Bubs v Subs
Given all the furious activity involved in being seen to devolve power to Scotland's next generation of political leaders - I thought I'd ask an impertinent question.
When are the trade unions going to follow their own example?
Because the Labour party is at great pains to stress that their new Scottish leader - will no longer answer to the UK Labour leader - Ed Miliband.
The aim is to cut the ground from their political opponents - who have long argued that Scottish Labour is a wholly owned subsidiary of London Labour - but in future things will be diffferent.
Now to my mind that's a good thing - long overdue in fact - in fact so long overdue that the Scottish Tories have caught up - and beaten Labour to the punch by electing their new all-Scottish Tory leader first.
Step forward Ruth Davidson - the new Tory leader in Scotland - a keen kick-boxer by the way - so you're taking your life in your hands if you dare suggest - that she answers to David Cameron.
So who's at the coo's tail - as usual - the trade unions.
Yes the big public sector trade unions in Scotland - GMB, Unite and Unison - are all in favour of a new, all-singing, all-dancing, all-Scottish Labour leader.
So why do they answer to their bosses in London - why not have the most senior officials elected or appointed right here in Scotland?
Because that way Scotland's union bosses would be directly accountable to their members - not to their bosses down in London.
What's sauce for the goose should be sauce for the gander - I say.
And I imagine most union members would choose a Sub (Scottish union boss) over a Bub (British union boss) - anytime.
Because they are then more accountable for what they say and do - to Scottish members.
And if anyone says that doesn't make sense - just consider for a moment why we have our own Scottish TUC - as well as a British TUC based in London.
 |
| A picture of Subs |
When are the trade unions going to follow their own example?
Because the Labour party is at great pains to stress that their new Scottish leader - will no longer answer to the UK Labour leader - Ed Miliband.
The aim is to cut the ground from their political opponents - who have long argued that Scottish Labour is a wholly owned subsidiary of London Labour - but in future things will be diffferent.
Now to my mind that's a good thing - long overdue in fact - in fact so long overdue that the Scottish Tories have caught up - and beaten Labour to the punch by electing their new all-Scottish Tory leader first.
Step forward Ruth Davidson - the new Tory leader in Scotland - a keen kick-boxer by the way - so you're taking your life in your hands if you dare suggest - that she answers to David Cameron.
So who's at the coo's tail - as usual - the trade unions.
Yes the big public sector trade unions in Scotland - GMB, Unite and Unison - are all in favour of a new, all-singing, all-dancing, all-Scottish Labour leader.
So why do they answer to their bosses in London - why not have the most senior officials elected or appointed right here in Scotland?
Because that way Scotland's union bosses would be directly accountable to their members - not to their bosses down in London.
What's sauce for the goose should be sauce for the gander - I say.
And I imagine most union members would choose a Sub (Scottish union boss) over a Bub (British union boss) - anytime.
Because they are then more accountable for what they say and do - to Scottish members.
And if anyone says that doesn't make sense - just consider for a moment why we have our own Scottish TUC - as well as a British TUC based in London.
 |
| Another picture of Subs |
