22 August 2006

Jack be nimble, Jack be quick!

Yesterday's Scotsman had an interesting (insofar as these issues can be regarded as interesting) article about Scottish Labour's strategy for next May's elections. The newspaper reported the dismissal of allegations that Mr McConnell was set to play a 'small nationalist' card; it stated:
"A Labour spokesman said: "Jack McConnell's record as First Minister speaks for itself. The Scottish economy is growing, we are investing in our schools and hospitals, and we have taken the tough action necessary to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in our communities.
"The First Minister has led from the front on banning smoking in enclosed public spaces and tackling sectarianism. We approach the elections next year with a proud record of achievement, a strong First Minister and a clear vision for the future of Scotland."
A spokesman for Mr McConnell also rejected reports that Lesley Quinn, Labour's senior official in Scotland, had warned him he could not "out Nat the Nats", that he feared that Ms Deacon would speak out against him, and that he wanted to win more powers from Westminster. All three claims were "not true", the spokesman said.
He added that Labour's campaign would be based on the benefits of "stability and prosperity" delivered through working in partnership with the UK government."

Not really inspiring, is it?

Is the Scottish economy stable? Or is it drifting, without a guiding hand on the rudder? Economic growth is broadly in line with the long-term trend and employment is at record levels, even if unemployment seems to drifting upwards. But there is little real sign that the Executive is actually making an impact, despite the priority it claims to give to the subject. Or is it unfair to criticise the Executive, given that the Chancellor has much more influence on the UK and, by implication, the Scottish economy than Mr McConnell and his cohorts? And, certainly no-one believes that the First Minister has any influence over Gordon Brown.

On health, waiting times are said to be down; although there may be some doubt as to whether the population believes the story. Furthermore, yesterday's row about Monklands A & E will once again put closures in the front of the public mind.

Are our schools significantly better? Maybe, maybe not. Who knows? Teachers are paid a lot more but are they delivering the goods?

On transport, nothing seems to have happened. Sure, the Transport Agency is in the process of being set up; and the M74 extension is under way (despite the planning report to the contrary) or about to get under way; but, like the proposals for the Forth Bridge, nothing has actually been delivered. Meanwhile, efforts to deal with traffic congestion seem to have taken a step back (which is not directly attributable to the Executive which kept its collective head well below the parapet).

Crime and anti-social behaviour are something of a disaster. It sometimes seems as if a stream of reports appear, indicating the lack of progress against the war on neds. Furthermore, Scotland's drugs problem seems to be getting worse.

It is perhaps significant that the one touted success is the smoking ban. There have been other successes: some tentative moves to deal with sectarianism (OK not far enough nor fast enough but more than any other party would have done); and, perhaps the most significant of all in the long term, the reform of the local government voting system which may just once and for all bring about the end of the Labour rotten boroughs system in much of Central Scotland. But none of these apparent successes is likely to appeal to the Labour heartland.

Accordingly, if Mr McConnell is proposing to run on the basis of his record in office, he better start thinking about how to polish up his trophies. What is surprising is that nothing appears to be happening - no-one in party circles is even talking about the manifesto, still less canvassing ideas for inclusion. There is no sign of a campaign organisation. Even such issues as who will be on the party lists seem to be on the backburner. All very strange...

In case anyone thinks that I have it in for Labour in particular, I will be preparing parallel posts on the other parties over the next few days.

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