John McKendrick for Ross, Skye, and Lochaber

BNP Put Where They Belong

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:35:23 +0100

As a lawyer I might have a bit of a soft spot for the law; this doesn’t always make meflavour of the month on the doorsteps. Understandable. Today, as a discrimination lawyer, I was delighted to see the Race Relations Act 1976 used to inflict an important defeat on the odious British National Party. Formerly they have refused to permit non-white people to be a member of their party. Today they conceded that policy would have to change. Odd one would to want to be a member, but today is a symbolic victory for all of us who believe in ending discrimination. The Government has acted over the last 12 years to reinforce equality legislation to outlaw discrimination; it is social engineering and we should be proud of that. It is changing society for the better, as today demonstrates.

Have they Changed?

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:12:00 +0100

The Conservative Party had boasted that this year, they would be the first Tory conference to celebrate with a lesbian and gay fringe event. They soon regretted this when Ben Summerskill, the highly respected CEO of Stonewall, pulled out of the event today. He pulled out because of the Tories’ links to far right politicians in Eastern Europe. He was aggrieved some of these Polish and Latvian extremists had been invited to the Tory conference. He was right.

I think it’s fair to judge a government or a would be government on how it treats minorities. Power is a dangerous thing. The majority in any country wields the power. It’s easy to be nasty to a minority, whatever that minority may be. The Tories have repeatedly shown they reinforce their power by acting against minorities (gays, asylum seekers, Scots…). The legitimacy for any government should flow from exactly that: legitimacy, and that comes when a government is competent, capable and at the end of the day legitimate. It’s the worst form of power to seek legitimacy not from noble qualities but from baser ones. The Tories are indulging in the politics of the gutter when they team up in the European Parliament with those with homophobic and anti-Semitic views.

As a gay man, personally I am saddened by the Tories. More becuase I had hoped as an ordinary member of the electrorate, we might see a Tory partying talking about trying to form a government based on legitimacy and not on power. A government that defined itself not by pandering to the vulgar lowest common denominator, but one which enobled all groups in society.

Ben Summerskill was right to boycott the Tory fringe tonight. If real politicians lead by empowering us, the electorate, with better ideas for our own future, David Cameron, has fundamentally erred. He led his Euro party into a coalition with those who seek power based upon fear and exploitation. If we reflect on the fact we are all minorities in one way or another, it ill-behoves us to hand power to those who don’t have the strength to wield it for all of the electorate, whoever, they may be.

It's started already: the Nasty Party is Back!

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:53:29 +0100

First major day of the Conservative Party Conference; first major policy initiative.

The age for pension entitlement will be put back to 65 in 2016, a full decade before the Government had chosen to do so (following the Turner Review). The Tories, glib as ever, and apparently disinterested in equality, have not even worked out whether both women and men will both have their pension entitlement age brought forward. It’s poorly handled policy; its demonstrates what amateurism pervades the opposition.

Worse to come - the Tories have picked upon those in society least able to afford the cuts; they have deliberately chosen measures which will unfairly affect the poorest. They have picked upon a group in society, pensioners, who are least able to live on a reduced income. Those pensioners who are reliant upon the state pension to survive will be disadvantaged more than any other group under Tory cuts.

Today the Conservative party had an opportunity to demonstrate their much heralded belief in compassion or fairness. They have failed miserably. They have chosen their priorities; they have unveiled their lack of concern. They will push ahead with reducing inheritance tax to benefit the richest whilst, in reality, cutting pensions, impoverishing those least able to afford such measure.

Beware. Today we saw their true colours.

"This is not government, it is a campaign. Alex Salmond acts like a demagogue not a democrat. He’s..."

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 08:11:00 +0100

““This is not government, it is a campaign. Alex Salmond acts like a demagogue not a democrat. He’s not standing up for Scotland but using Scotland.””

- Iain Gray

http://www.scottishlabour.org.uk/iain-gray-warns-of-twin-threat-of-salmond-and-cameron

Conference calls change.

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 08:08:45 +0100

The Labour Party had a good conference in Brighton. It was united, determined, motivated and able to demonstrate to the public it was full of good policy intiatives for the forthcoming election and the Parliament beyond. It’s fair to say the next election is one between change or change. Labour change would involve, it is accepted, a change in relation to public spending, but a clear commitment to prioritisng public spending; initiatives to help those with cancer consult specialists sooner demonstrates the party’s commitment to ensuring front line services are enhanced. Conservative change is demonstrated by the run up to their conferece: jingoism over Europe, a dangerous blurring of the state in the form of their “insurance” premium of a £ 8, 500 policy for social care provision for the elderly and amazingly enough infightining between their supposed big guns. If David Cameron can’t control his party on the big issue of Europe within months of a General Election, does he really have the strength and leadership needed to be Prime Minister?

To cut or not to cut?

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:00:00 +0100

Whether we have yet turned the corner out of one of the worst recessions for decades is not yet wholly clear. Will there be a double dip? Calls across Europe and calls by opportunistic opposition politicians in the UK for significant public expenditure cuts remain mistimed.

There is an inevitability to cuts at a later stage in the economic cycle; the enormous expenditure required by the Government to support the banks and the significant fall in revenue caused by the global recession have harmed the nation’s coffers.

The time will come for cuts, but as the Prime Minister reassured trades unions recently, investment in jobs must continue. To cut now would be devastating for thousands of families and could imperil the entire recovery - signs of which are now hard to ignore - but Tory demands for cuts could easily plunge the country into a double dip recession.

When the Prime Minister and the Chancellor showed courage and leadership genuinely doing “whatever it takes” to support our banking and financial sector - they were not just saving a few banks, they ensured our national survival. In the modern capitalist world, what use is a market without capital, and where is capital without banks? The Tories dithered in 2008 and their inexperience could have ruined us all.

