Don't brand us neds say city's teens
The Edinburgh Youth Social Inclusion Partnership (EYSIP) created the Citizen Y campaign in an attempt to break the negative perceptions of young people and give teenagers a voice...
The campaign is backed by Edinburgh-born actor Gary McCormack, star of Scottish film Sweet Sixteen, and Scottish Socialist Party MSP Rosie Kane, who helped unveil the St John’s mural at the weekend.
Ms Kane, who called on the Scottish Parliament to condemn the use of the word "ned" at the start of June, said Citizen Y would promote the image of youngsters and save them from a sustained attack by the Executive. "What young people need is justice and full citizen rights," she said.
An SSP spokesman added that the campaign was not a short-term solution to the problem, but would hopefully lead to the reopening of facilities for teenagers and a campaign for 16-17 year-olds to be given the vote. He said: "Young people are being tarred with the same brush, being accused of criminality and branded hooligans, but this is simply an attack by the Executive who see 16-17-year-olds as an easy target to demonise.
"These youngsters get taxed and pay National Insurance but they can’t vote, so they are effectively a powerless group that is being unfairly attacked. What Citizen Y, and similar groups, are providing is a great initiative that shows young people in a positive light."
After the summer events, Citizen Y and the EYSIP hopes to attract other youth bodies to the cause. Edinburgh Evening News
Monday, June 30, 2003
BBC NEWS | Union's threat to switch allegiance
One of Britain's biggest trade unions is considering giving money to a political party other than Labour.
Bob Crow, general secretary of the Rail Maritime and Transport Union (RMT), said the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) shared common ground with his union.
He told BBC Radio Scotland that union members are getting "fed up" with New Labour and have already cut the amount of money it gives them.
The RMT boss sounded the warning as the union prepared for its annual conference in Glasgow.
Mr Crow said his union was not going to give money to "people who would put the boot into us" and said the union movement would be "kicking up hell" if the Tories had introduced some of Labour's current policies.
He said of the SSP: "They want to renationalise the railway network, new Labour doesn't - so why should our members carry on supporting them?"
Mr Crow said his union's Scottish members were increasingly viewing the SSP as a better alternative to Labour.
"Certainly I believe we will be looking to support the SSP," he said.
"Our position at the moment is that we will remain affiliated to the Labour Party until somebody else comes along.
"That could well be the SSP. If they are going to campaign for stopping Caledonian MacBrayne being sold off, if they're going to fight for the renationalisation of the railway, I think our members in Scotland will look to support the SSP."
The SSP have six MSPs in the Scottish Parliament and can trace their origins to the campaign against the poll tax.
They favour higher taxes, renationalisation and big increases in public spending to end poverty.
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The Scotsman - Rail Union set to dump Labour in favour of SSP
THE RMT rail union could dump Labour in Scotland and switch its allegiance to the Scottish Socialist Party, it warned yesterday, writes Hamish MacDonell.
Bob Crow, general secretary of the Rail Maritime and Transport Union, sounded the warning as the union prepared for its annual conference in Glasgow later today.
Mr Crow claimed relations with Labour were "very fragile", and declared: "The New Labour government has been a disaster for us." And, in what represented a major fillip for the Scottish Socialist Party, he warned the union was likely to reduce its funding of Labour and to look increasingly to the SSP in Scotland.
Asked about his union’s funding for Labour’s election kitty, he told BBC Radio Scotland’s Eye to Eye programme: "I think we are going to severely reduce it again.
"We reduced it severely last year, and I think we are going to reduce it again this year. We will be looking for people like the Scottish Socialist Party to campaign for us."
He said of the SSP: "They want to renationalise the railway network, new Labour doesn’t - so why should our members carry on supporting them?"
Mr Crow said his union’s Scottish members were increasingly viewing the SSP as a better alternative to Labour.
"Certainly I believe we will be looking to support the SSP," he said.
"Our position at the moment is that we will remain affiliated to the Labour Party until somebody else comes along.
