Tag: Holyrood

Holyrood 2016: factfile

The Scottish Parliament elections take place on Thursday 5 May – one week to go! See below for all the information you could ever wish for!

womens manifesto

Your local constituency candidates are:

EDINBURGH CENTRAL

BETTSWORTH, Hannah (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

BOYACK, Sarah (Scottish Labour Party)

DAVIDSON, Ruth (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)

DICKIE, Alison (Scottish National Party (SNP))

JOHNSTONE, Alison (Scottish Green Party)

LAIRD, Tom (Scottish Libertarian Party)

 

EDINBURGH NORTHERN & LEITH

CALDWELL, Jack (Independent)

HINDS, Lesley (Scottish Labour Party)

MACPHERSON, Ben (Scottish National Party (SNP))

MCGILL, Iain (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)

VEART, Martin (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

EDINBURGH WESTERN

BATHO, Sandy (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)

COLE-HAMILTON, Alex (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

GIUGLIANO, Toni (Scottish National Party (SNP))

HEADLEY, Cat (Scottish Labour Party)

 

Other Edinburgh Constituencies:

Edinburgh Eastern

COOK, Nick (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)

DENHAM, Ash (Scottish National Party (SNP))

D’INVERNO, Cospatric (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

DUGDALE, Kezia (Scottish Labour Party)

 

Edinburgh Pentlands

FARTHING-SYKES, Emma (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

HEARY, Blair (Scottish Labour Party)

LINDHURST, Gordon (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)

MACDONALD, Gordon (Scottish National Party (SNP)

 

Edinburgh Southern

BRIGGS, Miles (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)

EADIE, Jim (Scottish National Party (SNP))

JOHNSON, Daniel (Scottish Labour Party)

SUBBARAMAN, Pramod (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

Holyrood Parliament

LIST VOTE

The names of the parties for the Lothian Region are listed below in the order that they appear on the ballot paper.

Seven candidates will be elected to the Lothian Region as Members of the Scottish Parliament, from the following list:

RISE – Respect, Independence, Socialism and Environmentalism

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

Scottish Green Party

Scottish Labour Party

Scottish Liberal Democrats

Scottish National Party (SNP)

Scottish Women’s Equality Party

Solidarity – Scotland’s Socialist Movement

UK Independence Party (UKIP)

Holyrood Parliament

THE VOTING SYSTEM

The Additional Member System (AMS) is used to elect members to the Scottish Parliament.

How it works:

There are 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

There are two ways an MSP can be elected.

Each elector (voter) has two votes.

Scotland is divided into 73 constituencies and each constituency elects one MSP. These are known as constituency MSPs and are elected by ‘first past the post’ in exactly the same way as MPs are elected to Westminster. This is the elector’s constituency vote.

The regional vote is used to elect 56 additional members. Scotland is divided into 8 parliamentary Regions and each region elects seven regional MSPs.

In the second vote the voter votes for a party rather than a candidate. The parties are then allocated a number of additional members to make the overall result more proportional. The regional MSPs are selected from lists compiled by the parties. These MSPs are also sometimes referred to as List MSPs.

holyrood parliament MSPs

HOW DO I VOTE?

Always read the instructions for filling in the ballot papers carefully, even if you have voted before.

You will receive two ballot papers.

On the lilac coloured ballot paper you will vote for your constituency MSP. The ballot paper lists the name of each candidate along with their party name and party logo.

Simply put a cross (X) next to the one candidate that you wish to vote for.

On the peach coloured ballot paper you vote for a party or independent candidate competing for the seven regional seats for your region of Scotland. The ballot paper lists political parties and independent candidates.

Simply put a cross (X) next to the one party or independent candidate that you wish to vote for.

If you make a mistake then you can ask the polling staff to give you another ballot paper.

Scottish Paliament Holyrood

WHERE DO I VOTE?

Your polling place will be noted on your Poll Card, or you can check it online. You should go to your polling place to vote on 5 May, between 7am and 10pm.

Find your polling station

womens manifesto

WHO DO I VOTE FOR? THE MANIFESTOS …

What do they stand for? What are they offering?

