By NICOLA BARRY

Published: 05/05/2010

JUST when you think Gordon Brown cannot sink any lower in the opinion of the voters, he does exactly that, in spectacular fashion.

Every time he opens his big mouth, he forgets his microphone is still on.

However, bear in mind that his comment about Gillian Duffy could have been so much worse, especially if it has been made by a woman.

We really know how to bitch. Our prime minister, on the other hand, does not. Men call women bitches when they don’t get what they want from them. So, if a woman turns a man down for a date, she’s a bitch. If she races up the career ladder faster than he does, she’s a big, fat bitch and so on.

Women are far more likely to go for the jugular and drop some interesting bombshell about the target of their gossip.

Bitching is fine, provided you are with people you know and trust. In the case of the PM, the voters are not in that category.

As a result of all the fuss, Gillian Duffy is heading for mega stardom. She might even be the Susan Boyle of politics. An ordinary wee wifie, a widowed granny from Rochdale, suddenly thrust into the media spotlight from nowhere just like SuBo.

Suddenly, Gillian D has been revealed as a major player in the general election campaign, with the prime minister wanting to shake her hand for the TV cameras. Her name is now known nationally – possibly internationally. She is, if you like, notorious.

All because Gordon Brown, in a toe-curlingly embarrassing moment, dared to describe her as “a bigoted woman” after the poor soul raised the taboo subject of mass immigration.

Brown, who is also a poor soul these days, managed to forget for a moment that he is our servant and we are not his.

Mrs Duffy’s concerns are not difficult to comprehend. There are those who say she is not a racist; that she was just questioning Westminster’s immigration policy. Of course, there are thousands of Eastern Europeans here in Scotland and in the rest of the UK; people who have come here to find work. But Mrs Duffy’s choice of words was plain unfortunate. She talked about “flocking eastern Europeans” and it isn’t hard to see why Gordon Brown took this as a slur.

Many of these immigrants work far harder than Scots. They pay taxes. They have a right to our respect. However, whatever you think of what she said, you will probably admit that her sentiments are shared by a lot of other people who are too scared to say the words out loud. And, to question government policy on this matter is to leave yourself wide open to accusations of the R word.

No one can dispute the fact that parts of this country – and the north-east is no exception – have been all but swamped by incomers from abroad. Whether skilled white-collar workers or students seeking higher education, Eastern Europeans have been abandoning their homes in their thousands, in search of a mythical promised land. And to say so does not constitute racism.

Since joining the European Union in 2004, well over 1million Eastern Europeans have come to the UK, thought to be the largest single migration movement in history.

They have good reason to come here. Times are tough at home, with unemployment reaching an all-time high. Yes, membership of the EU has brought economic benefits but not fast enough for the country’s disconsolate army of jobless.

True to their reputation, most immigrants from Eastern Europe work extremely hard and are prepared to do anything in order to earn a living. Their output is, by all accounts, prolific, their work ethic admirable. Those who have not been able to find jobs have been prepared to fill the most menial job vacancies around just to earn a crust. The jobs no one else seems to want. Others have converted derelict buildings into delicatessens or similar businesses.

Whatever anyone says in Mrs Duffy’s defence, to dismiss all these honest folk as a “flock”, implying they resemble sheep, following each other and baa baa-ing, is an insult to their integrity.

As political parties continue to debate the way forward for immigration, many politicians and would-be politicians cash in on our worst fears, on the insecurities of many white, working-class people who say they feel under siege.

But, in 2010, look around you and listen to your friends and neighbours and you will soon hear someone moaning about the invasion of foreigners. They do sound hostile, aggressive and, I’m afraid, racist.

Politicians tell us that unfettered immigration from the extended EU and beyond has stretched this country to breaking point, turning even the most liberal of citizens into something approaching rabid fascists. The popular argument is that people feel like strangers in their own country – an exaggeration, of course – but, it would take a twisted individual not to have some sympathy for their logic. Hence Mrs Duffy’s comments.

