Not even going to bother to password protect this one….I am simply leaving this here.
Silence Is not permission’s confirmation, Nor interaction lack of consternation, A power wielded through manipulation, Cannot unshackle fear from situation.
Action Is not easy to consider, Consequences anger might deliver, Could hurt so many innocents forever, And break a bond which hearts resist to sever.
Power Is to know that even while, The tears fill up with memories now vile, Despite your victims’ anger hurt and bile, Controlling lies can force their desperate smile.
Betrayal Explodes with shrapnel in our trust, That you’d destroy my world for only lust, And cheat and lie to salvage what you must, The fires of our friendship lost to dust.
Forgiveness Now an idiot’s disgrace, To offer still support in sorrow’s place When you took all my dignity in chase, And still I stand with you through all you face.
Judgement Such a heavy price to pay, Coerced and worse, controlled to nothing say, Lest shame and risk invade my every day, I’m wedded to the cruelty you play.
Escape Like hope that left me with your lies, I gave my soul’s full strength to soothe your cries, And put you first, the world to not despise, My prison swims with tears, as future dies.
Guilt For all I hide, like truths before, To know will not be heard and even more, That others brave but broken to their core, I cannot help, for fear of what’s in store.
Like the motion yesterday, I don’t wish to go over old ground because I believe that what was brought forward during the motion in November was a detailed and reasoned explanation of why we needed to be committing as a council to do what is within our power, to move towards a diverse and inclusive council.
Though it is only one small part of the overall motion, that I will shortly again move, Action point 7 states: To be leaders by example; embodying in conduct & language during all meetings, public and private, the welcoming and respectful environment that Falkirk Council considers critical – between other elected members, officers, staff and public, over and above minimum legal standards.
Not that anything in the motion should cause division, but To be honest, I thought that this should be the least controversial statement of the recommendations. These are simply the standards of “Civility in Public Life” – something which the updated code of conduct for councillors, and indeed the old code, are based on. Duty Selflessness Integrity Objectivity Accountability and Stewardship Openness Honesty Leadership and Respect
You don’t really need to have much of a long memory, 24 hours will do, to see that if this is something that we already do aspire to, as is our duty as elected members, we are not really knocking it out the park in terms of demonstrating it. We might not always have a scoreline of 6-0 or even 4-1 against when it comes to that, but it’s at times difficult to find meetings where we are collectively even achieving a no score draw.
And that does put people off from standing and becoming part of elected life, Because, unjustified though it may be, given how hard members work across this entire chamber, the hours put in and how seriously we take the crucial responsibilities we have, the image that is projected by meetings like yesterday doesn’t fit with that and I think it does none of us credit collectively if we allow that view to be how the public sees us.
As I say, I didn’t actually anticipate talking at all about that part of the motion but I was embarrassed by some of the discourse yesterday and it’s something I am glad is highlighted within the motion and I hope members will agree to reaffirm this today.
I spoke extensively last time round on the need for greater diversity in politics in general, and how important it is to represent that topic accurately and responsibly. So I just want to again clarify that this isn’t about tick box exercises or trying to bring some fluffy wooly idealised notion of diversity and equality that we can then just ignore.
This is about the fundamental principle that we achieve decisions which are more representative and therefore more relevant to the constituents we serve, if we have a more representative democracy model and that means having elected members around the table that reflect the richness of our communities too. Unconscious bias training will help meantime and it is essential to revisit periodically too but it is a poor substitute for proper representation. For nothing about us, without us. Underrepresented groups cannot continue to be relegated to be served on the menu, they, we, must have a seat at the decision making table, with a voice to be equally heard, alongside others.
Like the climate change topic we debated yesterday, of course we cannot solve the shameful lack of diversity in local government as a whole, by words or even actions, here in Falkirk Council. But that doesn’t mean we should do nothing or engage in whataboutery that only leads to further inaction and finger pointing.
We should be doing everything possible we can, within the sphere we are in, and that is what this motion was designed to do by identifying some practical measures we could take forward and the initiatives and work of others which we could support. I was sad that it was bumped and I felt, not given the time, again with the other motion on that agenda, that it deserved as a serious stand alone item. Not one that would be inevitably buried at the end of a massive full council report. But here we are.
I’m glad however that the report which has come forward, essentially demonstrates the competence and need for the measures asked for in the action points of the original motion, though if I am honest, I feel it was unnecessary to burden officers with producing yet another report in such a short timescale when they have so many other pressures to attend to and we could have debated this and had answers to these questions during the special council in November.
I thank officers for the work they have done however in demonstrating the validity of this motion and accordingly, given one additional suggestion has been put forward in the report which fits the motion, and in order to avoid future duplication of work for officers in this regard, I am happy to add an additional action point within the motion.