"That could well be the SSP. If they are going to campaign for stopping Caledonian MacBrayne being sold off, if they’re going to fight for the renationalisation of the railway, I think our members in Scotland will look to support the SSP."
At present, however, there was no alternative party for his union in England, although in Wales it backed an independent member of the Welsh Assembly, said Mr Crow.
"In England at the moment, we haven’t an alternative and that’s why we are sticking with New Labour," he said.
"But certainly in Scotland there is an alternative, and if that alternative is the SSP and that’s what our members want, then we will affiliate to them."
One of Britain's biggest trade unions is considering giving money to a political party other than Labour.
Bob Crow, general secretary of the Rail Maritime and Transport Union (RMT), said the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) shared common ground with his union.
He told BBC Radio Scotland that union members are getting "fed up" with New Labour and have already cut the amount of money it gives them.
The RMT boss sounded the warning as the union prepared for its annual conference in Glasgow.
Mr Crow said his union was not going to give money to "people who would put the boot into us" and said the union movement would be "kicking up hell" if the Tories had introduced some of Labour's current policies.
He said of the SSP: "They want to renationalise the railway network, new Labour doesn't - so why should our members carry on supporting them?"
Mr Crow said his union's Scottish members were increasingly viewing the SSP as a better alternative to Labour.
"Certainly I believe we will be looking to support the SSP," he said.
"Our position at the moment is that we will remain affiliated to the Labour Party until somebody else comes along.
"That could well be the SSP. If they are going to campaign for stopping Caledonian MacBrayne being sold off, if they're going to fight for the renationalisation of the railway, I think our members in Scotland will look to support the SSP."
The SSP have six MSPs in the Scottish Parliament and can trace their origins to the campaign against the poll tax.
They favour higher taxes, renationalisation and big increases in public spending to end poverty.
--
The Scotsman - Rail Union set to dump Labour in favour of SSP
THE RMT rail union could dump Labour in Scotland and switch its allegiance to the Scottish Socialist Party, it warned yesterday, writes Hamish MacDonell.
Bob Crow, general secretary of the Rail Maritime and Transport Union, sounded the warning as the union prepared for its annual conference in Glasgow later today.
Mr Crow claimed relations with Labour were "very fragile", and declared: "The New Labour government has been a disaster for us." And, in what represented a major fillip for the Scottish Socialist Party, he warned the union was likely to reduce its funding of Labour and to look increasingly to the SSP in Scotland.
Asked about his union’s funding for Labour’s election kitty, he told BBC Radio Scotland’s Eye to Eye programme: "I think we are going to severely reduce it again.
"We reduced it severely last year, and I think we are going to reduce it again this year. We will be looking for people like the Scottish Socialist Party to campaign for us."
He said of the SSP: "They want to renationalise the railway network, new Labour doesn’t - so why should our members carry on supporting them?"
Mr Crow said his union’s Scottish members were increasingly viewing the SSP as a better alternative to Labour.
"Certainly I believe we will be looking to support the SSP," he said.
"Our position at the moment is that we will remain affiliated to the Labour Party until somebody else comes along.
"That could well be the SSP. If they are going to campaign for stopping Caledonian MacBrayne being sold off, if they’re going to fight for the renationalisation of the railway, I think our members in Scotland will look to support the SSP."
At present, however, there was no alternative party for his union in England, although in Wales it backed an independent member of the Welsh Assembly, said Mr Crow.
"In England at the moment, we haven’t an alternative and that’s why we are sticking with New Labour," he said.
"But certainly in Scotland there is an alternative, and if that alternative is the SSP and that’s what our members want, then we will affiliate to them."
Friday, June 27, 2003
Curfew, fixed fines and electronic tags
Colin Fox, the SSP's Lothians MSP, said: "Of course we have problems on our estates with crime, but most of it is due to the failed drug policies of Labour ... Until we reform our useless drug laws we won't solve the problem.
