NEWSLETTER | Issue 9 1

SNP Helensburgh Branch

STRONGER FOR JULY 2018 Depute leader tasked with ‘building case’ for independence

Keith Brown MSP and Depute Leader will be holding three National Assemblies to talk through the opportunities for independence. National Assembly is the forum for the development of policy within the SNP. Policy is debated and discussed before being presented to the Party for approval at National Council or National Conference. Here we will discuss the report of the Sustainable Growth Commission and the platform on which we will renew the case for independence. Any member of the Party is entitled to attend National Assembly. They will be at: Ayr on Sat 25/08/18, Aviemore on Sat 01/09/18 and on Sat 09/09/18.

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SNP DUMBARTON UPCOMING EVENTS PAGE INDEX Sat 28/07/18: Scottish Pipeband Civic Centre, Helensburgh Championships Page 2 – “Upcoming Events”

Thu 12/07/18, 7:00pm to If you would like to donate a Page 3/4 – “Theresa May must 7:30pm (Branch Meeting) face down those who would take tombola prize, you can drop off us over cliff”, Nicola Sturgeon at JJR Print, Poplar Rd Thu 12/07/18, 7:30pm to MSP and First Minister Dumbarton or contact Iain 9:00pm (BfS Presentation) Page 5 – “The Brexit plan the UK Robertson at: Cabinet should be discussing”, Commodore Hotel Coffee Liam Furby iain- Morning with Brendan O’Hara [email protected] Page 6/7 – “Depute leader MP tasked with ‘building case’ for ALL UNDER ONE BANNER independence”, Liam Furby Sat 18/08/18, 10:00am to 2:00pm Page 8 – “The murky world of Marches for Independence Tories' dark money donations finally exposed”, Mhairi Black MP Sat 28/07/18 – Page 9/10 – “Scotland’s new SNP VALE OF LEVEN Sat 25/08/18 – ministerial team: what you need to know”, Liam Furby Sat 14/07/18: Balloch Highland Sat 06/10/18 – Edinburgh Page 11 – “Fact check: the Games Labour record on publicly-run Dumbarton CA will be organising public services”, Liam Furby If you would like to donate buses if you would like to book a Page 12 – “Indyposterboy” prizes to the tombola, contact seat contact Marion Plunkett Sarah Dickson at: (Dumbarton Organiser) at: Page 13 – “Useful Links” [email protected] [email protected]

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Theresa May must face down those who would take us over cliff edge By Nicola Sturgeon First Minister, 05/07/18

Tomorrow, at a country house in Buckinghamshire, the latest episode of the farce that passes as policymaking in the Tory party will be played out.

