Hope and Despair by Neil Findlay sampler
Is Scottish politics mired in a constitutional dogfight with no end in sight? Why has Scottish Labour failed to develop a radical and credible alternative to independence? Is it possible for a campaigning politician to make a difference? Can people power lead to positive change? Over the last few years, political campaigner and former Labour msp Neil Findlay kept a log of his time in the Scottish Parliament, a time which he describes as one of perpetual crisis and scandal. This book is my account of being an elected politician. My comments convey my feelings and emotions as events unfolded. If they cause upset to some, then so be it. I can only report the truth. There is little doubt the tectonic plates of Scottish politics are shifting. Is this a time of hope or of despair? Time will tell. As a socialist, I am an optimist and live in hope and have a belief that tomorrow will always be better than today.
Is Scottish politics mired in a constitutional dogfight with no end in sight?
Why has Scottish Labour failed to develop a radical and credible alternative to independence?
Is it possible for a campaigning politician to make a difference?
Can people power lead to positive change?
Over the last few years, political campaigner and former Labour msp Neil Findlay kept a log of his time in the Scottish Parliament, a time which he describes as one of perpetual crisis and scandal.
This book is my account of being an elected politician. My comments convey my feelings and emotions as events unfolded. If they cause upset to some, then so be it. I can only report the truth.
There is little doubt the tectonic plates of Scottish politics are shifting. Is this a time of hope or of despair? Time will tell. As a socialist, I am an optimist and live in hope and have a belief that tomorrow will always be better than today.
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neil findlay<br />
‘Virgin Health Care’ or ‘BUPA’ how it would be perceived.<br />
The sexual harassment allegations go on today with MPs Damian Green, Charlie<br />
Elphick, Michael Fallon, Kelvin Hopkins <strong>and</strong> Ivan Lewis all named in one story<br />
or another. Hopkins has been suspended <strong>by</strong> the Labour Party.<br />
5 November Monica Lennon is on the front page of the Sunday Mail saying<br />
she was assaulted <strong>by</strong> a senior Labour Party figure prior to becoming an MSP.<br />
SNP MSP Mark McDonald resigned as the Minister for Children <strong>and</strong> Young<br />
People for inappropriate behaviour. Willie Coffey MSP has been named as having<br />
been reported <strong>by</strong> a civil servant for his behaviour. Questions are being raised<br />
about what McDonald has done; all he has said publicly is his behaviour fell<br />
below the st<strong>and</strong>ard expected.<br />
6 November Met with FBU officials today to discuss the Fire Service. Stations<br />
have already closed <strong>and</strong> jobs gone, with more losses to come. I gave a<br />
commitment to work with them.<br />
Went to the Royal Society of Edinburgh dinner. I was the only Labour MSP there<br />
<strong>and</strong> what an interesting night it was. Lord this, Earl that, Lady the next thing<br />
were all there, the Scottish establishment in all its glory; professors, business<br />
people, charity leaders, etc, discussing how we build <strong>and</strong> grow the Scottish<br />
economy. When it came to questions it was all club<strong>by</strong> business speak. I asked<br />
how can we talk about ‘inclusive growth’ when we have such gross inequality<br />
<strong>and</strong> see the appalling revelations contained in ‘The Panama Papers?’ I don’t<br />
quite think it was what they wanted to hear but I was very pleased to have<br />
attended to see how their network interacts.<br />
This is Living Wage Week, so I wrote to all the shops at Livingston shopping centre<br />
asking if they pay the living wage. Marks <strong>and</strong> Spencer <strong>and</strong> ASDA were the first to<br />
write back saying they pay it but didn’t want to be registered Living Wage employers.<br />
Kezia Dugdale has called for the resignation of the all-male Scottish Parliament<br />
Corporate Body. She seems to have forgotten that she appointed a male to it<br />
when she was leader.<br />
7 November The Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is in serious trouble. He made<br />
a statement saying a British woman being held in Iran was a ‘trainee journalist’<br />
when she wasn’t. The Iranians are saying that this is proof she was working<br />
against the government. He has put the woman in real danger.<br />
Today, Nicola Sturgeon gave an apology to gay men who had been convicted<br />
when homosexuality was an offence. A number of the men were in the gallery<br />
to celebrate the announcement. It was very moving.<br />
There was a security alert today as three packages of ‘white powder’ were<br />
delivered to Tory MSPs.<br />
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