SNP NORTH AMERICAN NETWORK NEWSLETTER
UPDATE
NOTE-- due to regulations set by the Labour party in London
Only persons with the right to vote in the UK may contribute directly to the SNP. Supporters who have no vote in the UK are asked to contribute to our North America Fund, the income from which is retained in North America to support awareness-raising there about Scotland and the SNP.DETAILS OF ALEX SALMOND USA VISIT Details of Mr Alex Salmond's visit to the eastern United States have effectively been agreed. The schedule of events at present is as follows:
Saturday November 13th: Alex arrives in Washington DC. Sunday November 14th: Afternoon social gathering with supporters. Monday November 15th: National Press Club. Meetings with editorial boards of Washington newspapers. Lectures at National Democratic Institute and Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Tuesday November 16th: American University School of Law. Woodrow Wilson School for Public and International Affairs at Princeton University.Wednesday November 17th: Social event in Kearney, NJ. Thursday November 18th: Center for European Studies (Harvard). Boston University. Wellesley College.
Friday November 19th: Return from Boston to Scotland. For confirmation of Alex Salmond's schedule you can check out the SNP (USA) website for updated schedules, detailed information and directions to events on: http://www.scottishhistory.com/snpalex.htm
BACKGROUND TO THE LECTURE TOUR During Tartan Day 1999 celebrations in DC, the idea of Alex Salmond making a lecture tour was floated between SNP (USA) and George Reid, now a Central Region MSP and Deputy Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament. Agreement was finalised on the day the reconvened Scottish Parliament was officially re-established. There are several aims for this tour. Scotland retains a special place in the hearts of Americans, and the historic events this year have renewed American interest in the workings of the Scottish Parliament as Scotland, one of the oldest nations in the world, re-enters the political scene. It is important to ensure that US decision-makers, of today and tomorrow, receive an accurate picture of the new Scotland and the positive nature of the SNP. This explains the focus on academic institutions, with spin-off media activities. A future West Coast tour is anticipated.
Projects like these cannot function solely on donated time and resources. In order to maintain the existing network and fund events such as these, we need contributions from our supporters. To this end, SNP (USA) appeals, in particular, to those supporters who have been unable to help with the current lecture tour. Any surplus will be devoted to future Stateside projects. Checks can be payable to: SNP(USA) and mailed to: Alison MacDonald Duncan, US Legal Representative SNP, 1667 K St., N.W., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20006. BY-ELECTION SHOCK AS SNP NEARLY TAKE LABOUR'S 5th SAFEST SEAT Labour's attempts at scuppering the SNP's campaign to fight the Hamilton South Westminster by-election spectacularly backfired as the SNP's Annabelle Ewing came within 556 votes of taking the seat. At the last General Election Labour held the seat with a 15,878 majority. Labour had attempted to make an SNP campaign difficult by holding the by-election on the first full-day of the SNP's Annual National Conference. This was against the usual conventions and Labour also banked on the fact that most of the SNP's Scottish Parliamentary Group of 35 MSP's would be tied down in Parliamentary activity. Instead the voters of Hamilton South gave a huge shock to Labour by either swinging to the SNP or staying away from the polls. Labour managed to hang on to the seat with 7,172 votes - a majority of just 2.86% over the Scottish National Party candidate Annabelle Ewing, who polled 6,616 votes. The result saw a 22.56% swing from Labour to the SNP on a turnout of 41%, represented a huge carving up of the Defence Secretary George Robertson's 15,878 majority in the constituency in the general election in 1997. The result was announced after a dramatic recount request by the nationalists, who viewed the result as a slap in the face for Labour and a vote of confidence for their party. It was also an upsetting night for Labour's Scottish coalition administration partners the Liberal Democrats, who polled 634 votes and lost their deposit. Not only that but they came sixth behind a local protest group of Hamilton Academical Football Club supporters. When word went round that the Liberals may be fifth a television reporter was quoted on as air as calling it a "scurrilous rumour, they're sixth". Even the Tories had nothing to cheer about as they were pushed into fourth place by the Scottish Socialist Party. Annabelle Ewing, whose mother Winnie sensationally won what was the seat of Hamilton for the nationalists in 1967, said the result was a dark omen for Labour. She said: "Some years ago my mother captured this seat from the Labour Party. It was a heady night. The SNP have come a long way since then. "Tonight we have taken on the fifth safest Labour seat in Scotland and reduced their majority from 16,000. There is no safe Labour seat left in Scotland. This is a marginal seat." Votes polled at the Hamilton South by-election:
