Friday 20 April 2007

ANOTHER BUSY WEEK

Another busy week out on the campaign visiting Bellahouston, Old Craigton, Cardonald, Moss Heights, Mosspark plus some other events. Here are the highlights;

TUESDAY

Visited STUC Annual Congress at the Royal Concert Hall for Nicola Sturgeon's visit. Nicola was well received by delegates, and our message to replace PFI with a Scottish Futures Trust model will mobilise public investment. The STUC is normally a neutral body politically and therefore it was astonishing that they took a vote on which political party to support in the election, given that many of the Trade Unions are non-affiliated.

I was also astonished to read Grahame Smith's cheap attack on Nicola. The SNP Trade Union Group has consistently held a stall at the STUC Annual Congress for over thirteen years.

In the evening I attended the General Council Dinner at the personal invitation of STUC President Katrina Murray. It was an enjoyable evening, and personally enjoyed meeting Trade Unionists from Ireland.

Wednesday

PCS HUSTINGS

I represented the SNP at this hustings in the Central Hotel. Other speakers included Tommy Sheridan (Solidarity), Patrick Harvie (Greens), Ross Renton (Lib Dems), Richard Sullivan (Tories - blue ones!), Jim McVicar (SSP) and Pauline McNeill (New Labour).

PCS (Public and Commercial Services Union) have a number of concerns, and the audience was very thoughtful, measured and considered.

Among the questions topics raised were, Violence in the Workplace, Gordon Browns plans to cut 104,000 jobs from the Civil Service, Privatisation of Public Services and Independence.

Interesting admission from Pauline McNeill that Independence would not be a disaster, and the Conservative who admitted that should the SNP win the election then there should be a Referendum on Independence.

The SNP are committed to halt privatisation of public services, will not cut the number of civil service jobs, and will introduce legislation covering Violence in the Workplace, and Corporate Culpable Homicide.

THURSDAY

Out with the team in Bellahouston, canvassing, and we managed to identify a good number of traditional Labour supporters who will be voting SNP, some for the very first time. Even those who are supporting Labour admitted they would vote yes in an Independence Referendum.

This is also evidenced in our survey returns across the Constituency.

Over the next week Pollok voters will receive my election communication from the Post Office, highlighting five key policy areas.

Only 12 days to go till - ITS TIME!

No comments: