Scots warned to beware the rise of credit crunch racists

JIM Murphy, the Scottish Secretary, delivered a clear public warning yesterday over the potential rise in racism fuelled by the recession.

In the closing speech to the Scottish Labour Conference in Dundee, Mr Murphy blamed "irresponsible bankers" not ordinary workers for the economic crisis and said there was a chance that the recession might turn some Scots against immigrants.

He urged the party to be on its guard against that possibility. "This crisis was not caused by a Polish plumber or a Bangladeshi shop worker," Mr Murphy told delegates. "It was caused by irresponsible actions of international bankers, some of them very close to home. It is the irresponsible bankers, some of them on million-pound bonuses, not industrious migrant workers on the minimum wage, who caused this financial calamity."

In a strangely muted speech, heard by an audience in a hall that was barely one-fifth full, Mr Murphy said the recession was the first in a global labour market, and the UN estimated there were now 176 million people living away from the country of their birth.

"All of this creates additional pressure points that were not so prominent in previous recessions," he said. "While understanding people's fears and anxieties, no-one should ever pander to credit-crunch racism.

"The way through this is about having fair immigration rules, strong border controls, and a tolerance towards those whom we welcomed to the UK in better economic times."

Mr Murphy also launched a blistering attack on the SNP, arguing that Scotland would "never forgive" the Nationalists for putting party interests above the needs of the country at this time of crisis.

"The sound of the discordant drumbeat of the constitutional debate from the Scottish Government is out of tune with Scotland's mood," he said.

"They are putting their party's obsession before Scotland's priorities. Scotland will never forgive those politicians who at this time put their narrow party interest before our country's."

And, urging his party to reclaim the Saltire from the SNP, he said: "In the past, we were too reticent about the symbols and emotion of patriotism. Occasionally, we have let the SNP assert that patriotism and separatism were the same thing."

All parties in Scotland had the right to celebrate the Saltire as a symbol of their land, he said, adding: "No political party should seek to claim they alone have a monopoly on patriotism."

The Scottish Secretary also claimed Labour was again on a winning track. It had put the 2007 Holyrood election defeat behind it, and he told activists: "After Glenrothes, we have got that winning feeling again."

Mr Murphy also revealed that he had had a shoe thrown at him by a Nationalist protester.

Demonstrators shouting "Scottish not British" threw a shoe at him as he returned to his hotel on Saturday from the conference. When he examined the shoe, he found it was made in England. "They were shouting, 'Scottish not British' and it was made in England – the irony of it was fantastic," he said.

Mr Murphy said he did not know who the protesters were, but they also had "Scottish not British" stickers.

"As I walked past, I saw this thing glance off my shoulder," he said. "It was lady's size seven-and-a-half, brown slip-on."

He continued: "It doesn't fit me, I'm size 12. I wouldn't have minded, but you have got to start throwing pairs of size 12s at me for it to be any good."

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LABOUR DIARY

Why McGovern won't keep Obama awake

LOWERING expectations has been used as a political strategy before, but surely no-one has taken it as far as Jim McGovern, Labour MP for Dundee West.

"I nearly fell asleep writing this speech," he told somnolent activists, "so I wouldn't worry if you do the same."

As one delegate put it after, "Barack Obama he ain't."


Food and drink first – principles second

IT IS touching how short the memories of some delegates can be, particularly if hospitality is on offer.

Some activists joined in the attacks on the plans to part-privatise the Royal Mail in the morning and then enjoyed the generous hospitality of that same organisation at a reception that very evening.


Bodyguards protect public, not Dr Reid

JIM Murphy reminded delegates that his wind-up speech to conference had traditionally been delivered by John Reid.

But then, showing that he really isn't afraid of anyone in the Scottish party – including Dr Reid – he added: "Some people don't understand why he has all those bodyguards. It's for the public's protection."


Harriet's answers lost in translation

HARRIET Harman is going to have to do better if she wants to win over her Scottish colleagues. During a question-and-answer session with delegates, it soon became clear that "Hattie" was having difficulty with the questions.

Eventually, it was cleared up when a senior official was brought in to "translate" for her. Ouch.