This is in view of an existing Equalities champion position which has remained unfilled, which is detailed in council’s Equal opportunities Policy. It is suggested that this be widened to the title of Equalities and Human rights champion. I think that this is a welcome suggestion and in order to ensure that this position can be properly scoped out and filled at the same time as the Young People’s Champion asked for, I am happy to include that as a new action point in the motion which will be circulated in writing shortly.
It is clear from the report that the equalities duty applies to every function of the council and that includes the decision making functions and all policies and practices of the council. It makes it clear that this extends to the conduct and behaviour of elected members also. The practical measures such as giving more prominence to the availability of EPIAs in reports, with a clear link highlighted and available to elected members to consider ahead of decision making, are important and will help elected members to give better scrutiny and consideration of these matters, while executing our legal duties under the equalities act in decision making.
I would also like to add one small addition to point 6 of the motion which refers to the Cosla cross party working group who are working on removing barriers to underrepresented groups in becoming elected to local government – and indeed finding ways to retain them once they are elected, as many leave for a variety of reasons after one term.
I was disappointed that opposition members laid accusations of this motion being brought for political motives last time round, and indeed I referred to the cross party work of members and groups of all parties and none in my summing up. I again wholeheartedly praise the work of Cosla President, Alison Evison, a Labour member, and found her recent evidence to the Scottish Parliamentary committee on Local Government on this topic, to be absolutely spot on and very necessary. If you haven’t watched that evidence session, I would recommend that you do. I thank her for using her platform to say the things which many of us believe need saying and I hope we can as a council, support their work.
It’s not a criticism of officers, merely an acknowledgement of the fast moving and many layered topics in this work, that there are some omissions from this report in terms of that work and I am accordingly suggesting that we invite Cosla President Alison Evision to brief Falkirk Council members on what that contains. Alison has indicated that she would be very happy to make time to do so if diaries allow and I thank her for her supportive words whenever we speak on these matters. It must be truly a collective effort.
I hope that this demonstrates the commitment of the administration in bringing forward this motion, in a non party political way but instead in the spirit of making progress towards a truly diverse and inclusive council, which will benefit all our constituents, the quality of decision making and I dare to hope, the tone and constructive environment of meetings to come.
Conference, we have so many insightful resolutions on our agenda, touching issues from education, to children’s rights, poverty, climate change, justice, to housing and equal pay.
All of these issues involve local authorities and local councillors as decision makers in them.
This motion is entitled Parity of Esteem for local councillors and you have just heard how Pay is one of the single biggest issues in that and the effect in particular that financial barriers have on diversity within local councils –This is as concerning for the future of my brand new adorable baby nephew Dylan, as it is for his 97 year old Great Grandmother May, now in full time care.
Conference, like becoming a new parent, there is no manual for becoming a councillor (though at ANC we are trying!) and you have no idea what you are getting yourself into until you are several months through the door. Every council, every ward, every situation is different but there are some common truths.
Firstly, you will never ever get to the bottom of your case load, the briefing and committee papers to read next week, the calls you have to make, the research you have to do to learn enough to make informed decisions, the meetings you can’t possibly all attend, the community events you know it will look bad that you don’t turn up to, or indeed the endless enquiries, comments and jibes on social media from people you can’t really ignore, because they actually do “know where you live”.
– but there is only one of you – and as Heather outlines – you have to do all those things and much more besides – by yourself.
As well as more pay and more respect for the role, Councillors also need to see changes to guarantee a consistency of support to do our work and that will take national change.
I mention respect because, I think it is crucially lacking at times, even sometimes internally, and while we must work to find common cause with all parties on this, we must also lead as a party and not be afraid to do so.
Councils and Councillors should never be an afterthought in the development of policy, because we are at the heart of delivery and will take the heat for it too, in very direct and inescapable ways.
Conference:
We will not solve the climate crisis without bold and brave decisions from local councillors
We will not deliver quality education for our children from early years to further education partnerships, without them
We will not bring the economic change and upskill our workforce without them
We will not deliver vital housing
Plan our communities
Revolutionise our transport network
Protect our children
Care for our elderly, deliver social care,
Empower our communities
Protect our citizens
Or survive another pandemic, without them.
Do we want the vital decisions on these matters and their delivery only in the hands of those who can afford not to work, are in privileged working positions to be allowed to take time off, or are so overworked and stressed about their finances and letting down their families, that they are constantly exhausted and can barely function, purely because they want to do their best for their communities.
Is that really any way to run a vital branch of government that delivers so much for our citizens?
Being a councillor is a role but we are workers too. Hard workers, Vital workers. We should not be afraid or ashamed to say so, nor that we deserve a fair level of pay for the work we do and the responsibilities we have.
