On the campaign trail in Dingwall, at the Mart.

Governments are often criticised for incoherent policy making when they are forced to respond to events. Oppositions are spared that difficulty. Not this one. The Tories have announced there shall be no “swingeing cuts” after spending months laying the ground for such measures. Are they rattled by the narrowing in the opinions polls, the economic recovery and the boldness of Government economic policy?

Whilst most parties accept some cuts to public spending are inevitable, it is clear how the parties seek to curb public spending in the years ahead, says much about their politics and priorities. Voters are now left with the impression Tory economic policy is incoherent. They should not be surprised. George Osbourne would not have bailed out the Northern Rock, and he would have presided over a spectacular collapse in banking confidence and resultant mangling of the market economy. No economy can run without capital and capital is imperilled by weak banks.

The emerging recovery is good news for hard working families across Britain and particularly in Ross Skye and Lochaber where there is considerable employment in the public sector. The SNP have shown their true colours backing SEPA job cuts in Dingwall. If 20 positions are to go, there has been insufficient thought as to how a small community will be adversely affected by this.

Peter Peacock and I will be in Dingwall shortly to campaign to protect these important jobs which are essential to the local economy.

Economy policy is central to the election campaign and it appears the Tories have opted for incoherency and the SNP for ill-thought measures. 

Visiting the community sports centre in Ullapool. A great example of the power of community action.

Labour on the march.

After a visit to Dingwall Academy to discuss school building programmes with the Rector.

PRESS RELEASE

Following the Expenses Scandal Labour PPC Calls on Kennedy to Take Part in Election Husting.

John McKendrick, the Labour PPC for Ross Skye and Lochaber has written to Charles Kennedy MP asking him to take part in a series of public debates or husting meetings in the run-up to the next general election. Mr McKendrick has copied the letter to the declared candidates of the other main political parties.

McKendrick considers public debate before the next election in the constituency essential to restoring integrity in the political system and the electoral process; and to ensure extremist parties do not gain an advantage in Ross Skye and Lochaber as a result of public disillusionment. He cites the recent success of the BNP in almost obtaining the same number of votes as the Conservative Party in Glasgow North East.

McKendrick said:

“Public trust and confidence in all politicians has been severely damaged by the expenses scandal. In the run up to the next general election the public must be entitled to engage directly with the candidates who seek their support; the public are entitled to look their would-be MP in the eye and ask them directly about expenses in the next parliament. Every constituent should be able to quiz their candidates. A series of husting meetings will ensure greater accountability”.

The main candidates should consider the location and format of husting meetings. McKendrick suggests, as a minimum, there should be a public meeting with all the main party candidates invited in Fort William, Dingwall and Portree. Other locations could be considered.

McKendrick cites his experience as the PPC in Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross in 2007 where the husting meetings were extremely well attended.

Notes to Editors:

Content of letter to Charles Kennedy attached (coped to the main parties)

15 November 2009

Rt. Hon. Charles Kennedy MP

House of Commons

Westminster

London

SW1

By email.

Dear Charles,

Further to the political troubles over the summer and following the completion of the review by Sir Thomas Legg, I am sure you will agree with me there is every need to engage with the electorate in Ross Skye and Lochaber to ensure integrity remains at the heart of the electoral process.

Public confidence has been severely damaged by the actions of some MPs and extremist parties have sought to take advantage of this. Even last week the BNP almost polled the same number of votes as the Conservative Party in Glasgow North East.

I am writing to ask you to agree to take part in a series of public meetings in Ross Skye and Lochaber in the run-up to the next election. I consider, at the least, the candidates from the main parties should debate the important campaign issues in Dingwall, Portree and Fort William. I would welcome your views on expanding the meetings beyond these locations to ensure as many members of the public have the opportunity to personally engage with the candidates. The geographical size of the constituency makes this particularly important.

I know your values as a highly respected politician will lead you to agree with me that integrity and public confidence in the main parties are required to ensure extremists are unable to benefit from disillusionment with the mainstream parties.

I am copying this letter to the candidates from the Green, Conservative and Scottish National Parties.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours Sincerely

John McKendrick

john@johnmckendrick.com

As a lawyer I might have a bit of a soft spot for the law; this doesn’t always make meflavour of the month on the doorsteps. Understandable. Today, as a discrimination lawyer, I was delighted to see the Race Relations Act 1976 used to inflict an important defeat on the odious British National Party. Formerly they have refused to permit non-white people to be a member of their party. Today they conceded that policy would have to change. Odd one would to want to be a member, but today is a symbolic victory for all of us who believe in ending discrimination. The Government has acted over the last 12 years to reinforce equality legislation to outlaw discrimination; it is social engineering and we should be proud of that. It is changing society for the better, as today demonstrates.