Voter Guide for Govanhill/Glasgow East: your questions answered by candidates
This election, we wanted to ensure that the conversation was not dominated by what candidates/parties wanted to speak about, but by what people living locally actually care about. So we asked you: what do you want candidates to be talking about as they compete for votes. Here’s are the responses we had from Govanhill’s candidates.
We want to change the power dynamic so that candidates answer to citizens on the subjects that really matter to them, as opposed to the agenda the politicians themselves set out. We want to change that and set an example to other media to do the same.
We did this through an online survey, at public events, on social media and out in the streets. We then analysed the responses and created the following set of questions.
Find out more about the boundary changes that means Govanhill is now part of Glasgow East here.
On working for the people of Govanhill…
It was recently reported that ‘88 per cent of children up to 15 years old living in Govanhill West… are in poverty. Govanhill is consistently recorded as one of the most deprived areas in Scotland, with almost 1,150 of the 1,300 kids in Govanhill West living below the breadline’. What will you and your party do to address this stark inequality?
Currently, some private renters in Govanhill are facing extortionate rises and other unfair demands. What will you do to stop tenant exploitation?
How do you plan to support constituents with the ongoing cost of living crisis? And would you support energy bill subsidies to help constituents with the cost of heating their homes?
With supermarket profits through the roof, what will you do to address the food insecurity and widespread food poverty that so many people living in the local area face?
Govanhill has a large LGBTQA+ community. How will you work to ensure that their rights are protected, particularly given the rise in hate crime for trans people?
Given the new boundary changes mean that Govanhill is now part of Glasgow East, what do you think of the similarities and the distinctiveness of Govanhill as compared to the rest of the constituency?
On wider issues…
What is your stance on Palestine and the sale of arms to Israel? How will you work to promote peaceful resolution?
Are you committed to promoting safe and legal migration routes for asylum seekers? And what are your thoughts on the hostile environment policy?
How do you plan to address the climate crisis and combat environmental degradation in the UK? And what action do you plan to take to meet the UK’s net zero targets by 2050?
What will you do to encourage more government support for independent, community-based media like Greater Govanhill?
The candidates in Glasgow East…
We asked the same set of questions to each of the following candidates. Click on their names to read their answers or scroll down for all the answers in full.
John Grady – Labour (no response yet)
Donnie McLeod – Reform UK (no response yet)
Their answers to your questions…
Matthew Clark (Liberal Democrats)
On child poverty
We will tackle child poverty by removing the two-child limit and the benefit cap. We will set a target of ending deep poverty within a decade, and establish an independent commission to recommend further annual increases in Universal Credit to ensure that support covers life’s essentials, such as food and bills.
On the rental crisis
There is a housing emergency in Scotland. Homelessness now sits at record levels and there are 10,000 children living in temporary accommodation. Affordable housebuilding has collapsed, and the cost of living crisis has meant that rents and mortgages are becoming difficult for many people to afford. Working with business and the communities we serve, we will develop a new National Housing Plan for Scotland that can stand up to the housing emergency, get more homes built and give people a home to call their own.
On the cost of living
We will take the bold, urgent action needed to tackle climate change, cut energy bills and create hundreds of thousands of secure, well-paid new jobs. We will make homes warmer and cheaper to heat with a ten-year emergency upgrade programme, starting with free insulation and heat pumps for those on low incomes. The UK Government will work in partnership with the Scottish Government to provide resources. We will also introduce a social tariff for the most vulnerable to provide targeted energy discounts for vulnerable households, and help people with the cost of living and their energy bills by implementing a proper, one-off windfall tax on the super-profits of oil and gas producers and traders.
On food insecurity
The UK’s food system is failing to serve the interests of citizens, whether they are farmers or consumers. Too many families simply can’t afford enough healthy, nutritious food. We will introduce a holistic and comprehensive National Food Strategy to ensure food security, tackle rising food prices, end food poverty and improve health and nutrition.
On LGBTQA+ rights
Liberal Democrats exist to build a free society where every person’s rights and liberties are protected. Everyone should be able to live their lives as who they are: free to pursue their dreams and fulfil their potential, safe in the knowledge that their fundamental rights will be protected. In decades past, the UK has led the world in advancing human rights, civil liberties and equality for women, LGBT+ people and disabled people. But under the Conservatives, progress has stalled. They are failing to stand up to hatred and prejudice, or tackle entrenched inequalities. Instead, they keep threatening to rip up the UK’s Human Rights Act, which protects our fundamental British freedoms. Liberal Democrats champion the freedom, dignity and wellbeing of every individual. We will combat all forms of prejudice and discrimination, wherever they exist, including where intersectionality means individuals face particular disadvantages. We will respect and defend the rights of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, including trans and non-binary people.