"Tagging 10-year-old youngsters may make good headlines but, as the National Association of Probation Officers points out, it has had no impact on crime and criminality." The Herald
CANDIDATE'S BID TO FORCE POLL RE-RUN GOES TO COURT
A FORMER Paisley councillor fighting a legal battle to try to force an election re-run will have his day in court.
Iain Hogg is taking action after he lost the Paisley Seedhill seat on Renfrewshire Council to Labour candidate Rayleen Kelly by 10 votes.
But Mr Hogg claims that an election leaflet put out by the Labour Party the night before polling day contained a number of untrue statements about him.
It's the first time ever in Scotland that a losing candidate has challenged an election result on the basis of comments in a leaflet.
A writ has been served on Councillor Kelly and now a court date has been set for the case.
Mr Hogg, who fought the election for the Scottish Socialist Party, said: "We have petitioned the court to find Rayleen Kelly guilty of an electoral offence under Section 106 of the Representation of the Peoples' Act 1983.
"It is our contention that an eve of poll leaflet contained a number of false statements of fact concerning my conduct and character .We believe this leaflet affected the outcome of the election."
He added: "It is a sad day that such an action has to be raised. It is imperative however that character assassination should not be seen as a route to political victory.
"This devalues a political system which is already witnessing low turnouts."
Dr. Nick McKerrell, law lecturer at Glasgow Caledonian University and legal adviser to Mr Hogg, said: "We have set the wheels in motion and are confident that we can prove our case before the Sheriff Principal. This would be a legal first in Scotland." Paisley Daily Express
Colin Fox, the SSP's Lothians MSP, said: "Of course we have problems on our estates with crime, but most of it is due to the failed drug policies of Labour ... Until we reform our useless drug laws we won't solve the problem.
"Tagging 10-year-old youngsters may make good headlines but, as the National Association of Probation Officers points out, it has had no impact on crime and criminality." The Herald
CANDIDATE'S BID TO FORCE POLL RE-RUN GOES TO COURT
A FORMER Paisley councillor fighting a legal battle to try to force an election re-run will have his day in court.
Iain Hogg is taking action after he lost the Paisley Seedhill seat on Renfrewshire Council to Labour candidate Rayleen Kelly by 10 votes.
But Mr Hogg claims that an election leaflet put out by the Labour Party the night before polling day contained a number of untrue statements about him.
It's the first time ever in Scotland that a losing candidate has challenged an election result on the basis of comments in a leaflet.
A writ has been served on Councillor Kelly and now a court date has been set for the case.
Mr Hogg, who fought the election for the Scottish Socialist Party, said: "We have petitioned the court to find Rayleen Kelly guilty of an electoral offence under Section 106 of the Representation of the Peoples' Act 1983.
"It is our contention that an eve of poll leaflet contained a number of false statements of fact concerning my conduct and character .We believe this leaflet affected the outcome of the election."
He added: "It is a sad day that such an action has to be raised. It is imperative however that character assassination should not be seen as a route to political victory.
"This devalues a political system which is already witnessing low turnouts."
Dr. Nick McKerrell, law lecturer at Glasgow Caledonian University and legal adviser to Mr Hogg, said: "We have set the wheels in motion and are confident that we can prove our case before the Sheriff Principal. This would be a legal first in Scotland." Paisley Daily Express
Thursday, June 26, 2003
Pipes and protest greet Putin in Edinburgh
The crowd that lined the Royal Mile to watch the entourage pass was quiet and curious, but the Scottish Socialist party hung a large banner protesting against Russia's involvement in Chechnya from its offices. As the motorcade passed through the gates of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, a protester shouting about the war in Chechnya threw himself in front of Mr Putin's car before being wrestled to the ground by police. The Guardian
The crowd that lined the Royal Mile to watch the entourage pass was quiet and curious, but the Scottish Socialist party hung a large banner protesting against Russia's involvement in Chechnya from its offices. As the motorcade passed through the gates of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, a protester shouting about the war in Chechnya threw himself in front of Mr Putin's car before being wrestled to the ground by police. The Guardian
Wednesday, June 25, 2003
Edinburgh Evening News - Top Stories - From political fringes to the Festival Fringe
SHE caused a stir when she turned up at the Scottish Parliament wearing jeans and took the oath of allegiance with a felt-tip message scrawled on her hand.
