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Labour leadership: Andy Kerr 'raring to go' as he launches campaign

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Published Date: 01 August 2008
ANDY Kerr, the final candidate for the Scottish Labour leadership, today set out his agenda, declaring he was "raring to go".
Mr Kerr said he wanted a "people's party" which would take Scotland forward.

Mr Kerr, who faces competition from finance spokesman Iain Gray and acting leader Cathy Jamieson, unveiled plans for a £360 million initiative to provide 800 hours of free child care for youngsters.

He also signalled he may support a referendum on Scottish independence but warned that this was not a "blank cheque" for First Minister Alex Salmond.

Mr Kerr, whose wife and daughters were at today's campaign launch in Glasgow, said he wanted his family to grow and prosper in a forward-looking Scotland.

He said: "My ambitions for them and for this country are limitless.
"I will be a bold Scottish leader. My fellow Scots, I'll focus my energies on making your hopes – and your ambitions – reality.

"I will fear no one and I will do whatever it takes to deliver these promises."

He added: "We – Scottish Labour – face a hell of a challenge.
"We all know where we've been. We all know things have gone wrong. But, from this point on, it's about the future. We have an opportunity to work together to win again.

"It is an opportunity I am ready to seize."

He later added: "I've got great people alongside me, I'm filled with energy for the task ahead and I'm raring to go."

The East Kilbride MSP said he would not rule out supporting a referendum on Scottish independence.

"I strongly believe that the Scots have a right to determine their own future constitutionally," he added.

"I also believe that Mr Salmond has to act in a responsible manner when he brings forward his ideas on that, because at the moment we don't have the detail, we don't have any guarantee that it's a 'neverendum'.

He went on: "I am absolutely clear in my mind that firstly, we do not stand in the way of Scots having their choice. I do believe they will continue to choose to be part of the United Kingdom.

"But secondly, there is no blank cheque for Mr Salmond for my support in relation to what his proposals are until I see the details of what he is saying."

Mr Kerr said if he won the leadership race he would want to take greater direct control as leader of the Scottish Labour Party.

"We need to build the machine that is required to take Mr Salmond and his party on.

"But he has also got his own credit crunch coming along. He's got his day of reckoning as First Minister. He's been splashing the cash."

Mr Kerr said the SNP's proposals for a local income tax were a "shambles" which was undeliverable in its current form.

"There are many issues I would want to take back to Mr Salmond, the biggest one being he will have his day of reckoning. It is coming in terms of the financing of this country."

Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 01 August 2008 1:41 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Scottish Labour Party
 
1

brownlie,

01/08/2008 14:06:18
If Andy Kerr is "raring to go" the sooner he goes the better.
2

steve52,

Kinfauns 01/08/2008 14:07:39
I hope Andy wins. If anyone has been forced to sit though one of his so called informative speeches on the NHS as I have they would know what a complete bore he is. Nothing to fear for ther SNP methinks.
3

aedis,

Glasgow 01/08/2008 14:08:21
tinyurl.com/6f2us9

The real numbers of Labour's Scottish membership are worked out on this website:-

---------

Then there's the collapse in their membership - sitting at 158,868 UK-wide at the end of June this year, compared to 407,000 in 1997 - a drop of 61% in 11 years.

They don't publish Scottish figures, but a population share of their UK figure, assuming Scotland to be 9% of the UK population would give them 14,298 members - the same size as the SNP except that the SNP is increasing in size and Labour is shrinking.

Looking at Labour's Scottish accounts, however, tells a different story - membership and subscription fees for Scotland fell from £123,076 in 2006 to £114,403 in 2007.

That figure includes "Fees received from MPs and MSPs", but that isn't quantified, so we'll have to treat the whole lot as membership income.

Labour's membership fees are £36 a year with a concessionary rate of £12 a year.

If every member paid the full rate there would be 3,178 Labour members in Scotland; if every member paid the concession there would be 9,534 Labour members in Scotland.

The true figure will be somewhere in between (remembering that there will also be an adjustment for MPs and MSPs).

No wonder Labour membership numbers in Scotland are secret.

-----------

It seems to me that Labour Party in Scotland are hiding behind that proportional 9% figure.

