The SNP have had a bad week. This was the week when the choice before the people of Scotland next May came into focus. It was the week when Labour shone a light on the so-called oil fund and found that the cupboard was bare. The SNP set the tone last Saturday when they accused the nation’s statisticians of being involved in “a discredited, inaccurate and political exercise”. Such a cheap shot was simply a foretaste.
Remember the 1970s? The SNP do. The back of a Bay City Rollers album seems to be where the nationalists have rediscovered and dusted off their policy of “It’s Scotland’s Oil” and independence.
Alex Salmond was once in the oil business. Last week he was in Norway talking oil. This week he was issuing dossiers demanding we don’t “lose it to London”.
Buddies are on track for a massive jobs boost after MSPs gave plans for a direct rail service between Glasgow Airport and the City Centre the green light.
Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): I thank the convener for her stewardship of the bill through the parliamentary process. As the minister said, Parliament has already debated the economic contribution that GARL can make to the economic competitiveness of the whole of the west of Scotland—that is the essential case for the bill.
Crime is an issue that concerns many people of all ages in Renfrewshire. As such, I’m sure that many of you were delighted to hear that knife attacks are falling.
In 2004/05 blades were responsible for half of all homicides. In 2005/06 this figure dropped to a third. Falling knife crime has led to fewer murders. 134 people were murdered in 2004/05 compared to 93 last year.
Five years ago Jack McConnell was elected First Minister. Some three weeks earlier, following the resignation of Henry McLeish, I had contemplated running for the job myself. For largely personal reasons, I declined to stand.
In recent interviews Jack has pointed to the relentless pressures on senior politicians. His honesty attracted comment. But those politicians who never agonise about the price of public life are the ones you never want to elect.
Anti-social behaviour is an issue that concerns many people in Renfrewshire. I’ve recently attended a number of public meetings the police have held on the issue across the region.
The Labour-led Scottish Executive is taking serious steps to reduce anti-social behaviour in our communities.
Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): As this is an SNP debate six months before an election, the SNP should, as a minimum, have clarified what Scotland’s principal Opposition party believes about the future financing of Scotland.
Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Health and Community Care will consider a visit to Renfrew, given the Executive’s recent announcement of further resources for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to support the building of new health centres in Renfrew and Barrhead. (S2O-10894)
