MPs Diary
Devolution would be a good idea!
A reporter once asked Mahatma Gandhi, "Mr. Gandhi, what do you think of Western civilization?" Gandhi replied: "I think it would be a good idea." I think devolution would be a good idea, if only the SNP Government would get on with making it work using the vast range of devolved powers at their disposal to deliver first class education, health, housing, justice and so many other services for which they have responsibility. Instead they are totally preoccupied with the forthcoming Independence Referendum and this will continue to paralyse Scottish Government activity and tie up their best advisors for another 18 months. I want a Scottish Government committed to policies based on fairness, equality, justice and solidarity. Our enemy isn't England - it's social injustice and the sooner we can settle this independence question and then get on with making Scotland a country to be proud of within the UK the better for us all.
A different kind of politics
Labour Leader, Ed Miliband has set out the need to build a different kind of politics; one that is open, transparent, trusted and rooted in every community and every walk of life. I’m proud of our trade unions and I’m proud of Labour’s links with all the nurses, teachers, shopworkers, labourers, bus drivers - people in all kinds of jobs here in Carrick who are in trade unions and are part of the Labour family. But we need to ensure that these union members are more involved in everything we do. We’re setting out a new relationship with individual trade union members. I want union members to actively choose to join the Labour Party. This way we will be a mass movement for ordinary working people.
Ed is also leading change on party funding reforms. His proposal for a £5,000 limit on donations from everyone - trade unions, businesses and individuals - is fair and should be pursued. But the Conservatives, bank rolled by millionaires, are dragging their heels. They represent the old way of doing politics - they have accepted a £25 million donation from hedge funds and then followed this with a £145 million tax cut for the sector.
One job at a time
Ed Miliband is also demanding an end to second jobs for MPs. People should expect MPs to be focused on their job in parliament and the constituency. Since the day I was first elected in 1997 I have had only one job - the privilege of being a Member of Parliament. To do that adequately is a full time job. The Conservatives argue that we need people in Parliament with experience of working life outside of Parliament. I worked all my life before entering Parliament. The real problem is the large number of MPs who have only worked as party researchers and never done a real job. The Conservatives have rejected these reforms and it’s not surprising - they don’t want change because they are the party of privilege.
Keeping our promises
I have been campaigning in Maybole and Girvan with Depute Council Leader Councillor John McDowall. After my regular surgeries there, we were out on the streets and knocking on doors delivering the South Ayrshire Labour Group newsletter highlighting that it has already met many of its manifesto promises of only a year ago. This has been achieved in spite of the fact that Labour doesn't have a majority on the Council. These achievements include:
• The Living Wage for council employees - implemented October 2012 and increased April 2013
• Affordable Housing - 143 additional units
• Credit Unions - 1st Alliance Credit Union established in Girvan
• Social Enterprise Development - £1.5 million committed funding over 3 years
• Allotments - Additional £100,000 in 2013-14
• Children's Play Areas - £100,000 in 2013-14
• Business growth - £1.5 million over 3 years
• Job Creation - £1.5 million commitment over 3 years
• Community Engagement - consultation events in all 8 wards
• Reduce red tape and improve efficiency - organisation restructured
• Government's Welfare Reform - £500,000 funding secured to lessen harmful impact on those in need. No evictions for Bedroom Tax arrears.
Sandra Osborne
Devolution would be a good idea!
A reporter once asked Mahatma Gandhi, "Mr. Gandhi, what do you think of Western civilization?" Gandhi replied: "I think it would be a good idea." I think devolution would be a good idea, if only the SNP Government would get on with making it work using the vast range of devolved powers at their disposal to deliver first class education, health, housing, justice and so many other services for which they have responsibility. Instead they are totally preoccupied with the forthcoming Independence Referendum and this will continue to paralyse Scottish Government activity and tie up their best advisors for another 18 months. I want a Scottish Government committed to policies based on fairness, equality, justice and solidarity. Our enemy isn't England - it's social injustice and the sooner we can settle this independence question and then get on with making Scotland a country to be proud of within the UK the better for us all.
A different kind of politics
Labour Leader, Ed Miliband has set out the need to build a different kind of politics; one that is open, transparent, trusted and rooted in every community and every walk of life. I’m proud of our trade unions and I’m proud of Labour’s links with all the nurses, teachers, shopworkers, labourers, bus drivers - people in all kinds of jobs here in Carrick who are in trade unions and are part of the Labour family. But we need to ensure that these union members are more involved in everything we do. We’re setting out a new relationship with individual trade union members. I want union members to actively choose to join the Labour Party. This way we will be a mass movement for ordinary working people.
Ed is also leading change on party funding reforms. His proposal for a £5,000 limit on donations from everyone - trade unions, businesses and individuals - is fair and should be pursued. But the Conservatives, bank rolled by millionaires, are dragging their heels. They represent the old way of doing politics - they have accepted a £25 million donation from hedge funds and then followed this with a £145 million tax cut for the sector.
One job at a time
Ed Miliband is also demanding an end to second jobs for MPs. People should expect MPs to be focused on their job in parliament and the constituency. Since the day I was first elected in 1997 I have had only one job - the privilege of being a Member of Parliament. To do that adequately is a full time job. The Conservatives argue that we need people in Parliament with experience of working life outside of Parliament. I worked all my life before entering Parliament. The real problem is the large number of MPs who have only worked as party researchers and never done a real job. The Conservatives have rejected these reforms and it’s not surprising - they don’t want change because they are the party of privilege.
Keeping our promises
I have been campaigning in Maybole and Girvan with Depute Council Leader Councillor John McDowall. After my regular surgeries there, we were out on the streets and knocking on doors delivering the South Ayrshire Labour Group newsletter highlighting that it has already met many of its manifesto promises of only a year ago. This has been achieved in spite of the fact that Labour doesn't have a majority on the Council. These achievements include:
• The Living Wage for council employees - implemented October 2012 and increased April 2013
• Affordable Housing - 143 additional units
• Credit Unions - 1st Alliance Credit Union established in Girvan
• Social Enterprise Development - £1.5 million committed funding over 3 years
• Allotments - Additional £100,000 in 2013-14
• Children's Play Areas - £100,000 in 2013-14
• Business growth - £1.5 million over 3 years
• Job Creation - £1.5 million commitment over 3 years
• Community Engagement - consultation events in all 8 wards
• Reduce red tape and improve efficiency - organisation restructured
• Government's Welfare Reform - £500,000 funding secured to lessen harmful impact on those in need. No evictions for Bedroom Tax arrears.
Sandra Osborne