Conference, we have so many talented councillors, and you have heard many of them speak this weekend. Please support this resolution and send a signal to them that you value them and that we will work as a party to get them the parity of esteem they deserve.
Speech Seconding Motion to SNP Conference (November 2021) , Focus on Diversity & barriers this represents to underrepresented groups
Delegates, in only a few short months since we briefly touched on this topic at our last conference, some truly tragic events have unfolded and our thoughts are very much with the family of David Ammes and all those who loved him.
His tragic murder, like other serious incidents before, has rightly brought focus and unity over the importance of elected member safety
but, as with earlier events, there is real concern that expressions of unity will be short lived and that unless action is taken appropriately within multiple spheres – little will actually change
I therefore welcome that we are debating this resolution today.
We must recognise that there are these multiple spheres and that we – not just the party but all of us individually – inhabit some of those spheres too .
While rightly calling on action from others we must also follow through with meaningful internal reflection, put recommendations and reform into practice, and be seen to do so – not only print them as procedure or principle in online documents
I’d echo Jen’s sentiment that until very recently, local government has been a poor relation in consideration of safety for elected members, despite the best efforts and hard work of many, though there are some welcome signs that this is beginning to change.
There are so many horror stories, from firebombing of cllrs houses, to death threats and violence, harassment, intimidation and of course a great rise in online abuse. Studies have borne this out, not only through the excellent work that the likes of COSLA and “Elect her” have been doing but also within our own councillor cohort, where ANC studies have shown concerning metrics about the impact of feeling unsafe has had on our own members considering that they may not wish to stand again.
Elect Her rebranded from previously being “The Parliament Project” but there is a concerning need for a “re-elect her” focus too, particularly because of the experience of women and other underrepresented groups currently serving. It’s a great source of personal sadness and I realise impolitic to say but on behalf of dozens of other councillors who have repeatedly said exactly the same to me privately, there is rarely a day that I don’t consider standing down after 1 term because of the impact that this role, as much as I love it and would feel crushed to leave it, has on our families and emotional well being.
It’s fine to acknowledge this of course – but what can we do. Some of that is outlined in this resolution, which I hope you will support – but essentially there has to be a sustained, coordinated and collective effort. Elected members need to show leadership themselves in their language and behaviour, our institutions need to put practical measures in place and have further enforceable regulation, our police service need to continue to improve their increased support & engagement and social media companies need to step up to the mark. Legislative reform and regulation is also needed and standards& complaints functions need to vastly improve to inspire further confidence in their ability to tackle issues.
AS a party, we need to be clear too however that elected member safety is important and that putting that aside & engaging in higher risk activity for political gain and electoral advantage, however well intentioned, is not acceptable. It cannot be a criteria for office, even subconsciously, that you are more suitable for the role if you are willing to accept putting yourself and your family in danger or more hardened to accepting abuse and threats than others. This has affected diversity in politics for many years but recent advances are under threat because the abusive environment has got worse.
Please support this resolution in order that improvements to elected member safety are given the importance they deserve and that we commit to a better standard of politics that does not tolerate the abusive environment which leads to escalation and puts this under threat.
I’m genuinely delighted to see this motion on the agenda today and that at this important moment for our nation as it looks to lead the way during COP26 on the issue of Climate Justice, we are debating, what more we can do to play a meaningful part in tackling climate change.
Despite some present mobility limitations, I was determined to get through to at least part of the March on Saturday – It was important, not just to be with other like-minded people and play a part in putting pressure on the world’s leaders but also to listen and learn about the real emerging focus of this COP, which is Climate Justice and Loss and Damage.
The focus on indigenous populations and what they have already lost, never mind are set to lose, was at times very moving to hear about and it’s inspiring that Scotland is leading the way with the first dedicated Global fund to compensate for Loss and Damage. It’s a symbol that as those who have played a significant part in the damage already brought about by climate change, we must help others who have done little or nothing to contribute to this, but suffer the most.
While we cannot unpick the part we have already played, it must be all of our collective goals, to ensure that we do not continue to add to this injustice, either on populations far from home, or on those in our own society who have the least financial means to respond to climate change and are often most at risk.
While world leaders gather in Glasgow to make Global commitments, yet there is plenty we can do, plenty we must do, in our own sphere of influence, to ensure that we are playing our part.
In the space between Global / Multilateral Action and personal responsibility, we cannot ignore our duty in the decisions we make in this council which are vastly more important than all our personal goals put together.
What this motion calls for is simple – and perhaps could be summarised as an attempt to ensure that we do not fall fowl of the curse of “Climate Crisis….Blah Blah Blah”
The actions outlined in this motion are eminently sensible, practical and logical. If we have made a commitment to reduce our carbon emissions and get to net zero, then it stands to reason that we need to understand the impact all of our decisions have on these targets.