Theresa May is taking her cabinet to her rural retreat at Chequers to try and come up with a plan that avoids dragging the UK off the cliff edge of the most extreme Brexit possible. reality of what lies in store in level warnings that they may not the event of the no-deal be able to procure the Chequers dates back to the 16th scenario that some of them medicines needed to treat some century, so in some ways it is a appear to crave. of its sickest citizens. fitting venue, given that some in the Tory party appear bent on The Tory squabbling over how If there is a more damning dragging us as far back in time to deliver a Brexit deal would be indictment of any government as possible. amusing were the consequences policy in recent memory I not so potentially disastrous for cannot think of one. And of course, waiting in the all of us. wings, are the hard-line If the Scottish Government were Brexiteer plotters, led by Jacob Amid all the warnings of what to pursue such a course of Rees-Mogg, sometimes dubbed lies in store, it is easy to lose action we would, rightly, be “the honourable member for sight of just how serious those pilloried for it. But, such is the the 18th century”. consequences now threaten to litany of chaos, confusion and be. contradiction spawned by the Rees-Mogg and his fellow Tories’ Brexit shambles, that it At the weekend, we heard travellers specialise in a misty- passes as just another day, with warnings that the NHS in eyed, fantastical notion of just another warning. Britain, summed up in the England were actively drawing immediate post-referendum up plans for a worst case Then yesterday we saw the period as a desire to create scenario of a no-deal Brexit report from the independent what was dubbed “Empire 2.0”. which threatened the IPPR think tank that the cost of availability of vital medicines in everyday goods for households But the days of empire are long the UK. is set to surge as a result of gone, and the whimsical, post- Brexit. imperial delusions of the hard Just think about that for a Brexiteers do not survive the moment. The UK government is And Scotland is set to be among first contact with the hard actively pursuing a course of the hardest hit parts of the action which has now led to high NEWSLETTER | Issue 9 4 whole UK when it comes to Instead, they have allowed the Read more: those price hikes. interests of ordinary people the length and breadth of the UK to Two years on from the Brexit The IPPR predicts that an referendum: here’s what we be subjugated to the internal extreme Brexit, outside the know plotting, scheming and European single market and Scotland’s Brexit plan: bloodletting within the Tory protecting jobs and living customs union and instead party itself. standards relying on World Trade What is the SNP’s plan for Organisation (WTO) rules – That is an unforgiveable Brexit? which is what some of the Tory abdication of responsibility for hard-liners want – would see which they deserve to pay a food prices rise by an average of very, very heavy political price. 5.3 per cent UK-wide, with Theresa May appears boxed in transport costs soaring by 7.7 by the Brexiteers and the DUP per cent. when it comes to finding the At a time when family budgets kind of solution which would are already squeezed, and with solve the Irish border issue Tory austerity continuing to bite, which lies at the heart of the those price rises could be deliberations. enough to push some However, with more and more households to the brink. senior business figures starting I hope that common sense to break cover and make clear prevails and that what emerges that they will be taking jobs and from tomorrow’s Chequers investment out of the UK in the summit is something which event of a no-deal scenario, the resembles a workable plan for time is fast approaching for the the least damaging Brexit Prime Minister to face down possible. those who would take us over the cliff edge. That would mean, at a minimum, staying in the But, given everything that has

Customs Union and in the Single happened to date, no one Market, which is around eight should be expecting white times bigger than the UK market smoke from the Chequers alone. That is overwhelmingly in chimneys. the interests of Scotland and of And if there is, it’s likely to be the UK as a whole. the Brexiteers shredding and But nothing the Tories have burning any proposed deal. done in the last two years suggests that rationality, common sense or the best This article originally appeared interests of the country as a in the Daily Record. whole will prevail. NEWSLETTER | Issue 9 5

The Brexit plan the UK Cabinet should be discussing By Liam Furby, 06/07/18 £8.7 billion higher than leaving the that protects our public EU with no deal. services and economy. Scotland didn’t vote for Brexit, we all know that. But if the UK is to Read more about why staying 3. A deal that keeps Scotland safe leave the European Union, we want in the Single Market is best the best possible deal for Scotland. here. The EU’s Chief Negotiator, Michel Barnier, has warned that the UK’s With the UK government still 2. A deal that ensures Scotland can current negotiating position could engulfed in infighting, we have no attract people to work here and leave the UK out of the European idea what sort of deal they want. It support public services Arrest Warrant system. That would looks increasingly likely that they’ll make it harder to catch criminals get a bad deal, or no deal at all. Over the next 25 years the number who have fled to other EU of people aged over 75 in Scotland countries – or send them back to In contrast, the Scottish will increase by 80 per cent. That’s face justice. Government has set out in detail a a good thing, but it also means plan that could protect Scotland there will be more demand on our We are clear: there must be no from the worst impacts of Brexit. NHS, with less people in work to reduction in our ability to support public services through cooperate with other European Here are just three of our priorities taxes. countries and agencies to tackle for the Brexit talks. crime. Over the last few years the working 1. A ‘Norway-style’ deal that age population of Scotland has Read more: protects jobs and living standards gone up – meaning more people paying taxes – partly thanks to the Two years on from the Brexit A ‘Norway-style’ deal – where we contribution of workers from the referendum: here’s what we know stay in the Single Market – is the rest of Europe. Brexit could now Scotland’s Brexit plan: protecting least worst option for Scotland’s reverse that increase in our jobs and living standards economy. working age population. What is the SNP’s plan for Brexit?