A figure of around 3000 would put them roughly on a par with the Scottish Conservatives and Scottish Liberal Democrats!

In which case there are liable to be more nationalists than unionists as members of political parties in Scotland.
4

Alan B,

01/08/2008 14:11:24
Given one of the most important issues is round the constitution can none of the labour leadership candidate spell out what they actually want for the scottish parliament.

We are either to believe that they do not have a view on the constitution or that they are not willing to tell us. Leadership. Makes u laugh.

The other big issue is the economy. Labour have failed to transform the scottish economy and we are still a slow growing economy trailing both the fast growing small european countries over the last decade known as the arc of prosperity and also the uk as a whole.

Quite simply i have not heard any credible economic policy from labour in the sp (westminer labour does not exactly have an economic strategy for scotland either but that is another issue).

It is interesting none of the candidates have talked about how they would address that. None have any vision.

If i was ever to vote labour. I would want to know they recognise the problem of scotland economic underperformance. And then i would want a credible economic strategy to address our failings. I would also want growth targets over a period of time that i can judge them against.

5

Doctor S,

01/08/2008 14:17:04
My understanding is that Kerr does not have the required nominations as yet.

Jim Dempsey, son of the late James Dempsey, has circulated an open letter to MPs, MSPs and other senior Labour figures in the area, criticising Mr Kerr's role in the threatened closure of Monklands emergency department.
advertisement

Mr Dempsey writes: "Are you the person who was prepared to oversee the closure of essential A&E services in Monklands and elsewhere? The person who would close an eye to centuries of Labour struggle to improve the quality of life for all?

"Instead you would have non-accountable quangos - not locally elected representatives - to decide which services would be available to the aged and infirm, the young and the old, to those in most need in North Lanarkshire."

This overpromoted paper pusher justified his madness in attempting the closure of these A&Es using flawed 20 year old evidence found on an American medical web site.

He has mortgaged the future of health care with his PFI old boys club.

But worse worse than all of that, I have just seen a report that Hairmyers in his constituency, the Lanarkshire PFI monument to madness, killed 12 paqtients in 2006 with the c diff virus, the worst record for infection in Britain for that year.

Hairmyers is a shockingly bad example of all that is wrong with the NHS and Labour.

Andy Kerr, you should be in hiding, but you are to thick to understand the damage your ineptitude has caused.
6

GM,

01/08/2008 14:27:28
At least he was positive about scotland.

Something missing from labour over the years, and certainly better than Gray's 'The SNP are rubbish' campaign.
7

Alan B,

01/08/2008 14:31:23
It is weird that no matter what candidate chooses for these 3 they will have by far the worst of the party leaders at holyrood.

For a party of smith and cook they have fallen a long way.
8

jacquesmac,

01/08/2008 14:33:10
P45

Maybe before he starts his campaign, like Glasgow East shoe in?
9

Alan B,

01/08/2008 14:33:39
#GM

Problem for Kerr is he lost his credibility over hospital closures. The final nail in the coffin regarding him over that is when the lib dems came out and publicly said that they admitted they got the closure program wrong.
10

Brian M,

Edinburgh 01/08/2008 14:41:46
Rerr Terr Kerr
11

Scottish 'N British,

01/08/2008 14:42:07
Big Andra should offer Wee Eck a square go. Settle it like men.

Predict Andra won't land a punch as the well-oiled and slippery incumbent dodges and weaves - whether that's to victory or to a coronary is another matter.

12

Teamdroid,

01/08/2008 14:46:58
Pretty much been shot at the starting line by Jim Dempsey's open letter, hasn't he? If the guy can't command support in his own Lanarkshire backyard, what chance has he?
13

More Realistic,

01/08/2008 14:52:35
Aedis from Glasgow.

Sorry to disappoint you.

The Scottish Labour Party receives one third of a party members subscriptions. The remaining is split between CLP's and the Labour Party.

You will have to times your best and worst estimates by three if you want to get closer to a more realistic amount.

What's the SNP membership again?
14

Nevsky,

Moscow 01/08/2008 15:16:30
Scottish this and Scottish that. Andy Kerr coming over all patriotic now is he. The new Andy Kerr with his new Scottish livery!

