Just like everyone, I was shocked by recent events in the Welsh County of Bridgend. 17 young people seeing no other option, than to take their own life.
The police and some of the affected parents are trying to pin some of the blame on the media and internet chat rooms. As much as I despise the red-tops and the way 24 hour news is going generally, trying to push the blame onto them is utter bollocks.
Some of the areas they really should be looking at, particularly in young people are schooling, peer pressure, relationships and puberty. All these often come to the fore all at the same time and it is simply sometimes too much for young people to deal with.
The Samaritans were on the streets of Bridgend last Saturday night reminding people of the service they provide. Schools have also been urged to train teachers in suicide awareness. All this is very commendable, but would money not be better spent on tackling the biggest causes of suicide?
But Wales has only a fraction of the problem Scotland has. Suicide rates in Wales, England and Northern Ireland are 8 per 100,000 population. In Scotland it is 14.7. It is particularly a problem for males, aged 15-44 from lower socio-economic groups.
In 2002, the Scottish Executive launched a ten year strategy to try to tackle the issue called Choose Life. A pretty patronising and ill-thought out title, if you ask me, but nevermind. One of its aims was to cut suicide rates by 20% in Scotland by 2013.
894 people claimed their lives in Scotland in 2002, making us third in the European suicide rates per 100,000 people, just behind Finland and Poland. However, there is some reason for optimism. The latest figures reported today in the Herald show in 2006 the number of suicides had dropped to 755. Perhaps vindication of the “Choose Life” strategy.
Nevertheless, there is no room for complacency. Indeed researchers have warned that the drop in figures may be due to different, less successful suicide methods are being used. The actual suicidal behaviour may not have altered.
The key for me in tackling Scotland’s problem with suicide is suicide survivors. And I am not talking about cry-for-help suicide attempts because the person had too much to drink last night, but feels alright now attempts. I am talking about people who have deep rooted feelings, but have somehow managed to pull through. These are the people we need to listen to. What are their issues? What made them “Choose Life”?
This may help drive down suicide numbers, but tackling the underlying mental health issues, is a whole different ball game.
If you are feeling suicidal, please phone one of these numbers before you do anything else.
Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87 (6pm to 2am)
Childline 0800 11 11
Samaritans 08457 90 90 90 or email jo@samartians.org
Friday, 29 February 2008
Thursday, 28 February 2008
More Power
Nicol Stephen has appeared on the radar for the first time since……, well the elections come to think of it. Ahead of the Lib Dems conference in Aivemore this week he has been talking about more powers for the Scottish Parliament. Apparently, the world is moving his way!!
I just couldn’t believe it when I read that. What have the Lib Dems done in the last 9 months to shape thinking around more powers for the Scottish Parliament? Aye, exactly – NOTHING!
The debate has been around the SNP wanting independence and Wendy Alexander’s Commission being hijacked by Gordon Brown.
The fact is that the Lib Dems were offered the opportunity on a plate to shape the landscape of Scotland when the SNP asked them to enter into coalition talks, but they flatly refused even to enter into negotiations.
So how they can credibly claim that the debate is moving their way when they have all but been forgotten in Scottish politics is beyond me!
And another thing that pisses me off is this quote from Stephen:
"We must take this chance, we must seize this opportunity. We want powers for a purpose. We still have single ministers in Whitehall who expect to control the lives of tens of millions of people from their desks."
So why does he not support independence? If he is that concerned about having more powers, then why not have the ultimate power of how Scotland is governed – INDEPENDENCE
I just couldn’t believe it when I read that. What have the Lib Dems done in the last 9 months to shape thinking around more powers for the Scottish Parliament? Aye, exactly – NOTHING!
The debate has been around the SNP wanting independence and Wendy Alexander’s Commission being hijacked by Gordon Brown.
The fact is that the Lib Dems were offered the opportunity on a plate to shape the landscape of Scotland when the SNP asked them to enter into coalition talks, but they flatly refused even to enter into negotiations.
So how they can credibly claim that the debate is moving their way when they have all but been forgotten in Scottish politics is beyond me!
And another thing that pisses me off is this quote from Stephen:
"We must take this chance, we must seize this opportunity. We want powers for a purpose. We still have single ministers in Whitehall who expect to control the lives of tens of millions of people from their desks."
So why does he not support independence? If he is that concerned about having more powers, then why not have the ultimate power of how Scotland is governed – INDEPENDENCE
Friday, 22 February 2008
Another By-election
Another election, another SNP victory. This time in the in the Highland ward of the Perth and Kinross Council. Is this the way it is going to be from now until independence? SNP victories?
The sister of the previous councillor won an emphatic victory. Kate Howie gained more than double the votes of her nearest rival. Is this a sign of how well the SNP are running the country, or is it just a decision based on local politics?
Result
Kate Howie, SNP, 1,891
Graham Rees, Tory, 940
Andrew Kenton, Lib Dem, 229
Anne Chatt, Labour, a paltry 97
Turnout 43.6%
The sister of the previous councillor won an emphatic victory. Kate Howie gained more than double the votes of her nearest rival. Is this a sign of how well the SNP are running the country, or is it just a decision based on local politics?
Result
Kate Howie, SNP, 1,891
Graham Rees, Tory, 940
Andrew Kenton, Lib Dem, 229
Anne Chatt, Labour, a paltry 97
Turnout 43.6%
Monday, 18 February 2008
Rock 'n' Bankroll
Share prices can go up or down. That is the advice that is always given when shares are being sold. So why do shareholders start complaining when the shares they are holding become virtually worthless?
I know, shares influence your pension, your mortgage etc so it is in your best interests for them to complain blah, blah, blah, but why should the taxpayer bail out shareholders who cannot read the warning signs?