Now MSP Rosie Kane is joining a growing band of politicians about to tread the boards at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
SHE caused a stir when she turned up at the Scottish Parliament wearing jeans and took the oath of allegiance with a felt-tip message scrawled on her hand.
Now MSP Rosie Kane is joining a growing band of politicians about to tread the boards at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Tuesday, June 24, 2003
Edinburgh Evening News - Politics - SSP starts prescription charge fight
SCOTTISH Socialists are ready to launch a summer campaign to harness public support for their bid to scrap prescription charges.
They will run street stalls and campaign with petitions to get across their message that the £6.30 charges are "a tax on illness" which hits the poor, disabled people and the most vulnerable in society.
Lothians SSP MSP Colin Fox has tabled a Bill for free prescriptions and has already won backing from enough MSPs for it to progress to the next stage.
Today, Mr Fox quoted figures from the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux showing that last year, 750,000 prescriptions were not dispensed in Britain because of the charge. And he said the devolved government in Wales had pledged to scrap prescription charges within the next four years.
He said: "Ninety per cent of Scots are already exempt from the charges and it is time to end the unfairness that is visited on the remaining ten per cent.
"The SSP believes that free prescriptions will mean a healthier Scotland.
"If the Scottish Executive really cares about the health of the people of Scotland it should follow the example of the Welsh Assembly and scrap prescription charges."
The Executive has said it has no plans to scrap prescription charges, but is committed to reviewing them for people with chronic health conditions and young people in full-time education or training.
SCOTTISH Socialists are ready to launch a summer campaign to harness public support for their bid to scrap prescription charges.
They will run street stalls and campaign with petitions to get across their message that the £6.30 charges are "a tax on illness" which hits the poor, disabled people and the most vulnerable in society.
Lothians SSP MSP Colin Fox has tabled a Bill for free prescriptions and has already won backing from enough MSPs for it to progress to the next stage.
Today, Mr Fox quoted figures from the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux showing that last year, 750,000 prescriptions were not dispensed in Britain because of the charge. And he said the devolved government in Wales had pledged to scrap prescription charges within the next four years.
He said: "Ninety per cent of Scots are already exempt from the charges and it is time to end the unfairness that is visited on the remaining ten per cent.
"The SSP believes that free prescriptions will mean a healthier Scotland.
"If the Scottish Executive really cares about the health of the people of Scotland it should follow the example of the Welsh Assembly and scrap prescription charges."
The Executive has said it has no plans to scrap prescription charges, but is committed to reviewing them for people with chronic health conditions and young people in full-time education or training.
Get on with M74 link now, Tory urges Executive - Evening Times
The letter has annoyed protesters including Scottish Socialist Party environment spokesperson, Glasgow MSP Rosie Kane.
She claimed it was an implied insult to objectors by suggesting they were wrong and had no need to raise their concerns.
A spokesman for protest group, TRANSform Scotland, claimed it showed the Executive was desperate "to bulldoze this motorway through" and suggested it could be looked on as an attempt to frighten people off.
Green Party spokesman Chris Ballance said the inquiry had "an air of sham about it all".
The letter has annoyed protesters including Scottish Socialist Party environment spokesperson, Glasgow MSP Rosie Kane.
She claimed it was an implied insult to objectors by suggesting they were wrong and had no need to raise their concerns.
A spokesman for protest group, TRANSform Scotland, claimed it showed the Executive was desperate "to bulldoze this motorway through" and suggested it could be looked on as an attempt to frighten people off.
Green Party spokesman Chris Ballance said the inquiry had "an air of sham about it all".