Norway is not a member of the EU By staying in the Single Market, but, in almost all areas, Norwegian Scotland can continue to attract businesses trade across the EU people to come here to work and without extra charges or barriers. support our public services. And That’s because Norway, like with additional powers over Iceland, Switzerland and immigration Scotland could create Lichtenstein, is in the Single new immigration rules that meet Market. the most pressing needs of our economy. Scottish Government analysis has found that, if the UK Read more about our plan for were to remain in the Single a Scottish migration system Market, Scotland’s GDP would be NEWSLETTER | Issue 9 6

Depute leader tasked with ‘building case’ for independence By Liam Furby, 26/06/18

Keith Brown is to dedicate his Announcing the move, Nicola In his enhanced depute leader time and energy to his new Sturgeon said Mr Brown’s role, Mr Brown will be depute leader role and become responsibilities will include supported by a team of MPs and the standing campaign director preparing the party for a MSPs who will be appointed in for the SNP – with responsibility possible snap UK General the coming days, and report for policy development, Election, developing and helping directly to the party leader. preparation for future elections to communicate and win In addition, Nicola Sturgeon and building the case for support for the case for confirmed that Derek Mackay Scotland to become an independence - starting with a will stand down as business independent country. series of National Assemblies to convener after seven years, discuss the Sustainable Growth following the SNP conference in As the first dedicated depute Commission report and October. The party leader’s leader in a decade, Keith Brown recommendations - engaging nomination of a new business will also take on some of the with members, branches and convener – the chair of the functions currently undertaken external stakeholders across the National Executive Committee by the party leader, including country, and building the policy and national conference – will chairing regular meetings of the and campaign platform for the be announced in the autumn. political cabinet. 2021 Holyrood elections. NEWSLETTER | Issue 9 7

SNP leader and First Minister “All of that would be a big general election should it Nicola Sturgeon said: enough job, but with more and happen, build and strengthen more people open to the case the case for independence and “Keith has done an excellent job for independence it is also start to lay the foundations for as a government minister over essential that we focus time, the 2021 Holyrood election. many years and has many energy and resources on achievements that he can be “In the coming days we will be building the arguments for very proud of, including appointing a team of MPs and independence and engaging overseeing the construction of MSPs to support this work and people across the country in the magnificent new put the party on a campaign discussion about why it is the Queensferry Crossing. footing. best future for Scotland. As “However, he and I have depute leader of the SNP, and “While my constituency will decided that the time is right to one of our most experienced always come first, serving as a ensure that the energies of the politicians, there is no better Government Minister has been SNP leader and depute leader person to lead that work than a huge honour, and I am team are focused not just on Keith Brown.” particularly proud to have delivering a strong SNP helped deliver the iconic Keith Brown, SNP depute Government, but also a party Queensferry Crossing, the leader added: operation that is from top to hugely successful Borders bottom, fit and ready for the “It is a huge honour to have Railway and to have served as opportunities that lie ahead. been elected depute leader of veterans minister, representing the SNP and I want to give my all our veterans community inside “Keith’s decision to be a to the role. government. dedicated depute leader will enable him to steer the party’s “Over the last few weeks, the “This is a hugely exciting time policy development, engage and public outcry over the Tory for the SNP and I am relishing motivate our expanded power grab has led to a further the opportunity to get the SNP membership, get us ready for increase in our party ready for the campaigns and future elections, and develop membership and a refreshed opportunities that lie ahead.” the case for independence. debate about independence – Read more: and so it has become clear to “To ensure we can deliver the SNP to hold National Assemblies me that we must capitalise on best future for Scotland we on Scotland’s economic future this moment. Depute Leader Keith Brown's must be ready for a snap UK address to conference election at any time, and we “The First Minister and I have A better economic future for must also begin the hard work agreed that, as part of the Scotland: what you need to of building a policy platform on leadership team, I should know which to seek the support of the dedicate my time and energy to people of Scotland in the next the role of depute leader – Click link to book your place: Saturday 25 August - Ayr Holyrood election. effectively becoming the Saturday 1 September - standing campaign director of “We must also make sure that Aviemore the party – and lead work to Sunday 9 September - the voice, expertise, energies build our policy platform, ensure Edinburgh and ideas of our expanded we are ready for an early membership are harnessed. NEWSLETTER | Issue 9 8

