Empty Slogans
I've just read an election leaflet from my local Labour party candidate - and it doesn't half send out a dismal message.
'Only Labour can defend public services from Tory cuts' - screams the headline.
Despite the fact that this is an election to the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood - not a general election to the Westminster Parliament which took place last year - in May 2010.
No wonder the Scottish Labour campaign seems to be falling apart - its central message is dire, dispiriting and negative - in effect calling for support on the basis that Labour hates the Tories, presumably better than anyone else.
Now this is childish nonsense - Labour-led South Lanarkshire Council, for example, was perfectly happy to rely on Conservative councillor votes - to put the present administration into power in 2007.
What happened to Labour's implacable 'anti-Tory' stance then?
'Tory cuts' is an empty, meaningless and confusing slogan.
Because Labour would also be making major cuts in public spending - had the party been returned to power at the May 2010 general election.
'Only Labour can defend public services from Tory cuts' - screams the headline.
Despite the fact that this is an election to the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood - not a general election to the Westminster Parliament which took place last year - in May 2010.
No wonder the Scottish Labour campaign seems to be falling apart - its central message is dire, dispiriting and negative - in effect calling for support on the basis that Labour hates the Tories, presumably better than anyone else.
Now this is childish nonsense - Labour-led South Lanarkshire Council, for example, was perfectly happy to rely on Conservative councillor votes - to put the present administration into power in 2007.
What happened to Labour's implacable 'anti-Tory' stance then?
'Tory cuts' is an empty, meaningless and confusing slogan.
Because Labour would also be making major cuts in public spending - had the party been returned to power at the May 2010 general election.