Monday, June 23, 2003
Plans to tag children meet strong opposition
Colin Fox, the SSP's justice spokesman, said: "Labour should concentrate more on social justice and dealing with poverty and inequality which creates the despair among young people, rather than bringing forward ever more draconian measures."
He claimed that tagging had been proved a failure in England. The Herald
Colin Fox, the SSP's justice spokesman, said: "Labour should concentrate more on social justice and dealing with poverty and inequality which creates the despair among young people, rather than bringing forward ever more draconian measures."
He claimed that tagging had been proved a failure in England. The Herald
Press Release 20.6.03:
SSP To Outline Prescription Charges Plan at Public Meeting
Colin Fox, Scottish Socialist Party MSP for the Lothians region, is bringing forward a bill in the Scottish Parliament calling for the scrapping of prescription charges.
Currently the charge for a prescription is £6.30 per item. Colin Fox and the Scottish Socialist Party say that this is a tax on illness, which especially hits the poor, disabled people and those in our society who are most vulnerable.
We say that if the Scottish Executive really cares about the health of the people of Scotland it should follow the example of the Welsh Assembly and scrap prescription charges.
Colin Fox MSP says:
"The SSP believes that free prescriptions will mean a healthier Scotland."
"If it's good enough for Wales, why is it not good enough for Scotland?"
Colin will be outlining his plans and talking about the SSP vision for Scotland at a public meeting on Tuesday 24th June, 7.30 pm at the Augustine Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, around the theme 'Another Scotland is Possible'.
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Scottish Socialist Party Public Meeting
Another Scotland is Possible
Speaker: Colin Fox MSP
Tuesday 24th June, Augustine Church, George IV Bridge, 7.30 pm.
More details and a copy of the leaflet in PDF format can be found on the branch website at http://www.edinburghcentralssp.org/
ALL WELCOME: COME ALONG AND BRING YOUR FRIENDS
SSP To Outline Prescription Charges Plan at Public Meeting
Colin Fox, Scottish Socialist Party MSP for the Lothians region, is bringing forward a bill in the Scottish Parliament calling for the scrapping of prescription charges.
Currently the charge for a prescription is £6.30 per item. Colin Fox and the Scottish Socialist Party say that this is a tax on illness, which especially hits the poor, disabled people and those in our society who are most vulnerable.
We say that if the Scottish Executive really cares about the health of the people of Scotland it should follow the example of the Welsh Assembly and scrap prescription charges.
Colin Fox MSP says:
"The SSP believes that free prescriptions will mean a healthier Scotland."
"If it's good enough for Wales, why is it not good enough for Scotland?"
Colin will be outlining his plans and talking about the SSP vision for Scotland at a public meeting on Tuesday 24th June, 7.30 pm at the Augustine Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, around the theme 'Another Scotland is Possible'.
---------------------
Scottish Socialist Party Public Meeting
Another Scotland is Possible
Speaker: Colin Fox MSP
Tuesday 24th June, Augustine Church, George IV Bridge, 7.30 pm.
More details and a copy of the leaflet in PDF format can be found on the branch website at http://www.edinburghcentralssp.org/
ALL WELCOME: COME ALONG AND BRING YOUR FRIENDS
Friday, June 20, 2003
The Scotsman - Scotland - MS sufferer admits giving cannabis to other victims
The Scottish Socialist Party has tabled a motion urging the Scottish Parliament to send a message of support to Ivol and calling for more money to go into research of MS treatments, including the medical use of cannabis.
The Scottish Socialist Party has tabled a motion urging the Scottish Parliament to send a message of support to Ivol and calling for more money to go into research of MS treatments, including the medical use of cannabis.
Thursday, June 19, 2003
The Scotsman - Scotland - MS victim 'sent cannabis chocolates to fellow sufferer'
the Scottish Socialist Party has tabled a motion urging the Scottish Parliament to send a message of support to Mrs Ivol.
the Scottish Socialist Party has tabled a motion urging the Scottish Parliament to send a message of support to Mrs Ivol.
