Glasgee East by-election

[peterms]

It's miles away.

About 50 miles geographically.

About a thousand miles in the perception of people living in the respective constituencies.

It may as well be another continent.

Silly aircraft carriers - no, that's Clyde, 15 miles away (a million miles mentally) and Rosyth (oop north - at least 10 miles further north, but in another hemisphere).

Life expectancy - yes, lower than the Gaza Strip, as we are always being told. It really is another world.

[snowychap]

Fair enough - cheers for the heads up on the geog.

[snowychap]

Election candidates in TV debate

Glasgow East by-election candidates from the four main parties have taken part in a televised debate.

Labour's Margaret Curran, the SNP's John Mason, Lib Dem Ian Robertson and Tory hopeful Davena Rankin debated issues on BBC Scotland's Politics Show.

The four discussed subjects including the state of the economy, proposals for a local income tax to replace council tax and planned increases in road tax.

The parties have just under two weeks before polling day on 24 July.

In the 40-minute debate, the candidates discussed proposals for a local income tax to replace the council tax.

The SNP and Liberal Democrats support the move, which is opposed by Labour and the Conservatives.

The candidates were asked to respond to claims by the Institute of Chartered Accountants that the current proposals were unworkable and would cause cross-border tensions.

Rising costs

Mr Robertson said: "There are always cross-border tensions but we would make those things work by discussing it with Westminster."

Mr Mason said he was a member of that body, as a chartered accountant.

"There are clearly other accountants, including myself, who believe that local income tax is workable - but the main thing is to scrap the council tax," he said.

Ms Curran said the council tax should be reformed but not replaced by the tax suggested by the SNP and Lib Dems.

"The local income tax has been criticised by a number of financial authorities who say it will not work, it will hit working families hard and will not raise the revenue needed," she said.

Ms Rankin said people in the east end of Glasgow were more concerned about increases in the cost of living rather than the debate over a local income tax.

"They're saying the council tax does need to be reformed but what we need to tackle here and now is the rising cost of food and fuel," she said.

'Two voices'

The candidates also touched on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, which was supposed to be debated in the Commons on Monday, but which has been delayed.

Ms Curran, Ms Rankin and Mr Robertson said if selected as an MP, they would vote to back the bill, while Mr Mason said he would vote against the proposals.

All of the candidates said they opposed retrospective increases in vehicle excise duty.

Ms Curran's bid to become an MP as well as an MSP was also discussed, an issue which has also been raised in relation to Alex Salmond.

The SNP candidate said: "The issue should be what the electorate wants - given the challenges facing the east end, I think it would be better having two voices for the area."

Mr Robertson said: "Why would we send down a Labour MP who's going to be part-time or a single issue SNP politician who's focused on independence."

Ms Rankin said: "I'll leave that to Margaret Curran and Alex Salmond to defend - but I would be a full-time MP."

"I would be honest and say I don't think it's sustainable in the long-term but I intend to be active in both parliaments in the short-term," Ms Curran said.

[Awol]

Sorry Jon but it's not round and round, your post clearly states anyone but Labour, which sort of defeats any argument you had against that accusation.

Two for one in Specsavers mate.

Interesting that the Tory vote in Scotland remains so low, why is that? Is it because they are a South East centric party only catering for that part of the country?

I'd imagine it's because the Tories treated Scotland like shite in the 80's-90's, poll tax et all. Wouldn't you?

The SNP are an interesting bunch. Play the right-wing nationalistic card at all times but are never seen as racist in the same way as others.

I don't think Plaid Cymru are racist, or the SNP etc. I don't agree with their agenda for independence but then I don't think the majority of Welsh/Scots do either. I'd like them to win this seat in the hope it would finally see off Courage Brown and give the country a chance to recover from Labour.

Does this mean that nationalism for one part of the UK is deemed to be OK/ Support for the SNP is surely support for the breakup of the UK.

I don't support them but in the interests of the the whole UK it would be better if they won this by-election.

I read at the weekend that Brown will force every Labour MP North and South to campaign in Glasgow for this one so he obviously realises it's shit or bust now. Still, it can't be very good for the old parliamentary carbon footprint eh? :winkold:

If Labour can't hold onto a seat where the electorate are dependent on the benefits they have hooked half of the population on then they really have no hope. Hence me rooting for the SNP, although I think Labour will win.

[Reality]

I think the real question is how long will Labour accept the dismal performances of Mr. Brown. He really has been shockingly bad.

The other question would be who will replace him. I can't stand bloody Hariet Harman, or Smith. If I seen her at a Villa match I'd egg her. I think Miliband would get it, and I think he'd do well.

[Gringo]

The thing most likely to keep gordo in power is the lack of any credible alternative within the labour party.

[Reality]

Jack Straw?

He couldn't be any worse than Brown, and has bags of experience. The only thing hanging over his head is Iraq. I think they've been shaping Miliband as a potential leader for quite sometime now.

[drat01]

I'd like them to win this seat in the hope it would finally see off Courage Brown and give the country a chance to recover from Labour.

I don't support them but in the interests of the the whole UK it would be better if they won this by-election.

So the anyone but Labour thing is right!!!

[Awol]

I'd like them to win this seat in the hope it would finally see off Courage Brown and give the country a chance to recover from Labour.

I don't support them but in the interests of the the whole UK it would be better if they won this by-election.

So the anyone but Labour thing is right!!!

Again, no. I'd see an SNP victory in this seat as a means to an end, I certainly don't think the country would be run better by 'anyone but Labour'. The Tories or Lib Dem's then probably yes but not literally anyone but Labour.

[drat01]

:-) - Gotcha - but you know I will accuse you of it again :wink:

The break up of the UK as the Nationalists want, now how does that fit in with the major political parties of Westminster?

[ianrobo1]

funniest thing yesterday

at PMQ's cameron claimed the cancellation of fuel duty rise was to win this said election

when infact this constineucy has one of the lowest rates of car ownership at around 11%, even salmond claimed it

jokers

[snowychap]

jokers

I thoroughly agree...

This lot aren't even any good at bribing the electorate...

[Awol]

Quite good at bribing MP's though eh? *cough* 42 days

[ianrobo1]

and WTF has that got to do with this ?

[Awol]

So sorry Ian, snowy mentioned Labour bribing people so thought I'd throw it in. Glad you're not denying it though

[blandy]

Cutting the duty on fuel - would "fuel" include "Buckfast" (and if not why not?).

I suspect it must do, and thus the "bribe" will save the neds of Wegie East 2p a litre on their fuel de choix.

Top work. Mind you they'll all be too blootered tay vote, big man.

[Awol]

Top work. Mind you they'll all be too blootered tay vote, big man.

Exactly. They were going to vote SNP :winkold:

[ianrobo1]

well the latest poll has a labour lead of 15% nothing really to see, labour will lose a few votes but nothing serious as a defeat

[snowychap]

well the latest poll has a labour lead of 15% nothing really to see, labour will lose a few votes but nothing serious as a defeat

That's hilarious, Ian.

Holding on to one of their safest seats (is it the 4th safest?) is now deemed a success?

'Nothing to see here'.

It is sounding and looking ever more like an epispode from Police Squad.

[ianrobo1]

FFS, you claim to not be aligned to any one party yet yu make a party point, weird eh ?

at what point did I say it was a success just what would be expected considirng some thought Labour could lose it.