Richard McCready : Dundee City Council Statutory Meeting

Councillor Richard McCready

23 May 2012

Monday evening saw the first meeting of Dundee City Council since the election at the start of the month.

The result of the election across the city was a disappointment to me, although there were some highlights for Labour in Dundee.

The highlights were the increase in the number of Scottish Labour councillors in Dundee and the fact that 40% of Labour councillors in Dundee are now female.

The percentage for the City Council as a whole is 20% female councillors.

The headline grabbing appointment from last night was the election of Councillor Bob Duncan as Lord Provost of the City of Dundee.

In my five years as a councillor I have worked closely with Bob as Opposition Spokesperson and Convener and vice versa.

I think that Bob will serve the people of Dundee well as Lord Provost and I wish him all the best for his term of office.

The new Lord Provost made a good speech in which he highlighted that he wanted to work with everyone in the city and be inclusive, which are fine words.

The Administration believe that the representation on outside bodies should be accommodated by a proportion of 4 to 1 in favour of the SNP.

As ever I think that we can judge people by their actions rather than their words.

I was disappointed that the council did not see fit to mark Councillor Ian Borthwick's near fifty years of service to the people of Dundee by at least allowing him to continue in the post of Depute Lord Provost.

I do hope that Bailie Borthwick's 50 years of service is marked appropriately when it comes.

Jim McGovern welcomes Prime Minister’s apparent u-turn on the Black Watch

23 May 2012

Dundee West MP Jim McGovern today questioned the Prime Minister over the future of The Black Watch during a debate on the recent G8 meeting.

The Prime Minister committed the government the protecting the historic Scottish battalions, in an apparent u-turn.

This is an alteration to the government’s initial plan, announced by Defence Secretary Philip Hammond MP last week, which would have seen historic battalions axed outright, and personnel amalgamated into new, smaller, units.

Questions have been raised however that the Prime Minister’s commitment today is at odds with his government’s plans to cut the army by 82,000 service personnel, which the government have conceded will mean fewer army battalions in operation after the next tranche of army restructuring.

Jim McGovern said;

“I welcome the progress we have made in forcing the government to commit to keeping the traditional identities of the remaining battalions.

"We haven’t won yet, but we are in the final furlong. While there is no room for complacency we do have grounds for optimism.”

“The government must now reconcile their commitment to protecting the historic regiments with their aim of cutting 82,000 service personnel from the army. As their own minister admitted today, that will inevitably mean that some battalions will be axed.”

Mr McGovern concluded,

“What we need from the government is clarity on their actual plans for the Scottish battalions, and we need to see a new approach to defence spending.

"Cutting front line personnel and shedding historic battalions is no way to equip the United Kingdom with world class armed forces.”

Jim McGovern meets with Black Watch Association members in Dundee

21 May 2012

Dundee West MP Jim McGovern has met today with Mr Roland Rose and Mr Willie Barr, senior members of the Black Watch Association.

The government’s recent announcement, and then apparent u-turn, to scrap the historic identity and red hackle of the Black Watch was discussed.

Mr Rose and Mr Barr agreed that Mr McGovern’s efforts, and his support for the Black Watch in regards to the public petition and associated media coverage was greatly welcomed by both current service personnel, Black Watch veterans and the wider public.

Notwithstanding the government’s latest decision to protect the identity of the Black Watch, which would seem to indicate a sudden u-turn, Mr Rose and Mr Barr said they would be delighted if Mr McGovern would continue his campaign in support of the Black Watch.

Concerns remain that as army personnel numbers are cut some historic battalions will be selected for closure, with the remaining battalions keeping their historic identities.

Jim McGovern said;

“I am very grateful to Mr Rose and Mr Barr for coming to my office today. We had a very full discussion, and the prevailing view was that until we have a definitive statement from the government that there will always be a Black Watch our campaign will continue.”

Mr McGovern concluded,

“I am particularly delighted that the Black Watch Association has contacted me personally to indicate their support for my efforts, and both the association and I have committed to communicate and liaise in our future work to protect the Black Watch.”