BBC NEWS | Scotland | Minister orders M74 inquiry
However, Scottish Tory transport spokesman David Mundell accused Mr Stephen of "an appalling lack of leadership" and urged the executive to "get on with it".
"This inquiry is nothing but a sop to anarchists like (Scottish Socialist MSP) Rosie Kane who have objected to this vital extension all along, and who have no interest in improving transport or the economy," he said.
However, Scottish Tory transport spokesman David Mundell accused Mr Stephen of "an appalling lack of leadership" and urged the executive to "get on with it".
"This inquiry is nothing but a sop to anarchists like (Scottish Socialist MSP) Rosie Kane who have objected to this vital extension all along, and who have no interest in improving transport or the economy," he said.
Tuesday, June 17, 2003
Letter from Steve Mcgrail to 'The Scotsman', not printed
Dear Editor
It's hard to know where to start with Dan McDougal's article on me (12th June), so riddled with errors is it; these shouldn't surprise, perhaps, emanating as they do from a journalist whose very business card has the telephone number wrong. The mistakes are legion: my father was never a millionaire to my knowledge; my Victorian semi is probably worth only half what's stated; I've donated nothing like £30,000 to the SSP - and I understand that the Electoral Commission's Compliance Manager is disturbed at the inaccuracy of the article's claims here; my family has 'no vast personal fortune'; my father was from Birmingham, not Yorkshire; I'm 57 not 46; I've never contested any seat on Stirling Council; I haven't had a car for years; there was no 'squabble' with neighbours over solar panels, just the normal planning process; my late aunt was never a 'millionaire' nor a shareholder of the family company; I don't write for a folk magazine in Belfast - there isn't one.
I could continue, and tackle the generally sneering tone of the piece. For instance, I'm not 'wealthy'. Most of the legacy has gone - to relatives, and projects I support, like Scotland's hospices: I presume Mr McDougal would find that acceptable? I was simply lucky to be able to back those various causes, the SSP amongst them. If you want a real angle, you might compare my alleged 'huge donations' with what some other parties receive - mine would look like mere loose change; such a story would at least represent proper journalism, though... or would that be too much trouble?
Steve McGrail
Dear Editor
It's hard to know where to start with Dan McDougal's article on me (12th June), so riddled with errors is it; these shouldn't surprise, perhaps, emanating as they do from a journalist whose very business card has the telephone number wrong. The mistakes are legion: my father was never a millionaire to my knowledge; my Victorian semi is probably worth only half what's stated; I've donated nothing like £30,000 to the SSP - and I understand that the Electoral Commission's Compliance Manager is disturbed at the inaccuracy of the article's claims here; my family has 'no vast personal fortune'; my father was from Birmingham, not Yorkshire; I'm 57 not 46; I've never contested any seat on Stirling Council; I haven't had a car for years; there was no 'squabble' with neighbours over solar panels, just the normal planning process; my late aunt was never a 'millionaire' nor a shareholder of the family company; I don't write for a folk magazine in Belfast - there isn't one.
I could continue, and tackle the generally sneering tone of the piece. For instance, I'm not 'wealthy'. Most of the legacy has gone - to relatives, and projects I support, like Scotland's hospices: I presume Mr McDougal would find that acceptable? I was simply lucky to be able to back those various causes, the SSP amongst them. If you want a real angle, you might compare my alleged 'huge donations' with what some other parties receive - mine would look like mere loose change; such a story would at least represent proper journalism, though... or would that be too much trouble?
Steve McGrail
Sunday, June 15, 2003
Sunday Herald - Party girls
The Scottish parliament is succeeding at attracting more women into politics, but as a society we are continuing to fail working-class women, argues Scottish Socialist Party MSP Frances Curran
The Scottish parliament is succeeding at attracting more women into politics, but as a society we are continuing to fail working-class women, argues Scottish Socialist Party MSP Frances Curran
Friday, June 13, 2003
BBC NEWS | Scotland | Reshuffle 'a dog's breakfast'
Scottish Socialist Party leader Tommy Sheridan said it was an insult to put an English lord in charge of Scotland.
