Scottish Elections and Equal Pay

A number of readers from South Lanarkshire have been in touch - asking if they should be rasing the issue of equal pay during the Scottish election campaign. 

Well, I would say that's what elections are all about - asking the candidates where they stand on the big  issues of the day - and clearly equal pay is a hot political potato in South Lanarkshire.

Up until now most of the South Lanarkshire MSPs have said very little, if anything, publicly on equal pay.

The Labour MSPs have all been very conscious that South Lanarkshire is a Labour-led council - and have been wary of saying anything to upset their Labour colleagues at a local level.

But that shouldn't stop people living in South Lanarkshire asking awkward questions - in fact the more awkward the better.

The only MSPs who have been in touch with me directly - and who have done anything practical to support the fight for equal pay in South Lanarkshire are Alex Neil and Margaret Mitchell.

Alex Neil organised a public meeting earlier this year - which was very well attended - and he has taken the issue up vigorously with both South Lanarkshire Council and the Scottish Information Commissioner.

So, fire away - put the candidates on the spot - ask them:
  1. Where do you and your party stand on equal pay in South Lanarkshire Council?
  2. What have you said or done to support the thousands of council workers still fighting for equal pay in South Lanarkshire?
  3. What do you think of South Lanarkshire's behaviour in relation to Freedom of Information - and its efforts to keep secret the rates of pay for certain male jobs?
If you don't like the answer - say so - and make it clear that it may well influence how you intend to cast your vote on 5 May.  

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