On Govanhill as part of Glasgow East
We are knocking on thousands of doors up and down the country and similar issues are coming up again and again because people are desperate for someone who will fix them. Our MPs will offer solutions. In the next parliament we’ll be working for a better Britain, to restore your faith in politics and fix our broken relationship with Europe. We’ll fight for fast access to GPs, NHS dentists and mental health services. We’ll stop sewage being dumped in our rivers and fight the climate emergency. We’ll deliver world beating education and a fair deal for our nations carers. Liberal Democrats are local champions.
On Palestine
We will work with our allies to help bring security and stability to the Middle East, which has become a tinderbox amidst the Israel-Gaza conflict, including by advocating for an immediate bilateral ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict, recognising that there is no military solution to remove Hamas from Gaza. We will lead a diplomatic push towards a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine based on 1967 borders, to deliver the security and dignity that Israelis and Palestinians deserve, officially recognising the independent state of Palestine with immediate effect.
On asylum seekers and the Hostile Environment
We will end the Conservatives’ Hostile Environment and invest instead in officers, training and technology to tackle smuggling, trafficking and modern slavery. We will scrap the Conservatives’ Illegal Migration Act and their Rwanda scheme, uphold the Refugee Convention, and provide safe and legal routes to sanctuary for refugees, helping to prevent dangerous Channel crossings. We will tackle the asylum backlog by establishing a dedicated unit to improve the speed and quality of asylum decision-making, introducing a service standard of three months for all but the most complex asylum claims to be processed, and speeding up returns of those without a right to stay. And we will lift the ban on asylum seekers working if they have been waiting for a decision for more than three months, enabling them to support themselves, integrate in their communities and contribute to the economy.
On the climate crisis
Liberal Democrats are committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2045 at the latest. We will take the bold, urgent action needed to tackle climate change, cut energy bills and create hundreds of thousands of secure, well-paid new jobs. Together with innovative British businesses, we will make the UK the world leader in the clean technologies of the future. We will help households meet the cost of the transition to net zero and make sure everyone benefits from it, leaving no one behind. We will put tackling climate change at the heart of a new industrial strategy. We will cut emissions and bills with an emergency Home Energy Upgrade programme. We will drive a rooftop solar revolution and invest in clean energy, transport and industry. We will restore nature and tackle toxic air pollution. And we will ensure skills training, incentives and advice are available to help families and businesses with the transition to net zero.
On supporting independent media
We support a strong free press to challenge the powerful and do the investigations that are often so critical to exposing wrongdoing. We support high quality journalism that avoids the polarisation, binary thinking, over-politicisation, sound bites and extreme controversy that is particularly poorly suited to covering nuanced and complex debates. The pandemic showed how important it is for people to have reliable and trusted sources of information. The Liberal Democrats will continue to champion those who provide accurate and impartial information, from our world-class public broadcasters to grassroots initiatives.
Thomas Kerr (Conservative and Unionists)
On child poverty
One child living in poverty is one too many and these statistics should shame us all. I believe that the best route out of poverty for families is through work. As your MP I will fight for greater investment in our most deprived communities to help create good and secure jobs locally. As a councillor in this city, I have seen the impact of cuts across Glasgow and what they result in. I will continue to urge councils to get a funding deal that they require so they can protect the most vulnerable in our communities and the services they rely on.
On the rental crisis
Given the pressures faced by many with the cost-of-living crisis, the last thing they need is facing the threat of losing their home. While rent freezes sound good on paper, I believe they backfired and any plans for rent control zones would do the same. With our city facing a housing crisis, the last thing we need is a pause put on much needed developments. Despite freezes being in place, many tenants in Glasgow so rent increases among the highest in the United Kingdom. I will always look at ways to prevent evictions from happening and stand on the side of the most vulnerable.