"I didn't rate Helen Liddell, but at least she was a Scottish MP," he said.
"Lord Falconer's main claim to fame is that he shared a flat with Tony Blair.
"This reinforces the SSP's view that it is time that Scotland took charge of its own affairs as an independent socialist Scotland."
Scottish Socialist Party leader Tommy Sheridan said it was an insult to put an English lord in charge of Scotland.
"I didn't rate Helen Liddell, but at least she was a Scottish MP," he said.
"Lord Falconer's main claim to fame is that he shared a flat with Tony Blair.
"This reinforces the SSP's view that it is time that Scotland took charge of its own affairs as an independent socialist Scotland."
Thursday, June 12, 2003
Unreal perceptions of juvenile offending
Letter from Rosie Kane to the Herald newspaper
I WOULD like to take up Eddie Orme's point (June 11) that "I do seem to witness more and more anti-social behaviour in daily life". Our research, and that of several major organisations involved in juvenile offending, shows that offending rates have remained more or less unchanged over 10 years. Our contention is that the perception of juvenile offending by a section of the adult population is way out of proportion to reality and that it is played up mercilessly by the tabloid press who love nothing better than to scare folk.
The deputy chief constable of Lothian and Borders Police, Tom Wood, said on June 1 that "The facts are that young people are no worse or better today than they ever have been. And there is no more youth crime than there ever has been, at least not in the last 10 years". He also suggested that the use of pejorative language in relation to young people "is misleading in that it implicates all young people" and "leads us down a false track".
Urban myths are prone to grow rapidly but "Rosie Kane wants to ban the word 'ned'" must surely be the fastest-growing fib in history. Here is the question I asked on June 5 in the Scottish Parliament that has caused this whole stramash: "Rosie Kane (Glasgow) (SSP). To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on use by ministers [I repeat, by ministers] of the word 'ned' in relation to young people". I was asking the government what they thought of the use of pejorative language in relation to young people by its ministers.
The SSP group were saying that ministers should be ashamed of the way they have used young people as a political football to win the votes of people who may have genuine concerns over juvenile offending. They were able to get away with it because 16-17-year-olds in this country are an easy target - they don't have the vote.
Give them their democratic rights and you'd see the mainstream political parties falling over themselves to shake hands and ask for their support. It's an iron rule of politics that politicians don't insult the electorate; our youngsters should be afforded the same protection as the rest of us.
Rosie Kane, MSP, The Scottish Parliament.
Letter from Rosie Kane to the Herald newspaper
I WOULD like to take up Eddie Orme's point (June 11) that "I do seem to witness more and more anti-social behaviour in daily life". Our research, and that of several major organisations involved in juvenile offending, shows that offending rates have remained more or less unchanged over 10 years. Our contention is that the perception of juvenile offending by a section of the adult population is way out of proportion to reality and that it is played up mercilessly by the tabloid press who love nothing better than to scare folk.
The deputy chief constable of Lothian and Borders Police, Tom Wood, said on June 1 that "The facts are that young people are no worse or better today than they ever have been. And there is no more youth crime than there ever has been, at least not in the last 10 years". He also suggested that the use of pejorative language in relation to young people "is misleading in that it implicates all young people" and "leads us down a false track".
Urban myths are prone to grow rapidly but "Rosie Kane wants to ban the word 'ned'" must surely be the fastest-growing fib in history. Here is the question I asked on June 5 in the Scottish Parliament that has caused this whole stramash: "Rosie Kane (Glasgow) (SSP). To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on use by ministers [I repeat, by ministers] of the word 'ned' in relation to young people". I was asking the government what they thought of the use of pejorative language in relation to young people by its ministers.
