Latest news with #JackieBaillie
Western Telegraph
14 minutes ago
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Counting begins in Hamilton by-election
Ballot boxes arrived from across the constituency at around 10.15pm, before being rolled out across the counting room at South Lanarkshire Council's headquarters in Hamilton. A number of high-profile figures in Scottish politics are observing the count, including Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie, Net Zero Secretary Mairi McAllan and Labour MSP Monica Lennon. Ballot boxes began arriving at around 10.15pm (Jane Barlow/PA) The contest was called in the wake of the death of Scottish Government minister Christina McKelvie and was initially viewed as a battle between the SNP and Labour, but Reform UK saw a surge during the campaign, with the party thought to have a good chance of unseating Labour and coming second. The campaign has been marked by attack ads from the Nigel Farage-led party against Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, accusing him of prioritising people from Pakistan and using a speech he gave encouraging people from a South Asian background to get into politics. Opponents of Reform roundly criticised the ad as 'racist'. First Minister John Swinney described the contest as a 'two-horse race' between his party and Reform, but Labour has consistently said it is still in with a chance. The First Minister said voters should back his party in order to 'stop Farage'. He added: 'People face a simple choice in this by-election. 'They can either vote for the SNP – elect an SNP MSP – or they will end up with a Reform MSP. That's the simple choice.' Reform is yet to win an election at any level in Scotland, but boasts a number of defected councillors. Mr Farage himself, in a visit to Scotland this week, said it was unlikely his party would win, despite recent polls suggesting Reform was second in voter preference in Scotland with just 11 months to go to the next Holyrood election.
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
SNP in munitions ban hypocrisy row over Ferguson Marine
READ MORE Road deaths increased to 160 in Scotland last year, figures show One in four Scots die from a condition which could have been prevented or treated Want to reduce the campervan menace? Why not enforce the legislation? The UK Government has said it is prepared to provide the £2.5 million shortfall if Scottish Enterprise does not step in. In Holyrood on Tuesday, Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie pointed out that the Scottish Government funds Ferguson Marine, which is subcontracted by BAE to work on Royal Navy frigates. 'There are munitions on the frigate. Why is that acceptable when funding Rolls-Royce in partnership with the Malin Group to establish a welding school is not? Is this a case of the SNP putting their party's interests before the interests of jobs, the economy and the best interests of Scotland?' she asked. The MSP said the Scottish Government's position amounted to believing the military were very important, but that they should not have weapons. 'So what does the Government believe that the Army, the Navy and the Air Force should defend the country with? Pea shooters? Bows and arrows? A telling off?' Welder doing some welding (Image: © Stewart Attwood Photography ) Dame Jackie asked if the Government would reconsider. Enterprise Minister Richard Lochhead insisted the Scottish Government 'very much values' the defence sector and said enterprise agencies had allocated £45 million to defence companies since the SNP came to power. But that there was a "policy that public money should not fund the manufacture of munitions.' Scottish Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr said the position was not just 'incoherent', but 'grossly hypocritical, totally hypocritical.' Patrick Harvie, co-leader of the Scottish Greens, supported the Government's stance, saying he was dismayed by the 'insulting and demeaning language' used by the Defence Secretary, who described the Scottish Government stance as 'student politics.' Mr Harvie added: 'Isn't it all the more galling when those comments come from a government that's willing to see arms provided to a genocidal regime like Israel?' READ MORE Pressed by Labour's Paul Sweeney, who warned the refusal had sent a 'toxic signal' to investors, Mr Lochhead said the Government's focus was on 'skills development and diversification' within the defence sector. Willie Rennie of the Scottish Liberal Democrats challenged ministers on their defence vision for an independent Scotland. 'Where will we buy them from? Will we make them ourselves, and if it is not the taxpayer who is going to fund them? These are serious questions that highlight the inconsistency in the SNP approach. So will an independent Scotland have any munitions at all?' Mr Lochhead said 'of course an independent Scotland would have conventional defence forces.'
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Hamilton and Larkhall voters urged to 'call time' on 20 years of SNP 'failures'
Jackie Baillie claimed John Swinney's party was trying to hide from his long record in Government. Voters in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse will have the chance to put the SNP Government "on notice" this week, Labour has said. Jackie Baillie, the party's deputy leader, said today Scotland had suffered as a result of almost two decades of Nationalist control at Holyrood. She claimed John Swinney was attempting to hide from his record in Government which has seen a widespread decline in public services Baillie said NHS waiting times were now beginning to fall in England while they continue to flatline north of the Border. And she warned economic growth in Scotland was now lagging behind the UK average as GDP in Scotland grew by just 0.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2025, compared to 0.7 per cent across the UK. Pay is rising more slowly for Scots workers than the UK as a whole, as recent earnings data shows that over the last year pay rose by 5.8 per cent in Scotland and 6.4 per cent across the UK. Baillie said: "From our overstretched NHS to our declining education system to our crisis-hit housing system, almost all of what is broken in Scotland is run by the SNP. "Labour is working to clean up the mess left behind by 14 years of Tory chaos – ending austerity, cutting NHS waiting lists, growing our economy and taking action to boost housebuilding. "But the sad truth is SNP incompetence means many Scots are still not feeling the benefit of these changes. "SNP inaction means we still have sky high NHS waiting lists, a low pay, low growth economy, and a devastating housing emergency. "It's time for John Swinney and the SNP to take responsibility for their failures and admit that the blame for Scotland's biggest challenges lies squarely at the door of Bute House. "The SNP has been in charge for almost two decades – it's clear they don't have any answers. "The Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election is a chance for Scots to call time on SNP failure and vote for a new direction with Scottish Labour." Anas Sarwar will today unveil a new campaign ad van in the constituency as the party continues its push for votes in South Lanarkshire. SNP depute leader Keith Brown said: "In government, Labour has taken away the winter fuel payment, cut £5 billion of support for disabled people and watched on as energy bills rose by £150,' he said. "With an SNP Government, the people of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse are getting action on what matters to them: bringing back the universal winter fuel payment, record funding for our NHS and key costs lower, with peak rail fares scrapped and lower income tax for the majority of taxpayers. 'The Labour Party has let you down and Farage is trying to stoke division, but the SNP is always on your side.'