We would not take budget decisions without financial advice, or put ourselves further in deficeit without a plan to combat it, so the same should hold for our carbon budget also.
The elephant in the room, the catalyst in feeling that these changes are now necessary, in fact essential, is in decisions forced by the opposition in recent full councils and that indeed leads to some of the other recommendations.
The excellent and targeted climate literacy training recently offered, taught us exactly where we, as councillors, could make a difference in terms of the spheres of influence we have.
Buildings and Transport where two massive parts of that and yet two days after many of us made our pledges on what we could do in our decision-making role, we made an unnecessary decision to take us further away from our climate targets in increasing the number of buildings at the HQ site, reducing the possibility of their efficiency and in failing to realise vital transformational change to our transport network.
It is essential that we take stock and understand the impact these and other decisions have actually made and what we can do about them.
I know or perhaps presume that we all care about climate change but I don’t think I have ever felt so crushed or disappointed in any decision this council has made, than thinking how climate change concerns were given so little attention when it came to the biggest project we had ever been asked to decide on. To be honest, I felt a deep embarrassment on behalf of our cross party group who went through climate literacy training together but then whose opposition members paid little attention to what they appeared so earnestly to commit to.
It’s time to put measures in place that make our climate obligations impossible to ignore. Quite simply, it’s time to reject greenwashing. Time for a unified approach across this chamber on climate change that is actually reflected in decision making and time for an absolute, unequivocal end to Blah, Blah, Blah.
In moving this motion, I have to confess that there is a part of me that whispers that I should express a measure of gratitude to members in allowing me the opportunity to do so – but – over the course of thinking what I was going to say today, I’ve concluded, that this is the result of ridiculously deferential conditioning – so I am not going to.
We should be debating this and I shouldn’t feel privileged to be moving it.
Because,
In reality, action to acknowledge that Diversity, Inclusion and Equality are actually important in a functioning representative democracy at local level is long overdue.
These words – Diversity – Inclusion – Equality – have generally positive and aspirational connotations to me but uttered in certain spheres, often come with huffing and puffing from those who see them as nothing more than concepts pushed by the much derided “snowflake generation” or indeed upstart feminist disrupters.
Heaven forfend there are any of us in those categories here.
But the serious point is – do we – or do we not ??? – believe that democracy is richer – that decisions are better – the more diverse and representative those sitting round that decision making table actually are?
If we do, then it’s incumbent on us, as those round that table, to acknowledge the lack of diversity overall in local government and do what we can – limited though it may be, to try to combat it.
It’s often quoted that “if you are not at the table, you are on the menu” something which in recent decisions at council I have begun to feel particularly acutely when it comes to generational issues.
Despite the fact that increasing diversity in Local Government is one of COSLA’s key priorities, and the work done on a cross party basis to advance this however, I know that there are some members who would have wished this motion to go to Executive (if at all), but given the further limitation on diversity that this would place on debate, that only gives further concern. I concur completely with other members when they express their respect for Councillor Collie for example, but I am afraid those words ring rather hollow, if they are denying her the opportunity to take a full part on a motion in her portfolio, that affects families of all ages across Falkirk. And this pattern, whether it concerns, poverty, climate change or any number of universally important topics to our constituents, is yet another reason I have lodged this motion today. Recent meetings are another.
I make no apology for being angry about and bringing up the recent Full Council meetings. Indeed, I was again horrified by the expression of deference towards “our forefathers” having made wise decisions, decades before I was even born– and I am by no means a “young person” – as an apparent factor in decision making. To be blunt, it’s of no relevance whatsoever to our current decision making what our forefathers thought. I don’t know that there were any foremothers either, which pretty much illustrates its own point, but the same holds true. This was arguably the most important decision that our council faced in many years but it was made without the voices of the generations it would effect most, being considered front and centre by those proposing it.
I could quote all the various national statistics but we don’t need a complicated or detailed survey to see where the disproportion lies in this chamber and that’s despite the absolutely wonderful election of my new colleague Cllr Russell, who I am delighted is going to be following me in this debate.
Respected and valued though they are, we have 4 times as many David’s and twice as many Robert’s elected as members under 40, we have had budgets where less than a fifth of members voting successfully for the entire annual spend of the council were women. The entire cohort of women on the opposition benches would only be enough to fill the elected membership of one of our smallest wards. It’s not that all women, men, young, disabled or BAME people have the same priorities and views as each other – of course not – nor that any demographic has superiority or greater right to be represented. Quite the opposite.
It is the lack of balance, the lack of diversity, which is the issue and the effect it has on our democracy and the decisions which we make.
