The Budget - a more personal reflection

I have found some of the coverage of the Budget process in the Scottish Parliament vaguely interesting, but most of it rather dull and predictable. It’s really easy to come to some of the conclusions that many of the journalists have come to, and to an extent they perpetuate many of the stereotypes of politicians. Winners and losers. Players and wannabes.

I don’t want to engage with the ins and outs of all the analysis, but rather put my tuppence worth in from a more personal point of view.

For me, the most interesting element to this whole Budget situation has been John Swinney (I hope he doesn’t mind being described as an element!). Having worked for John a few years ago, I was privileged to see at close quarters both how he worked and what he was really like.

And I have to say, as I’m sure I have done before on this blog, that John is a thoroughly decent, hard-working, principled, genuine bloke. He also has a very good sense of humour – something that comes in very handy in the rough and tumble world that politics can be!

His skill in navigating the Government’s Budget through parliament is not due, in my opinion, to him being an ‘operator’ or ‘master manipulator’ – skills that many people in politics have to utilise because they are lacking in others… Rather, his strengths have been his intellect and honesty. He is good at what he does because he knows his brief. He was able to pull together broad agreement because he is a straightforward negotiator, with the best of intentions. You can’t catch somebody like that out, because they aren’t hiding anything or playing tricks.

As for the suggestion that Patrick Harvie (or more accurately the Scottish Green Party group – don’t forget Robin Harper!) has been punished for his/their actions last week, I think that is unfair. I’m sure it was the instinctive reaction of many who wanted the Budget to pass last week, but that’s not how John works. I’m sure he will be disappointed that the Greens did not get on board, but I sincerely doubt he will freeze them out as an act of revenge. After all, he just worked with both the Lib Dems and Labour Party to secure a deal, despite their no votes last week (and the motivations of those parties were arguably less defensible than the Green position).

John Swinney – well done that man!

Busy Day!

Yesterday was a busy day, as we had a campaign workday in Cumbernauld and then both Jamie and I were speaking at a Burns Supper in Falkirk last night.

The Young Scots for Independence (YSI) were meeting in Cumbernauld yesterday, so they hooked up with our Westminster campaign, to help with canvassing. Thanks folks!

Then off to Falkirk, where Jamie gave the Toast to the Lassies and I did the Reply from the Lassies. These kind of speeches are always quite nerve-wracking, much more so than a political speech. But thankfully people laughed, and it was a good day all round.

BBC & DEC Appeal

The decision by the BBC not to air the DEC appeal to raise funds for the people of Gaza is beyond comprehension.

The 'explanation' from the BBC is absurd in my opinion.

Here's an extract:

"This is because Gaza remains a major ongoing news story, in which humanitarian issues - the suffering and distress of civilians and combatants on both sides of the conflict, the debate about who is responsible for causing it and what should be done about it - are both at the heart of the story and contentious." Mark Thompson, BBC

I have highlighted one phrase, because I think we all know one thing for sure. The thousands of innocent children who are hungry, injured and traumatised because of this attack on Gaza are certainly not responsible for it. They are waiting for the humanitarian aid that will ease some of their suffering.

When it comes to delivering humanitarian aid, the charities involved to do not judge the rights and wrongs of the situation they are presented with. They alleviate suffering wherever they find it, whoever has caused it. They respond humanely to people in the most tragic of circumstances. By refusing to show the DEC appeal, it is the BBC that shows bias - by politicising an appeal which is purely and simply about helping people in desperate need.

On the campaign trail

After a day out campaigning in Cumbernauld today, I am posting a photograph of me campaigning in....Kilsyth!

Last Saturday, we took to the streets of Kilsyth to hand out 'warm winter' leaflets I put together with information on how to get help to pay those ever-increasing fuel bills. It was so COLD. As I stood shivering while talking to a 90 year old lady about what she may be entitled to, the irony was not lost on her. She said I should take my own advice on staying warm!

Also in the picture is my other half, Jamie, and local SNP activist Claire Fyvie (who was also our by-election candidate in the Kilsyth ward last year). It's hard to believe that a whole year has passed since that by-election!

Slumdog Millionaire

We went to see Slumdog Millionaire earlier in the week. Don't click here if you are planning to see it.

I personally think the marketing of this film is slightly bizarre, because all the adverts I have seen describe it as a 'feel good' film. Well, it certainly didn't make me feel good. While watching it, I felt ashamed to be part of the human race because of the unspeakable things we do to each other.

It's not like I'm not aware of how bad the world can be - I work for a human rights organisation and spend a part of each day reading about the terrible things that people do to other human beings. But when they are brought to life in such a stark way, it still shocks.

I suspected that the plot of Slumdog Millionaire may be darker than advertised, but I was taken aback at how shocking some scenes were. I don't want to give away anything here, just in case anyone reading plans to go see it.

And despite my description, I think people should absolutely see this film. It was an amazing film. The acting - especially from the young boys - is fantastic. The story is quite clever, with various twists and turns. Plus, it really hits you hard and makes you reflect on your own life, and on the state of the world around you.

Take some tissues for the tears, but go see this film.

destiNation - Europe!

The latest issue of destiNation has now been published, and this month has a European flavour - with three of the SNP's candidates for the European Parliament elections in June writing articles for the pro-independence website.

Ian Hudghton MEP (SNP President), Anne McLaughlin (AKA Indygal) and Dr Duncan Ross (SNP National Secretary) have all written for this month's destiNation on EU-related topics.

There are also articles from destiNation regulars - Stephen Bowman, Patrick Grady and Jamie Hepburn.

Happy New Year?

It's about time I posted my first message of 2009, and said 'Happy New Year!' to you all.

Although, I have actually been quite hesitant about saying HAPPY New Year to people, mainly because of the economic gloom that is taking hold. The year ahead will no doubt be tough for a lot of people, and there is a lot of unease and uncertainty in the air.

It's all people are talking about - on the news, sitting on the train, in queues in the supermarket...

Anyway, I didn't swing by to be miserable - just to check in and to wish everyone all the best for 2009.

I'll be back soon, hopefully with something more coherent and interesting to say. You never know, it could happen one of these days ;o)