I wonder why?
15

Nevsky,

Moscow 01/08/2008 15:16:57
Scottish this and Scottish that. Andy Kerr coming over all patriotic now is he. The new Andy Kerr with his new Scottish livery!

I wonder why?
16

Nevsky,

Moscow 01/08/2008 15:20:19
Scottish this and Scottish that. Andy Kerr coming over all patriotic now is he. The new Andy Kerr with his new Scottish livery!

I wonder why?
17

Scottish 'N British,

01/08/2008 15:20:42
14

I could be wrong, but my guess is that it's because he's a 'Scottish person'...............


..... lives in Scotland, pays taxes here, probably got a 2 yard Saltire on his bed (like I have), goes to see Scotland play football/rugby.......etc, etc.

yawn

18

Rufus T. Firefly,

01/08/2008 15:21:25
Great point Nevsky.

Very informative and well worth making twice.

Any more boring stories on Estonia to regale us with?
19

An Greumach Mor,

Scotland 01/08/2008 15:21:49
re #5 Doctor S

"...Jim Dempsey, son of the late James Dempsey, has circulated an open letter to MPs, MSPs and other senior Labour figures in the area, criticising Mr Kerr's role in the threatened closure of Monklands emergency department.
advertisement..."

This is just the beginning. Wait until the mud slinging really gets going. They may support a United Kindom but I am willing to bet they will tear the labour party apart.

Q: What is it with Labour and the need to change leaders all the time?

A: Sleeze and financial fraud as well as megalomania and disloyalty.

The next few weeks should be interesting.

20

Rufus T. Firefly,

01/08/2008 15:23:49
#17 Scottish 'N British Exactly.

Nevsky objects to Andy being Scottish and talking about Scotland as he himself sits there In Russia drinking his bottle of Samogon.

Meths will be on from Spain next telling us how we should live our lives.
21

Scottish 'N British,

01/08/2008 15:30:01
20

Mmmm, few of these Separatist types ACTUALLY seem to live here - do you think the word 'hypocrite' ever enters their minds?

22

Rufus T. Firefly,

01/08/2008 15:38:29
#21 For Sure.

If the country gets independence and goes bust, it wont affect them as they lie back on the beach (well in Meths case).

Or head down the salt mine as in Nevskys case.
23

First Rule of Anarchy,

01/08/2008 15:43:07
18
And have you from Freedonia?
24

Scottish 'N British,

01/08/2008 15:43:21
22

Probably exists on a diet of salt. Made mince of his brains.

Watch thi space, he'll be back telling us he's jist discovered oil - fir Scotland, nae less.

Need to make a call to my man Vlad Putin to keep an eye on this character.

25

Rufus T. Firefly,

01/08/2008 15:48:19
Maybe its the Polonium 210 thats rotted his brain.

He will be on here in a minute telling us about the Baltic States. The only state that he should be worried about is the state of his brain.
26

Nevsky,

Moscow 01/08/2008 15:51:21
Ant more boring stories to do with successful independent counties you mean? Well not today.

Rufus it's 'samogonka'. Yet another display of ingnorance, you just can't help yourself can you. You an Scot n Brit (same person) are certainly the most stupid of the posters among the unionists but keep going we all get a good laugh.

About Scotland being bankrupt...did yo hear today about the natioal debt now being £100 billion? That figure is equal to the GDP of the UK.

Browns' 'golden rule' that debt should be no more than 40% of GDP has been thrown out the window...the £100 billion represents 100% of GDP.

Great management of the economy i am sure you will agree.

On a lighter note th SNP are a full 10 points clear of Labour now and Estonia is still independent and thriving.

27

Bigwull,

edinburgh 01/08/2008 16:16:35
We'd be better off with "Juan Kerr"
28

Daveunderwater,

01/08/2008 16:34:31
"We need to build the machine that is required to take Mr Salmond and his party on.

Does this mean that no labour candidate can face up to Alex Salmond, will we see a Terminator style robot spring from MI6 to take on oor Alec?

I'll be bocht!
29

Doctor S,

01/08/2008 16:50:03
HAIRMYERS OR SCOTBEEF as the local know it. Right in Kerrs back yard and on his watch. The monument to PFI and hygene madness, the killing fields of East Kilbride.