What this motion calls for is an acknowledgement that this is an issue and to take action to do what is within our power to try to mitigate it. So I would like to outline a few of those measures briefly:
Firstly, that we all suffer from unconscious bias, myself included and that without an awareness of this, our decisions are likely to be affected by a variety of different forms of bias. I know Cllr Russell intends to pick up on these themes, so I won’t go further down that track.
So further training as standard is essential, but so too are other parts of this motion, such as enhancing the role of EPIAs and addressing the tone of debate and discourse, which I believe make this a less attractive atmosphere for underrepresented groups, as well as just being downright rude at times.
And yes – I make no apology for saying – sometimes sexist and misogynistic in tone too. Examples can be provided but in the interests of brevity, I’m guessing most would rather I didn’t. Though if anyone is minded to 19.1 me, please try not to address me as Young Lady in your opening remarks.
Whether it’s this, or e.g. being asked what lipstick you had on to get a result on a local issue with an officer, their root comes from the same thing, a lack of respect – a demarcation of being different in value to others, and when that is highlighted, especially in public, it’s clear that we are not held in equal esteem to others.
So, there are parts of this motion designed to address that issue, to highlight that whether from elected member to elected member, or indeed with officers and staff, standards have not always been what they should be, and this presents a much less welcoming and conducive environment to others who are greatly needed to increase the diversity in the chamber.
Finally – If you can’t see it – you can’t be it. Something always brought home to me walking past the portraits of our entire history of male provosts on the way into council. I’m pleased that our SNP group here has a rare female majority with recent results. It isn’t enough though, because as Prof Mary Beard observes in her book, women in power, the institutions we are elected to, expect us to instantly change and conform to fit into systems designed by men, for men….and if we don’t, it’s us who are not fit for the job.
We have opportunity with more flexible arrangements made possible by new technology, to consider more fully the needs of others, be they in a variety of caring roles, those with disabilities and those with a wider array of less secure professions, which will also help the younger demographic in particular. That isn’t to say that the needs of those who may need support within a physical meeting environment are any less important, and I acknowledge and respect that – but minority groups are minority groups for a reason, and the needs of the majority shouldn’t be the thing which disenfranchises them.
Again, its is all about balance. Balance, respect, and a commitment to acknowledge the problems we have with achieving diversity and that while we are the poorer for it, we are determined to do what we can and to support the work of others externally in doing so also.
If making a commitment to inclusivity and better, more flexible arrangements makes it more possible for even a handful more BAME, young people, women or those with disabilities to have the reassurance to see themselves as a councillor, then we should do it and we shout about it.
There is little doubt in my mind that enabling change within the council is long overdue on this topic but that recent decisions and the coming election make this more acute than ever. I would ask the whole chamber for their support therefore, not only with the motion but in a commitment to embody the spirit of it to improve the quality of democratic debate and decision making for the good of Falkirk’s citizens.
INDEPENDENCE – Eyes on the prize… Let’s remember we all have the same goal… Unite for Indy…it doesn’t matter how we get there, or who delivers it….
Really?
Sorry – no. It actually does matter.
It matters an enormous amount, because in order for Independence to be delivered, we don’t just need people to vote for it through the back door, we need people to believe in it and be prepared to stand by our Parliament to deliver it and see it through.
Trying to manipulate an electoral system for one end, and one end alone, is exactly the sort of sleazy, underhand skulduggery that the public hate. Electoral game playing might be fun for analysts, single issue campaigners and political hacks but the public will not be impressed with this approach in the slightest.
Yet these “calls for unity” have been bandied about endlessly by those splitting off to Scotland’s newest pro-independence party – Alba – and those supporting them, over the past few days.
We are to unite in the quest for a “Supermajority” for Independence in the Scottish Parliament, embrace tactical list voting and strategise to get as many Pro-Indy MSPs in as possible, no matter if the public may ultimately rile against that.
But, hang on…. I seem to recall that we already had a majority for Independence in the Scottish Parliament in the last term. That we already actually held a vote, during that same parliament, in favour of a referendum….and funnily enough, won that vote.
Balance of Pro-Independence Parties after 2016 Holyrood Election
Whatever superlative you want to stick next to the word “majority”, combining SNP & Green support in that parliament, meant we already had one.
What we didn’t have, as a party or as a movement, was the pressure that came to bear from one party having an outright majority. A “system breaking” majority, that conferred the ultimate, unequivocal decision, of the Scottish people to unite behind that one party & one vision. The power & momentum that, when the SNP broke the system in 2011, helped to deliver the referendum of 2014.
Parliament voting for IndyRef2 in March 2017
We cannot forget that the reason we were able to return so many SNP MSPs in 2011, was through an unprecedented amount of the electorate giving their “Both Votes” to the SNP. That enabled the election of a large group of additional members on the list vote, to achieve a majority.