You can almost hear the BNP chortling with glee every time a court case comes up involving illegal immigrants and every time you see pictures of foreigners gathering at Calais, trying to reach the UK and its unquestioning benefits system.

I am beginning to sound racist, but, believe me, I’m not. This is what Labour has reduced us to.

Perhaps we are over-reacting to Gordon Brown’s gaffe. After all, if you lined up the number of people in this country who had muttered something about somebody else – the queue would stretch from here to China and back again.

Yet, even here, in Scotland, this simple, straightforward woman has touched us deeply. Could it be that Gillian Duffy, widow and lifelong socialist, is the psychological boost we all need to help us ride out the recession, at a time when we are all worried about our jobs and lifestyle? Or, is it simply the fact that an underdog has finally come up trumps and shown our scandal-ridden politicians where to get off?

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The Lib Dems’ Welsh manifesto shows leader Kirsty Williams apparently speaking to a police officer – but he is not one David Cornock’s blog

Welsh Liberal Democrats have defended using a “model” dressed as a police officer in a photo with leader Kirsty Williams in their manifesto.

It is the second time in a week that the Welsh Lib Dems have admitted using stand-ins in photographs.

The party said the photo was “illustrative” and that it would not be detailing the identity of the stand-in.

Last week Cardiff North candidate John Dixon used a Lib Dem researcher dressed as a nurse in an election leaflet.

The leaflet showed him talking to a woman in nurse’s uniform who was actually a researcher for Lib Dem Assembly Member Mick Bates.

This leaflet picture showed a Lib Dem candidate speaking to a researcher dressed as a nurse

The photograph with Ms Williams appeared on page 35 of their general election manifesto in a section promising more officers on the beat.

Explaining the rationale for using such photographs, a Lib Dem spokesperson said: “Photos like these are used for illustrative purposes as it is obviously difficult for some serving members of the police force or the health service to appear in general election literature.”

The party said that the use of such “illustrative photographs” was strictly limited to the policy areas of health and policing.

The spokesperson said: “In our election communication, we only used illustrative photographs to highlight our commitment to improving the NHS and increasing the number of police on our streets.”

The party stressed that Ms Williams was not “complicit in the impersonation of a police officer”.

‘No impersonation’

The spokesperson said: “There has been no such impersonation. Being photographed dressed in a way that illustrates the police service, does not in any way represent impersonating a police officer, so there is nothing to be complicit in.”

We don’t intend to divulge the identity of the model for obvious reasons as it would potentially cause a lot of media intrusion for the individual concerned Welsh Liberal Democrats

However, a Welsh Conservative Party spokesperson said: “We were under the impression impersonating a police officer is a criminal offence.”

He added: “It would seem the Lib Dems’ support for law and order is purely ‘illustrative’ – just as it was last week when they used a fake nurse to promote their claims of support for the NHS.

“The Liberals talk about being an ‘honest partner’ at this election. Yet twice in three days they’ve been caught out trying to mislead the public.”

Tories said they were not aware of any such examples in their own election literature, and that each election publication was the responsibility of each election agent.

‘Fireman Sam’

A spokesman for Plaid Cymru said: “We can confirm that we don’t dress up members of staff or supporters in uniforms to pretend that we’re talking to real policemen or nurses – we prefer to talk to the real thing.”

Plaid also told BBC Wales: “It’s pretty worrying that the Lib Dems leader appears to be getting advice on law and order from and actor or member of staff dressed up as a policeman, however we’re not surprised by this latest leaflet – everyone knows that the Lib Dems are a party willing to do just about anything to get votes.”

“They have also tried to dress Nick Clegg up as someone who cares about Wales – and clearly that’s not true.”

A spokesperson for Welsh Labour said: “First a fake nurse, then a fake policeman – what’s next, a picture with Fireman Sam?

‘Media intrusion’

“Everyone knows that the Lib Dems will do absolutely anything for a vote, from their dodgy graphs to make-believe photos, they have always been the shameless chancers of Welsh politics.”

Lib Dems said they would not reveal the identity of the stand-in police officer.

