The Labour leadership’s narrow definition of ‘working people’ leads to distorted and unjust Budget calculations, where the unearned income of the super-wealthy doesn’t factor in at all, argues JON TRICKETT MP
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Scotland’s expectations as Labour takes the reins
As Labour takes control across Britain, the SNP’s progressive policies have set a benchmark for Starmer in many areas, while nuclear disarmament remains a key issue Labour neglects, writes BILL KIDD MSP
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer meeting First Minister of Scotland John Swinney at Bute House, Edinburgh, during the PM's tour of the UK following Labour's victory in the 2024 General Election, July 7, 2024
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WELL there we go then, another Westminster general election and now another Westminster government. It would be wrong-headed and churlish to say that no difference will be expected from what has been visited upon us these last 14 years, and I sincerely hope that Sir Keir Starmer will indeed deliver a fairer crack of the whip than his recent predecessors.
Here in Scotland much will be expected following what was a significant delivery of Labour MPs — beyond what was expected by the great majority of pundits.
I think that the Scottish government under the SNP has shown that with a mindset to follow a correct approach to left-wing politics, even under limited funding and consequentials from Westminster, a great deal can be delivered for working people, pensioners and everyone suffering a benefits existence.
The abolition of NHS prescription charges; the introduction of the Scottish Child Payment, giving families an extra £26.70 per week per child; free university tuition; and after decades of injustice the SNP paid Glasgow female council workers the money they were owed by the previous Labour authority. These are examples of what we should all be looking for from the new Starmer Labour government.
In my own case, I want to see a commitment from the Labour government in Westminster to nuclear weapons disarmament, as has been a manifesto commitment from the SNP government and is supported by so many in the Labour Party and by the great majority of the Scottish people.
To this point; I will be head of delegation for Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament at the UN in Geneva at the end of this month and I will be pressing for a world without nuclear weapons, with Scotland leading to the fore in achieving this. I want to see the Labour MPs pushing their government at Westminster to take up a leadership role in this matter of such great importance to us all.
I know that we are all looking for, and wishing for, so much better from this Labour government at Westminster than we have had to suffer under the Tories.
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BILL KIDD MSP says increasing Britain’s nuclear arsenal at this time is dangerous and expensive folly
There is little benefit coming to Scotland or the wider UK from projects like Rosebank or Jackdaw – or indeed renewables – as profits are siphoned out of the country by foreign companies, writes PAULINE BRYAN
