John McKendrick for Ross, Skye, and Lochaber

Tory Trouble Takes Its Toll

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:12:00 +0000

Has Lord Ashcroft told the truth? Has William Hague? What did David Cameron know when? The answers to these questions remain unclear. Some parts of the right wing press and commentariat suggest this is Westminster village tittle tattle. It isn’t. Voters are concerned to know whether someone so essential to the Tory campaign keeps his promises and pays UK taxes like the rest of us. There are also fundamental questions of judgement to be asked of the Tory high command. The story cannot be brushed away.

That much is clear from the latest poll of 60 key marginals. The Tory lead has slipped to only 2 points. Down from a 13 point lead only some months ago.

http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/politics/domestic_politics/exclusive+tory+lead+shrinks+in+key+marginals/3569462

Voters in key marginals refuse to be bought by the Ashcroft millions. Millions funded by Ashcroft’s decision to be pay limited taxes. It shows how shallow David Cameron’s “patriotic duty” is. He puts his own self interest before that of the duty on all of use to pay taxes and fund essential public services. The Tories haven’t changed.

In the same week that Michael Foot has died, we must ponder the passing of a nobility that seems to be fundamentally lacking in this week’s revelations.

Meeting local residents in Caol, Lochaber.

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:04:27 +0000

Meeting local residents in Caol, Lochaber.

We can't win says Heseltine.

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 09:43:58 +0000

We can't win says Heseltine.

More proof the Tories haven't changed!

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 11:06:26 +0000

More proof the Tories haven't changed!

Labour Support For Home Owners Works

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:17:47 +0000

Figures were published today which demonstrate something very important; something which demonstrates the marked difference between this Government and the last Tory Government: the rate of repossessions is half that of the last recession. Labour’s action to support homeowners is working. The Tories opposed the extra help and now they threaten to choke off recovery
The Government has put support for homeowners, and people losing their jobs, at the heart of our response to the recession. As a result of sustained Government action, the rate of repossessions is half that of the last recession.
Most homes are repossessed through the loss of a job, however, the Government has invested an extra £5 billion to get people back to work, and unemployment is now 450,000 lower than predicted at the time of last year’s Budget.
And most importantly 300,000 people have received advice and assistance with mortgage payments. The Tories opposed our action to help families, homeowners and businesses through the recession. Now they threaten to choke off recovery by cutting support now.
Voters in Ross Skye and Lochaber and should look hard at the differences between the response of this Government and compare it to the response of Thatcher and Major in the early 1990s. This constituency and Scotland does not want to go back to the dark days.

The failed SNP experiment.

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:46:48 +0000

The failed SNP experiment.

Government Responds to Expenses Scandal

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:52:27 +0000

The Legg report has been published today. Politicians of all parties have been shamed by the revelations of 2009. The Government has acted quickly to reform the system, by:-

introducing interim restrictions on the allowances scheme, with no more claims for furniture, household goods, cleaning, gardening, or stamp duty. Members can claim a maximum of £1,250 per month for rent, mortgage interest or hotel bills, plus utilities and Council Tax;
inviting the Committee on Standards in Public Life, chaired by Sir Christopher Kelly, to conduct a root and branch review of the expenses system;
establishing the Legg Review;
legislating to create the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority to take over the setting and administration of the expenses system; and
passing further legislation to give effect to the recommendations of the Kelly Report.

The Labour Government remains determined to do all that is necessary to restore trust and to ensure that all politicians - like the vast majority do already - concentrate on serving the public and not themselves. That is why the Prime Minister set out a radical programme of constitutional and parliamentary reform in his speech on Tuesday, including legislating this side of the general election for a referendum on the Alternative Vote system and publishing draft legislation to create a democratically accountable House of Lords in the next few weeks.

Voters in Ross, Skye and Lochaber should take some comfort that steps have been taken to ensure the abuses of the past are not repeated in the next parliament. Whatever the rules may be, however, integrity, restraint and honesty are called for.

