NLC Update (25/05/15)

Here's an interesting press release from the SNP announcing that two experienced North Lanarkshire trade union activists, Linda Millar and Ramsey Millar, had decided to leave the Labour Party and join the SNP.

Now I don't know Linda or Ramsay, but what interests me is that they are both GMB activists and might be able to shed some light on what the GMB union has been doing with its members equal pay claims in North Lanarkshire.

So if any readers out there are in touch with Linda and/or Ramsay, I'd love to hear from them at the following email address: markirvine@compuserve.com  

The silence from the GMB is deafening and it's time to start making waves.

FORMER LABOUR CANDIDATE JOINS SNP

Thu, 16/04/2015 - 07:22

The Scottish National Party are delighted to announce that a Labour Scottish Parliament candidate in 2011 and former member of the Scottish Labour Executive has joined the SNP.

Linda Millar joined the Labour Party in 1990, and was fifth on the Labour list in the West of Scotland in 2011 - where Labour secured three list MSPs.

She was elected to the Labour Party Scottish Executive in 2012, and resigned in 2013 as she was disappointed and disillusioned at the lack of a progressive political direction. She left the Labour Party in 2014.

Last week, she joined the SNP along with her husband, Ramsay Millar - a Labour Party activist for over 40 years. Ramsay was the party's Local Government Secretary in North Lanarkshire, and previously Local Government Secretary in Stirling when Anne McGuire was elected.

Linda is a member of the GMB Trade Union and has been the Branch Secretary and Convener for North Lanarkshire Public Services Branch for the last ten years. She was a regular speaker at Labour Party Scottish and UK Conferences, as well as at the GMB Congress.

Linda Millar said:

"In the 2011 Scottish Parliament Election, I was a Scottish Labour Candidate for the West of Scotland list seats.

"Two years ago I resigned as a member of the Scottish Labour Executive, and last year resigned as a member of the Labour Party.

"For some time I have been concerned with the direction Labour in Scotland has been going, and do not feel that this is the same Labour Party I joined 25 years ago. They are no longer representing the aims of social justice for working people like myself and my family.

"Last week I made the decision to join the SNP with my husband, who was a Labour Party activist for over 40 years. We have been hugely impressed with Nicola Sturgeon, and believe that a strong group of SNP MPs will deliver real change.

"We both believe that if we want a better future for our children and grandchildren, the SNP are the only party offering a positive vision for Scotland. We are encouraging all our family and friends to vote for the SNP on May 7th, and for the Scottish Parliament Elections next year."

SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon said:

"I am delighted to welcome Linda and Ramsay to the growing ranks of the SNP - they have shown a dedication to working for their local communities for many years, and believe that electing SNP MPs is the best way forward for their family and for Scotland. More than 400,000 people are journeying from voting Labour in 2010 to voting SNP next month, and it is very encouraging that this includes a former parliamentary candidate and such stalwarts as Linda and Ramsay."

Linda is a 58 year old wife, mother and grandmother. She works as a Senior Janitor at a Secondary School in Motherwell. Pictures are attached.