RISE

RISE man

RISE-Manifesto-2016

SCOTTISH CONSERVATIVE & UNIONIST PARTY

tory manifesto

Scottish-Conservative-Manifesto_2016

SCOTTISH GREEN PARTY

green manifesto

Scottish Greens Manifesto_Online

 

SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY

LAB manifesto

Scottish Labour Manifesto 2016

 

SCOTTISH LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

LD manifesto

Manifesto_-_Be_The_Best_Again-_Scottish_Liberal_Democrats_2016

 

SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY

snp

SNP_Manifesto2016

 

SCOTTISH WOMEN’S EQUALITY PARTY

women manifesto

WE_Scotland_Manifesto

 

SOLIDARITY – Scotland’s Socialist Movement

SOLIDARITY manifesto

Manifesto available on Solidarity website

UK INDEPENDENCE PARTY (UKIP)

ukip

UKIP Manifesto

 

FURTHER READING

Keep up on Twitter:

‪#‎SP16‬ ‪#‎VoteSocialEnterprise‬ ‪#‎Holyrood2016‬ ‪#‎SP2016‬
‪#‎VoteRISE‬ ‪#‎GreenHolyrood‬ ‪#‎VoteGreen2016‬ ‪#‎BothVotesSNP‬‪ #‎BothVotesLabour‬ ‪#‎VoteLibDemTwice‬ ‪#‎TeamRuth‬

PPP: chickens coming home to roost?

Edinburgh schools closures: now it’s the blame game

CraigroystonPS

 

News of the extended closure of 17 Edinburgh buildings built under the controversial Public Private Partnership arrangements has reopened the debate on using private finance schemes to fund public projects. And, with an election looming, the PPP issue is a heaven-sent for political parties: an unmissable opportunity to play the blame game, finger-pointing and point scoring.

The strictly non-partisan Cockburn Association, Edinburgh’s civic trust, has previously expressed disquiet over the quality and design of PPP schools. The Cockburn Association wrote to councillors regarding school provision and building quality back in January 2012:

“… we would encourage the Planning Department to work with their colleagues in Education to realize a better outcome both for the quality of teaching space and design of the buildings following a proper appraisal of the capacity for the physical expansion of existing primary schools.

“Perhaps a new primary school built in the north of Edinburgh on the proposed budget of £2200 per sq m would be a far more wise option? The City has a fine history of school building by the Edinburgh School Board from 1870 and their quality is a standard we should return to in the 21st century.”

Teachers’ trade union the EIS is calling for an urgent review of all PPP/PFI deals in light of the schools closures.

General Secretary Larry Flanagan said: “The EIS welcomes that the safety of pupils and staff is being treated as a priority, while recognising that these short-notice closures will be highly inconvenient for pupils and parents.

“However, we must also question how such significant defaults could escape normal building control scrutiny and we believe it is now necessary for an urgent review of all PPP/PFI contracts, including the terms of the private maintenance contracts which are often both expensive and extremely restrictive.”

With the 5 May Holyrood elections just around the corner, opponents of both Conservatives (who introduced PPP) and Labour (who adopted it) have wasted little time in apportioning blame for the ‘fiasco’. Who would have thought that the PPP debate would raise it’s head again and become an election battleground?

Over the weekend both the Greens and RISE damned their political opponents and today it’s the turn of the SNP to fire a broadside – and the Lib Dems are in their sights, too.

The SNP candidate in Edinburgh Western Tony Giugliano said: ” “This is a critical time for many pupils, as they enter exam period, and everything must be done to minimise disruption and find alternative safe studying environments. I would also encourage Edinburgh Council to do more to support parents with childcare arrangements.

“It’s clear that we need an immediate inquiry into the construction and safety of these schools. We know that the previous Lib Dem – Labour government at Holyrood bullied councils into rolling out PFI – and the result is exactly what we all feared: unsafe, substandard schools.

“PFI has been a disaster for the city of Edinburgh, with taxpayers contributing £40 million each year in repayments for buildings that are crumbling after only 10 years. Not to mention the debt legacy that the construction of PFI hospitals has had on the NHS. It’s utterly unacceptable and parents and pupils deserve better.

“Edinburgh taxpayers can no longer afford to keep paying for substandard buildings and the City Council should re-consider the future of these contracts.”

Meanwhile, efforts by council officials to resolve the problems go on. City council chief exective Andrew Kerr assured anxious parents: ““Officers are continuing to work on contingency arrangements and we will provide regular updates to parents and carers as and when further information becomes available.”

Parents, however, are growing increasingly angry. Thousands of familes are affected by the school closures and they want answers – now.

We’ll keep you posted.

Last call for Holyrood candidates

Thinking of standing in the Holyrood election? Then you’d better get your skates on!

scot parliament

Nominations close today for candidates to stand in next month’s Scottish Parliamentary Election – and papers must be submitted by 4pm.

The Notice of Election was published on 14 March for Edinburgh Central, Edinburgh Eastern, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Edinburgh Pentlands, Edinburgh Southern and Edinburgh Western Constituencies plus the Lothian Region.

In order to stand as a candidate, individuals must submit nomination papers, which are available on the Council website, by Friday, 1 April.

The Scottish Parliamentary Election will take place on Thursday 5 May when people living across Scotland will elect MSPs to represent them at Holyrood.

