Well the local party has acquired office space for the Livingston by-election close to Livingston North Station. We recieved the keys this morning. I might just have to don my marigolds after work to help get it cleaned up ready to become a hub of activity.
I'll post again once I actually get the guided tour. Until then I have some more deliveries to do.
Wednesday, 31 August 2005
Tuesday, 30 August 2005
Child's Play. Normality Resuming
Yesterday evening I was out delivering in the Adambrae area of Livingston. This is the area of town that poor Rory Blackhall, the murdered schoolchild, lived in.
For the first time in the week we have been doing our deliveries I actually saw groups of children playing again in the street. This has been an activity that has not been forming is normal backdrop to the this by election campaign so far. Therefore it was a welcome soght that some sort of normalityis returning to people's lives.
For the first time in the week we have been doing our deliveries I actually saw groups of children playing again in the street. This has been an activity that has not been forming is normal backdrop to the this by election campaign so far. Therefore it was a welcome soght that some sort of normalityis returning to people's lives.
Monday, 29 August 2005
Is a Week This Long in Politics?
Last Saturday was the first day we started delivering 'Charles Kennedy's Resident Survey' in Livingston. I read this morning a comment written by one of the Nationalist Councillors saying that we'd been doing it for months.
Now I know a week is a long time in politics but can 9 days of deliveries seem so long to the opposition? Maybe so.
Now I know a week is a long time in politics but can 9 days of deliveries seem so long to the opposition? Maybe so.
Saturday, 27 August 2005
The Usual Suspects
Okay the three leading parties in Livingston have now chosen their candidates. Seeing as It is only just over 3 months from the general election it is hardly surprising that both the Liberal Democrats and SNP have chosen their General Election candidates, Charles Dundas and Angela Counstance respectively.
Robin Cook's agent Jim Devine makes up the trio, although with the confessions he made in today's Daily Record may be a suicidal opening statement, clever opening gambit or a error in Labour's slection process when they rush through by elections. Only the result will tell.
The SNP are trying to ignore the fact that their vote has shrunk on each of the last four Westminster Elections while the Lib Dems are breathing down their necks on the way up. But then this is no real surprise, that is what Labour and Tories have done in by elections that Lib dems have won or challenged strongly in in recent years.
Next week the SSP are due to select their candidate, I suspct they also will reselect their candidate from May, Steven Nimmo. As for the Tories if anyone know the location of any Tories in Livingston could you ask them to get in contact as I'm really concerned that they have slinked off the planet without telling the rest of us why.
Robin Cook's agent Jim Devine makes up the trio, although with the confessions he made in today's Daily Record may be a suicidal opening statement, clever opening gambit or a error in Labour's slection process when they rush through by elections. Only the result will tell.
The SNP are trying to ignore the fact that their vote has shrunk on each of the last four Westminster Elections while the Lib Dems are breathing down their necks on the way up. But then this is no real surprise, that is what Labour and Tories have done in by elections that Lib dems have won or challenged strongly in in recent years.
Next week the SSP are due to select their candidate, I suspct they also will reselect their candidate from May, Steven Nimmo. As for the Tories if anyone know the location of any Tories in Livingston could you ask them to get in contact as I'm really concerned that they have slinked off the planet without telling the rest of us why.
Thursday, 25 August 2005
Lib Dem PPC for Livingston Selected
Tonight Charles Dundas who stood in the seat for the May General Election was overwhelmingly elected as the PPC for the Livingston by Election in a vote by local party members.
He said, "News of my premature candidacy has been greatly exaggerated. However, I am glad that I have the continued support of the Local Party and was tonight selected to contest the forthcoming by election in Livingston."
The fact that Charles has worked hard for the local party since the General Election made it difficult for the other candidates, no matter how good they were, to take this position away from him.
On a personal note I am glad that the continuity we discussed after the General Election had allowed to continue and I look forward to working alongside Charles.
Interesting factoid of the campaign 1: Our paths first crossed when we actually both were shortlisted and interviewed for the job he currently holds.
