Choice in Politics

A number of readers from North Lanarkshire have been in touch to say that they are sadly disappointed at the lack of support from local Labour politicians, both councillors and MSPs.

Now that's a real shame because equal pay isn't about party politics - it's about doing the right thing without fear of favour and acting in a way that's open and transparent.

So if you ask me, local politicians of all parties (and no parties) ought to be holding the senior management of the Council to account and demanding a proper explanation as to how North Lanarkshire got itself into this terrible mess.

But it's not all one-way traffic because I received an email the other day from a reader whose local Labour councillor said he was absolutely on her side and was kicking up a fuss within the Council's ruling Labour group.

Good for him, because that's exactly what he should be doing and I'm sure there are decent people in all the local political parties who feel the same way.

The good thing to know is that local politics gives you a choice these days - there are always 3 or 4 local councillors to each local council ward, so if particular person is not very supportive then the solution is to take your case elsewhere.

The same is true of MSPs who sit in the Scottish Parliament - everyone local area has its own 'constituency' MSP but if that person is a bit of a 'dud', then a local constituent can approach one of the other MSPs from the regional list which takes in the North Lanarkshire Council area.

In other words, don't be fobbed off or pushed around - unlike the Westminster Parliament the political make-up of Scotland's councils and the Scottish Parliament gives the voters a choice of whom to approach for support.

So use it wisely, and whenever necessary.