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Who Will Be Next?
Following the expenses fall-out last week, speculation has moved on to look at the wider consequences the scandal is expected to have on the electoral make up of Westminster. Conservative MP Julie Kirkbride – who has just announced that she is to stand down at the next election - has been bearing the brunt of the media coverage this week, but it has also been suggested that many more MPs are in the firing line. Several Labour and Conservative MPs have already announced their intentions to stand down. The pressure will be on for all incumbent MPs to prove to the voters that they deserve to hold on to their seat, come election time. Estimates on how many sitting MPs might lose their seats due to expenses revelations vary wildly. Trade union General Secretary Paul Kenny publicly announced this week that he believes at least 50 Labour MPs will be forced to resign. When questioned further, Mr Kenny said: "It will be well in excess of a hundred, I would have said. I think at least 50 from the two major parties and there will be a sprinkling of others." If Mr Kenny’s predictions turn out to be true, at the next general elections almost 15% of Westminster MPs could be replaced due to this single issue. These predictions are of course particularly worrying for the Labour party, who face an uphill struggle over the Government’s handling of the economic crisis, the Brown Leadership and party disputes. Even without the expenses scandal these problems have left many convinced that they will see a Conservative Government come to power next year. A Vote For Europe
With all of the upheaval surrounding politics in the UK, next week’s European elections may offer some clues as to how the voters really feel about our politicians at the moment. Politicians north and south of the border have been urging the public not to let the expenses row prevent them from voting in next Thursday’s elections. Persuading the public to get involved in European elections has never been particularly easy (just over 30% turnout was recorded in 2004) but in the current climate the task of motivating voters has been even tougher. In Scotland hopefuls to fill the six available seats in Brussels (a reduction from the current seven Scottish MEPs) have been attending ‘question time’ meetings and hustings up and down the country in an attempt to win some more support for themselves (and their party). Candidates in the running include existing MEPs Struan Stevenson (Con), Alyn Smith (SNP), George Lyon (Lib Dem), David Martin (Lab), Catherine Stihler (Lab). Only Lib Dem MEP Elspeth Attwooll and Conservative MEP John Purvis have decided not to enter into the running. In total representatives from 12 political parties, as well as 1 independent will be competing in Scotland. MSPs are also expected to turn out next Thursday to support their parties’ candidates, especially as parliament will now not be in session that day. Voting results from Scottish local authorities are likely to be declared individually on Sunday 7th June – apart from the Western Isles region, who according to media reports, will announce on Monday out of respect for the Sabbath. The local votes are then added together as Scotland is one constituency for European election. The final results will be announced in Edinburgh on the Monday. Greener Scotland
The Scottish Government unveiled its Carbon Management Plan this week. It comes as part of the government’s overall strategy for a ‘Sustainable Scotland’ and on becoming more energy efficient. The plan contains information on numerous activities, which the government hopes to implement in order to cut their own emissions and create a ‘greener government.’ Speaking as the plan was published Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Stewart Stevenson said: "Leading by example extends to the whole of the public sector - collectively we can make a big difference. In practice, this means scrutinising our own performance and adapting our work processes wherever we can to deliver essential carbon savings. The Carbon Management Programme will ensure the Scottish Government and other public bodies are moving in the same direction - towards a sustainable future for Scotland." Perhaps not so enthusiastic about reducing climate change this week, however, was Holyrood’s Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee. The committee rejected Lib Dem Alison McInnes’ call to bring in a 3% annual emissions reduction and the Green’s bid to increase the emissions targets even further to 90% by 2050. Stage 2 consideration of the Climate Change Bill is expected to be completed by the committee over the next two weeks. |
In this issueAbout Weber ShandwickWeber Shandwick Public Affairs is the leading public affairs agency in Scotland with a team of consultants bringing experience from the heart of government, political parties, the Scottish Parliament, Scottish Government and the private sector. Working closely with our colleagues in London, Belfast, Manchester, Cardiff and Brussels we can support your work whether you need to communicate to politicians or decision makers in the Scottish Parliament, Westminster, devolved Assemblies or Europe. Pass it onIf you know someone who may be interested in receiving this newsletter, you can easily forward up to five copies at once. |
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