Andrew Kerr, Chief Executive of the City of Edinburgh Council and Returning Officer for Edinburgh and Regional Returning Officer for the Lothian Region, said: “The Notice of Election signifies the official start of the election period. The forthcoming election will enable the city’s residents to have their say, and I would take this opportunity to urge all citizens to use their vote.

“We are keen to continue the enthusiasm demonstrated by voters during the UK Parliamentary Election last year and the Scottish Referendum in 2014, including the 16 and 17-year-olds who will be able to vote for the first time. Anyone unsure about how to register, where to vote or how to vote by post can find more information on the Council website.”

More than 84% of the city’s residents voted in the Scottish Independence Referendum in September 2014, which also saw a record-breaking turnout across the country. At the UK Parliamentary Election in May 2015 turnout in the capital stayed high, at an average of 73% across Edinburgh’s five constituencies.

On 5 May it will be the first time that 16 and 17-year-olds can vote in a Parliamentary election after the Scottish Elections (Reduction of Voting Age) Bill was passed last year.

While most people who registered to vote in time for the UK Parliamentary Election will still be eligible to take part in the Scottish Parliament Election in May, first time voters or anyone who has since moved house will need to register again. Continue reading Last call for Holyrood candidates

Budget: sweet and sour for Scotland

Budget 2015

Yesterdays’ Budget statement was a perplexing mix of measures and raft of tax changes which pleased some and angered many more. Supporters hailed the budget as ‘historic’ but Labour leader Jeremy Corbin said the budget ‘has unfairness at its very core – paid for by those who can least afford it’ and the SNP’s John Swinney warned of ‘hidden cuts’. Continue reading Budget: sweet and sour for Scotland

Europe Referendum date is 23 June

REFERENDUM DATE set for 23 JUNE

Not quite a ‘peace in our time’ moment – but has the Prime Minister secured enough concessions to keep Britain in Europe?

eu flags

The Prime Minister made a statement following the meeting of the European Council where he negotiated a deal to give the UK special status in the EU. Continue reading Europe Referendum date is 23 June

A penny for your thoughts

Former Edinburgh District Council Housing and Finance convener JIMMY BURNETT was among the hundreds who took to take part in a demonstration outside the Scottish Parliament to protest at cuts to council budgets yesterday.

He supports Labour’s case for a 1p tax rise – and argues that we must pay more to support crucial public services:

IMG_0728

I fully support a one penny tax rise. With the proposed rebate system, those earning £20,000 or less, would pay no additional tax. Those earning £30,000 would pay around £16.00 a month. Those earning £150,000, would pay an additional £28.00 a week, £112.00 extra per month. Continue reading A penny for your thoughts

Education, education, education …

Improving excellence and equity in Scottish education for all is at the heart of the Education Bill, says Scottish Government

Education stock

The Scottish Government’s Education (Scotland) Bill, which is due to be debated in Parliament today, contains provisions placing a duty on local authorities and Ministers to prioritise activity aimed at closing the attainment gap.

The bill also legislates for the introduction of the National Improvement Framework, recently launched by the First Minister, to support efforts in raising attainment through improving information available to ensure pupils get the right support they need.

Other provisions targeted on enhancing children’s rights, Gaelic education, teacher registration and the creation of a Chief Education Officer post in councils are also included.

Speaking ahead of the Stage 3 debate on the Bill, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Angela Constance said: “The Scottish Government is working with local authorities, parents and others to ensure our education system delivers both excellence and equity for every child. All of the measures of this Bill have a role to play in helping to achieve that aspiration.

“We have already taken a series of steps that show how seriously we are taking this, such as the launch of the £100 million Scotland Attainment Challenge, and I am pleased to see our Bill reach its final stage in Parliament.

“Our National Improvement Framework will build on a strong record of achievement, with the aim of ensuring we have the right information about children’s progress right across Scotland. The Framework will look at a range of existing and new evidence which will tell us how we are progressing and where support is required for improvement purposes. Parents will have access to more information about their children’s education and progress than ever before, on what they are doing well and where they might need extra help.

“One source of data will be a new standardised assessment, focusing on reading, writing and numeracy. We have no interest in a return to high stakes testing. This new system will help to reduce the burden of assessment, building on best practice and replacing the wide variety of approaches taken by local authorities with a new streamlined, consistent approach. Crucially, the assessments will inform teacher judgment, not replace it.”

Education looks set to be the key battleground in the forthcoming Holyrood elections. Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale will promise to protect the education budget in real terms over the next five years if Labour is in government after the May election.

 

GMB: Revenue must be raised to blunt impact of ‘draconian’ cuts

‘Local tax to fund local services should be a vital part of local democracy’ – Alex McLuckie, GMB Scotland

protest1

John Swinney is wrong to make light of the impact of ‘draconian’ cuts to budgets for Scotland’s councils, says a leading trade union. Continue reading GMB: Revenue must be raised to blunt impact of ‘draconian’ cuts