Mike Robb wants Devolution Max

Remember Mike Robb? He was the Labour candidate against Danny at the last Westminster election. Who knows, perhaps he'll get another run out soon if the coalition continues to go the way it is going? Anyway, at a time when the latest polls are showing the SNP even further ahead in the polls than they were in May the Labour mannie gets his head round the fact that they were given a bloody nose by the SNP:

"The SNP out spent, out organised and out campaigned us, and continue to do so. To deal with that, we need to do way more than just re-organise the constituency party deck chairs. We need a policy programme that enthuses people in Scotland about what Labour will do for them."

Just what could Labour do for Scotland? Perhaps someone has ideas on that, this observer is at a bit of a loss to come up with something. Anyway Mike even contemplates an Independent Scotland:

"Whether we like it or not, we are heading towards an independence referendum. We need to work out what we want to achieve from that. Are we just about winning a majority “no” vote, or are we brave enough to use the coming debate to make the case for our own vision of a confident and self reliant 21st century Scotland? Do we think devolution has gone far enough or do we want to make a Labour case for more? If Scotland votes for independence, what will people want an Independent Scottish Labour Party to do for them?"

Mike shows us clearly where he is heading however and his thoughts just demonstrate how far Scottish politics have shifted now. If you want the support of the Scottish electorate then is it all about how close you place yourself to SNP policy in order to achieve that? Mike will obviously be needing a third option on the referendum ballot paper:

"Personally, I think we should be arguing the case for “devolution max” with left of centre policies that work in a Scottish context and are based on much more control of the economic levers. We need to recognise the strengths of being part of the UK, but not be afraid to argue for distinctive, Scottish politics. Politics that the rest of the UK might look at and say “can we have some of that too please" "

You can read Mike Robb's article here.

Mike Robb (Labour) blogs on

The election may be over but Mike Robb's blog seems to have received a new lease of life. He has written two articles 'Lib Dems sell-out on Nuclear Power' and 'After the Election'. The defeated candidate writes:

'I wonder how many LibDem voters are now questioning how their support for Danny Alexander has led directly to the return of a Tory Government and a coming programme of savage cuts which will devastate jobs and services in the Highlands. The Tories were a distant 4th in this constituency as they were across Scotland, but they are now about to dominate our lives, with the help of Mr Alexander and his LibDem colleagues. '

He's tweeting too and here's a couple of his entries:

'Guardian predicting a Portillo moment for Danny Alexander at next election.'

'Reaction to Danny A taking Sec State role much stronger than I expected. Real anger in north and contempt in the south. '

The Gurn has asked him what he thinks of Liz's sacking - after all the Labour party are part of the Council Administration - they must share some of the responsibility for sacking Liz.

Another chance to interact with a Politician - have you any questions for the former Labour Candidate?

Inverness Labour march to protest against themselves!

Here's Labour Candidate Mike Robb and his Inverness colleagues marching on the May Day parade earlier today. The march was billed as a protest about the cuts to front-line services. Now as Labour are part of the ruling Administration on Highland Council then the cuts and consultation package presently causing so much anguish in the Highlands are just as much their property as their LibDem and Indy co-rulers. A surreal sight. (picture will enlarge)

More pictures on the Gurn flickr pages

Mike Robb (Labour Candidate) blogs again

Mike Robb has mentioned Nairn Swimming Pool again. The Highland Council cuts consultation comes in for criticism again. Here's an extract from his latest blog:

'...Highland Council’s consultation on proposed areas for budget cuts is a big issue. I’ve already made clear my support for the Swimming Pool in Nairn and the six community centres in Inverness threatened with closure. We should not be pitching one community against another in this way. These are exactly the kind of front-line services we should be protecting.The cost-savings would be small compared to the damage to local communities. I’ll be fighting to save them.'

Mike Robb's blog can be found here

Mike has the same problem as Danny Alexander, his party is part of the administration at Highland Council thus they must share the responsibility for the anger that the consultation process is causing.

Mike Robb (who?) has got a blog

The Labour mannie has a blog. Here he is in Nairn last summer, standing by the the Post Box at the Courthouse. Perhaps as an iconic feature to illustrate Labour Policy he should have gone down and stood outside the former Harbour Street Post Office. A post office that was dealt the death blow by the Labour Government!

According to Mr Robb's blog he has a facebook account - I wonder how long it will be before he will find his way along to the Save Nairn Swimming Pool facebook pages to give us all his views on the subject? Nothing to stop you Mr Robb if you know how important an issue the Swimming Pool is to everyone in Nairnshire.

Read Mr Robb's blog here. Perhaps the Gurn will e-mail him to ask him about the pool, perhaps not, it's getting late after all.

Thanks to an avid gurnite General Election researcher out there for the info about the Labour blog.