Bill Tynan (Lab) 7,172 (36.87%, -28.73%) Annabelle Ewing (SNP) 6,616 (34.01%, +16.39%) Shareen Blackall (SSP) 1,847 (9.49%) Charles Ferguson (Con) 1,406 (7.23%, -1.41%) Stephen Mungall (Accies) 1,075 (5.53%) Marilyne MacLaren (LD) 634 (3.26%, -1.86%) Monica Burns (ProLife) 257 (1.32%, -0.75%) Tom Dewar (Soc Lab) 238 (1.22%) James Reid (SUP) 113 (0.58%) Alistair McConnachie (UK Ind) 61 (0.31%) George Stidolph (NLP) 18 (0.09%) John Drummond Murray (Status Quo) 17 (0.09%)SNP DRAW LEVEL WITH LABOUR IN OPINION POLLS Labour's difficulties in Scotland have deepened with the news that the SNP have pulled level in voting intentions for Holyrood in the most recent System Three poll by the Herald. It is the best showing for the SNP since its strong performance in the summer of last year. Both the SNP and Labour have 35% of first votes, and 32% of second votes. The Tories have plunged to an all-time low with only 8% in second-vote support and Labour dropping below its Scottish Parliamentary election performance for the first time, the SNP's appeal has jumped dramatically, leaving both parties deadlocked. When the figures are translated to notional seats in Holyrood, the current governing coalition of Labour and Liberal Democrats would leave Labour more dependent than ever on its partners. The SNP would move to within four of Labour and would command a majority if the Lib Dems switched sides. Labour would narrowly remain the largest single party but would lose 11 constituency seats while winning nine on the regional PR lists. Even in Westminster voting the news is uncomfortable for Labour which has dropped four points while the SNP has jumped five. FORMER TORY PRIME MINISTER BACKS `INDEPENDENCE FOR SCOTLAND BY 2007' CLAIMS
Former Tory Prime Minister John Major has backed claims by SNP leader Alex Salmond that Scotland could become independent by 2007. Mr Major claimed Labour has set Scotland on a course to independence which would fulfil Mr Salmond's conference comments last month that Scotland could be independent by 2007.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Mr Major said: "Labour have set us on a course that will make Scotland independent. When I heard Alex Salmond saying we may have Scottish independence by 2007, I thought he may very well be right."
Mr Major's comments come after Mr Salmond told delegates at the SNP conference in Inverness last month: "The Union whose `boasted advantages' grow ever more feeble has had its chance. It may not see its 300th anniversary.
"Our hour, Scotland's hour, is at hand." The Sunday Times also said the former Prime Minister's memoirs include a key chapter, The Union at Risk, in which he claims he was prepared to introduce devolution to Scotland if Tory support had collapsed in 1992. "I was deeply worried. Even if we won a majority across Britain, I did not know how we could continue to govern Scotland if we did not have sufficient Scottish MPs of good quality to man the Scottish Office.
Michael Russell MSP, the SNP's business manager, said: "Alex Salmond's view of the progress of Scotland is a view that most Scots would trust. Major did his best to hold things back and in his interview actually admits that."
LABOUR EXECUTIVE FACE CALL FOR CONNERY TRIBUTE The SNP are to re-raise the controversy over Sean Connery's knighthood by calling on Labour's Donald Dewar to congratulate him on being presented with an award by US President Bill Clinton. Fergus Ewing, SNP MSP for Inverness East, Nairn & Lochaber, has tabled a motion urging the Scottish parliament to pay tribute to Connery's achievement in receiving the award from the John F Kennedy Centre for Performing Arts in Washington. And he is writing to Mr Dewar, the First Minister, asking him to sign the motion. The legendary film star - the SNP's most famous supporter - will be presented with the award by President Clinton at a White House ceremony. It is unusual for such an award to be given to a non-US citizen and the award is being granted in recognition of Connery's contribution to cinema.
By urging the Scottish Parliament to recognise the honour, comparisons will be raised between the spectre of one of Scotland's most famous sons being honoured by an American president and his alleged snub by Mr Dewar in not receiving a knighthood. Mr Dewar was allegedly instrumental in blocking moves to give the actor a knighthood last year because of his vocal and financial support for the SNP.
Mr Ewing's motion asks "that the parliament congratulates Sean Connery on the award that is about to be bestowed upon him in recognition of his contribution to cinema by the John F Kennedy Centre for Performing Arts in Washington, which is to be presented to Mr Connery by the President of United States of America at the White House". The motion will go before the parliament's business bureau, which will decide whether it should be put to a vote. An SNP spokesman said: "This is a major honour that is being awarded to Sean Connery. It is prestigious, as is indicated by the fact that it will be presented by President Clinton. "This is not a partisan motion. It is about sharing in a prestigious achievement by a very successful international Scot - Sean Connery is arguably the world's most famous Scot and securing an honour like this reflects well upon Scotland. "It's about singing Scotland's praises. Yes, the parliament is also about focusing on Scotland's problems but it's also about celebrating Scotland's place in the world.
