Glasgow North East, Liberal Democrats: Nick Clegg Joins the Campaign Trail

Yesterday I was joined by Nick Clegg and Tavish Scott on the campaign trail.

We were campaigning at the ASDA in Robroyston where we heard how local people are suffering as a result of Labour’s recession.

It is this issue that has dominated this by-election and it is the concern that people have raised with me most often on the doorsteps.

People in Glasgow North East are looking for something different in this by-election. They are fed-up being overlooked by a tired old Labour party.

People in this area want their new politician to hit the ground running with fresh ideas, working hard to create jobs and put more money back into hard working people's pockets.

Liberal Democrats are the only party that are offering new ideas and new hope for Glasgow North East. We are Scotland's second largest party at Westminster and we are the real alternative for local people.

One of the most worrying aspects of Labour’s recession is that it risks leaving the poisonous legacy of a jobless generation.


Instead of pouring money into the ineffective VAT cut, Liberal Democrats have called for a paid internship scheme for our young people.


We want our young people to not go more than three months without a right of access to a place in work, training or education.


Rather than allowing someone to sit at home on benefits, young people would gain invaluable skills and experience in an actual workplace.

This is a win-win situation for both employers and those looking for work. It means that when we do finally come out of this recession our young people will have gained essential work experience.


Liberal Democrats are the only party with the practical ideas offering hope to people in Glasgow North East who are struggling through Labour’s recession.

Chris Mackie: LibDems 1 Labour 1 in Rangers roundup

Proof, if proof were needed, that the pervasive influence of the Old Firm extends into every nook and cranny of Scottish life reached us this morning as politicians began to wade into the ongoing travails of Glasgow Rangers FC.

The LibDems were first, calling on Scottish Secretary (and Celtic fan) Jim Murphy to intervene in the situation that has seen a representative of HBoS placed on the board of the Ibrox club to monitor spending.

Tavish Scott (bizarrely, a Liverpool supporter) said all football fans - even those of a green and white hooped hue - would be concerned by reports that the club had been threatened with administration by a bank substantially helped by the use of taxpayers' money.

“If the Lloyds group can take down Rangers, there won’t be many professional clubs left in Scotland," exclaimed Tavish excitedly.

Improbably, he was joined by Labour's Frank McAveety, who crossed the Glasgow divide to offer his support to the Teddy Bears, noting gravely: "Anyone who cares about Scottish football should be concerned about the financial difficulties experienced by one of our biggest clubs."

Despite The Steamie's enquiries, the Scottish Conservative and Unionist party have, perhaps surprisingly, declined to become embroiled in the row. And we didn't even phone the Greens.

Two Doctors: What planet are they on?

Winchester Lib Dem Councillor Adrian Hicks had a curious secret when he stood for election in 2006 and 2007. He felt that admitting he'd seen an alien dressed as a ballerina under the city's Guildhall clock might jeopardise his chances. The alien was laughing and having a good time, and apparently was "human enough to get away with it."

As it happens, he lost anyway in 2006 before coming from third to win in 2007. Having served his area for two years now, he feels confident enough to come out, and he's trying to track her down, presumably so they can go to Venus together. Grazia have some potentially interesting information for him - they worked out who made her dress. I agree that the likely explanation is terrestrial. He probably just doesn't know what kind of sunglasses are in fashion.

Still, we shouldn't laugh. He's in good company. The wife of the new Japanese Prime Minister believes she was abducted and taken to Venus. It could be worse. Councillor Hicks could have taken her to his leader.

(via glum councillors)

Hamish Macdonell - new start for spin doctor

NOT much has been heard about Neil McKinnon, the former spin doctor for the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
McKinnon was a fixture at the Scottish Parliament for eight years before walking away from the party last year.
The Steamie has heard rumours that he might re-surface soon, but instead of politics, he is to move to the arts, as a press officer for the Edinburgh Fringe.
Given the recent travails at the Fringe over ticketing, it may be a much harder job than the general 'herding cats' routine which McKinnon had to do when trying to keep Lib Dem MSPs in order.
But unlike politics, the Fringe only lasts for a few weeks a year.
ends

David Maddox: Lib Dem conference - subliminal messages

As the final day of the Lib Dem Scottish conference gets underway we are already getting ready for the party's young energetic leader Tavish Scott to get to his feet and deliver his first speech since being voted to the top office.
But, whatever you think about the position of the Scottish Lib Dems at the moment - the polls suggest they are facing a possible doomsday or two in upcoming elections - but one interesting point is that their choice of venue this year is very positive.
The Perth Concert Hall (pictured right) is a new looking fresh location, very accessible and easy to organise in. It gives the impression of a party which knows what it is doing, is up and coming and is very open.
No wonder the Nationalists were also here for their autumn conference and the Conservatives will be here for their Scottish conference.
In contrast last week we all crammed into the Caird Hall (pictured left) in Dundee for Labour's Scottish conference. It is tired looking with stained carpet (not necessarily with blood), peeling wallpaper, difficult to find your way around, generally disorganised and anything but easily accessible. Any party that is on its way down would fit well into it.
Venues give strong subliminal messages - the Lib Dems this week have got it right and Labour unfortunately fitted the image many have of them now.

Gerri Peev: Clegg wants to spend more time with his family

I know, I know, two Lib Dem posts in a day...please stay with me. Nick Clegg, the Lib Dem leader, has suggested that the recession may have a silver lining: it will allow/force men to spend more time with their families if they happen to be laid off.

This is a time to shake of entrenched gender stereotypes, says Clegg, who is preparing to take time off for the birth of his next off-spring. The Tories are privately pointing out that if one of their frontbenchers had tried to cast a rosy light on the recession, they would have been slated for it.

But Clegg does make a serious point. Make parental leave interchangeable and give fathers and mothers the choice as to who stays at home and who works.

Of course this can only work if at least one parent still has a job. And as the recession is hitting the female- dominated service and retail sectors the hardest, it is probably women who will be first to be given their p45s.

On that subject, should the Lib Dem leader want to request flexible working after enjoying his stint at home, can one suggest a job share with his deputy, Vince Cable?