On the cost of living
I know many people across Glasgow East are continuing to feel the effects of the cost-of-living crisis. I believe that the UK Government’s measures to support people with their energy bills were of a great help. It was right that they have focused on reducing inflation back down to 2 per cent as well as passing on much needed tax cuts in the form of national insurance. I want that to continue while also ensuring that the welfare system supports those who need it most. Both governments need to ensure that payments are reaching people as fast as possible. Energy bills are continuing to come down and I will continue to support measures that grow our economy and keep inflation low so that energy bills continue to fall.
On food insecurity
Nobody should be going hungry in 2024. That is a disgrace. There are a variety of reasons why people need to use foodbanks and while I want to live in a world without them, they offer a lifeline to many. I will support local projects and local businesses who do so much to feed our community, while for our young people I am fully committed to backing plans to deliver free breakfasts and lunches to all primary school pupils.
On LGBTQ+ rights
I am extremely proud of the progress we have made in recent years in improving the rights of our LGBTQA community and I have stood proudly alongside them. All too often this debate is toxic and nobody should ever be a victim of a hate crime or feel unsafe in our communities. I am committed to debating these issues in a positive and respectful manner with all sides to ensure that those rights continue to be enhanced and everyone feels welcome in this constituency.
On Govanhill as part of Glasgow East
Govanhill has a unique and wonderful character and one that I hope is never lost. The spirit and diversity in our communities is something to be celebrated. As boundaries change, I am committed – if elected – to working together across the whole constituency to bring communities together, create new opportunities and ensure everyone feels represented.
On Palestine
The events since the barbaric attacks by Hamas last October have resulted in an appalling loss of civilian life on both sides of the conflict. I continue to support every effort to deliver desperately needed aid to those who need it. Any ceasefire must be permanent and accepted on both sides to ensure that we do not see any more loss of life. Israel has a right to defend itself against such attacks they suffered on October 7th. As your MP I will push for a two-state solution to be delivered so that we can finally see peace in this region.
On asylum seekers and the Hostile Environment
We continue to see far too many people risking or losing their lives trying to come into this country. That cannot continue. I am proud of the diverse communities in Govanhill and Glasgow East and the positive influence they have on our communities. There is a wider debate to be had around immigration levels across the United Kingdom which many people are understandably concerned about. While immigration levels are too high, we also need to address why Scotland are not taking its fair share of the immigration population and what is putting off people coming to areas north of the border.
On the climate crisis
As someone with a 1-year-old, I am determined to tackle the climate crisis. I believe we must continue to do this as in a pragmatic and sensible manner and ensure that we take people with us. While action is needed, if changes are implemented too quickly then they will not have their desired impact. I have already seen that as a councillor with the botched roll-out of the city’s low emission zone. As we ask people to make changes in their life, we need to ensure that they are supported and know what they have to do. Many people are not engaged with what could happen in their home, or what they have to do with their car or other aspects of their daily life. As your MP, I will explore every way in which we can take appropriate measures to tackle the climate crisis, improve our air quality while also ensuring people are not abandoned.
On supporting independent media
I applaud any effort to set up new media outlets given the challenges traditional media are facing right now. As politicians we should always be open to holding ourselves to scrutiny and as your MP I would never shy away from that. We must ensure that resources are diverted in the right way to support community based media outlets to ensure they have a voice and I would always be a proud backer of our local media.
It was recently reported that ‘88 per cent of children up to 15 years old living in Govanhill West… are in poverty. Govanhill is consistently recorded as one of the most deprived areas in Scotland, with almost 1,150 of the 1,300 kids in Govanhill West living below the breadline’. What will you and your party do to address this stark inequality?
Amy Kettyles (Scottish Greens)
Food Insecurity
The first step would be to place caps on essential items in supermarkets. As inflation continues to push more and more people through the doors of foodbanks they must be challenged on their unjustified price gouging. This is exactly what a universal basic income is for. A UBI would also support families when they cannot afford groceries and other essentials. The existence of food banks means that civil society is plugging the government’s gaps, and that a country as rich as ours shouldn’t have to rely on people’s kindness to make sure no one goes to bed hungry. In an election where we’ve seen Glasgow East Labour candidate, John Grady, fail to sign a pledge to end the need to food banks, we cannot trust their likely incoming government to commit to any action either
Housing
The need for more social housing has never been more obvious. The private rental sector is completely out of control, and if more social housing was built and made available to people it would put pressure on landlords and companies to bring their prices back down to an affordable level. The Scottish Greens also support a tax on empty homes that are not being used for sale or rent, making them available for living. This has already been done by the Green Group at Glasgow City Council by doubling council tax bills on empty homes. This would prevent property speculation and would provide more homes either for rent or sale. We need to give more power to tenants who are living in unsafe and barely inhabitable housing conditions under rogue landlords who are profiting off their desperation. Tenants who have nowhere else to go cannot afford to report their landlord and so they continue to be exploited. The voices of tenants organisations must be listened to by the government, in order to fully understand the depth of the issue. We introduced a bill earlier this year to bring rent controls in Scotland and we hope we will see it pass.
