For reasons of clarity, as some of my readers may not recognise those in the photograph, left to right is Iain Gray (leader of the labour group in the Scottish Parliament), Willie Bain (the labour candidate for the Glasgow North East by-election) and Jim Murphy, Scottish Secretary.
Labour leaders have claimed that lessons were learned from last year's spectacular defeat in Glasgow East which fell to the Nationalists.
Jim Murphy remarked, "After Glenrothes we know how to win and we are going to do our very best by the folk in this community."
The official launch was a low-key affair with a location chosen to emphasise the local credentials of candidate Willie Bain. He launched an 'action plan' for the constiuency, ranging from more money for the city from the Scottish Government to automatic jail sentences for people caught carrying knives. "I've lived here on the Carron estate all my life and I don't want to represent anywhere else but Glasgow North East. Unlike some, I'm not a career politician. I will be a local voice for local people."
He faced media questions, particularly about his call for mandatory sentences for anyone carrying a knife. Asked about the effect of this policy on prisoner numbers, he said, "My colleagues at Holyrood have made a commitment that if that requires extra prison places, that will be funded."
I'm rather confused here - don't we have an SNP government? How can labour make commitments about funding when they're in opposition?
So that's the labour campaign launched and I see they've acquired new helpers. Let's hope they don't wear their bowlers when leafleting; I'd suggest a bunnet or a tammy would be more suitable attire.
I was unable to post about the SNP one last week but I have found a quote from Alex Salmond: "This'll be a brammer (belter) of a by-election with a monster result."
May the best person win.
Source: Herald
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28 comments:
You're right about this SR [as with much else ;-) ] Bain cannot make this type of claim in all sincerity - I see Glasgow NE is described as the most deprived in the UK - and that it has been a Labour stronghold for over 70yrs. Surely this fact alone will persuade the electorate that the SNP is a worthy alternative?
With regard to learning from Glenrothes, perhaps this is what they have in mind:
Guns & votes
On the prison thing, i watched this little worm on TV on politics now and he was all over the place.
But im confused. Labour are campaigning on the record of the Scottish Gov?? yet this is a UK election!!!
You see this is the thing about devolution in Scotland. Labour can expose some of the nasty bits of the SNP (ie GARL) and hide UK Labour behind it.
SO instead of attacking the Tory's its the SNP. Labour will win this seat hands down, infact im sure they will take at least 60% of the vote.
In seats like this Labour are the good guys even though the area is one of the most deprvied in western europe.
Nothing will be said about Tory cuts from Labour but all the mud will be flung at the SNP. Labour are dirty yet people will fall for it.
Subrose, your excellent picture brought on a wry smile; could not help but think of the ‘Scottish’ play -
When shall we three meet again?
In thunder, lightning, or in rain?
When the hurlyburly's done.
Probably labour will have a fact finding mission to Afganistan to "learn lessons" on how to "win" an election.
D.
GV / Apogee. My fear is the lessons learned from Glenrothes will be in this vein: http://bit.ly/4FbbZh
V / Apogee. My fear is the lessons learned from Glenrothes will be in this vein: http://bit.ly/4FbbZh
As will elections for the foreseeable future. Labour love fraud as a means of power.
AMW
I'm not too sure that Labour will win hands down - never mind with 60% of the vote.
I think a lot depends on whether the Traditional Labour voters will vote for individuals such as Sheridan and Smeaton. Sheridan's politics are much near what the electorate in the area thought were voting for when they initially voted for Labour and he is a publicity generator.
Smeaton will, no doubt, be backed by the Sun as he is one of their "columnists" and no doubt some of their "readers" and those who regard him as a hero will vote for him.
There are a lot of immigrants in the area who may be more inclined to regard the SNP's attitude to immigration an improvement on Labour's attitude.
Personally, having friends in the area, I feel that the result will be too close to call.
WV is holymi - my wee free "mantra".
GV you're buttering me up, I can feel it. :)
Somehow I think they will win this though GV, it's too big a mountain to climb for the SNP.
Mind you, just heard on the car radio that Gordon Brown intends to come and canvas in Glasgow, so all is not lost!
Spook he didn't impress me one bit either and you know how fair I can be don't you.
They did that in Glenrothes too though, they campaigned on local issues and not national.
I'm sure the SNP have learned from that.
Ah John, it cheers me to know the picture brought a smile, it did me too.
I'm still thinking of a caption but I doubt if I can beat yours.
subrosa,
Ahem! Have you been watching Last Tango in Paris?
Apogee, if they trot off there and get in the way of our troops I'll be firing off letters right, left and centre.
It's a disgrace the way these politicians do that and expect to be treated as VIPs. What VIP about them? Nothing.
Aye Mek, let's not forget about that. Haven't heard another word have we?
We need tighter controls in this country about elections OR. I'm still very unhappy about electronic counting - it's wide open to abuse.
Yoohoo holymi :)
Can't help but agree with you Brownlie. I doubt if the SNP will make it. Mind you, as always, they'll give it their very best shot.
Is it just me or did the Herald do a complete body swerve on this subject? Had it been the Orange order supporting the SNP - what do you imagine the howl would have been like? Now from another bunch of twisters, the bbc, Willie Bain is supposed to have made the remark that the SNP is Anti Glasgow (and ripping it off)- this while Gray and Murphy stood in the background listening and nodding (The Herald reports him as saying the SNP are "ripping PEOPLE off" - a bit of a coy reporting?).
So does mean then that a vote for labour is a vote for Glasgow first and that while the rest of the country take the cuts Labour, should they ever hold office again, will pour cash into Glasgow while cutting throats elsewhere? I think should be told!
I think we should be telt tae Dram, but will we? Not in yer life. Labour don't do honesty.
Thanks for reminding me of that MeKQuarrie - it still hasn't turned up has it. Does anyone know the latest?
There hasn't been another word GV. It's as if it didn't happen.
I'm glad you told me who the guy in the middle was, i could have sworn it was Harrold Saxon.
And by the looks of things this evening, Mr Bain doesn't live with his mother four days per week.........You are right SR they don't do honesty..as the late great Terry Thomas might have put it, "what an absolute shower"
Eh-oh!...... Dipsy, little Po and Laa-Laa are here, but where's Tinky-Winky - still trying to plug in the Noo-Noo Labour machine?
Oh Clarinda, you're younger than me! I was thinking more along the lines of the Flower Pot Men.
How can anyone take the Labour candidate Bain seriously with that huge growth thingy he has at the side of his nose. i can't take my eyes off it. Is it a Plook (pimple), or some sort of horrendous mushroom type growth?
Be a little clearer please DL, is it Gray or Murphy you're referring to?
Not sure Rosie, but it's foulking awful!
Remind me again SR... who's the ugly one on the left hand side. I'm sure I saw him once before... but I cannae think o where exactly/
Might have been when I was prison visiting....
Isn't he that chap who works in Oxfam in Reform Street Tris? Maybe it's another branch but I'm sure I've heard him speaking about working for Oxfam.
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