Hairmyres to clean up its act as superbug kills 12 Print E-mail
Written by Andrea O'Neill
ImageHEALTH campaigners are demanding action after a superbug killed 12 patients in an East Kilbride hospital. Shocking figures released by Health protection Scotland recorded that Hairmyres hospital had the highest rate in any one year for Clostridium difficile (C.diff) deaths, with 12 people contracting the deadly infection in 2006.
The superbug infection is controlled by heightened hygiene standards and usually affects the elderly.
A total of 570 Scottish hospital patients were killed by C.diff from 2000 to 2006. Staggeringly, the number of deaths have quadrupled in that time, confirming fears of an epidemic in the future.
Previously published figures highlight C.diff as being a factor in a patient’s death, but campaigners believe the bug is now the underlying cause of death.
Chairwoman of the Scottish Patients’ Association, Margaret Watt, said: “This is totally unacceptable. People are genuinely frightened to go into hospital in case they pick up an infection.
“This is not the policy of the NHS. Patients should get treatment when they need it, not die in their time of need.
“I want to know where all the research is. The government is too busy blaming each other than getting the figures sorted and finding out what caused this.
“I can’t believe the audacity of the NHS, celebrating 60 years of their success when there’s patients dying from C.diff. It’s a slap in the face to people who have lost their loved ones.”
Chairwoman of the South East Health Forum, Margaret Hinds, believes the problem can be solved by putting matrons back in charge of wards, and not allowing food or children into hospitals.
She said: “Hospital staff and patients have to take hygiene more seriously. Private contrac
30

Doctor S,

01/08/2008 16:51:34
“Hospital staff and patients have to take hygiene more seriously. Private contractors were a bad idea from the start – they weren’t as good as matrons.
“Children and visitors bringing in food should be banned from hospitals, as they are notorious carriers of germs and disease. Some people may think that is a harsh view, but if it means less people dying, it’s worth it.”
NHS Lanarkshire’s medical director, Alison Graham, said: “NHS Lanarkshire takes the issue of infection control extremely seriously and, as part of a national review, has examined the procedures we have in place to identify further action we can take to reduce rates of infection.
“We appreciate that healthcare associated infections are of great public concern but we would like to reassure patients, visitors and members of the public that we are doing everything we can to tackle the problem within Lanarkshire’s hospitals.”



A national scandal and a disgrace this man should be ashamed to be seen in public, never mind stand for office.
31

It's life but not as we know it,

The Oort Clouds 01/08/2008 17:04:58
So we have the Labour candidates. How did that music go again for the Three Stooges?
32

Alternative (High-Octane) Fuel Head,

Edinburgh 01/08/2008 17:23:04
Herr Andy Kerr:- Partner in the crime of implimenting the smoking ban, along with Herr Obersturmbahnfuerer McConnell.

Yeah. Scotland is REALLY gonna want him back in power. Aren't they?
33

Trond,

Norway 01/08/2008 17:40:38
# 31 Doctor No?

You also have to scan (and treat)
members of the staff for C.diff.
34

,

01/08/2008 17:46:18
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35

urban poacher,

Edinburgh 01/08/2008 17:53:35
Foulkes and Gordon would be the best.
36

,

01/08/2008 17:57:49
Comment Removed By Administrator
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37

,

01/08/2008 17:58:33
Comment Removed By Administrator
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38

roughrider,

Glasgow 01/08/2008 18:06:18
Andy Kerr is seriously deluded if he thinks he has the brains to take on FM A.Salmond.
Who ever wins this chief labour monkey contest will be ridiculed week after week just like ubendy was.
If Herr Kerr wins it will be fun watching him making a complete pwick of himself whilst wee Eck shows Kerr up for what he is.
An incompetent fool, way out of his depth.

39

roughrider,

Glasgow 01/08/2008 18:06:31
Andy Kerr is seriously deluded if he thinks he has the brains to take on FM A.Salmond.
Who ever wins this chief labour monkey contest will be ridiculed week after week just like ubendy was.
If Herr Kerr wins it will be fun watching him making a complete pwick of himself whilst wee Eck shows Kerr up for what he is.
An incompetent fool, way out of his depth.

