WHAT HAS LABOUR GOT TO FEAR FROM AN INQUIRY?

SNP MP John Mason has been asking what Labour has to hide after Gordon Brown again ducked the subject of recent events affecting the Labour party in Glasgow and their operation of Glasgow City Council.

When asked at Prime Minister’s Questions what Labour wants to hide from an investigation, the Prime Minister ducked the question, despite former leader Steven Purcell reportedly backing an inquiry and Labour donor Willie Haughey also supporting an independent audit.

John who is the only non-Labour MP in Glasgow asked:

“What has Labour got to hide? The more Brown refuses to answer questions and the more Labour dodge these serious issues for the city the more suspicious Labour’s actions look.

“Labour has to answer why they do not want an investigation to get to the bottom of these allegations and clean up the reputation of this city.

“Brown has still to answer SNP questions from three weeks ago over what Downing Street staff knew about Steven Purcell’s personal problems and when they knew it.

“With reports today that staff at CORDIA one of the companies Steven Purcell created are facing jobs losses from Labour budget cuts – days after it was revealed this company paid for drinks parties attended by Steven Purcell Labour’s refusal to even discuss this issue is a betrayal of the people of Glasgow.

“As Labour’s culture of secrecy lets the city down and people risk losing their jobs over Labour’s cuts in the city it is more clear than ever that Glasgow needs local champions to speak up for the people of this city and to protect them from Labour cuts”.

John is right. Since the shock announcement of Steven Purcell’s ill health and his standing down, followed so closely by the tragic death of a close friend, this blog has taken a sympathetic attitude to the man and his problems. But there are serious issues to sort out here and Labour does not want to know about an inquiry.

Surely the people of Glasgow and of Scotland have the right to know what has happened in Glasgow in as much as it has involved their money and now their job losses.

What are you hiding Gordon?

GET WELL SOON STEVEN PURCELL

According to the Herald Steven Purcell, Glasgow City Council leader, is to stand down from his post immediately for health reasons.

Mr Purcell, one of the country's youngest leading politicians has, according to the paper, been tipped as a future leader of his party. He was hugely involved in the bringing of the Commonwealth Games to Glasgow and with the plans to make the games a real opportunity for youth, not just from a sporting point of view, but much more, by offering apprenticeships to school leavers in the employment opportunities created in the building of the facilities.

In this he worked closely with the previous Scottish Executive and the current Scottish Government. It is understood that the First Minister rates him highly despite their clashes over GARL (Glasgow Airport Rail Link).

It seems that Mr Purcell’s health issues are connected with stress and overwork, a problem which afflicts more and more people in a world where more is always being expected for less. The paper does not know whether his down time is a temporary or permanent situation. It seems that he will remain a councillor and that in the interim the Deputy Leader, Jim Coleman, will take on the role of acting leader.

It has been thought that at some stage Mr Purcell would stand as a candidate for Labour at Holyrood, or perhaps Westminster, and that his rise through the ranks would continue in parliament be it in opposition or in government.

Clearly he is a political opponent as far as I am concerned and I have had, and continue to have, many disagreements with Mr Purcell's policies, however, I most sincerely wish him well and I hope that a speedy recovery will be his now that he has handed over the undoubtedly stressful job as the leader of Glasgow.

Nothing is more important that your health. Next to that all else falls into insignificance, so forget all the problems for now, relax, take it easy. It's already someone else's problem. Get well soon Steven.

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