Letters / Vote Labour for a ‘fairer society’
I’ve been spending a lot of time figuring out what this election is about. It comes down to four things:
• Local needs
• Brexit
• Scottish Independence
• Everything else
Re local needs (by which I mean Orkney and Shetland), you won’t find much variation in the policies of all candidates (except Stuart Hill who doesn’t have any policies). Cheaper transport links to the Scottish mainland, better phone signals and faster broadband are key. Whoever is elected on 8 June will have these at the top of their agenda.
Brexit doesn’t fall along party lines (I’m against), but candidates will want to ensure the best deal for fishermen and crofters in negotiations with Europe.
Setting aside the SNP, the issue of Scottish independence doesn’t fall along party lines either (I’m against).
Which leaves ‘everything else’. At this point party politics come into play, and we can see the difference between the candidates. We can do this by looking at a single issue – foodbank usage.
The Conservatives don’t say much on foodbanks except that there are ‘complex reasons’ why people use them. Beyond need and desperation I’m not sure what these are but anyway, the Conservatives aren’t bothered that many families across the UK can’t afford food.
The SNP take Labour’s stance on foodbanks. They think they’re a bad thing. Trouble is they won’t actually do anything about them. They have huge devolved authority which would allow them to alleviate food bank usage by reducing financial inequalities in our society. Unfortunately they won’t because it’s in their political interests to keep the status quo and blame Westminster. For the SNP our impoverished are a political bargaining chip.
The Liberal Democrats also have affinity with Labour when it comes to foodbanks, but the difference is that while some believe Labour have a slim chance of forming a government, the Liberal Democrats have none.
So where does this leave us? Well basically, if you want to see a fairer society where the majority are better off, healthier and happier, vote Labour. If you don’t then take your pick.
Robina Barton
Labour candidate for Orkney and Shetland
Birka, Bressay
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