Over and above the tactical & the political however, there is an even more important reason for me, in the question of how we get there.
To be clear – I want Independence.
I don’t want it at any cost though. I don’t want it by “playing the system”, hoodwinking the public, or by stirring up division to get our own way. That is not going to deliver a stable democracy. I certainly don’t want it just to change the flag, the building we make decisions in or what currency we use in the shops.
I believe in Independence, so that we can have a much better society for my children to grow-up in. I believe the only way to achieve the priorities of the people of Scotland, is to have their own Independent Parliament, which reflects their needs, wants and ambitions.
Like thousands of others, I too believe we have everything we need in Scotland to make our country a successful, Independent nation, we can all be proud of.
But I also believe that creating this new, modern, successful country is going to be the most important and challenging task any of our politicians may ever face, this present year, perhaps not withstanding.
The people we elect to take us there are important. The people we trust in that institution, to give an oath to serve their constituents, equally and without prejudice and favour – to give care, thought, analysis and in-depth research and consideration of legislation – that is a vital part of the democratic process.
Nicola Sturgeon has drawn widespread praise for her leadership through Covid
The vetting arrangements for most political parties are long, arduous and very meticulous. These processes have their issues and sometimes wrong decisions are made that we come to regret, especially when they are rushed through.
Transparency from applicants is key in that process. Examining mistakes, reviewing social media, previous history and evaluating the skills, talents, commitment of the person applying, are all essential for the panel making the judgement. A candidate must be a fit and proper person, not only to represent your party but also each and every constituent who comes to them with their often heart-breaking, ultra-sensitive, and life changing issues.
In short, you have to be able to trust them. You have to know they have some basis of integrity, that they understand the requirements of public life, be prepared to live up to ethical standards and in general terms – be beyond reproach.
Nicola Sturgeon continues to be one of the most trusted politicians in recent history
This does not mean that they must be perfect or mistake / gaffe free, even if such a thing were possible, or that they can’t come from a variety of backgrounds, employment, life experience and educational attainment levels. The more representative of the society they will be elected to serve, the better for democracy.
But that’s not what you are getting with Alba – a party led by a man who should never be trusted in public life again, through his utter lack of contrition of the standards he displayed behind closed doors over his term in office. The parroting of judgements about “unfair processes” or being “cleared of criminality” is not a carte blanche to absolve the behaviour admitted to with employees of the government while in the highest office in the land. Criminality has nothing to do with this.
Just one tweet example from Alex Arthur – Alba Candidate
Why would you want people who have ever thought it appropriate to publicly disparage individuals on the basis of their race, ethnicity, body shape, disability or health conditions to be taking on the task of representing our communities in parliament, let alone forging the basis for our new country. Why would you trust a party who can’t even check the recent tweet history of their candidates because they are only interested in what’s in front of their face.
Why, would you want someone of the talent, integrity and potential of Fatima Joji to be overlooked in favour of an ego driven manipulator who has had his day? Why would you want a man who has publicly spread anti-vax msgs, riled against homeless people and fat shamed and teased HIV suffers, in place of the outstanding talent and passionate campaigner that is Graham Campbell? Why on earth would you even look twice at Chris McEleny, whose name is surely out of place on the same ballot as Michelle Campbell after some of his comments on hostile blog sites that have done real harm to vulnerable women, in ways he seems incapable of understanding. That’s without looking at the fantastic Roza Salih in Glasgow or Danish Ashraf in Central, to name only a few of the SNPs fantastic and diverse list of candidates.
Just some of the talented candidates topping the SNP Regional Lists – Danish Ashraf, (Central), Michelle Campbell (West of Scotland) Graham Campbell (Lothians), Fatima Joji (North East), Rosa Salih (Glasgow)
This isn’t building a radical new party with social justice, radical land reform and internal democracy at its heart. This isn’t even, “Independence, Nothing Less”. This is, “we want our own way, no matter what we have to do to get it”.
That isn’t democracy. That isn’t winning over the people. That’s the worst sort of “for the sake of it” nationalism, that has always stopped us winning over the trust of the people, who must not only vote for, but believe in Independence for it to be successfully delivered.
It isn’t that there is no place for Real-politick or considering the greater strategy of how to achieve your aims. There are quite a number of radical environmentalists in the SNP who would probably fit fairly comfortably into the Green party, but who believe that the best way of achieving environmental change in Scotland is through an Independent Scotland – which tactically, they can only see being delivered by a majority SNP Government. No matter how much respect they have for the Green Party, or those within it therefore, it’s Both Votes SNP – all the way – because that’s how to achieve a majority and win Independence.
How to achieve the ultimate aim – a fairer, more progressive, socially just, environmentally world leading, and peaceful Independent nation.
