index.php...or-independence
Anyone care to name a Libdem they consider to be a local champion?
GG.
QUOTE
Voters have been urged to back a local champion on Thursday, not a cheerleader for independence. The call came from Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Willie Rennie, who has joined forty seven campaigns in eighteen council areas, personally talking to thousands of voters on their doorstep.
Full press release article here:
http://www.glasgowlibdems.org.uk/index.php...or-independence
Anyone care to name a Libdem they consider to be a local champion?
GG.
Alex Salmond yesterday defended the SNP's Glasgow leader, Allison Hunter, ahead of the election on Thursday, saying she was a "great woman" with a community focus.
Mr Salmond, in a radio interview, said:
GG.
Mr Salmond, in a radio interview, said:
QUOTE
"I think Allison is a great woman, she is community orientated. I will tell you the difference between Allison and perhaps some other, how shall I describe it – city bosses – that Glasgow's had in the past.
When Allison, because I look at tweets and things, when Allison gets on her tweet, she talks about the people in Glasgow that's she's met in the campaign and the priorities they have.
When the current city boss [Labour's Gordon Matheson] talks in his tweets, he talks about how great he was on television last night, and I think that's maybe the difference between the two styles of leadership. So I go for community-orientated leadership – I think it is time for a change in Glasgow."
When Allison, because I look at tweets and things, when Allison gets on her tweet, she talks about the people in Glasgow that's she's met in the campaign and the priorities they have.
When the current city boss [Labour's Gordon Matheson] talks in his tweets, he talks about how great he was on television last night, and I think that's maybe the difference between the two styles of leadership. So I go for community-orientated leadership – I think it is time for a change in Glasgow."
GG.
Thanks ash and GG, i kinda guessed it would be those two, Caesar i can understand, but i thought watty would be a tory 
QUOTE (GG @ 1st May 2012, 07:32am)
From the LibDems today:
Full press release article here:
http://www.glasgowlibdems.org.uk/index.php...or-independence
Anyone care to name a Libdem they consider to be a local champion?
GG.
Full press release article here:
http://www.glasgowlibdems.org.uk/index.php...or-independence
Anyone care to name a Libdem they consider to be a local champion?
GG.
Had to laugh at weary Willie's claim that the FM's meetings with Murdoch have got anything to do with local politics.
This from a party who drop their election policies at the drop of a hat to get a whiff of power.
I looked at the list of candidates for the area where I live (Canal Ward.) on the Council website.
It seems that there are 12 candidates for 9 parties seeking election.
That means that, two days before the election, we have not heard from 8 candidates who represent 7 parties.
To think that, as I think I have mentioned before, that the Daily Record quoted a Labour activist as saying "MANY FOLKS ARE NOT ENGAGING WITH THE LOCAL ELECTION SO FAR"
Who do you think is not engaging with the local elections?
Answers on a postage stamp please.
Alex
It seems that there are 12 candidates for 9 parties seeking election.
That means that, two days before the election, we have not heard from 8 candidates who represent 7 parties.
To think that, as I think I have mentioned before, that the Daily Record quoted a Labour activist as saying "MANY FOLKS ARE NOT ENGAGING WITH THE LOCAL ELECTION SO FAR"
Who do you think is not engaging with the local elections?
Answers on a postage stamp please.
Alex
[Answers on a postage stamp please.]
That big Alex, I think you might have over-estimated there,
. I live in the Canal Ward too and I had no idea there were 12 candidates. I've only had 3 leaflets through my door and the only person I've ever heard off is Billy McAllister and he doesn't impress me at all. It will be interesting to see on the day who will try the hardest to convince me to give them my vote. Mary
That big Alex, I think you might have over-estimated there,
. I live in the Canal Ward too and I had no idea there were 12 candidates. I've only had 3 leaflets through my door and the only person I've ever heard off is Billy McAllister and he doesn't impress me at all. It will be interesting to see on the day who will try the hardest to convince me to give them my vote. Mary
Mary
Since we both live in the Canal Ward, this might interest you.
You'll maybe have noticed another topic 'Cowlairs voters to vote in Possilpark'.
Relevant to this and the Cowlairs Voters topic, is the contempt that political parties have for their constituents. They just ignore them!
I decided to contact the Labour & SNP, regarding the Cowlairs issue, since they were the only two parties to send election material.
The two previous Labour councillors are not up for re-election. The new ones (I looked on the website for Labour candidates) have no contact details on the website.
I posted, twice, on the Labour Party website page.
No response.
I wrote a letter to Patrica Ferguson MSP, put it through the letterbox of her Springburn office (Friday 20th April) asking her to bring the matter to the attention of whoever deals with these things.
No response.
I contacted Bob Doris SNP MSP, who's name is on the election leaflet for the council elections. I did this on 7th & the 11th April.
No response.
I contacted Clr McAllister, he said he would look into the matter (25th April).
Still waiting.
So, Guess who I think is 'Not engaging with the Election so far!'
I do believe you are correct and that I have certainly over-estimated there!
Alex
Since we both live in the Canal Ward, this might interest you.
You'll maybe have noticed another topic 'Cowlairs voters to vote in Possilpark'.
Relevant to this and the Cowlairs Voters topic, is the contempt that political parties have for their constituents. They just ignore them!
I decided to contact the Labour & SNP, regarding the Cowlairs issue, since they were the only two parties to send election material.
