Election 3rd May 2007

[John S]

Just thought I'd start this thread for the elections to The Scottish Parliament and Argyll & Bute Council. Here's an SNP press release on our community decision making policy which I think is pretty relevant to Kintyre.


SNP ANNOUNCE PLANS FOR GREATER COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN DECISION MAKING
The SNP's Shadow Finance Minister John Swinney MSP today (Tuesday) announced the SNP's plans to give Scotland's communities a greater say in decision making which affects them.

The SNP in government will consult on devolving new powers to communities so they can direct a portion of local spending, and will introduce elections for local Health Boards.

Mr Swinney said:

"The SNP's central philosophy is that of independence. We believe in independence for individuals and communities as well as our country.

"We want to see more decisions taken closer to the communities affected by them.

"As a first step, the SNP in government will bring forward a Local Healthcare Bill which will set out our plans for involving patients and communities more directly in the delivery of local health services.

"Our proposals will include direct elections for places on Health Boards. Our aim is to give those who use our health service a greater say in the important decisions that have to be made about future health provision in their area, and also give a voice and real influence to communities facing the threat of downgraded local health facilities.

"We want to extend this principle of local engagement and involvement, and so we will begin consultations on new powers for Scotland's community councils. Instead of central government taking so many decisions, the SNP wants to give communities the opportunity to sort out their own problems and change their own particular situation for the better.

"These powers could include the ability to direct a proportion of current spending in their local area.

"Successful communities are crucial if we are to build a successful Scotland, that's why the SNP in government will give power back to Scotland's communities.

"It's time for a fresh approach by giving local people the opportunity to decide how best to improve their own local circumstances."

[Ship called Dignity]

Good poll John - have been thinking about holding a few of these in connection with elections

For those of you who don't know the forthcoming elections will see the introduction of the Single Transferable Vote (STV) which will allow you to vote 1, 2, 3, 4 etc for candidates.

There is a rather useful Flash website on this at the following;

http://www.youthstart.org/stv/

Now try and understand it!

[Jock Strap]

Good poll John - have been thinking about holding a few of these in connection with elections

For those of you who don't know the forthcoming elections will see the introduction of the Single Transferable Vote (STV) which will allow you to vote 1, 2, 3, 4 etc for candidates.

There is a rather useful Flash website on this at the following;

http://www.youthstart.org/stv/

Now try and understand it!

Erm, think I have it

Strange to see two tories sitting in the same seat in South Kintyre with the new system then? Could be slitting each others throat if they both get vote 1 going by this system?????? I'm sure Cllr Kelly will get back in mind you - he certainly has done alot of good for the area.

Now there is a thought for discussion - I was speaking to a friend the other day and he said he would never vote Tory. I argued that I am not interested in the parties politics when it comes to local people representing Kintyre. I'm more interested in the right people doing the job so, although not a Tory fan, I would vote for the likes of Cllr Kelly knowing he does alot of good. Strange isn't it how people are blinkered.

In saying that, don't know why I am bothered, just found out Carradale is now in North Kintyre!!

[Mo*]

Where did it say in the Courier that they were standing as Tories?

Donnie Kelly may be a Tory Councillor now, but it didn't say he and Jim were standing as Tories at the election.

[Ship called Dignity]

Where did it say in the Courier that they were standing as Tories?

Donnie Kelly may be a Tory Councillor now, but it didn't say he and Jim were standing as Tories at the election.

Are you saying Donald is jumping ship then?

Must be with the same party either way if there is a joint statement in the Courier?

But, Jock, sorry don't think they will affect each other if they are saying Donald is vote 1 and Jim is Vote 2.

Like your point about the parties Jock - I'll vote whoever I think is best for the area - don't give a shit about their political background. I want someone who will stand up in Kilmory and speak for the people. So I'll probably vote a mixture of parties

[Mo*]

I don't know if they are jumping ship. I just found it surprising that they didn't mention *any* party.