The murky world of Tories' dark money donations finally exposed

By Mhairi Black MP, 02/07/18 £435,000 donation during the EU parliamentarians are, in some referendum. It’s claimed cases, close to £10,000 each, that Cook has links to the constituents have a right to know very highest levels of the where that money is coming from. Scottish Tory Party. Last week, SNP MP Pete Wishart Davidson must clarify what wrote to the Electoral Commission connection she has to him calling for a full investigation and and whether her party just yesterday, another colleague have helped themselves to Martin Docherty-Hughes MP wrote money from dubious to Davidson asking her to be sources. And that’s not all. transparent.

Over the past week, there have Details from the Electoral The Scottish Tories are up to their been some pretty damning Commission show that a so-called necks in dark money and it’s time revelations emerging over how the “trust” – the Scottish Unionist the Electoral Commission zeroed in Scottish Tories are being Association Trust (SUAT) – have on these shady practices. The bankrolled. given an eye-watering £318,876 to question for Davidson now is, will the Tories between April 9, 2001 she come clean? Investigations by BBC Spotlight and February 28, 2018. Northern Ireland, the Ferret Or will she instead continue to website and openDemocracy There’s nothing wrong with the accept dodgy donations with one website have found that Scottish figure – this is about the source of hand, while shaking the hands of Tory members have directly the cash and what the Scottish Tory constituents with the other? benefited to the tune of hundreds Party knew about them and what Read more: of thousands of pounds through they potentially chose to overlook. murky donations. 5 Tory policies that Ruth Davidson Under the law, it is down to knows are hurting Scotland but political parties to make sure that It sounds like a script from House still supports of Cards but there are now any donations they receive come Planned red carpet treatment for questions to be answered by from a valid and permissible Trump on UK visit makes my Scottish Tory Leader Ruth source. Parties are allowed to stomach churn Timeline: every time the Tories Davidson. accept funds from trusts as long as they fulfil the set criteria. However, have ignored Scotland on Brexit BBC Spotlight brought to light the it turns out that SUAT do not meet conduct of Richard Cook, the that criteria. chairman of the Constitutional Research Council, a former vice In fact, there’s not a lot of chairman of the Conservative Party information out there for the in Scotland and a previous Tory public to see about SUAT – an candidate for East Renfrewshire. entity who for years have topped up the Scottish Tory piggy bank. No The investigators uncovered an one knows who manages SUAT, alleged “trail of involvement in what their assets are or who their illegal activity and foreign money”. donors are. They also revealed that Cook was behind the DUP’s controversial Yet, Davidson and her party saw no issue with that. When donations to NEWSLETTER | Issue 9 9

Scotland’s new ministerial team: what you need to know By Liam Furby Cabinet Secretary for Justice Cabinet Secretary for Rural Humza Yousaf Economy Fergus Ewing

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has appointed a new, refreshed Scottish Government Cabinet. Here is the complete list of Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers.

Cabinet Secretary for Education Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Cabinet Secretary for and Skills Tourism and External Affairs Environment, Climate Change and John Swinney Fiona Hyslop Land Reform Roseanna Cunningham

Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Cabinet Secretary for Social Cabinet Secretary for Health and Economy and Fair Work Security and Older People Sport Derek Mackay Shirley-Anne Somerville Jeane Freeman

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Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Deputy First Minister John Swinney As the Tories continue to pursue a Infrastructure and Connectivity remains Education Secretary, taking damaging Brexit, ripping up the devolution forward our plan to raise attainment in our settlement in the process, Michael Russell Michael Matheson will ensure the necessary preparations for schools and transform the provision of the UK leaving the EU are put in place. childcare.