“We don’t intend to divulge the identity of the model for obvious reasons as it would potentially cause a lot of media intrusion for the individual concerned and is not material to the issue,” the party spokesperson said.

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We are in desperate need of social and “truly affordable” housing for rental with 10,000 people on the Highland Council Housing Waiting List.
Those on local average earnings have little chance of accessing mortgages since the Banking crisis.
Most work locally and need housing in the areas where they work.  Spiralling petrol and diesel costs make it even more difficult for those on lower incomes who live in rural areas, hence my concern on this issue.

Members of the public have made clear their dismay over Labour Government’s failure to control immigration.
Nick Clegg’s Liberal Democrat comments, recently broadcast, have incensed the electorate when stating Inverness and other areas need more migrants! Gordon Brown’s Labour “open borders” policy has been a complete failure. Massive increases in migration have resulted in overstretched Public Services. The increased cost of the Benefits System underpinning the policy could have major economic consequences.

If migrants are to be welcomed, we must ensure crucial infrastructure is in place, including jobs, education, health and housing and naturally the ability to cope with the diversity of languages involved which is particularly difficult in rural areas.

We need to develop Tourism further as it is a principal Highlands industry and vital for local economy creating crucial meaningful jobs and provide the necessary homes for these people.

We need a common sense approach to address Highlands problems.

Jim Ferguson
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Press Release 21^st April 2010

Lib Dem proposal increasing cost of new homes sheer madness

Home building industry body Homes for Scotland, whose membership provides 95% of all homes built for sale in Scotland as well as an increasingly significant proportion of affordable housing, today slammed Liberal Democrat proposals to add VAT to new build homes if elected to Government.

On the day that Tavish Scott launched the party’s manifesto in Scotland, the organisation’s Chief Executive Jonathan Fair said:

“Somehow, the Liberal Democrats seem to be unaware that Scotland, not to mention the UK as a whole, is facing its worst housing crisis since the Second World War.  Not only has our industry lost up to half its workforce, development is touching an all-time low and vital First Time Buyers are struggling to find deposits of up to 25%.  Any measure increasing the cost of new homes, whether in the public or private sector, is sheer madness and will simply exacerbate the problems we as a country already face.”

Ends

Enquiries to:

Jennifer Kennedy, Homes for Scotland – 0131 455 8350

Notes to Editors:

Homes for Scotland (www.homesforscotland.com) represents the country’s home building industry which, prior to the onset of the credit crunch,:

-  was the largest source of private investment in Scotland and the largest user of the planning system

- built 20,000 new homes, contributed £6bn to the economy and directly impacted the employment of 100,000 people (2007 figures)

Half the industry’s directly employed jobs have already been lost and Scottish new build housing output has plummeted, presenting far-reaching and long-term social and economic consequences.

Click here to read Homes for Scotland’s “building for their future” appeal to MPs as they prepare to enter the election season.

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Speaking at the launch of a fair fuel price campaign, Annabel Goldie MSP, Scottish Conservative Leader says: 

“Labour and the SNP are both responsible for the high fuel prices. The Labour Government at Westminster has taxed so much that we have record fuel prices when oil is half the price it was two years ago.

“The SNP Government in Scotland has increased rates for local garage owners by up to 50% and is forcing many of them out of business. The new rates valuation brought in under the SNP penalises independent rural petrol stations because they are charged the same rates as supermarkets, but can’t get the same deals on fuel prices from wholesalers.

“The SNP may not be able to do anything at Westminster because they are irrelevant, but they are in Government in Scotland so can’t pass the buck on this issue.

“Conservatives want to ensure fairer fuel prices and increase the number of petrol stations eligible for rates relief to bring pump prices down.”

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The Conservative Manifesto 2010

A country is at its best when the bonds between people are strong and when the sense of national purpose is clear. Today the challenges facing Britain are immense. Our economy is overwhelmed by debt, our social fabric is frayed and our political system has betrayed the people. But these problems can be overcome if we pull together and work together. If we remember that we are all in this together.