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Swinney plans political stunt at charity which had funding cut by SNP government
SUNDAY MAIL EXCLUSIVE: The First Minister's by-election blunder has been called hypocritical by Labour JOHN Swinney has been accused of 'rank hypocrisy' for planning a photo shoot at a charity that had its funding slashed by the government. Ahead of the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, the First Minister is due to go to Juniors in Hamilton tomorrow to campaign and speak to media. But the child poverty charity had its funding cut in 2023 and has had to fight to stay open ever since. Juniors helps thousands of single parents and disadvantaged families, runs a foodbank, clothing bank, benefits and money advice services as well as running a play cafe. They fundraised privately and even managed to get their 'Kindness cookies' and coffee on sale in Asda stores to help them keep going. Swinney's by-election blunder has been criticsed by Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie, who said: 'People will see this for what it is - rank hypocrisy. 'The SNP slashed funding for this group and now they want to use them as a political prop.' The veteran MSP said voters would 'get a chance to call time on SNP failure and choose a new direction' with her party when they take to the polls on Thursday. She said: 'We can see the consequences of SNP incompetence right across this community – people languishing on NHS waiting lists, high street shops struggling to stay open, and kids not getting the education they deserve.' An SNP spokeswoman said SNP councillors in South Lanarkshire had proposed funding for charities in the budget this year but blamed Labour councillors for voting against it. She said the government was "providing certainty to charities through the new multi-year fairer funding pilot" and said grants and food payments had helped 20,855 families in South Lanarkshire. She said: "The First Minister's top priority in government is eradicating child poverty, and we will continue to work towards that goal." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
The Herald Scotland
29-05-2025
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
McColl's announces withdrawal of hospital link service
The travel company says the tender for the service has ended as NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (NHSGGC) intends to run its own transport. The internal link transport on the route is to begin on Sunday, June 29. However, the new bus service run by the NHS will only be open to NHS staff and patients. Billy Hunter, deputy director of Facilities and Corporate for NHSGGC, said: 'NHSGGC will continue to provide a transport link between the VoLH and the RAH, and we will move to a free, in-house transport service from June 29, 2025. 'This direct service between the two hospitals will ensure a link remains for patients and staff. 'We would like to thank SPT for their support for the operation of the 340 bus service.' Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley. (Image: Newsquest) Jackie Baillie MSP has branded the move 'appalling' (Image: PR) Dumbarton MSP, Jackie Baillie, has voiced concerns over the bus service change, branding the move "appalling". The politician says journeys to and from both hospitals can be "long and expensive" and is calling for the 340 service to continue. Baillie said: 'NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde gave a commitment when acute services were transferred from the of Leven Hospital to the RAH in Paisley that they would provide a transport link. 'Communities in Helensburgh, the Vale of Leven and Dumbarton have no natural transport links to Paisley and journeys are long, expensive and complicated. This was more than pointed out to the health board at the time. 'Both I and the communities in my constituency were given a guarantee that this difficulty would be resolved by the provision of a bus service and it is appalling that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde should now break that promise and hope that their pledge will have been forgotten. Read more: We have power to nationalise Scotland's bus services 'It is absolutely essential that the 340 service continues to operate and that patients and visitors can freely access the RAH by public transport. 'That is what the board promised this community, and that is what the board must deliver.' An NHS GGC spokesperson had apologised for the impact on travellers who can no longer use the 340 service. They said: "We can confirm that the 340 Vale of Leven – RAH bus service, currently funded through a partnership with SPT, will end after service on June 28, 2025. A free, in-house transport service for patients, staff, and products will begin operation the following day ( June 29, 2025). "This direct service between the two hospitals will ensure a link remains for patients with a scheduled appointment at either hospital and for NHS staff. "We apologise to anyone who may be impacted by this update." A spokesperson for McColl's said: 'McColl's is disappointed by NHS Greater Glasgow's decision to discontinue Service 340 without wider consultation. We remain committed to supporting accessible transport links for patients and staff and stand ready to discuss future arrangements. 'We have been proud to serve staff, patients and visitors on this route for many years and understand the importance of reliable links between the two hospitals. "Thank you for travelling with McColl's. If you have any questions about these changes, please contact our Customer Services team on 01389 754 321 or
