Latest News from the Edinburgh Labour Group...
The leader of the SNP/Libdem administration has made series of claims about the coalitions first year in office that bear little scrutiny. There is not one thing, (bar the return to the old and cumbersome committee system), that the coalition can point to and say that was an original idea. For example, their “prioritising of economic development” is something we did for more than 10 years with great results. Their “contribution” of an economic development committee only came about when we suggested it during our negotiations (such as they were). The Libdem manifesto had a sub-committee and the SNP made no reference to it at all.
Of course, doing things not in their manifestos is par for the SNP/Libdem course. Like cutting school budgets by £15,000 per primary school and special school and over £50,000 per high school for the second year running. These cuts are so deep that staff in schools are loosing their posts. Yet other non manifesto plans included returning to councillors robes and buying a big telly for the city. What are their priorities is the question that many are asking?
Cuts to voluntary services of over £1,7m, causing real redundancies is one answer, again not in their manifesto. Nor was the closure of Edinburgh Leisure’s crèches or the closing of 3 community newspapers, this from parties who claim to want to hear the peoples voice! What the SNP/Libdem coalition don’t understand is it’s not just cash and jobs, but trust that is lost and that is rarely regained easily.
The cuts list goes on and on. Vulnerable elderly have lost services, home help have been cut, community workers lost jobs and community centers under threat. There are to be cuts to children with learning needs in schools and the award winning holiday programs ‘go for it’ and ‘play for it’ just thrown away without a care. Bus fares went up 10% despite a manifesto “commitment” of no more than RPI plus 1%. All this despite us leaving them £52m in the bank. Despite what this administration claims to cover their incompetence, the truth is we left the accounts in a healthy state. Why wouldn’t we? We hoped to be back in power so why would we leave things in a mess?
As well as doing things not in their manifestos, this administration have specialised in U turns. Over school closures (which again was not in their manifesto in the first place), school kitchens and Meadowbank, (they were going to save it and the land, now its going as is some of the land for fewer facilities) to name but 3. Add to that list the complete failure to progress any new schools and it’s not a good start for a new administration
As I go round the city it’s that sense of trust lost that I hear combined with a real fear that there is no direction to this administration. The long list of “achievements” cited in the Leaders report to this weeks full Council contains many good things, every one of which were begun by our administration. There is not one new idea contained within them. They have had a whole year but their lack of vision and serial incompetence is a real worry for those of us who care about this great city and its future.
E-mail: ewanaitken@edinburghlabour.com
Download the Labour Group Budget Leaflet in PDF here
|
Alternative Leader's Report.
|
 |
It was the previous Labour administration that introduced the 'Leader's Report to the full council as one of a range of measures to improve communications with the citizen. It is ironic therefore that the present council leader Jenny Dawe has continued to produce these reports in spit of being a vociferous critic of them! In response and to put the Labour Group's side of the story we have introduced an alternative report which has turned into an almost weekly newsletter.
To view the latest report click the 'Latest Issues' tag at the top of the page.
To read previous report click here
Make sure you get the new monthly e-copy of the 'Alternative Leader's Report' by clicking the 'Sign up for local e-news' box on the left and enter your e-mail address.
Labour has consistently fought the sweeping cuts to services for the vulnerable, the elderly and the young in Edinburgh! Click here for the background.
Your Labour Spokespersons.......Click here
Click here to read the Labour Group's Alternative Manifesto for the City
E-mail the Labour Group at ...... labourgroup@edinburghlabour.com |
