SNP candidate slams Tory national service move as “unconscionable”
26/05/24
Absolutely astonishing news yesterday with the Conservatives declaring that they would bring back national service, something that was phased out in the UK more than 60 years ago, writes Glen Reynolds, SNP candidate for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine.
The move has already been described as a “gimmick” and as an another unfunded spending commitment – which was precisely the kind of behaviour that ended the Liz Truss era in Downing Street.
Other commentators reckon it’s a public relations gambit to try and ensure that Conservative voters don’t drift off to vote for Reform UK.
In theory, money used for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and to crack down on tax avoidance and tax evasion, would pay for the national service programme. If this is the case then surely that means less national prosperity and more tax-dodging?
The detail? It has been reported that a limited number of young people – 30,000 – would spend time in the military but surely the vast majority would end up doing unpaid community work.
What’s more, the armed forces in the UK are very different now to they were in the 15 to 20 years after the Second World War when national service was still in operation. Technology and training has changed enormously and I would certainly like to know if the army, navy or air force were properly consulted over this idea.
As for the community work aspect, if the Conservatives want community workers, they would do better to invest in health and social services and actually pay staff to do a professional job.
The Home Secretary this morning said that the policy is designed to get young people to “mix outside their bubble”. I always thought that’s what social mobility and affordable higher education was for, which the Conservatives have done so much to destroy.
Properly funded and tech-capable armed forces with good recruitment are clearly a benefit. Properly funded social services with professional staff are a hallmark of a civilised society. Coercing young people into a 21st century national service to try and grab some headlines to ward off an inevitable election defeat is unconscionable.
I vote against.
SNP candidate welcomes cabinet secretary’s positive words on oil and gas
21/05/24
Yesterday, the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, Mairi McAllan MSP, described Labour’s ban on future oil and gas licences in the North Sea as “too extreme”, a comment fully endorsed by Glen Reynolds, SNP candidate for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine.
Mr Reynolds said, “My view on the energy sector has been crystal clear since I was chosen to contest the next Westminster election.
“Oil and gas jobs are central to the economy and the skills base of the North East and must be protected as we transition towards Net Zero.”
This comes as a new report from Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon University, Delivering Our Energy Future, cautions that tens of thousands of Scottish jobs depend on a successful transition. Meanwhile, the United Trade Union has just launched a campaign – No Ban Without A Plan – voicing concerns that communities would be devastated by the Labour ban on new licences which is “dangerously premature and reckless”.
Mr Reynolds said, “We must transition. Oil and gas are a key part of that transition, and will play a pivotal role in the energy mix. The fading Conservative government has nothing left but gimmicks. Labour’s alternative policy is wrong.
“It is vital to have an SNP voice in Westminster, speaking up for voters in West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, fighting Scotlands corner.”