The Dream Shall Never Die

WELFARE BILL currently going through the UK Houses of Parliament

I have caught some of today's debate on the welfare bill in the House of Commons debate. I am one of the people who will be adversely affected by the proposed changes as I receive Employment and Support Allowance and am in the work related activity group. I receive approximately £5000 per year ESA. Under the UK Government's proposals this will be reduced by £1500 per year. This is scary as all ready I cannot balance the books and frequently my house is cold and saving money is always on my mind with every decision. I did not ask to be long term sick and never wanted to claim this benefit. Thank goodness the SNP MPs including my own MP in Glasgow North East, Anne McLaughlin are fighting this bill as I am in quite a good position in comparison to many who will be affected even although it will put me in more financial strife that I don't know how I am going to stand long term.

SOUTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL - LADY MARGARET DRIVE blocked right of way

This story follows on from my previous post of 13.10.2014 a link to which is shown immediately below...
http://cdbc81.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/south-ayrshire-council-continues-to-do.html

I received a reply to my enquiry regarding the blocked right of way at the end of Lady Margaret Drive. Despite this contradicting previous information supplied by South Ayrshire Council it does indeed answer the question if it indeed it is public land and always has been.

Lady Margaret Drive is the L shape in the centre of the image. The area in question is the green area through which the path ran for approximately 20 years.

This is the letter received...
Dear Mr CrawfordPlease see attached map showing SAC ownership of the area to the rear of Lady Margaret Drive the pink area is South Ayrshire Council the light green area highlighted is not in council ownership this is private land and I am afraid I do not have the details of who owns this land.  You would be able to get this detail from The Register of Scotland in Edinburgh 08456070161.

I cannot comment on what you have been previously told, and as far as I can see this area of land has never been in council ownership.

Regards

M D (name appears on original letter)

However having received this I researched rights of way. Having looked at the legislation i.e. that rights of way do indeed exist in Scotland (something that I had hitherto been unaware of) it seems that the owner of the Darley Plantation was aware of this fact, which is why after approximately 20 years the path was closed, as this is the length of time required to make it a right of way. It is significant as the access at the end of Balcomie Crescent (the other road which terminates at the green area which signifies Darley Plantation) remains open. 

For more information regarding rights of way please see the below link...

https://www.scotways.com/faq/rights-of-way-law/213-how-does-a-route-become-a-right-of-way

So much as the closed path irritates every time I go there the landowner holds all the cards as usual.

Who is going to stand up for Scotland?

Who is going to stand up for Scotland after the UK General Election 2015?

Wind of Change

A wind of change is blowing through Scotland... Every day it blows stronger and stronger. The movement for change is now unstoppable!

Westminster party leaders made a solemn vow on more powers. Now they must listen to the people and deliver on that promise. 

Letter sent regarding change to Electoral Registration system

I am an SNP activist in Glasgow. 

Having chatted to many people whilst campaigning I am alarmed by the number of people who have told me they are no longer on the register. Everyday when I go onto facebook I read similar stories. This takes me to the reason why I am contacting you. 

Below is a quote currently on Glasgow councils electoral webpage: "The electoral registration system changed in September 2014 to a new system of Individual Electoral Registration (IER). Each individual is required to register themselves and provide a few more details including your National Insurance number." 

Could you please answer these question?: 
1) Why were changes made? 
2) Why ( according to the quote above ) do individuals need to go out their way to register rather than have a convenient system that reminds them IE a letter from their local electoral office? 
3) Do all applications now get processed in England by the DWP and do they have a traffic light policy of green,amber and red? If correct, did applications before September 2014 get processed in England? Did the DWP process applications before the 18th of September 2014? 
4) Since the new rules were introduced has there been a reduction of people on the register in Scotland since the 18th of September? 
5) Why does the system now require additional information? Is this effecting the numbers on the register? 
6) Are you aware of any suspect websites claiming to be able to process applications? I consider this to be a very important subject which does require clarification. 

Based on what I am hearing out on the streets and online, many people will be left disappointed after May the 7th when ( for what ever reason ) they will have not been able to vote. 

To prevent disappointment can the electoral roll issue an online statement and possibly try to clarify the new rules to a much wider audience? 

I realise that I have raised several concerns and questions with you. I would really appreciate your assistance with all of the above.

Reproduced with the kind permission of Martin Monaghan, SNP activist.

Call your local council and ask them to clarify if you are registered to vote.

On the 19th of September 2014 a new system was introduced in the processing of applications to be added to the voters roll in Scotland.

I believe the DWP ( Department of Work and Pensions UK ) now carefully look at applications and grade them with either Green, Amber or Red. This can prevent you from being registered. If you are considered either Amber or Red you might be taken off the register.

I think it very wise that every single voter in Scotland check that they are registered to vote. In Glasgow right now you cant get clarity on the phone as their system is down and has been for 5 days. 

The cut off for online applications in Glasgow according to a person at Glasgow City Council (no doubt situated in the Kremlin on George Square or close to it) is the 17th of April 2015 and postal applications is the 7th of April 2015. 

Local authorities across Scotland will have their own times. Clearly this new system will effect the numbers able to vote. My advice is not to re-register online. Call your local council and ask them to clarify if you are registered to vote. 

Many may be left very disappointed if the new changes are not widely acknowledged.