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Scotsman
6 days ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Farage and his party are dangerous charlatans
Voters in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse are going to the polls in a by-election that really matters. It matters not just for this constituency, but for all of Scotland, because it is now a two-horse race between the SNP and Nigel Farage. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Labour and the Tories have given up the fight, dodging TV debates and husting meetings. The by-election will either see the election of a moderate, mainstream SNP MSP or a populist right-wing Farage fan boy. No wonder a growing number of voters understand that a lot is riding on this by-election and that the Farage agenda is no appealing at all. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Farage supports NHS privatisation with an insurance payment model. Farage supports the hollowing out of the social care system in Scotland with crazy immigration restrictions. Farage is more responsible for the cost-of-living crisis than most with the consequences of his hard Brexit. Farage wants to undermine Scottish democracy and public spending. Farage has stood by an appalling racist campaign video. The stakes could not be higher. Households across Scotland are feeling the pinch. Soaring prices, energy bills and other costs are having a real impact. What people need right now is practical support — not a snake oil salesman. That's why the SNP is acting decisively. The SNP Scottish Government is reintroducing the winter fuel payment for all pensioners — a vital support that Labour cut when they had the chance to help. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The SNP Scottish Government is committed to scrapping the two-child cap on child benefits, which has pushed thousands of families deeper into poverty. The SNP Scottish Government is scrapping peak rail fares, cutting costs for commuters and helping families save on daily travel. These are concrete and costed actions which are designed to support people through the cost-of-living crisis. In this by-election, SNP candidate Katy Loudon is offering a clear alternative to the failing UK Labour government, discredited Tories and Nigel Farage. A dedicated local councillor and teacher, Katy understands the challenges families face and is standing on a platform of delivery, not delay. Her pledge to protect local services includes fighting Labour's proposal to cut school bus services — a move that would disrupt travel for thousands of pupils and burden parents already under pressure. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Labour, meanwhile, have effectively abandoned this contest. They've offered no new ideas, no plan for the future, and no defence against the growing influence of Nigel Farage's toxic brand of politics. It's crystal clear that Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse is now a straight fight between the SNP and a far-right agenda that has no place in our communities. Voters should remember that Farage is making wild policy suggestions that are entirely unworkable, undeliverable and uncosted. Where he recently won in England he is emulating the slash and burn tactics of Elon Musk in seeking to cut billions of pounds of imagined wasteful public spending. Meanwhile, when important events are on in parliament he's been posted missing on holiday. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He and his party are dangerous charlatans. They pursue power with backing from super-rich donors, but it will be the poor and vulnerable that pay the price. I urge voters across the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse constituency to back Katy Loudon and a future built on fairness, compassion and delivery. Vote SNP to keep the Scottish Parliament Farage-free.
Daily Record
27-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
East Kilbride MSP welcomes Carer Support Payment stats for South Lanarkshire
Collette Stevenson said: 'These numbers show the real impact of the SNP's commitment to supporting carers." East Kilbride MSP Collette Stevenson MSP has welcomed new statistics relating to the SNP Scottish Government's Carer Support Payment. More than £89.5 million, including £6,501,420 across South Lanarkshire, has now been issued in vital financial support to carers throughout Scotland since it was piloted in November 2023. The Carer Support Payment replaces Carer's Allowance for new Scottish applicants and is a cornerstone of Scotland's distinct social security system. According to the latest figures, a total of 17,260 applications for the Carer Support Payment were received between November 2023 and the end of March 2025. Of the 10,375 applications processed, 73 per cent were approved, underlining the programme's strong uptake and success in reaching those in need. The data also reveals that carers from every local authority in Scotland have accessed the new payment since the national roll-out in November 2024. South Lanarkshire made up nine per cent of applications. Ms Stevenson said: 'These numbers show the real impact of the SNP's commitment to supporting carers. Carers make an immense contribution to our communities, and I am proud that Scotland is recognising their value through direct financial support. 'This investment of over £89 million across Scotland is not just a number, it represents a lifeline for thousands of people who care for loved ones every day, with millions of pounds going to almost 1500 carers across South Lanarkshire. 'This is what a Scottish social security system based on dignity, fairness and respect looks like." *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. And did yo
The Herald Scotland
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
MP demands Swinney steps in and recalls Flamingo Land approval
In September 2024, the Yorkshire-based theme park operator, Flamingo Land Ltd, had their planning permission in principle rejected by all 14 board members in attendance. The £40m proposals could create more than 100 holiday lodges, two hotels, a waterpark, a monorail, 372 car parking spaces, shops, and more on the site called 'Lomond Banks'. Planning permission in principle will be subject to a legal agreement being reached. READ MORE: Conservation charity welcomes Flamingo Land decision The final decision has therefore been deferred for the period detailed in the Notice of Intention to allow the conclusion of that agreement. Douglas McAllister MP has called for First Minister John Swinney to intervene in proceedings. He said: "A single Scottish Government appointed reporter overruling the collective will of the local planning authority and overwhelming and sustained public opposition to the application, is unacceptable. Douglas McAllister MP (Image: Colin Mearns)"It is doubly disappointing to hear today that the relevant Scottish Government Minister, is refusing to use his powers to call-in the application, and therefore such is the importance of this site at Balloch and Loch Lomond, a national symbol of Scotland's scenic beauty and world-renowned, it is entirely appropriate that the First Minister now steps in immediately to call-in this application and urgently review the decision of his own Planning and Environmental Appeals Division of the Scottish Government. "I have received countless emails and letters of disappointment and disgust from my West Dunbartonshire constituents at this SNP Scottish Government's decision, and it is simply not good enough for the Scottish Ministers and the First Minister to wash their hands of this outcome. "They have the power to call it in and should be doing so now. "It would be incredibly disappointing for the SNP Scottish Government to ignore these calls."
