May 2010 (Alison McInnes)

Alison McInnes <info@alisonmcinnes.co.uk>

May 2010

May 31, 2010 12:00 AM

Coalition agreement.

The coalition agreement drawn up between the two partners in government certainly shows great ambition and promise. The key theme in the new agreement is fairness: fairer taxes and economic reform; fair pensions; a fair start for children and fair politics through electoral reform; a fair and sustainable future through investment in green jobs. I am particularly pleased that the link between the state pension and average earnings will be restored - bringing a fairer deal for pensioners. Raising the tax threshold to £10,000 will also make a real difference to many families.

Some people have expressed concern about the prospect of coalition, but we shouldn't forget that across Europe coalition governments are the norm. And of course here in Scotland the first years of our Parliament saw stable coalition government working in the national interest. One of the benefits of coalition, as we know from the experience in the Scottish Parliament, is that there is a clear framework setting out the areas of agreement on what is to be achieved during the term of government. In the Scottish Parliament, coalition government provided the stability to introduce major changes such as scrapping university tuition fees, bringing in free personal care for the elderly and the smoking ban.

One further commitment in the agreement will be of direct benefit to scots - the promise to implement the Calman Commission recommendations, giving more powers to the Scottish Parliament. Giving the Scottish Parliament borrowing powers, for example, would be a real step forward and I hope it can happen in time to allow a sensible approach to funding major projects such as the new Forth crossing, which until now was threatening to swallow up all available funding.

So, it's early days for the new government but I certainly hope that it can fulfil the promise for a new kind of politics.

NHS Grampian.

The news that NHS Grampian is looking to shed around 500 jobs as part of an efficiency drive proposed by the SNP government has understandably caused a lot of concern locally. While the guarantee of no compulsory redundancies is welcome, I remain to be convinced that so many jobs can be taken out of the system without affecting front line services. I will be seeking a meeting with the Health Board to raise my constituents' concerns.

Ellon Health Centre.

Meanwhile, I have been keeping up the momentum for our campaign for a new health centre for Ellon. I have been really heartened by the support I have had from local people. I intend to present the petition to NHS Grampian next Monday so if anyone has any petition sheets to return please do so before then.