40

roughrider,

Glasgow 01/08/2008 18:06:37
Andy Kerr is seriously deluded if he thinks he has the brains to take on FM A.Salmond.
Who ever wins this chief labour monkey contest will be ridiculed week after week just like ubendy was.
If Herr Kerr wins it will be fun watching him making a complete pwick of himself whilst wee Eck shows Kerr up for what he is.
An incompetent fool, way out of his depth.

41

aedis,

Glasgow 01/08/2008 18:07:01
#13 More realistic

Thanks for the three way split tip.

In which case, its even easier to work out the Labour membership.

UK membership nos. 158 868
Entire UK membership revenue before split £4447 000
(2007)

Scottish Labour membership revenue £114 403
x 3 to account for split = £ 343 209

So percentage sum to Scotland is 7.72% (343 209 /4447 000 x 100)

7.72% of UK membership base (158 868) is 12 264, taking a pro rata estimate.

Scotland has roughly 12 264 Labour members and sinking.

The SNP have over 14 000 and rising.
42

,

01/08/2008 18:19:21
Comment Removed By Administrator
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43

Traquir , Alba,

01/08/2008 18:26:39

I'm not sure where Calum Cashley gets
this but according his blog "Labour's membership in Scotland down to 8,932"

see - tinyurl.com/34fwzn

If this is true this really is dramatic

SNP membership as of March 08 stood at 14,183

see - tinyurl.com/6oevlq

Labour membership was last reported at 18000

see - tinyurl.com/5r4eae

This also predicted that the
SNP would overtake Labour in 2010. Looks like this
might happen much earlier which would be a huge sea
change in Scottish politics which confirms what
Iain MacWhirter stated
"Labour has been plunged into a terminal crisis in Scotland, having lost two leaders, half its councillors and now a crucial by-election."

see - tinyurl.com/6rge6l

Interesting article from Professor Richard Wyn Jones, director of the Institute of Welsh Politics at Aberystwyth University, which although referring to
Labour in Wales no doubt has striking parallels
in Scotland. Labour is clearly dying and the
best act of kindness at this point would
be to euthanize them and put them out
of their misery - Scotland will be one
of the chief benificaries of this mercy killing
having being subject to decades of
de-facto totalitarian corrupt and incompetent rule.

“I’ve heard of whole constituencies with Labour MPs that have a maximum of 20 members, although because people don’t want to talk about it on the record there’s no way of confirming it.

“Everybody knows that Labour’s membership has fallen off the cliff. The people who joined when New Labour was in the ascendancy have now gone, and a lot of traditional Labour Party members have got fed up with New Labour.

“It’s an ageing membership too. Very few young people are joining, and the party’s youth structure is collapsing. The party is in deep, deep trouble.”

see - tinyurl.com/5o8sj6

Saor Alba
44

GM,

01/08/2008 18:27:38
@45
Am2
you care to retract your own post on the 'train colour' thread... where its clear that there was *no* "SNP cynical “gradualist” agenda", but simply a rebranding that fell within the normal maintenance schedule of the carriages and the colour scheme itself was developed and decided upon before last May's election?

Or are you too vain to admit you got something wrong?
45

AM2,

Scotland,UK 01/08/2008 18:30:29
#47 GM

Please check your "facts". The design agency (Redpath) initially pitched to Transport Scotland in March last year. But according to The Drum (www.thedrum.co.uk) they’ve been working on the brief for just under a year.
46

GM,

01/08/2008 18:33:20
@48

but, AM2, you've dodged the point (again) -

is the rebranding part of an "SNP cyncial gradualist agenda"?

a simple yes or no will do.
47

,

01/08/2008 18:33:29
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
48

AM2,

Scotland,UK 01/08/2008 18:43:29
#49 GM

On the contrary, you're dodging my point. I stand by my posts. We've had the rebranded Scottish Government, efforts to remove union flags from public buildings, to replace .gov.uk website addresses with .sco, and so on. Of course there's an agenda.

#50 ptdoug

Blogger makes it fairly easy, but thanks.
49

,

01/08/2008 18:45:51
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
50

Nevsky,

Moscow 01/08/2008 18:45:59
GM:

I agree and am sure everyone had a good laugh at it. AM2 in such haste to get the first post in (we hated those kids at school) that he goes off on completely the wrong direction and makes a slight t**t of himself in the process...just like George Foulkes in fact!