"Mr Ewing will be writing to Donald Dewar calling on him to show a lead to other MSPs by lending his support to the resolution in his capacity as First Minister." "It was never properly explained why or if a knighthood for Sean Connery was withdrawn. But the issue of UK honours is an issue for the UK parliament. "Scotland's parliament is about a fresh start for Scotland and is a much more democratic institution than Westminster." Labour's group of MSPs declined to comment, reflecting its sensitivity at being seen to criticise a motion honouring such a popular personality. SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT ASSERTS ITS AUTHORITY OVER LOBBYGATE ALLEGATIONS
The Scottish Parliament's Committee on Standards has asserted the power of the elected Parliament over Ministers and their civil servants, after newspaper allegations that a private lobby firm had offered privileged access to Ministers. By dismissing the First Minister's internal inquiry in favour of a full and open inquiry of its own, the committee created an important constitutional precedent. That the Parliament has the power to investigate allegations made against the Executive. The committee will be instructing Ministers, even Donald Dewar himself, to swear an oath before they give evidence. It was a direct contradiction to the First Minister's assurances last week that he'd investigated ministerial diaries personally and had established that there was no case to answer. The Parliament has decided to employ a special investigator to trawl through those same diaries just to make sure. As one commentator said "This is open government with a vengeance." The question at issue is whether there is any truth in the claims by Beattie Media lobbyists that they had privileged access to Ministers, in particular, the Finance Minister Jack McConnell, as a result of his former employment by the firm.
Lobbyists, journalists, named Ministers and possibly even their advisers will find themselves in front of the committee. Any Minister who gives dubious evidence or is found to have acted improperly will have to resign. If the representatives of Beattie Media fail to give a good account of themselves, then the future of the entire company, not just its Public Affairs wing, could be in doubt.
CONCORDATS BLAMED FOR RISK TO SCOTTISH INWARD INVESTMENT
Scotland's continuing ability to win vital inward investment is being put at risk by the system of concordats which will regulate relations between Holyrood and Westminster, the SNP have said. The so-called concordats will also leave Westminster as sovereign over the Scottish Parliament. During a Parliamentary debate on the administrative agreements, SNP members singled out for criticism the plan for an overseas promotion committee to resolve any conflicts of interest between different parts of the UK over securing large development contracts. SNP deputy leader John Swinney said such arrangements would "strangle" the competitiveness of Scottish Enterprise's inward investment arm, Locate in Scotland, and while discussions went on in the concordats committee, countries like Ireland would be winning investment contracts. The SNP's Alex Neil said the committee would be dominated by English/UK Ministers, backed by 10 English regional development agencies and the Invest in Britain Bureau. The SNP believe that all the administrative agreements which cover areas such as European matters and international relations should be renegotiated, believing they are "diktats" imposed by Westminster and protested strongly that the Parliament had not been consulted.However the Executive's motion endorsing the concordats was passed by the combined votes of the Labour and LibDem MSPs. The SNP said that they had "sold the jerseys" - soccer parlance for abandoning your national team. SCOTS LOSE OUT ON EUROPEAN AID The SNP have produced evidence that Labour was siphoning off Scotland's aid from Europe and redirecting the money into its favoured spending projects elsewhere in the UK. SNP finance spokesman Andrew Wilson MSP said Scotland had lost ú730m since 1993 because of the Treasury's interference with Scotland's structural funding from Brussels. He demanded that future EU aid to Scotland be ring-fenced to stop Treasury interference. For Labour it is embarrassing because Donald Dewar's ministerial team is using the same procedures for EU aid which the Tories used during the 1990s when Labour and other Euro-MPs frequently charged the Tories with misusing European funding in their days in charge of the former Scottish Office. Opposition SNP chief whip Bruce Crawford produced a letter from Finance Minister Jack McConnell to the clerk of the Scottish Parliament's Europe committee explaining how EU funding fitted into the Executive's annual assigned budget (formerly known as the block grant). In the note Mr McConnell confirmed that EU structural funding counted as part of the assigned budget. If EU funding increased or decreased then "resources available for other purposes change correspondingly, subject, of course, to any changes in the assigned budget as a whole". He added: "Thus the Executive will adjust its other programmes, up or down, to reflect the expected call on the assigned budget from structural fund payments in any year." Mr Wilson seized on this passage, claiming: "In other words, no matter how much money Scotland is allocated in European structural funds, it makes no difference to the total budget. And Donald Dewar confirmed that today." Mr Wilson said: "The whole issue has been clouded in secrecy by the Treasury for a quarter of a century. What is becoming clear is that Scotland, despite having won more than 20% of the UK's allocation of EU funding, has received only about 9% of this money. This is a shortfall of more than ú730m since 1993."
àAND FINALLY The Liberal Democrat's humiliation in the Hamilton South by-election may be a bad portent of things to come. When the Hamilton Accies supporters decided to put up a candidate they only expected to get a few hundred votes never mind beat a long-established party and save their deposit of ú500. The last time when a fringe candidate beat a main party was when the Liberal's former allies the Social Democratic Party were beaten by the Monster Raving Loony Party. It was the last straw for the SDP and they disappeared from the political scene.
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