Local Labour cant find enough candidates 11/12/11
Sirs,
The Western Isles Constituency Labour Party has warned that the SNP's bid to take control of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar would create "single party domination" and deprive the islands of leadership in resisting government cuts and other unwelcome measures.
Local party secretary Donald Lamont said: "The SNP are creating a real hazard for the Western Isles by seeking to remove the political independence of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar at exactly the time we need a council that fights to limit the damage of public spending cuts and other decisions made in Edinburgh.”
So, now we have it on full authority from the above Western Isles Constituency Labour Party, in writing, confirming:
- The Labour Party will not be fighting the Council election next May with the intent purpose of winning a majority of seats on the Council. Who can blame them? Labour’s annihilation is well on track, and the electorate of the Western Isles will further emphasise this point next May (which Mr Lamont seems to be alluding to in any case in his letter).
- Labour Party maths are not too good! 16 selected and announced SNP council candidates, if successful, does not automatically translate into a majority of seats on the Council (total of 32 seats to be contested). Is Labour already considering joining forces with some strange bedfellows to thwart the advances of the SNP?
The finance secretary at Holyrood has reached a financial settlement for the 32 Councils in Scotland which mitigates against the very worst excesses of cuts as imposed by the ConDem administration at Westminster – the Chancellor’s Autumn Financial Review has added a further burden of £111bn over the next five years, extending even beyond the life of the current parliament.
I suggest the Labour Party direct their comments in this particular direction, once they actually have a credible leader for their party in Scotland. Meantime, Alex Salmond is in China signing contracts to enhance exports of Scottish Goods and Services (including sale of whisky and salmon).
The electorate are well informed and are well aware of the dangers of maintaining links with Westminster, that’s why increasing numbers are supportive of a referendum on Independence for Scotland, and why Scotland would then become one of the six richest nations of the OECD. In this anticipated scenario, Scotland’s 32 LA’s will not be scrambling around for crumbs from Westminster.
Perhaps we’ll be hearing one of those days who, and how many, Labour Party candidates will be standing for election next May in these islands. Clearly they will not be putting up sufficient numbers which might (dream on) leave them with a majority.
Andrew Walker
SNP candidate
3 Kyles Flodda
Isle of Benbecula
Letters require the writer’s full name and full address for publication. Please include a phone number for verification.