The two previous Labour councillors are not up for re-election. The new ones (I looked on the website for Labour candidates) have no contact details on the website.
I posted, twice, on the Labour Party website page.
No response.
I wrote a letter to Patrica Ferguson MSP, put it through the letterbox of her Springburn office (Friday 20th April) asking her to bring the matter to the attention of whoever deals with these things.
No response.
I contacted Bob Doris SNP MSP, who's name is on the election leaflet for the council elections. I did this on 7th & the 11th April.
No response.
I contacted Clr McAllister, he said he would look into the matter (25th April).
Still waiting.
So, Guess who I think is 'Not engaging with the Election so far!'
I do believe you are correct and that I have certainly over-estimated there!
Alex
Not surprised that no one has answered your questions Alex, in fact I would have been more surprised/shocked if any of them had answered. As for Patricia Ferguson. lets just say that I'm not a fan. Mary
Does anyone know what the betting is for Thursday or if there is any bookies taking bets.... might fancy a wee flutter on the result but depends on what prices I would get!!
Scotsman, not sure what or if the bookies are offering odds on the outcome but, according to the Scotsman, Labour is confident of keeping Glasgow:
Full story here:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/scot...asgow-1-2268076
GG.
QUOTE
Labour confident of holding on to Glasgow
With bookmakers last night throwing in the towel in London, where Boris Johnson’s victory over Ken Livingstone looks assured, all eyes were turning to Scotland’s largest city for the key battle in tomorrow’s local government elections. Labour last night insisted that it remained hopeful of maintaining control of Scotland’s largest local authority, keeping a grip on the city that goes back more than four decades.
But the SNP and the Greens last night both talked up the possibility of a loose coalition pact with one another if the numbers stack up, in a move which could freeze Labour out of power. Green Party candidates in Glasgow – who may end up holding the balance of power after voting – told The Scotsman they would prefer the Nationalists over Labour as potential allies, in a bid to enforce a change of political control on the city.
The comments reflect concerns expressed within the Labour fold that the smaller parties and any independents who may hold the balance of power come Friday will prefer to align themselves with the SNP, rather than Labour. ...
With bookmakers last night throwing in the towel in London, where Boris Johnson’s victory over Ken Livingstone looks assured, all eyes were turning to Scotland’s largest city for the key battle in tomorrow’s local government elections. Labour last night insisted that it remained hopeful of maintaining control of Scotland’s largest local authority, keeping a grip on the city that goes back more than four decades.
But the SNP and the Greens last night both talked up the possibility of a loose coalition pact with one another if the numbers stack up, in a move which could freeze Labour out of power. Green Party candidates in Glasgow – who may end up holding the balance of power after voting – told The Scotsman they would prefer the Nationalists over Labour as potential allies, in a bid to enforce a change of political control on the city.
The comments reflect concerns expressed within the Labour fold that the smaller parties and any independents who may hold the balance of power come Friday will prefer to align themselves with the SNP, rather than Labour. ...
Full story here:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/scot...asgow-1-2268076
GG.
QUOTE (Alex Saville @ 1st May 2012, 03:18pm)
... I wrote a letter to Patrica Ferguson MSP, put it through the letterbox of her Springburn office ...
Alex, I'm surprised you could get access to the letterbox – the office looks a bit like a fortress!
GG.
According to the Guardian today:
Same article, on interest in the election:
Full story here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/ma...-glasgow-to-snp
GG.
QUOTE
... The most the SNP will say privately is that they may just win enough of Glasgow's 79 seats to form a multiparty coalition with the Tories, the Greens or the Lib Dems. They no longer expect to dominate at City Chambers, as the council building is called. It remains to be seen whether SNP support will be dented by Salmond's ties to Rupert and James Murdoch, and his spat with Donald Trump. ...
Same article, on interest in the election:
QUOTE
... Not that many voters walking through central Glasgow appeared to notice or care. In one of the most peculiar elements of this contest most parties expect a very low turnout. Pessimists suggest as low as 25%. Even officially the parties predict somewhere nearer 33%.
Full story here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/ma...-glasgow-to-snp
GG.
If you don`t vote then don`t complain when the elected make a decision. If you vote you have at least tried to change things.
I always vote but this time round even the politicians seem to be as lethargic as the voting public. I have still to find out who is standing and what they are standing for. Normally they are knocking on doors, filling bins with hundreds of leaflets etc but this time..... Nothing I actually had to google the council website to see who was even standing and I didn't recognise a single name. It's because of voter lethargy that the SNP got to be in charge of the Scottish Parliament, so if you don't go out and vote, don't complain when you wake up in an independant Scotland. For those of you who want that, tell me one thing, how is it going to be funded? No North Sea Oil or Gas worth talking about and buggar all industry.......
Are you another one of those defeatists who talk Scotland down by saying we cant stand on our own feet? I get enough of that crap from people down south without hearing it from Scots
There were countries in far worse condition than us and they seized back power for themselves because they had the chance to, not because they could afford to.
No North Sea Oil or Gas worth talking about ?? Of course thats why Unionists aren't trying to hold on to it
There were countries in far worse condition than us and they seized back power for themselves because they had the chance to, not because they could afford to.
No North Sea Oil or Gas worth talking about ?? Of course thats why Unionists aren't trying to hold on to it
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