He said, "News of my premature candidacy has been greatly exaggerated. However, I am glad that I have the continued support of the Local Party and was tonight selected to contest the forthcoming by election in Livingston."
The fact that Charles has worked hard for the local party since the General Election made it difficult for the other candidates, no matter how good they were, to take this position away from him.
On a personal note I am glad that the continuity we discussed after the General Election had allowed to continue and I look forward to working alongside Charles.
Interesting factoid of the campaign 1: Our paths first crossed when we actually both were shortlisted and interviewed for the job he currently holds.
Controversial Labour One Gender Short List
Surprise, surprise Labour announces a short list comprised of one gender for the Livingston by Election and there is an outcry. This time however it is because it is an all male short-list.
You would have thought out of 40 applicants from across the country there would have been at least one competent woman amongst them. Maybe I'm just naive about the potential of women in politics, too much time around Jo Swinson and Marilyne MacLaren no doubt giving me a distorted view. But no! After cutting the list down to twelve for interview Labour have announced a short list of five men for the by Election.
Indeed Cathy Peattie, Labour MSP and convener of the Scottish parliament's equality committee, expressed concern at the nominations.
"It is now as if the Scottish parliament selections are by one set of rules, and Westminster by another," she said.
"That situation appears to be worsening and I think the Labour Party has to look at this."
The men who will be facing the local members today are Unison official, and Cook's agent, Jim Devine, Sportscotland executive John Duncan, three councillors Hanzala Malik from Glasgow, and West Lothian's own Willie Dunn and John McGinty.
Both the Liberal Democrats and SNP have women on the shortlists that all the local party members will vote on.
You would have thought out of 40 applicants from across the country there would have been at least one competent woman amongst them. Maybe I'm just naive about the potential of women in politics, too much time around Jo Swinson and Marilyne MacLaren no doubt giving me a distorted view. But no! After cutting the list down to twelve for interview Labour have announced a short list of five men for the by Election.
Indeed Cathy Peattie, Labour MSP and convener of the Scottish parliament's equality committee, expressed concern at the nominations.
"It is now as if the Scottish parliament selections are by one set of rules, and Westminster by another," she said.
"That situation appears to be worsening and I think the Labour Party has to look at this."
The men who will be facing the local members today are Unison official, and Cook's agent, Jim Devine, Sportscotland executive John Duncan, three councillors Hanzala Malik from Glasgow, and West Lothian's own Willie Dunn and John McGinty.
Both the Liberal Democrats and SNP have women on the shortlists that all the local party members will vote on.
Tuesday, 23 August 2005
The Schoolboy, the Search, the Shock
Over the weekend we experienced our own horror story unfolding here in West Lothian. Rory Blackhall went missing from his school on Thursday, he wasn't there to be picked up at the end of the day by his grandfather.
Over the weekend helicopters, mountain rescue teams, police and volunteers were searching every area in Livingston where he could be hiding or have been hidden. Livingston is very green and there are a lot of such areas. You realise this as you drive past yet another search team looking in undergrowth.
On Sunday afternoon before any official announcement was made the whole town started to know something was up. The Police who had been moving on to the next bush or copse were now static their faces giving it away. Mountain Rescue teams were departing with their rucksacks there could be only one explanation, a body had been found close to Rory's school in a wooded area.
The town is in shock and yesterday police were present at every primary school in town to reassure parents and pupils.
Over the weekend helicopters, mountain rescue teams, police and volunteers were searching every area in Livingston where he could be hiding or have been hidden. Livingston is very green and there are a lot of such areas. You realise this as you drive past yet another search team looking in undergrowth.
On Sunday afternoon before any official announcement was made the whole town started to know something was up. The Police who had been moving on to the next bush or copse were now static their faces giving it away. Mountain Rescue teams were departing with their rucksacks there could be only one explanation, a body had been found close to Rory's school in a wooded area.
The town is in shock and yesterday police were present at every primary school in town to reassure parents and pupils.
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