[Buzz Lightyear]

In knowing these two guys, their alliance may well be tory, but to me they were two local business men standing for the right of the community.

They only want the right to fight for things that are right for the area.

[Jock Strap]

In knowing these two guys, their alliance may well be tory, but to me they were two local business men standing for the right of the community.

They only want the right to fight for things that are right for the area.

Buzz, so does Rory, John and Deirdre I am sure

They'll all tell you that anyway

Certainly would agree that Donald fights for things. Suppose oor Rory does to an extent too.

Quite interesting for a change

[John S]

Perhaps they are both standing as independents, I know the Independent Group who currently lead the council have been approaching local worthies to stand as independents, as have the Conservative and Unionist Party, who have approached at least 2 other people.

I think candidates should nail their colours firmly to the mast; after all, most of the candidates are local well-educated and determined people who will fight for this community.

I don't think it would be very honourable to kid-on your not political and then stand for a party, which I'm sure is not the case here.

John Semple

[Ship called Dignity]

Perhaps they are both standing as independents, I know the Independent Group who currently lead the council have been approaching local worthies to stand as independents, as have the Conservative and Unionist Party, who have approached at least 2 other people.

I think candidates should nail their colours firmly to the mast; after all, most of the candidates are local well-educated and determined people who will fight for this community.

I don't think it would be very honourable to kid-on your not political and then stand for a party, which I'm sure is not the case here.

John Semple

Do you not think people pre-judge candidates purely on their political beliefs however? People will simply not vote for labour or tory as that is the last thing the would ever vote. Personally, don't care. Or does the new system, to a degree, get rid of this? Whereby people rank the candidates?

With regards SNP, John - do you believe in abolishing the Council Tax for an income tax?

[John S]

No I don't believe that Davie, In the past Argyll and Bute's people have shown their ability to understand this; The constituency has been represented by SNP, Conservative and lib dem respectively - not by an independent
As I suggested on a post elsewhere Davie, the political parties will run the Scottish Executive / council irrespective of who is local and who is not. While this, to some people, is undesirable; that’s the way it is.
I firmly believe that politics is both the problem and the solution. If we don’t master politics, it will master us. I'm afraid that ignoring political power and hoping it will go away is not the solution. Nether is kidding-on that your purely a local fighter then standing under a political ticket – that might get you elected but ultimately is a deception, when you join a party you only have the freedom of self expression in opposition; which is second best - not a particularly useful place to be for your community.

Local income tax – yes, based on the ability to pay, vast majority of households will be better off, more efficient to collect. Details in the national manifesto to follow.

[Ship called Dignity]

Local income tax – yes, based on the ability to pay, vast majority of households will be better off, more efficient to collect. Details in the national manifesto to follow.

Afraid, something I don't agree with at all.

[John S]

Let me know why and I'll try to get you a more detailed response pm me if you like.

[Ship called Dignity]

Let me know why and I'll try to get you a more detailed response pm me if you like.

Er, mmm, well apart from being out of a job - I don't think taxing on peoples income is a fair systen either.

Unfortunately, any local tax is unfair - it doesn't suit us all but I don't think just because Joe and Mary down the road from me earns £10,000 more a year than me they should pay more for local services. At the end of the day that is what it comes down to - it pays for our local services and I don't see why someone should pay more than me when they clearly get no more out of local services than I do - in fact they probably get less!

[John S]

I appreciate your apprehension Davie, however you don't get local people worrying themselves ill or doing without food or heat over whether or not they can pay their income tax bill, for council tax the reverse is true, particularly for the elderly.

The local income tax proposals are part of our agenda to make Scotland a more competitive and fairer society with greater local accountability. The emphasis for government here will be on reducing big government and bolstering local government. The emphasis for local economy here is to put almost £1.3billion back into the accounts of Scottish families and into the tills of Scottish businesses.

Government agencies and councils will change; we will be putting employment and enterprise on the agenda of all government bodies and challenging them to prove how there activity contributes towards economic growth, for many this will be not be easy.