During the 2014 referendum campaign, the Yes movement worked hard to make it clear that the future of our country is not about liking or disliking one man or woman or relying on them to take us to a fixed destination. The same is true now. There is no Political Messiah. There is no place for ego fuelled conspiracy nonsense that lacks even basic scrutiny of motive.
There is policy, there is progress and most importantly, there are people whose votes deserve to be treated with respect and not like a game or a grand national.
We need to take a clear message to the Scottish Electorate and give them the positive long term vision of the country we want to continue to mould, for all our citizens.
For me, that means, progressive, socially just and experienced leadership. The clear choice is #BothVotesSNP
This blog was originally published on 12th October 2014 in the wake of both hopeful and painful reflections on the referendum. Six years on, we may be nearing the time our movement takes flight but these points ring truer than ever to me in how we must proceed. It’s time to win our independence but we have to remember the lessons we uncovered in the autumn of 2014 to do so. By spreading our wings wide enough to lift all our citizens, our country will climb to new heights, with an independent Scotland the gateway on a journey to realise the successful country we can become.
The butterfly rebellion is not dead. Through the hope and activity that has sprung in the early days of the ’45, only the most foolish of foppish unionists could believe it to be so.
Hope over Fear Rally, George Square , 12.10.2014
Yet, although it is not dead, in its current incarnation, it did not work either. The beauty of our inspiring and empowering movement may have won the hearts, minds and admiration of the many, but it did not win their votes. – At least not in sufficient quantity to effect the change in our country we all wished to see.
On the day of reckoning we turned out not to be a thousand butterflies, but 1.6million, strong beating, determined hearts, raising our voices high in defiance – but it was not a gun they sent against us – it was a cold arctic wind of fear and doom. We knew well how it would blow, but in truth we did not understand the grip of its cruel cold fingers on the hopes and dreams of those who were not yet ready to spread their wings, and join our journey.
So we must look, and look again. Not only at those who wished to extinguish our candle of hope but at ourselves – at the very nature even of what we understood ourselves to be.
Perhaps, we are not butterflies at all – not yet at least. Perhaps that cold, cruel arctic wind has a lesson for us. Perhaps, the winter approaching is a chance for us to look north once more.
For as we feed furiously on the fallen fruits of our autumn harvest, as nights darken upon us – in the cold dark deserts of the arctic winter, it is not a butterfly, but a caterpillar that slows down its struggle and comes to rest. Despite its best efforts, its frantic foraging, its hopeful intentions, the unforgiving northern summer was not long enough for it to achieve its goal.
The Wooly Bear Caterpillar
The ‘Woolly Bear Caterpillar’ remains un-cocooned, not yet ready to fulfil its purpose. The winter that now approaches will stop its heart and freeze its blood, but in the dying days of a gathering autumn, there is still time yet to find shelter from the harshest winds. Under a rock it will stay, more dead than alive through the darkness, ‘til in the spring it awakens once more – one more miracle in a world that gives up on its dreams too fast.
In its young state it will go again to the fight, feeding on whatever it finds, fuelling itself to face fire or thunder – but still when autumn approaches, its offensive will not be enough. Once more it will seek out its sleep. Once more it will silence death through slumber and once more it will surface in spring to strive again.
How many times this brave little caterpillar launches itself against the war of the arctic seasons, is impossible to tell. Perhaps a decade, perhaps more, but its struggle is remarkable. Against all odds – against cold and dark and near death itself – one spring morning when the time is right it will pull all the strength it has gathered through many hopeful summers and spin its cocoon. For it is not a butterfly, but a moth. An Isabella Tiger Moth, that once it is ready to hatch must act quickly to secure the success of the next generation.
Isabella Tiger Moth
So too, must we be ready – but first we need to ask ourselves if we were truly ripe to hatch at all. Our preparedness to spin that cocoon had nothing to do with how hard we foraged and grew over our summers of exertion. Neither did the mighty strength of the unionist storm provide an impossible foe that we can never defeat. We can defeat it and we will – but our greatest test is yet to come.
We must not judge those whose hearts were touched by the icy grip of fear. For it is not our place to judge but to understand. Only then will we find a way to thaw that grasp, to send spores of hope into the wind that blows against us and bring the others we need to the fertile meadows of aspiration.
The winter which closes in now is not the end of our rebellion. It may freeze us, but not to death. The frenzied gathering underway in the galvanising of our movement will see us through to the spring we long for – but it may take many winters yet before we are strong enough to pupate.
Still – it is not time to sleep just yet. Before the sun fades, let us waste none of its warmth in the sorrowful truth that we must winter once more with our wings not grown. Let us sprout to our last breath before our slumber. For with each new member, we feed a new dream.