Cost of Living
Heating and Energy Bills should have been capped a long time ago, the oversight of this has led us into the crisis we face today. A cap on prices would be an essential step. Other Measures such as a subsidy payment as well as the genuine social tariff would go a long way in helping families heat their homes. For long term solutions, we need to look at a real, publicly owned, renewable energy company. The profits of energy companies have been increasing tenfold as more and more people have to face the choice of eating or heating. A wealth tax on the top 1%, the people who have over £3.4m with increasing rates for the more you have, would generate £70 bn that can be redistributed into essential public services. We are also for a windfall tax, that is actually effective, that closes off the existing loophole that allows companies to reinvest their excess profits to avoid contributing to society. A new minimum wage of at least £15 p/h, a four day working week with no loss of pay and the removal of the unfair and discriminatory age brackets will be part of a real new deal for workers.
Child Poverty
In a first world country, the existence of child poverty is a stain on our society. The mere existence of child poverty, especially on such a widespread scale, show exactly where the priorities of the Tory government lie In addition to a wealth tax, I would support the removal of the cruel two child benefit cap- something Labour has no interest in abolishing. Scottish Greens at both the Council and National level have heavily campaigned and contributed to the cancellation of school meal debt. Following off the back of this victory, we would also introduce free school meals for every child regardless of their age.
LGBTQ+ Rights
Myself and the Scottish Greens have always been a champion of LGBTQ+ rights. However the Conservative or Labour do not seem to share our belief that all people, no matter their gender or sexuality, deserve to live their life to the fullest without fear of violence. The first step would be to reverse the undemocratic decision by the UK Government to block Scotland’s self ID laws. The overwhelming support from MSPs, even across different parties, show that there is support to ease the process of legally transitioning. To make it less invasive and traumatic. Legal protections for LGBTQ+ people do not infringe or take away the rights of anyone else. This is why we must stay a part of the European Convention on Human Rights, and extend the scope of the Equality Act (2010). We will fight against the proposed changes to water down this vital legislation, by redefining sex as ‘biological sex’. To fight the rise of hate crimes against trans people we would reform the law to allow victims more time to build their case. The current timeline set out by the equalities law is only 3-6 months.
Boundary Changes
Across the whole city, people truly do make Glasgow. The boundary changes do not affect my dedication to fighting for communities and people. But I am excited for the new challenges and particular casework Govanhill would bring, as a very unique neighbourhood. I see a lot of similarities all across the South/ East of the city, we have all been beaten down by the austerity policies of the last 14 years. But they have been particularly devastating to Govanhill.
Palestine
The ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people should absolutely be a deciding issue in this election. As both the UK and Scottish government have been complicit in this war, funding and supporting Israeli arms companies. We must hold our own government to account for their role in endorsing Netanyahu and his war crimes against the people of the West Bank. We can be a proactive part of a permanent ceasefire by using the UKs position as a United Nations Security Council member to advocate for full UN membership of the Palestinian state.
Migration
The hostile environment created around asylum seekers is barbaric, and treats them as subhuman. These people are not our enemies. They are vulnerable and coming from brutal war zones, and all the Home Office does is treat them with contempt and further traumatise them. We must absolutely create safe and legal crossings for people to reach the UK, instead of forcing them to risk their lives in dangerous boats in the Channel. This would be achieved by working with global partners. A new system starts with the abolishment of the Home Office and a reverse of the Rwanda Act, and will instead adhere to international law and the European Convention on Human Rights. In the processing time, refugees will be settled into communities, given the right to work and offered training and development opportunities- Particularly in social and health care sectors. This can ease the pressures on some of our most strained systems- who lost their staff in huge numbers after Brexit. I also agree with Patrick Harvie on the cynical “love tax”- “The Home Office’s minimum income requirements are punitive and cruel. They are a tax on love that are splitting up families and spreading fear, anxiety and heartbreak to people all over the UK.