Bogus Tory Crime Statistics

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:21:54 +0000

John has written to his Conservative opposite number asking for clarification on false Tory crime claims. See below:-

Dear Donald,

Violent Crime down by 41% since 1997

Labour Home Secretary Alan Johnson wrote to your party leader, David Cameron, in November questioning bogus Tory claims on violent crime, as the British Crime Survey shows violent crime down by 41% since 1997.

Unfortunately, David Cameron did not bother to reply but instead, on the release of recent crime statistics, once again claimed that violent crime is rising “significantly”.

Conservative Central Office has admitted that they were comparing statistics which they know were calculated in completely different ways. The BBC journalist who questioned David Cameron on this said:

“It emerges that the only way the Conservative leader can back up his claims is to ignore the klaxon warning attached to the statistics following changes in the way police record violent incidents in England and Wales”. http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markeaston/2010/01/conservative_estimates_on_viol.html

Incredibly, in an interview on 3^rd February, Chris Grayling, Shadow Home Secretary, had the opportunity to come clean and put the record straight but instead ADMITTED he is fully aware of the change in the way the statistics are calculated and then REFUSED to agree to tell Tory candidates and parties to stop using these bogus statistics.

David Cameron has demonstrated that he cannot be trusted. In his New Year message he said he wanted a clean fight but he is deliberately misleading the public by using bogus crime statistics when the British Crime Survey shows violent crime down by 41% since 1997.

I am giving you the opportunity to be honest with voters in Ross Skye and Lochaber. Will you confirm that you will not use bogus Tory statistics which the BBC has shown are misleading and inaccurate?

I look forward to hearing from you,

Yours sincerely,

John McKendrick

Labour PPC, Ross Skye and Lochaber

Securing the Recovery

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:19:00 +0000

Throughout Ross Skye and Lochaber local people have asked me about securing the recovery. It won’t be easy, but the best way to do so, is by not voting Conservative.

The Labour Government is committed to securing the recovery and then halving the deficit over four years. Cutting support to the economy now risks choking off recovery. Securing the recovery and getting long-term growth are Labour’s absolute priority. The head of the IMF has warned against withdrawing support too early and pushing economies into recession - but that is precisely what David Cameron and George Osborne threaten.

Even the Institute for Fiscal Studies said today, “We suggest that no further significant tightening is implemented in 2010-11…” George Osborne threatens to choke off recovery by cutting support for the economy now - but he refuses to give details of his plans.

When the recovery is secured, the Government will halve the deficit in four years through:

Growth - because faster growth increases revenues and cuts the costs of unemployment.
Fair tax increases - and we have been upfront in setting out our choice to increase taxes on those with the highest incomes as well as putting a penny on national insurance in order to protect our front-line services.
Tough choices on public spending - including cuts in some departments.

This is the carefully thought-out and measured plan that Labour offers voters at the next election. You’ll look hard to find similar coherency and depth to Tory, Lib Dem or Nationalist plans.

When I visited the Mart at Dingwall and the WHFP in Skye on separate occasions recently (see the photos) it hammered home to me how difficult it is to secure good jobs in remote areas. Labour plans for securing the recovery are the best route to protecting local jobs.

On the campaign trail….in Skye…..

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:59:14 +0000

On the campaign trail….in Skye…..

On the campaign trail in Dingwall, at the Mart.

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:58:31 +0000

On the campaign trail in Dingwall, at the Mart.

Tories All At Sea

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:55:17 +0000

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.

Business Secretary Exposes Tory Disarray

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:40:48 +0000

Business Secretary Exposes Tory Disarray

Visiting the community sports centre in Ullapool. A great...

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 13:46:57 +0000

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

Lib Dems and Tories to review Barnet Formula. Only Labour are standing up for Scotland.

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:39:13 +0000

Lib Dems and Tories to review Barnet Formula. Only Labour are standing up for Scotland.

Labour on the march.

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:08:04 +0000

Labour on the march.

All to play for!

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:06:29 +0000

All to play for!

After a visit to Dingwall Academy to discuss school building...

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:00:43 +0000

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

Public Debate is Essential

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:57:48 +0000

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

BNP Put Where They Belong

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:35:23 +0100

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.