New boundaries

I had a question from a constituent about the new boundaries for the Scottish Parliament elections next year.

The regular changing of boundaries is pretty confusing for the electorate - particularly as there are now larger Council ward boundaries, Scottish Parliament Constituencies, Westminster Constituencies, and the odd notion (as far as campaigning goes) that the European Parliament has no individual constituencies within Scotland at all.

There's a bit of a change for Shettleston - the Govanhill section south of the river is lost from the new constituency, but it now runs from High Street and the Saltmarket out to Baillieston. It has Duke Street and then the railway line as most of it's northern-most boundary, and the Clyde to the south. It takes in the whole of the Calton and Shettleston Council multi-member wards, and some of the Baillieston ward. Quite a size! A map can be found by following >this link<.

As most people will by now know, former Glasgow East MP John Mason is the SNP candidate for the new Shettleston constituency - we're working hard for him already!

Everyone loses

I've taken a few days to reflect on the election results - particularly the one I was closest to.

I'm just gutted that Labour's campaign of fear has resulted in the loss of a fine, hardworking MP, and replaced him with a part-timer. While Alex Salmond used this election as an opportunity to correct the dual mandate situation, Labour have used it to back up their MSPs from seats which are to be abolished for the Scottish Parliament next year.

I fail to see how the new member for Glasgow East will be able to fulfil all of her duties in two hung parliaments and still make time for her constituents. As she doesn't even live in Glasgow East (John does!), I expect she'll be there pretty rarely. Glasgow East deserves better than that.

Labour ran a campaign based on scaremongering and fibs; their "vote Labour to keep out the Tories" message seems to have failed, since we're likely to have a UK Tory government regardless. Now, they even refuse to work with the SNP, out of sheer pettiness and tribalism.

I'm hugely disappointed not just by John Mason losing his seat, but by the margin of the defeat. We ran the best campaign we could, and in truth I'm not sure there's much more we could have done with the resources we had. The by election saw hundreds of activists from across Scotland and beyond beat a path to Glasgow East - we always knew that replicating that effort on polling day was impossible.

I'm very grateful to the many people who did leave their own campaigns, both last Thursday and in previous weeks and months to help John. Your efforts were appreciated.

I would like to share a few anecdotes from Thursday:

- after we opened the campaign rooms at 6.30, people weren't long in popping in to tell us they'd voted for John. This included a chap from a trade union, and an Evening Times newspaper seller. Goes to show, they don't all believe what they read in the papers!

- I ran quite a few people to the polling station. One particular elderly lady as delighted to be voting for John, and had supported the SNP and the independence cause her whole life,. She had signed the National Covenant, a petition for the Scottish Parliament, in the 1940s.

- a couple, who wanted to proxy vote for their son in service overseas, were denied as they couldn't find the paperwork. A man whose father had died six years ago complained to me that the Election Office hadn't yet taken his name off the electoral roll. His daughter, who had moved house but not yet changed her details, was able to vote using her out-of-date details and no polling card.

- Two ladies I ran to the polls in the evening had been helped by John, and wanted him to continue as an MP, as he always tried his hardest for people.

- By contrast, another woman was so disappointed and let down by Margaret Curran's indifference to the anti-social behaviour she had suffered that she would never vote Labour again.

John is an incredibly committed and principled person, and a great role model for anyone getting involved in politics. He was well-known on the doorsteps, and his easily-accessible office on Shettleston Road was a boon for constituents. I am certain that the loss will be felt by those who need help the most. He's taking some time to reflect on what he wants to do - I dearly hope that he will find a role that keeps him in politics.

Vote SNP

I did promise a review of the Why Vote SNP book, and I suppose it's appropriate to do it tonight.

The book goes through pretty much the full gamut of SNP policies, from independence, through to education, defence, foreign affairs and health. If you take a flick through it, you'll find something to interest you.

As an SNP member, I believe that there are a great many reasons both in the book, and in my experience, to vote SNP.

In this election, what matters is that there will be a strong voice for Scotland, standing up for our communities and defending our interests. The other three UK parties cannot guarantee that.

During the 1980s, Labour failed to protect Scotland from the worst of Thatcher's cuts, or even the imposition of the Poll Tax - and that was with a more significant bloc than they are likely to achieve tomorrow.

The SNP can and will make a difference - if Scotland was offered devolution to 'kill nationalism stone dead', we can still achieve yet more with a strong presence at Westminster until independence is delivered.

I also believe that our candidates offer a different, better, representation. We are not like Labour, used to winning and taking the people for granted. We have all worked hard, fought, been defeated, and come from behind. Every vote is precious, every supporter valued.

John Mason was elected in a Council by election and through sheer dedication and perseverance has built up his reputation over the years. SNP candidates share that same determined, principled vision - standing up for what's right, and working passionately for the people they represent. They will do their very best for you.

Tomorrow, think on the qualities you feel are important; standing up for you, championing your community and your nation.

Elect a champion; Vote SNP

On the campaign trail

Apologies for the lack of posting - I've been alternating between being too busy and too tired to blog.

Things are going well in Glasgow East, with volunteers coming from a wide variety of places to help John Mason get re-elected. We've had new members, volunteers, younger people, and friends coming to campaign.

There's a genuine warmth for John from members of the public that I've met in shopping centres and on the doorstep. People know him, say hi as they pass him on the street. Groups of young people we've met out campaigning have called - "look, it's John Mason!" - and either waved or come over to chat to John.

The steadfast, dedicated work he has done in the area, not just as an MP over the previous two years, but as a Councillor for ten years, has brought many to our cause.

I'm working hard to see John re-elected so that he can continue this work. He doesn't seek power for power's sake; he wants to help and do his best for the area.

Ask Alex!

Details below of a very exciting event for Glasgow East tomorrow night! If you're interested in going, email the address below, or get in touch with me directly.


We are hosting a unique event in Easterhouse on Tuesday 4 May.

Hosted by top comedienne Elaine C. Smith, the event will feature SNP leader Alex Salmond, and local candidate John Mason.

John has been working hard to become a local champion for the people of Glasgow and of course Alex has championed Scotland for over 20 years. This is your chance to question them on the issues that matter most in your community and in this election.

The evening will be a lively contrast to the televised UK leaders debates and will be a real talking point locally.

As Elaine herself says;

“I’ll be bringing the First Minister to the people so they can quiz him directly on the issues that matter to them. And where the TV stations won’t let you laugh or clap this will be the audience’s show as much as anyone else’s."

To register please contact myviews@snp.org or by calling 0131 525 8912.

The event will be at The Bridge on Tuesday 4 May starting at 7 pm.

Tickets will be allocated on a ballot only basis and a limited number of seats are available. So please register now.