As Finance Secretary, Derek Mackay has Minister for Children and Young People overseen the successful devolution of Maree Todd Income Tax and delivered more money for our NHS and education. Derek will now also Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills have responsibility for growing our (also reports to Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills) economy. Jamie Hepburn

Jeane Freeman joins the Cabinet as Health Minister for Public Finances and Digital Secretary. Jeane will build on the last Economy decade of progress in our NHS, with record Kate Forbes health spending; more doctors and nurses; and the best hospital A&E performance in Minister for Trade, Investment and Cabinet Secretary for Communities the UK. Innovation and Local Government Ivan McKee As Justice Secretary, Humza Yousaf will Aileen Campbell Minister for Community Safety lead on the delivery of new hate crime Ash Denham laws. Humza becomes both Scotland’s first

minority ethnic Cabinet Secretary and the Minister for Europe, Migration & youngest ever. International Development Ben Macpherson Fiona Hyslop will continue in her role as Culture Secretary, including taking forward Minister for Older People and Equalities a Culture Strategy for Scotland and Christina McKelvie supporting our booming tourism industry. Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment (also reports to Cabinet Shirley-Anne Somerville will serve as the Secretary for Environment) first dedicated Social Security Secretary, Mairi Gougeon working to deliver a system with dignity and respect at its heart. Shirley-Anne will Minister for Public Health, Sport and also ensure that the voice and priorities of Wellbeing Scotland’s older people are represented at Joe FitzPatrick Cabinet Secretary for Government the highest level of government. Minister for Mental Health Business and Constitutional Aileen Campbell joins Scotland’s Cabinet Clare Haughey Relations and will lead on our efforts to tackle Michael Russell Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the poverty and inequality. Aileen will also Islands continue work to empower communities Paul Wheelhouse and reform local government. Minister for Local Government, Housing Fergus Ewing will continue as Rural and Planning Economy Secretary, supporting Scotland’s Kevin Stewart thriving food and drink sector and delivering a new economic development Minister for Parliamentary Business and agency for the South of Scotland. Veterans Graeme Dey As Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham will take forward new climate Read more: change legislation, setting the toughest Scotland’s new ministerial team: what you greenhouse gas emissions targets need to know anywhere in the world. The Scottish budget: what you need to

know Michael Matheson will take on this key Depute leader tasked with ‘building case’ economic role, which will include delivering for independence our commitment to superfast broadband for all homes and businesses.

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Fact check: the Labour record on publicly-run public services

By Liam Furby, 04/07/18 sector £1 billion every year. The Read more: projects had a total capital value of 7 ways we’re keeping homes When it comes to private sector £4 billion but will cost £22 billion in affordable repayments. In 2018-19, Scottish involvement in public services, What is Labour’s position on Labour are big on rhetoric. But councils spent 8 per cent of their Brexit? their record in government tells a school budgets paying off Labour's Does the SNP support public different story. PFI debts. ownership?

Here’s how Labour matches up to the SNP on publicly-run public ✅ We are using new powers to services. ensure a public-sector bid for Scotland’s railways.

✅ The SNP is committed to a ❌ Labour in Scotland, and at publicly-run, publicly-delivered Westminster, rejected calls to NHS. devolve the power to create a public sector bid for our railways ❌ In Scotland, Labour outsourced throughout their time in an NHS hospital (since returned to government. the NHS by the SNP); failed to reverse Tory outsourcing of cleaners (now brought in-house in ✅ We intend to award ferry NHS hospitals); and, in England, contracts directly to public sector Labour opened the floodgates to operators in the future if certain health service privatisation. criteria can be met and subject to the views of local communities.

✅ We have rejected Labour/Tory ❌ In government, Labour refused privatisation of our prisons. to explore exemptions that would have allowed them to award ferry ❌ On leaving office in 2007, contracts directly to public sector Labour had built one private prison, operators. had put plans in place for another and had proposed a third.

✅ We have introduced a Transport Bill that, if passed, will ✅ We ended the use of the give local authorities the power to Tory/Labour Private Finance run publicly-owned bus franchises Initiative (PFI) to fund schools and – as already exists in Edinburgh. hospitals in Scotland. ❌ In government Labour made no ❌ Labour used the Tory PFI moves to amend the law to allow scheme to build schools and local authorities to run bus hospitals. The flawed deals franchises. continue to cost Scotland’s public

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Useful Links SNP Sites Council Sites

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