Funny though but not it seems man enough to apoligise and retract!
51

,

01/08/2008 18:47:20
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
52

AM2,

Scotland,UK 01/08/2008 18:53:27
#52 ptdoug

I would welcome your critique. All you need is a Google account.

#53 Nevsky

Why would I need to either "apologise" or "retract" for not agreeing with you?
53

GM,

01/08/2008 18:54:10
@53 and 54

I have *never once* seen AM2 backtrack or retract a single thing posted here... yet I have seen him spin like a top and tie himself in knots in attempts to justify the outrageous, impossible or just downright wrong stuff he cites...


you'll see an example at post 51 in this thread where he now tries to deflect the point to other much more overt nationalist policies - hardly creeping I'd say, but there you go.

Rather than grow a spine and admit he was wrong, he spins away to some other 'supportive' evidence to support his misrepresentations.


I treat thsi like a sport.



AM2
====

yous post 51 does not answer my question -
is the train rebranding down to the SNP and a creeping agenda they have... yes?

or was it simply a rebranding exercise for uniformity, reflective of culture, a marketing exercise, and all the rest but *not* politically motivated... yes?


Nest you'll be telling us Alex Salmond picked it personally... lol
54

GM,

01/08/2008 18:56:31
The union according to AM2
=============================

Under no account can any company, person, organisation or public body use the saltire as it clearly is offensive to unionists and is always politically motivated - akin to brainwashing the public.











I could hardly type that for laughing sorry...!
55

GM,

01/08/2008 18:59:35
gotta go AM2 - which means you can have the last word (as always)...

but remember, to just about everybody else outside of foulkes, you, rufus and 'annoyed by SNP'... nobody seems to think it was political...

Maybe you do just hate scotland so much you cant bear the use of the saltire?
56

AM2,

Scotland,UK 01/08/2008 18:59:41
#57 GM

I'm glad you find your gross misrepresentation of me amusing.

Anyway, you're in the wrong thread. Go here:
http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/All-Scotland39s-trains-to-get.4348049.jp
57

AM2,

Scotland,UK 01/08/2008 19:00:12
#58 GM

Unionists do NOT hate Scotland. That really is quite an offensive notion.
58

GM,

01/08/2008 19:00:32
Oh, forgot to add,

when I say I've got to go, that means away from the forums...
not to the office to carry out a string of moderation.
59

Nevsky,

Moscow 01/08/2008 19:01:14
AM2:

You could at least say 'sorry for my mistake and mis-reading of the articel and my subsequent post which made me look a bit foolish'

That would do. Anyway does not really matter, everyone saw it.
60

GM,

01/08/2008 19:01:49
no answer to the question yet AM2?

was it a politically run brainwashing exercise? (thats so funny)

or was it a simple rebranding exercise?


most folks seem to know the answer!
61

AM2,

Scotland,UK 01/08/2008 19:02:48
#63 GM

You're off-topic. See the other thread.
62

GM,

01/08/2008 19:06:05
@64

where you've still failed to give a straight answer

(I feel like Paxman now)
63

Nevsky,

Moscow 01/08/2008 19:08:22
60:

Maybe not 'hate' but you certainly put British before Scottish of that there is no question. Neither would i call you a 'traitor' which is a bit strong.

Perhaps better to say that most unionists (of the more fundamental kind you understand) have a misplaced national loyalty that puts their beliefs above even the welfare of their own country and fellow citizens.

Fair?
64

AM2,

Scotland,UK 01/08/2008 19:10:41
#62 Nevsky

This is a pointless exchange. You seem not to understand that people can honestly disagree with you. Your comments give the impression that you think they secretly know you're right but have some kind of fiendish agenda which motivates them to lie.

#65 GM

I've answered you in the other thread.
65

Nevsky,

Moscow 01/08/2008 19:22:29
You can disagree but the facts speak for themselves. Try the following and afterwards explain to me again the benefits that Scotman has accrued from the Union:

'Cost of living is about 30% higher in Norway than in the United States and 25% higher than the United Kingdom. The standard of living in Norway is high, and the continuing increase in oil prices ensure that Norway will remain one of the richest countries in the world over the foreseeable future.'
66

Nevsky,

Moscow 01/08/2008 19:24:56
AM2;

Another simple question for you.

