PCS general secretary FRAN HEATHCOTE explains why opposing war is inseparable from defending jobs, wages and public services – and why readers should come to the London Peace Conference on Saturday June 20
BY the time the next Scottish Parliament election comes around in 2021 the Scottish National Party will have been the sole party of government in Scotland for 14 years, longer than any single party United Kingdom government since 1830 with the exception of the Tory governments of Thatcher/Major.
After such a period of uninterrupted power and popular support, actually increasing their share of the constituency vote at each election, it would be easy to excuse the thought that the SNP had earned its political success by bold promises, and then delivering on them, changing the face of Scotland in the way that some multi-term governments have done for Britain.
The reality is somewhat different, and the fact is that not only has the SNP repeatedly made very few specific electoral promises, as compared to broad brush claims of societal transformation, but when they have done so they repeatedly fail to achieve what they promise.
The new Scottish Parliament looks set to continue a cycle of managerial tinkering while public services face the axe, writes STEPHEN LOW
MATT WRACK issues a clarion call for a rejuvenation of public services for the sake of our communities and our young people