The Chancellor became the Darling of all the opposition political parties when he gave them plenty of Rocks for them to throw at him by announcing that Northern Rock would be nationalised.
However, the shareholders were unbelievably not happy with this. What would they rather the bank be sold to another private company where they would have probably received a fraction of the amount the government will offer in compensation. Or would they have preferred the business went down the pan, where they would not receive any money at all?
Roger Lawson, chairman of the Northern Rock Shareholders' Action Group said he thought there were "good grounds" for legal action.
Why?
The same thing happened a few years ago when Railtrack shareholders were up in arms.
An old adage springs to mind – live by the sword – die by the sword.
I know, shares influence your pension, your mortgage etc so it is in your best interests for them to complain blah, blah, blah, but why should the taxpayer bail out shareholders who cannot read the warning signs?
The Chancellor became the Darling of all the opposition political parties when he gave them plenty of Rocks for them to throw at him by announcing that Northern Rock would be nationalised.
However, the shareholders were unbelievably not happy with this. What would they rather the bank be sold to another private company where they would have probably received a fraction of the amount the government will offer in compensation. Or would they have preferred the business went down the pan, where they would not receive any money at all?
Roger Lawson, chairman of the Northern Rock Shareholders' Action Group said he thought there were "good grounds" for legal action.
Why?
The same thing happened a few years ago when Railtrack shareholders were up in arms.
An old adage springs to mind – live by the sword – die by the sword.
Friday, 15 February 2008
SNP Win Elgin City South Council By-election
John Sharp, the SNP candidate, has won the Elgin City South council by-election following the death of the Independent Councillor, Alastair Bisset.
The SNP claimed 32% of the vote with Independent candidate Mr Simpson 25%, Labour 17% and the Tories 10%. Swing from Labour to the SNP was 6%.
Is this a trend that is set to continue, wiping Labour off the Scottish political map, or is this a result that is unique to the North-East where the SNP tend to do well?
Only time will tell.
Report
Discussion
The SNP claimed 32% of the vote with Independent candidate Mr Simpson 25%, Labour 17% and the Tories 10%. Swing from Labour to the SNP was 6%.
Is this a trend that is set to continue, wiping Labour off the Scottish political map, or is this a result that is unique to the North-East where the SNP tend to do well?
Only time will tell.
Report
Discussion
Sunday, 10 February 2008
Can Wendy Survive?
I am going to see the Smashing Pumpkins at the SECC on Tuesday night. Although it is the fourth time that I have seen them, I have been counting down the days ever since I got my ticket.
It looks like we are also counting down the days to the end of the tenure of the fourth Scottish Labour leader since devolution. Wendy may have won a moral “victory” this week, but it is a bit like your team winning the final game of the season when you are already relegated and are facing the prospect of administration.
No sooner had the verdict from the Electoral Commission come out, than the Sunday Herald are reporting that Gordon Brown is about to hi-jack Wendy’s Constitutional Commission. Now Labour made a big thing about this at the time, but now Papa Broon wants to downgrade it to a review or a working party. And he wants it to be led by Westminster.
If that wasn’t enough, Wendy has had to do a bit of moonlighting as a plumber. For the amount of leaks that are coming from Labour at the moment are enough to keep anyone busy. The latest shows that a Shadow Cabinet minute shows that the tactic of reading a pre-prepared loyalty script to selected journalists has been a successful one.
Yeah, right!
Then there was her well documented performance at the vote on the Scottish Budget. Having put forward an amendment to the budget, which was accepted by the SNP, she and her colleagues then failed to vote for it. All, that is, except for Cathie Craigie, who voted against it. By mistake, allegedly. Must be hard, all those options to choose from!
All this must be enough to make her wonder why she even wanted the post in the first place. Then along comes the revelation that she may be facing a further Electoral Commission investigation as well as a police one. This time the claim is that she misled businessmen into funding her constituency office to the tune of £12,000.
The Smashing Pumpkins have been a band, on and off for about twenty years, because of the ability of Billy Corgan, their lead singer. The next Labour leader will have to be just as gifted if the Labour ship is going to be turned around. Andy Kerr may be licking his lips at the prospect of a leadership election, but this job may be beyond his capabilities.
It looks like we are also counting down the days to the end of the tenure of the fourth Scottish Labour leader since devolution. Wendy may have won a moral “victory” this week, but it is a bit like your team winning the final game of the season when you are already relegated and are facing the prospect of administration.
No sooner had the verdict from the Electoral Commission come out, than the Sunday Herald are reporting that Gordon Brown is about to hi-jack Wendy’s Constitutional Commission. Now Labour made a big thing about this at the time, but now Papa Broon wants to downgrade it to a review or a working party. And he wants it to be led by Westminster.
If that wasn’t enough, Wendy has had to do a bit of moonlighting as a plumber. For the amount of leaks that are coming from Labour at the moment are enough to keep anyone busy. The latest shows that a Shadow Cabinet minute shows that the tactic of reading a pre-prepared loyalty script to selected journalists has been a successful one.
Yeah, right!
Then there was her well documented performance at the vote on the Scottish Budget. Having put forward an amendment to the budget, which was accepted by the SNP, she and her colleagues then failed to vote for it. All, that is, except for Cathie Craigie, who voted against it. By mistake, allegedly. Must be hard, all those options to choose from!
All this must be enough to make her wonder why she even wanted the post in the first place. Then along comes the revelation that she may be facing a further Electoral Commission investigation as well as a police one. This time the claim is that she misled businessmen into funding her constituency office to the tune of £12,000.
The Smashing Pumpkins have been a band, on and off for about twenty years, because of the ability of Billy Corgan, their lead singer. The next Labour leader will have to be just as gifted if the Labour ship is going to be turned around. Andy Kerr may be licking his lips at the prospect of a leadership election, but this job may be beyond his capabilities.
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