Politics Still Matters

Going door to door over the weekend, canvassing for Labour candidates in the Euro Elections, I've lost count of how many times people have -mostly - smiled sympathetically and just asked "why are you still doing this"?

They mostly mean, of course, why are volunteer, unpaid party foot soldiers like me - and my many party colleagues who were out on Saturday - still prepared to face up and take the flack on behalf of our elected politicians in the midst of the expenses furore.

The answer is that despite the appalling behaviour of some individual politicians I still believe that electing labour party representatives into office locally, at Holyrood, Westminster and Strasbourg really matters.

In Europe it matters because its only the socialist group who are working to create jobs, protect working people, enforce better regulation of financial services and deal with climate change.

Here in the Highlands it matters because Labour is doing everything it can to save jobs, keep businesses afloat and get Scotland back on track. Its a Labour government that has rescued Scotland’s banks – not to help failed bankers, but to save jobs, mortgages, homes and savings. Its Labour who has increased people’s spending power by giving people a little extra in their pockets to support the economy; lower mortgage payments, increased child benefits and raised pension credits. Its Labour who is helping small businesses with the Loan Guarantee Scheme and making sure that HM Revenue & Customs is just a wee bit more helpful when the tax bills are due.

In Inverness it matters. Last Friday's Courier exposed the shocking social inequalities in the heart of the City. As usual, its those with the least who pay the price when our current economic model fails. Those are the people who should expect Labour to stand up for them, not make it worse.

We need to grow our way out of this recession, not cut our way out of it.

That's why I'll be proud to be out on the street in Aviemore this weekend, standing up for Labour values for all our communities.

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Climbing and Politics in Torridon

Staying in Kinlochewe with a bunch of old friends for a few days climbing in the Torridon Hills. Great to be away from the news bulletins for a bit - our lodgings don't have a TV. But the changes - for the good - in this area are plain to see all round. Road upgrades have opened the area up for safe journeys for both visitors and locals. Schools seem to be thriving - some of my pals are just back from a day at Gairloch and commented on the new high school there - and mobile broadband in the village means a few of our party can do some essential business whilst we are here. Best of all, I passed a small development of new affordable houses today - being built by Albyn -which no doubt will provide some decent homes at a fair rent for the local community. All good investments, which are making a difference. Investment that needs to be continued, not cut.

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