Now, they boldly call for cuts, ignoring again the economic reality of our situation. Political opportunism comes before the reality of hard working families across the country.

Cuts will come, but it is a matter of when and where. The Tories were savage before and will be again. What hope is there we will have the same NHS in 2014 if Cameron wins? What hope can there be when his party rails against the greatest success post war Britain has gifted itself? Politicians will be judged by where they cut services.

Across Ross Skye and Lochaber I have visited Highland and Island Enterprise offices. One thing is clear - the percentage level of public sector employment in the Highlands is higher than elsewhere in the UK. If the Tories attack public services, it will be families in Ross Skye and Lochaber who will be disproportionately affected.

John visits the Skye Young Carers’ Project.

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:17:02 +0100

John visits the Skye Young Carers’ Project.

Skye Young Carers' Project

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:15:45 +0100

Labour PPC calls for funds for Skye Young Carers Project

John McKendrick, Labour’s PPC for Ross Skye and Lochaber, has written to Bill Alexander the Head of Children’s services at the Highland Council calling for additional funds to support the work of the Skye Young Carers’ Project.

The Young Carers Project supports dozens of vulnerable young children, some as young as 5, who act as carers for family members. The Project, situated near Portree, supports them in a number of significant ways. John visited the project when campaigning on Skye over the summer and felt compelled to write to Mr Alexander after seeing the extraordinary work done by the Project.

John said:

“The Skye Young Carers Project plays an extraordinary role in the lives of some of the most vulnerable young people in the Highlands. The dedication and commitment of the staff to these young people is an example to us all. Without additional funds, which are now desperately needed, the ability of the staff to respond to the needs of these children and offer them as much support as they can will be imperilled. I really hope Bill Alexander can intervene to provide financial support.”

The letter said:

“Dear Mr Alexander,

Skye Young Carers Project

As the Labour Party’s prospective parliamentary candidate for the Ross Skye and Lochaber constituency I had the pleasure of visiting the Skye Young Carers Project near Portree. I spent some time there speaking to the staff and the children and learning about the demands on the lives of the young people who benefit from this service.

It is a considerable concern that children, some so young, should have such demands placed upon them, as they try to cope with the difficulties of their home settings and the demands of education. The Project, it seemed to me, offered a special place where these young people could feel happy and supported in what, at times, can be a challenging and difficult life.

I was immensely encouraged by the dedication of the staff at the Project: both the employed staff and the volunteers.

I understand you are familiar with the work of the Project and I am sure you will agree the work carried out there is essential and necessary to support this vulnerable community in the Highlands.

I understand funding for administrative support is very much needed and that there are few sources for this much needed support for the Project. I am told administrative support in the region of twenty hours per week is desperately needed to allow the staff at the Project to continue their work and to support their focus on helping the lives of the young people who are comforted and supported by the Project.

I very much hope in your senior role at the Highland Council you will be able to provide backing for this call for much needed support for the Project and that you will look favourably on the Project’s request for additional funding.”

Canvassing in Caol with former MSP Maureen Macmillan, MSP David...

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 13:19:00 +0100

Canvassing in Caol with former MSP Maureen Macmillan, MSP David Stewart and Councillor Brian Murphy. An excellent response to the core Labour message was received on the doorstep.

John outside HIE Dingwall.

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:11:46 +0100

John outside HIE Dingwall.

Ready for the campaign ahead!

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 14:23:31 +0100

Ready for the campaign ahead!

"Head and shoulders above the rest as the right leader"

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 14:16:00 +0100

“Head and shoulders above the rest as the right leader”

- John on our Prime Minister

Highland Cuts Watch

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 13:52:26 +0100

Highland Cuts Watch

I’m really looking forward to four full days of campaining in the constituency this week. Hope...

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 13:43:35 +0100

I’m really looking forward to four full days of campaining in the constituency this week. Hope to see you on the road. John

Get in touch!

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 13:35:10 +0100

I would enjoy hearing your views about how the Scottish Labour Party can help you, your families and your community in Ross, Skye and Lochaber.

Please get in touch by email on: john@johnmckendrick.com

Thanks

John

John McKendrick selected as Labour Hope

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 13:28:49 +0100

John McKendrick selected as Labour Hope

Skye Bridge

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 13:24:00 +0100

Skye Bridge

A message from John

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 13:21:00 +0100

“I am delighted to have been selected as the Labour candidate for Ross Skye and Lochaber and look forward to the challenge of winning votes for the Labour Party. It makes me immensely proud to have been given the opportunity to represent those people who vote for the Labour Party in this part of Scotland; their votes mean very much to the Party and I hope to be able to convey the core Labour messages to the entire constituency during the next months. At the next general election voters will have the choice of maintaining the security provided by the Labour Government or jeopardising stability by voting for an inexperienced Conservative party; focused on cutbacks across the country and likely to return Scotland to the political and economic marginalisation of the Thatcher days.

All political parties have been shaken by the expenses scandal, and rightly so. It is time to place integrity back into the political system. My campaign will focus hard on education, youth employment and social mobility, the keys to economic and social success in northern Scotland.”

"Today is a time for all of us to come together to make the changes that are necessary."

Wed, 13 May 2009 22:31:00 +0100

“Today is a time for all of us to come together to make the changes that are necessary.”

- Gordon Brown on the expenses row.

Eilean Donan Castle, Dornie. One of the most photographed spots...

Wed, 13 May 2009 22:29:05 +0100

Eilean Donan Castle, Dornie. One of the most photographed spots in Scotland, and within the Ross, Skye, and Lochaber constituency.

Original photo by Gustavo Naharro, and used under a Creative Commons licence.