The SSP group were saying that ministers should be ashamed of the way they have used young people as a political football to win the votes of people who may have genuine concerns over juvenile offending. They were able to get away with it because 16-17-year-olds in this country are an easy target - they don't have the vote.
Give them their democratic rights and you'd see the mainstream political parties falling over themselves to shake hands and ask for their support. It's an iron rule of politics that politicians don't insult the electorate; our youngsters should be afforded the same protection as the rest of us.
Rosie Kane, MSP, The Scottish Parliament.
Wednesday, June 11, 2003
Tuesday, June 10, 2003
BBC NEWS | Scotland | MSP guilty of Trident protest
Outside court Kane, a list member for Glasgow, said she was prepared to go to prison for her beliefs but was pleased Mrs Dance had imposed community service as an alternative rather than a jail term.
The MSP said: "I thought I would have to pay a fine or be banged up but I think Mrs Dance listened to me and thought about it, you get the feeling that she understood.
"This is all a waste of time and a waste of money. It's the third time I have been up in court for protesting and I will be up again."
Outside court Kane, a list member for Glasgow, said she was prepared to go to prison for her beliefs but was pleased Mrs Dance had imposed community service as an alternative rather than a jail term.
The MSP said: "I thought I would have to pay a fine or be banged up but I think Mrs Dance listened to me and thought about it, you get the feeling that she understood.
"This is all a waste of time and a waste of money. It's the third time I have been up in court for protesting and I will be up again."
Both sides find something to cheer in announcement
Tommy Sheridan, leader of the Scottish Socialist party, said: "The SSP is opposed to the euro and in particular the pro-big business agenda which Mr Blair and Mr Brown are behind. We are currently meeting in Athens with the European left to prepare a socialist alternative for the European elections next year." The Herald
Tommy Sheridan, leader of the Scottish Socialist party, said: "The SSP is opposed to the euro and in particular the pro-big business agenda which Mr Blair and Mr Brown are behind. We are currently meeting in Athens with the European left to prepare a socialist alternative for the European elections next year." The Herald
Monday, June 09, 2003
Telegraph | Opinion | Notebook
'The Queen coming means less than nothing to me," observed Rosie Kane of the Scottish Socialist Party of the Queen's visit to Scotland's Parliament a few days back. "It's just another load of pomp and ceremony that secures the monarchy in the Parliament and, quite frankly, there is no place for the monarchy in the Parliament.''
'The Queen coming means less than nothing to me," observed Rosie Kane of the Scottish Socialist Party of the Queen's visit to Scotland's Parliament a few days back. "It's just another load of pomp and ceremony that secures the monarchy in the Parliament and, quite frankly, there is no place for the monarchy in the Parliament.''
Telegraph | News | Street fighters gang up against the Neds Party
"Phrases like "crackdown on the neds" have become commonplace, much to the annoyance of the Scottish Socialist Party and its six representatives in the Parliament.
Led by Rosie Kane, the denim-clad virago from Glasgow, they say that the word should be banned from parliamentary usage because it typecasts all young people. Their opponents, however, say that the reason is much simpler, namely that the SSP is the Neds Party given its large proportion of support from Scotland's disenchanted youth.
Mrs Kane has tabled a motion on the subject and raised the issue again yesterday during Question Time. As a result she achieved one of her objectives - huge publicity for herself, as well as her cause."
"Phrases like "crackdown on the neds" have become commonplace, much to the annoyance of the Scottish Socialist Party and its six representatives in the Parliament.
Led by Rosie Kane, the denim-clad virago from Glasgow, they say that the word should be banned from parliamentary usage because it typecasts all young people. Their opponents, however, say that the reason is much simpler, namely that the SSP is the Neds Party given its large proportion of support from Scotland's disenchanted youth.
Mrs Kane has tabled a motion on the subject and raised the issue again yesterday during Question Time. As a result she achieved one of her objectives - huge publicity for herself, as well as her cause."
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