If you are right and i am wrong wrong then why is Scotland not one of the richest countries in the world?
67

The west awake,

Argyll 01/08/2008 19:27:15
Alan B - "For a party of smith and cook they have fallen a long way."
While I do not believe either men deserved the reputation they were ascribed (both were part of the 70s Labour machine which shafted Scotland), I do agree that both were head and shoulders over this sorry trio of Z listers Labour consider their best in Scotland.
I come from a family of one-time Labour stalwarts, nowadays Labour would only get my vote if they and the Tories were the only candidates, - even then grudgingly.
How are the mighty fallen. I would be sorry if I weren't disgusted.
68

Daveunderwater,

01/08/2008 20:51:39
"How can you possibly justify a system that allows Oil and Gas taxes from Scottish waters to flow into London for 30 years while the number of children in poverty in Glasgow has increased?"
69

Daveunderwater,

01/08/2008 20:52:26
"If after 60 years of constant Labour representation Glasgow East is still one of the most deprived areas in Western Europe , why should anyone suddenly believe that you and the Labour Party are gonig to miraculosly suddenly do something about it?"
70

Daveunderwater,

01/08/2008 20:59:53
Above are Questions put to Margaret Curran, which she ignored and dodged, shocking!!
71

It's life but not as we know it,

The Oort Clouds 01/08/2008 21:03:17
#73 Because labour "feels our pain".
72

Oldnat,

01/08/2008 21:46:51
#78

I do hope you're ignoring us all.

We are all figments of your imagination.
73

Traquir , Alba,

01/08/2008 21:46:51
Out of curiosity I had a little stab at the
site www.scottishunionist.com, you can't say
I am not open minded :) Incidentally I wonder
why nobody had grabbed that name before now,
lack of popularity perhaps ?

In any case I wonder if this site would
be of any interest, but apparently not
it just looks like some reformatting of
AM2's own comments - is the Scottish Unionist
(singular I note) AM2 ?

So one of the promises of the site is
"if you want to reply here, you'll find that I don't filter comments", but interestingly when
I posted some information I was threatened with

"I can only let it stand or delete it completely"
- personally I would have thought that deletion
was filtering, but who I am to argue.
The other feedback I got was
"please don't paste huge sections of copyright material". Interesting that all of the articles
themselves are full of cut and paste copyright
material but commenting
with relevant cut & paste (and incidentally less
cut and paste than article itself) are threatened
with removal and I assume by mentioning
copyright potentially legal recourse ?

Apparently www.scottishunionist.com would
appear to be another example of Unionist
hypocrisy and spin - Democracy British Style,
who needs it ?

Saor Alba

74

Nevsky,

Moscow 01/08/2008 22:08:56
Traquir:

I had a look to but won't be visiting again, neither do many others judging by the amount of comments left.

Just why bother is my only question? If anyone looks to AM2 for advice they are misguided and i feel he is probably doing it in the vain hope of some kind of book contract or some editor contacting him to contribute to the New Statesman.

Ain't going to happen i am afraid.
75

Nevsky,

Moscow 01/08/2008 22:10:14
77:

Why bother going to the trouble of registering and copying my name firefly you sad little creep?
76

Nevsky,

Moscow 01/08/2008 22:11:43
But to be fair AM2 is a harmless relic and nice that he has a hobby!
77

Nevsky,

Moscow 01/08/2008 22:16:21
Traquir:

I think you are right there may well be copyright infringement on that site unless of course he has asked permission to use the material?

Unionists will even stoop to breaking the law now to defend the union.

Criminals!

78

Nevsky,

Moscow 01/08/2008 22:24:27
I suspect that he is standing in the vain hope that as Labour leader his constituents will not boot him out at the next election.
As an ex-Glasgow council employee his options are fast running out.
79

aedis,

Glasgow 01/08/2008 22:26:43
#45 AM2

Are you disputing my figures of my post #44? They come from the Labour Party annual account 2007. Obviously I'm using the 2007 membership and the current UK membership (2008) but it can't be helped. The 2008 account is not published yet.

That gives a pro rata Scottish membership of 12 264.

Of course they may be giving the Scots less membership money back than they give, dare I say who'd be surprised! but I imagine a pro rata rate would be in place.

