Tag: democracy

Brexit highlights cracks in broken Britain

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today outlined the steps the Scottish Government will take to progress the debate on Scotland’s future in light of Brexit, and the action to be taken to protect the option for an independence referendum to be held within the current term of the Scottish Parliament. Continue reading Brexit highlights cracks in broken Britain

Letters: Brainwashed Britain?

Dear Editor

The banking organisations, through incompetence, nearly made the country bankrupt but the debt was passed on to the people to shoulder. They had to accept a lot of unemployment, higher prices in the shops, frozen wages and severe cuts to public and social services.

To avoid any resistance, the authorities launched a campaign of diversion and blame. Everyone can remember how different sections of society were blamed in turn: the unemployed for not working, the disabled for being on benefits – all were targets to be blamed.

This went on for many years and people had taken enough of austerity; there was a growing mood for change, calling for the authorities to take the banking industry into public ownership and impose tighter controls over financial institutions.

This fast-growing popular demand was greatly feared by the political elite. It took them quite a while to develop an idea to divert these demands, but after eight years they were successful. It was a continuation of the blame game, but this time not blaming our own people but any and all those coming from Europe – and the idea of a Referendum was born. They concentrated on three main issues: Control, Laws and Migration.

  1. Since the referendum we have lost thousands of people wh o formerly worked in our social services and the NHS: these services are now struggling to keep going.
  2. Most laws from the EU have been beneficial, adding to workers’ rights and conditions of employment. EU laws also protect the environment. The UK Parliament as a law-making body remains in control.
  3. This is the most mentioned issue. For whom are the demanding control? The British people have already said they wanted the banks to be publicly owned and demanded tighter controls on financial institutions. Control is such a loose word that can be manipulated by individuals for the benefit of the few.

The promoters of the referendum conducted a continuous campaign of national ‘brainwashing’. Putting relentless pressure on people is not a new idea, as a look back at recent history will confirm.

But unfortunately nearly 50% of the population were aware of the implications of a break with Europe that is our biggest trader of imports and exports, and closest.

A. Delahoy,

Silverknowes Gardens

Polls open for Leith Walk by-election

The people of Leith go to the polls today to vote in the Leith Walk by-election. Polling stations opened at 7am and voters have until 10pm to cast their vote to elect a new councillor for Leith Walk.

Leith Walk

The sun shone on Leith Walk yesterday as elections officers delivered ballot boxes, ballot papers and polling stations to Pilrig St Paul’s Church Hall, one of nine polling places being used for the vote.

Today (11 April), constituents will select a new councillor for the ward, which is the most densely populated area in Scotland, with an electorate of 24,197.

Residents in Leith Walk, Broughton, Bonnington and Hillside who are aged 16 or over, are an EU citizen and have registered to vote can participate in the by-election.

Returning Officer for Edinburgh, Andrew Kerr, said on the eve of poll: “As with any electoral event in Edinburgh, our Elections team work hard to ensure it runs smoothly, which we see in action today.

“As we approach the Leith Walk By-election I would encourage residents to make a trip to their local polling place to have their say and help elect a councillor to represent the community on matters affecting the ward and the entire city.”

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on 11 April and will be at:

Lorne Primary School
Norton Park Conference Centre
Holy Cross RC Primary School
Ebenezer United Free Church Hall
Royal Navy and Royal Marine Association Club
Broughton Nursery
Pilrig St Paul’s Church Hall
McDonald Road Library
Leith Walk Primary School

The candidates are:

Steven Alexander, UK Independence Party (UKIP)
Jack Caldwell, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Nick Gardner, Scottish Labour Party
Kevin Illingworth, Independent
David Don Jacobsen, Socialist Labour Party
Tom Laird, Scottish Libertarian Party
Dan McCroskrie, Scottish Conservative and Unionist
Rob Munn, Scottish National Party (SNP)
John Ferguson Scott, Independent
Lorna Slater, Scottish Green Party
Paul Mitchell Stirling, The For Britain Movement

The result of the by-election will be announced once the votes are counted after polls close at 10pm on Thursday, 11 April.

Find out more about the Leith Walk by-election.

For Britain campaign in Leith Walk by-election

The Leith Ward by-election features the first appearance in Scottish electoral politics of new political party, The For Britain Movement. For Britain was founded by former UKIP leadership candidate Anne Marie Waters in March 2018 and became active in Scotland after Waters’ speech in Glasgow in August 2018. Continue reading For Britain campaign in Leith Walk by-election