Climate Crisis
The Scottish Greens have been one of the leading voices on the climate crisis ever since being founded in 1990. We will continue to push this onto the Government’s agenda, we do not have time to delay as our planet burns. A steady phasing out of fossil fuels and a ban on new oil and gas licences is essential as we redirect our focus to renewable sources of energy. We do not need to rob our planet for resources. We have already drastically cut emissions and created green new jobs by leading the way with renewables. As they currently make up 113% of the electricity we use. Here in Scotland we have some of the most amazing and abundant natural resources, and if we can sustainably expand them we would be making great progress on net zero.
Independent Media
I am a massive supporter of independent media. Before I moved to Glasgow, I worked at a local radio station for a year as a presenter with my own show. I could see the impact it was having. It did wonders for community outreach. Government support is crucial to keeping outlets like this alive as they struggle against media giants who are all too often spreading misinformation.
David Linden (Scottish National Party)
On child poverty
Child poverty is a scourge on our society. Yet child poverty is completely missing from Labour’s six priorities in Government. This is one of the most pressing issues of our time and it’s why First Minister John Swinney has made the eradication of child poverty the defining mission of the SNP Scottish Government. Through the Scottish Child Payment we have taken 100,000 children out of poverty. It’s why I will continue to campaign and push the next UK Government to scrap abhorrent policies like the two-child cap and associated rape-clause, which has driven thousands of families and children into poverty.
On the rental crisis
The SNP Scottish Government banned no-fault evictions in Scotland, a decision which has significantly improved the housing security of renters. Likewise, I have been vocal in Westminster in calling for reform of Local Housing Allowance, including it to be uprated in line with average rents, which as we know continue to rise.
My casework team have been fantastic in helping tenants and working with Glasgow City Council’s Private Rented Sector team to make sure landlords are appropriately registered and upholding their obligations to their tenants.
On the cost of living
I am all too aware of the sky-high food, energy and mortgage bills people are faced with and this has all only been cemented by fourteen years of austerity. The SNP Scottish Government is already doing more to help families with the cost of living than any other part of the UK through free tuition fees, free prescriptions and expanded childcare. As well as Discretionary Housing Payments, the Scottish Welfare Fund and the Scottish Child Payment, the Scottish Government is doing everything it can to mitigate against Westminster Policy. With both the Tories and Labour unfortunately committed to the same spending plans, I will continue to call for additional support for vulnerable households who will face the brunt of callous spending cuts.
On food insecurity
Fourteen years of tory austerity has dismantled the social security system and has deepened poverty across the UK. Whilst I would like to see the eradication of the need food banks, I will continue to work closely with food banks and community panties to ensure they continue to receive adequate support. Therefore at this election SNP MPs at Westminster will legislate and demand that the UK Government implements an Essentials Guarantee, to ensure that everyone can afford the basic necessities like food.
On LGBTQA+ rights
As a strong ally of the LGBTQA+ community, I want to reassure you of my support for equal right in Scotland. The SNP has a proud record of advancing and championing LGBTQA+ rights in governments, and we will continue to build on this, working with the community to make Scotland a fairer and more equal place to live. This is an unwavering commitment. If anyone in Govanhill is particularly concerned about this, I would encourage you to come and chat to me when I attend Mardi Gla in the next few weeks!
On Govanhill as part of Glasgow East
Much like communities in Parkhead, Shettleston and Easterhouse to me Govanhill is the epitome of what defines Glasgow – a resilient, welcoming, diverse community. The opportunity to represent such a renowned area is exciting. Although the community projects, empowerment and camaraderie that comes with this are similar to the “old” Glasgow East, that isn’t to diminish the reputation and uniqueness that Govanhill brings. I am acutely aware of the specific needs of Govanhill. Despite the river that divides our city (and the new constituency) it really is the people that make Glasgow – and what makes communities across the “new” Glasgow East so special to represent.
On Palestine
Myself and the SNP have been unwavering in our support for the Palestinian people. It’s why in our manifesto we have committed to continuing to demand an immediate ceasefire, the release of the hostages, ending arm sales to Israel and calling on the UK Government to recognise Palestine as an independent state. I have spoken at numerous rallies, and in Parliament against the ongoing persecution of civilians in Gaza, and if returned to Westminster I will continue to do that until a peaceful resolution is found.