Nice blog.

Of course, figures are published most years for the Labour conference. Can't wait to see if they publish this years figures. Do you think they'll be massaged a bit?

Of course, young people can join Labour for just a pound but thats an introductory rate that just lasts a year before the full sting comes into effect.

As all reports indicate the Labour Party is losing members hand over fist, I doubt newcomers are a sizable proportion of the total.

I think keeping around 12 000 members with this Labour Government is some going though!

Keep smiling!
80

aedis,

Glasgow 01/08/2008 22:34:18
Sorry, I meant to write '2007 membership revenue' at the top of the post.
81

Alec M,

Falkirk 01/08/2008 23:21:47
Do brighten up, folks (checked spelling - just to make sure there was no mistake).

In a few hilarious weeks, one or other of Humpty, Dumpty and Numptie will be, wow!, Scottish Scharfuehrer!! The fountains will flow with wine and bath chairs be allowed in the royal parks!!!
82

Nevsky,

Moscow 01/08/2008 23:27:27
88:

I am all for humour when it is funny but nothing in your posts is in any way funny or witty in the slightest. The only person you seem to entertain is yourself it seems.

The fact that you invent multiple monikers and impersonate people leads me to think you are probably either a) under 18 but not ranking in the top 85% regarding intelligence or b) just a weird creep with a foul mouth and more likely than not a failure in life.


83

subrosa,

02/08/2008 00:49:23
# 90

One thing's for sure, I'll not be up at 6am to stick my towel on a chair. The wine will be rubbish anyway so I'll stick to a good merlot :)
84

Scotindy,

Los Angeles 02/08/2008 06:48:06
What a load of liebour party TWADDLE. They have never come up with any of thier Fricking lies. What about the pm stateing that if he becomes thE PM he will be home every weekend.!!!! Absolute B------t He has not been seen in SCOTLAND like forever.... Independence is the only ANSWER!!!!!!!!
85

Scotindy,

Los Angeles 02/08/2008 06:58:02
Andy Kerr welcome to your GRAVE YOU LEIBOUR UNIONIST. You leibour thieves will find out how short your politiccl life is going to be.I f you do not have the -alls to STAND UP FOR YOUR PEOPLE THEN YOU WILL HAVE NOTHING. SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE IS THE ONLY ANSWER!!!!!!!!
86

donald,

glasgow 02/08/2008 08:09:27
Holyrood's Three Stooges.

Alex Salmond is glad one of them will be elected as Leader of the Opposition to Scotland.
87

pehman,

sussex 02/08/2008 09:04:20

will any of this shower stand up and make a difference ?

will any of them back the Scottish Governments call for the £2 billion fines imposed by w/minster, to be returned ?

Or will they just say aye to w/minster every time ?

88

AM2,

Scotland,UK 02/08/2008 10:58:04
#79 Traquir

Your politically-motivated desire to discredit me is leading you to misrepresent the truth.

I don't filter/pre-approve blog comments, and I hope not to have to. Little snips of copyright articles are fair game but rather than "some information", as you claim, you actually pasted about ten paragraphs in the piece about train liveries.

So I said, at the end of my reply to you:

"You're very welcome to comment on the blog but next time please don't paste huge sections of copyright material, as I have no facility to edit your post. I can only let it stand or delete it completely."

If you don't want your misrepresentation of me to be exposed, please desist.
89

AM2,

Scotland,UK 02/08/2008 11:00:14
#86 aedis

The monetary figures from the annual account will be sound. I'm questioning only your "pro-rata" method.
90

Alberto.,

04/08/2008 12:20:24
Although it's not surprising in the least (a common failing with Labour as we have experienced, and still are!) and very typical of most current Politicians, Mr Kerr has resorted, as they have to, to make statements they may not, will not. can,not keep - but helps them to keep happy!

In other words the political sets favourite ploy for election times (The breeding sa=eason!)- Promises! Promises! Promises!- usually, as we saw re the Lisbon Treaty referendum best treated as for what they seem Lies! Lies! Lies!

It still seems, after all these years, that a politician can only be trusted :-........ Answers please, if any, and only if you have definite proof, on a prepaid poatcard please - in your own time!

 

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