Some politicians say: ‘give us your vote and we will sort out all your problems’. We say: real change comes not from government alone. Real change comes when the people are inspired and mobilised, when millions of us are fired up to play a part in the nation’s future.

Yes this is ambitious. Yes it is optimistic. But in the end all the Acts of Parliament, all the new measures, all the new policy initiatives, are just politicians’ words without you and your involvement.

How will we deal with the debt crisis unless we understand that we are all in this together? How will we raise responsible children unless every adult plays their part? How will we revitalise communities unless people stop asking ‘who will fix this?’ and start asking ‘what can I do?’ Britain will change for the better when we all elect to take part, to take responsibility – if we all come together. Collective strength will overpower our problems.

Only together can we can get rid of this government and, eventually, its debt. Only
Together can we get the economy moving. Only together can we protect the NHS. Improve our schools. Mend our broken society. Together we can even make politics and politicians work better. And if we can do that, we can do anything. Yes, together we can do anything.

So my invitation today is this: join us, to form a new kind of government for Britain.

Read the Conservative Manifesto 2010

The Conservative Manifesto 2010 is available to read in the document reader below, or alternatively download as a PDF in both hi-res and low-res versions.

Download the 2010 Conservative manifesto (3.04 megs)
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Buy copies of the Conservative Manifesto 2010

Copies of the Conservative Manifesto 2010 are available to buy from the Party Shop at a cost of £5.

Audio of the Conservative Manifesto 2010

Download the Conservative Manifesto 2010 in audio (MP3) format using the links below.

01 Invitation to Join the Government of Britain
02 Contents
03 Foreword
04 Chapter 1_Change the Economy_Introduction
05 Benchmarks for Britain
06 Ensure macroeconomic stability
07 Create a more balance economy
08 Get Britain working again
09 Encourage enterprise
10 Ensure the whole country shares in rising prosperity
11 Reform public services to deliver better value for money
12 Create a safer banking system that serves the needs of the economy
13 Build a greener economy
14 Chapter 2_Change Society_Introduction
15 Build the Big Society
16 Make Britain the most family friendly country in Europe
17 Back the NHS
18 Raise standards in schools
19 Fight back against crime
20 Chapter 3_Change Politics_Introduction
21 Make politics more accountable
22 Make politics more transparent
23 Make politics more local
24 Restore our civil liberties
25 Strengthen the union
26 Chapter 4_Protect the environment_Introduction
27 Combat climate change
28 Conserve and enhance the natural environment
29 Chapter 5_Promote our national interest_Introduction
30 Defend our security
31 A liberal Conservative foreign policy
32 An open and democratic Europe
33 One World Conservatism

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It was back in 2008 that George Osborne first announced Tory plans for a fuel duty stabiliser – an idea which was first proposed by Andrew Lilico.

The idea is simple: when the oil price is high, the fuel duty will be lowered, and vice versa.

And little would George Osborne have known in 2008  that the 2010 general election would be fought at a time when the price of petrol would be hitting an all-time high at £1.20 a litre – nearly £6 a gallon in “old money”.

And today’s Telegraph suggests that right now the introduction of the fuel duty stabiliser would probably see the price of petrol at the pump today being reduced by 10p a litre under the Conservative plan:

“The move will be funded from the increased taxes the Government raises from other levies on oil companies when wholesale prices rise… However, it is likely to prove controversial when oil prices fall as fuel duty will rise again.”

“The details of the scheme – including the price at which petrol will “stabilise” – will be the subject of a consultation launched soon after a Conservative election victory. It is expected to be launched within months if Mr Cameron is successful.

“Last night, a senior Conservative source said: “We are very straight with people. This is not a tax giveaway – instead it is a sensible, balanced policy that protects families from big increases in the oil price. When the oil price rockets, the tax falls and the petrol price at the pump stays stable – and vice-versa when the oil price falls.”

The public anger at the cost of petrol should not be underestimated and this policy provides another popular doorstep-ready policy for Conservatives to take to the electorate.

Jonathan Isaby

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Fuel Tax

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