On asylum seekers and the Hostile Environment
SNP MPs at Westminster have been vocal against the Tory Government’s hostile environment, and most recently, its costly, inhumane and unworkable Rwanda policy. The Rwanda Act shows a callous disregard for human rights and flies in the face of the UK Government’s obligations under International Law, including the European Convention of Human Rights. With SNP MP’s returned to Westminster, we will demand the scrapping of the Rwanda scheme, safe and legal migration routes, and as ever, stand against the demonisation of migrants.
On the climate crisis
We will be pushing for fair funding for climate policy, as well as to establish a Four Nations Climate Response Group to agree climate plans across the UK to help deliver our net-zero targets and ensure the UK Government stops backtracking on climate ambition. Scotland has over two thirds of the UK’s peatland, and currently plants over 60% of trees in the UK, yet funds restoration and planting within our budget, with no help from Westminster. We therefore want to ensure that fair funding flows to devolved nations to enable our, and their, climate ambitions.
On supporting independent media
I am a massive supporter of local media outlets, having regularly done interviews with GO Radio Glasgow, East End Community Radio in Lilybank and having a monthly column in the Glasgow Times. I strongly believe that local voices should be given the opportunity to be elevated, and I will always take the opportunity to work alongside or support community-based media outlets.
Liam McLaughlan (Scottish Socialist)
On child poverty
The levels of child poverty in Govanhill and across the constituency are shameful. In order to tackle this we would immediately scrap the two child cap on child benefits and ensure every child gets the support they need. In addition to this we would demand that central government provide Holyrood with the money to fund free school meals for all children ensuring every child has at least one healthy, nutritious meal per day.
On the rental crisis
We need a standardised, national set of rent controls and caps to ensure a fair rental value for those in the private rental sector. We also need to build council housing, to the highest environmental standard and an affordable rental value to end the stranglehold in the housing market. We are proposing 100,000 homes a year in council control.
On the cost of living
We do support energy subsidises as a short term fix to the immediate crisis in energy costs however in the long term we need public ownership of our energy supply to bring about an end to the disgusting levels of profit for shareholders and instead use that money to slash bills across the board for the many. In broader terms some of our anti poverty policies include £15 minimum wage, 16 hour minimum contracts, benefits and pensions rising with inflation and scrapping anti trade union laws which leave power in the employers hand and make work insecure for so many.
On food insecurity
We need to bring in price caps on essential foods and an end to the rampant profiteering that we have seen in the last 18 months. The cost of living crisis is a cost of greed crisis as multinational companies profits soar at the expense of ordinary people’s weekly shop.
On LGBTQA+ rights
The SSP always has and always will stand with oppressed communities and for equality for all - including our LGBT community. Everyone should be able to live their life freely and to be their true self without fear of intimidation or violence.
On Govanhill as part of Glasgow East
In many ways the problems that residents of Govanhill face are replicated across the constituency however in housing in particular I feel Govanhill is particularly let down by all levels of government. A programme of targeted investment, led by the local community would be huge for the area. No one knows the needs of the area more than those who live there.
On Palestine
We support an end to arms sales to the Israeli government and an immediate ceasefire. Long term peace can only be found when we recognise the Palestinian state, an end to the siege of Gaza, an end to the occupation and and end to the illegal settlement programme. Neither Hamas nor Netanyahu are partners for peace.
On asylum seekers and the Hostile Environment
We do support safe and legal routes for asylum seekers to enter the UK. We believe that all asylum seekers should be treated equally and with dignity and respect. Of all the Tory government policies the hostile environment and Windrush scandals stand apart as perhaps the most reprehensible. We would oppose and vote against the Rwanda plan. No human is illegal.
On the climate crisis
The climate crisis cannot be tackled by those who see profit as their first ambition. Capitalism is killing our planet as we plunder more and more fossil fuels with short term profit motives put ahead of the interests of the planet. Through public ownership of energy we can begin to create the conditions for a just transition that benefits working people and does not throw thousands of workers to the scrapheap. One of our flagship policies and that is on the ballet paper is our demand for Free Public Transport – to combat poverty, pollution and social isolation.
On support for independent media
The decline in local press is a fundamental threat to our democracy. Central government through the department for culture media and sport should allocate a proportion of funding ring-fenced for local media and this should be replicated by the Scottish Government.