Let us be tigers, moths, butterflies and cocoons unspun.
Let us sleep nourished – that when we wake, we may rise ready to live what we dream at last.
Our own special and very hungry caterpillars. Not yet grown but feeding on the hope that those around them have determination to create a better world in which they can spread their wings and truly fly.
This year’s theme is “My voice, our equal future” and for the sake of my girls (who are also my mischievous campaign film crew!) I want to discuss why being a mum is an asset to being a politician and not the hindrance that so often gets levelled in quiet whispers and sexists retorts.
I am so blessed – genuinely, despite them being monsters – to have two amazing daughters who I am so utterly proud of, beyond any words I can express here.
When they were wee…. recent ones no longer allowed!!!
The determination I have to make a difference in politics is fuelled by many things, but creating a better, more equal society for them to thrive in, is key.
I have always been open with them about the struggles still before them as girls, and some, if not all, of the challenges I have faced – the choices I have had to make and why the quiet, unconscious bias and sexism present in society needs to be challenged.
Often, it is their voices and opinions, their spirit and determination, which inspires me to keep going.
For anyone thinking that being a mother of growing children is a hindrance to being a political candidate, MSP, MP or Councillor, ask yourself if you would have that thought about a father in the same position.
Ask yourself if it would even enter your mind to question if a male candidate / politician even had children, let alone what effect that would have on their ability to do the job.
Sadly, I have heard it often levelled at candidates who are mums, even in 2020, even in this campaign, and if that’s something, acknowledging with no ill intentions, that has entered your head – before you vote, I’d ask you to challenge yourself on that.
I will never regret the choice I made to step back from politics 15 years ago when I was expecting my first child, it was the right thing for my circumstances and my family and I would not change it. This does not mean that I do not regret being forced into a situation where I felt I had to make that choice, because the options for motherhood and elected office, seemed so utterly incompatible to me.
I became pregnant in the months which followed the Westminster election of 2005, in which I stood as a young candidate in Falkirk. As the National student convener, a member of NEC and holder of many local offices, I was an enthusiastic and determined young woman, ready to take on anyone in political debate and use my energy for change in whatever arena I was in. As an approved parliamentary candidate, I was expected to contest a seat at Holyrood in the coming year and at the very least, add my name to the list vote.
Despite many phone calls and cajoling from party members at the time, and in the subsequent elections which followed, I knew that the options just didn’t exist to allow me to be the kind of parent I wanted to be for my family and stand for Parliament. I am still glad that I made that choice and I will never stop being vocal about how vital a role being a parent is and how undervalued it is by society in general.
Motherhood is very special but we need much more focus on the equal responsibility of fathers in raising their children, if we are ever to get near equality. For me, standing for parliament and in later years, in giving up my teacher training place, these possibilities were not an option.
That is not a criticism of anyone who makes that remarkable decision to juggle early parenthood and Work / Training / Parliament, but not all parents have the same support structures or resources to make it possible. For me, as a young mum, I knew it would be an impossible and unbearable strain, that would lead to misery.
People told me that “it was a shame” and “I was still young” in equal measure and I accepted their sympathies, but now I feel that what I should have been pointing out much more, was why were we all prepared to accept it as inevitable. Perhaps I simply didn’t want to unbalance my own sense of peace in the difficult decision I had made.
There are practical challenges & they need solutions but that is the very reason we need more women at the table because so far in 100+ years of some women having the vote, male dominated Parliaments and councils have done little to deal with it, – not because men don’t care or agree but because the imperative of lived experience isn’t there.
You only need to look at the move to web based and blended meetings during the pandemic. I have worked since being elected to push for this to address equality issues for parents and those with a variety of health / disability needs. I continue to push for more progress but the many excuses I got in denial of requests were mainly to do with it not being possible / workable.
It was always possible and workable, what it was not, was preferable to the majority who did not need those accomodations, but now it is the only option, there is a willingness to adpapt because there is no alternative and there would be mass exclusion.
Though there is more than one strong group of activists and campaigners working to change the environment for women and other underrepresented groups, we see too many good, talented and passionate politicians standing down from council and Parliament because these issues, and .any more besides, have come too late for them in being addressed.
Women & girls have been disproportionately excluded and affected by these issues for too long and I want to make sure that the world my girls enter into as adults, is better than the one I did – and with an example to them that they too can speak up for the things they demand change on….because there will be many more.
They are my greatest passion and inspiration to create a better, fairer, more equal and sustainable Scotland….and as you can hear…they are keeping me smiling as a very helpful film crew and technical team😂.
Thanks girls…you are my constant inspiration. Love mum 💖
Never try and film with them though! Take 26 trying to say “Public Protection Portfolio Holder”
Lift As We Climb 