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Today’s banner:
Dornoch by night
by Islay McLeod
Some teenagers have barely been into the city centre
Photograph by Islay McLeod
As Alasdair McKillop noted in last week’s Scottish Review (20 September) the past few days have seen a clear-out of senior officials in John Smith House. But the most damning accusation flung at Scottish Labour is that it is dull and boring. The SNP has been winning the battle for ideas, as well as votes at the ballot box.
The charge has moved me to action. Here are five policy ideas that could help make Scottish Labour interesting again. Maybe other readers could write in with more:
1. Publish a white paper on more powers for the Scottish Parliament
Labour should publish a white paper containing specific commitments to devolve more powers to the Scottish Parliament, including control over most taxes and benefits. Ed Miliband should promise to legislate in his first year in office if Scotland votes ‘No’ in the referendum. This would enable Labour to campaign positively for a reformed UK and put distance between itself and the coalition.
2. Introduce a local sales tax on alcohol and use it to fund sport facilities
People in Scotland drink 25% more alcohol per head of population than those in England and Wales. At current rates of consumption a levy on sales of 2p per unit would raise approximately £100 million per annum. Provided that this is a local tax, with the money raised and spent by councils, it would be perfectly legal. It could be used to fund new sports facilities and free access for children.
3. Make the minimum wage a living wage
Al Jazeera’s Laurence Lee reported last week that food banks are springing up across the UK. Low pay, coupled with high inflation, means that people in work are struggling to buy the most basic things for their families. Scottish Labour already supports a living wage for public sector workers. Johann Lamont should press for an increase in the minimum wage so that it applies to everyone.
http://blogs.aljazeera.com/blog/europe/rising-prices-leave-uk-students-hungry
4. Give every school leaver the chance to volunteer abroad
A few years ago, I made a BBC documentary about young people in Glasgow involved in gang violence. What struck me most was the small world these kids grew up in. Some teenagers had barely even been into the city centre. Labour should pledge a massive expansion of international volunteer projects targeted at school leavers who don’t have the qualifications for university.
5. Democratise Scottish football
The Bundesliga has not had a single bankruptcy in over 40 years. According to Supporters Direct, there have been 92 insolvencies in the top five divisions in English football in just 20. The lesson is that Scottish football should look to Germany and not England. They have a 50+1 rule that prevents clubs being owned by any single individual, ticket prices are lower and stadia have safe standing areas.
Dr Andrew McFadyen is a freelance journalist and former Scottish Labour media adviser
