James Dornan for Glasgow North East

Tonight was the SNP candidate selection for the upcoming Glasgow North East by election, and despite being one of two known bloggers present at the meeting I have missed out on the honour of a blog exclusive thanks to Jeff and Esther.

The packed meeting in the lecture hall of North Glasgow college saw my boss SNP Council group leader James Dornan triumphant after two first class performances from James and the defeated candidate David Kerr. Both candidates spoke passionately but James's edge in Glasgow politics swayed the decision in his favour.

James will now lead a positive SNP campaign sure to focus on key local issues such as poverty, unemployment , housing and the outrageous Labour decision to close 8 schools in the constituency.

Speaking after the selection meeting James said;

“It is a huge honour to be selected by the SNP to contest the GlasgowNorth East seat in the upcoming by-election – whenever Labour decide tocall it. Glasgow North East needs an MP who will speak up for this constituencyand fight for the jobs and communities within it.

As the SNP candidate, I will give my full support to the fight to securethe Diageo jobs at Port Dundas in this constituency – just as I and otherSNP members supported those in this community who fought hard to save Glasgow schools from Labour’s axe.

The people of Glasgow North East deserve a strong voice in Westminsterthat will stand up for them and speak out on the issues that matter in this constituency. With a vote for the SNP at this by-election the people of Glasgow NorthEast can ensure they have a real voice at Westminster.”

***This blog is now going on it's summer recess***

" a glimpse into the future"

Some very interesting news broke this afternoon that UNISON is to suspend its donations to 64 constituency Labour parties, this has got to be the clearest sign yet that the Labour party are finished. This has come about following the publication of a UNISON commissioned poll by MORI which shows 70% of public sector workers would not vote Labour at the next elections.

UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis stated that “These shocking figures show the huge gap that has opened up between Labour and working people. Public sector workers were always regarded as the heartlands of Labour, but that vote has collapsed. I know why they have turned away – they feel that Labour has deserted them. Now Labour is paying the price. The recent elections were not an isolated blip or a protest vote, but a glimpse into the future”.

I’m almost starting to feel sorry for Gordon Brown, with friends like that who needs enemies!

Of course this news came hot of another glimpse into the future, future Holyrood voting intentions. A poll in this weekends Sunday Times shows that the SNP has doubled its poll lead over Labour in the Scottish Parliament constituency vote since the previous YouGov poll in April – and puts the parties and MSPs who support Scottish independence within touching distance of an absolute majority in the Scottish Parliament: just five seats short. The poll projection shows the SNP winning 52 seats (up five) to Labour’s 36 (down 10). The SNP would win 49 of the 73 constituency seats (up 28), and three list seats. The Tories would fall one seat from 2007 to 16, and the Liberals would also win 16 seats (no change).

votes at 16, coming soon to an election near you?

Last weekend in London a rally on votes at 16 was held ahead of a new BBC documentary to e fronted by a very well known actress about lowering the voting age to 16.

A small step in this long battle for equal representation took place on Tuesday as it was confirmed by the Scottish Government and NHS Fife that 16 and 17 year olds would be able to vote in the first ever direct elections to Scottish Health Boards in Spring of next year. You can read more of what I had to say about this here.

Historic Euro Win

Not long home from the SECC and the Glasgow leg of the European election results announcement. It was a very good night for the SNP in Glasgow and elsewhere around the country with SNP victories in 21 of Scotland’s 31 so far declared local authority areas including victories in Alistair Darling’s seat, in Iain Gray’s seat, and beating Labour into third place in Jim Murphy’s seat.

In Glasgow the SNP won both north and south of the river. The stunning results from Glasgow North should send a message to the Labour-run City Council that its school closure decisions will not be forgotten, and puts the SNP on course to win the seat at Westminster General election.

It was a bad night for Labour who received their lowest share of the vote in Scotland since BEFORE World War 1 and the emergence of the modern Labour Party. But they were far from being the only losers with extremely poor result for both the Tories and the Lib Dems, who were pushed back into 4th and 5th place in Glasgow by the Greens.

I’m now off to watch the rest of the TV coverage hoping that there will be no more fascists BNP gains.

***Update ***

I’m utterly appalled and shamed that two members of the fascist BNP have been elected to serve as members of the European parliament. Just two more reason why we need independence .

European Campaigning

European campaigning has continued apace this week and we were fortunate enough to welcome both SNP MEP Alyn Smith and SNP honorary president, former MEP, MP, MSP and living ledged Winnie Ewing to the east end.

The visit was an opportunity to remind the voters of the clear choice they face next Thursday between Labours plan for a disastrous £500 million cut to Scotland budget and the SNP’s plans to protect Scotland’s jobs and communities by making sure they are at the forefront of our European agenda.

Alyn and Winnie joined John Mason MP and east end councillors firstly at Brodies Kitchen in Shettleston, a new local business which will pay no business rates as a result of the SNP’s small business bonus scheme.

Winnie is still one of the SNP’s best known faces and was very well received by members of the public over a cup of tea in the cafe.

Then it was off to the Glasgow Fort for some high profile work and meeting the voters. But as you can see it wasn’t all hard work!

singing out for peace

Good to see MSP’s from all the main Scottish Parties, minus the Tories, come together to promote the Scottish CND/Scotland’s for Peace event “Crunch Time for Trident” - Sing Out for Peace in Glasgow on Saturday 20th of June.

I like the new song, it’s pretty catch and easy to sign while marching, I’ll leave you make up your own mind about the quality of the signing

Aung San Suu Kyi, needs your help

Burma's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was recently awarded the Freedom of the City of Glasgow, is currently on trial for breaching the terms of her house detention - just days before it was due to expire. Coincidence? Probably not.

Amnesty International are asking for people to take action to help her. Please click here and use your liberty to promote hers.